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McKeever Environmental Learning Center |
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The wind energy system at McKeever Environmental Learning Center was completed on June 1, 2007 by North Coast Energy Systems. The system provides supplemental power to the facility. This is a grid-direct system, which means that the wind turbine ties in directly with the existing utility service. When the system is producing more than the building is using, the excess power is fed back into the utility for credit. When the system is not producing enough to cover all loads, the remaining power is pulled from the utility. The wind turbine is a Bergey Excel-S 10kW wind turbine, and it sits on a 140' guyed lattice tower. It has a permanent magnet alternator (no gearbox), which means that there are very few moving parts; and fewer moving parts results in lower maintenance and better durability. On average, the wind turbine produces about 170 - 220kWh's per month, with highest production occurring during fall, winter and spring. |
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McKeever Turbine close-up. |
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The inverter and kWh meter (pictured above) are the only balance-of-system components for this wind turbine. The inverter is the device that changes the electricity produced by the turbine into usable electricity. The inverter also makes it possible for the wind energy system to legally run in parallel with the existing utility grid. The kWh meter allows us to take monthly readings and track the production of the wind turbine. This meter also provides an early warning for any problems the system may have. |
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Click on the link below the photo to view a larger version. |
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For more information, please contact: Joe or Lisa DiFrancisco 814-459-9378 or Cell: 814-490-9430 Copyright © North Coast Energy Systems. All Rights Reserved |
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