The Saint Francis University Renewable Energy Center in Loretto, Cambria County, has announced another application period for its popular statewide Community Wind Project. Public and private entities can receive a wind energy assessment of their property at no upfront cost.

“Community wind” refers to mid to large-scale wind power projects owned by public or private entities for on-site usage or sale to the grid. The key feature of community wind is local ownership and control which maximizes local benefit.

Projects can consist of one to several turbines and produce 100 kilowatts – 10 megawatts (enough power for 20 – 2,500 homes respectively).

The vision is wind turbines powering municipalities, water treatment facilities, schools, colleges, ski resorts, businesses, farmer cooperatives, and other public and private facilities.

Eligible sites have the following characteristics: high elevation typically over 2,000 feet of elevation is necessary for mid to large-scale turbines; close proximity to a large energy demand; and large acreage.

The Community Wind Project was established to support community wind development in Pennsylvania through site identification, upfront technical assistance and feasibility analysis, and project development consulting.

The Project owns and installs 168 feet tall meteorological towers on properties typically for 12 months. Over 500 applications from nearly every county in the Commonwealth have been received since the Project was launched in 2005. Testing towers have been installed in four counties—Blair, Cambria, Erie and Somerset.

Just 100 megawatts of locally-owned wind power could mean $14 million in annual revenues to rural Pennsylvania communities. Currently there are approximately 250 megawatts of installed wind power in Pennsylvania though none is community-owned.

Wind power development is projected to reach 5,000 megawatts state-wide by 2030 and the Community Wind Project seeks to explore the viability of 10 – 20 percent of that development being locally-owned and controlled.

Those interested in small, residential-scale wind turbines should not apply to the Community Wind Project, however, they are encouraged to contact the Center for information about the Renewable Energy Installers Directory which has information about small wind system installers.

Founded in 2005, the Saint Francis University Renewable Energy Center promotes community and residential scale renewable energy in Pennsylvania. The Center’s mission is to lead and educate communities, schools and businesses in the development of cost -effective and environmentally-sound energy alternatives. The Center is affiliated with the University’s Small Business Development Center.

The center is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, MetEd/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund, Heinz Endowments and the US Department of Energy.

For more information or to apply, call 814-472-2872 or send email to: renewable@francis.edu or visit the Center’s website.

7/4/2008