Turbines
"Green Energy": Renewable energy that is safe for the environment.
Wind Energy through the use
of Turbines.
3 acres on campus of
undeveloped
Bryant land
To make Bryant efficient and
budget wise with the energy choices
Interview: Kenneth
Person (Director: Facilities Management, Bryant University)
The Biotic Trio (B3) : Is
there
room in the budget for this project?
Kenneth Person (KP): No.
B3: What land is
available for
use of project?
KP: Any land that is
currently
undeveloped.
B3: Have there been any
groups
with this same wind energy idea in the past that came to you?
KP: No, you are the first
group
(The Biotic Trio).
B3: What uses would the
wind
energy go towards? What buildings?
KP: Depending on output of
the
energy produced from the turbine, this will determine the size of the
building
to put the energy to use. Chaffee, Koffler, Residence Halls are great
because
they are the smallest buildings on campus.
B3: How soon do you think
this
project can be underway given a specific budget?
KP: It takes about six
months
to design, two months to bid, and about eight months to build.
B3: Is there going to be
any
complications with being able to use certain land? Ponds? Legal
environmental
policies?
KP: Wetlands would require
D.E.M.
(Department of Environmental Management) approval as well as other
sections
throughout the Bryant Campus. If we would allow a turbine on campus it
would be placed on a wetland because the campus is mostly comprised of
wetlands behind the Unistructure. The approval process would take
another six months.
B3: Would the school have
to
hire a specialist, or is there already somebody on staff with
experience
in this field?
KP: Yes, a specialist in
electrical
engineering with wind turbine experience would have to be hired.
B3: Can we possibly have
a map
or blueprint of available land area?
KP: Yes
B3: Could we have a tour
of the
prospective location?
KP: Yes
B3: Is it possible to
find outside
funding for this project? (Grants, other companies/organizations)
KP: Yes, as a clearing house
you have to go through the U.S. Department of Energy.
B3: Would it be possible
to have
two wind turbines?
KP: Yes, it would be
environmentally
friendly to have more than one.
B3: Again would funding
be available?
State grants?
KP: Depends on if you could
find something.
B3: Have you heard of
other schools
with this system?
KP: No
B3: Do you think this
would be
a precedent for other schools to adhere to?
KP: This would serve as a
model
for other schools.
