Wind Turbine Spins On As Resourceful Kansas Turns Off

It’s the end of an era, or so it is for Resourceful Kansas. Even though the program has come to a close, residents of Kansas will be reaping the benefits for decades to come. Riley County, as the lead organization in Resourceful Kansas, will benefit the most. Taxpayers are getting a break as behind-the-meter wind now thrives at Riley County Public Works as part of this innovative program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. With the installation of a Northwind 100 wind turbine, a major program element to educate participants on the benefits of wind energy, it is anticipated Riley County will save $50,000 annually.

During the two-year stint, this program assisted 280 Kansas organizations in maximizing their pursuits towards energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy. A series of educational seminars, energy audits and assessments, and technical assistance were made possible through a partnership between Riley County Public Works, GBA and Kansas State University.

Hundreds of tours have been given at the state-of-the art public works facility. It features nearly 20 sustainable and renewable energy sources, but the Northwind 100 continues to spark interest with its size and capacity. In parallel to its magnitude over other systems on the grounds, it produces the most energy and generates about 236,000kWh a year.

Although Resourceful Kansas is past its final rotation, we won’t be seeing a halt in the rotation of the Northwind’s blades anytime soon. With a 20-year life expectancy and aid from additional systems, the county and local taxpayers will spin their way towards $1 million in savings.

Discover additional facts about the wind turbine in Northern Power’s latest case study. Or if you are seeking best practices for energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy, tips from the experts are still available at www.ResourcefulKansas.org.