Wind Energy Showcased at Iowa Fair
By Elizabeth Ahlin, Omaha World-Herald, Neb.
Aug. 17–DES MOINES — One of the new attractions at the Iowa State Fair has nothing to do with fried food, big animals or political candidates.
Towering above Expo Hill on the fairgrounds, the State Fair’s wind turbine is a symbol of what some state leaders want Iowa to be known for: renewable energy.
“It’s a tremendous educational program to help further renewable energy thinking,” said Gary Slater, manager and CEO of the State Fair.
The wind turbine is expected to produce 0.5 megawatts of power a year. That would equal about one-quarter of the total energy used on the fairgrounds each year. One megawatt can power 1,000 homes for a year.
The energy produced by the turbine does not directly power the fairgrounds. It’s sent to a power grid just outside the fair.
In return for the energy the wind turbine is expected to produce, MidAmerican Energy has pledged $100,000 to the fair’s Blue Ribbon Foundation annually for the next 10 years, thereby reducing the fair’s annual energy bill from $400,000 to $300,000 on average.
MidAmerican Energy built and installed the turbine at a cost of about $1.1 million. Customer contributions made up $150,000 of the final cost, said Tom Budler, general manager of wind development for MidAmerican.
In the past decade, more than 1 million people have attended the fair each year. Both MidAmerican and State Fair officials hope that will provide a large audience eager to learn about wind energy.
“They (MidAmerican Energy) are getting the awareness of those who stop by the fair,” said Slater.
A temporary information building sits near the foot of the wind turbine. Staffed by MidAmerican employees, the center offers information on the wind turbine at the fair, as well as wind energy in general.
MidAmerican plans to build a permanent education facility that would be open year-round to showcase renewable technologies.
Gov. Chet Culver repeatedly has said wind energy is a renewable energy source that can be expanded in Iowa. Culver incorporated it into his $100 million Iowa Power Fund devoted to renewable energy growth.
The State Fair turbine is 133 feet from the ground to the hub, with 64-foot rotor blades. It generates power when the wind speed is between 11 and 34 mph.
“It’s really huge. It’s just very majestic on the hill up there, turning in the wind,” Slater said.
Wind turbines usually are seen from the highway, miles away. The fair’s windmill gives people a chance to see one up close.
“Here, you can walk up to the base of it and put your hand on it,” said Slater.
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