Fort Huachuca to Get Wind-Power Plant

By JACK GILLUM

A Massachusetts wind-power company announced this week that it will build a power plant at Fort Huachuca, part of a larger effort by the base to go “green” while cutting costs.

The 50-kilowatt generator, designed partly to withstand monsoon rains, uses a design different from other generators and has fewer operational costs, according to Mass Megawatts Wind Power Inc.

Rather than using a large, propellerlike blade to catch the wind, Mass Megawatts’ patented design uses a series of vertical vanes stacked in a rack.

The $125,000 wind generator is among the least expensive of its kind, said Jon Ricker, CEO of Worcester, Mass.-based Mass Megawatts.

“It’s another way the Army is moving aggressively toward renewable energy.”

Fort Huachuca, home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center, has added a number of energy-saving and renewable-energy features in recent years.

A base spokeswoman said other efforts have included solar- electric power installations and water-free urinals.

“We don’t just wear green; we are green,” said spokeswoman Tanja M. Linton.

Mass Megawatts executives said they expect the generator’s construction to be completed by August.

* Contact reporter Jack Gillum at 573-4178 or jgillum@azstarnet.com.

Originally published by JACK GILLUM, ARIZONA DAILY STAR.

(c) 2008 Arizona Daily Star. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.