NMCC and DEP receive grant to erect met tower on college campus
PRESQUE ISLE – The first and only college in New England to offer a training program in wind power technology will soon see a meteorological tower erected on the north end of campus to measure wind speed and direction and serve as a valuable teaching tool for students enrolled in the popular program.
Through a collaborative effort, Northern Maine Community College and the Northern Maine Regional Office of the Department of Environmental Protection have received an in-kind grant from the Efficiency Maine program that involves the loan of a 100-foot anemometer tower from the University of Maine. Data collected from the site, including that which would be used to determine how much power a wind turbine will generate at the location, will be used by both organizations.
“The met tower will provide our wind power technology students with a unique learning opportunity,” said NMCC President Timothy Crowley. “They will benefit from seeing the process unfold that could eventually lead to the construction of a wind turbine on our campus, and they will benefit from the analysis of the data gathered from this tower.”
The regional office of the DEP, which is located adjacent to the campus on property owned by the college, joined NMCC in the grant application to Efficiency Maine.
“The need for green energy sources, research and development is a priority for all Maine citizens. We see a real commitment from Northern Maine Community College to demonstrate, through their actions, efforts to create a sustainable energy program and reduce campus carbon emissions,” said Nick Archer, regional director for the DEP. “This progress is encouraging, exciting and reflective of the college’s interest in conserving our natural resources.”
Installation of the tower on the far end of campus that sits between the residence halls and Skyway Street is expected in the coming weeks. College and DEP officials have been given the green light to proceed with putting up what is commonly referred to as a “met tower” from both the Federal Aviation Administration and the city of Presque Isle.
Approval from the FAA came in late December and was necessary given the proximity of the college to the Northern Maine Regional Airport. The final go-ahead from the city came Feb. 1 when the city council approved a change in zoning for the north end of the NMCC campus proposed by the municipal planning board allowing greater tower heights.
The Efficiency Maine wind turbine site survey grants are designed to assist applicants in determining if sites are appropriate for a wind project. Eligible participants include Maine-based schools, communities, non-profit organizations and businesses.
A preliminary wind site survey analysis of the area was conducted by the University of Maine to determine site viability. The initial assessment consisted of a desktop analysis to determine that NMCC had a site of sufficient size and windiness to warrant a detailed site survey.
NMCC intends to use the data collected and analysis of the information from the met tower to further evaluate the possibility of erecting a wind turbine on the campus. The installation of a turbine at the college would be most beneficial to students and instructors in the wind power technology program.
AMONG THOSE TRAVELING to Pleasant Point on the coast of Downeast Maine March 5 to take a “polar dip” in order to help raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House are members of the Northern Maine Community College “Freezin’ Falcons,” from left: Genine Piro of Presque Isle, Jayme Bither of Linneus, Ashlei Look of Jonesport, and Aaron Conroy of Presque Isle.
