MCCC adds wind turbines to its energy project

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

MCCC adds four wind turbines to campus energy project

POTTSTOWN Montgomery County Community College cut a symbolic green ribbon on April 21 to dedicate four new wind turbines at its West Campus in Pottstown.

The 25-foot vertical axis wind turbines were recently installed outside MCCC's Schuylkill Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center, near the Schuylkill.

Although the turbines will not power major facilities on the campus, the demonstration project is designed to provide real-life teaching and learning opportunities for students and faculty.

Each wind turbine produces 1,000 watts of energy for a combined 4,000 watts, enough energy to power the LED lighting in the Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center parking lot.

The blades have a cut-in speed of 7.83 m.p.h., and each turbine produces about as much noise as a desktop computer, the school said.

The turbines are part of a self-funding energy conservation project that is expected to result in 19 percent energy savings - and more than $6 million in cost savings - over the next 15 years. - Inquirer staff