By Luiz Arduini | Observer Contributor
In the midst of the campus’s main entrance, monumental wind turbines stand high as students and faculty members catch a glimpse of its impressive grandeur and simple design. Mount Wachussett Community College in Gardner is fortunate to be one of the few colleges in Massachusetts that’s taken a big step towards becoming a greener campus. Online since March 25, the two 1.65-megawatt wind turbines generate a substantial amount of power for the campus every day.
Recognized for the major function of powering the campus, the wind turbines have gained national attention by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a recipient of this year’s Environmental Merit Award, this is what the EPA had to say about the wind turbines at Mount Wachusett Community College, “This project caps a decade of renewable energy initiatives and conservation measures that have slashed the college’s electrical consumption nearly in half, saving the school $4 million while shrinking its carbon footprint. Mount Wachusett Community College exemplifies how an institution can invest in clean energy, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and ultimately address the global climate crisis.”
“Over the course of the year, they’re estimated to supply 97% of the college’s electricity demand and return about 30% of its power back to the electricity grid”, said Vice President Robert Labonte. “Today in particular, wind’s speeds have been high, allowing the turbines to generate twice the amount of energy expected, which in this case energy then back feeds into the grid.” And, of course, on non-windy days, the college relies on National Grid to supply its’ energy needs.
A project of this magnitude required a tremendous amount of funding. Partially funded by the US Department of Energy and Massachusetts Clean Energy Investment bonds, Mount Wachusett Community College worked closely with the Division of Capital Asset Management to develop and finally construct this project. The final cost of the project was $9 million, and though it seems a lot to spend at once, it certainly isn’t. In a sense, the college is simply paying its’ electricity bill two years and a half in advance, while investing to be self-reliant in the production of energy years in the future.
It’s been a little over six months now since the wind turbines went online and according to Vice President Labonte everything is “running smoothly”.
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