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newsroom
POWER FOR THE PEOPLE: GOV. RENDELL AFFIRMS PENNSYLVANIA'S ROLE AS A HOME WIND ENERGY LEADERAWEA emphasizes small and renewable energy systems and policy can solve energy security concerns Pittsburgh, Pa. - Governor Rendell affirmed Monday that small wind turbines for homes, towns, and small business are a growing possibility in the state of Pennsylvania. Rendell emphasized the importance of small wind energy policy at the opening of the American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) WINDPOWER 2006 Conference & Exhibition at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. "Pennsylvania is blazing a new trail by making strategic investments in small wind energy systems to help us meet the clean energy needs of our residents and our economy," Governor Edward G. Rendell said. "Our small-scale wind project brings turbines off the mountain tops and into communities. By placing these windmills in areas where more people can see them, Pennsylvanians get to experience alternative energy as a part of their daily lives." The small wind energy systems that make residential power a reality are on display Monday – Wednesday this week at WINDPOWER 2006. The WINDPOWER 2006 Exhibition is open to the public Tuesday from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., and participants and visitors can explore systems large enough to power whole communities and all the way down to the small turbines which power individual homes. “Small wind energy systems (less than 100 kilowatts, kW, in size) are becoming more integrated into our communities to provide power for our homes and rural areas,” said Randall Swisher, AWEA Executive Director. “These small and discrete systems put power in the hands of people and can contribute to relieving energy security concerns at the residential level.” In April, Gov. Rendell set the stage for small wind’s arrival in Pittsburgh by bringing renewable energy funding back to life after years of inactivity. The Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) recently awarded a $193,000 grant to Southwest Windpower, an exhibitor at WINDPOWER 2006, to place 15 small, advanced-technology wind turbines in highly visible locations across the state. “Pennsylvania is a great example of a state working to create a positive climate for small wind systems,” said Andy Kruse, AWEA member and Co-Founder of Southwest Windpower, “We have also seen progress at the federal level and look forward to seeing continued focus on small wind technology.” U.S. Senator Kent Conrad (D – North Dakota) recently introduced legislation to create a 30% Federal Tax credit for small wind systems on par with incentives for solar and fuels cells. This legislation, while still in its early stages, will begin a move at the national level to supporting small wind energy systems for homes and communities. Small Wind Industry Background Modern small wind energy systems (up to 100 kW) are redefining the small wind turbine as an icon of energy independence and self-reliance throughout the world. The global small wind industry is helping to power the world with green and renewable energy by powering homes, villages, farms, and businesses worldwide. During the last fifteen years the Small Wind Turbine industry has begun to experience rapid growth. As outlined in AWEA’s 2005 Global Small Wind Market Study annual sales for the small wind industry jumped from $1 million/year in 1991 to just under $16 million annually in 2004. Projections from the study put annual sales in 2010 at just over $26 million dollars. More recent projections don’t show any signs that the industry will slow. Based on information provided to AWEA by small wind companies in 2006, the association estimates the leading U.S. small wind turbine suppliers are projecting an average annual growth rate of 32% for the U.S. grid-connected market through 2020. Recently small wind energy systems have broken into the mainstream, with Walmart placing a Bergey 50-kW system at an experimental energy-efficient store in Texas and ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” TV placing a Southwest Windpower system as part of home remodelings. With rapid growth and increased acceptance by home owners, industry leaders anticipate a greater penetration into the residential market in the months and years to come. Exhibit Open To The Public On June 6 th from 4-6 p.m. WINDPOWER 2006 will open its exhibit floor to the general public. The cost for exploring the exhibit hall will be $5 per person. More than half a dozen companies will be available at AWEA’s Small Wind Pavilion, and a representative from Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection will be on hand to answer questions home owners may have about state incentives and grant programs. To learn more about AWEA and small wind energy systems, visit http://www.awea.org/smallwind.html Small Wind Energy System Media Availability Small Wind Industry members are available for interviews through out WINDPOWER 2006 Conference and Exhibition upon request. AWEA’s Small Wind Energy Pavilion features a half dozen companies on the exhibit floor.
Public Opening: Tuesday June 6th, 4-6pm will be a good time to interview Pennsylvania citizens and business community members interested in small wind energy systems. Local / Western PA Small Wind System Owners Lutherlyn Camp and Terra Dei Homestead On the camp grounds of this environmental education center is the Terra Dei Homestead and a 5kW Synergy Small Wind Turbine that provides power to the homestead Lutherlyn is a year around ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Programs, which include education on the small wind turbine, encourage students to consider the environmental implications of their lifestyles and explore everyday solutions to ecological problems. Energy efficiency as well as renewable energy systems are used as tools to teach Christian based schools about stewardship. Public school students are not given a faith based environmental education. Customized, hands-on programs include alternative energy sources, energy efficiency, integrated pest management, and organic gardening. Terra Dei is the first straw bale house built in Pennsylvania and features a myriad of conservation technologies. Heath Gamache is also working with Appalachian Wind Systems to develop a low wind speed small wind system manufacturing company based out of Western PA. Other Contacts of Interest Pine Township McKeever Environmental Learning Center (Mercer Co.) Kurt Knaus, Press Secretary AWEA, formed in 1974, is the national trade association of the U.S. wind energy industry. The association's membership includes turbine manufacturers, wind project developers, utilities, academicians, and interested individuals. More information on wind energy is available at the AWEA web site: www.awea.org. # # # |
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