Warren School building wind turbine for students

A new energy source is helping students at Warren Consolidated Schools get pumped up – wind.

The school district is building a 30-foot wind turbine at its Macomb Mathematics, Science & Tech Center. It's part of a wider effort by Warren Schools to conserve energy and integrate alternative energy into the school district's curriculum and everyday operations.

"We really want to be on the cutting edge of renewable energy for schools," says David Walsh, consultant and associate superintendent for Warren Consolidated Schools. "This will help us do that."

Parts for the wind turbine (Walsh calls it a spire because it's on the smaller side) are already there. It's set to be up and running by the end of the month. The 1.5 kilowatt wind turbine does not produce much electricity (it would take 3-4 to power a house) but what it does create will be used by the school.

High school students will construct, maintain and monitor the wind turbine. The data from it is expected to help determine the viability of wind turbines in the Warren area. It will also serve as basis for interesting and teaching students about careers in alternative energy. The school district is also looking at ways to conserve energy in its operations.

"We're looking at our energy consumption and where we get our energy from," Walsh says. "It's just possible that wind has a role with us."

Source: David Walsh, consultant and associate superintendent for Warren Consolidated Schools
Writer: Jon Zemke

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Warren School building wind turbine for students

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