A New Wind Generator System  For Evanston
         Over a generation ago The Epoch B Committee  was formed at the Evanston Ecology Center. Among their projects to help improve energy efficiency at the center was installation of  a 4kw Humming Bird wind generator on  a 60 foot tower in 1982. The system worked for a while supplying a small amount of electricity to the Ecology Center. For many years now the system has not worked.
         The wind energy group of Evanston's Energy Future proposes to erect anew larger turbine somewhere in Evanston which would provide more electricity. The new system would be  a 10kw wind generator installed on a 120 foot tower. (A higher tower is needed to take advantage of higher winds speeds and more electric generating capacity.)  The electric energy generated would be either used by the Ecology Center or if it generated more than the center needed would be sent into the electric grid and supply the grid with renewable energy.
         This demonstration project is a visible way to show what is possible to produce clean electricity,  reduce our dependence on using nuclear,  coal and natural gas that produce a wide variety of pollution and  contribute to global warming. There are no nuclear waste products to deal with-a problem that will probably never be fully solved. This will provide a small step in moving toward an America  that could provide 20% of its energy needs from renewable resources by the year 2020 if we have the vision and will to do it.

Cost
         The cost of the project fully installed with wind generator, tower, and electronics to connect to the grid should cost between $40,000 and $70,000.

Illinois grant program
         An Illinois grant program could help pay up to $20,000 of installing this system. The Renewables Energy Resources Program administered by the Illinois  Department of Commerce and Community Affairs administers funds for the program collected through power companies specifically for the purpose of assisting renewable energy development.

Progress so far
         The committee has talked to the Arboretum Committee, and the City of Evanston Site Plan and Appearance Review Committee concerning this project and has received tentative approval to proceed. It will be presenting their recommendation for the system to the local community around the ecology center in the near future.

Why now?
         "In the Winter of 1976 a group of Citizen in Evanston began to talk in earnest about what can be done so that we can live more compatibly with our environment, Can we, within the limits of an urban society conserve our natural resources rather than consume them? As we analyzed our modes of living it became apparent that an area which could be significantly improved upon was our wasteful use of energy." So begin chapter one of A community project in Alternate Energy. Published by the
Evanston Environmental Association.
         That was over a generation ago. A lot has happened since those early day's in the 1980's when there were few demonstration projects and wind energy could not compete with other conventional forms of generating electricity. Now wind energy is fastest growing form of energy to produce renewable electric energy.  Illinois was once written off as a state with too little wind for commercial production of electricity. Now  several wind farms are planed to be built within 200 miles of Chicago and will be in operation with in two years.

Join Us
         You can add your voice and financial  support for the development of clean renewable energy for Evanston's Ecology Center and provide a visible renewable demonstration project for the City of  Evanston.

Location, location, location....The new wind turbine for Evanston changes again.
        Since the wind groups proposal for a new wind turbine was turned down by the Ecology Center, a new location is being considered.

NU - The student group "Engineers for a Sustainable World" has expressed a strong interest in helping the wind group with the project. They can begin fall semester. The following are a few ideas for shaping this project:

  A. The engineering students could design the tower and construct it in class.  (possibly NU funded) Perhaps the tower becomes a new light weight, attractive, unique design that takes advantage of new manufacturing technology. Perhaps precast concrete, using NC milled foam molds.

  B. NU students could design the MOUNTS connecting the tower to the old observatory foundation. (possibly NU funded)

  C. The turbine could provide the electricity to charge up the Evanston "ELECTRIC MODEL T" car, conceived and constructed by Evanston resident Charlie Sheridan. (NU also has other electric vehicles that could be powered by the turbine if it could supply enough energy. The classic Vintage character
of the model T, could very well attract media and attention in many Evanston events such as parades, which would leave people with a fresh and positive view of how wind energy can be used.

  D. The students may want to design the charging station and/or the storage
area for the vehicles. (there is a lot of thought needed on this part of it)


The following flash animation was made by wind group members Ross Vagnieres, Hal Mead, and Moira Gael. Of course with NU as the new location, some of it is irrelevant, but the rest can still apply.  Please note this animation takes a few minutes to load.
Feel free to grab a good book to read while waiting.
It's worth the wait!
View the movie

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