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small wind Success StoriesCase Studies Wind Power Wows Visitors at Pennsylvania Amusement Park Hershey, Pennsylvania – A whirling small wind turbine has become a major attraction at Hersheypark in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The 10 kW Bergey small wind turbine, mounted on a 60-foot tower, casts its own dynamic silhouette against the landscape of roller coasters and funhouses. Company officials at the internationally known amusement park, famous for exhibiting solutions to environmental challenges such as recycling, say they take particular pride in the message the wind turbine promotes. “Our visitors feel that the small wind turbine is a wonderful addition to the park,” says Jennifer Heisey, manager of corporate sponsorships for Hersheypark. “It provides an excellent educational component to their visit since it is a real-life example of what can be done today to harness renewable energy sources.” Heisey adds that at least one company in the area was so inspired by the small wind turbine that it is now considering installing a renewable energy system of its own. Donated by Community Energy, Inc., the small wind turbine rises above the “Pioneer Frontier” section of Hersheypark accompanying sixty 2 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. The two renewable energy technologies are located directly across from each other, separated by a walkway. The wind and solar systems are expected to produce 30,000 kWs of electricity yearly, all of which will be fed directly into the park's electrical grid to offset conventional sources of electricity. Visitors can observe by way of LCD signage, how many kilowatt-hours are being produced in real time at any given time from either the wind or solar systems. The turbine was supplied a Pennsylvania based wind developer, Energy Unlimited, Inc. (EUI), with support from the Sustainable Energy Fund. The Sustainable Energy Fund of Central Eastern Pennsylvania, located in Allentown, PA, was established in 1999 by the Public Utility Commission as a system benefit fund to promote the use of renewable and clean energy and support energy efficiency in the Commonwealth. The wind turbine was inspired by a lively environmental education show for children called “Green Team 3000,” sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Sustainable Energy Fund. “Green Team 3000” teaches environmental lessons through physical comedy sketches, juggling, and magic. “The Green Team show was developed to demonstrate our commitment to promoting recycling and protecting the environment,” says Hersheypark general manager Frank O’Connell. “The renewable energy project is the ideal next step for us.” The solar panels and supplemental funding for the small wind turbine came from Community Energy, Inc. “We are thrilled that Hersheypark is showcasing wind and solar power,” says CEI president Brent Alderfer. “Hersheypark is known around the world for family fun in the sun, and power from solar and wind sources means family fun for generations to come.” Success Stories Home | Small Wind Home _______________________________________________________________
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