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small wind Success StoriesCase Studies Monastery Pleased with Wind Turbine Performance After more than one year of operations, the Sacred Heart Monastery in Richardton, N.D., has proclaimed its two wind turbines an initial success. The monastery has shaved $12,000 off its electricity bills since its turbines came online in June 1997. Sacred Heart became interested in wind generated electricity as a means of defraying "uncontrollable utility bills which continued to rise," according to Sister Paula Larson. The environmental benefits were also a factor in the decision to experiment with wind energy. Larson said, "we wanted to see how much our small contributions could impact the poisonous gases—sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide—that are sent into our breathing air." So, after researching the technology, the sisters settled on two Silver Eagle turbines. After upgrading the turbine components with the assistance of FORAS Service Co., of North Palm Springs, Calif., the machines were ready for operation. Once the initial hurdles of installation, negotiations with the local electric cooperative, and integrating the generators to work in conjunction with the monastery’s internal plant were overcome, the turbines were brought on line and generated electricity on 215 of the first 365 days they were in operation. According to Larson, the occasions the machines weren’t operational were either windless days or days of scheduled maintenance. From June 16, 1997, to June 16, 1998, the project generated 179,410 kWh. At the 8.745 cents/kWh rate charged by the local utility, Sacred Heart saved more than $11,566. Combined with $538 received for its excess electricity generation, total savings for the year exceeded $12,000, more than a third of the monastery’s bill. Larson lamented the fact that Sacred Heart’s electricity supplier was not obligated to participate in a net metering program. If it had, she believes the monastery "would have done exceedingly better." Larson says the turbines have generated more than electricity for Sacred Heart. "The presence of the turbines has attracted lots of interest," she said. "Our location can be seen easily from the interstate, so we have many who stop by, phone calls, and interest in general." Sacred Heart’s goal is to operate the Silver Eagles for 10 years. Assuming the monastery continues to be pleased with the site’s wind resource, Larson said Sacred Heart will "replace the equipment with the state-of-the-art, new millennium equipment which will be far superior." More information is available from the Sacred Heart Web site at www.rc.net/bismarck/shm/bwitness.html
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