Tony Kuykendall, Performance Services, Inc., and business development manager for the project, noted, "The wind power project will include two 330-foot high, one megawatt (MW) Nordic WindPower turbines. The revenue generated will benefit the school and the city budgets by offsetting current utility costs. Wind is a tremendous natural resource in Randolph County and we’re excited about partnering with Randolph Eastern School Corporation, The City of Union City, and American Electric Power to utilize renewable wind energy to benefit the taxpayer community and an Indiana public school corporation."
Bryan Conklin, Mayor of Union City, will be on hand to welcome the turbine. He commented, "Union City is very excited to be the first community in the nation to have a wind turbine for both the School Corporation and City. The goal for our community is to first reduce our use of energy as much as possible. Then, switch to renewable sources of power where it makes economic sense. And, over time, offset the emissions we can’t avoid. Climate change poses clear, catastrophic threat. We may not agree on the extent, but we certainly can’t afford the risk of inaction. It also allows us to create a new revenue stream for our community. We can create a more sustainable and cleaner world by making wise energy choices for our community."
Cathy Stephen, Superintendent of Randolph Eastern School Corporation, will receive the school’s turbine on Tuesday, January 19th at 10:00 am. She said, "We are proud to be part of this first of its kind partnership with a city, a school corporation and an energy savings firm. This creates an opportunity to produce wind energy, which will lessen our carbon footprint.
It also allows us to create revenue for our school corporation in difficult economic times, and most importantly will give our students and citizens an opportunity to be part of a cutting edge K-12 school curriculum in alternative energy. We are excited that after years of study, hard work, and negotiations our dream is becoming a reality.
The work done by Performance Services, The City of Union City, Randolph Eastern School Corporation and particularly high school science teacher John Zakelj will pave the way for future partnerships to move quite quickly. We are proud to have been part of this groundbreaking project."
Performance Services is an Indiana-based design build engineering company that specializes in new construction and renovating schools and universities to deliver optimal learning environments through both the Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract and Design Build procurement methods. Innovative wind power and geothermal systems are integral to the energy services portfolio.
The company has provided energy solutions to schools for 12 years and is the leading service provider of guaranteed energy savings projects and ENERGY STAR® labeled schools in Indiana. In 2009, Performance Services was named the #1 Best Places to Work employer in Indiana for employers with 25-249 employees.
Wind power is the fastest growing renewable energy source in Indiana and Illinois with excellent wind resources across the state. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimates that Indiana has 40,000 megawatts (MW) of wind potential.
Performance Services is committed to working with K-12 schools and universities to better understand and evaluate the power of this natural resource to reduce energy costs, generate a new revenue stream and enhance the curriculum. Introductory presentation includes:
* An overview of the current U.S. installed wind capacities
* The benefits and considerations of wind energy
* Environmental impact of wind energy
* Economic considerations for the use of wind energy
* Grant applications and other funding alternatives
* The dynamics of community and utility provider support
* Feasibility studies and financial incentives
* Renewable wind energy curriculum
