Harnessing wind power

In the Maui Newspaper, I read about the Maui Ocean Center trying out a new way of generating renewable electricity (energy). This was a project done together by Maui Ocean Center, Maui Electric Co., and California wind turbine maker Aero Vironment Inc. The two companies both pitched in and partnered up with M.O.C. to see how this project will turn out. Maui Electric Company donated $10,000 for their research and development funds, while Aero Vironment Inc. donated both shipping and installation costs. The total costs for it all was a total of $46,029.

They are curious to find out how these 1-kilowatt wind turbines will work with generating renewable energy. They all hope that this will work out especially the general manager Kate Zolezzi, of M.O.C. She hopes and feels confident that this option will work to help with the use of electricity and to save money for the business. They use electricity on not only lighting and air conditioning, but also for the pumps that keeps the aquarium water filtered and running through. They would all like to see the turn out on how this will be in cost wise for paying. Richard Clemons, accountant manager of MECO shares that he would like to see how the turbines will work and if the relatively low-power generators will be a bviable renewable energy option (Melissa Tanji,Maui News Staff Writer). Richard states " we want to see if the techonoloy is there to make it economically feasible".

There are six 1000-watt turbines with avian copies to protect the birds, and are all 9 feet tall. If we were to compare this to Kaheawa Wind, it's turbines are 1.5-megawatts and stand over 200 feet tall. They've installed these turbines on an outside wall on one side of the Ocean Center entrance as shown in the picture above. If the wind is constant everyday, thye believe that the turbines could produce 48,880 kilowatt housr in a year. Right now, they aren't running but until then, they are putting together a touch pad monitor to read off the weather that is mounted on the top of the turbines. And visitors will be able to see the performance of this turbine now and in the long run if all goes well.

I feel that this is a great idea, because Maui Ocean Center is thinking of how to conserve and save electricity. And now that the economy is getting so high now, they are trying to find another option into saving money. And this seems to be a great idea n alternative for them. If all goes well, they will be able to generate electricity/energy through the natural trade winds that we have on the island. And according to their studies, Ma'alaea is consistently windy year around (Kate Zolezzi). If I had the time and the money, I would so go for it and try out something like this as well.

Aloha no,
Ipo

Resources:
The Maui News
September 22, 2008
Written by: Melissa Tanji