Fort Hays State’s newest addition, consists of a pair of wind turbine generators, ending a nearly six-year process to bring alternative energy-producing technology to FHSU campus. “Fort Hays State University’s effort to harvest electricity from the Kansas wind has also seen some uncertainties, but the outcome was never in doubt,” Edward Hammond, president of Fort Hays State University, said.
An energy report filed from Fort Hays State University shows that the turbines will provide anywhere from 97 percent to 100 percent of the campus’ energy needs, saving the university anywhere from $600,000 to $1 million dollars in energy costs every year.
Sam Brownback, governor of Kansas, said, in support of Fort Hays State’s decision to add two wind turbine generators, “I believe that Fort Hays State University is paving the way for the future of Kansas. The project will give students a new avenue in education, as it will help also grow the state economy by adding local Kansas jobs. It [the wind turbines] will make Fort Hays State University one of the most cost-effective state agencies in the state of Kansas.”
The plan began at Stage One, when Fort Hays State was required to determine the specifications of the wind energy project. Fort Hays SU used an on-site anemometer, regional airport data to determine local wind speeds, according to a report from the Kansas Department of Commerce. Studies also needed to be created in order to determine how agriculture, natural visual congruence, and wildlife would be affected. The test results showed that the agriculture and wildlife would be completely unaffected. The wind turbine generators would also have a minimal effect on the natural landscape visually.
The Second Stage of the project focused on mapping the specific products and processes, according to the Kansas Department of Commerce report. First, Fort Hays State had to find reasonably priced wind turbine generators and a place to put them. It’s no surprise that wind turbine generators are incredibly expensive. Such pieces of green technology, which include the two V100-2.0 MW VCSS turbine generators, “cost the university $1.5 million apiece” Mike Barnett, Vice President of Administration and Finance, said in an interview. Vestas is an international wind turbine generator manufacturer and supplier.
“The complete ‘turnkey’ estimate,” according to President Hammond, “is approximately $9 million.”
In order to move further, Fort Hays State University had to have a Conditional Use Permit, which would allow Fort Hays to find a place to put these 400-foot tall generators. Hays city ordinances denied Fort Hays the ability to place the turbines anywhere within three miles of city limits. The Conditional Use Permit was unanimously approved by Ellis County’s Planning and Zoning Committee.
According to Mike Barnett, Vice President of Administration and Finance, said, “We were actually able to talk to a private landowner and lease a plot of property to put them [wind turbine generators] on.”
The property is located near the intersection of 210th Avenue and Golf Course Road in Hays, according the Fort Hays State University website. If you are standing in Gross Memorial Coliseum, you can see the turbines by looking towards Fort Hays State’s soccer field.
The Third Stage of the project began with a Request For Proposal, which narrowed the list of wind turbine generator vendors down, sealing the deal with Vestas. After the turbines were purchased, Fort Hays State created a transportation plan in order to have the entirety of the two turbines delivered on June 4, 2013.
Along with providing Fort Hays State’s campus with energy, and helping soften the strain of uncertain budget planning, the wind turbine generators will also bring another benefit; a new academic program. According to President Hammond,
Fort Hays State University is planning to add a new program centered on renewable energy.
The wind project is currently in its final stages, as the pieces of the turbines have been delivered, assembled, and tested. The-three-and-a-half miles of cables that will connect the wind turbine generators to campus are currently being connected. The only delay is a piece missing from the generators that is currently in the process of being shipped from Germany. The project is scheduled to be finished by late October 2013.