Towering turbine project to put Hellgate winds to work for UM in Missoula

An 80-foot-tall wind turbine may start tapping the Hellgate breeze next spring, as the University of Montana College of Technology moves ahead with its alternative energy studies program.

By ROB CHANEY of the Missoulian

http://missoulian.com/articles/2003/12/20/news/local/news08.txt

College of Technology Dean Paul Williamson detailed the plans at a public forum Wednesday before the City Board of Adjustment. The university doesn’t have to get any special approvals from the city, but it does have to advise the public about its plans.

"It’s a little bit different than most people are looking at," Williamson said of the turbine project. The tower’s 20-foot blades will generate about 10 kilowatts of electricity when turning. However, it will be designed to be raised and lowered so students can learn to maintain it and test improvements. Williamson said the project will be combined with studies of solar cells and hydrogen electrolizers to find efficient ways of storing alternative-energy supplies.

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For more info on The Montana’s Hydrogen Futures Project visit: http://www.cte.umt.edu/MTFutures/

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Missoula Office of Planning and Grants planner Pat Keiley said the tower would probably be active only during winter and spring months when the winds are blowing hardest. It will be on UM property east of Washington-Grizzly Stadium along the Kim Williams Trail.

The turbine previously stood outside Norris, where Montana Tech students performed wind power studies.