NEW WIND

Specialized wind turbine ready for testing
March 23, 200 (UPI)

WHO
Distributed Energy Systems

WHAT
Testing of the next generation Northwind turbines, which stand about 150 feet off the ground and generate about 100 kilowatts on average.

WHEN
Presently being sent for testing.

WHERE
The turbines, designed and built at Northern Power in Barre Town, Vt., will be shipped to Golden, Colo. to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

WHY
The Northwest turbines are specially designed to accommodate small villages, farms and rural areas that are too remote to be connected to the grid. The new design is smaller and uses less materials so its more cost competitive at between $250,000 and $350,000 per unit. The turbines are used to produce electricity for households as well as to power water treatment facilities.

QUOTES
Craig Giles, product manager at Northern, suggested the turbines could be used to offset up to about 50 percent of diesel use in places like the islands off South Korea's shores, or Alaskan villages.