University of Minnesota Plans Wind Turbine Installation at Rosemount

The University of Minnesota is planning to erect a wind turbine at Rosemount. The 2.5-MW Clipper wind turbine in Rosemount at the UMore Park property will be a big boost in the generation of domestic wind-power.

The university will be receiving $8 million towards funding as part of the overall $24 million grant for three universities under a consortium for wind power research, the other two universities being the University of Maine and the Illinois Institute of Technology.

The Clipper turbine is scheduled for a December-installation and will be providing university officials with a massive opportunity for studying energy capture as well as operational capabilities. Clipper’s C96 model turbine stands 426 feet tall from the ground till the upright blade tip. The university also plans for rolling out online graduate as well as undergraduate courses that have its focus on wind energy technology and the integration with renewable-energy technologies.

Wind power trade groups and the U.S. DOE (Department of Energy) are promoting ideas for developing wind energy sufficient for supplying 20% of the country’s power by the year 2030, thus reducing the U.S. dependence upon oil imports, coal-fired plants as well as cutting carbon emissions.