Through a grant facilitated by Dr. Christopher Post, associate professor of geography, the Dominion Foundation awarded Kent State Stark $28,000 for a vertical wind turbine. Wind Turbines of Ohio, located in Alliance, installed the turbine on the southeast side of the campus’s new Science & Nursing Building.
While the turbine will partially power the building, its primary purpose is education and research.
“Having a wind turbine as part of our campus landscape will make the study of wind power more real to students,” says Post. “It will help us recognize more clearly what wind power can do in our suburban environment and be a focal point for professor/student collaboration.”
Post plans to use the turbine in many of his courses, including Introduction to Geography and Physical Geography. Other faculty members will integrate the wind turbine and the data it produces with their biology, education, geography, geology, mathematics, physics and psychology courses.
“Providing students in various disciplines the opportunity to study energy theory and production, as well as related issues in policy, affordability and reliability; impact on wildlife; visual impact on landscapes; land and resources; and health and safety will help develop a skilled workforce and informed population regarding energy issues,” says Post.