University farm becoming part of energy initiatives

Dr. Ana Locci can see the future of Ohio's economy. "The development of the state of Ohio, the economy of the state of Ohio will be focused and is being focused on the clean energy industry," Locci says. After all, she would know. As the director of The University Farm - Squire Valleevue and Valley Ridge Farms - Locci has spent the past several months developing a new program that would enable Case to build a research wind turbine on the university's farm. The rather petite new turbine would measure just over 100 feet tall and produce 90,000 kilowatt hours per year, and would provide 80-90 percent of the farm's average energy needs as well as significantly reduce the farm's carbon footprint. "We estimate we will save 60 tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year," says Locci. "That makes you feel very good!"

Previous wind turbine research has only been conducted on large-scale turbines, such as the 225 kilowatt hour turbine installed in front of Cleveland's Great Lakes Science Center, prompting questions about Case's considerably smaller turbine, such as its effects on the avian population and its potential for noise pollution. Locci is ready for Case to lead the charge on small-scale turbine research. "For the first time, we will have this study done on these small turbines, which will become very popular in schools, in small companies, because it's a perfect size for them."

Currently, the project is waiting for an official feasibility permit before construction can start. Locci expects the turbine to be constructed by late summer, "ready for fall winds," she says. Once the turbine is up and running, the research can begin, and for Locci, the potential research and educational opportunities are what makes this project so important. "From every angle, somebody has an interest in this project," she points out. Dr. Locci has been working closely with both the biology and material sciences departments, and more recently the economics department, to develop research programs in these various fields of study. Not only will research and education opportunities abound for undergraduates, but students of all ages as well as community members will have the chance to learn about the wind turbine and alternative energy on the farm.

Squire Valleevue and Valley Ridge Farms already conducts research on geothermal energy and solar disks, and the Case Western School of Engineering is already on the forefront of alternative energy research, thanks to its recent formation of the Great Lakes Institute for Energy Innovation. The institute has been researching the feasibility of fuel cell technology as well as a large-scale wind turbine center on Lake Erie- potentially the first of its kind to be found on a freshwater source. Thanks to northeast Ohio's natural resources as well as existing industrial and manufacturing infrastructure, the Cleveland metropolitan area seems to be the prime locale not only for alternative energy research, but also for production. "There's not really one solution for the energy crisis," says Locci. ".and with the Great Lakes Institute at Case.this is matched perfectly to what we want to do- help the Cleveland area and the economy, while at the same time, create a better environmental condition.