Greenfield approves study for wind, solar energy

   During these difficult economic times, the city of Greenfield may find the answer, as Bob Dylan would say, Blowin' in the Wind.

   Interim City Manager Betty Bishop proposed two pieces of legislation this week that she described as an "aggressive economic development project that if successful could drastically change the economic future and landscape of the city of Greenfield as well as the surrounding area."

   Bishop proposed, and council approved Tuesday night, moving forward with a feasibility study for the Green Field Alternative

Energy Resource and Education Center. The center would be located on 87 acres off Lovers Lane in the Greenfield Industrial Park and would be home to eight to 11 energy-generating wind turbines.

   Bishop said it was estimated that each turbine could produce $125,000 worth of electricity per year.

   "This is something I thought about 10 years ago," Bishop said, "But when I approached DP&L, they said 'you're way ahead of your time.'"

   Bishop said she continued thinking about wind and solar energy options and discussed her ideas with Ron Coffey. Coffey works at the Highland County Court in Madison Township, serves on the board of Adena-Greenfield Area Medical Center and publishes www.coffeyweb.com.

       "Greenfield has had some amazing success stories, such as Edward Lee McClain’s innovative horse collar pads and Fred Patterson’s company that built cars and buses," Coffey told The Highland County Press. "The project proposed by Betty interests me because it offers the potential for new jobs and generation of energy in the short term and could provide a long-term niche for Greenfield as a sort of energy classroom where techniques are developed and refined.

       "History has shown us that industries come and go," Coffey added. "The implied lesson is that we must be flexible and proactive as we move forward. It seems to me that America and the world have an insatiable appetite for energy that will continue for a long time. If we can help give the world more clean energy, this could mean a bright future for our community and our region.

   "I think Betty’s proposal is worth studying. We are fortunate to have some home-grown talent to assist with the science, some willing government officials, and a lot of volunteer help. Anything that can help create jobs for the community is worth investigating."

    Bishop said Coffey encouraged her to speak with Paul McPherson, a McClain High School and graduate student at Purdue University. "Paul's project at Purdue was to build a wind energy business," Bishop said. "He came into my office with a 'computer stick' (Flash drive) and showed me several files on wind turbines and wind energy. Paul said he wouldn't charge anything and he volunteered to work on the project. This was probably in late January or early February."

   Bishop continued to gather information and work behind the scenes on the project. She met with local business owners and community leaders, including Steve Hunter. Hunter's son, Mark, another McClain graduate and also an Ohio Northern University graduate, agreed to work on solar energy possibilities while McPherson concentrated on the wind energy project.

       "Our preliminary studies have been very positive," Bishop said. "To be successful, we're told we need an average wind speed of 2 to 3 mph. Our preliminary study shows an average of 6 to 7 mph."

   Bishop then enlisted the assistance of Dr. Kevin Boys, president of Southern State Community College, as well as Rafeal L. Underwood, the region's economic recovery coordinator. At an April 22 meeting, Earth Day, a group of 16 or 17 people met to plan the initial phase of the project.

   "Dr. Boys has been great to work with and I've had Ron Coffey working with me, side by side. Ron has agreed to work on this and he's the right person for it."

   "We think a feasibility study will cost about $100,000," Bishop said. "We will apply for grants from the EDA (Economic Development Administration) for this. Rafeal estimated the feasibility study would take about a year. We're plowing ground that's not been plowed before in Greenfield."

   When asked if the project would include any manufacturing of either wind turbines or solar panels, Bishop indicated that that was not part of the immediate proposal.

   "GE (General Electric) makes turbines in Cincinnati and (we'd likely buy from them)," she said.

   According to its website, "GE is one of the world's leading wind turbine suppliers. With over 13,500 wind turbine installations worldwide comprising more than 218 million operating hours and 127,000 GWh of energy produced, our knowledge and expertise spans more than two decades..."

   “The renewable energy industry in the U.S. can be a job creation engine but we need the right federal policies to rev up that engine,” Vic Abate, vice president of GE’s Renewable Energy business, said recently. “With 1,000 ‘clean energy’ jobs added in the state of Iowa in 2008 alone, Iowa demonstrates how the wind industry, with supportive policies in place, can help to transform the U.S. manufacturing sector.”

   Bishop said she hoped energy production could be realized with three to four years. Electricity would be sold to DP&L, which has a substation near the industrial park, Bishop said.

   "DP&L isn't real enthusiastic, but they aren't discouraging us, either," Bishop said.

   "We're very excited about the possibilities. There is the potential for $1 million a year in revenues from this."