Greening The Heartland: Wind Energy On Show At The Iowa State Fair
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 08.20.07
"Towering above Expo Hill on the fairgrounds, the State Fair's wind turbine is a symbol of what some state leaders want Iowa to be known for: renewable energy. "It's a tremendous educational program to help further renewable energy thinking," said Gary Slater, manager and CEO of the State Fair. The wind turbine is expected to produce 0.5 megawatts of power a year. That would equal about one-quarter of the total energy used on the fairgrounds each year. One megawatt can power 1,000 homes for a year. The energy produced by the turbine does not directly power the fairgrounds. It's sent to a power grid just outside the fair... In the past decade, more than 1 million people have attended the fair each year. Both MidAmerican and State Fair officials hope that will provide a large audience eager to learn about wind energy."
No wonder Iowa is interested in promoting wind energy. It's a great spot for it.
Via:: Omaha WORLD-HERALD Image credit:: Travel Iowa, Iowa State Fair
