Power of SUNY

SUNY Oswego, ESF Wind Turbine Projects Generate Power, Education

In July 2010, SUNY Oswego and SUNY ESF installed new wind turbines that, in addition to their educational value, provide an estimated 40,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a year from rooftops of buildings on each campus.

Most wind turbines need a wind speed of 7 miles per hour to generate electricity. The units from Impact Technologies, using a vertical-axis design it acquired from Grassman Performance Energy, can produce power in wind of less than 3 mph, and start turning at 1 mph. The blades are designed to harness turbulent winds as well.

The turbines were developed by PowerAir Sail, a Syracuse company. The company also installed one atop Carousel mall in the city.