Archbold Wind Study Reduces Electricity Bills

Discussions between the Archbold Area School District and Toledo Edison that started as part of the school district's wind energy project have already yielded cost savings.

Speaking to the Archbold Area Chamber of Commerce at the group's Monday, Dec. 3 noon luncheon, David Deskins, school district superintendent, said TE officials had made changes in rates charged to the district, resulting in savings of 8 percent to 14 percent on the district's energy bill.

In an interview following the luncheon, Deskins estimated the potential savings at $18,000 to $20,000 a year.

Three Parts

The changes in the electric rates resulted from discussions about primary power, the second part of a three-part overall energy study within the school district.

Deskins told chamber members that currently, the school district is supplied with electricity through seven different meters. There are separate meters for the football stadium and tennis courts. Some buildings have one meter; others have more than one.

In fact, he said, he is still looking for other electric meters.

Deskins proposes that the school district tap into one of TE's major power lines and purchase electricity through one meter at a higher voltage. The district would have to have a distribution system to supply power to each building, but the cost per kilowatt hour would be less.

The first part of the district's energy investigation is conservation. He estimated the district could save 10 percent to 20 percent of its energy bill "if we would just be more mindful of our energy usage," he said.

He added energy conservation doesn't have to mean the heat in the school buildings would be turned down to uncomfortable levels. He said money can be saved in lighting.

The third aspect of the study is alternative energy, which started as wind power. He added that other options may become attractive.

Crane

Using private donation, the school district had a wind power feasibility study done.

One of the factors the company that did study looked at was railroad access.

To install a large wind turbine, a special crane must be brought in by rail, and two smaller cranes have to remove it from the rail car and then assemble it.

That crane, he said, costs $750,000 per visit. One of his concerns is if a wind turbine has a problem that requires lower- ing to ground level, that $750,000 crane has to come back.

But, while the installation costs are great, so is the potential for savings on energy costs.

Utility costs are among the school district's largest expenditures. During the last three school years for which complete bills were available, 2003-04, 2004-05, and 2005-06, electricity was $305,198, $261,106, and $441,260, respectively.

A wind turbine could reduce those figures by 20 percent to 100 percent, he said.

Deskins said the Archbold school district is not alone in wind turbine study. The Fulton County Commissioners and the Pettisville School district are examining wind power and other alternative energy options.

He said the two school districts are planning to appeal to Ted Strickland, Ohio governor, who is supportive of alternative energy proposals.- David Pugh