By Kristine Milbrandt

Wartburg College joined Waverly Light and Power to commission a newly reconstructed wind turbine Oct. 11, five years after their partnership was announced to create a more sustainable community.  

The commissioning was delayed more than three years after a construction mishap in February 2009 caused the turbine’s blades, hub and generator assembly to break apart, leaving only the tower standing.

The Wartburg-WLP alternative-energy initiative was formally announced in April 2007 after the college had unveiled the remodeled and expanded Saemann Student Center and Science Center, and the Wartburg-Waverly Sports and Wellness Center was still under construction. 

The college is providing WLP’s Green Power Choice program with $2 million — $100,000 annually over 20 years — from the general fund. The utility determined that wind energy would be its best option for sustainable energy, setting a goal of having renewable sources account for 20 percent of its energy usage by 2020.

“We had been thinking for a long time how we could commit to a more sustainable campus, especially after adding significant square footage,” said Gary Grace, Wartburg vice president for administration.

“The contributions help WLP pursue sustainable energy sources for the campus as well as the community,” said Diane Johnson, WLP general manager. “As the cost of coal-fired generation rises, the cost of renewable energy is becoming competitive, providing an economically sound investment for the college and community.”

WLP has three wind turbines. Cannon I and II — named after former WLP general manager Glenn Cannon — are east of Waverly and were initially erected in 2009. Cannon II, though, encountered the construction problems. An older turbine is north of the city.

“The energy produced by our turbines flows directly into our transmission and distribution system,” Johnson said. “It’s important to have a diverse mix of generation assets to keep costs steady.”

WLP gave the college a $1.8 million gift — $120,000 over 15 years — toward construction of The W in 2006.

The relationship with WLP, Grace said, enhances the college’s sustainability goals “while supporting the efforts of a strong community partner.”

“There’s been a commitment on their part to make Wartburg a better place, and there’s been a commitment on our part to make Wartburg and the community a better place,” Grace said.

Sustainability, he said, has had bottom-line benefits.

“Even though we didn’t buy the turbine, we can kind of say that with that investment we’ve offset about 20 percent of our million square feet with sustainable energy,” Grace said.

Theoretically, the wind turbines lessen the dependence of The W on nonrenewable carbon fossil-based fuels to heat, cool and power the 200,000 square-foot building.

In addition, The W also has a “heat-recovery chiller system” installed in 2011 that converts body heat into an  energy source to help cool the building through “reverse refrigeration.” Conversely, heat generated by air conditioning helps warm the pool and showers. 

Grace said many colleges exercise sustainability by building and maintaining their own wind turbines or solar panels. The power then completely goes back to the campus. Wartburg explored that option, but ultimately decided it could not handle the maintenance issues.

“We’re in the business of teaching and learning, so do we really know how to be a power business?” Grace said.

Since the 2007 agreement, Wartburg has made sustainability part of its identity. In addition to encouraging recycling, Wartburg also installed low-flush toilets, time controls, and sensory lighting that save the college approximately $230,000 per year. Chicago-based consultants Schneider Electric determined that initiatives by the college in 2010-11 reduced its carbon footprint by 18 percent.

WLP is currently looking into using Green Power Choice funds to develop renewable energy projects like a solar-array demonstration.

“This partnership creates a better place to live, learn and work – for all of us,” Johnson said.