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RFH 2010, HCS News

Windmill Rises at HCS

Sat, Aug 07, 2010

Windmill Rises at HCS

The newest addition to the village skyline is a 65-foot-tall teaching tool on West Kendrick that will also save the HCS district money on its energy bill.

A windmill installed near the school is already spinning in the wind, generating power for use in the school. When students return next month, the windmill will be used to teach a variety of lessons.

And, in these times of tight budgets, it helps the windmill and its installation was free, another benefit of the village Municipal Utility Commission's participation in the Independent Energy Efficiency Program (IEEP).

Matt Crumb, HCS' business manager, said the windmill will be used in the district's Enrichment, Science and Mathematics program. He said students and teachers will be able to see how much energy is being generated by the windmill. Crumb said it will be a useful tool to help create environmental awareness.

"Sean Graham has been wonderful," said Crumb about the village's director of public works and utilities. "We're grateful to the village. It really does make a difference what they do."

The windmill is the latest addition to the HCS power plant. The village's partnership with the IEEP allowed the installation of an array of solar panels; its energy is also tracked and used in the classroom.

Both the windmill and the photovoltaic array will be used in two new elective classes on renewable energy and conservation.

For the last five years the village has provided a variety of energy-saving improvements in the school. Crumb said the IEEP partnership is allowing the district to install new, more efficient lighting in the cafeteria and kitchen. Much of the school also has efficient lighting because of the village.

"Every year they come in and so something wonderful," said Dr. Diana Bowers, HCS superintendent. "The village is a great neighbor."

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