Shooting the Breeze: The Big Wind Blog

THE BIG WIND LLC AND NYC BOARD OF EDUCATION TEAM UP ON “FIRST GREEN’ SCHOOL IN NYC

The Big Wind, A Sea Girt NJ based company will oversee the installation of a UGE EDDY GT Wind Turbine and 2kw Solar Panel renewable energy package on the Highbridge Middle School in the Bronx. The Big Wind President Gregory Hart said that this will be the second installation of a vertical axis wind turbine in New York City, the first being install by The Big Wind at The Town School on east 76th St and FDR Drive.

For years, Highbridge middle schoolers have had to trek across town to get to class.

Some kids would have to take the subway or as many as three buses because the neighborhood lacked its own middle school.

But Allan Gonzalez probably won’t have to do that. The 11-year-old is among local fifth graders who applied for one of the 130 slots at the new Highbridge Green School, a “green” school set to open in the gritty neighborhood this fall.

“I’m very happy about the school and I want to graduate and go to that school,” Allan said. “And it’s more safer.”

The principal of the new school, Kyle Brilliante, agreed, saying the purpose of the “green” school was not just environmental sustainability , but cultivating good students .

“We’re going to hold them to high, rigorous college-ready academic expectations,” he said.

“We’re going to nurture them, make them feel safe and supported.”

Constructed with regionally produced, sustainable materials, the $34 million Highbridge Green (or I.S. 285X) will boast environmentally sound features like a roof garden, wind turbine, solar panels, a greenhouse and a rainwater collection system.

Parents hope the sixth through eighth grade school on 167th St. between University and Sedgwick Aves. will be the first Green LEED Platinum School in New York.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/new-school-rooftop-garden-greenhouse-wind-turbine-article-1.1277147#ixzz2Q59OAayr

“We live in a concrete jungle,” said Ocynthia Williams, a founding member of United Parents of Highbridge, which pushed for the school’s creation. “They don’t know where food comes from. For them to know how to grow their own food, I think it helps with obesity. It teaches our kids the truth about food – that food does not come in a can, its not frozen.”

The school is the result of parents’ nearly decade-long campaign for a dedicated middle school.

Highbridge has four elementary schools, but no middle school. That meant children had to slog long distances to get to junior high.

“At 10 years old, or nine, it was a big concern,” said Allan’s father, Jose Gonzalez, the chairman of the school’s parent advisory board. “I think the most important thing in this fight was the safety of the child. That’s why we said ‘Lets keep those children here.’”

Highbridge Green will admit 130 students for sixth grade, then add one grade a year until it reaches its capacity for 390 students in grades six through eight.

Enrollment for the incoming class ends Wednesday. Current fifth grade students zoned to attend PS 11, PS 114, PS 73 and PS 126 will be given priority. The Department of Education will decide who will be admitted.

Students in Districts 9 and 10 are also eligible – parents can pick up applications at the Bronx Borough Office of Enrollment at 1 Fordham Plaza, 7th Floor.

Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson, who worked with United Parents of Highbridge to create the school, said Highbridge Green would serve as a model to others – not just because it’s environmentally friendly, but because the community came together to make it a reality.

“This is an investment that’s going to transform lives and build our community for many years to come,” she said.

Brilliante said, “In some ways, the building is a testament to the way the neighborhood is heading.”

jcunningham@nydailynews.com

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/new-school-rooftop-garden-greenhouse-wind-turbine-article-1.1277147#ixzz2Q59EGQCY

PRESS RELEASE:
UGE’s eddyGT Wind Turbine Issued UL Generator Safety Certification by Intertek
Urban Green Energy’s vertical axis wind turbine is now certified to the UL 1004 standard
NEW YORK, New York, June 15, 2012 – Urban Green Energy announced today that the generator in its eddyGT vertical axis wind turbine is now certified per the UL 1004 safety standard for the safety of its electric generator. Intertek, the world’s leading testing laboratory, issued the certification, which covers the 1 kilowatt generator – the key component of the eddyGT wind turbine. The certification is an important milestone for UGE as the company asserts itself as a world leader in distributed renewable energy.
“Becoming one of the first small wind manufacturers to successfully pass all of the certification requirements of the UL generators standard is yet another milestone in UGE’s effort to show its customers, and the entire renewable energy marketplace, that the quality and safety of our turbines is second to none,” remarked Scott Van Pelt, Vice President of Engineering at UGE.
The UL 1004 standard for electric generators, published by Underwriters Laboratories, ensures operational safety in even the harshest of conditions. It is widely considered as the most stringent standard for ensuring the electrical integrity of energy generating systems. UGE is one of the first distributed (“small”) wind turbine manufacturers to achieve the UL 1004 certification, confirming the company’s leadership position in the industry.
In addition, Intertek is currently testing UGE’s entire line of wind turbines for compliance with AWEA 9.1 and SWCC. Further major milestones regarding certifications are anticipated throughout the remainder of the year.
About Urban Green Energy
With installations in approximately 65 countries, including with several government agencies and Fortune 100 companies, UGE is changing the face of distributed renewable energy generation. UGE puts users in control of their energy source by designing and manufacturing more versatile wind turbines and hybrid wind/solar systems for use in applications ranging from residential to commercial, from suburban homeowners to off-grid telecoms towers in developing countries. Visit www.thebigwind.com today to learn how together we can create a greener tomorrow.

Systems combining wind and solar energy have been made possible by recent technological developments. They are integrated easily into most homes and are often linked with a battery-backup system that provides security in case of energy crisis.
Combining renewable resources has numerous positive benefits for homeowners. Principal among them are:

A.) Increased and consistent energy production
B.) Less required space per installation

A natural, negative correlation exists between sun and wind-power generation: when one is high, the other tends to be low. The most obvious difference is between day and night. However, on a larger scale, seasonal changes are equally important. Shorter days and higher average wind speeds limit solar production during winter months, while longer days and ample sunshine work in its favor in the summer. These factors take on greater weight when a battery-backup system is in place. In this type of system, the energy stored in the batteries needs to be replenished more often than what is achievable with a solar-only system. This is especially true in locations with extreme seasonal variance. Likewise, homeowners benefit by producing surplus energy, which not only keeps energy bills at zero, but can often be sold back to the grid for a net profit!

The second advantage relates to the physical space required for renewable energy systems – the “energy density footprint” in industry lingo. For many homeowners, the footprint is a major concern. While going green is a great goal, many homeowners have either limited space to install their system or simply do not want a renewable energy system to overshadow their home or take up a large area of their property. For solar panel arrays, necessary area increases nearly proportionally with power output. For example, a two-kilowatt solar system requires twice the space of a one-kilowatt system. For wind energy, however, the space required increases only marginally. The tower base is the only required space at ground level. Even accounting for the entire turbine’s shadow, a standard four-kilowatt turbine requires about 25% as much space as an equivalent solar system. Where space is limited, such differences can make or break the decision to install, and in far too many instances this information is not readily available.

Taken together, hybrid wind/solar systems can strike the balance many customers are looking for between cost, energy production, and space.
Combining renewable resources has numerous positive benefits for homeowners. Principal among them are:

A.) Increased and consistent energy production
B.) Less required space per installation

A natural, negative correlation exists between sun and wind-power generation: when one is high, the other tends to be low. The most obvious difference is between day and night. However, on a larger scale, seasonal changes are equally important. Shorter days and higher average wind speeds limit solar production during winter months, while longer days and ample sunshine work in its favor in the summer. These factors take on greater weight when a battery-backup system is in place. In this type of system, the energy stored in the batteries needs to be replenished more often than what is achievable with a solar-only system. This is especially true in locations with extreme seasonal variance. Likewise, homeowners benefit by producing surplus energy, which not only keeps energy bills at zero, but can often be sold back to the grid for a net profit!

The second advantage relates to the physical space required for renewable energy systems – the “energy density footprint” in industry lingo. For many homeowners, the footprint is a major concern. While going green is a great goal, many homeowners have either limited space to install their system or simply do not want a renewable energy system to overshadow their home or take up a large area of their property. For solar panel arrays, necessary area increases nearly proportionally with power output. For example, a two-kilowatt solar system requires twice the space of a one-kilowatt system. For wind energy, however, the space required increases only marginally. The tower base is the only required space at ground level. Even accounting for the entire turbine’s shadow, a standard four-kilowatt turbine requires about 25% as much space as an equivalent solar system. Where space is limited, such differences can make or break the decision to install, and in far too many instances this information is not readily available.

Taken together, hybrid wind/solar systems can strike the balance many customers are looking for between cost, energy production, and space.

The Big Wind LLC tm has met with representatives of the Town of Belmar NJ, discussing using our Boardwalk Hybrid Solar Windturbine Streelights on the Belmar Boardwalk Rebuild.

THE BIG WIND LLC tm would like to wish everyone a  very HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
With a special wish of good cheer to all those effected by Hurricane Sandy!
May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future!
From our family to yours!! May you have a joyous, successful, and blessed New Year!!

The Big Wind LLC would like to thank all the first responders and out of state utilities workers who came to our rescue, we are very greatful. We will rebuild the Shore and The Big Wind LLC will be there to help with our complete line of verticale axis wind turbines and solar pannels. Keep Calm and Stay Jersey Strong!!

The Big Wind LLC