is Michigan reinventing itself?
Wayne State University’s engineering technology department recently installed a vertical axis wind turbine called “The Franklin” manufactured by Franklin Wind Energy Group based in Michigan. A vertical axis wind turbine can generate power from low wind speeds from any direction, does not vibrate, and operates very quietly. The special vertical design of The Franklin allows wind turbines like this to be installed in urban settings.
The Franklin at Wayne State is connected to a battery bank and can generate enough power to supply the computer lab in the engineering technology department. The Franklin is installed on the rooftop and mounted on a tower that elevates the wind turbine 30 feet above the building. University researchers will evaluate the performance and work closely with Franklin Wind Energy Group to provide feedback to improve the wind turbine design, this installation on the campus officially kicks off renewable energy research & development at Wayne State.
The Franklin will be used as a learning tool and students will be encouraged to create innovative designs for wind energy systems by evaluating the performance of The Franklin. This story highlights a great trend taking place in Michigan, its great to hear when a University and a local manufacturer team up to reinvent Michigan into a “green energy technology” hub. What do you think about The Franklin vertical axis wind turbine?
