How a Turbine Teaches

A college teaches not just in its classrooms, but by its example.

St. Olaf's proposal to the Renewable Development Board emphasized the teaching possibilities of a college wind turbine. In the proposal, Pete Sandberg suggested that the St. Olaf project could provide "a model that Xcel Energy can take to other institutional users throughout the service area." More specifically, he said, "Any college or university campus, significant medical complex, veteran's home, or municipal/county government complex could benefit from having this completed model of an institutional customer that has worked to minimize its impact on its community and region, the utilities that serve it, and the people and programs that it houses."

In addition to this institutional education, a turbine also offers opportunities for interdisciplinary thinking. A wind turbine can be a liberal education-in history, economics, engineering, computer science, political science, sociology, literature and art. Here are a few lessons of St. Olaf's wind turbine.

Our wind turbine shows that wind energy is plentiful and powerful, clean and renewable.

Our wind turbine teaches how the science of wind affects the technology of windmills.

Our wind turbine shows how computer science allows today's wind turbines to be smarter than their parents and grandparents.

Our wind turbine teaches us that conomics and environmental concerns can often be harmonized.

Our wind turbine proves that wind energy is a crop that can be harvested, changing the culture of agriculture in places like Minnesota .

Our wind turbine is a proof of the proposition that enlightened public policy makes a difference in the world. Renewable development grants and production credits make things happen.

Our Danish wind turbine suggests that the United States generally lags behind European countries in wind technology, because our energy policy has emphasized nuclear power and fossil fuels.

Our wind turbine shows that group of committed people can make history by making electricity. People can make a difference in the world.

Our wind turbine teaches religious people one way to exercise both dominion and stewardship in the natural world.