Cloud CountySituated on the hill south of campus, the Cloud Power Renewable Energy Park consists of two Northwind 100 wind turbines, a geothermal HVAC system and a 208-kilowatt single-axis tracking solar farm. Combined, and at peak performance, the Renewable Energy Park can produce 408 kilowatts of electricity. The turbines were finished and commissioned in April 2010. Shortly thereafter, Cloud County Community College began a major overhaul of the HVAC system in the main building, including a switch from gas-fired boilers to a geothermal system. In combination, these features provide substantial energy savings for the college and make Cloud a unique example of combining solar, wind and geothermal energy sources.
The Renewable Energy Park provides the college with a significant reduction in carbon footprint. Based on average energy production to date, the college anticipates a savings of 1600 barrels of oil, or enough electricity to power 95 homes.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the Renewable Energy Park also provides an on-site laboratory for students enrolled in Cloud's Renewable Energy Technology program. Students get the benefit of on-site equipment for lab training, as well as climb testing, rope rescue training, and routine maintenance work.
As part of the new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) renovation, the college received a $250,000 grant from the State of Kansas to implement a geothermal power source for the new HVAC system. The geothermal well field consists of 99 wells, drilled to 400 feet deep, and arranged in three separate fields for redundancy.
The geothermal HVAC system is completely powered by the Cloud Power Renewable Energy Park on an average day in Kansas, offsetting the college's costs in electricity and natural gas. When combined with the wind turbines and solar farm, the college will save 2,656 barrels of oil per year, or enough electricity to power 158 homes.
The Renewable Energy Park provides the college with a significant reduction in carbon footprint. Based on average energy production to date, the college anticipates a savings of 1600 barrels of oil, or enough electricity to power 95 homes.
The Sun Power Solar Farm was started in the summer of 2018 and commissioned in November. It was funded by the Dane Hansen Foundation, USDA Rural Development Grant and $50,000 of seed money from the college. The college saw a return on investment from that seed money within the first year and will continue to benefit the college for 20-30 years, which is the expected life of the solar farm.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the Renewable Energy Park also provides an on-site laboratory for students enrolled in Cloud's Renewable Energy Technology program. Students get the benefit of on-site equipment for lab training, as well as climb testing, rope rescue training, and routine maintenance work.
As part of the new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) renovation, the college received a $250,000 grant from the State of Kansas to implement a geothermal power source for the new HVAC system. The geothermal well field consists of 99 wells, drilled to 400 feet deep, and arranged in three separate fields for redundancy.
The geothermal HVAC system is completely powered by the Cloud Power Renewable Energy Park on an average day in Kansas, offsetting the college's costs in electricity and natural gas. When combined with the wind turbines and solar farm, the college will save 2,656 barrels of oil per year, or enough electricity to power 158 homes.
Learn more about the Cloud County Community College Wind Energy Technology Program.
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