Yesterday, alternative energy proponents led by Robert Jordan, Allied Pacific Environmental Consultant program manager, conducted the official groundbreaking of the $56,300 project on campus.
Jordan said they will install the CNMI’s first public alternative energy production system to utilize a combination of solar and wind energy by February this year.
The project, he said, will allow the school to cut its monthly electrical bill by $250.
Jordan said the recurrent power outages and the Public School System’s interest in alternative energy motivated the school to accept the project.
“Students will acquire and analyze wind and solar data, while teachers integrate the mechanics and electrical components into the natural science curriculum of SSHS,” he said.
In an interview, Jordan said the Skystream 3.7 Wind Turbine and nine Kyocera 18V Solar Panels will be capable of supplying power to the school’s main science laboratory, water pump and other units.
The energy produced by the wind turbine and solar panels will be recorded and measured by means of the Sky Stream’s internal data logging system and by the Green Meter.
Electrical energy will be stored in a specially designed battery bank system for use within the science classroom.
Tom Polevich, Allied Pacific Environmental Consulting president, said this pilot renewable energy project is a major step forward to the future of alternative energy use and fossil fuel independence.
“What began as an environmental negative now will end as an environmental positive,” he said.
Jordan said the project was proposed to the school by the defunct Concorde Garment Manufacturing Co. as an alternative means of settling its fines imposed on the company for its federal environmental violations.
In 2005, Concorde, a Tan Holdings company, was cited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for various violations.
Concorde retained Allied Pacific Environmental Consulting to assist in its defense.
Concorde with the assistance of APEC was able to reach a settlement, Jordan said.
Part of the settlement allowed Concorde to choose a project that would provide public environmental benefits.
In a press statement, Polevich said the CNMI, SSHS, Concorde and the EPA are all winners because of the project.
He mentioned SSHS vice principal Craig Garrison as another key player in the conceptual design of the project.
A ribbon-cutting and system activation ceremony will be held on Feb. 17.
