COLORADO: iCAST wins IREC Small Wind Innovation Award
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) awarded the International Center for Appropriate & Sustainable Technology (iCAST) one of its Innovations Awards at the 2010 IREC Annual Meeting in October. iCAST won the award for its small wind program in rural Colorado. The winning project developed the feasibility, oversaw the installation and showcased wind turbines…
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) awarded the International Center for Appropriate & Sustainable Technology (iCAST) one of its Innovations Awards at the 2010 IREC Annual Meeting in October. iCAST won the award for its small wind program in rural Colorado.
The winning project developed the feasibility, oversaw the installation and showcased wind turbines ranging in size from 1.8kW to 50 kW for feed yards, elevators, irrigation systems, stock wells, homesteads and other agricultural applications at multiple locations across eastern Colorado. This project evaluated the turbine installations and created an outreach program to promote small wind as a means to offset producers’ retail cost of energy. An estimated total savings of $623,815 will occur over the life of one 50kW system. Through these efforts, they helped eleven family farms to remain viable by reducing their energy costs. iCAST promoted the use of a farm scale wind turbines across rural communities and family farms in eastern Colorado and provided a renewable source of energy, stimulating growth of the small wind industry.
“This year’s Innovation Awards targeted initiatives aimed at supporting clean energy workforce development, community renewables, financial incentives, clean energy ARRA projects, and efforts to grow the small wind market,” said Ken Jurman, IREC chair. “Each of this year’s winning submissions demonstrate initiatives and best practices that are helping move clean energy technologies closer to becoming the norm rather than the exception.” The awards were selected through a competitive process. Information on the other IREC awards is available on the IREC web site.
iCAST is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission “to provide economic, environmental, and social benefits to economically disadvantaged individuals and communities; and to provide education and training that builds local capacity.” iCAST focuses on Community Sustainability, Green Jobs Training, and Energy Efficiency.
Source: Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc.
