Urban wind tower raised at Orion Energy Systems

Orion Energy Systems Inc., Manitowoc, Wis., recently raised the first urban wind tower in Manitowoc County, which will help offset energy consumed at the company's technology center. A video and images of the event can be seen at www.oriones.com/20kw_wind_tower_raising.php.

Urban wind is the process of generating electricity through wind power to be used at an adjacent load center in an urban setting, reducing the inefficiencies of transmitting and distributing electricity generated in rural areas.

The wind turbine was manufactured by Oshkosh, Wis.-based Renewegy. Based on an average wind speed of 13 MPH at Orion's tech center, the 20-kW wind turbine is expected to generate up to 32 MW-hours a year. The turbine will begin spinning and generating electricity in less than 7-MPH wind.

The wind turbine's safety mechanisms prevent the three 15-ft. blades from exceeding 108 RPM, and they automatically shut down the wind turbine in winds higher than 56 MPH.

Orion Energy Systems Inc. designs, manufactures, and deploys energy management systems.