Tech Across Ohio - Ohio's Largest School Wind Project Goes Operational

Project Takes Less Than Five Months from Contract to Commissioning -

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MCGUFFEY, Ohio, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The wind turbines are spinning at the Upper Scioto Valley Schools, the largest wind power project on a K-12 Ohio school campus to date.

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The school district held a public reception attended by roughly 150 community members who celebrated the commissioning of the turbines as well as the opening of the district's new Wind/Energy Academy.

Jerry Good, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland's regional representative, read a proclamation from the governor, commending the school district for its renewable energy leadership.

"We're trying to bring back pride by bringing something new and different to Hardin County," said Dr. James Bowser. "But our job is not to keep it here. Our job is to go to other places and to show that it really works."

The project was developed by NexGen Energy Partners, LLC, an owner and operator of on-site renewable energy systems across the country.

"With this project, NexGen has made a large investment in the school district and Hardin County," NexGen Energy Partners Vice President Mark Boumansour told the crowd. "We are thrilled to be a part of the community for the long-term."

The official commissioning occurred on September 8, and the wind turbines have generated three thousand kilowatt hours already, enough to power four homes for an entire month. The two 100 kW turbines were designed and manufactured by Northern Power Systems of Barre, Vermont.

The turbines will provide up to one-third of the electricity for the school's Wind/Energy Academy and its "Green Lab" facility, designed to be a "living laboratory" for renewable energy and other emerging clean technologies. The purpose of the lab is to give students and residents hands-on exposure to alternative energy solutions, and realistic career opportunities the students will have access to when they enter the job force in the near future.

John Brown, president of NexGen Energy Partners, said, "Cooperation from all stakeholders, including the school, state and local contractors including Engineered Process Systems of Huron allowed us to move from contract to commissioning in less than five months. This is a great example of how fast distributed clean energy projects can be built when everyone works together. "

Brown said the project represents the largest on-site, third-party-operated renewable energy system in Ohio.

About NexGen Energy Partners:

NexGen Energy Partners is an owner and operator of distributed renewable energy systems sited at customers' facilities. The company works with governments, schools, businesses and utilities across the nation to deliver customers the benefits of clean energy without the capital investment and technical risk. NexGen is based in Boulder, Colorado. For more information, please visit NexGen on the web: http://nexgen-energypartners.com.

SOURCE NexGen Energy Partners