Depending on which direction you arrive from, the first thing you notice on Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s campus is either the hulking ship TS Kennedy, or the Academy’s 241 foot tall wind turbine. These two campus icons can be said to represent the duality in the school’s mission – training cadets in one of the oldest professions in the world while also preparing them with skills infields that will allow them to be conscientious stewards of the earth in the 21st century.
Wind Turbine
In 2006, MMA began generating electricity from a 660kW wind turbine. This was not the first step in sustainability, but a prominent statement in the academy's commitment to a greener future. The 650-kilowatt wind turbine produces about 20 percent of the campus’s energy. This electricity provides energy for 80 kilowatts of photovoltaic cells (Solar Path Lights) and two buildings – a dormitory and the American Bureau of Shipping Information Commons. The Wind Turbine stands 242 feet tall; the MMA 660 kilowatt wind turbine has greatly reduced the need to purchase commercially generated power by 27%. The turbine is also used as an educational tool for students and other professionals interested in renewable energy. A visit to the wind turbine web page will show you real time data on the turbines operation.
Watch this video to learn more about wind turbines, this activity will show you how to build your own wind turbine model.
Learn more about becoming a wind power engineer
Watch a short video on sustainability at Massachusetts Maritime Academy
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