Please join us for these exciting workshops in the beautiful North Carolina Mountains.

Workshop Video (WMV) (Note: This is a large file and may cause your browser to hang. If so, right click on the link and save the file to your harddrive. Then open it from there.)

Western North Carolina contains abundant and readily available wind, solar, and microhydro resources for producing home-grown, clean, and secure energy. The North Carolina Small Wind Initiative (NCSWI) has now expanded into the Western North Carolina Renewable Energy Initiative (WNCREI) and we are dedicated to introducing the region to clean, affordable, and reliable ways to meet everyday energy needs.

Workshops

The WNCREI is proud to host the 2006 workshop series to empower groups and individuals with the tools and resources to pursue wind, solar, and microhydro technologies for energy independence. We have partnered with state and national leaders to bring you the most comprehensive educational and hands-on experience possible.

Small Scale Wind Energy with Southwest Windpower (A FEW SPOTS STILL OPEN)

Saturday & Sunday, October 21 & 22 (A FEW SPOTS STILL OPEN)

This workshop will be held at our Wind Energy Research & Demonstration facility in Beech Mountain, NC where we feature the full line of Southwest Windpower (SWWP) products. Participants will learn the basics of residential wind systems from the world's leading manufacturer of small wind turbines. The hands-on portion of the workshop will involve a tour of the SWWP products and installation of SWWP's newest product, the Beta 1.8, described as "the first affordable energy producing appliance for homes and businesses".

Workshop leaders: Driven by a deep and abiding commitment to the environment, Southwest Windpower continues to design, manufacture and sell state-of-the-art wind energy systems of high-quality, durability and affordability. Josh Levinson is SWWP's North American Sales Director. Jay Yeager is the Technical Services manager for SWWP. Throughout the years he has analyzed literally thousands of applications and participated in numerous installations of SWWP products both for field-testing and consumer use. More info at www.windenergy.com.

Cost:$150 regular/$70 student

 

Who Should Attend?

• Land, home, business, or farm owners
• Students, tradespersons and inventors
• Teachers
• Elected officials
• Utility companies/cooperatives
• Any energy user interested in harnessing power from solar, wind or water.

Details

Please come prepared with questions and be ready for a jam-packed day or days of information and training activity. Each day will be divided between class lecture and field work to cover the variety of material we have in store for this series.

To make the most of the day(s), please keep the following in mind

• If you can, please bring: gloves, hat, sunscreen, raingear, water bottle, camera, notepad, etc. Bring warm clothes, dress in layers and wear good shoes for walking in various terrain.

For workshops at the Beech Mountain Research & Demonstration site

June 24-25, September 9, October 21-22

• The group will meet in the Pinnacle Inn meeting space. Please follow the map to the site, and follow signs to the meeting room through the gate, near the pool. A representative at the front desk of the Inn can assist you if needed.

 

 

• Tentative agenda:
• Each day will begin at 9am and end around 4pm.
• Breakfast and lunch are provided.
• For convenience, we recommend making a reservation at the Pinnacle Inn, which is located directly next to the Research & Demonstration Site. (800) 405-7888, (828) 387-2231, www.pinnacleinnresort.com.
• You may also camp at the wind site for free. This is primitive camping, no bathrooms or hook-ups, only grass and trees.
• The workshops will take place rain or shine: sometimes some of the best wind conditions are in the worst weather.
• Door to door directions can be found using maps.yahoo.com using a destination address of Pinnacle Inn Road, Beech Mountain, NC, 28604
• Weather forecast: www.averyweather.com/beechmountain/forecast.php

 

For workshops based on the campus of Appalachian State University

May 27-28, September 22-23

• The group will meet in room 17 of Kerr Scott Hall on Rivers Street in Boone, NC.
• Kerr Scott has limited parking but the Rivers Street parking deck is just next door.
• The May 27-28 Hydro workshop will start at 9am and end around 4pm.
• Tentative agenda for Saturday & Sunday
• 9:00 -- Breakfast and registration
• 9:30 -- Introductions, begin classroom time
• 12:00 -- Lunch
• 12:30 -- Field trip to a local micro-hydro installation
• 4:00 -- Q&A and wrap up back at ASU
• Lodging info can be found at www.visitboonenc.com. A convenient option is the Broyhill Inn, (828) 262-2204, (800) 951-6048, www.broyhillinn.com
• Door to door directions can be found using maps.yahoo.com using a destination address of 461 Rivers Street, Boone, NC, 28608
• Weather forecast: www.booneweather.com/boone/forecast.php
• ASU website: www.appstate.edu

 

Airport options

Asheville Regional Airport
828-684-2226
Asheville, NC
Mileage from Boone: 105 miles
Drive time: 2 hours
Directions: Hwy. 105 S to Linville, Hwy. 221 S to Marion, I-40 W to Asheville, I- 26 E follow directions to the airport.

Boone Airport
828-265-3598
(No scheduled services. 3,200 ft runway)
Boone, NC
Directions: Hwy 321 to Deerfield Rd, Follow Deerfield Rd and turn right on Bamboo Rd southeast of town. The airport is on your right.

Charlotte Douglas Airport
704-359-4013 (international airport)
Charlotte, NC
Mileage from Boone: 100 miles
Drive Time: 2 hours
Directions: Hwy. 321 S to Gastonia, I-85 N to Charlotte, take Billy Graham Parkway exit. Follow signs to the airport.

Tri-City Airport
423-325-6000
Between Johnson City and Bristol, TN
Mileage from Boone: 75 miles
Drive time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Directions: Hwy. 105 S to Hwy. 184 (Banner Elk turn-off). Proceed through Banner Elk to stoplight. At stoplight turn left onto Hwy. 194 .At Elk Falls turn right onto Hwy. 19 E to Elizabethton, TN. In Elizabethton continue on 19E until it intersects with Hwy 11E/19. Turn right on 11E/19 to Hwy 394 at Bluff City, TN. Turn left (west) on Hwy. 394 to Blountville, TN. In Blountville take Hwy. 126 and then at this intersection with Hwy. 75 turn left to the airport.

Piedmont Triad Airport
336-665-5666 or 800-428-4322
Greensboro, NC
Mileage from Boone: 97 miles
Drive Time: 2 hours
Directions: Hwy. 421 S to Winston-Salem, NC. In Winston-Salem take I-40E to Greensboro, NC. (not business I-40). Outside Greensboro take exit 210 (Hwy. 68N) to the airport.

Questions?

Workshop registration questions should be directed to the ASU Office of Conferences and Institutes:

(828) 262-2933

Other questions prior to the workshop can be directed to the WNCREI Office:

wind@appstate.edu

(828)262-7333

Over 100 participants joined the Small Wind Initiative for our first workshop series. Please view photos and descriptions of the workshops.