St. Cloud VA hospital's idle turbine generates complaints

The turbine has been sitting broken since August 2012 due to a series of mechanical problems

By Healthcare Facilities Today


A wind energy project designed to yield savings on utility bills at St. Cloud’s Veterans Administration Health Care System has instead produced only complaints, according to an article on the Bring Me the News website.

The turbine has been sitting broken since August 2012 due to a series of mechanical problems. No repairs are scheduled for the 245-foot-tall turbine, which was built for $2.3 million, according to a report on Watchdog.org.

The St. Cloud Times reported that the turbine has become “a towering boondoggle.” Construction was finished in April 2011 with the expectation that the turbine would generate about 15 percent of the electricity used at the hospital.

While the VA has paid 99 percent of the cost of installing it, the turbine is not saving them any money, according to the Times.

Read the article.

 

 

 

 

 



March 25, 2014


Topic Area: Energy and Power


Recent Posts

Preparing Healthcare Facilities for Wildfire Air Quality Events

Wildfire smoke puts pressure on mechanical systems already working hard to maintain controlled indoor environments.


UW Health Set to Open Expansion at East Madison Hospital

The $140 million project adds 120,000 square feet to the hospital, expanding its footprint to roughly 620,000 square feet.


Central Ohio Primary Care Physicians Falls Victim to Cyberattack

While the full extent of the incident is still under review, our initial investigation discovered that there are approximately 1.4 million individuals impacted.


The Role of Biophilic Design in Healthcare Facilities

Nature-inspired design can support staff well-being and create more welcoming, human-centered healthcare environments.


TriStar Centennial Medical Center Invests $90M in Women, Children's Hospital Expansions

The multi-year project will bring significant improvements to both hospitals.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.