Topic: A Modern Perspective of Wind Power – Rick Carson, TVA
"There's a lot of underlying popular support for wind energy and other 'renewables'. But there's also a lot of apathy as well. We are blissfully sedated by low conventional energy prices and are gulping down the few remaining years of cheap natural gas and Mid East oil. As we do this, the inertia of global warming is inexorably building… Unlike the aerospace industry, the computer industry, and almost any other successful industry you can name, wind energy -- has never made anyone rich for long. But unlike many of these other industries, it has been around for thousands of years. It's a technology that has been reinvented numerous times. [Today] we are left with the promise and the drive to succeed despite daunting (and sometimes puzzling) obstacles. " - Darrell M. Dodge, Centennial, Colorado

Rick Carson will trace the history of windmills from their earliest days when they were used to grind grain and pump water. He will describe developments in the 20th century and the current use of wind power worldwide. He will also describe the obstacles usually facing the implementation of wind power and what he sees as the future of this fascinating and evolving technology.

OUR PREVIOUS MEETING June 24 _________________________________
Our thanks to Judy Driggans for the following notes:
CEC0226.jpg - 4135 Bytes

Gilbert Davis of EPB, described how the new under ground distribution automation system for the Westside feeder to the downtown Chattanooga area will work. Electrical faults are caused by lightning, rodents, snakes, and worn or damaged cable. Locating these faults in under ground distribution loops takes time--time the customers and EPB don’t want to waste. Automating this distribution loop will cost much less (~ $200k) than converting the area to a two-feeder system (~ $350k). EPB uses switchgear able to open a circuit under fault current conditions in about 1/3 of a second (20 cycles). In this particular automated system when a fault is detected, the College Hill 214 breaker will open and remain open for 5 seconds. Customers prefer that if the power must be interrupted, it stay off long enough for protection relays on their equipment to operate. The 4 sets of switchgear opening circuits in strategic locations in the loop operate at different speeds. The 5 seconds gives them all ample time to open. The 4 sets of switchgear then close back in sequence, spreading the starting current for customer equipment fed by these 4 sets of switchgear over a longer period. The switch gear locates and isolates the fault before the lineman could get there. Each set of switchgear reports via fiber optics to the other sets when a fault current occurs or when a loss of source voltage occurs.

FUTURE MONDAY MEETINGS _____________________________________
July 8 Topic: Methane Hydrate - A New Fuel or a Green House Gas? Dr. Roddy Judkins
July 15 Topic: Playground Equipment - Innovative Technologies for Playground at Siskin, Jerry Sterling
July 22 Topic: Invasive Plants – Steve Manning
July 29 Topic: Global Warming - How Real the Threat? Marilyn Brown, ORNL

WHERE WE MEET _______________________________________________
Unless we note otherwise, all of our presentation meetings are held at the Cellar Restaurant in the Tallan Building, Union Square Downtown Chattanooga from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Our meeting room and luncheon service are open by 11:30 a.m. Lunch buffet is $10.00 per person (inclusive). No reservation is required. Free parking is available in the Days Inn Motel (on Carter St. and MLK Blvd,) courtesy of the Days Inn management. When you park there, be sure to place a note on your dashboard indicating you are attending the Engineers Club meeting.

QUESTIONS ? ___________________________________________
If you have any questions about program items please call Steve McGuire at 756- 4430 or e-mail him at stevemcguire@comcast.net. You can find references to other Chattanooga Engineers Club members at our web site: www.chattanooga.net/engineer/CEC