CHATTANOOGA ENGINEERS CLUB

www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org

NEXT Meeting (The Read House)_____________________________________________

Monday, October 25, 2004 - , noon, The Read House, Continental Room

Topic:  “Digital Data Authentication Using the ‘auto-notary™’ Product” - Tom Wood, Accurate Automation Corporation

Mr. Tom Wood will tell us about a new digital “watermark” technology.  Accurate Automation Corporation has a patent-pending data protection product called “auto-notary™”.  This is a technique to authenticate (prove the originality of) any form of digital data.  It is of high value when used with data, including digital images and video that may be used as evidence in a court.  “auto-notary™” adds a record to data when the data is recorded, and later that record is used to determine if the data has been altered in any way or if it is original (authentic).

Invocation/Pledge Chair:  Jim Stites

Menu:  Butter Nut Squash Soup, Roasted Pork Loin, Wild Rice Pilaf, Fresh Vegetable of the Day

OUR PREVIOUS MEETING________________________________________________

Topic:  “Trials and Tribulations of Placing 1.8 MW Wind Turbines on Mountaintops” - Carol Glover, Power Resources & Operations Planning, TVA

Ms. Carol Glover from Tennessee Valley Authority’s Power Resources & Operations Planning showed pictures of the three existing TVA wind turbines and construction of fifteen additional wind turbines on Buffalo Mountain near Oak Ridge, Tennessee.  The foundations differ in size because the top if this mountain has been mined.  The roads leading to the top were old and winding.  The roads had to be improved to bring up the unassembled wind turbines and tower frames.  TVA signed a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with Invenergy for the additional power supply from the expanded wind-energy facility. The existing Buffalo Mountain Wind Park has three TVA wind-turbine generators with a generating capacity of 660 kilowatts each. The expansion will add 15 larger wind turbines (V80’s), each capable of generating 1.8 megawatts of electricity, significantly boosting the site’s power-generating capacity.  These wind turbines can be seen on www.vestas.com.

When completed, the expanded wind park will provide enough electricity to supply 3,525 homes.  The tower height of the new wind-generating units will be about 260 feet.  The blades are about 135 feet in length.  The new units are expected to be completed by mid-November.  The tower frames were made in Korea and the wind turbines were made in Denmark.  When asked if these are noisy, Ms. Glover said they are difficult to hear unless you are standing under them.  The rustle of the trees in the wind sometimes is louder than the wind turbines.  Tiffany had been there and said the sound they make is quite serene and relaxing.

The wind energy generated at Buffalo Mountain supports TVA’s Green Power Switch program, which provides a choice for consumers seeking cleaner technology that does not create air pollution and helps to sustain resources for future generations.  TVA and locally-owned distributors of TVA power across the Tennessee Valley, in cooperation with the environmental community, worked together to develop the Green Power Switch program.  For more information on how to become a Green Power Switch Generation Partner or how to purchase electricity from these cleaner technologies, see:  http://www.tva.gov/greenpowerswitch/

Thanks to Judy Driggans for the meeting summary.

FUTURE MONDAY MEETINGS_____________________________________________

November 1:  “Leadership for Geeks” - Stephen Smith, Chattanooga Engineers Club

November 8:  “Are we there yet? Current status of Fuel Cell Technology” - Dale Bradshaw

November 15:  “Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Security:  Keeping Us Safe at Home and Abroad” - Michael Whitaker, ORNL's Nuclear Science and Technology Division

November 22:  “Nanotechnology” - Doug Lowndes, ORNL

TBD:  Fusion Technology - ORNL

TBD:  Nanotechnology - Jayesh Doshi, E-Spin

WHERE WE MEET _______________________________________________________

We meet at The Read House, and lunch is $11.  Parking is free at the Days Inn across MLK Blvd. but you’ll need a note in your windshield that you’re with the Engineers’ Club.  Valet parking (by AAA, the manager of the Read House Hotel parking garage) is $3 for lunch events.  The Read House Hotel garage entrance is now on Broad Street.

QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS? ______________________________________________

If you have any questions or suggestions about program items please call Tiffany Gibby at 423-751-3168 or by email at tjgibby@tva.gov. You can find references to other Chattanooga Engineers Club members at our web site: www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org.