Marblehead High testing wind as energy source

MARBLEHEAD – Marblehead High is testing the use of wind as a source of electricity.Superintendent of Schools Paul Dulac noted Thursday evening that Deerpath Energy is performing a test of wind-generated electrical power at the high school.Deerpath, a Marblehead-based company, installed a small 2.4-kilowatt wind turbine on a light pole in the high school parking lot two weeks ago.The wind-driven turbine is supplying energy to the school at no up-front cost. It will be evaluated for six to nine months.Deerpath spokeswoman Karen Regnante said the turbine does not supply power to a specific area but adds electrical power for the school’s needs and temporarily lessens the school’s need for traditional electrical power.In addition to the temporary power savings, which Deerpath and town officials will study, the turbine will also work its way into the high school science curriculum.”It’s a demonstration project,” Regnante said. “It’s more of an educational thing. As a Marblehead company we wanted to do something for the town and the schools.”School Committee members voted unanimously two years ago to authorize Town Administrator Tony Sasso to negotiate a contract with Deerpath for the installation of one turbine to act as a test case.Deerpath representatives came before the committee after discussing the idea with Sasso, Dulac, a representative of the Municipal Light Department and former Marblehead High Principal John Ziergiebel and former Science Curriculum Coordinator Martha Bedrosian. Dulac recommended the favorable vote.