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The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today announced the installation of 20 building-integrated wind turbines at Boston Logan International Airport. Massport has partnered with AeroVironment of Monrovia, Calif. and Groom Energy Solutions of Salem, Mass. to install the six foot in diameter wind turbines on the roof of the Logan Office Center. The demonstration project is expected to provide electrical output of approximately 100,000 kwh annually, or about 2 percent of the buildings monthly energy use.

With construction scheduled to begin this week, Massport expects the wind turbines to be functioning and generating renewable energy in the spring. If the demonstration project meets its goal of reducing building energy, Massport will consider expanding the turbine installations to other Massport facilities. Along with wind turbines, Massport is evaluating other proven renewable energy technologies at its facilities including, solar power, geothermal technology, and fuel cell applications.

“We’re very excited to introduce clean energy generating technology at Boston Logan,” said Massport CEO and Executive Director Thomas J. Kinton, Jr. “Massport is actively evaluating renewable energy options with the goal of meeting the Governor’s “Lead by Example” executive order that seeks procurement of 15% of all energy from renewable resources and setting aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals.”

Massport is a national leader in embracing environmental initiatives. Massport developed the first LEED certified airport terminal in the world; the first ISO 14001 airport, container terminal and bridge in the US; and a number of innovative air quality emission reduction programs, including preferred hybrid and alternative fuel vehicle parking. Logan’s 32 shuttle buses logged their 11-millioneth clean air mile recently and currently, nearly thirty percent of all passenger and employee trips to Logan are in High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV), one of the highest HOV access mode shares among US airports.

“Renewable energy and energy conservation are among Governor Patrick’s highest priorities,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles. “I applaud Massport for the example it is setting today, installing wind turbines to help power the Logan Office Center, and pursuing renewable energy opportunities at its other facilities.”

The 1000 watt wind turbine system provides clean, reliable, non-polluting electric power. Each module fastens to the parapet of a building, weighs approximately 90 pounds and measures approximately six feet in height and eight feet in width. This urban turbine is a unique design, intended to continue to produce electricity under turbulent wind conditions and in both low and high wind speed environments.

Average monthly demand for electricity at the Logan Office Center is 407kw with an average monthly energy usage of 291,000 kwh. Massport expects that the wind turbines will provide an annual electrical output of approximately 100,000 kwh and save the Authority $13,000 annually in utility costs with additional energy savings to be pursued.

Boston Logan serves as the gateway to the six-state New England region with a population of over 14 million and offers nonstop service to 77 domestic and 32 international destinations. Boston Logan also has more low fare flights than any airport in New England and in 2007 handled 28.1 million passengers.

Boston Logan’s $4.4 billion modernization program, including new terminals, parking facilities, roadways and airport concessions, has transformed the airport into a world-class facility capable of meeting the needs of local travelers and businesses in the 21st Century. In 2007 Boston Logan was ranked number one as the “Easiest Airport to Get To” by the business travel website Aviation.com.

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