The Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority has secured a matching grant of up to $80,000 to study wind turbine technology that could lead to a new manufacturing operation and jobs in Southwest Virginia.
The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority funding will support a feasibility and economic impact study and pilot test of small vertical wind turbine energy recovery systems. The Buchanan County IDA will provide $20,000 in matching funds toward the $100,000 project.
The IDA is partnering with Emendare R&D, a nonprofit research organization headquartered in Buchanan County, to examine how the technology can recover energy from exhaust air flowing out of industrial, commercial and institutional ventilation systems.
The study, expected to take about 12 months, will also determine whether manufacturing the systems in the region would be feasible.
“The Buchanan County IDA is interested in determining the feasibility and economic impact of manufacturing an innovative new renewable energy product known as a Small Vertical Wind Turbine Energy Recovery System and approached VCEDA for match funding for the project,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA’s executive director and general counsel.
Researchers are expected to produce a fully tested prototype, validated performance data, feasibility reports and an economic impact analysis to help determine the potential for regional manufacturing.
According to the IDA’s funding application, the project is expected to create one full-time and four part-time jobs during its first year. That number could grow to four to 10 full-time and/or part-time jobs within five years, depending on whether manufacturing begins after the first year.
The study will also examine the potential economic impact of manufacturing over the next decade.
“The project supports VCEDA’s economic diversification mission by enabling new clean-technology manufacturing opportunities, job creation and innovation-driven economic development in Central Appalachia. We look forward to learning the results of that study,” Belcher said.
Buchanan County Economic Development Director Jeremy Ward said the research could open another avenue for economic growth in the county.
“The wind turbine study and pilot test is a great opportunity for our county to enhance our economic possibilities with a new technology that can create new jobs and deliver an environmental benefit as well,” Ward said. “We look forward to the study and results with great optimism for future manufacturing.”
