Wind Power Sought in Shelton

OptiwindA Shelton business is looking to get power from wind — and has proposed new zoning regulations to do so. 

The proposal could open the door for more green energy — and 200-foot-tall wind turbines — in Shelton’s light industrial parks. 

Optiwind, a green-energy startup based in Torrington, proposed the zoning regulation changes and would ultimately install and operate the turbine. 

MBI Inc., a stamp, coin and sports collectables manufacturer based in Norwalk, is the company that would end up using the wind power at its Shelton facility on Forest Parkway. 

That’s if Shelton officials allow the rules that could make way for the wind turbines.

Optiwind filed an application with the Shelton Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday night, but did not make a presentation on the proposal, according to Shelton Planning and Zoning administrator Richard Schultz. 

The plans will be aired at a public hearing scheduled for May 26. 

The proposal is for a zone change that would allow large wind turbines on light industrial land with a special permit, Schultz said. 

It’s not for the actual wind turbine — yet. 

Optiwind’s vice president of marking, David Hurwitt, said the decision will ultimately be up to the people of Shelton. 

It’s up to the community to decide if a specific application is beneficial to the community,” Hurwitt said.

Enough Wind?

Though Shelton isn’t flat like the midwest, there is still enough wind here to generate power, according to Optiwind’s site development manager, Matthew Speck. 

That’s because Optiwind’s turbines are smaller and can generate electricity in areas that might otherwise be unsuitable, Speck said.

This area has suitable wind capability for our class of wind turbine,” Speck said.

Optiwind representatives said MBI Inc. is looking to generate wind power in order to reduce its operating costs and thereby remain profitable and keep its people employed.

Hurwitt said the most efficient way to generate energy is locally, if the resources are available. 

A turbine that generates 300 kilowatt-hours worth of electricity could save a company like MBI up to $75,000 on an annual basis, Hurwitt said.

What Will It Look Like?

Optiwind’s turbines are not the white, three-blade windmills that often come to mind. 

The wind turbines — according to pictures and descriptions on the company’s Web site — look like a metal silo with several circular fans attached to the sides. 

The Optiwind turbines are half the height of normal windmills, and funnel wind into fan blades to get more power with less wind, according to the Web site. 

The company has two models that claim to output about 150 kilowatts and 300 kilowatts worth of power. 

Farm Power

Optiwind has installed one other wind turbine in the state — at a small farm in Torrington. 

Torrington’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved the 200-foot-turbine last summer and expects to have the turbine operating by the end of this summer. See a Torrington Register Citizen article on the topic here.

Optiwind has also proposed wind power in Goshen, but was rejected by the town’s Planning and Zoning Board two times, according to Torrington Register Citizen articles.

A message was left seeking comment with representatives of MBI Inc. 

Learn More:

Get more information about the wind turbines through the following links to Web sites and articles on the topic.

Torrington Turbine Approval: Waterbury Republican-American article

Efficient but Unattractive: Blog post reviewing Optiwind’s turbines.

Winsted Talks About Wind Power: Waterbury Republican American article

Optiwind Web site

Wind Power Explained: Connecticut Clean Energy Fund

Keep local reporting alive. Donate.ValleyIndy.org