Student's Idea Makes Money Through Wind Power.

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FOREST CITY, Iowa--Every time he returns to his hometown, Paul Smith, 23, can't help but be reminded of his high school science project. The outcome of that project-a giant wind turbine-stands 49 meters (160 feet) high above the town.

Five years ago, Smith was searching for an idea for a physics project when his teacher, Ron Kvale, suggested wind energy. Smith learned all about the subject and concluded that the Forest City school district could generate its own electricity by installing a wind turbine. A turbine is a device with a fan that is turned by wind, water, steam, or some other force. The force turns the fan, which is connected to a vertical shaft that drives an electric generator.

Smith presented his idea to the school district, which encouraged him to explore the idea further. Even after graduating from school, Smith kept at the idea, estimating that a $750,000 turbine would pay for itself in energy savings after about ten years of operation. The turbine, Smith concluded, would last 20 years beyond that, generating an extra $1.6 million in revenue for the school district. Smith eventually persuaded the school district to get a loan from the federal government for the turbine, which was erected in 1998 and went into operation last year.

Smith now works as a computer programmer for an insurance company in Minnesota. "It was just a class project," he said. "I found something that could bring power to the school and not deplete the environment. I didn't do it to make money or get any recognition. I'm just glad it's there to show students if they believe in some thing, they can make it happen."