MILWAUKEE - The Utah Department of Corrections has installed a wind meter at Utah State Prison's Draper Facility to determine the wind's potential for providing the prison with energy savings. The Department of Corrections worked with Johnson Controls Inc. on the installation, which kicks off the last stage of a three-phase pilot energy efficiency project.
According to Johnson Controls, due to the prison's proximity to Point of the Mountain in Salt Lake City, the facility is well situated for renewable energy resources. These include a 185-degree geothermal source below the prison and an above average Utah wind resource. Johnson Controls will perform a technical audit of energy use and potential savings that will include an analysis of the renewable options. If, after a year of monitoring, the wind speed averages over 13 mph, the company will install a wind turbine to supplement power at the prison.