38 
ILLINOIS AUDUBON BULLETIN 
information briefs from E Ay DA 
The Energy Research & Development Administration (ERDA) has announced that: 
—it will select sites across the country to install four wind turbine generating systems 
(modern versions of windmills) to further test the use of wind power as a means for 
providing some of the electricity needed. They predict that some electricity will be 
used in homes and businesses within a year. ERDA is already operating the 
world’s largest functioning wind power system, the 125 foot, 100 kilowatt wind 
generator near Sandusky, Ohio. 
—small wind power systems are being re-examined for use on farms and in rural 
areas at the Rocky Flats, Colorado plant. Cheap electricity and natural gas 
replaced windpower in the 1930’s; however skyrocketing prices are forcing a 
change. One of the most obvious and immediate needs is in irrigation; with 
less-expensive farm operations, it is conceivable that food prices may decrease. 
—records of past volcanic eruptions, forest fires and even World War II fire bombings 
may help determine whether release of heat into the atmosphere from large electric 
generating facilities will affect the weather. The concern is that waste heat in water 
vapor injected into the air from the very large power plants could affect local 
weather, such as increasing precipitation or spawning thunderstorms or tornadoes. 
This study is a part of an overall program of research into the effects of energy 
development on man and his environment. 
—it has entered into an agreement with the Department of Transportation on an 
energy conservation program. Initial steps include the preparation of an inventory 
base of present and future transportation energy use, energy conservation goals, 
programs, and projects and relative priorities for energy conservation for all 
methods of transportation. These include marine, rail, highway, air and urban public 
transportation. 
—it has selected 34 non-residential buildings in 22 states and the Virgin Islands for 
installation and demonstration of solar heating and/or cooling systems. The 
buildings include office buildings, schools, hotels, fire stations, factories, one 
hospital, a library and miscellaneous other buildings. The chief goal is to 
demonstrate that solar energy is practical for the heating and cooling of all 
buildings, not just residential buildings. 
—in its search for new energy opportunities, it is commissioning a study to determine 
whether research and development can improve the economic competitiveness of 
tidal power. The study will concentrate on places with exceptionally high tides, such 
as Passamaquoddy Bay, Maine, and Cook Inlet, Alaska. It is possible that the 
realized tidal power will be coupled with the more conventional hydroelectric power 
generation, and with wind energy conversion systems. This is still in the study 
phase. 
—it is requesting proposals for geothermal energy projects. The projects solicited are 
for engineering and economic studies of non-electric applications of geothermal 
heat. The non-electric applications include industrial processing, agricultural uses, 
and space/water heating and cooling for commercial and residential buildings. More 
details will be forthcoming. 
