Energy ideas welcome at Windiana 2009

WEST LAFAYETTE – The Indiana Office of Energy Development will host a statewide conference on wind farming July 21 and 22 at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.

Windiana 2009 focuses on utility scale and small wind systems for use at homes, businesses and farms.

Purdue University said there are about 310 wind turbines in Benton and Tippecanoe counties producing more than 530 megawatts of electricity each year. Nearly 175 more turbines are under construction in Benton and White counties and are projected to generate about 200 megawatts.

The American Wind Energy Association said Indiana leads the nation in the growth of wind energy.