Banks Goes into Service to Brew Beer
The
Outer
Banks Brewing Station celebrated Earth Day, April 22, by introducing
the first commercially operated wind turbine on the Outer Banks. Although
the christening at their property in Kill Devil Hills lasted just a few
moments, it was the climax of a five and a half year struggle by owners
Aubrey Davis and Eric Reese.
Outer Banks Brewing Station owners Aubrey Davis
and Eric Reese christening their new wind turbine
The
two friends and business partners first brought the idea of a wind turbine
before the Kill Devil Hills Planning Board in November, 2002. Gaining
the board’s approval was a preliminary step before obtaining final
approval from town council. A presentation before town council was scheduled,
but dropped when it was made clear to Reese and Aubrey the idea would
not be approved. Then Mayor Sherry Rollason and several other council
members expressed dissatisfaction with the idea. A second attempt after
an election in November, 2002 resulted in failure before town council
by a vote of 4-1. The lone supporter for the idea on the council was new
member Ray Sturza.
A
lot of people would have given up at this point. However, Eric and Aubrey,
who is also a mechanical engineer, share a strong conviction that clean
green power is the way of the future. They refused to give up on their
idea of clean energy in the form of a wind turbine and scheduled a third
attempt before town council. Ray Sturza, an early supporter of the measure,
was now Mayor. With his support and the support of many speakers from
around the Outer Banks, the town council finally passed the request.
The wind turbine stands 92 feet tall
Resting on top of a slender three sided skeletal
pyramid, the wind turbine reaches 92 feet into the sky, making it one
of the tallest erected metal structures on the Outer Banks. The wind
turbine is designed to withstand 130 mile per hour winds. Total costs
for the completed turbine are expected to fall between $50,000 to $60,000.
Sold
by Bergey, an Oklahoma
Company, the model Excell turbine produces about 10 KW of power. This
is expected to save the company about $300 a month from its normal $4,000
a month electric bill.
To
honor the first wind turbine used to brew beer on the Outer Banks, brewer
Scott Meyer has created a special beer just for the occasion, the “10KV
Pale Ale,” which will be available for a limited time.