Science museum plans to harness the wind

But the turbines would supply only a tiny fraction of the popular tourist attractionÂ’s power. Museum director of innovation David Rabkin says their purpose would also be to educate the public and government about the pros and cons of wind energy.

He says there is little data on wind turbines, and the museumÂ’s towers could help determine the practical problems of harnessing the wind.

Information collected from the windmills would be included in an exhibit on wind power, featuring information about engineering, environmental impact, and operational issues.

The five turbines the museum is planning to build would only save about $3,000 on the facilityÂ’s $1 million annual power bill.