It's called a Micro Wind Farm.And soon this "farm" with its 25 wind turbines will silently begin spinning on the new York Hill campus of Quinnipiac University in Hamden, generating "green" power for an environmentally friendly campus.

And soon this "farm" with its 25 wind turbines will silently begin spinning on the new York Hill campus of Quinnipiac University in Hamden, generating "green" power for an environmentally friendly campus.It's all part of Quinnipiac's commitment to building one of the most environmentally friendly campuses in America. And, says Centerbrook Architects, these wind turbines represent the first so-called "micro turbine cluster" on any American college campus.

It's all part of Quinnipiac's commitment to building one of the most environmentally friendly campuses in America. And, says Centerbrook Architects, these wind turbines represent the first so-called "micro turbine cluster" on any American college campus.The university's new York Hill campus includes residence halls, a large parking facility, a student center and the TD Bank Sports Center. It opened this fall.

The university's new York Hill campus includes residence halls, a large parking facility, a student center and the TD Bank Sports Center. It opened this fall.The 25-acre campus has two major "green" initiatives: the new "wind garden" turbines and an array of solar panels on the roof of one of the new residence halls.

The 25-acre campus has two major "green" initiatives: the new "wind garden" turbines and an array of solar panels on the roof of one of the new residence halls.The micro wind farm is the centerpiece of a "sustainable" design strategy for Quinnipiac (www.quinnipiac.edu) that's been developed by the Essex-based Centerbrook Architects, which itself employs numerous "green" energy initiatives at its Main Street headquarters in the picturesque Centerbrook section of that town.

The micro wind farm is the centerpiece of a "sustainable" design strategy for Quinnipiac (www.quinnipiac.edu) that's been developed by the Essex-based Centerbrook Architects, which itself employs numerous "green" energy initiatives at its Main Street headquarters in the picturesque Centerbrook section of that town. Centerbrook, in fact, has worked with Quinnipiac University for the past three decades to develop and implement a master plan for the growing college campus, which now includes its main Hamden complex, the York Hill site and a new North Haven facility.

Centerbrook, in fact, has worked with Quinnipiac University for the past three decades to develop and implement a master plan for the growing college campus, which now includes its main Hamden complex, the York Hill site and a new North Haven facility.David Holahan, a spokesman for Centerbrook Architects (www.centerbrook.com), says the sleek-looking wind turbines are called "Windspires," and they're manufactured by the Nevada-based Mariah Power (www.mariahpower.com). Unlike those very tall wind turbines with the huge propellers that spin in the wind, these shorter wind turbines have a vertical-axis turbine that spins around and creates energy. "They almost have a sculpture-like quality to them," says Holahan.

David Holahan, a spokesman for Centerbrook Architects (www.centerbrook.com), says the sleek-looking wind turbines are called "Windspires," and they're manufactured by the Nevada-based Mariah Power (www.mariahpower.com). Unlike those very tall wind turbines with the huge propellers that spin in the wind, these shorter wind turbines have a vertical-axis turbine that spins around and creates energy. "They almost have a sculpture-like quality to them," says Holahan.The spires are typically about 30 feet tall and about four feet wide. They also feature a propeller-free design and "ultra quiet" operation. The Windspires, according to their manufacturer, can be used to power homes, small businesses, schools, museums and other sites needing electric power.

The spires are typically about 30 feet tall and about four feet wide. They also feature a propeller-free design and "ultra quiet" operation. The Windspires, according to their manufacturer, can be used to power homes, small businesses, schools, museums and other sites needing electric power.The wind turbines generate their power when wind blows against their vertical airfoils, which then spin, creating power that's converted into electricity. They cost between $9,000 to $12,000.

The wind turbines generate their power when wind blows against their vertical airfoils, which then spin, creating power that's converted into electricity. They cost between $9,000 to $12,000. The wind turbines, which are being installed this month according to Holahan, sit within a grassy area at the York Campus that offers stone benches and a view of Long Island Sound.

The wind turbines, which are being installed this month according to Holahan, sit within a grassy area at the York Campus that offers stone benches and a view of Long Island Sound.The units, once fully operating, are expected to generate nearly 33,000 kilowatt hours of power annually, saving more than 26,370 pounds in greenhouse gases, says a spokeswoman for Mariah Power. It's estimated the power provided by these sleek wind turbines will power more than 50 percent of the exterior lighting on the new York Hill campus.

The units, once fully operating, are expected to generate nearly 33,000 kilowatt hours of power annually, saving more than 26,370 pounds in greenhouse gases, says a spokeswoman for Mariah Power. It's estimated the power provided by these sleek wind turbines will power more than 50 percent of the exterior lighting on the new York Hill campus. Centerbrook partner Jeff Riley, who's in charge of the project, says the idea of wind power at the York Campus was one of a number of "green" technologies incorporated into the site design. In addition, the new sports arena on that campus was built into the slope of the land to save on cooling and heating, he says, and the parking garage could potentially offer hybrid-car charging stations.

Centerbrook partner Jeff Riley, who's in charge of the project, says the idea of wind power at the York Campus was one of a number of "green" technologies incorporated into the site design. In addition, the new sports arena on that campus was built into the slope of the land to save on cooling and heating, he says, and the parking garage could potentially offer hybrid-car charging stations.In addition, the nearly 900 solar panels on the roof of the Crescent Residence Hall on the York campus will be able to generate 232,000 kilowatt hours of power each year.

In addition, the nearly 900 solar panels on the roof of the Crescent Residence Hall on the York campus will be able to generate 232,000 kilowatt hours of power each year.Anthony Cronin is The Day's business editor.

Anthony Cronin is The Day's business editor.