Known as an "urban turbine, " it looks similar to a 30-foot flagpole topped with a 12-foot rotating helix.

"This is not one of those big propeller things, " said Fitchburg administrator Tony Roach.

Madison Gas & Electric proposed the turbine for the Fitchburg park because it wants a visible spot to demonstrate and monitor the technology that some day customers could use to power their homes or businesses, said John Drury, business development manager for MGE.

If approved by the city, the turbine could be operational in late July, and residents will be able to monitor the wind speed and power generated live on the company 's Web site, www.mge.com.

This type of wind technology isn 't widely used in the United States right now, Drury said. "People are just starting to look at this technology as an alternative for an urban setting, " he said.

While used in Europe for decades, the urban turbines have only been used in the U.S. for about two years.

"The turbine is being used at both commercial and residential operations, " said Creede Hargraves, vice president of operations for Illinois-based Bright Idea Energy Solutions, which distributes the turbines for the Midwest. Some people have used a turbine the size proposed for McKee Park to power a large residence, he said. "It 's a very robust design. "

Drury said the turbine is "very quiet because it moves only as fast as the wind does. "

The turbine is expected to produce enough energy needed to run about three homes a year -- about 10 kilowatts -- while MGE 's large propeller turbines at its Kewaunee wind farm can generate more than half a megawatt per unit, Drury said, which can power about 200 homes.

The reason these are being tested is to see how they can be best applied either for private or commercial use, he said.

Fitchburg will get a portion of the power generated by the turbine, but the majority would be directed back to the power lines for use by MGE customers.

The company has the turbine ordered from Bright Idea, but is waiting for final approval from Fitchburg before it 's delivered. A cost estimate wasn't available Monday.

Fitchburg 's Park Commission will discuss the turbine at its meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Fitchburg City Hall, 5520 Lacy Road, Fitchburg.