Archive for the ‘Offshore Wind’ Category
Googlin’ in the Wind
Posted in Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged Atlantic, Google, grid, Offshore Wind, Wind Energy on October 12, 2010| Leave a Comment »
There are always tradeoffs
Posted in gas, natural gas, Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged natural gas, noise, Offshore Wind, Vinalhaven, Wind Energy on October 12, 2010| Leave a Comment »
This New York Times article and video discuss the dispute on the island of Vinalhaven, Maine, about the noise associated with the island’s three wind turbines.
Comments:
-Locating wind projects offshore minimizes noise and visual issues, but increases costs and operational complexity. There are always trade-offs.
-When all environmental impacts are considered, offshore natural gas is tough to beat: minimal visual impacts, none of the freshwater issues that are complicating shale gas development, few land use issues, little or no spill risk (depending how dry the gas is). The trade-off is CO2 emissions. While combustion of natural gas emits 30% and 45% less CO2 than oil and coal respectively, the CO2 emissions are still significant.
Cape Wind Marathon Continues; Will Costs be the Biggest Obstacle?
Posted in Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged Cape Wind, Offshore Wind, Wind Energy on October 10, 2010| Leave a Comment »
The Boston Globe looks at Cape Wind costs: 
Once the 130 turbines begin rotating, the energy produced will cost up to 50 percent more than energy today from some land-based wind farms and twice as much as some hydroelectric dams.
Now, after a new analysis by the attorney general’s office placed the cost of building Cape Wind at more than $2.5 billion, 2 1/2 times the original estimated price tag, the state Department of Public Utilities is weighing whether National Grid’s proposed 15-year contract with Cape Wind is a good deal for ratepapers. A decision is expected by mid-November.
Who’s greener?
Posted in Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged Cape Wind, Offshore Wind, Wind Energy on August 21, 2010| Leave a Comment »
The odd thing about conflicts over wind is that, usually, each side claims to be greener than the other.
Cape Wind Lawsuit Filed
Posted in Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged Cape Wind, Offshore Wind, Wind Energy on June 26, 2010| Leave a Comment »
A coalition of nine individuals, environmental organizations and the project’s primary opposition group, the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, filed a lawsuit yesterday in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. They claim the U.S. Department of Interior violated a host of federal laws in granting Cape Wind permission to build 130 wind turbines in the Sound.
Offshore Wind Turbine Safety
Posted in Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged NAS, Offshore Wind, Regulation, safety, Wind Energy on June 25, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Kudos to the National Academies and the very distinguished panel of experts who will be advising the government on the best approach for regulating offshore wind turbines.
I look forward to speaking to them next week.
Cape Wind Project Approved
Posted in Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged Cape Wind, Offshore Wind, Wind Energy on April 28, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Wind Turbine Safety
Posted in Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged Malcolm Sharples, Marine Board, Offshore Wind, safety, Wind Energy on April 3, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Like offshore oil and gas development, wind turbine projects have safety, structural, and operational issues that require careful consideration by operators, contractors, suppliers, and regulators. The National Academies Marine Board recently held a workshop to address these issues. Of particular interest was a presentation by Dr. Malcolm Sharples that addresses some of the challenges faced by offshore wind energy developers.
Bud's Offshore Energy (BOE) 