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Posts Tagged ‘Offshore Wind’

Another Missing Accident Report

Posted in accidents, Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged , , , , on November 11, 2010| 2 Comments »

 

Liftboat Russell Peterson, May 12, 2008

 

Malcolm Sharples reminds us that the Coast Guard still hasn’t completed the investigation of the tragic liftboat accident in May 2008. The boat was conducting research for a proposed offshore wind project.  Why the delay?

Here is more information from Malcolm:

Liftboat  Russell W. Peterson damaged in storm, 1 person died, 1 person injured ; “One dead, one rescued as research vessel sinks off Rehoboth”.  One crewman died today after gale force winds pounded a specialized research ship that was launched in March to study Delaware’s offshore wind power resources, forcing the Coast Guard to pull two crewmen from the sinking vessel. Coast Guard Petty Officer Nick Cangemi said one of the two crew members of the RV Russell W. Peterson did not have any vital signs when a helicopter arrived on the scene this morning. “We took both people to the hospital in Maryland, where the hospital declared one of the gentlemen deceased,” Cangemi said. They were taken to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, MD.  The ship was left adrift and ran aground at Bethany Beach.

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Googlin’ in the Wind

Posted in Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged , , , , on October 12, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Washington Post diagram

Comment: Kudos to Google for their leadership in financing a power grid for Atlantic wind projects.  The grid should greatly improve the economics of offshore wind development.  The challenge for the  Google team and other wind developers will be demonstrating that they can manage complex offshore projects, protect workers, and maintain the integrity of their assets.

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There are always tradeoffs

Posted in gas, natural gas, Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged , , , , 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.

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Cape Wind Marathon Continues; Will Costs be the Biggest Obstacle?

Posted in Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged , , 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.

 

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Labor Day Salute to Offshore Workers

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on September 5, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Diamond Offshore Workers Receiving SAFE Award Recognition

On Labor Day 2010, BOE is proud to salute the thousands of dedicated offshore professionals, in the US and around the world, who work in remote locations under challenging conditions to provide energy for our economy and our way of life. Regardless of one’s opinion about oil and gas operations, wind projects, and other sources of offshore energy, we should all appreciate the important contributions made by offshore workers.

While investigations and enforcement actions are necessary, positive recognition is even more important, especially at times like these.  The overwhelming majority of offshore workers do their jobs conscientiously and carefully, and make every effort to protect their colleagues and the environment.  It is these workers who are most at risk when an accident occurs, not those of us who are sitting behind a desk philosophizing and pontificating. Their lives and the lives of their friends and colleagues are threatened when accidents occur, their “back yard” is polluted when oil is spilled, and their jobs are at stake if offshore exploration and development are curtailed.

Fortunately for us, energy exploration and production doesn’t stop on holidays. Whether they are working or enjoying the day with their friends and families, BOE wants offshore workers to know that we appreciate their important contributions.  Happy Labor Day!

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Who’s greener?

Posted in Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged , , 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.

Good article in The Economist.

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Cape Wind Lawsuit Filed

Posted in Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged , , on June 26, 2010| Leave a Comment »

See Cape Cod Times article.

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.

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Offshore Wind Turbine Safety

Posted in Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged , , , , 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.

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Cape Wind Project Approved

Posted in Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged , , on April 28, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Here is the official release.

Law suit already filed.

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Wind Turbine Safety

Posted in Offshore Wind, Wind Energy, tagged , , , , 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.

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