Following wind July 22, 2005
Keele University’s Applied and Environmental Geophysics Group (AEG) has helped resolve an impasse that has prevented 40% of UK renewable wind energy being developed
Dwain Eldred writes: In order to meet, and in fact exceed, Kyoto targets, the UK government has set a challenging target of reducing the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by 2050. The development of renewable energy, especially wind power, will be an important contributor to the success of that policy.
Some 40% (in excess of 1 Gigawatt) of this wind generation capacity was planned for the southern uplands of Scotland. However, the United Kingdom seismic monitoring site which constitutes our component of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty compliance for nuclear testing is situated at Eskdalemuir near Langholm in the Scottish Borders. The Ministry of Defence therefore placed a precautionary blanket objection to any wind farm developments within 80km of Eskdalemuir, just in case this compromised their capacity to detect distant nuclear test and breached the UK’s agreement under the CTBT. The effect of this was to remove at least 40% of the UK renewable wind resource identified by the DTI.
Because of the Keele Unit’s unique experience in monitoring seismic vibrations from wind turbines in the UK, the Applied and Environmental Geophysics Group of the School of Physical and Geographical Sciences the MOD, the DTI and the British Wind Energy Association asked them to investigate whether there was a solution to this impasse.
By carrying out a detailed programme of seismic and infrasound measurements in the vicinity of several wind farms in Scotland the team was able to identify the characteristic frequencies and mode of propagation of seismic vibrations from wind turbines and develop a model for the integrated seismic vibration at Eskdalemuir that will be created. By setting a noise budget that is permissible at Eskdalemuir without compromising its detection capabilities, the team demonstrated that at least 1.6GWatts of planned capacity can be installed. They have also developed software tools that allow MOD and planners to assess what further capacity can be developed.
The MOD have now lifted the 80 km exclusion and any further wind farm proposals will be assessed against criteria established by this study.
Further information:
www.bwea.com/media/news/eskdalemuir.html
tinyurl.com/blayh
www.theherald.co.uk/news/43310.html
www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/19/wind_farms_mod/
Monday, July 25, 2005
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Clipper's Bid a Winner for Alliant Energy Customers
Clipper's Bid a Winner for Alliant Energy Customers
Jul 18 - PRNewswire-FirstCall
Alliant Energy Corporation announced today that Clipper Windpower has won a competitive bid process to develop 150 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy that will be sold through a purchased power agreement to Interstate Power and Light Company, a subsidiary of Alliant Energy. Clipper will develop the new wind generation facility near the existing Flying Cloud Wind Farm near Spirit Lake, Iowa. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2006.
California-based Clipper Windpower will install their new state-of-the-art 2.5 MW Liberty Series wind turbines, the first commercial deployment of the turbines, which are manufactured at their Cedar Rapids, Iowa facility. Clipper Windpower emerged as the successful candidate through a sealed-bid process.
"We are excited to continue our relationship with Clipper Windpower," said Kim Zuhlke, Vice President of New Energy Resources. "Clipper's successful bid package combines a site with excellent wind resources and easy access to the electric power grid with an opportunity to utilize their new state-of-the-art turbine technology being built here in Cedar Rapids."
Clipper Windpower Chairman and CEO Jim Dehlsen said, "The advanced turbine technology deployed in this facility will more effectively harness the superb wind resource of region, creating additional jobs and flowing new revenue into the economy of the greater Spirit Lake area."
"We're very pleased to have been selected for this supply of power to Alliant Energy," Dehlsen said. "They have become a national leader in understanding and leveraging the wind as an energy resource and optimizing the energy options which best serve their customer base. It's the forward looking electric utilities such as Alliant Energy that have made wind the world's fastest growing energy source."
Capitalizing on the significant advancements in wind energy development in recent years, the project's development provides customers with more efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective power, Zuhlke said.
The project, known as "Endeavor," when fully developed, will add 150 MW of wind generation, bringing Alliant Energy's wind energy portfolio to nearly 500 MW and its total renewable capacity to more than 600 MW.
"The ability to create superior-quality wind energy with locally-produced equipment is a testament to Alliant Energy's solid commitment to homegrown Midwest values," Zuhlke said.
Editor's Note: A photo of the 2.5 MW Clipper Liberty Series wind turbine is available upon request. Please contact Scott Drzycimski at 319-786-7500 or scottdrzycimski@alliantenergy.com.
Alliant Energy Corporation is an energy-services provider with subsidiaries serving more than three million customers. Providing its customers in the Midwest with regulated electricity and natural gas service remains the company's primary focus. Alliant Energy's domestic utility subsidiaries, Interstate Power and Light and Wisconsin Power and Light, serve 982,000 electric and 416,000 natural gas customers. Other business platforms include the international energy market and non-regulated domestic generation. Alliant Energy, headquartered in Madison, Wis., is a Fortune 1000 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LNT. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.alliantenergy.com/ .
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020405/LNTLOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Alliant Energy Corporation
CONTACT: Media Contact, Scott Drzycimski, +1-319-786-7500, or InvestorRelations Contact, Becky Johnson, +1-608-458-3267, both of Alliant EnergyCorporation
Web site: http://www.alliantenergy.com/
Jul 18 - PRNewswire-FirstCall
Alliant Energy Corporation announced today that Clipper Windpower has won a competitive bid process to develop 150 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy that will be sold through a purchased power agreement to Interstate Power and Light Company, a subsidiary of Alliant Energy. Clipper will develop the new wind generation facility near the existing Flying Cloud Wind Farm near Spirit Lake, Iowa. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2006.
California-based Clipper Windpower will install their new state-of-the-art 2.5 MW Liberty Series wind turbines, the first commercial deployment of the turbines, which are manufactured at their Cedar Rapids, Iowa facility. Clipper Windpower emerged as the successful candidate through a sealed-bid process.
"We are excited to continue our relationship with Clipper Windpower," said Kim Zuhlke, Vice President of New Energy Resources. "Clipper's successful bid package combines a site with excellent wind resources and easy access to the electric power grid with an opportunity to utilize their new state-of-the-art turbine technology being built here in Cedar Rapids."
Clipper Windpower Chairman and CEO Jim Dehlsen said, "The advanced turbine technology deployed in this facility will more effectively harness the superb wind resource of region, creating additional jobs and flowing new revenue into the economy of the greater Spirit Lake area."
"We're very pleased to have been selected for this supply of power to Alliant Energy," Dehlsen said. "They have become a national leader in understanding and leveraging the wind as an energy resource and optimizing the energy options which best serve their customer base. It's the forward looking electric utilities such as Alliant Energy that have made wind the world's fastest growing energy source."
Capitalizing on the significant advancements in wind energy development in recent years, the project's development provides customers with more efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective power, Zuhlke said.
The project, known as "Endeavor," when fully developed, will add 150 MW of wind generation, bringing Alliant Energy's wind energy portfolio to nearly 500 MW and its total renewable capacity to more than 600 MW.
"The ability to create superior-quality wind energy with locally-produced equipment is a testament to Alliant Energy's solid commitment to homegrown Midwest values," Zuhlke said.
Editor's Note: A photo of the 2.5 MW Clipper Liberty Series wind turbine is available upon request. Please contact Scott Drzycimski at 319-786-7500 or scottdrzycimski@alliantenergy.com.
Alliant Energy Corporation is an energy-services provider with subsidiaries serving more than three million customers. Providing its customers in the Midwest with regulated electricity and natural gas service remains the company's primary focus. Alliant Energy's domestic utility subsidiaries, Interstate Power and Light and Wisconsin Power and Light, serve 982,000 electric and 416,000 natural gas customers. Other business platforms include the international energy market and non-regulated domestic generation. Alliant Energy, headquartered in Madison, Wis., is a Fortune 1000 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LNT. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.alliantenergy.com/ .
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020405/LNTLOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Alliant Energy Corporation
CONTACT: Media Contact, Scott Drzycimski, +1-319-786-7500, or InvestorRelations Contact, Becky Johnson, +1-608-458-3267, both of Alliant EnergyCorporation
Web site: http://www.alliantenergy.com/
Friday, July 15, 2005
GE Energy To Provide 23 Turbines For The First Large-Scale Wind Project In China’s Hebei Province
GE Energy To Provide 23 Turbines For The First Large-Scale Wind Project In China’s Hebei Province
ATLANTA, GA (June 24, 2005) — GE Energy will supply wind turbines for the first large-scale project in mainland China’s Hebei Province. The 34.5-megawatt Shangyi Manjing Wind Farm will use 23 of GE’s 1.5-megawatt wind turbines.
Developed and owned by Guohua Energy Corporation Limited, the wind turbines are being installed on a 5 km by 5 km site located approximately 100 km from Zhangjiakou City. Commercial operation is expected by October 2005.
"The Shangyi Manjing Wind Farm is an excellent example of the growing global trend toward cleaner electricity choices," said Robert Gleitz, general manager of GE Energy's wind segment. "China has a vast wind resource and an increasing need for electricity. At GE, with a business history in China that reaches back 90 years, we're pleased to support our local customers' wind energy needs."
Gleitz added, "The continuing advancement of wind power technology is a key element of GE ecomagination, our commitment to cleaner energy options, which is at the forefront of our company's business initiatives." Launched in May, ecomagination is a GE initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental challenges.
The Shangyi Manjing Wind Farm supports China's national initiative that targets the creation of 20 gigawatts of new renewable energy by 2020. At the 2004 China Wind Power Summit, Huang Yicheng, president of the China Energy Research Association, noted that China, alone, has a potential wind power capacity of 250 gigawatts, the largest in the world. At the start of 2004, the country's installed wind power capacity was 566 megawatts, third in Asia behind India's 2,120 megawatts and Japan's 644 megawatts.
GE's 1.5-megawatt wind turbines, the largest capacity units installed in China, are among the world's most widely sold wind turbines in the multi-megawatt class, with more than 3,000 installations globally. These units are well established in Asia, with 166 (75 in Japan, 47 in China, 18 in India and 26 in Taiwan) installed or committed for projects in the region, totaling 249 megawatts of new wind power capacity.
The Shangyi Manjing Wind Farm is GE Energy's third Chinese wind announcement in the past 20 months. In October 2004, GE announced that it will supply 14 of its 1.5-megawatt wind turbines for the first two utility-scale wind projects to be built in Shanghai, China's largest city. In October 2003, GE Energy announced the supply of 10 of its 1.5-megawatt wind turbines for the Huitengxile Wind Power Plant in Inner Mongolia, China.
Guohua Energy Corporation Limited is a subsidiary of the Guohua Investment Company, which was founded in March 1998. Guohua Investment was approved by the state council and based on the former National Development and Reforming Committee. The company's main businesses are renewable energy, property, finance and environmental protection. Guohua Energy is specifically focused on energy project development.
The Shangyi Manjing Wind Farm will supply power to the North China Power Grid, which is comprised of the Jing-Jin-Tang Power Grid and the North Hebei Power Grid. At the end of 2003, the North China Power Grid's total installed capacity had reached 81,052 megawatts.
ATLANTA, GA (June 24, 2005) — GE Energy will supply wind turbines for the first large-scale project in mainland China’s Hebei Province. The 34.5-megawatt Shangyi Manjing Wind Farm will use 23 of GE’s 1.5-megawatt wind turbines.
Developed and owned by Guohua Energy Corporation Limited, the wind turbines are being installed on a 5 km by 5 km site located approximately 100 km from Zhangjiakou City. Commercial operation is expected by October 2005.
"The Shangyi Manjing Wind Farm is an excellent example of the growing global trend toward cleaner electricity choices," said Robert Gleitz, general manager of GE Energy's wind segment. "China has a vast wind resource and an increasing need for electricity. At GE, with a business history in China that reaches back 90 years, we're pleased to support our local customers' wind energy needs."
Gleitz added, "The continuing advancement of wind power technology is a key element of GE ecomagination, our commitment to cleaner energy options, which is at the forefront of our company's business initiatives." Launched in May, ecomagination is a GE initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental challenges.
The Shangyi Manjing Wind Farm supports China's national initiative that targets the creation of 20 gigawatts of new renewable energy by 2020. At the 2004 China Wind Power Summit, Huang Yicheng, president of the China Energy Research Association, noted that China, alone, has a potential wind power capacity of 250 gigawatts, the largest in the world. At the start of 2004, the country's installed wind power capacity was 566 megawatts, third in Asia behind India's 2,120 megawatts and Japan's 644 megawatts.
GE's 1.5-megawatt wind turbines, the largest capacity units installed in China, are among the world's most widely sold wind turbines in the multi-megawatt class, with more than 3,000 installations globally. These units are well established in Asia, with 166 (75 in Japan, 47 in China, 18 in India and 26 in Taiwan) installed or committed for projects in the region, totaling 249 megawatts of new wind power capacity.
The Shangyi Manjing Wind Farm is GE Energy's third Chinese wind announcement in the past 20 months. In October 2004, GE announced that it will supply 14 of its 1.5-megawatt wind turbines for the first two utility-scale wind projects to be built in Shanghai, China's largest city. In October 2003, GE Energy announced the supply of 10 of its 1.5-megawatt wind turbines for the Huitengxile Wind Power Plant in Inner Mongolia, China.
Guohua Energy Corporation Limited is a subsidiary of the Guohua Investment Company, which was founded in March 1998. Guohua Investment was approved by the state council and based on the former National Development and Reforming Committee. The company's main businesses are renewable energy, property, finance and environmental protection. Guohua Energy is specifically focused on energy project development.
The Shangyi Manjing Wind Farm will supply power to the North China Power Grid, which is comprised of the Jing-Jin-Tang Power Grid and the North Hebei Power Grid. At the end of 2003, the North China Power Grid's total installed capacity had reached 81,052 megawatts.
GE Energy's 1.5-Megawatt Turbines Powering United Kingdom's Largest Onshore Wind Farm
GE Energy's 1.5-Megawatt Turbines Powering United Kingdom's Largest Onshore Wind Farm
MILAN, ITALY (June 28, 2005) — The United Kingdom's largest onshore wind power project, the Cefn Croes wind farm in Wales, was officially opened on June 16. The new wind farm, which provides 20% of Wales' current wind energy capacity, features 39 of GE Energy's 1.5-megawatt wind turbines.
Located near Devil's Bridge in Ceredigion, Wales, the Cefn Croes project has a total wind power capacity of 58.5 megawatts, enough to meet the electricity needs of 42,000 Welsh households.
"The Welsh government is showing strong leadership in promoting cleaner methods of energy production, and has a target of meeting 10% of Wales' energy needs from renewable sources by the year 2010," said Robert Gleitz, GE Energy's general manager - wind energy. "Cefn Croes is a significant step toward achieving that goal."
The Cefn Croes project is owned by Falck Renewables Limited, a leading European developer of wind projects and a subsidiary of the Falck Group, based in Milan, Italy. The new wind farm is operated by Cambrian Wind Energy, a subsidiary of Falck Renewables, and was developed by the Renewable Development Company (RDC). Falck Renewables and RDC are jointly developing more than 500 megawatts of wind energy projects in England, Scotland and Wales.
GE's 1.5-megawatt machines are among the most widely used megawatt-class wind turbines in the global wind industry, with more than 3,000 installed worldwide. In addition to providing the wind turbines, GE Energy managed the overall implementation of the project, including operation and maintenance services. The construction phase provided on-site employment for 100 people, followed by four full-time and three part-time jobs.
About GE Energy
GE Energy (www.gepower.com) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technology, with 2004 revenue of $17.3 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, transmission and distribution, distributed power and energy rental industries.
With wind turbine design, manufacturing and/or assembly facilities in Germany, Spain and the United States, GE Energy’s current wind energy portfolio includes wind turbines with rated outputs ranging from 1.5 to 3.6 megawatts, and support services ranging from project development assistance to operation and maintenance. The company’s knowledge base includes the development and/or installation of more than 7,100 wind turbines with a total rated capacity of 5,600 megawatts.
For more information, contact:
GE Energy:
Dennis Murphy
GE Energy
+1 678 844 6948
dennis.murphy@ps.ge.com
Ken Darling or Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
+1 518 786 6488
kenneth.darling@ps.ge.com
howard.masto@ps.ge.com
MILAN, ITALY (June 28, 2005) — The United Kingdom's largest onshore wind power project, the Cefn Croes wind farm in Wales, was officially opened on June 16. The new wind farm, which provides 20% of Wales' current wind energy capacity, features 39 of GE Energy's 1.5-megawatt wind turbines.
Located near Devil's Bridge in Ceredigion, Wales, the Cefn Croes project has a total wind power capacity of 58.5 megawatts, enough to meet the electricity needs of 42,000 Welsh households.
"The Welsh government is showing strong leadership in promoting cleaner methods of energy production, and has a target of meeting 10% of Wales' energy needs from renewable sources by the year 2010," said Robert Gleitz, GE Energy's general manager - wind energy. "Cefn Croes is a significant step toward achieving that goal."
The Cefn Croes project is owned by Falck Renewables Limited, a leading European developer of wind projects and a subsidiary of the Falck Group, based in Milan, Italy. The new wind farm is operated by Cambrian Wind Energy, a subsidiary of Falck Renewables, and was developed by the Renewable Development Company (RDC). Falck Renewables and RDC are jointly developing more than 500 megawatts of wind energy projects in England, Scotland and Wales.
GE's 1.5-megawatt machines are among the most widely used megawatt-class wind turbines in the global wind industry, with more than 3,000 installed worldwide. In addition to providing the wind turbines, GE Energy managed the overall implementation of the project, including operation and maintenance services. The construction phase provided on-site employment for 100 people, followed by four full-time and three part-time jobs.
About GE Energy
GE Energy (www.gepower.com) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technology, with 2004 revenue of $17.3 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, transmission and distribution, distributed power and energy rental industries.
With wind turbine design, manufacturing and/or assembly facilities in Germany, Spain and the United States, GE Energy’s current wind energy portfolio includes wind turbines with rated outputs ranging from 1.5 to 3.6 megawatts, and support services ranging from project development assistance to operation and maintenance. The company’s knowledge base includes the development and/or installation of more than 7,100 wind turbines with a total rated capacity of 5,600 megawatts.
For more information, contact:
GE Energy:
Dennis Murphy
GE Energy
+1 678 844 6948
dennis.murphy@ps.ge.com
Ken Darling or Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
+1 518 786 6488
kenneth.darling@ps.ge.com
howard.masto@ps.ge.com
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Allianz to invest 300-500 mln eur in wind energy in next 5 yrs - Forbes.com
Allianz to invest 300-500 mln eur in wind energy in next 5 yrs - Forbes.com: "Allianz to invest 300-500 mln eur in wind energy in next 5 yrs
06.28.2005, 07:15 PM
LONDON (AFX) - Allianz AG said it plans to invest 300-500 mln eur in wind energy over the next five years, through its London-based asset management unit Allianz Specialised Investments.
ASI has so far invested around 200 mln eur in renewable energy, it said.
The German insurance and banking group made the announcement alongside the publication of a report compiled in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund on ways to integrate risks from climate change into its insurance, banking and asset management businesses.
Allianz said it now ranks climate change risks alongside all other risks and plans to address the issue of climate change at a board level.
'Climate change creates significant costs for the financial industry,' said Joachim Faber, Allianz board member and CEO of Allianz Global Investors.
'In the interests of our clients and shareholders we are obligated to take these risks into account when making decisions on insurance, underwriting, investments or lending credit,' he said.
Risks posed by climate change include increased risks of storm and flood damage, as well as heatwaves combined with risks to the water supply.
This has direct implications for the insurance sector, and Allianz said premiums may have to rise in the future to cover the associated risks.
Climate change is increasing the potential for property damage at a rate of 2-4 pct per year, said Andrew Torrance, CEO of the UK-based insurance unit Allianz Cornhill, adding that 2004 saw record weather-related losses of 32 bln eur.
'In some cases this might result in property damage premium rise in some markets as insurers adjust their risk-based insurance cost models to reflect the increasing severity of climate change events'.
Allianz said it sees further business opportunities in emissions trading, investment opportunities in renewable energies, in risk mitigation products such as weather derivatives and eco-upgrade products in insurance.
jessica.mortimer@afxnews.com
06.28.2005, 07:15 PM
LONDON (AFX) - Allianz AG said it plans to invest 300-500 mln eur in wind energy over the next five years, through its London-based asset management unit Allianz Specialised Investments.
ASI has so far invested around 200 mln eur in renewable energy, it said.
The German insurance and banking group made the announcement alongside the publication of a report compiled in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund on ways to integrate risks from climate change into its insurance, banking and asset management businesses.
Allianz said it now ranks climate change risks alongside all other risks and plans to address the issue of climate change at a board level.
'Climate change creates significant costs for the financial industry,' said Joachim Faber, Allianz board member and CEO of Allianz Global Investors.
'In the interests of our clients and shareholders we are obligated to take these risks into account when making decisions on insurance, underwriting, investments or lending credit,' he said.
Risks posed by climate change include increased risks of storm and flood damage, as well as heatwaves combined with risks to the water supply.
This has direct implications for the insurance sector, and Allianz said premiums may have to rise in the future to cover the associated risks.
Climate change is increasing the potential for property damage at a rate of 2-4 pct per year, said Andrew Torrance, CEO of the UK-based insurance unit Allianz Cornhill, adding that 2004 saw record weather-related losses of 32 bln eur.
'In some cases this might result in property damage premium rise in some markets as insurers adjust their risk-based insurance cost models to reflect the increasing severity of climate change events'.
Allianz said it sees further business opportunities in emissions trading, investment opportunities in renewable energies, in risk mitigation products such as weather derivatives and eco-upgrade products in insurance.
jessica.mortimer@afxnews.com
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Firm plans Michigan state's largest wind farm - 07/10/05
Firm plans state's largest wind farm - 07/10/05
Firm plans state's largest wind farm
Lake Michigan project aims to provide cheap, clean energy; critics say windmills will mar view.
By Charlie Cain, and Mark Hornbeck / Detroit News Lansing Bureau
Dale G. Young / The Detroit News
Rich VanderVeen of Mackinaw Power says his windmill proposal would generate electricity for all 27,000 people in Oceana County.
States grab power
These five states have the most wind energy installed by capacity. Michigan, which ranks 24th, has 2.4 megawatts.
California: 2,096 megawatts
Texas: 1,293 megawatts
Iowa: 632 megawatts
Minnesota: 615 megawatts
Wyoming: 285 megawatts
Source: American Wind Energy Association
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The most ambitious wind power project in Michigan history is taking shape in rural Oceana County on the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan.
With hopes of bringing this state up to speed with the nation's fastest growing source of electricity, Rich VanderVeen of Grand Rapids-based Mackinaw Power has proposed a 21-turbine wind farm on an elevated 8,000 acres of farmland north of Muskegon.
The 230-foot turbines would share the land with cherry and apple orchards and fields of asparagus. VanderVeen says his windmills would generate electricity for all 27,000 people who live in the county -- tapping a natural resource that is in endless supply and cranks out power without pollution or foreign energy sources.
"Wind power is not the silver bullet, or the end-all, be-all, but it does provide power with no air pollution and at long-term competitive prices," VanderVeen said.
Michigan is behind the curve on this emerging power source. Just three turbines exist in the state today, two run by VanderVeen in Mackinac County and the third in Traverse City, operated by the local power and light company. Combined, they produce less than 1 percent of the state's electricity.
But with natural gas prices tripling in recent years, and lingering concerns about nuclear power and greenhouse gas emissions from burning coal, increasing attention is shifting to renewable energy sources like wind power.
As of last year, the United States was generating 6,400 megawatts of wind power, enough to furnish electricity to 1.6 million households. Some estimates put investment in wind-harnessing equipment at more than $3 billion this year.
Energy experts say Michigan has considerable wind power potential -- particularly along the shoreline in the windy northwest part of the state. Detractors say the towering turbines would mar the beauty of the state's Gold Coast. Backers say derricks could be built offshore, out of view, to harness the strongest gusts.
"We are behind in this area, but we're doing some things to catch up," said Bob Nelson, outgoing member of the Michigan Public Service Commission, which regulates the electric industry.
He noted that other states require that as much as 10 percent of electric power be provided by renewable power sources by a certain date. Nelson said Michigan needs a similar law that starts at a more modest target.
Earlier this year, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich called for wind farms generating 3,000 megawatts of power to be built in his state by 2012. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Edward Rendell announced in January that a Spanish wind turbine maker will begin building a manufacturing plant in his state this year. In Colorado, voters there passed a measure in November requiring utilities to provide 10 percent of electricity by renewable sources, including wind, by 2015.
Asked why Michigan lags, Nelson said: "The utilities haven't supported it. They say the market should control what generation is built. In other states, they don't have as significant a utility lobby."
A Detroit News review of campaign finance records showed the state's two main utilities contributed nearly $1.6 million to state officials in the last three election cycles, including $265,000 to members of the Legislature who had direct oversight over utility issues.
But Nelson notes Consumers Energy is in the process of awarding $5 million to renewable energy providers, possibly including VanderVeen, who began pumping wind-generated electricity into the Consumers power grid four years ago. Detroit Edison, the state's other major utility, eventually will follow suit.
David Joos, CEO of Consumers Energy, said the state should rely on wind to meet a small piece of the electricity demand.
"It's never going to be a big player. And there's an intense debate about windmills themselves. Some people think they're beautiful symbols of environmentally responsible power, and others think they're sight pollution and they hurt the bird population," Joos said.
He said the windmills in Mackinaw County are available 20 percent of the time -- when the wind is blowing -- so they can't be counted on as a primary power source.
"We can't ask our residential customers to only use their appliances when the wind is blowing," he said.
Anthony Earley Jr., CEO of Detroit Edison, also has doubts about the prominence wind can play in the state's electric market.
"On the edges, yeah, if we can build some new windmills it will help. It will slow down the need for building plants," he said.
"The problem is you can't store electricity," so it's impossible to save power generated on windy days, he said.
In Oceana County, one local township has approved VanderVeen's project, and the county board unanimously recommended it. But the zoning board in another township has voted against it. The local zoning ordinance sets requirements on placement of the turbines that would be impossible to meet, VanderVeen says.
"The people who would benefit from lease payments ($6,000 to $10,000 a year) on their land were in favor of it, but there was a lot of opposition from people worried about the noise, looks and effect on land values," said Allen Aerts, Weare Township supervisor. "They were overwhelmed by the idea of 21 of them (turbines)."
VanderVeen said he's plugging ahead, trying to line up financial backing, and he hopes to convince the township board to reconsider.
"The lease payments would be enough to save some family farms," he said.
In the meantime, state Rep. Howard Walker, R-Traverse City, has introduced two bills calling for statewide zoning standards on windmills, taking the decision out of the hands of the townships.
"It's important we develop alternative energy sources. It's good for the environment and the economy," said Walker, who hopes his legislation will come up for a vote this fall. "The problem is individual townships are zoning windmills out of their area. We need a statewide policy, because wind is a statewide resource."
You can reach Mark Hornbeck at (313) 222-2470 or mhornbeck@detnews.com.
Firm plans state's largest wind farm
Lake Michigan project aims to provide cheap, clean energy; critics say windmills will mar view.
By Charlie Cain, and Mark Hornbeck / Detroit News Lansing Bureau
Dale G. Young / The Detroit News
Rich VanderVeen of Mackinaw Power says his windmill proposal would generate electricity for all 27,000 people in Oceana County.
States grab power
These five states have the most wind energy installed by capacity. Michigan, which ranks 24th, has 2.4 megawatts.
California: 2,096 megawatts
Texas: 1,293 megawatts
Iowa: 632 megawatts
Minnesota: 615 megawatts
Wyoming: 285 megawatts
Source: American Wind Energy Association
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The most ambitious wind power project in Michigan history is taking shape in rural Oceana County on the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan.
With hopes of bringing this state up to speed with the nation's fastest growing source of electricity, Rich VanderVeen of Grand Rapids-based Mackinaw Power has proposed a 21-turbine wind farm on an elevated 8,000 acres of farmland north of Muskegon.
The 230-foot turbines would share the land with cherry and apple orchards and fields of asparagus. VanderVeen says his windmills would generate electricity for all 27,000 people who live in the county -- tapping a natural resource that is in endless supply and cranks out power without pollution or foreign energy sources.
"Wind power is not the silver bullet, or the end-all, be-all, but it does provide power with no air pollution and at long-term competitive prices," VanderVeen said.
Michigan is behind the curve on this emerging power source. Just three turbines exist in the state today, two run by VanderVeen in Mackinac County and the third in Traverse City, operated by the local power and light company. Combined, they produce less than 1 percent of the state's electricity.
But with natural gas prices tripling in recent years, and lingering concerns about nuclear power and greenhouse gas emissions from burning coal, increasing attention is shifting to renewable energy sources like wind power.
As of last year, the United States was generating 6,400 megawatts of wind power, enough to furnish electricity to 1.6 million households. Some estimates put investment in wind-harnessing equipment at more than $3 billion this year.
Energy experts say Michigan has considerable wind power potential -- particularly along the shoreline in the windy northwest part of the state. Detractors say the towering turbines would mar the beauty of the state's Gold Coast. Backers say derricks could be built offshore, out of view, to harness the strongest gusts.
"We are behind in this area, but we're doing some things to catch up," said Bob Nelson, outgoing member of the Michigan Public Service Commission, which regulates the electric industry.
He noted that other states require that as much as 10 percent of electric power be provided by renewable power sources by a certain date. Nelson said Michigan needs a similar law that starts at a more modest target.
Earlier this year, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich called for wind farms generating 3,000 megawatts of power to be built in his state by 2012. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Edward Rendell announced in January that a Spanish wind turbine maker will begin building a manufacturing plant in his state this year. In Colorado, voters there passed a measure in November requiring utilities to provide 10 percent of electricity by renewable sources, including wind, by 2015.
Asked why Michigan lags, Nelson said: "The utilities haven't supported it. They say the market should control what generation is built. In other states, they don't have as significant a utility lobby."
A Detroit News review of campaign finance records showed the state's two main utilities contributed nearly $1.6 million to state officials in the last three election cycles, including $265,000 to members of the Legislature who had direct oversight over utility issues.
But Nelson notes Consumers Energy is in the process of awarding $5 million to renewable energy providers, possibly including VanderVeen, who began pumping wind-generated electricity into the Consumers power grid four years ago. Detroit Edison, the state's other major utility, eventually will follow suit.
David Joos, CEO of Consumers Energy, said the state should rely on wind to meet a small piece of the electricity demand.
"It's never going to be a big player. And there's an intense debate about windmills themselves. Some people think they're beautiful symbols of environmentally responsible power, and others think they're sight pollution and they hurt the bird population," Joos said.
He said the windmills in Mackinaw County are available 20 percent of the time -- when the wind is blowing -- so they can't be counted on as a primary power source.
"We can't ask our residential customers to only use their appliances when the wind is blowing," he said.
Anthony Earley Jr., CEO of Detroit Edison, also has doubts about the prominence wind can play in the state's electric market.
"On the edges, yeah, if we can build some new windmills it will help. It will slow down the need for building plants," he said.
"The problem is you can't store electricity," so it's impossible to save power generated on windy days, he said.
In Oceana County, one local township has approved VanderVeen's project, and the county board unanimously recommended it. But the zoning board in another township has voted against it. The local zoning ordinance sets requirements on placement of the turbines that would be impossible to meet, VanderVeen says.
"The people who would benefit from lease payments ($6,000 to $10,000 a year) on their land were in favor of it, but there was a lot of opposition from people worried about the noise, looks and effect on land values," said Allen Aerts, Weare Township supervisor. "They were overwhelmed by the idea of 21 of them (turbines)."
VanderVeen said he's plugging ahead, trying to line up financial backing, and he hopes to convince the township board to reconsider.
"The lease payments would be enough to save some family farms," he said.
In the meantime, state Rep. Howard Walker, R-Traverse City, has introduced two bills calling for statewide zoning standards on windmills, taking the decision out of the hands of the townships.
"It's important we develop alternative energy sources. It's good for the environment and the economy," said Walker, who hopes his legislation will come up for a vote this fall. "The problem is individual townships are zoning windmills out of their area. We need a statewide policy, because wind is a statewide resource."
You can reach Mark Hornbeck at (313) 222-2470 or mhornbeck@detnews.com.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Scotsman.com News - Scotland - Energy giant signs deal with Shetland to build huge wind farm
Scotsman.com News - Scotland - Energy giant signs deal with Shetland to build huge wind farm: "Energy giant signs deal with Shetland to build huge wind farm
FRANK URQUHART
THE power giant Scottish and Southern Energy yesterday signed a historic agreement to build Europe's largest community-backed wind farm on Shetland, in a major boost for the economy of the Northern Isles.
The deal will lead to the development of 200-turbine wind farm capable of generating 600 megawatts of electricity, making the scheme the most productive renewable energy development in Europe.
The final go-ahead for the �500 million development, however, will hinge on Scottish Executive approval for the collaborative venture and the construction of a �400 million undersea cable, linking the islands' electricity network to the Scottish mainland for the first time.
The wind farm at Muckle Moor will be capable of generating enough electricity to power 125,000 homes.
The memorandum of understanding was signed yesterday by representatives of SSE Generation, the renewable energy subsidiary of Scottish and Southern Energy, and Viking Energy, the company formed to represent Shetland Islands Council's interests in wind energy development on the islands.
SSE Generation and Viking Energy have already lodged separate proposals for 300 megawatt wind farms on mainland Shetland but the two developments would be combined under the deal.
A spokeswoman for SSE said: 'Viking Energy's involvement would make the 600 megawatt scheme the largest community-backed wind farm development in Europe.'"
FRANK URQUHART
THE power giant Scottish and Southern Energy yesterday signed a historic agreement to build Europe's largest community-backed wind farm on Shetland, in a major boost for the economy of the Northern Isles.
The deal will lead to the development of 200-turbine wind farm capable of generating 600 megawatts of electricity, making the scheme the most productive renewable energy development in Europe.
The final go-ahead for the �500 million development, however, will hinge on Scottish Executive approval for the collaborative venture and the construction of a �400 million undersea cable, linking the islands' electricity network to the Scottish mainland for the first time.
The wind farm at Muckle Moor will be capable of generating enough electricity to power 125,000 homes.
The memorandum of understanding was signed yesterday by representatives of SSE Generation, the renewable energy subsidiary of Scottish and Southern Energy, and Viking Energy, the company formed to represent Shetland Islands Council's interests in wind energy development on the islands.
SSE Generation and Viking Energy have already lodged separate proposals for 300 megawatt wind farms on mainland Shetland but the two developments would be combined under the deal.
A spokeswoman for SSE said: 'Viking Energy's involvement would make the 600 megawatt scheme the largest community-backed wind farm development in Europe.'"
Saturday, July 09, 2005
.: Energy News - Wind is Most Viable Energy Renewable, Energy Department Says :. .: All American Patriots :.
.: Energy News - Wind is Most Viable Energy Renewable, Energy Department Says :. .: All American Patriots :.: "Wind is Most Viable Energy Renewable, Energy Department Says
Research reduces cost; increases wind generated electricity production
06 July 2005
The following article appears in the June 2005 issue of the State Department's electronic journal, titled Protecting the Environment: Thirty Years of U.S. Progress.
Wind Power Today
By Robert Thresher, director of the National Wind Technology Center at the U.S. Department of Energy�s National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has worked with the U.S. wind energy industry for more than 30 years to turn yesterday�s dream for a clean, renewable energy source into today�s most viable renewable energy technology.
Wind power�the technology of using wind to generate electricity�is the fastest-growing new source of electricity worldwide. Wind energy is produced by massive three-bladed wind turbines that sit atop tall towers and work like fans in reverse. Rather than using electricity to make wind, turbines use wind to make electricity.
Wind turns the blades and the blades spin a shaft that is connected through a set of gears to drive an electrical generator. Large-scale turbines for utilities can generate from 750 kilowatts (a kilowatt is 1,000 watts) to 1.5 megawatts (a megawatt is 1 million watts). Homes, telecommunications stations, and water pumps use single small turbines of less than 100 kilowatts as an energy source, particularly in remote areas where there is no utility service.
In wind plants or wind farms, groups of turbines are linked together to generate electricity for the utility grid. The electricity is sent through transmission and distribution lines to consumers.
Since 1980, research and testing sponsored by the DOE Wind Program has helped reduce the cost of wind energy from 80 cents (current dollars) per kilowatt hour to between 4 and 6 cents per kilowatt hour today.
One goal of the Wind Program is to further reduce the cost of utility-scale wind energy production to 3 cents per kilowatt hour at land-based, low-wind-speed sites and 5 cents per kilowatt hour for offshore (ocean) sites. A low-wind-speed site is one where the annual average wind speed measured 10 meters above the ground is 13 miles per hour.
To accomplish this and other goals, two of DOE's main research laboratories, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado and Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, work with industry partners and university researchers nationwide to further advance wind energy technologies. Each laboratory has unique skills and capabilities to meet industry needs.
NREL's National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) is the lead research facility for the wind program. NWTC conducts research and supports industry partners in design and review analysis, component development, systems and controls analysis, testing, utility integration, technical assistance, and more. Sandia conducts research in advanced manufacturing, component reliability, aerodynamics, structural analysis, material fatigue, and control systems.
Thanks to such research and development, global wind energy capacity has increased 10-fold in the last 10 years—from 3.5 gigawatts (a gigawatt is 1 billion watts) in 1994 to nearly 50 gigawatts by the end of 2004. In the United States, wind energy capacity tripled, from 1,600 megawatts in 1994 to more than 6,700 megawatts by the end of 2004—enough to serve more than 1.6 million households.
In 2005, because of a federal production tax credit renewed by Congress in 2004, the U.S. wind energy industry is poised for record growth. The tax credit provides a 1.9-cent per kilowatt hour credit for eligible technologies for the first 10 years of production. Some wind industry experts predict that wind technology installations for 2005 will add more than 2,000 megawatts of capacity because of the tax advantage provided by this law.
The wind industry has grown phenomenally in the past decade thanks to supporting government policies, and the work of DOE Wind Program researchers in collaboration with industry partners to develop innovative cost-reducing technologies, cultivate market growth, and identify new wind energy applications.
Developing Cost-Reducing Technologies
Work conducted under DOE Wind Program projects from 1994 to 2004 produced innovative designs, larger turbines, and efficiencies that have led to dramatic cost reductions. Although this drop in cost is impressive, electricity produced by wind energy is not yet fully competitive with that produced by fossil fuels. Researchers believe that further technology improvements will be needed to reduce the cost of electricity from wind another 30 percent for it to become fully competitive with conventional fuel-consuming electricity generation technologies.
Cultivating Market Growth
To cultivate market growth by increasing acceptance of wind technology around the country, DOE’s Wind Powering America (WPA) team works with industry partners to provide state support, develop utility partnerships, conduct outreach, and develop innovative market mechanisms to support the use of large- and small-scale wind systems.
The WPA strategy for increasing acceptance of wind technology includes extensive information activities to better inform various publics about the benefits of this technology. In 2004, WPA team members staffed exhibits at 36 events in 20 states and distributed 43,000 copies of WPA publications to state wind working groups and at various events. The number of visitors to the Wind Powering America Web site (http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov) continues to grow.
Through such efforts, the WPA seeks to increase the use of wind energy in the United States with the goal that at least 30 states have 100 megawatts of wind capacity by 2010.
New Wind Energy Applications
Decades of work conducted through public-private partnerships have moved wind energy from yesterday’s dream to today’s reality.
To ensure continued industry growth in 2005 and beyond, the Wind Program is exploring innovative applications that will open new markets. The applications include installing wind turbines offshore in shallow and deep water, using wind energy to produce fresh water, and developing new technologies that will help wind work in synergy with other renewable energy technologies like hydropower.
Offshore and Deep-Water Development
Offshore wind turbines, now in the early stages of development, are more expensive and harder to install and maintain than turbines on land. Offshore turbines must be designed to survive the offshore wind and wave loading of severe storms, and protected from the corrosive marine environment.
Some advantages of offshore installation are that turbines can be made bigger than those onshore to produce more power per turbine, and the ocean location provides greatly increased wind speeds and less turbulence. Offshore installations also reduce land-use and could ease aesthetic concerns, if the turbines are located far from shore and out of sight.
Recent studies show that there are significant offshore wind resources in regions of the United States near major urban areas in the mid-Atlantic and northeast. In Europe, offshore wind turbines produce about 600 megawatts, but no turbines have yet been installed in waters deeper than 20 meters.
For offshore turbines in shallow water (less than 30 meters), European turbine manufacturers have adopted conventional land-based turbine designs and placed them on concrete bases or steel monopiles driven into the seabed. An offshore substation collects the energy and boosts the voltage, and then a buried undersea cable carries the power to shore, where another substation provides a further voltage increase for transmission to utilities for distribution to customers.
A large amount of potential U.S. offshore wind resources are in waters deeper than the current technology limit of about 30 meters, as developed in Europe for the Baltic Sea. Monopile foundations driven into the seabed are less suitable for the deeper waters off U.S. coasts. To produce cost-effective wind energy in deep water, floating platform technologies developed by the oil and gas industries need to be adapted and scaled for application to wind energy and new lower-cost anchoring methods developed. The ultimate vision for this new offshore wind technology would be to build the turbines and the supporting platform in a shore-based dry dock with local labor, tow the floating turbine to its place on the sea, drop anchor, and plug in to the power cable to shore.
The Wind Program is evaluating several floating platform concepts for offshore wind turbines for cost-effective electricity generation in water 50-200 meters deep. The program is also negotiating a partnership agreement with a domestic company to develop the first U.S. multi-megawatt wind turbine prototypes designed specifically for shallow-water offshore use.
Wind and Water
The Wind Program is investigating how wind and water can work together to provide a more stable supply of electricity and fresh water. The scarcity of fresh water is a growing global problem. According to the United Nations, the world’s burgeoning population will need billions more cubic meters of fresh water per day by 2025. The current global desalination capacity is an estimated 28 million cubic meters per day.
An important solution to water scarcity is desalination of abundant ocean salt water, but desalination is a highly energy-intensive technology and is not cost effective in most areas. Among all the desalination process technologies, reverse osmosis has the highest electrical energy efficiency, at 3-8 kilowatt hours per cubic meter of water.
Reverse osmosis is a method of producing pure water by forcing salt water through a semipermeable membrane (which allows some molecules through but not others) that salts cannot pass through.
Even with the high efficiency of reverse osmosis, energy accounts for about 40 percent of the total desalinated water cost. From a cost and environmental point of view, inexpensive and clean alternative power sources are needed for a low-cost desalination solution.
Wind power is the most promising and least expensive renewable power source but, because of its variable nature—because wind doesn’t always blow—researchers must determine the effects it will have on desalination systems and their operation.
In 2004, the Wind Program funded a conceptual design study for an integrated wind energy and desalination system. The project is exploring wind and desalination concepts, identifying technical issues, exploring the feasibility of alternative concepts, and evaluating their economic viability.
To provide a stable supply of electricity to the utility grid, the Wind Program is conducting research into the potential benefits of combining wind and hydropower (or waterpower), which harnesses the energy of moving or falling water.
As part of that effort, the United States helped form a working group of the International Energy Agency (IEA) whose participants will focus on integrating wind and hydropower systems (the IEA Research, Development and Demonstration Wind Annex XXIV).
The annex will exchange information and conduct cooperative research into the generation, transmission, and economics of integrating wind and hydropower systems. The annex held its first meeting at the Hoover Dam in Nevada in 2005.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Program to make clean and sustainable wind energy cost effective for several market applications has made significant progress in recent years and is on a steady course to further significant improvements. Sound and sustainable development of this renewable energy resource is a key element of the U.S. strategy to reduce national reliance on carbon-based fuels and reduce the production of greenhouse gas emissions.
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
Research reduces cost; increases wind generated electricity production
06 July 2005
The following article appears in the June 2005 issue of the State Department's electronic journal, titled Protecting the Environment: Thirty Years of U.S. Progress.
Wind Power Today
By Robert Thresher, director of the National Wind Technology Center at the U.S. Department of Energy�s National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has worked with the U.S. wind energy industry for more than 30 years to turn yesterday�s dream for a clean, renewable energy source into today�s most viable renewable energy technology.
Wind power�the technology of using wind to generate electricity�is the fastest-growing new source of electricity worldwide. Wind energy is produced by massive three-bladed wind turbines that sit atop tall towers and work like fans in reverse. Rather than using electricity to make wind, turbines use wind to make electricity.
Wind turns the blades and the blades spin a shaft that is connected through a set of gears to drive an electrical generator. Large-scale turbines for utilities can generate from 750 kilowatts (a kilowatt is 1,000 watts) to 1.5 megawatts (a megawatt is 1 million watts). Homes, telecommunications stations, and water pumps use single small turbines of less than 100 kilowatts as an energy source, particularly in remote areas where there is no utility service.
In wind plants or wind farms, groups of turbines are linked together to generate electricity for the utility grid. The electricity is sent through transmission and distribution lines to consumers.
Since 1980, research and testing sponsored by the DOE Wind Program has helped reduce the cost of wind energy from 80 cents (current dollars) per kilowatt hour to between 4 and 6 cents per kilowatt hour today.
One goal of the Wind Program is to further reduce the cost of utility-scale wind energy production to 3 cents per kilowatt hour at land-based, low-wind-speed sites and 5 cents per kilowatt hour for offshore (ocean) sites. A low-wind-speed site is one where the annual average wind speed measured 10 meters above the ground is 13 miles per hour.
To accomplish this and other goals, two of DOE's main research laboratories, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado and Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, work with industry partners and university researchers nationwide to further advance wind energy technologies. Each laboratory has unique skills and capabilities to meet industry needs.
NREL's National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) is the lead research facility for the wind program. NWTC conducts research and supports industry partners in design and review analysis, component development, systems and controls analysis, testing, utility integration, technical assistance, and more. Sandia conducts research in advanced manufacturing, component reliability, aerodynamics, structural analysis, material fatigue, and control systems.
Thanks to such research and development, global wind energy capacity has increased 10-fold in the last 10 years—from 3.5 gigawatts (a gigawatt is 1 billion watts) in 1994 to nearly 50 gigawatts by the end of 2004. In the United States, wind energy capacity tripled, from 1,600 megawatts in 1994 to more than 6,700 megawatts by the end of 2004—enough to serve more than 1.6 million households.
In 2005, because of a federal production tax credit renewed by Congress in 2004, the U.S. wind energy industry is poised for record growth. The tax credit provides a 1.9-cent per kilowatt hour credit for eligible technologies for the first 10 years of production. Some wind industry experts predict that wind technology installations for 2005 will add more than 2,000 megawatts of capacity because of the tax advantage provided by this law.
The wind industry has grown phenomenally in the past decade thanks to supporting government policies, and the work of DOE Wind Program researchers in collaboration with industry partners to develop innovative cost-reducing technologies, cultivate market growth, and identify new wind energy applications.
Developing Cost-Reducing Technologies
Work conducted under DOE Wind Program projects from 1994 to 2004 produced innovative designs, larger turbines, and efficiencies that have led to dramatic cost reductions. Although this drop in cost is impressive, electricity produced by wind energy is not yet fully competitive with that produced by fossil fuels. Researchers believe that further technology improvements will be needed to reduce the cost of electricity from wind another 30 percent for it to become fully competitive with conventional fuel-consuming electricity generation technologies.
Cultivating Market Growth
To cultivate market growth by increasing acceptance of wind technology around the country, DOE’s Wind Powering America (WPA) team works with industry partners to provide state support, develop utility partnerships, conduct outreach, and develop innovative market mechanisms to support the use of large- and small-scale wind systems.
The WPA strategy for increasing acceptance of wind technology includes extensive information activities to better inform various publics about the benefits of this technology. In 2004, WPA team members staffed exhibits at 36 events in 20 states and distributed 43,000 copies of WPA publications to state wind working groups and at various events. The number of visitors to the Wind Powering America Web site (http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov) continues to grow.
Through such efforts, the WPA seeks to increase the use of wind energy in the United States with the goal that at least 30 states have 100 megawatts of wind capacity by 2010.
New Wind Energy Applications
Decades of work conducted through public-private partnerships have moved wind energy from yesterday’s dream to today’s reality.
To ensure continued industry growth in 2005 and beyond, the Wind Program is exploring innovative applications that will open new markets. The applications include installing wind turbines offshore in shallow and deep water, using wind energy to produce fresh water, and developing new technologies that will help wind work in synergy with other renewable energy technologies like hydropower.
Offshore and Deep-Water Development
Offshore wind turbines, now in the early stages of development, are more expensive and harder to install and maintain than turbines on land. Offshore turbines must be designed to survive the offshore wind and wave loading of severe storms, and protected from the corrosive marine environment.
Some advantages of offshore installation are that turbines can be made bigger than those onshore to produce more power per turbine, and the ocean location provides greatly increased wind speeds and less turbulence. Offshore installations also reduce land-use and could ease aesthetic concerns, if the turbines are located far from shore and out of sight.
Recent studies show that there are significant offshore wind resources in regions of the United States near major urban areas in the mid-Atlantic and northeast. In Europe, offshore wind turbines produce about 600 megawatts, but no turbines have yet been installed in waters deeper than 20 meters.
For offshore turbines in shallow water (less than 30 meters), European turbine manufacturers have adopted conventional land-based turbine designs and placed them on concrete bases or steel monopiles driven into the seabed. An offshore substation collects the energy and boosts the voltage, and then a buried undersea cable carries the power to shore, where another substation provides a further voltage increase for transmission to utilities for distribution to customers.
A large amount of potential U.S. offshore wind resources are in waters deeper than the current technology limit of about 30 meters, as developed in Europe for the Baltic Sea. Monopile foundations driven into the seabed are less suitable for the deeper waters off U.S. coasts. To produce cost-effective wind energy in deep water, floating platform technologies developed by the oil and gas industries need to be adapted and scaled for application to wind energy and new lower-cost anchoring methods developed. The ultimate vision for this new offshore wind technology would be to build the turbines and the supporting platform in a shore-based dry dock with local labor, tow the floating turbine to its place on the sea, drop anchor, and plug in to the power cable to shore.
The Wind Program is evaluating several floating platform concepts for offshore wind turbines for cost-effective electricity generation in water 50-200 meters deep. The program is also negotiating a partnership agreement with a domestic company to develop the first U.S. multi-megawatt wind turbine prototypes designed specifically for shallow-water offshore use.
Wind and Water
The Wind Program is investigating how wind and water can work together to provide a more stable supply of electricity and fresh water. The scarcity of fresh water is a growing global problem. According to the United Nations, the world’s burgeoning population will need billions more cubic meters of fresh water per day by 2025. The current global desalination capacity is an estimated 28 million cubic meters per day.
An important solution to water scarcity is desalination of abundant ocean salt water, but desalination is a highly energy-intensive technology and is not cost effective in most areas. Among all the desalination process technologies, reverse osmosis has the highest electrical energy efficiency, at 3-8 kilowatt hours per cubic meter of water.
Reverse osmosis is a method of producing pure water by forcing salt water through a semipermeable membrane (which allows some molecules through but not others) that salts cannot pass through.
Even with the high efficiency of reverse osmosis, energy accounts for about 40 percent of the total desalinated water cost. From a cost and environmental point of view, inexpensive and clean alternative power sources are needed for a low-cost desalination solution.
Wind power is the most promising and least expensive renewable power source but, because of its variable nature—because wind doesn’t always blow—researchers must determine the effects it will have on desalination systems and their operation.
In 2004, the Wind Program funded a conceptual design study for an integrated wind energy and desalination system. The project is exploring wind and desalination concepts, identifying technical issues, exploring the feasibility of alternative concepts, and evaluating their economic viability.
To provide a stable supply of electricity to the utility grid, the Wind Program is conducting research into the potential benefits of combining wind and hydropower (or waterpower), which harnesses the energy of moving or falling water.
As part of that effort, the United States helped form a working group of the International Energy Agency (IEA) whose participants will focus on integrating wind and hydropower systems (the IEA Research, Development and Demonstration Wind Annex XXIV).
The annex will exchange information and conduct cooperative research into the generation, transmission, and economics of integrating wind and hydropower systems. The annex held its first meeting at the Hoover Dam in Nevada in 2005.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Program to make clean and sustainable wind energy cost effective for several market applications has made significant progress in recent years and is on a steady course to further significant improvements. Sound and sustainable development of this renewable energy resource is a key element of the U.S. strategy to reduce national reliance on carbon-based fuels and reduce the production of greenhouse gas emissions.
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission has approved construction of a 200-megawatt wind energy project
The Capital Times
PSC approves huge state wind farm
By Kevin Murphy
Correspondent for The Capital Times
July 9, 2005
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission has approved construction of a 200-megawatt wind energy project that will feature up to 130 turbine generators dotting a 50-square mile site in Dodge and Fond du Lac counties.
Forward Energy, of Chicago, last September proposed the project, which will be first large-scale wind farm in the state. The project garnered praised as a source of clean, renewable energy, but came under criticism as a potential hazard for birds and bats due to its location within miles of the Horicon marsh, a state and federal wildlife area.
PSC Chairman Daniel Ebert called the project "an environmental winner," as it lacked the air and water quality issues usually associated with coal or natural gas fired power plants. It furthers the state's goal of producing 10 percent of its energy from renewable sources within 10 years and nearby transmission lines also made the project a less complicated case for the commissioners, Ebert said.
Commissioner Mark Meyer noted that the land-use issues raised by the 32,000-acre project had "pitted neighbor against neighbor" but hoped they would "come together" in time and accept the wind farm.
Although concerns were raised about the impacts on migratory and nesting birds by locating the project within a few miles of Horicon marsh, the country's largest freshwater cattail wetland, the commissioners said research, although incomplete, indicates the impact on avian and bat mortality would not be significant.
"We want to make sure our actions don't harm this treasure," said Ebert, who mentioned that he grew up within 30 miles of the marsh.
The nearby Neda mine, home to an estimated hundreds of thousands of bats, also posed a potential hurdle for the project. However, the Environmental Impact Statement and Forward's studies showed that the risks to birds and bats from the turbines' whirling blades posed less of a risk to birds than feral cats, moving vehicles, and windows, Ebert said.
The commissioners rejected a suggestion to delay construction of the project until more comprehensive studies were completed. Instead, they created a two-mile setback for turbines from the marsh property, which could be lessened if ongoing studies showed the turbines to have minimal impact on bird and bat populations.
In consultation with the Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Forward will conduct a more expansive study of the wind farm's impact on bird breeding, nesting, and migratory bird functions.
Madison Gas and Electric Co. and Wisconsin Public Power, Inc. each will purchase 40 megawatts of power produced by the wind farm and Green Bay-based Wisconsin Public Service has contracted to buy 70 megawatts of power.
Calls to Forward Energy on the project construction timetable weren't immediately returned.
Forward is a subsidiary of Invenergy Wind LLC, which has 25 wind energy projects capable of producing 2,500 megawatts of power under development nationwide.
E-mail: tctbiz@madison.com
Published: 10:14 AM 7/9/05
PSC approves huge state wind farm
By Kevin Murphy
Correspondent for The Capital Times
July 9, 2005
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission has approved construction of a 200-megawatt wind energy project that will feature up to 130 turbine generators dotting a 50-square mile site in Dodge and Fond du Lac counties.
Forward Energy, of Chicago, last September proposed the project, which will be first large-scale wind farm in the state. The project garnered praised as a source of clean, renewable energy, but came under criticism as a potential hazard for birds and bats due to its location within miles of the Horicon marsh, a state and federal wildlife area.
PSC Chairman Daniel Ebert called the project "an environmental winner," as it lacked the air and water quality issues usually associated with coal or natural gas fired power plants. It furthers the state's goal of producing 10 percent of its energy from renewable sources within 10 years and nearby transmission lines also made the project a less complicated case for the commissioners, Ebert said.
Commissioner Mark Meyer noted that the land-use issues raised by the 32,000-acre project had "pitted neighbor against neighbor" but hoped they would "come together" in time and accept the wind farm.
Although concerns were raised about the impacts on migratory and nesting birds by locating the project within a few miles of Horicon marsh, the country's largest freshwater cattail wetland, the commissioners said research, although incomplete, indicates the impact on avian and bat mortality would not be significant.
"We want to make sure our actions don't harm this treasure," said Ebert, who mentioned that he grew up within 30 miles of the marsh.
The nearby Neda mine, home to an estimated hundreds of thousands of bats, also posed a potential hurdle for the project. However, the Environmental Impact Statement and Forward's studies showed that the risks to birds and bats from the turbines' whirling blades posed less of a risk to birds than feral cats, moving vehicles, and windows, Ebert said.
The commissioners rejected a suggestion to delay construction of the project until more comprehensive studies were completed. Instead, they created a two-mile setback for turbines from the marsh property, which could be lessened if ongoing studies showed the turbines to have minimal impact on bird and bat populations.
In consultation with the Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Forward will conduct a more expansive study of the wind farm's impact on bird breeding, nesting, and migratory bird functions.
Madison Gas and Electric Co. and Wisconsin Public Power, Inc. each will purchase 40 megawatts of power produced by the wind farm and Green Bay-based Wisconsin Public Service has contracted to buy 70 megawatts of power.
Calls to Forward Energy on the project construction timetable weren't immediately returned.
Forward is a subsidiary of Invenergy Wind LLC, which has 25 wind energy projects capable of producing 2,500 megawatts of power under development nationwide.
E-mail: tctbiz@madison.com
Published: 10:14 AM 7/9/05
Monday, July 04, 2005
'Windforce 12' shows 12% of the world's electricity can be supplied by wind by 2020
Greenpeace: Choose Clean Energy - News
'Windforce 12' shows 12% of the world's electricity can be supplied by wind by 2020
30-06-2005
11 billion tonnes of CO2 can be saved by 2020
Greenpeace and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) today launched 'Windforce 12', a global wind energy blueprint that describes how wind power can supply 12% of the world's electricity by 2020. The report is a crucial tool in the race to cut greenhouse gas emissions, showing that by 2020, 1,250 GW of wind power can be installed saving a cumulative 10,771 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, a key contributor to climate change. Wind Force 12 demonstrates that there are no technical, economic or resource barriers to supplying 12% of the world's electricity needs with wind power alone by 2020 - against the challenging backdrop of a projected two thirds increase of electricity demand by that date.
Wind Force 12 is the main global wind energy assessment, and has been conducted annually since 1999 by EWEA (the European Wind Energy Association) and Greenpeace International. The 2005 report has been completed by Greenpeace and EWEA on behalf of GWEC - the Global Wind Energy Council.
The report shows that wind is one of the most effective power technologies that is ready today for global deployment on a scale that can help tackle the threat of climate change, meet the rising demand for energy and safeguard security of energy supplies. Wind power can be installed far quicker than other conventional power stations, a significant factor in economies with rapid growth in electricity demand. Today, wind power installed in Europe is saving over 50 million tonnes of CO2 a year and is on track by 2010 to deliver one third of the EU's Kyoto commitment. In the UK, wind power is set to grow rapidly as the Government implements its plan to generate 10% of the nation's electricity from renewables by 2010. The majority, some 7-8 GW of new power, will be met from onshore and offshore wind energy. The value of the global market for wind turbines is set to grow from the current E8 billion to an estimated E80 billion annual business by 2020.
The UK is now one of only eight countries around the world to have installed over a gigawatt of wind energy capacity, a record which was broken earlier this month with the opening of the UK's largest onshore wind farm to date, the 58.5 MW Cefn Croes project in Ceredigion in Wales. Breaking the gigawatt barrier comes in a record year of growth for the UK wind industry, with a total of 18 new wind projects totalling some 500 MW of capacity expected to be officially commissioned by year end, taking UK wind generation to over 1% of UK electricity supply. Meanwhile continued development in the offshore sector means that sometime in 2006, the UK is set to become the world's number one offshore wind generator, making it a significant player in the global wind energy market.
The report also highlights that thirteen key countries, including the UK, can play a leadership role to help unlock the major market deployment envisaged by this blueprint: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, the Philippines, Poland, Turkey, the UK and the USA.
The wind industry today is one of the world's fastest growing energy sectors and offers the best opportunity to begin the transition to a global economy based on sustainable energy, helping to satisfy global energy demands and unlock a new era of economic growth, technological progress and environmental protection
Wind energy is a significant and powerful resource. It is safe, clean, and abundant. Unlike conventional fuels, wind energy is a massive indigenous power source permanently available in virtually every nation in the world. It delivers the energy security benefits of avoided fuel costs, no long term fuel price risk, and wind power avoids the economic and supply risks that can exist with reliance on imported fuels and political dependence on other countries.
Stephen Tindale, Executive Director of Greenpeace UK commented on the report today in advance of the G8 summit:
"The barriers to harnessing Europe's massive wind resources are not technological, they are political. If Tony Blair had been willing to expend half as much time and effort embracing the wind revolution as he has on his fruitless attempt to shift George Bush, the UK would have a world-beating industry and our carbon emissions would be going down rather than up."
Marcus Rand, CEO of the British Wind Energy Association said:
"Wind energy has now firmly arrived in the UK. This year the wind industry is breaking all records as we expand to meet the bulk of the Government's renewable targets. This new report makes clear that the UK is a critical market in the global roll out of this exciting carbon free source of power. For us to deliver our potential here in the UK it is essential that the progress that has been made over the past few years is built upon and maintained."
Corin Millais, of the Global Wind Energy Council said:
"Wind power is one of the few energy supply technologies that is ready for a broader roll out today; wind has the maturity, clout and global muscle to deliver deep cuts in CO2, while providing a hedge against fluctuating fossil fuel prices and reduce energy import dependence. The global energy challenge of our time is not only to tackle climate change, but to meet the rising demand for energy and to safeguard security of energy supplies. As a power technology which can meet these three challenges, wind energy is a leading candidate."
A copy of the Windforce 12 report can be downloaded here.
Further Information
Please contact:
Ben Stewart, Greenpeace UK, 020 7865 8255 or ben.stewart@uk.greenpeace.org
For information on the 'Windforce 12' report, contact Luisa Colasimone, Director of Communications, EWEA on +32 2 546 1981 or luisa.colasimone@ewea.org
'Windforce 12' shows 12% of the world's electricity can be supplied by wind by 2020
30-06-2005
11 billion tonnes of CO2 can be saved by 2020
Greenpeace and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) today launched 'Windforce 12', a global wind energy blueprint that describes how wind power can supply 12% of the world's electricity by 2020. The report is a crucial tool in the race to cut greenhouse gas emissions, showing that by 2020, 1,250 GW of wind power can be installed saving a cumulative 10,771 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, a key contributor to climate change. Wind Force 12 demonstrates that there are no technical, economic or resource barriers to supplying 12% of the world's electricity needs with wind power alone by 2020 - against the challenging backdrop of a projected two thirds increase of electricity demand by that date.
Wind Force 12 is the main global wind energy assessment, and has been conducted annually since 1999 by EWEA (the European Wind Energy Association) and Greenpeace International. The 2005 report has been completed by Greenpeace and EWEA on behalf of GWEC - the Global Wind Energy Council.
The report shows that wind is one of the most effective power technologies that is ready today for global deployment on a scale that can help tackle the threat of climate change, meet the rising demand for energy and safeguard security of energy supplies. Wind power can be installed far quicker than other conventional power stations, a significant factor in economies with rapid growth in electricity demand. Today, wind power installed in Europe is saving over 50 million tonnes of CO2 a year and is on track by 2010 to deliver one third of the EU's Kyoto commitment. In the UK, wind power is set to grow rapidly as the Government implements its plan to generate 10% of the nation's electricity from renewables by 2010. The majority, some 7-8 GW of new power, will be met from onshore and offshore wind energy. The value of the global market for wind turbines is set to grow from the current E8 billion to an estimated E80 billion annual business by 2020.
The UK is now one of only eight countries around the world to have installed over a gigawatt of wind energy capacity, a record which was broken earlier this month with the opening of the UK's largest onshore wind farm to date, the 58.5 MW Cefn Croes project in Ceredigion in Wales. Breaking the gigawatt barrier comes in a record year of growth for the UK wind industry, with a total of 18 new wind projects totalling some 500 MW of capacity expected to be officially commissioned by year end, taking UK wind generation to over 1% of UK electricity supply. Meanwhile continued development in the offshore sector means that sometime in 2006, the UK is set to become the world's number one offshore wind generator, making it a significant player in the global wind energy market.
The report also highlights that thirteen key countries, including the UK, can play a leadership role to help unlock the major market deployment envisaged by this blueprint: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, the Philippines, Poland, Turkey, the UK and the USA.
The wind industry today is one of the world's fastest growing energy sectors and offers the best opportunity to begin the transition to a global economy based on sustainable energy, helping to satisfy global energy demands and unlock a new era of economic growth, technological progress and environmental protection
Wind energy is a significant and powerful resource. It is safe, clean, and abundant. Unlike conventional fuels, wind energy is a massive indigenous power source permanently available in virtually every nation in the world. It delivers the energy security benefits of avoided fuel costs, no long term fuel price risk, and wind power avoids the economic and supply risks that can exist with reliance on imported fuels and political dependence on other countries.
Stephen Tindale, Executive Director of Greenpeace UK commented on the report today in advance of the G8 summit:
"The barriers to harnessing Europe's massive wind resources are not technological, they are political. If Tony Blair had been willing to expend half as much time and effort embracing the wind revolution as he has on his fruitless attempt to shift George Bush, the UK would have a world-beating industry and our carbon emissions would be going down rather than up."
Marcus Rand, CEO of the British Wind Energy Association said:
"Wind energy has now firmly arrived in the UK. This year the wind industry is breaking all records as we expand to meet the bulk of the Government's renewable targets. This new report makes clear that the UK is a critical market in the global roll out of this exciting carbon free source of power. For us to deliver our potential here in the UK it is essential that the progress that has been made over the past few years is built upon and maintained."
Corin Millais, of the Global Wind Energy Council said:
"Wind power is one of the few energy supply technologies that is ready for a broader roll out today; wind has the maturity, clout and global muscle to deliver deep cuts in CO2, while providing a hedge against fluctuating fossil fuel prices and reduce energy import dependence. The global energy challenge of our time is not only to tackle climate change, but to meet the rising demand for energy and to safeguard security of energy supplies. As a power technology which can meet these three challenges, wind energy is a leading candidate."
A copy of the Windforce 12 report can be downloaded here.
Further Information
Please contact:
Ben Stewart, Greenpeace UK, 020 7865 8255 or ben.stewart@uk.greenpeace.org
For information on the 'Windforce 12' report, contact Luisa Colasimone, Director of Communications, EWEA on +32 2 546 1981 or luisa.colasimone@ewea.org
BLM Accelerates Wind Energy Development
RenewableEnergyAccess.com | BLM Accelerates Wind Energy Development: "BLM Accelerates Wind Energy Development
June 30, 2005
Washington DC [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management Rebecca Watson announced the completion and availability of a study that addresses the environmental, social and economic impacts associated with the development of wind energy on public lands. In essence, BLM has laid the environmental groundwork to speed up the permitting of wind energy in the 11 western public-land states.
"What this means in plain English is that BLM has laid the environmental groundwork to speed up the permitting of wind energy in the 11 western public-land states. It should pave the way for development of more than 3200 MW of wind energy on public lands in 11 western states."
- Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management Rebecca Watson Watson noted that the study, The Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on Wind Energy Development on BLM-Administered Lands in the Western United States, focuses on public land administered by BLM in 11 western states, excluding Alaska.
"Our quality of life and economic security are dependent on a stable and abundant supply of affordable energy," Watson said. "Encouraging the production and development of renewable energy sources, including wind energy, on our public lands is a way to help meet the energy needs of the nation, as well as those of growing communities in the West."
The study analyzes three alternatives for managing wind energy development on BLM- administered lands: 1) the proposed action, which would implement a Wind Energy Development Program, establish policies and best-management practices for wind energy right-of-way authorizations, and amend 52 BLM land-use plans; 2) the no-action alternative, which would allow continued wind energy development under the terms and conditions of the BLM Interim Wind Energy Development Policy, and 3) a limited-wind-energy-development alternative, which would allow wind-energy development only in selected locations.
"This EIS proposes a consistent, agency-wide approach to wind energy permitting that will support and expedite site-specific analysis of individual wind projects," Watson said. "What this means in plain English is that BLM has laid the environmental groundwork to speed up the permitting of wind energy in the 11 western public-land states. It should pave the way for development of more than 3200 MW of wind energy on public lands in 11 western states. That's enough energy to power almost one million homes."
The EIS examines issues common to most wind energy development projects, adopts best- management practices to minimize impacts and amends land-use plans to facilitate wind development. Along with the proposed land-use plan amendments, the Final Programmatic EIS also includes the identification of specific areas where wind energy development would not be allowed. The proposed land-use plan amendments are designed to facilitate preparation and consideration of potential wind energy development right-of-way applications on BLM-administered lands, but not to eliminate the need for site-specific analysis of individual development proposals.
The Final Programmatic EIS comes in response to recommendations set forth in the president's National Energy Policy, which encourages the development of renewable energy resources on public lands. Work on the EIS began in October 2003 and included extensive community meetings in the West and opportunities for public comment. The document addresses wind- energy development on BLM-administered lands in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
The Final Programmatic EIS is posted on the Web (see link below) and will be published in the Federal Register.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For further Information
The Final Programmatic EIS
June 30, 2005
Washington DC [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management Rebecca Watson announced the completion and availability of a study that addresses the environmental, social and economic impacts associated with the development of wind energy on public lands. In essence, BLM has laid the environmental groundwork to speed up the permitting of wind energy in the 11 western public-land states.
"What this means in plain English is that BLM has laid the environmental groundwork to speed up the permitting of wind energy in the 11 western public-land states. It should pave the way for development of more than 3200 MW of wind energy on public lands in 11 western states."
- Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management Rebecca Watson Watson noted that the study, The Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on Wind Energy Development on BLM-Administered Lands in the Western United States, focuses on public land administered by BLM in 11 western states, excluding Alaska.
"Our quality of life and economic security are dependent on a stable and abundant supply of affordable energy," Watson said. "Encouraging the production and development of renewable energy sources, including wind energy, on our public lands is a way to help meet the energy needs of the nation, as well as those of growing communities in the West."
The study analyzes three alternatives for managing wind energy development on BLM- administered lands: 1) the proposed action, which would implement a Wind Energy Development Program, establish policies and best-management practices for wind energy right-of-way authorizations, and amend 52 BLM land-use plans; 2) the no-action alternative, which would allow continued wind energy development under the terms and conditions of the BLM Interim Wind Energy Development Policy, and 3) a limited-wind-energy-development alternative, which would allow wind-energy development only in selected locations.
"This EIS proposes a consistent, agency-wide approach to wind energy permitting that will support and expedite site-specific analysis of individual wind projects," Watson said. "What this means in plain English is that BLM has laid the environmental groundwork to speed up the permitting of wind energy in the 11 western public-land states. It should pave the way for development of more than 3200 MW of wind energy on public lands in 11 western states. That's enough energy to power almost one million homes."
The EIS examines issues common to most wind energy development projects, adopts best- management practices to minimize impacts and amends land-use plans to facilitate wind development. Along with the proposed land-use plan amendments, the Final Programmatic EIS also includes the identification of specific areas where wind energy development would not be allowed. The proposed land-use plan amendments are designed to facilitate preparation and consideration of potential wind energy development right-of-way applications on BLM-administered lands, but not to eliminate the need for site-specific analysis of individual development proposals.
The Final Programmatic EIS comes in response to recommendations set forth in the president's National Energy Policy, which encourages the development of renewable energy resources on public lands. Work on the EIS began in October 2003 and included extensive community meetings in the West and opportunities for public comment. The document addresses wind- energy development on BLM-administered lands in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
The Final Programmatic EIS is posted on the Web (see link below) and will be published in the Federal Register.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For further Information
The Final Programmatic EIS
Wind Energy EIS Public Information Center
Wind Energy Development Programmatic EIS Information Center
This web site is the online center for public information and involvement in the Wind Energy Development Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Wind Energy Programmatic EIS).
The United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), has prepared a Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate issues associated with wind energy development on Western public lands (excluding Alaska) administered by the BLM. This web site is the online center for public information and involvement in the EIS process.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has cooperated in the preparation of this Programmatic EIS in support of the BLM's efforts.
Final Programmatic EIS Document Available
The full text of the Wind Energy Development Final Programmatic EIS is available for downloading or online browsing in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. The EIS Guide provides an annotated table of content for the main sections of the EIS with links to the text, while the EIS Summary provides an overview of the Programmatic EIS contents and findings.
A Notice of Availability (NOA) (PDF, 59 KB) announcing the release of the Final PEIS was published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2005. The proposed action analyzed in the Final PEIS would implement a Wind Energy Development Program, establish policies and best management practices for wind energy right-of-way authorizations, and amend 52 BLM land use plans.
The Final PEIS includes proposed amendments to 52 BLM land use plans in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, as described in Appendix C (PDF, 96 KB) of the Final Programmatic EIS. BLM land use planning regulations (43 CFR 1610.5-2) state that any person who participated in the planning process, and has an interest that may be adversely affected, may protest. The protest must be filed within 30 days of the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. Instructions for filing of protests are described in the "Dear Reader" letter (PDF, 1.1 MB) in the front of Volume 1 of the Final PEIS.
Public Comments Available
The public was recently given the opportunity to provide comments on the Draft Programmatic EIS. The public comment period began Sep. 10, 2004, and ended Dec. 10, 2004. Public comments on the draft Programmatic EIS have been incorporated in Volume 3 of the Programmatic EIS.
Public Participation
Public participation in the Wind Energy Programmatic EIS is important. This web site provides information and services to help you participate in the EIS process.
Wind Energy Programmatic EIS
EIS purpose, scope, and schedule.
Getting Involved
How to participate in the EIS process and how public comments are used in the EIS process.
Wind Energy Guide
Wind energy basics, environmental issues, maps, photos, and links to wind energy resources on the World Wide Web.
EIS Documents
EIS and related documents for downloading or online browsing.
Other resources include a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs), news updates, and e-mail notices of important events.
Background Information
In response to recommendations contained in the President's National Energy Policy that encourage the development of renewable energy resources, the BLM is undertaking efforts to evaluate additional wind energy development on public lands, including the establishment of a Wind Energy Development Program. The BLM currently administers numerous wind energy right-of-way authorizations on lands in several Western states and has received a large number of new project proposals. The BLM has determined that the establishment of a Wind Energy Development Program would be a major federal action that requires preparation of a Programmatic EIS.
This web site is the online center for public information and involvement in the Wind Energy Development Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Wind Energy Programmatic EIS).
The United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), has prepared a Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate issues associated with wind energy development on Western public lands (excluding Alaska) administered by the BLM. This web site is the online center for public information and involvement in the EIS process.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has cooperated in the preparation of this Programmatic EIS in support of the BLM's efforts.
Final Programmatic EIS Document Available
The full text of the Wind Energy Development Final Programmatic EIS is available for downloading or online browsing in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. The EIS Guide provides an annotated table of content for the main sections of the EIS with links to the text, while the EIS Summary provides an overview of the Programmatic EIS contents and findings.
A Notice of Availability (NOA) (PDF, 59 KB) announcing the release of the Final PEIS was published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2005. The proposed action analyzed in the Final PEIS would implement a Wind Energy Development Program, establish policies and best management practices for wind energy right-of-way authorizations, and amend 52 BLM land use plans.
The Final PEIS includes proposed amendments to 52 BLM land use plans in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, as described in Appendix C (PDF, 96 KB) of the Final Programmatic EIS. BLM land use planning regulations (43 CFR 1610.5-2) state that any person who participated in the planning process, and has an interest that may be adversely affected, may protest. The protest must be filed within 30 days of the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. Instructions for filing of protests are described in the "Dear Reader" letter (PDF, 1.1 MB) in the front of Volume 1 of the Final PEIS.
Public Comments Available
The public was recently given the opportunity to provide comments on the Draft Programmatic EIS. The public comment period began Sep. 10, 2004, and ended Dec. 10, 2004. Public comments on the draft Programmatic EIS have been incorporated in Volume 3 of the Programmatic EIS.
Public Participation
Public participation in the Wind Energy Programmatic EIS is important. This web site provides information and services to help you participate in the EIS process.
Wind Energy Programmatic EIS
EIS purpose, scope, and schedule.
Getting Involved
How to participate in the EIS process and how public comments are used in the EIS process.
Wind Energy Guide
Wind energy basics, environmental issues, maps, photos, and links to wind energy resources on the World Wide Web.
EIS Documents
EIS and related documents for downloading or online browsing.
Other resources include a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs), news updates, and e-mail notices of important events.
Background Information
In response to recommendations contained in the President's National Energy Policy that encourage the development of renewable energy resources, the BLM is undertaking efforts to evaluate additional wind energy development on public lands, including the establishment of a Wind Energy Development Program. The BLM currently administers numerous wind energy right-of-way authorizations on lands in several Western states and has received a large number of new project proposals. The BLM has determined that the establishment of a Wind Energy Development Program would be a major federal action that requires preparation of a Programmatic EIS.
Area's winds could power Windy City
Monday, July 4, 2005
Area's winds could power Windy City
McLean County panel to hear wind power plan
By Dan Caterinicchia
Associated Press
CHICAGO -- The Windy City earned the nickname from blowhard politicians, not its weather conditions, but the winds that blow across the vast expanses of farmland throughout Illinois may soon help power the energy-hungry Chicago area.
A Texas company will formally present a $500 million wind power project at a Tuesday hearing in Bloomington of the McLean County Zoning Board, the latest step in a process that began more than three years ago. The result -- in terms of energy produced -- would be the country's largest land-based wind farm.
The largest facility currently operating in the U.S. is on the border of Oregon and Washington and produces 300 megawatts, said Christine Real de Azua, a spokeswoman for the American Wind Energy Association.
The Central Illinois proposal -- called the Arrowsmith Wind Power Project -- would feature 267 wind turbines more than 260-feet tall and capable of producing 400 megawatts. The energy would be sent via transmission lines about 130 miles to the northeast, where it would be enough to power an estimated 120,000 homes annually in the Chicago area.
Many environmentalists champion wind farms as a source of clean power. But they have been challenged across the country by people who complain about the "whoosh, whoosh, whoosh" sound their blades produce and say the modern-day windmills are a blight on the landscape.
In McLean County, residents and government officials have expressed concerns about the noise, but also a possible negative effect on the tax base by taking the farmland on which the windmills will be located out of production.
But officials with Zilkha Renewable Energy -- the company behind the Arrowsmith project -- have adequately addressed worries so far, said Philip Dick, McLean County's director of building and zoning. As long as they continue to do so, Dick expects zoning approval.
The nation gets less than 1 percent of its electricity from wind, and the American Wind Energy Association predicts no more than 6 percent by 2020.
Way to meet energy needs
Still, supporters argue that wind farms are a simple way to help the country meet its energy needs. Wind blows through the turbine causing its three massive blades to spin. That motion drives a generator which produces the electricity. The power then runs down a cable into a substation before being transferred to a utility grid where it mixes with electricity from other sources and goes out to meet demand, Real de Azua said.
Illinois currently has two wind farms in operation, but neither approaches the size of the Arrowsmith project.
When it is fully operational, the Crescent Ridge Windpower Project's 33 turbines in Bureau County will be able to generate up to 54 megawatts, enough to supply electricity to approximately 18,000 households, said Stefan Noe, president of Chicago-based developer Midwest Wind Energy. He said 13 turbines are currently running, but foundation issues with the remaining windmills required repairs that should be complete by the end of July.
The 63 turbines at Lee County's Mendota Hills Wind Farm have been spinning since November 2003 and have a capacity of 50.4 megawatts, enough to power approximately 15,000 homes, said Christopher Moore, managing director of Minneapolis, Minn.-based developer Navitas Energy, Inc.
Elroy Swope, 75, has four windmills on his Compton farm that are part of Mendota Hills project.
"I wouldn't do it again," he said. "It just didn't turn out the way it was supposed to."
Swope said he was told he would receive about $1,000 per year per windmill, but after one year, he has not received anywhere near $4,000. He declined to say how much he has been paid.
"Mr. Swope is a difficult person to keep happy," Navitas' Moore said, but he acknowledged that farmers were not paid as much as they expected last year. "2004 was a poor wind year and because it was the first facility, the first part of the year was what I would call startup. We didn't get as much production as we hoped."
This year has been better, but Moore declined to provide statistics about the wind farm's production in 2005.
In McLean County, the proposal calls for the 267 turbines to be constructed over 21,000 acres leased from area landowners, removing about 200 acres of land from crop production.
Zilkha has entered into five-year options with landowners that start at about $5,000 a year and include the right to enter into a 30-year land leases, said Michael Skelly, the Houston-based company's vice president of development.
If approved by the county's zoning board, the McLean County Board and the Federal Aviation Administration would still need to sign off on the proposal, and Zilkha must find utility companies to buy the power, Skelly said.
"There's still a lot of work to do," he said, adding that the best case scenario would have the wind farm partially done and producing power by the end of the 2006 and completed the following year.
Experts say Illinois' strong transmission capacity and huge customer base make up for its average wind speeds. Plus, the projects have the full support of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, whose renewable energy plan relies mostly on wind power.
Under Blagojevich's plan, electric utilities would provide 2 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by the end of 2006, increasing to 8 percent by 2012.
The Illinois Commerce Commission is examining Blagojevich's energy plan and its recommendation is expected by mid-July, said Steve Frenkel, the governor's senior policy adviser for the environment and energy. The state's two largest electric utilities, Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Corp., have already endorsed the plan, but if it passes they will not be obligated to purchase electricity from a specific wind farm or other renewable energy provider.
"We hope the plan that emerges from the commission very much reflects the governor's proposal," Frenkel said. "We hope to see turbines spinning and energy generated by the end of 2006," from the Arrowsmith project.
Area's winds could power Windy City
McLean County panel to hear wind power plan
By Dan Caterinicchia
Associated Press
CHICAGO -- The Windy City earned the nickname from blowhard politicians, not its weather conditions, but the winds that blow across the vast expanses of farmland throughout Illinois may soon help power the energy-hungry Chicago area.
A Texas company will formally present a $500 million wind power project at a Tuesday hearing in Bloomington of the McLean County Zoning Board, the latest step in a process that began more than three years ago. The result -- in terms of energy produced -- would be the country's largest land-based wind farm.
The largest facility currently operating in the U.S. is on the border of Oregon and Washington and produces 300 megawatts, said Christine Real de Azua, a spokeswoman for the American Wind Energy Association.
The Central Illinois proposal -- called the Arrowsmith Wind Power Project -- would feature 267 wind turbines more than 260-feet tall and capable of producing 400 megawatts. The energy would be sent via transmission lines about 130 miles to the northeast, where it would be enough to power an estimated 120,000 homes annually in the Chicago area.
Many environmentalists champion wind farms as a source of clean power. But they have been challenged across the country by people who complain about the "whoosh, whoosh, whoosh" sound their blades produce and say the modern-day windmills are a blight on the landscape.
In McLean County, residents and government officials have expressed concerns about the noise, but also a possible negative effect on the tax base by taking the farmland on which the windmills will be located out of production.
But officials with Zilkha Renewable Energy -- the company behind the Arrowsmith project -- have adequately addressed worries so far, said Philip Dick, McLean County's director of building and zoning. As long as they continue to do so, Dick expects zoning approval.
The nation gets less than 1 percent of its electricity from wind, and the American Wind Energy Association predicts no more than 6 percent by 2020.
Way to meet energy needs
Still, supporters argue that wind farms are a simple way to help the country meet its energy needs. Wind blows through the turbine causing its three massive blades to spin. That motion drives a generator which produces the electricity. The power then runs down a cable into a substation before being transferred to a utility grid where it mixes with electricity from other sources and goes out to meet demand, Real de Azua said.
Illinois currently has two wind farms in operation, but neither approaches the size of the Arrowsmith project.
When it is fully operational, the Crescent Ridge Windpower Project's 33 turbines in Bureau County will be able to generate up to 54 megawatts, enough to supply electricity to approximately 18,000 households, said Stefan Noe, president of Chicago-based developer Midwest Wind Energy. He said 13 turbines are currently running, but foundation issues with the remaining windmills required repairs that should be complete by the end of July.
The 63 turbines at Lee County's Mendota Hills Wind Farm have been spinning since November 2003 and have a capacity of 50.4 megawatts, enough to power approximately 15,000 homes, said Christopher Moore, managing director of Minneapolis, Minn.-based developer Navitas Energy, Inc.
Elroy Swope, 75, has four windmills on his Compton farm that are part of Mendota Hills project.
"I wouldn't do it again," he said. "It just didn't turn out the way it was supposed to."
Swope said he was told he would receive about $1,000 per year per windmill, but after one year, he has not received anywhere near $4,000. He declined to say how much he has been paid.
"Mr. Swope is a difficult person to keep happy," Navitas' Moore said, but he acknowledged that farmers were not paid as much as they expected last year. "2004 was a poor wind year and because it was the first facility, the first part of the year was what I would call startup. We didn't get as much production as we hoped."
This year has been better, but Moore declined to provide statistics about the wind farm's production in 2005.
In McLean County, the proposal calls for the 267 turbines to be constructed over 21,000 acres leased from area landowners, removing about 200 acres of land from crop production.
Zilkha has entered into five-year options with landowners that start at about $5,000 a year and include the right to enter into a 30-year land leases, said Michael Skelly, the Houston-based company's vice president of development.
If approved by the county's zoning board, the McLean County Board and the Federal Aviation Administration would still need to sign off on the proposal, and Zilkha must find utility companies to buy the power, Skelly said.
"There's still a lot of work to do," he said, adding that the best case scenario would have the wind farm partially done and producing power by the end of the 2006 and completed the following year.
Experts say Illinois' strong transmission capacity and huge customer base make up for its average wind speeds. Plus, the projects have the full support of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, whose renewable energy plan relies mostly on wind power.
Under Blagojevich's plan, electric utilities would provide 2 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by the end of 2006, increasing to 8 percent by 2012.
The Illinois Commerce Commission is examining Blagojevich's energy plan and its recommendation is expected by mid-July, said Steve Frenkel, the governor's senior policy adviser for the environment and energy. The state's two largest electric utilities, Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Corp., have already endorsed the plan, but if it passes they will not be obligated to purchase electricity from a specific wind farm or other renewable energy provider.
"We hope the plan that emerges from the commission very much reflects the governor's proposal," Frenkel said. "We hope to see turbines spinning and energy generated by the end of 2006," from the Arrowsmith project.
REpower Systems and Denker & Wulf agree to sell one of Germany's largest wind farm portfolios to GE Commercial Finance Energy Financial Services
REpower Systems and Denker & Wulf agree to sell one of Germany's largest wind farm portfolios
Hamburg, 4 July 2005. REpower Systems AG and Denker & Wulf AG announced today their agreement to sell one of Germany's largest wind farm portfolios. GE Commercial Finance Energy Financial Services agreed to buy four wind farms from Denker & Wulf and one from REpower Systems for EUR 135.5 million ($164.5 million), including the assumption of debt. The sale, the second of a wind portfolio by REpower and Denker & Wulf, is subject to satisfaction of various conditions, including governmental anti-competition review.
The wind electricity generation projects - in Grossvargula, Zabelsdorf, Premslin-Kribbe, Falkenwalde and Heckelberg-Breydin (eastern Germany) -
comprise 66 REpower MD turbines, each with 1.5 megawatts of rated power, for total electricity production of 99 megawatts. At the Heckelberg-Breydin wind farm, ten of 18 turbines are generating electricity; the remaining eight are scheduled to come on stream at the end of September of this year. Electricity produced by the wind farms is sold to regional electricity grid operators. Once fully operational, the wind farms will produce enough energy annually to power 60,000 homes and will save approximately 200,000 tones a year in greenhouse gas emissions, measured against equivalent fossil fuel generation.
REpower Systems AG Alsterkrugchaussee 378 22335 Hamburg Deutschland
ISIN: DE0006177033 WKN: 617703 Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin-Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart
End of ad hoc announcement (c)DGAP 04.07.2005
Issuer's information/explanatory remarks concerning this ad hoc announcement:
"The sale of the wind farm portfolio to GE Commercial Finance Energy Financial Services proves the positioning of REpower in the wind energy industry, which is also an attractive technology investment for financial investors,"concluded REpower's CEO, Prof. Dr. Fritz Vahrenholt.
Heiko Baumann, REpower's Project Finance Manager for this transaction, added: "This landmark investment by an international player represents the entry of a new class of investors in the German market."
Managing Director Torsten Levsen of Denker & Wulf commented: "Denker & Wulf has again confirmed its position as one of the leading developers of wind energy projects in Germany. We are proud of our work, which now has attracted an institutional investor like GE."
Andrew Marsden, Managing Director of GE Commercial Finance Energy Financial Services' European operations, said: "This transaction represents our biggest commitment to wind energy investment in Europe and supports our strategy to grow in Europe and renewable energy." Energy Financial Services' European Executive Director and transaction leader, Mark Jones, added: "Germany is a key growth area for us because it is Europe's premier wind energy market, with installed capacity of more than 16,600 megawatts."
Contacts: REpower Systems AG
Daniela Puttenat Corporate Communications & Public Relations Tel.: +49 - 40 - 53 93 07- 14 Fax: +49 - 40 - 53 93 07- 37 E-mail: d.puttenat@repower.de
Thomas Schnorrenberg Investor Relations Tel.: +49 - 40 - 53 93 07- 23 Fax: +49 - 40 - 53 93 07- 77 E-mail: t.schnorrenberg@repower.de
End of message (c)DGAP
04.07.2005, 10:05
Hamburg, 4 July 2005. REpower Systems AG and Denker & Wulf AG announced today their agreement to sell one of Germany's largest wind farm portfolios. GE Commercial Finance Energy Financial Services agreed to buy four wind farms from Denker & Wulf and one from REpower Systems for EUR 135.5 million ($164.5 million), including the assumption of debt. The sale, the second of a wind portfolio by REpower and Denker & Wulf, is subject to satisfaction of various conditions, including governmental anti-competition review.
The wind electricity generation projects - in Grossvargula, Zabelsdorf, Premslin-Kribbe, Falkenwalde and Heckelberg-Breydin (eastern Germany) -
comprise 66 REpower MD turbines, each with 1.5 megawatts of rated power, for total electricity production of 99 megawatts. At the Heckelberg-Breydin wind farm, ten of 18 turbines are generating electricity; the remaining eight are scheduled to come on stream at the end of September of this year. Electricity produced by the wind farms is sold to regional electricity grid operators. Once fully operational, the wind farms will produce enough energy annually to power 60,000 homes and will save approximately 200,000 tones a year in greenhouse gas emissions, measured against equivalent fossil fuel generation.
REpower Systems AG Alsterkrugchaussee 378 22335 Hamburg Deutschland
ISIN: DE0006177033 WKN: 617703 Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin-Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart
End of ad hoc announcement (c)DGAP 04.07.2005
Issuer's information/explanatory remarks concerning this ad hoc announcement:
"The sale of the wind farm portfolio to GE Commercial Finance Energy Financial Services proves the positioning of REpower in the wind energy industry, which is also an attractive technology investment for financial investors,"concluded REpower's CEO, Prof. Dr. Fritz Vahrenholt.
Heiko Baumann, REpower's Project Finance Manager for this transaction, added: "This landmark investment by an international player represents the entry of a new class of investors in the German market."
Managing Director Torsten Levsen of Denker & Wulf commented: "Denker & Wulf has again confirmed its position as one of the leading developers of wind energy projects in Germany. We are proud of our work, which now has attracted an institutional investor like GE."
Andrew Marsden, Managing Director of GE Commercial Finance Energy Financial Services' European operations, said: "This transaction represents our biggest commitment to wind energy investment in Europe and supports our strategy to grow in Europe and renewable energy." Energy Financial Services' European Executive Director and transaction leader, Mark Jones, added: "Germany is a key growth area for us because it is Europe's premier wind energy market, with installed capacity of more than 16,600 megawatts."
Contacts: REpower Systems AG
Daniela Puttenat Corporate Communications & Public Relations Tel.: +49 - 40 - 53 93 07- 14 Fax: +49 - 40 - 53 93 07- 37 E-mail: d.puttenat@repower.de
Thomas Schnorrenberg Investor Relations Tel.: +49 - 40 - 53 93 07- 23 Fax: +49 - 40 - 53 93 07- 77 E-mail: t.schnorrenberg@repower.de
End of message (c)DGAP
04.07.2005, 10:05
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Britons Prefer Wind Energy to Nuclear Power
::.Angus Reid Consultants.::: "June 26, 2005
Britons Prefer Wind Energy to Nuclear Power
(Angus Reid Global Scan) � Many adults in Britain have no problems with the installation of wind turbines close to their own homes, according to a poll by ICM research published in The Guardian. 69 per cent of respondents support the building of a wind power station within 20 miles of their residence.
According to the British Wind Energy Association, more than 500,000 homes are currently powered by wind. Britain is one of only eight countries in the world that has installed more than 1,000 megawatts of wind capacity.
Britons are not as keen on nuclear energy. 79 per cent of respondents would oppose the building of a nuclear power station within 20 miles of their residence.
According to published reports, the government of prime minister Tony Blair is expected to establish an independent commission to review whether new nuclear power stations should be built in Britain.
There are currently 14 functioning nuclear reactors in Britain, which produce 21 per cent of the country�s electricity. All but one will reach the end of their operational lifetimes by 2023.
Polling Data
Would you support or oppose the building of a wind power station within 20 miles of your own home?
Support69%
Oppose25%
Don�t know6%
Would you support or oppose the building of a nuclear power station within 20 miles of your own home?
Support19%
Oppose79%
Don�t know3%
Source: ICM Research / The Guardian
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,005 British adults, conducted from Jun. 17 to Jun. 19, 2005. No margin of error was provided."
Britons Prefer Wind Energy to Nuclear Power
(Angus Reid Global Scan) � Many adults in Britain have no problems with the installation of wind turbines close to their own homes, according to a poll by ICM research published in The Guardian. 69 per cent of respondents support the building of a wind power station within 20 miles of their residence.
According to the British Wind Energy Association, more than 500,000 homes are currently powered by wind. Britain is one of only eight countries in the world that has installed more than 1,000 megawatts of wind capacity.
Britons are not as keen on nuclear energy. 79 per cent of respondents would oppose the building of a nuclear power station within 20 miles of their residence.
According to published reports, the government of prime minister Tony Blair is expected to establish an independent commission to review whether new nuclear power stations should be built in Britain.
There are currently 14 functioning nuclear reactors in Britain, which produce 21 per cent of the country�s electricity. All but one will reach the end of their operational lifetimes by 2023.
Polling Data
Would you support or oppose the building of a wind power station within 20 miles of your own home?
Support69%
Oppose25%
Don�t know6%
Would you support or oppose the building of a nuclear power station within 20 miles of your own home?
Support19%
Oppose79%
Don�t know3%
Source: ICM Research / The Guardian
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,005 British adults, conducted from Jun. 17 to Jun. 19, 2005. No margin of error was provided."
New Power Lines Approved For Wind Farms
KELOLAND.COM: News, Weather and Sports for Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa: "06/23/2005
New Power Lines Approved For Wind Farms
More wind energy is coming soon to southwestern Minnesota. The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board has given final approval to routes for two new Xcel Energy transmission lines on the southern edge of Buffalo Ridge.
Xcel says the lines would increase transmission capacity by 460 kilowatts. Work is expected to be done in 2007. It would bring the transmission capacity of Buffalo Ridge to 825 megawatts, more than double the present capacity.
Xcel is investing 160 million dollars in wind-energy improvements. As part of the new transmission line upgrade, the company is also being required to offer 60 megawatts of access to the lines to local investors."
New Power Lines Approved For Wind Farms
More wind energy is coming soon to southwestern Minnesota. The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board has given final approval to routes for two new Xcel Energy transmission lines on the southern edge of Buffalo Ridge.
Xcel says the lines would increase transmission capacity by 460 kilowatts. Work is expected to be done in 2007. It would bring the transmission capacity of Buffalo Ridge to 825 megawatts, more than double the present capacity.
Xcel is investing 160 million dollars in wind-energy improvements. As part of the new transmission line upgrade, the company is also being required to offer 60 megawatts of access to the lines to local investors."
THE Irish wind energy sector is set to become a model for other countries
Examiner: "27/06/05
Wind energy sector set to become industry model
By David Clerkin
THE Irish wind energy sector is set to become a model for other countries, thanks to a new set of industry standards, the operator of the national power network said yesterday.
ESB National Grid, which operates the country�s system of power lines and transmission substations, said its Wind Grid Code would be a leading-edge guide for the wind energy industry around the world.
The code sets out minimum standards and specifications that windfarm operators must meet to gain access to the national grid. It was developed in conjunction with the wind power industry.
�Ireland is in a unique position as an island system, with very rapid growth in wind power. This means that the Irish industry has been finding solutions to challenges which are only now beginning to emerge abroad,� said a spokesman for ESB National Grid.
The Irish requirements to produce accurate models for the operation of wind turbines meant that turbine manufacturers who were successful in getting connected could capitalise on this by selling their turbines in other countries.
The use of wind power in Ireland has shot up in recent years. Wind turbines are now capable of generating enough power to supply more than 100,000 homes. "
Wind energy sector set to become industry model
By David Clerkin
THE Irish wind energy sector is set to become a model for other countries, thanks to a new set of industry standards, the operator of the national power network said yesterday.
ESB National Grid, which operates the country�s system of power lines and transmission substations, said its Wind Grid Code would be a leading-edge guide for the wind energy industry around the world.
The code sets out minimum standards and specifications that windfarm operators must meet to gain access to the national grid. It was developed in conjunction with the wind power industry.
�Ireland is in a unique position as an island system, with very rapid growth in wind power. This means that the Irish industry has been finding solutions to challenges which are only now beginning to emerge abroad,� said a spokesman for ESB National Grid.
The Irish requirements to produce accurate models for the operation of wind turbines meant that turbine manufacturers who were successful in getting connected could capitalise on this by selling their turbines in other countries.
The use of wind power in Ireland has shot up in recent years. Wind turbines are now capable of generating enough power to supply more than 100,000 homes. "
Scoop: Consultation begins on possible Puketiro wind farm IN New Zealand
Scoop: Consultation begins on possible Puketiro wind farm: "Consultation begins on possible Puketiro wind farm
Monday, 27 June 2005, 11:30 am
Press Release: Greater Wellington Regional Council
Community consultation begins on possible Puketiro wind farm development
Greater Wellington begins a community consultation process this week on a possible wind farm development at Puketiro, an area to the east of Battle Hill Forest Park.
Chair of Greater Wellington’s Landcare Committee Cr Chris Laidlaw says. “At Greater Wellington we're committed to raising the energy self-sufficiency of this region. Most of the energy we currently use is derived from non-renewable sources and we simply cannot afford the luxury of that. We have extensive park and forest lands that can deliver a double benefit because wind energy generation can be achieved in harmony with the other environmental objectives in such areas at a distance from urban areas. The advantage of wind energy is that it imposes a minimum footprint on the land.”
“Undoubtedly, wind energy developments on Greater Wellington land can make a very useful difference for this region and we now want to hear what the community thinks.”
The consultation process follows completion of two feasibility studies of wind energy generation developments on land owned or managed by the Council – Puketiro, Mt Climie and Belmont Regional Park. The first two studies have been completed, and analysis of the larger Belmont site is still underway.
Cr Laidlaw says that, “Although the Mt Climie ridge has outstanding wind energy potential, there are evident risks to parts of the local ecology and for that reason we are erring on the side of caution and will be not be proceeding any further with this site at this stage. Instead, we have identified Puketiro as the ideal place to start.”
Greater Wellington’s renewable energy project manager Murray Kennedy says that “a wind farm development at Puketiro could provide the region with at least 26MW of energy, enough to power about 13,000 homes. Average wind speed at the site is similar to several other operating wind farms in the country.”
“The impact of building a wind farm at Puketiro is relatively low. The nearest urban area is Whitby in Porirua City, six kilometres from the proposed site.”
Public submissions close on 1 August 2005 and public hearings will be held in September or October.
Further detailed information, submission form and maps are online at www.gw.govt.nz or in the July issue of Elements.
ENDS
Monday, 27 June 2005, 11:30 am
Press Release: Greater Wellington Regional Council
Community consultation begins on possible Puketiro wind farm development
Greater Wellington begins a community consultation process this week on a possible wind farm development at Puketiro, an area to the east of Battle Hill Forest Park.
Chair of Greater Wellington’s Landcare Committee Cr Chris Laidlaw says. “At Greater Wellington we're committed to raising the energy self-sufficiency of this region. Most of the energy we currently use is derived from non-renewable sources and we simply cannot afford the luxury of that. We have extensive park and forest lands that can deliver a double benefit because wind energy generation can be achieved in harmony with the other environmental objectives in such areas at a distance from urban areas. The advantage of wind energy is that it imposes a minimum footprint on the land.”
“Undoubtedly, wind energy developments on Greater Wellington land can make a very useful difference for this region and we now want to hear what the community thinks.”
The consultation process follows completion of two feasibility studies of wind energy generation developments on land owned or managed by the Council – Puketiro, Mt Climie and Belmont Regional Park. The first two studies have been completed, and analysis of the larger Belmont site is still underway.
Cr Laidlaw says that, “Although the Mt Climie ridge has outstanding wind energy potential, there are evident risks to parts of the local ecology and for that reason we are erring on the side of caution and will be not be proceeding any further with this site at this stage. Instead, we have identified Puketiro as the ideal place to start.”
Greater Wellington’s renewable energy project manager Murray Kennedy says that “a wind farm development at Puketiro could provide the region with at least 26MW of energy, enough to power about 13,000 homes. Average wind speed at the site is similar to several other operating wind farms in the country.”
“The impact of building a wind farm at Puketiro is relatively low. The nearest urban area is Whitby in Porirua City, six kilometres from the proposed site.”
Public submissions close on 1 August 2005 and public hearings will be held in September or October.
Further detailed information, submission form and maps are online at www.gw.govt.nz or in the July issue of Elements.
ENDS
India has overtaken Denmark in wind energy generation
Economy & Policy: "Call for comprehensive renewable energy policy
Our Regional Bureau / Chennai June 27, 2005
To leverage and enhance the potential of renewable energy, there is an urgent need for a �comprehensive national-level renewable energy policy�, said Ramesh Kymal, chairman, renewable energy council.
He was addressing �Green Power 2005�, an international conference-cum-exposition on renewable energy in Chennai.
Kymal said that the annual turnover of renewable energy sector in India is about Rs 5,000 crore and is expected to grow at a much rapid pace.
India has overtaken Denmark in wind energy generation occupying the fourth place in the world. Last year, the country added 1,100 MW capacity.
Kymal pointed out that India should take a leaf out of China�s approach and progress on the renewable energy front.
A consistent policy is crucial for the development of this sector which can address long-term power purchase agreement, and tariff in order to attract more corporate investments in the sector, he added.
In terms of investment on renewable energy, China is behind India. However, it is surging ahead with a plan of generating 20,000 MW by the year 2012 in contrast to India�s vision which is to add 10,000 MW in the next seven years. China had already enacted the Renewable Energy Policy.
It is estimated that the potential for wind power is about 45,000 MW of which India has been able to harness 3,600 MW so far. India ranks fourth in bio-mass and tenth in the world in small hydro power sector. "
Our Regional Bureau / Chennai June 27, 2005
To leverage and enhance the potential of renewable energy, there is an urgent need for a �comprehensive national-level renewable energy policy�, said Ramesh Kymal, chairman, renewable energy council.
He was addressing �Green Power 2005�, an international conference-cum-exposition on renewable energy in Chennai.
Kymal said that the annual turnover of renewable energy sector in India is about Rs 5,000 crore and is expected to grow at a much rapid pace.
India has overtaken Denmark in wind energy generation occupying the fourth place in the world. Last year, the country added 1,100 MW capacity.
Kymal pointed out that India should take a leaf out of China�s approach and progress on the renewable energy front.
A consistent policy is crucial for the development of this sector which can address long-term power purchase agreement, and tariff in order to attract more corporate investments in the sector, he added.
In terms of investment on renewable energy, China is behind India. However, it is surging ahead with a plan of generating 20,000 MW by the year 2012 in contrast to India�s vision which is to add 10,000 MW in the next seven years. China had already enacted the Renewable Energy Policy.
It is estimated that the potential for wind power is about 45,000 MW of which India has been able to harness 3,600 MW so far. India ranks fourth in bio-mass and tenth in the world in small hydro power sector. "
Airtricity Expands into U.S. Energy Marketplace with $270 Million Wind Farm Development Project
Airtricity Expands into U.S. Energy Marketplace with $270 Million Wind Farm Development Project: "Press ReleaseSource: Airtricity
Press Release Source: Airtricity
Airtricity Expands into U.S. Energy Marketplace with $270 Million Wind Farm Development Project
Friday June 24, 12:00 pm ET
Announces Aggressive Five-Year Growth Plan, Investment of $1.5 Billion
NEW YORK, CHICAGO and DALLAS, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Airtricity, the leading renewable energy company, today announced an initial investment in the U.S. of $270 million planned for the development of wind farms in Texas, New York and the Pacific Northwest and total investments in excess of $1.5 billion by 2010 in the North American market. Airtricity will use the initial investment to install turbines on a wind farm developed in conjunction with RGI, Inc. The wind farm, located in the Abilene area, will have an installed capacity of 125MW and will generate sufficient power to supply over 75,000 homes. The Turbines for this project will be supplied by the Siemens Wind Power company based in Florida. The other wind farms being constructed in 2006 will use wind turbines supplied by Gamesa.
In announcing Airtricity's expansion in the U.S. in a keynote address at Euromoney's 2nd Renewable Energy Finance Forum in New York, Chief Executive Officer Eddie O'Connor said, "This investment is a significant milestone for Airtricity as it comes at a time when there is limited wind energy capacity in the U.S. but growing recognition of the need to develop long-term renewable sources of energy. Over the next five years, we anticipate that growing demand for wind energy will enable our business in North America to account for nearly 50 percent of overall revenues, which will help us to become the largest private, renewable energy developer in the country."
Through this investment, Airtricity has made a strong commitment to retail customers in North Texas, including Dallas, Lubbock, Amarillo and surrounding counties. Sales of power from this wind farm will commence in 2006.
"One of the greatest potential economic and environmental crises facing society today is global warming. However, the leadership and people of Texas have signaled in many surveys that they want to deal with this issue. Texas is the state most strongly supportive of renewable energy in the United States, and Airtricity are delighted to participate in this customer-led venture," Dr. O'Connor added.
About Airtricity
Airtricity is a world leading renewable energy company. As an integrated utility, the company is both a generator and supplier of green electricity. The company currently supplies renewable electricity to over 40,000 commercial customers in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and is developing wind farms in the USA, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England. http://www.airtricity.com
About RGI Inc.
Renewable Generation Holdings Inc. is a wind project development company based in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2002, the company is active in Texas and the Southwest and Southeast US. http://www.renewablegeneration.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Airtricity
Press Release Source: Airtricity
Airtricity Expands into U.S. Energy Marketplace with $270 Million Wind Farm Development Project
Friday June 24, 12:00 pm ET
Announces Aggressive Five-Year Growth Plan, Investment of $1.5 Billion
NEW YORK, CHICAGO and DALLAS, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Airtricity, the leading renewable energy company, today announced an initial investment in the U.S. of $270 million planned for the development of wind farms in Texas, New York and the Pacific Northwest and total investments in excess of $1.5 billion by 2010 in the North American market. Airtricity will use the initial investment to install turbines on a wind farm developed in conjunction with RGI, Inc. The wind farm, located in the Abilene area, will have an installed capacity of 125MW and will generate sufficient power to supply over 75,000 homes. The Turbines for this project will be supplied by the Siemens Wind Power company based in Florida. The other wind farms being constructed in 2006 will use wind turbines supplied by Gamesa.
In announcing Airtricity's expansion in the U.S. in a keynote address at Euromoney's 2nd Renewable Energy Finance Forum in New York, Chief Executive Officer Eddie O'Connor said, "This investment is a significant milestone for Airtricity as it comes at a time when there is limited wind energy capacity in the U.S. but growing recognition of the need to develop long-term renewable sources of energy. Over the next five years, we anticipate that growing demand for wind energy will enable our business in North America to account for nearly 50 percent of overall revenues, which will help us to become the largest private, renewable energy developer in the country."
Through this investment, Airtricity has made a strong commitment to retail customers in North Texas, including Dallas, Lubbock, Amarillo and surrounding counties. Sales of power from this wind farm will commence in 2006.
"One of the greatest potential economic and environmental crises facing society today is global warming. However, the leadership and people of Texas have signaled in many surveys that they want to deal with this issue. Texas is the state most strongly supportive of renewable energy in the United States, and Airtricity are delighted to participate in this customer-led venture," Dr. O'Connor added.
About Airtricity
Airtricity is a world leading renewable energy company. As an integrated utility, the company is both a generator and supplier of green electricity. The company currently supplies renewable electricity to over 40,000 commercial customers in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and is developing wind farms in the USA, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England. http://www.airtricity.com
About RGI Inc.
Renewable Generation Holdings Inc. is a wind project development company based in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2002, the company is active in Texas and the Southwest and Southeast US. http://www.renewablegeneration.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Airtricity
Greenlight Energy Gains Approval to Build Large-Scale Wind Farm in Northeastern Colorado; Project to Provide Clean-Energy for up to 90,000 Homes Annually
Greenlight Energy Gains Approval to Build Large-Scale Wind Farm in Northeastern Colorado; Project to Provide Clean-Energy for up to 90,000 Homes Annually: "June 24, 2005 09:00 AM US Eastern Timezone
June 24, 2005 09:00 AM US Eastern Timezone
Greenlight Energy Gains Approval to Build Large-Scale Wind Farm in Northeastern Colorado; Project to Provide Clean-Energy for up to 90,000 Homes Annually
AKRON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 24, 2005--Greenlight Energy, Inc., an independent power producer of wind energy, today announced it has received approval from the Washington County Commission to develop a large-scale wind farm near the town of Akron that could provide enough clean energy to meet the annual needs of up to 90,000 homes.
The permit allows Greenlight Energy to develop the 200 to 300-megawatt Akron wind farm project on over 15,000 acres in rural Washington County. Construction on the estimated $250-350 million project could begin as early as 2006 after completion of a power purchase agreement and remaining development work. The project is one of the largest wind energy developments announced to-date and the largest planned in Colorado--a state ranked 11th in the nation for wind energy potential.
"The Akron project offers many attractive features for development," said Matt Hantzmon, Managing Director of Greenlight Energy. "The community has been very receptive, the location is ideally situated near transmission lines and the state's renewable portfolio standards provide strong incentives for wind energy development."
Three utilities have transmission facilities in Northeastern Colorado proximate to the facility. They are: Xcel Energy, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and Western Area Power Administration. Colorado requires the state's largest utilities to obtain 10 percent of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2015.
"The Greenlight Energy wind project represents a significant investment in the future of Akron and Washington County," said Rick Kusel, president of the Washington County Economic Development Corporation. "It will boost our economy and establish the area as a leader in clean energy generation. The community and Greenlight Energy team worked well together to advance this project successfully."
Greenlight Energy, based in Charlottesville, VA, is an independent power producer of wind energy. The company has a national portfolio of more than 15 projects in a dozen states in early and late-stages of development, representing a potential to generate more than 2,000-megawatts of wind power. In December 2004, Greenlight Energy completed the development of its 150-megawatt Elk River Windfarm, LLC, in Kansas. The project was purchased by PPM Energy, Inc and is now under construction. The company's management team has 40 years energy experience, including development of 3,000-megawatts of conventional and renewable energy facilities.
Contacts
Greenlight Energy, Inc.
Matt Hantzmon, 434-220-1406
info@greenlightenergy.com
June 24, 2005 09:00 AM US Eastern Timezone
Greenlight Energy Gains Approval to Build Large-Scale Wind Farm in Northeastern Colorado; Project to Provide Clean-Energy for up to 90,000 Homes Annually
AKRON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 24, 2005--Greenlight Energy, Inc., an independent power producer of wind energy, today announced it has received approval from the Washington County Commission to develop a large-scale wind farm near the town of Akron that could provide enough clean energy to meet the annual needs of up to 90,000 homes.
The permit allows Greenlight Energy to develop the 200 to 300-megawatt Akron wind farm project on over 15,000 acres in rural Washington County. Construction on the estimated $250-350 million project could begin as early as 2006 after completion of a power purchase agreement and remaining development work. The project is one of the largest wind energy developments announced to-date and the largest planned in Colorado--a state ranked 11th in the nation for wind energy potential.
"The Akron project offers many attractive features for development," said Matt Hantzmon, Managing Director of Greenlight Energy. "The community has been very receptive, the location is ideally situated near transmission lines and the state's renewable portfolio standards provide strong incentives for wind energy development."
Three utilities have transmission facilities in Northeastern Colorado proximate to the facility. They are: Xcel Energy, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and Western Area Power Administration. Colorado requires the state's largest utilities to obtain 10 percent of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2015.
"The Greenlight Energy wind project represents a significant investment in the future of Akron and Washington County," said Rick Kusel, president of the Washington County Economic Development Corporation. "It will boost our economy and establish the area as a leader in clean energy generation. The community and Greenlight Energy team worked well together to advance this project successfully."
Greenlight Energy, based in Charlottesville, VA, is an independent power producer of wind energy. The company has a national portfolio of more than 15 projects in a dozen states in early and late-stages of development, representing a potential to generate more than 2,000-megawatts of wind power. In December 2004, Greenlight Energy completed the development of its 150-megawatt Elk River Windfarm, LLC, in Kansas. The project was purchased by PPM Energy, Inc and is now under construction. The company's management team has 40 years energy experience, including development of 3,000-megawatts of conventional and renewable energy facilities.
Contacts
Greenlight Energy, Inc.
Matt Hantzmon, 434-220-1406
info@greenlightenergy.com
GE Energy's Wind Turbines Selected For New Project In India
GE Energy's Wind Turbines Selected For New Project In India
ATLANTA, GA (May 16, 2005) — Surana Industries Limited of Chennai, India, a producer of thermo mechanically treated (TMT) bar steel and stainless steel products and components, is turning to wind energy to help power its factories. The company has selected GE Energy's wind turbine technology for a 12-megawatt wind farm to be located in the village of Radhapuram in the state of Tamilnadu, South India.
GE is supplying eight of its 1.5-megawatt wind turbines for the project, which is scheduled for commissioning in July of 2005 and is expected to generate approximately 36 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. GE also is providing technical advisory services for the erection and commissioning of the turbines, and operation and maintenance services for five years.
The project site is approximately 12 kilometers northeast of Kanyakumari, a world-renowned tourist area. With more than 1,000 megawatts of wind turbines already installed in the region, Kanyakumari offers India greatest wind power potential.
The Surana Wind Farm marks GE Energy's second wind project in India. Last year, GE supplied 18 of its 1.5-megawatt wind turbines for the Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd. Wind Power Project in Karnataka State, South India.
GE's 1.5-megawatt wind turbines are among the mostly widely tested and used wind turbines in the world, with more than 3,000 installed worldwide.
India currently ranks fifth in the world and first in Asia with approximately 3,000 megawatts of installed wind capacity. The interest of private investors and developers in setting up commercial wind projects, combined with federal and state renewable energy initiatives, have been key factors driving the growth of the country's wind industry.
"India offers very exciting opportunities for the wind industry," said Robert Gleitz, general manager of GE Energy's wind power business. "With an untapped wind power potential estimated at 45,000 megawatts, and strong interest in adding renewable energy capacity, the country can be a cornerstone for wind energy development across Asia."
While GE is relatively new to the Indian wind industry, the company is one of the leading foreign investors in the country. GE employs more than 21,000 people in India, has a local market turnover approaching US$1 billion, and exports more than US$1 billion of products and services from India to countries around the globe. In addition, GE's John F. Welch Technology Center in Bangalore was the first facility of its kind in India and employs more than 1,300 scientists and researchers.
About GE Energy
GE Energy (www.gepower.com) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technology, with 2004 revenue of $17.3 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, transmission and distribution, distributed power and energy rental industries.
With wind turbine design, manufacturing and assembly facilities in Germany, Spain and the United States, GE Energy's current wind energy portfolio includes wind turbines with rated outputs ranging from 1.5 to 3.6 megawatts, and support services ranging from project development assistance to operation and maintenance. The company's knowledge base includes the development and/or installation of more than 7,100 wind turbines with a total rated capacity of 5,600 megawatts.
For more information, contact:
GE Energy:
Dennis Murphy
GE Energy
+1 678 844 6948
dennis.murphy@ps.ge.com
ATLANTA, GA (May 16, 2005) — Surana Industries Limited of Chennai, India, a producer of thermo mechanically treated (TMT) bar steel and stainless steel products and components, is turning to wind energy to help power its factories. The company has selected GE Energy's wind turbine technology for a 12-megawatt wind farm to be located in the village of Radhapuram in the state of Tamilnadu, South India.
GE is supplying eight of its 1.5-megawatt wind turbines for the project, which is scheduled for commissioning in July of 2005 and is expected to generate approximately 36 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. GE also is providing technical advisory services for the erection and commissioning of the turbines, and operation and maintenance services for five years.
The project site is approximately 12 kilometers northeast of Kanyakumari, a world-renowned tourist area. With more than 1,000 megawatts of wind turbines already installed in the region, Kanyakumari offers India greatest wind power potential.
The Surana Wind Farm marks GE Energy's second wind project in India. Last year, GE supplied 18 of its 1.5-megawatt wind turbines for the Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd. Wind Power Project in Karnataka State, South India.
GE's 1.5-megawatt wind turbines are among the mostly widely tested and used wind turbines in the world, with more than 3,000 installed worldwide.
India currently ranks fifth in the world and first in Asia with approximately 3,000 megawatts of installed wind capacity. The interest of private investors and developers in setting up commercial wind projects, combined with federal and state renewable energy initiatives, have been key factors driving the growth of the country's wind industry.
"India offers very exciting opportunities for the wind industry," said Robert Gleitz, general manager of GE Energy's wind power business. "With an untapped wind power potential estimated at 45,000 megawatts, and strong interest in adding renewable energy capacity, the country can be a cornerstone for wind energy development across Asia."
While GE is relatively new to the Indian wind industry, the company is one of the leading foreign investors in the country. GE employs more than 21,000 people in India, has a local market turnover approaching US$1 billion, and exports more than US$1 billion of products and services from India to countries around the globe. In addition, GE's John F. Welch Technology Center in Bangalore was the first facility of its kind in India and employs more than 1,300 scientists and researchers.
About GE Energy
GE Energy (www.gepower.com) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technology, with 2004 revenue of $17.3 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, transmission and distribution, distributed power and energy rental industries.
With wind turbine design, manufacturing and assembly facilities in Germany, Spain and the United States, GE Energy's current wind energy portfolio includes wind turbines with rated outputs ranging from 1.5 to 3.6 megawatts, and support services ranging from project development assistance to operation and maintenance. The company's knowledge base includes the development and/or installation of more than 7,100 wind turbines with a total rated capacity of 5,600 megawatts.
For more information, contact:
GE Energy:
Dennis Murphy
GE Energy
+1 678 844 6948
dennis.murphy@ps.ge.com
Wind energy development gets boost
6/24/2005 6:00:00 AM
Wind energy development gets boost
Patricia R. McCoy
Idaho Staff Writer
The U.S. Department of Interior released its final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on Wind Energy Development June 21, smoothing the way for installing wind turbine generators on public land in 11 Western states.
The programmatic EIS addresses the environmental, social and economic impacts of wind generation development on public lands, said Rebecca Watson, assistant secretary of the Interior for land and minerals management.
The study analyzes three alternatives for managing wind energy development on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Those alternatives are:
• The proposed action, which would implement a wind energy development program, establish policies and best management practices for wind energy right-of-way authorizations, and amend 52 BLM land use plans.
• The no-action alternative, which would allow continued wind energy development under the terms and conditions of the BLM Interim Wind Energy Development Policy, and,
• A limited wind energy development alternative, which would allow development only in selected locations.
The new EIS paves the way to developing over 3,200 megawatts of wind energy in 11 Western states, enough to power almost 1 million homes, Watson said.
Those states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming, she said.
“This is a significant action, a very thorough document. As a programmatic EIS, it offers a consistent, agency-wide approach to wind energy permitting. That means expedited permitting,” she said.
Currently there are wind energy operations on 1,517 BLM acres and 5,128 non-BLM acres in the 11 states, a total of 6,645 acres. The EIS projects another 12,782 acres on line by 2015, 2,628 of them BLM acres. By 2025, wind energy operations should be on 20,801 acres, including 3,240 acres of BLM land.
According to the EIS, California has a potential for wind energy development on 9,113 acres by 2025, including 1,462 BLM acres. Idaho has a potential of 1,101 acres, including 185 BLM acres. Oregon’s potential is for development on 1,758 acres, 196 of them administered by the BLM. Nevada’s potential is for 1,305 acres, 701 of them BLM, while Washington has a possibility on 1,326 acres, only 12 of them BLM, the EIS says.
“Renewable energy development will be a way of life. Our economic security depends on it. Encouraging its development on public lands, especially wind energy, will help the entire nation, particularly the growing population in the West,” she said.
Department of Interior agencies, mostly the BLM, issues 74 permits for wind energy development in the last four and a half years. The Clinton Administration issued only 13 wind permits in its entire eight years, she said.
“President Bush is serious about making renewable energy a part of our future,” Watson said. “This EIS takes us to the next step.”
Wind turbines have environmental impacts, but they are the same in almost every location. That helped bring about the programmatic EIS, she said.
Permits won’t be issued for all potential sites. The simple movement of turbines can cause birds to avoid an area because they simulate the movements of prey birds, the assistant secretary said.
The new EIS will ban development in certain areas in wilderness areas, national recreation areas, and other specially protected locations, said Ray Brady, BLM group manager for land and realty.
Watson’s announcement of the new EIS came during a teleconference for news media. Brady joined her for the session.
Pat McCoy is based in Boise. Her e-mail address is pmccoy@capitalpress.com.
Wind energy development gets boost
Patricia R. McCoy
Idaho Staff Writer
The U.S. Department of Interior released its final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on Wind Energy Development June 21, smoothing the way for installing wind turbine generators on public land in 11 Western states.
The programmatic EIS addresses the environmental, social and economic impacts of wind generation development on public lands, said Rebecca Watson, assistant secretary of the Interior for land and minerals management.
The study analyzes three alternatives for managing wind energy development on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Those alternatives are:
• The proposed action, which would implement a wind energy development program, establish policies and best management practices for wind energy right-of-way authorizations, and amend 52 BLM land use plans.
• The no-action alternative, which would allow continued wind energy development under the terms and conditions of the BLM Interim Wind Energy Development Policy, and,
• A limited wind energy development alternative, which would allow development only in selected locations.
The new EIS paves the way to developing over 3,200 megawatts of wind energy in 11 Western states, enough to power almost 1 million homes, Watson said.
Those states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming, she said.
“This is a significant action, a very thorough document. As a programmatic EIS, it offers a consistent, agency-wide approach to wind energy permitting. That means expedited permitting,” she said.
Currently there are wind energy operations on 1,517 BLM acres and 5,128 non-BLM acres in the 11 states, a total of 6,645 acres. The EIS projects another 12,782 acres on line by 2015, 2,628 of them BLM acres. By 2025, wind energy operations should be on 20,801 acres, including 3,240 acres of BLM land.
According to the EIS, California has a potential for wind energy development on 9,113 acres by 2025, including 1,462 BLM acres. Idaho has a potential of 1,101 acres, including 185 BLM acres. Oregon’s potential is for development on 1,758 acres, 196 of them administered by the BLM. Nevada’s potential is for 1,305 acres, 701 of them BLM, while Washington has a possibility on 1,326 acres, only 12 of them BLM, the EIS says.
“Renewable energy development will be a way of life. Our economic security depends on it. Encouraging its development on public lands, especially wind energy, will help the entire nation, particularly the growing population in the West,” she said.
Department of Interior agencies, mostly the BLM, issues 74 permits for wind energy development in the last four and a half years. The Clinton Administration issued only 13 wind permits in its entire eight years, she said.
“President Bush is serious about making renewable energy a part of our future,” Watson said. “This EIS takes us to the next step.”
Wind turbines have environmental impacts, but they are the same in almost every location. That helped bring about the programmatic EIS, she said.
Permits won’t be issued for all potential sites. The simple movement of turbines can cause birds to avoid an area because they simulate the movements of prey birds, the assistant secretary said.
The new EIS will ban development in certain areas in wilderness areas, national recreation areas, and other specially protected locations, said Ray Brady, BLM group manager for land and realty.
Watson’s announcement of the new EIS came during a teleconference for news media. Brady joined her for the session.
Pat McCoy is based in Boise. Her e-mail address is pmccoy@capitalpress.com.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Dutch Offshore Wind Project Approved
First Dutch Offshore Wind Project Gains Approval
June 10, 2005
Amsterdam, The Netherlands [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Shell and Dutch energy company Nuon have signed the final contracts for their joint collaboration of the first Dutch offshore wind farm, located at Egmond aan Zee, 10 miles outside the Dutch coast.
"As a learning project this wind farm is important for the Netherlands and the whole offshore industry."
- Rein Willems, President of Shell Nederland. NoordzeeWind (a 50/50 joint venture between Shell and Nuon) awarded the construction contract to Bouwcombinatie Egmond, a joint venture between Dutch offshore contractor Ballast Nedam and Danish wind-turbine manufacturer Vestas.
Thirty-six wind turbines with an overall capacity of 108 MW will be constructed 10 kM off the coast of Egmond aan Zee (the Netherlands). On a yearly basis, the wind turbines will generate enough electricity to meet the needs of more than 100,000 Dutch households. From the end of 2006, the wind farm will start generating sustainable energy, which Nuon will supply to the Dutch market. The project involves an investment in excess of EURO 200 million (USD $242 million).
The project is accompanied by a comprehensive research program designed to increase knowledge about offshore wind energy. This will study the effects on both nature and the environment, as well as the technical aspects, such as turbine behavior and integration into the electricity grid. This will help to increase expertise for the construction of larger wind farms further out to sea.
"As a learning project this wind farm is important for the Netherlands and the whole offshore industry," said Rein Willems, President of Shell Nederland. "While Government subsidies remain critical for any industry in the early stages, the investment will bring economic competitiveness that much closer. And so the knowledge and experience we accumulate in this project will play a key role in making the ever increasing demand for energy even more sustainable."
The Dutch government is supporting the project financially under the Electricity Production (Environmental Quality) Act (MEP) along with a subsidy under the Ministry of Economic Affairs' CO2 Reduction Plan. Finally, the Energy Investment Incentive facility (EIA) (a tax allowance) also applies.
"The construction of the wind farm is fully in line with Nuon's policy to make the energy supply more sustainable and to expand energy production in its core countries of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany," said Ludo van Halderen, Chief Executive Officer of Nuon. "The wind farm off the coast of Egmond aan Zee offers a new opportunity for Dutch customers to access sustainable energy harnessed here in the Netherlands."
The initial construction work is planned at the end of 2005 with the installation of power cables between the grid connection point at Velsen and the wind farm's own transformer substation located on a site near the shore owned by Corus. The foundation piles of the wind turbines will be driven into the seabed during the spring of 2006, after which the wind turbines will be installed. Specialized ships will be used for this work.
June 10, 2005
Amsterdam, The Netherlands [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Shell and Dutch energy company Nuon have signed the final contracts for their joint collaboration of the first Dutch offshore wind farm, located at Egmond aan Zee, 10 miles outside the Dutch coast.
"As a learning project this wind farm is important for the Netherlands and the whole offshore industry."
- Rein Willems, President of Shell Nederland. NoordzeeWind (a 50/50 joint venture between Shell and Nuon) awarded the construction contract to Bouwcombinatie Egmond, a joint venture between Dutch offshore contractor Ballast Nedam and Danish wind-turbine manufacturer Vestas.
Thirty-six wind turbines with an overall capacity of 108 MW will be constructed 10 kM off the coast of Egmond aan Zee (the Netherlands). On a yearly basis, the wind turbines will generate enough electricity to meet the needs of more than 100,000 Dutch households. From the end of 2006, the wind farm will start generating sustainable energy, which Nuon will supply to the Dutch market. The project involves an investment in excess of EURO 200 million (USD $242 million).
The project is accompanied by a comprehensive research program designed to increase knowledge about offshore wind energy. This will study the effects on both nature and the environment, as well as the technical aspects, such as turbine behavior and integration into the electricity grid. This will help to increase expertise for the construction of larger wind farms further out to sea.
"As a learning project this wind farm is important for the Netherlands and the whole offshore industry," said Rein Willems, President of Shell Nederland. "While Government subsidies remain critical for any industry in the early stages, the investment will bring economic competitiveness that much closer. And so the knowledge and experience we accumulate in this project will play a key role in making the ever increasing demand for energy even more sustainable."
The Dutch government is supporting the project financially under the Electricity Production (Environmental Quality) Act (MEP) along with a subsidy under the Ministry of Economic Affairs' CO2 Reduction Plan. Finally, the Energy Investment Incentive facility (EIA) (a tax allowance) also applies.
"The construction of the wind farm is fully in line with Nuon's policy to make the energy supply more sustainable and to expand energy production in its core countries of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany," said Ludo van Halderen, Chief Executive Officer of Nuon. "The wind farm off the coast of Egmond aan Zee offers a new opportunity for Dutch customers to access sustainable energy harnessed here in the Netherlands."
The initial construction work is planned at the end of 2005 with the installation of power cables between the grid connection point at Velsen and the wind farm's own transformer substation located on a site near the shore owned by Corus. The foundation piles of the wind turbines will be driven into the seabed during the spring of 2006, after which the wind turbines will be installed. Specialized ships will be used for this work.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Shell Oil Plans World's Largest Wind Farm in U.K.
Shell, E.ON Plan World's Largest Wind Farm in U.K. (Update4)
June 7 (Bloomberg) -- Royal Dutch/Shell Group, E.ON AG and partners sought U.K. permission for the world's largest wind park, a 1.5 billion-pound ($2.75 billion) project big enough to serve one-fourth of London, as Prime Minister Tony Blair seeks to cut emissions linked to global warming.
The London Array project would have 270 turbines about 60 miles downstream from central London, in an estuary where the River Thames flows into the North Sea. The windmills 12 miles offshore, with a total of 1,000 megawatts of capacity, may be ready in 2011, the companies said in an e-mailed statement today.
The U.K., the windiest country in Europe, wants 10 percent of its power to come from renewable sources by 2010, and Blair has placed addressing climate change among his priorities while chairing the Group of Eight industrialized nations this year. A European Union program that started in January imposes costs on excess carbon dioxide emissions produced by burning fossil fuels.
``It would make a big difference if it went ahead,'' said Peter Bedson, a consultant with IPA Energy Consulting in Edinburgh. ``This is the sort of project needed if the government is going to meet its targets.''
Kyoto Accord
European Union nations and 35 other countries around the world agreed to cut carbon dioxide emissions, linked to climate change, under the Kyoto Protocol. As a result, European utilities starting this year have to pay a fine or buy emission credits if they pollute above a government-imposed cap. The cost of emissions credits has almost doubled in the past year, to 19.4 euros a ton ($24) for delivery in 2005.
Dusseldorf, Germany-based E.ON, the world's biggest publicly traded utility, will own a third of the project and Shell another third. The rest will be held by Core Ltd., a joint venture between Farm Energy and Denmark's Energi E2 A/S. The partners will share the investment in line with their equity stakes.
Shell, based in London and The Hague, said as many as 1.9 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year could be saved through the development. Shell's share of the investment in London Array will be as much as 500 million pounds ($916 million) spread over several years. The company's budget for renewable energy during 2003-2005 was $1 billion.
Shell started working on London Array with its partners in 2001 and announced in December 2003 that it had won the right to lease the offshore area for the project, without giving any estimate then for the overall cost.
Environmentalists, Birds
The project still needs regulatory approval. Regulators sometimes delay or reject such projects because they interfere with the natural landscape. Environmentalists also complain that windmills, which can be twice as tall as New York's Statue of Liberty, can also kill birds.
Such obstacles are likely to delay the U.K.'s government goal of generating 10 percent of power from renewable sources in 2010, said Michael Cupit, a director at consultants Ernst & Young in London.
``The target is unlikely to be met in 2010,'' Cupit said. ``It will probably be met one or two years after, basically because of the complex planning environment. It takes a long time for permission to be granted.''
Due to its location, the London Array project would have ``little visual impact'' from the coastline, according to today's statement.
Norwegian Project
Havgul AS, a Norwegian wind-power company, scrapped one of four planned wind parks after protests from local communities. The company still intends to build three wind parks off the coast of northwestern Norway with a combined capacity of 1,410 megawatts, according to its Web site.
Havgul's the three Norwegian parks, if approved, are unlikely to be completed before London Array, said Morten Thomsen, a spokesman for Energi E2.
Shares of Vestas Wind Systems A/S, the world's largest maker of wind turbines, rose 3.5 kroner, or 3.4 percent, to 106 kroner in Copenhagen. Gamesa Corporacion Tecnologica SA, the third- largest, rose 5 cents, or 0.4 percent, to 11.38 euros in Madrid.
Renewable energy sources will represent about 19 percent of the world's power generation in 10 years, compared with 18 percent today, even after more investment is made, according to a study by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, a consulting company.
Wind power is expensive, erratic and can't guarantee a secure of supply, E.ON said in its ``Wind Report 2004'' in October. Wind electricity can't be relied upon as a constant supplier of power because the masts, which can be as wide as a soccer field, only generate electricity when the wind blows.
``Due to their limited availability, wind power plants cannot replace the usual power station capacities to a significant degree, but can basically only save on fuel,'' the report said.
British Energy Group Plc's Sizewell nuclear station, in the southeastern coast of England, can generate electricity for 2 million people, while a U.K. wind farm can supply about 30,000.
`Political Will'
The growth in wind generation is based on ``political will,'' E.ON said in its report. Wind power generated 4 percent of Germany's electricity last year, while it represented 14 percent of its capacity, the report said.
``It's only through building more powerful wind farm sites such as this that we'll be able to reach the government's tough targets for renewable generation,'' Jason Scagell, director of E.ON U.K. Renewables, said in the statement today.
The U.S. Congress last year renewed a tax credit needed to make the wind plants cost-effective, leading the head of the wind- power business at General Electric Co. to call for a ``boom year'' expected in 2005 in the U.S., the world's largest energy-consuming country.
U.S., Germany
The Stateline wind farm, between the states of Washington and Oregon, is so far the largest wind farm in the world, with a maximum capacity of 300 megawatts, said Alison Hill, a spokeswoman with the British Wind Energy Association. Germany is the country with the most wind energy capacity in the world, followed by Spain, the U.S. and Denmark, Hill said.
The world's biggest offshore wind farm that's already in operation is Denmark's Nysted farm, which can produce 165 megawatts and is operated by Energi E2. The next largest is another Danish project, Horns Rev.
To contact the reporter on this story:
Elena Moya in London at moya@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: June 7, 2005 09:49 EDT
June 7 (Bloomberg) -- Royal Dutch/Shell Group, E.ON AG and partners sought U.K. permission for the world's largest wind park, a 1.5 billion-pound ($2.75 billion) project big enough to serve one-fourth of London, as Prime Minister Tony Blair seeks to cut emissions linked to global warming.
The London Array project would have 270 turbines about 60 miles downstream from central London, in an estuary where the River Thames flows into the North Sea. The windmills 12 miles offshore, with a total of 1,000 megawatts of capacity, may be ready in 2011, the companies said in an e-mailed statement today.
The U.K., the windiest country in Europe, wants 10 percent of its power to come from renewable sources by 2010, and Blair has placed addressing climate change among his priorities while chairing the Group of Eight industrialized nations this year. A European Union program that started in January imposes costs on excess carbon dioxide emissions produced by burning fossil fuels.
``It would make a big difference if it went ahead,'' said Peter Bedson, a consultant with IPA Energy Consulting in Edinburgh. ``This is the sort of project needed if the government is going to meet its targets.''
Kyoto Accord
European Union nations and 35 other countries around the world agreed to cut carbon dioxide emissions, linked to climate change, under the Kyoto Protocol. As a result, European utilities starting this year have to pay a fine or buy emission credits if they pollute above a government-imposed cap. The cost of emissions credits has almost doubled in the past year, to 19.4 euros a ton ($24) for delivery in 2005.
Dusseldorf, Germany-based E.ON, the world's biggest publicly traded utility, will own a third of the project and Shell another third. The rest will be held by Core Ltd., a joint venture between Farm Energy and Denmark's Energi E2 A/S. The partners will share the investment in line with their equity stakes.
Shell, based in London and The Hague, said as many as 1.9 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year could be saved through the development. Shell's share of the investment in London Array will be as much as 500 million pounds ($916 million) spread over several years. The company's budget for renewable energy during 2003-2005 was $1 billion.
Shell started working on London Array with its partners in 2001 and announced in December 2003 that it had won the right to lease the offshore area for the project, without giving any estimate then for the overall cost.
Environmentalists, Birds
The project still needs regulatory approval. Regulators sometimes delay or reject such projects because they interfere with the natural landscape. Environmentalists also complain that windmills, which can be twice as tall as New York's Statue of Liberty, can also kill birds.
Such obstacles are likely to delay the U.K.'s government goal of generating 10 percent of power from renewable sources in 2010, said Michael Cupit, a director at consultants Ernst & Young in London.
``The target is unlikely to be met in 2010,'' Cupit said. ``It will probably be met one or two years after, basically because of the complex planning environment. It takes a long time for permission to be granted.''
Due to its location, the London Array project would have ``little visual impact'' from the coastline, according to today's statement.
Norwegian Project
Havgul AS, a Norwegian wind-power company, scrapped one of four planned wind parks after protests from local communities. The company still intends to build three wind parks off the coast of northwestern Norway with a combined capacity of 1,410 megawatts, according to its Web site.
Havgul's the three Norwegian parks, if approved, are unlikely to be completed before London Array, said Morten Thomsen, a spokesman for Energi E2.
Shares of Vestas Wind Systems A/S, the world's largest maker of wind turbines, rose 3.5 kroner, or 3.4 percent, to 106 kroner in Copenhagen. Gamesa Corporacion Tecnologica SA, the third- largest, rose 5 cents, or 0.4 percent, to 11.38 euros in Madrid.
Renewable energy sources will represent about 19 percent of the world's power generation in 10 years, compared with 18 percent today, even after more investment is made, according to a study by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, a consulting company.
Wind power is expensive, erratic and can't guarantee a secure of supply, E.ON said in its ``Wind Report 2004'' in October. Wind electricity can't be relied upon as a constant supplier of power because the masts, which can be as wide as a soccer field, only generate electricity when the wind blows.
``Due to their limited availability, wind power plants cannot replace the usual power station capacities to a significant degree, but can basically only save on fuel,'' the report said.
British Energy Group Plc's Sizewell nuclear station, in the southeastern coast of England, can generate electricity for 2 million people, while a U.K. wind farm can supply about 30,000.
`Political Will'
The growth in wind generation is based on ``political will,'' E.ON said in its report. Wind power generated 4 percent of Germany's electricity last year, while it represented 14 percent of its capacity, the report said.
``It's only through building more powerful wind farm sites such as this that we'll be able to reach the government's tough targets for renewable generation,'' Jason Scagell, director of E.ON U.K. Renewables, said in the statement today.
The U.S. Congress last year renewed a tax credit needed to make the wind plants cost-effective, leading the head of the wind- power business at General Electric Co. to call for a ``boom year'' expected in 2005 in the U.S., the world's largest energy-consuming country.
U.S., Germany
The Stateline wind farm, between the states of Washington and Oregon, is so far the largest wind farm in the world, with a maximum capacity of 300 megawatts, said Alison Hill, a spokeswoman with the British Wind Energy Association. Germany is the country with the most wind energy capacity in the world, followed by Spain, the U.S. and Denmark, Hill said.
The world's biggest offshore wind farm that's already in operation is Denmark's Nysted farm, which can produce 165 megawatts and is operated by Energi E2. The next largest is another Danish project, Horns Rev.
To contact the reporter on this story:
Elena Moya in London at moya@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: June 7, 2005 09:49 EDT
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