Hopes for wind power picking up in Virginia Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH

From a proposed offshore wind farm with whirling turbines as tall as The Westin in Town Center, to regulations for backyard and rooftop turbines, Virginia Beach is on a wind-to-energy binge.

Wind-farm boosters, despite the ailing economy, held a mini conference here this week to build momentum for the project. It was the first formal gathering of government officials, potential investors, manufacturers and scientists since the release of a February study that concluded the project is viable.

Touting the creation of green jobs, organizers said that converting wind to electricity could create a new industry in Hampton Roads. Some suggested that the closed Norfolk Ford Motor Co. plant would make a good turbine factory.

On a smaller scale, the city is developing an ordinance to allow turbines on homes and businesses. The idea is to allow roof-mounted or free standing wind mills in many zoning districts, including neighborhoods.

Getting government, business, environmental, military and scientific groups to work together is the next challenge for the offshore wind farm, said George Hagerman, a Virginia Tech scientist and director of research for the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, a state-funded academic group leading the project.

"We need to synchronize all these moving parts with slightly different agendas," he said.

Money is another issue, and probably the biggest obstacle. The estimated $1 billion project, envisioned 12 to 15 miles offshore roughly east of Back Bay, is unfunded.

"We're not going to get a big central government check to go and do this," said Tim Wilkins, who is a private consultant with Paliria Energy in Chesapeake and a consortium member.

Developing a stable manufacturing industry fed by a constant demand for wind-energy products is important to making the project work, advocates said.

For example, turbine manufactures won't set up shop in Virginia unless they can be guaranteed long-term business, said Neil Rondorf, a vice president of Science Applications International Corp., a consulting firm working on the project.

With an average wind speed of 10.4 mph, the ocean off Virginia Beach is well-suited for a wind farm, supporters said. At 12 miles offshore, the spinning turbines would be visible only on extremely clear days, researchers said.

One scenario envisions almost 200 turbines towering nearly 500 feet at their highest point.

There are no offshore wind farms in the United States, but Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island are working on projects.

The city supports the concept, Mayor Will Sessoms said.

"Look at the national level. The president is talking about it," he said. "Shame on Virginia Beach if we're not in a position to take advantage of it."

Advocates are seeking federal stimulus money.

Back on shore, resident Cindy Morey said she's been waiting for city regulations to install a small turbine on her home for electricity. Beach officials are working on an ordinance that will soon go to the Planning Commission and City Council.

Investing $5,000 to $10,000 in a home turbine to save money in the long run makes sense, Morey said. She said her electricity bill can run $500 a month.

"When you're paying the electric company, it's like an open wound," she said. "It bleeds money all the time."

Builder Allen Loree, chairman of the Tidewater Builders Association's Green Building Council, said that while turbines may not be appropriate for every homeowner, he looks forward to seeing them go mainstream.

"Obviously, I don't want to see one pop up in every backyard, but I don't want to see them only offshore and in Pungo," he said.

He suggested installing turbines on the boardwalk at the Oceanfront.

"They almost look like artwork," he said. "We could power the boardwalk 40 to 50 percent of the time."

Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122. aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com