By Ricardo Lopez
VIRGINIA BEACH
An offshore wind farm in Virginia Beach could create about 1,100 jobs and reduce the state’s dependence on nonrenewable energy with minimal environmental impacts, a task force concluded Monday.
Neil Rondorf of the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium outlined the benefits and economic viability of an offshore wind farm to city, state and energy industry leaders.
“The cost of a wind farm is fairly equitable to traditional fuels,” said Rondorf, whose consortium is made up of officials from universities, state and local municipalities, and energy industries.
“Current fuels will probably not stay at current prices, so while the initial investment for this farm would be high, it would pay off in the long run.”
The task force, created by Mayor Will Sessoms in April, is in the early stages of compiling research and economic models for potential investors for a wind farm project, officials said.
“We need to let potential investors know this a good place,” Sessoms said. “No funding is available at the moment, but we’re hoping to partner with the state and federal government to find funding like we did with the light rail.”
Economic projections can only give estimates on potential costs of the project, but the wind farm could cost upwards of $1.5 billion, Rondorf said.
“But you’re not going to be paying fuel costs down the road, just maintenance and operating costs,” he said.
The state’s natural resources make this a feasible project, he said. Virginia is one of ten states with shallow-water resource base that could comparably meet state energy demand, and the availability of necessary wind resources and a low risk of major hurricane strikes are other factors conducive to a wind farm. The project could potentially provide up to 20 percent of the state’s energy.
Eileen Levandoski, who attended Monday’s meeting, is Hampton Roads’ conservation coordinator for the Sierra Club. The organization works with the research consortium to give input on the potential effects on the environment.
“Offshore wind energy is clean and renewable and wouldn’t harm migratory bird species in the region,” she said.
The task force was created to look for new sources of renewable energy for the city and state, according to a news release.
Ricardo Lopez, (757) 222-5125, ricardo.lopez@pilotonline.com
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Wouldn't it be ironic.... part 2
You know. All the BS that private sector and business and industry has to contend with in order to get something done.
....And what about security? If we become reliant on this source, and others like it, wouldn't it be fairly easy for al Qaeda terrorists, anti-capitalist anarchists, or even the dreaded Somali pirates from repeatedly destroying, sabotaging, or seizing and holding hostage these sitting duck targets?
Are we going to have to patrol them, militarily? Add that cost into your proposal.
But the biggest thing is: when it comes to the building stage, how long will that take? What are we supposed to do in the meanwhile?
Wouldn't it be ironic...
... if these pie-in-the-sky "solar, wind, renewable" energy sources got shot down because of the traditional red tape normally associated with government projects: feasibility assessments, environmental impact studies, Army Corps/EPA/NOAA review, VIMS, Va.DEQ permitting, Homeland Security, US Navy impact statements?
Then, a "snail-darter" problem arises: interferes with whale migratory patterns; disrupts rockfish spawning; would destroy ancient coral reefs or endanger the rare "Great Mid-Atlantic Sucker" fish? Or the plan gets taken to court by the Edgar Casey Foundation for disrupting the natural aura of the coastal plain?
it never stops
another govamint boondoggle.........
Most of our electricity is
Most of our electricity is generated by coal and nuclear plants in this area. While the wind turbines are admirable they are not going to reduce our dependance on foriegn oil.
City will post presentation slides online
The City of Virginia Beach will post Monday night's presentation slides on its Web site soon under the "Hot Topics" page. The presentation lasted about an hour and included a lot of information that sadly cannnot all fit in a 400-word article. The presentation slides include many more details about the research into availability of wind resources, choosing the coast vs. mountain ridges for wind mill turbines and the cost comparison model. Furthermore, the meetings are public and will look at other forms of energy.
Future meetings will be take place on July 23 and Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
-Ricardo Lopez, Virginia Beach Reporter, The Virginian-Pilot
I've seen them
I recently traveled to Ireland and North East of Scotland and was amazed by all the windmills there. On prestine farm land and off shore in the North Sea. (talk about storms?!)
These were all built by GE and if you go to GE.com you can read how these windmills stand up to the storms. Ireland gets 60% of its energy from GE windmills. Isle of Skye has 11 GE windmills and that powers not only the whole island but the remainder goes to neighboring county. Just about all farmers have these windmills on their properties and harvest grain underneath or have their cattle underneath.
I would rather pay higher taxes and lower energy bills then pay higher fuel costs to some middle eastern or south american country!
re: ive seen them
Please substantiate your claims. This article throws your "facts" into the wind (pun intended):
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9888020-54.html
Some excerpts:
"Ireland's ultimate goal is to get 33 percent to 42 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020, a fairly high figure for an industrialized nation."
60% come from windmills?
"The capacity factory for onshore wind turbines--the measure of how much of the time the turbine is actually cranking out power--comes to 35 percent in Ireland. In Europe, the average is about 25 percent."
And just where do they get their power from then? Yep gas and/or coal fired plants (nuclear is illegal in Ireland).
And let’s not forget that Ireland and the UK have some of the best winds in the world. Our output from windmills would probably be half that.
1.5 billion to produce 15-18% of our electricity (and that is just start-up costs)? Ah ye suckers…..
AC
You don't have to leave the country to see these windmills in action... Atlantic City has 6 of them right next to the casinos... Western PA has many wind farms... Every time I see them they are churning away.
What about nuclear?
If this project will cost in excess of 1.5 billion and might produce 20% of our power what would be the cost of building additional nuclear reactors in the state to do the same thing. I have no problem doing a pilot project on this but I have to agree with others that if it was cost effective it would have already been done. Also the statement that once built it will not require fuel costs down the road is not really accurate. I would be interested to see the environmental impact and costs of the fuel that will be required to operate the fleet of support boats and ships that will be needed to maintain these wind turbines. I am all for alternative energy I would just like to see better numbers on it. Yesterday the white house touted new light bulb standards. The EPA has an entire page on how to decontaminate your home after one of these new bulbs breaks. It is basically a haz mat incident with mercury involved. Is this really cost effective and good for the environment.
re: What about nuclear?
russb757 wrote:
"I have no problem doing a pilot project on this..."
As a general rule I don't have a problem with a pilot program either. But before a dime is spent, I want to see their detailed analysis of the proposed site. Have they analyzed the average wind speeds in the proposed area over a 3-5 year time frame, hurricane probability using past predictability models, etc?
I'm a weather buff and check conditions at least 4 times daily. Look at how many times gale warnings are put out for coastal waters (it’s more prevalent than you think). The NWS defines gale force winds at 34 to 47 knots, the speed these windmills are shut down (search YouTube for windmill failure).
This proposal is nothing more than environmentalists with almost no empirical data trying to sell their snake oil to the ignorant masses.
Are the 1,100 jobs permanent
Are the 1,100 jobs permanent or are they just for putting up the towers?
Wind Power
It's about time we got moving on this (wind power)! IF you've been "reading up" on the subject then you know... It's a viable solution to our *energy crises* along with solar and many other "earth friendly" and renewable resources! I'm all for it!
Nonsense
So let me get this straight: the state wouldn't allow drilling for natural gas, which would have brought in huge tax revenues, but they will allow windmills which will require tax subsidies.
Just keep nodding your heads, sheeple.
Nonsense
So let me get this straight: the state wouldn't allow drilling for natural gas, which would have brought in huge tax revenues, but they will allow windmills which will require tax subsidies.
Just keep nodding your heads, sheeple.
Engineered for strength
They are built to harness wind - I'm sure multiple engineers will review the structures to withstand hurricane force winds.
The whole point of putting these in the ocean vs. mountain ridges is so they don't ruin the landscape and views. I assure you there would be outrage in western VA if the topic even got serious. Country boys with big trucks & heavy equipment are stronger than hurricane force winds.
wind yes, but seas?
I don't doubt they can handle some wind, but what about sea state 9? Katrina produced seas in excess of 40 feet. That's probably harder to engineer I would guess.
In the mountains, it ain't the country boys with big trucks that's slowing the wind salesmen down, and it's not the dozens of species of birds and bats that would be ground up, it is the super rich population that has settled the Blue Ridge and even Appalachains near Shenendoah. They have already made a significant impact on the beautiful vistas they moved there to enjoy without having 150' windmills lining every ridge. Plus, if it impacted tourism the rest of their counties would look alot more like Southwest Virginia, poor - depressed - run down - addicted.
In the Atlantic it seems to expensive, too difficult to bring the power back home. If you can see them from Va's Beaches they may look modern and futuristic at first, then they will get old and so will looking at them. It seems like a big vulnerability from a national security standpoint. It seems like politicians just want to get offshore sniffing around for kickbacks and votes.
two birds
Build oil rigs then mount the windmills on top.
Surf is up
Never mind the wind, harness the power of the near offshore swells. Perpetual energy courtesy of King Neptune.
The market has spoken
If this were a good idea, Dominion would have already built it using privately raised funds, for private profit.
If you can only raise the needed capital at the point of a gun (taxes) that is the market telling you it is not a paying proposition.
Please give us one example of a "public investment" that has paid back its capital with interest. If you can, then tell me why I have not gotten my dividend check.
Think before you post...
A) The Railroad system
B) The Interstate system
C) Hoover Dam
Come on man think before you post garbage...