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Southeastern Coastal Wind Conference Highlights Progress and Potential of Four Southeastern States

Posted on: March 28th, 2012 by shannon No Comments

Onshore wind development and manufacturing, as well as offshore wind planning, are happening on a broad scale in the United States though efforts in the Southern states are often overlooked.  Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia each have great stories to tell in terms of resource potential, supply chain and well-positioned markets, but when all four are considered together a much more compelling story emerges.

The shallow waters of the South Atlantic Bight and high wind speeds make the Southeast’s offshore wind resource the most cost-effective on the East Coast. The Southeast contains 63% of the East Coast shallow offshore wind resource and 45% of the total resource.  Onshore wind development is expanding in the region as well, as new technology allows for development in lower wind speed areas.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina and then Virginia represent the four states with the lowest estimated offshore wind construction costs on the East Coast.  In addition, an onshore wind manufacturing base exists despite very little onshore wind development in the region.  These manufacturing facilities can be expanded and their highly skilled workforce can be utilized to serve the offshore wind industry as well.  The region’s five world-class port facilities provide the infrastructure necessary to serve the needs of nearby offshore wind development as well as export components from local manufacturing facilities to neighboring states.

The Southeast’s excellent wind resources and  growing population are a natural fit that offers considerable opportunities to both wind developers and the citizens of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.  Over half of the population along the East Coast resides in the Southeast and, including Florida, it represents five of the six largest electricity markets of the eastern coastal states.  Looking into the future, the Southeast is well poised for further population and economic growth that will require new sources of electric generation.

The Southeastern US has the potential to be a long-term leader in East Coast wind energy supply chain and development. The region’s offshore wind resource is second to none, its electricity markets are some of largest and fastest growing on the East Coast, and the region boasts existing world-class supply chain infrastructure and highly-skilled, low-cost labor markets.  Each of these strengths and more were showcased at the Southeastern Coastal Wind Conference at the Charlotte Convention Center on March 8-9, 2012.

 

 

 Reposted from AWEA Wind Energy Weekly

Guidebook and Web-Based Tool Released to Aid in Best Use of Incentive Dollars for On-site Wind

Posted on: January 24th, 2012 by shannon No Comments


January 24, 2012

 

State and utility policy makers, county officials, and other interested stakeholders can now explore the best ways to improve the bottom line of consumer-owned wind turbines with a new Distributed Wind Policy Comparison Tool and accompanying Guidebook, available at www.windpolicytool.org. The Guidebook is also available through the U.S. Department of Energy Wind and Water Power Program online library at www1.eere.energy.gov/library/default.aspx?Page=9.

As part of a project funded by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Policy Tool uses a dashboard-interfaced pro forma financial model to calculate the impacts that rebates, tax credits, feed-in tariffs (FITs) and other incentives and policies have on project economics. The project helps address market challenges for distributed wind identified in the U.S. DOE “20% Wind Energy by 2030” report, available at www.20percentwind.org, as part of a diverse clean energy portfolio.

Users will learn what policy improvements – including overcoming zoning and interconnection hurdles, as well as rebates and tax incentives driving sales – are most needed for wind turbines up to 100 kW, and in which states. The Policy Tool allows sensitivity analyses to be conducted on various policy options and assumptions to determine impacts and optimal combinations to help guide efficient use of public and ratepayer funds.

The Guidebook highlights attractive markets and policy targets that offer the quickest returns on investment, by providing case studies, encouraging policy makers to build on lessons learned with best practices to sustain and improve support for on-site wind generation. Case studies are included to compare and contrast the existing policy landscape. One case study evaluates all states based on their current incentives and market environments for distributed wind.

Led by eFormative Options, experts from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and the North Carolina Solar Center all played key roles in the project. “With increasing use of electric vehicles, wind turbines sited near the point of end use, such as at parking lots and truck stops, can quickly ramp-up to meet local demand,” said eFormative’s Principal Heather Rhoads-Weaver. “Our project helps ensure public dollars supporting this valuable technology are spent wisely.”

While rebates and incentives have been important drivers for the adoption of distributed wind technology, other policies have hindered market growth. With the wide variety of policies and regulations across various jurisdictional levels, utilities and policy makers wanting to support small wind projects have needed the clear roadmap that the Policy Tool and Guidebook provide.

According to the American Wind Energy Association, the market for small wind systems grew 26% in 2010. “Small wind turbines are poised to become an important piece of our country’s energy puzzle,” said Rhoads-Weaver. “Strategic policy support can enable this emerging technology to more effectively contribute to the national economy.”

 

ABOUT EFORMATIVE OPTIONS

eFormative Options offers expertise in forming and advancing sustainable endeavors, evaluating economic development impacts, and siting, zoning and policy recommendations. Launched in 2005, eFormative consults on project and organizational development, grant writing, creating funding and resource plans, market analysis, public affairs, communications, consensus-building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders. www.eformativeoptions.com

 

ABOUT THE NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY

National Renewable Energy Laboratory develops renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices, advances related science and engineering, and transfers knowledge and innovations to address the nation’s energy and environmental goals. NREL has forged a focused strategic direction to increase its impact on the U.S. Department of Energy’s and our nation’s energy goals by accelerating the research path from scientific innovations to market-viable energy solutions. NREL began operating in 1977 as the Solar Energy Research Institute, and is managed for DOE by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. www.nrel.gov

 

ABOUT THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONAL LABORATORY

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is a Department of Energy Office of Science national laboratory where interdisciplinary teams advance science and technology and deliver solutions to America’s most intractable problems in energy, the environment and national security. PNNL employs 4,800 staff, has an annual budget of nearly $1.1 billion, and has been managed by Ohio-based Battelle since the lab’s inception in 1965. Follow PNNL on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. www.pnnl.gov

 

ABOUT THE NORTH CAROLINA SOLAR CENTER

Created in 1988, the North Carolina Solar Center, as part of the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University (NCSU), works closely with state and local government and the renewable energy industry. It manages and maintains the NCSU Solar House and serves as a resource for innovative, green energy technologies through research and demonstration, technical assistance, education, outreach and training. It also administers the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE), a resource providing financial incentives and policies. www.ncsc.ncsu.edu

 

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

In order to promote national security, economic vitality, and environmental quality, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy works to enable rapid expansion of clean, affordable, reliable, domestic wind power through its Wind and Water Power Program. This program works with national laboratories, industry, universities, and other federal agencies to conduct research and development activities through competitively selected, cost-shared projects. www.eere.energy.gov and https://www1.eere.energy.gov/wind

 
Contacts:

Shannon Helm, N.C. Solar Center, 919-423-8340, shannon_helm@ncsu.edu
Heather Rhoads-Weaver, 206-755-2064, hrw@eformativeoptions.com
Franny White, PNNL, 509-375-6904, franny.white@pnnl.gov

Save-the-date! Southeastern Coastal Wind Conference, March 8th-9th, 2012

Posted on: December 20th, 2011 by shannon No Comments

The 2012 Southeastern Coastal Wind Conference is a first-of-its-kind event that highlights Southeastern assets for wind energy deployment within the region. The conference is a collaborative effort involving more than 40 regional stakeholders from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Topics will include the region’s supply chain, resource, and market strengths to educate decision makers about costs, benefits, and policy options for wind energy. Offshore and coastal onshore wind energy will be discussed at this conference with a concentration on offshore wind energy.

 

Learn about the region with:

  • The largest offshore wind resource on the East Coast
  • The lowest cost wind energy supply chain solution
  • Over half of the East Coast’s electricity demand

 

Network with developers, policymakers, manufacturers, and industry leaders to envision and plan for the future of wind energy in the Southeast.

 

Location: Charlotte Convention Center

Dates: March 8th-9th, 2012

Join the conference mailing list  to stay up-to-date on all of the details!

Public Forums: Offshore Wind in North Carolina: The Basics, Government Perspectives and Utility Perspectives

Posted on: December 12th, 2011 by shannon No Comments

North Carolina has the #1 offshore wind resource on the East Coast and efforts are underway to bring offshore wind energy development to the state.  The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s North Carolina Offshore Renewable Energy Task Force is identifying suitable lease sites in federal waters with the input of local, state and federal stakeholders.  Forum attendees will learn about the basics of offshore wind energy and the benefits for North Carolina, the political support for offshore wind in North Carolina, the potential for interconnecting offshore wind into North Carolina’s electricity grid and the ongoing utility studies for offshore wind.

 

Brunswick County Public Forum

December 12, 2011

7:00pm – 9:00pm

South Brunswick Islands Center

9400 Ocean Highway West

Calabash, NC 28467

 

Speakers:

Tate Johnson, Governor’s Eastern Office

Larry Shirley, NC Department of Commerce

Jen Banks, NC Solar Center

Mark Byrd, Progress Energy

Christopher Fallon, Duke Energy

 

Onslow County Public Forum

December 13, 2011

7:00pm – 9:00pm

Jacksonville City Hall Council Chambers

815 New Bridge Street

Jacksonville, NC 28540

 

Speakers:

Tate Johnson, Governor’s Eastern Office

Brian O’Hara, NC Offshore Wind Coalition

Larry Shirley, NC Department of Commerce

Jen Banks, NC Solar Center

Mark Byrd, Progress Energy

Christopher Fallon, Duke Energy

 

Sponsors:

    

 

N.C. Solar Center staff presenting at the NC Beach, Inlet and Waterway Association’s annual conference

Posted on: November 15th, 2011 by shannon

The North Carolina Solar Center is participating in the North Carolina Beach, Inlet and Waterway Association’s annual conference November 14th in Wrightsville Beach. The offshore wind panel will be moderated by the Sierra Club’s Sarah King and speakers will be Brian O’Hara with the North Carolina Offshore Wind Coalition, Jen Banks with the North Carolina Solar Center and Jim Leutze, Chancellor Emeritus of UNC Wilmington and a member of the Governor’s Scientific Advisory Panel on Offshore Energy.

Offshore Wind

Posted on: April 17th, 2011 by brianb

The United States does not currently have any offshore wind projects in place, but approximately 5,000 megawatts (MW) are proposed in the oceans and in the Great Lakes.  Nearly 78 percent of the U.S. population lives in the 28 coastal states, so the proximity to this demand makes offshore wind an excellent option for these states.  With the sea breeze effect, in which the winds over the ocean blow during the daytime, offshore wind can line up with daytime peak electricity demands.  The U.S. can learn from the European experience of installing over 2900 MW of offshore wind in the last 20 years.  In February 2011, the Department of Energy and the Department of the Interior announced a National Offshore Wind Strategy, which is designed to support offshore wind deployment of 10 gigawatts (GW) by 2020 and 54 GW by 2030.  Of that 54 GW, 10 GW is projected to be offshore from North Carolina.

North Carolina has exceptional offshore wind resources – in fact, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates show that N.C.’s offshore wind potential is higher than any other East Coast state.  North Carolina is moving forward with efforts to bring offshore wind to the state through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s North Carolina Offshore Renewable Energy Task Force.  The Task Force consists of state, federal, local and tribal government representatives coordinating efforts to facilitate commercial leasing for renewable energy on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore from North Carolina.  Three meetings of the Task Force have taken place in 2011 to identify suitable lease sites and efforts are underway to prepare a Call for Interest for selected leasing sites.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory: NC offshore wind resource map at 90 meters height

National Renewable Energy Laboratory: NC offshore wind resource map at 90 meters height

 

Learn More

European Wind Energy Association EWEA Data Sheet Offshore Wind Energy

DOI and DOE National Offshore Wind Strategy

National Renewable Energy Laboratory – Assessment of offshore wind energy resources for the United States, June 2010

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management State Activities

 

Onshore Wind

Posted on: April 17th, 2011 by brianb

North Carolina has great onshore wind resources – both in the mountains and at the coast.  The Department of Energy’s (DOE) potential scenario for reaching 20 percent of the U.S. electricity needs with wind by 2030 includes North Carolina as one of only eight states with over 10 gigawatts (GW) of wind energy capacity installed.  This capacity would include both offshore and onshore wind, but the reality of this scenario happening in North Carolina will be based on land-use decisions and policies for wind development over the next 20 years.  Based on 2010 estimates from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, North Carolina has an onshore wind resource of 1500 megawatts (MW) for sites with potential capacity factors of 30 percent or greater.

The economic development potential from onshore wind for North Carolina is substantial.  Based on DOE estimates, if N.C. were to have 1,000 MW of wind development, it would create 1,628 direct jobs during the construction phase and then 243 new direct long term jobs.  The cumulative economic benefit to N.C. for construction and 20 years of operation for this wind energy would be $1.1 billion from jobs, lease payments, increased tax revenue, indirect benefits (for example – revenue for companies that support the wind development) and induced benefits (for example – increased spending in the surrounding community).  North Carolina has the potential to increase these benefits if North Carolina manufacturing facilities were to supply the turbine components.

With a project recently proposed by Iberdrola Renewables, North Carolina is on the way to having its first utility scale wind turbines.  The 300 MW project, which would be located in Pasquotank and Perquimans Counties, is expected to provide enough electricity to power 55,000 to 70,000 homes.  Since the project will be sited on 20,000 acres of private land, the lease payments to local landowners could be up to $1 million per year for the next 20 – 25 years.  In addition to these lease payments, the landowners will be able to continue to farm the land around the turbines.  The construction of the project is anticipated to begin in late 2011 or early 2012 and would create over 400 jobs for the local community.

Expected economic benefits from 1000 MW of wind in NC.

Expected economic benefits from 1000 MW of wind in NC.

2010 NREL map of NC wind resource at 80 meters height

2010 NREL map of NC wind resource at 80 meters height

 

Learn More

 

Wind Energy

Posted on: April 17th, 2011 by brianb

Wind energy development is growing rapidly in the United States, with utility scale projects installed in 37 states as of 2010.  The U.S. wind energy industry had a record setting year in 2009 with the installation of 10,000 megawatts (MW) to bring the cumulative capacity to over 35,000 MW by the end of that year.  Due to the lack of national long term policies supporting wind energy, the installations for 2010 dropped down to near 2007 levels with a total of approximately 5000 MW installed.  Despite this drop in installations, there are over 40,000 MW of wind energy projects in the U.S. as of the end of 2010 – making the U.S. second only to China in total installed capacity.

Currently, wind energy accounts for about 2% of the U.S. electricity production, but the potential is much larger.  The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimates that the U.S. onshore wind potential is over 10,000 gigawatts (GW) in areas with capacity factors at or above 30 percent.  For offshore wind, the Department of Interior estimates that over 4,000 GW of offshore wind potential exist in the oceans and Great Lakes.  Only a portion of this potential will be necessary for wind energy to supply a substantial portion of the U.S.’s electricity needs.  The Department of Energy’s 20% Wind Energy by 2030 report determined that it would require approximately 300 GW of wind capacity, including 54 GW of offshore wind, for wind to reach 20% of the U.S. electricity needs in the year 2030.

Aside from the many environmental benefits of wind energy – including improved air quality and water savings from the energy sector – communities across the country are excited about wind energy’s economic development potential.  As of 2009, the wind industry supported 85,000 jobs over all 50 states and by 2010 there were nearly 400 American manufacturing facilities for wind energy components.

 

 

 

Learn More

 

Energy Potential by State

 

Wind Energy Facts and Resources:

 

This wind farm has a chance

Posted on: April 5th, 2011 by admin No Comments

Story by: Raleigh News & Observer

A proposal to build a 300-megawatt wind energy farm in the northeast corner of North Carolina has so far cleared a major milestone that has long eluded wind power in this state: It has generated no organized opposition.

Indeed, the lack of controversy prompted the N.C. Utilities Commission to cancel a portion of today’s public hearings in Raleigh that had been set aside to hear expert testimony from accountants and engineers.

Instead, the commission will hear from citizens about the proposal to erect up to 150 turbines, each structure nearly 500 feet tall from ground level to outstretched blade tip, on 31 square miles of farmland.

The $600 million Desert Wind Energy Project near Elizabeth City in Pasquotank and Perquimans counties would be the state’s first commercial-scale wind farm and one of the biggest in the nation. It would generate enough electricity to power between 55,000 and 70,000 homes.

Much smaller proposals in this state had been withdrawn in recent years, facing contentious opposition campaigns and public protests. The state legislature attempted to ban large-scale wind projects in the Appalachian Mountains, and coastal Carteret County enacted a moratorium on wind turbines.

Now, after two years of planning, the sprawling Desert Wind Energy Project is still alive and pending before a dozen government agencies, but it has yet to receive its first permit from federal, state or local authorities.

Construction, which would take nearly a year, would employ more than 400 workers, and the project would be operated and maintained by a crew of about 20, earning an average annual wage of $80,000.

Iberdrola, the Spanish company that’s proposing to develop the wind farm, has built more than 40 large wind farms in the U.S. over the past decade. Coastal North Carolina is considered to have some of the choicest wind resources on the East Coast, and Iberdrola is considering other parts of the state for development potential if it can successfully develop its Desert Wind project.

“North Carolina, in particular the area where we’re looking, meets the criteria we look for in any project,” said Iberdrola spokesman Paul Copleman. “People haven’t seen these before, they’re new to the state, and that inevitably raises questions on what it means to operate a wind farm.”

Not a tourist in sight

Iberdrola, the world’s largest wind developer, first set up wind monitors in 2009 to test wind speeds. It has held community meetings and participated in public hearings.

Unlike previous wind farm developers, Iberdrola has stayed clear of tourist areas and focused on sparsely populated tracts. The scrubland identified for the proposed wind farm is locally known as The Desert.

“If you drive out there you would think you were in Kansas,” said Wayne Harris, director of the region’s Albemarle Economic Development Commission. “It’s just absolutely flat, and there’s nothing but farmland.”

The company, operating in the U.S. through its Oregon-based subsidiary called Atlantic Wind, expects to spend the rest of the year seeking approval from a half-dozen N.C. agencies, including the N.C. Utilities Commission and the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Plus, Iberdrola has to get clearance from a pair of federal agencies as well as three branches of the U.S. armed forces.

Iberdrola will have to assure authorities the giant wind turbines don’t interfere with wildlife habitats, bird migration patterns or military flight routes, among other concerns.

The Iberdrola project would benefit from a federal cash grant that would cover 30 percent of the cost. At the earliest, construction would begin late this year and be completed at the end of 2012.

A boon to farmers

Iberdrola does not yet have customers lined up to buy the electricity it plans to generate, but the company is in discussions with Progress Energy, Duke Energy and other regional power suppliers for possible long-term power contracts. The utilities are all required by state law to buy renewable electricity generated by wind, sunshine and agricultural waste.

“Our initial assessment is that the project is economically viable and would provide renewable energy for our customers at a competitive price,” Progress spokesman Mike Hughes said.

Among those benefiting from the project will be farmers who allow Iberdrola to erect the towers on their property. Each tower will generate about $6,000 in annual rental income for the property owner, and the farmers will be able to continue working their land around the structures.

“For the farmers, these wind farms are a tremendous windfall,” Harris said.