University of Delware Creates Offshore Wind Power Group
BYLINE: Candice Evans
Staff Writer
The University of Delaware has created a working group on offshore wind power in the College of Marine Studies. The information below is based on the research and experience of the University of Delaware College of Marine and Earth Studies research group working on the topic.
Why is wind power being discussed now in Delaware?
The state has requested 400 megawatts of new power through a request for proposals via Delmarva Power and Light. The goals of the RFP are to provide stable electric power prices and environmental improvement, and to take advantage of new technologies. The state, assisted by Delmarva, will pick one by the end of February 2007.
How much electricity would Delaware offshore wind power create if fully exploited?
According to UD researchers, Delaware has an immense offshore wind energy resource. An analysis estimated that offshore wind would create more than five times the electricity use of the entire state of Delaware. If the resources were fully exploited, it would have a value of more than $2 billion per year at current electricity prices.
What about birds? Will it harm sea life?
Some wind generators have been put in areas that have caused significant bird or bat deaths. The average U.S. wind turbine kills 2.4 birds per year, fewer than are killed by other structures such as skyscrapers and communication towers. The research group's analysis has been only preliminary, but the three possible sites proposed appear to be well outside bird migration pathways. Studies of Danish offshore wind farms and projected impacts from the Cape Wind (Mass.) EIS show very little effect on sea life. The main effects are that a few species avoid the area, while others are attracted to it. By comparison, a single fossil fuel power plant can cause hundreds to literally billions of deaths of fish and other sea creatures per year.
What happens when the wind is not blowing?
Delaware's offshore wind is pretty steady. At the locations proposed, they would generate power 85 percent of the time.
Is wind only economic because it is subsidized by government?
In Delaware, small solar and wind installations qualify for the Green Energy Fund, which pays half their cost. No state subsidy will be given to this large, "utility-scale" offshore wind project. The tax credit for wind is shorter term and smaller than the tax breaks for nuclear power. As far as direct cash support, there are no federal subsidies for wind.
Who is bidding to build wind for Delaware?
The wind bidder in Delaware is Bluewater Wind. They have a tiny state office in the 25th district, in Delaware Technology Park (and a main office in the New York area). Their land-based sister company, Arcadia Wind Power, recently developed the 90-turbine Judith Gap project in Montana, which went on-line January 2006.
Why is Bluewater proposing three sites?
Because full public review and environmental assessment was not complete by the time of the bid submission deadline. Bluewater gave a bid with the specifications and pricing for three sites, and will build whichever one the state chooses.
How large would the proposed facility be?
The two Atlantic sites would have a maximum capacity of 600 MW. The whole facility can be installed in one construction season.
Overall, what are the negatives?
The power from this first facility will initially cost more than our existing supplies, and probably also more than IGCC coal. Although either form of new power will be blended in with existing power, either would raise the cost of electricity slightly in the initial years. Some people may not like to see anything on the ocean horizon other than ships. A few birds would be killed each year.
Overall, what are the positives?
The wind power price, although initially more expensive, would be almost constant over the 20- to 25- year life of the facility; coal and natural gas will have fuel price increases as well as expected carbon dioxide fees or taxes. By reducing the amount of fuel burned for electricity and thus reducing air pollution, the wind generators would improve health in Delaware and literally save lives. By being the first or one of the first U.S. offshore wind installations, Delaware would not only create jobs for this one installation but develop skilled tradespeople and business experience in an industry expected to continue growing rapidly.
How can I find out more information?
The Center for the Inland Bays will hold its regular Science and Technical Advisory Committee meeting Friday from 9 a.m. to noon in room 104 of the Cannon Lab at the Graduate College of Marine Studies in Lewes. Representatives from Bluewater Wind will present a proposal for the state regarding offshore wind power.