...but EU going for offshore renewable energy
New wind turbine technology out of Denmark can “see” the wind before it arrives and aim itself accordingly.
The wind turbine technology, called wind LIDAR and designed by Risø DTU researchers, has a laser-based anemometer built into the spinner. With this upgrade, a wind turbine can identify when gusts of wind are coming and can also predict the direction of the wind.
As a result, energy production can be maximized and wind turbines can live longer. Reminds me of that old saying, “work smart, not hard.” Of course, has to make you think of Avatar as well (if you’ve seen it).
Lars Fuglsang, Global Research Director of LM Glasfiber, says, “The LIDAR system can be used to increase blade reliability by making the blades cope better with the irregularities of the wind. Subsequently it is possible to produce larger blades. This increases energy production, and power from wind energy becomes more competitive.”
With wind energy being perhaps the fastest-growing type of energy in the US, this is a hopeful new development.
Related Stories:
1) Europe Unites to Invest $40 Billion in Huge Off-Shore Renewable Energy Super-Grid
2) WePower Holds Popular Training Class for Small Wind Turbine Dealers
3) How to Calculate Cost Per Kilowatt-hour of a Small Wind Power Install
4) Mass Megawatts Could Bring More Efficient Wind Power to Ski Resorts
From cleantechnica.com
Friday, January 8, 2010
Energy Bills to Rise
From mailonline
Energy bills will rise to fund £75bn 'dash for wind power' as Britain tries to hit climate targets
By Anny Shaw
Last updated at 11:13 PM on 08th January 2010
Comments (52) Add to My Stories
Energy bills will rise to pay for a £75billion plan to build 6,400 giant wind turbines around the coast.
The scheme would see the equivalent of two windmills - each one rising 500ft above the sea - going up every day between now and 2020, making it one of the biggest engineering projects in recent history.
The 'dash for wind' is being fuelled by climate change targets set by Europe. By 2020, Britain must generate 15 per cent of all energy used on fuel, transport and electricity from 'renewable' sources.
The Government says the new farms, which will be paid for by gas and electricity consumers in higher fuel bills over the next decade, will generate up to a quarter of Britain's energy needs, enough electricity for every home in the country.
But critics warned that the plans were unrealistic, deeply flawed and would leave the UK dangerously dependent on wind to keep the lights burning.
Energy bills will rise to fund £75bn 'dash for wind power' as Britain tries to hit climate targets
By Anny Shaw
Last updated at 11:13 PM on 08th January 2010
Comments (52) Add to My Stories
Energy bills will rise to pay for a £75billion plan to build 6,400 giant wind turbines around the coast.
The scheme would see the equivalent of two windmills - each one rising 500ft above the sea - going up every day between now and 2020, making it one of the biggest engineering projects in recent history.
The 'dash for wind' is being fuelled by climate change targets set by Europe. By 2020, Britain must generate 15 per cent of all energy used on fuel, transport and electricity from 'renewable' sources.
The Government says the new farms, which will be paid for by gas and electricity consumers in higher fuel bills over the next decade, will generate up to a quarter of Britain's energy needs, enough electricity for every home in the country.
But critics warned that the plans were unrealistic, deeply flawed and would leave the UK dangerously dependent on wind to keep the lights burning.
Defence Minister Questions Power Deal
From the CBC news
Defence Minister Peter MacKay, the senior cabinet minister for Atlantic Canada, is questioning the wisdom of the New Brunswick-Quebec power deal.
MacKay told CBC News on Friday that the deal is a "short-term fix" for the region's green energy needs.
"I think a larger view of that would tell us perhaps there are better alternatives to what the Quebec-New Brunswick deal has put forward," MacKay said in Halifax.
"Of course, the government of New Brunswick, in pursuing this, I believe still [has] a lot of consultation, a lot of information to share, and a little bit of explaining to do. So, I'm keeping my powder dry as far as my personal views on this. I think we could use, in my opinion, a broader examination of green energy sources for Atlantic Canada."
On Oct. 29, Quebec and New Brunswick announced they had reached a proposed deal that would see Hydro-Québec buy the majority of NB Power's assets for $4.8 billion.
"Taxpayers and ratepayers are the big winners today," New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham said on the day of the announcement. "NB Power's $4.8-billion debt will no longer be a risk for our future generations.
Premiers want written guarantee
Since then, Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams have argued that Quebec could block the transmission of competing sources of electricity to the United States.
Both premiers have demanded a written guarantee that New Brunswick will allow power from other Atlantic provinces to flow into markets in New England.
MacKay did not refer directly to their objections but he pointed out that the region is developing its own sources of renewable energy, including Fundy tidal power and the proposed Lower Churchill Project in Labrador.
“There are many, many sources of green energy that could be bundled, put in an energy grid for the benefit of our people, our province, and arguably for export to the eastern seaboard of the United States," he said.
“I think a larger view of that would tell us that perhaps there are better alternatives to what the Quebec-New Brunswick deal has put forward. But, in short, we need more information about that, we need a more inclusive discussion and I think Atlantic Canada’s interest would be better served with that type of discussion.”
Graham said Friday that he has been assured by Prime Minister Stephen Harper that Ottawa was staying out of the issue.
Harper joined Graham at a ceremony in St. Stephen, inaugurating a new border crossing between Maine and New Brunswick.
Not Ottawa's business, Graham says
"In my discussions with him, Prime Minister Harper was very clear that the energy sector is the responsibility of the provincial government," Graham said. "When the final deal is brought forward you are going to see opportunities for all of the Atlantic provinces to benefit."
The NB Power deal is scheduled to be finalized in March.
In December, a junior federal cabinet minister said Ottawa is closely watching the debate on the sale of NB Power to Hydro-Québec.
But Keith Ashfield, the minister of state responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, said he wasn't sure whether the federal government has the ability to intervene.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay, the senior cabinet minister for Atlantic Canada, is questioning the wisdom of the New Brunswick-Quebec power deal.
MacKay told CBC News on Friday that the deal is a "short-term fix" for the region's green energy needs.
"I think a larger view of that would tell us perhaps there are better alternatives to what the Quebec-New Brunswick deal has put forward," MacKay said in Halifax.
"Of course, the government of New Brunswick, in pursuing this, I believe still [has] a lot of consultation, a lot of information to share, and a little bit of explaining to do. So, I'm keeping my powder dry as far as my personal views on this. I think we could use, in my opinion, a broader examination of green energy sources for Atlantic Canada."
On Oct. 29, Quebec and New Brunswick announced they had reached a proposed deal that would see Hydro-Québec buy the majority of NB Power's assets for $4.8 billion.
"Taxpayers and ratepayers are the big winners today," New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham said on the day of the announcement. "NB Power's $4.8-billion debt will no longer be a risk for our future generations.
Premiers want written guarantee
Since then, Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams have argued that Quebec could block the transmission of competing sources of electricity to the United States.
Both premiers have demanded a written guarantee that New Brunswick will allow power from other Atlantic provinces to flow into markets in New England.
MacKay did not refer directly to their objections but he pointed out that the region is developing its own sources of renewable energy, including Fundy tidal power and the proposed Lower Churchill Project in Labrador.
“There are many, many sources of green energy that could be bundled, put in an energy grid for the benefit of our people, our province, and arguably for export to the eastern seaboard of the United States," he said.
“I think a larger view of that would tell us that perhaps there are better alternatives to what the Quebec-New Brunswick deal has put forward. But, in short, we need more information about that, we need a more inclusive discussion and I think Atlantic Canada’s interest would be better served with that type of discussion.”
Graham said Friday that he has been assured by Prime Minister Stephen Harper that Ottawa was staying out of the issue.
Harper joined Graham at a ceremony in St. Stephen, inaugurating a new border crossing between Maine and New Brunswick.
Not Ottawa's business, Graham says
"In my discussions with him, Prime Minister Harper was very clear that the energy sector is the responsibility of the provincial government," Graham said. "When the final deal is brought forward you are going to see opportunities for all of the Atlantic provinces to benefit."
The NB Power deal is scheduled to be finalized in March.
In December, a junior federal cabinet minister said Ottawa is closely watching the debate on the sale of NB Power to Hydro-Québec.
But Keith Ashfield, the minister of state responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, said he wasn't sure whether the federal government has the ability to intervene.
Turbine Interferes with Aviation
By Curt Brown
cbrown@s-t.com
January 08, 2010 12:00 AM
DARTMOUTH — The Federal Aviation Administration has ruled that one of two wind turbines proposed for town-owned land off Chase Road is a hazard to air traffic and must be lowered.
The FAA's review found that the height of the north turbine — which measures 462 feet from the tip of the blade to the ground — "exceeds obstruction standards and/or would have an adverse physical or electromagnetic interference" upon air traffic. The north turbine would be located 5½ miles south of the New Bedford Regional Airport.
The FAA recommends lowering the height to 417 feet.
However, the FAA suggests the town could hire an engineering firm to do ground elevations and, if the findings meet with their satisfaction, they would allow a height of 428 feet.
Dr. Ronald DiPippo, chairman of the town's Alternative Energy Committee, said the height of the pole to the hub would have to be reduced to 293 feet from 328 feet to achieve a maximum height of 428 feet, or to 282 feet for a maximum height of 417 feet.
The ruling only applies to the north turbine. The town's application for the south turbine is pending with the FAA.
Select Board Chairman Joseph L. Michaud said the town will conduct a site survey and attempt to win FAA approval for a height of 428 feet.
Michaud said he is confident the FAA will approve the south turbine at a height of 462 feet because it would be located farther from the airport than the north turbine.
The ruling, which is expected to reduce the project's economic benefits because the stronger winds are at higher elevations, was greeted with some disappointment but also acceptance.
"I can certainly live with 428 (feet). The economics are still certainly excellent," DiPippo said. "One hundred or 90 (meters) is a small difference. The project is still stupendous."
"I'm disappointed, but they made a decision for safety reasons," said Select Board member Lara H. Stone. "What are you going to do? They are doing their job."
"I'm not surprised. We figured there would be some adjustments to the project," Michaud said. "It's not a major adjustment and it should be more favorable with the people who have concerns about the height."
DiPippo said the savings to the town on electricity would be $510,000 in the first year if the FAA allows two turbines with 293-foot hubs. He said the benefit would have been about $100,000 higher with 328-foot hubs.
David Costa, one of a group of neighbors who are opposed to the project, was pleased with the news, saying he prefers smaller turbines.
However, he said his main concern was the location of the turbines and he believes there should be a larger buffer zone between the structures and homes.
The FAA's ruling does not change the location of the turbines.
The announcement of the FAA's decision comes on the heels of the unanimous approval Monday night by the Select Board of a special permit for two 100-meter (328-foot hub) turbines.
Town officials said they will not have to refile the permit application, explaining the motion to approve the turbines was for any height up to a maximum approved by the FAA.
Michaud and Stone said the FAA's decision will also not affect the Select Board's decision to seek borrowing authority at a special Town Meeting on Jan. 26 to finance the purchase of the turbines. They said they will proceed with the town's request for Town Meeting approval to borrow the money for the turbines.
cbrown@s-t.com
January 08, 2010 12:00 AM
DARTMOUTH — The Federal Aviation Administration has ruled that one of two wind turbines proposed for town-owned land off Chase Road is a hazard to air traffic and must be lowered.
The FAA's review found that the height of the north turbine — which measures 462 feet from the tip of the blade to the ground — "exceeds obstruction standards and/or would have an adverse physical or electromagnetic interference" upon air traffic. The north turbine would be located 5½ miles south of the New Bedford Regional Airport.
The FAA recommends lowering the height to 417 feet.
However, the FAA suggests the town could hire an engineering firm to do ground elevations and, if the findings meet with their satisfaction, they would allow a height of 428 feet.
Dr. Ronald DiPippo, chairman of the town's Alternative Energy Committee, said the height of the pole to the hub would have to be reduced to 293 feet from 328 feet to achieve a maximum height of 428 feet, or to 282 feet for a maximum height of 417 feet.
The ruling only applies to the north turbine. The town's application for the south turbine is pending with the FAA.
Select Board Chairman Joseph L. Michaud said the town will conduct a site survey and attempt to win FAA approval for a height of 428 feet.
Michaud said he is confident the FAA will approve the south turbine at a height of 462 feet because it would be located farther from the airport than the north turbine.
The ruling, which is expected to reduce the project's economic benefits because the stronger winds are at higher elevations, was greeted with some disappointment but also acceptance.
"I can certainly live with 428 (feet). The economics are still certainly excellent," DiPippo said. "One hundred or 90 (meters) is a small difference. The project is still stupendous."
"I'm disappointed, but they made a decision for safety reasons," said Select Board member Lara H. Stone. "What are you going to do? They are doing their job."
"I'm not surprised. We figured there would be some adjustments to the project," Michaud said. "It's not a major adjustment and it should be more favorable with the people who have concerns about the height."
DiPippo said the savings to the town on electricity would be $510,000 in the first year if the FAA allows two turbines with 293-foot hubs. He said the benefit would have been about $100,000 higher with 328-foot hubs.
David Costa, one of a group of neighbors who are opposed to the project, was pleased with the news, saying he prefers smaller turbines.
However, he said his main concern was the location of the turbines and he believes there should be a larger buffer zone between the structures and homes.
The FAA's ruling does not change the location of the turbines.
The announcement of the FAA's decision comes on the heels of the unanimous approval Monday night by the Select Board of a special permit for two 100-meter (328-foot hub) turbines.
Town officials said they will not have to refile the permit application, explaining the motion to approve the turbines was for any height up to a maximum approved by the FAA.
Michaud and Stone said the FAA's decision will also not affect the Select Board's decision to seek borrowing authority at a special Town Meeting on Jan. 26 to finance the purchase of the turbines. They said they will proceed with the town's request for Town Meeting approval to borrow the money for the turbines.
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