Update on Wind Power on WDEL Today
I'm going back on the air with Allan Loudell of WDEL at 12:45 to talk about the latest on wind power in (or near) Delaware. I plan to discuss some of the problems kavips dug up with Delmarva Power's onshore wind power contract.
Delmarva Power president Gary Stockbridge claims that the onshore wind from a company called Synergics could come online in 18 months. But the Maryland Daily Record reports that it hasn't been smooth sailing for the company:
Delmarva Power president Gary Stockbridge claims that the onshore wind from a company called Synergics could come online in 18 months. But the Maryland Daily Record reports that it hasn't been smooth sailing for the company:
Synergics has been trying to get the turbines constructed since 2003, when it applied for a certificate of public convenience notice — approval needed in order to build any type of generation in the state — with the Maryland Public Service Commission. The projects were on track to move forward, but they got held up because of environmental concerns last year.The company still needs approval from federal state and local regulators. Recently passed legislation has removed some of the regulatory roadblocks, but other remain:
Instead, the company needs authorization to build based on whether the transmission lines can move the energy.The News Journal reports that Delmarva Power isn't even trying to match the terms of the Bluewater Wind contract:
Delmarva, which wants to buy about 160 megawatts of onshore wind power...The Bluewater contract is for 300 megawatts. And even that comparison is shaky, given that onshore wind is less reliable than offshore wind. An onshore wind turbine will not generate as many megawatt hours as a comparable offshore turbine.
posted by Tom Noyes at 12:10 PM
3 Comments:
The ironic point often missed in the give and take, is that since only 100 MW of cheap onshore wind power will ever be part of our grid.....this cheaper option of windpower, WILL COST US MORE MONEY STARTING IMMEDIATELY, THAN BLUEWATER WIND'S PROPOSAL.
Why?
Because it increases the percentage of very high costing carbon fuels that are rising daily even higher...
A full analysis plus graphs is posted here.........
The truth behind Delmarva's last great hope to discredit wind, it that it will cost us more, will destroy a pristine environmental landmark, and will not include actual wind generated electricity, but will mostly be in the form of credits.
All three planks lose when compared to what Bluewater Wind will offer.
It is time for the Senate to move Thurman Adams out of the way.....
I say call Delmarva's bluff - let them sign the onshore contract and ALSO make them sign on with BlueWater. More wind power is good.
I agree. If Delmarva Power wants to buy onshore wind power from out of state, fine. But it shouldn't present it as an alternative to complying with HB 6, which mandates the development of in-state power.
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