|
The success and visibility of the Hull wind turbine has spawned a wave of interest in additional community-scale wind development throughout the region. A combination of community-driven interest and state renewable energy fund programs designed to provide assistance is fueling these efforts.
Maine Community-scale wind development is also being pursued in Maine.
Massachusetts Massachusetts has more proposed community-scale wind projects than any other state in New England. With feasibility studies, and in some cases capital costs, funded by the state's Renewable Energy Trust, the Department of Capital Asset Management or, in limited cases, federal Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs), several dozen municipalities, state facilities, and other institutions are exploring ways to reduce their electricity costs and increase their energy independence.
Bourne Recreation Authority, Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Army Corps of Engineers
The Bourne Recreation Authority, Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Army Corps of Engineers are considering working together on the feasibility study of a commercial scale wind turbine off Taylor's Point. The proposed site is approximately 100 feet from the academy's dock and is in non-navigable waters. The parties are still exploring the legal issues associated with their potential partnership. The group's interest in the project may also be contingent on the outcome of proposed net metering legislation currently being debated in the state legislature. Eastham, Falmouth, Lynn, Orleans, and Fairhaven
Eastham, Falmouth, Lynn, Orleans, and Fairhaven have completed their respective feasibility studies, including the temporary installation of meteorological towers to measure the wind resource characteristics.
Town of Eastham
In Eastham, the Board of Selectmen has appointed a committee to develop a wind bylaw. The project is on hold until the bylaw can be completed, and integrated into the remaining process. The town is considering a four-turbine installation, although the net metering portion of the pending energy bill currently may cause the town to rethink the size and location of the project.
Town of Falmouth
The Town of Falmouth has obtained the special legislation necessary to own and finance a 1.5 MW wind turbine proposed for its Waste Water Treatment Facility. The town is in the process of obtaining several permits and completing additional studies in anticipation of releasing a request for proposals for project engineering, procurement, and construction in spring 2008.
City of Lynn
In the City of Lynn, after an initial attempt to install a 1.5 MW turbine at the waste water treatment plant was turned down by the Federal Aviation Administration due to height issues, the city is now reviewing the economics of a 500 to 600-kW installation, as well as potential transmission limitations.
Town of Orleans
After over four years of study and deliberation, the Commissioners of the Town of Orleans Water Board decided not to proceed with a 3.3 MW wind project installation, citing insufficient financial benefits in the deal structure to justify their involvement. The town had studied project feasibility supported by funding from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, which had also purchased two Vestas 1.65 MW V-82 turbines for the project.
Town of Fairhaven
Orleans' decision to forego the project is good news for the Town of Fairhaven, which is looking at installing a 3 MW, two-turbine installation at the town's Wastewater Treatment Facility. MTC has agreed to redirect the two turbines previously dedicated to Orleans, subject to the project developer CCI Energy securing financial commitments. Several More Communities
In addition, several communities, including Brewster, Kingston, New Bedford, Plymouth, Rockport, Scituate, Wellfleet, Worcester and Yarmouth currently have technical and economic feasibility studies under way. Additional information on the communities participating in the Community Wind Collaborative is available. Templeton Municipal Light & Water Co.
Expanding on its initial plans to install a weather station and small wind turbine demonstration project at a local school, the Templeton Municipal Light & Water Co. has now completed a feasibility study and received a $2.16 Million CREBs allocation. The municipal utility plans to install (on district school property) and own a 1.5 MW turbine by the end of 2009. The turbine will provide electricity to the municipal utility system, as opposed to being connected behind the school's meter. Town of Chester Municipal Light Plant
The Town of Chester Municipal Light Plant, which received a CREB authorization from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, is planning the installation of one or two 1.5-MW wind turbines on town-owned land. Rhode Island The Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund is actively supporting customer-sited wind installations using commercial-scale technology.
Bristol
Explorations of potential sites are also underway in Bristol, with the support of the recently-formed Wind Power Rhode Island Project. The Project, administered through the Center for Macro
Projects and Diplomacy at Roger Williams University, is providing wind measurement, photo simulations, and community outreach support. Narragansett Bay Commission
The Narragansett Bay Commission — another CREBs awardee — is proceeding with the technical evaluation of a single MW-scale turbine. Town of Portsmouth
The Town of Portsmouth has completed a state-funded feasibility study and plans to install a 1.5-MW wind turbine generator at the Portsmouth high school. If all approvals and permits are obtained, project construction costs will be funded in part from the Town's Clean Renewable Energy Bond (CREB) authorizations from the U.S. Treasury. The $2.6 Million in funds associated with the Town's CREBs authorization must be consumed within five years. In addition, the RI Renewable Energy Development Fund (REDF) Board of Trustees has approved a $400,000 low-interest loan for the Portsmouth project. Town of Westerly
The REDF Board also approved a wind feasibility study grant request from the Town of Westerly. University of Rhode Island's Narragansett Campus
Another installation is being actively investigated at the University of Rhode Island's Narragansett campus.
|
