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| 04 Nov 2009 09:36:57 pm |
 New offshore wind report aims to inform |
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Noting the growing interest in offshore wind, the U.S. Offshore Wind Collaborative (USOWC) has released “U.S. Offshore Wind Energy: A Path Forward,” a resource for government, industry, and non-governmental stakeholders offering a snapshot of U.S. offshore wind energy activity in 2009.
“While currently this abundant domestic renewable energy source remains untapped, there is growing political and market momentum to realize the potential of offshore wind energy,” said Laurie Jodziewicz, AWEA’s manager of siting policy and one of the report’s authors. “This timely report captures some of this momentum and will hopefully advance offshore wind energy in the U.S.”
America's offshore wind resource is vast, estimated at 900,000 MW, or enough to provide roughly 75% of current total U.S. electricity demand. The U.S. Department of Energy's 20% Wind by 2030 Report envisions more than 50,000 MW being installed offshore by 2030, out of a total of 293,000 MW needed to reach the 20% objective.
The report provides an overview of various areas critical to sustainable offshore wind energy development, including regulation and government policies, technology development, economic and financial viability, environmental and marine use compatibility, and leadership and coordination. The mission of the USOWC is to address the technical, environmental, economic and regulatory issues necessary to catalyze the sustainable development of offshore wind energy in the waters of the United States. The Collaborative said it will update the report periodically as part of its effort "to serve as an information clearinghouse for offshore wind." |
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Category : AWEA News
| Posted By : Tom Gray |
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| 04 Nov 2009 04:52:34 pm |
| Amendment could thwart new power lines, energy goals |
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An amendment currently included in energy legislation pending in the U.S. Senate could disrupt planning for new transmission lines and interfere with reaching national energy goals, a coalition of 62 companies and organizations warned Senate Leadership yesterday.
The seemingly minor language change, adopted by the Senate Energy Committee, deals with a critical (and eternal) issue: how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) determines who pays for new power lines. According to the coalition, it "would require lengthy, complex, cost-benefit analyses, invite litigation, and further contribute to uncertainty for investors." (And according to us at AWEA, if there is one thing the current transmission planning process does not need, it's to be slowed down further from an already glacial pace.)
“The Senate cost allocation language would block grid investment right at the time when there is a desperate need to expand the transmission system to deliver clean energy, assure reliability, and remove constraints that result in higher wholesale power prices,” commented Joseph Kelliher, Executive Vice President of Federal Regulatory Affairs for FPL Group and a former FERC Chairman.
AWEA CEO Denise Bode concurred, adding, "As a former state regulator, I believe the Amendment would bias regulatory decision making in transmission, where costs are certain but benefits are large and difficult to precisely measure."
A press release with additional information, including the full text of the letter, is available here. |
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Category : AWEA News
| Posted By : Tom Gray |
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| 04 Nov 2009 04:51:01 pm |
| Granholm kicks off AWEA's conference and workshop in Detroit |
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Gov. Jennifer Granholm may be the wind industry's best friend in the Midwest, and she is hoping companies and investors return the favor by locating manufacturing facilities in her state.
The Governor was the leadoff speaker at AWEA's Small and Community Wind Conference and Exhibition and Supply Chain Workshop, which opened in Detroit today. While touting the advantages of small and community wind, Granholm displayed her passion when speaking about Michigan's manufacturing resources. we know how to manufacture. This is our stuff. There are 8000 parts in a wind turbine—all of them could be manufactured here. Since we have been the hardest hit in manufactiuring, we see this as an enormous opportunity for us."
AWEA brought more than 1700 attendees to this struggling city, many more than expected when the session was planned last summer. They have filled the cavernous Cobo Center, a convention facility located on the Detroit River, and local officials hope it means more jobs from wind energy in the future.
AWEA CEO, who introduced Gov. Granholm, noted that the industry was excited to be in Detroit. "We are here because wind energy can bring jobs and economic opportunity to this city, this state, and this region." |
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Category : AWEA News
| Posted By : Chris Madison |
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