Offshore Wind Developer

[dogg57]

The developer of a proposed offshore wind transmission backbone is looking at putting a manufacturing facility in the port of Paulsboro, a move that might bolster New Jersey’s efforts to become the hub of the offshore wind sector along the Eastern Seaboard.
“We’re committed to working in New Jersey,’’ said Bill Wall, director of marine operations for Atlantic Wind Connection. The Google-backed proposal intends to establish a 300-mile-long transmission system to serve offshore wind farms.
“We’re going to build an industry in New Jersey,’’ he added.
There are a lot of big "ifs" associated with the proposal, including whether the state can come up with a workable funding mechanism to help offshore wind developers line up financing for their projects. Still, the AWC statement is the first time anyone has publically vowed to build a manufacturing facility for offshore wind in New Jersey.
The Christie administration and lawmakers have proposed developing 1,100 megawatts of generating capacity from wind farms off the Jersey coast, but the efforts have been mired in bureaucratic delays at both state and federal levels.
The delays have drawn criticism from clean energy advocates and even raised questions privately among offshore wind developers as to whether the state’s commitment to the technology is real.Atlantic Wind Connection is looking at locating a facility in Paulsboro, where New Jersey is trying to convert a former oil refinery into a port serving the offshore wind sector.

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/12/05/offshore-wind-developer-may-set-up-shop-in-new-jersey/

 

[46er]

Ahhh, but if only to catch the wind....

Personnally I think they would get more wind in Trenton, but perhaps they already have

 

[Gibby]

I read in the event of high winds that there are engineered safeties built into the design of these structures, such as decoupling and blade pitch change, but how did the wind turbines by AC fair after Sandy? Did they take the hurricane in stride?

It is impressive that the turbines have a life expectancy of 70,000 hours.

 

[bobpbx]

That volvo race is mighty--make you feel like a man I'm sure!

 

[46er]

I read in the event of high winds that there are engineered safeties built into the design of these structures, such as decoupling and blade pitch change, but how did the wind turbines by AC fair after Sandy? Did they take the hurricane in stride?

It is impressive that the turbines have a life expectancy of 70,000 hours.

When I stopped by Forsythe NWR last week the blades at AC were turning. I think the waves would be more of a problem than the wind in a storm type situation.

Considering their cost and maintenance, eight years doesn't seem all that impressive to me.

 

[Gibby]

Considering their cost and maintenance, eight years doesn't seem all that impressive to me.

46er, the designed lifetime of a wind turbine is around twenty years, which is the industry standard. Cost is cost, if that makes sense. However, in the long term turbines are clean and green, if you don't consider the by-products of their production.

20 years X 365.12 days X 24 hours X 0.40 intermittence = 70,103 hours. As a comparison, an automobile engine is designed to operate for 5,000 hours in more ideal conditions.

Good to know that they emerged unscathed, a proper design. At the moment though, I am on the fence on how I feel about wind farms and New Jersey. Are they necessary and there may be better alternatives for this state.

BTW- Did you see anything unusual flying at Forsythe?

 

[46er]

20 years X 365.12 days X 24 hours X 0.40 intermittence = 70,103 hours. As a comparison, an automobile engine is designed to operate for 5,000 hours in more ideal conditions.

Good to know that they emerged unscathed, a proper design. At the moment though, I am on the fence on how I feel about wind farms and New Jersey. Are they necessary and there may be better alternatives for this state.

BTW- Did you see anything unusual flying at Forsythe?

Oops

When we were there access was still very limited; only the foot trails and foot access to the gull tower were open. There will be additional closures this week for their hunt. Lots of snow geese & ducks out on the marsh and many shotgun reports, so waterfowl hunting must be good. A couple of eagles up high. No sign of the crossbills, must have been passing thru. The refuge folks say they are seeing more critters out in the marsh, which they attribute to the lack of activity on the wildlife drive and a big drop in visitation numbers.

 

[piker56]

Where I'm presently employed, we've installed many different types of alternative energy sources (wind, solar, geothermal, land fill landfill methane, etc). However, all these sources are not constant (reliable). We still need the big plants (coal, nuclear, etc...) to maintain the infrastructure, unless we are all prepared to accept regular power outages. It's just a fact of life that we are used to having electricity 24/7.
Greg