Windpower Project

A news story about a wind power project of the coast of Maine. Highly involved is UMaine professor Habib Dagher.

http://mainecampus.com/2009/09/24/um-researchers-blow-life-into-wind-power/

UM researchers blow life into wind power
By Sara Breau
Posted on Thursday, September 24th, 2009, 1:18 am

Students at the University of Maine will soon have the opportunity to be involved in a test project that, if successful, would make Maine the first state in the U.S. powered by deep water wind-power energy.
The project involves a joint effort by members of UMaine and the state Department of Conservation to develop test sites for wind turbines in deep water locations off the coast of Maine. The wind turbines will be tested to prove they can generate energy from the high power ocean winds in a way that will be healthier for the environment than current energy sources. If successful, the plan would also reduce energy costs for Maine residents.
“Maine is more susceptible than anywhere in the country to the rising cost of fuel,” said UMaine Civil and Structural Engineering Professor Habib Dagher. “The average Maine family is paying $10,000 per year in energy costs.”
Dagher is leading the efforts of more than 60 doctorate-holders and their student assistants involved in the effort. Energy analyst Charlie Maxwell predicts fuel costs will rise to $20 per gallon by 2020.
“Should we get ready for this scenario or should we remain complacent? We need to get the state of Maine ready for the future. We have no choice,” Dagher said.
Maine pays some of the highest energy costs in North America at $15 to $20 per kilowatt hour. The need for nuclear energy could be eliminated through the use of wind, which would provide enough energy to power the entire nation if the wind turbines could be placed in the proper areas, according to Dagher. Wind power would also be healthier for the environment by decreasing CO2 emissions.
“There are 17 tons of CO2 emissions put out per person in the state of Maine each year. From an economic standpoint, it makes sense to reduce CO2 emission,” Dagher said.
To harness the wind power and create energy, windmill-like turbines would float on the water, secured to the ocean floor. The turbines would capture the high-power ocean wind and use it as an energy source.
“There are 40 nuclear-power-plants-worth of wind within 50 miles of the coastline,” Dagher said.
The wind turbine test sites would be constructed offshore, far enough so as not to be visible from the shoreline. The turbines are 500 feet tall from water level to tip, but if placed 20 miles off shore they would be unseen from the shoreline because of the Earth’s natural curvature, according to Dagher.
“We want to make this happen, all while protecting the beauty of the state of Maine,” Dagher said.
The plan is intended to boost the economy not only by using a more efficient source of energy, but by creating jobs. Dagher predictes 15,000 permanent jobs will be created if the plan is approved, citing the need for environmental scientists, oceanographers, machinists and other experts needed to make the project a success.
The wind power plan is a proposed opportunity for Maine to establish itself as one of the leaders in the country as far as innovation and practicality.
On Earth Day this year, President Barack Obama delivered an address at an Iowa wind turbine factory regarding the plan.
“The nation that leads the world in creating new energy sources will be the nation that leads the 21st century global economy,” Obama said.
Some UMaine students agree the plan should focus on benefiting Maine.
“I guess the plan sounds like a good idea, as long as the power isn’t sent to New Brunswick like the wind turbines that were built in Mars Hill and then resold back to us,” said fourth-year kinesiology and physical education student Sam Tweedie.
Meetings will be held in towns near the potential test sites to familiarize and involve the communities with the efforts before the test site construction begins.
“There are informational meetings coming up where members of the public will likely speak out on the issue,” Steve Bodnar said in an e-mail. Bodnar is a writer for Seacoast Online, a Web site charting the project’s progress.
The public has voiced approval and concerns about the plan.
“Firstly, I have concerns about the effects on the natural ecosystem by establishing wind turbines in the ocean. Assuming they take great care to maintain the ecosystem, they definitely should try it. Nuclear power is not a good option because of the risks not only to the ecosystem but the human population as well,” said fourth-year sociology student Benjamin Andersen.