Wind project news and policy continues to make headlines as utility scale developments come online across the United States. As technology has advanced, wind power projects have increased in size and impact, providing one of many solutions needed to address the greenhouse gas emissions causing global warming. Wind turbines capture and transform kinetic energy to generate electricity to power the grid. Given FischTank PR’s work with developers and technology providers, along with our broad knowledge of renewable energy and climate tech – we keep a close watch on relevant stories.
Listed below are a number of wind project news and policy developments thus far in 2024.
Google inks major new offshore wind deal – The Verge
“Google announced its biggest deal yet to purchase offshore wind energy for its data centers in Europe, signing power purchase agreements to support two new wind farms off the coast of the Netherlands.
It’s part of Google’s plan to match all of its data center electricity consumption with clean energy generation on a 24/7 basis by 2030. To do that, the company will need to help get more renewable energy, including offshore wind, pulsing through power grids where it operates. It shared “the next step” of that plan for Europe today, where it says it’s adding more than 700 megawatts of clean energy capacity to the grid.”
The US Has Big Plans for Wind Energy—but an Obscure 1920s Law Is Getting in the Way – WIRED
“The Biden administration’s goal is to deploy offshore wind turbines capable of generating 30 gigawatts of power by 2030. That’s more than 2,000 turbines. To meet this target, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), part of the US Department of Energy, says there’s a need for four to six WTIVs. But as 2030 draws ever closer, the incomplete Charybdis remains the only one.
The Jones Act is tricky to navigate. For a vessel to be compliant, it must not only be built in the United States and running the country’s flag but also be owned and crewed by Americans. Consequently, US shipyards enjoy a monopoly, which allows them to demand massively inflated prices.
When finished, the 144-meter-long Charybdis will boast over 5,000 square meters of main deck area and accommodate up to 119 people, supported by on-board cabins, mess rooms, and shops, as well as a cinema, gym, and hospital. But the WTIV’s cost has climbed from US $500 million to $625 million. Meanwhile, the major shipyards in South Korea could have built a similar vessel in less time, for less money, and with a more powerful crane.”
68% of US coastal residents support offshore wind farms – here’s why – Electrek
“About two-thirds of people living in coastal counties are giving a big thumbs up to offshore wind projects, even if it means seeing turbines spinning out on the horizon from their backyards. And why the enthusiasm? Well, people believe that offshore wind is good for US energy independence, reliability, the job market, and overall economy.
Stephanie McClellan, executive director of Turn Forward, said:
Offshore wind energy is becoming an economic driver in the US, one that can deliver tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, boost local economies, and create a more reliable and equitable energy system.
Coastal residents recognize the power of offshore wind energy and want the industry to continue to grow and deliver for their local communities.
When it comes to government action, coastal dwellers want more. A solid 65% are on board with the government’s ambitious goal to power up 10 million homes with offshore wind by the time 2030 rolls around. They’re also keen on opening up more areas for offshore wind projects to take off.
And, given the choice between drilling for oil and gas or setting up wind turbines offshore, coastal residents lean heavily toward wind – over twice as many, or 53% to 22%, to be exact.”
Avangrid and Amazon Expand U.S. Partnership with 98.4 MW Wind Project in Oregon – Renewable Energy Magazine
“Amazon Wind Farm Oregon – Leaning Juniper IIA is a repowering project that will significantly extend the life of the existing wind farm and make it work more efficiently. Consisting of 40 turbines, the wind farm will produce enough energy to power 22,800 homes every year. During construction, the project will support about 200 jobs.
Additionally, Avangrid has executed contracts to recycle all turbine blades that will be decommissioned with this project, which is estimated to divert more than 1,000 tons of mass from landfills.”
US counties are blocking the future of renewable energy: These maps, graphics show how – USA Today
“At least 15% of counties in the U.S. have effectively halted new utility-scale wind, solar, or both, USA TODAY found. These are not the solar panels you might have on your house but installations significant enough to replace power plants, each one powering tens of thousands of homes.”
“The limits come in the form of outright bans, moratoriums, construction impediments and other conditions that make green energy difficult to build.”
“USA TODAY’s analysis, backed by energy and academic experts, gauges which counties have effectively blocked or impeded new utility-scale wind and solar power. The findings reveal that 2023 was the first time the number of counties curtailing new solar installations was almost equal to the number of counties adding their first solar farm”
“For wind energy, the blocks are even more significant. While 183 counties got their first commercial wind-power project in the past decade, nearly 375 counties blocked new wind development in the same period”
Company Unveils the Incredible Hulk of Wind Power With Hopes It’ll Revolutionize the Industry: ‘One of the Cornerstones of the … Transition’ – The Cool Down
“Sourcing electricity from GreenerTowers could be a way for people to power their lives with even less of the air pollution impacts that cause health problems and overheat the planet.
Other efforts to make wind turbine production more sustainable include using wood to make towers and recycling old turbine blades creatively.
‘Wind power is one of the cornerstones of the green energy transition,’ Maximilian Schnippering, Siemens Gamesa’s head of sustainability, said in a statement. ‘With more than 600 [gigawatts] of new capacity to be installed worldwide in the next five years, it is important for the wind industry to reduce its carbon footprint. Our project to address emissions with greener steel is one such solution.’”
Farther offshore, next New York Bight wind leases still draw opponents – National Fisherman
“Six offshore wind lease areas in the New York Bight are more than 30 miles offshore of the region’s bustling suburbs and seaside resorts – distance that might have defused resistance to the wind energy projects before.
Now opposition groups that grew in reaction to nearshore projects, like Ørsted’s canceled Ocean Wind plan off New Jersey, show few signs they will accept a new round of proposals farther east to the horizon.”
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