W/PLANT, BIG EASY THINKS OCEAN WIND

Wind turbine plant may spur offshore wind energy development
Richard Thompson, August 22, 2010 (Times-Picayune via NOLA)

"Days after a British wind turbine company announced plans to begin manufacturing turbine blades and components in part of the Michoud Assembly Facility in eastern New Orleans, local environmentalists expressed optimism that a strong industry presence in the region could spur interest in offshore wind energy development…

"State officials have long considered creating a portfolio standard that would require regulated electricity utilities to acquire a portion of their energy from generators that use renewable sources, but placing wind power at the front of the mix has never gained much traction in southeastern Louisiana."

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"Some environmentalists think the region's terrain does not lend itself to land-based wind power, though offshore turbines that use blades like the ones that will be manufactured at Michoud are widely thought to have greater potential. And news of the planned turbine blade manufacturing site has given new hope to renewable energy advocates who have been working to put Louisiana in the company of other states trying to move away from [fossil fuel electricity]…

"Blade Dynamics Ltd., a 3-year-old company based on the Isle of Wight off the southern coast of England that manufactures advanced blades designed to increase the efficiency and performance of very high power wind turbines, committed last week to creating at least 600 jobs in New Orleans by 2015…"

It can be uplifting work. (click to enlarge)

"Some utility providers, including Entergy Corp., do not think offshore wind power is promising because turbines would require laying underwater transmission lines and the windmills could be destroyed by hurricanes…David Dismukes, an associate executive director of the Center for Energy Studies at Louisiana State University, said renewed attention on wind energy from the arrival of Blade Dynamics could serve as a catalyst, prompting some to give turbines a second look…[though] clusters of turbines are [not] likely to start sprouting up all across the state…

"Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret is hopeful [other renewable energy manufacturers] will follow, which could drive down costs for the development of other renewable energy technologies, such as biomass, geothermal, hydro or solar…[Blade Dynamics] was offered performance-based financial assistance of $5.4 million to offset lease costs at Michoud and $6 million to offset equipment purchases…"