The Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force
released its final feasibility study on its Offshore Wind Pilot
Project.
In early 2008, juwi, a renewable energy projects
developer, was hired by Cuyahoga County to perform a
feasibility study for the Great Lakes Wind Energy Center.
The proposed pilot offshore wind energy project in Lake
Erie would generate 5 to 20 megawatts three to five miles
from downtown Cleveland.
The final report presents a summary of results from the
feasibility study across a variety of technical and economic
disciplines following a one year
study period. The report indicates
that a pilot project is technically
and environmentally feasible,
pending further studies of selected
issues, approvals by regulatory
agencies, and solutions to make
the project more economically
viable.
The study estimates capital
costs of a potential pilot project
between $77.2-92.7 million
(depending on turbine size),
representing design and construction,
associated infrastructure and
onshore facilities, as well as other
costs. The investments associated
with a potential pilot project will
help accelerate an offshore wind
industry in the Great Lakes, provide
solutions to technical challenges, and further identify
the viability of large-scale wind energy development. With
a strong manufacturing base, and many companies already
supplying components to the wind industry, Northeast Ohio
is primed to become a leader in research, manufacturing
and job growth related to wind energy development.
Below are some questions and answers that provide additional
information about the Offshore Wind Pilot Project.
Q. Why does Cuyahoga County want to be the
first to create a freshwater wind farm?
A. The county is committed to driving economic development
in our region. With a long history of industrial
manufacturing and dozens of companies already supplying
components to the wind industry, our region is primed
to become a leader in the offshore wind industry, and is
dedicated to become active in this pursuit.
Q. If Cuyahoga County wants to establish a hub
for wind energy here in Cleveland, how many
jobs will it bring to Northeast Ohio?
A. It is impossible to precisely quantify how many jobs will
be created through an offshore wind industry. However, to
illustrate the potential economic impact, the British Wind
Energy Association retained Bain & Company in 2008 to
conduct a study on this issue. The study concluded that
aggressive development of offshore wind energy markets
in the U.K. by 2020 (34 gigawatts) would generate about
57,000 jobs. Given the theoretical wind resource potential
in the Great Lakes is well over 100 GW, it is not a stretch to
say that tens of thousands of jobs could be possible in the
coming decades to serve a Great Lakes offshore wind
industry. We, in Northeast Ohio, can capture a disproportionate
share of that opportunity, if we move promptly to
maintain a leadership position.
Q. Who is going to pay for the pilot project? And
how much will it cost?
A. The task force and its project partners will continue to
investigate funding sources for a potential pilot project.
In the final report, a total of eight potential pilot project
scenarios were evaluated, representing a range in capital
investment of $77.2 - $92.7 million. While capital estimates
can be made regarding a potential pilot project, other
indeterminate factors, including federal stimulus money,
grant funding availability, policies to enhance the economic
appeal of offshore wind, and other private and public
investments could contribute to the overall amount required
for financing.
Q. Who is going to buy the power generated by
the turbines?
A. The task force is continuing to explore opportunities
with Cleveland Public Power and Cleveland Electric Illuminating
Company. The task force is pleased by the interest
expressed by these two companies, and by their cooperation
in completing the feasibility study.
Q. How would the pilot project wind turbines
affect Lake Erie’s bird populations?
A. Based on the conclusions of the avian risk assessment
for the proposed project site, the findings do not indicate
that habitat loss, barrier effect and collision mortality pose
significant risk to the current avian populations inhabiting
the project site and its surrounding area. Except in winter,
when waterbirds concentrate at warm-water outlets that
remain ice-free, and in fall migration, when large numbers
of common waterfowl and gulls stage on Lake Erie, waterbird
diversity and abundance along the highly developed
Cleveland lakefront is dominated by a few common species.
Studies indicate that this diversity and abundance decrease
with distance from the lakefront as
water becomes deeper offshore. Few
waterbirds are able to forage farther
from the lakeshore. At the project site,
two to five miles offshore in water
depths exceeding 33 feet, very few
birds will be using these waters. In winter,
the site will lack waterbirds; however,
when the lake is ice-free, some
species, mainly gulls, may forage or
even attempt to perch on the turbines.
Q. How will the potential turbine
locations affect recreational
users of the Lake?
A. As the final feasibility study shows,
all of the proposed turbine configurations
are preliminary pilot project recommendations,
not absolute locations.
In addition, the proposed sites include
considerations for sailboat race courses,
the Audubon Ohio Important Bird Area, shipping lanes and
other issues. While the sites are merely preliminary locations,
the task force and its project partners will consult
commercial and recreational users of the lake before making
any recommendations for moving forward with a pilot
project.
Q. What is the time line associated with the
construction of the pilot project?
A. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason, chair of the
Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force, emphasized
much has to be done before turbines are in the water but
hopes to see it happen in 2010. Negotiations are ongoing
with manufactures. Mason said he believes that by the end
of 2009 a turbine manufacturer will be on board.
Q. How will the public be engaged in the future
development of this project?
A. The task force is committed to engaging the public and
all valued stakeholders in the future development of a pilot
project. Our course of action will depend on a variety of
factors, but we look forward to maintaining transparency in
all efforts to share information with the public.
For more information, visit www.development.
cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/energy-task-force.aspx.
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