Part of my work at Windustry involves media searches for articles related to community wind. While most of the news is local (North America anyway) every now and then something turns up regarding
international efforts to provide avenues for local economic engagement with commercial-scale wind energy development.
OK - So really hard-core environmentalists have often gotten theoretically derogatory names - like Tree Hugger. But check this out - an English community wind project going for the Guiness World Record in Turbine Hugging (actually, by all accounts, this will be the first, and so, a record no matter what happens). Good for a smile! I plan onchecking back after June 21 to see if they have any video.
OK - So really hard-core environmentalists have often gotten theoretically derogatory names - like Tree Hugger. But check this out - an English community wind project going for the Guiness World Record in Turbine Hugging (actually, by all accounts, this will be the first, and so, a record no matter what happens). Good for a smile! I plan on checking back after June 21 to see if they have any video.
Part of my work at Windustry involves media searches for articles related to community wind. While most of the news is local (North America anyway) every now and then something turns up regarding international efforts to provide avenues for local economic engagement with commercial-scale wind energy development.
The community wind development model was featured in Mother Earth News as one of the leading methodologies for establishing wind energy. The article provides a great explanation of community wind projects and it features successful programs from around the globe.
Read the article here: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy/2008-06-01/Community-Supported-Wind-Power.aspx
--Tiffany, Summer Intern 2008
The Minneapolis Star Tribune ran an article today about the Suzlon blade manufacturing facility in Pipestone, MN. The whole wind energy industry in the U.S. has been feeling the stress that comes with rapid growth, and the article has a nice discussion of how these growth pressures are impacting this particular facility.
You can read the article on the Star Tribune website at http://www.startribune.com/business/19418074.html?page=1&c=y
--Marin
It must be the time of year to think about wind leases, because they've been coming up in the media a lot lately. Last Friday a piece was published in the Worthington (MN) Daily Globe about landowners who have been approached in SW Minnesota by a wind development company.
The article does a good job of conveying that while leasing your land to a developer can be a great economic opportunity, you have to go in with your eyes open and be vigilant about understanding a contract before you sign it.
Forty five attendees spent the last day of Community Wind Energy 2008 on a day trip to the Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort to see the 1.5 MW community wind project. We enjoyed presentations about the turbine (named Zephyr) from Tyler Fairbank of EOS Ventures and Brian Fairbank of Jiminy Peak. The highlight of the day was a trip up a ski lift to hike to the base of the turbine and then back down the mountain. A wonderful lunch was provided as well. Thanks again to EOS Ventures for sponsoring the trip and Jiminy Peak for being such great hosts!
We just wrapped up the second day of Community Wind Energy 2008 in Albany, New York. The conference has been a great success, with people from 36 states, 4 other countries, and all parts of the community wind world in attendance.
Tomorrow we head to Jiminy Peak in Massachusetts to learn about their community wind project.
Just a reminder to all attendees that proceedings will be made available shortly. Watch our website for updates.
Here are some photos from the past two days:
We are! Windustry staff spent Sunday afternoon getting the Empire State Plaza Convention Center all ready for Community Wind Energy 2008, which starts tomorrow (Monday, April 14) at 7 am with an early-bird session on wind energy basics. Most attendees will start at 8:30 in the main convention hall. You can still register on site if you haven't done so yet.
Here are some photos from getting things set up:
