Wind Energy Forum

Last month, a public forum on wind energy was held in Surf City, NC. Royal Builders of Topsail Island worked with the NC Solar Center, the State Energy Office and the North Carolina Wind Working Group to bring a discussion on this renewable energy to the area. They invited people to learn about the benefits of wind energy, voice their concerns, and ask questions of environmental and technical experts.

Chris Hunter of Royal Builders said the presentation was very successful. Attended by 60-70 people, the forum answered questions from builders, officials from towns and power companies, homeowner's associations, wildlife watchers, and homeowners seeking better power options. Primary concerns were noise, views, threat to birds, and power capacity.

The panelists said that wind turbines were not noisy; the sound levels of a small turbine is lower than the sound of most living rooms. Regarding danger to wildlife, Hunter said, "Of all the birds killed by man-made objects, less than one percent are caused by windmills. Cats are much more deadly to birds."

Hunter said the panel stated that North Carolina does have renewable energy in solar systems and in biomass sources, but not wind. "Most states have some wind turbines producing electricity to supply their power. North Carolina has none." That's really surprising, considering that the state is famous for launching the birth of flight because of its consistent wind. Although wind turbines would not work everywhere, surely some installations could add to our energy supply in a safe and renewable manner.

Hunter also suggested more information could be found at a web site produced by the North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). This Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) contains information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The North Carolina Wind Working Group is a coalition of agencies collaborating on wind energy issues here. The NC Solar Center is one partner, providing more information on their Coastal Wind Initiative page. Another Public Wind Energy Forum will be from 7-9 p.m., on June 19, 2008, in Nags Head, Outer Banks, NC in the Jockey's Ridge State Park Auditorium. If you'd like to join the conversation, you can get the poster here, TownMeetingPoster_OBX.pdf or on the NC Solar Center web site.