wind

Welcome Wind Farms! Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Delaware, and New Jersey have been advancing in their wind farm plans. Specifically, the Cape Wind Project, is about to come to life 440 feet above Nantucket Sound. It is the first offshore wind farm to move along in development. 'Deep Water Wind' is the name of Rhode Island's wind project (I guess being close to the water encourages the urge for clever boat names.)

Wind farms are typically part of broad landscapes, and the areas along the coasts seem so developed it's not as likely  to see them there. The large city populations that surround our coasts certainly do cry out for an alternative energy source, so much so, many have nuclear power plants built on them. Finally, the dream of putting up some wind farms is starting to happen.

There are complications of course, like getting the power to stations where it can be transmitted. There is also the high cost of coastal land. And even though the wind turbines can be as far as 15 miles off shore, no one wants to look at wind turbines on their beautiful coasts. You can read more about them here: WIND FARMS

Spent the long weekend on the Chesapeake Bay with two friends and their children. M. and I immediately hit it off when we realized we were both the only other modern day brides we knew whom had received guns as wedding gifts, and have many of the same outdoor interests: archery, fishing, sailing, camping, and agriculture.

Sailor husbands, a shared love of history, their two children who immediately fell in with our children cemented the friendship.

What I love about sailing with Mr. H. is that, as a history teacher, he pulls in something interesting of note to every adventure we have. As a Virginian, I've grown up with this history- I have 1600s settler and Indian blood, so, heck, my family lived it! But his recounting of our tales makes it new and exciting, for myself, my immigrant husband, and the next generation.

Yesterday, at a leisurely 12ish knots on the Bay with the children, we discussed Captain John Smith's near-deathbed at what is now known as Stingray Point- so named because he was stung, and then, with the help of the Indians, taken to a point to be "healed" with mud, now appropriately named Antipoison Creek. We sailed in sight of both.

Pochohantas was born nearby, and here, pirates pillaged and prospered.

Our discussion turned towards alternative energy, and wind power.

As sailors, we know the winds and tides better than most. But as a green building gal, I explained my hesitation- that what wind we harness on the water is not so accessible inland in most places, so for ourselves, it is just not as efficient a technology.

For other alternative energies, I look forward to see what comes to the marketplace in the next 18 months. It is an exciting time for energy. 

Coming home, we took a detour off the interstate and traveled along the *old* highway, route 60, which was the main road in the '50's & '60's. I always love these lanes, because you travel from town to town, and can really see the spirit and strength of entrepreneurial communities, despite massive corporate culture. Cultural, historic, small town tourism is on the rise.

And thank goodness. For much of the 80s till now they struggled against NAFTA, against larger cities, faster processing plants, outdated industries. They still do, and many business models need to be re-thought or abandoned.

People are finally looking at themselves, their small, beautiful parades manned by volunteers, realizing their culture is not only valuable to themselves, but others- a rise of gentle tourism, helping these communities economically, bettering their schools, their industry, and financially allowing them to preserve their structures.

We passed a Bicentennial farm and admired new additions to the local culture, like a Mexican restaurant and little specialty stores... these are places where you should stop, enjoy the community, make friends, take in and hopefully preserve the beautiful scenery.

As people start to look more close to home for their vacations, as the rise of eco-tourism spreads, as communities begin to realize the value of bike trails and their local culture, maybe more of these small towns will experience a resurgence.  I hope so.

By the way- for those with a love of history- in researching Bicentennial farms I randomly came across this great link of Virginia historical markers- http://www.markeroni.com/catalog/cats_tag.php?tag=virginia&country=USA&state=VA

Here's some other photos that didn't fit into the post...

Hope you enjoy.

And one more thing: To all the regular, fellow die-hard volunteers that read this, wherever you are in the world, that make the parades happen, that carry on community sports, veterans, the Rotary Clubs, the Moose lodges, the Shriners, the many wonderful organizations that make people laugh, feed, encourage cultural exchanges, that glean from the fields for the foodbank, and help in any way your local community:

THANK YOU.
Thank you for all you do.

Since 1937, The Wildlife Society in Maryland has been working hard to "enhance the ability of wildlife professionals to conserve diversity, sustain productivity, and ensure responsible use of wildlife resources for the benefit of society." In keeping with their mission, TWS recently released a 50-page report detailing the direct and indirect effects of modern wind power production on wildlife.

"While wind power offers an array of benefits to developed and developing countries, wind energy is not environmentally neutral," commented Dr. Ed Arnett, Conservation Scientist with Bat Conservation International and chair of the technical review committee. "There are both direct and indirect consequences of wind energy facilities, including the often overlooked impacts resulting from loss of habitat for wildlife due to construction, the footprint of the facility, and increased human access."

The report isn't all gloom and doom however, actually offering key information for planners and developers of wind farms in relation to natural animal habitats. The Wildlife Society's report is clearly aimed at helping progress sustainable energy initiatives without sacraficing the planet itself. "It would represent a step backward to develop 'green energy' to the detriment of wildlife and their habitats, especially when we profess to be in an age of environmental awareness and action," said Dr. Michael Hutchins, Executive Director of TWS.

RELATED:

+ Install your own backyard wind turbine!

+ Comparing energy in production of solar cells verses other energy sources

Hoping to embrace the natural energies of the earth but avoiding installing solar panels (for whatever reason)? Well, how about your own personal wind turbine?

In one of Atlanta, Georgia's oldest neighborhood, the area's first small-scale wind turbine was installed in Christine and Curt Mann's backyard. Though not all of their neighbors were as amped about the new energy saver as the Mann's were, the turbine will generate enough power to run the entire home and "eliminate as much CO2 from the atmosphere as an acre of mature, healthy trees."

This particular model was designed especially for residental customers that tap into an traditional power grid. "The blades are curved and shaped for quiet operation. It is the first backyard-sized wind turbine that includes a built-in inverter and requires no external components."

When asked about installation of the wind turbine in this urban setting with relatively low wind speeds, Roger Cone, founder of Southern Energy Solutions, said, “We all went into this project knowing that this was not an ideal placement of the Skystream. Our target markets for the Skystream wind turbine are those areas of Georgia with greater average wind speeds, such as the mountains of north Georgia and the coastal areas of southeast Georgia.”

It's clear that solar panels are still the most logical choice for most homeowners and builders, this new residental turbine is more proof that Americans are ready to take the health of the planet into their own hands. Will the Mann's neighbors install their own turbines in the near future? Probably not, but this could be a big development for those living in coastal (and more breezy) areas.

[via ENN]

The Department of Energy hosts a very informative website called Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy http://www.eere.energy.gov/. Their motto is: Bringing you a prosperous future where energy is clean, abundant, reliable, and affordable.

Well, let’s take a closer look shall we?

BIOMASS: Of most recent published data, Biomass comprised 47% of all renewable energy or 4% of the total energy produced in the United States (http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/biomass_today.html). Most of this energy was consumed by the pulp and paper industry who also supply the input material to produce the energy, as a by-product of the lumber industry. Other current uses of Biomass include Ethanol & Renewable Diesel. Also, certain products are now being made out of Biomass such as, textile fibers, polymers, adhesives, lubricants, soy-based inks, and other products. Use of biofuels reduces toxic air emissions, greenhouse gas buildup, and dependence on imported oil, while supporting agriculture and rural economies

BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES: http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ Our nation's 81 million buildings consume more energy than any other sector of the U.S. economy, including transportation and industry. DOE’s results have mostly been devoted to improving the Energy Star program which sets a basic threshold for appliance efficiencies. The Emerging Technologies division of the DOE is working on Advanced Refrigeratro-Freezer designs which will save ½ the energy of the latest government standards. Also, they have conducted a series of real-world tests which conclude horizontal washing machines save 60% of energy and 40% of water usage over their vertical competitors, giving new meaning to laying low. Last, but not least they have concluded that drop-in residential heat pumps are much more efficient than standard electric water heaters. We should see these quite soon according to the DOE.

If you find yourself in the Texas area end of September or are lucky enough to already live here :-), make sure you come to the 8th Annual Renewable Energy Roundup at http://theroundup.org/ in Fredericksburg, TX September 28th-30th in the center of Texas Hill Country.

It's $10/Friday, $12/Saturday or $20 for all three days! That's a bargain for the amount of information you can get on these hot topics:

* Solar
* Wind
* Geothermal
* Water Use & Reuse
* Energy Conservation
* Rainwater Harvesting
* Green & Sustainable Building
* Organic Growing
* Alternative Transportation
* Straw Bale Construction

And there will be:

* Exhibits
* Free Guest Speakers
* Natural Food
* Family Activities

Come and learn something new or meet contacts in the green field. Besides, it will be a fun trip and nice drive over there, as you'll pass some beautiful areas, and the historic town of Fredericksburg with its German influence and charming old west appeal.

Our architect and I might exhibit there and advertise our blog and my upcoming e-book. Let us know if you live in the Austin area and want to carpool! Thanks to Maverick for passing this information along! READ MORE AT SjodinDreamHome.Blogspot.com ...