Respose: Lecture on Ocean Energy at the Fisherman's Forum

This Lecture had some very serious and note-worthy points brought attention by quite a couple rather concerned audience members. A man from the Lobstermans association in Massachusetts was extremely concerned about the possibilities of electromagnetic fields effecting the migratory patterns of wildlife, lobsters specifically. Another man talked about a failed wind system in a Fjord in Norway. Apparently after the installation of a wind farm, almost the entire salmon population diminished. However, after the farm was shut down two years later, the salmon returned. This occurrence was a great concern of the entire audience, and one man became rather angry that the Eastport program had not done more testing before installing a test site. I am not sure how valid any of these arguments are, but there is some truth in this which could pose a major problem to the industry, and at this time it needs absolute support from locals.
The lecture opened my eyes to the entirely new energy resource of hydro power. Not only will this this energy create a great boost in our economy if all goes well, but Maine has the potential to be a leader in sustainable energy. This was without doubt the most intriguing experience of my isearch so far. Not only because these projects are local, but because they are becoming a reality. Listening to the four different speakers at the Lecture really opened new doors as to what I might be interested in as a career. The Governor's task force consisted of 22 important and intellectual people who really got the program rolling within 3 months. This kind of forward movement is huge. It's people taking action instead of continuously talking about possibilities. It is energy systems being built to serve the public as opposed to statistics on a page. The program in Eastport is by no means "all figured out," but is a huge step towards thinking realistically about energy goals of the future. Throughout this process my hope was to discover the practical energies of the future, and what we may be using locally a couple years down the road. I think one of the most apparent facts to me throughout this study is global warming will not stop with the help of a few hippies. It needs the full support of the American population.

Experiance: Lecture on Ocean Energy at the Fisherman's Forum

Governor's Ocean Energy Task Force
i. wind
- projects in Mass, RI, and ME.
ii. OETF Mission
- 2,000 megawatts of wind power by 2015, and 3,000 megawatts by 2020 with 300 MW in coastal waters.
- Research and strategies benefits, areas, and problems
- modifying and tweaking laws to allow for more wind power as long as no harm comes to the environment.
- there are 22 members in collaboration with this effort from different areas of the state.
iii. In Maine __% of energy is used
- 50% for transportation
- 40% for heating
- 10% for electric power
iv. wind is a huge resource that would substantially boost Maine's economy.
v. state leadership comes from Governor Baldacci who started the program.
vi. Construction of turbines in is both Eastport and BIW
vii. The task force meets once a month, its next serious meetings being:
- April: a preliminary report
- June 16-18: Ocean Energy 2009 meeting
- October: recommendation to the Governor
Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC)
i. Only company in upper east coast testing tidal turbines (in Eastport)
- In spring of 2009 the project in Eastport was launched.
- Currents are very strong in Eastport; therefore this was a perfect place to install turbine system.
- A Barge was installed next to the site.
ii. The project involves the community fully and the boat school in this project
- Many young people are getting involved
- The program is working with pilots on both sides of the border (Maine and Canada)
iii. System:
- System must be a minimal of 40 ft. below the surface.
- 350 sq. ft. footprint.
- Turbines are in rectangular cages stacked on top of each other
iv. Tidal power:
- Represents 300 jobs
- 1o million dollar investment that will pay for itself within 5-7 years
- Privately funded
- Program initiates ocean energy industry in Maine.
- Within 5-7 years the program may potentially produce 100 megawatts
- Every 350 sq. ft. footprint will produce one megawatt.
Problems:
- Electromagnetic fields effect environment, and may possible interfere with the natural migration patterns of wildlife.
- Generally tidal turbines will not be in the way of fisherman because they are located in very strong currents that fisherman would not harvest from anyway.
- Maintenance is not considered to be a huge problem as the turbines will be moving fast enough not to have plant matter grow. A problem may arise with the cages, but substances to coat the cages and prevent this are being looked into.
Issues for both tidal and wind turbines
i. location, location, location... stay out of:
- bat migration patterns (wind)
- lobsterman fishing zones
- ground fishing zones
- herring fishing zones
- whale migration and breeding grounds
- shrimp catches
ii. Other problems (with some controversy):
- Vibration and noise for up to 100 kilometers within site
- Electromagnetic fields interrupting migration patterns
- A possible effect on radar systems
iv. Possible solutions:
- Have test sites
- Intensive surveying of possible installation areas
- Cables that protect the environment from the electromagnetic fields