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State Energy Program (SEP) Special Project, Virginia, 2003
In this project, a team from James Madison University will assess the potential for wind power on Wallops Island, which is home to a NASA facility near Virginia's eastern shore. A recent report published by DOE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) titled Analysis of Wind Energy Procurement Opportunities for Federal Agencies, Federal Energy Management Program, 2000 to 2002, prepared by Global Energy Concepts, identified the island as a federal facility with wind energy potential. This project will address the recommendations in that report while assessing the suitability of Wallops Island for wind power.
Specifically, project team members will:
- Determine the technical and economic feasibility of a large wind turbine or array of turbines on Wallops Island.
- Evaluate environmental impacts, especially with regard to avian issues.
- Assess whether wind power will cause interference to the AEGIS Combat Systems Center on the site.
- Propose methods to reduce the load on the island by increasing energy efficiency.
The study supports FEMP's mission and goals by providing facility managers with resources and information on alternative energy and load reduction, by developing a protocol for proper siting of wind turbines on public lands, and by fostering energy efficiency on federal lands through energy audits.
The project reports should also help to guide other federal agencies in siting wind turbines and in moving toward alternative energy sources and greater energy efficiency. The siting report will be posted on the Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative Web site. Another report will include the results of the environmental, economic, and technical feasibility studies as well as of the energy audit conducted on the island.
SEP Topics
Federal Energy Management Program
DOE Funding
Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program
$81,000
Contact Virginia's State Energy Office for more information.
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