Any opinions on Wind Power in Ma.? (Hudson, Hull: house, college)

[cvap]

Quite a few wind projects are well along in planning along the spine of the Berkshires in Mass.If all are built, and connected to the grid,what percentage of the states energy will they replace?Is it worth it? Its been pretty calm lately.The last bastion of wilderness in mass. would be turned in to a red and white blinking lite show all day and night.Is lite pollution even an issue?

[Xenos]

The windmill on at Jiminy Peak on Rt 43 at the NY border does not look bad at all.

The Berkshires could use a few more, but I doubt it is worth the trouble to build more, at least until a robust transmission system can be set up to shoot the electrons off to the Hudson River valley.

And there is plenty of wilderness in Massachusetts aside from the Berkshires/Taconics. And this sure as hell beats acid rain, anyway.

Have at it, says I.

[Patapsco]

Hi-

We have two turbines here in Hull. Granted, we don't have the wilderness you speak of, but have PLENTY of consistent wind! it's been a real pleasure since moving here from MD opening that electric bill and having it be about 1/3 of what it was in MD.

Not to mention, comparing a blinking light to greenhouse gasses, etc.... whether you believe the whole climate change thing or not (which I do) a blinking light compared to burning coal, a finite resource...

I say go for it, too.

[smarty]

Wind power is good... but the question is where to put it... and how many? Do we want each home to have one? Create a wind farm?

Here's an example of a commercial wind turbine.. 1.5Mega Watt... good for ~450 house each.
Turbine measurements: Tower about 260 feet; rotor diameter from 250 to 270 feet. Highest point: about 400 feet. (Statue of Liberty with pedestal: 305 feet; Washington Monument: 555 feet).

Babson College recently install a wind turbine too... a much small version...
The turbine placed on the athletic fields, will supply about 60 percent of the annual energy needs at the exhibit hall at the entrepreneurship center. The tower is roughly 35 feet tall and produces an estimated 400 kilowatt-hours per month.

Looking at a wind map, only the coastal towns and the mountains have enough wind to make it worthwhile... or else... you'll need a bigger one to generate the same electricity.

[thenewNewEnglander]

Originally Posted by smarty

Wind power is good... but the question is where to put it... and how many? Do we want each home to have one? Create a wind farm?

Here's an example of a commercial wind turbine.. 1.5Mega Watt... good for ~450 house each.
Turbine measurements: Tower about 260 feet; rotor diameter from 250 to 270 feet. Highest point: about 400 feet. (Statue of Liberty with pedestal: 305 feet; Washington Monument: 555 feet).

Babson College recently install a wind turbine too... a much small version...
The turbine placed on the athletic fields, will supply about 60 percent of the annual energy needs at the exhibit hall at the entrepreneurship center. The tower is roughly 35 feet tall and produces an estimated 400 kilowatt-hours per month.

Looking at a wind map, only the coastal towns and the mountains have enough wind to make it worthwhile... or else... you'll need a bigger one to generate the same electricity.

Personally I think we should be looking into highway based systems too. Apparently there are systems that can go under overpasses, in tunnels, along rail lines, etc.

I think wind is great. As most have said I'll trade some light emissions for greenhouse gases anyday.

Besides ever look down at Mass from an airplane? we have plenty of lights already.

Seems like a small price to pay for a cleaner energy source.