Offshore wind for Delaware--

Questions from Delaware residents, and answers from University of Delaware researchers  

 Dr. Willett Kempton, Meredith Blaydes & Philip Whitaker,

College of Marine and Earth Studies,  UD. 

Q: Why is wind power being discussed now in Delaware?

 

A: The state has requested 400 MW of new power, through a “request for proposals” (RFP) via Delmarva Power and Light. The goals of this RFP are to provide stable electric power prices and environmental improvement, and to take advantage of new technologies. Private companies have submitted proposals for coal, natural gas, and offshore wind. The state, assisted by Delmarva, is to pick one in May 2007. The rules are set by Delaware’s HB 6, find it at: http://www.legis.state.de.us/LIS/LIS143.NSF/vwLegislation/HB+6. For the RFP rules, click on legis.html and search for “new generation”.

 

Q: Why not put the wind turbines on land?

 

A: Delaware has very few locations on land that are windy enough to be economically efficient. The wind over the Atlantic, and parts of the Delaware Bay, are stronger and steadier.

 

 Q: How much electricity if Delaware fully exploited its offshore potential?

 

A: According to UD researchers, Delaware has an immense offshore wind energy resource. An analysis by Dhanju, Whitaker and Kempton estimate a resource of over 7,000 MW average output in the waters off Delaware out to 50 m depth, even after excluding shipping lanes, bird flyways, etc. This is over five times the electricity use of the entire state of Delaware. If Delaware accepts the current bid and builds the proposed 600 MW wind farm, we can just maintain that, or can build more and continue to expand. Expansion beyond the needs of Delaware would also require expanding power transmission capacity, which is planned anyway. If Delaware’s resource were fully exploited, it would have a value of over $2 billion per year at current electricity prices.

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