Wind power in New Jersey

Wind power in New Jersey is in the early stages of development. There are various projects underway to create windfarms along coastal areas in the state on land, on piers, and on the continental shelf of the Atlantic Ocean off the southern Jersey Shore. Legislation has been enacted to support the industry through economic incentives and to permit wind turbines on existing piers. Several proposals have been made to expand the use of wind-generated power which may lead to the nation's first offshore wind power pilot project. In October 2010, North American Offshore Wind Conference was held in Atlantic City, site of the US's first on-shore coastal facility. New Jersey is part of the Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Consortium.

Existing facilities

Jersey Atlantic Wind Farm

Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm, opened in 2005 in Atlantic City, is the first coastal wind farm in the United States.^[1] In October 2010, North American Offshore Wind Conference was held in the city and included tours of the facility and potential sites for further development.^[2] In February 2011, the state passed legislation permitting the construction of windmills for electricity along pre-existing piers, such as the Steel Pier.^[3][4]

Offshore Wind Economic Development Act

Prior to 2008, when changes in federal rules expanded the area where offshore wind parks can be constructed, projects were only allowed in state waters within 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) of shore. U.S. territory extends to about 200 nautical miles (370 km) offshore. While increased distance from the shoreline diminishes their visibility it can cause problems for stability.^[5] In June 2010, the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection released the results of the study which stated that the effects of developing offshore windfarms would be "negligible".^[6][7][8] Soon after, the New Jersey Legislature created and the governor signed the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act. The law provides for financial incentives and tax credits to support offshore wind projects.^[9][10][11]

Proposed projects

Fisherman's Energy

In May 2011, Cape May-based Fisherman's Energy gained New Jersey approval for a demonstration project to build six wind turbines 2.5 miles (4.0 km) off the coast at Atlantic City, called Fisherman's Atlantic City Windfarm.^[12] The project may come on line late 2012.^[13][14][15]

Garden State Offshore Energy / Deepwater Wind

In 2008, New Jersey gave rights to develop a 350 MW wind project to Garden State Offshore Energy - a joint venture between Deepwater Wind and PSEG Renewable Generation.^[16][17] Studies are being conducted by the subsidiary of the state's largest energy supplier Public Service Enterprise Group (PSE&G) off the coast of the southern part of the state opposite Atlantic City.^[16][18]

In 2009, the New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities awarded grants of up to $4 million to Garden State Offshore Energy, Fisherman's Energy and Bluewater Wind to undertake research of offshore meteorological conditions.^[19] The grant to Garden State Offshore Energy is being used to install an offshore meteorological buoy to measure wind speeds and weather and wave conditions off the coast.

Atlantic Wind Connection

Atlantic Wind Connection is a planned electrical transmission backbone to be built off the Atlantic Coast of the United States to serve off-shore wind farms. Google and Good Energies, an investment firm, are the major investors in the $5 billion dollar project proposed by Trans-Elect Development Company which would deliver power ashore at two points, one in South Jersey and one in northeastern New Jersey as well as Delaware and southern Virginia.^[20] The proposed system has been praised by environmentalists and federal regulators, but as a first of its kind project, poses significant risks of encountering unexpected problems.^[21]

Port Jersey

In 2010 the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced its intention to build five wind turbines at Port Jersey on the Upper New York Bay within three years.^[22][23] The windfarm is part of a larger plan to expand the container port on the manmade peninsula to accommodate post-panamax ships.^[24][25] Nearby, the Bayonne Municipal Utilities Authority after some delays expects to begin operation of its singular wind turbine in 2012.^{[26][27][28][29][30][31]}

See also

• Renewable energy
• Environmental impact of wind power
• Solar power in New Jersey
• Nuclear power plants in New Jersey
• List of power stations in New Jersey

References

Further reading

• "GMI Awarded New Jersey Ocean/Wind Power Ecological Baseline Studies". North American Wind Power. November 15, 2007. http://www.nawindpower.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.1457. Retrieved 2011-06-06. 

External links

• US Department of Energy New Jersey 50-Meter Wind Resource Maps
• New Jersey Clean Energy Program: Wind
• Bluewater Wind
• Fisherman's Energy
• Garden State Offshore Energy