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The NC Coastal Wind Working Group (CWWG) is an active, collaborative body through which key issues facing wind development in the region are being addressed. The focus of the CWWG is to address key issues specific to coastal wind resource development, as well as, to educate and excite local stakeholders and national developers about the strong potential for wind energy development on the outer banks, along the coast, and in the sounds of eastern North Carolina.
Goals
Goals of the NC Coastal Wind Working Group include:
- Develop a clear understanding of existing attitudes toward wind development in the coastal region
- Inform and educate key stakeholders, particularly the agricultural community, about the benefits of wind development
- Generate enough interest to inspire local individuals, businesses, and organizations to join in the efforts that will lead to real wind development
Partners/Sponsors
Partners/Sponsors of the Coastal Wind Working Group include:
- NC Solar Center at NC State University
- NC State Energy Office
- DOE Atlanta Regional Office
- National Renewable Energy Lab
- Renewable Energy Policy Project
- NC Department of Agriculture
- NC Division of Pollution Prevention, DENR
- Dominion NC Power
- National Parks Service, Cape Hatteras National Seashore
- NC GreenPower
- NC Conservation Network
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- NC Division of Parks and Recreation, DENR
- NC Army National Guard
- Appalachian State University
- NC Cooperative Extension Service
- National Wind Coordinating Committee
- NC Electric Membership Corporation
- Audubon Society of NC
- Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
- NC Sustainable Energy Association
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Current Activities
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Coastal Wind Town Meetings
At least three town meetings per year are held at coastal towns in North Carolina to educate the public on the wind energy resources in the North Carolina coast. These meetings are attended by public interest groups, local government representatives, the media and individuals who want to learn more about this renewable resource and those who have questions or comments about wind development. The meetings so far have been received positively by the community.
- Minutes of the meeting are available here: (they’re attached)
- Greenville, NC – June 21, 2007 (Minutes)
- Morehead City, NC – July 19, 2007 (Minutes)
- Coming – Nags Head – August 9, 2007
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Winter 2004 - 2005
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Agricultural Outreach
One of the primary CWWG efforts is outreach to the agricultural community in the coastal region. Outreach efforts will be based on the twin goals of informing farmers about opportunities for small wind for individual farmers and cooperative investment, and land lease or transmission easements for large wind projects. Agricultural outreach goals will be accomplished through three methods:
- Disseminate information to farmers through the agricultural organizations participating in the CWWG
- Develop a targeted fact sheet for coastal NC farmers
- Organize workshops to be held at the Cooperative Extension offices in coastal regions.
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Wind Attitudes Survey
A survey team in the ASU Political Science Department, which recently successfully polled residents in the mountains, developed the Wind Attitudes Survey. The results from the survey will be used to understand what the coastal and agricultural population feels are important concerns about wind development. In addition the survey will be valuable evidence of the support for wind that can be presented to elected and appointed officials. Results from the western wind survey show that residents overwhelmingly support ridge top wind, 63.5%.
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Cooperative Ownership Models and Communities of Color
The CWWG is working with local communities of color and lenders to develop a cooperative ownership model and examining ways that offshore wind benefits can accrue to local communities.
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Wind Resource Map and Initial Resource Evaluation
The NC State Energy Office’s recent work to map the wind resources in eastern North Carolina show that the coastal region holds substantial technical potential for wind energy development. The technical potential maps show that the wind resource is strongest offshore but that onshore sites also can be developed. The CWWG will use these maps along with other maps outlining information such as geographic, historic, and environmental sensitivities in order to establish areas with the greatest positive potential for development.
In addition, the maps will add an economic assessment of the site desirability by including factors such as distance from roads, cost of transmission and interconnection costs. When the maps are complete, they will display wind resource, special development restrictions, local community reaction, and economic viability.
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Wind Data
As the Anemometer Loan Program concludes its first year of operation, wind data will be made available through the NC Solar Center’s website. The data made available will include the following:
- Hourly average wind speed by month.
- Hourly average wind direction by month.
- Wind Rose by month.
- Hourly average temperature by month.
- Frequency distribution of wind speeds.
- Diurnal wind speed pattern.
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Permitting and Land Use
Through meetings with local, state and federal agency representatives, the CWWG is currently developing a map of the steps necessary for permitting approval process. The Renewable Energy Policy Project has determined the approval process for offshore wind farm development in North Carolina.
Training Workshops
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REIV: Renewable Electric Generation with Wind
This weeklong workshop is held once every summer. The first two days are devoted to the basics of electricity and renewable energy where participants will learn the nuances of AC vs DC, power vs energy, batteries, inverters, volts and amps. The next three days, the class splits into two tracks: Photovoltaics and Wind. This is also offered as a three-day stand along workshop. The 3-day wind workshop will discuss the types and scales of wind turbines, installation, maintenance and servicing techniques, how to choose a site and the issues of permitting, and learn the difference between grid and off-grid systems.
Location of workshops will be announced. See Calendar postings for details.
Wind EmPOWERing Communities Workshop – October 12, 2007
Train Depot, Morehead City, NC
This one-day workshop on community-scale wind will cover financial and ownership models for those interested in owning and/or operating a community-scale wind project. It will also discuss the application options for wind project including wind and water application systems. Lisa Daniels, Executive Director and founder of Windustry, will be the primary instructor for this class. She has been providing wind energy information and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, elected officials, rural utilities and other interested groups since 1995.
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