Cape Wind To be Built at Quonset Point , Rhode Island

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusett...

On wind power, Mass., R.I. aim to collaborate

By Beth Daley
Globe Staff / July 27, 2010

Rhode Island and Massachusetts will jointly explore offshore wind projects in federal waters adjacent to both states.

Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts and Governor Donald Carcieri of Rhode Island signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday committing both states to collaborating on offshore wind efforts in 400 square miles from 12 miles southwest of Martha’s Vineyard and extending 20 miles west into Rhode Island Sound.

After the Gulf of Mexico oil spill,“it is more pressing than ever to make the most of the clean energy potential off our shores,’’ Patrick said in a statement.“By working together, Governor Carcieri and I will make our states the hub of our nation’s offshore wind industry, creating hundreds of jobs and enjoying the environmental benefits of renewable energy.’’

Both states are looking to site offshore wind farms: the proposed 130-turbine Cape Wind project off Massachusetts, a pilot project off Block Island in Rhode Island, and a much larger one in federal waters.

“The shared waters between Rhode Island and Massachusetts hold the key to the future of offshore wind developments along the East Coast and the country, Carcieri said.“It is in the best interest for both states to work together’’ to get federal permits.’’

The Brayton Point power station in Somerset, Massachusetts consists of three coal-fired units – the 243-megawatt Unit 1, 240-megawatt Unit 2, and 612-megawatt Unit 3 – the 435-megawatt Unit 4, which uses natural gas or oil to generate 435 megawatts, and three diesel-generators with a combined output of 7.6 megawatts. The plant output is about 1500 megawatts or 1500 MW

The Nantucket Sound commercial wind turbine project is around 130 turbines each about 1.5 megawatts or 1.5 MW each. The total megawatts for the entire project is around 195 MW.

In order to replace the Brayton Point power station we would need one thousand 1.5 MW commercial ocean wind turbines with a cost of around 5 million dollars each to install. That cost alone is 5 billion dollars that's 5 billion with a B. That does not include maintenance!

Using the above formula what exactly is the goal of the commercial wind turbine industry and the state of Massachusetts. Does the general public know how many thousands of commercial wind turbines will be proposed?

August 12, 2010 Rhode Island Public Utilities

Quonset Point, RI — A Rhode Island official said Wednesday the project's developers are in ongoing discussions with Massachusetts officials about using Quonset Point as a staging port for both ocean wind projects and hope to make a formal announcement soon.

Gov. Donald L.Carcieri had announced in the past that the Quonset Development Corporation (QDC), a subsidiary of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (EDC) was awarded a $22.3 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant from the US Department of Transportation. The grant will support wind energy manufacturing and logistical operations and improve marine highway infrastructure at the Quonset Business Park.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has pushed the Nantucket Sound project into lowering the proposed rates for its controversial offshore wind turbines forcing it to move its headquarters out of state. Massachusetts unions had counted on the work.