Tom Maves, Renewable Energy Specialist, Ohio Dept. of Development of Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE), opened the second meeting of the Ohio Wind Working Group (OWWG) at 10:00 AM on February 23, 2004 at the Weatherhead School of Management at the Peter Lewis Building on the Case Western Reserve University campus in Cleveland, Ohio.  In reviewing the first OWWG meeting on September 25-26, 2004, his opening presentation set forth:

OWWG?s Mission is to Educate, Discuss & Collaborate on Smart Wind Energy Development in Ohio.  OWWG will:

Provide a clear consistent wind power message. 

Develop a clear regulatory process. 

Educate public on benefits of wind. 

Influence energy policy for Ohio. 

PUCO Net Metering and Interconnection ? Dan Johnson, Analyst, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) discussed several electric utility tariffs on net metering and interconnection.  Dan said that PUCO just received data on the number of net metering installations in each Ohio investor-owned utility (IOU) territory.

Utility Green Pricing ? Green Mountain Energy Co. and Florida Power & Light.  Jim Gravelle, Midwest Director of Communications, Green Mountain Energy Co. (GME) explained the agreement of GME and Florida Power & Light (FPL) to make a green product available to 8 million customers selling 100% renewable energy called ?Sunshine Energy? ($9.75/month more).  This is important to Ohio because FPL is the 3^rd largest IOU in the nation. 

Ohio Wind Power Conference / AWEA Conference. Green Energy Ohio (GEO) Executive Director Bill Spratley and Program Manager Christina Panoska then reviewed coming conferences of interest to OWWG summarized as follows:

2nd Ohio Wind Power Conference & Trade Show

Co-Sponsors: US Dept. of Energy, Ohio Dept. of Development, Green Energy Ohio
November 9 -10, 2004
Sheraton Cleveland City Centre Hotel

Tuesday, Nov. 9

9:00 AM ? 12:00 PM Plenary

12:30 ? 2:00 PM ? Lunch & Exhibits
2:00 ? 5:00 PM ? Breakout Sessions
5:00 ? 8:00 PM ? Reception & Trade Show
Wednesday, Nov. 10
9:00 ? 11:30 AM ? Plenary

Ohio Wind Conference Topics

* Overview of World Wind Energy Development

* Ohio Wind Energy Development

* Ohio Wind Resource Map & Ohio Wind Working Group

* Ohio Wind Development Assessment
* Regulatory, Siting, Finance, Safety, Community Engagement

* Federal Energy Policy & Wind

* Small Wind Development & Small Wind Mfg. Forum

* Commercial Wind Development & Manufacturing

* Utility Panel, Green Power, Wind & 2003 Blackout

* Lake Erie Wind Development

                                                 GLOBALWINDPOWER 2004
                                                   Conference & Exhibition
                                                          March 28-31, 2004
                                                           McCormick Place
                                                       Chicago, Illinois, USA
                             The Future of Wind Energy ? Achieving the Vision
                                                          
Bowling Green Wind Turbines Update ? Darryl Stockburger, Director, Bowling Green Municipal Utility (BGMU) gave a presentation on Ohio?s first two commercial wind turbines.  These turbines result from wind resource tests performed for the  by GEO.  The wind resource also is now confirmed on the new Ohio wind map with the Bowling Green area in Northwest Ohio showing Class 3 wind.  Construction photos of Vestas wind turbines and towers were shown.  The wind turbine blades weigh 14,000 pounds.  The towers were made in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Nov. 7, 2003, the dedication of the wind turbines also was the first day of operation.  Daryl reported that the turbines generated 732 MWH in November and 815 MWH is December.  In December the turbines hit full capacity of 3.6 MW a number of times.  One unit was down around Christmas.  December and January show 33% capacity and 29% capacity factors with an expected annual average of 21% or 7 Million kWh annually.

BGSU Student Wind Project.  Professor Don Scherer explained the Bowling Green State University Environmental Studies Capstone Seminar for 2004.  Currently, 15 senior and junior students (mostly environmental study majors) are investigating how to site more wind turbines in Wood County surrounding the City of Bowling Green.  BGMU wants to know about the feasibility of 10 to 16 new sites within 10 miles of BGMU substations.

A Wood County GIS map being used.  Students are looking at site feasibility, lease provisions and site development task forces.  In mid-January a meeting with students started the project.  Students began working with the preliminary Ohio wind map.  Only a few sites have 300 acres or more.  Students are determining site suitability by measuring distances from: property lines, roads, houses and barns and other wind turbines.

Along with sensitivity to wetlands and other natural features of the land, the investigation concerns whether any 40 acre school plots might be feasible sites.  Approximately 40 feasible sites have been identified.  A letter of inquiry has been drafted for BGMU to approach property owners. Informational meetings with landowners are planned.  On May 3 students will report their findings. The project deliverable is a report and a proposed lease with landowners.

GEO Water Crib Wind Test Project.  A presentation, ?North Coast Wind: A Feasibility Study, Off-Shore Wind Development in Lake Erie? was made by Green Energy Ohio Board Members Fletcher Miller, AAron Godwin and Lisa Hong.

AAron Godwin described the wind test equipment on the water crib which will monitor wind at 3 heights with a full weather station with a web real time data link. 

Reviewing the water crib monitoring status AAron briefly reviewed permits and approvals from the FAA, City of Cleveland Water Department, US Coast Guard, NOAA, NASA and discussions with the Army Corps of Engineers.  The proposed timing to install the crib monitoring tower is Spring 2004.  There is a need to raise funds for Phase 2 including distant learning.  The project would result in 2 years of data collection and on-going stakeholder meetings, public meetings. 

Leadership Cleveland H20hio. ? Margie Flynn, BrownFlynn Communications and Leadership Cleveland H20 Focus Team Leader described the Cleveland community activities as part of the North Coast Wind Project with GEO and other community partners.  Under the goal of creating wealth in the community the H2Ohio project objectives are to: (1)Assess and convene possible manufacturers in the area to produce wind industry products; and, (2) Create accelerated model for community collaboration: technical, economic, and   communications.  H20hio worked with GEO on Technical Feasibility project and helped secure its initial funding.  H2Ohio is now looking to leverage talent and expertise to look at feasibility of wind on the Lake and how Cleveland can develop a collaborative model for economic development in NE Ohio. 

Long Island Power Authority Off-Shore Wind Experience.  Rich Nerzig, Senior Project Manager, Arcadia, sole-owned subsidiary of Bluewater Wind began by saying that Lake Erie is a unique opportunity.  He showed a community education video that Arcadia/Bluewater prepared for their off-shore wind bid to the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA).  Arcadia/Bluewater is one of two bidders contending for the LIPA wind project in reply to a LIPA Request for Proposals.  This video is also available on the Bluewater web site.  He noted that the video simulations of wind turbines are technically accurate.

In his Wind Energy Overview, Nerzig noted that wind power is the fastest growing sector of energy industry today with a 25% annual growth rate since 1992.  Benefits of wind energy are that it is pollution free, creates no water pollution, and helps supply electricity in urban power bottlenecks (load pockets).  Off-shore wind is more difficult and more expensive, e.g. it cost $1 million just for a wind tower foundation for a wind test tower in the Atlantic Ocean. 

Nerzig said there is currently 427 MW of off-shore wind in Europe.  He showed photos of several large projects off-shore of Denmark.  The new Arklow Bank project off Ireland in the Irish Sea involves 7 GE 3.6 MW turbines and photos of piling installation were shown.  In answer to questions, Nerzig said that an off-shore wind turbine is now installed in 2 or 3 days, although Danes claim they can install a turbine in less than 1 day. 

In his Outlook for Lake Erie, Nerzig said:

            Need wind data and assessment

            Evaluate interconnection and voltage stability ? financial off-takers

            Transmission bottlenecks make local generated electricity sensible

            Looking directly North of Cleveland is most feasible on Lake Erie in up to 25 meter depth

OWWG Committee Meetings. 

Economic Development Committee.  Dale Arnold reported that the committee brainstormed to identify beneficiaries (consumers, landowners, manufacturers, services, maintenance, construction, education, infrastructure, designers, marketers, lending and financing, tourism) and stakeholders (immediate partners such as Weatherhead Regional Economics Institute, foundations, manufacturers) of manufacturing wind components in Ohio, as well and Ohio?s existing strengths (wind potential, scientific and market research, land and water transportation, steel, manufacturing, high load).  Education of the market is necessary.  Issues for Study & Action on the OWWG web site research pages are:

·         Economic Development Potential

·         Resource Assessment and Development Potential

·         Wind Development Models (Community, Utility, etc.)

·         Offshore Wind Development

Education and Outreach Committee Report.   AAron Godwin reported that the group found a need to communicate between all stakeholders and project partners, and develop set positions and plans so there are not conflicting messages to the media.  Focus should be on a strategy for community leaders, outreach, and media.  The statewide initiative should build on the Northwest and Northeast Ohio wind projects.  Web-based programs need to come up with replicable systems and create a clearinghouse including school engagement and newsletters. Transparency and open information are key. Issues for Study & Action on the OWWG web site research pages are:

·         Proactive Community Involvement and Education

·         Visual Impacts and Property Values

Regulatory & Policy Committee Report.  Dan Johnson reported that the group identified state, national, international, local laws, jurisdictions and contacts.  They agreed to organize applicable laws and regulations for an Ohio version of a similar study in North Carolina.   Issues for Study & Action on the OWWG web site research pages are:

·         Siting and Permitting Issues

·         Incentives and Policy Issues

·         Interconnection, Transmission and Other Utility Issues

Closing Plenary Session: Next Steps.  Before closing at 4:00 PM, Tom Maves thanked the participants and host Weatherhead School of Management for a very informative and comfortable meeting.