A
massive report about developing big wind, solar and hydropower energy in Rhode
Island was recently released. The 392-page report (pdf) and 659-page technical addendum (pdf) provide in-depth analysis, data
and tools for designing and constructing renewable energy projects.
But
the Renewable
Energy Siting Partnership (RESP), coordinated by the University of Rhode Island, has
yet to deliver the promised guidelines for building wind turbines. The project
presents a comprehensive review of controversial impacts of utility-scale
turbines, such as icing, fall zones, and danger to birds and bats. The report,
however, calls for further review of existing turbines in the state in order to
learn more about shadow flicker, noise and changes in property values.
“The task of harnessing wind energy potential in Rhode Island is complicated by the fact that the windiest parts of the state tend to also be densely populated or important wildlife habitat,” according to the report.
Previous,
yet preliminary, RESP siting guidelines were referenced in proposed wind
projects last year, such as those that were defeated in Westerly and
Middletown.
Other projects, such as the multi-turbine proposal sought by the
East Bay Energy Consortium, have sought the guidelines in order to advance
their initiatives.
Pulling
back from setting benchmarks, however, allows communities to determine their
own tolerance for some of the risks, according to the report.
"We
don't want to put out regulations that have a backlash," said Marion Gold,
who served as leader of the RESP team until she took over as head of the state
Office of Energy Resources (OER) in August.
Any
future guidelines will likely come from the OER and the state Division of
Planning as part of their work on updating Rhode Island's energy plan. A public
meeting on the energy plan and RESP is scheduled for Jan. 17.
For
now, the RESP report and the RIEnergy website offer
numerous research tools, maps and funding sources for siting wind turbines,
solar-landfill arrays and hydropower.
More
than 100 landfills are offered as prospective sites for solar projects, such as
the Central Landfill in Johnston, the Newport Naval station and a URI disposal
area. Of the state’s 57 largest dams, six are already licensed hydropower
facilities, and six others have preliminary permits for new power projects.
Renewable
energy experts, local universities and state agencies helped write the RESP
report. The project was launched in 2011 by then-OER director Kenneth Payne.