Hingham Wind
An initiative of REACH (Responsible Energy Alternatives Coalition of Hingham)
July 1, 2008
Board of Directors:
Pat Granahan, Pam Harty, Sandra and Gene Allen, Mary A. Stewart, Bob Broker, Al Engelhart, Clayton Handleman, Louise Smith, Cindy Thaxter, Carol Valentine
Contact information:
Pam Harty – pamharty@comcast.net
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is Hingham Wind?
Answer: Hingham Wind is an ad-hoc committee which is working with the Hingham Municipal Light Board (HMLB) to advise the Board on opportunities to develop a wind turbine(s) in the Town of Hingham. The committee intends to coordinate its activity with the Hingham Green Energy Committee recently established by the Selectmen.
Question: Why Hingham?
Answer: The Town of Hingham has two distinct advantages in pursuing wind energy. First, our town is situated in an area of the New England coast where there are stronger winds. Second, with a municipally owned light company we can derive higher cost benefits.
Question: Where would a wind turbine be sited?
Answer: Wind turbines could be sited preferably on town owned land that has sufficient open space and wind resources and is otherwise a reasonable site. Possible sites under investigation include the Landfill, South Shore Country Club and areas in Pine Hills, as well as other town, state and private properties. Some of these sites present logistical concerns and/or conservation restrictions that need to be addressed.
Question: At what stage is the process?
Answer: Our current goal is to collect wind resource data at one or two specific locations. Before a wind turbine site selection can be made, it is highly recommended to collect wind resource data for up to 12 months, using a 40 to 50 meter high Meteorological (MET) Tower bearing anemometry equipment. A met tower is currently gathering data in Hingham at the transfer station on Hobart Street. Another met tower owned by Cohasset is gathering data on Turkey Hill.
Question: What happens next?
Answer: Assuming that the wind resource data proves to be adequate and the property owner (town, private) supports the site, the HMLB would then determine the economic feasibility of building a wind turbine on a specific site.
Question: Who will own the wind turbine?
Answer: Given the advantage of having our own Light Company, the HMLB would most likely build and own any wind turbine. In order to move forward with construction, the Board would need to secure support for the capital development (bonding) and secure permits from the Town to build the turbine.
REACH/Responsible Energy Alternatives Coalition of Hingham
Question: What is this cost of a wind turbine?
Answer: Based upon Hull’s experience and our preliminary economic analysis we expect the project to be revenue positive from the day that the turbine is activated. In other words, we expect this to be a money maker for Hingham. Final economics depend upon a variety of factors such as interest rates, cost of turbines, cost of electricity and price of renewable energy credits.
Question: What will the Town gain by doing this?
Answer: The anticipated net positive cash flow implies that HMLP will require less revenue from rate payers.
Answer: Any power produced by the turbine will offset power that the light plant would otherwise need to purchase from fossil fuel, nuclear and hydro resources. Wind turbines provide a stable source of current and future energy needs.
Answer: There are significant environmental benefits inasmuch as a wind turbine does not emit greenhouse gases (CO2, SO2, and NO2). When fossil fuel based energy is replaced with a renewable energy source such as wind, greenhouse gas emissions are avoided.
Question: Do wind turbines kill birds? Is this going to be problem?
Answer: Yes. However if all of our electricity were derived from wind the bird kill would be 10% of what it currently is from house cats. Birds run a greater risk of injury from flying into windows or being hit by moving vehicles. These statistics are based upon national averages.
In our area Hull Wind I, located by Hull High School, has no documented bird kills after several years of operation.
Question: I am concerned about noise; will the turbine keep me awake at night?
Answer: Given the slow speed modern turbines rotate at, the sound created is minimal. In most cases noise is a low ‘swish’ or ‘whirr’. According to the UMASS Amherst Renewable Energy Research Laboratory the noise from a modern wind turbine is less than the ambient noise level in a typical home.
On calm nights when the wind is not blowing you will hear nothing. The turbine does not spin without the wind and can be braked in high winds. On gusty fall and winter days the sound of the wind in the trees will be greater than the sound of the turbine.
Question: Why not solar?
Answer: Solar photovoltaics remains an option but is more costly and for Hingham, is better suited for demonstration projects. Solar hot water is often cost competitive with electric hot water and is a great technology. However, currently, the best opportunity for progressive energy reform in Hingham to be in the area of wind.
Question: How many wind turbines are planned?
Answer: Our first goal is have the HMLB endorse and the town support the placement of one turbine. Wind studies, cost modeling, and energy needs/costs will influence further recommendations. In all cases, projects will receive full public review at appropriate levels of the town and in public meetings.
Note: We thank the Cohasset Alternative Energy Committee for permission to use some material.
For further information go to:
