After members of the Andover Energy Group visited commercial wind farms in Lempster and Groton recently to learn more about their installation and operation, Steve Darling summarized their findings in the following way:
Pros
- Reduced reliance on fossil fuels
- Drastically reduced CO2 emissions vs. power plants
- Low “embodied energy” (the energy required to manufacture and install) compared to power plants of similar size
- Decreased need for new fossil fuel plant construction
- Some creation of long- and short-term jobs
- Lease/rental income for landowner
- Possibility of negotiating attractive town revenues in lieu of taxes
- Capable of producing electrical power day and night
- Less dependence on imported energy sources
- Wind is free
Cons
- Visual impact and “blade flicker”
- Negative impact on land and wildlife in forested areas
- Some low-level noise (45 decibels at 300 yards)
- Additional power transmission lines
- Keeps power generation in hands of large corporations
- Potential for decrease in neighboring property values
- New Hampshire generally has lower average wind speed than other areas of US
- Possible increase in municipal taxes paid to the county due to increased land value
- May cause negative impact on tourism
Free energy-saving seminar
New Hampshire Electrical Co-op is offering a free seminar for commercial and municipal members on Thursday, May 8, from 8 AM to 12:45 PM, at Church Landing Inn in Meredith, followed by a complimentary lunch for attendees.
Topics to be covered include energy-efficient commercial refrigeration applications; overview of LED lighting technology and applications; high-performance mini-split heat pump technology and applications; air-sealing and insulation to save on heat bills; introduction to meter data management; and “putting it all together.”
For more information or for advance registration (required), contact Bill Vecchio at VecchioB@nullnhec.com or 536-8632.
Green Energy Times
Especially if you’re not a regular reader, plan to pick up the new issue of “Green Energy Times” at one of several outlets in town. It’s free, and the April 15 edition contains 40 pages of news, advice, features and ads about how to improve energy efficiency and make use of alternative energy sources.
Published in Bradford, Vermont, this month’s edition of the bimonthly tabloid contains articles entitled:
- “The Slow Transportation Movement”
- “Best Options for Fuel-Efficient Vehicles in 2014”
- “Smart Commuting in New Hampshire and Vermont”
- “Getting to Know Your Solar Installers” in New Hampshire
- “NHSolargarden: New Green Energy Dynamic”
- “How Does Wind Power Compare as a Bird-Killer?”
- “Available Incentives in New Hampshire”
- “From Heating to Cooling, Heat Pumps are Win-Win”
… and much, much more.
Pick up free copies while they last at Lake Sunapee Bank, the post offices, Pizza Chef, Town Hall, Belletetes, and Blackwater Junction Restaurant, all in Andover.
More Free Info
Unless you get your NHEC bill by e-mail, you should receive a copy of the two-page, two-color envelope stuffer in your NHEC electric bill every month. But a very informal survey (and personal behavior) reveals that few people probably pay much attention to it.
Too bad, because most issues contain a variety of energy-efficiency tips, savings, incentives, and special offers. In the April issue, for example, you can get free pickup and a $30 rebate if you let NHEC recycle an old, working-but-inefficient second refrigerator or freezer in your Andover home. There are also incentives of up to $10,000 for residential and commercial heat pumps, and up to $500 on ductless mini-split systems. Certain conditions apply.
If you’ve misplaced your copy of “New Hampshire Electric Co-op Today,” you can read the current edition, and past editions, at NHEC.coop.