Page 26: of Marine News Magazine (December 2012)

Þ sh, cribs and other creatures, he said. As for MMAÕs onshore turbine, bird mortality appears to have been modest, Gurnon said. And the academyÕs turbine is clearly energy efÞ cient. ÒIt paid off quickly,Ó he said. ÒIf we had to do it over, we should have gone bigger and taller.Ó He said Òa problem arose with a light on top of the turbine that reß ected off stainless steel appliances in neighborsÕ kitchens, but we had it adjusted.Ó TAKING STOCK & LOOKING AHEADAs for MMAÕs onshore turbine, bird mortality appears to have been modest, Gurnon said. And the academyÕs turbine is clearly energy efÞ cient. ÒIt paid off quickly,Ó he said. ÒIf we had to do it over, we should have gone bigger and taller.Ó He said Òa problem arose with a light on top of the turbine that reß ected off stainless-steel appliances in neighborsÕ kitchens, but we had it adjusted.Ó Worldwide, far more wind has been harnessed on land than offshore but wind power is now the second major source of renewable electricity after hydro-power. In the next few years, wind energy may become a reality off the U.S. coastline as projects navigate the regulatory labyrinth and deal with opposition from environmentalists and residents who donÕt want to see or hear turbines. Based on success in Europe, companies sense value and are jockeying for position in this ß edgling, U.S. offshore sector. ?? the 242-foot, 660-kilowatt Vestas V47 wind turbine provides enough electricity for our 54-acre campus. Electricity is free on windy days of about 20 knots or so. The turbine saves us $200,000 a year in electricity that we don?t have to buy, and we can sell $50,000 in renewable energy credits or RECs on the open market.? ? MMA president Admiral Richard Gurnon The Þ rst REpower 5M wind turbine (OR-D1) after erection on 2011-03-22 at VattenfallÕs Ormonde offshore wind farm in the UK.26 MNDecember 2012