Don’t miss this special presentation on the energy future of the Gulf of Maine and New England. While it focuses on current events in Maine, this presentation will be directly relevant to New Hampshire – especially since the federal BOEM agency has agreed to have a regional intergovernmental task force to plan for offshore wind development for all states throughout the Gulf of Maine.
PRESS RELEASE
YORK – Dr. Habib J Dagher P.E., one of the foremost experts on wind power in the world, will speak at the York High School Auditorium, 1 Robert Stevens Drive (off Long Sands Rd.), on Tuesday, August 6, at 7 p.m. Dr. Dagher will talk about capturing energy from wind over the Gulf of Maine and the resultant significant advantages to the State of Maine. Everyone is welcome.
Nearly 80% of offshore wind resource is located over deep water. Over the past 10 years, Dr. Dagher and his 200-person team have developed floating wind turbine hull technology that can harness strong winds over ocean depths of 150 feet or more. The hulls can be fabricated in Maine, towed out and moored far offshore, where wind turbines will not be visible from land.
The University of Maine and Dr. Dagher’s lab have won $40 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to build a floating wind turbine demonstration project called Aqua Ventus I. The goal of the project is to test the technology, develop the supply chain, and determine the floating wind turbines’ impacts on the environment, fish and birds.
Dr. Dagher’s presentation will answer questions such as:
- Where do offshore wind projects operate now in U.S. waters and around the world?
- How strong and how reliable are Maine’s offshore winds?
- How do floating wind turbines stay in place?
- How does wind energy get to consumers?
- Is there an international race to develop floating wind turbine technology?
- When can wind power be available to Maine energy consumers?
- What will offshore wind mean to energy prices and clean job opportunities in Maine?
- What is the projected impact on Maine’s economy?
Winds over the Gulf of Maine can produce more than 156 gigawatts (GW) of clean, renewable energy in a year. The State of Maine uses just 2.4 GW annually. Offshore wind in Maine will start a new industry that will create jobs in engineering, construction, manufacturing, maintenance, navigation, and other support. It will reduce Maine’s reliance on imported fossil fuels (almost $6 billion a year) and keep more of our energy dollars in Maine.
Dr. Dagher’s talk is offered by York Ready for 100%, a local citizens group that advocates for clean, renewable, affordable energy and is co-sponsored by the Seacoast Anti-Pollution League, Union of Concerned Scientists, and 350 New Hampshire.
For more information about Dr. Dagher, view UMaine’s Advanced Structures & Composites Center.