Offshore Wind Plans - Capacity Building for the Sustainable and Inclusive Development of Nova Scotia's Offshore Wind Resource

Hello.

I've spent several years in the energy conservation and sustainabilty industries.  I've also worked in the utilities and understand the larger picture when it relates to energy capacity, demand and consumption.  I live on the southern coast of Cape Breton and own a small energy consulting firm called Grey Matter Energy.

Although I'm in favour of renewable energy, I struggle with off-shore wind for several reasons.

Costs

Around the world, several offshore wind projects have been proposed, completed or are in mid-construction or financing, the Hornsea project for example. In all cases, the costs have exceeded expectations and budgets and in some instances such as what is happening in New York right now (link below), the costs are reaching nuclear cost per kWh levels.  In addition, the time cost of several years to bring the power into use is unreasonable to the public who are funding the project, especially when quicker and lower cost solutions are available.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/506756/weighted-average-installed-cost-for-offshore-wind-power-worldwide/

https://www.ft.com/content/51dcaf65-12ed-47a0-8768-adf7a0bbfe4f

Maintenance

This could be included in costs but deserves consideration independently.  Wind Turbines are moving parts, motors.  They wear out or breakdown.  They require similar maintenance that any NG plant would require.  It's a cost of operating equipment that needs to be maintained and managed.  However, if I suggested to a NG plant operator they needed to hire a boat and travel 100kms to fix a breakdown, they would find a new place to work.  (Hornsea is 189km off shore)  Land based wind turbines require a truck and one or two mechanics.  Sea based turbines require a boat captain, good weather and a whole new skill set of dealing with oceans winds and waves while repairing a part.  The risks of failure are significantly higher whether it be a hurricane or just a nor-easter.  I live by the sea and weather is not the same 2 kms inland.  The benefit of sea-based wind turbines is also the deteriment, intense constant winds with salt spray mixed in.  

Losses

With the significant costs per kWh to produce electricity generating solutions, line losses should be considered.  Living on the grid in the city, users see an "adjusted" kWh usage based on line losses, usually 2%-3.5%.  This is from land based nuclear, coal, NG plants etc.  The high capacity transmission line losses are part of this calculation as well.  Logically, when harnessing wind power 100km or even 25km offshore, why add these additional losses to the system?  In other words, 1,000 kilowatt hours of capacity is 970 when it reaches the shore and 941 when it reaches our homes.

Solution/Alternatives

Land-based wind turbines are logical as there are several more opportunities around the southern coast of Nova Scotia.  The electricity output isn't as high as off shore but neither are the costs to build and maintain.   I'd  like to offer 1/4 acre of my property for land-based solar.  Offer residents along the coast and further inland land-leases to rent their empty and in many cases, hidden land, for 20 years and install solar panels.  If we can get the communities "off the grid" statistically using LOCAL solar and small wind, this opens up the grid for manufacturing and commercial growth.  Consider communities "mini-grids" that are tied to the main grid but independent of demand fluctuations from manufacturing and commecial loads.  Changing how we produce electricity should include efforts to change how we deliver electricity.

Thank you

Iain Robertson

Owner - Grey Matter Energy