Environment

A Molokai Wind Farm

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Community Contributed

By Steve Morgan

Do windmills make noise?
A study in Albany County, Wyoming determined that the Siemens 2.3 megawatt (MW) wind turbine, at a speed of 22 mph, generated a noise level of 47 decibels (db) 800 feet away; 40 db at a mile and a half away; and 21 db at 7 miles away. Comparable studies showed little noise variation in winds ranging from 15 mph to 30mph. 
Examples of comparable noise levels are: library ambience 30 db; refrigerator hum 40db; air conditioner (20 feet away) 60 db.
According to the EPA, noise levels above 45 db can disturb sleep. The wind itself also makes noise which may compete with or even eliminate turbine noise.
A more controversial noise problem associated with windmills is “amplitude modulation” created by infrasound waves under 20 hertz (Hz). Various studies seem to deny any true medical condition associated with this problem; however, an AWEA report states that “the fluctuating noise created by the up down motion of the blade can be a concern.” Low level frequencies can affect the vestibular system and effect balance and even create dizziness. Some living in close proximity of windmills have reported these types of effects.
*Study conducted by EMI for Shell Energy

What will happen to the windmills if they are no longer in operation?
According to both First Wind and Pattern Energy, upon ceasing operation, all windmills would be removed as well as the concretes support bases. Elaborating on this more fully, David Parquet of Pattern stated that his company would bond the dismantling process. Bonding would insure that money would be a set aside at the development stage of the project, in order to cover all related costs of dismantling. Bonding also insures that these allocated moneys could only be used for the sole purpose of dismantling.

Will the Kaunakakai wharf have to be modified to accommodate loading or transportation of turbines?
According to First Wind, the wharf would need modifications to accommodate the large blade and tower pieces. A consultant would be hired to determine the necessary modifications and community input would be brought in to this process.

How many people will the wind farm employ during the construction phase?
The initial construction phase will require 200-300 workers. Some of these jobs will go to local workers, but a significant number of the workers would come from off island.

Where will these people live while they are on Molokai?
Speaking at the Maunaloa Molokai Properties Ltd. meeting, Parquet of Pattern made a suggestion of refurbishing the abandoned hotel(s).  He stated that this could accomplish two things 1) the hotel rooms could provide accommodations for transit workers; and 2) upon completion of the project, the refurbished hotel(s) could resume tourist operations and offer employment. Mr. Parquet went on to state, “if this is something that the community wants.”

How many jobs will there be after construction is finished?
According to First Wind, the project would employ three operations and maintenance personnel and three wildlife biologists. Additionally the turbine manufacturer would provide one maintenance technician for every 10 wind turbines. It is possible that qualified residents could be trained at other project sites in order to prepare them for work on Molokai.

Naturally Speaking

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Community Contributed

By G.T. Larson

Nature has an infinite array of wonders to arrest the attention of even the most distracted among us. Along with larger surf, winter time in Hawaii brings more active weather systems. This increase of activity is a direct result of the northern Pacific Ocean awakening from its summertime seasonal slumber. Low pressure systems in the far north Pacific become more numerous and deepen in intensity as fall becomes winter.

This in turn leads to an increase in frequency and size of swells on our north and northwest shores. As these low pressure systems become more intense, they are more likely to travel farther south and southeast from their spawning grounds.

This brings them closer to Hawaii; hence an increase in stormy weather near, over, and across the islands. These lows bring rain to parts of the islands, usually the leeward sides, which get little to none the rest of the year. The remaining areas also have a dramatic increase of precipitation. A weather phenomenon associated with these low pressure systems, encountered on the mainland quite often but experienced in Hawaii rarely, is lightning.

works or how it interacts with the upper atmosphere or the earth’s electromagnetic field,” according to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Somewhat of what we do know is that lightning has been observed in volcanic eruptions, including on Hawai`i Island, intense forest fires, nuclear explosions, hurricanes, and on rare occasions, heavy snowstorms. By far, the most common source of lightning is thunderstorms.

All the natural world is for our edification, but not all of it can be touched, tasted, nor taken. Kaula uila is one of nature’s true wonders but must be observed with respect. Aloha Ke Akua.

Tsunami Hits Molokai’s East End

Monday, March 14th, 2011

The biggest earthquake in Japan’s history was so powerful it tilted the axis of the Earth, according to NASA, sending tsunami waves crashing across the Pacific Ocean last Thursday evening, March 10. The waves reached Molokai shores around 3:15 a.m. on Friday morning.

The 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sendai, Japan at 7:46 p.m. local time, triggering more than forty Pacific nations to declare tsunami warnings, including Hawaii.

A Molokai Wind Farm

Monday, March 7th, 2011

Community Contributed

By Steve Morgan

What are the sources of my information?
All of the material that I have provided in the content of these articles is directly quoted from the original sources. These include comments by the Department of Energy, HECO, First Wind, Molokai Properties Ltd (MPL), Castle and Cook, DBEDT and Lanaians for Sensible Growth (LSG).  I have intentionally not reinterpreted any of their provided information. For an overview of the subjects covered thus far, I recommend reviewing the video recording of the Jan 11 Senate Hearing at: http://olelo.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=13&clip_id=17969

What will the impact of windmills be on birdlife?
Estimates claim that wind turbines in the U.S. kill approximately 70,000 birds per year. Supporters of windmills would argue however that fewer birds are killed from windmills than that of conventional energy, with fossil-fueled power stations being responsible for at least 10 times more fatalities. The number of birds killed by wind turbines is also negligible when compared to the number that die as a result of other activities - 57 million killed by cars, 98 million killed by collisions with plate glass, and hundreds of millions killed by cats. An article in Nature Magazine stated that each wind turbine kills an average of 4.27 birds per year. The National Audubon Society in the U.S. takes a position of broad support for wind power to help mitigate global warming, while cautioning against wind farms in areas especially critical to bird habitat. 

(The following is based on info provided by Pattern Wind)
What about visual impact? What is the proposed layout of the Molokai wind farm?
A preliminary design layout indicates that the proposed wind turbines will be out of the primary viewscapes of residences in Kaluakoi and Maunaloa. Turbines would be visible as far away as the airport when looking towards Mahana Ridge. The most evident visual impact however, will be found between mile markers 11 and 14 with windmills appearing intermittently on both sides of the highway, the larger number being to the north. It appears that somewhere in the proximity of mile marker 14, that the northern flank of windmills would cease while the southern flank would skip over Maunaloa town and reoccur towards La’au, at this point being the area of highest density. According to Pattern Wind, this is a tentative design which can be altered.

Will the windmills be visible at night?
Yes, the FAA requires aeronautical warning lights be installed on wind towers. Currently, technology exists whereas lights would not come on unless aircraft were actually in the area. This technology is currently waiting for FAA approval in the U.S.

What is the size and scope of Pattern’s preliminary wind farm proposal?
Acreage required - 11,000
Number of windmills - 90
Distance between windmills - 1/4 mile apart
Distance between rows - 1/2 mile
Total acreage of land actually used for windmills - 220 acres (2 percent of acreage required)
Height of windmill including blade - 414 feet
Blade length - 161 feet (blade span 320 feet)
Size of concrete foundation - 50 feet diameter, 8 feet depth
Width of pedestal - 15 feet
Number of blade rotations per minute - 9-16 revolutions