Commentary

A comment on Bloomberg’s Wind Power Plan

According to a recent article in the New York Times, Mayor
Bloomberg announced a bold plan that would seek to
harness the wind power that races through New York City’s
canyons of skyscrapers and over its many bridges and miles
of open water.

His goal, mentioned in the article, is to reduce the city’s
dependence on country’s rickety power grid. The Mayor’s
announcement was made at an alternative energy
conference in Las Vegas just a few days ago. It was sweeping
in scope and light on details. But, how can one lay out the fine
print on such a grand plan that will take at least a decade to
implement? As for possible wind power projects, he mentioned
the possibility of constructing giant wind farms many miles out
in the depths of the Atlantic.

The Times also interviewed Rohit Aggarwala, who is director of
the Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability. According
to Aggarwala, the turbines for the city’s buildings would be
smaller and less noticeable. The Times said the city is asking
for help in this daunting task. A formal, nation-wide request
was made Tuesday asking for proposals to create renewable
power (wind-, solar- and water-based) sources in New York City.

I believe that concerning the wind power, small, less intrusive
devices are the best solution to providing a meaningful source
of renewable energy for New York City. Large wind farms, like
the ones being built with reckless abandon in upstate New York,
require years of legal battles, mountains of permits and they
cost upwards of a million dollars each to construct. Smaller
turbines can be installed at a lower cost and with less hassle.
Although they produce less electricity, many more can be
installed to compensate for this shortfall in power creation.

There are several companies that build efficient, affordable
and ascetically pleasing wind turbines. Aerotecture of Chicago,
AeroVironment of Monrovia, California and Mariah Power,
located in Reno, Nevada all have wind power turbines that
could probably suit the city’s needs right now. Wind power
is taking off in Chicago, and there is no reason that New
York City cannot make up for lost ground.

The best wind-based renewable power solution lies in placing
large numbers of smaller turbines on the city’s hundreds of
skyscrapers and numerous bridges, not in building expensive
boondoggles twenty miles out to sea.

© 2008 Splendid Marbles.