Despite Devastating Impact of Sandy, Wind Energy Helps to Keep the Lights On in Northeast

DWEA Members Report Little to No Impact on Wind Turbines along East Coast

As most of the Northeast continues to assess the devastation and damage to the area’s infrastructure due to the impact of Sandy, there was one part of the local energy-generating network that suffered little to no damage: wind turbines. As the deadline to extend the wind energy tax looms, the Distributed Wind Energy Association (DWEA) and other wind energy advocates are underscoring the importance of this alternative energy platform as a reliable and sustainable source for small business and home owners.
Up and down the coast, DWEA members have shared accounts of distributed wind systems braving the storm in all impacted states. Stories include little to no damage to members’ wind turbines from North Carolina to New York, and beyond.

Mike Bergey, President of Bergey Windpower Co., had five 10 kW turbines installed in Nags Head, North Carolina, including three turbines on Jennette’s Pier, which was directly impacted by Sandy. Bergey was pleased to report that all five of his turbines survived the storm unscathed.

According to Bob Olivio in Villas, New Jersey, “I am on the Delaware Bay approximately four miles from Cape May. I was here during the entire storm with winds as high as 71 mph. I never powered my Skystream off, and am pleased to report that it’s still generating electricity today.”

Based on wind speed data from the National Hurricane Center, turbines that are engineered to withstand 120 mph winds would have easily weathered Sandy’s wrath but many business and home owners don’t consider wind energy as an alternative energy source until it’s too late.

“We hope that citizens and business owners will consider the power of wind energy as a tested and valuable source of energy to generate electricity. When all else fails, wind energy has the ability to weather the storm and keep the lights on,” advocated Jennifer Jenkins, executive director, DWEA.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of wind energy and why it should be considered a viable option for your home or business, please go to DWEA’s site found here.