DEM Hosts Ribbon-Cutting for Turbine at Fisherman’s Memorial

Governor Lincoln Chafee today joined Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit, Attorney General Peter Kilmartin, and state and local officials at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new wind turbine at Fishermen’s Memorial State Park and Campground in Narragansett. 

The 117-foot, Northwind 100 kW wind turbine will supply about half of the electrical needs for the park and campground each year.

Located on Point Judith Road, Fishermen’s Memorial is a popular state park and campground that offers residents and tourists a “seaside village” atmosphere with neatly trimmed grass, tree-lined paths, and activities for the whole family.  

Last year 17,840 people camped in 182 campsites at the park, which is known for its close proximity to popular state beach areas such as Scarborough, Roger Wheeler and Salty Brine, and other nearby tourist attractions. 

The wind turbine is situated in an upland area of the park away from the shoreline and set back from neighboring homes, campsites, and roadways.  The size of the turbine is in scale with the setting of the park. 

Manufactured by Northern Power Systems of Barre, VT, the white turbine is built on a single monopole tower within the enclosed maintenance compound.  It is expected to produce about half of the 330,000 kilowatt hours of electricity used per year to run the lights, electric sites, and sewage pump stations in the park.  Installation of the wind turbine was completed in late October, and the turbine produced close to 12,000 kilowatt hours of electricity during its first three weeks of production. 

Along with the wind turbine installation, DEM will display an online “green energy dashboard” that shows the amount of clean energy being produced and the corresponding carbon offset by that production.  This feature will be available to campers and the general public beginning next spring.

“This 100 kW wind turbine is a great example of the state’s commitment in deploying renewable energy on state-owned lands,” Chafee said.  “The installation will not only reduce electricity costs at the campground and facilities, but the wind turbine and the online ‘green energy dashboard,’ will be a valuable education tool for the general public and campground visitors about clean energy.”

“In addition to using electricity that’s been generated by wind, campers and other visitors to Fishermen’s Memorial will enjoy a hands-on learning experience as they view the turbine and the electronic data that shows the electricity actually being produced at our park,” Coit said.  “The electricity generated by the wind turbine will reduce carbon emissions and provide substantial cost savings for the state, because it will reduce by half the amount of electricity DEM buys from non-renewable sources for use at this popular campground.”  

“This is a great day for the tens of thousands of visitors that recreate at Fishermen’s Memorial and for Rhode Island taxpayers,” Kilmartin said. “This wind turbine takes advantage of the strong winds along our coast, reduces emissions from traditional energy sources and saves taxpayer dollars by reducing costs … I am pleased to have provided funding to support this important project, and look forward to seeing the completion of the other wind turbines projects at our state facilities.”

Ken Payne, the executive director of the State Office of Energy Resources, said, “From many perspectives this is an outstanding project.  First it's just plain logical that the State's environmental agency should get energy from a renewable resource; second, this location is an iconic site fishermen know for the importance of a beacon to help them steer toward a safe harbor; and third, this is the intended use of Recovery Act funds. Accomplishing this project has provided employment and will provide on-going energy cost savings to DEM.”

“This wind turbine is another example of Rhode Island’s commitment to leading the way in clean, sustainable energy development and use of renewable energy technologies,” RIEDC Director Keith Stokes said. “With leadership from Governor Chafee, the RIEDC, through the Renewable Energy Fund, is proud to partner with all the other state agencies instrumental in making this project a reality and making our state more energy efficient … The Fishermen’s Memorial wind turbine is a complement to the nearby wind and solar powered facilities at Salty Brine State Beach which are helping the state conserve energy costs and enhance the visitor experience at some our most beautiful public attractions.”

The Fishermen’s project is one of three alternative energy projects under development by DEM in Rhode Island state parks and beaches over the past two years. 

In May 2010, DEM unveiled the first wind turbine at Salty Brine State Beach in Narragansett. That 10 kW wind turbine has out-performed estimates and been very well received by beachgoers.  The Salty Brine turbine supplied 13,500 kilowatt hours of electricity to the beach pavilion in the first year of operation; initial estimates projected that it would produce 10,862 kilowatt hours of electricity a year. 

A similar 10 kW wind turbine is being installed at East Matunuck State Beach in South Kingstown as part of the ongoing construction of a new bathhouse and beach pavilion set to open next Memorial Day.

Funding for the $688,010 project at Fishermen’s Memorial comes from a combination of settlement funds, federal stimulus grants, and state monies.  $399,917 is being provided from a multi-state settlement agreement with American Electric Power Service for federal Clean Air Act violations; $150,594 is from federal American Resource and Recovery Act funds via the State Energy Office; and $137,500 is being provided from the RI Economic Development Corporation’s Renewable Energy Fund.

Release courtesy of the DEM.