Virginia Energy Symposium - May 17, 2007
The Virginia Manufacturers Association hosted the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC) to discuss a wide range of new and exciting subjects associated with potential coastal / maritime energy concepts. The symposium was held in the Richmond Convention center and sponsored by Virginia Manufacturers Association, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). Click for a program and list of attendees.
To View the Morning Presentations - Click Below
Marine Biodiesel from Pond-Cultured Algae
Marine Biogas from Offshore-Cultured Seaweeds
Marine Methane Hydrates
The Offshore Industry & the Economy
Infrastructure Needs & the Economic Development "Ripple Effect"
Hybridizing Gas with Offshore Wind
To View the Afternoon Presentations - Click Below
Manufacturer's Perspective - How Big Can We Build the Turbines?
Developer's Perspective - Bidding Projects to Delmarva Power
Utility Perspective - Grid Integration of Large Wind Projects
Environmental Perspective - Coastal Zone Management Issues
Regulator's Perspective - Federal Rulemaking for Marine Renewables
Summary of the Symposium
Dr. Patrick Hatcher, Executive Director of VCERC provided an introduction and a summary of the VCERC effort. George Hagerman, Director of Research for VCERC provided an overview of research and potential for several renewable costal energy concepts.
The moderator for the morning’s Liquid and Gaseous Fuels from Coastal Resource program was Dr. Aron Stubbins, Old Dominion University, a research Assistant Professor coordinating ODU’s VCERC effort on bio-fuel from algae. Dr Pat Hatcher, also of ODU and VCERC, provided a summary of the potential of producing bio-diesel from pond cultured algae. Concepts included an applications that would aid in waterway clean ups, wastewater remediation and carbon dioxide sequestration. Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program reviewed the overall efforts of CZMA and the implications of concern for coastal development questions. Edith Allison, Department of Energy, provided an update on the progress of Methane Hydrate exploration and the international interest in this work in Canada and Alaska. Kim Harb, National Ocean Industries Association and Chris McGill, American Gas Association provided an excellent perspective on economic impacts of offshore development. To close out the morning program Harold Adams, Dominion Resources, introduced a concept for hybridizing offshore wind with natural gas as a revolutionary look at generation.
The lunch speaker was Mr. Steve Walz, Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, senior energy policy advisor to the Governor of Virginia. An update and perspective of Virginia’s Energy Plan was provided.
The afternoon session of Electric Power from Offshore Wind was moderated by Mr Neil Rondorf, Assistant Vice President Maritime, SAIC and founding Industry Partner for VCERC. Kevin Rackstraw, Clipper Wind provided a summary of the turbine technology and a perspective of future technology. Kevin Pearce, Bluewater Wind presented a review of the Delaware Wind project development and process including a perspective of public support for this in Delaware. Matt Unger, Pace Global Energy Services conducted a primer on wind project integration into the grid with pricing and cost impacts. Laura McKay, CZMA, then provided an environmental perspective and concerns associated with this technology. The afternoon program was closed with a presentation by Maureen Bornholdt, US Mineral Management Service on the regulatory development associated with this emerging industry.
The symposium was concluded with remarks by Virginia Senator Frank Wagner on some of the political perspectives of these developing concepts and the Virginia Energy Plan. The symposium can be considered an outstanding success when measured by the wide range of subject matter and backgrounds of the attendees. The break times were difficult to end due to the stimulating and intense conversations among the attendees.
