According to a report recently released by the American Wind Energy Association, wind is now the largest renewable energy source in the United States. The Department of Energy estimates that 20 percent of energy consumed in the U.S. could come from wind by 2030.
Situated on Lake Erie with a constant wind stream, Northeast Ohio is poised to potentially become a hub for the offshore wind industry. Initiated more than a decade ago, Icebreaker - the first freshwater wind project in the United States - is scheduled to begin construction in 2018. Consisting of six wind turbines located seven miles from the Lake Erie shoreline, the goal for Icebreaker is to make enough electricity to provide energy to 6,000 homes by 2019.
Icebreaker could also be a game-changer for economic development, generating new jobs and positively contributing to the region's manufacturing and construction strengths. How do we take to advantage of these opportunities to create a flourishing wind industry on the Great Lakes? And what can we do now to help meet this longer term vision?
Panelists include:
Patrick Fullenkamp, Director, Technical Services, GLWN Global Wind Network
Shilpa Kedar, Program Director for Economic Development, Cleveland Foundation
Andrew R. Thomas, Executive In Residence, Energy Policy Center, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University
Lorry Wagner, Ph.D., President, LEEDCo
This conversation is moderated by ideastream® reporter/producer Elizabeth Miller.
