Renewables: Wondering about wind

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UK Only Article: 
standard article

Issue: 

The -a-week school

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Renewables

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America’s first offshore wind farm is the test bed for a new industry

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BLOCK ISLAND, RHODE ISLAND

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20150801_USP006_0.jpg

GWYNETH WILSON first spent summer on Block Island 58 years ago. She became a year-round resident five years ago because she loves island life, except for her high electricity bills. The island, which is about a dozen miles (20km) off the coast of Rhode Island, is not connected to the mainland’s grid and, therefore, energy costs are among the highest in the country. The 1,000 or so year-round residents and 15,000 summer visitors rely on expensive, noisy, diesel-fuelled generators for power. Millions of litres of diesel are brought by lorry via ferry to the island every year. According to some islanders, brownouts (periods of low power or none at all) are common. But Ms Wilson is hopeful that all …
Source: Utilities
Renewables: Wondering about wind