Alternative Energy Draft EA - NASA Visitor Center at Wallops Flight ...

2.3 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES
Proposed Action and Alternatives
The Proposed Action and Alternatives consist of developing renewable, self-sufficient energy
sources at WFF to supplement the electricity currently supplied to WFF by the local electric
cooperative. These alternative energy sources would consist of proven wind and/or solar
technologies to assist WFF in meeting its goals of reducing impacts on the natural environment.
The wind and solar sources would consume energy from a source that provides zero GHG
emissions, reduce WFF’s annual operating costs, and set an example for responsible stewardship
of natural resources by a Federal agency.
2.3.1 Proposed Action: Utility-Scale Wind Turbines and Residential-Scale Wind Turbines
Under the Proposed Action, NASA’s preferred alternative, NASA would construct two 2.0 MW
“utility-scale” wind turbines on Wallops Island that would be capable of generating
approximately 10 GWh/year, and up to five 2.4 kW “residential-scale” wind turbines at the Main
Base and Mainland.
2.3.1.1 Utility-Scale Turbines
The 2.0 MW wind turbines would be located on Wallops Island west of the U.S. Navy V-10/V-
20 complex (Figure 6). A depiction of the wind turbines is shown on Figure 7. The general
specifications of a representative 2.0 MW wind turbine (Gamesa, 2009) include:
Three composite (non-metal) rotor blades
The diameter of the rotor blades is 87 meters (285 feet)
A height of 120.5 meters (395 feet) at the top of the blade
A rotation speed of 9 to 19 revolutions per minute
Independent pitch control that allows rotor blades to automatically turn to face oncoming
wind
The generator and gearbox are supported by elastomeric elements to minimize noise
emissions
Braking system
The wind turbines would be constructed with a setback distance of 153 meters (500 feet) from
existing towers and buildings. The finished subsurface footprint of each wind turbine would be
approximately 13 meters (42 feet) in diameter, with a 4.6-meter-diameter (15-foot-diameter)
surface foundation. The foundation of the turbines would be pre-cast concrete piles installed to a
depth of approximately 30 meters (100 feet) below the ground surface.
A corridor 9.7 meters (32 feet) wide would be constructed for access roads to each wind turbine,
including approximately 4.9 meters (16 feet) for a permanent gravel road surface and an
additional 2.4 meters (8 feet) on each side for road shoulders.
Previously disturbed areas, including the cleared area east of the U.S. Navy V-10/V-20 complex,
would be used for staging of equipment and materials, and for construction vehicle parking. The
construction period for two wind turbines would be approximately 6 months.
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