East Coast, United States Of America – Offshore wind projects have come a long way since the first installation in Denmark in 1991. With the years have come an ever evolving process and engineering of new infrastructure. Prone to outside forces such as competing interests the ride has not been easy on those pioneers.
Welcome to New England. The Second continent to only Europe to pioneer off shore energy projects and a push in to the future of off shore research and development.
Where The Off Shore Wind Power Projects Started
New England, the first location in North America, and the original pioneer of North America’s first offshore wind turbine project and in turn for the United States off shore wind economy. New England’s first project gained its first experience and off shore wind stripes while being developed and constructed just off the coast of Rhode Island. Located at the quaint little island just off Rhode Island‘s coast named New Shoreham, Rhode Island or informally “Block Island…. Home to some of the nations best surfers at times and remarkable bluff lined beaches.
The project being the first and only in the Country drew attention from overseas competing interests and political climates continuously – operational “unknown difficulties” and continuous “offline” moments. The silver lining and advantages offered invaluable gains of knowledge and foresight over the years for the upcoming infrastructure goals, forecasting interests, risks and a little know how for industry and government leaders.
With the projects also came know how and experience. Some problems unspoken, some in public view, have led to resistance seen around the globe but pioneering and ingenuity has kept the evolution spinning forward.
Little did anyone know such a little island and project could spur research, development, investments and new industries, in turn churning out across the U.S. and world.
The projects offer and represent more than a windmill in the ocean. The projects represent new and other interests that will spur renewable, sustainable and environmental projects.
Acting as a landing pad and takeoff source for new and expanded energy which is powered by current, waves, tides, hydro-power or sea based properties, derivatives and materials. New and other subsurface technologies for the future and continuous renewable clockwork energy sources for distribution over a future grid of reliability and reliance in the best interests of allies and the nations security are now a continuous force being deployed.
A Balancing Act Of Enormous Effort, Scale & Complexity.
At the same time as tackling Hartford, The Connecticut River, & Affordable Housing the State of Connecticut is dealing and – has – had an unbearable and a frustrating two years on the renewables front.
Aggressive renewable goals across the Country with the needs of allies abroad in Europe that in a normal political an cultural climate would seem like a “all hands on deck” moment… But.
Bleed through effects of aged land grids and overhead legacy grid infrastructure coupled with what is competition in the eyes of big oil, corporations and political forces willing to go to war will always lead to surprises.
The North-Easts Complicated Energy History
Complicated history including, the monopolies across the utility fronts, those not lucky enough to have municipal utilities such as some neighboring areas such as Shrewsbury, Massachusetts and Wallingford, Connecticut.
These areas mentioned, which are municipal ran, can pay somewhere in between $35.00 – $60.00 a month for generation and distribution of energy with the aged land based infrastructure compared to regions under UI and Eversource in the North-East where delivery charges alone cost well beyond that – nearly double. Expect a bill for $300.00 $400.00 a month for similar draw, generation and distribution for same 1500-2000 SF home.
Some legacy companies have other history to consider… There is still major cleanups in all regions such as the Housatonic River, Grand Ave and Quinnipiac River water ways. Sites that still have environmental wastes, hazardous materials and cleanups to be completed and restored from the last time electricity was made or generated by them locally. There is multi-state issues as well, some of which are coming on sitting stagnant for a hundred years.
With the current paths – uncertainty still looms and expect hiccups with these projects due to the complex geo-political environments and other corporate wars going on at the highest of levels. They are not all local influences but abroad as well.
A wake up call for all those involved, the way money is and has been contracted out is simply not responsible, ethical or sustainable to the point it goes unnoticed by the public. Where it is invested in or out. Accountability by the population and media attention makes the status quo harder to get away with.
Lack of investment over the last 100 years or so has led to the growing frustrations. Lack of investment and proper reinvestment for example dizzying and continuous 24/7 tree maintenance, lets say, is not investment or normal evolution needs.
Local neighborhood respect, investment and critical backbone infrastructure that includes economic and support needed to the region verses for comparison sake “a siphon out” typical protocol seems not to be tolerated at this point but will remain a fight for citizens and supporting governmental leaders.
Technology and education is traveling at a sling shot speed and an increased and overdue stall of technology releases over the last two decades will result in new forms of energy generation, new aquaculture, marine and hydro research, development and energy generation technology resources beyond wind will be on the forefront as well, different voltage requirements, panels and products including specification design not only in cars, road and concrete products but distribution, transmission, storage and gravity sinks for structures and homes.
Expect changes in harvesting and storage interoperability that serves local and expandable needs. The State sees similar issues with outdated grid and private solar distributions which in retrospect seem like blue laws in comparison.
The same syndicates that have driven costs and energy distribution to triple or quadruple will continue either obstruction or geo-political interference. Regardless offshore wind goals are now on track again….
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts & New York Offshore Wind Power Projects
In the last few weeks Connecticut has regained a strong foothold again with it’s offshore wind projects as staged materials for the projects have landed at the Port Of New London.
“Revolution Wind” as the State of Connecticut has named the effort serves not only Rhode Island, New York and Rhode Island but a pioneering revitalization of New London’s pier as a hub for construction and staging of the off shore wind industry. The projects in turn attracting investment by other corporations and economic reinforcements to the industry.
“Revolution Wind represents another step forward in achieving the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030,”
“The project’s approval underscores the Administration’s commitment to promoting domestic energy production and fighting climate change, while promoting economic growth and fostering environmental stewardship within coastal communities. We are committed to working closely with Tribes, state and local leaders, industry, ocean users, and key stakeholders to responsibly develop this clean energy resource and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.”
BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein
Since the President took office, companies have announced 18 offshore wind shipbuilding projects as well as investments of nearly $3.5 billion across 12 manufacturing facilities and 13 ports to strengthen the American offshore wind supply chain, representing thousands of new jobs. Companies have quadrupled their U.S. offshore wind investments to over $20 billion, representing thousands of jobs to come.
The Biden-Harris Administration and BOEM remain on track to complete reviews of at least 16 offshore wind project plans by 2025, representing more than 27 gigawatts of clean energy.
In addition to the Tri-State and Rhode Island’s progress Massachusetts has been well underway as well. Beginning on or around September 10th and continuing through mid-October, cable laying operations for the inter-array cables will be conducted, beginning with array cable lines five and six.
The Cable Laying Vessel ISAAC NEWTON will be conducting cable laying operations for the inter-array cables and will remain on-site until early October.
The C-PIONEER will be acting as a stationary support vessel, supporting cable pulling activities for the inter-array cables.
The Trenching Support Vessel ADHEMAR DE SAINT-VENANT will be performing cable trenching, burial works.
The F/V SEAFARER will be operating around the activities as a safety vessel to monitor traffic and facilitate safe movement of fishing vessels, recreational craft, or other transiting vessels around the work sites and project vessels.