In this blog:
- Engineering, Environmental, and Economic Impacts
- Revolution Wind Project
- Beacon Wind Project
- Park City Wind Project
- State Pier Redevelopment in New London
Industry experts led an exploration of offshore wind energy, including economic development on and off the water, investments in local infrastructure, and workforce expansion and planning at the Chamber’s online forum on March 18. The event was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Burns & McDonnell and Sea Services North America.
CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes opened the day. Her remarks highlighted the progress the state has made toward green energy through contracts for offshore wind. “Our goal overall is to find the best mechanisms to ensure we can have continued investment, continued deployment of offshore wind,” said Commissioner Dykes, siting the draft Integrated Resource Plan designed to bring CT to a zero carbon electric grid by 2040.
Engineering, Environmental, and Economic Impacts
Tony Appleton, of Burns & McDonnell, shared his perspective built over 15 years working with the wind industry. Burns & McDonnell, a design, engineering, and construction firm, sees enormous promise for the U.S. with offshore wind offering the potential of enough gigawatts to double the country’s energy, and they foresee $200 billion in investment nationwide.
“With offshore wind in the U.S., we are on the cusp of something really, really special happening here,” said Mr. Appleton. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a new industry that will significantly impact the local communities and build economic engines and create high paying jobs that support a growing economy that will deliver sustainable, resilient and reliable energy, and ultimately cheap energy.”
Mr. Appleton was joined in the second session by Paul Vigeant, of OSW Advisors. The session covered details of offshore wind technology, economic opportunities based on case studies, and environmental aspects of the project. An analysis projects up to $2 billion in economic impact in host communities for every 1,600 MW construction project, according to Mr. Vigeant.
To see the full presentation, register for the forum recording here.
Revolution Wind Project
Michael Ausure, Vice President of Renewable Energy, Eversource, and Francis Slingsby, Head of Commercial and Market Development US Offshore, Ørsted, opened the first session by sharing updates on the project in New London, outlining the city position in the developing industry.
Ørsted and Eversource partnership includes three offshore wind lease areas off the Connecticut coast. It combines the knowledge Ørsted has developed over 20 years building and operating wind farms and Eversource’s experience in the region’s electrical grid. Their Revolution Wind project will bring 704 MW to CT and RI, powering over 350,000 homes with up to 100 wind turbines.
The Eastern Seaboard is ideally suited for offshore wind with its proximity to dense population centers, relatively shallow water depths, and some of the highest wind speeds in the U.S. Commitments of states to procure wind energy already total over 9,000 MW with more than 22,000 MW expected over the next 10 years.
Ørsted’s offshore wind project in Northern England shows the transition of a port, formerly driven by shipping coal, to a thriving offshore wind facility that has provided positive economic growth and job creation in the community. View the video here.
New London offers a number of natural assets and regional businesses that support success for this industry: proximity to offshore lease areas; a well-protected harbor with deep water access, unhindered by overhead structures; a maritime manufacturing supply chain; and a skilled, specialized workforce.
To see the full presentation, register for the forum recording here.
Beacon Wind Project
Beth Treseder of Equinor, a global energy company developing offshore wind energy off the New England coast, shared updates on the early phases of the Beacon Wind project and an overview of Equinor’s goals: “It’s our ambition as a corporation to meet net zero emissions by 2050, and we will do that in large part by growing our renewables portfolio.”
She noted the ambitious goals states have set for green energy. This momentum is driving the industry and Equinor is investigating how best to support these goals with offshore wind projects, conducting research on the environment to minimize impact, and engaging with local fisheries.
Park City Wind Project
Juliemar Ortiz, of Vineyard Wind, provided a detailed presentation on the Park City offshore wind development working out of Bridgeport. The project more than doubles the amount of new zero-carbon renewable energy procured by DEEP to date. Vineyard Wind is also developing the Vineyard Wind project out of New Bedford, MA. She coved the infrastructure improvements, industry opportunities, and workforce growth associated with the projects.
To see the full presentations, register for the forum recording here.
State Pier Redevelopment in New London
The final session covered State Pier redevelopment project in New London. Updates on the project were provided by John Henshaw, executive director of CT Port Authority, Jim Dillman, president of Gateway Terminal, and Alexandra Daum, deputy commissioner of CT Department of Economic and Community Development.
Mr. Henshaw offered an overview of the redevelopment project that transforms State Pier into a state-of-art, heavy-lift capable port facility that will accommodate a wide variety of cargo including wind turbine staging and assembly. The improvements are designed to address previously identified shortcomings and enhance the pier to capitalize on opportunities for the region and the state.
The project, funded through a public-private agreement with joint venture partners Ørsted and Eversource, will support the offshore wind industry and will be marketed for maximum use during periods when the pier is not being used for that purpose.
The project website at StatePierNewLondon.com provides details on the project as well as updates.
To see the full presentations, register for the forum recording here.