Positive News
Some current articles, videos, and other media on OffShore Wind!
Post #1
How well are the Block Island Wind turbines operating?
You may be wondering because on a clear day when you can see the Block Island Wind turbines from the Rhode Island coast you may have noticed that one or more of the five are not turning. The short answer is that in five of the six years they have been operating they have done even better than promised. Alex Kuffner, environment reporter for Providence Journal, provided this answer which you can learn more about in the Deeper Dive.
Deeper Dive. Seeing one or more turbines not turning would naturally make you wonder if something is amiss and even speculate about how well the new turbines being built off the coast will work. Fortunately, Alex Kuffner, environmental reporter for the Providence Journal, has looked into this question for us. His report is based on examination of filings with state utilities regulators and communications with Orsted, the owner of the wind farm. Kuffner found that any problems with the turbines “have been temporary and minor and had a small impact on power generation relative to the six full years of production since the wind farm went into operation at the end of 2016.” In fact, they have produced more than the promised power output in five of the six years they have been operating. That sixth year was 2021 when the turbines were shut down for maintenance to inspect for a potential problem reported by the turbine manufacturer. In fact, there was no problem. This summer one turbine will not be spinning to allow for planned routine maintenance. Thank you Alex Kuffner for doing the research to answer this important question! The full article is here:
Recent news!
Announced 4/26/24 by the Bureau of Energy Management, new rules that will reduce the costs associated with the deployment of offshore wind projects by modernizing regulations. "Over the next 20 years, the final rule is expected to result in cost savings of roughly $1.9 billion to the offshore wind industry, savings that can be passed onto consumers and used to invest in additional job-creating clean energy projects." In addition, "BSEE aims to establish clear regulations that safeguard all forms of life and the oceans."
Post #2
Did you know? URI and NOAA team up to study offshore wind impacts
Science is at its best when there is the opportunity to pull together what is already known about a topic with new information used to revise the original understanding. We now have this opportunity for planning, siting and mitigating impacts of the offshore wind farms being built off the New England Coast right now. Scientists at the University of Rhode Island and NOAA will be collaborating to develop offshore wind energy responsibly while integrating a valuable body of prior knowledge with new information that can only come from current experience. https://www.uri.edu/news/2023/06/noaa-university-of-rhode-island-sign-agreement-to-explore-effects-of-offshore-wind-energy-development/
I know the vast body of knowledge from 50 years as an environmental scientist and URI oceanographer having worked with teams of experts at URI, NOAA and WHOI (Woods Hole Oceanographic) to provide the basic information to understand and protect marine species of the New England coast, ranging from plankton to whales. This knowledge was applied and further developed by studying the Block Island wind farm before and after development, and now, as new data is collected, to the offshore wind projects being installed this year and proposed for the future. As more new information is acquired there can be course corrections and improved mitigation of impacts as needed. This is science operating as it should. I do not know what more we can ask of our marine scientists than that. You can find the newest information posted by Sea Grant at https://www.seagrantenergy.org/
Post #3
The Urgency and the Unknown of Offshore Wind
Aboard GSO, a publication of the University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, tells about the Urgency and the Unknown of Offshore Wind. If you want to learn about the different people working at URI working to create new knowledge and solutions necessary to make offshore wind a sustainable energy source you will enjoy these stories of oceanographers and their fisheries colleagues, including a representative of the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation (CFRF). https://web.uri.edu/.../aboa.../the-urgency-and-the-unknown/
Post #4
BOEM and NOAA Announce Final North Atlantic Right Whale and Offshore Wind Strategy
Strategy is part of a larger interagency effort to promote the recovery of endangered species while responsibly developing offshore wind
Release Date
01/25/2024
Washington, DC
https://www.boem.gov/newsroom/press-releases/boem-and-noaa-announce-final-north-atlantic-right-whale-and-offshore-wind
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries released a final joint strategy to protect and promote the recovery of endangered North Atlantic right whales while responsibly developing offshore wind energy. The strategy identifies the agencies’ goals and key actions for continuing to evaluate and mitigate the potential effects of offshore wind energy development on North Atlantic right whales and their habitat. It also builds on existing mitigation measures to protect North Atlantic right whales from the potential impacts of offshore wind development.
BOEM and NOAA Fisheries incorporated the best available scientific information and Tribal and public feedback in the strategy.
Post #5
Landmark Research Plan Established for Offshore Wind and Wildlife
January 25, 2024
The Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind (RWSC) today released the first collaborative research plan to guide studies of interactions between offshore wind and wildlife on the U.S. East Coast.
“This Science Plan provides the blueprint for the region’s future work,” said Emily Shumchenia, the director of the RWSC. “It’s also a call to action to collaborate on advancing our understanding of offshore wind and marine ecosystems.”
The Integrated Science Plan for Offshore Wind, Wildlife, and Habitat in U.S. Atlantic Waters is the result of intensive work over two years among scientists and representatives from government, industry, and environmental groups that make up the unique regional collaborative. The Science Plan will result in independent and peer-reviewed science that can help protect wildlife and conserve ocean habitats while enabling states and the federal government to work toward their goals of expanding offshore wind power. Several Atlantic states are already requiring funding for regional wildlife research and collaboration with RWSC as part of their offshore wind procurements.
https://rwsc.org/landmark-research-plan-established-for-offshore-wind-and-wildlife/
Post #6
All the evidence you need that whales are NOT being killed by offshore wind construction is in Alex Kuffner's Providence Journal article March 2, 2024. He interviews two local whale experts, one who has studied sounds and whales during construction of Block Island, South Fork and Vineyard Wind Projects and is an expert on underwater acoustics, the other who has 35 years of experience leaning how whales behave in reaction to underwater sounds. If you want information rather than speculation please read No Link Between Whale Deaths and Offshore Wind Construction. Here's Why. https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/environment/2024/03/02/no-link-to-offshore-wind-in-death-of-south-kingstown-ri-whale-experts-say/7280569