The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is making available up to USD 5.5 million to support the collection of geophysical and geotechnical data from areas off New York’s Atlantic coast that hold the potential for future offshore wind development.
Through this solicitation, NYSERDA seeks to advance the development of the primary and secondary areas identified by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) as the Hudson North and Hudson South draft Wind Energy Areas (draft WEAs). These studies will collect and make public seabed soil and geological data for progressing the preliminary design and installation requirements for future offshore wind projects within the draft WEAs.
NYSERDA will select one or more contractors to undertake geophysical and geotechnical investigations and develop a model for describing geophysical and geotechnical conditions for both draft WEAs. NYSERDA will also select a contractor to support project management and host the data that is collected.
The deadline for submissions is 21 January, 2020.
“The surveys NYSERDA will be funding under this solicitation will expand the offshore wind industry’s access to geophysical and geotechnical data that will provide the foundation for future offshore wind development in these areas, and accelerate project development while driving down costs,” Alicia Barton , President and CEO, NYSERDA said.
The announcement builds on the data collected in a Geotechnical and Geophysical Desktop Study , which includes information on the middle continental shelf – off the shore of New York and New Jersey – creating a regional overview of the seafloor and sub-seafloor environment as it relates to offshore wind development.
Although geophysical surveys and studies have previously been carried out in the New York Bight, only a limited amount of soil sampling and testing has been undertaken to date. Obtaining additional in-field characterization of the soil conditions off New York’s Atlantic coast will help increase certainty of development conditions, which are critical in advancing planning activities such as project layout and turbine siting, NYSERDA said.
The solicitation further advances Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Green New Deal goal to develop 9GW of offshore wind energy by 2035, NYSERDA said.
New York Offshore Wind Alliance Director Joe Martens said: “The collection of geophysical and geotechnical data from areas off of New York’s Atlantic coast is yet another demonstration of New York’s leadership promoting the responsible development of offshore wind. The data generated by this initiative will ultimately lead to better projects, lower cost and enhanced safety. New York is leading the way to a clean energy future and relying on data collection and sound science to get us there.”