URI researchers continue their search offshore wind farm zoning

Mark Scialla

1/23/09 | Student Newspaper of the University of Rhode Island

01/23/09 - Researchers at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography and the Rhode Island Coastal Research Management Council are surveying the state's coast to establish areas for the nation's premier offshore wind farm.

According to the CRMC Information Coordinator, Laura Ricketson-Dwyer, the CRMC is a coastal management agency that protects, monitors and develops the state's shores.

The URI GSO is providing important data to the CRMC to help determine a suitable zone for the wind farm. The CRMC leads the project while the URI GSO provides technology and research.

The CRMC has worked with the URI GSO on many past projects. Dwyer said the URI GSO is always the CRMC's first choice because of its level of expertise in marine science. "You know you are getting the cream of the crop," Dwyer said.

Chip Young at the URI Coastal Institute said teams of researchers at URI have already begun work on the Ocean Special Area Management Plan, to be completed by 2010.

As part of the Ocean SAMP, the URI GSO surveys Rhode Island's coastal geography, marine ecosystems and commercial industry.

"The SAMP is a planning tool," Dwyer said, "It is a regulatory instrument we are using to zone."

Young said the Ocean SAMP is drawing a lot of attention because of its effectiveness and the project's public interest. Some of the URI GSO researchers working on the project have an international reputation for working on other SAMP projects around the world.

Currently, there are no definite areas zoned due to a lack of state sponsorship.

"There are certain limitations to surveying due to a shortage of funds," said OSAMP Communications Coordinator, Monica Allard Cox.

The state has allocated $3.2 million to the URI GSO for the project, which will be used during the two-year period. Once zoning is complete and all the necessary permits have been obtained, the developer, Deepwater Wind, will finance further research.

Despite an apparent shortfall of finances, the project is progressing quickly and without hindrance. "It appears that things are going ahead as scheduled," Dwyer said.

Even though the preliminary phases are quickly developing, no one was able to project when the actual construction will begin because there is still much to be done.

Young said that there are no particular areas of RI's coast that have been selected to be the site of the farm, and much of the coast that still needs to be explored. "

Since we started in August with the science and research, it's a clean slate," he said.

According to Dwyer, the proposed wind farm project is unique in its size and scope. Dwyer said the project is a learning experience for everyone and is a model for others to follow. She is hoping people can use the information and experience from this project elsewhere in the world.

"This is a first time thing and the world is watching us right now," Dwyer said.