6 minute read
Written on the wind
By Steven Froias
The New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal
Advertisement
2021 is proving to be a game changer for the looming offshore wind energy in our region. The combination of an administration in Washington, D.C. which shares the values and goals of the renewable energy industry, the substantial groundwork which has been laid to achieve lift-off from the coast of Massachusetts, and the maritime infrastructure the region is blessed by is coming into alignment.
The significant milestones of 2021 must start with the momentous decision by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to greenlight the long-delayed Vineyard Wind 1 project off Martha’s Vineyard.
Vineyard Wind gets a green light
Vineyard Wind 1 is the nation’s first commercial-scale wind energy project. The small wind farm off of Block Island was something off a pilot project. But Vineyard Wind 1, which will stage from the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, represents a first. When BOEM’s decision to permit the project was announced, Vineyard Wind CEO Lars T. Pedersen summed it up: it was not about the start of a single project, but the launch of a new industry. “Receiving this final major federal approval means the jobs, economic benefits, and clean energy revolution associated with the Vineyard Wind 1 project can finally come to fruition.” The project design includes the world’s most powerful wind turbine, the GE Haliade-X, with a capacity of 13 megawatts (MW). It’s over 800 feet tall. The larger turbine capacity has allowed the project to reduce the total number of turbines from 108 to 62 – while still delivering a total capacity of 800 MW to Massachusetts ratepayers. The turbine layout, which features consistent spacing of one nautical mile between turbines, was endorsed by the United States Coast Guard for transit, fishing, and navigational safety, the company notes.
BCC’s Offshore Wind Institute
Meanwhile, the effort to grow the workforce necessary for an offshore wind energy industry now has the wind at its back, thanks to Bristol Community College (BCC). BCC has entered a global partnership with one of the world’s largest providers of offshore wind training, Maersk Training. The collaboration is designed to cement Bristol’s National Offshore Wind Institute role as the region’s leader in basic safety training and basic technical training programs certified by the Global Wind Organisation (GWO). BCC President Laura L. Douglas comments that, “This partnership will connect the college’s faculty and staff with the expertise of industry experts throughout Maersk Training’s expansive global network and will strengthen the development of employment opportunities for Bristol students in the offshore wind supply chain.” The curriculum envisions students learning aspects of engineering technol-
ogy such as electrical machinery, fluid systems, materials science, and strength of materials, and also receiving hands-on experience with assembly, installation, operation, and maintenance of wind power systems. Still in the planning stages, it is expected that BCC will open a dedicated offshore wind training facility near the New Bedford waterfront as soon as this year to accommodate the program.
The New Bedford Ocean Cluster
Several years ago, a collaborative initiative called the New Bedford Ocean Cluster was formally established with founding partners the New Bedford Port Authority and Spherical Analytics, an
Internet of Things (IoT) technology firm. Thereafter, the NBOC formally became a member of the Iceland Ocean Cluster Network, which includes clusters in Portland, ME; Seattle, WA; Connecticut, Alaska, Norway, and Iceland. Its mission was to work with a range of private sector, public sector, and academic partners to establish New Bedford as the leading ocean economy on the East Coast. That mission remains the same today. However, in order to be more nimble in the new offshore wind seascape it is now an independent non-profit agency. It’s managed by Xodus Group, a worldwide renewable energy consultancy, but has a local board of directors. Indeed, when helping to build and properly align the wind energy supply chain in our region, their motto is “Look Local First.” Recently the group announced its Board of Directors. Among its members are the current Mayor of New Bedford, Jon Mitchell, and a former mayor, John Bullard, serving as Board president. The focus of the New Bedford Ocean Cluster will remain the offshore wind energy industry as it is just in its infancy. However, innovative ideas in every field of marine activity are welcome at the table. Find out more at NewBedfordOceanCluster.org.
A new Port Director
Finally, to help pilot both the offshore wind energy industry from the Port of New Bedford as well as its commercial fishing industry and more, the New Bedford Port Authority in July announced its new Executive Director, Justin Poulsen. (Former Port Director Ed AnthesWashburn resigned in February to accept a position in the private sector.) Poulsen’s resume includes nearly two decades of experience in the maritime industry, and at the time of his selection he served as Vice President and Executive Director of PortNYC for the New York City Economic Development Corporation. There he oversaw PortNYC’s portfolio of assets, including cruise terminals in Manhattan and Brooklyn, rail, aviation, freight, offshore wind assets, and the DockNYC program. City of New Bedford Jon Mitchell commented on the appointment, “I’m pleased to welcome Justin Poulsen to the Port of New Bedford. He will bring broad and deep experience in maritime transportation, planning, and economic development that will enable him to hit the ground running as Port Director.” He will certainly have his work cut out for him. Since the start of 2021, the Port of New Bedford has been on the receiving end of nothing but good news regarding its future both as a offshore wind energy hub and as a commercial fishery. In May, 2021 it was announced that the Port remained the nation’s highest value fishing port for yet another year, bringing its consecutive run at the top to a total of 20 years. Going forward, it will now boast a new title: the birthplace of the offshore wind energy industry in the United States.
CARD GAMES TABLETOP GAMES BOARD GAMES — Holiday Hours — ROLE PLAYING GAMES Thur., Dec. 24, close at noon AND MORE!
The New Bedford Ocean Cluster is now an Fri., Dec. 25, closed Thur., Dec. 31, close at noon 15% OFF your purchase with ad independent non-profit working with a range Fri., Jan. 1, closed EXPIRES 7/31/21 of private sector, public sector, and academic THE ARMOURY partners to establish New Bedford as the WITH THIS COUPON — OFFER EXPIRES: 11/30/20 WARGAMES & HOBBIES 67 Huttleston Ave, Fairhaven | 774.202.0441 leading ocean economy on the East Coast TheArmouryWargames.com
Federally insured by NCUA
NMLS# 410816
Most theatres, clubs, and concert halls are either closed temporarily or allowing only limited seating, but the shows still go on! Find out who’s on the virtual or in-person stages at the Spire Center for the Performing Arts of Greater Plymouth (spirecenter.org), Common Fence Music in Warren (commonfencemusic.com), the Zeiterion in New Bedford (zeiterion. org), The Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River (narrowscenter.com), or the District Center for the Arts in Taunton Deadline 20 days prior to publication. (thedistrictcenterforarts.com). You can also livestream the concerts, classes, and Circulation special events sponsored by First-Works 20,000 in ProvidenceSubscriptions For classical music lovers, go to $39 per year StreamRIPhil.org for livestreamed Mailing Address Coastal Communications Corp. 8 November 2020 | The South Coast InsiderP.O. Box 3493 Fall River, MA 02722Bob Luongo’s Auto Sales
