US transmission link developer Anbaric Development Partners has completed a second set of oceanographic surveys for the Boardwalk Power Link project, which will connect offshore wind power to New Jersey’s existing onshore grid.
The survey is part of Anbaric’s efforts to develop reliable and scalable transmission projects for offshore wind in the state, the company said.
Anbaric said the work was carried out by ESS Group, an environmental and engineering consultancy, in concert with Ocean Surveys.
The surveys looked at geological seabed conditions for the planned subsea cable route and collector platforms located off the New Jersey coastline.
The subsurface geological investigations consisted of advancing three-metre long vibracores into the seabed along the proposed route, Anbaric said.
Seabed cores and sediment samples were collected for lab analysis of bulk chemical and bulk physical characteristics as well as thermal resistivity sampling for cable rating and design assessments, the company said.
ESS conducted benthic habitat and EFH analysis by acquiring seabed surface benthic grabs within and along the planned cable route corridor.
All geological sampling and testing protocols were conducted via Sediment Sampling Plan and have been approved by the NJDEP Office of Dredging and Sediment Technology via the Project’s Sediment Sampling and Analysis Plan.
Results of the investigations are expected to be provided to respective regulatory review agencies within the next few months, Anbaric said.
Anbaric president mid-Atlantic Janice Fuller said: “Geological seabed surveys are an important next step in our development of offshore wind projects in New Jersey.
“The data gathered through this process will ensure Boardwalk Power Link is among the most efficient and environmentally sound transmission projects in the state.”