Ocean Tech Services and DNV GL have secured contracts to carry out meteorological and metocean survey work off the coast of New York as part of the US state’s offshore wind plans.
The New York State Energy and Research Development Authority said Ocean Tech Services will deliver a floating lidar system, while DNV GL will provide data management and analysis.
Ocean Tech Services will focus on permitting, hardware, deployment, maintenance and decommissioning of the lidar.
Two floating lidar buoys will be deployed from May this year 30km from the shore in an area known as the New York Bight for two years.
They will measure turbine hub-height wind speed and direction, wave and current measurements, as well as other environmental data, potentially from multiple locations, NYSERDA said.
Data will also inform avian ecologists and marine biologists of the presence, frequency and distribution of birds, bats and marine mammals for future environmental impact assessment studies for offshore wind.
NYSERDA president and chief executive Alicia Barton said: “As New York works to become a national hub for offshore wind, access to better metocean and environmental data will further advance offshore wind projects in the most informed and responsible manner possible.
“Deploying this data collection technology will help protect the state’s coastal resources and marine environment and is a significant step towards meeting Governor Cuomo’s offshore wind and clean energy goals.”
Ocean Tech Services president Stephen O’Malley said: “We are honoured to be awarded this contract with NYSERDA, and look forward to providing and operating the advanced technology systems required by this campaign.
“By coupling lidar wind measurements and biological detection systems onto single buoy platforms, NYSERDA will be provided with a full suite of environmental assessment tools in an efficient and cost-effective package.
“This project award reflects a decade of effort by the Ocean Tech team towards advancing offshore wind along the US east coast.”
DNV GL Energy executive vice president Richard Barnes said: “DNV GL is pleased to work with NYSERDA to de-risk offshore wind power development, and contribute to lowering the cost of offshore wind power for the state of New York.
“By hosting the offshore wind data for industry stakeholders and the public on our Veracity platform we hope to advance the offshore wind industry by providing clarity and transparency into the industry.”