A joint venture of Orsted and Eversource has signed a memorandum of understanding with ThayerMahan to explore the provision of maritime wildlife monitoring and seabed surveillance at the developer’s 304MW Revolution Wind offshore wind farm off the US east coast.
The partners will explore marine mammal monitoring using passive acoustic, mobile detection systems featuring Connecticut-based ThayerMahan’s Outpost sonar system for detecting, classifying and reporting on North Atlantic right whales and other marine mammals.
Others services include environmental monitoring from fixed and mobile systems, metocean measurements and weather forecasting, as well as seabed survey and inspection of undersea cable and monopile foundations during construction and operations.
Orsted US Offshore Wind chief executive Thomas Brostrom said: “When we started looking at growing the offshore wind industry in Connecticut, one of the most important factors was ensuring we are setting up in an area with some of the best innovators and most skilled workforce in the world.
“Offshore wind is part of the next generation of green energy and green technology, and we need partners who are the best in their industry.
“The people at ThayerMahan are remarkable inventors, and their technology will help us reduce any disruption offshore wind might have on North Atlantic marine life and the local fishing fleets.”
ThayerMahan chief executive Mike Connor said: “Orsted and Eversource have been fantastic partners. We are glad to be part of their plans to fully use our local businesses, which have some of the best minds in the world.
“This MoU is yet another commitment, in writing, that offshore wind will grow Connecticut’s economy and that the joint venture is truly interested in working with our local developers and inventors. ThayerMahan is happy to be a part of this growing industry.”
Revolution Wind is scheduled be operational in 2023.