Offshore Wind in Offshore Wind in the Great Lakes the Great Lakes

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Great Lakes Wind Great Lakes Wind CollaborativeCollaborative

DATEDATE

Technical DetailsTechnical Details

Turbine SizeTurbine Size

2.5MW 2.5MW Turbine: 75-Turbine: 75-100m (246-100m (246-328ft) hub 328ft) hub heightheight

3MW: 100-3MW: 100-120m (328-120m (328-394ft) hub 394ft) hub heightheight

Compared to onshore, Compared to onshore, offshore turbines…offshore turbines…

Tend to be larger, but shorter.Tend to be larger, but shorter. Require helipads or landings for Require helipads or landings for

maintenance activities.maintenance activities. Have a designated area for maintenance Have a designated area for maintenance

workers.workers. Are built to withstand waves, currents, and Are built to withstand waves, currents, and

ice formation.ice formation. Might use Conditional Monitoring Systems.Might use Conditional Monitoring Systems. Might have more redundant systems.Might have more redundant systems. House the transformer in the nacelle.House the transformer in the nacelle.

130 meters long30 meters wide

48 meter legs can extend5 meters into the lakebed

Installation VesselsInstallation Vessels

St. LawrenceSt. Lawrence Max draft: 26.5 ft (Max draft: 26.5 ft (should be min?)should be min?) Max beam: 78 ftMax beam: 78 ft

Chicago Sanitary and Ship CanalChicago Sanitary and Ship Canal Max draft: 7 ft (Max draft: 7 ft (should be min?)should be min?) Max beam: 110 ftMax beam: 110 ft

FoundationsFoundations 3-30 meters. 3-30 meters. Technology based on Technology based on

onshore.onshore. Three kinds: gravity, Three kinds: gravity,

monopile, suction monopile, suction bucket/caissonbucket/caisson

Loadings unique to the Loadings unique to the offshore environment:offshore environment: Wave loadingWave loading Static and dynamic ice loadingStatic and dynamic ice loading Water currentsWater currents

Require more analysis and Require more analysis and modeling to understand the modeling to understand the impact to the foundationimpact to the foundation

Suction Bucket or Suction Bucket or CaissonCaisson

Tubular steel Tubular steel foundation installed foundation installed by sealing the top of by sealing the top of the steel bucket and the steel bucket and creating a vacuum creating a vacuum inside. inside.

Hydrostatic pressure Hydrostatic pressure difference and the difference and the dead weight of the dead weight of the structure cause the structure cause the bucket to penetrate bucket to penetrate the soil.the soil.

New technology.New technology. Shallow waterShallow water

Gravity Base Gravity Base FoundationsFoundations

Steel or concrete foundations Steel is lighter and normally filled with

granular material. Concrete is heavier – handling can be difficult.

Relies on weight of structure to resist overturning

Ballast added after placement Shallow water with proper lakebed

preparation essential conical collars (ice cones) Might be cost prohibitive in 15+ meters

Steel Gravity FoundationSteel Gravity Foundation

Monopile FoundationsMonopile Foundations Large, thick-walled, single steel pipe

4.5 - 6 m diameter steel tube typical Wall thickness 30 -60 mm

Driven or drilled 25 -30 m embedment Water depth experience to 25 m

Stiff soils only (e.g. sand) Most common type, especially in shallow

water. Minimal footprint Large barges, specialized equipment. Ice cones Transition pieces can be steel, concrete, or

composite.

Monopile Foundation Monopile Foundation

Gravity vs. MonopileGravity vs. Monopile

Construction phase Gravity base foundation Monopile foundation

Onshore construction Local to site No constraints

Transport offshore More complex Lift onto barge

Pre-placement activities Lakebed preparation None

Placement Lift or float-over Lift

Fixing Grouting Pile driving

Installation of tower / turbine Potential obstruction to lift No hindrance to lifting

Conical collars / ice Conical collars / ice conescones

Conical shaped structures at water level.Conical shaped structures at water level. Cones cause ice to bend and break up.Cones cause ice to bend and break up. Ice thickness:Ice thickness:

Nearshore Lake Michigan: 0 to 0.5 metersNearshore Lake Michigan: 0 to 0.5 meters Deepwater Lake Michigan: 0 to .15 metersDeepwater Lake Michigan: 0 to .15 meters Lake Superior: .05 to .8 metersLake Superior: .05 to .8 meters Green Bay: .2 to .7 metersGreen Bay: .2 to .7 meters

TransmissionTransmission

Voltage is stepped up to distribution Voltage is stepped up to distribution voltage (25-35 kV) using a voltage (25-35 kV) using a transformer at each turbine.transformer at each turbine.

Turbines are then connected to an Turbines are then connected to an offshore substation.offshore substation.

Substation steps up to transmission Substation steps up to transmission voltage (400-800 kV)voltage (400-800 kV)

One cable connects to the mainland.One cable connects to the mainland.

CablesCables

Can be several medium voltage cables Can be several medium voltage cables (34.5 kV), or one or more high (100-200 (34.5 kV), or one or more high (100-200 kW) or extra high voltage (>200 kV) kW) or extra high voltage (>200 kV) cables.cables. Redundant cables built in in case of failureRedundant cables built in in case of failure

Higher voltage cables require insulation Higher voltage cables require insulation self-contained, fluid-filled (SCFF) cableself-contained, fluid-filled (SCFF) cable Fluid biodegrades in 30-60 days if there is a Fluid biodegrades in 30-60 days if there is a

leek.leek.

CablesCables Buried in the lake bedBuried in the lake bed

6 to 10 feet6 to 10 feet Jet plow rolls and fluidizes the lake bottom material in a narrow Jet plow rolls and fluidizes the lake bottom material in a narrow

path. path. Sand or clay bottoms.Sand or clay bottoms.

Laid on the lake bottomLaid on the lake bottom Water jets create a trench and bottom material is allowed to Water jets create a trench and bottom material is allowed to

sink back into the trenchsink back into the trench Rocky bottoms at deeper depthsRocky bottoms at deeper depths

Issues to consider:Issues to consider: Overhead lake trafficOverhead lake traffic ice scouring ice scouring Disruption of lakebed and stirring up of pollution Disruption of lakebed and stirring up of pollution

Cable can be covered with concrete mattresses or rock.Cable can be covered with concrete mattresses or rock. Horizontal directional boring to pull the cable to shore.Horizontal directional boring to pull the cable to shore.

Environmental Environmental ConsiderationsConsiderations

Environmental Environmental ConsiderationsConsiderations

Bird & BatBird & BatFishFishLakebed Lakebed

AlterationsAlterationsHabitat AlterationsHabitat AlterationsNoiseNoise

Bird & BatBird & Bat

Risk of collision/barotrauma Short-term habitat loss during

construction Long-term habitat loss due to

disturbance by O&M Habitat fragmentation Formation of barriers to migration

and daily movements

Fisheries ResearchFisheries Research Research on aquatic habitat and spawning Research on aquatic habitat and spawning

grounds focused on the nearshore. grounds focused on the nearshore. less research on the open water.less research on the open water. Most research related to the effects of Most research related to the effects of

wind turbines is marine-focused.wind turbines is marine-focused. Habitat disruption more likely during Habitat disruption more likely during

transmission installation.transmission installation. Frac-outs: excessive pressure causes the Frac-outs: excessive pressure causes the

vertical release of drilling mud through vertical release of drilling mud through fractures.fractures.

Most commercial and recreation fishing Most commercial and recreation fishing takes place within 3 miles of shore.takes place within 3 miles of shore.

Fisheries ResearchFisheries Research

Foundations will likely provide additional habitat for some beneficial fishes for possibly food, shelter from predation, nursery areas and spawning. Lake trout will spawn on artificial reefs within a few

months of construction yellow perch and smallmouth bass were observed

using the artificial reefs located within the study area. Might provide additional recreational fishing

opportunities. Might cause an increase in the species richness,

abundance or biomass of the benthic community.

Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force. 2008. Great Lakes Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force. 2008. Great Lakes Wind Energy Center Feasibility Study: Initial Ecological Wind Energy Center Feasibility Study: Initial Ecological Assessment. Prepared by DLZ. September.Assessment. Prepared by DLZ. September.

Fisheries Best PracticesFisheries Best Practices

If turbines are built in spawning areas, If turbines are built in spawning areas, foundation materials should mimic the foundation materials should mimic the substrate.substrate.

If not in these areas, planners should If not in these areas, planners should consider materials that are conductive to consider materials that are conductive to spawning.spawning.

Construction and maintenance should Construction and maintenance should avoid spawning times.avoid spawning times.

Fishing activities in general should avoid Fishing activities in general should avoid turbines.turbines.

Primary Fish Species of Commercial and Recreational Interest in Lake

Superior and Lake Michigan

Habitat Habitat Fragmentation/DisruptionFragmentation/Disruption

No evidence of any detrimental No evidence of any detrimental effects on coastal processes from the effects on coastal processes from the Danish experience. Danish experience.

Numerous turbines could affect Numerous turbines could affect direction or velocity of currents, direction or velocity of currents, plankton, sediment, nutrients, and plankton, sediment, nutrients, and fish.fish.

NoiseNoise

Noise from wind turbines will travel Noise from wind turbines will travel underwater and could disturb aquatic underwater and could disturb aquatic organisms. organisms.

Studies from existing offshore turbines Studies from existing offshore turbines note that the noise is very low note that the noise is very low frequency, and many species are frequency, and many species are actually unable to hear it.actually unable to hear it.

Noise from construction activities could Noise from construction activities could disrupt organisms in the short-term. disrupt organisms in the short-term.

Federal IssuesFederal Issues

U.S. Federal InvolvementU.S. Federal Involvement

Rivers and Harbors Act, Section 10 Prohibits the obstruction or alteration of

navigable water of the U.S without a permit.

Army Corps of Engineers is the lead permitting agency (MMS is the lead on the Outer Continental Shelf)

Martin v. Waddell states own navigable and tidal waters

and their underlying land for the common use of the people of the state.

U.S. Federal InvolvementU.S. Federal Involvement

Submerged Lands ActSubmerged Lands Act Great Lakes states have jurisdiction up Great Lakes states have jurisdiction up

to the international boundaries. to the international boundaries. Coastal Zone Management ActCoastal Zone Management Act

CZM Programs should include “a CZM Programs should include “a planning process for energy facilities planning process for energy facilities likely to be located in, or which may likely to be located in, or which may significantly affect, the coastal zone, significantly affect, the coastal zone, including a process for anticipating the including a process for anticipating the management of the impacts resulting management of the impacts resulting from such facilities.” from such facilities.”

Legislative Authority Lead Agencies/Office Major Program/Permit

National Historic Preservation Act

DOI, State Historic Preservation Offices

Consultation on the protection of historic resources — places, properties, shipwrecks

Estuary Protection Act FWS Conserves estuarine areas

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act

FWS Consultation with FWS when bodies of water are controlled or modified

Migratory Bird Treaty Act & Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act

FWS, Migratory Bird Conservation Commission

Requires determination of no “taking” or harming of birds

Endangered Species Act FWS, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

Consultation on action that may jeopardize threatened & endangered (listed) species or adversely modify critical habitat

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation & Management Act

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

Conserves & manages fish stocks to a 200-mile fishery conservation zone & designates essential fish habitat

National Marine Sanctuary Act (Title III)

NOAA, National Ocean Service Designates marine protected areas

Coastal Zone Management Act

NOAA State Coastal Zone Management Agencies

Requires determination of consistency with the coastal program of the affected state

Clean Water Act USACE, EPA Regulates discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States

Rivers and Harbors Act – Section 10

USACE District Office Prohibits the obstruction or alteration of navigable water of the U.S without a permit

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

USACE District Office, President’s Council on Environmental Quality

Requires submission of an environmental review for all major federal actions that may significantly affect the quality of the human environment

Statewide/Provincial Statewide/Provincial Planning EffortsPlanning Efforts

Wind Turbine Placement Wind Turbine Placement Favorability Analysis MapFavorability Analysis MapOhio Coastal Management ProgramOhio Coastal Management Program

Ohio CriteriaOhio Criteria

Shipping lanes, fairways, harbors

Distance from shore Raptor nests Important bird

areas Natural heritage

observances Fish habitat and

bathymetry

Reefs and shoals Substrates Sand and gravel

mining Military zones Confirmed

shipwrecks Sport fishery

effort Commercial

fishery trap net lifts

When?When?

Construction 2012-13Construction 2012-13

Ontario CriteriaOntario Criteria National/Provincial National/Provincial

Park Park Protected area Protected area Water depth 5 m <X< Water depth 5 m <X<

30 m 30 m Wind speed > 8.0 m/sWind speed > 8.0 m/s AirportsAirports Radiocommunication Radiocommunication

SystemsSystems Population density Population density Distance from shoreDistance from shore

Commercial waterway Commercial waterway and ferry route and ferry route

Protected shipwreck Protected shipwreck Submerged utility line Submerged utility line Shoreline Shoreline Great Lakes coastal Great Lakes coastal

wetlandwetland Conservation reserve Conservation reserve Environmental Area of Environmental Area of

ConcernConcern Important Birding Important Birding

AreasAreas

Michigan Dry RunMichigan Dry Run

Examined Michigan’s current state of Examined Michigan’s current state of readiness to permit large-scale readiness to permit large-scale offshore wind facilitiesoffshore wind facilities

Two different areas of the Great Two different areas of the Great LakesLakes nearshore Lake Huron nearshore Lake Huron remote offshore Lake Michiganremote offshore Lake Michigan

Final Report Final Report published May 2008published May 2008 GLOW CouncilGLOW Council

Great Lakes Offshore Wind Great Lakes Offshore Wind CouncilCouncil

created bycreated by Executive Order No. 2009-1 Executive Order No. 2009-1 serves as an advisory body within the serves as an advisory body within the

Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG)Economic Growth (DELEG)

Identify criteria that can be used to review Identify criteria that can be used to review applications for offshore wind development. applications for offshore wind development.

Identify criteria for identifying and mapping Identify criteria for identifying and mapping areas that should be categorically excluded areas that should be categorically excluded from offshore wind development as well as from offshore wind development as well as those areas that are most favorable to such those areas that are most favorable to such developmentdevelopment

September 1, 2009September 1, 2009www.michiganglowcouncil.org/

Great Lakes Offshore Wind Great Lakes Offshore Wind CouncilCouncil

Also tasked to…Also tasked to… Recommend a process for engaging stakeholders Recommend a process for engaging stakeholders Summarize lessons learned from American and Summarize lessons learned from American and

international offshore experience international offshore experience Identify options for compensating the public for Identify options for compensating the public for

bottomland leasing and wind rights for wind energy bottomland leasing and wind rights for wind energy systems systems

Make recommendations for legislation and for changes Make recommendations for legislation and for changes in administrative rules and policies related to the siting in administrative rules and policies related to the siting and development of offshore wind energy systems and development of offshore wind energy systems

Make a recommendation as to whether Michigan Make a recommendation as to whether Michigan should support the preparation of a programmatic should support the preparation of a programmatic environmental impact statement by the federal environmental impact statement by the federal government for permitting offshore wind development government for permitting offshore wind development in the Great Lakes basin in the Great Lakes basin

Provide an estimate of the costs and description of the Provide an estimate of the costs and description of the benefits of continuing the work of the council, if the benefits of continuing the work of the council, if the council deems it advisablecouncil deems it advisable

Wind Working GroupsWind Working Groups

Came out of Wind Powering America Came out of Wind Powering America initiative, within the Department of initiative, within the Department of Energy.Energy.

Commitment to dramatically increase the Commitment to dramatically increase the use of wind energy.use of wind energy.

Wind Working Groups are organization Wind Working Groups are organization whose purposes are to promote wind whose purposes are to promote wind energy generally.energy generally.

Each one is different.Each one is different. IL, IN, MI, OH, PAIL, IN, MI, OH, PA

Great Lakes Wind Great Lakes Wind CollaborativeCollaborative

Multi-sector coalition of wind Multi-sector coalition of wind energy stakeholders working energy stakeholders working to facilitate the sustainable to facilitate the sustainable development of wind power development of wind power in the binational Great Lakes in the binational Great Lakes region. region.

5 Workgroups: Offshore; Transmission; 5 Workgroups: Offshore; Transmission; Economic Development; Wind Atlas; Economic Development; Wind Atlas; and Environmental Planning, Siting, and Environmental Planning, Siting, and Permittingand Permitting www.glc.org/energy/wind

Thanks! Questions?Thanks! Questions?

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