Screening Potential Locations for Offshore Wind Energy Projects off the East Coast
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Partners in This Effort
Issue
Most coastal states have goals or laws requiring a certain percentage of electricity to be supplied by renewable energy, and therefore many states are exploring the potential to produce renewable wind energy offshore. Factors such as existing boundaries, infrastructure, and endangered species habitat need to be considered to screen locations for possible offshore wind farms. Access to authoritative, up to date, and actively maintained data from trusted sources is crucial in this endeavor.
Process
ARCADIS, an environmental consulting firm, is using the Multipurpose Marine Cadastre as an authoritative source for the data required to screen large regions for offshore energy projects, and in preparation of environmental assessments or impact statement s as part of the National Environmental Policy Act. ARCADIS is also maintaining and expanding its data holdings using the RSS feed that provides updates when marine cadastre data sets are added or modified.
Impact
Free access to high quality, up-to-date, and authoritative data through the marine cadastre provides ARCADIS and others with confidence in their planning support to regulators and developers. The result is significant time and cost savings when analyzing potential conflicts or compatibilities among the large number of ocean uses, as well as in the early stages of planning for wind farms and other ocean-related activities.
Multipurpose Marine Cadastre Viewer Highlighting Wind Energy Areas Designated by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management