HOBOKEN, N.J., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Garden State Offshore
Energy (GSOE) today announced it was moving forward with plans to
install state-of-the-art mobile wind resource assessment equipment
– SeaZephIR – a patented, floating platform with an integrated
ZephIR LIDAR system powered by solar and wind energy. The
New Jersey Board of Public
Utilities recently approved the move, a key step in evaluating the
GSOE site.
GSOE has already invested significant resources in developing
this advanced technology, and, in response to the board's action,
is moving forward with the next steps needed to deploy the
equipment this year and begin testing meteorological conditions at
its proposed offshore wind farm site 20 miles off the New Jersey coast. SeaZephIR will be installed
to assess wind resources and monitor water conditions and will be
supplemented with additional resources to survey avian and marine
life. The information gathered will be used to evaluate any
potential environmental impacts and used as a guide to aid in the
design and engineering of GSOE's project.
"Receiving this approval from the BPU and preparing to deploy
this advanced technology is an important milestone for our project
and New Jersey's efforts to make
progress toward actual construction," GSOE Vice President
Rob Gibbs said. "SeaZephIR is a
state-of-the-art meteorological assessment tool and, coupled with
the additional monitoring equipment we are deploying, will provide
us with empirical data on the conditions at our proposed project
site."
"By using this more cost-efficient, buoy-based system and
continuing to share in the cost of this investment, we have
volunteered to reduce our rebate award, saving the state
$1 million on its rebate program and
providing an opportunity for a timely deployment," Gibbs said
The 100-foot long buoy was constructed by renewable energy
consultancy, Natural Power, in Norway and arrived in the United States last week. Significant
components to the system and logistical deployment will be sourced
from New Jersey companies and GSOE
will have the primary monitoring devices validated at Block Island, Rhode Island after assembly. The
company expects to have the buoy in place off the coast of
New Jersey by the end of the year,
pending receipt of required permits from various federal
agencies.
The winner of New Jersey's 2008
solicitation for a preferred offshore developer, GSOE is a joint
venture between PSEG and Deepwater Wind, both leading companies in
renewable energy development. As New
Jersey's largest energy company and one of the state's
largest employers, PSEG has been collaborating with local
communities and the State of New
Jersey to implement green energy solutions. Deepwater Wind
is exclusively focused on offshore wind development throughout the
Northeast and has been awarded preferred developer status in
Rhode Island to help that state
meet its renewable energy goals.
GSOE also announced that it has opened a development office at
36-42 Newark Street, Hoboken, NJ,
adding to its corporate parents' presence in New Jersey.
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG) is a
publicly traded diversified energy company with annual revenues of
more than $13 billion, and three
principal subsidiaries: PSEG Power, Public Service Electric and Gas
Company (PSE&G) and PSEG Energy Holdings.
Deepwater Wind is a leading offshore wind developer with
offices in Providence and New
Shoreham, R.I. and Hoboken, NJ.
The Company is led by a veteran management team with extensive
experience in developing renewable-energy projects in the
northeastern United States.
For more information, visit
www.dwwind.com.
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SOURCE Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)
Copyright t. 4 PR Newswire