CLASS OF 2016
WORLD-GENERATION FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016
21
As the saying goes, dynamite comes in
small packages and with respect to one of
the most sought after energy projects in the
United States, the State of Rhode Island is
proof. Supporting the country’s first off
shore wind project, the smallest State in the
USA has lighted the fuse on the package,
and it is about to enjoy the energy from the
explosion and a positive aftermath.
At the moment, there are twelve off-
shore wind projects in various stages of
development in the United States, but none
has taken to water. In 2009, the U.S.
Department of Interior under President
George Bush, developed a final set of rules
for the development of offshore wind farm
projects. This was followed in 2012 by a
grant competition selecting seven winners
for an advanced technology demonstration
project. States along the coasts of the U.S.–
East, West, Great Lakes and Gulf, already
planning the installation of offshore wind
farms, were in the competition. Seven proj-
ects were identified to develop these dem-
onstrations. Ultimately three projects would
be should be selected in 2014.
In this respect, a great deal of the suc-
cess of the State of Rhode Island in bringing
their project to reality has been overlooked.
As early as 2009, then Rhode Island
Governor Donald Carcieri, chose the firm
Deepwater Wind to design, develop, install
and manage the placement of a wind farm
that would ultimately provide electric power
to the population of Block Island, off the
Rhode Island coast. As a result, Rhode
Island, noted largely as a pass through from
Massachusetts to the North and Connecticut
to the South via I-95, will become the first
state to have an off-shore windmill farm, an
accomplishment that is truly significant.
DEEPWATER WIND
Deepwater Wind, as the driving force on
this project, brings together a host of partici-
pants. Jeff Grybowski, CEO of Deepwater is
a recognized leader in off-shore wind tech-
nology. Recently elected to the Board of
Directors of the American Wind Energy
Association (AWEA), Mr. Grybowski is
tasked with the management of the various
facets of the Block Island project.
RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island’s Governor Gina
Raimondo continues the State’s support,
recently commenting that, “Rhode Island, is
proud to be home for the nation’s first off-
shore wind farm.” Not only will the project
provide nearly all of the electric power to
one of its communities, Block Island, it will
demonstrate the ability of a state govern-
mental organization to select private organi-
zations that will bring together an incredi-
bly diverse group to complete the project.
The group currently involved will include
state and city organizations, diverse engi-
neering capabilities, multiple union groups,
off-shore capabilities and design, develop-
ment and management skills.
BLOCK ISLAND
The site was selected by the Rhode
Island Coastal Resources Management
Council after a comprehensive analysis and
ocean mapping project. The Block Island
Wind Farm project is owned and managed
by Deepwater Wind headquartered in
Providence. The 30 megawatt program,
when completed will cost approximately
$290 million, largely financed by Capital
funding institutions. The generation of off-
shore power is provided by an almost con-
stant source. The power generated by the
wind driven turbines will be transmitted via
cable laid on the ocean’s floor, connecting
to the receiving source, in this case Block
Island.
The final installation and start up is
scheduled to be completed by the fourth
quarter of 2016. To date, installation of five
“steel jacket foundations” was completed
with the last portion, the deck platforms,
secured at the wind farm site. Governor
Gina Raimondo said, “With this project,
we’re putting hundreds of our local workers
to work at-sea, and at our world class ports
to build a project that will help diversify
Rhode Island’s energy mix and protect our
environment.”
RHODE ISLAND SEAPORTS
The two major Rhode Island seaports,
The Port of Providence and Quonset Point,
plus the ports of Galilee and Block Island
have been engaged for storage, support
and fabrication activities and load-out. The
first portion of the site construction was
completed during the first week of
December 2015.
An important factor in the success of
the first phase of construction, transport
and placement activity, was the ability to
coordinate not only multiple locations, but a
number of transport and fabrication disci-
plines. The project has brought over 300
local workers possessing a myriad of skills
that include vessel operators for tugboats,
crew ships, and monitoring vessels, long-
shoremen, electrical and steel workers, and
of course a host of technical skills.
Floating craft included over a dozen
construction and transport barges. Most of
the barges for the first phase of the project
were loaded at the port facilities at Quonset
Point. The industrial complex there will
continue to provide critical support for the
project and will house a permanent site for
maintenance facilities in support of the
active windmill farm.
PORT’S MANAGEMENTTEAM
The final stages of the project include
the arrival of the 95 foot long windmill
tower sections to the Port of Providence,
the first of which have begun to arrive.
Additional sections will continue to arrive.
JEFF GRYBOWSKI
CEO
Deepwater
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