Maine Aqua Ventus GP LLC Releases Public Version of MPUC Proposal

This morning, Maine Aqua Ventus GP LLC released the public version of its proposal to develop a groundbreaking offshore wind project in the Gulf of Maine, called Maine Aqua Ventus I. Maine Aqua Ventus I is the state’s only still-active offshore wind opportunity and is competing nationally against projects in five other states for grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy.

To download the full proposal click here.

“The PUC power-purchase agreement is the next step in securing the DOE grant, which is critical for the success of this important project for our state,” said Jake Ward, speaking for Maine Aqua Ventus I. The project is Maine’s entrant in the competition against other projects located in New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, Ohio and Oregon. [Full list provided below as Appendix A]

In a unique opportunity for the state, Maine Aqua Ventus I was designed in Maine specifically to be deployed off the coast of Maine and will be built by Maine institutions and workers. As is clear from this newly-released proposal, the project represents a historic opportunity for Maine to be the leader of an important new offshore wind industry.

This public version of the Maine Aqua Ventus I proposal is another step in the Maine Public Utilities Commission process for approval of a power-purchase agreement. It does not contain technically-sensitive information or information reserved for the forthcoming Term Sheet, in compliance with PUC precedent. The Term Sheet will be released in the next few weeks after Maine Aqua Ventus I GP LLC and the PUC agree on terms, which are still in the final stages of negotiation. 

The document released today describes:

• The project partnership and provides information on companies involved in this project. [A representative list provided below as Appendix B]
• The U.S. Department of Energy grant process – which calls for a pilot offshore wind project to demonstrate advanced technology to lower energy costs.
• The project’s technology in detail, including the floating submersible concrete hulls and the 270-foot-tall composite tower.
• Two 6 MW direct drive, permanent magnet turbines, which are designed for offshore projects.
• Maine Aqua Ventus I will be constructed on land and dockside reducing risk and cost.
• The data collection process that will follow the demonstration phase and suggest technological and process improvements toward reaching the DOE goal of 10 cent per kilowatt hour energy by the 2030s.
• Maine Aqua Ventus GP LLC’s commitment to supplying Monhegan Island with electricity to meet its current needs at no generation cost to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels generation which is priced at 70 cents per kilowatt-hour. It also describes the transmission line that will run from Monhegan to the mainland (and connect the island to both the electric grid and to high-speed internet service).
• That Maine Aqua Ventus I will be constructed and assembled at Maine ports, of which there are several options, and that the transmission line will connect with the electric grid near Bristol.

Additional information about the project will be released following the completion of a Term Sheet with the Maine PUC which is expected to take place mid-November. The Term Sheet outlines the structure of the power-purchase agreement and the commitments Maine Aqua Ventus makes in order to be allowed to sell power to the grid. The new information that will be available in this document includes:

• An Economic Impact Statement outlining the benefits Maine communities and workers will see from this project, which will not be complete until additional financial details currently being negotiated with the PUC are finalized in the Term Sheet.
• The price of the power that will be generated by the project, which is also dependent on these final negotiations.
• Other important commitments that Maine Aqua Ventus GP LLC will make to the state and its citizens as part of this project.

The public will be given the opportunity to comment on the Term Sheet after negotiations are complete and it becomes public, which is expected to happen mid-November. Additional information on this project is available at www.maineaquaventus.com.

APPENDIX A – LIST OF COMPETING PROJECTS BEFORE DOE

Dominion Virginia Power (Virginia)

“Go Wind” – Baryonyx Corporation (Texas)

“Fishermen’s Atlantic City Windfarm” – Fishermen’s Energy of New Jersey LLC (New Jersey)

“Icebreaker” – Lake Erie Development Corporation (LEEDco) (Ohio)

“Project Effectuate” – Principle Power (Oregon)

APPENDIX B – LIST OF MAV PROJECT CONTRIBUTORS

Maine Ocean and Wind Industry Initiative. The purpose of the Initiative, founded by the Maine Composites Alliance, Maine Wind Industry Initiative, and the Environmental and Energy Technology Council of Maine through initial support of the Maine Technology Institute, is to organize the interests currently involved in the wind energy industry to identify common needs, pursue market opportunities on behalf of Maine industry, document the industry’s needs and assist the State in leveraging the considerable natural resources of the state to the benefit of the State. The initiative intends to participate in the leadership of the development of these resources to the benefit of the Maine economy. The initiative will be a valuable part of the Project team, continuing to marshal intellectual power and innovation from within Maine’s maritime and wind industries.

HDR/DTA. HDR/DTA of Portland, Maine includes engineers, scientists, and regulatory specialists serving clients in the renewable energy industry. Their renewable energy consulting services also include alternative technologies in ocean energy and wind power. HDR is an employee-owned architectural, engineering and consulting firm with more than 7,700 professionals in more than 165 locations worldwide. DTA offers a full range of hydroelectric and related engineering services provided by technical professionals with as much as 30 years of experience in their disciplines. Its engineers work with clients to carefully identify engineering needs, develop work plans that fully and efficiently address those needs, and implement engineering tasks in a manner that leads to solutions. HDR/DTA will continue to assist in evaluating environmental issues and drafting permit applications.

SGC Engineering, a Senergy Company has been involved in connecting over 50 percent of all United Kingdom wind Projects to the Great Britain electricity grid. SGC Engineering LLC of Orono and Westbrook Maine (SGC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Senergy Alternative Energy Inc., is an 80 person multidisciplinary engineering team also serving clients in the northeastern region of the United States and Eastern Canada. The SGC team provides high voltage design, interface support, and grid connectivity for independent power producers, large manufacturing facilities, and electrical utilities. The team has extensive experience in connecting utility scale wind, hydroelectric and gas generation projects to the grid. SGC also offers a full range of surveying, mapping, civil engineering, permitting, and site development services to support the natural gas industry. The US team has a proven record of serving a diverse client base including industry, government, utilities, and affiliated organizations as they respond to the demands of a changing energy environment. 

Maine Maritime Academy. Maine Maritime Academy is a maritime career-oriented college and globally recognized leader in providing the highest quality maritime, engineering, engineering technology, marine science, and logistics education. Its facilities and laboratories are at the leading edge of technological innovation. Maine Maritime and its faculty and students will continue to assist with deployment planning and in scale model testing. 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory and its National Wind Technology Center. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the only national laboratory solely dedicated to advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies from concept to commercial application. For 35 years, NREL innovations, analysis, and expertise have enabled the emergence of a U.S. clean energy industry. NREL’s 327-acre main campus in Golden, Colorado, is a living model of sustainable energy. The laboratory also operates the National Wind Technology Center on 305 acres located 13 miles north of its main campus. The Laboratory and the Center will combine analyses and type certification of turbines, if needed.

AWS Truepower will lead metocean data collection for the Project. Approaching three decades of service in the industry, AWS Truepower (AWST) continues to be a leader and innovator in renewable energy consulting. Its skilled team of approximately 75 meteorologists, engineers, and environmental specialists are field-oriented and fully conversant with large commercial Projects, utility electrical systems, remote field measurements, and distributed applications. AWST’s core leadership team, consisting of the founding principals, directors and senior staff, drives the company to constantly examine processes and establish best practices. This commitment to making energy smarter is how AWST ensures science is delivering the performance its clients need. AWS will continue to be key to assessing and efficiently using the wind power potential of the Gulf of Maine.

Ershigs is the largest composite materials fabricator in the United States Ershigs designs, manufactures, fabricates and installs corrosion-resistant products made of Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics (FRP) such as process and effluent piping, abrasion resistant piping, storage and process vessels, stacks and chimney liners, duct systems and valves. Ershig will assist in the further development of composite materials in the pilot Project.

Vryhof Anchors is a world leading drag anchor designer-supplier that has provided anchors for the Hywind and Principal Power floating turbine projects. Since offshore oil and gas drilling and production moved into water depths where fixed platforms could not be used and floating structures became necessary, anchoring technology has taken a new and dramatic importance. Vryhof Anchors supplied anchors for University of Maine’s VolturnUS 1:8.

Kleinschmidt Associates. Since 1966, Kleinschmidt has focused on the needs of energy and water resource clients throughout the United States. Kleinschmidt specializes in the integration of engineering, regulatory, scientific, and planning disciplines to create solutions to complex regulatory and management Projects. Outstanding communication and collaboration, coupled with strong technical expertise lead to success for our clients. The Kleinschmidt organization,with its Maine office in Pittsfield, offers a depth of experience typically found in large organizations, while retaining the project control, communication, response time, flexibility, and personal attention that characterize smaller firms. Kleinschmidt works with HDR/DTA to compile the Project’s permit applications and helps organize consultations with agencies.

T.Y. Lin International is the most experienced pre-stressed concrete design firm in the world, and will be a key part of the Consortium’s cost-saving reliance on concrete. With over 50 years’ experience in the field, 50 offices and thousands of professionals worldwide, T.Y. Lin’s enduring values and commitment to excellence remain steadfast. Ever mindful that its work has a significant impact on people’s daily lives, as well as on the lives of future generations, T.Y. Lin ensures the success and sustainability of client Projects by strategically mobilizing the collective power and diverse expertise of its global organization; assembling multi-disciplinary teams; leveraging experience and state-of-the-art technical solutions; and sharing knowledge among regions. This value-driven approach and unwavering commitment to excellence consistently results in award-winning Projects, delivered on schedule and within budget, for satisfied clients.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will conduct visual impact and noise studies for the Project. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is among ten DOE national laboratories managed by DOE’s Office of Science. PNNL research strengthens the U.S. foundation for innovation and helps find solutions for not only DOE, but for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the National Nuclear Security Administration, other government agencies, universities and industry.

Gulf of Maine Research Institute. The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) catalyzes solutions to the complex challenges of ocean stewardship and economic growth in the Gulf of Maine bioregion. Its dynamic fusion of science, education, and community gives it range to effect change from multiple directions, while their objectivity and commitment to collaboration make them the go-to organization for marine communities grappling with contentious issues, management transitions, and new business systems. GMRI will assist in environmental monitoring and data collection.

American Bureau of Shipping (“ABS”) will conduct third-party evaluation of the design, fabrication, and deployment of the Consortium’s pilot Project. The mission of ABS is to serve the public interest as well as the needs of its clients by promoting the security of life, property and the natural environment, primarily through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine-related facilities. ABS recognizes that the classification world is changing with more emphasis on complex structures, life cycle management, unified standards and safety equivalencies. ABS is dedicated to providing leadership in the development of new technologies intended to improve the safety standards for the marine and offshore industries.

Technip, a world leader in project management, engineering and offshore construction for the energy industry, who manufactured Hywind, the first floating wind turbine hull in the world. From the deepest subsea oil and gas developments to the largest and most complex offshore and onshore infrastructures, Technip’s team of 26,500 professionals are constantly offering solutions and innovative technologies to meet the world’s energy challenges. Present in 48 countries, Technip has state-of-the-art industrial assets on all continents and operates a fleet of specialized vessels for pipeline installation and subsea construction. In the United States, Technip has engineering and project centers in Houston (Texas), Claremont (California) and Monterrey (Mexico), design and build hydrocarbon production facilities, processing plants and infrastructures, from offshore oil and gas developments to onshore refineries and petrochemical plants.