Description
Revolution Wind is a 50/50 partnership between Ørsted and Eversource that will provide 304 MW to Connecticut and 400 MW to Rhode Island (704 MW total) and will be composed of 100 11 MW Siemens Gamsea turbines. It is estimated to be fully operational in 2025. It was approved by BOEM on August 22, 2023. State Pier in New London in New London, and ProvPort and Quonset in Rhode Island will be used to support Revolution Wind along with other offshore wind industry projects throughout the region.
Location
Revolution Wind will be located approximately 24 km from the Rhode Island coast and approximately 15 nautical miles offshore southeast of Point Judith, Rhode Island. Power generated by Revolution Wind will be transferred through a submarine transmission system, which will make landfall at Quonset Business Park in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. From there, one mile of underground transmission line will connect the landfall cable to a newly constructed substation (to be constructed and connected to the National Grid’s existing Davisville substation).
Licensing Information
- 2023, October: Section 10 Individual Permit pursuant to the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899 and Section 404 Individual Permit pursuant to the CWA from USACE New England District anticipated
- 2023, July: OCS Air Quality Permit pursuant to 40 CFR § 55 from the U.S. EPA New England
- 2023, July: Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation pursuant to 14 CFR §77 from the Federal Aviation Association (FAA)2022, December: Incidental Take Authorization from NOAA
- 2023, May: CZMA Consistency Certification from MA CZM
- 2023, Q1: Water Quality Certification pursuant to RIGL § 46-12-3 and 250-RICR-150-05-1.1 et seq. from RIDEM Office of Water Resources
- 2022: License pursuant to the Energy Facility Siting Act from the Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board (RI EFSB)
- 2021, August: Section 401 and State Water Quality Certification/Rhode Island Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Construction General Permit from State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
- 2021, July: Filed Dredge permit pursuant to the Rules and Regulations for Dredging and the Management of Dredged Materials from RIDEM and CRMC
- 2021, July: Filed Federal Consistency Determination pursuant to Section 307 of the CZMA, Category B Assent/Submerged lands license, Permit to Alter Freshwater Wetlands in the Vicinity of the Coast, and Authorization under the Rhode Island Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (RIPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharge Associated with Construction Activity from Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (RI CRMC)
Project Timeline
- 2025, July: Power Generation Anticipated
- 2024, January: Onshore Construction Start Anticipated
- 2023, October: Construction & Operations Plan Approval Anticipated
- 2023, August: BOEM Approval
- 2023, May: Grid Connection Agreement executed
- 2023, March: NOAA, Endangered Species Act Consultation Package Approval
- 2023, March: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Section 305 Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Assessment Completion (NOAA)
- 2023, March: Consultation pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
- 2021, April and July: Site Investigations
- 2020, June: Geological Surveys
- 2019 - 2018: Site Investigations
- 2017: BOEM approved the Site Assessment Plan (SAP) for Lease Area OCS-A 0486
- 2014-2016: Site Investigations
Key Environmental Issues
Ørsted and Eversource have conducted extensive environmental surveys up and down the East Coast. All ecological aspects of the wind farm have been investigated and the results of those studies will be included in permit applications. Measures will be taken to minimize the ecological impact of the wind farm.
Metadata Documents
Environmental Papers and Reports
- Revolution Wind Farm and Revolution Wind Export Cable Project Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) (BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs 2023)
- Revolution Wind Construction and Operations Plan (Vanasse Hangen Brustlin 2023)
- Biological Assessment: Revolution Wind Farm and Revolution Export Cable - Development and Operation (BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs 2022)
- Protected Species Observer Technical Report for the Ørsted New England IHA, BOEM Lease Areas OCS-A 0486, OCS-A 0487, and OCS-A 0500; 2019–2020 (Smultea et al. 2020)
Environmental Monitoring: Revolution Wind
| Phase | Stressor & Receptor | Design and Methods | Results | Publications | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline | Marine Mammals | Data Review and Acoustic Modeling The description of the affected environment and assessment of potential impacts to marine mammals in the Revolution Wind Farm were developed by reviewing current public data sources related to marine mammals. In support of the impact evaluation, Revolution Wind also completed a comprehensive underwater acoustic modeling effort. | Complete Forty species and/or stocks of marine mammals inhabit the regional waters and may occur in the project area. All species and/or stocks are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The regular/common species in the area were: fin whale, sei whale, North Atlantic right whale, minke whale, humpback whale, sperm whale, long-finned pilot whale, risso’s dolphin, common dolphin, Atlantic white-sided dolphin, common bottlenose dolphin, harbor seal, and gray seal. Measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate potential impact on marine mammals were developed and are to be implemented. | Vanasse Hangen Brustlin 2023 | No data publicly available |
| Baseline | Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles | Protected Species Survey From 26 September 2019–25 September 2020 6 Survey boats equipped with Penetration Depth Seismic Source, Protected Species Observers (PSOs), passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) operators, and IR cameras preformed offshore and near shore protected species surveys. | Complete
The grand total of 103,186 km of Monitoring Effort occurred over a combined total of 15,919 h. The were 591 Mysticete detections, 1369 odontocete detections, and 50 sea turtle detections. | Smultea et al. 2020 | No data publicly available. |
| Baseline | Marine Mammals | Acoustic Risk Assessment In this acoustic assessment, noise produced by Revolution Wind Farm project activities are classified as impulsive or non-impulsive. Impulsive noises are characterized as a distinct energy pulse that has a rapid rise time and relatively high zero-to-peak sound pressure level. Non-impulsive noises do not have the characteristic energy pulse or rapid rise times seen in impulsive sources. Acoustic threshold criteria were established using two primary evaluators: 1) species’ hearing sensitives; and 2) noise source characteristics. | Complete Impact-producing factors that could have greater than negligible impacts on marine mammals include underwater noise, vessel traffic, and habitat alteration. Revolution Wind will implement the avoidance, minimization, and environmental protection measures considered to reduce potential impacts resulting from exposure to underwater noise and vessel traffic during construction and operation. | CSA Ocean Sciences Inc 2021 | No data publicly available |
| Baseline | Fish, Marine Mammals, Reptiles | Quantitative Underwater Noise Assessment For the quantitative acoustic analysis, the potential underwater acoustic impacts resulting from the installation of tapered monopile foundations for the Revolution Wind Farm project were modeled. The assessment determined exposure estimates and exposure ranges from impact pile driving for marine mammals and sea turtle species that occur near the Revolution Wind Farm. Exposure ranges and exposure estimates for animals exceeding regulatory acoustic thresholds for injury and behavioral disruption are predicted using animal movement modeling. For fish, acoustic ranges to their regulatory thresholds predicting injury and behavioral disturbance were calculated. | Complete Sound fields were sampled by simulating animal movement within the sound fields and determining if simulated marine mammal and sea turtle animals exceed regulatory thresholds. The mean number of individuals of each species likely to exceed the thresholds was determined by scaling the animal results using the real-world density of each species. For those animals that exceeded thresholds, the closest point of approach to the source was found and the distance accounting for 95% of exceedances was reported as the exposure range, ER95%. The species-specific ER95% were determined with different broadband attenuation levels to account for the use of noise reduction systems, such as bubble curtains. ER95% can be used for mitigation purposes, like establishing monitoring or exclusion areas. Fish were considered as static receivers, so exposure ranges were not calculated. Instead, the acoustic distance to their regulatory thresholds were determined and reported, with the different broadband attenuation levels | Kusel et al. 2023 | No data publicly available |
| Baseline | Physical Environment | Sediment Profile Imaging and Photovoltaic Surveys During the site-specific Sediment Profile Imaging/Photovoltaic survey, a total of eight benthic macrohabitat types were observed at the Revolution Wind Farm project area. | Ongoing Environmental complexity was low and the seafloor was overwhelmingly characterized by the macrohabitat types and sheet or sand with mobile gravel. Limited potential presence within the project area for the majority of important shellfish species with the exception of: Atlantic sea scallop, Atlantic surf clam, channeled welk, horseshoe crab, Jonah crab, ocean quahog clam, and spider crab. Site selection and routing, installation techniques and equipment technologies have been selected to avoid and minimize potential impacts to the surrounding environment. Protected measures to reduce potential impacts to coastal and terrestrial habitat were devised and are to be implemented. | Vanasse Hangen Brustlin 2023 | No data publicly available |
| Baseline | Bats | Bat Surveys Biologists conducted presence/probable absence acoustic bat surveys targeting Northern long-eared bats within the onshore project footprint. These surveys included five locations that targeted potential flight corridors within suitable summer habitat. Call data was scrubbed of non-bat calls, attributed with metadata, and auto-classified using auto-classification software. | In progress Survey results were submitted to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the methodology, survey results, field forms, and figures documenting the survey locations were complied into a report that will be used to facilitate the Section 7 Consultation under the Endangered Species Act. | BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs 2022 | No data publicly available |
| Baseline | Physical Environment | Geographic Analysis The spatial scale for analysis of potential effects to air quality encompassed 1) the airshed within 25 miles of the estimate Revolution Wind Farm project center and 2) the airshed within 15.5 miles of onshore construction areas and ports that may be used for the project. The scope of the affected environment for the assessment of potential project-related emissions and impacts to ambient air quality encompasses offshore areas and those states and counties where project activities could occur. | Complete Construction and installation and decommissioning activities would cause increased air emissions temporarily. BOEM anticipates that the overall cumulative impacts associated with the project when combined with other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable activities would remain moderate adverse. | BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs 2023 | No data publicly available |
| Baseline | Bats, Birds | Bird and Bat Impact Assessment The potential exposure of bats to Revolution Wind Farm project components within the lease area was evaluated and coupled with the known vulnerability of bats to collisions with wind turbines. The risk assessment was conducted using a weight-of-evidence approach. A risk assessment framework evaluated the potential effects on birds associated with the operational phase of the project. The framework used a weight of-evidence approach and combined evaluations of both exposure and behavioral risk. The assessment analyzed the exposure of birds to the total area. | Complete Due to the distance of the Revolution Wind Farm lease area from shore, bats are not expected to regularly forage in the area, and exposure to this area is expected to be limited to periods of migration. Overall, the project is expected to have “minimal” to “low” impacts on bats. The project is expected to have “minimal” to “low” population-level impacts for any species of bats. Individual impacts to northern long-eared bats are expected to be “minimal” because there is little evidence that they occur in the offshore environment. The Revolution Wind Farm lease area is generally far enough offshore as to be beyond the range of most breeding terrestrial or coastal bird species. Of the marine birds, loons, sea ducks, gulls, terns, and auks received up to medium overall exposure assessment. The project is not expected to affect Federally listed/protected species populations. | Biodiversity Research Institute 2020 | No data publicly available |
| Baseline | Physical Environment | Field Investigations Environmental field investigations of onshore natural resources in the Revolution Wind Farm project area were conducted between July 2019 and December 2021. Prior to the field investigations, desktop research and data reviews were conducted. | Complete The magnitude of the project impacts on onshore biological resources is expected to be negligible. The project will avoid the two plant species of state concern. No significant impacts on the biological resources in the project area are anticipated to occur from the proposed Project activities. Revolution Wind will continue to evaluate measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate potential impacts on the onshore biological resources. | Vanasse Hangen Brustlin 2023 | No data publicly available |
| Baseline | Fish | Data Review and Mapping, Software Query Essential fish habitat (EFH) data and text descriptions were downloaded from the NOAA Habitat Conservation EFH Mapper, an online mapping application and supplemented with additional literature sources where necessary. EFH data was queried using GIS software based on Revolution Wind Farm project components and manually verified. | Complete Essential fish habitat (EFH) species with benthic/demersal life stages are expected to be exposed to direct impacts from noise associated with impact pile driving and/or vibratory pile driving of foundations, other noise sources, seafloor disturbance, and sediment suspension/deposition, and indirect impacts from habitat alteration. Species with pelagic life stages are expected to be exposed to direct impacts from impact pile driving and/or vibratory pile driving noise and other construction/decommissioning noise sources, and indirect impacts from habitat alteration. Long-term impacts associated with the wind turbine generator foundations, scour protection, and protection of the offshore substation link cable and inter-array cables would be reversed following decommissioning of the project. None of the impact-producing factors are expected to result in population-level effects. | INSPIRE Environmental 2021, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin 2023 | No data publicly available |
| Baseline | Reptiles | Impact Evaluation and Underwater Acoustic Modeling The description of the affected environment of sea turtles within the Revolution Wind Farm project area, including documentation of regional occurrences and project-related impact evaluation, is based on recent literature and studies available that focus on renewable energy sites in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. In support of the impact evaluation, Revolution Wind also completed underwater acoustic modeling. | Complete Four sea turtle species (green sea turtle, Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, and loggerhead sea turtle) commonly found throughout the western North Atlantic may occur within the project area and were considered potentially affected species. The loggerhead sea turtle and leatherback sea turtle were found to be common in the project area. Measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate potential impacts on sea turtles are to be implemented throughout the project. | Vanasse Hangen Brustlin 2023 | No data publicly available |
| Baseline | Fish | Acoustic Risk Assessment For the purposes of this acoustic assessment, noise produced by Revolution Wind Farm project activities are classified as impulsive or non-impulsive. Impulsive noises are characterized as a distinct energy pulse that has a rapid rise time and relatively high zero-to-peak sound pressure level. Non-impulsive noises do not have the characteristic energy pulse or rapid rise times seen in impulsive sources. Acoustic threshold criteria were established using two primary evaluators: 1) species’ hearing sensitives; and 2) noise source characteristics. | Complete Potential impacts on the Atlantic sturgeon would not be substantially different from impacts on other fish species and species with designated essential fish habitat. No Atlantic surgeon spawning habitat will be affected. Seasonal migratory patterns present the potential for Atlantic sturgeon to be present in the Revolution Wind Farm area; however, it is not expected to be a regular visitor or occupant in large numbers. Impact-producing factors for Atlantic sturgeon that could reach greater than negligible determinations include underwater noise and vessel traffic (i.e., physical disturbance, risk of strikes). Revolution Wind will implement the avoidance, minimization, and environmental protection measures considered to reduce potential impacts resulting from exposure to underwater noise and vessel traffic during construction and operation. | CSA Ocean Sciences Inc 2021 | No data publicly available |
| Baseline | Reptiles | Acoustic Risk Assessment In this acoustic assessment, noise produced by Revolution Wind Farm project activities are classified as impulsive or non-impulsive. Impulsive noises are characterized as a distinct energy pulse that has a rapid rise time and relatively high zero-to-peak sound pressure level. Non-impulsive noises do not have the characteristic energy pulse or rapid rise times seen in impulsive sources. Acoustic threshold criteria were established using two primary evaluators: 1) species’ hearing sensitives; and 2) noise source characteristics. | Complete Sea turtles are primarily present in the project area during summer and fall months and can occur in the Revolution Wind Farm and Revolution Wind Farm Export Cable corridor depending on the species and age class. Impact-producing factors for sea turtles include underwater noise, vessel traffic, and habitat alteration due to the presence of foundations and scour protection. Revolution Wind will implement the avoidance, minimization, and environmental protection measures considered to reduce potential impacts resulting from exposure to underwater noise and vessel traffic during construction and operation. | CSA Ocean Sciences Inc 2021 | No data publicly available |
| Baseline | Fish | Electromagnetic Field Modeling Exponent modeled the magnetic- and induced electric-field levels for each Revolution Wind Farm project cable configuration, using conservative assumptions designed to ensure that the calculated levels overestimate the field levels that would be measured above the cables at any specified loading. These conservative models assume no shielding effect of cable sheathing or armoring as well as no field reduction due to helical twisting of conductors within the cables. The induced electric- and magnetic-field levels reported therefore provide conservative upper bounds on the expected field levels surrounding the cables. | Complete There is no indication that electromagnetic field from the Revolution Wind Farm project cables would be detectable by resident magneto sensitive and electrosensitive finfish species. Because of this, the operating cables therefore are not expected to affect the populations or distributions of finfish in the project area. | Exponent Inc. 2023 | No data publicly available |
| Baseline | Bats, Birds | Biological Assessment Prepared pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to evaluate potential effects of the Revolution Wind Farm Project (Project, or Proposed Action) described herein on ESA-listed species under the jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service. | Complete Provides a comprehensive description of the Proposed Action, defines the Action Area, describes species potentially impacted by the Proposed Action, and provides an analysis and determination of how the Proposed Action may affect listed species and/or their habitats. | BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs 2022 | No data publicly available |
| Baseline | Invertebrates | Boat and Video Surveys In 2014 and 2015, twenty-four lease blocks in the Rhode Island/Massachusetts Lease Area were selected after discussions with BOEM and the lobster industry. The sampling design employed was consistent with Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission ventless trap survey, in which stations are selected randomly at the start of the season and are then retained for the duration of the year. New stations are then randomly selected each year. | Complete This project documented a healthy population of American lobster on Cox Ledge in the study area. Survey results were consistent between the two years of the survey. Lobster abundance was consistently higher on the eastern side of the lease area. The project established a cooperative survey protocol for monitoring the effects of offshore wind-energy development on lobster and crab populations and a pre-construction baseline for lobster and Jonah crab populations to enable assessment of possible impacts of development. | Collie and King 2016 | No data publicly available |
| Baseline | Invertebrates | Electromagnetic Field Modeling Exponent modeled the magnetic- and induced electric-field levels for each Revolution Wind Farm project cable configuration, using conservative assumptions designed to ensure that the calculated levels overestimate the field levels that would be measured above the cables at any specified loading. These conservative models assume no shielding effect of cable sheathing or armoring as well as no field reduction due to helical twisting of conductors within the cables. The induced electric- and magnetic-field levels reported therefore provide conservative upper bounds on the expected field levels surrounding the cables. | Complete Data from fields studies indicate that 60-Hz AC submarine cables are unlikely to alter the behaviors and distributions of large marine invertebrates. Crab movement and migration were reported to be unaffected by magnetic fields between 138 and 1,168 mG. Localized cephalopod distributions were not altered by 730 to 1,100 mG magnetic fields produced by 60-Hz AC cables. For the project cables, the modeled magnetic-field strength at peak loading is 210 mG at the seabed above the Revolution Wind Export Cables, which is lower than the magnetic-field levels associated with no effects on cephalopod and crustacean distributions. Field surveys demonstrated that the behavior and distributions of large crustacean and cephalopod invertebrates would not be altered by magnetic-field levels projected for project cables. | Exponent Inc. 2023 | No data publicly available |
| Operations | Noise Reptiles | Sea Turtle Monitoring Sea turtle exposure ranges were determined using noise modeling ( conducted assuming one, two, or three WTG monopiles driven per day, and either one or two OSS monopiles driven per day). Acoustic modelling at the Sunrise Wind HDD exit pit location was also performed to determine threshold distances for installation of sheet piles to create the casing pipe support “goal posts” and support the construction barge. Mitigation and monitoring zones were established. High-resolution geophysical surveys will take place at various times throughout the construction and operations phases of the Revolution Wind project. Related surveys using the same or similar types of survey equipment have been ongoing in the project area during the pre-construction phase. | LGL Ecological Research Associates 2022 | No data publicly available | |
| Operations | Physical Environment, Fisheries | Trawl and Trap Surveys, Acoustic Telemetry, Benthic Monitoring The Sediment Profile Imaging/Plan View (SPI/PV) surveys associated with the Soft Bottom Monitoring components will be conducted from research vessel(s) with scientists onboard to collect images utilizing a SPI/PV camera system. A SPI/PV sampling approach will allow for the assessment of benthic functioning over a spatial scale of several square meters at each station within the Revolution Wind Farm project area. Targeted high-resolution acoustic surveys will be conducted over the selected inter array cable corridors prior to boulder relocation and again after all construction has been completed to map boulder locations within the survey areas. | INSPIRE Environmental 2023 | No data publicly available |