Energy intelligence and data firm TGS in sweeping new survey for California floating wind
In a first on the US West Coast, the Norwegian provider to bring Eolus-enabled environmental investigation to Pacific deepwater sites holding some 3GW of capacity
Norwegian data intelligence outfit TGS announced a new three-year campaign to sweep deepwaters of coastal California’s Morro Bay wind energy area (WEA) collecting wind speed and metocean measurements to identify “the most critical factors affecting the viability of offshore wind projects”.
California is targeting 2-5GW of floating wind capacity this decade and 25GW by 2045, with three leases in federal waters off its central coastline in the Morro Bay WEA and two more in the northern Humboldt WEA under development.
“We are excited to bring our solutions to California, where floating wind technology is gaining momentum,” said Kristian Johansen, CEO of TGS.
“With our multi-client floating LiDAR campaign, we make high-quality wind and metocean data more accessible, enhancing investment and planning decisions and contributing to the success of US offshore wind development.”
TGS customers can access data on a continuous stream via its subscription-based Wind Axiom online platform, enabling “wind developers and stakeholders to improve the quality and speed of their decision-making processes”, the company said.
TGS offers the same cloud-based data analytics platform for subscribers on the US East Coast, Germany, and Norway.
Key metrics include wind speed and direction at turbine hub height, wave heights, ocean current data across the "full water column," and monitoring of birds, bats and fish.
Floating ramp
“Atlas is a symbol of strength and fortitude, and most importantly perseverance, as we bring tested, world-class technology to California’s Central Coast,” says Molly Morris, president, Equinor Renewables Americas.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partner’s US subsidiary Vineyard Offshore is developing its California North project on the second lease in the Humboldt WEA.
Ocean Winds with partner with Canada Pension Plan and Invenergy are likewise developing projects on leases in the Morro Bay WEA off California’s Central Coast.
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