Offshore wind farm contributions to a regional environmental and ecological monitoring system to address multi-user needs

Josh Kohut

Rutgers University

Mike Crowley

Rutgers University

Doug Zemeckis

Rutgers University

Anthony MacDonald

Monmouth University

Tom Herrington

Monmouth University

Rebecca Green

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Cris Hein

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Kris Ohleth

Special Initiative on Offshore Wind

A team from Rutgers University, Monmouth University, the National Renewable Energy Lab and the Special Initiative on Offshore Wind was awarded $285,000 to explore the potential use of offshore wind farms turbines, foundations, and substations as potential environmental and ecological monitoring platforms. This team will also gather input from a broad range of stakeholders to develop a conceptual plan for a regional network of environmental and ecological monitoring systems that would provide high-quality data on environmental and ecological conditions, commercial and recreational fisheries, and marine safety.