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Geotechnical Surveys & Site Evaluation

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Revolution Wind is a 704-megawatt (MW) offshore wind farm that will provide clean, offshore wind power to Rhode Island (400-MW) and Connecticut (304-MW). 

Onshore construction is expected to start in the summer of 2023. 

The Revolution Wind turbines will be located in a 256-square mile lease area in federal waters approximately midway between Block Island and Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. The site is located approximately 15 miles south of the Rhode Island coast, 32 miles southeast of the Connecticut coast, and 12 miles southwest of Martha’s Vineyard.

Revolution Wind is a 50/50 partnership between Ørsted – the global leader in offshore wind – and Eversource, homegrown experts in regional energy transmission. Together, the joint venture partners are collectively serving as a catalyst for clean energy throughout New England. Combined, the companies’ operational capabilities enable Rhode Island and Connecticut to reduce their environmental impact, while creating jobs and spurring local economic development through clean, renewable energy from offshore wind.

Rhode Island has the most ambitious clean energy goal in the nation: 100 percent renewables by 2030. Connecticut has set a goal for 100 percent of the state’s electric sector to come from zero-carbon sources by 2040.

Revolution Wind will help both states meet these ambitious clean energy goals by providing 400 MW of offshore wind power to Rhode Island and 304 MW to Connecticut – enough to power more than 350,000 homes combined.

Given the current and proposed retirements of certain power plants that supply energy to New England, the region will lose around 4,600 megawatts of generation by 2021. The Independent System Operator of New England (ISO-NE), the non-profit entity that manages the power grid, has identified another 5,000 MW of oil and coal capacity may be slated for retirement soon as well. The power from Revolution Wind will contribute greatly to the future electricity needs of Rhode Island and Connecticut, helping plug up any gaps. Just as important, the project will help diversify the region’s generation profile, which will help Rhode Island and Connecticut meet their ambitious-leading clean energy goals, reducing harmful emissions, combatting climate change and improving public health.

The power-purchase agreement with Rhode Island Energy was approved by the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission. In Connecticut, the project was selected via a competitive request for proposals process that is led by the state through the CT Dept of Energy & Environmental Protection (Revolution Wind was chosen as the winner of the first two RFPs by DEEP receiving 304 MWs of awards). From there, power purchase agreements with the state’s regulated utilities (Eversource and United Illuminating) were negotiated and approved by the state’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). There are no other Connecticut regulatory bodies that have oversight on the project.

The power-purchase agreement with Rhode Island Energy was approved by the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission. In Connecticut, the project was selected via a competitive request for proposals process that is led by the state through the CT Dept of Energy & Environmental Protection (Revolution Wind was chosen as the winner of the first two RFPs by DEEP receiving 304 MWs of awards). From there, power purchase agreements with the state’s regulated utilities (Eversource and United Illuminating) were negotiated and approved by the state’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). There are no other Connecticut regulatory bodies that have oversight on the project.

The project requires a variety of federal and Rhode Island approvals before construction can begin. The federal permitting process is largely guided by the National Environmental Policy Act, a process under which the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is acting as a lead federal agency. Other federal approvals will be obtained from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Defense, National Marine Fisheries Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. At a state and local level, the project will require approvals from the Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board (“EFSB”), Coastal Resources Management Council, and Department of Environmental Management, and the EFSB approval process will include input from other state and local governmental agencies, including the Quonset Development Corporation and the Town of North Kingstown.

The power generated by Revolution Wind will be transferred through a submarine transmission system, which will come ashore at Quonset Business Park in North Kingstown. From there, one mile of underground transmission line along Circuit drive and across private property within and adjacent to the Quonset Business Park will connect the landfall cable to the new substation, which will be located near the existing Rhode Island Energy Davisville Substation, from where the project will connect to the existing transmission grid.

Our transmission cable will be buried below the roadways or across private property throughout the entire route. Construction of the project will occur almost entirely within existing roadways, requiring excavation of a trench to install a duct bank – this is standard procedure for installing underground cables such as this one. At the point of connection to the electrical grid, we will undertake a minor relocation of the existing overhead lines to connect the necessary equipment. We have worked diligently on the design to maintain compliance with all sound and lighting requirements. We will work with the local community to minimize traffic disruptions throughout each phase of the project.

Revolution Wind is developing a cable installation plan that balances environmental responsibility with the needs of the project. It is worth noting, however, that the cable landing site is set for the Quonset Business Park, which is an ideal location with a history of industrial and commercial use that fits with the project’s proposed use. In addition, cables will be installed using trenchless construction methods, such as Horizontal Directional Drilling or HDD. This method of cable installation allows us to achieve greater burial depths at this location, and since sufficient burial cover is the most effective way to ensure that cable remain buried, this technique provides for strong protection against future exposure. 

The transmission system is interconnected throughout Rhode Island, Connecticut, New England, and even beyond, so the power generated in Rhode Island can travel to wherever the demand is needed.  Because of the increase of power coming into Davisville, some upgrades of existing transmission lines will need to occur to ensure the safe, reliable operation of the system. The scope of the upgrades is undergoing review by the Independent System Operator for New England’s transmission grid (ISO NE).  The upgrades to those facilities will be designed and completed by the local utility in the area (Rhode Island Energy)

Revolution Wind undertook an extensive analysis to determine the best interconnection point for the Project, and this was selected during the RFP process. Davisville was selected due to the proximity of the strong electrical connection point, close to the water with the project area primarily through an industrial site. The fact that the transmission grid is interconnected throughout New England makes it feasible to convey electricity to wherever it is needed.   

The audible sound from cable construction will be similar to any road construction project in the area with the use of similar equipment and materials. 

Revolution Wind has conducted a robust sound analysis to ensure the substation meets all sound requirements of the Town of Kingstown and/or the State of Rhode Island. The analysis included an effort that revised the layout of the station to ensure sound-producing equipment is located further from residences. The current analysis demonstrates compliance with all applicable noise requirements.

Revolution Wind has conducted a robust visual analysis to understand how the onshore substation will be seen across the landscape. The Project Team has been working throughout the design process to reduce the visibility of the above-ground equipment to abutters. The analysis demonstrates that the existing topography and vegetation will reduce the view of the adjacent property owners.

That being said, Revolution Wind is committed to working with adjacent property owners to do our best to mitigate potential concerns with the visibility of the above-ground equipment to residents in the area.

Revolution Wind is committed to working with adjacent property owners to address any potential concerns with the visibility of the above-ground equipment to residents in the area.

Plant cover is an effective way to reduce the visual impact of the substation, screening it from public view. The site design was configured to try to maintain the existing tree buffer to residences, to the maximum extent possible, as existing foliage will be the most effective form of cover. Where this is not possible, new plantings will be helpful to provide an additional buffer. An assessment of the property will be done prior to any planting, using plant species appropriate for the area. Plants can be planted along the outside of the perimeter fence and along the property line of the substation. It is important to know that in some areas of the substation site where plantings will not be possible because of safety clearance requirements of certain equipment around the substation and there may be some areas that will limit the height of the plantings. Before selecting the plantings, a survey will be conducted of the plants growing in the surrounding environment. 

The new substation will limit access to non-authorized personnel to the area we are leasing but will not affect the surrounding area.

The property is owned by Quonset Development Corporation and Revolution Wind has an easement to construct and operate the transmission lines and substation. Fences and exclusion devices will be installed to meet or exceed industry standards.

Once all the necessary permits are in hand, onshore construction will proceed relatively quickly. Our best estimate is that this will take approximately 2 years from construction start to complete the substation. Road work for this project will take significantly less time to complete. And a road traffic may be interrupted during this period.

The substation will not impact traffic during normal operation, once construction is complete.

Any traffic during the construction of the substation is expected to be minor and temporary.

A variety of mitigation measures will be used to minimize traffic disruption during construction. Implementation of a well-designed Traffic Management Plan (“TMP”) will reduce the potential for any inconvenience to drivers. The TMP will be developed in conjunction with QDC and the Town of North Kingstown to address traffic during the installation of the in-street transmission line.

Construction will require temporary isolated and/or partial road closures that may result in potential traffic delays, congestion, and narrowed roadways, however, these impacts will be localized and temporary. Roadways and driveways along the onshore cable route will not be blocked to local vehicular traffic for extended periods of time.

A variety of mitigation measures will be used to minimize traffic disruption during construction. Implementation of a well-designed Traffic Management Plan (TMP) will reduce the potential for any inconvenience to drivers. The TMP will be developed in conjunction with QDC and the Town of North Kingstown to address traffic during the installation of the in-street transmission line.

These accommodations are important as, our transmission cable will remain buried below roadways throughout the entire route and this will generally require excavation of a trench to install a duct bank within the existing roadway or shoulder, which is a standard procedure for installing underground cables such as this one.

A construction method called Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) will be used for the cable landfall. This is a different construction method than was used initially for the sea-to-shore transition at Block Island. HDD avoids disturbance of the beach and ensures the cable will be set at a significantly greater depth (approximately 80 feet deep) protecting it from erosion over the life of the project.

Importantly, the Ørsted-owned cable that connects the wind farm to Block Island was reset using the HDD process in 2021.

Trenching will be used to install the underground cable infrastructure along the onshore route. Areas between 200 and 600 feet will be opened at a time and filled and patched once the infrastructure has been set. These roads will be fully resurfaced following completion of onshore construction.

The project will test soil, as applicable, in accordance with the approved Soil and Groundwater Management Plan (SGMP). The management of material excavated for construction will be performed in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations. It is presumed that fill and native soils can be managed for re-use on-site without additional testing as long as it does not exhibit certain characteristics as defined in the SGMP. For soils not being re-used, soils are typically “live loaded” directly onto trucks for off-site transport and disposed at an approved facility. If the excess soil excavated from the trench is not contaminated, some soil may be retained at a project laydown yard for later use as backfill.

No. The installed components are not sources of pollution. Additionally, the project permits require disposal of groundwater encountered along the route to avoid contamination.

Revolution Wind is committed to working with adjacent property owners to address any potential concerns with the visibility of the above-ground equipment to residents in the area.

Plant cover is an effective way to reduce the visual impact of the substation, screening it from public view. The site design was configured to try to maintain the existing tree buffer to residences, to the maximum extent possible, as existing foliage will be the most effective form of cover. Where this is not possible, new plantings will be helpful to provide an additional buffer. An assessment of the property will be done prior to any planting, using plant species appropriate for the area. Plants can be planted along the outside of the perimeter fence and along the property line of the substation. It is important to know that in some areas of the substation site where plantings will not be possible because of safety clearance requirements of certain equipment around the substation and there may be some areas that will limit the height of the plantings. Before selecting the plantings, a survey will be conducted of the plants growing in the surrounding environment. 

Most onshore construction activities will occur between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. At certain scopes, such as the HDD and the large equipment deliveries, construction outside of these hours may be required.

Limited and specific activities may be performed outside the standard 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. work window if adequate notice is provided, or without notice in the event of extenuating circumstances. In the event of extended work hours, , the Town, QDC, adjacent landowners and businesses will be notified in advance, except in cases of an emergency.

The power generated by Revolution Wind will be transferred through a submarine transmission system, which will come ashore at Quonset Business Park in North Kingstown. From there it will begin along Circuit Drive and make its way to Camp Avenue. The cable will then travel along Camp Avenue to the new substation which will be located near the existing Rhode Island Energy Davisville Substation, from where the project will connect to the existing transmission grid.

Through our analysis of two routes, it was determined that the Emissive Energy route was the best choice.

Emissive Energy is a manufacturing company located between Circuit Dr and Camp Ave.  

Safety is of paramount importance to the Revolution Wind team. All Contractors are required to comply with the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and all other applicable federal, state, local laws, ordinances, regulations, and other project and site-specific permits. The program management document which guides the aforementioned expectations is the Contractor Safety Policy. The project will have safety professionals on site, to monitor and measure the implementation of the Contractor Safety Policy and, as necessary, develop corrective actions to ensure that worksite health and safety is not compromised.

We will work closely with Town Officials and emergency responders to inform them of the planned construction activities and ensure minimal disruption. In addition, no construction work is planned in Town roads.

The project has been designed to limit impacts to businesses in the area to the maximum extent practicable. Access to local businesses will be maintained during the construction activities but there may be some short term, localized and temporary impacts. Revolution Wind will provide residents and businesses with weekly updates via email of when and where construction is anticipated for the duration of the project.

Yes, any property damage resulting from construction activities will be repaired to previous conditions.

Yes, the construction team will have steel plates on hand to maintain access to properties. These steel plates can be installed within minutes or can be preinstalled to meet property owners’ schedules.

The project team will provide weekly email notices with construction details to keep residents and businesses informed about the timing of construction near their properties. Members of the field team will also provide door-to-door notice as the construction zone approaches, and field managers will be onsite at all times providing a point of contact for residents to discuss any access accommodation needs. Additional inquiries or concerns can also be relayed to info@revolution-wind.com or 631-887-5470.

Additional information on the project can be found on our project website or by visiting our Open House Virtual View Room at revolution-wind.com. 

Questions can be submitted on our project website at revolution-wind.com/contact or by email at info@revolution-wind.com.

Yes. Questions or concerns can be directed to 631-887-5470.

Yes, please feel free to sign up for our mailing list to stay up to date on all project announcements and milestones at revolution-wind.com/sign-up.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly with any questions you may have at info@revolution-wind.com or call 631-887-5470.