Creation Covenant Alliance

Installation of Monopiles Progresses at Vineyard Wind 1 Site Off the US Coast

Orion to install monopile foundations at Vineyard Wind 1 site from 28 October, as per the offshore wind mariner update.
Monopile Installation Continues at Vineyard Wind 1 Site Offshore US

The DP3 installation vessel Orion, operated by Belgian offshore specialist DEME, is set to install the remaining monopile foundations at Vineyard Wind 1 in the US around 28 October, according to a recent offshore wind mariner update.

<em>Source Vineyard Wind Offshore Wind Mariner Update<em>

Before installation, vessels POLARIS and HOS RUGER will deploy and recover a double big bubble curtain (DBBC) system to manage pile-driving operations.

The DBBC will be set up on the seafloor, tested, and activated before Orion arrives. Each bubble curtain takes about two to four hours to install, as reported by Vineyard Wind, a partnership between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).

After pile-driving, POLARIS and HOS RUGER will retrieve the DBBC equipment for use at the next site.

Upon completing monopile installation, DEME Group’s jack-up vessel, Sea Challenger, will install transition pieces (TPs) at the sites starting in early November. The operation will be supported by vessels GO FREEDOM, GO PATRIOT, and GO GLORY.

DEME Offshore US is leading the transportation and installation of monopile foundations, TPs, offshore substations, scour protection, and wind turbines.

The first of 62 monopile foundations, supplied by EEW Special Pipe Constructions (EEW SPC), was installed 15 miles off Martha’s Vineyard in June 2023.

The 800 MW offshore wind farm will feature 62 GE Vernova Haliade-X 13 MW wind turbines, each with a 220-meter rotor and 107-meter blades.

Earlier this year, a turbine blade broke due to a manufacturing issue, as reported by the company’s CEO Scott Strazik in July.

In July, the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) ordered Vineyard Wind to halt electricity production until further examination of the blade failure’s impact on other turbines.

In mid-August, authorization was granted to resume certain activities, leading to the installation of eight new towers and nacelles, as noted by Vineyard Wind.

Last week, Vineyard Wind announced that GE Vernova plans to remove some blades and reinforce others as part of their incident response plan.

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Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz

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Bad River: A Tribal Fight Against Pipeline Expansion Emphasizes Long-Term Environmental Planning


A recent legal battle between the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and a major energy corporation has highlighted the importance of long-term environmental planning. The tribe is challenging the expansion of an aging oil pipeline that runs through their territory in northern Wisconsin, citing potential risks to their land and water resources.



As environmental concerns grow, the tribe is using this case as an opportunity to advocate for sustainable practices and protection of natural resources. The pipeline, operated by a Canadian company, has been a point of contention for years due to concerns about leaks and spills that could damage the tribe’s ancestral lands.



The Bad River Band’s resistance is part of a broader movement among Indigenous communities who are increasingly standing up against large-scale industrial projects threatening their environment and way of life. This case echoes similar disputes across North America where Indigenous rights and environmental protection intersect.



Despite the company’s assurances of safety measures and economic benefits, the Bad River Band remains firm in their opposition. They argue that the risks posed by the aging infrastructure outweigh any proposed benefits. The tribe’s long-term vision focuses on preserving their land for future generations, aligning with broader global initiatives to prioritize sustainability.



This ongoing legal confrontation underscores how Indigenous communities are crucial voices in conversations about environmental policy and infrastructure development. For more information on Indigenous environmental advocacy, visit Sierra Club and Greenpeace.



The case serves as a reminder of the complex challenges involved in balancing economic development with environmental conservation. It highlights how the power of collective action and long-term thinking can shape the future of environmental policy.

November 1, 2024