NEW LONDON, Conn. — The University of Connecticut Avery Point and Southern Connecticut State University will each be the recipient of a sizable grant from Ørsted, a global clean energy leader that constructs and operates offshore and land-based wind farms, solar farms, energy storage facilities and bioenergy plants.
According to a release from Ørsted on Tuesday, the grants will be bestowed as part of its proposed Starboard Wind project, which looks to bring reliable, affordable energy to New England residents.
Ørsted said it will give $2.5 million to UConn Avery Point to create an interdisciplinary environmental research program that will study the relationship between offshore wind farms and ocean habitats. The program will be led by the university’s Department of Marine Sciences and include the evaluation of offshore wind workforce development by social science researchers.
SCSU will receive $1.5 million from Ørsted to study biodiversity, climate resilience and offshore wind, the release said. The research will include monitoring biodiversity at offshore turbine, substation and cable route locations and examining potential solutions for shoreline protection infrastructure that promote biodiversity and resilience. The money will also help create workforce development projects for students who seek future employment in the offshore wind industry.
David Ortiz, Ørsted’s director of external affairs in the Northeast, said in the release that supporting the leading academic institutions will help Ørsted advance critical scientific research that is completed in-state and will help guide the sustainable expansion of offshore wind energy.
“Scientific inquiry and environmental stewardship are central to the clean energy transition, and we look forward to continuing working with our local academic partners to strengthen the foundations of Connecticut’s offshore wind industry and workforce,” Ortiz said in the release.
According to Ørsted, the proposed 1,184-megawatt Starboard Wind Project will bring clean, reliable offshore wind power to Connecticut at stable and predictable prices for decades. The release said if the project is selected, it will bring nearly $420 million of direct investment and expenditure to Connecticut, which will drive in-state and regional job creation and strengthen the State Pier’s critical role in the U.S. offshore wind supply chain. The project would also create more than 800 full-time jobs; many would be based at the New London State Pier.
Dr. Annemarie Siefert, campus dean and chief administrative officer at UConn Avery Point, said in the release that the university is excited to lead the effort and contribute to a more sustainable future.
“This initiative will not only enhance the academic experiences of our students by involving them in groundbreaking research but also promote public engagement through education on ocean literacy and wind energy,” Siefert said in the release.
SCSU Associate Director of Sustainability Suzanne Huminski said in the release that the funding will significantly advance the university’s research into the intersections of biodiversity, offshore wind and climate resilience. She said SCSU is thrilled to partner with Ørsted on the groundbreaking initiative.
“This collaboration will not only enhance our research capabilities but also provide invaluable opportunities for our students to develop the skills needed for careers of tomorrow,” Huminski said in the release. “We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where our students can thrive and develop the skills necessary for impactful careers in sustainability and clean energy.”
Ørsted said it is currently working with Eversource to construct the 704 MW Revolution Wind project offshore. Revolution Wind is projected to deliver 304 MV of clean, affordable offshore wind power to Connecticut and 400 MV more to Rhode Island, powering over 350,000 New England homes.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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