USA: BOEM to Present Results of North Carolina Offshore Wind Visualization Study

The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced that it will host Visual Simulation Open Houses to present the results of a visualization study that was conducted to accurately represent how wind turbines could be viewed from shore during various weather conditions and times of day.

During BOEM’s North Carolina offshore wind planning process, the need for accurate representations of offshore wind turbines to help evaluate potential visual impacts became apparent.

In cooperation with the National Park Service, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) contracted with Mangi Environmental Group and its subcontractors, T.J. Boyle Associates and LPES, Inc., to undertake a visualization study. This effort involved the creation and development of photo documentation, photomontages and videos to provide an accurate representation of the appearance of offshore wind facilities from a variety of locations along the coast of North Carolina.

In total, 234 offshore wind turbine simulations were created. Each simulation consists of an array configuration of 200 turbines and utilizes 1,000-meter turbine spacing.

Those attending the open houses will be able to share their opinions on what they have seen with a court reporter.  The comments collected at these meetings will be used to inform BOEM’s planning process offshore North Carolina.

The open house dates are:

Monday, August 12 (5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
Wingate by Wyndham Southport
1511 North Howe Street
Southport, NC 28461

Wednesday, August 14 (5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
South Brunswick Islands Center
9400 Ocean Highway 17 W
Carolina Shores, NC 28467

[mappress]

Press release, August 5, 2013; Image: BOEM