Developers to Update on Maine Aqua Ventus Project

A forum will be held today at the University of Southern Maine, where the developers of Aqua Ventus project will give an update on its development and the performance of the VolturnUS wind turbine, as well as the offshore wind industry in general.

The University of Maine-led offshore wind project, VolturnUS, located in Castine, is the first grid-connected floating offshore wind turbine in the U.S., and has been operating since early June 2013. A further development of the initiative, Maine Aqua Ventus I, a proposed 12MW project comprising two turbines, has received an initial approval from the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

At the forum, Red Webster of Cianbro will describe some of the unique construction techniques and materials used in VolturnUS. Habib Dagher, University of Maine Professor, will give an overview of the performance of VolturnUS to date, as well as an update on the Aqua Ventus program and its vision for the future.

Gerry Chasse of Emera Maine will describe the innovative heat pump program his company has been undertaking and its future prospects to grow and control the load in Maine that will be served by these exciting renewable generation projects. George Hart, a founder of the Ocean Energy Institute, will give an overview of what offshore wind power can do for Maine in terms of innovation and jobs.

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Offshore WIND Staff, January 16, 2014; Image: Advanced Structures and Composites Center