GE Vernova has provided a detailed public action plan outlining the next steps for the Vineyard Wind 1 project, located approximately 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, Massachusetts.
The project has encountered significant setbacks after a wind turbine blade detached and fell into the ocean last month, raising concerns about the project’s future.
Incident and Investigation
The Vineyard Wind 1 project has been halted following the incident, which resulted in debris, including fiberglass and foam, washing up on the shores of various New England beaches.
GE Vernova officials believe the issue stems from a “manufacturing deviation” that should have been detected during the quality assurance process at the blade manufacturing facility.
Over the past few weeks, debris from the damaged blade has continued to detach and fall into the ocean, particularly during heavy winds.
GE Vernova’s Response Plan
GE Vernova has developed a comprehensive action plan in collaboration with federal agencies, including the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the U.S. Coast Guard. The plan outlines the following steps:
- Safe Removal of the Damaged Blade: The remainder of the damaged blade on turbine AW-38 will be carefully removed.
- Debris Collection and Cleanup: Efforts to collect any debris from the incident will continue, ensuring that the surrounding environment is protected.
- Resumption of Turbine Installation and Operations: After the blade removal, GE Vernova intends to resume turbine installation and continue operations at Vineyard Wind 1.
According to GE Vernova, the response strategy has been meticulously developed, with thousands of hours devoted to its planning, review, and testing. Safety has been the primary focus throughout this process.
Safety and Environmental Considerations
Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus S. Møller emphasized the company’s commitment to safety, stating, “Our response has been focused on the safety of everyone involved. As we move forward to this next phase and begin removing the remainder of the damaged blade, we will continue to safeguard the public and the environment through our robust land, air, and sea debris recovery system.”
GE Vernova Chief Sustainability Officer Roger Martella echoed these sentiments, highlighting the company’s top priority of addressing the impacts of the blade incident with urgency and thoroughness.
The plan includes removing the remaining blade, assessing environmental and marine impacts, and implementing a comprehensive plan for blade performance to ensure the project’s success.
Blade Removal Operation
The blade removal operation, in collaboration with Resolve Marine, a leading salvage company, involves four key tasks:
- Blade Rotation and Controlled Cutting: The blade will be rotated to reduce the risk of further detachment, followed by controlled cutting if necessary.
- Removal of Blade Root from the Hub: The root of the blade will be carefully removed from the hub.
- Debris Cleanup on the Platform: Any fallen debris on the platform will be collected and removed.
- Seabed Debris Management: Debris on the seabed will be addressed to minimize environmental impact.
Criteria for Restarting Power Production
Before any turbine at the Vineyard Wind project can begin or restart power production, several criteria must be met:
- Re-review of Ultrasound Photos: Over 8,300 ultrasound testing (UT) records will be re-processed to ensure bond requirements are met. Any identified issues will be further inspected, with corrective action taken as needed.
- Internal Visual Inspection: Advanced remote-controlled drones, known as “crawlers,” will be used to inspect the blades internally. These drones are equipped with video cameras to capture photos and videos, allowing technicians to examine critical blade elements. Any anomalies will be flagged for further review before service.
- Real-time Monitoring with New Technology: GE Vernova is deploying a new algorithm that utilizes existing sensors within the blade to monitor blade health. This technology will provide advanced warnings or automatically shut down the turbine safely if required.
Future Plans for Vineyard Wind 1
Vineyard Wind is committed to resuming safe turbine installation and restarting operations as soon as possible. No blades will be installed or used in operations until they have been thoroughly inspected.
The company has also implemented a rigorous debris recovery system, adhering to established safety protocols.
This system involves a combination of vessel surveying, aerial monitoring, and U.S. Coast Guard modeling to track debris.
Furthermore, Vineyard Wind has established direct communication with Tribal Nations, federal, state, and local officials, and first responder agencies to ensure prompt notification of any debris impacts.
Conclusion
The Vineyard Wind 1 project is currently navigating significant challenges following the blade incident, but GE Vernova’s detailed action plan and commitment to safety provide a clear path forward.
The project aims to resume operations while ensuring the safety of personnel and the protection of the environment.