03.15.07: What about visibility of the transmission system?
Jim writes: “My question has to do with where and how the transmissions lines will come on shore from the two proposed [Delaware] sites. I would like to see a visualization of this, with the detailed location, rather than a visualization of the turbines, which I may not be able to see at all.”
First, to clarify: Bluewater Wind is proposing to build a project at only one of the two sites (Atlantic North or Atlantic South). These are two different clean energy options for the residents of Delaware to decide upon.
The short answer to Jim’s question is that the transmission lines will be under the seafloor, and under the beach, and so completely invisible and safe…
Each of the turbines will be interconnected with a rugged cable, buried about six feet under the sea floor. The cables will bring the electricity to an offshore transformer, or substation, platform. This transformer platform is shorter than the turbines, but wider− about the size of a house. There will be two of these substation platforms, situated among all the wind turbines.
Because of their relatively short height, the distance from shore, and the curvature of the earth, these platforms will in most cases be physically impossible to see from the shore. If they are visible, they would appear as small bumps on the horizon and could easily be mistaken for a small boat. Whether the substations are visible at all or not would depend on which project site is selected and the viewpoint. But in any case, they will be very obscure on the distant horizon.
From the substations two larger cables, also buried about six feet under the seafloor, will bring the electricity ashore. These cables will pass deep underneath the beach, and then pass underground along existing right-of-ways (such as roads) to an existing shore-based substation, connecting the wind park with the regional power grid.
All of these cables will use “tried and true” technology, identical to that used in thousands of locations around the country to carry electricity underground or underwater from point to point. And being underground, they will be totally out of sight.
First, to clarify: Bluewater Wind is proposing to build a project at only one of the two sites (Atlantic North or Atlantic South). These are two different clean energy options for the residents of Delaware to decide upon.
The short answer to Jim’s question is that the transmission lines will be under the seafloor, and under the beach, and so completely invisible and safe…
Each of the turbines will be interconnected with a rugged cable, buried about six feet under the sea floor. The cables will bring the electricity to an offshore transformer, or substation, platform. This transformer platform is shorter than the turbines, but wider− about the size of a house. There will be two of these substation platforms, situated among all the wind turbines.
Because of their relatively short height, the distance from shore, and the curvature of the earth, these platforms will in most cases be physically impossible to see from the shore. If they are visible, they would appear as small bumps on the horizon and could easily be mistaken for a small boat. Whether the substations are visible at all or not would depend on which project site is selected and the viewpoint. But in any case, they will be very obscure on the distant horizon.
From the substations two larger cables, also buried about six feet under the seafloor, will bring the electricity ashore. These cables will pass deep underneath the beach, and then pass underground along existing right-of-ways (such as roads) to an existing shore-based substation, connecting the wind park with the regional power grid.
All of these cables will use “tried and true” technology, identical to that used in thousands of locations around the country to carry electricity underground or underwater from point to point. And being underground, they will be totally out of sight.
Pat wrote: