The sites that were under consideration are located in the Atlantic Ocean near:
- Asbury Park (NJ)
- Davis Bank (MA)
- Five Fathom Bank (2 sites in NJ)
- Great Egg (NJ)
- Gull Bank (MD)
- Indian River (DE)
- Isle of Wight (MD)
- Nantucket Sound (MA)
In order to enable the client to rank the sites, Ocean and Coastal Consultants (OCC) was engaged to prepare specifications for an offshore wind energy metering tower for environmental measurements. This performance specification was prepared in order to define functions and minimum quality requirements for instruments and equipment to be installed on the mast which is placed on a moveable, off-shore jack-up rig.
The specification included all necessary instruments and marking equipment on mast and platform. The measurement results and equipment status signaling were specified to be stored both in a local data logger and transmitted to a central computer in the on-shore command center via satellite modem.
For unmanned remote operation, all equipment would be powered from a solar power system.
The platform allowed access by maintenance staff and, in case of bad weather, was to be equipped with an emergency shelter and supplies to accommodate the staff for up to three (3) days.
A geotechnical investigation program was developed for the location of the Metering Tower which minimized deep water drilling requirements. A complete Army Corps of Engineers permit application was also prepared.
