Analyzing offshore wind collaboration opportunities for North and South Carolina

Abstract

Due to the strong presence of wind resources in the South Atlantic, the Carolinas have emerged as the new frontier in the development of offshore wind energy. The two states have moved in parallel, completing research and establishing committees to explore their offshore wind potential. This paper presents the opportunities and challenges for the Carolinas to collaborate in offshore wind energy planning. This is done using a three-­‐part approach. First, the paper reviews existing scientific literature to describe the case for interconnecting wind farms. Secondly, it analyzes the existing policy frameworks of the federal government and the two states. Lastly, it demonstrates the utility of marine spatial planning and ArcGIS in siting offshore wind farms, transmission lines and aiding in collaboration. This paper concludes that in order to move forward with stronger collaboration the Carolinas must streamline the policy realm, shift towards a regional perspective, increase marine spatial planning initiatives, develop economic incentives and further involve stakeholders. With respect to marine spatial planning, this study includes a sample GIS analysis that provides three transmission configurations for the Carolinas. These include i.) a backbone parallel to shore ii.) a backbone with onshore injection at Georgetown and North Myrtle Beach, SC and iii.) a radial configuration that considers Department of Defense exclusions.