Maryland Wind Energy Area LIDAR Buoy deployment(per US Wind):
US Wind deployed a meteorological and oceanographic (metocean) buoy in the Maryland offshore lease area on May 19, 2021, to collect wind and marine life data off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland. The Floating Light Detection and Ranging (“LiDAR”) buoy uses an eye-safe, continuous wave laser to measure wind speeds and direction across the turbine height. These measurements, along with surface meteorology and ocean condition observations will help inform US Wind’s energy production estimates and project design.
The buoy was deployed in position 38°21`10.74"N 74°45`12.66"W. It will allow US Wind to collect an array of advanced environmental and wildlife data through sensors that enable the monitoring of bats, birds, fish, and other marine mammals to determine the presence, frequency, and distribution within the lease area. Subsets of the metocean observations will be posted publicly on US Wind’s website. Cleanly powered by solar panels and wind turbines, along with an onboard fuel cell and battery back-up system, the buoy will be deployed within the lease area for two years.
Please see the attached chart for buoy location information.