Research Highlights

Co-authors: Thomas Grothues, Keith Dunton, and Chase Wunder

Abstract: Much of the New Jersey continental shelf consists of unconsolidated sediments that provide seasonal habitat to many migratory fish species. A prominent structural feature is the connection with numerous estuarine inlets. These provide highly productive and seasonally warm growth habitats. The relative contribution of these estuaries and shelf habitat to residence period in this region has not been quantified. Stakeholders are concerned that these connections may be impacted by infrastructure from planned offshore wind farms. We are telemetering estuarine-dependent or facultative fish species and horseshoe crabs to examine life history patterns of ocean-estuary connection.  Fixed hydrophones (VR2W) monitor all estuarine inlets from Belmar to Cape May. Mobile hydrophones on vessels, deployed traps, and submersible gliders episodically monitor coastal waters. All hydrophones have detected fish passage, including those tagged by our own program (primarily summer flounder, Paralichthys dentatus, and smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis) and many tagged by other researchers and programs. Summary data on the distribution and timing of passage will be shown. Collaboration with other telemetry efforts through the Mid-Atlantic Acoustic Telemetry Observation System (MATOS) and The Atlantic Cooperative Telemetry Network (ACT) is important to a thorough understanding of this connection. To date 60,755 tag detections have been made on 16 receivers. 104 independent acoustic tags have been identified. The Little Egg Inlet hydrophone location has had the most detections. The hydrophone array shows multiple estuary use among tagged fish. Further sampling and analyses of hydrophone detections will help clarify migration patterns between inlets and continental shelf habitats.

Co-authors: Jason Morson and Grace Saba

Abstract: The Atlantic surfclam fishery has been identified among the most exposed to impacts from offshore wind energy development due to potential displacement from fishing grounds that overlap with wind lease areas. These vulnerabilities underscore the need to include surfclam surveys in wind energy fishery monitoring plans. A survey tool that samples over a relatively large area and that consistently catches large-bodied clams is needed to accurately estimate biomass, abundance, and size structure of the commercially valuable surfclam stock. In this project, a scientific sampling dredge designed to catch a breadth of sizes of surfclams and to survey within wind lease areas was constructed and used to survey surfclams at an offshore wind lease location. Surveys of wind lease areas are designed as a before-after-control impact study that will continue annually through the construction of the wind farm. Additional experiments are underway to quantify the selectivity and efficiency of the scientific dredge. These experiments will be conducted on the continental shelf off New Jersey; habitats that are subject to ocean acidification and warming water conditions, environmental stressors to which surfclams are sensitive. A major gap in ocean acidification research is co-located environmental and biological response monitoring; therefore, simultaneous measurements of surfclam biological response indicators (e.g., abundance, size, growth, shell strength, condition index) will be measured in coordination with carbonate chemistry observations in the field. These coordinated survey programs will enhance understanding of how important fisheries resources may be impacted by construction of offshore wind projects and future environmental conditions.

Co-author: Douglas Zemeckis

Abstract: It is critical that fishery monitoring plans (FMPs) are established to evaluate the impacts of offshore wind development on natural resources. In 2024, construction is scheduled to begin for an 1,100 MW windfarm located approximately 24 km east of Atlantic City, New Jersey. Our team is implementing a comprehensive FMP at this wind farm using several different extractive and non-extractive fisheries surveying methods. This talk will focus on one of the extractive methods, a bottom trawl survey, that will be used primarily to evaluate the impact of wind farm construction and operation on fish assemblage and abundance. Our team will conduct a before-after-control-impact experiment by trawling seasonally for six years within the wind farm and at a nearby control location of similar size and habitat characteristics. Pre-construction trawling will occur for up to two years and will provide comprehensive baseline data on fish assemblage and abundance. Trawling will then continue for two additional years while the wind farm is being constructed and for two years after construction of the wind farm is complete. A pilot bottom trawl study conducted at a similar lease site suggested a sample intensity of 1 tow/15 km2 would provide the statistical power adequate to detect moderate to large effect size for several economically important species in the region. Therefore, we plan to conduct twenty tows within the wind lease area and twenty tows at the control site during each sampling season. In this presentation we discuss the design of this survey and some potential paths for integrating wind farm fisheries monitoring data like this with longer-term, regional-scale fishery dependent survey data.

Abstract: Fishery monitoring plans (FMP) are critical for evaluating potential impacts of offshore wind development on natural resources. A comprehensive FMP for Orsted’s Ocean Wind 1 windfarm off New Jersey has been developed using several different extractive (bottom trawl, trap, hook-and-line, surfclam dredge, acoustic tagging) and non-extractive (eDNA, baited remote underwater video, towed camera, autonomous gliders) fisheries surveying methods. Surveying will occur for six years (2022-2028) with two years of surveying planned for before, during, and after windfarm construction. Our Structured Habitat Survey (SHS) was designed to evaluate the impact of windfarm construction on species typically associated with structured habitats. This survey simultaneously deploys two extractive gears, Chevron traps and hook-and-line, and one non-extractive gear, which includes both benthic and pelagic baited remote underwater videos (BRUVs). Survey stations include impact sites within the windfarm at locations where turbines will be constructed, control “phantom” turbine sites that will remain sand habitat, and control shipwreck sites which will remain structured habitat. Seasonal surveying (six days/season: winter, spring, summer, and fall) will permit evaluation of seasonal variability. Catch-per-unit-effort data will be calculated from the trap and hook-and-line sampling to investigate changes in relative abundance of species important to commercial and recreational fisheries. Similarly, video footage from BRUV deployments will be analyzed to derive measures of relative abundance and efforts are ongoing to develop statistically robust subsampling methods of video footage. Results from this survey will permit evaluation of the impacts of windfarm construction on fisheries resources off southern New Jersey and inform surveying methods employed for FMPs at other windfarms.

Abstract: This presentation will discuss a case study that uses adoption of wind energy to examine psychological dimensions that affect the way people think, act, and behave with respect to climate change and sustainable technology. Drawing upon recent empirical research in the field of environmental psychology, it will focus on specific issues associated with the use of wind energy – including concerns about the aesthetics of windmills on the natural environment, about the perceived effects of offshore wind farms on coastal economies, and controversial claims about the effect of wind turbine infrastructure on avian and marine life. The case study will be to inform students about how human psychology affects how people think about this new technology specifically and more broadly about how psychology can help promote the adoption of sustainable practices that ultimately may play a crucial role in slowing, halting, and reversing the effects of climate change.

Abstract: This presentation will introduce a mixed-fidelity multidisciplinary control co-design optimization framework for floating offshore wind turbines. The computational framework, called OpenTurbineCoDe, is designed to integrate, where possible, traditional structural, aerodynamic, aeroelastic models (e.g., OpenFAST) and advanced control algorithms with higher fidelity simulation tools including Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) solvers, and three-dimensional structural finite element solvers. All the high-fidelity tools used in this research provide numerically exact gradients to facilitate both efficient optimization and local linearization for control implementation. This research is supported by the Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Aerodynamic Turbines Lighter and Afloat with Nautical Technologies and Integrated Servo-control (ATLANTIS) Program award DE-AR0001186 entitled “Computationally Efficient Control Co-Design Optimization Framework with Mixed-Fidelity Fluid and Structure Analysis.”

The goal of the ARPA-E ATLANTIS Program is to develop new technologies for floating offshore wind turbines, or wind farms, using the discipline of control co-design (CCD). In this context, we developed a computationally efficient optimization framework for design of floating offshore wind turbines. Our specific aim is to utilize high-fidelity structural, aerodynamic, aero-structural tools, and to derive control-oriented reduced- or low-order models directly from the high-fidelity tools. We are utilizing a mixed-fidelity modeling approach which means that we are also using low- and mid-fidelity tools when necessary. This research is conducted by a multidisciplinary team consisting of Rutgers University, University of Michigan, Brigham Young University, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Abstract: This presentation will briefly describe the control methods traditionally used to extract wind energy power using a bottom-fixed wind turbine. Next, we will discuss the control challenges posed by offshore wind turbines and our current research efforts. Finally, we will discuss the robust constrained control methods recently implemented in our computational framework, called OpenTurbineCoDe. This research is supported by the Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Aerodynamic Turbines Lighter and Afloat with Nautical Technologies and Integrated Servo-control (ATLANTIS) Program award DE-AR0001186 entitled “Computationally Efficient Control Co-Design Optimization Framework with Mixed-Fidelity Fluid and Structure Analysis.”

Abstract: The development of the offshore wind industry in New Jersey and throughout the region offers many exciting opportunities, but also poses challenges for employers, worker organizations, and educational institutions. What is the projected mix of job skills needed for designing, constructing, and operating an OSW industry in New Jersey? How do those labor demands match with the current labor supply? And how can the new job opportunities serve to reduce inequality, particularly for historically marginalized groups? These questions and more will be explored in this descriptive analysis of the NJ workforce and job projections for the nascent OSW industry.

Abstract: A wind energy generator requires millions of dollars of materials. Every material used in its construction requires a large amount of energy to manufacture, resulting in large sums of carbon dioxide emissions. The amount of CO2 generated with current manufacturing methods is comparable to the amount of CO2 avoided by this form of electricity generated over its 10-year lifespan. Furthermore, most of the materials are not recyclable. In addition, some materials may not be available in the quantities required to build all the generators currently planned for installation over the next 10 years. Many of the materials, such as rare-earth-based magnets, are required in quantities that far exceed the amounts that can be recovered from today’s mineral sources. When such materials are scarce, their cost goes up and producers use the most productive but highly polluting methodologies. Even noncritical materials, such as concrete, are produced with environmentally destructive methods that are responsible for close to 10% of all anthropogenic CO2 emissions. This lightning talk will highlight my team’s efforts to create manufacturing methods that avoid the pitfalls of current manufacturing practices.

Abstract: The Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) was established in 2009 to enhance the vitality of the region’s ocean ecosystem and economy. One of MARCO’s first action items was the development of the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal (ODP) to serve as an on-line platform to engage stakeholders across the region with the objective of improving their understanding of how ocean resources and places are being used, managed, and conserved. A key component is the Marine Planner, an interactive map-based visualization and decision support tool. The MARCO ODP is a publicly accessible resource that consolidates available data and enables agencies, industry, community leaders, and ocean users to visualize and analyze ocean resources and human use information such as fishing grounds, recreational areas, marine wildlife and habitats, shipping lanes, and energy sites, among others. Over the past decade, the MARCO states have applied the ODP as a means to break down silos among decision-makers, to facilitate a step back and to enable a “big picture” of their ocean and the potential implications of coastal decisions and policies. More recently, offshore renewable energy development is one of the key drivers behind concerns over ocean space allocation. The ODP is being used by a diverse array of stakeholders and the public during the permitting and leasing phases of offshore wind energy projects to better understand the implications of this new use of the Mid-Atlantic Bight.

Abstract: The Rutgers University Center for Ocean Observing Leadership (RUCOOL) recently celebrated 30 years of continuous ocean observing in the Mid Atlantic. Through technology transitions enabling scientific discovery, student education, and service to New Jersey and the nation, RUCOOL has developed and continues to operate a regional-scale ocean observing network that includes: (a) ground stations for satellite data acquisition, (b) a High Frequency (HF) Radar array (40 stations covering 1000 km of coast) for surface current mapping, and (c) a fleet of autonomous underwater gliders for sustained subsurface physical, biological and chemical observations.

Over the last decade, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has supported RUCOOL research that leverages New Jersey’s vast ocean observing capabilities to inform the development and operation of a regional high-resolution atmospheric model. The Rutgers version of the community Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model more accurately accounts for the local ocean conditions and outperforms standard national products in offshore validation studies. The combined observation and modeling system has been used to study (a) the seasonal climatology and variability of the offshore wind resource, (b) the impact of coastal upwelling on seabreezes in the offshore wind energy development areas, and (c) the co-evolution of the atmosphere and ocean during intense hurricane forcing.

The NJBPU project currently includes three topic areas supporting State offshore wind initiatives: (a) engagement with the offshore wind community to better determine information needs, (b) sustained operation and validation of the RUWRF forecast model to assemble a long-term resource database, and (c) offshore wind energy research topics of interest including the impact of coastal processes on the daily variations in the wind resource, as well as the wake effects of simulated wind farms on the downstream windfields.

Abstract: During the period July 6–September 15, 2020, Dr. Lyons, the Rutgers Business School Public Private Community Partnerships (RBS-PPCP) and faculty and from Supply Chain Management and graduate students (the Rutgers Team) conducted a comprehensive purchasing disparity study for the development and construction of the South Jersey Off-Shore Wind Port Manufacturing Facility. This research project and report are called “disparity studies” because they determine if there is a disparity between the utilization and availability of minority, women, veteran, LGBT-owned firms in the awarding of major construction contracts. Dr. Lyons and his team were contracted by NJEDA to assess potential disparities between the participation and availability of minority, women, veteran, LGBT-owned businesses across the commodity and professional services categories that could be part of the bid, purchasing and contract process for the New Jersey Wind Port Project. Our goal was to provide data analytics and information that NJEDA will use to refine ordinances, regulations, policies and purchasing processes to aggressively cultivate, build the capacity, competitively bid, and award contracts with minority-, women-, veteran- and/or LGBT-owned businesses (“MWVLOBs”) (directly and through its contracted representatives – via tier-level contracting). As a result of this research, the contracts awarded to diverse suppliers has surpassed the goals set by NJEDA and has provide significant opportunities for diverse business and workers to be a part of New Jersey’s ‘green economy!’ This session will provide insights into the disparity research study, the current progress on the New Jersey Wind Port Manufacturing Facility and Dr. Lyons’ efforts to develop the most comprehensive supply chain system and robust diverse and inclusive economy for offshore wind for New Jersey.

Abstract: The variability of the offshore wind resource depends largely on air-sea interaction processes related to the exchange of heat and momentum. In this study we explore the effect of coastal upwelling on winds in the marine boundary layer in New Jersey, as well as potential implications for wind energy.

Co-authors: Lori Dars and Margaret Brennan-Tonetta

Abstract: Offshore wind development has very strong national, regional and statewide development targets. The US has a goal to deploy 30 gigawatts OSW energy by 2030, which would support 77,000 jobs, 10 millions homes and cut 78 million metric tons in carbon emissions. New Jersey’s offshore wind goal has several steps as to achieve 3,500 megawatts by 2030 and 7,500 megawatts by 2035. Additionally, the new EO #307, increases New Jersey’s offshore wind goal by nearly 50 percent to 11,000 megawatts (MW) by 2040. These ambitious goals express that we have challenges, but also great opportunities. The OSW goals can successfully be delivered on time only with a strong supply chain infrastructure from design to manufacturing, installation and operation and maintenance of the turbines. The OSW development is strong in Europe and elsewhere, where the supply chain already exists and is well founded. The OSW supply chain is not at the same maturity in the US and quick and efficient transition is needed. Acceleration of the development of local supply chain will require efficient planning, collaboration, cooperation, outreach and education so that the local exiting businesses can translate their existing expertise to new industry and its emerging supply chain ecosystem. The Rutgers WindIgnite Program positions itself to serve as an accelerator program to provide support to underrepresented small business and start-ups to achieve this transition. Rutgers WindIgnite will utilize a network of resources to assist new and existing OSW energy supply chain technology companies to successfully maneuver the innovation pathway. This pathway includes discovery, concept assessment, business model assessment, technology verification, scale-up and commercialization to support emerging offshore wind industry in New Jersey and Mid-Atlantic Region. The ultimate goal is to provide a solid network for supply chain industry growth and to maximize the economic development impacts that it can generate.

Abstract: The Mid-Atlantic Cold Pool is a seasonal mass of cold bottom water that extends throughout the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB). The Cold Pool forms from rapid surface warming in the spring and dissipates in the fall due to mixing events such as storms. The Cold Pool supports coastal ecosystems and economically valuable commercial and recreational fisheries along the MAB. Offshore wind energy has been rapidly developing within the MAB in recent years. Studies in Europe demonstrate that existing wind lease areas can impact seasonal stratification; however, there is limited information on how MAB wind development will affect the Cold Pool. Seasonal overlap between the Cold Pool and wind lease areas in the Southern New York Bight along coastal New Jersey was evaluated using a data assimilative ocean model. Results highlight overlap periods as well as a thermal gradient that persists after bottom temperatures warm above the threshold typically used to identify the Cold Pool. These results also support cross-shelf variability in Cold Pool evolution. This work highlights the need for more focused ocean modeling studies and observations of the Cold Pool and MAB wind lease area overlap.

Abstract: In this presentation, we will go over our in-house developed framework that enables impact assessment of energy storage systems (ESS) and offshore winds (OSW) integration within the New Jersey electric grid following the state’s ambitious energy targets. The proposed framework aims to quantify the integration impacts of ESSs and OSWs through a set of key performance indicators (KPIs), including economic, environmental, and technical/engineering value factors. The KPIs are designed to aid decision-makers in identifying economically/environmentally viable and operationally feasible ESS and OSW integration plans considering the New Jersey BPU targets of 2,000 MW of ESSs by 2030 and 3,500 MW and 7,500 MW of OSWs by 2030 and 2035, respectively.

The proposed framework uses publicly available electric grid infrastructure and power generation portfolio data, as well as high-granular electric demand projections estimated/forecasted by leveraging our built-in module that extracts county-level data from the publicly available EDC-level data. The model computes the “best” power generation/storage mix to balance supply and projected demand based on pricing and cost estimations/projections.

Co-authors: Josh Kohut, Kira Lawrence, and Reneé Reilly

Abstract: With offshore wind construction scheduled to begin in coastal New Jersey over the next year, it is critical that oceanographic and ecological baseline monitoring is taking place and considers time scales of natural variability from seasons to years. Additionally, it is imperative that we test the potential for autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) platforms, including gliders, to augment or replace historic vessel-based oceanographic and fisheries surveys in wind construction locations. We have initiated a comprehensive “ecoglider” program that will provide a baseline dataset of necessary oceanographic and ecological parameters to inform the responsible development of offshore wind, and provide valuable information relevant to ongoing environmental and ecological change in this productive ecosystem. Over the course of two years, we will conduct a seasonal baseline survey with a pair of Slocum gliders, AUVs that collect high-resolution data at various depths throughout the water column. Deployed gliders will include a full complement of available sensors to simultaneously map oceanographic and ecological variables from phytoplankton to marine mammals, including water depth, temperature, salinity, pH, optical properties including chlorophyll-a, and dissolved oxygen. Ecological sensors include a passive acoustics sensor for marine mammal monitoring and detection, multi-frequency echo sounders for active acoustic detection of pelagic fish and zooplankton, and acoustic telemetry receivers to track tagged species moving through the region. A third glider will be deployed to fill gaps between seasonal deployments and enhance temporal presence during the life of the Cold Pool, an ecologically important mass of cold remnant winter bottom water that persists from spring to fall in this region. Example data products will include mapping seasonal trends in ecologically relevant oceanographic parameters in wind energy lease areas and exploring overlap between oceanographic features and distribution of fishes and marine mammals and between marine mammal predators and their prey.

Abstract: Active aerodynamic flow control is a tool that can be used to manipulate a flow on demand, at times even taking advantage of inherent flow instabilities to achieve a favorable result. Being active, flow control can be turned on and off when necessary. Modern unsteady techniques like synthetic jets and dielectric barrier discharge actuators can achieve flow manipulation without the need for compressed airlines and can operate on existing turbine blade shapes. By issuing a jet normal to the surface of blade, improved aerodynamic performance is achievable, which can have direct benefits for wind energy generation.

For this brief overview, I will quickly go over synthetic jets and their applications to bluff body aerodynamics, which was performed specifically with a focus on wind power generation within an urban environment. I will further provide examples of work being currently performed at Rutgers to implement synthetic jet actuators into radio-controlled airplane. Finally, I will close with a brief summary, including work performed by colleagues within our department involving dielectric barrier discharge actuators.

Abstract: The lucrative shellfish fisheries operating on the Northeast U.S. continental shelf are highly vulnerable to impacts from offshore wind energy development because of the overlap of large areas proposed for wind energy and fishing grounds, limitations to access for bottom-tending gear towed by large vessels, and the high value of the landed product. The economic impacts of future offshore wind farms on these fisheries are evaluated using a modeling framework that integrates spatial dynamics in stock biology, fishery captain and fleet behavior, federal management decisions, and fishery economics. The simulations implemented with the model consider the impacts of proposed wind array configurations on the fisheries that result from anticipated vessel responses to array and turbine locations and responses of stock population dynamics to changing environmental conditions. The simulations are constrained by stock assessment data and detailed input from industry advisory teams about fleet and captain behavior. The model will also be implemented to project responses and consequent impacts on the fishery resulting from stock range shifts, as may occur with climate warming, rotational closures, and management changes. The simulation results provide understanding and identification of the costs to these shellfish fisheries and their surveys produced by displacement or changes in fishing activity due to wind energy and a warming climate.This information is critical for industry and fishery managers to assess approaches for mitigating interactions between commercial fisheries, the growing offshore wind industry, and changing environmental conditions.

Abstract: I will briefly introduce our recent research work on enhancing heat transfer and increasing functions via micro encapsulation and doping of phase-change energy storage materials. Energy storage is an important part of renewable energies. To use energy efficiently is to store and manage it. Energy storage also reduces the discrepancy between energy supply and demand as well as plays a vital role in saving of energy by converting it into other reliable forms. Thermal management is critical in high-power devices. Phase-change material paraffins are commonly considered in thermal energy storage and management systems. Disadvantages such as low thermal conductivity, low thermal stability, and leakage may prevent paraffins in practical applications. Encapsulation and additives could resolve these issues.