Offshore wind power proposals were due today in response to a request for proposals (RFP) by three utilities in Massachusetts. Companies submitting their bids presented options that could help give their projects a boost in the selection process, including scalable transmission and energy storage project components.

Massachusetts law requires the state’s electric distribution companies to obtain 1,600 MW of offshore wind energy by 2027. The RFP calls for long-term contracts for offshore wind generation and associated renewable energy credits totaling 400 MW, but bidders can submit proposals for up to about 800 MW. The utilities will consider procuring up to about 800 MW based on project economics.

The utilities also are seeking proposals that include open-access offshore transmission facilities to connect the offshore wind projects to the onshore grid.

Selection of projects for negotiation is set for April 2018.

A Vineyard Wind spokesperson said that the company submitted project proposals for 400 MW and 800 MW, with a goal of beginning construction in 2019. The company previously submitted applications with the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities’ Energy Facilities Siting Board for an 800-MW wind farm that would be located about 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard.

The spokesperson said the company’s proposals include what was described as efficient energy storage that would be developed as distributed battery storage onshore.

Vineyard Wind is a portfolio company of funds of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of AVANGRID and part of the IBERDROLA Group.

Deepwater Wind said in a statement that it submitted a bid for a project up to 400 MW, potentially built in phases, under the name Revolution Wind. The company previously proposed a 144-MW phase of Revolution Wind under a separate solicitation in Massachusetts. The selection of projects for negotiation in that solicitation is set for the end of January 2018.

Deepwater said that its proposal includes pairing the project with the Northfield Mountain pumped hydroelectric station, which is operated by FirstLight Power Resources. The company also said that it plans to work with National Grid Ventures to develop an offshore transmission system network that is scalable up to 1,600 MW.

Bay State Wind said in a statement that it submitted a bid, but it did not specify the project capacity. The project would be located 25 miles off of New Bedford, Mass., and would include a 55-MW battery storage solution.

Bay State Wind is a partnership of Orsted and Eversource.

Lead image credit: CC0 Creative Commons | Pixabay