Mystic Aquarium Expands Renewable Ocean Energy Exhibit

MYSTIC, CT — Mystic Aquarium has announced the expansion of its Renewable Ocean Energy exhibit. The expansion is in collaboration with Ørsted and Eversource, developers of Connecticut and Rhode Island’s first large-scale offshore wind farm, Revolution Wind.

The exhibit will give visitors a closer look at offshore wind and the Aquarium’s research related to this emerging field.

“Climate change is one of the biggest threats to our ocean planet,” Katie Cubina, senior vice president for Mission Programs, said in a statement. “Combatting climate change requires transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal power. Mystic Aquarium is researching the potential impacts of offshore wind on marine ecosystems and wildlife to help inform the most responsible and sustainable development of offshore wind in our region."

The aquarium’s research projects include monitoring marine mammal and sea turtle strandings, developing non-invasive health assessment techniques for marine mammals, tracking rehabilitated seals and sea turtles, and analyzing environmental DNA to identify which species are present near wind farms at any given time.

Information featured in the exhibit stems from a multi-year research project funded in part by a $1.25 million grant Ørsted and Eversource awarded to the Aquarium in 2021. Funding is also provided by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Blue World Research Institute, and Boston University, according to a statement from the aquarium.

Revolution Wind will begin offshore construction this year, with turbine marshaling to take place at New London State Pier. When complete, the project will deliver 304 megawatts of renewable energy to Connecticut and 400 megawatts to Rhode Island – enough to power 350,000 homes across both states.