Upgrade of Power, Electrical and Communication Infrastructure at the Shoals Marine Laboratory

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Abstract for Upgrade of Power, Electrical and Communication Infrastructureat the Shoals Marine LaboratoryNSF Proposal 0225202 submitted to the NSF Field Stations and Marine Laboratories Improvement ProgramA grant has been awarded from NSF to the Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML), Cornell University, under the direction of Dr. Morin to upgrade the (1) power and electrical distribution, and (2) basic communication infrastructure. SML is a seasonal field station situated on a 95-acre rocky island six miles off the coast from the Maine/NH border in the Gulf of Maine. The isolated nature of the facility on a small, environmentally sensitive offshore island necessitates that SML carefully maintain its own systems for communications, power and electricity, water, seawater delivery, and waste water management. The station's existing generators are in need of being replaced or rebuilt, and much of the electrical distribution system dates back to the 1970's. These systems have reached a critical state and urgent improvement is needed to conform to current standards. SML's communications systems also requires modernization; only limited and intermittent Internet access has been available at the field station up until now. It has been very difficult and often impossible for researchers, faculty, staff and interns to achieve electronic contact with the mainland and their labs. Through a grant from the American Distance Education Consortium [ADEC], an NSF sponsored project, SML will have Internet access in 2002. However the award does not include hardwiring and network connections between and among the various, widely spaced building that house the laboratory facilities, classrooms, and administrative offices. Voice and facsimile communications are also outdated and not adequate for maintaining connections to SML's administrative offices at Cornell. The existing radiophones need to be replaced, and a third remote line needs to be added to provide more reliable connections to the mainland, and alleviate the problems associated with having only two phone lines available for as many as 25 staff, faculty and researchers on island at a time. All these improvements are critical and they will greatly enhance SML's ability to provide quality research and educational experience to its constituents.To accomplish the power and electrical upgrade: (1) a new 113 KW (kilowatt) generator will be purchased, (2) an existing 65KW generator will be rebuilt, and (3) transformers, transfer switches, electrical governors and panels, circuit breakers, and associated cables will be installed to revitalize the outdated electrical infrastructure. The generator room will also be improved by adding ventilation and sound-proofing. The communication infrastructure upgrade will include completion of hardwiring and network connections for SML's new satellite Internet system to the campus. These funds will also be used to purchase a new remote telephone system, and upgrade the existing radio-telephones currently used for voice and facsimile communications. SML is entering its thirty-seventh year as a field station dedicated to marine research, undergraduate instruction in the marine sciences, and educating the general public about our world's oceans. SML is situated in an extraordinary location for addressing significant questions related to field marine science. There is easy access to a rich variety of coastal environments including intertidal, subtidal, oceanic and terrestrial habitats. A valuable continuous set of biodiversity surveys along the island's intertidal zone has been catalogued over the past 30 years through SML's programs. For over 25 years SML's bird banding station has been documenting seasonal patterns of bird migration. Each summer over 200 undergraduates participate in more than sixteen courses, most of which have a strong research component. SML is also a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site. This NSF funded program allows nine REU interns to carry out directed independent research projects at SML. In addition, six to twelve visiting researchers use SML as a primary field research site. SML facilities are also available to numerous groups including SML adult education courses, visiting academic institutions, environmental organizations (e.g., Audubon Society), local high schools (over 200 participants each summer), and over 1,000 day and overnight visitors visit each summer to learn about the marine environment and the island's rich cultural history.