Technological advances are making ocean mapping and offshore data collection easier, safer, and more accurate. One company at the forefront of this opportunity is Saildrone, who are utilizing their innovative uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) to advance the U.S. offshore wind market. Join Brian Connon, Vice President of Ocean Mapping at Saildrone, and host Brandon Burke as they discuss these innovative technologies.
Credits:
Music by Brandon Burke, with contributions from Nathan Ezzo, Steven Reilly, and Miles Taylor. Production assistance by Alec Gomez. Content, audio engineering, and sound design by Brandon Burke.
The Biden Administration’s approach to kickstarting U.S. offshore wind deployment created an advancement of projects through the federal permitting process. Guest Matt Palmer, President of Wood Thilsted USA, a U.S. OSW industry veteran, has been involved since the Nantucket Sound days. Matt and host Brandon Burke discuss how these actions can create regulatory certainty and enhance investor confidence, to meet the 30 GW by 2030 national OSW deployment target.
Supply chains across the world are being impacted by the effects of COVID-19. Manufacturing and production lines across America, including for offshore wind, have experienced backlogs. LS Cable USA’s Project Director, Bill Wall, who has more than 40 years of worldwide offshore marine construction and development experience, joins host Brandon Burke to discuss the critical role submarine cables play in the fast-developing U.S. offshore wind industry. 
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters’ David Borrus weighs in on the intensifying workforce demands of the U.S. OSW industry and the role organized labor can play to meet these growing needs. New projects over the coming years will demand more workers with varying skillsets. Host Brandon Burke and David discuss insights on job creation associated with the Vineyard Wind project of 2021. They also delve into how U.S. OSW industry is driving new career opportunities for more diverse workforce.
Washington State has an extensive maritime history, advanced industry assets, and experience with large-scale electricity generation. So, why aren’t we hearing more about offshore wind in Washington? Port of Seattle Commissioner Ryan Calkins, Jennifer States from Washington Maritime Blue, and Brian Young from the WA Department of Commerce join host Brandon Burke to consider that question, how these advantages can be leveraged to drive the U.S. offshore wind market forward, and examine the history.
The U.S. is poised to emerge as a leader in the floating offshore wind space, as OSW areas in Northern and Central California advance. Three influential women in floating offshore wind – Siemens Gamesa’s Abby Watson, Mainstream Renewable Power’s Paula Major, and Principle Power’s Amisha Patel, join host Brandon Burke to discuss this massive opportunity for U.S. clean energy leadership and address permitting floating offshore wind platforms, export opportunities, and the factors necessary for long-term success.