This week’s Livestream launches new video chat networking rooms and will feature discussions on floating offshore wind, recent Jones Act guidance, efforts to minimize wildlife impact and more
For Immediate Release: August 6, 2020
Media Contact: Melinda Skea |[email protected] | 410-779-1362
Baltimore – The Oceantic Network’s 2020 International Partnering Forum (IPF) will host IPF Livestream: R&D and Technology today, Thursday, August 8 starting at 8:55 a.m. EST. This week’s Livestream features discussions about floating offshore wind, the first Customs and Border Protection guidance released in nine years regarding the installation of offshore wind facilities in U.S. waters, efforts to minimize wildlife impact, and more. New this Livestream, attendees can also connect with fellow participants between sessions through the video Group Chat rooms.
The half-day series will begin with RWE’s COO Sven Ultermöhlen for On Point, a one-on-one conversation with Network President & CEO Liz Burdock. This will be followed by updates from the National Offshore Wind R&D Consortium, including on its second solicitation announced earlier this week. The National Wildlife Federation will lead a panel discussion on how the offshore industry can use technology to understand impacts—and minimize them—on wildlife. Participants will then learn about large-scale renewable hydrogen production within offshore wind, the state of play for floating wind, discuss the first Customs and Border Protection guidance since 2011 regarding the installation of offshore wind facilities in U.S. waters, and, finally, hear updates on offshore wind standards.
The Livestream series, taking place June through August, is a collection of events featuring high-level industry CEOs, experts, and public officials discussing market challenges, regional cooperation, innovation, grid transmission, the future of U.S. offshore wind and more. The series will also feature offshore wind updates from coastal states representatives including New Jersey Gov. Murphy and Virginia Gov, Northam, and networking events like WindMatch™ one-on-one networking, CareerMatch job fair, and an exhibit hall.
IPF Livestream: R&D and Technology Schedule
Presented by the Oceantic Network
For press credentials, contact Melinda Skea at [email protected].
Welcome & Introduction
8:55 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. EST
On Point with RWE
8:55 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. EST
Sven Utermöhlen, COO of RWE, joins Network President and CEO Liz Burdock for a one-on-one conversation. They’ll discuss RWE’s vision for its role in the U.S. market and highlight RWE’s perspective on key topic areas including: floating offshore wind, onshore transmission upgrades, and hydrogen production. Sven and Liz also will discuss the overall U.S. market and its supply chain development.
National Offshore Wind R&D Consortium Update
9:30 a.m. – 9:55 a.m. EST
The National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium (“the Consortium”) is a nationally focused, non-profit organization that collaborates with industry on prioritized R&D activities. Its main goals are to reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of offshore wind in the U.S. while maximizing other economic and social benefits. In early June, the Consortium announced the selection of twelve projects, in a variety of research areas, totaling $10.3 million and announced its second solicitation earlier this week. Carrie Hitt, the executive director of the Consortium, will present details about the recent awards and solicitation announcement.
Using Technology to Understand Cumulative Impacts to Wildlife and Minimizing Potential Impacts
10:10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. EST
What does “cumulative impact” mean and why does it matter? What is needed to meet the statutory and stakeholder requirements required to move forward within the U.S. offshore wind industry? This panel discussion will tackle data, models, mitigation strategies, and adaptive management solutions that will allow the offshore wind industry to meet statutory and stakeholder needs.
Large–Scale Renewable Hydrogen Production and Offshore Wind Energy
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST
The U.S. currently produces 10 million metric tons of hydrogen per year, equating to an $11 billion market. Learn about the role of offshore wind energy in large scale renewable hydrogen production and the business opportunities this presents to the industry. Join technology experts from GTA, DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, and Nel Hydrogen, as they discuss offshore wind and the opportunities in the hydrogen production market.
The State of Play for Floating Wind with the Carbon Trust
12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. EST
Floating wind unlocks new areas for renewable energy generation and potential for similar or even higher yields compared to bottom-fixed projects. However, technology development challenges to commercialization remain. The Floating Wind JIP, which is the industry-leading collaborative research and development initiative between the Carbon Trust, the Scottish Government, and 15 leading international offshore wind developers, has recently released a new report that provides an overview of the work undertaken to accelerate the commercialization of floating wind. This session will discuss the report, which focuses across four main technology challenge areas for the industry: turbine requirements and foundations scaling, heavy lift offshore operations, dynamic export cables and monitoring and inspection, along with a market forecast of 70GW of floating wind capacity installed by 2040.
Recent Jones Act Guidance
12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST
On July 15, 2020, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued its first guidance since 2011 regarding the installation of offshore wind facilities in U.S. waters. Our Jones Act expert, Charlie Papavizas, Partner at Winston & Strawn LLP, will discuss CBP’s recent guidance, potential impact of vessel equipment litigation, as well as Congressional consideration of lifting waivers and changes to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).
U.S. Offshore Wind Standards Update
1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. EST
The development of U.S. offshore wind standards is underway. Over the past three years the AWEA Offshore Wind Standards Subcommittee and its working groups convened at bi-annual meetings to draft and compile U.S. recommended practices for offshore wind. The standards development includes a maintenance on the 2012 AWEA Offshore Compliance Recommended Practice and the addition of four new recommended practices: U.S. Floating Offshore Wind Systems, U.S. Offshore Wind Metocean Conditions Characterization, U.S. Geotechnical and Geophysical Investigations and Design, and Offshore Wind Submarine Cables. Walt Musial, Principal Engineer – Offshore Wind Lead at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and chairman of the subcommittee, will discuss these developments and what it means for the offshore industry.
Full schedule available here
For press credentials, contact Melinda Skea at [email protected].
For more information, to request a press pass, or to arrange an interview, contact Melinda Skea at [email protected] or 410-779-1362.
Additional information:
- 2020 IPF website
- IPF Media Kit for press use (Credit: Oceantic Network)
The Oceantic Network is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a robust offshore wind supply chain in the U.S. It advances the industry forward through education, facilitating partnerships, and events, including the International Partnering Forum, the largest offshore wind conference in America. Learn more at oceantic.org.
