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www.seadiscovery.com Marine Technology Reporter 47delineating appropriate spots in state waters for offshore wind and other renewables that would avoid conflicts with other users.At that conference we also felt it was necessary to address topics such as maximizing benefits to local communities,workforce readiness and grid infrastructure development. Creating a culture of open communication with all stake- holders including; property owners, view shed advocates, tribal interests, finance organizations, municipalities, fish- er men and women, marine transportation operations, and recreational boaters is crucial to a project?s ultimate success. A Maine-based company, Ocean Renewable Power Corporation has reported great success with testing and integrating its Tidal Generation Unit. Early on they made the strategic decision to consult with the localsbefore moving too fast. Hiring local marine trades people to assist with running the boats, installing moorings, and building their special purpose barge helped lay the foun-dation for ORPC to achieve success. ORPC has quelled the skeptics by creating jobs for local employees and by demonstrating that electritiy can be produced from their system.A conference devoted to engineering and technologies was needed. So, MREC?s University Research Consortium launched the first in a series of technical conferences in October 2009. A formal call for abstracts was issued with reviews resulting in 20 technical presentations and seven technical posters being on hand for over 200 attendees to absorb. The second annual technical conference took place a year ago in Cambridge, Mass., and was coupled with the 6th Conference on Clean Energy. As with any new indus- try, it is important to provide a venue for professionals to meet one another, exchange ideas and figure out the many possibilities and challenges of bringing power from tides, waves, currents, thermal gradients in ocean water and off- shore wind to our homes, schools and offices. MREC is doing its part to collaborate with others in the industry to bring the best minds together. www.mrec.umassd.edu MREC 2011 Keynote speaker Peter Fraenkel of Marine Current Turbines, Ltd. MTR#8 (34-49):MTR Layouts 10/11/2011 8:51 AM Page 47