Page 14: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (March 2019)

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INSIGHTS: OFFSHORE WIND

WHITE SAID VMA IS SEEKING WAYS TO “COLLABORATE TO BRING (OFFSHORE WIND)

INDUSTRY TO THE REGION. WE WANT EVERY-

ONE TO ‘LEAN IN’,” HE CONTINUED, “TO ATTRACT

INDUSTRY, NOT JUST IN VA BUT IN OTHER MAR-

KETS. WE ARE WELL POSITIONED TO PLAY A SIG-

NIFICANT ROLE FOR CONSTRUCTION, SUPPLY AND

SERVICE UP AND DOWN THE ATLANTIC COAST.”

DAVID WHITE,

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, VMA

Photos: David White were from Virginia, but there were also time is running out because the session accounting for almost half of the $41 and recommendations “to encourage and companies listed from Louisiana, Min- ends February 23. However, some kind million total. expedite offshore wind industry devel- nesota and Ohio. of central wind of? ce is broadly support- To get started, the Consortium has opment.”

The Directory raises two important ed. Funding for such an of? ce has been three priority R&D topics: Joan Bondareff, a maritime attorney questions: (1) Who’s looking at the Di- part of previous Governors’ budgets and • Wind plant technology advance- with Blank Rome in Washington, DC is rectory and (2) How will it be used to it is also one of ? ve critical recommen- ment; Chair of VOWDA’s nine-member Board help build out and operate this massive dations presented by BVGA Associates, • Wind resource and physical site of Directors. She was asked about pri- new energy system? A Directory is of a consultancy working with Virginia to characterization; and, ority topics and goals for 2019. Like little value if it just languishes some- advance offshore wind. • Installation, operations and mainte- DMME, Bondareff emphasized the im- where on some obscure website. Another likely scenario for early wind nance, and supply chain technology portance of BVGA’s recommendation

These questions are still under dis- work is through research projects, fund- solutions. for a centralized offshore wind of? ce. cussion. Al Christopher is the Director ed by a mix of federal, state and private- She said VOWDA, at its March meet- within DMME’s Division of Energy. sector dollars. For example, in 2017, This is all new work, really upcom- ing, will work on best ways to publicize

Christopher said that as wind work starts the US Department of Energy (DOE) ing work. The Consortium held the ? rst the new supply chain Directory. Finally, in VA the Directory serves as a way for established the National Offshore Wind meeting of its Board of Directors in Oc- Bondareff supports developing a list of a business to “raise its hand and get no- R&D Consortium. Virginia joined the tober 2018 at which it approved its R&D potential public and private “offtakers,” ticed” by project managers looking for Consortium this January, along with roadmap, which, importantly, will be up- potential energy customers, e.g. Ama- knowledge, skills and abilities. Maryland and Massachusetts. The Con- dated and kept current, a site to keep on a zon2, who might purchase this new en-

Currently, the Directory is housed sortium includes established wind en- checklist. (The Consortium is advertis- ergy.

within DMME’s operations. That’s like- ergy companies, e.g., Deepwater Wind, ing for an Executive Director.) The ? rst As noted, the Virginia Maritime As- ly tentative, and DMME staff is evaluat- Shell and Orsted, as well as the Carbon R&D solicitation was planned for Febru- sociation (VMA) is one of the partner- ing where the Directory would best be Trust, the Renewables Consulting Group ary. Initial project awards are expected ship organizations working with DMME placed. One idea is within a possible and DOE’s National Renewable Energy by end of March. to advance wind energy opportunities. new “of? ce of offshore wind,” or simi- Laboratory (NREL). In addition to the regional R&D Con- VMA has been active in critical areas, larly named of? cial site, an idea under Critically, the Consortium has money sortium, Virginia has its own Virginia beyond its work with DMME. Last fall, consideration within the current Virginia - $41 million funded over four years. Offshore Wind Development Authority for example, it teamed up as a sponsor legislative session. Even beyond the Di- DOE pledged $20.5 million: $18.5 mil- (VOWDA), established by the legisla- with the Sierra Club to update businesses rectory, Christopher said that a central- lion for the Consortium and $2 million ture in 2010 “to facilitate, coordinate, regarding wind opportunities. Its recent ized of? ce of offshore wind would serve for DOE’s federal labs to support the and support development of the offshore past president was on VOWDA’s Board.

as the prime initial contact point for VA’s Consortium. DOE chose NY State’s wind energy industry, offshore wind en- David White is VMA’s Executive Vice wind projects and related work. Energy Research and Development Au- ergy projects, and supply chain vendors” President and Will Fediw is Vice Presi-

As this is written (mid-February), thority (NYSERDA) – through a com- and to establish public-private partner- dent, Industry & Government Affairs. funding and details for a possible off- petitive process – to be Consortium ships to promote offshore wind. VOW- They said VMA is pleased by Virginia’s shore wind of? ce are still in play within administrator. With wind, NY is all-in – DA’s focus areas include “identifying moves on offshore wind. VMA largely

VA’s legislative session. Unfortunately, the state matched DOE’s $18.5 million, regulatory and administrative barriers” supports BVGA’s recommendations, 14 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • MARCH 2019

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