F E A T U R E D    N E W S

CReW Featured at Leading Offshore Wind Conference

Prof. Cristina Archer, OWSA Administrator Rebecca Cox, and Prof. Willett Kempton connect with leaders from around the globe at the 2023 International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum.

April 12, 2023

The University of Delaware’s Center for Research in Wind (CReW) recently made a big splash at the 2023 International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum (IPF) held in Baltimore, MD. IPF is the premier annual event for the offshore wind industry, attracting professionals from around the world. The tenth annual conference took place March 28-30, 2023 and welcomed more than 350 speakers, over 1000 companies and organizations, and nearly 4000 global attendees.  

In addition to gaining valuable insights into the future direction of the offshore wind industry as attendees, CReW also used the opportunity to showcase their cutting-edge research and innovative programming in offshore wind energy and vehicle-to-grid technology. 

In the exhibition hall, CReW highlighted one of their most notable programs, the Offshore Wind Skills Academy (OWSA). OWSA provides an overview of the entire development process for managers, regulators, and suppliers to the offshore wind industry. The academy aims to train the next generation of offshore wind professionals, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this rapidly growing industry. The next OWSA offering, Project Development A to Z, is scheduled to run virtually April 24 – 28, 2023. A limited number of support scholarships are still available. 

CReW also announced an exciting new slate of safety training certification programs. This summer, in collaboration with Maersk Training and DelTech, CReW will be offering an 8-week Global Wind Organisation (GWO) trainer certification program. The program will prepare participants to become certified instructors in GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) courses. Additionally, this fall, they will be delivering multiple 1-week GWO BST certification courses. These sessions will provide technicians, equipment operators and those interested in joining the industry the opportunity to gain essential safety certification. Both programs offer a number of fully paid assistantships. 

CReW’s innovative programs have already made a significant impact on the North American offshore wind industry, and their presence at the IPF 23 only further solidified their position as a leader in wind power education and research. As important, the opportunity to engage with key stakeholders in the industry, such as project developers, manufacturers, supply chain companies, and government officials as well as the chance to attend focused plenary sessions, networking events, and exhibitor displays provided inspiration and opportunities for future collaborations.   

“Some five years ago, it would have been a success to have 30 exhibitors at an offshore wind conference,” explained CReW Director, Cristina Archer. “At IPF 2023 there were over 300! The entire venue was buzzing with people and conversations. It was really impressive. The offshore wind industry is impacting so many sectors of the economy, from the steel industry to training centers to states and monitoring device companies, and more.”  

With the rapid expansion of the offshore wind industry, participation in conferences like IPF 23 are important for knowledge sharing, collaboration, networking, and business development. Coupled with CReW’s dedication to advancing the U.S. offshore wind industry and their new and exciting programs, the prospect of a more sustainable future through wind power integration looks brighter than ever. 

For additional information on CReW’s Train-the-Trainer or GWO Basic Safety training programs, or to inquire about assistantships, contact Rob Nicholson via email to robn@udel.edu. To register for the OWSA Project Development A to Z, visit pcs.udel.edu/wind. To inquire about eligibility and availability of OWSA scholarships, contact Rebecca Cox at rlcox@udel.edu.