Offshore wind is powering ahead in the US. Strong support from policymakers and regulators, falling technology costs, demonstrated efficiencies in installation, and economic success in Europe have boosted confidence and spurred growth in the US offshore industry. Investor interest in this sector is evident from the record-setting bids in a recent offshore wind lease auction by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

The industry is moving fast with some pioneering projects expected to break ground this year. However, several challenges remain, one of the key issues being the availability and development of transmission infrastructure. Transmission and interconnection strategies have a significant impact on the economics and operations of offshore wind projects. These decisions are critical for sustaining growth in the sector. 

Global Transmission Report will be back in New York City on September 18-19, 2019 with its 3rd Conference on Offshore Wind Transmission, US. The mission of this conference is to highlight the opportunities, challenges, technology and optimal solutions for the development of a robust offshore wind transmission infrastructure in the US.

The conference will provide an opportunity to learn about the latest developments and progress at the federal and the state level, and to share the learning from the first rounds of state procurement programs.

The event will bring together leading developers, utilities, transmission companies, RTOs/ISOs, and industry experts to discuss the grid infrastructure gaps and needs, and permitting and legal constraints in building and integrating large-scale offshore wind. They will present their perspective, lessons from early projects, and possible solutions. The discussions will also address the challenge of ensuring flexibility for interconnecting the next round of projects to be procured and their impact on current system designs.

The conference will also showcase optimal technology and equipment options for US projects. It will present solutions and strategies for ideal network configurations for both direct radial links and larger backbone ocean grids. It will also cover the advancements in offshore substations, structures and cables, and their relevance for new projects. Along with technology options, the conference will provide insights into ideal techniques for construction, installation, and monitoring of offshore links. There will also be a dedicated session on the possible role of energy storage in the offshore wind industry.

Key benefits to participants

• Find out about the latest developments, plans and procurement programs for offshore wind in various US states
• Review the US offshore wind project pipeline and timelines
• Learn about the transmission strategies and contracting plans of key developers
• Hear from project developers about the challenges they foresee in procurement and what their preferences are
• Listen to the leading utilities, transmission companies and RTOs/ISOs on the issues in building and integrating large-scale offshore wind
• Discuss how to build system flexibility for the next wave of procurements and the impact on current network design
• Evaluate key success factors for offshore links – technology, regulatory contractual arrangements
• Gain insights into environmental and permitting issues/constraints in developing offshore transmission infrastructure
• Explore the best technology solutions (HVDC or HVAC) for US offshore transmission infrastructure, for both radial links and ocean grids
• Assess the equipment needs – subsea cables, substations, structures, etc. – for US projects
• Review the advancements in technology and equipment, and their relevance for upcoming US projects
• Understand the unique engineering, construction and installation issues in building offshore links in US waters and explore optimal techniques to reduce costs and time
• Learn from the project execution experience of early developers and European companies
• Engage in stimulating discussions and deepen your knowledge with targeted questions
• Network with speakers, panelists and peers, and develop contacts with potential customers, partners and collaborators