The big idea this week is to discuss offshore wind power development with Bruce Carlisle. Bruce is the Managing Director of Offshore Wind at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC). MassCEC is a quasi-governmental organization. Bruce's role takes a multi-faceted approach to encourage offshore wind development, including overseeing the operations of the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, the nation’s first port facility designed to support the construction, assembly, and deployment of offshore wind projects.

Full show notes are available at:
https://www.buildbigideas.com/post/off-shore-wind-with-bruce-carlisle-of-the-massachusetts-clean-energy-center-ep-13

Mass CEC is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits and to secure long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts. MassCEC works to increase the adoption of clean energy while driving down costs and delivering financial, environmental, and economic development benefits to energy users and utility customers across the state.

Outline and Notes of the Podcast Discussion

Introduction to the MassCEC mission and work.

Overview of Offshore wind development opportunities in the Northeast USA.

Planning and siting of off-shore wind farms– How is off-shore wind different than on shore wind? Why is the NE prime for wind energy?

Ports and infrastructure – New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal why is it needed? How is it different than other Marine Commerce Terminals?

Marine Studies and environmental Characterization – How are marine wildlife impacts being studied? Viewshed impacts?

Research and Development Center – Where are the primary locations of R&D in wind turbines? Why is it needed? What is involved in Blade testing, inspection, and O&M? – GE Haliade-X Blade (107m long) highlight

Final thoughts on the future of off-shore wind, what’s next…for Mass CEC? For US Off-shore wind?

Threads to pull for future episodes

What sort of technical challenges do offshore constructors face?

What are some human stories associated with offshore wind development?