New academy at UD to train offshore wind energy professionals
The University of Delaware, in partnership with the Energy and Climate Academy of Denmark, unveiled a new Offshore Wind Skills Academy this week at the American Wind Energy Association conference Oct. 16-17 in Washington, D.C. The Academy will provide instruction in the basics of wind power, offshore wind turbines, and the development of offshore wind projects to professionals from traditional energy industries, supply chain companies, regulators, investors and others. This is the first offshore wind skills training program in the United States to focus on professionals and managers seeking to enter the industry.
Substantial offshore wind energy projects are likely to be built off the coast of the northeast United States in the next 12 years because of state government requirements to purchase offshore wind power. Because the North American offshore wind industry is still in its infancy — with only 5 offshore wind turbines in operation in U.S. waters — meeting that demand will require significant effort either by global offshore wind companies to learn about the specifics of operating in the United States or by American companies to learn how to enter the growing market.
