In todays Electrek Green Energy Brief (EGEB):

rsted is partnering with Marylands Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) to provide a new virtual reality (VR) offshore wind energy training program starting next year.

rsted is one of two developers working to bring a 120-megawatt wind farm online by 2023 off the Ocean City, Maryland, coastline. It will feature up to 12 wind turbines.

Offshore wind students will navigate through a simulation of rsteds Ocean Wind and Revolution Wind projects that are being built off the New Jersey and Rhode Island coasts using virtual reality.

rsted and MITAGS are using VR because the US currently only has Block Island in Rhode Island online, so students would have to travel to Europe. rsted provided MITAGS with a grant and project specifications to develop the model used in the simulator, according to the Baltimore Business Journal.

Anyone who works in either building or maintaining wind turbines will be required to complete the new course. The Atlantic Coast offshore wind project pipeline is expected to support up to 86,000 jobs, according to the US Department of Energy.

The Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) yes, you read that right is a voluntary CEO-led initiative that aims to accelerate the industry response to climate change. It represents around 30% of global oil and gas production, with 62 participating companies. The report claims to have driven change across four areas:

Electreks Take: Its really hard to not be cynical about this group. Just the name, Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, seems ridiculous. Exxon isnt even trying, and the only true way to reduce emissions and address the climate crisis is to switch to green energy. Methane reduction is great, but those targets need to be stronger. Further, exploring feasibility in decarbonizing transport comes across as completely inert.

However, the UN Environment Program is a bit more optimistic. It feels that collaborative programs are positive, as the fossil fuel industry can be fragmented. It wants everyone on board. In other words, its easier to keep an eye on them if theyre together in a group. Fair enough. But this is only 30% of the oil and gas industry.

The Environmental Defense Funds president, Fred Krupp, said of the initiative:

Thanks to the 62 companies for committing to measure, report, and reduce pollution from their core operations and joint ventures. This will be the basis for robust standards in Europe, and beyond, that ensure the oil industry takes the practical actions urgently needed for our climate.

So its better than nothing. Just five years ago, this would have been unimaginable.

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EGEB: US offshore wind workers to get virtual reality training in Maryland - Electrek