Offshore Wind Innovation Hub Launched in New York – T&D World

Equinor, together with its partner bp, announced the launch of a New York-based Offshore Wind Innovation Hub that will facilitate partnerships with start-ups that bring new technological solutions to the rapidly growing US offshore wind industry. The initiative springs from a new three-year partnership between Equinor, the Urban Future Lab (UFL) at the NY Tandon School of Engineering, and the National Offshore Wind R&D Consortium (NOWRDC), supported by New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).

The new Innovation Hub will leverage the success of the Urban Future Lab in promoting and helping the launch of cleantech start-ups, fostering collaboration with the international incubator community to cultivate pilots and demonstration projects that accelerate advances in offshore wind.

The Innovation Hub will create a physical location for offshore wind programming and serve as a center for the industrys innovation ecosystem. The Hub will host educational programming, workshops and curricula for the startups, as well as networking opportunities with industry participants. It will be located adjacent to Equinor and bps new project office in Sunset Park.

Equinor is leading the initiative on behalf of its 50-50 strategic partnership with bp. Together, the companies are developing the Beacon Wind and Empire Wind projects, which will supply 3.3 GW of renewable energy to New Yorkenough to power nearly two million homes.

Offshore wind is increasingly accepted as a viable new source of renewable energy, but the industry has evolved by harnessing the power of nature through cutting-edge technological solutions, said Siri Espedal Kindem, president, Equinor Wind U.S. Equinor and bp are thrilled to launch this partnership in an effort to push the envelope even further by nurturing innovative new ideas from around the world that will help drive technological growth and efficiency even further. Establishing this innovation hub is just one way we are accelerating the development of the offshore wind industry in New York and beyond.

NOWRDC is pleased to provide its support to the Innovation Hub and its future cohorts, said Robert Catell, chair of the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium.

NYCEDC is committed to accelerating equitable innovation in New York Citys growing offshore wind industry, saidMelissa Burch, COO,New York City Economic Development Corporation. We look forward to supporting the Innovation Hubs partners in building a program that ensures a diverse startup ecosystem with a curriculum that focuses on generating shared equity for all New Yorkers.

New York is committed to being the nations hub for offshore wind development, setting a template for the green economy and the clean energy grid of the future. We applaud the efforts of Equinor and bp, NYUs Urban Future Lab, NOWRDC, and NYCEDC to grow this industry by harnessing the intellectual and entrepreneurial power of New Yorkers.said,Doreen M. Harris, president and CEO, NYSERDA

The benefits of this program to the citizens of NYS are twofold. Not only will the Equinor/bp projects bring thew residents clean, renewable energy, but the Innovation Hub will be an important step in building a new wind industry based in NY. The nascent technologies that are necessary for successful deployment will find a receptive home and business development services at the Hub, said Pat Sapinsley, managing director, Cleantech Initiatives, NYU Urban Future Lab.

In the coming months, the partners will develop a call for applications to identify and select industry-leading startups whose technologies address key challenges facing US offshore wind. Once chosen, these startups will receive tailored support and unique programming that draws on UFLs network of mentors, NOWRDC industry community, and key policy figures in the technology areas identified for the cohort laying the groundwork for potential partnerships between Equinor and the participating startups.

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Offshore Wind Innovation Hub Launched in New York - T&D World