Learning from the Experts, a webinar series
NYSERDA’s Offshore Wind team is hosting an educational webinar series to connect the public with independent experts in key topics in offshore wind, including wind farm technologies, development practices, regulatory processes, and research initiatives.
Complete the Survey to help guide future webinar topics.
Environmental Data Management and Offshore Wind
July 19, 2023
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
About the Speakers:
Karl Vilacoba, Project Manager, Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal
Karl Vilacoba is the communications director for the Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) and the project manager for the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal. The Portal (portal.midatlanticocean.org) is a free and publicly accessible GIS mapping and information site, with over 6,000 interactive maps depicting offshore wind areas, fishing grounds, shipping traffic, marine life distributions, and more. Prior to joining the UCI, Karl worked for the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, where he oversaw a variety of public outreach efforts and served as managing editor of InTransition, a national transportation magazine published in partnership with the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Karl previously spent a decade as a news reporter and editor for newspapers in the Jersey Shore area and at USA Today’s Manhattan Bureau. A lifelong Shore resident, Karl also served for several years as a member of the Lake Como Environmental Commission and Unified Planning & Zoning Board, helping guide the borough’s recovery after Superstorm Sandy.
Mary Ford, Deputy Director, Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System (MARACOOS)
Worker Safety in Offshore Wind
June 29, 2023
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
About the Speakers:
Jonathan Fraser, Renewable Energy Specialist, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
Mr. Jonathan B. Fraser serves as a Renewable Energy Specialist with the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Office of the Director, U.S. Department of Interior, in Washington, D.C. In his role as Renewable Energy Specialist, Mr. Fraser performs many various duties, including: plan review, program development, monitoring of offshore activity, and enforcement, all in support of the BSEE Director.
Mr. Fraser has been with the Bureau for eight years. He first served as an oil and gas production inspector in 2015. He later served as an inspection coordinator for the BSEE Gulf of Mexico Region. Prior to joining BSEE, he served in the United States Coast Guard as a Port State Control Examiner, Pollution Investigator and Responder, and Exercise Coordinator. Mr. Fraser is a Certified Safety Professional and is pursuing an Executive MBA in Energy from the University of Oklahoma.
Jeff Stewart, Renewable Energy Specialist, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
Jeff Stewart serves on the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s (BSEE) Renewable Operations Team as a Renewable Energy Specialist (Safety) with a focus on Safety Management Systems. He started his current position in October 2022. He joined BSEE in May 2021, working in the Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) Section and helped develop internal procedures to oversee regulatory required SEMS audits.
Prior to joining BSEE, Jeff worked at Helmerich & Payne, a Drilling Contractor, for 15 years. He developed and led their SEMS program based on BSEE’s regulations for 7 years. He also served as an HSE Specialist and created and implemented their Serious Injury and Fatality (SIF) Investigation program. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS Nevada (SSBN-733)(B) as the Communications Officer and Damage Control Assistant.
Jeff is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional. He has a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Engineering from the United States Naval Academy.
Overseeing Offshore Wind from Design through Decommissioning
June 14, 2023
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
About the Speakers:
Jonathan Fraser, Renewable Energy Specialist, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
Mr. Jonathan B. Fraser serves as a Renewable Energy Specialist with the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Office of the Director, U.S. Department of Interior, in Washington, D.C. In his role as Renewable Energy Specialist, Mr. Fraser performs many various duties, including: plan review, program development, monitoring of offshore activity, and enforcement, all in support of the BSEE Director.
Mr. Fraser has been with the Bureau for eight years. He first served as an oil and gas production inspector in 2015. He later served as an inspection coordinator for the BSEE Gulf of Mexico Region. Prior to joining BSEE, he served in the United States Coast Guard as a Port State Control Examiner, Pollution Investigator and Responder, and Exercise Coordinator. Mr. Fraser is a Certified Safety Professional and is pursuing an Executive MBA in Energy from the University of Oklahoma.
Jeff Stewart, Renewable Energy Specialist, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
Jeff Stewart serves on the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s (BSEE) Renewable Operations Team as a Renewable Energy Specialist (Safety) with a focus on Safety Management Systems. He started his current position in October 2022. He joined BSEE in May 2021, working in the Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) Section and helped develop internal procedures to oversee regulatory required SEMS audits.
Prior to joining BSEE, Jeff worked at Helmerich & Payne, a Drilling Contractor, for 15 years. He developed and led their SEMS program based on BSEE’s regulations for 7 years. He also served as an HSE Specialist and created and implemented their Serious Injury and Fatality (SIF) Investigation program. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS Nevada (SSBN-733)(B) as the Communications Officer and Damage Control Assistant.
Jeff is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional. He has a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Engineering from the United States Naval Academy.
Offshore Wind Reviews under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
May 10, 2023
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording 
Presentation Slides[PDF]
About the Speakers:
Sarah Stokely, Lead Historian, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Sarah Stokely joined the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in the Office of Renewable Energy Programs in 2021 as a lead historian and the Section 106 team lead. She has a Masters in Science in historic preservation from the University of Pennsylvania focused on architectural and archaeological site conservation and over 18 years of experience in the field of historic preservation. Before joining BOEM, Sarah worked with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation for 7 years as a program analyst and assisted with Section 106 consultations for multiple federal agencies that provide federal assistance, permits, or licenses including transportation agencies, the Federal Communications Commission, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Additionally, Sarah worked for the National Park Service in the Intermountain Region for 7 years. She is a volunteer member of the American Institute of Conservation National Heritage Responders and has a continuing interest in the impacts of climate change to cultural heritage.
Christopher Horrell, Marine Archaeologist, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Christopher Horrell, PhD, is a marine archaeologist within the Office of Renewable Energy Programs’ Section 106 Team at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). Chris has extensive experience conducting and reviewing marine archaeological studies in both the private and public sectors. In his current position at BOEM, Chris serves as a subject matter expert for marine archaeology and reviews reports submitted with offshore wind development Construction and Operation Plans. Chris also leads National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 consultations for offshore wind projects under the Bureau's review. LK Schnitzer, Archaeologist, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Laura Kate (LK) is an archaeologist in the Office of Renewable Energy Programs’ Section 106 Team at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). LK has extensive experience conducting and reviewing archaeological studies in both the private and public sectors. In her current position at BOEM, LK serves as a subject matter expert for terrestrial archaeology reports submitted with offshore wind development Construction and Operation Plans and leads National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 consultations for offshore wind projects under the Bureau's review. Marissa Moshier, Historian, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Marissa is an architectural historian with over ten years of experience working in historic preservation in the public and private sectors. She currently works in the Office of Renewable Energy Programs at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, where her focus is the assessment of visual effects to historic properties from renewable energy projects. She also leads Section 106 consultations under the National Historic Preservation Act for multiple offshore wind projects.Bird Monitoring Methodologies for Offshore Wind
April 5, 2023
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: Pam Loring, Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Pam Loring is a Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Migratory Birds and works on a range of projects related to the conservation and management of shorebirds and seabirds with a focus on offshore wind energy. She received a PhD in Environmental Conservation from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a MS in Biological and Environmental Sciences from the University of Rhode Island.Emergency Response Planning for Offshore Wind
February 15, 2023
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: John Mansolillo, Northeast Marine Affairs Manager - Ørsted
John Mansolillo is Marine Affairs Manager of the Ørsted America’s Northeast region, where he shepherds projects through the permitting, construction, and operations phases with close coordination from marine stakeholders such as the Coast Guard, commercial shipping, and fishing interests.
A Coast Guard Reserve Officer, he spent thirteen years on active duty, including seven years at sea. Holding extensive practical emergency response experience, including several Incident Command System qualifications, he organized the first functional Search and Rescue exercise with Offshore Wind Farm assets in the United States, in 2019.
He earned a Master of Arts from the U.S. Naval War College, and currently resides in Rhode Island with his family.
Hydrogen & Offshore Wind
January 31, 2023
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speakers:
Henrik Nybo Lomholt, Special Advisor, Centre for Global Cooperation – Danish Energy Agency
Henrik Nybo Lomholt has a background as an energy engineer. He joined the Danish Energy Agency in 2021, where he focuses on international collaboration on energy efficiency in industry and Power to X. Henrik works as Energy Efficiency Coordinator between the Centre for Energy Efficiency and the Centre for Global Cooperation. Henrik also works on Power to X activities in the Centre for Supply.Kristian Sten Holst, Energy Advisor, Centre for Energy Island & Global Cooperation – Danish Energy Agency
Kristian Sten Holst has a background as an electrical engineer. He joined the Danish Energy Agency in January 2022, where he focuses on international collaboration on offshore wind and Power to X in Japan and USA. Kristian works as a technical coordinator between the Centre for Energy Island and the Centre for Global Cooperation where he focuses on electrical transmission, offshore wind planning and Power to X projects on the Energy Islands. Movement Models & Offshore Wind
November 9, 2022
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: Henrik Skov, Senior Project Manager, DHI
Henrik Skov is a Senior Project Manager with DHI and has more than 35 years of expertise in the application of field and analytical methods for assessing marine habitats and the related effects of human activities at sea. He has gained experience from over 50 marine strategy and impact assessment projects and has also held the position of Technical Lead and Project Manager for many offshore wind, agent-based modelling, habitat modelling, and impact assessment projects. Mr. Skov has been instrumental in developing an automated monitoring approach for birds in relation to offshore wind projects, and the application of dynamic habitat modelling, GIS-based decision support systems i.r.t. assessment of wetland importance, and sensitivity mapping. His experience record includes small and large-scale marine protected areas, oil & gas, sustainable commercial and artisanal fisheries, sustainable offshore wind farms, and dredging activities.Outer Continental Shelf Air Permitting for Offshore Wind
October 26, 2022
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speakers:
Stacey Snow, Offshore Wind Project Manager – Jacobs
Stacey Snow is a professional engineer with more than 35 years of environmental, safety & health consulting, engineering, and management experience. She specializes in managing and delivering clean energy projects and has a depth of expertise in offshore wind permitting and planning projects. Stacey was instrumental in developing SAP, COP, and survey plans for the US Wind offshore wind energy project and managing the successful submittal and approval by applicable regulatory agencies. She also has an Envision Sustainability Professional credential from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure.Melanie Holtz, Senior Technologist – Jacobs
Melanie Holtz is a chemical engineer and senior air practitioner with more than 30 years of experience in the regulatory compliance field including air quality, EPCRA, storm water and wastewater, waste oil and hazardous waste compliance assessments/audits, permitting and general regulatory compliance for industrial and manufacturing clients, power plants, waste-to-energy facilities and municipal solid waste landfills. Melanie recently finalized the outer continental shelf (OCS) major source air permitting for the proposed installation and operation and maintenance of one of the first commercial scale offshore wind energy projects in the US.Offshore Wind Flow Modeling
September 21, 2022
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording 
Presentation-Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: Gregory S. Poulos, PHD, CEO and Principal Atmospheric Scientist – ArcVera Renewables
Dr. Poulos is a co-founder of ArcVera Renewables, a global independent technical services firm with a 40-year history and expertise in wind, solar, and storage, energy resource assessment, technology, design, engineering, energy production optimization, analysis for finance and transactions, and atmospheric science. Greg has developed detailed energy analysis for over 15,000-MW of operating wind since entering the technical-side of the renewable energy industry in 2007, and worked on over 35% of all installed wind energy projects in the US, and the first wind farms in several US states, and the countries El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.
Previously, Greg was an entrepreneurial company founder; scientific researcher; field experimentalist; and leader at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the National Center for Atmospheric Research. His start-up company in 1999, Foresight Weather, provided high-resolution real-time weather forecasts to electricity load forecasters and commodity/energy traders.
He is the first author of 10 peer-reviewed scientific publications, and an author of an additional 18 peer-reviewed scientific publications and 87 other scientific and technical works.
Offshore Wind Health and Safety
September 7, 2022
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speakers:
Elena Caja, HSSEQ Director – Ocean Winds
Elena Caja is the Director of Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental Quality at Ocean Winds (OW). OW is a joint venture between global energy companies Engie and EDP Renewables. Its offshore wind portfolio consists of 11.2 gigawatts (gross) with 12 projects in seven countries, including two the U.S: Mayflower (MA) and Central Bight (NY).
An electrical engineer, Elena also has an MBA and a Master’s Degree in Health & Safety. While she started her career in the energy sector, Caja quickly shifted to concentrate on the health & safety side of the industry. She has worked in numerous countries, including China, Spain, and the U.S, which has given her an opportunity to become familiar with many cultures and integrate aspects of them into her core values. Elena demonstrates a broad perspective and knowledge about her area of responsibility.
Beate Hildenbrand, Head of Americas – G+
Beate is Head of Americas for G+, a Global Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organization. G+ is run in partnership with the Energy Institute and is committed to promoting and maintaining the highest possible standards of health and safety throughout the lifecycle of offshore wind farms.
With an educational background in earth sciences and geography, Beate started her career as a project manager in atmospheric research and data modelling, before working as the technical manager for Environment and Health at the Energy Institute.
Beate joined G+ in 2018 as a manager for offshore wind. Hildenbrand was promoted in 2022 to Head of G+ Americas, where she stewards the growth of the G+ program and network in the Americas.
Stakeholder Engagement & Offshore Wind
June 22, 2022
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speakers:
Rebecca Karp, Managing Principal and CEO – Karp Strategies
Rebecca Karp is Managing Principal and CEO at Karp Strategies. Utilizing a data-driven, qualitative, and place-based approach to planning, Rebecca has grown her WBE-, SBE- and DBE- certified company into one of the leading women-owned urban planning and real estate advisory businesses in New York. In 2020, Karp Strategies launched a new practice area in renewable energy and offshore wind, building on the firm’s work. Under Rebecca’s leadership, Karp Strategies has supported NYSERDA with the creation of a free, open source offshore wind curriculum aimed at teenagers and educators and developed the agency’s Guiding Principles for Stakeholder Engagement for developers; assessed the feasibility of port infrastructure for OSW; analyzed MWBE procurement in the supply chain in Maine; and supported Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind with their stakeholder engagement strategy.
Rebecca is a board member of the Center for Urban Pedagogy and an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University’s School of Preservation, Architecture, and Planning. Rebecca is an alumna of Interise’s Strategic Steps for Growth MBA at NYU Stern, MIT DUSP, Bowdoin College, and Coro Leadership New York. Rebecca began her career as a policy advisor on workforce and economic development, resiliency, and transportation at city and regional agencies.
Andel Koester, Director – Karp Strategies
As Director at Karp Strategies, Andel leverages more than 15 years of experience empowering nonprofits, local government, and business leaders to use data, technology, and evidence-based public policy to solve society’s most pressing challenges. She leads strategy consulting projects including the firm’s work with Equinor, for which she oversees community economic development strategy, stakeholder engagement, and policy advisement related to their US offshore wind projects. Previously, Andel worked with large corporate clients at FSG to develop their corporate social responsibility strategies; launched and led the impact and data strategy for Bloomberg Philanthropies’ What Works Cities initiative; and managed IBM signature philanthropic programs the Smarter Cities Challenge and City Forward. She also serves as an advisor to the civic tech start-up mySidewalk. Her work has won awards from the US Department of Housing & Urban Development and USDA, the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, and a Webby. Andel holds a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a B.A. in International Studies from Emory University, and was a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs in New York. She is a native Spanish speaker and is fluent in German and French.
Workforce Development Within the Offshore Wind Industry
May 25, 2022
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: Philip Jordan, Vice-President of BW Research Partnership and Senior Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government -- Harvard University
Philip Jordan is the Vice-President of BW Research Partnership, leading the firms’ Massachusetts office. His work focuses on the impact of talent on economic prosperity and sustainable communities, and his personal passion is developing solutions that provide expanded opportunities for the most underserved populations. Mr. Jordan is a Senior Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University where he focuses on talent development in the age of globalization and automation.
Mr. Jordan has extensive experience studying the innovation economy, in particular, energy and ICT. He has authored dozens of reports including The United States Energy and Employment Report (USEER), The Solar Foundation's annual Solar Jobs Census, American Clean Power’s Labor Supply Study, the Natural Resource Defense Council's American Wind Farms Report, solar and wind labor Market analyses for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and numerous local reports for workforce boards, community colleges, and municipalities. Phil has worked in private industry, academia, and government, including the California Community Colleges, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the United States Senate. He lives and works in Wrentham, Massachusetts.
Vessel Types
May 11, 2022
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: Noé Rouxel, Project Manager – DNV Offshore Wind North America
Noé is a project manager at DNV Offshore Wind North America. With a background in Naval Architecture, Noé has 11 years of experience in the offshore wind industry, and specializes on the design, construction, and installation of offshore structures. Noé started at SBM Offshore, working on the design and construction of floating oil and gas platforms. Since 2016, Noé has been immersed in offshore wind development starting with the design and development of floating offshore wind platforms. In 2017 he moved to Chantiers de l’Atlantique, where he led the offshore operations and commissioning for the installation of Offshore Electrical Substations in the Baltic and North Seas. Since joining DNV in 2019, Noé has been supporting the development of multiple offshore wind projects on both the East and West coast.
Weather Impacts Offshore Wind
April 20, 2022
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speakers:
Brandon Capasso, Energy and Commercial Shipping Division Director – WRI
Brandon is the Director of both WRI's Energy and Commercial Shipping divisions, and has over 15 years experience providing consulting weather forecasts, decision support, weather routing, vessel performance analyses, climatology reports, and forensic weather reports for various clients worldwide. Additionally, Brandon designed and built WRI's in-house weather and ocean modeling system, which provides WRI's team of forecasters with the best technological tools possible to help protect life and property at sea. He is also an expert on climatology, and has prepared hundreds of climatological risk assessment reports for various locations around the globe.
Donald Bullen, Maritime Meteorologist – WRI
Donald Bullen is a Maritime Meteorologist with a keen interest in climate and advancing clean energy in order to combat climate change while ensuring that good paying jobs are available in the energy sector. This interest goes back to his senior thesis at his alma mater of SUNY Brockport. In this thesis, Mr. Bullen examined the rate of climate change in inland locations versus coastal and over the ocean locations over the entire world. Early in his career at WRI, Mr. Bullen took on a role in the Energy division in the company and helped to create the company's presentation for the 2020 AWEA poster (an analysis of the impact of significant waves on floating wind farms), as well as relaying industry news to other members of the division. Mr. Bullen was recently promoted to Project Manager of WRI's Energy Division and is eager to use his new role to advance clean energy for the world.
New York and Regional Offshore Wind Transmission Planning
March 30, 2022
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: Johannes (Hannes) Pfeifenberger, Principle, The Brattle Group
Hannes is an economist with a background in electrical engineering and over twenty-five years of experience in wholesale power market design, renewable energy, electricity storage, and transmission. He also is a Senior Fellow at Boston University’s Institute of Sustainable Energy (BU-ISE), a Visiting Scholar at MIT’s Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research (CEEPR), and serves as an advisor to research initiatives by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s (LBNL’s) Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division and the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Grid Modernization Lab Consortium.
Hannes received an M.A. in Economics and Finance from Brandeis University’s International Business School and an M.S. and B.S. (“Diplom Ingenieur”) in Power Engineering and Energy Economics from the University of Technology in Vienna, Austria.
Research Priorities for Offshore Wind
March 2, 2022
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: Carrie Cullen Hitt, Executive Director- National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium
Carrie is the Executive Director of the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium, dedicated to the advancement of offshore wind in the US. With base funding of $41million from DOE and NYSERDA. and additional contributions from four states and multiple industry stakeholders, the Consortium advances innovation and technology. Prior to joining the Consortium Carrie was President of New Hampshire Transmission Company, a regulated subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources. She also held several positions in solar and battery storage market development at NextEra Energy Resources. From 2008-2014 Carrie was Senior Vice President of the Solar Energy Industries Association and President of the Solar Alliance. Carrie also served in several management positions market strategy and external affairs at Constellation Energy (now Exelon) from 2000-2008. She also held positions at the Harvard Electricity Policy Group and Green Mountain Energy Resources. Carrie began her career as an analyst for the Joint Energy Committee at the Massachusetts Legislature. She is a graduate of Clark University (BA) and Johns Hopkins University (MA).
A Panel on Nature Based Design Enhancements for Offshore Wind Farms
February 9, 2022
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Panelists:
Carl LoBue, Ocean Program Director- The Nature Conservancy
Carl LoBue is the Ocean Program Director for The Nature Conservancy in NY. Carl and his team focus is on protecting and restoring marine surface water quality and estuarine habitats, improving the sustainability of marine fisheries, and on enabling coexistence of vulnerable and valuable ocean resources with existing and emerging human activities such as offshore energy development. Carl is a member of NYSERDA’s Offshore Wind Environmental Technical Working Group.Captain Dave Monti- No Fluke Fishing LLC
Dave grew up on the water and has been shell fishing, fishing, sailing and power boating all his life. He held a scallop license on Nantucket for 15 years, where he scalloped recreationally during the fall and winter months. Dave holds a masters captain’s license and works as a charter fishing captain that often fishes recreationally around Block Island and in the Block Island Wind Farm area.
Capt. Monti is the fishing columnist for the Providence Journal (the major daily newspaper in RI), The Sun Chronicle daily in Attleboro, MA and writes for ten weekly newspapers. He also is a regular contributor to the Marine Fish Conservation Network blog. Dave writes about the environment, fishing policy, regulations and ocean issues such as spatial planning, offshore wind farm development, climate change impacts of fish and fishing as well as fishing tactics and strategies.
Dave is vice chair of the RI Marine Fisheries Council, serves as 2nd vice president for the RI Saltwater Anglers Association (the largest recreational fishing association in the northeast with over 7,500 affiliated members), is an active member of the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association and is a founding board member of the American Saltwater Guides Association.
Dr. Annie Murphy, Senior Scientist- INSPIRE Environmental Services
Dr. Annie Murphy is an ecosystem ecologist with an interest in the interactions between human activities and energy flow in marine ecosystems. Specifically, her work centers on measuring changes in benthic functioning (e.g., biogeochemical cycling) in response to human disturbance such as shellfish aquaculture, offshore wind development, and coastal nutrient and organic inputs. Annie is a senior scientist at INSPIRE Environmental, a science-based consulting company focused on the use of sediment profile imaging and underwater video to characterize benthic ecosystems. Annie earned her doctoral degree at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary where her research explored the effects of shellfish aquaculture (clams and oysters) on sediment carbon and nitrogen cycling in coastal embayments in Virginia and Italy. Annie then worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Northeastern University where she used molecular techniques to study the influence of nutrient inputs to salt marsh habitats on microbial community composition and biogeochemical cycling. More recently she has been involved in developing monitoring programs using non-invasive underwater imagery technologies to monitor the biological growth on offshore wind turbines and the subsequent organic enrichment in the sediments surrounding these novel structures.
Dr. Andrew Rella, Director of Industry Development- ECOncrete
Dr. Andrew Rella is a Coastal and Environmental Engineer specializing in nature inclusive design of shoreline stabilization and flood protection measures, with ten years’ experience in the design, permitting and construction of natural and nature-based features within coastal and marine infrastructure schemes. Currently serving as the Technical Director of Business Development for ECOncrete Inc. (www.econcretetech.com), a company offering innovative ecological solutions for concrete based coastal, marine and offshore infrastructure. Previously, Andrew worked as a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer at Stevens Institute of Technology where his experience included being a member of the Coordinating Team of the Hudson River Sustainable Shorelines Project, consulting with the NJ USACE and American Littoral Society, developing workshops for the Departments of Remediation and Environmental Protection, as well as co-authoring the NJDEP Living Shorelines Engineering Guidelines. Andrew is also currently working with the New York City Economic Develop Corporation to develop oyster encasement technologies for enhancing marine piles. Andrew has a Ph.D. in Ocean Engineering from the Center of Maritime Systems at Stevens Institute. He holds a B.E. in Environmental Engineering and a M.E. in Ocean Engineering, with a concentration in Coastal EngineeringPort Development Considerations for Offshore Wind
January 12, 2022
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: Brent D. Cooper, P.E., Project Manager- COWI
Brent D. Cooper, P.E., is a Project Manager with COWI. Brent has over 14 years' experience providing engineering solutions to offshore wind and marine terminal infrastructure projects, especially as they relate to the design of wind turbine foundations, substation foundations, and fabrication and staging port facilities. Brent is responsible for business development and project delivery to a diverse range of clients, including Federal and state agencies, utilities, as well as private and commercial clients. As a project manager, Brent manages a technically and geographically diverse team of subject matter experts within the U.S. and across the global COWI organization. Brent and his team provide services through the full life cycle of a project, including planning, analysis, engineering, construction, structural condition monitoring and assessment, rehabilitation, and decommissioning.
A Panel on Offshore Wind Economic Benefits
November 10, 2021
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Panelists:
Nse Esema, Assistant Vice President, Smart & Sustainable Cities- New York City Economic Development Corporation
Nse Esema is currently the Assistant Vice President, Smart & Sustainable Cities at the New York City Economic Development Corporation. She designs and implements programmatic and strategic efforts to: catalyze emerging sectors, develop inclusive industry ecosystems, and advance equitable economic development. Currently, her work is heavily focused on the Offshore Wind industry. She is committed to designing and implementing strategies that support NYC in growing into a leading position in the burgeoning OSW landscape in the US in a manner that ensures women, low-income populations and people of color equitably share in the benefits of the industry.
Prior to NYCEDC, Nse worked with city governments in Africa and North America in developing and implementing multi-stakeholder resilience building strategies. Nse Esema earned a Masters in City Planning degree from MIT.
Mariah Dignan, Long Island Lead-Climate Jobs New York
Mariah Dignan serves as the Long Island Lead for Climate Jobs New York (CJNY) and is a member of Wind Works Long Island, a coalition of environmental, labor, clergy, and community groups, and the force behind educating Long Islanders on the benefits of renewable energy, particularly offshore wind. Mariah also serves on the Long Island Chapter Board of the New York League of Conservation Voters.
Mariah has experience in local politics as a campaign field organizer for Congresswoman Kathleen Rice and scheduler for then-candidate Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. She also worked as a Political Organizer for The Long Island Federation of Labor and served as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Congressman Thomas R. Suozzi.
Katie Newcombe, Chief Economic Development Officer- Center for Economic Growth
Katie has more than a decade of economic development experience, spanning multiple states, public, private, and non-profit sectors. She currently leads CEG’s business attraction and expansion activities; directs and implements strategies for entrepreneurship, business growth, workforce, and talent. In her most recent role, as Senior Economic Developer, she led business attraction and expansion initiatives for National Grid in the Capital Region. In addition to helping develop statewide strategic, policy and program objectives, she generated a significant portfolio of grant projects that helped revitalize the region’s downtowns and grow its economy. At Capitalize Albany Corporation, she helped manage business development efforts and Downtown Albany’s Revitalization Plan. David Whipple, Director of Industry Development- Empire State Development
David Whipple is the Director of Industry Development at Empire State Development, the economic development arm of the New York State government. David leads Empire State Development’s efforts in creating jobs and attracting investment in the renewable energy and clean tech sectors. He works closely with partners including NY-BEST, NYSERDA, NYPA, NY Green Bank, NYSTAR, industrial property owners, local IDAs, and local utilities. Together with these partners, David helps renewable energy businesses establish manufacturing operations in New York State. David has been very involved with initiatives relating to New York’s Climate Leadership Community Protection Act (CLCPA) including offshore wind, energy storage, solar and workforce development.How Does an Offshore Wind Supply Chain Work?
October 27, 2021
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speakers:
Jamie MacDonald, Director of Operations- Renewables, Xodus
As part of the renewable’s leadership team at Xodus Jamie is responsible for helping shape and grow the US business in terms of technical strength, commercial performance and brand awareness. Jamie has a strong track record of managing large projects across the offshore energy industry. With a marine and offshore construction background, including supervising contractors during operations, he is well versed in how to deliver marine construction projects from pre-feasibility through execution and into operation.Jeff Tingley, Head of Strategy and Market Development, Xodus
Jeff Tingley is the Head of Strategy and Market Development in the Xodus Boston Hub. He has extensive experience in supply chain development for offshore wind and other renewable energy sources. He has completed and managed an extensive list of supply chain development analysis for various regions in the US providing supply chain strengths and gap analysis and ascertaining the areas strengths by evaluating adjacent industries. He also has helped large OEM and tier 1 companies establish operations in the US in support of the country's growing offshore wind sector.Offshore Wind Resource Modeling
Wednesday, October 20
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speakers:
Josiah Mault, Offshore Energy Assessment Lead, DNVGL
Josiah is a Senior Team Leader and Offshore Energy Assessment Lead managing a team of analysts performing wind resource and energy analyses in support of pre- and post-construction wind projects for development and financing. Since joining DNV in 2008 he has supported over 50 GW of wind projects, including 8 GW of offshore wind projects. These projects have included the analysis and utilization of a vast array of data including onshore and offshore met masts, SODAR, land-based and floating LiDAR systems, mesoscale simulations, and other meteorological data. In addition, Mr. Mault has supported DNV’s advanced CFD based wind flow modeling for energy assessments and research of turbine performance related to atmospheric conditions. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington.Jeffrey M. Freedman, Ph.D., Research Associate, Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC) at University of Albany, State University of New York
Dr. Jeffrey M. Freedman is currently a Research Associate at the University at Albany, State University of New York’s Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC). His work includes improving wind and solar power production forecasting, investigating the effects of climate change on renewable energy distribution, developing outage prediction models for utilities, and developing instrumentation for offshore wind resource assessment and forecasting. Prior to his joining the faculty at ASRC, he was Lead Research Scientist at AWS Truepower (now a part of UL Renewables), a renewable energy consulting firm.
Dr. Freedman earned his PhD at UAlbany’s Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences and ASRC.
Regional Collaboration on Wildlife & Fisheries Research
September 15, 2021
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speakers:
Emily Shumchenia, Director, Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC)
Emily Shumchenia is the Director of the Regional Wildlife Science Entity (RWSE). RWSE is a research collaborative hosted by the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC), Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO), and Coastal States Stewardship Foundation that includes federal agencies, states, offshore wind developers and lease holders, and non-governmental organizations with the common priorities of sharing information, standardizing data collection and monitoring protocols, defining key scientific research needs, and amplifying the results of existing and ongoing research related to offshore wind and wildlife. Emily has worked with NROC since 2014 as an ocean data scientist responsible for engagement around data development and use in decision-making with agencies, industry, the research community, and other stakeholders. Emily holds a Ph.D. in oceanography from the University of Rhode Island.Lyndie Hice-Dunton, Ph.D., Executive Director, Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA)
Lyndie Hice-Dunton is the Executive Director of the Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA). ROSA is a partnership formed by fishermen and offshore wind leaders, in collaboration with US federal and state management experts to enhance scientific understanding necessary to support the coexistence of wind energy development and sustainable fisheries. Dr. Hice-Dunton is a fisheries scientist with a multidisciplinary background in marine science, environmental policy, and offshore development. Lyndie’s offshore wind efforts have allowed her to work closely with state and federal regulatory agencies, fishing industry representatives, and offshore wind developers to identify best science-based approaches that improve our understanding of the effects of wind energy development on fisheries and ecosystems.Environmental Considerations for Fixed Offshore Wind Foundation Technologies
September 1, 2021
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: Drew Carey, Co-founder and CEO, INSPIRE Environmental
Drew is a recognized expert in the assessment of environmental impacts on marine ecosystems and has led offshore wind studies since 2009. He received his PhD from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland and specializes in benthic ecology, sedimentology, fisheries monitoring, and marine policy. He has extensive experience in benthic site characterization, preparation of Construction and Operation Plans and monitoring for offshore wind energy projects. He is currently leading marine assessments (EFH, fisheries, benthic, lobster, geological) for the Block Island, South Fork, Sunrise, Skipjack, Ocean Wind and Revolution Wind Farms for Orsted USA Offshore Wind Energy. Drew has been engaged in development of marine technology and innovative applications of data visualization throughout his career.
Offshore Wind COP Review Process
August 11, 2021
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speakers:
Michelle Morin, Chief of Environment Branch for Renewable Energy, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)
Michelle has been with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for 26 years and has coordinated dozens of environmental impact statements and assessments for BOEM's oil and gas and renewable energy programs in Headquarters and the Gulf of Mexico Region. As the Chief of BOEM's Environment Branch for Renewable Energy, she manages an interdisciplinary team responsible for environmental assessments, consultations, and studies related to renewable energy leasing and development on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf.Jessica Stromberg, Project Coordinator, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)
Jessica has been working in the Office of Renewable Energy Programs (OREP) at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) since 2009. She has extensive experience managing the leasing and development process for projects proposed offshore the New England coast. Starting in August 2021, Jessica will be participating in a 4-month detail as the Acting Chief of the Engineering and Technical Review Branch in OREP, where she will manage an interdisciplinary team responsible for reviewing submitted plans and reports to ensure construction and operational design parameters for any proposed facilities adhere to accepted engineering practices and industry standards, performing analyses for vessel navigation, metocean, geophysical and geological information needs, and providing input on areas for technology assessment and research.Offshore Wind Stakeholder Engagement
July 28, 2021
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: Kris Ohleth, Director, Special Initiative on Offshore Wind
Kris Ohleth has worked in the offshore wind industry for over 15 years, since the days of the industry’s inception in the U.S. Holding senior positions with offshore wind developers, non-governmental organizations, and state agencies, she has gained critical insights into the policy and regulations that shape offshore wind activities at the state, regional, and federal levels. Kris has extensive experience working with offshore wind stakeholders and has expert knowledge of such engagements, having worked on offshore wind and ocean policy issues for nearly two decades.
In her current role as the Director of the Special Initiative on Offshore Wind, she leads the organization to develop strategies to support the responsible and sustainable development of the offshore wind industry. Originally from New Jersey, she is a Rutgers graduate, has a Master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island, and currently lives in Morris County, New Jersey with her husband and retired-racing greyhounds.
Offshore Wind Resiliency Planning
July 7, 2021
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speakers:
Neil Weisenfeld, Senior Energy Resilience Expert, ICF
Neil focuses on corporate strategy and long-range planning, energy resilience, grid modernization, asset management, and regulatory and policy engagements. With over 35 years in the industry, Neil previously worked as Director of Strategic Planning for Con Edison of New York. In his current role, Neil assesses vulnerabilities and manages risks to energy infrastructure presented by a fast-changing climate and extreme weather conditions, both in the U.S. and abroad. He translates climate science into practical information for decision-makers, conducts risk assessments for assets and operations, analyzes costs and benefits of resilience actions, and supports long-term planning for climate adaptation and resilience.Garrett Moran, Wind Generation Senior Manager, ICF
Garrett Moran is a licensed professional engineer who specializes in wind turbine technology, turbine design, and loads and controls. Garrett has 17+ years industry experience with a career in loads and dynamics and structural dynamics spanning the wind, aerospace, and oil and gas industries. He has worked for multiple international wind turbine OEMs, on the Space Shuttle contract for Boeing for NASA, and with deep sea offshore oil & gas risers. Garrett has provided technical due diligence and financing support for nearly 5GW of globally-installed wind capacity.The Science of Visibility
June 23, 2021
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speakers:
Gordon Perkins, Visualization Practice Leader, Environmental Design & Research
Gordon is a Division Manager, Visualization, with 20 years of professional experience. Gordon is one of the leading expert consultants in visualization and visual impact assessment in the Northeast and has managed and/or served as lead technical specialist on visual impact assessments for multiple offshore wind projects reviewed by BOEM as well as for onshore wind, solar, and transmission facilities reviewed under applicable federal and state permitting laws and regulations.Kiva VanDerGeest, Visualization Project Manager, Environmental Design & Research
Kiva is a Visualization Project Manager with over six years of professional experience in planning, design, geographic information systems, and visual impact assessments. Kiva has assisted in the development of visual impact assessments for energy projects including onshore and offshore wind, solar, highway, and transmission facilities.Digital Aerial Surveys to Inform Offshore Wind Development
June 9, 2021
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: Julia Robinson Willmott, Senior Principal Scientist and Group Manager, Normandeau Associates, Inc.
Julia has over 30 years of experience in 23 different countries assessing both offshore and onshore ecological impacts of anthropogenic and natural stressors on birds and other taxa. As Group Manager at Normandeau Associates, she works directly with Normandeau’s technology team to design, test, and deploy innovative technology systems for remote monitoring of wildlife. Julia has been project manager and technical director on over 100 aerial digital projects including state and federal efforts in support of offshore wind energy in New York State waters and offshore North Carolina and South Carolina. Her knowledge and understanding of species presence, abundance, and relative sensitivity to anthropogenic stressors based on experience across two continents helps inform study design and effectively target resources. She is principal author of “The relative vulnerability of migratory bird species to offshore wind energy projects on the Atlantic outer continental shelf”, and she has described a new subspecies of Zoothera thrush.
Offshore Wind Submarine Cabling
May 26, 2021
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: Duncan Sokolowski, Senior Submarine Cable Project Manager, Tetra Tech
Offshore Wind Transmission Systems
May 12, 2021
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: Johannes (Hannes) Pfeifenberger, Principle, The Brattle Group
Hannes is an economist with a background in electrical engineering and over twenty-five years of experience in wholesale power market design, renewable energy, electricity storage, and transmission. He also is a Senior Fellow at Boston University’s Institute of Sustainable Energy (BU-ISE), a Visiting Scholar at MIT’s Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research (CEEPR), and serves as an advisor to research initiatives by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s (LBNL’s) Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division and the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Grid Modernization Lab Consortium.
Hannes received an M.A. in Economics and Finance from Brandeis University’s International Business School and an M.S. and B.S. (“Diplom Ingenieur”) in Power Engineering and Energy Economics from the University of Technology in Vienna, Austria.
Article VII Permitting Process for Offshore Wind
April 28, 2021
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: Bill Flynn, Partner, Harris Beach PLLC
Bill advises businesses and organizations on energy related matters, strategic planning initiatives regarding economic development, state and federal regulatory affairs, and policy decisions. He also advises clients on local, state and federal governmental affairs. Bill is known for his experience in regulatory policies and legislation related to electricity, gas, water, cable television, and telecommunications services. He served as Chairman of the New York State Public Service Commission (NYS PSC) from February 2003 to December 2006. Prior to serving as Chairman of the NYS PSC, he was President of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) where he also served as vice president, treasurer, and secretary to the board of NYSERDA from 1999 to 2003. As NYS PSC Chairman, Bill also served on NYSERDA’s Board of Directors and as Chair of the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment. He is a former board member of the New York State Environmental Board, the New York State Disaster Preparedness Commission, and former co-chairman of the New York Telecommunications Reliability Advisory Council. He was appointed by the chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as vice-chairman of the federal Joint Board on Economic Dispatch for the Northeast Region. He also served as a member of the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners Electricity Committee and chaired the Telecommunications Legislative Task Force.
Offshore Wind Technology 101
April 7, 2021
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: Walt Musial, Principal Engineer and Offshore Wind Lead, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Walt Musial is a Principal Engineer and leads the offshore wind research platform at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) where he has worked for 32 years. In 2003, he initiated the offshore wind energy research program at NREL which focuses on a wide range of industry needs and critical technology challenges. He chairs the AWEA Offshore Wind Standards Subcommittee and is the Senior Technical Advisor to the National Offshore Wind R&D Consortium. Previously, Walt also developed and ran NREL’s full scale blade and drivetrain testing facilities for 15 years. Earlier, Walt worked as a test engineer for five years in the commercial wind energy industry in California. He studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, specializing in energy conversion with a focus on wind energy engineering. He has over 120 publications and two patents.
Siting and Leasing Offshore Wind Energy Areas
March 24, 2021
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Full Recording
Presentation Slides [PDF]
About the Speaker: Luke Feinberg, Energy Program Specialist, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)
Luke currently works as a Project Coordinator at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in the Office of Renewable Energy Programs. His duties include coordination for all renewable activities offshore New York including leasing in the New York Bight, and support for coordination efforts offshore Massachusetts and the Gulf of Maine. Prior to his work at BOEM, Luke worked in the Wind Energy Technologies Office at the Department of Energy and played a key role as a primary author of the interagency 2016 National Offshore Wind Strategy for the Department of Energy and Department of Interior. Before joining the federal service, Luke worked as an environmental consultant in the Boston area directing environmental oversight and remediation of large- scale energy projects.
Luke received a Master’s of Environmental Science and Management from the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at the University of California Santa Barbara and an undergraduate degree from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. In his free time, he loves to explore the greater Washington DC area with his wife and two sons, cycling, cooking, woodworking, and fishing.
NYSERDA Program Updates
NYSERDA periodically hosts webinars to provide updates on the offshore wind program, NYSERDA-supported offshore wind research, and the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium.
To view past webinar recordings and presentations, please visit our Resource Library.
Educational Videos
The below video links are to external resources (not created by or affiliated with NYSERDA) that provide great overviews of basic offshore wind technologies.
- How Offshore Wind Farms Work (Ørsted)
- Time-lapse installation of turbine at Vattenfall’s EOWDC wind farm (Vattenfall UK)
- Offshore Wind Energy (BOEM)
- The Foundation of Wind Turbines - in 60 seconds (DOB Academy)
- Costain Concrete Gravity Foundations - Subsea Animation (Kurodragon)
- Humpback Whales and Floating Offshore Wind Farms (BOEM)
