US offshore wind industry needs better data strategy says report

US-based nonprofit, Business Network for Offshore Wind has released a new report, which highlights the need for and benefits of developing a strategic, industry-wide approach to collecting and using environmental data in the offshore wind sector.

The report, Building a Collaborative Data Strategy for the US Offshore Wind Industry, authored by the Network’s Data & Digitalization Working Group, outlines the positive impact a collaborative approach would have on offshore wind development in the US, making the case for widespread data sharing to increase efficiency industry-wide.

“Building a robust US offshore wind market needs an equally robust permitting system that moves projects along in a timely manner and protects the environment,” said Liz Burdock, president and CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind. “Better data is the answer, and this report illustrates the opportunity and urgency for the industry to chart a path toward an environmental data strategy. Harnessing data shared in a collaborative fashion can cut down on the permitting timeline and ensure greater environmental stewardship, building public confidence and fostering greater investor confidence in the US market.”  

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The report’s key findings include:

• The high value of data to developers has caused some of the current work to collect such information to be done in private, making data less accessible to industry stakeholders.
• The industry needs to approach a strategy for environmental data collection, storage, and sharing on a larger, more comprehensive scale to support industry-wide learning, overcome obstacles, and make the permitting process more efficient.
• Standardisation in data collection is key to ensuring that all stakeholders are able to make full use of lessons learned.

“This report lays out a critical first step toward a collaborative environmental data strategy for the US offshore wind industry,” said Aybala Sen, data and research manager at the Business Network for Offshore Wind and co-author of the report.

“Identifying both data challenges and opportunities as well as working collaboratively to outline a path forward is necessary to the widespread and enhanced use of offshore wind data, and ultimately, the industry’s overarching success.”

Originally published on renewableenergyworld.com