Call to action: ELBE Alliance Floating Offshore Wind innovation mission to California

28. marts 2022 – 8:00 – 17:00

Call for Expression of Interest to join the ELBE Alliance Floating Offshore Wind innovation mission to California

COSME Project: ELBE PLUS project by ELBE Alliance and Energy Cluster Denmark European Strategic Cluster Partnership in Blue Energy

For Whom?

Danish SMEs interested in promoting their Floating Offshore Wind (FOW) related innovations, solutions and/or products in the West Coast of the USA and with interest in establishing strategic collaborations in this emerging industry in USA.

Where and When will it take place?

This innovation mission will be held the last week of March 2022 during the Pacific Offshore Wind Summit from March 28-30 in San Francisco.

More information about the event here: https://infocastinc.com/event/pacific-offshore-wind/

Why go to the Pacific Offshore Wind Summit?

U.S. West Coast states are getting on track to establish a sustainable floating wind industry that will generate jobs and economic development for decades. California, with its landmark AB 525 legislation, is setting a path towards integrating 10 GW or more of offshore wind in its climate and clean-power strategy. Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii are working to add offshore wind to their clean-power portfolios. These West Coast opportunities hold tremendous promises, and require different innovations, technologies, supply chains, and construction methods than fixed-bottom projects on the Atlantic Coast.

Key questions will be addressed at this must-attend conference for those participating in this new West Coast industry in USA:

  • How will Bureau of Ocean Energy Managements (BOEM) lease auctions play out in 2022? Can streamlining siting and permitting accelerate deployments?
  • How much offshore wind is needed for Californias 100% renewable-energy and carbon-reduction goals? What about offshore power needs of other West Coast states?
  • Can current transmission, interconnection, and power-procurement challenges be addressed economically and in time for this new offshore wind industry?
  • What are the best ways to engage stakeholders, including environmentalists, labor, commercial fishers, and indigenous peoples to ensure their interests are fully considered?
  • What infrastructure and workforce initiatives can support local manufacturing, supply-chain expansion, port upgrades, and training programs to prepare workers for these new jobs?

What type of support?

The ELBE Alliance will organise this innovation mission and support participants in the different steps of the mission (administrative preparation, logistics, B2B meetings, event registration). The ELBE Alliance will also provide partial financial support to a restricted number of companies. Energy Cluster Denmark members, especially SMEs, will have preference for financial support for attendance. SMEs which will not be selected for the financial support can still benefit from the mission organisation and participate at their own costs.

What does the mission include?

The ELBE PLUS Floating offshore wind mission to California will include:

  • Participation in the Pacific Offshore Wind Summit (28-30 March, San Francisco).
  • B2B meetings with potential local partners or/and clients.
  • Targeted meetings on 31st March (to be confirmed).
  • Follow-up to evaluate the impact of the mission on the participating SME.

Eligibility conditions

Participants will be selected on a first come first served basis, and Energy Cluster Denmark members specially SMEs will be prioritized. To participate to the mission, it is required to:

  • Be a SME according to the European definition[1];
  • Develop a product or service positioned on the Floating Offshore Wind value chain: project development & siting, assembly & installation, foundations, design, and manufacturing of converters (wind turbines, wave, and tidal converters), grid connection, operation & maintenance and/or support services & auxiliary equipment.

What are we looking for?

The standard profile we are looking for:

  • An SME with international strategy and ambition.
  • An SME ready to enter the US FOW market.

Deadline

Deadline for sending applications is 28th February.
For any enquiry, related to Danish participants attendance you can contact:

Gustavo Ferraz de Luna
International Project Manager
Energy Cluster Denmark
gfl@energycluster.dk

COVID-19 Restrictions and access to the USA

All participants must comply with US COVID-19 restrictions regarding travel. CDC guidelines require non-US citizens to be fully vaccinated (14 days after a second dose) AND present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 1 day before travel.

As part of the Visa Waiver Program, EU citizens (except Cyprus, Hungary, and Romania) can travel to the US without a visa by applying for an ESTA online. Please note that you will have to pay for your own ESTA application.

The above elements are subjected to change due to COVID-19 restrictions. Applicants will be informed of any change.

About the ELBE Alliance

The ELBE Alliance gathers seven leading European clusters in Blue Energy. It aims to contribute positioning Europe as the world technological and industrial leader in Blue Energy by supporting internationalisation of European SMEs and other relevant stakeholders, with a focus in North America (US, Canada) and Asia (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan). You can read more on http://www.elbealliance.eu/home and/or watch this introductory video link here

[1] The formal definition is available here: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/business-friendly-environment/sme-definition_en