Project Partners
Start Date:
October 3, 2023
Completion Date:
Overview
The National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium is leading a regional offshore wind workforce assessment and supply chain project. The purpose of the SMART-POWER Workforce and Supply Chain Analysis is to understand the region’s existing offshore wind capabilities and identify supply chain investments that could most effectively leverage these resources and provide the greatest benefits to both the member states and the offshore wind industry. The project is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the State of North Carolina with participation from the State of Delaware.
NOWRDC's Role
NOWRDC is proud to lead the administration of the SMART-POWER Workforce and Supply Chain Analysis, a regional project designed to assess offshore wind capabilities and identify strategic supply chain investments.
Building on our nationwide Offshore Wind Supply Chain Roadmap, this initiative was driven by interest from our state member, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), in conducting a follow-on study. In response, NOWRDC collaborated with MEA and the other SMART-POWER states—Virginia, North Carolina, and Delaware—to shape this project and engage NREL as the executing partner.
At NOWRDC, we prioritize engaged state membership and deeply value collaboration in identifying opportunities to advance R&D projects that support our shared goals. This project is a testament to the power of partnership in driving offshore wind innovation and industry growth.
“The SMART POWER States are eager to address the needs of both the offshore wind supply chain and workforce,” said Paul G. Pinsky, Director of the Maryland Energy Administration on behalf of the SMART POWER States. “This will help the SMART POWER States and the United States reach their respective offshore wind deployment goals while realizing tremendous economic development and job creation benefits.”
Results
- Model and evaluate different supply chain scenarios, including investment in new manufacturing facilities, upgrading ports, building new vessels, creating new workforce training centers, and creating assets in new port communities;
- Produce an actionable roadmap for the SMART-POWER states (Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, and Delaware) to develop a multi-state, coordinated supply chain around three to five focus areas;
- Convene representatives from the SMART-POWER states to streamline the development of regional offshore wind resources and realize local benefits.