CLEANcarolinas' Chief Engagement Officer Carolyn Keith and Co-Director Dr. Saffeer Khan had the opportunity to attend the International Partnering Forum 2024 (IPF 2024) in New Orleans, LA. Hosted by Oceantic Network (formerly the Business Network for Offshore Wind), this event is the premier offshore wind energy conference in the Americas. The conference connected global leaders and businesses in the supply chain, offered unparalleled networking opportunities, and delivered updates on the industry, from technology and policy to safety and siting. 

As part of the event, Dr. Saffeer Khan and Carolyn Keith were able to tour the Gulf Wind Technology (GWT) facilities at the Avondale Global Gateway Terminal on the banks of the Mississippi River. GWT is America's only independent wind turbine rotor service provider offering design, testing and repair services. Their Hickory, NC facility offers additional engineering and support services.

As art of the IPF conference, UNC Charlotte College of Engineering students Cody Williams and Melissa Zeleznik presented their proposed design for a wind farm on Lake Michigan. This included a detailed site analysis and layout, annual energy production, and financial plan. This research was part of the DOE's Collegiate Wind Competition where students were tasked with designing and building an offshore wind turbine prototype, developing an offshore wind farm in one of the Great Lakes, and creating community connections.

The final day of the conference featured a dynamic panel discussion titled "Scaling Horizons: Mid-Atlantic States' Strategies for Offshore Wind Expansion and Regional Collaboration." The focus of this briefing was how North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware are leveraging progress and incorporating lessons learned from initial offshore wind development along the 4-state, Mid-Atlantic shoreline. With BOEM poised to start the Central Atlantic lease auctions in mid-2024, this session discussed how regional state governments might partner with industry to collaboratively scale up the existing supply chain from early development to rapid build out. Dr. John Hardin, NC Department of Commerce's Executive Director Office of Sciences, Technology, and Innovation, spoke about efforts underway in North Carolina to support OSW development. The NC Department of Commerce is a CLEANcarolinas Partner. Dr. Saffeer Khan, CLEANcarolinas Co-Project Director, addressed the audience with a suggestion for establishing an ongoing Mid-Atlantic Regional OSW taskforce.