Offshore WIND Installation and Maintenance Conference (OWIM) 2014

The Offshore WIND Installation and Maintenance Conference takes place on 29 October in Amsterdam. In an informative and educational day speakers from the industry provide an overview of wind farm developments, innovations in wind farm installation & maintenance and they will discuss the challenges of grid integration. The conference addresses the technical, operational, commercial and managerial challenges associated with future industry growth.

Setting the scene

In almost 10 years a complete new industry arose in the world; offshore wind. An upcoming of windfarms plus all the related issues that come with developing a new industry was seen in the last decade. Policy, subsidy, political commitment and goals to be achieved by this new source of energy were set up.

Developing an offshore grid

What is driving the cost development of the offshore electrical infrastructure and how does it impact the roll-out strategy for an offshore grid? What is the impact of a shared responsibility of grid operator and developer on timely realisation, financibility, standardisation and innovation? Answers to question like these and more will be presented by Michiel Müller, Unit Director Wind, Ecofys. He will share his vision on opportunities and risks for a coordinated realisation of an offshore grid in The Netherlands.

Future development in offshore windfarming

Multiple speakers will present their new developments that may change the future in wind farm installations in a session called Future Foundations. Will these innovative initiatives of various companies and institutes really be the base for future development in offshore Windfarming? The future will tell, but it looks promising.

Supply Chain management

Optimization of logistical processes are key in reducing costs, both in the installation and in the maintenance phase of a project. This supply chain management session discusses best practices along the value chain, giving insights from different perspectives – an operator’s, a contractor’s, a port’s and a service provider’s.

Remco Boersma of Vattenfall will touch upon practicalities. He will answer questions like ‘once a project is commissioned and in full operation, what are the tools, what are the levers to reduce cost?’ and ‘what are the levers to optimize power production?’ based upon experience in many projects from Vattenfall’s portfolio.

Global Business Opportunities

With energy demand continuously on the rise the prospects for offshore wind are globally growing. In the Global Business Opportunity session business opportunities in India, China, US and Europe will be touched. It will also address the human capital and the financial capital needed to realize the offshore wind industry’s full global potential. Speakers will also focus on future workforce requirements and possible contracting solutions to improve the quality of offshore wind investments.

Networking opportunities

During the day there are plenty of opportunities to catch up with familiar faces from the industry during lunch in breaks and at the concluding networking reception. The Offshore WIND Installation and Maintenance Conference is co-located with Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference. Conference badges give free access to the Offshore Energy exhibition. It is possible to join the conference in the morning, afternoon of whole day. More information can be found on the conference website.

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