The inaugural awards gala, hosted by The Business Network for Offshore Wind, celebrated industry accomplishments and key developments as offshore wind continues to advance globally.
Baltimore, MD – November 29, 2021 – The Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) was named a winner of The Business Network for Offshore Wind’s Ventus Award for Advancement in Project Siting & Development alongside Fugro. MITAGS’s award recognized its wind farm and full-mission ship simulations for stakeholder engagement with Ørsted Offshore North America.
Beginning in 2019, MITAGS partnered with Ørsted and used its simulation technology to create exact models of Ørsted’s Ocean Wind and Revolution Wind offshore wind farms. This provided a platform for Ørsted to engage its stakeholders via the bridge of various size simulated vessels while navigating through a utility-scale wind farm in differing sea states, weather conditions, and visibility. This unique, holistic, and cost-effective experience has allowed Ørsted to facilitate important discussions about navigation safety with the United States Coast Guard, professional mariners, and the commercial fishing industry. The project continues today.
“As a developer, stakeholder engagement is paramount to the successful development of projects,” said Liz Kretovic, Mid-Atlantic Marine Affairs Manager for Ørsted Offshore North America. “MITAGS has made our vision a reality through its navigation simulator, which allows the user to conceptualize the magnitude and layout of the wind farm resulting in a clearer understanding of the project rather than simply looking over charts and drawings on paper.”
The Advancement in Project Siting & Development Ventus Award was given to an individual, team, or company that developed a technology, process or demonstrated immense effort and collaboration to advance or reduce improve offshore wind project development risk, cycle, or timeline. All categories were voted on by Business Network board members, an Awards Committee, and other jurors. MITAGS was named a finalist for Advancement in Project Siting & Development along with Fugro and Vineyard Wind. A total of ten awards were given for nine various categories throughout the awards event, held at The Schuyler in Washington, D.C.
“The full-mission ship simulation by the Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies is an exciting innovation,” said Liz Burdock, president and CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind. “Its ability to simulate navigation through offshore wind farms will help inform discussions within the industry as well as other ocean using interests, providing solutions and mitigations measures that will spur further innovation and renewable energy growth.”
Read more about the Business Network for Offshore Wind’s first-ever Ventus Awards Gala here.
MITAGS’ Director of Simulation, Colleen Schaffer, P.E., accepted the award on MITAGS’s behalf. “This project has brought a new energy and excitement to our simulation world at MITAGS,” said Colleen. “Watching the offshore wind stakeholders’ eyes light up when they first see the simulated wind farm has been a gratifying experience for our entire MITAGS team, especially when they say ‘it feels like I’m really there.’”
MITAGS will continue to promote and support the offshore wind industry through its simulation and training services.
To learn more about MITAGS’ offshore wind simulation project with Ørsted, visit www.mitags.org.
Media Contact:
Lindsay Moran, Director of Marketing
410.684.7413
[email protected]
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About MITAGS
MITAGS is a nonprofit, vocational training center for individuals seeking to enter the maritime profession and for professional mariners seeking to advance their careers. With campuses in Baltimore and Seattle, it is the leader in maritime training, pilot programs, ship simulation and operational research, providing customized solutions for both individual companies and mariners, and members of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots. To learn more, visit our website at www.mitags.org.
MITAGS-MCC’s Nondiscrimination Policy can be viewed in its entirety at www.mitags.org/about-us and www.mccbwi.org/policy.html.
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