Exploring Offshore Wind

Course Description

Doug Copeland of Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC reviews the basics of implementing offshore wind energy, including planning, construction, operations, and maintenance. He also discusses the current market for offshore wind and presents a mini case-study of the Atlantic Shores project. Recorded March 11, 2024.

Learning Objectives:

• Investigate the use and benefits of offshore wind in New Jersey and its potential barriers.
• Explore Atlantic Shores’ Offshore Wind projects in New Jersey, including planning, construction, operations, and maintenance and their outreach to colleges for student interns.
• Summarize the offshore wind market between developers, signed power contractors, and others seeking to sell power/offshore renewable energy credits (ORECs) in New Jersey.
• Explain New Jersey’s process for their next OREC solicitation.

About the Instructor:

Doug Copeland has worked in the renewable energy industry for over 13 years, leading development efforts in onshore wind, solar, energy storage, and offshore wind. He has been a part of the U.S. offshore wind industry since 2008, serving on offshore wind market advisory groups in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and the American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) Offshore Wind Steering Committee. For Atlantic Shores, he is in charge of developing the project and overall portfolio with a focus on the pre-financial decision phase. This includes managing land acquisition (including for substation and Right-of-Ways), environmental studies and permitting, stakeholder outreach, and local economic benefits enhancement. Prior to his career in the renewable energy industry, Mr. Copeland ran a nationally recognized economic development program. Mr. Copeland earned his bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and a master’s degree from Boston College.  

Course Outline

• Introduction to Atlantic Shores

• Overview of Offshore Wind Leases

• How the Power Purchase Market is Structured

• Development, Construction, and Operations Processes

• How Colleges Can Participate in Offshore Wind

• Exam