The development of ocean test beds for ocean technology adaptation and integration into the emerging U.S. offshore wind energy industry

Abstract

The landscape of applied ocean technology is rapidly changing with forces of innovation emerging from basic ocean science research methodologies as well as onshore high tech sectors. There is a critical need for ocean-related industries to continue to modernize via the adoption of state-of-the-art practices to advance rapidly changing industry objectives, maintain competitiveness, and be careful stewards of the ocean as a common resource. These objectives are of national importance for the dynamic ocean energy sector, and a mechanism by which new and promising technologies can be validated and adopted in an open and benchmarked process is needed. POWER-US seeks to develop Ocean Test Beds as research and development infrastructure capable of driving innovative observations, modeling, and monitoring of the physical, biological, and use characteristics present in offshore wind energy installation areas.