Energy

Supporting Industry Needs

As our national energy needs grow and evolve, decision makers and stakeholders need information to support responsible offshore energy development. Ocean observing also improves oil spill response, operational safety, and understanding of the marine environment to aid in site selection, construction, permitting, and monitoring. IOOS data can help industry players with effective co-use of the offshore space, for example, where fisheries, protected species, and infrastructure overlap. IOOS Regional Associations support collaboration across the sector.

IOOS IN ACTION

In collaboration with federal and university partners, IOOS Regional Associations create tools to help users navigate the complex offshore energy landscape. These tools inform safe operation and working conditions, help scientists and industry professionals understand ocean features like shifting sand, and visualize where energy infrastructure, wildlife, and conservation areas overlap. IOOS data on weather and upwelling — the process that moves cold, nutrient-rich water up from the deep sea and is a major ecosystem variation driver— can also fill knowledge gaps around offshore energy development.

Our Partners in Action: IOOS Making a Difference

We use IOOS forecast and observations access to support marine emergency response including oil spills. IOOS data also plays a critical role in our support of offshore wind industry permitting, compliance, and monitoring.

Kelly Knee, RPS Ocean Science

I run a small software consulting business that repackages IOOS data for use in oil and gas decision making tools. Timely data is important, as are the IOOS standards and communication protocols which, all together, create a reliable flow of data that my clients depend on.

Charlton Galvarino, Second Creek Consulting, LLC

We partner with NERACOOS to support stakeholder engagement and improve topical literacy concerning offshore wind energy planning in the Gulf of Maine. We partner extensively on many issues that are central to our mission to serve local communities as they face challenges related to coastal and marine resource conservation and stewardship.

Erik Chapman, NH Sea Grant and University of New Hampshire

Data from HF radar was used to optimize resource allocations for an oil spill in Long Beach, CA.

Matthew Ragan, University of Southern California