On April 26th, WRISE San Diego joined WRISE Los Angeles to learn about offshore wind development in the United States from Dr. Matt Shields, Senior Offshore Wind Analyst at NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory).

Dr. Shields covered national/federal deployment targets, state policies, ongoing activities, and BOEM leasing activities. The focus was on floating offshore wind technology, which is being pursued on the west coast due to water depth considerations. He discussed the costs, feasibility, spatial variations, key drivers, and infrastructure challenges such as ports and transmission. Stakeholder engagement and outreach were emphasized, with questions from the audience addressed.

We were delighted to organize a Professional Mixer hosted at the residence of our Co-Programs Chair, Peggy Hock. The event served as an excellent platform for attendees to reconnect with familiar faces and forge valuable new connections, while catching up on market trends, the IRA, and a everything in between!

Our April 6th Fireside Chat and Happy Hour was graciously sponsored by Clark Hill, whose support made the event possible. We were delighted to have Steve Recchia and Peggy Hock deliver an informative and captivating presentation on the advantages and essential insights for the renewable energy industry under the Inflation Reduction Act. The session not only provided valuable information but also fostered an interactive Q&A session and facilitated networking opportunities among attendees.

Our February 15th Coffee and Conversation event featured Abby Hopper, President & CEO of Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) as the host and speaker. The event offered attendees a remarkable networking platform and a valuable opportunity to gain insights from Abby’s extensive experience in the solar industry.