This November, Ara Ake, New Zealand’s new energy development centre and Taranaki regional development agency Venture Taranaki, are set to host the 2021 Offshore Future Energy Forum.
This follows on from the successful, and first of its kind in Aotearoa, national Offshore Wind Forum that was delivered by Venture Taranaki in 2020. The 2021 iteration will build on the sold-out success of the 2020 forum, bringing together national and international experts to examine future offshore energy potential.
“We’re thrilled to welcome back many of those who attended the Offshore Wind Forum this time last year, and welcome others from around the motu and the world to connect as we explore the offshore energy potential to support our transition to a low-emissions future, a resilient economy, and a restored planet," says Justine Gilliland, CE Venture Taranaki.
The Offshore Future Energy Forum is supported by the NZ Wind Energy Association, and the Aotearoa Wave and Tidal Energy Association. Presentations and discussions will again cover offshore wind, and the potential for wave, tidal, and marine storage will also be explored.
“The Offshore Future Energy Forum presents an opportunity to bring together energy innovators and showcase the potential of these technologies within Aotearoa. It is also a chance to gain valuable insight into how these technologies are contributing to decarbonisation strategies overseas,” says Ara Ake CE, Dr Cristiano Marantes.
Attendees will also be the first to hear the findings of a future-focused concept paper to be launched by Venture Taranaki at the forum: Power to X. The paper explores the potential of more green energy than Aotearoa may need, based on our current economy, to power-up our economy in advanced directions.
“Power to X describes processes by which renewable electricity is used to create green products, such as ammonia, methanol, or liquid fuels which can be easily stored, transported, and used to balance energy demand, as well as to create products and support energy-intensive, high-value sectors, such as advanced manufacturing and digital technology,” explains Justine.
Other speakers at the forum include Minister of Energy, Hon Megan Woods, Giacomo Caleffi, Chairperson of the NZWEA Offshore Wind Working Group, Armin Howard of Azura Wave, Tim Hawkey of Energy Bank, Thom Cameron of Aurecon Australia, Alistair Dutton Chair of Global Wind Energy Council, Katherine York of Catapult UK, Andrew Revfeim and Nick Jackson of Elemental Group, Pieterjan Vanbuggenhout of Parkwind EU, Andy Evans of Oceanex AU, Jarek Pole of Bluefloat, Stephanie Thornton of Australian Ocean Energy Group, Dr Vladislav Sorokin from the University of Auckland, and Millan Ruka of Ruka Energy.
The Offshore Future Energy Forum will take place on Thursday 25 November – Friday 26 November 2021 in New Plymouth. Attendees can register to attend in person, or online, and hear from a range of national and international speakers and experts over the one and a half days.
Space is strictly limited due to alert level restrictions, so early registration is essential.
The forum will be live-streamed, and a recording of the live stream will be made available online following the event.
Register here.
Students are able to attend free of charge – contact us at [email protected] to learn more.