NOAA signs data sharing agreement with offshore wind firm
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The agreement will foster the sharing of physical and biological data that will help NOAA meet its goals related to climate adaptation and mitigation, weather-readiness, healthy oceans and resilient coastal communities and economies.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has signed a data-sharing agreement with an offshore wind development company.
The memorandum of agreement with Ørsted Wind Power North America LLC will foster the sharing of physical and biological data that will help NOAA meet its goals related to climate adaptation and mitigation, weather-readiness, healthy oceans and resilient coastal communities and economies, officials said in the March 29 announcement.
Ørsted will share data it generates from the analysis, development, construction and operation of its offshore projects in waters under U.S. jurisdictions. The data Ørsted will share covers air and water quality, biological communities, meteorology, coastal and ocean currents, oceanography and hydrographic services and mapping. The agreement will help NOAA better understand weather, climate and ocean processes and build resilient coastal communities and economies.
In addition to direct data share, Ørsted will work with NOAA’s Technology Partnership Office to identify opportunities to foster science and innovation in support of the Biden administration’s goals to stimulate sustainable growth in the U.S. blue economy.
NOAA will share its publicly available data with Ørsted.
“Together, these data and information resources will be used to plan and ensure the effective deployment, sustainable operation and maintenance, and efficient use of weather-dependent and oceanic renewable energy technologies and infrastructure,” NOAA officials said.
“This partnership with industry will deliver data Americans use for business, science, and education, while at the same time mitigating effects of climate change,” NOAA's Acting Administrator Ben Friedman said. “Our ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources are critical to national security and well-being, and NOAA is pleased to work with willing partners to understand and maximize the potential of these national assets.”
The agreement is the first of its kind between an offshore wind developer and NOAA, and it paves the way for similar data-sharing agreements with other developers, officials said. It will run through Sept. 30, 2025.