MITAGS makes offshore wind project simulator for Ørsted

Ørsted and the Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies (MITAGS) have formed a new three-year offshore wind partnership.

With Ørsted’s support, MITAGS has created a virtual offshore wind project navigation simulator, which allows mariners to experience piloting through a commercial-scale wind farm.

The facility, located in Linthicum Heights in Maryland, will give mariners an opportunity to experience navigating through a virtual simulation of Ørsted’s Ocean Wind and Revolution Wind projects.

MITAGS’ multiple bridge capabilities allow for up to six full-mission bridges, and six-part task to be integrated into one exercise. The simulation can be viewed remotely, in real-time, by stakeholders that cannot travel due to pandemic restrictions, the Danish developer said.

“This innovative partnership with MITAGS has allowed us to enhance how we engage with our maritime stakeholders,” said John O’Keeffe, Head of Marine Affairs at Ørsted.

“The reaction from mariners has been extremely positive and the experience is much more impactful than talking about navigation based on project charts. We’re looking forward to inviting more stakeholders in the coming months.”

The 1,100 MW Ocean Wind will be located 15 miles off the coast of southern New Jersey. Construction is expected to commence in the early 2020s, with the wind farm operational by the end of 2024. 

Revolution Wind is a 704 MW project and will be located approximately 15 miles south of the Rhode Island Coast. It is planned to be put into operation in 2023.