Near-Term Challenges
The panelists, whoseÌýfull bios are below, representing each of the session topics include:ÌýÌý
- Moderator: Kelsey Shaler, Offshore Wind Researcher, Shell, USA
- Context: James Martin,ÌýFounder & CEO, Gulf Wind Technologies, USA
- Grid: Megan Gilman, Commissioner, Colorado Pubilc Utilities Commission, Department of Regulatory Agencies, USA
- Regulatory: Marilyn Sauls,ÌýChief, Engineering and Technical Review Branch, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, USA
- Turbine: Kevin Standish,ÌýHead of Blade Design, Envision, USA
- Environment: Candice Cook-Ohryn,Environmental Lead Americas, Shell, USA
- Human Dimensions: Bonnie Ram, Director, Ram Consultancy; Associate Director, University of Delaware, USA
Kelsey Shaler,ÌýOffshore Wind Researcher, Shell, USA: Kelsey Shaler began her journey in wind energy as a PhD student in mechanical engineering at The Ohio State University. From there, she spent several years as a wind engineering researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. In 2022 she joined Shell as an offshore wind researcher in the Innovations team, where she supports wind energy research and also wind farm project development. She is also a program manager for the group. Kelsey’s main research topics are wake modelling and turbine-wake interactions, looking at a range of modelling fidelities.
ÌýJames Martin, Founder & CEO, Gulf Wind Technologies, USA: James Martin is a wind industry pioneer, founder & CEO of Gulf Wind Technology; a Louisiana company dedicated to innovating in the field of renewable energy. He has a demonstrated track record of building high performing engineering teams and reducing the cost of renewable energy through novel application of technology to product. Martin holds a degree in design and technology from the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom and an MBA from the Freeman Business School at Tulane University.
ÌýMegan Gilman, Commissioner, Colorado Pubilc Utilities Commission, Department of Regulatory Agencies, USA:ÌýMegan Gilman was appointed to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on March 6, 2020, by Gov. Jared Polis and confirmed by the Colorado Senate on March 13, 2020, extending though January 2024. Gilman holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and has done extensive work on energy issues for ratepayers, as well as within the utility industry. Gilman spent 14 years working as a small business owner, where she was deeply involved in energy use in the built environment working on projects in various countries. From 2011-2020, she served on the Board of Directors of Holy Cross energy and as the Chair since 2015. While on the Commission, Gilman has served on the NARUC Committee on Gas and the Task Force on Evolving Gas Infrastructure Planning.Ìý She also currently serves as President of the Western Conference of Public Service Commissioners.
ÌýMarilyn Sauls,ÌýChief, Engineering and Technical Review Branch, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, USA: Marilyn Sauls has worked in the offshore oil and gas industry as a design engineer and project lead on various projects in the Gulf of Mexico, California, Brazil, and the Netherlands for nearly 9 years. She joined the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Safety and Environmental EnforcementÌýin 2016 and worked as a civil/structural engineer and later became Section Chief in the Office of Structural and Technical Support. SaulsÌýjoined DOI’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in June 2022 as chief of the Engineering & Technical Review Branch in the Office of Renewable Energy Programs. She earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineeringÌýfrom Tulane University.
ÌýKevin Standish,ÌýHead of Blade Design, Envision, USA: Kevin StandishÌýbegan his career in wind energy while pursuing his MS degree from the University of CaliforniaÌýDavis working under Case van Dam.ÌýSince then, he has spent his 19+ year career working in blade design for General Electric, then Siemens, and now Envision. Standish founded Envision’s Global Blade Innovation Center located in Boulder, Colorado, in 2015 and has been the director of Blade Design at Envision ever since.ÌýThroughout his career, Standish has been very active in his field working closely with various entities such as the U.S. DepartmentÌýof Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Risø DTU National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy in Demark, several universities, and a number of miscellaneous conferences, committees, and collaborations.
Candice Cook-Ohryn,ÌýEnvironmental Lead Americas, Shell, USA: Candice holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science from the University of Calgary and has worked for over 15 years supporting the environmental and permitting aspects of large scale energy development both onshore and offshore. In her current role, she supports Shell’s renewables portfolio across the Americas region providing environmental advice and support to ensure focal consideration and management of environmental risks in project planning and delivery. Candice is passionate about finding ways to address society’s ongoing energy needs while considering and balancing the needs of nature.
ÌýÌýBonnie Ram, Director, Ram Consultancy; Associate Director, University of Delaware, USA: Bonnie RamÌýis the director of Ram Consultancy and a senior researcher and associate director of theÌýCenter for Research in WindÌýat the University of Delaware. For 10 years, she was a strategic advisor on national environmental compliance and stakeholder engagement initiatives for the U.S. Department of Energy Wind TechnologiesÌýOffice and National Renewable Energy Laboratory. For 2Ìýyears, she was a guest senior researcher at the Danish Technical University's Wind Engineering Department, creating a new division on social sciences and spearheading research collaborations with engineers on siting challenges. Ram's action research focuses on wind energy siting strategies and decision science and building local citizen capacities related to community benefits and environmental risk management.
Learn more about other plenary sessions and the full conference program.
