Offshore Wind to Be Discussed at Western Washington University

William Hurley, naval architect from The Glosten Associates and PelaStar, will discuss the introduction of offshore wind energy in Europe as part of Western Washington University’s Huxley College of the Environment Speaker Series at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20 in Communications Facility 120 on the Western Washington University campus.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

For new technologies to be successful, they must work within economic and financial constraints, fit in the political framework, and take a positive environmental approach. Offshore wind energy has its own set of technical and engineering challenges. In his talk titled “Deep Water Offshore Wind Energy in Europe: The confluence of technical, economic, political and environmental issues,” Hurley will discuss the introduction of new renewable energy technology on the world stage, drawing from his experience developing the PelaStar floating wind turbine foundation.

Hurley is chairman of The Glosten Associates, Inc., a Seattle-based consulting firm of naval architects, marine engineers and ocean engineers serving clients worldwide. He is also president of PelaStar LLC, a renewable energy development and delivery company. Hurley joined The Glosten Associates in 1977 after graduating from the University of Michigan with a B.S.E. in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. He has worked in the marine industry for 37 years, specializing in commercial vessel design and construction.

The presentation will include a question-and-answer period. Anyone interested in the topic is encouraged to attend and participate. This lecture is also part of the Alaska Airlines Speaker Series, made possible by a generous contribution to the WWU Institute for Energy Studies.

The Huxley College Speaker Series, sponsored by Western’s Huxley College of the Environment, is intended to bring together environmentally-minded members of the WWU and Bellingham communities. Speakers address topics of contemporary environmental concern in the region and the world.

WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment is one of the oldest environmental colleges in the nation and a recognized leader in producing the next generation of environmental stewards. Huxley’s distinctive, interdisciplinary curriculum reflects a broad view of the physical, biological, social, and cultural world, and has earned international recognition for quality.

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Press release; Image: DOI (Illustration)