Exploring the Future of Energy at BNEF 2014

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Alstom and Deepwater Wind Outline Offshore Wind Plans At Bloomberg New Energy Finance Conference

Alstom's Andy Geissbuehler, vice president and general manager Alstom Renewable Power - WInd, North America, told an audience of financial and policy analysts at the Bloomberg New Energy Finance Conference in New York the United States is poised for strong growth in offshore wind development.

"We are progressing and things are moving," Geissbuehler said on Wednesday. "This is truly the future. I strongly believe momentum for offshore wind in the United States will pick up."

Geissbuehler appeared on an offshore wind panel discussion with Jeff Grybowski, CEO, Deepwater Wind. Deepwater is developing a 30-megawatt wind project off the coast of Rhode Island -- three miles southeast of Block Island -- which will feature five of Alstom's six megawatt Haliade turbines.

Alstom's technology leadership will be a critical success factor for a project that has the potential to be the first of its kind in the U.S., as well as a precursor to significant offshore wind development off the coasts of Southern New England and Long Island, N.Y.

Deepwater Wind’s Grybowski praised Geissbuehler and the Alstom wind team for developing "an extraordinarily positive relationship" with his company’s development and finance teams.  He described Alstom's Haliade turbine as a "game changer."

Manufacturing of fifteen blades for the five Haliade turbines has been completed.  Offshore construction is expected to commence in fall 2015 with commercial operation following in late 2016.

"Installing and servicing massive wind turbines in a challenging offshore environment will require an uncompromising focus on EHS by all parties involved,” Geissbuehler said.

"Safety is our number one obligation," he said. "It is the only irreversible aspect of the business."

For the second year, Alstom will take part in Bloomberg New Energy Finances (BNEF) annual 'Future of Energy Summit' in New York City, April 7th-9th. Over 1000 senior-level participants from the oil & gas, finance, manufacturing, policy, utility and power generation sectors will gather to discuss the trends that are shaping the future of energy. The main theme this year is 'Phase Change: New Business Models, New Market Structures', which examines new business models that are trending in the industry. The summit is high-impact with more than 40 sessions focusing on a diverse range of topics that are covered by key media such as Bloomberg and others.

Alstom experts will add to thought-provoking discussions throughout the conference, including: 

Monday, April 7th

2:30 - 3:30 pm - Global Dialogue: Technology in Energy

Maryse Francois- Xausa, Senior VP Global R&D, Alstom Renewable Power and VP Global R&D and Product Management, joins key leaders from the energy sector to engage in dialogue on technology innovations that are shaping the next generation of renewables.

Wednesday, April 9th

8:00 - 9:00 am Strategy Breakfast: US Offshore Wind Dialogue

Andy Geissbuehler, VP & General Manager for Alstom Wind North America, and Jeffrey Grybowski, Chief Executive Officer of Deepwater Wind will host a discussion on the economics, technology, and challenges of developing the first commercial offshore wind projects in the U.S. For more information on Deepwater Wind's Block Island Wind Farm click here.

Check back for daily updates from the summit!

From Wind, Solar, Hydro, Ocean, and Geothermal, Alstom is shaping the future of renewable energy. 

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