Streamlining Metocean Data Access for Marine Stakeholders

Presentation Description: The burgeoning offshore wind (OSW) industry is driving a significant increase in meteorological and oceanographic (metocean) monitoring in US coastal waters. Much of this monitoring will continue throughout the operational lifespan of wind farms. Despite the real-time transmission of much metocean data, it remains inaccessible to crucial end users such as the National Weather Service (NWS), the US Coast Guard (USCG), and commercial mariners who rely on real-time data for forecasting and decision-making. Additionally, the data is frequently stored in disparate management systems, hindering easy access.

The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Data Management and Cyberinfrastructure community has developed a robust, standards-based system for ingesting, managing, and providing access to real-time metocean observations. This project aims to collaborate with the OSW industry and various state and federal entities collecting metocean data to enhance and expand the IOOS data pipeline. This effort will ensure effective ingestion, management, and delivery of data from the increasing number of sensors deployed in OSW developments.

This initiative will benefit numerous OSW stakeholders, including private and public data providers, by enabling them to deliver data through a documented, standards-based, scalable cyberinfrastructure that supports real-time data delivery and long-term data preservation and stewardship. Additionally, data consumers will benefit from enhanced access to the growing volume of metocean data via standardized services and existing products.