COAST Talks Podcast · COAST Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies

Engineering the Future of Marine Renewables Installation

·33 min·3 clips

TWD doesn't sell a single product—they puzzle together Lego blocks of solutions tailored to each country's unique needs.

This episode features Jason Goldsworthy, Executive Director of COAST, interviewing Joost Remmer, Business Developer for the Americas at engineering firm TWD. Remmer specializes in method engineering and equipment design for marine infrastructure and renewable energy projects. TWD, with nearly 400 employees globally, focuses on creating the tools and installation methods for offshore construction. The discussion centers on TWD's role in the offshore wind and marine renewables sector, where they serve contractors who install foundations and components. Remmer explains TWD operates in engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM), tailoring solutions using a "Lego block" approach to suit local markets like Korea, Australia, and now Canada. He shares his background, having worked seven years at TWD since being drawn to Europe's growing renewables market. The conversation covers TWD's origins in traditional marine infrastructure, such as port development and LNG terminals in Kitimat, and its evolution alongside contractors into offshore renewables. Remmer outlines key challenges, including components growing faster than installation vessel capacity and the need to adapt to local construction traditions and available assets. He describes a smart piling project for LNG terminals and the importance of noise mitigation systems to protect marine life. The episode delves into Europe's development, where dense population and maritime industry convergence in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany accelerated offshore wind. For British Columbia, Remmer sees potential in diversifying into floating wind, tidal, and wave energy, leveraging local shipyards and fabrication yards. A surprising insight is the strong public investment in ocean protection in BC, exemplified by organizations like Whale Watch that monitor whale movements for construction projects. Remmer highlights innovation opportunities in equipment reuse through data-sharing platforms to lower costs and increase sustainability. He emphasizes methods engineering at early stages to reduce installation complexity and risk for new technology developers. TWD's vision for BC involves applying lessons from local civil projects like bridge renovations to build a foundation for future marine renewable deployment. The tone is conversational and educational, with a focus on knowledge transfer and ecosystem building. The style is interview-based, with the host prompting detailed explanations of engineering concepts and market dynamics. This episode would appeal to professionals in marine construction, offshore renewable energy, and coastal economic development. Listeners interested in practical engineering solutions and global market adaptation strategies would find it valuable. Those seeking highly technical details or debate on energy policy might find it less aligned with their interests.

As heard by us

A practical look at how offshore wind gets built, and why BC's blue economy should care.

Coast Talks treats the conversation as a practical look at the machinery behind marine renewables installation, using the Netherlands and other European hubs to show how offshore wind took shape through contractors, shipyards, ports, and universities.

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Why you'd press play

Want the logistics behind offshore wind and marine infrastructure, not just the headlines?

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