University of Delaware researchers Emmanuel Olamiriki, a Ph.D. student, and Muna Hafsah, a Ph.D. candidate, in the Climatology graduate program recently participated in the 2026 International Network on Offshore Renewable Energy (INORE) North American Symposium in Hoboken, New Jersey. 

The symposium brought together graduate students, researchers, industry professionals, and technology leaders from around the world to exchange ideas and showcase advances in offshore renewable energy.

Olamiriki and Hafsah conduct their research in the Clouds, Wind and Climate (CWC) Lab, led by Dana Veron, professor in the Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences and their academic adviser. 

As the only two UD students participating in the symposium, they spent the week presenting their research, participating in technical workshops, touring research facilities, and building connections with experts across academia, government, and industry.

Both were recognized for the quality of their research presentations.

Olamiriki delivered an oral presentation and presented a research poster titled "Observation and Prediction of Horizontal Wind Gradients in the Delaware Coastal Environment." His research investigates how observations collected by autonomous surface vehicles, specifically Wave Gliders, can be incorporated into the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to improve offshore wind predictions. His presentation received the Best Presentation Runner-Up Award.

Hafsah presented a research poster titled "Can WRF Configurations Reproduce Wind-Energy-Relevant Features of Offshore Low-Level Jets?" Her research evaluates how accurately different WRF model configurations reproduce offshore low-level jets—atmospheric phenomena that strongly influence offshore wind resources and wind turbine performance. Her poster received the Best Poster Runner-Up Award.

Together, their research advances efforts to improve offshore wind forecasting and better understand the atmospheric processes that affect wind energy production. More accurate forecasts can help optimize wind farm operations, improve grid reliability, and support the continued expansion of offshore wind energy along the U.S. East Coast.

Beyond presenting their research, the symposium provided an opportunity to explore the broader offshore renewable energy ecosystem through visits to leading research institutions and organizations. 

At Stevens Institute of Technology, the researchers toured wave energy laboratories and learned about ongoing innovations in marine renewable energy. At Rutgers University, they visited the Rutgers Center for Ocean Observing Leadership (RUCOOL), where they explored autonomous ocean gliders and ocean-observing technologies that provide critical environmental data for marine science and offshore renewable energy research. The Rutgers visit also included tours of the Smart Systems Lab and the Wind and Water Energy Test Laboratory, where they observed floating offshore wind turbine prototypes and experimental facilities used to study wind and hydrokinetic energy systems.

The symposium also featured workshops on marine standards and marine cybersecurity, highlighting the engineering, operational, and digital challenges associated with offshore energy infrastructure. 

Beyond the technical program, the symposium fostered meaningful discussions with researchers and professionals from around the world, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, establish new collaborations, and expand professional networks within the offshore renewable energy community.

By representing the UD on an international stage, Olamiriki and Hafsah showcased the innovative research being conducted in the CWC Lab while strengthening the University's connections with leading researchers and organizations in offshore renewable energy. 

The knowledge gained, collaborations established, and perspectives shared during the symposium will support ongoing research in offshore wind forecasting and atmospheric science, further advancing UD's leadership in renewable energy research.