Top wind company Ørsted to open innovation hub in Providence

Three wind turbines stand off Block Island. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)Michael Dwyer/Associated Press

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LEADING OFF

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With Governor Gina Raimondo pledging to make Rhode Island the first state in the country to be 100 percent powered by renewable energy by 2030, a company that is sure to play a major role in helping the state accomplish the goal is set to make a big announcement.

Ørsted, the offshore wind giant that bought Deepwater Wind in 2018, will open its United States Innovation Hub in the Cambridge Innovation Center’s Providence office at 225 Dyer Street (Note: That’s where the Globe’s Rhode Island office is located, so hi neighbor!)

The official announcement is expected to be made this morning at the Blue Innovation Symposium in Newport.

The team at the innovation hub will focused identifying – and potentially financing – next-generation technology in the wind energy sector, according to a spokesperson. A Linkedin job posting states the principal of the hub will “be responsible for identifying and commercializing relevant external companies with key technologies that solve internally defined problem.

”Rhode Island makes a lot of sense for the Ørsted, which already has a co-headquarters in the city. Over the last year, the state has announced several wind-related companies would open offices in the state, including GEV and Boston Energy.

As for the details on Raimondo’s renewable plan, she is expected to sign an executive order later this week.

NEED TO KNOW

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• Governor Raimondo delivered her sixth State of the State/budget address last night, so Ed Fitzpatrick compared her first speech to the latest one. The good news is unemployment is down. The bad news is the state still has a large budget deficit.
• The presidents of Bryant University and Johnson & Wales University combined to receive $11.5 million in compensation in 2017, making them the highest-paid college leaders in the nation.
• Did you catch last night’s presidential debate? The Globe’s James Pindell offers this helpful report card.
• Alex Cora is no longer the manager of the Red Sox, and the Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy says it was the team’s only option. Meanwhile, Peter Abraham offers up a list of potential candidates to lead the team (if they don’t select me).
• One more on the Red Sox: If you’re wondering whether sign-stealing actually helps, make sure you read Julian McWilliams’ piece on his experience.

WHAT'S ON TAP TODAY

Each day, Rhode Map offers a cheat sheet breaking down what's happening in Rhode Island. Have an idea? E-mail us at [e-mail].

• Tonight’s the night: House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio will be interviewed by yours truly about their priorities for 2020. Rhode Map Live will take place at District Hall in Providence. Tickets are free, but you have to RSVP here.
• We should know later this morning whether US Representative David Cicilline will be selected as an impeachment manager for President Trump’s Senate trial.
• A group of faith leaders will be at the State House this afternoon to urge Rhode Island lawmakers to take action on gun safety.
• The Environment Council of Rhode Island will host a coffee hour at 3 p.m. at the State House library to discuss priorities for the new legislative session.
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