DOE make a big investment in offshore wind energy

Wrapping up a year of exciting offshore wind developments, Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced a new $18.5 million funding opportunity for an offshore wind research and development (R&D) consortium.

“As the former Governor of one of the largest wind producing states, I know the value of wind power in our energy portfolio,” said Secretary Perry. “This work will further DOE’s goal to accelerate the development of offshore wind technologies by supporting fundamental research to reduce the costs of offshore wind energy to successfully compete in regional energy markets.”

The public-private consortium will conduct research focused on technology improvements and cost reductions for U.S. offshore wind energy. It will bring together researchers, financiers and the offshore wind industry, which will also contribute funds and expertise to the research efforts.

DOE will select an administrator to establish and lead this voluntary consortium, and $2 million will be allocated to DOE’s national labs to carry out R&D activities supporting the consortium’s efforts.

Research done by the consortium will be aimed at addressing unique technical challenges for offshore wind in the U.S., such as developing projects in deeper waters, predicting the impact of hurricanes in the Atlantic, and reducing installation and maintenance costs.

Consistent with the 2016 National Offshore Wind Strategy, the consortium will focus on three “pillars” of R&D:

• Offshore wind technology advancement
• Offshore wind resource and physical site characterization
• Installation, operations and maintenance, and supply chain technology solutions

DOE is accepting applications for funding through May 26, 2018.

More information about the U.S. offshore wind industry can be found here.

Celeste Wanner