The Northeast Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and Water Power Technologies Office and NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center, has announced funding for research to improve understanding of the effects of ocean renewable energy at the intersection of fishing and coastal communities. This funding partnership will support objective, community-focused research on ocean renewable energy – including offshore wind and hydrokinetic current, tidal, and wave energies – from New York Bight to the Gulf of Maine for the benefit of stakeholders. Read the joint agency announcement.
The National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium, which is funded in part by DOE, has selected 15 new R&D projects totaling $8 million for offshore wind support structure innovation, supply chain development, electrical systems innovation, and mitigation of use conflicts.
The National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium was established in 2018 by DOE and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, with each providing $20.5 million to fund high-impact research projects that lower the costs of U.S. offshore wind and support supply chain development. State agencies in Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Maine have since contributed funding, resulting in a total investment of around $47 million.
See our website for the list of projects. The 15 new projects bring the Consortium’s total funded portfolio to $28 million for 40 projects.
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Events
Wind Digital Solutions Summit
Virtual: April 20–21, 2021
Join members of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers at the Wind Digital Solutions Summit, April 20–21. The summit is an opportunity for participants to learn about the global wind industry as it continues to shift toward digitalization and how digital technology innovations make wind energy more safe, reliable, and accessible through AI (artificial intelligence), big data, robotics, and automation. The summit will feature presentations from DOE-funded research laboratories. Kelly Speakes-Backman, DOE’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, will share how DOE is integrating digital solutions, such as additive manufacturing and machine learning, to enhance existing wind technologies and advance new wind energy solutions. Find more information on the event website.
International Partnering Forum (IPF) for Offshore Wind
Virtual: IPF Virtual, April 22, May 13, June 17, 2021
IPF Together: August 24–26, 2021, Richmond, VA
The Business Network for Offshore Wind’s International Partnering Forum (IPF) is being held in a multi-part series: virtual and in person. The series will bring together the global offshore wind industry and offer the latest in education, networking, and platforms to help the offshore wind industry grow. IPF Virtual will take place April 22, May 13, and June 17; the main conference, IPF Together, will take place August 24–26 in Richmond, VA. Agenda and registration details are on the IPF website.
CLEANPOWER 2021
Virtual: June 7–10, 2021
Tradeshow and Business Development: Dec 7–8, 2021, Salt Lake City, UT
The American Clean Power Association will host CLEANPOWER 2021, which will feature topics related to utility-scale wind, solar, storage, and transmission in a two-part series: virtual and in person. CLEANPOWER will feature a virtual education and collaboration event June 7–10 plus an in-person conference and exhibition December 7–8 in Salt Lake City, UT. The focus for these events is to bring together the different technologies that make up the renewables mix—land-based wind, offshore wind, solar, storage, and transmission—as well as the different segments within the industries: manufacturers, construction firms, owner-operators, utilities, financial firms, and corporate entities. Register for CLEANPOWER 2021 on the event website.
Sandia Blade Workshop
Workshop: October 25–28, 2021, Albuquerque, NM
Sandia National Laboratories issued a “Save the Date” for its 2021 Sandia Blade Workshop, scheduled for October 25–28 in Albuquerque, NM. The workshop convenes wind energy experts from industry, national laboratories, and universities to discuss the research and development of wind turbine blades. For more information, visit Sandia National Laboratories website.
In Case You Missed It
This June, 13 competing teams and two learn-along teams of college students from across the United States will showcase their wind energy achievements at the 2021 U.S. Department of Energy Collegiate Wind Competition. Now in its 8th year, the competition prepares students from multiple disciplines to enter the wind energy workforce by providing real-world experience in technology and project development, community outreach, and industry engagement. The 2021 event focuses on adaptability, calling on teams to research, design, and build a turbine for deployment in highly uncertain times. This year’s competition also includes a Connection Creation Contest, challenging teams to build connections to and relationships with members of the wind industry and local communities.
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 Thirteen competing teams and two learn-along teams are preparing for jobs in the wind and renewable energy workforce by participating in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2021 Collegiate Wind Competition. Graphic by John Frenzl, NREL
To safeguard the health of students, judges, and organizers, the 2021 Collegiate Wind Competition will be held virtually. Teams will use digital tools to present their work to a remote panel of judges via webinar. To help 2021 teams prepare, two of the winning 2020 teams provided tips for competing in a time of social distancing.
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