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Distributed wind power is used at or near where it is generated, as opposed to wind power from wholesale generation, where power is sent to consumers via transmission lines and substations.

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Meet WETO Environmental Research Manager Joy Page

Meet Joy Page, who recently joined the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) as a biologist. Joy plans on using her diverse work experience and education to battle the climate crisis head-on, with a particular focus on wildlife co-existence with wind and solar development. She may be a new WETO employee, but Joy’s no stranger to the department. While directing the renewable energy program for Defenders of Wildlife, Joy reviewed and collaborated with the WETO office.

Nearly 1,400 gigawatts of distributed wind capacity could be profitably deployed today and bring clean power to millions of American households, according to a comprehensive analysis released today by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office, the Distributed Wind Energy Futures Study identifies the best U.S. locations for distributed wind energy of all forms.

“This study illustrates distributed wind energy’s significant potential and economic viability,” said NREL Energy Analyst Eric Lantz. “Optimistically, distributed wind energy could generate terawatt-level power and play a meaningful role in the U.S. energy future.”

NREL is hosting a webinar to discuss the study’s findings:

• Title: Distributed Wind Energy Futures Study: Exploring opportunities for distributed and community scale wind during the next two decades
• Date/time: Tuesday, May 24, 2 p.m. Eastern
• Registration link: https://bit.ly/dwfs-webinar

The Winds of St. Mary’s

Standalone wind turbines can transform the rural Alaskan community of St. Mary’s, according to a new study conducted by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories.

The research team discovered that the avoided cost of diesel—$5.3 million expected over the lifetime of a single turbine—was the most significant benefit to the local Alaska Village Electric Cooperative. Additionally, it could result in a tremendous environmental benefit—valued at almost $2 million from avoiding long-term societal damages due to carbon dioxide emissions from diesel generators. Read the full R&D feature.

Companies Reach Innovative New Heights to Expand Wind Technology

Unique problems call for unique solutions which is exactly why companies from the wind technology industry are developing taller wind turbine towers at lower prices. While Keystone Tower Systems is using spiral-welding in order to use less costly steel, and GE Renewables is experimenting with 3D printing to create customizable tower bases, they are both addressing the transportation barriers hindering taller wind turbines with support from WETO. Learn more about both in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) guest blog in the American Clean Power Association’s lead-up to next week’s CLEANPOWER Conference.

Next Week: Don't Miss the 2022 Collegiate Wind Competition and DOE at CLEANPOWER 2022

It’s time for the future workforce of the wind industry to shine! DOE is uniting universities and wind energy experts from around the country in the 2022 Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC), culminating in a head-to-head competition at next week’s CLEANPOWER Conference in San Antonio. The 2022 CWC focuses on themes of siting, outreach, and development challenges associated with fixed-bottom offshore wind energy projects. Over the course of this past school year, 12 competing teams and four learn-along teams have designed, built, and tested model wind turbines, developed project plans, collaborated with industry experts, and engaged with their local communities. It’s been anything but a breeze, but the teams are ready show off their hard work! If you’re in San Antonio, stop by Hall 1 and cheer them on!

Students interested in participating in next year’s competition can submit their application by June 20, 2022. Learn more about next year’s competition and apply today.

Also at the American Clean Power Association’s CLEANPOWER 2022 Conference & Exhibition Conference next week, stop by booth #807 to learn about DOE-funded research and DOE’s newest initiatives.

New Journal Article Identifies Requirements for Procedural Justice in Wind Energy Development

Expanding wind energy deployment requires communities to host wind projects, and research has shown that communities are more willing to host wind energy when they feel the planning process has been fair. A new WETO-funded paper by Berkeley Lab researchers looks at the planning process for two wind farms in Ohio and Minnesota, and argues that procedural justice in wind energy development requires: (1) community members to get similar information and participation opportunities, whether compensated or not, (2) local governments to get objective information needed to make good decisions, (3) neighbors able to meaningfully participate in decisions surrounding wind farm construction, operation, and decommissioning, and (4) project developers to consider and respect local contexts of power generation, and community members’ perspectives. Read the full article.

Updated Wind Career Map Is Now Available

Does your career search need a breath of fresh air? Check out the updated Wind Career Map! First unveiled in 2014, DOE’s Wind Career Map, has now been updated to include a more modern and user-friendly interface. Job roles have also been updated, and the map has been organized into easily navigated sections based on degreed versus vocational careers, making for clearer roles and paths.