News
WETO and Office of Electricity plan to fund research to drive innovation and reduce costs of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems, through the use of voltage source converters (VSC). HVDC transmission systems are more efficient than traditional alternating current (AC) transmission systems for transmitting electricity over long distances while minimizing power losses, making them a cost-effective solution for renewable integration onto the grid. HVDC transmission requires switching power sources from AC to DC and back again to connect to the grid, and VSC is optimal as it can turn itself on and off, enabling consistent grid stability. This FOA is expected to be released in fall 2023, in support of a new DOE initiative to reduce HVDC and long-distance transmission costs by 35% by 2035.
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DOE’s WETO and Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) and the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement are collaborating to fund future research to further support durable and environmentally responsible U.S. offshore wind energy and marine energy deployments. The goals of this upcoming funding opportunity (FOA) are to improve the reliability of mooring lines and to reduce noise associated with installing fixed-bottom offshore wind energy foundations. This FOA is expected to be released in or about October 2023.
WPTO published a notice of intent to issue a $14.5 million funding opportunity to support marine energy research at U.S. institutions of higher education, including minority-serving institutions. Foundational research is critical to advancing novel and new technologies like marine energy and floating offshore wind. WPTO expects to release this funding opportunity in fall 2023 in partnership with WETO—the two offices are collaborating on a topic over assessing and advancing potential synergies between floating offshore wind and/or marine energy and aquaculture development.
The Interconnection Innovation Exchange (i2X) offers technical assistance to directly support stakeholders in improving interconnection practices and processes for electricity distribution systems and the transmission system, also known as the bulk power system. This year, WETO is funding two technical assistance projects. Siva Powers America Inc. will work with Sandia National Laboratories to develop interconnection processes and guidelines for distributed energy resources. Buffalo Renewables Inc. will work with Sandia and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to analyze methodologies for developing distributed wind-specific capacity maps to better understand how analytical tools can be used to support distributed wind integration.Â
The U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System has published and invites public comment on draft guidance on Responding to Munitions and Explosives of Concern in U.S. Federal Waters. The draft guidance describes the process recommended to industry when responding to munitions of explosives discovered in Federal waters and on the outer continental shelf during the development of offshore energy installations. Comments will be accepted through September 25, 2023.
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Research & Development
Congratulations to the teams at NREL for winning R&D 100 awards for the DOE-funded reV Model: Unmatched Wind and Solar Generation Detail at Scale, and for Simulation and Emulation for Advanced Systems (SEAS): Bridging the Gap Between Energy Transition Planning and Implementation. Known as “the Oscars of innovation,” the R&D 100 Awards program identifies and celebrates the top 100 revolutionary technologies of the past year.
Events
Webinar: Sept. 7, 2023, 1 p.m. ET, Virtual
The webinar feature presentations by CMTS, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, and the U.S. Coast Guard to provide an informational overview and how to submit comments on the Munitions and Explosives of Concern National Guidance, which was posted on the Federal Register for public comment on August 25, 2023.
Webinar: Sept. 13, 2023, 9–10 a.m. PT, Virtual
The U.S. Offshore Wind Synthesis of Environmental Effects Research project, an effort directed by WETO, is hosting a free, public webinar on Environmental Considerations for Nearshore Ecosystems from Cable Landfall, Navigation, and Port Development for Offshore Wind Energy. During the webinar, speakers from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Aspen Environmental Group, and Moffatt & Nichol will present on the environmental considerations needed for the development of offshore wind energy and its potential effects on nearshore ecosystems, including effects from cable landfall, navigation, and port development.
Webinars: Sept. 13, 2023 through November 1, 2023, Virtual
NREL and the Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute are co-hosting a webinar series focused on compensatory mitigation in wind energy development. This four-part webinar series will introduce regulations that influence compensatory mitigation for wind energy projects and explore real-world examples of how compensatory mitigation is applied in practice.Â
Webinar: Sept. 21, 2023, 12–2 p.m. ET, Virtual
This September, join the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) for a weekly virtual career fair, the STEMtember Sessions: Careers in Clean Energy, a networking opportunity during which EERE team members will discuss their diverse roles in renewable energy, sustainable transportation and fuels, energy efficiency, and business operations. You do not need a degree in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) to work in clean energy, so come with questions and learn about how you can become a Clean Energy Champion.
Conference: Sept. 26–27, 2023, Portland, ME, and Virtual
This 2-day conference brings together industry, academia, and floating offshore wind experts from around the world to chart a course for domestic floating offshore wind energy. Whether in person or virtually, join this event to participate in discussions on the technical, regulatory, and permitting challenges that must be addressed to unlock floating offshore wind energy’s significant potential. Speakers will include DOE’s Nate McKenzie and Monica Maher.Â
In Case You Missed It
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