Announcements
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the selection of 15 projects across 11 states and Washington, D.C. that aim to lower costs and address barriers to deployment for wind energy, including offshore, land-based, and distributed. This opportunity, funded through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will support research to improve offshore wind transmission technologies, reduce barriers for communities deploying distributed wind, better understand the impacts of offshore wind development on affected communities, and reduce impacts to wildlife.
Learn about all 15 projects on our website.
The Biden-Harris Administration Makes Waves With New Offshore Wind Initiatives
The White House today released a factsheet detailing actions to support U.S. offshore wind, including a Memorandum of Understanding signed by 4 agencies and 9 states to collaborate on supply chain development.
Dive in below to learn about the major initiatives. 🏄
DOE, in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, released an action plan that details how wind resources could be captured off the Atlantic Coast of the United States and delivered to communities as clean, reliable power. The comprehensive plan outlines immediate actions needed to connect the first generation of projects onto the electric grid, and longer-term actions to support offshore wind projects coming online over the next several decades. These efforts support the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of deploying 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy by 2030 and setting the nation on a pathway to 110 GW or more by 2050.
Further supporting DOE’s efforts to expand offshore wind transmission is the Grid Deployment Office’s new program to help Federally Recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Villages successfully engage in transmission planning and development for U.S. offshore wind.
DOE announced $30 million for 13 projects committed to advancing innovative practices that will reshape the design, materials, and sustainability of manufacturing for large wind turbine equipment, including technologies for floating offshore wind.
As part of another recently announced suite of projects to accelerate manufacturing research, development, and demonstration, WETO is also co-funding a Next-Generation Materials and Manufacturing project in which Missouri University of Science and Technology will develop a hybrid additive/subtractive manufacturing process for efficient, reliable bearings to be used in offshore wind turbines.
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DOE announced that applications can now be submitted for a $10 million funding and technical assistance program to expand state and local government capacity to support the planning, siting, and permitting of large-scale renewable energy projects on private land. This opportunity is part of DOE’s new Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program and will support the creation of new, or the expansion of existing, state-based programs or initiatives that improve renewable energy siting processes at the state and local levels.
R&D Feature
Before computers and simulation software existed, wind turbine manufacturers had to design and build prototypes of wind turbines in order to test and evaluate them, which was costly and time-consuming. WETO invested in modeling and simulation tools over multiple decades of funding to universities, national laboratories, and industry. These simulation tools have saved both time and money—and helped catalyze the modern international wind energy industry.
Clean Energy Champions
What does installing a kitchen have in common with designing next-generation wind turbines?
More than you might think, according to Brandon Ennis, a wind energy researcher at DOE’s Sandia National Laboratories.
“Research and home renovation projects are both about improving something’s function and form, making things work better,” Ennis said. “It seems like there’s always more to do, and opportunity to improve.”
Learn how this attention to detail has helped Ennis make significant contributions to the field of wind energy.
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Events
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 Jeff Marootian, Jocelyn Brown-Saracino, Nate McKenzie, Joy Page, Jake Higdon, Monica Maher, and Shaelyn Patzer.
Webinar: Oct. 2, 2023, through Nov. 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.
Conference: Oct. 3–4, 2023, Boston, MA
Join WETO, who will be exhibiting at booth #218, at the 2023 Offshore WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition for an industrywide discussion on offshore wind energy.
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