Funding Available for Offshore Wind Transmission🔌, Technology, and Installation Methods

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Wind Energy Technologies Office

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Sept. 29, 2023

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Continue to follow the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) for the latest news, events, and updates.


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Did You Know?

WETO works with electric grid operators, utilities, regulators, academia, and industry to create new strategies for incorporating increasing amounts of wind energy into the power system while maintaining economic and reliable operation of the grid.


Announcements

A view underwater.

DOE Co-Releases a $16.4 Million Funding Opportunity to Improve Offshore Renewable Energy Deployments

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and Water Power Technologies Office and the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement are providing $16.4 million in funding for installation noise reduction and reliable moorings for offshore wind and marine energy. Projects will also be managed in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service. 

This funding will support accelerated and responsible development of offshore renewable energy by improving the integrity and monitoring of mooring lines for floating offshore wind energy systems and marine energy converters, as well as by reducing or avoiding noise generation and propagation during the installation of fixed-bottom offshore wind foundations.

The deadline to submit concept papers is 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 9, 2023. 

Offshore substation

New Funding Opportunity Opens for Research to Reduce Costs of High-Voltage Direct Current Transmission

WETO and the Office of Electricity released a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for research to drive innovation and reduce costs of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems, through the use of voltage source converters. 

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 offshore wind transmission. HVDC transmission requires switching power sources from AC to direct current (DC) and back again to connect to the grid, and voltage source converters are optimal as they can turn themselves on and off, enabling consistent grid stability. 

The deadline to submit concept papers is 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 14, 2023. 

Three connected columns being towed by a boat from a water channel next to harborside cranes.

Report Outlines Port Investments Needed for 25–55 Gigawatts of West Coast Floating Offshore Wind Energy

A new report funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law outlines the investments needed for the United States to develop a port system along the West Coast that can help harness the untapped 2.8 terawatts of floating offshore wind energy in U.S. waters. The report estimates a need to invest $5 billion–$10 billion in installation and maintenance ports, plus an additional $10 billion for manufacturing ports. These investments could yield local job opportunities, a stronger domestic supply chain, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and thousands of megawatts of clean energy.

$264 Million Announced for Basic Research in Support of the Energy Earthshots™

Today, DOE announced $264 million in funding for 29 projects to develop solutions for the scientific challenges underlying DOE’s Energy Earthshot goals. The funding will support 11 Energy Earthshot Research Centers led by DOE national laboratories with multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary teams addressing key basic research challenges relevant to the Energy Earthshots, such as the Floating Offshore Wind Shot™. The funding will also support 18 teams led by universities focused on crosscutting scientific challenges addressing one or more Energy Earthshots.


R&D Features

A wind turbine being installed with other turbines standing nearby.

Public–Private Collaboration Paves the Way for Commercial Wind Power Growth

Funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office laid the foundation for private development and investment in the once emerging technology. Specifically, the Wind Turbine Verification Program, established in 1993, introduced electric utilities to emerging wind turbine technologies, created more confidence in wind power, and helped wind energy become the robust renewable energy resource it is today.

Several people wearing nametags and face masks converse under an outdoor tent.

Wind Energy Equity Research Illuminates Community Perspectives

Two years ago, a team of researchers from DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory set a goal to better understand perceptions of equity and fairness among U.S. communities living near land-based wind energy installations. This marked the beginning of the Wind Energy Equity Engagement Series, which aims to inform and support initiatives like President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative and address historical energy inequities across the United States. 


Clean Energy Champions ⚡

Seeing the Light: How Laura Hastings Became a Wind Energy Workforce Champion

A woman stands at a podium with a mic.

After surviving a near-death experience, change was blowin’ in the wind for Laura Hastings.

“It was like a battlefield surgery,” said Hastings. “I was seeing the light, as they say, and I kept thinking, ‘If I survive this, what am I doing with my life? My kids are growing up, and I want to make sure they have a world to grow up in. Now is the time to choose my next path.’”

That path, Hastings decided, was to use her background to help build up the wind and renewable energy workforce.


Events

Compensatory Mitigation for Land-Based Wind Energy: Webinar Series

Webinars: Oct. 2–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.

2023 Offshore WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition

Conference: Oct. 3–4, 2023, Boston, MA

Join the 2023 Offshore WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition for an industrywide discussion on offshore wind energy. DOE plans to exhibit at booth #218.

Introducing Offshore Wind Environmental Metadata on Tethys

Webinar: Oct. 10, 2023, Virtual 

Join the Tethys team on Oct. 10, 2023, from 8–8:30 a.m. PT (3–3:30 p.m. UTC) to learn more about offshore wind environmental metadata on Tethys! The webinar will feature a live demonstration of the new tool, highlight several major offshore wind projects around the world, and describe how offshore wind project developers can contribute.

Check out the rest of our events list that may be of interest to wind energy technology communities! 💨


In Case You Missed It

Continue to follow WETO for the latest news, events, and updates.