On behalf of the Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has issued a request for proposals under the Competitiveness Improvement Project (CIP) to support distributed wind energy technology commercialization and market expansion. The 2024 CIP will prioritize projects that provide certified wind technology options, support commercialization (particularly in agricultural markets), address the need for distributed-wind-turbine-specific inverters that have been tested to national safety standards, and enhance manufacturing processes. Submit proposals by March 27, 2024, at 2 p.m. MDT.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are launching the Rural and Agricultural Income & Savings from Renewable Energy (RAISE) Initiative, with a goal of supporting at least 400 individual farmers to deploy distributed wind energy projects from USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program. This joint initiative intends to provide expertise, outreach, research, and technical assistance to help small and mid-sized farmers save money and earn income from renewable energy projects.
NREL and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are launching two new resources that provide comprehensive information, tools, and support to anyone interested in installing distributed wind turbines and taking advantage of the benefits of onsite energy. The National Distributed Wind Network (coming soon) and the Distributed Wind Resource Hub will help farmers, municipalities, homeowners, and business owners navigate their decision making around distributed wind—with the ultimate goal of getting more distributed wind turbines deployed across the country.
Learn more at an informational webinar on March 14, 2024, at 1 p.m. ET.
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DOE and its partners launched an initiative to gather weather, ocean, and wildlife data near the sites of active offshore wind farms and lease areas off the East Coast. This information will help improve forecasting and grid integration, and ensure sustainability of U.S. offshore wind. This third phase of the Wind Forecast Improvement Project builds on previous successful initiatives where researchers have strategically deployed instruments at multiple locations to collect data on weather-related variables on land.
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Demand for new clean energy projects for local workers is on the rise. In 2022, Minnesota’s clean energy industry grew twice as fast as the rest of the economy. With support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, states like Minnesota are helping the country reach 100% clean energy by 2040, resulting in good local jobs for union workers.
Growing up, there were two constants across the central Illinois landscape for technology manager Hannah Taylor—corn and wind turbines. “I love wind energy because it reminds me of home,” says Taylor. But don’t think it’s all just nostalgia for this wind turbine super fan, who has worked for WETO since 2022 after scooping a Bachelor of Science in materials science and engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and then a Master of Science in engineering management from Johns Hopkins University.
Taylor says her favorite aspect of wind energy is its ability to provide a carbon-free method to generate electrons, which helps keep our planet healthy. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that a healthy planet means a bountiful corn harvest for generations to come. 🌽
Learn what others working in wind love about wind energy.
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Conference: Feb. 26—29, 2024, Arlington, VA
Learn about new technology, services, and business opportunities from distributed wind industry experts and federal leaders, including WETO director Eric Lantz.
Webinar: Feb. 28, 2024, 1 p.m. ET Virtual
Join WETO’s WINDExchange and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for a webinar introducing Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs). This webinar will discuss the nuances of CBAs and provide insights relevant to land-based wind energy, offshore wind energy, and other renewable energy technologies.
Webinar: March 14, 2024, 1 p.m. ET
Learn about the DOE’s new National Distributed Wind Network. A trusted source for information, the Network will offer support and inspiration for distributed wind installation efforts nationwide through in-person and virtual events and best-in-class resources published on the newly established Distributed Wind Resource Hub.
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