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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its 2024 U.S. Energy and Employment Report. This report provides a detailed overview of energy jobs across national and state levels, including industry, technology, and regional breakdowns. It also includes data on unionization rates, demographics, and employer perspectives on growth and hiring trends. The report shows significant growth in the clean energy workforce, including jobs in the wind energy sector, where wind experienced rapid employment growth from 2022 to 2023.
DOE has announced 35 college and university teams have qualified for the 2025 Collegiate Wind Competition. During the first half of the 2024–2025 school year, these teams will develop a preliminary design and report for their model wind turbine and a preliminary site design for their hypothetical floating offshore wind farm. Students will conduct outreach to the wind energy industry, their communities, and local media outlets. |
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DOE's Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) program released a request for information (RFI) to gather input on a draft distributed energy resource interconnection roadmap. This RFI solicits feedback on the interconnection goals, solutions, and success metrics for the distribution and sub-transmission systems identified in the roadmap. Visit the i2x program website to learn more about how DOE is addressing interconnection challenges. |
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DOE announced awards totaling $142 million for small businesses in 34 states to advance clean energy research. WETO selected six small businesses working to accelerate wind energy research and development. Funded through the DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer program, WETO’s selections are for Phase II research and development.
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DOE opened an initial funding opportunity of up to $1.25 million that will advance offshore wind deployment along the Atlantic Coast by identifying opportunities and strategies to standardize transmission development. Managed in collaboration with ConnectWerx, the “Standardization for Interregional Offshore Wind Transmission” funding opportunity seeks to identify technical experts, including specialized independent consultants or academic entities, to lead a consortium that identifies standardized offshore wind transmission equipment specifications to support coordinated procurement in the United States.
Applications will close on Friday, November 1 at 5:00 pm ET.
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Large-scale renewable energy projects have a pivotal role in decarbonizing the grid quickly and cost-effectively to achieve the country’s clean energy goals. DOE selected six projects to receive $11.6 million funded by the Inflation Reduction Act to improve planning, siting, and permitting processes for large-scale renewable energy facilities through the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program. R-STEP funds state-based and tribal collaborative teams to evaluate stakeholder needs and develop state-specific educational materials and technical assistance programs to improve permitting processes for communities and industry.
DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and collaborators have launched the Wind Forecast Improvement Project 3 to enhance offshore wind forecasting and reduce associated risks and costs. This initiative, funded by the DOE, involves deploying advanced instruments on a research barge off the coast of Massachusetts to collect critical data on wind, cloud, and temperature characteristics. The barge, managed by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, features technology from multiple research institutions, including Notre Dame and Argonne National Laboratory. The collected data will improve weather forecast models, aiding in the optimal placement of future offshore wind farms. The barge will remain at sea until fall 2024, with data transmitted in near real-time to the Wind Data Hub. Learn more
Meet Angela Wilkins, a grandmother of two and union worker at a wind turbine manufacturing plant in Milwaukee. Angela says joining the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2150 and Ingeteam, a Spanish manufacturer of power electronics and control systems, has provided her with job security, better pay, and a supportive work environment. Angela also seen tangible benefits from partnering with IBEW, including improved product quality and a robust apprenticeship program that addresses hiring challenges by bridging skill gaps. Read her story.
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Conference: Sept.16–20, 2024, Albuquerque, NM
The 2024 Sandia Blade Workshop will bring together wind industry experts, wind farm stakeholders and operators, manufacturers, and researchers to address the major topics for wind turbine blades, facilitate interaction and networking among the attendees, and identify future technology pathways.
Conference: Sept. 17, 2024, Virtual
The 2024 Wind Energy Summit is a collaborative event—hosted by PNNL in partnership with NREL. The event is designed for participants of all backgrounds to learn, discuss, and take action based on their distributed wind goals, interests, and experiences.
Career and Networking Event: Sept. 23–26, 2024, Virtual
Join the Wind Works Forum to explore exciting career opportunities in the wind energy industry. This virtual event brings together career seekers, students, educators, and industry pros for daily keynote talks, networking, and program opportunity panels. Whether you're still learning, new to the workforce, looking to make a career change, or hoping to meet potential members of the future wind energy workforce, you'll connect with wind industry leaders and learn about internships, apprenticeships, and more.
Hosted by NREL and DOE in collaboration with REpowering Schools. Click here to learn more today!
Conference: Sept. 24–25, 2024, Portland, ME
The American Offshore Floating Offshore Wind Technical Summit 2024 brings together leading experts to address drivers and challenges to chart a course for floating offshore wind in the United States.
Conference: Oct. 28–30, 2024, Atlantic City, NJ
The 2024 Offshore WindPower Conference and Exhibition will bring together top developers, government officials, and key stakeholders across the industry who are working to achieve the full promise of U.S. offshore wind.
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