The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) and the Office of Electricity announced the selection of four high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission projects as part of the Innovative Designs for high-performance low-cost HVDC Converters (IDEAL HVDC) program. The projects will help affordably integrate more renewable energy generation—both onshore and offshore—onto the grid. These projects will receive a combined $11 million in funding to help reinvent the U.S. power grid, which serves as an interstate highway for high voltage electricity.
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DOE is seeking applications from organizations with expertise on key renewable energy and energy storage topics to provide technical assistance to previously selected state- and Tribal-based collaboratives under the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEPTM) program administered by ENERGYWERX. The activities being conducted by R-STEP Collaboratives are focused primarily on large-scale solar, wind, and battery energy storage facilities. Selected applicants will provide technical assistance to R-STEP Collaboratives as they develop tools, trainings, and other resources for use by communities, developers, state, local, and Tribal governments, and others in their state. Applications are due by Jan. 9, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET.
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DOE and the Interior announced the selection of 14 projects totaling nearly $17 million to further support durable and environmentally responsible U.S. offshore wind energy and marine energy deployments. These projects include research for technology advancements to improve the integrity of mooring systems that keep floating offshore wind energy platforms and marine energy converters in position when operating in deep waters. The projects also include research to reduce or avoid noise generation during the installation of fixed-bottom offshore wind energy foundations.
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Many Tribal Nations have called for additional resources to support Tribal capacity to engage in offshore wind energy decision-making processes. DOE seeks to support the vital role of Tribal Nations and Tribal collaboratives in offshore wind energy decision-making processes. Share your ideas on how DOE should design such an effort by joining a webinar on Dec. 11, 2024. Follow the capacity accelerator website for details and updates, including the webinar recording and frequently asked questions.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS released final rules for the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (Section 45X of the Internal Revenue Code), to spur continued growth of U.S. clean energy manufacturing. 45X provides per-watt credits for production of certain clean energy components, including wind blades, nacelles, towers, offshore wind foundations, and specialized offshore wind vessels. For more information on wind energy tax credits, see WINDExchange: Production Tax Credit and Investment Tax Credit for Wind Energy
DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions is seeking applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF) Base Core Laboratory Infrastructure for Market Readiness) Lab Call. Based on FY24, an estimated $30.1 to $36.8 million is expected to be available to fund all projects solicited in this lab call pending FY25 appropriations and program direction. This initiative is designed to boost America’s energy competitiveness by facilitating the transition of critical technologies for use in the private sector.
The September/October issue of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Power & Energy Magazine, guest edited by WETO’s own Jian Fu, and Shahil Shah from DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) focuses on offshore transmission. The special issue, developed over two years, features contributions from 30+ authors across nine articles, including Steve Widergren from DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Offshore transmission is a critical technology for integrating wind energy from offshore plants to onshore grids. The articles in this issue cover topics such as planning, operation, and the technologies necessary for offshore transmission, offering insights from industry leaders across Asia, Europe, and North America on the status and future of this vital energy sector. transmission, offering insights from industry leaders across Asia, Europe, and North America on the status and future of this vital energy sector.
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Free Webinar: Dec. 3, 2024, Virtual
The Offshore Wind Workforce Network, funded by WETO and managed by NREL, is hosting a quarterly webinar, “Offshore Wind Workforce Network: December Meeting.” An interactive, member-driven forum for those interested in offshore wind workforce development to network, share learnings, and co-develop solutions to the industry’s most pressing needs. This meeting provides an opportunity to learn about and share feedback on the development of offshore wind occupational maps, encompassing over 200 unique job titles aligned with standard occupational codes, alternate job titles, job descriptions, certifications, skills, and more.
Free Webinar: Dec. 5, 2024, Virtual
The Land-Based Wind Workforce Network, funded by WETO and managed by NREL, is hosting a quarterly webinar, “Land-Based Wind Workforce Network: December Meeting.” An interactive, member-driven forum for those interested in land-based wind workforce development to network, share learnings, and co-develop solutions to the industry’s most pressing needs. The agenda for this meeting includes two interactive panel discussions on the key challenges and opportunities in developing a robust land-based wind workforce, from both an industry perspective and an education and training program perspective.
Free Webinar: Dec. 11, 2024, Virtual
DOE is hosting a webinar to support the vital role of Tribal Nations and Tribal collaboratives in offshore wind energy decision-making processes. Share your ideas and follow the capacity accelerator website for details and updates, including the webinar recording and frequently asked questions.
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