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The Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) supports cost-effective approaches for monitoring and minimizing the environmental impacts of wind energy. Learn about WETO's environmental and siting R&D projects across the nation. Learn more.
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced an investment that includes $725,000 from WETO for two R&D projects that will advance potential synergies between offshore wind and aquaculture development. These projects are part of a $18 million portfolio that also focuses on marine energy—power harnessed from waves, tides, ocean and river currents, and even from differences in ocean salt levels, temperatures, and pressure.
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DOE announced it's plan to fund projects under the Competitiveness Improvement Project (CIP). Managed by DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), CIP awards cost-shared subcontracts and technical assistance to manufacturers of small and mid-sized wind turbine technologies to make them more cost-competitive and reliable. These awards will help manufacturers of wind turbines less than 1 megawatt in capacity to optimize their designs, develop advanced manufacturing processes, perform turbine and component testing and certification, and develop pathways for commercialization and technology access. NREL is hosting a 2-day, virtual Competitiveness Improvement Project Informational Workshop on December 4 and 5, 2024, at 12:30-3:00 p.m. MT.
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WETO invites students from kindergarten through 8th grade across the United States to create artwork on the theme “Beautiful Wind Energy” for the National Wind Energy Art Challenge. Four entries from each grade (K-8) will be selected to have their work on display at the World KidWind Challenge in Phoenix, Arizona May 19–22, 2025, which will be held at the American Clean Power Association’s CLEANPOWER, a trade show attended by over 8,000 industry leaders from around the globe. All artwork must be submitted through the online form by 12pm CST February 28, 2025.
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DOE’s Office of Science announced the topics for its annual Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase 1 Release 2 solicitation. This release includes a topic from WETO titled "Maintenance for Next-Generation Wind Plants", which aims to improve the efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness of operating and maintaining wind plants. This topic is composed of two sub-topics: cranes and alternative technologies for major component exchange, and maintenance and decision support. Keep an eye out for the release of the full solicitation, which is currently slated to be released on December 16th, 2024.
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DOE-funded efforts are underway to dramatically increase the maximum amount of electricity wind farms can produce when operating at full capacity. Two recent projects funded by WETO are helping industry expand wind power capacity. The American WAKE experimeNt (AWAKEN) is compiling the world’s largest and most comprehensive dataset on wind energy atmospheric phenomena, detailing how wind and surrounding air particles interact with wind turbines and wind farms. This dataset could be used to improve the flow of wind through the average wind power plant and boost potential electricity output by 5%―enough to power approximately 4,000 homes each year.
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: Dec. 4-5, 2024, at 12:30PM to3 :00PM MT, Virtual
DOE's Competitiveness Improvement Project (CIP) is providing a two-day virtual CIP Informational Workshop hosted by NREL. This workshop is for distributed wind energy technology suppliers interested in applying to CIP solicitations in 2025. Speakers will provide an overview of the CIP process, topic areas, evaluation criteria, certification and testing requirements, and technical assistance opportunities.
Free Webinar: Dec. 5, 2024, at 01:00PM to 02:30PM EST, 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.
Conference: Dec. 11, 2024, at 01:00PM to 02:00PM EST, 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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