The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a $48.6 million funding opportunity intended to accelerate offshore wind technology development. The initiative, one of DOE’s largest single investments in offshore wind, will support projects addressing needs in the industry.
The funds are specifically allocated for improving floating offshore wind platforms and fixed-bottom foundations, enhancing wildlife protections, safeguarding turbines against lightning strikes, accelerating academic research and workforce development and building up a domestic supply chain for offshore wind components.
The $48.6 million investment, known as the Offshore Wind National and Regional Research and Development Funding Opportunity, “will speed up the use of wind power off U.S. coasts and contribute to a robust clean energy economy driven by a carbon-free power sector,” the DOE said in its funding announcement. The funding is being overseen by the Wind Energy Technologies Office.
Offshore wind is crucial to achieving U.S. clean energy goals, with the federal government seeking to deploy 30,000 megawatts of offshore wind nationwide by 2030. However, progress has been slow. A handful of projects have faced cancellations, and the first utility-scale offshore wind projects only began to deliver power to the grid in New York and Massachusetts earlier this year.
Several barriers have hampered faster development of offshore wind. High interest rates, increasing costs from inflation, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory hurdles have all contributed to significant growing pains in the offshore wind industry. Additionally, unique challenges exist in areas like California, where deep waters require the use of floating wind turbines – a less time-tested technology compared to stationary turbines used in shallower East Coast waters.
The DOE seeks to fund projects that address offshore wind energy’s myriad challenges and advance the technology. The funding opportunity covers six main topic areas:
$20 million for floating offshore wind platform research and development.
$8 million for technology advancements that will minimize risk to birds, bats and other wildlife.
$7.5 million for developing innovations in fixed-bottom offshore wind foundations.
$5 million for development of a manufacturing supply chain for offshore wind in the Great Lakes region.
$4.3 million for developing technology that will protect the future offshore wind fleet against lightning.
$3.8 million for developing academic research around floating offshore wind and fostering future industry leaders.
The application follows a multi-step process with several key dates. Concept papers are due by Sept. 3, 2024. Full applications must be submitted by Nov. 7, 2024. The DOE expects to send selection notifications in March or April 2025. Award negotiations are anticipated to begin in August 2025.
The DOE is welcoming applications from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing the potential for applicants to team up and file joint proposals.
To facilitate team formation, the DOE is compiling a “Teaming Partner List” for potential applicants to explore partnerships. “DOE and agency partners seek diverse applicant teams and this FOA seeks to encourage the participation of underserved communities and underrepresented groups. Applicants are highly encouraged to include individuals from groups historically underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math on their project teams,” the announcement said.
Photo by Jesse De Meulenaere on Unsplash
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