US Offshore Wind R&D Consortium Issues First Project Call

The U.S. National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium is allocating up to USD 7 million in funding for offshore wind technology projects.

The announcement represents the consortium’s first comprehensive solicitation for offshore wind technology projects as called for in its Research and Development Roadmap.

Under the solicitation, the consortium seeks proposals that foster reductions in the lifetime average cost of offshore wind while overcoming domestic market challenges in offshore wind technology.

Submitted projects need to address challenges related to wind turbine array performance and control optimization, cost-reducing turbine support structures for the local market, float structuring mooring concepts for shallow and deep waters or power system design and innovation.

“This initial solicitation is an important step in moving ahead with the technical improvements that are going to be necessary to reduce the long term cost of offshore wind and ensure it will be an important component of meeting our long term energy goals. It is very encouraging that we have been able to move so quickly,” said Robert Catell, Consortium Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC).

According to the consortium, the solicitation marks an important step in advancing the long-term strategy for identifying innovative technology to further drive down costs of offshore wind development in the U.S., making it even more competitive with other generation resources.

In December 2017, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a USD 18.5 million funding to NYSERDA for the establishment of the consortium, with an aim of conducting U.S.-specific research aimed at reducing the cost of offshore wind.

The consortium released the first roadmap last year, outlining the priorities for developing the industry. Further competitive solicitations will be offered over the next four years based on the research and development priorities identified in the document.