WASHINGTON DC — As part of President Biden’s agenda Investing in America Programa key pillar of Bidenomics, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today $72 million dollars for three series of projects that will innovate manufacturing processes for wind and water technologies and accelerate equitable and sustainable deploymentment of offshore and onshore wind energy. This funding includes $27 million from the bipartisan Infrastructure Act for 15 projects to support research, development and community engagement to accelerate the equitable and sustainable deployment of offshore and onshore wind energy; $45 million will be spent on 14 projects that will make domestic manufacturing of these technologies faster and less expensive. Together, these investments will streamline the processes to create the tools that produce wind and hydroelectric power, reduce barriers for communities deploying offshore and distributed wind energy technologies, and reduce impacts on wildlife. Wind and water power are poised to play an important role in the Biden-Harris administration’s development. broader efforts to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030 and achieve a carbon neutral economy by 2050.
“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to deploying wind turbines that harness clean energy from the wind, while ensuring the clean energy transition is built into America’s factories,” said US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Wind energy is among the most affordable and sustainable clean energy resources in the United States. This funding will demonstrate how wind energy can benefit different communities and strengthen our national supply chain through innovation.
Demand for huge wind turbine and turbine parts, such as hubs and backing plates, is estimated to increase at least fold over the next decade to meet U.S. clean energy goals . This funding will help manufacturers produce equipment adapted to current needs.
Wind energy is the the greatest source of renewable energy in the United States, representing more than 10% of total domestic electricity production. To achieve a fully carbon-free electricity sector by 2035, the pace of wind power energy deployment must increase from an average of 7 gigawatts (GW) per year today to between 70 and 145 GW per year by the end of the decade.
High voltage direct current for offshore wind power transmission (4 projects, $8.5 million): Advanced technology is needed to transmit large amounts of electricity from offshore wind energy over long distances. Projects selected under this topic will support high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission standards for offshore wind energy, develop and validate innovative controls to ensure reliability and compatibility with AC and DC , as well as identify and fill education and workforce gaps. training.
- DNV Energy USA Inc.Dallas, Texas ($2 million)
- GE Research., Niskayuna, New York ($3 million)
- Iowa State UniversityAmes, Iowa ($700,000)
- Oak Ridge National LaboratoryOak Ridge, Tenn. ($2.8 million)
Advancing the deployment of distributed wind energy (1 project, $4,500,000): Distributed wind power (wind energy that provides energy to nearby homes, farms, schools and businesses) can help communities transition to low-carbon energy. carbon. However, not all municipalities have zoning and permitting processes for distributed wind energy, and others have burdensome requirements that discourage development. The project selected under this topic will improve permitting processes to make distributed wind energy more accessible to communities where it can be deployed cost-effectively and equitably.
- International Association of County and City ManagementWashington, D.C. ($4.5 million)
Social science research on offshore wind energy (5 projects, $6.5 million): Expanding offshore wind energy deployment requires that it be done in a fair and sustainable way that protects habitats and species, while involving communities, tribal nations and ocean users. Projects selected in this area will help characterize the economic and other impacts of offshore wind development on local communities, and build the capacity of communities to better participate in and benefit from offshore wind development.
- Gulf of Maine Research InstitutePortland, Maine ($500,000)
- Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, Oregon ($2.5 million)
- Sandia National LaboratoriesAlbuquerque, New Mexico ($500,000)
- University of Rhode IslandKingston, Rhode Island ($2.5 million)
- Yurok TribeKlamath, California ($500,000)
Development of bat deterrent technologies (5 projects, $7.5 million): It is essential that wind energy be implemented appropriately and responsibly, which includes protecting wildlife and their habitats. Projects selected under this topic will advance bat deterrent technologies by supporting bat behavior research, technology development, and field testing.
- Bat Conservation InternationalAustin, Texas ($2.5 million)
- Boise State UniversityBoise, Idaho ($1 million)
- Electric Power Research Institute Inc.Palo Alto, California ($2.3 million)
- Iowa State UniversityAmes, Iowa ($750,000)
- National Renewable Energy LaboratoryGolden, Colorado ($1 million)
Near net shape manufacturing (1 project, $14,900,000): This project will innovate the domestic production of large, near-net-shape metal components; Near net form is a manufacturing practice for making components that closely resemble what the product will be, thereby reducing production costs and completion time. This project will focus on manufacturing practices for large-scale machines that make massive hydropower equipment through 3D printing, potentially reducing production cost by 20% and delivery time by four months.
- GE ResearchNiskayuna, New York ($14,900,000)
AMMTO financing for materials and manufacturing of large wind turbines
Additive manufacturing of large wind turbine blades (4 projects, $7,996,328): Focused on integrating additive manufacturing techniques specific to the production of large wind blades, improving the efficiency and adaptability of the blade creation process.
- Collaborative composite solutions, Knoxville, Tennessee ($2 million)
- Oak Ridge National LaboratoryOak Ridge, Tenn. ($2 million)
- Purdue UniversityWest Lafayette, Indiana ($1,999,578)
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, Virginia ($1,996,750)
Additive manufacturing of wind turbine components (3 projects, $5,999,845): Focused on using advanced additive manufacturing approaches to produce critical components for wind turbines, streamlining production and enabling innovative design adaptations.
- GE ResearchNiskayuna, New York ($1,999,845)
- Orbital Composites Inc.San Jose, California ($2 million)
- RCAM Technologies Inc.Boulder, Colorado ($2 million)
Advanced manufacturing, materials and durability (6 projects, $15,891,793): Initiatives focused on advanced manufacturing processes, materials research and sustainable practices suitable for the development and production of large wind blades. Key areas of focus include automation, digitalization, sustainability and modular blade construction/assembly.
- GE ResearchNiskayuna, New York ($2,999,995)
- University of DelawareNewark, Delaware ($2,970,353)
- University of Massachusetts-LowellLowell, Massachusetts ($3 million)
- University of North DakotaGrand Forks, North Dakota ($3 million)
- The University of Texas at DallasRichardson, Texas ($2,721,445)
- WEI7 LLCOnalaska, Texas ($1.2 million)
The objectives of these projects align with DOE Offshore Wind StrategyTHE Offshore Wind Energy Supply Chain Roadmapthe interagency Floating Offshore Wind Shot, Aand priorities identified in DOE plans In-Depth Wind Energy Supply Chain Assessment 2022.
Learn more about AMMTO And WETO and their work to build a clean, decarbonized economy.
Selection for award negotiations does not constitute a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is awarded, DOE and applicants will be subject to a negotiation process, and DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind selection for any reason during this period.
