US DOE issues $ 20 million offshore wind call

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has called for applications for funding that will support offshore wind technology demonstration and wind resource characterisation projects. For this call, DOE has designated a total of $ 20 million.

Deadline for submitting concept papers is 30 April 2020 and full applications are due on 9 July 2020.

Regarding offshore technology demonstration, the proposed project must either implement an innovative technology at engineering/pilot or full-scale, and/or employ a methodology that has yet to be used commercially in the United States for offshore wind, at an offshore wind project that is planned to be operational by 2025, DOE states.

“[Funding] offshore wind projects can increase confidence in pre-commercial technologies and methodologies, paving the way for the development of a world-class U.S. offshore wind industry of the future,” said Daniel R Simmons, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

The wind resource characterisation project will focus on improving wind resource model physics for foundational wind forecasts and other applications in offshore wind energy development areas. The aim is to improve wind resource characterization and modelling to more accurately predict the power output of future offshore wind projects, and to more seamlessly integrate this power into the grid.

“This funding for offshore wind resource science will improve the weather models that wind plant developers and operators rely on to manage their fleet effectively and provide predictable, low-cost electricity,” Daniel R Simmons said.