Approximately $8 million of the offshore wind project will be cost-shared by DOE.
“Wind is one of our most important renewable energy resources and this work will allow us to use our resources more extensively and effectively,” Douglas L. Faulkner, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy said.
The goal of the project is to design, fabricate and test a multi-megawatt scale wind turbine that could produce electricity at a much-reduced cost. The wind turbine will be located offshore and is expected to produce electricity at a cost of five cents per kilowatt-hour, or 52% less than the current 9.5 cents per hour.
Offshore wind is part of the Advanced Energy Initiative. The NREL and GE-developed advanced wind system will include innovative foundations, construction techniques, rotor designs, drivetrains and electrical components designed for the harsh offshore environment, while optimizing the total life-cycle cost of offshore wind farms.
Although there are currently no offshore wind farms in the United States, several projects are in the permitting process. Preliminary studies indicate that with sufficient research and development support, competitive commercial offerings can be realized and the U.S. offshore wind electric generating capacity could grow significantly over the next two decades. Populated U.S. coastal regions with high energy prices will benefit from the development of this clean, domestic energy resource.
