DOE slates $18.5 million for research, development of offshore wind power

Nearly $20 million has been designated by U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry to an offshore wind research and development private-public partnership, in the hopes that the industry can find ways of reducing its cost.

The consortium, as it is being called, aims to counter the many factors that have made offshore wind power in the United States less cost affordable, from deep water demands to the danger of hurricanes and the basic challenge of maintenance at sea. It will also focus on technology advancement, resource and physical site characterization, installation and new supply chain methodologies.

“As the former Governor of one of the largest wind-producing states, I know the value of wind power in our energy portfolio,” Perry said. “This work will further DOE’s goal to accelerate the development of offshore wind technologies by supporting fundamental research to reduce the costs of offshore wind energy to successfully compete in regional energy markets.”

An administrator will be appointed by the Department of Energy to coordinate the R&D efforts of the consortium. In addition to the $18.5 million being funneled into the effort, an additional $2 million will be spent on supporting efforts at the DOE’s national laboratories.