Happy Holidays from the Wind Energy Technologies Office

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Wind Energy Technologies Office

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December 13, 2021

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In This Issue

Continue to follow the Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) for the latest news, events, and updates.


Icon for land-based wind.

 

Did you know?

Wind rotor blades work like an airplane wing or helicopter rotor blade, using aerodynamic force to rotate a generator that creates electricity.


News

Wind turbines in the snow.

Celebrating Achievements and Looking Forward to a New Year

As 2021 draws to a close, the Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) is reflecting on our R&D, recent achievements, and recognitions, and getting ramped up for a new year of possibilities for wind energy. We are grateful to our stakeholders, researchers, and partners for the work you do all year to help us grow U.S. wind energy, address the climate emergency, and meet the Biden Administration’s goals—like 30 GW of offshore wind deployed by 2030. We wish all of you and your families a happy, healthy holiday season and a bright 2022.

New Report Discusses Opportunities and Challenges for Airborne Wind Energy

WETO has released a Congressionally directed report assessing the potential for, and technical viability of, airborne wind energy (AWE) in the United States. In addition to other findings, the analysis concludes that the resource potential of wind energy available to AWE systems is likely similar to that available to traditional wind energy systems. Given its current cost and state of technology readiness, however, AWE would need significant further development before it could deploy at meaningful scales at the national level. 

Wind turbines and grid on a sunny day.

Idaho National Lab Researchers Discuss Wind Cybersecurity on Hack the Plant Podcast

Researchers from Idaho National Laboratory recently appeared on the Hack the Plant podcast to discuss wind cybersecurity. In the December 6 episode, the team discussed why wind-specific cybersecurity is important and what the major challenges are. INL also highlighted recent work in DOE’s Roadmap for Wind Cybersecurity and research on cybersecurity for distributed wind.

DOE Requests Information to Enhance Energy Supply Chain Resiliency

DOE has issued a request for information (RFI) that will inform efforts to build a more diverse, resilient, and competitive energy supply chain with a world-class American manufacturing base and workforce. Wind-related RFI topics include wind energy technology as well as high-voltage direct current, magnets, cybersecurity, digital components, commercialization and competitiveness, and systems that use electricity to break water into hydrogen and oxygen (electrolyzers). Responses must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. ET on January 15, 2022.


Events

Competitiveness Improvement Project Workshop

Virtual: December 14–17, 2021

DOE will host a Competitiveness Improvement Project (CIP) workshop to provide wind manufacturers interested in applying to CIP solicitations an overview of the process, evaluation criteria, certification requirements, and NREL’s technical support opportunities.

American Wind and Wildlife Institute (AWWI) Webinar: Bat Behavior and Interactions with Wind Turbines

Webinar: December 14, 2021
2:00–4:00 p.m. EDT

National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers will join AWWI and other experts to discuss research related to available technology used to study bat behavior, bat behavior near wind turbines, collision conditions, and improvements for minimization strategies.

U.S. Offshore Wind Synthesis of Environmental Effects Research (SEER) Webinar: Effects of Offshore Wind Farm Structures on Fish Ecology & Benthic Disturbance

Webinar: December 15, 2021
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. EDT

This SEER webinar will cover topics related to Introduction of New Offshore Wind Farm Structures: Effects on Fish Ecology and Benthic Disturbance from Foundations, Anchors, and Cable.

Distributed Wind 2021 Lobby Day and Business Conference

Conference: February 28–March 3, 2022, Arlington, VA

Hosted by the Distributed Wind Energy Association, this conference convenes the distributed and community wind industry to showcase this sector of the wind industry, attend educational sessions, and network.


In Case You Missed It

DOE Announces Launch of Study to Improve Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Study

WETO announced the launch of a comprehensive study of transmission options to support offshore wind development on the U.S. East Coast through 2050.

NREL and General Electric Demonstrate Using Wind Turbines to Jump-Start the Grid

Researchers from NREL and General Electric have developed and demonstrated the world’s first Type III utility-scale wind turbine generator. The turbine can operate in grid-forming mode, meaning it can jump-start the grid during a blackout or operate without the power grid.

“Technology Above the Water” Webinar Recording Available

The recording of WINDExchange’s December 1 webinar on above-water offshore wind technology is available.