Description

On February 10th, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $30 million in funding to advance composite materials and additive manufacturing (AM) in large wind turbines, including for offshore wind energy systems.

Projects funded through this initiative will advance the priorities established in DOE’s Offshore Wind Supply Chain Road Map and the Biden Administration’s recently announced Floating Offshore Wind Shot, as well as furthering the President’s goals to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 and achieve a net-zero carbon economy by 2050.

Topic Areas

1. Large Wind Blade Additive Manufacturing

This topic seeks projects that build on existing polymer-based AM research that supports and advances more cost-effective large wind turbine blades. Polymer-based AM generally allows for rapid prototyping, tooling, fabrication, and testing while enabling novel designs and process configurations.

2. Additive Manufacturing of Non-Blade Wind Turbine Components

This topic seeks innovative additive manufacturing solutions for lower-cost, higher-performance non-blade wind turbine system components. The focus is on non-blade components that can be improved via additive manufacturing processing and associated design and process innovation/integration.

3. Large Wind Blades – Advanced Manufacturing, Materials, and Sustainability

This topic is comprised of four areas of interest: Automation, Digitalization, Sustainability, and Modular Blade Construction/Joining. DOE is seeking projects that address remaining challenges to wind turbine manufacturing and that further previous work within these respective areas of interest.

More Information

Key Dates

FOA Issue Date: 

2/10/2023

Concept Paper Deadline:

3/23/2023, 5:00pm ET

Full Application Deadline:

5/9/2023, 5:00pm ET

Replies to Reviewer Comments Expected Deadline:

6/5/2023, 5:00pm ET

EERE Selection Expected Deadline:

July 2023