US Wants Cutting-Edge Offshore Wind Test Facilities

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has invited public comment on its Request for Information (RFI) regarding national-level test facilities for offshore wind-specific research and development.

The Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) is seeking information on facilities that can conduct offshore wind research and development (R&D) in the US, what upgrades to existing facilities or new facilities are needed for the US to be at the cutting edge of offshore wind R&D, and what specific tests and analyses could be carried out at existing, upgraded, or new facilities in order to advance the US offshore wind industry.

The purpose of this RFI is to solicit feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders on issues related to national offshore wind test facilities.

WETO is specifically interested in information on the facilities in the US that are available for offshore wind-specific experimentation and testing; facilities upgrades or new facilities that are required in the U for offshore wind testing in order to perform cutting-edge R&D; and, the most pressing R&D needs that would utilize existing, upgraded, or new US offshore wind specific facilities.

Responses to the RFI must be received by 14 September, 2018.