R&D

Recommended best practices address three major areas relevant to the offshore wind project approval process: 1) structural reliability; 2) manufacturing and fabrication, construction and installation, and qualification testing; and, 3) safety of equipment, operation and inspection, and decommissioning.

The Governor's Office of Energy Independence and Security (OEIS) recommends eliminating the statutory goal of 2,000 MW of installed wind capacity by 2015, but retaining the statutory goals of 3,000 MW of installed wind capacity by 2020 (including 300 MW from offshore wind sources) and 8,000 MW of installed wind capacity by 2030 (including 5,000 MW from offshore wind sources) until a comprehensive reasssessment can be completed.

The report summarizes the more than $140 million in funding awards for 64 offshore wind projects that the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) Wind and Water Program has made between fiscal years 2006-2012.  These awards fall under two activity areas: Technology Development and Market Acceleration and Deployment.

Overview of Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC)-identified needs for advanced technology demonstration (measurement of radar effects and test mitigation technologies; demonstration of novel foundation and installation methods; measurement of turbine-structure-soils response to metaocean loading).

The report evaluated the performance and impacts of state-funded R&D programs. It identified key issues and desired outcomes, and offered recommendations for accelerating development of a more competitive innovation economy in Maine.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) affirms the commitment of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia to coordinate state and regional policies for electric transmission, supply chain facilities, research and development, and workforce development, as well as collaborative engagement with federal energy and regulatory agencies to support offshore wind energy deployment.

The report reviews existing knowledge concerning floating offshore wind turbines, and provides an evaluation of the critical design considerations, a draft design guideline for floating support structures and their stationkeeping systems, and recommendations for future research for floating offshore wind turbines.

Overview of offshore wind system technologies and design criteria for offshore wind farms.