GE Renewable Energy and GE Research have won two awards from the National Offshore Wind Research & Development Consortium to support research to help accelerate the development of the US offshore wind sector.
One award supports research to develop a robust joining process for large iron castings, including a multi-fidelity modeling framework for splitting and welding offshore wind castings.
Developing the capability to produce large castings for offshore wind turbines can help enable and accelerate job growth and create a more robust US supply chain, GE said.
The second award focuses on the use of an Autonomous Inspection Vessel (AIV) for offshore wind turbines.
The research will conduct a feasibility study on the use of an autonomous vessel-based multi-sensing system for long-duration, region-wide inspection and monitoring of fleets of offshore turbines with minimal to no operational interruption.
The vessels, which would involve a visible-range camera and be controlled remotely via satellite, would reduce inspection costs, minimize turbine down time, and enhance workplace safety, GE said.
GE general manager of sales and commercial operations in North America Christy Guthman said: “We appreciate the support of the National Offshore Wind Research & Development Consortium.
“These awards reinforce the critical role that technology innovation will play in tapping the full potential of offshore wind in the US.”
GE’s Haliade-X turbine (pictured) has been selected to support multiple projects in Maryland, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, part of GE Offshore Wind’s global project pipeline of over 7.4GW.
The Haliade-X was the industry’s first 14MW offshore wind turbine and is the only 12MW-plus offshore wind turbine platform that has been operating for over two years.
It has also received independent certification from 12MW to 13.6MW, making it a proven and bankable technology for customers seeking financing, GE said.
The National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium, established in 2018, is a not-for-profit public-private partnership focused on advancing offshore wind technology in the US.
It aims to do this through high impact research projects and cost-effective and responsible development to maximise economic benefits.
Funding for the consortium comes from the US Department of Energy and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, with each providing $20.5m (€18.1m).
The finance also includes contributions from the commonwealths of Virginia and Massachusetts and the states of Maryland, New Jersey and Maine, bringing total investment to approximately $47m.