Research projects by GE and Principle Power are among 12 to share over $10m of funding from the US National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium.
Two projects from GE were successful, covering the enabling of condition based maintenance and radar-based wake optimisation for offshore wind.
Principle Power aims to demonstrate shallow-water mooring components for floating offshore wind turbines.
Research into floating offshore wind moorings is also on the agenda of another successful project, this time from the University of Maine, which is looking at the design and certification of taut-synthetic moorings.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory will receive funding for projects looking at developing a supply chain roadmap for the US sector to deliver 20GW by 2035 and also for the development of advanced methods for evaluating grid stability impacts.
Other successful projects include Virginia Tech University’s research into a dual-functional tuned inerter damper for enhanced semi-sub offshore wind turbines, Triton Systems’ innovative anchoring system for floating offshore wind, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s work on techno-economic mooring and design for floating structures.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute will receive backing for the development of a metocean reference site near the Massachusetts and Rhode Island wind energy areas, Tufts University support for physics-based digital twins for optimal asset management, and Tagup money for survival modelling for offshore wind prognostics.
The awards are the first solicitation for offshore wind research and development technology projects by the consortium, which is a not-for-profit organiaation collaborating with industry on prioritized R&D activities to reduce the levelized cost of energy.
National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium executive director Carrie Cullen Hitt said: “The consortium is excited to advance offshore wind deployment in the US by supporting these innovation and research projects.
“Today’s announcement builds on our collective commitment to drive down costs and make offshore wind more a competitive alternative in generating energy.”
GE Renewables general manager for offshore wind engineering and product development Vincent Schellings said: “The National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium is a model for how you bring public and private sector interests together to advance our clean energy future.
“Through the consortium, we’re able to harness critical funding resources and focus them on the right initiatives to advance the offshore industry and ultimately expand the US supply chain in ways that attract new jobs and private sector investments.”