The biannual U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Wind Research and Development (R&D) Newsletter provides recent news about the Wind Energy Technologies Office's (WETO) R&D projects, funding opportunities, accomplishments, and recent publications.
Current Research & Development
WETO-Funded Research Focuses on Reducing Cybersecurity Threats to Nation’s Wind Fleet
Three national labs analyze threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts—and offer solutions.
Spring 2023 R&D Newsletter
In This Issue
Current Research & Development
More than 70,800 wind turbines produce nearly 400 terawatt-hours of generation in the United States, and these numbers continue to grow. These turbines generated 9.2% of the nation’s electricity in 2021. In March 2022, 14 states in the Midwest hit a new record when 88.5% of total electricity demand was served by wind. As wind energy becomes a larger part of the country’s renewable energy generation, keeping wind power plants—and individual wind turbines—secure, safe, and reliable becomes increasingly important.
Wind energy-specific cybersecurity research and development is critical to the defensive protection of wind assets from cyber threats. WETO recognizes the need to assess risks and consequences associated with malicious activities—whether physical or cyber—and has prioritized the strengthening of the wind energy industry’s cyber resiliency. Although cybersecurity measures are incorporated into wind turbine designs, malicious threats continue to evolve, and consequences range from reduced energy generation to loss of communications between wind turbines and operators—or even a complete loss of a wind turbine’s ability to function.
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Project analyzes the many benefits of distributed wind for communities across the United States. -
A Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researcher discusses her past as a software engineer and NASA contractor, her current efforts in wind energy ecology and environmental sustainability, and her advice for those who aspire to work in renewable energy. -
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory reviewed studies that focused on the technical evaluation of offshore wind energy transmission through potential points of interconnection along the coastlines of California, Oregon, and Washington. -
Researchers at Lehigh University, Clemson University, and Oregon State University have developed hybrid testing capabilities to help advance the next generation of offshore wind systems using physical and virtual conditions. -
Researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory build an open-source model to predict the future cost of offshore wind energy. -
This DOE-funded project analyzes how to build a wind turbine that could serve both military and humanitarian missions around the world.
When you work in wind, time flies. So far in 2023, WETO has plenty of progress and exciting news to report. Firstly, congratulations to the winners of two competitions sponsored by DOE.
Last week, the final event of the 2023 Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) took place in Boulder, Colorado, and Kansas State University took the top prize. Thirteen teams competed in the finals of this 10th annual CWC. You can read about the first-, second-, and third-place winners, as well as the winners of the individual contests, in last week’s announcement.
WETO-funded research has been integral to the advancement of wind energy in the United States. Read the first two case studies in a series highlighting WETO’s historic contributions to wind energy, including work to understand and mitigate wind energy's impacts on wildlife, and revolutionary blade designs that became the industry standard.
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A new study shows that both power generation and energy storage are seeking connection to the grid at high rates that only continue to grow, thanks in large part to a surge of interest in renewable energy. -
The 2022 Sandia Blade Workshop, a key venue for wind energy stakeholders, brought together wind industry experts, wind farmer owners and operators, manufacturers, and researchers from across the world to discuss pathways toward better turbine blades. -
Department-Wide Strategy Will Tap America’s Vast Potential of Offshore Wind Energy to Power Millions of Homes and Businesses, Support Thousands of Jobs, and Ensure the Nation's Clean Energy Future -
The National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium released a report identifying how the United States can develop a robust and equitable domestic supply chain required to achieve the national offshore wind target of 30 gigawatts by 2030. -
What happens when a wind energy project reaches the end of its service? WETO's new guide provides a detailed explanation. -
U.S. Department of Energy Announces New Actions to Accelerate U.S. Floating Offshore Wind DeploymentInaugural Floating Offshore Wind Shot Summit Advances Technologies to Power Millions of Homes, Create Good-Paying Jobs, and Strengthen U.S. Energy Security
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DOE released a $4.75 million funding opportunity that will create one or more university-led Centers of Excellence that will help meet the Biden-Harris administration's goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030. -
Want to prepare for a career in wind and renewable energy while still in college? Apply today to participate in the 2024 Collegiate Wind Competition! We’re accepting applications through June 15, 2023. -
WETO's factsheet on federal incentives for developing and investing in wind power now includes new guidance for clean energy projects located in communities historically at the forefront of energy production. -
WETO announces additional funding, including funds from the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, for two small businesses working to accelerate wind energy deployment. -
DOE announced the Phase One winners of the FLoating Offshore Wind ReadINess (FLOWIN) Prize, a first-of-its-kind competition to tackle the floating offshore wind energy industry’s biggest supply chains challenge -
NREL plans to award $2.9 million to 11 manufacturers of small- and medium-scale wind turbines
Featured Publications
Learn more about WETO’s research and development efforts by visiting its Key Publications and Resources page for the latest publications that showcase wind energy advancements and strategic documents that are propelling the industry forward. Additionally, click here to dive into all WETO-funded publications.
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