Department of Energy Soliciting Feedback For Offshore Research and Development Facilities

The Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced a Request for Information (RFI) on behalf of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO). The RFI seeks public input to help identify weaknesses and improve offshore wind research and development (R&D) test facilities.  WETO is an office that operates under the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) that is tasked with research and developing innovating technologies that will also help lower costs and accelerate the development of wind power.

"Testing of offshore wind components and scale-prototypes is critical to help advance America's offshore wind industry," said Undersecretary of Energy Mark Menezes. "Through this request we are looking to better understand our U.S. offshore wind testing capabilities, and how we can improve those facilities to compete in the global market."

In particular, the RFI is seeking information on:

• Facilities that can conduct unique offshore wind R&D in the United States.
• Needed upgrades to existing facilities or new facilities for the United States to be at the cutting edge of offshore wind R&D.
• S pecific tests and analyses that could be carried out at existing, upgraded, or new facilities in order to advance the U.S. offshore wind industry.

All RFI submissions must be submitted electronically and received by 5pm EST on September 14.

For more information on this RFI, as well as a list of additional RFIs currently open for submission with WETO, click here: https://tinyurl.com/ydcpxzcr