The Consortium is a nationally focused, not-for-profit organization collaborating with industry on prioritized R&D activities to reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of offshore wind in the U.S. while maximizing other economic and social benefits.
Desired Impacts
- Produce innovations that directly respond to the technical and supply chain barriers faced by offshore wind project developers in the U.S.
- Build strong networks connecting technology innovators, investors, and industry
- Increase U.S. content and job opportunities
The Consortium was initially funded with $41 million — $20.5 million from the Department of Energy (DOE) and a matching $20.5 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Additional contributions have been made by state members including; California, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Virginia. Collectively, the existing funds have established the Consortium for a minimum of five years. The Consortium will continue to look for other appropriate funding and R&D opportunities to build upon its initial scope.
The Consortium’s R&D objectives are outlined in our Roadmap 4.0. This roadmap provides guidance for solicitations. Our various committees, including the Research and Development Advisory Group (RDAG), Research and Development Committee (R&DC), and State Action Network (SAN) are active and contributing to the Consortium’s mission.
Focus Areas for Industry Research
Offshore Wind Plant Technology Advancement
Fixed Bottom Technologies
- Cost-reducing Turbine Support Structures for US Markets
- Enabling Large-scale Offshore Wind Turbines
- Array Performance and Control Optimization
Floating Offshore Wind Technology
- Mooring Systems Floating Foundations
- Shallow Water Mooring Systems
- Deepwater Mooring Systems
- Floating Substructure Scaling
- Control of Large Floating Arrays
Technology for Both Fixed and Floating Offshore Wind
- Hurricane Resilient Wind Systems
- Floating Fixed-Bottom Arrays in the Great Lakes
- Power System Design and Innovation
- Energy Storage Innovations and Integration
Offshore Wind Power Resource and Physical Site Characterization
Metocean Research
- Comprehensive Wind Assessment
- Systematic Metocean Measurement
- Development Metocean Reference Site
Physical Site Characterization
- Seabed Survey Methods, Geophysical and Geotechnical Database
Installations, Operations and Maintenance and Supply Chain
Installation
- Technology to Reduce Siting Conflicts
- Installation Strategies for Large Turbines
- Operation and Maintenance
- Offshore Wind Digitization through Advanced Analytics
- Testing Methods and Infrastructure
- High Sea- State Technician Transfer Solutions
- O&M Strategies and Tools
Supply Chain
- Technology Solutions to Accelerate U.S. Supply Chain
- Grid Access, Reliability, Expansion and Transmission Upgrades
- Detailed Ports and Harbor Study
- Regulations and Permitting- Radar Interference
Consortium Program Team
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) – the federal agency charged with ensuring the security and prosperity of the U.S. by addressing energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) – a public benefit corporation that advances innovative energy solutions with extensive experience commercializing new technologies and spurring private investment.
consortium staff
Consortium Support
The Carbon Trust – a world leader in offshore wind R&D; founders and program managers of the Offshore Wind Accelerator, a self-sustaining European consortium to commercialize research investment.
Renewables Consulting Group (RCG) – a leading global renewable energy consultancy with decades of experience in the offshore wind industry in Europe, Asia, and America.