The US Department of Energy awarded the University of Maine, USA, US$7.1 million to fund the DeepCwind Consortium National Research Program, located at the university. The project includes more than 30 members, including academic institutions, industry leaders, utility companies and non-profit organisations.
The primary objectives of the DeepCwind project are to:
- validate floating platform models for deepwater offshore wind turbines;
- optimise floating platform designs by integrating more durable, lighter, hybrid composite materials;
- estimate the cost of energy for deepwater offshore wind technologies; and
- compare the benefits and costs of composite materials to conventional materials in deepwater offshore wind manufacturing, design, and construction.
Visitors to the DeepCwind Consortium website, www.deepcwind.org, will be able to find information on all aspects of the consortium’s research initiative, view available opportunities for students, and read about current events in the state’s deepwater offshore wind energy development.
Over the past year, the University of Maine’s Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center has been awarded nearly $40 million in funding to pursue research into deepwater offshore wind energy technology.
