Spotlight - UMaine Receives $8 Million in Federal Funds for Offshore Wind Project
The University of Maine has received up to $8 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to design and deploy two 10 kW and one 100 kW floating offshore turbine prototypes, according to an announcement Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009 made by U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
UMaine was selected as one of three universities in the country to receive funding for wind energy research facilities that will enhance the United States’ leadership role in testing and producing the most advanced and efficient wind turbines in the world.
The R&D project, based at UMaine’s AEWC Advanced Structures and Composites Center, will feature several collaborating organizations representing the business, research and educational sectors.
UMaine’s project will place two turbines at the its Deepwater Offshore Wind Test Site that will be located in a pre-selected site in state waters and one turbine will be operated at an offshore test site in the Isle of Shoals by the University of New Hampshire. The university consortium’s research and development plan includes optimization of designs for floating platforms by evaluating: (1) options for using more durable, lighter, hybrid composite materials, (2) manufacturability, and (3) deployment logistics The university will target educational grants at individuals who are participating in Maine-based wind energy education and training in order to enter the job market.
To read Secretary Chu’s complete announcement on the U.S. Department of Energy Web site, visit here.
