1. The US Department of Energy has supported the development of floating platforms for offshore wind turbines.
2. Made-in-the-USA floating wind platforms are finally coming home after being developed in Europe.
3. The Energy Department is investing in initiatives to reduce the cost of floating offshore wind and support commercial deployment in the US.
The US Department of Energy has been supporting innovative floating platforms for offshore wind turbines, which are key to opening up offshore wind resources in deep water. Made-in-the-USA floating wind platforms are finally coming home after floating off to Europe due to strong public policy support there.
One such focus has been on Principle Power, a company that has been working on floating wind power technology since 2009. Despite slow progress in domestic waters, Principle Power has been laying the groundwork for its return to the US market, with the development of new software and participation in grant programs.
WindFloat Atlantic, a project off the coast of Portugal, has been a global showcase for the floating wind industry, demonstrating the maturity and reliability of floating technology. The Energy Department’s Energy Earthshots initiative aims to reduce the cost of floating offshore wind and has launched a competitive grant program to support deployment.
Principle Power, in partnership with Aker Solutions, is working on detailed designs for floating wind projects in the US as part of the FLOWEIN Prize program. The US offshore wind industry is gaining momentum with the involvement of legacy firms like Aker, signaling a promising future for floating offshore wind technology in the US market.