The U.S Department of Energy's (DOE's) Wind Energy Technologies Office has announced a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled "Advanced Next-Generation, High-Efficiency, Lightweight Wind Turbine Generator." The primary objective of this FOA is to develop a lightweight, more efficient wind turbine drivetrain system (gearbox and generator, or direct drive generator) that minimizes the use of rare earth magnets and contributes to the scaling of wind turbine power capacities beyond 10MW. Projects funded through this funding opportunity will result in the design, fabrication, and up-tower testing of advanced multi-megawatt-scale wind turbine prototype drivetrains. This work will further DOE's goal to reduce the cost of energy from wind by decreasing nacelle and tower mass, reducing O&M and replacement costs, and improving performance.

This FOA supports DOE's priority to advance toward dominance and ensure a secure, reliable, resilient, affordable, and enduring supply of American energy by supporting early-stage research and development (R&D) in the areas of fossil, nuclear, and renewable generation and delivery.

Read the Funding Opportunity Announcement. Concepts papers are due December 13, 2018.

U.S Department of Energy | eere-exchange.energy.gov