The National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium (Consortium) announced Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, offshore wind developers EnBW North America and Vineyard Wind, and large-scale clean energy transmission developer Anbaric Development Partners joined the Consortium. Along with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the U.S. Department of Energy, and other members, they will provide funding, technology validation, and leadership as partners to accelerate the development and innovation of the United States offshore wind industry. Today's announcement further demonstrates the promise of the U.S. offshore wind industry and strengthens the drive to combat the global effects of climate change.

"It's a pleasure to welcome Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts, joining New York in the leadership of the Consortium and the development of offshore wind energy in the U.S.. It's also very exciting to welcome new Board members Vineyard Wind, EnBW North America, and Anbaric. Participation of public and private stakeholders such as these will contribute greatly to growing partnerships which will support this important industry and ensure that we will meet our renewable energy goals." said Consortium Chairman of the Board Robert B. Catell, who is also the Chairman of the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) at Stony Brook University, which houses the Consortium.

Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, EnBW North America, Vineyard Wind and Anbaric Development Partners are joining fellow founding Consortium members the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) at New York State University at Stony Brook; The Carbon Trust International, Inc.; National Grid; NYSERDA; Renewables Consulting Group and U.S. national laboratories as well as offshore wind developers Avangrid Renewables; EDF Renewable Energy; EDP Renewables; Equinor; Innogy; Northland Power; Ørsted; and Shell. Through the Consortium, these partnerships will bring down costs and drive the evolving technology needed to scale the industry in the United States, while driving a national strategy for offshore wind innovation that addresses the diverse needs of all U.S. offshore wind regions.

Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, "On behalf of New York, I am delighted to welcome our sister states of Maryland, Massachusetts and Virginia to the Board of Directors of the National Offshore Wind R&D Consortium, and to see the roster of global leading offshore wind firms who are Members expanding as well. The Consortium's growth is a clear sign of momentum in the fast-developing U.S. offshore wind sector, and this robust national platform for public-private partnerships will ensure that the U.S. plays a major leadership role in this global industry. As New York continues to advance nation-leading climate and clean energy goals under Governor Cuomo's Green New Deal, the success of efforts like this will be critical to our efforts to build an economy that is powered by 100% clean electricity sources like offshore wind."

John Warren, Director, Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy said, "Virginia's Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy is honored to serve the Consortium in advancing U.S. offshore wind. DMME holds the nation's only research lease in Federal waters and activities enabled by the Consortium represent an exciting opportunity to put this valuable resource to work. Virginia also offers expertise and a deep history in marine-based research and development and looks forward to its role in helping implement Consortium strategies."

Stephen Pike, CEO, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center said, "The National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium is positioned to accelerate the development of offshore wind in the United States. Offshore wind represents a rare opportunity to build a new industry in the U.S., create thousands of jobs and secure a significant source of reliable, clean and cost-effective energy, and we look forward to collaborating with our Consortium partners to help the industry meet its full potential in the American market." 

Mary Beth Tung, PhD., J.D., Maryland Energy Administration Director said, "In the past, offshore wind has been an expensive source of clean energy, yet there are significant opportunities to lower the cost of the technology such as expanding local supply chains, advancing the market pipeline, and supporting research opportunities for innovative technologies and best practices. Both NYSERDA and the Consortium have addressed several avenues to reduce the cost of offshore wind energy and advance innovations to local supply chains. We look forward to joining this effort." 

Bill White, Managing Director of EnBW North America said, "With the tremendous leadership from states in the Northeast, including Governor Cuomo's game-changing 9 gigawatt commitment this month, offshore wind is poised to become a significant and affordable resource to help avert the most damaging effects of climate change. We are honored to join the Consortium to help chart the R&D agenda for this vital clean energy resource." 

Lars Thaaning Pedersen, CEO, Vineyard Wind said, "As the developer of the first large-scale offshore wind project in the U.S., Vineyard Wind recognizes the enormous potential of offshore wind as both a major source of clean energy for coastal states as well as a powerful driver of economic development and job creation across the country. Effective research and development guided by industry stakeholders is key to unlocking that potential, and we are excited to join the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium to support the National Offshore Wind Strategy and advance research and development activities that reduce the cost and risk of developing offshore wind projects throughout the U.S."

Kevin Knobloch, President, Anbaric Development Partners said, "We at Anbaric could not be more delighted to join the Consortium as a Private Sponsor Member and as a member of the Board of Directors. So ably led by New York, the Consortium has an essential role in identifying and funding research into a range of technical, systems management and policy questions that must be resolved if we are to successfully build a vibrant new domestic offshore wind industry here in the U.S. over the next decade and beyond."

Last year, the Consortium released the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium Roadmap (Roadmap) outlining the priorities for developing the offshore wind industry in the United States. The Roadmap focuses on three pillars for offshore wind technology research: advancing wind plant technology, offshore wind power resource and characterization, in addition to operational and supply chain technology solutions.

The Consortium will offer a series of competitive solicitations over the next four years based on the research and development priorities identified in the Roadmap. The Consortium will release the first RFP in February 2019 with awards expected in March. 

In June 2018, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority was awarded $18.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to lead a nationwide offshore wind technology research and development consortium. As the first federally funded public-private partnership focused on advancing offshore wind technology in the United States, the Consortium aims to develop cost-effective and responsible development of offshore wind through the collaboration of industry leaders, utilities, research laboratories, and other states to maximize economic benefits for the United States. 

Virginia's energy plan aims to deploy 2,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2028 and Massachusetts committed 3.2 gigawatts of wind generation by 2035. Maryland currently aims to source 25 percent of all electricity from renewable energy by 2020 with approximately 480 megawatts coming from wind. New York's Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced in his 2019 State of the State Address that he was quadrupling of the state's offshore wind target to 9,000 megawatts by 2035.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority | www.nyserda.ny.gov