The nation’s coastlines possess the strongest, most abundant, and steadiest winds in the United States, representing vast potential for clean ene...
Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
April 30, 2014
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Strong. Abundant. Consistent. These are just a few characteristics that make offshore wind an important source of energy for the United States. Data suggests there is more than 4,000,000 megawatts of wind energy potential that could be accessed in state and federal waters along the coasts of the United States and the Great Lakes. While realistically not all of this resource will be developed, it represents vast potential to generate renewable, reliable electricity for cities and communities near the nation’s coastlines.
The Energy Department’s Wind Program – in partnership with industry and national laboratories – works to accelerate the American offshore wind market through a portfolio of high-impact research, development, and demonstration projects.
In one recently completed project, GL Garrad Hassan developed the first-of-its-kind port assessment tool. The web-based offshore port readiness tool consists of a user-friendly interface that enables planners to plug in key details, such as the number and size of turbines, required water depth, and foundation type, to quickly and easily locate ideal ports for their wind farm projects. The tool also helps port operators identify areas in which additional investments are required at their facility to support the installation and maintenance of offshore wind farms.
In addition to the tool, GL Garrad Hassan published an in-depth report on offshore wind port readiness. The report identifies logistical requirements for moving offshore wind project components through port facilities and an analysis of six ports that represent the five coastal regions of the United States.
The project is part of the Wind Program’s larger efforts to help speed deployment of both land-based and offshore wind technologies, with the goal of expanding the use of wind energy as a cost-effective part of our nation's renewable energy portfolio. Learn more about the Wind Program and how wind energy works.
MORE RESOURCES
Read the Wind Program’s Offshore Wind Projects report
Read the most recent Offshore Wind Market and Economic Analysis Report
Sign up for the Wind Program’s Breaking News Alerts and R&D Newsletter
Check out the Open Energy Information Wind Portal for maps, information on wind financial incentives, and other tools
Patrick Gilman
Patrick is a Program Manager for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technology Office. In this position, he leads the office’s analysis program, including activities in market research, economic modeling and other work to help evaluate potential innovations in wind technology and understand wind’s place in our energy mix today and in the future. In addition to leading the office’s analysis work, Patrick manages the Office’s efforts to advance distributed wind energy technology and work with other federal agencies to address the impacts of wind development on radar. Patrick is a graduate of Whitman College and holds an MA in China Studies and International Economics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.