An NREL study will outline a strategic network of U.S. West Coast ports and port infrastructure upgrades that could collaboratively unlock the potential of commercial-scale floating offshore wind energy technology deployment.
Integrated Energy Systems Office
September 15, 2022
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The West Coast Ports Strategy Study is designed to inform funding in ports and decision-making by West Coast states to enable commercial-scale floating offshore wind energy technology deployment.
As activities on the U.S. West Coast ramp up for deployment of commercial-scale floating offshore wind energy projects, without needed upgrades, the lack of suitable port infrastructure could make it difficult to domestically manufacture and deploy major components and install projects efficiently.
The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory today announced the launch of the West Coast Ports Strategy Study to inform funding in ports, helping to enable commercial-scale deployment of floating offshore wind energy. This collaborative effort will convene key decision makers from West Coast states, coordinate ongoing port assessments from California and Oregon, and contribute new analyses of cost-benefit tradeoffs of port strategies, including consideration of impacts on host communities, that can inform wider industry planning.
This project announcement supports the Floating Offshore Wind Shot, which aims to drive U.S. leadership in floating offshore wind.