Below are stories about research efforts featured by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Wind Energy Technologies Office.
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May 31, 2022
Experts Forecast the Wind Plant of the Future to Be Taller and More Economical
Researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory predict that, by 2035, wind plant designs will embrace towers even taller than previously thought.
May 16, 2022
Unlocking Distributed Wind Energy’s Potential
A new study indicates that nearly 1,400 gigawatts of distributed wind capacity could be profitably deployed today across the United States, which amounts to more than half of the nation’s current annual electricity consumption.
May 16, 2022
The Winds of St. Mary’s, Alaska
A standalone wind turbine is transforming the rural Alaskan community of St. Mary’s, according to a new study conducted by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories.
May 16, 2022
Living in Wind Energy’s Shadow
New study reveals mixed reactions to flickering shadows generated by wind turbines.
May 12, 2022
Study Finds Distributed Wind Energy Potential Equivalent to Half of National Electricity Demand
NREL released the Distributed Wind Energy Futures Study, which details the high potential to profitably deploy nearly 1,400 gigawatts (GW) of distributed wind capacity across the United States.
May 11, 2022
New Journal Article Identifies Requirements for Procedural Justice in Wind Energy Development
Expanding wind energy deployment requires communities to host wind projects, and research has shown that communities are more willing to host wind energy when they feel the planning process has been fair.
March 28, 2022
Report Outlines Supply Chain Needs to Achieve Offshore Wind 2030 Goal
NREL report outlines supply chain needs required to reach the United States’ national offshore wind goal of 30 GW by 2030.
February 28, 2022
Technology, Not Windier Weather, Enabled Last Decade’s Growth in Wind Plant Output
Over the past decade, the wind fleet’s average capacity factor has increased substantially. Researchers have been debating how much of the improvement should be credited to technology versus increasing wind speeds.
January 11, 2022
Report Details Project to Enable Large Wind Turbine Blades
WETO has released phase I findings for its Big Adaptive Rotor project, studying large blades for low-specific-power wind turbines.
December 13, 2021
Celebrating Achievements and Looking Forward to a New Year
As 2021 draws to a close, the Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) is reflecting on our R&D, recent achievements, and recognitions, and getting ramped up for a new year of possibilities for wind energy.