The biannual U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Wind Research and Development (R&D) Newsletter provides recent news about the DOE Wind Energy Technologies Office's (WETO) R&D projects, news, accomplishments, and recent publications.

Current Research & Development

Unlocking Distributed Wind Energy’s Potential

NREL study identifies opportunities for widespread deployment of distributed wind energy

A comprehensive analysis released by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) indicates that nearly 1,400 gigawatts (GW) of distributed wind capacity could be profitably deployed today across the United States. This amounts to more than half of the nation’s current annual electricity consumption and is a big increase from the 1.1 GW installed today.

“This study shows that distributed wind energy could bring clean power to millions of American households,” said Eric Lantz, NREL principal investigator of the study. “Distributed wind energy offers significant potential to help communities transition to a clean energy future and can deliver power to residential and industrial users near where it’s generated, without a need for transmission system expansion.”

The Distributed Wind Energy Futures Study highlights the technical and economic potential for distributed wind energy deployment at all scales—from kilowatts to megawatts—and considers opportunities for distributed wind energy in agricultural, commercial, industrial, and residential settings and in disadvantaged communities.

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Living in Wind Energy’s Shadow
New study reveals mixed reactions to flickering shadows generated by wind turbines.
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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.
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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.
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Wind Turbines Can Stabilize the Grid
First-ever demonstration shows wind can fulfill a wider role in future power systems.
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Mapping Atmospheric Mysteries
The American WAKE experimeNt—a massive data collection effort funded by WETO—could help U.S. wind farms produce more energy, increase profits, and, eventually, reduce electricity prices for consumers.
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A Wind Energy Career Celebrated with “Gust-o”
After 31 years at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Wind Energy Program Manager Will Shaw has retired. From the Atmosphere to Electrons initiative to offshore wind buoys, it’s been a wind energy career he’s enjoyed with “gust-o.”
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Headshot of Jim Ahlgrimm in a suit.

As CLEANPOWER 2022 gets underway, we’re all excited to see DOE’s 2022 Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) taking place live and in-person. If you’re attending CLEANPOWER, you can observe the competition—in whole or part—by making your way to the competition area located in the exhibit hall. CWC always provides an eye-opening look into the future of wind energy through the tremendous efforts of these talented competitors.

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DOE News

The following is a list of wind energy news from WETO and DOE national laboratories.

EERE Success Story—How Spiral Welding Is Revolutionizing Wind Turbine Manufacturing
Learn how Keystone Tower Systems is using spiral welding to revolutionize wind turbine manufacturing.
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Fit to 3-D Print: Sky-High Wind Towers with Additive Manufacturing
EERE Deputy Assistant Secretary of Renewable Power Alejandro Moreno attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new 3-D printer at a GE research facility in Bergen, NY. Read how this technology is making tall wind turbines easier to build.
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New Study Evaluates How Researchers and Decision Makers Can Balance Wind Energy Development with the Built and Natural Environment
Researchers from NREL explore challenges related to the expansion of wind power as the United States works to meet decarbonization goals.
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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.
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Competition Will Foster the Next Generation of Wind Energy Professionals
Interested in joining the next generation of wind energy industry professionals? Apply today to participate in the 2023 Collegiate Wind Competition! We’re accepting applications through June 20, 2022.
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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.
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U.S. Department of Energy Issues Comprehensive Plan to Strengthen America’s Clean Energy Supply Chains and Bolster Domestic Manufacturing
The Supply Chain Report is supported by seven deep-dive assessments on the challenges and opportunities to build domestic supply chains for clean energy technologies.
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Study Assesses Additive Manufacturing of Critical Rare-Earth-Free Magnets for Electrical Machines
DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory have published a study as part of the MADE3D initiative, highlighting 3D printing of magnetic components for large electrical machines like wind turbines.
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National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium Announces New Projects Selected for Funding
The National Offshore Wind R&D Consortium has announced six new projects to support supply chain efficiency, asset monitoring, and inspection.
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DOE Releases Report Detailing Strategies to Expand Offshore Wind Deployment
Report details regional and national strategies to support the Administration’s goals for offshore wind deployment
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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.
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National Lab Researchers Examine Ways to Transport Longer Wind Turbine Blades
DOE national laboratory researchers have determined a way to transport massive wind turbine blades at a lower cost, by designing them to bend, or deflect, by 20%.
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Study Compares 3-D Printing Approaches for Wind Energy Components
DOE national labs and industry partner Vestas published a report discussing how 3-D printing may hold promise for producing specific wind energy components.
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Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Study Will Inform Options to Support National Goals
National lab study will study will evaluate multiple pathways to OSW goals through coordinated transmission solutions along the Atlantic in the near-term (2030) and long-term (2050), under various generation mix and load futures.
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Featured Publications

The following is a curated list of recent or high-profile publications from WETO and DOE national laboratories.

Atmosphere to Electrons (A2e)

Offshore Wind

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Explore previous editions of the Wind R&D Newsletter or browse articles by topic: