A. Topic Area 1: Innovations in Ports and Vessels to Support Floating Offshore Wind Deployment
This topic area is specifically designed to spur innovation in the vessels and port infrastructure required to facilitate floating offshore wind development. Project emphasis should be on novel and adaptable port and vessel innovations that can accelerate floating system assembly and deployment timelines.
Floating offshore wind projects demand specialized logistical infrastructure for the assembly, transportation, and installation of floating structures estimated to have hub heights of 118-150m. 1 2
Proposed Innovation Projects funded under this initiative will propose innovations addressing one of the following technical subject areas:
1. Port Infrastructure: Explore concepts for modular or flexible work areas to accommodate the floating offshore wind system manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, wet storage, and transportation processes. Develop innovations that can supplement or be easily integrated into existing facilities, minimizing the need for extensive modifications and relieving space constraints. Concepts may also advance load-handling capabilities to enable efficient loading, unloading or placement of large and heavy components while enhancing precision, safety, and speed, and reducing downtime. Innovations should have applicability in multiple regions of the U.S.
2. Installation Vessels and Installation Support Vessels: Research and development of novel vessel concepts or upgrades to existing Jones Act compliant vessels to support floating offshore wind fabrication and installation demands. Incorporate advanced lifting and positioning technologies – including innovations in crane systems and vessel or load stability control. Advance innovations for offshore component transfer, and for vessels suited to all aspects of the assembly and installation (e.g., anchor handling, mooring installation, and cable installation as well as the transport and handling of platform and turbine structures).
B. Topic Area 2: Floating Offshore Wind Transmission Technology Advancement
Purpose: Projects that conduct feasibility analysis, product design, or demonstration/piloting of High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) dynamic cables and substations for floating offshore wind could de-risk transmission development and accelerate delivery of mature technology solutions to floating offshore wind markets.
Background: For floating offshore wind transmission, both High-Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) and HVDC transmission technologies are viable for the current lease area distances ranging from 40 to 110 kilometers from the shore.
C. Topic Area 3: Evaluating Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles for Environmental Monitoring Around Floating Offshore Wind Development Infrastructure Total Funding Available: Up to $2,801,000 Purpose This topic area is specifically designed to spur innovation in uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) that can facilitate sustainable floating offshore wind development along the U.S.
Background: Responsible floating offshore wind energy development hinges on a multi-phase environmental review process that is implemented before, during, and after construction. However, environmentally responsible development requires long-term monitoring to be in place to identify and document environmental changes or impacts.
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