The Leading Edge: September 2024 Wind Energy Newsletter

In this issue, NREL highlights new plant-based material for wind turbines, the 2025 Wind Collegiate Competition launches, and more.

Upwind: Featured News

Novel Plant-Based Material Could Help Reduce Wind Turbine Waste

In a new article published in Science, National Renewable Energy Laboratory researchers present a novel resin created from biomass—or plant-based materials—that could be used to build recyclable wind turbine blades that perform just as well as those made with traditional thermoset resins. The team used the new resin to construct a 9-meter turbine blade prototype, which could be manufactured using processes similar to traditional turbine blades. If adopted, the novel material could make it easier to recycle and reuse wind turbine blades when they reach the end of their life cycle.

U.S. Department of Energy Announces Launch of 2025 Collegiate Wind Competition

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the 35 college and university teams that have qualified for the 2025 Collegiate Wind Competition, managed by NREL. During the first half of the 2024–2025 school year, these teams will develop a preliminary design and report for their model wind turbine and a preliminary site design for their hypothetical floating offshore wind farm. In addition, the teams will conduct outreach to the wind energy industry, their communities, and local media outlets.

Behind the Blades

Behind the Blades: How Jeremy Stefek Delivers Wind Energy Workforce Solutions To Meet Growing Industry Needs

Jeremy Stefek, a wind energy workforce development researcher at NREL, is embracing the calm of fall, both in his personal life and work. As the wind energy industry rapidly expands, Stefek focuses on understanding workforce needs, raising awareness about career opportunities, and developing training programs to meet growing industry demands. His role has shifted from analysis to mentorship and program management, helping shape the future of wind energy workforce research. Read the full interview to learn about Stefek’s latest efforts, which include launching new resources such as a wind energy training database and workforce networks to prepare skilled workers for the wind energy sector's future.

On the Radar: Project Updates

New Study Offers Guidance on Offshore Wind Energy Development in Central Atlantic

A new technical report, Challenges and Opportunities for Floating Offshore Wind Energy in Ultradeep Waters of the Central Atlantic, provides the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management as well as state governments, developers, researchers, and the public with information on the potential for offshore wind energy development in the Central Atlantic region. The report, which was funded in part by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, includes background on the region’s physical environment, leasing requirements, and energy policies as well as the state of floating offshore wind energy technology designed for ultradeep waters and supply chain challenges. The authors also propose what steps may be needed to pursue offshore wind energy development in this region.

Lessons Learned From the Planning of Recent Wind Energy Technologies Office Field Campaigns

A new report offers guidance on how to plan large field campaigns to research wind energy and atmospheric science. Over the past decade, the authors conducted several large field campaigns and identified key lessons learned from the planning of such projects, such as thorough data collection and alignment with industry and academic partners. The new report compiles these lessons, which include insights on funding mechanisms, team composition and roles, science goal identification, and partnerships and agreements.

Apply Today for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Energy to Communities Peer-Learning Cohort

DOE’s Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program is now accepting applications for a new round of peer-learning cohorts on distributed wind, clean energy in Appalachia, or microgrids. Participants in C2C peer-learning cohorts receive strategic and technical assistance; access to training materials, tools, and best practices; and the chance to collaborate with peers across the country. Each cohort starts in January 2025 and lasts 6 months. Applications are due by Thursday, Oct. 31.

Downwind: In Case You Missed It

Wind Turbine Materials Recycling Prize Awards Six Grand Prize Winners

DOE announced the final winners of the Wind Turbine Materials Recycling Prize, which was created to expand domestic capabilities for the recycling and recovery of critical wind turbine materials. Six winning teams were each awarded $500,000 in cash prizes, as well as $100,000 in vouchers to work with DOE national laboratories, for developing novel recycling solutions for difficult-to-recycle turbine materials such as rare earth elements and carbon fiber or fiberglass composites. The winning submissions showcased the range of cost-effective technologies that can contribute to a sustainable wind energy ecosystem in the United States. Follow the prize on HeroX to learn more about the winning submissions in the coming months.

New Tool Helps Define Wind Energy Equity’s Role in Future Growth

NREL researchers developed a new Wind Energy Equity Map, published on WINDExchange, which includes sociodemographic data on disadvantaged communities as well as the locations and capacity of land-based wind turbines across the United States. The study and map could help developers, decision makers, and local leaders assess how to make wind energy development more equitable for disadvantaged communities. This effort was funded by DOE’s Wind Energy Technologies Office. This and other information about wind energy equity can be found on the WINDExchange site.

Upcoming Events, News Mentions, Recent Publications

Upcoming Events

2024 Offshore WINDPOWER Conference and Exhibition
Oct. 28‒30, Atlantic City, New Jersey

The Offshore WINDPOWER Conference brings together top developer, government officials, and key stakeholders across the industry that are working to achieve the full potential of offshore wind energy.

North American Wind Energy Academy/WindTech 2024 Conference
Oct. 30–Nov. 1, 2024, New Brunswick, New Jersey

The North American Wind Energy Academy/Wind Tech 2024 conference is taking place at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick, New Jersey, this fall. The event will feature software workshops, a graduate student symposium, and more than 20 scientific tracks.