The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has called for proposals from American manufacturers focusing on small and medium-sized wind turbines. This initiative aims to enhance the availability of distributed wind energy technology across the country.
This request is part of the Competitiveness Improvement Project, which is set to provide as much as $2.5 million to manufacturers creating turbines with a capacity of less than 1 megawatt. The goal is to aid in the commercialization and market growth of distributed wind energy technology.
Chris Connor, a principal engineer at NPS Solutions, a recipient of a Competitiveness Improvement Project award, emphasized the financial challenges faced by smaller manufacturers regarding certification and testing. He noted that the support from the Department of Energy (DOE) is crucial for smaller companies to maintain the safety and quality of their wind turbine products.
For the 2025 funding cycle, applicants can request up to $800,000 for various categories, including prototype design and testing, component innovation, and technology commercialization. The application requires a detailed product development plan outlining the anticipated impact on both the U.S. economy and the distributed wind market, such as job creation and enhanced domestic manufacturing.
Since its inception in 2012, the project has awarded a total of $18.5 million. For this year, funding limits have been raised in certain areas to address the increased costs related to turbine manufacturing and testing.
NREL highlighted that applicants could submit proposals that encompass multiple phases and topic areas. For example, a submission might include a plan to create a prototype followed by installation and testing, eventually leading to certification processes.
The initiative aims to not only broaden the reach of distributed wind technology but also help manufacturers refine their designs, create advanced manufacturing procedures, and conduct thorough testing and certification of their products. NREL acknowledged that bringing these wind energy systems to market presents significant challenges for small businesses, which may not have the resources necessary to navigate the complexities of development on their own.
The deadline for submitting proposals is set for March 28.