Massachusetts invests in offshore wind research

Massachusetts last week announced USD 700,000 (EUR 636,000) in funding to support three offshore wind research projects.

Nine academic and research institutions across the state are taking part in the initiatives which are seeking to identify workforce training and safety requirements related to offshore wind development; create a multi-university partnership focused on innovation and cost reductions; and develop a new technique, using low-cost microphones, to monitor the structural health of wind blades.

The news follow the signing earlier this month by Massachusetts governor of legislation that provides for the procurement of 1.6 GW of offshore wind.

The three research projects are part of a broader effort to make Massachusetts a national leader in offshore wind research and development, said the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC). The funding comes from MassCEC's Renewable Energy Trust.

"These projects will help further establish Massachusetts as a leader in this emerging industry and position our institutions to compete for federal research funding in the future," commented lieutenant governor Karyn Polito.

"Our concentration of academic and research institutions and our innovation ecosystem are uniquely equipped to advance the emerging national offshore wind industry," said MassCEC interim chief executive Steve Pike.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.909)

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