NREL Notice of Intent Invites US Manufacturers To Develop Next-Generation Distributed Wind Energy Technology

NREL Notice of Intent Invites US Manufacturers To Develop Next-Generation Distributed Wind Energy Technology

Upcoming Competitiveness Improvement Project Workshop Will Prepare Attendees for the 2025 Solicitation

NREL has issued a Competitiveness Improvement Project notice of intent in advance of a 2025 funding solicitation. The project supports manufacturers of distributed wind energy technology, such as Eocycle. The Eocycle wind turbine shown here is one of three small-scale distributed wind turbines (15 kilowatt to 100 kilowatt) at NREL's Flatirons Campus. Photo by Gregory Cooper, NREL

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has issued a notice of intent under the Competitiveness Improvement Project (CIP), calling for U.S. manufacturers of small- and medium-sized wind turbine technology to develop project ideas and teams in preparation for a 2025 request for proposals (RFP).

NREL also invites interested parties to register to attend a two-day virtual workshop to learn about applying to CIP on Dec. 4 and 5, 2024, 12:30 to 3 p.m. MT.

Managed by NREL on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Wind Energy Technologies Office, CIP awards cost-shared subcontracts and national laboratory technical assistance to component suppliers and manufacturers of small- and medium-sized wind turbines.

"CIP plays a key role in reducing the costs of distributed wind energy technologies, advancing innovative products into testing, and increasing the number of certified wind turbines available on the U.S. market," said Brent Summerville, NREL's CIP lead. "Through this notice of intent and upcoming workshop, NREL is preparing distributed wind manufacturers for the next CIP solicitation in 2025."

CIP supports innovation to advance wind energy as a cost-effective, reliable, and compatible distributed energy resource option by:

• Reducing component and system costs
• Optimizing designs for increased energy production
• Developing advanced manufacturing processes to reduce hardware costs and meet growing demand
• Improving compatibility with other distributed energy resources and grid-support capabilities
• Ensuring that distributed energy consumers have wind technology options that are certified to national performance and quality standards.

Workshop Supports Successful CIP Proposals

The December 2024 virtual workshop will present an overview of CIP and review previous topic areas, evaluation criteria, testing and certification requirements, and laboratory-based technical assistance opportunities.

"Designed specifically for companies interested in applying to the 2025 CIP solicitation, this workshop will help attendees understand the RFP process and criteria in preparation for submitting on-target proposals," Summerville said.

Speakers will cover these and a variety of other topic areas, including:

• Previous CIP solicitation topics and guidance on which potential topic areas may be the most appropriate for different turbine technology development stages
• Merit criteria and expectations for information to be included in proposals
• Overview of turbine and component testing and certification processes
• Technical assistance opportunities
• Contracting requirements and the RFP process.

NREL encourages workshop participants to register for the December 2024 virtual CIP workshop in advance.

Learn more about CIP and NREL's distributed wind energy research. And be sure to subscribe to NREL's wind energy newsletter for more news like this.

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