Revolutionizing Floating Offshore Wind Systems: A Focus on Next-Generation Integrated Turbine/Platform Research and Innovative Fabrication, Installation, and Operation Techniques.

The goal of this Topic Area is to revolutionize floating offshore wind systems through innovative approaches. Projects under this category aim to address both immediate needs for initial U.S. floating offshore wind projects and long-term objectives aimed at reducing costs and increasing efficiency in key areas such as validation, fabrication, installation, and operation.

Subtopics within this focus may involve the refinement and innovation of floating platform design, manufacturing, and deployment. This could include research, development, and testing geared towards enhancing how floating offshore wind systems are constructed and installed. Efforts may include advancements in materials, manufacturing techniques, and installation methods. Testing may be conducted on models or at full-scale to confirm the enhancements to the manufacturing process. Additionally, research and testing (at size or full-scale) could explore the development of factories and equipment capable of constructing and installing a range of floating offshore platform designs.

Another subtopic within this Topic Area includes next-generation integrated turbine/platform research. This may encompass research and development aimed at understanding how turbines, towers, platforms, and mooring systems interact with each other. The ultimate objective is to design simpler, cost-effective systems that improve overall efficiency and energy output. Research areas may include modeling tools and techniques, testing, and the exploration of new controls and materials to enhance the integration of the various components in floating offshore wind systems.