Notice of Intent: Fundamental Aerodynamics for Offshore Wind Performance and Reliability

The Department of Energy's Office of Science, specifically the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), has issued a Special Notice announcing an upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP) focused on fundamental aerodynamics research for offshore wind technology. The notice addresses critical knowledge gaps in understanding the aerodynamic behavior of large-scale wind turbine rotors, particularly those in the 10-15 megawatt range and beyond. As wind turbine sizes continue to increase, there is a growing need for high-quality, open-source experimental data to validate design and development tools. The research aims to improve understanding of wind turbine performance, reliability, and load characteristics, which currently suffer from significant uncertainties in simulation techniques. This initiative is part of broader efforts to advance offshore wind technology and reduce investment risks associated with larger turbine designs.

The proposed RFP will provide up to $6.25 million in total funding, divided between two primary research topic areas: High Reynolds Number Airfoil Aerodynamics Validation Datasets ($4.75 million) and Aerodynamic Characterization of Nonoperational Loads Phenomena ($1.5 million). Eligible applicants include U.S. industry and academic institutions, with an expected cost share requirement of 10-20%. The RFP will be issued via SAM.gov in January 2025, with proposal reviews taking 4-6 weeks and a target award announcement by March 31, 2025. Topic Area 1 requires experimental testing at Reynolds numbers of 3-20 million at a U.S. national test facility, with DOE providing an additional $2.5 million directly to the facility. Topic Area 2 will focus on characterizing three-dimensional unsteady aerodynamics of wind turbine blades during non-operational conditions. Project durations are expected to be up to three years, with initial project execution anticipated to begin by September 20, 2025.