Offshore wind is a type of energy that refers to the electricity generated by wind turbines that are installed in bodies of water, typically oceans or large lakes. These turbines capture the energy from wind blowing over the water, which tends to be stronger and more consistent than wind over land.

The U.S. is actively expanding its offshore wind energy capacity, with significant efforts to reach 30 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 as part of a broader transition to renewable energy. Coastal areas, home to nearly 40% of the U.S. population, are ideally situated for offshore wind development due to their proximity to these wind resources. Expanding offshore wind energy is expected to bring domestic economic benefits, including job creation and supply chain growth.

The U.S. Department of Energy has outlined ambitious goals, with potential offshore wind energy capacity reaching 53 GW in the development pipeline as of May 2023 and states setting their targets totaling over 112 GW by 2050. This growth highlights the increasing role of offshore wind in meeting the nation’s energy needs while advancing toward a more sustainable energy future.

Source: https://windexchange.energy.gov/markets/offshore

Posts

Offshore Wind is Blowing Through NYISO | Energy Watch Blog

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This blog looks into the impact that offshore wind development in NYISO has on gas-fired generation facilities and their net energy revenues. The recent approval of CLCPA’s minimum statewide offshore wind goal and NYSERDA’s authority to procure offshore renewable energy credits (ORECs) puts renewables at the forefront of NYISOs market development. The Boardwalk Offshore Wind and Beacon Offshore Wind Project that were recently awarded OREC contracts are just the start of the lofty 9 GW offshore wind target.

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Macro Trends in Renewable Energy | Energy Watch Blog

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In our recent issue of Energy Watch, we provided clients with our annual update of renewable energy in NYISO, ISO-New England, and PJM. For each of the ISOs, we provide details of demand, including state RPS mandates and load outlooks. ESAI Power provides a detailed analysis of supply including generation by resource type and expected generation additions by type (GW). Our analysis is inclusive of Offshore Wind, Installed Wind, Storage, Solar (DC), Solar (AC), Gas, Coal, Oil, Nuclear, and Biomass.

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Eastern Seaboard Not Adequate to Accommodate Offshore Wind Resources | Transmission Watch Blog

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The ambitious offshore wind goals of Eastern U.S. States will require significant investment in interconnecting transmission facilities. The transmission system in coastal areas along the Eastern Seaboard is not adequate to accommodate the ultimate build-out of offshore wind resources on the outer continental shelf. Recognizing that a planned and coordinated approach could yield efficiencies with regard to development costs and schedule, along with minimizing the environmental impact, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) is working with PJM to solicit a comprehensive transmission solution to interconnect 7,500 MW of offshore wind resources to the New Jersey transmission system by 2035. As a PJM first, the NJBPU will use PJM’s State Agreement Approach to study the first public policy transmission need (PPTN) in PJM, solicit proposed transmission solutions, evaluate received proposals, and potentially select transmission project(s) for implementation.

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