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National Offshore Wind Research & Development Consortium
National Offshore Wind Research & Development Consortium advances U.S. offshore wind through public-private R&D funding.
National Offshore Wind Research & Development Consortium
The National Offshore Wind Research & Development Consortium was founded in 2018 as a not-for-profit entity that brings together federal agencies, state governments, and private industry. The U.S. Department of Energy and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) served as initial conveners, with additional support from states including Massachusetts and Virginia. The consortium funds technology development and demonstration projects across the offshore wind value chain — from turbine design and installation methods to grid integration and environmental monitoring. It issues competitive solicitations for R&D proposals, awarding contracts to industry consortia, universities, and national labs. In 2021 the consortium awarded over $8 million to ten projects, primarily focused on reducing offshore wind costs and improving turbine reliability (per the consortium, 2021). Its work also supports development of U.S. supply chain capacity. The consortium's research portfolio is funded through a blend of federal DOE investment and state contributions, with a total committed budget exceeding $66 million as of 2023 (per the consortium, 2023). The core team is lean, with fewer than a dozen full-time staff supplemented by program advisors and an external technical advisory committee. Recent activity includes the January 2024 release of a Request for Proposals for floating offshore wind technology demonstration projects, focused on conditions specific to the West Coast and deeper waters (per the consortium, January 2024). The consortium's structural differentiator lies in its mission-driven public-private partnership model: it is not a traditional investment fund or profit-seeking entity but rather a collaborative R&D vehicle that pools government and industry resources. This structure allows it to fund pre-commercial technology work that no single company or government agency would underwrite independently, effectively lowering the collective risk of building a new U.S. industry.
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
2018
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
New York
Corporate office
New York, NY, United States
Principals
Jim Lanard
Chief Executive Officer
Maureen Bornholdt
Executive Director
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who makes research funding decisions at the National Offshore Wind Research & Development Consortium?
Decision-making is guided by an executive leadership team including Chief Executive Officer Jim Lanard and Executive Director Maureen Bornholdt. The consortium's Board of Directors — comprising representatives from state energy agencies, DOE, and industry members — approves a strategic research agenda and notional budget each year. Technical advisory committees and peer reviewers recommend which specific project proposals to fund based on merit.
How does the consortium source and structure its R&D project funding?
The consortium issues competitive RFPs soliciting proposals on specific topics in offshore wind technology and deployment. Projects are selected through a multi-stage peer-review process. Consortium members include state energy agencies (NYSERDA, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Virginia Department of Energy), federal DOE, and private-sector companies. A portion of member contributions directly funds R&D awards; the consortium also draws on DOE grants.
What types of offshore wind technologies does the consortium invest in?
The consortium's portfolio spans turbine systems, balance-of-plant including foundations and cables, grid integration, environmental monitoring, and supply chain development. Recent funded projects include floating offshore wind platform design, advanced turbine control systems, and digital tools for optimized operations and maintenance (per the consortium, 2023).
Does the consortium take equity positions in companies or operate as a venture capital fund?
No. The National Offshore Wind Research & Development Consortium is a non-profit R&D organization that issues grants for technology development and demonstration. It does not make equity investments, hold board seats, or seek financial returns. Its mission is to accelerate offshore wind deployment by reducing technology cost and risk in U.S. waters.
What is the relationship between the consortium and state governments?
State energy agencies are core members who help define the consortium's research priorities and make financial contributions that supplement DOE funding. New York State (NYSERDA) was a founding co-sponsor alongside DOE, and states like Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, and others have since joined. Each state expects the consortium's work to lower the cost of offshore wind entering its energy mix.
What is the consortium's known posture on intellectual property resulting from funded projects?
IP ownership varies by project and is negotiated as part of the award agreement. Generally, the consortium seeks to ensure that research results are publicly accessible and do not become proprietary barriers to U.S. offshore wind deployment. Some projects include requirements to share data and non-proprietary results broadly (per DOE and consortium policy documents).
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