UMaine lands up to $8M for wind energy project
The University of Maine today was chosen as one of three universities to receive up to $8 million to fund its offshore wind test center, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
UMaine and two other university-led wind energy research facilities will receive a total of $24 million from the federal stimulus act to support the research and development of wind energy technology, according to a release from the energy department.
The University of Maine plans to design and deploy two 10 kW and one 100 kW floating offshore turbine prototypes. Two turbines will be located at the University of Maine's Deepwater Offshore Wind Test Site in state waters and one turbine will be operated at an offshore test site in the Isle of Shoals by the University of New Hampshire.
UMaine plans to optimize designs for floating platforms by evaluating options for more durable, lighter, hybrid composite materials; research how to manufacture them; and assess deployment logistics. The plan also creates a model master of science degree in renewable energy and the environment with a focus on deepwater wind energy and a new undergraduate minor in deepwater wind energy, according to the release. The university will also target educational grants for people interested in Maine-based wind energy education and training in order to enter the job market.
The other universities to win up to $8 million each of federal stimulus funds are the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Minnesota. Both schools are testing prototype wind turbines.
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