Newsletters

Offshore Wind's Scaling Debate: Power, Progress, and Potential Pitfalls
April 9, 2025
The pursuit of ever-larger offshore wind turbines reflects a powerful tension between the imperative for accelerated renewable energy deployment and the inherent complexities of scaling nascent technologies. While the promise of enhanced energy capture, reduced costs, and optimized resource utilization fuels this drive, critical questions emerge regarding technological reliability, infrastructural readiness, and supply chain resilience...

U.S. Offshore Wind: An Update on Near-Term Projects
March 24, 2025
Rising costs, high interest rates, and supply chain issues have forced offshore wind companies to cancel or renegotiate contracts, while policy changes, including a presidential memorandum pausing leases, have caused project delays and financial losses. This article categorizes the current status of U.S. offshore wind projects, detailing those operational, under construction, approved, paused, or canceled, illustrating the sector's volatile near-term landscape...

Shell Pulls Back From Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project
January 31, 2025
Shell has abruptly pulled out of the Atlantic Shores offshore wind project, writing off nearly $1 billion and casting a dark cloud over New Jersey's ambitious renewable energy goals. Facing rising costs and investor pressure, the oil giant is retreating from its once-promising venture in wind power...

Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project Continues Amidst Industry Headwinds
January 27, 2025
The US offshore wind industry currently faces uncertainty due to a recent executive order halting new leases. However, construction of the $9.8 billion Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project continues. Dominion Energy remains confident in completing the 2.6 GW project by 2026...

Meet Charybdis: America's First Domestic Wind Turbine Installation Vessel
February 7, 2025
The Charybdis, the first U.S.-built wind turbine installation vessel, represents a $715 million investment in American offshore wind energy. Built in Texas, this Jones Act-compliant vessel will play a crucial role in Dominion Energy's Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project and future East Coast developments...

Closing the Loop: DOE Report Charts Path to Sustainable Wind Turbine Recycling
February 4, 2025
A new report from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) offers a roadmap for a more sustainable wind energy industry through increased recycling and reuse of decommissioned wind turbine components. The report, "Recycling Wind Energy Systems in the United States," reveals...

Beyond the Horizon: The Future of Offshore Wind is Floating
February 26, 2025
Approximately 80% of the world's offshore wind potential lies in waters deeper than 60 meters (200 feet), a domain exclusively accessible to floating platforms. This technology therefore provides a crucial pathway to harness previously untapped energy reserves, propelling the clean energy transition. While challenges persist, the floating wind industry's rapid advancement, fueled by innovation and investment, signals its growing recognition as a pivotal energy solution...

Navigating the Waters: Offshore Wind and Whale Protection
February 19, 2025
The offshore wind industry is taking concrete steps to minimize its impact on marine life. While we often hear claims that offshore wind development is responsible for increased whale mortality off of the U.S. East Coast, this is far from the truth. Recent studies tells us that the largest threat to marine mammals is vessel strikes and entanglement in abandoned fishing equipment...

AOWA Collaborates with MassCEC: Targeted Offshore Wind Programs for Minority and Woman Entrepreneurs (MWBEs)
February 17, 2025
Are you a minority or woman entrepreneur (MWBE) interested in the burgeoning offshore wind industry? Take our 5-10 minute survey to help shape these valuable workshops, skills training, and networking opportunities...

Offshore Wind: Fueling Economic Growth Across the U.S.
February 12, 2025
Offshore wind power is more than just a clean energy source; it's a catalyst for economic revitalization, creating a ripple effect of jobs, investment, and opportunity that stretches across the United States. While the turbines themselves capture the imagination of many, the true story lies in the intricate supply chain...