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Maine

Updated July 2010

Contacts:

Todd Burrowes,
Maine Coastal Program
todd.burrowes@maine.gov

Overview of Status:

Maine is actively pursuing research and development of deepwater offshore wind energy technology. The University of Maine recently received federal stimulus money to build a 37,000 square foot Offshore Wind Laboratory, and the state is creating test beds for researching deepwater wind technology.

Proposed Projects:

Maine plans to issue a RFP in September 2010 for a 25 MW floating turbine pilot project in at least 300 feet of water. State utilities will help pay for the project over its lifetime.

In December 2009 Maine designated three demonstration sites for deepwater wind energy technology. Two of the three sites are near unpopulated islands, according to a news article. The state is currently working with Statoil and other technology developers.

Policy and Regulation:

In June 2010 Maine voters approved a bond measure that would provide $11 million for deepwater wind research. Click here for a news article.

In April 2008, the Task Force’s legislative recommendations were enacted, including the ambitious goal of 300 MW offshore wind energy by 2020. The Final Report, among other resources, is available on the Task Force website.

A 2008 executive order established an Ocean Energy Task Force (OETF) to facilitate all forms of ocean-based renewable energy generation in Maine waters. Among the six components of the OETF's stated mission, the first is to:

"Meet or exceed the goals established in the Maine Wind Energy Act, Title 35-A, section 3404(2)(B), to install at least 2,000 megawatts of wind capacity by 2015 and at least 3,000 megawatts by 2020, 300 of which could be located in coastal waters.  The Task Force shall identify potential economic, technical, regulatory, and other obstacles to development of grid-scale offshore wind resources in Maine and federal coastal waters, and recommend solutions to overcome those obstacles."

Click here for the Task Force's final report.

By Executive Order 31 FY 06/07 (dated May 8, 2007), Maine Governor Baldacci established the Governor's Task Force on Wind Power Development. The task force's goal was to examine the regulatory processes and financing options currently applicable to wind power projects proposed in Maine and to recommend changes to state policies, regulatory requirements and financial incentives necessary to responsibly facilitate those projects.

Studies, Research and Development:

In June 2010 DOE committed $20 million for the development and testing of deepwater offshore wind technology (article here), and Maine Senator Susan Collins, who was instrumental in obtaining the funding, is working to ensure that a majority of the money goes to the University of Maine. The University of Maine had previously received $8 million in federal stimulus money for deepwater offshore wind research.

The University of Maine has been very active in the field of offshore wind technology development. The university is home to the AEWC Advanced Structures and Composites Center, which has over 48,000 square feet of research space. The AEWC is currently constructing an additional 37,000 square foot Offshore Wind Laboratory, which will include a "nanocomposites laboratory, a large structural testing laboratory complete with a test stand capable of supporting a 70 m wind blade, expanded mechanical testing capacities, laboratories for material and component level testing under controlled environmental conditions, and an advanced machining and fabrication shop to support operations, prototyping, and tooling fabrication." The University received $12.4 million in federal stimulus funds to build this laboratory.

The University of Maine was also a founding member of the DeepCWind Consortium which is committed to advancing deepwater offshore wind technology. The university is taking the lead on establishing a Deepwater Offshore Wind Test Site in Maine waters that will serve as a test bed for floating platform designs.