Two projects will receive a total of $3.4m over two years to improve short-term wind forecasting, which will accelerate the use of wind power in electricity transmission networks by allowing utilities and grid operators to forecast when and where electricity will be generated from wind power.
The remaining three projects will receive a total of more than $1.8m to boost the speed and scale of midsize wind turbine technology development and deployment.
According to DOE, these grants will help reach the goal of doubling the US renewable energy generation capacity, and will promote energy security, environmental quality and clean energy jobs.
DOE secretary Steven Chu said that wind power holds enormous potential to help reach the nation’s clean energy goals.
"The awards will help better integrate wind energy into the electrical grid and will support the development of midsize wind turbines that can be used to provide renewable electricity in communities across the country," Chu said.
