October 30, 2023 | From City of New Orleans
City of New Orleans Announces LSU Offshore Wind Consortium Secures EDA Tech Hub Designation to Elevate Louisiana Energy Leadership
NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans has joined President Biden and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) in announcing a Louisiana State University (LSU)-led consortium, Gulf Louisiana Offshore Wind (GLOW) Propeller, as one of only 31 newly designated Tech Hubs positioned to revitalize American manufacturing, create jobs and strengthen U.S. economic and national security within a decade. LSU’s GLOW Propeller was selected from hundreds of applicants from 48 states.
“New Orleans and Louisiana have been energy leaders for this country for over a century, and the EDA’s designation of Southeast Louisiana as a ‘Tech Hub’ for offshore wind highlights the fact that we are poised to lead the energy transition for the next century," said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. "The GLOW Propeller consortium — made up of our leading colleges and universities, industry and workforce partners and public sector leadership — is a testament to our region’s expertise and capacity to be globally competitive in the offshore wind and energy industry. In the words of Secretary Raimondo, the GLOW Propeller consortium is now officially ‘a part of America’s economic agenda.’ My administration is working every day to ensure that we continue to diversify our region’s economy while remaining a leader in the global climate crisis, and our Tech Hubs designation is a major step forward for the City of New Orleans.”
GLOW Propeller will support talent and technology development for offshore wind energy production in Louisiana, bolstering the state’s leadership role in traditional and emerging renewable energy production.
“For nearly a century, Louisiana has been at the forefront of our nation’s domestic offshore energy production,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “By helping universities, companies and technical colleges in Louisiana develop critical offshore wind technology and know-how, this program will help Louisiana stay a leader for the next century. I would like to thank the U.S. Department of Commerce’s EDA, as well as Rep. Troy Carter, Sen. Bill Cassidy and President Biden for their support of the CHIPS and Science Act that makes this important work possible.”
“LSU's Scholarship First agenda recognizes Louisiana’s pivotal role in research and talent development within the ever-evolving energy industry,” said LSU President William F. Tate IV. “This highly competitive U.S. Department of Commerce’s EDA award affirms that collaborations between LSU, higher education partners and industry leaders further bolster our capacity and accelerate our novel approach to driving talent and technology advancements in emerging energy sectors.”
The GLOW Propeller consortium brings together public and private partners, including five universities: LSU, Southern, Tulane, University of New Orleans (UNO) and Xavier; two community colleges: Delgado and Nunez; industry partners: Gulf Wind Technologies, RWE and Sev1Tech; as well as the City of New Orleans, Louisiana Department of Economic Development, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Greater New Orleans, Inc., the Water Institute of the Gulf and Port Fourchon, the nation’s leading offshore energy port located in Lafourche Parish.
“This designation marks a significant milestone as it demonstrates unequivocally a desire by the EDA to support the Gulf of Mexico region in its pursuit of developing offshore wind projects moving forward,” said Director of Port Fouchon Chett Chiasson. “Among the major players in offshore wind will be Port Fourchon, as our servicing capabilities and location to the Gulf are second to none. Our agency, tenants and users stand ready to assist in any and every way possible to see this potential become a reality in the not-so-distant future.”
Offshore wind development in the Gulf of Mexico poses unique challenges, which the LSU consortium aims to address. With lower average wind speeds, softer soils and major storm events, the Gulf region is considered a second-tier site where successful development could forge the future of similar sites around the globe. GLOW Propeller is an opportunity for Louisiana to export knowledge and technology to the world, just as Louisiana workers helped build the Block Island Wind Farm off Rhode Island, the nation’s first commercial offshore wind farm.
The 2022 CHIPS and Science Act authorized the Tech Hubs program at $10 billion. Designation as a Tech Hub unlocks the opportunity for the LSU-led team to apply for tens of millions of dollars in funding to accelerate offshore wind research and development in Louisiana. The EDA is announcing Phase 2 implementation grants of $50 - 75 million each to five or more of the 31 newly designated Tech Hubs.
Through GLOW Propeller, the City of New Orleans further strengthens its position as a talent and technology development leader in the energy transition. New Orleans is home to UNO's Wind Energy Hub to help transition our city and region to new renewable energy sources. The City has also enthusiastically supported GNO, Inc. and its many partners to successfully win a $50 million Build Back Better Regional Challenge award for the H2theFuture proposal, which will help bring about a green hydrogen revolution in Louisiana.
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