The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to administer an $18.5 million offshore wind research and development (R&D) consortium that will identify ways to reduce the cost of offshore wind in the U.S.

DOE said that the consortium will bring together industry, academia, government and other stakeholders to advance offshore wind plant technologies. Working as a cooperative innovation hub, the consortium also will develop methods for wind resource and site characterization, and advanced technology solutions for installation, operation, maintenance, and supply chain.

“There is enormous potential for offshore wind in the United States,” Daniel Simmons, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, said in a statement. “Through this consortium, DOE seeks to support fundamental research to accelerate the development of affordable offshore wind technologies.”

This research will focus on market conditions specific to the U.S., including:

Deep water, where floating foundations are required

Areas where seabed conditions are not well understood

Effects of hurricanes on the East Coast

Challenging environments for installation and operations at sea

NYSERDA will administer and coordinate the collaborative R&D activities of the consortium, and DOE is providing an additional $2 million to DOE’s national laboratories to support consortium R&D activities.