Ward quoted in Press Herald analysis on offshore wind farms

Jake Ward, UMaine’s vice president for innovation and economic development, was quoted in a Portland Press Herald analysis on offshore wind farms. According to the article, a project affiliated with the University of Maine, called Maine Aqua Ventus, could get another shot at the federal Department of Energy’s $47 million grant to help build an experimental floating wind farm. None of the three proposals that beat out Maine’s venture 15 months ago have been able to sign a power purchase agreement by July 31, a condition for getting the $47 million, and none can meet a target date of being online by 2017, the article states. As a runner-up, Maine Aqua Ventus was awarded $3 million to finish design and engineering work on the floating, concrete hull. Ward said the work has led to refinements in weight, cost and performance.“The work over the last year has improved our technology,” he said. “Having that time to go to 100 percent design has us feeling pretty strongly that this approach is a viable solution.”