Congressman Mike Michaud, D-Maine, has announced that the House of Representatives is slated to approve $1.25 million for two alternative energy projects.
The projects, conducted by the University of Maine (UMaine) and its partners, were included in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill. Of the $1.25 million in funding, $250,000 will fund composite wind blade manufacturing technology, and $1 million will be used for tidal power.
‘Our state has the natural resources, the technology, the skills and the hardworking people to become a world leader in wind and tidal energy,’ says Michaud. ‘This funding for research and development will create jobs and help our state move forward on the development of these clean, renewable sources of energy.’
Funds for the wind power project are expected to be used to develop materials and processes to increase manufacturing productivity to bring blade production back to the U.S.
UMaine will continue to work with local industry participants to advance manufacturing processes for composite wind blades. Robotics processes will be developed to reduce production time and cost, as well as to improve durability, allowing the local industry to compete with imported blades.
SOURCE: Office of Congressman Mike Michaud
