ARPA-E launched the ATLANTIS program back in 2018 as our first structured effort to move the technological needle within the offshore wind energy space. With just a few short years of advanced research and development under its belt, ATLANTIS is already drawing recognition from high places.

The Biden-Harris Administration released a fact sheet on January 12, 2022 detailing U.S. investments in deploying clean energy through several actions, including advancing offshore wind deployment. The White House fact sheet also highlights a recent report by the Department of Energy (DOE), which further outlines the critical importance of offshore wind investment.

DOE’s report specifically cites the ATLANTIS program, which addresses the need for floating offshore wind turbines (FOWT) to diversify energy resources for grid resiliency, reduces the cost of wind energy production, and increases the availability for affordable and reliable wind energy. The 15 projects within the ATLANTIS program represent critical advancements in FOWT technology.

According to the report, FOWT represent a significant part of an interagency effort to create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs and revitalize our ports while reducing 78 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions and charting a path toward 110 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2050.

ARPA-E is excited about the Biden-Harris Administration’s renewed efforts and commitment to furthering offshore wind initiatives, including the development of FOWT within the ATLANTIS program.