The University of Maine has launched the first ever floating concrete-composite platform wind turbine in the world. The grid-connected VolturnUS prototype was constructed at a 1:8 scale of commercial size, and will help researchers collect data on floating wind turbine design. The launch event was held in Brewer, ME and attended by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, U.S. Sen. Angus King, U.S. Congressman Michael Michaud, University of Maine Chancellor James Page, and DOE staff.