North American Windpower: Blade Testing to Be Done

Blade Testing to Be Done

by NAW Staff on Wednesday 28 June 2006

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is seeking government, private or nonprofit partners to design, construct and assist in operating one or more wind turbine blade test facilities capable of testing blades up to at least 70 m (230 feet) in length. Interested parties should respond to the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) announcement with a proposal by October 2, 2006.

The purpose of this partnership is to support the U.S. wind industry's development and the deployment of large land-based and offshore wind turbines by providing industry with facilities capable of testing the larger blades at a reasonable cost.

The DOE Wind Program intends to give capital contributions up to $2 million, provide NREL staff and expertise to help develop and operate the facility, and license the NREL blade resonance fatigue testing technology.

For more information on this CRADA opportunity, contact Jason Cotrell at NREL, MS 3811, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401 (303) 384-7056; -email-.

Latest Top Stories

Study: How Northwest Wind Can Play With Energy Storage And Provide Operational Flexibility

Researchers have identified two possible sites in eastern Washington to build compressed-air energy-storage facilities that could temporarily store the Northwest’s abundant wind resources.

Wind Consortium Deploys Nacelle-Mounted LIDAR At Offshore Site In Irish Sea

In an important development for performance verification for offshore wind sites, a group of companies have deployed a nacelle-mounted LIDAR at DONG Energy's 367 MW Walney Wind Farm.

As U.S. DOJ Investigates, Duke Works Adaptive Management Plan

With previous golden eagle fatalities reported at two company-owned wind farms in Wyoming, Duke Energy Renewables is going to great lengths to protect raptors.

DOE To Recast Landmark 20% Wind Energy Report; Study Looks Back, Ahead

The U.S. Department of Energy will update its 20% Wind Energy By 2030 report, which indicated increased levels of wind penetration for the U.S. is not only possible but feasible.

Wind Energy Procurement Top Of Mind For Big-Name Companies

With greater frequency, top-tier companies are discovering the economic and environmental power of wind energy and upping their investments in the resource.