GE Renewables has been granted $5 million by the U.S. Department of Energy and other federal energy-related departments to build and test a new wind turbine that is designed to overcome transportation constraints currently inhibiting wind power development around the country.
The company will test, design and demonstrate a 140-meter wind turbine, formed by a 10-meter 3-D printed concrete pedestal topped with a 130-meter “soft” steel section, with up-tower components installed using a climbing crane.
These innovations will help the wind industry overcome the transportation constraints currently hindering tall tower installations in the United States. Taller wind turbine towers can enable access to higher wind speeds, thereby increasing energy capture and reducing cost.
The project was chosen as an alternate selection to Fiscal Year 2019 funding opportunity that was originally announced in October of the last calendar year.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Office of Energy Efficiency and the Renewable Energy, Wind Energy Technologies Office are involved in the project.