The
US National Renewable Energy Laboratorywill work with consortiums from
and
to design, build and operate new facilities to test the next generation of giant wind turbine blades.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced the blade test facility cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) yesterday.
The
Blade testing is required to meet wind turbine design standards, reduce machine cost, and reduce the technical and financial risk of deploying mass-produced wind turbine models.
Rapid growth in wind turbine size over the past two decades has outstripped the existing capabilities of the NREL's
NREL will continue testing blades at its facility in
Transportation issues were key to deciding to build the new blade test facilities near waterways.
The
The site proposed by the Lone Star Wind Alliance in
The agreements will be executed by NREL on behalf of the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. DOE/NREL will provide each of the test facilities up to $2m in capital equipment and technical assistance for development and operation. The total capital cost of each facility has been estimated at $9 to $12m.
Five ways to prepare for your first day
If I may add my own personal Tip No. 6 it goes something like this: From time to time a more senior member of staff will start explaining something...