The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Wind Energy Technologies Office has announced the selection of GE Renewables to receive $5 million in DOE funding. GE 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, but continued economies of scale are currently limited by transportation constraints.

This project was chosen as an alternate selection to a Fiscal Year 2019 funding opportunity that was originally announced in October, 2019.