Wind Testing and Certification News

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May 20, 2019
Simulation of a wind turbine showing the wind flow around the turbine and depicting the velocity.
CFD Code Increases Accuracy of Turbine Wake Simulation
Accurate modeling of interactions between turbines, turbulence, and wakes indicates potential for lower wind plant costs and improved efficiency.
May 20, 2019
Lidar equipment in the foreground with three wind turbines in the background.
Wake Steering Performance Evaluated at Scale
Wake steering field trials reveal potential for wind-plant-level control to increase annual energy production 1%–2% and profits by $1 million.
March 6, 2019
Men standing near a wind tunnel.
CWC Wind Tunnel Engineered to Last
In 2018, a team at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory designed and built the CWC's second-generation wind tunnel.
August 1, 2018
Aerial view of the the National Wind Technology Center, with the Rocky Mountains in the background.
Request for Information on Broadening the Scope of Energy R&D and Associated Facility Needs at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's...
WETO is requesting public input on facility and infrastructure investments at the National Wind Technology Center.
May 8, 2018
A large dynomometer in a factory.
Clemson University To Test Next-Generation Wind Drivetrain
MHI Vestas announced a 5-year investment with Clemson University to test its new 9.5-megawatt gearbox at Clemson's SCE&G Energy Innovation Center.
May 8, 2018
Photo of a wind turbine with crane propped up against it.
On-Site Research to Determine Causes of Premature Drivetrain Gearbox Failure
Although wind energy costs have declined, premature drivetrain failure still can lead to higher-than-expected turbine operation and maintenance costs.
May 8, 2018
Photo of a small wind turbine.
Competitiveness Improvement Project Hits First Certification Milestone
Primus Wind Power achieved certification in February 2018 of its Primus Air40 wind turbine model.
May 8, 2018
The Scaled Wind Farm Technology facility at Sandia National Labs.
Groundbreaking Experiment Steers Wake Away from Downwind Turbine
An experiment successfully demonstrated that the wake from an upwind turbine can be steered away from a downwind turbine by yawing the upwind turbine.
February 28, 2018
A Primus Air40 wind turbine in a field.
Energy Department's Competitiveness Improvement Project Hits First Certification Milestone; Opens Next Round of Applications
The latest request for proposals under the Competitiveness Improvement Project for distributed wind energy was released.
January 25, 2018
Clemson Wind Testing Center
EERE Success Story—Clemson University to Test Next-Generation Wind Drivetrain
Wind turbine manufacturer MHI Vestas announced a $35 million, five-year investment with Clemson University to test its new 9.5-MW gearbox.
May 11, 2016
Sandia National Laboratories Hits Milestone, Gears Up for 2016 Research
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) recently reached a major milestone by successfully remounting a rotor on one of its heavily modified Vestas V27...
May 11, 2016
Energy Department Helps Manufacturers of Small and Mid-Size Wind Turbines Meet Certification Requirements
NREL has awarded four subcontracts to manufacturers of small and mid-size wind turbines to improve their turbine design and manufacturing processes...
May 11, 2016
Researchers Achieve Breakthrough in Solving Leading Cause of Gearbox Failures

Accomplishing a significant milestone, researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory have successfully replicated...

March 28, 2016
DOE’s 1.5-MW wind turbine at the National Wind Technology Center is being used to demonstrate that wind farms can provide the frequency-responsive back-up or “ancillary services” currently supplied to the electrical grid by conventional power plants. (Photo by Dennis Schroeder/National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
DOE Explores Potential of Wind Power to Stabilize Electric Grids

A team at DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory is exploring the capability of wind energy to stabilize the nation's electrical grid when...

March 24, 2016
NREL researchers are completing testing of a next-generation drivetrain, shown here undergoing rigorous tests at the National Wind Technology Center’s 2.5-megawatt dynamometer. NREL’s testing validates the technology prior to commercialization. Shown here are NREL senior engineer and project lead Jonathan Keller (left) and DOE technology manager Nick Johnson. Photo by Malone Media.
Innovative Drivetrain Testing for Wind Turbines Nears Completion

Wind turbines wouldn't do their job without a drivetrain--and EERE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory has developed a new system that promises...

September 17, 2015
Statistics Show Bearing Problems Cause the Majority of Wind Turbine Gearbox Failures
In the past, the wind energy industry has been relatively conservative in terms of data sharing, especially with the general public, which has...
September 16, 2015
NREL, Clemson University Collaborate on Wind Energy Testing Facilities

In May, two of our nation’s most advanced wind research and test facilities joined forces to help the...

May 18, 2015
SNL Researchers Assess Wind Turbine Blade Inspection and Repair Methods

Flaws in wind turbine blades emanating from the manufacturing process are an important factor in blade reliability. To reduce uncertainty in the...

May 18, 2015
DOE Launches High-Tech Research Buoys to Advance U.S. Offshore Wind Development
DOE is exploring the immense potential for offshore wind energy development off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts using high-tech research buoys oper...
September 12, 2014
Argonne Researchers Shine "Light" on Origins of Wind Turbine Bearing Failures
Researchers at DOE's Argonne National Laboratory are investigating the root cause of failures to wind turbine drivetrain components, such as bearin...
September 12, 2014
NREL Announces Two New Competitiveness Improvement Project Awards

In July, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) announce...

March 31, 2014
SWiFT Turbines Full Dynamic Characterization Opens Doors for Research in the Dynamics of Coupled Systems

Research conducted at the Scaled Wind Farm Technology Facility (SWiFT) in Lubbock, Texas, drew a lot of interest from attendees at the...

March 31, 2014
DOE Announces Competitive Improvement Project Awards

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is building on the success of the initial Distributed Wind...

January 6, 2014
Letter from the Wind Program Director: Fourth Quarter 2013
A new year always presents a great opportunity to reflect on past accomplishments and look forward to new opportunities. For the Wind Program, 2013...
January 6, 2014
Research Led by Sandia Reveals Leading-Edge Erosion Significantly Reduces Wind Turbine Performance

Research conducted by DOE's Sandia National Laboratories revealed that leading-edge erosion on wind turbine blades can have a detrimental effect on...