NREL, Alstom Celebrate wind turbine installation.
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Press Release Summary:
Officials from US Department of Energy (DOE) and DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), along with officials from Alstom, commemorated successful installation and full capacity operation of 3 MW, 60 Hz Alstom ECO 100 wind turbine at NREL's National Wind Technology Center. After completion of initial analysis and testing on turbine, NREL and Alstom will continue pursuing research and development in advanced technology areas such as controls and offshore wind energy.
Original Press Release:
NREL and Alstom Celebrate Wind Turbine Installation
3 MW, 60 Hz Alstom ECO 100 Now Fully Operational at National Wind Technology Center
Golden, Colo. - Officials from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), along with officials from Alstom, today commemorated the successful installation and full capacity operation of a 3 megawatt Alstom ECO 100 wind turbine at NREL's National Wind Technology Center. This event signifies a crucial step forward in the long-term, collaborative research and development agreement between NREL and Alstom, which launched in May of 2010.
"We are thrilled to have Alstom working closely with NREL as an R&D partner," Fort Felker, Director of NREL's National Wind Technology Center, said. "These types of collaborations demonstrate a commitment to crucial technology development and the public-private partnerships that will be necessary to ensure the continued momentum of the wind power industry. NREL is proud to be at the forefront of this important work."
A joint team of NREL and Alstom engineers will perform a series of analyses and tests to evaluate Alstom's unique drive train configuration technology. The NREL testing program includes additional measurements that will be added to the type certificate for the 60Hz ECO 100 configuration, which was achieved in 2010.
"This is a very exciting day for all of us at Alstom and we are delighted to share the celebration with our deeply valued partners from NREL," said Andy Geissbuehler, vice president and general manager of Alstom's wind business in North America. "Today's commemoration of our ECO 100 - NREL partnership follows just a few short weeks after Alstom's first North American wind farms entered commercial operation. With the achievement of these two significant milestones, 2011 already is shaping up to be an exciting year for Alstom in this challenging and important market."
After completion of initial analysis and testing on the Alstom ECO 100 turbine, NREL and Alstom will continue pursuing research and development in advanced technology areas including controls and offshore wind energy.
About Alstom
Alstom is a global leader in the world of power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure, and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind, and it offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids.
About NREL
NREL is the Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for DOE by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
Visit NREL online at www.nrel.gov
