By David McGlinchey
Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced a $45 million grant on Monday to test extremely large wind turbines at the former naval base in Charleston, South Carolina. The facility will be built and operated by the Clemson University Restoration Institute.
“We are at the beginning of a new Industrial Revolution when it comes to clean energy and projects like these will help us get there faster,” Chu said.
The facility will test drivetrains for turbines rated at 5 – 15 megawatts, according to a Department of Energy press release. The technology would apply to land-based and offshore wind turbines. Currently, the largest wind turbine is rated at 6 megawatts.
The grant is the largest award the school has ever received, according to a Clemson statement. The application was submitted in partnership with Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment Authority; the South Carolina Department of Commerce; the State of South Carolina; South Carolina Public Railways; the South Carolina State Ports Authority; and several private partners.
“The importance of this grant should not be understated,” said Nick Rigas, director of the Restoration Institute’s Renewable Energy focus area. “Clemson, together with the industry that will grow around the testing facility, will drive wind energy research nationwide.”
25. November 2009 at 4:18 pm
This is great news. Hopefully the start of a new trend.