Siemens Energy has announced that it will establish its US wind turbine R&D competence center in Boulder, Colorado, USA.

The facility is expected to employ an estimated 50 people and will focus on atmospheric science research, aerodynamic blade design, structural dynamics, wind turbine dispatch prediction and reliability. Siemens and the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) also announced their intent to enter a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) for the installation of a Siemens 2.3MW pilot wind turbine with a 101-meter-rotor at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) location south of Boulder. The company will test basic wind turbine characteristics and verify new performance-enhancing features and turbine reliability under severe weather conditions over a minimum period of three years.