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