Wind energy refers to the power that is extracted from the wind via wind turbines or windmills. As the technology in this field evolve, the cost of wind generated electric power continues to fall and the efficiency continue to increase. It has been estimated that the cost to produce energy from wind was nearly five greater in the late 1990s than in 2005. This is linked to more efficient wind turbines couples with larger multi-megawatt turbines that are becoming more mass produced.
GE has recently announced it has entered into a $27 million partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to design a next-generation offshore wind turbine. The power rating of the turbine will be optimized for minimal cost of energy but is expected to be between 5 and 7 Megawatts, making it one of the most powerful wind turbines in the world. The partnership will also help expand the nations wind energy potential. The research will be conducted at GEs Global Research Center in Niskayuna, NY.
GE, like other leading energy companies, has pledged to ramp up development in the use of cleaner technologies. Over the next five years, they plan to spend between $700m to $1.5b.
Wind is the fastest growing sector of the energy market, and GE has become one of the worlds leading wind turbine suppliers, said Jim Lyons, Chief Engineer for Electrical Systems at GEs Research Center and leader of Advanced Technology for GEs Wind Energy Business. "Wind energy is a major component of our ecomagination initiative, and the design of a next generation offshore wind turbine represents our commitment to introduce new products that help our customers meet their environmental challenges."
See www.gepower.com for more information.
