By Renewable Energy Focus staff
WTS has been working on the development of the space frame tower system technology for use at wind farm sites that require hub heights of 100 m (~328 ft) or more. The space frame tower can handle the static and dynamic loads generated by wind turbines.
“We see great potential in the addition of this technology to our portfolio not only for our customers but also for the wind industry as a whole,” says Victor Abate, Vice President Renewable Energy for GE Power & Water. “Taller towers are an essential complement to longer blades. Longer blades capture more energy and in turn improve return on investment for wind farm developers.”
“The taller space frame towers and integrated lifting system concepts, developed with the support of the US DoE and California Energy Commission, have been designed to drive lower wind energy costs,” adds Thomas Conroy, CEO of Wind Tower Systems.
Plans are underway to install a prototype of the GE’s space frame tower system technology to validate and test its design later this year with commercial availability targeted for 2012.
