Texas Tech University System and Group NIRE welcome Gamesa Technology Corp. to its research facilities in Lubbock, Texas at the Reese Technology Center. Group NIRE and Gamesa Technology have completed the installation and commissioning of the first 60Hz G114-2.0 MW wind turbine at the Reese Technology Center in Lubbock, TX. Erection and commissioning of the prototype was completed mid-March.
The prototype is deployed near Texas Tech University’s National Wind Institute’s field site which includes a wealth of instrumentation which will enhance collaborative research projects. NWI’s cutting edge facilities include a fully instrumented 200-meter meteorological tower, SODAR, a radar profiler, multiple 80-meter instrumented towers and other world renowned facilities.
The National Wind Institute has an international reputation for excellence with its 43-year history in studying the wind and its unique educational activities, such as the interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree in wind energy and the nation’s only Ph.D. program in wind science and energy.
The project is being implemented in collaboration with Group NIRE whose research facility focuses on testing, certifying and validating the next generation wind turbines and other energy assets. Group NIRE performs all testing in real world environments as part of their R&D partnership with Texas Tech University (TTU) and the National Wind Institute.
“The Office of Corporate Engagement at Texas Tech is proud to work closely with Group NIRE to attract industry leading companies like Gamesa to West Texas, the top region in North America for wind resources and research expertise,” said Director of Texas Tech Corporate Engagement, Russell Thomasson.
“The construction of the Gamesa G114 2MW wind turbine is an important project for both Group NIRE and Texas Tech University System as we recruit more companies like Gamesa to our energy asset testing and certification facility,” said Group NIRE’s Chief Executive Officer Mark Harral. “This is the beginning of a long-term relationship with Gamesa and we welcome them to west Texas.”
The turbine will be used for validation testing, certification testing, and future R&D projects. Testing will include safety and functional tests, load measurements, and power curve measurements among others. Slated for completion in 2014, Type Certification, a widely accepted industry certificate that is offered to signify a quality product, will soon become the model for doing business in this sector.
The G114-2.0 MW flagship wind turbine is an evolution of Gamesa’s celebrated 2.0-2.5 MW turbine platform, which is widely tested and validated with more than 15 gigawatts installed around the world and can boast average availability of over 98%. The model features a swept area 38% larger than that of the G97-2.0 MW. This and other improvements enable the turbine to produce 20% more energy than its predecessor.
“The proven technology we’ve incorporated into the G114-2.0 MW model places it among the most reliable, efficient, and cost-effective wind turbine technologies available today,” said Gamesa North American Vice President of Sales and Marketing Gonzalo Onzain.
Validation and Certification of the G114-2.0 MW 60Hz model using prototypes erected here in the U.S. follows the same strategy used by Gamesa for its G90 and G97 models, ensuring that the first machines delivered to North American customers have already been tested and proven to meet North American standards.
Texas Tech University
www.depts.ttu.ed
Gamesa
www.gamesacorp.com
Group NIRE
www.groupnire.com
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