Large Wind Turbine Installation at NREL's Wind Technology Center

Media availability Friday, Aug. 21

Thursday, August 20, 2009

This week, the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) began the installation of the two largest wind turbines ever erected at the laboratory — a 1.5 MW Department of Energy (DOE) turbine manufactured by General Electric and a 2.3 MW turbine from Siemens Power Generation.

On Friday, turbine nacelle and the rotor and blades are expected to be lifted onto the DOE turbine at NREL's National Wind Technology Center (NWTC). Construction of both turbines is expected to be finished in September. The installation of these two turbines will greatly enhance the research capabilities of the NWTC by allowing the researchers to examine some of industry's largest machines and address challenges to rapidly expanding wind energy.

For more information on the wind turbines being installed and the research objectives of these turbines visit http://www.nrel.gov/news/pdfs/0809nwtcfactsheet.pdf for a detailed fact sheet. Media representatives are invited to visit the NWTC on Friday, Aug. 21 during the installation of the nacelle, rotor and blades to see the construction a large wind turbine. (The nacelle sits at the top of the tower and houses the generator and gearbox.)

WHAT: Media availability during the installation of large multi-megawatt wind turbine with briefings from NREL experts and photo/video opportunities.

WHEN: Check in at 8:30 a.m., Friday, Aug. 21. The road will be closed while the turbine rotor and blades are lifted into place.

WHERE: NREL's National Wind Technology Center, 18200 State Highway 128. For directions and security information, visit http://www.nrel.gov/visiting_nrel/nwtc.html.

NOTE: Media must arrive by 8:30 a.m. for check-in at NWTC Security, at the entrance to the NWTC site, for badging. U.S. citizens must present government-issued identification to be granted access. Non-U.S. citizens should contact 303-275-4097 for additional information.

### Visit NREL online at www.nrel.gov

Media may contact:

David Glickson
303-275-4097
david.glickson@nrel.gov

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