SBIR Contract for Carbon Fiber Composite Wind Turbine Blades
Global Energy Concepts LLC of Kirkland, Washington will receive a $750,000 Phase II grant under the U.S. Department of Energy's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program to develop technology for producing wind turbine blades from carbon fibers. The Phase II SBIR project involves collaboration with TPI Composites of Rhode Island, and is directed toward advanced blade designs that use carbon fiber to its fullest advantage by maximizing energy capture while mitigating loads throughout the turbine system. Work planned under the project will seek to demonstrate the commercial viability of advanced carbon hybrid designs, through design, manufacture, and structural testing of blades in the 30 to 35 meter length range.
This is GEC's second award from the SBIR Program, which encourages innovation by small companies. The 20-person wind-energy consulting company received a $100,000 Phase I grant under the same program a year ago.