Texas Tech University in US has commissioned its new wind research facility - Scaled Wind Farm Technology (SWiFT) facility, which is the first of its type in the country.
According to the university, the SwiFT facility enables cost-efficient testing and development of transformative wind energy technology, with specific stress on improving the performance of a wind power plant.
The research facility features two V27 research turbines installed by the Department of Energy and Sandia National Laboratories, and a third V27 turbine belonging to Vestas – a Danish wind turbine manufacturer.
Commenting on the development, Sandia National Laboratories technical lead for the project said that according to industry estimates, around 10% – 40% of wind energy production and revenue is lost due to complex wind plant interaction.
Texas Tech University System chancellor Kent Hance said, "The completion of the SWiFT facility marks a new and exciting chapter of wind research at Texas Tech University.
"Research generated from this venture will enhance the capability of wind turbines, help develop wind power systems of the future and further Texas Tech’s position as a leader in the wind energy industry. We are grateful to our multiple partners who helped make this important project a reality."
Earlier in April 2012, Vestas and Group NIRE, a renewable energy development company, inked an agreement, through which the facility can be used for collaborative and proprietary research, depending on the research need.