Northwest Ohio Makes Pitch for Wind Turbine Blade Test Facility
TOLEDO, Ohio –Committed to diversifying the regional economy, and recognizing the enormous economic potential with wind energy, northwest Ohio, led by the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP), has submitted a proposal to acquire a wind turbine blade test facility.
The proposal was submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory to design, construct and operate a facility capable of testing blades up to 100 meters in length.
This proposed initiative aligns with the regional mission to create a knowledge-based economy, according to Steve Weathers, president and CEO of the RGP.
“This region has aggressively pursued higher value opportunities to help northwest Ohio take advantage of growth industries in this global economy,” Weathers said. “Our effort to acquire this test facility is another step toward establishing alternative energy as a competitive resource and asset.”
Wind energy is one of the world’s fastest growing energy technologies, according to the National Economic Council. Areas with good wind resources have the potential to supply up to 20 percent of the electricity consumption of the United States. In addition, Ohio ranks second in the nation for potential job creation and industry investment from wind turbine generator component manufacturing.
“Having a large-blade test facility in northwest Ohio such as the one proposed by the University of Toledo and the Regional Growth Partnership would support the continued growth of wind energy as a reliable source of power,” said Dave Brown, president and chief executive officer, Owens Corning. “The proposed test facility would be a valuable resource for U.S.-based manufacturers who serve this rapidly growing market around the world.”
Bolstering the northwest Ohio proposal is the region’s inherent strengths, including its infrastructure and technical expertise. The test facility must on located alongside water and have the necessary land to accommodate such a facility. The region’s proposed location, five acres on the Midwest Terminals site along the Maumee River in East Toledo, meets those requirements. In addition, researchers and engineers at the University of Toledo, who have made careers studying wind turbine generators, provide a competitive advantage for northwest Ohio.
“Having already established expertise in solar cells and thin films, this is a tremendous opportunity for the University of Toledo to expand its role in alternative energy,” said UT President Dr. Lloyd Jacobs. “And as we strive to become more engaged with the business community, this test facility would serve as an ideal marriage between research and industry.”
A final decision is expected in early 2007, with the proposed test facility ready for operation in mid-2009. (More) The Regional Growth Partnership is a private nonprofit development corporation dedicated to fostering local, national and international economic growth opportunities for Northwest Ohio.