DOE Announces $2 Million in Funding for Taller Wind Energy Towers
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced $2 million intended to help efficiently harness wind energy using taller towers. These projects will help strengthen U.S. wind turbine component manufacturing, reduce the cost of clean and renewable wind energy, and expand the geographic range of cost-effective wind power in the U.S.
In the northeastern, southeastern and western U.S., wind conditions near the ground are often low or turbulent, limiting the amount of electricity generated from wind energy. Taller wind turbines can take advantage of the stronger, more consistent winds available at greater heights, thus increasing the number of locations that can cost-effectively produce renewable wind energy.