UI in running for prized wind turbine test facility

The University of Iowa has assembled a $78 million proposal to become the site of the world's first test bed for large-scale wind turbines.

The Iowa Power Fund Board will consider a request from the UI for $15 million in state funds Tuesday to help attract federal stimulus dollars for the project, known as Wind Energy National Testing Institute (WENTI).

Wind turbines continue to grow larger each year because the larger turbines can be more cost-effective electricity producers than smaller turbines, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

The Corridor has two producers of large wind turbines. Clipper Windpower, which manufactures the 2.5-megawatt Clipper Liberty wind turbine in Cedar Rapids, and Acciona Windpower, which manufactures the 1.5-megawatt AW-1500 in West Branch, and plans to begin producing a 3 megawatt model in 2010.

Iowa has the nation's second-largest installed base of wind turbines, and Iowa City is also developing one of the nation's first wind energy industrial parks in an attempt to attract suppliers of wind industry components to the area. Iowa also has the Iowa Alliance for Wind Innovation and Novel Development, a partnership of government, education and private entities to support the wind industry.

Last summer the energy department offered $45 million in federal recovery act dollars to fund a research facility that would focus on the crucial gearbox and drive train portions of the large turbines, which convert energy from whirling blades into a generator that churns out electricity.

The University of Iowa project would be housed at the Oakdale campus It would contain a dynamometer, a sort of exercise treadmill for wind turbine drive trains that simulates the vibration and movement that the drivetrain components would experienced if they were powered by whirling blades in ever-changing wind conditions. It would test 5-megawatt to 15 megawatt rated wind turbine drive trains and supporting systems, and also support the design, testing and improvement of the large turbines.

Built in a LEED-certified green building, it would incorporate a research program to benefit the wind industry nationwide, according to the application.

In addition to the federal funding and Iowa Power Fund grant, the UI is seeking $5 million from the Iowa Department of Economic development, and various in-kind contributions such as land from UI, and street improvements from the City of Coralville.

A team at the UI College of Engineering spent most of the summer putting together the UI bid, Dean of Engineering Barry Butler said.

“This is a very solid proposal,” Butler said.

Butler acknowledged that the UI has strong competition from Michigan and other states. He said competition is strong because the project is seen as a game-changer for states seeking to attract wind industry investment. The state that wins the project will likely become the prime location for new industry investment, butler said, because companies will want to be close to the main resources for testing and research.

The due diligence committee of the Iowa Power Fund board recommended at its October meeting that the project advance to the full board for its consideration. Tuesday's meeting will be the full board's first look at the project.

Iowa Power Fund's support will essentially decide “if it's a go or a no-go,” Butler said.