The largest wind turbine in the United States is now located at West Texas A&M University.
This week, WTAMU announced that the largest wind turbine in the U.S., developed by Goldwind Americas, was installed at the University. The turbine has a hub height of 130 meters, blade tip height of 199.2 meters, and a rotor diameter of 136 meters. The turbine is also the first of its kind to be installed outside of the company's headquarters in China. The turbine will be fully commissioned and tested this month at the WTAMU Advanced Wind Turbine Test Facility.
In a statement, Dr. Angela Spaulding, vice president of research at WTAMU, said that the conditions of the wind in the Texas Panhandle make WTAMU uniquely suited for research on the wind turbine.
“The facility, located in the middle of the Great Plains Wind Corridor, is one of the largest of its kind in the world and is a premiere location for wind testing and research,” Spaulding said. “Due to year-round favorable wind conditions, turnaround time at the facility is unparalleled, making it the ideal testing and research resource for wind turbine and component manufacturers, researchers, project developers, utilities and other companies within the wind energy sector.”
Dr. Walter Wendler, university president, also praised the project, stating that WTAMU is excited to host the research project.
“Wind energy and agriculture are a sympathetic combination of energy generation and a need in the top 26 counties of Texas,” Wendler said. “For many small farmers and ranchers, wind energy provides a means of sustaining family farms and ranches. Agriculture and engineering are very near the heart of the mission of WTAMU, and we are pleased to be the site for testing of this groundbreaking technology.”
For more information, please visit wtamu.edu.
