Alstom Enters into Long-Term R&D Relationship with NREL

DALLAS, May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Alstom, a global leader in power generation, today announced that Alstom Wind has signed a long-term, collaborative R&D agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).  

As part of the agreement, NREL will complete a comparative study of Alstom's proven wind power technology.  Specifically, the agreement calls for testing and reporting on the performance of the ALSTOM PURE TORQUE ™ design, a unique rotor support concept that delivers higher gearbox reliability, higher operational availability, and lower maintenance costs. The testing will take place at NREL's National Wind Technology Center (NWTC), near Boulder, Colorado.

The organizations said the collaborative research, which will also result in the North American certification of Alstom's ECO 100, 3 MW wind turbine, is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2010 and be completed by middle of 2011. After these initial steps, the parties intend to continue their research and development relationship in the years to come. The research will also be conducted at NREL's National Wind Technology Center (NWTC), near Boulder, Colorado.  

Alstom made the announcement on the same day that it provided further details on its plans to expand their North American wind power presence, including the construction of an 115,000 square foot wind turbine assembly facility in Amarillo, Texas.

"We are thrilled to welcome Alstom as an R&D partner; project objectives are in direct alignment with DOE's goals to support R&D efforts to reduce the costs of renewable energy technologies and accelerate large-scale use of carbon-free electricity sources," Dave Simms, NREL's manager of NWTC Testing & Operations, said. "An added benefit is that Alstom's new factory will stimulate jobs and economic recovery through renewable energy development."

Dr. Fort Felker, Director of NREL's National Wind Technology Center, said, "NREL is pleased to begin a long-term R&D collaboration with Alstom.  Our analysis and testing of an Alstom turbine supports increased wind manufacturing and deployment in the United States."

Alfonso Faubel, Alstom Wind Vice President based in their Global wind headquarters located in Barcelona, Spain, said, "We are delighted about our long-term R&D partnership with NREL.  NREL is a well-respected proven authority with a successful track record researching alternative energy solutions.  Having their input and validation will give our customers confidence that our equipment is fit for purpose and fully suited for deployment in North America."

Andy Geissbuehler, Vice President and General Manager of Alstom Wind North America, said, "Local partnering for nacelle assembly and component supplies, enhanced by collaborative R&D agreements on national level, will generate excellent value for local communities and North American customers." Geissbuehler heads Alstom's North American wind power business, which is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.

About Alstom

Alstom (www.alstom.com) is a global leader in the world of power generation and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, and provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions, equipment and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, nuclear, gas, coal and wind. The Group employs 76,500 people in 70 countries and had sales of nearly euro 20 billion in 2009/10.  

About Alstom Wind

Alstom Wind designs, assembles and installs a wide range of onshore wind turbines spanning 1.67 MW to 3 MW. The company is responsible for a significant share of the development of the Spanish wind power market, which is ranked second largest in Europe. Alstom Wind currently generates about 50% of its sales from other European countries. To date, the company has installed or is installing over 1850 wind turbines in more than 100 wind farms, corresponding to a total capacity of over 2200 MW.

About NREL

NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for DOE by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

SOURCE Alstom