DSM Pocket Guidebook Volume 5: Renewable and Related ... - NREL

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Remote locations where diesel generators ore common used
• Locutions where the terrain is too rough or isolated for reliable
delivery of diesel fuel
• Smull grid applications that use diesel-fired generation
• Some water pumping applications.
Wrth the new generation of turbines coming into the market between
1993 ond 1995, electric power generation from wind forms in locutions
with doss 4 or better winds should be cost competitive.
Continued development of doss 4 or better wind sites is expected to
continue beyond 2000. This moy require either building new, or gaining
access to, additional transmission lines to increase the distance thot
electricity con be transmitted between wind resource sites ond loud
centers .
• INDUSTRY STATUS
The industry is dominated byo few well-established companies offering
field-tested designs, high-volume production manufacturing techniques,
ond utility1Jrode opemtions ond maintenance programs. Several
companies compete in the small, high-reliability, remote systems
market. Some companies ore actively pursuing new designs reflecting
incremental improvements to existing technology. A few firms ore
establishing joint ventures with European or Japanese companies.
The U.S. Deportment of Energy (DOE), EPRI, the wind industry, ond
utilities ore involved in developing odvonced wind turbine technology
that will improve turbine performance ond reduce the cost of energy
from wind. Testing of o prototype vorioble-speed turbine begun in
1992.
DOE is working with the wind industry to develop odvonced wind
machine technology, which should be ovoiloble within the decode.
Testing of o Notional Renewable Energy Lobomtory odvonced prototype
turbine begun in 1993. This technology will reduce the cost of
energy even further. Examples include new airfoils, new drivetrains,
new aerodynamic controls, ond toller towers.
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