The UK To Design World's Biggest Wind Power Test Rig

ETI unveils plans to design world’s largest open access indoor test facility for offshore wind turbines

The world's largest open-access offshore wind-turbine test rig is to be developed in the UK by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI).

ETI announced the plans earlier this week for the new site, which will located next to the New and Renewable Energy Centre in Blythe, Northumberland.

The rig will enable the development of more low-cost turbines and protect offshore schemes from financial risk.

Lord Drayson, the minister for science and innovation at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, said that the rig would support other sites in development: "Testing is key for manufacturers, and today's announcement is further proof of the UK's commitment to providing access to world-leading facilities.

"The drive-train facility proposed by the ETI will complement projects already underway. In December, the government had already announced £11.5m towards a blade-test facility at the New and Renewable Energy Centre, which will provide a capability to test blades up to 100m in length." Read More.....