Massachusetts-based Aeronautica Windpower, a provider of 750 kW wind turbines for community wind projects, is stepping up in class: make that the multi-megawatt class. That's because the company has signed a sales and licensing agreement with Germany-based W2E to build 2 MW wind turbines.
According to Aeronautica, the wind turbines will be manufactured at its facility in Seekonk, Mass. Orders are now being accepted, and production is set to begin within the year.
Brian Kuhn, Aeronautica's founder and vice president of development, asserts the company's experience in community wind can help it compete with the big boys.
‘We cut our teeth in the mid-scale market, helping customers who have smaller 1 to 10 MW projects that larger turbine manufacturers don't want to serve,’ Kuhn says. ‘With a larger machine, but maintaining a focus on supporting smaller project owners in class III and IV wind regimes, we think we can grow another notch or two.’
The company started in 2008 by refurbishing wind turbines from California wind farms and selling them to farmers. In 2010, it acquired a license to build the Norwin 750 kW turbine, a machine that now powers schools and wastewater treatment facilities.
The W2E design has been sold previously in Europe and Asia.
Rostock, Germany-based W2E Wind has based the design of the 2 MW turbine on its larger 2.5 MW and 3 MW designs but has scaled it down to fit in markets where regulations or tariffs favor a slightly smaller and lower wind class turbine.
