U.S.-based conglomerate GE has confirmed to NAW that the company acquired U.K.-based Blade Dynamics earlier this week.
In a statement, GE calls the deal a ‘strategic decision’ and refers to Blade Dynamics as ‘a small but growing technology company specializing in the development of modular blades for wind turbines.’
According to Blade Dynamics' website, the company was founded in 2007, focuses on both onshore and offshore wind turbine blades, and has facilities at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in Louisiana and in the south of England.
Earlier this year, Blade Dynamics shipped and started testing its prototype 78-meter D78 offshore wind turbine blade at ORE Catapult's National Renewable Energy Center in the U.K.
"At GE, research and development is a key part of our long-term strategy," says the GE statement. "In our ongoing pursuit of cutting-edge wind technologies, we have followed recent advancements in composite manufacturing with great interest, and we believe modular blades could potentially become a transformational technology for the industry.
"Modular blades offer scalable blade architecture, enabling lower-cost manufacturing methods and a more cost-effective long-term solution for logistics challenges associated with transporting current blade technology," the company continues. "We are excited to welcome the Blade Dynamics team to GE."
No further details, including the terms and price of the acquisition, were disclosed.
