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Wind turbines can be used as stand-alone applications, or they can be connected to a utility power grid or even combined with a photovoltaic (solar cell) system. For utility-scale (megawatt-sized) sources of wind energy, a large number of wind turbines are usually built close together to form a wind plant. Several electricity providers today use wind plants to supply power to their customers.
Stand-alone wind turbines are typically used for water pumping or communications. However, homeowners, farmers, and ranchers in windy areas can also use wind turbines as a way to cut their electric bills.
Small wind systems also have potential as distributed energy resources. Distributed energy resources refer to a variety of small, modular power-generating technologies that can be combined to improve the operation of the electricity delivery system.
The mission of the wind energy research conducted at NREL’s National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) is to collaborate with industry to further wind technology and to accelerate its commercialization in the marketplace. The NWTC’s research has contributed to many wind industry success stories and the development of commercially successful utility-scale wind power plants.
The NWTC’s wind energy research capabilities are ahead of the curve. The center’s experienced staff, unique research capabilities, and specialized state-of-the-art equipment provide industry partners and stakeholders with technical support from the design table to the marketplace.
NREL’s R&D projects are funded in part by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Program.