NREL has pioneered many of the components and systems that have taken wind energy technologies to new heights, providing global leadership in fundamental wind energy science research, development, and validation activities.
From conceptualizing taller turbines capable of greater energy capture to assessing the United States' offshore wind energy needs and potential, NREL's wind energy program advances wind technologies from initial concepts to deployment. The 305-acre National Wind Technology Center at NREL is an ideal setting for evaluating the reliability and performance of wind turbines because it experiences diverse and vigorous wind patterns of more than 100 miles per hour.
Land-Based Wind
Wind power plant controls, reliability, and full-scale field research validation
Distributed Wind
Small wind design, modeling, simulation, resource characterization, analysis, and manufacturing
Offshore Wind
Offshore wind controls, reliability, modeling and simulation, and validation and certification
Grid Integration
Wind power grid system characterization data and models
Market Acceleration
Deployment energy and economic analysis, maps, forecasting, workforce development, and education
