Researchers across the world are putting in their best to seek ways to utilize wind as a distributed energy source. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) works with numerous small-scale businesses to further this cause through its program; the competitiveness improvement project (CIP).

Among the businesses that have received awards from the CIP this year, Ducted Wind Turbines (DWT) is one firm working on developing shrouded turbine design. Founded by Ken Visser, DWT has recently been awarded a grant by the DOE for pre-prototype ducted turbine design.

Sources cite that the company would use this grant to advance its pre-prototype of new ducted 3kW wind system, including initial testing and in-detail technical review of preliminary design. Basically, DWT focuses on delivering minimum cost per kilowatt-hour in the small turbine market. Its design generates over two times of energy than a conventional open bladed wind turbine with similar rotor diameter.

As for CIP, it aims to provide funding support and cost-shared financing. The program supports small and midscale developers to:

• Develop next-generation manufacturing processes to decrease hardware costs.  
• Optimize designs for improved grid support and energy production.
• Test components and turbines for national standards to validate safety and performance.

CIP is working to create cost-effective distributed wind energy and enhance its interoperability with other distributed renewable energy resources. It aims to boost the number of mid as well as small scale wind turbine designs that are certified to national testing standards.

Apart from the funding support, award winners can get technical assistance from NREL to enhance their testing plans and turbine designs. Reports cite that NREL has granted 36 subcontracts to 20 companies. Up till now, it has invested more than $8.4 million while utilizing millions in additional private-sector funding.
 

Source Link - https://www.windpowerengineering.com/ducted-wind-turbines-awarded-doe-grant-for-shrouded-turbine-design/