Gamesa, a Spanish company that specializes in technologies for alternative energy, has teamed up with Texas A&M U. to create the G10X, soon to be the nation’s largest wind turbine. The turbine will be at West Texas A&M Campus in Canyon, Texas, 15 miles south of Amarillo.
“West Texas A&M University is ideally located for the testing of wind turbines, with not only abundant but also the most consistent wind in the country. We have been engaged in wind energy research and standards development for over 30 years, and are committed to continued leadership in these activities,” said Vaughn Nelson, director of the Alternative Energy Institute.
In addition to taking advantage of the vicious squalls of West Texas and converting them to electrical energy, the turbine will be an object of extensive research and development. The majority of students participating in research will be engineering majors. Those using the turbine for study include aerospace, mechanical, civil, electrical and industrial engineers.
Computer Science, Atmospheric Science, and Material Science Departments may also be involved in the research, with the possibility of input from a statistics professor from West Texas A&M who has an expertise in wind prediction.
“[The turbine] may operate in the red, meaning budget deficit with supplementary costs,” said Theresa Maldonado, associate vice chancellor for research and director for the Energy Engineering Institute.
Maldonado said the drawbacks would be mostly financial because Texas A&M would not see immediate monetary profits. The transportation of
the turbine would also be extremely costly.
The height of the turbine is expected to be 420 feet (128 meters), making it as tall as the length of a football field and the tallest wind turbine in the nation.
“[We are] ready to take on the challenge; it’s going to be fun,” Maldonado said.
She said West Texas A&M has been researching wind energy for over 30 years, but with the addition of the G10X to the team, the program will become more widely known throughout the country.
The turbine will train the students for the industry and give them hardware that they will be able to test . It will also help the field to move forward; those involved will think of new improvements and possibly completely new technologies.
Though the costs may be high, many of the students at West Texas A&M will gain hands-on experience and a better understanding of the technology.
“Recognized for its worldwide reputation for conducting research and finding breakthrough technology, we look forward to this collaboration with Texas A&M. This key relationship represents another milestone for Gamesa as we continue to grow and enhance our research programs to advance wind turbine technology in the U.S.,” said Dirk Matthys, CEO of Gamesa.