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Notification: View the latest site access restrictions, updates, and resources related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) » #endifToggle Search Search NREL.gov Search Wind Research Menu Research Research Grand Challenges Advanced Manufacturing & Materials Atmospheric Science Economic Analysis & Data Analytics Environmental Science Grid Systems Integration Modeling & Validation Stakeholder Engagement & Social Science Technology Innovation Workforce Development Wind Energy Technologies Staff Impacts Publications Publications Newsletter Data & Tools Data & Tools REMPD Facilities Facilities Composites Manufacturing Education & Technology Controllable Grid Interface Dynamometer Research Facilities Field & Technology Research Validation Sites Structural Research Facilities Work With Us » Wind Research » National Wind Technology Center National Wind Technology Center Through the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC), NREL drives wind energy innovations that will power a clean, sustainable energy future. The NWTC supports wind energy research at NREL, working with partners in the industry to improve technology, increase workforce and technology safety and reliability, and advance wind energy development and expansion across the United States. Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL The NWTC has been a primary force in advancing wind energy technology research worldwide since its designation as a U.S. Department of Energy national research center in 1992. Today, more than 500 NREL researchers, scientists, analysts, and support personnel perform wind energy work in the NWTC, primarily at NREL’s Flatirons Campus . Wind Energy Research and Development Excellence Since its inception, the NWTC has been synonymous with excellence in wind energy research and advancement . Enabled by the Flatirons Campus’ world-class facilities and NREL’s widely recognized data and tools , NWTC scientists and researchers are pushing the frontiers of science and engineering to pursue wind energy innovations to create a sustainable energy future powered by reliable, low-cost wind energy. The NWTC’s outstanding performance record for working with the wind energy industry to advance wind energy science and lower the cost of wind-generated electricity inspires companies to partner with NREL when they: Need to overcome specific design challenges Wish to cost-share development of state-of-the-art wind technology Want to document the performance of their wind turbine components for certification. Wind Energy Facilities To Advance the Industry The NWTC represents the foundation of an expansion of the Flatirons Campus dedicated to advancing a comprehensive range of renewable energy technologies and systems and their integration into the electricity grid. The campus includes equipment such as: Test turbines Molds and 3D printers for turbine blades Dynamometers to evaluate drivetrain performance Stress testing for wind turbine blades Monitoring devices for wind speed and flow Solar panels, hydrogen tanks, and controllable grid interfaces to see how turbines can connect to a grid with or without hybrid renewable energy sources Modeling tools. The wind energy innovations pursued by NWTC researchers support national climate action and research goals to ensure that the United States builds a 100% clean energy economy and reaches net-zero emissions no later than 2050. Contact Daniel Laird Director, National Wind Technology Center Daniel.laird@nrel.gov 303-384-7100 Share National Renewable Energy Laboratory About Research Partner With Us News Careers Contact Us Visit Subscribe to NREL Accessibility Disclaimer Security and Privacy Site Feedback Content Editors Developers Employees The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy , Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy , operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy LLC . Content...