The U.S. Department of Energy issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Recovery Act: Large Wind Turbine Drivetrain Testing Facility.” Secretary Chu announced that DOE will provide $45 million for the development of a dynamometer and facility to ensure the performance, durability, and reliability of utility-scale wind turbine drivetrain systems in a press release that was issued on April 29. The FOA, DE-FOA-0000112, was posted on June 23, 2009.

This single $45 million financial assistance grant will be awarded on a competitive basis to assist in the design and construction of an accredited dynamometer testing facility capable of performing Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT) of 5-15 MW-rated wind turbine drive trains and generators and the operation and maintenance of these facilities for the benefit of wind stakeholders nationwide. Each application must include organizational participants from a state(s) and university(ies) and a plan for achieving long-term sustainable operation and maintenance and funding without future DOE assistance.

The $45 million in DOE funds will be provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to preserve and create jobs, promote economic recovery, and provide investments needed to increase wind energy R&D.

The announcement includes instructions for a letter of intent requirement and the FOA application. Only those applicants who submit a letter of intent are eligible to submit final applications under this announcement. Applicants who have not submitted a letter of intent will not be considered for an award. Letters of intent are due by July 15, 2009, and FOA applications are due by August 6, 2009.