Bergey, Pika Energy receive DOE distributed wind energy awards

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) awarded $150,000 each to Maine-based Pika Energy and Oklahoma-based Bergey Windpower Co. under its Competitiveness Improvement Project (CIP) for distributed wind power.

The CIP initiative is intended to expand and revitalize U.S. leadership in domestic and international distributed wind markets by helping U.S. manufacturers lower the cost of energy from their turbines.

Bergey, a long-time industry player, will use its award to help the company identify component improvements that will optimize its Excel 10 turbine technology for increased performance and reduced cost.

Pika Energy, meanwhile, will use its award to develop an advanced blade manufacturing process, which should reduce the cost of energy for its turbines. Pika’s turbine is still under development; the company plans to work toward certification for its technology.

Related articles:

Two wind turbines installed as part of Virginia Wind for Schools Program, December 20, 2012
The same everywhere you go: study highlights U.K. farmers’ need for small wind as price hedge, October 5, 2012
Fact check: FoxNews.com small wind article tells only half the story, October 4, 2012
Wind for Schools project has banner year in 2011, August 2, 2012
Two wind turbines supply electricity to U.S. border station, June 26, 2012
Good news for Goodnews Bay: Wind power to cut diesel fuel costs, July 20, 2012
After the tornado: BTI builds wind dealership network, July 16, 2012
NYSERDA emerges as leading state small wind incentive program, July 10, 2012
Small wind report: U.S. market shrinks, manufacturing grows with exports, July 2, 2012
Conference brings together small wind community, June 27, 2012
Arizona investment fund awards $1.3 million to Native American groups for renewable energy projects, June 25, 2012
Alaska village wind project to save 60,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year, May 29, 2012
At last, a resource map for small wind, May 25, 2012
Turbine installation on Martha’s Vineyard exceeds expectations, May 24, 2012
Birthplace of Wind for Schools, Colorado program honored with Wirth Chair Award, May 8, 2012
U.K. market for small turbines surpasses U.S., but U.S. manufacturers benefit, May 3, 2012
With Illinois launch, Wind for Schools enters new era, April 16, 2012
In triumph for Maine high school students, wind turbine goes online, April 3, 2012
Free at last: High school students get final signoff to install 100-kW wind turbine, December 23, 2011
Small wind milestone: Bergey turbine first to obtain new AWEA Small Wind Turbine certification, December 13, 2011

By Carl Levesque, Consultant, http://www.awea.org/blog/