U of M receives $8 million for wind energy research

The University of Minnesota will get $8 million in federal stimulus money to fund wind energy research around the state.

About half of the Department of Energy money will go to build a 2.3 megawatt turbine at the University's U-More park in Rosemount. U of M-Morris will research energy use on its campus.

Rod Larkins is associate director of the U's Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment. He said other research will focus on key problems in wind energy. Those issues include turbine noise, blade efficiency, the reliability of turbine components and the best locations for wind farms.

"This isn't just about being able to produce a lot of wind in the state," Larkins said. "This really is about creating technology and jobs to put Minnesota on the cutting edge of the companies that support wind energy."

Private companies who will partner with the university in the research include 3M, Barr Engineering and Windlogics.

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