Monday, March 10, 2008

MTC OKs Charlestown wind blade test facility

By Efrain Viscarolasaga

A high-tech wind turbine blade testing facility expected for Charlestown picked up a strong tailwind last week when a state agency gave its approval for the project.

The executive committee of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative voted to participate in the building of blade-testing facility, which clears the way for the design phase of the project and opens access to $2 million in federal funding from U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Research Lab (NREL).

MTC officials said the project fits well with the agency's goal to make Massachusetts a leader in alternative energy tech and help bring such jobs here.

"This is something we think will attract business not only from wind blade and wind technology manufacturers that want to be close to the facility, but from other renewable-energy companies that want to be close to the growing cluster here," said Chris Kealey, an MTC spokesman.

The site was chosen last summer, after the DOE announced two $2 million grants for testing centers. Texas was awarded the other facility.

The MTC has teamed with the Massachusetts Port Authority to build the test center at Massport's so-called "auto port" along the Mystic River in Charlestown. The group has chosen Architerra Inc. as the architect. The design process began this week, according to Ellen Watts, a principal at the Boston firm.

In support of the project, the MTC will put up $18.2 million in funding, including an expected $7 million in grant funds and a $5 million research fund. A more detailed budget will be announced in the future, as the construction phase nears, said Kealey.

Kealey would not put a timetable to the project, but previous reports point to the facility operating as early as 2009.