Two New Centers of Energy Excellence for Wind Research

by Bruce Goodman

Energetx Composites LLC has been awarded a $3.5 million grant to establish a new Center of Energy Excellence (COEE) in Holland. It will collaborate with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Dow Chemical to develop advanced materials, including carbon fiber, to make wind turbine blades. The COEE will also include workforce training provided by U of M and Kettering University. A second new COEE was established with $6 million in funding. It involves Astraeus Wind Energy, Inc., a joint venture between Sterling Heights-based MAG Industrial Automation Systems Inc. and Eaton Rapids-based Dowding Machining Inc. This venture’s first project will be to build an automated machining center for wind turbine hubs.