FUTURAWIND initiates Conceptual Design Phase for Ultra-Large Scale 25 MW Offshore Wind Turbine

June 1, 2010 - PRLog -- FUTURAWIND INC., a Los Angeles, California based developer of advanced and reliable wind turbine technology, has initiated the conceptual design phase for an Ultra-Large Scale 25 MW Offshore Wind Turbine, with prototype deployment scheduled for mid-2017. The company plans to test the prototype through the end of 2019, with serial production via technology transfer and licensing to one or more manufacturers scheduled for 2020. The estimated development budget, including prototyping, design validation, and certification, is approximately $50 million (USD).

FUTURAWIND also develops complete wind turbine generator systems ranging from 1.5 MW and up, and licenses technology to companies desiring to enter the global wind energy industry as wind turbine manufacturers. Mr. Jody R. Shadden, President & CEO of FUTURAWIND, stated, "the wind energy industry will grow to remarkable levels in terms of gigawatts installed over the course of the next two decades and we are positioning ourselves as a technology leader with a strong focus on advanced design concepts and market leading reliability." In order to control critical design parameters in each of its' wind turbines, the company utilizes an 8-step toll gate design control process coupled with DFSS (design for six sigma) methodology. "We are determined to transition reliability in the wind energy industry to levels observed in other power producing industries, as measured by mean-time between failure (MTBF) and other key metrics", remarked Mr. Shadden.

The company was founded by Mr. Shadden after more than 22 years working in key roles with GE Energy in Spain, Windforce in Germany, and Clipper Windpower in North America. His last post prior to founding FUTURAWIND was "Availability Czar" with Clipper, where he took on the role of improving fleet-wide availability from approximately 70%, and improved it to 95% over the course of only four months, by developing and implementing key tools and processes to facilitate continuous improvement.

FUTURAWIND is currently developing intellectual property that will significantly improve logistics and transportation methods for large wind turbines, and reduce overall project costs for wind farm developers using FUTURAWIND wind turbines in their wind power project portfolios. "With the ongoing increase in the physical size of wind turbines, we have focused on modularity of key components for improving assembly and construction in the field", remarked Mr. Jon Russell McKee, VP of Operations.

The company's business model is simple: design reliable wind turbines and assist companies that want to manufacture complete wind turbine systems by providing technology transfer and licensing services - a similar approach that AMSC-Windtec has employed with great success over the past several years. One key difference appears to be the strong focus on developing new technology that improves logistics and transportation for large- and ultra-large scale onshore and offshore wind turbines, and in advancing reliability.

Although FUTURAWIND is a start-up, things appear to be moving at a fast pace, with major component suppliers engaged on several development programs. Several designs ranging from 1.5MW to 3.5MW have transitioned from the conceptual design phase to the preliminary design phase. And, engineering programs for 4MW, 5MW, and 10MW wind turbines are currently in the conceptual design phase. The company is also developing an innovative and interactive website that is planned for roll-out in 4Q 2010.

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FUTURAWIND INC. is a highly experienced engineering firm that develops advanced and reliable technology for wind turbine systems ranging from 1.5 MW to 25 MW for the onshore and offshore wind energy markets. All wind turbine designs are available for technology transfer and licensing to companies desiring to enter the global wind energy industry as manufacturers of complete wind turbine systems, project developers, or component suppliers. The company is focused on wind turbine designs with high reliability, using widely accepted European-based platforms, and incorporates the use of advanced materials and concepts, green manufacturing processes, and features that improve logistics and serviceability. FUTURAWIND was founded in 2010 by Mr. Jody Ray Shadden after 22 years in the wind energy industry working for GE Energy (Spain), Windforce GmBH, and Clipper Windpower (U.S.A.). Mr. Shadden currently serves as President & CEO.