May 6 (Renewables Now) - GE Renewable Energy has acquired a minority stake of an undisclosed size in existing partner COBOD International to gain additional access to its 3D printing technology for the purpose of developing new production methods for wind turbine towers.

Denmark-based COBOD manufactures and sells multifunctional construction robots based on 3D printing systems. It is the firm that 3D-printed Europe’s first building in 2017 and has been collaborating with GE Renewable Energy since 2019.

The renewable energy business of General Electric (NYSE:GE) aims to make wind turbine towers more efficient and sustainable through the use of 3D printers in the production process. Last week, the two partners inaugurated a new facility in Bergen, New York, where they will undertake research on how to 3D-print the concrete base of towers used in wind turbines. The facility will make use of the world’s first 3D concrete printer with two X-axes, one for implementing the printing of concrete and the other for doing the reinforcement.

“This agreement, which will further strengthen our ability to use COBOD’s 3D printing technology and competences in the renewable energy space, is another sign of our commitment to help drive the energy transition by investing in technology that promotes a more sustainable, circular design strategy and helps to create local jobs,” commented Matteo Bellucci, GE Renewable Energy Advanced Manufacturing Technology Leader.

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