Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based WindStax Wind Power Systems, a designer, manufacturer and installer of large vertical wind turbines, plans to expand US footprint next year and is already exploring opportunities overseas.
Ronald Gdovic, the company’s president and CEO, says WindStax' competitive advantage lies in the complete wind/solar hybrid microgrid systems it provides for distributed energy projects in areas where traditional wind turbines cannot be installed.
The WindStax system uses vertical turbine generators and batteries to produce and store energy for up to several days. If power demand proves to be too high, the system reverts to utility power.
WindStax is currently carrying out feasibility studies for several micro-wind farms under 5 MW in the US, Gdovic told SeeNews Renewables.
The firm plans to concentrate on commercial projects in-house and residential installations through a network of distributors in key markets both at home and abroad. At present, its project portfolio is approximately 80% commercial and 20% residential, the CEO said.
To date, WindStax has installed wind turbines in Pennsylvania and Virginia, and expects to execute commercial projects in Ohio next year. Also, it will be looking for distributors in New York.
Just recently, the company concluded a project known as Energy Flow in Pittsburgh. In particular, it installed 16 units of the 300-W WindStax vertical axis turbines at the Rachel Carson bridge, forming a microgrid comprised of four nano grids. The 4.8-kW installation now powers оver 27,000 multicoloured LED lights on the bridge. Energy Flow is expected to produce about 10,800 kWh of electricity annually, enough to power one typical US home. The project was sponsored by global material solutions provider Covestro.
When it comes to international markets, earlier this year WindStax shipped one of its systems for the Camp Lemmonier base in Djibouti, Africa, under a contract with the US Navy. The company also delivered a commercial turbine to Bahrain and is currently exploring distribution opportunities throughout the UAE.
WindStax produces its turbines in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has a third-party fabrication and supply chain that is capable of manufacturing 50 units a month. The company targets USD 8 million (EUR 7.5m) in revenue for 2017.
(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.945)
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WindStax turbines at the Rachel Carson bridge in Pittsburgh. Image Source: WindStax Wind Power Systems.
