UDwindTurbine

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The wind turbine on UD's Lewes campus.
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Welcome

The University
of Delaware and Gamesa Technology Corporation joined forces to install a utility-scale 2-megawatt (2-MW) wind turbine at UD’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes. The joint venture, First State Marine Wind, is a partnership between UD-owned Blue Hen Wind and Gamesa USA.

This partnership came about because of synergies that emerged from wind research being conducted at UD’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment and College of Engineering, the State of Delaware’s interest in offshore wind, the City of Lewes’ interest in innovative energy opportunities, and Gamesa’s interest in improving its understanding of the effects of marine conditions such as salt spray on turbine coatings, corrosion, and avian impacts. More

First graders learned about wind, turbines and kites at UD's Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes.

Latest Updates

News 10/6/14

Wind energy fellowships

The wind turbine on the University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes has yielded many benefits in its first four years of operation, including generating clean energy for the campus and community, helping train students in turbine maintenance, testing new equipment, and supporting research studies. More

Update 9/16/14

Wind turbine study

Adjusting wind turbine operations during the migration season at the University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes has resulted in a significant decrease in deaths among bats, according to researchers. More

Update 2/25/14

Wind initiative

The University of Delaware will steer the way toward making offshore wind turbines a reality in the United States through a new initiative announced today at a major industry conference. More

Update 11/12/13

Wind lessons

First-graders learned about wind turbines during a science unit at Smyrna Elementary School, but seeing one tower 250 feet above the ground at the University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes was a whole other experience. More

News 10/7/13

Renewable energy agreement

Renewable energy credits generated by the University of Delaware’s wind turbine in Lewes will be purchased by the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation (DEMEC) through a new three-year agreement. More

What's

Information gained from
this land-based turbine
will help inform the
establishment of the first offshore wind turbines in the Americas. UD scientists and policy specialists are working hand-in-hand with industry to address logistical, engineering, and policy constraints that are currently slowing down getting “steel in the water.”

Please visit our News and Events page to learn more about steps that we are taking to continue the momentum for offshore wind here in the U.S.

Project status

Milestones:

  • Turbine Operational
  • Construction Completed
  • Construction Begins
  • City of Lewes Approves MOU
  • UD, Gamesa Finalize Agreement
View the history of the project