Massachusetts-NREL
Wind Technology Testing Center

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) is pleased to be working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the University of Massachusetts Renewable Energy Research Laboratory (RERL) and the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) to develop the Massachusetts-NREL Wind Technology Testing Center (WTTC), to be located in Boston, Mass.

The WTTC will be a new initiative of MTC dedicated to the testing and advancement of wind turbine technology, starting with a structural blade testing facility. NREL is providing technology, staffing and equipment to the WTTC, with $2 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. UMass RERL provides wind turbine engineering and research expertise.  Massport is providing design and construction contracting and project management services. 

The WTTC will be built at 100 Terminal Street, Boston, in the Charlestown neighborhood of the city.  MTC will be subleasing a parcel of land at the Boston Autoport, which is run by Diversified Auto LLC. The Autoport’s land is owned by Massport.

Acting in partnership, MTC and Massport have taken a major step forward toward the construction of the WTTC by issuing a Request for Qualifications to identify qualified architectural and engineering firms or teams to design the WTTC. The RFQ was officially published in the Central Register on November 21, 2007, and qualifications are due to be submitted on December 20, 2007. 

The selection of qualified design consultants will proceed with a short-listing of three firms by January 8, 2008, and the issuance of a detailed Request For Proposals to such firms by January 14, 2008. Final selection and notification of the design consultants, based upon the RFP responses, will occur by late February. Design is expected to proceed through 2008, and construction is expected to take place throughout 2009.

A prequalification briefing and site tour were conducted by Massport and MTC on November 30, 2007. Presentations by MTC-Massport and NREL from that briefing can be found here. 

Questions regarding the WTTC in general may be directed to Ian Springsteel, Industry Investment & Development Manager, at MTC, (508) 870-0312 x1255. Inquiries regarding the RFQ or RFP process specifically should be directed to Catherine Wetherell, Assistant Director of Capital Programs and Environmental Affairs, Massport, (617) 568-3501.