Iowa companies in wind industry:

• Clipper Windpower, Cedar Rapids
• John Deere Wind, Johnston (a major financier of wind farms)
• Siemens Power Generation, Ft Madison
• Acciona Energy, West Branch
• TPI Composites, Newton
• Sector 5 Technologies, Oelwein
• Heartland Energy Solutions, Mt Ayr
• Trinity Structural Towers, Newton
• Goian North America, Ankeny
• Generation Repair and Service,  Story City
• Over 200 Existing Iowa Manufacturers in Turbine Supply Chain

Wind Resources

• Renewable Energy and Electric Transmission
• Connecting to the Grid: A guide to distributed generation interconnection issues
• Wind Energy Programs and Incentives
• American Wind Energy Association
• Iowa Wind Energy Association
• How does the Recovery Act affect renewable energy tax credits and programs?

Source: Iowa Office of Energy Independence

Wind Energy

The IOWA CONNECTIONS region lies in the middle of Iowa's growing OEMs for wind turbines, towers, and blades.  Within the IOWA CONNECTIONS region are    TPI Iowa, manufacturing turbine blades and Trinity Towers, makers of turbine towers.

TPI, Trinity, their customers and suppliers take advantage of IOWA CONNECTIONS robust transportation network.  The region lies astride Interstate 80, US Highway 30, and the mainlines of the Union Pacific and Iowa Interstate Railroad, with nearby north-south connections provided by Interstate 35 and the Avenue of the Saints.

The region also enjoys easy access to both the University of Iowa and Iowa State University and is served by four community college districts.  These institutions work with manufacturers and suppliers to address their workforce needs and improve the manufacturing process.

According to the Iowa Office of Energy Independence and the Iowa Department of Economic Development: 

• Iowa ranks 2nd nationally in current wind generation output with nearly 2,900 megawatts installed and 2,056 turbines across the state.
• In 2008, Iowa generated 7.1% of total electricity from wind, one of two states to break the 7% mark; however, after doubling capacity in 2008, Iowa is expected to break 15% in 2009 (IPP).
• Governor Culver challenged Iowa utilities to increase the state's wind energy capacity to 25% megawatts by the year 2015.  In 2008, Iowa's wind energy capacity totaled 1,586 megawatts. 
• Iowa is a magnet for wind energy manufacturing companies, attracted by Iowa's strong manufacturing base, excellent transporation infrastructure and skilled workforce.  As of February 2009, nine international manufacturing companies have located in Iowa.  Over the last three years, Iowa leads the nation in attracting wind manufactures.
• A recent study conducted by "Wind Utility Consulting" projects that, within a 600 mile radius of Iowa, approximately $5.7 billion dollars in wind generation projects will be constructed each year over the next five years.
• Iowa and Texas are the only two states in the nation to manufacture turbines, blades and towers.
• More than 200 Iowa companies in 26 counties are now supplying the wind industry, generating more than $50 million in new revenue for Iowa companies annually.
• Five of Iowa's community colleges and the three Regents institutions have formed the Iowa Alliance for Wind Innovation and Novel Development (IAWIND).  This alliance, which also includes representatives from the industry and state government, is working to identify and support the growing needs of the wind energy industry in the state.
• The Iowa Power Fund is dedicated to promoting and bolstering Iowa's burgeoning wind industry through funding research and development, early commercialization, and innovation that leads to market transformation.
• Iowa-based MidAmerican Energy, with 1,940 megawatts, owns more wind turbines than any other investor owned electric utility in the nation.
• Iowa Lakes Community College offers a diploma and Associates Degree through their Wind Tech program.  The first in the nation program provides graduates who will serve the industry in a variety of ways.
• Currently, there are 2,300 jobs committed to wind in Iowa.

 

 Select from the links below to learn more about Iowa as a leader in renewable energy:

Iowa Office of Energy Independence

Iowa Alliance for Wind Innovation and Novel Development (IAWIND)  

 Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED)

 Iowa Wind Energy Association (IWEA)

Iowa Power Fund