Innovative Wind Blade Project Creating Green Jobs in San Diego

Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216

A renewable energy project from Port of San Diego tenant Knight and Carver Wind Group is being applauded by the federal government and creating green jobs in San Diego. The Department of Energy's Wind and Hydropower Technologies division named Knight and Carver's innovative wind blade, the STAR blade, as one of its top 10 accomplishments in the nation. STAR stands for Sweep Twist Adaptive Rotor, is being tested in Tehachapi, California.

"We received a contract from the Department of Energy for research and development of a new wind blade, and we developed over a three-year period, this new wind blade which we think will revolutionize the wind industry," said Gary Kanaby, Vice-President of Sales for Knight and Carver Wind Group, located in National City.

At just under 90 feet long, the STAR blade isn't linear like most wind blades. It is curved, like a wing and uses an airfoil to give the wind blade lift, working much like an airplane wing. The curve allows the blade to twist, shedding loads and enabling a larger than normal blade set to be installed on a wind turbine. The blade takes maximum advantage of all wind speeds. Test results show the blade produces 8 percent more energy than regular wind blades.

Knight and Carver's Wind Blade division evolved from the company's composite expertise. For 30 years, they have built and repaired large yachts and other vessels. So in 1996, when an electric company asked for help repairing worn fiberglass blades, Knight and Carver jumped at the chance.

"Our engineers put their heads together and found a way to fix these wind blades. This really got our feet wet and got started on this wind blade repair," said Kanaby.

Currently, the Wind Group has repair projects in 15 states as well as work in Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain and the UK. The company stands out as one of few U.S. companies that both manufacture and service wind turbine blades. Knight and Carver's work is one example of the Port of San Diego's Green Port initiative in action.

"We hire San Diego people, we train them in San Diego and we send them all over the country," Kanaby said. "We're taking blue collar workers and turning them into green collar workers. And the green collar workers in our case is one of our workers who can go out and inspect and repair the wind blades."

"Renewable energy and the use of renewable energy is really a priority for the Port under our Green Port program," said Michelle White, Manager of the Port of San Diego's Green Port Program. "As an organization, the Port supports using renewable energies and we're really fortunate that we have some tenants that are being very proactive in enhancing the green tech. field and also creating green jobs."

The goal of the Dept. of Energy is to have 20 percent wind energy by the year 2030. 2008 saw a record-breaking year of wind power installation.

"The excitement's there because look at all the jobs. All these companies have been importing these machines - most of the machines come from other countries. They all now are building their factories in the U.S. because they see the U.S. is going to be the big market," said Kanaby.