View source for Scaled Wind Farm Technology Facility

{{Organization
|OrganizationName=Scaled Wind Farm Technology Facility
|OrganizationType=Research and Development Agencies
|Mission=To enable research on turbine-turbine interactions and complex wind farm aerodynamics, enhancing the performance and efficiency of wind energy systems. The facility aims to bridge knowledge gaps in wind turbine technology and wind farm design.
|ParentOrganization=Sandia National Laboratories
|TopOrganization=Department of Energy
|OrganizationExecutive=Project Lead
|Services=Wind turbine research; turbine-to-turbine interaction studies; aerodynamic research
|HeadquartersLocation=33.58943, -101.90112
|HeadquartersAddress=Reese Technology Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
}}
'''Scaled Wind Farm Technology Facility''' (SWiFT) is a research facility managed by [[Sandia National Laboratories]] in partnership with Texas Tech University, aimed at studying the interaction between wind turbines within a wind farm to optimize energy production and reduce costs. This facility is pivotal for research into turbine wake effects and performance under various conditions.

{{Official URL (simple)|url=https://energy.sandia.gov/programs/renewable-energy/wind-power/}}

==Mission==

The mission of the Scaled Wind Farm Technology Facility is to provide experimental data and insights into how wind turbines interact within a farm, thereby enhancing the science of wind energy. Through this research, SWiFT seeks to improve turbine placement, design, and control strategies to maximize energy capture while minimizing environmental and economic costs.<ref>Unknown. "Scaled Wind Farm Technology Facility". Sandia National Laboratories, https://energy.sandia.gov/programs/renewable-energy/wind-power/swift/ (accessed February 17, 2025).</ref>

==Parent organization==

The Scaled Wind Farm Technology Facility is managed by **Sandia National Laboratories**, which is part of the **United States Department of Energy**. Sandia's Wind Energy Technologies Department oversees the research activities at SWiFT.<ref>Unknown. "Wind Energy". Sandia National Laboratories, https://energy.sandia.gov/programs/renewable-energy/wind-power/ (accessed February 17, 2025).</ref>

==Legislation==

No specific legislation has been noted for the creation of the SWiFT facility, as it was established through the administrative actions and funding of Sandia National Laboratories.

==Partners==

* Texas Tech University

==Number of employees==

The number of employees directly associated with SWiFT isn't specified, as it's a research facility managed under Sandia National Laboratories.

==Organization structure==

The SWiFT Facility is structured to support various research initiatives with:

* A **Research Division** focused on wind turbine interactions and aerodynamics.

===Leader===

The facility is overseen by a **Project Lead**.

===Divisions===

* Research and Development focused on wind energy technology.

==List of programs==

* Wake Steering Experiments
* Turbine-Turbine Interaction Studies<ref>Unknown. "Scaled Wind Farm Technology Facility". Sandia National Laboratories, https://energy.sandia.gov/programs/renewable-energy/wind-power/swift/ (accessed February 17, 2025).</ref>

==Last total enacted budget==

The budget for the SWiFT facility is not publicly detailed, as it operates within the broader budget of Sandia National Laboratories.

==Staff==

Staff at SWiFT are part of the broader Sandia National Laboratories team, but specific numbers related to this facility are not available.

==Funding==

Funding for SWiFT primarily comes from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, focusing on wind energy research.<ref>Unknown. "Wind Energy". Sandia National Laboratories, https://energy.sandia.gov/programs/renewable-energy/wind-power/ (accessed February 17, 2025).</ref>

==Services provided==

SWiFT provides services focused on research into wind turbine technology, specifically turbine-to-turbine interactions, aerodynamic performance, and the development of new control strategies for wind farms. It also serves as a testing ground for new wind energy technologies in a real-world setting.<ref>Unknown. "Scaled Wind Farm Technology Facility". Sandia National Laboratories, https://energy.sandia.gov/programs/renewable-energy/wind-power/swift/ (accessed February 17, 2025).</ref>

==Regulations overseen==

As SWiFT is not a regulatory body, it does not oversee any regulations.

==Headquarters address==

Reese Technology Center, Lubbock, TX, USA

==History==

The SWiFT Facility was established to address research needs in the wind energy sector, particularly in understanding turbine interactions. It was developed through a collaboration between Sandia National Laboratories and Texas Tech University, with operations beginning around 2012. The facility has been instrumental in advancing wind energy technology, particularly through its focus on turbine wake studies and performance optimization.<ref>Unknown. "Scaled Wind Farm Technology Facility". Sandia National Laboratories, https://energy.sandia.gov/programs/renewable-energy/wind-power/swift/ (accessed February 17, 2025).</ref>

==External links==

* [https://energy.sandia.gov/programs/renewable-energy/wind-power/ Official Website]
* [[wikipedia:Scaled Wind Farm Technology Facility]]

==References==

<references />