The Low Wind Speed Technology (LWST) task supports public-private partnerships for multiple large wind system (turbines over 100 kilowatts) to achieve the goal of 3 cents/kWh in class 4 winds by 2012. The strategy for LWST builds upon industry partnerships initiated under the Wind Partnerships for Advanced Component Technologies (WindPACT) and Next Generation Turbine projects. New partnerships to catalyze industry adoption of component technology developments and emerging innovation are being supported through a series of three LWST competitive solicitations. Phase I was initiated in FY 2002, Phase II was initiated in FY 2003, and Phase III is planned for FY 2007. The LWST partnerships are cost-shared efforts with industry that concentrate on three technical areas: 1) concept design studies, 2) component development and testing, and 3) full turbine prototype development and testing.

The strategy of using multiple rounds of solicitations serves three purposes. First, it allows multiple entry points, allowing industry partners to participate as each company's needs dictate.Second, it gives companies the opportunity to receive follow-on funding to pursue concepts or designs identified in earlier rounds. Third, it gives the Program an opportunity to end support for a particular idea if it is not producing the expected results. The LWST portfolio and closely linked SR&T activities are coordinated to facilitate technology transfer and transition conceptual design and component projects into full system development. LWST projects are periodically reviewed against analytically established performance measures to provide the basis for funding and planning adjustments needed to optimize the portfolio for success.

The first round LWST competitive solicitation was conducted in FY 2002. The second round LWST solicitation was issued in July 2003. Proposals have been evaluated. In March 2004, twenty-one (21) projects were accepted for negotiations. The value of these cost-shared projects is expected to total $60 million over the next four years. Four of these contracts, those that are directly related to blades, are being administered by SNL.