Ohio expands national leadership position in the wind industry

COLUMBUS — The state of Ohio is expanding its national leadership role in the wind industry through significant investments recently made through the Ohio Third Frontier Program.

The program provides grants to Ohio companies creating technological innovations to accelerate the development of an emerging advanced energy industry.

Premier location

According to the Ohio Business Development Coalition, the nonprofit organization that markets the state for capital investment, Ohio is the premier location in the U.S. to develop a business in the advanced energy industry, and these funds will only accelerate innovation and promote economic growth throughout the state.

Cleveland, Ohio-based Parker Hannifin was awarded $1 million for the commercialization of a hydraulic system developed by Parker for use in wind turbines.

Parker’s hydraulic wind turbine effort will improve overall wind-to-electricity energy generating efficiency while also reducing maintenance expenses.

Third Frontier Program

Innovation in Ohio is driven by the state’s Third Frontier Program, a $1.6 billion initiative to help catalyze connections between companies and academia to support the business development process.

This sharing of knowledge often results in unexpected solutions with commercial application.

Ohio’s emerging wind energy boom is also fueled by the state’s long history as a manufacturing powerhouse.

Ohio is number two in the U.S. in potential for manufacturing wind turbines and components.

Leading supplier

Currently home to more than 60 companies in the wind turbine supply chain, Ohio has already become a leading supplier for the U.S. wind industry.

Hundreds of large-scale industrial manufacturing operations stand poised to participate in Ohio’s wind industry growth.