BOULDER - Siemens Energy will establish a new U.S. wind turbine research and development center in Boulder.

The new facility is projected to eventually employ about 50 people and will focus on atmospheric science research, aerodynamic blade design, structural dynamics, wind turbine dispatch prediction and reliability.

The exact location of the center has yet to be chosen, said Siemens Spokeswoman Monika Wood.  She said the center would open in August, and the company is looking to lease 6,000 square feet in Boulder.

Siemens also intends to enter into a cooperative research and development agreement with the National Renewable Energy Lab, or NREL. in Golden to install a Siemens 2.3-megawatt pilot wind turbine with a 101-meter-rotor at NREL's National Wind Technology Center, or NWTC, south of Boulder.

Siemens will test basic wind turbine characteristics and verify new performance enhancing features and turbine reliability under severe weather conditions for a minimum period of three years.

"We are very pleased to establish our first wind turbine R&D competence center in Boulder. The proximity of important institutions such as NREL and the NWTC, as well as the support received from the state of Colorado and the city of Boulder, make Boulder the perfect location for a R&D center in the U.S.," Randy Zwirn, head of Siemens' Energy Sector in the U.S., said in a press release.

City officials said Siemens hasn't applied for any business incentives, but might in the future. State and federal dollars might also come the company's way.

Siemens has established similar centers in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

The new Siemens center in Boulder is expected to create 12 to 15 jobs in the first year, followed by five to 10 additional positions every year thereafter, resulting in approximately 50 new positions by 2013. Most employees will be new hires with a doctoral or master's degree in the desired disciplines.

"This is another great testament to Colorado's growing New Energy Economy," Gov. Bill Ritter said. "We continue to establish ourselves as a worldwide leader in renewable, sustainable and modern energy. The arrival of Siemens Energy's U.S. wind turbine research center draws particular attention to the creative and groundbreaking work being done in energy R&D in Colorado."

Munich, Germany-based Siemens AG and its U.S. subsidiary Orlando-based Siemens USA is a $108 billion electrical and electronics company with 400,000 employees worldwide.