Dutch Wind Workshops received with great enthusiasm

On 11 and 12 October, the 'Dutch Wind R&D Workshops' took place at ECN in Petten. Over two days, researchers from ECN, Delft Technical University, SenterNovem and WMC presented all the R&D activities related to wind energy in the Netherlands. Among those present were the entire international top 5 wind turbine and blade manufacturers. Dutch research clearly has a lot to offer these people.

ECN’s vision is that between 2030 and 2040 a minimum of 25 percent of Dutch electricity needs can be supplied by wind energy, assuming that conversion on land in 2015 and offshore from 2050 will be competitive. This seems feasible in all respects now that the cost of wind energy is increasingly approaching that of conventional electricity production. In the light of this energy transition, ECN held the Dutch Wind R&D Workshops 2006 in collaboration with SenterNovem, Delft Technical University and the WMC (Knowledge Centre Wind Turbine Materials and Constructions).

Dutch research appears to be playing a significant role in the growth towards a competitive position for wind energy. “The Netherlands has a unique research infrastructure”, says Theo de Lange, Unit Manager of ECN (Energy research Centre of the Netherlands). “This is well known not just in the Netherlands itself but also internationally. The WMC has extensive test facilities for turbine blades. ECN has a large test field for prototype turbines. And the Netherlands has three leading research institutions with wind tunnels in which advanced research can be carried out."

Excursion to the OWEZ, the Offshore Windpark Egmond aan Zee.

“The various research areas in which Dutch knowledge institutions excel focus particularly on reducing the cost and increasing the availability and reliability of offshore wind turbines”, continues De Lange. “New design models are being made and research is being conducted into condition monitoring and maintenance. The way in which turbines effect each other in wind farms is also being researched. Wind turbines ‘rob’ each other of wind. The wake created behind the first wind turbine reduces the yield of the turbines behind it. With the aid of computer simulations and tests in the field, ECN is developing control systems to ensure that the farm as a whole always strives for the highest yield.”

During the Dutch Wind Workshops, researchers held intensive discussions with designers from industry, project initiators and consultants regarding the challenges they face. The various presentations on the first day of the workshop included those on rotor aerodynamics, blade and turbine materials, wind farm management, offshore installations, long-distance monitoring and software developments. The workshops were brought to a successful conclusion with a visit to the Offshore Windpark Egmond aan Zee (OWEZ).

Information:
You can find the proceedings of the Dutch Wind Workshops at our website Dutch Wind Workshops.

Contact:
Theo de Lange
ECN Wind Energy
tel. +31 (0)224 - 56 41 34
t.delange@remove-this-part-ecn.nl