Wind Technology Platform seeks steering committee
The new European Technology Platform for Wind Energy (TPWind) has announced a call for applicants to its steering committee. Members will develop strategy for wind power up to 2030. 'TPWind is vital in the struggle to build up public and private funding for wind energy research,' said Professor Arthouros Zervos, President of the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), and also a member of the Advisory Council. 'Even in this time of energy uncertainty, we cannot be sure of increased public funding for wind energy, but we can at least ensure that the funds go where they are needed most. Public and private sectors must work together towards innovation and further cost reductions,' he said. The European Commission recently rejected a call from MEPs for specific 'ring-fencing' for funding into renewable energy sources, including wind. TPWind's Strategic Research Agenda, published in July 2005, outlined several areas that need research: Wind resources - availability, limitations and new sources; turbines - the development of ever more reliable and efficient generators; wind farms - to generate new electricity storage systems and models for wind flow and risk assessment; development of the electricity grid systems - to allow better integration of wind power; environment and public support - researching possible effects to the ecology around turbines; and developing standards. Each area is sub-classified into 'Showstoppers' - issues that could halt wind power development; 'barriers' - physical limitations; and 'bottlenecks' - problems that can be overcome in the short-to-medium term. //CPA For further information, please visit: http://www.windplatform.eu/