Vestas and Aalborg University set up comprehensive strategic research programme
Press release from
Vestas Wind Systems A/S
Randers, 29 August 2007
Press release No. 5/2007
Vestas and Aalborg University set up comprehensive strategic research programme
- reception on Friday, 31 August 2007 at 2 p.m. at Aalborg University
Vestas has taken another important step in the development of the wind turbines
of the future through the establishment of a new strategic collaboration with
Aalborg University, Denmark. The research programme, entitled the “Vestas Power
Programme”, is the most comprehensive collaboration to date between a wind
turbine manufacturer and a university. Over the next five years, the programme
will reinforce research and development in the field of components and systems
within power electronics intended for use in the wind power industry.
“The Vestas Power Programme is an important milestone in our determined work to
reinforce working relationships with leading global education institutions in
the field of wind power. This programme will elevate and accelerate research in
the area of power electronics - a field of research that is crucial to the
continued development of the industry,” says Finn Strøm Madsen, President of
Vestas Technology R&D.
Over the coming five years, Vestas Power Programme will support three research
programmes in the areas of wind power plants, power electronics and energy
storage, which, together, will comprise at least ten Ph.D. projects. In
addition, a number of scholarships at the Aalborg University Institute of Energy
Technology will be awarded through the programme to graduate students from
Denmark and abroad. Finally, the Vestas Power Programme will provide financing
for a 5-year professorial tenure - a position that constitutes the hub of the
research programmes.
Vestas expects the research initiative to lead to a range of breakthroughs that
will make it possible to manufacture turbines with greater capacity and improved
efficiency and functionality. Development along these lines is a crucial
precondition for meeting the challenges of the future with regard to increased
integration of wind power into electricity grids.
“Vestas considers it important to support the leading talents in the fields of
research and development of hi-tech wind power systems, thus investing in the
experts of the future. Vestas Power Programme provides participants with a
unique opportunity to develop the highly specialist competences that the
industry is looking for, while simultaneously drawing attention to the unique
career opportunities offered by the rapidly developing global wind power
industry,” says Finn Strøm Madsen.
With reference to the new agreement with Vestas, Professor Frede Blaabjerg, Dean
of Aalborg University, says: “We are delighted to have such a comprehensive
working relationship with the largest wind turbine manufacturer in the world, a
relationship that supports our education courses, our infrastructure and our
strong research environment in this area. Quite simply, it will result in
activities of the highest international standard.”
In 2006, the power electronics research team at Aalborg University was ranked
second among the leading education institutions in this area in a report from
the European power electronics industry.
The Vestas Power Programme will be officially launched at a reception at 2 p.m.
on 31 August 2007, where the collaboration agreement will be signed.
The reception will be held at Aalborg University, Pontoppidanstræde 101,
Aalborg, Denmark, and the media are welcome to attend.
Please address any questions regarding the Vestas Power Programme to Finn Strøm
Madsen, President of Vestas Technology R&D on +45 9730 0000, or to Professor
Frede Blaabjerg, Dean of The Faculty of Engineering, Natural and Health Sciences
at Aalborg University, on +45 2129 2454.
Yours sincerely
Vestas Wind Systems A/S
Finn Strøm Madsen
President, Technology R&D
Vestas - No. 1 in Modern Energy
Wind power is a renewable, predictable and clean energy resource. It has a fast
ramp-up and offers the energy independence demanded by some of world's largest
and fastest growing economies. This is why Vestas calls wind power Modern
Energy.
With a 28 per cent market share, Vestas is the world leader in delivering Modern
Energy. Vestas has already installed over 33,500 wind turbines in 63 countries
and five continents and it is installing a new turbine every five hours. In
fact, Vestas turbines generate more than 50 million MWh a year or enough power
to supply millions of households. During the last 25 years, Vestas has improved
the output of its turbines 100 times and is still continuously improving turbine
effectiveness. This is why Vestas is No.1 in Modern Energy.
