If 50% of Denmark's energy consumption in 2020 is to be covered by wind turbine electricity, we need to develop wind turbines that are considerably larger than the ones we currently have. A wind turbine is much more than a tower with blades; it is a complex piece of high-tech machinery with up to 20,000 components that must interact for the turbine to produce a satisfactory power output. The location of the dune plantation Østerild Klitplantage and its weather conditions make it a perfect wind turbine test site.

Learn more about wind power on www.stateofgreen.com

A growth driver

Technical University of Denmark (DTU )President Anders Bjarklev:

“So far, the test centre is the only place in the world for testing the mega wind turbines of the future. Here, DTU researchers can continue their strong partnership with the wind industry, which has given Denmark a world-leading position within the development of new wind turbine technology. Test Centre Østerild is a prerequisite for retaining expertise as well as safeguarding and creating jobs within the Danish wind turbine industry”.

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Supporting an ambitious green policy

Ida Auken, Danish Minister for the Environment, Lene Kjelgaard, Mayor of the Municipality of Thisted, Ditlev Engel, President and CEO of Vestas Wind Systems A/S, and Henrik Stiesdal, Chief Technology Officer at Siemens will attend the ceremony. The minister is pleased that DTU has assumed the responsibility of running the state-owned test centre:

“The test centre in Østerild shows the government's commitment to Denmark's transition to green energy. Not only do we need to reduce our energy consumption and leave a smaller footprint on the environment. We must also be the ones to develop the green products which are already being demanded by the rest of the world. Test Centre Østerild will help us ensure that Denmark continues to be at the forefront of developing renewable energy technology”, says Ida Auken.

A hub for research

The test centre features a total of seven test stands. Both Vestas and Siemens have bought two stands, and Siemens has already erected a 197-metre turbine on one of them. DTU disposes of the last three stands, of which one has been lease to the Chinese company Envision and two are currently put out to tender. Deputy Head of DTU Wind Energy, Peter Hjuler Jensen says:

”Test centre Østerild will become a great base for DTU’s research activities within meteorology, wind turbine technology, and, not least grid connection which is vital in order for the electricity to reach consumers effectively.”

Time: Saturday 6 October from 12.00-16.00

Venue: Testcentervej, 7700 Thisted. From Østerild, you continue approx. 1 km along Gl. Aalborgvej towards Frøstrup. Testcentervej is a side road to Gl. Aalborgvej.

Click here for the full programme of the Inauguration

Source: DTU

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