Posted by James Norman, Wednesday 17th March 2010 @ 2:56pm
Abstract:
Modern wind energy technology is only 35 years old and yet the turbines
have evolved from small home-made devices to the largest rotating machines
on earth. Wind power now takes the largest share of new electrical
generating capacity in Europe and the size of wind farms is reaching a
scale comparable to coal and gas power plants.
These achievements build on many factors, but the lecture will focus on the
role of wind energy technology, illustrated by questions like: Why is the
aerospace community now returning to wind energy, having left in
disappointment during the early stages of wind energy's development? Why is
the opinion 'it cannot be that difficult since we've done it for centuries'
still embedded in many academic societies? What were and are the most
important drivers of technological developments? What is the future role of
offshore wind and what are the key challenges in reducing its cost? What
should be done now and in the future? Are wind turbines ready?
===================================================
Biography:
Gijs van Kuik is a Professor of Wind Energy at Delft University of
Technology, the Netherlands, which is the nation's largest technical
university, with over 15,000 students and 2,700 scientists. He graduated at
Delft University in 1976 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering and has
worked in wind energy for all of his professional life.
From 1977 to 1984, Gijs was one of the first researchers in wind energy in
Delft's Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, investigating rotor aerodynamics
and dynamics. He then moved to Eindhoven University of Technology, where he
started his PhD on the aerodynamics of wind energy.
From 1988 to 1998 he worked in the wind energy group of Stork Product
Engineering, developing wind energy technology for almost all Dutch wind
turbine, or blade manufacturers. Activities included: project leader of the
Flexhat program (design, development, laboratory and full-scale testing of
flexible rotors), design leader of the NedWind50 megawatt turbine, program
manager responsible for acquisition, management and overall technical
guidance of the wind energy group.
In 1998 Gijs returned to Delft University to become a Professor in Wind
Energy and since spring 2000, has been serving as the scientific director
of Duwind, the Delft University Wind Energy Research Institute. He has also
been actively involved in many leading wind energy bodies and his positions
of responsibility have included: Board Member of the European Wind Energy
Association, Board Chairman of the Wind Energy at Sea (We@Sea) consortium
and President of the European Academy of Wind Energy. He has recently
initiated the first PhD Summer School on wind energy related topics under
the umbrella of the European Academy for Wind Energy, to be held in May
2010.
For further information on Gijs and the Delft University of Technology,
please visit:
<http://www.lr.tudelft.nl/live/pagina.jsp?id=0780c730-7a34-41ea-838a-72dd76e85343&lang=en>
Posted by James Norman, Friday 19th February 2010 @ 6:38pm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Climate of Change Speaker Series – Energy, the Earth and Us
Guest Lecture and Debate:
“The Future of Renewable Energy”
This Monday 22nd the University will host a Lecture with guest speakers Colin Palmer and Richard St. George, two experts in Renewable Energy.
The speakers will be presenting their views on the current state of Renewable Energy and its role in addressing future energy demand, climate change and peak oil.
Following the presentation the audience will be invited to ask any questions they may have and quiz our guest speakers on the “Future of Renewable Energy”.
Monday 22nd 5:30 - 7pm – Pugsley Lecture Theatre – Queens Building
Facebook Event: http://tiny.cc/4DMlG
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manage
News & Announcements
Next Event
Events