7th German Wind Energy Conference DEWEK 2004

On 20. and 21. October 2004 the German Wind Energy Institute (DEWI) will host for the seventh time the biennial German Wind Energy Conference. As always it will be held in the Municipal Hall (Stadthalle) of Wilhelmshaven, this time under the patronage of the Minister President of Lower Saxony, Mr Christian Wulff.

For the first time, this event subtitled "The International Technical Conference" will be held in English language to cater for the growing international importance of wind energy. An English/German simultaneous translation will make it easy for delegates from Germany and abroad to follow the presentations of the latest technical developments and research results. Because of the active participation of the industry and numerous presentations by scientists, this conference is a meeting point under the motto "Where Industry Meets Science".

As before, the conference meets with a very good response, which clearly confirms the necessity of such an event that is restricted to presenting the technical and scientific aspects of wind energy. In 65 lectures and 36 posters the latest research and development results from the wind energy sector will be presented. The conference topics show that the offshore use of wind energy and the growing size of wind turbines present major challenges and are the drivers of R&D. Other contributions, no less interesting, will deal with the influences on the accuracy of energy yield predictions of wind farms, especially in complex terrain (hills, low mountain range etc.) or the mechanical loads on wind turbines during operation. Here especially banks and other financing companies will find the latest information on the reduction of uncertainties in energy predictions and lifetime of wind farm projects.

The lecture programme of DEWEK 2004 will be accompanied by an exhibition presenting stands of many manufacturers, component suppliers, service providers and research institutions in the foyer of the conference hall. This is an excellent opportunity for all participants to meet colleagues of other companies for discussions away from the hectic pace of daily business. The conference dinner on the evening of the first day, which takes place in the Pumpwerk arts centre, will provide another opportunity to talk shop, although here the social aspects of such an international event should predominate.

The conference will be opened by a welcome address by the Lord Mayor of the City of Wilhelmshaven, Mr Eberhard Menzel, and then continued immediately with two subject-related opening lectures. Mr H.J.M. Beurskens, Unit Manager of Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), an internationally renowned wind energy expert, will address the burning issues of wind energy research in his lecture titled "Is Long Term R&D Necessary for the Continuation of the Large Scale Development of Wind Energy" and so provide a most appropriate start for the conference. This will be followed by an address by Corin Millais, Chief Executive of the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) who will take a look at the European perspective of wind energy and the important future development prospects of this environmentally friendly and resourcesaving form of energy. With the 13 sessions of papers and posters following then, DEWEK 2004 will present itself to the approximately 500 visitors expected in Wilhelmshaven once more as the most important technical/scientific conference.