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