A successful launch…
Although the New Year will already be a few weeks old by the time you read this, may I wish you all the best for 2005. For us the last months of 2004 were an exciting and successful period. During 2004 EWEC we launched the first issue of our magazine and we have been overwhelmed with the warm and positive response to our initiative. Based on the reactions we have received and the number of subscription forms arriving every day we can say that a magazine with the focus on the technology side of the industry is very much welcomed. It seems that Windtech International is filling a gap. If you have not yet taken advantage of our free subscription offer I encourage you to fill out the form on page 48 or enter your details online at www.windtech-international.com. Our free offer still stands.
{access view=!registered}Only logged in users can view the full text of the article.{/access}{access view=registered}2004 EWEC was not only successful for us but also for the attendees and exhibitors. Over 4,200 participants from 44 countries attended the four-day event. A total of 255 companies exhibited, and 220 speakers and chairmen presented in 40 scientific, technical, business and policy sessions alongside 300 poster presentations. On page 24 you will find a more comprehensive review on this event.
Recently I had the opportunity to visit the wind farm Serra de Outes, located in the province of Galicia in northern Spain, on the invitation of Nexans who are active worldwide in the field of cables and cabling systems. A total of 25% of the installed wind power capacity in Spain is located in Galicia. Because of the weather conditions in this area it is a perfect location to generate energy from wind power. The wind farm Serra de Outes consists of 21 turbines supplied by Ecotècnia. Often the focus is more on the turbines itself, but this visit brought home the importance of the cables and cable systems that circle our planet and form the nerve tissue of most industries, including the wind power industry. In the ‘Company in Focus’ section of this issue, Nexans presents itself and gives its view on our industry.
Another issue which caught my attention was the damage to turbines caused by lightning. Lightning is a natural hazard but it might be worthwhile to lower the risk of damage by using a lightning protection system. EA Technology offers such a system and the interview on page 7 with Benoit Dal Ferro, Sector Leader – Distributed Generation at EA Technology, informs us about the risks and the possibilities to reduce them.
I wish you all much reading pleasure.
Floris Siteur
Publisher{/access}