Inside Renewable Energy Wind Technologies: Size Matters, But Only So Much

The wind turbine – standing tall, sleek and uniquely modern – is arguably the most powerful symbol of the technological advancement of renewables. And although size is typically the metric for such progress, it's the less visible improvements that have allowed the industry to grow. Wind technologies have come a long way over the last 30 years, starting as custom-made amalgamations of farm machinery in Denmark and lab experiments in the U.S., and evolving to become the giant sentries of today's energy transition. In this podcast, we'll look at what has driven the technological progress in the wind industry. Benjamin Bell, CEO of Garrad Hassan North America, tells us about his unique experience over the last three decades developing one of the most important technologies in the wind industry today. Dutch Wind Journalist Eize de Vries describes the significance of the newer changes in wind technologies, including: direct drive systems, variable-speed systems, permanent magnet generators and lighter materials. Wind Expert Paul Gipe talks about why the Danish wind turbine manufacturers had much better products that the American manufacturers in the 1970s and 1980s. And Small Wind Guru Mick Sagrillo discusses how small wind systems have evolved in tandem with industrial wind systems. Inside Renewable Energy is a weekly audio news program featuring stories and interviews on all the latest developments in the renewable energy industries.