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GWEC's Steve Sawyer discusses the future of Wind Energy
The General for the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) is a hybrid association that represents companies and regional associations from around the world. As a global voice, its members include companies like GE and Clipper from the U.S., as well as many within Europe. As the GWEC’s General Secretary, Steve Sawyer is privy to vital information on this the fast-growing industry.
What is your key role as Secretary General?
The majority of my time is spent representing the wind energy industry at climate change conferences and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). My position allows me to more easily raise awareness of the benefits of renewable energy, such as climate change mitigation, reduced energy costs and more jobs.
Why is wind energy more prominent in Europe than the U.S.?
The motivation for renewable energy is a bit different. It is a higher priority within the European Union (EU) for several reasons, namely a desire to end our dependence on Russia’s temperamental oil supply as well as a push by member countries to reduce emissions. In the U.S., this has not been a high priority but is slowly changing.
Where have you seen drastic change in renewable energy?
In the past few years the position of the IEA (International Energy Agency) has rapidly changed. A few years ago they would say that renewable energy was only a small portion of energy creation and that would never change, either because of location or cost. However, they now say that it is inevitable that renewable energy will be a major energy source in the next 20 to 30 years. This recognition is slowly trickling down to country governments, and my goal is to accelerate that process.
What do you see for the near future?
This year is the “year of the climate,” with the United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen at the end of 2009. The Kyoto Protocol (a multi-country agreement to reduce green house gases) ends in 2012, so negotiations are ramping up that will bring the U.S. on board.
How has wind energy evolved?
Eight years ago, there was little experience with cap and trade. However, now we see how it works, and it has been very successful. Market mechanisms have been around for a long time, but now we realize that goals are met quicker and at a lower cost this way.
Where is renewable energy growing the fastest?
China is the fastest growing market, with the U.S. not far behind. India is the fourth-largest growing country, and Eastern Europe—places like Hungary, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria—is just starting. South America also has large potential. I spend a lot of my time in Brazil, which is the cleanest transportation sector in the world. However, they need more, so we are lobbying for wind energy over nuclear or recently discovered fossil fuels.
What role does the U.S. play in GWEC?
GE is one of the largest corporations in the world. As such, it has a lot of influence in the market as well as in legislative issues important to GWEC.
Is there room for improvement in wind energy?
In one sense, wind energy has reached a level of maturity. There is a proven technology that is expanding rapidly. But I don’t believe we can’t expect radical development. True, there is little to be changed in the actual design, but there is tremendous need and room for more aerodynamic blades, new configurations and new materials to help with machine reliability. We learned a lot in the beginning from the aircraft industry, but we’ve surpassed that now. We are required to provide helicopter performance at a tractor trailer price. A lot is needed to bridge the gap between these two needs, starting with strength to weight ratios.
How are companies meeting these problems?
Companies are drastically increasing their R&D budgets to create more efficient, longer lasting, more reliable blades. I don’t believe there is a “practical” size for a wind turbine, especially offshore turbines. Possibilities are infinite and can create more energy for a country.
How common is blade failure?
Blade failure is very uncommon, and when it does occur, no one has been injured.
Are there health issues related to wind turbines?
We have looked hard and have found nothing. Usually if there is a problem, you expect to see it with those that work closely with turbines, but there have been no reported cases. Problems are very individual, and science continues to look at these issues. There are no hard facts, but GWEC is vigilant in monitoring it. Like cell phones, wind energy just hasn’t been around long enough to know for certain. Do they cause problems? Perhaps, but nothing is proven and only in case-specific instances.
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