News roundup: AWEA's Tom Kiernan in Spain, advancing wind turbine tech, conservative groups for wind

Today’s news leading into the weekend: AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan pays a visit to EWEA 2014, cool software to drive up efficiency, and conservative groups call for more clean energy.

AWEA’s Tom Kiernan took a few moments at EWEA 2014 to talk about the future of American wind energy with Windpower Monthly Magazine:

• He talks about the importance of policy to the industry and says those involved in it should be speaking with louder voices to those in power.
• Kiernan says he believes that the US market is coming through a difficult period to a brighter policy and business landscape.
• “The passion that people have in this industry… people love what they’re doing.”
• “It’s an industry that’s going through a lot of change – exciting change – and change that we need.”
• “…To be speaking clearly and directly to their political leaders in their country is profoundly important, obviously here in Europe, and the U.S.”

With a few tweaks to the software, Siemens has devised a new way to squeeze even more power out of their turbines:

• Specialists working at Siemens Corporate Technology working with technicians from Technische Universität Berlin and IdaLab GmbH in the ALICE project (Autonomous Learning in Complex Environments) have developed self-optimisation software for wind turbines which will enable turbines to produce one percent more electricity annually under moderate wind conditions.
• The software will “teach” turbines how to automatically optimise their operation in response to weather conditions, using sensor data to make changes to their settings based on wind speed and other factors. Not only will this reduce wear and tear on the turbines, but it will help exploit the existing weather conditions to produce electricity.
• According to Siemens, the researchers have a demonstration wind turbine that is able to use its own operating data to gradually increase its electricity output. “The scientists’ approach combines reinforcement learning techniques with special neural networks…”

In a Roll Call op-ed, representatives from three conservative groups: Young Conservatives for Energy Reform, Concord 51, and Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, advocate for the importance of developing wind power and other cheap, reliable, and clean energy.”  

• Clean and efficient energy matters to voters. In a recent survey commissioned by Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, 76 percent of voters said that pursuing a comprehensive approach to energy is a priority. Further, 60 percent of voters believe we should place more emphasis on diversifying our energy sources to include renewables like wind, solar and hydro.
• We believe it is smart for conservative leaders to support policies that will encourage the production of cheap, reliable and clean energy. We can do this by crafting targeted incentives and investments in research, and by changing regulations to reduce the burdens on the private sector in bringing new technologies to market.
• Republicans who care about fiscal conservatism, national security and strong families can lead the way forward on a real “all of the above” approach to energy development…[This approach] will keep high-paying wind and solar manufacturing jobs at home, rather than sending these jobs to China. And a common-sense, conservative approach to clean energy production will ensure our country has greater energy independence and security.

Be sure check out this week’s other news roundups:

• Thursday: News roundup: Top states for clean jobs, Michigan's bright future, exporting wind
• Wednesday: News roundup: Top turbine suppliers, renewables set to boom, Vestas adds jobs
• Tuesday: News roundup, congressional edition: Wind helps fight climate change
• Monday: News roundup: Illinois towns embrace renewables, Texas wind boosts revenues, and a taller tower for stronger wind

Sources:

Patrick Smith, “Windpower TV – American Wind Energy Association CEO Tom Kiernan.” Windpower Monthly. 13 March 2014.

Joshua S. Hill, “Teaching An Old Wind Turbine New Tricks.” Clean Technica. 13 March 2014.

Michele Combs, Beau Allen and James Dozier, “A Call to Action: Conservatives and Climate , Commentary.” Roll Call. 13 March 2014.