Support for a new large national wind tunnel

On the invitation of the Higher Education Ministry, the Technical University of Denmark has produced a proposal for a new large national wind tunnel. The ministry is contributing DKK 40 million to the project.

The wind tunnel will help with the development of next generation wind turbines and is the latest in a number of significant national research infrastructures that the ministry has supported to the tune of DKK 800 million in the last five years.

– There is very broad research and business-related interest and backing for a large new wind tunnel. The Government and a parliamentary majority have set a very ambitious target to transform the Danish energy supply. It requires a lot of new knowledge and provides opportunity for new growth in the green industry. And the wind tunnel plays a significant role in this regard, says Higher Education Minister Morten Østergaard.

Wind tunnels are typically powered by powerful electric motors with multi-blade propellers and can be used to study the flow of currents around buildings, cars, aircraft, ships and wind turbines. There are already a number of wind tunnels in Denmark in varied sizes, but none that meet the research requirements for developing next generation wind turbines.

– If we are to ensure Denmark's prominent research position in the wind energy sector, it is crucial that research institutions and companies have access to a competitive infrastructure. We are extraordinarily pleased that a decision has been reached to allow DTU the responsibility to realise a national wind tunnel. As such, we are helping supporting the future development of Denmark as a centre of excellence for research and education within sustainable energy technologies, says Rector Anders Bjarklev of the Technical University of Denmark.

The establishment of a new national wind tunnel will be of huge benefit to the wind energy sector where Denmark already has great research and industrial expertise. The wind turbine industry has therefore also welcomed the news.

– Denmark getting a large national wind tunnel is fantastic. The project will significantly strengthen research and innovation within wind power. It has been made clear once again that Denmark is a leading country for wind technology, says Jan Hylleberg, CEO of the Danish Wind Industry Association.

The wind tunnel will be property of the Technical University of Denmark and the establishment, operation and development of it will take place in broad collaboration with future private and public users of the tunnel.

The total budget for the wind tunnel project is DKK 74 million. The Technical University of Denmark is providing DKK 20 million to the project, while Region Sjælland has reserved DKK 14 million for it.

For further information, please contact:

Director General Hans Müller Pedersen, Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation, tel: +45 7231 8210.

Press officer Ingeborg Nielsen, tel: +45 2211 0200.