In 2009, wind energy represented 39 percent of the new generation capacity installed in Europe, equaling 10,163 MW.
Second Wind has grown steadily in Europe over the past 30 years and counts several significant wind developers as customers, many of whom Wood will be meeting at the upcoming RenewableUK Annual Conference and Exhibition, November 2-4, 2010 in Glasgow, UK. Jason’s responsibilities will include identifying and developing sales opportunities for Second Wind’s Triton® and Nomad® 2 wind resource data logger.
Triton is an advanced remote sensing system that uses sodar (sound detection and ranging) technology to measure wind at higher heights than the previous tower-based standard. By measuring wind speeds at the turbine rotor’s hub height and beyond (up to 200 meters), Triton reduces uncertainty in annual energy production (AEP) forecasts. Triton’s ease of deployment also streamlines the wind farm development process.
Triton has achieved global market leadership and continues to be adopted by the world’s leading wind farm developers as a way to complement met tower-based measurements. Second Wind’s Triton Sonic Wind Profiler has been in commercial use since April 2008 with over 200 Tritons now installed worldwide.
The Nomad 2 data logger was designed for use with the taller meteorological towers used in Europe and supports a wide range of sensors including IEC Class 1 anemometers. Nomad data loggers are deployed in 50 countries and on seven continents, from the Arctic to Antarctica, with each unit compiling data from as many as 20 weather sensors. Second Wind recently sold its 10,000th Nomad.
"Policy changes continue to favor renewable technologies in many European countries, with more traditional generating capacity (coal, fuel oil, and nuclear) decommissioned in 2009 than installed," said Peter Gibson, Second Wind’s vice president of sales.
"Today, five of the top eight wind energy countries by annual installed capacity are in Western Europe, with significant potential now being tapped in Eastern European countries. Given this reality, Jason is joining Second Wind at a great time. We believe he will capitalize on these tremendous opportunities."
Wood brings extensive experience within the global wind energy business to Second Wind. He joins from Moog Insensys, a leading supplier of blade load monitoring systems for utility wind turbine applications, where he was responsible for global sales.
While at Moog Insensys, Wood developed and maintained successful strategic relationships with wind turbines OEMs and operators in Europe, the U.S., and in Asia. Prior to joining Moog, Wood held senior sales and purchasing positions with Rolls-Royce plc, Precision Castparts Corp and Chromalloy. He earned a bachelor of engineering degree in materials engineering from Sheffield Hallam University in the UK and a professional diploma in management.
"I joined Second Wind because it is one of the world’s most successful wind measurement companies and it is poised to take advantage of Europe’s ongoing commitment to use wind as a viable source of renewable energy," said Wood. "All the factors are aligned to further Second Wind’s tremendous momentum and continue to build our expanding portfolio of successful customers. I am keen to help make an immediate difference not only at Second Wind but in the adoption of wind energy around the globe."
Second Wind develops wind measurement systems that make wind power pay off for consumers, investors and the environment. The company’s technology provides wind farm developers with the bankable wind data they need to plan, finance and operate highly efficient wind generation facilities.
Second Wind’s systems are making wind farm development profitable in 50 countries on seven continents. Second Wind’s systems include Triton, the wind industry’s leading remote sensing system, Nomad 2 wind data logger systems, and the SkyServe® web-based data service.
