IEA Wind Power Reports Growth in Generation in 2013

According the annual report of IEA Wind, installed wind power capacity in 2013 in its member countries increased by 12% while electricity generation from wind grew by 21% compared to 2012 levels.

The IEA Wind’s annual report presents the cooperative research, development and deployment (R, D&D) efforts of IEA Wind’s member governments and organizations, which collectively represent 85% of global wind power capacity.

Published on 1 September by the Executive Committee of the IEA Wind agreement, the report, titled ‘IEA Wind 2013 Annual Report,’ comprises summaries of work under 13 research tasks, and reports from 20 member countries and the EU. The research task reports present the latest results and plans of the IEA Wind’s cooperative research activities on specific issues related to wind energy development. The country reports include information on: the level of wind energy deployment; benefits achieved from wind energy; and how national policies and research programmes will increase the contribution of wind power to the world energy supply.

In 2013, IEA Wind members added nearly 30 GW of capacity, equal to 83% of the worldwide market. That year, the member States’ total wind capacity of 270 GW met 3.9% of their electricity demand, up from 3.3% in 2012. According to Jim Ahlgrimm, Chair of the Executive Committee of IEA Wind, this demonstrates key effects of improved wind plant design.

On national objectives and progress, the report notes that most IEA Wind member countries have renewable energy targets, but the capacity added in 2013 represents the smallest increase since 2009. Nevertheless, nine countries increased capacity by more than 20%. Also, the increase in generation suggests that new wind turbines are more productive per megawatt of rated capacity. On issues affecting growth in wind power capacity, the report identifies challenges relating to: changing policies; the economic climate and reduced electricity demand; shortage of land sites; grid integration and capacity; the permitting process; environmental impacts; and social acceptance.

On IEA Wind activities in 2013, the report notes, inter alia: a decision by IEA Wind members to continue cooperation for a further five-year term, and the development of a strategic plan for this period; the organization of Technical Expert Meetings focused on the advances in forecasting technologies and deploying wind projects in hilly or forested environments; the approval of Recommended Practices on social acceptance of wind energy projects, remote sensing for wind resource assessment, and conducting wind integration studies; and the approval of a new research task to develop recommended procedures for ground-based testing of full-size wind turbines.

Founded in 1974, IEA Wind, formally the International Energy Agency (IEA) Implementing Agreement for Co-operation in the Research, Development, and Deployment of Wind Energy Systems, sponsors cooperative research tasks and provides a forum for discussion on research and development (R&D) issues relating to wind energy. IEA Wind has published annual reports since 2000. [IEA Wind Annual Report 2013 Website] [Publication: IEA Wind 2013 Annual Report] [Publication Executive Summary] [IEA Wind Website]

http://www.ieawind.org/annual_reports_PDF/2013/2013%20AR_small_090114.pdf