The Wind Energy Technologies Consortium led by Strachlyde and Durham universities and consists of 9 research groups, including Queen Mary University of London was officially launched on the 11th October during the BWEA28 conference in Glasgow. The consortium also has the active support of 10 industrial partners, including wind farm operators, manufacturers and consultants.

The objective of the £2.5 million EPSRC funded consortium is “To undertake research to improve the cost-effective reliability & availability of existing and future large-scale wind turbine systems in the UK. The technical role of the Department of Materials’ team, led by Prof P. J. Hogg is to identify and evaluate novel materials for wind turbine blades and tower.

Research partners include Strathclyde University, Durham University, Manchester University, CCLRC, University of Surrey, Queen Mary University of London, Manchester Metropolitan University and Loughborough University

Industrial Partners are AMEC Wind Energy, Areva T&D UK Ltd, Econnect Ltd, E.ON UK Renewables Ltd, EST Network, Garrad Hassan & Partners Ltd, HR Wallingford Ltd, New & Renewable Energy Centre Ltd, ScottishPower Generation Ltd and Smart Fibres Ltd.