Aarhus – Capital of Wind Energy - Aarhus.dk

including the potentials of renewable energy, subjectto unprecedented social and political awareness. Thetopic rose to the top of the agenda among researchers,the media, and the political establishment. Energy supplybecame a concern of the entire society. This openedthe door for a bold political vision: Releasing Denmarkfrom its dependence on imported fuel. Utilising windas a source of energy became a political priority.• POLITICAL SUPPORT: It took a long time to developfunctioning and profitable wind turbine technology.But the Danish wind industry was supported by astrong political belief in the project during the entiredevelopment phase. Regulatory framework, smartgreen taxes, and support schemes combined with strictenvironmental and climate-related political measuresmade wind technology a feasible business area for existingcompanies and upcoming entrepreneurs. In theinitial phase, this support created the necessary lift forthe industry’s take-off.• PROLIFIC INNOVATION: Refining the technologythrough new thinking and innovation. Right fromthe beginning, the technology was developed in smallclusters across sectoral and professional boundaries.Businesses, research institutes and communities contributedto development and production advances.This carried the seeds of a unique innovation culturewhich has since spawned a vast number of technologicaladvances and innovative solutions.• TIMING: Denmark took an interest in wind energy, beforeit was in fact profitable. In the 1970s and ‘80s, thewind turbine industry’s development was supported bygrants and schemes. When the viable market for windturbines emerged in the 1990s, as the focus on climateissues grew, Denmark could readily provide functioningtechnology, experienced-based knowledge and themeans of manufacture. Denmark had been training –and had a head start.The Political VisionTo a large extent, Denmark owes its position as the windmillcountry to decades of dedication to the task. Numerouspolicies and initiatives have served the dual purpose ofreducing Denmark’s reliance on imported fuel and relievingthe strains on the environment and the climate.The OAPEC oil embargo on the USA and a number ofWestern countries in 1973 hit Denmark like a shockwave.At the time, 98 percent of Denmark’s energy consumptionwas based on imported fuel, mainly (90 percent) oil. So asoil prices rocketed sky high, Denmark’s economy took asevere blow.The initial political response resembled knee-jerkpanic. Among other measures, the goverment introducedcar-free Sundays and urged shopkeepers to switch off theirlights outside opening times. Eventually, the crisis led to arecognition that the near-complete dependence on foreignenergy sources was an untenable position. So in 1976, anational energy plan was passed, aimed at reducing energyconsumption and easing the country’s dependence on oil.It included the first publicly financed research programmefor the utilisation of wind energy and the development ofwind turbines.The first Danish Ministry of Energy was established inthe wake of the second oil crisis in 1979. Parliament alsopassed laws for thermal and natural gas research schemes,and in the same round of legislation introduced a publiclyfunded scheme for the installation and developmentof wind turbines. Renewable energy was now a politicalproject.The crises of the 1970s had an immense impact, notjust on politics, but also on the mood and attitudes of thebusiness community and the general public. The followingyears saw a large number of initiatives, partnerships, lawsand regulations to encourage sustainable energy. Amongthem was the establishment of the Risø Research Centrewhose mission was research-based technology developmentof wind power and wind turbines.According to Jan Serup Hylleberg, CEO of the DanishWind Industry Association, this strong political vision wasthe catalyst for a wave of green creativity which gave Denmarka significant push forward: “When renewable energybecame a political project, the door opened to a wholerange of green initiatives and innovations. That was justwhat the nascent wind turbine industry needed, based onunproven technology and research as it was.”The Danish Cooperation ModelPolitical attention and support was not unique to Denmark.In industrial and economic powerhouses like Germany andthe US, legislators took a solemn interest in wind energy.One important reason for Denmark’s sensational succeswas the cooperation model that prevailed in the industry’sThe Green Innovation ModelPoliticsScienceBusinessCivil societyFigure 2: The rise of Denmark’s wind energy cluster has beenpropelled by the dynamic interaction between politics, business,science, and civil society (citizens, organisations etcetera).A Fresh BreezeBehind every product is a creative mind. Two creative mindsare behind INA/FAG bearings – a team that is twice as strong:Schaeffler Group Industrial.Renowned for creative technology and for 30 years of experiencein the wind turbine industry, we know what customersreally want. Continued close collaboration with manufacturersand operators provides impetus for both sides. New findingsfrom practical experiences are immediately implemented inour calculation and CAE tools that we use to initially generatevirtual models of our products. In reality they then becomehigh-performance gearbox bearings or durable main rotorbearings. Alternatively they are integrated in WiPro, our onlinemonitoring system, which is GL and AZT certified and used allover the world.A fresh breeze is blowing in the world of bearings technology.Make sure you benefit from it too!The Schaeffler Group with its brands INA, FAG and LuK, and currently around 65,000 employees at more than 180 locations ranks amongst the leading rollingSource: Monday Morning & CBS.bearing manufacturers and suppliers to the automotive industry worldwide. The group of companies stands for global customer proximity, innovative ability andthe highest possible level of quality. In Denmark, Schaeffler Group is represented by Schaeffler Danmark ApS with head office in Aarhus and sales of the INA andFAG brands to more than 60 different industrial sectors.12 Mondaymorning Aarhus – Capital of Wind Energy 13www.schaeffler.dk