Last week, nine major research organizations and universities, all members of EERA JP Wind (European Energy Research Alliance Joint Programme Wind), signed a cooperation agreement to establish a European Centre of Excellence (EuCoE) for Wind Energy to strengthen European leadership in onshore and offshore wind energy research. The signatory organizations are SINTEF, DTU, ForWind, TNO, Fraunhofer IWES, Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, CIEMAT, CENER and NTNU.
“The signing of this memorandum of understanding shows the commitment of the research community,” emphasized Stephan Barth, member of the EERA JP Wind Steering Committee and co-signatory on the ForWind side. “The demand from the industry and the need to drive forward the expansion of wind energy on land and at sea in Europe is enormous.”
The aim of the European Center of Excellence is to strengthen Europe’s long-term leadership in wind energy research through effective coordination, collaboration and funding levers. The activities are expected to include joint research projects as part of a co-financed research program. The European Center of Excellence will be led by EERA JP Wind and will integrate the other members of the joint program and potential new members as work progresses.
