Wind Energy Symposium set for Oct. 27

October 16, 2009

Speakers representing government, academia and industry in Spain will provide a firsthand accounting of the benefits of wind energy at a Texas/European Union Wind Energy Symposium on Oct. 27.

The European Union Center at Texas A&M University and partners throughout Texas are hosting the symposium, which will be held at the Pebble Creek Country Club in College Station.

The symposium’s main objective is to disseminate useful information about wind energy as a beneficial alternative energy source. The presenters will share their knowledge of wind energy in Spain, particularly as it pertains to the State of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain.

Considerations will be offered for the Texas wind energy strategic plan, based on Castilla La Mancha’s experience. Presenters also will provide technical and operational insights on wind energy, including, but not limited to, engineering, infrastructure, financing and environmental impact.

The symposium will provide the basis for potential university, industry and community collaborations in the research and development arena, as well as for resolution of the challenges presented by this source of renewable energy.

U.S. speakers at the symposium will look at regulatory, infrastructure and workforce issues, and provide a customer perspective. Both groups will also discuss best practices for the Texas wind energy strategic plan and technical and operational insights on wind energy, including engineering, infrastructure, financing and environmental impact.

Planners of this event indicate that the existing fraternal partnership agreement between the cities of College Station and Ciudad Real, Spain, which is located in Castilla La Mancha, makes the symposium especially relevant to the local community because of the cities’ similarities, which include city size, roles in hosting a local university, and proximity to larger metropolitan areas.

“The Wind Energy Symposium is a great opportunity for the public to learn more about renewable energy and how Texas A&M supports this important effort. The symposium will provide an in-depth look at the benefits and challenges we face so that individuals and communities can make informed decisions,” said Jeffrey R. Seemann, vice president for research at Texas A&M University.

College Station Mayor Ben White agreed, saying, “This symposium is a tremendous opportunity for our citizens, not only to be able to draw on the experience from the citizens of Ciudad Real, but also to get the information they need to make informed decisions regarding the potential future of harvesting and distribution of wind energy in Texas during an informative one-day event.”

Todd McDaniel, CEcD, president and chief executive officer of the Research Valley Partnership, said his organization “is delighted to be a co-sponsor of this event.”

“Clean energy is an important economic development, and Europe provides a model for wind energy,” McDaniel said.

Mario Rojo del Busto, chairman of the Wind Energy Planning Committee and Director of International Faculty and Scholars at Texas A&M University added, “I am delighted to see how the classic windmills of Don Quixote that sit in Castilla La Mancha have transformed into the modern giants of renewable energy bringing us today closer to each other and setting the basis for potential research collaborations between our universities, our businesses, our communities and our countries.”

Pre-registration and a $25 fee are required for the day-long symposium, which includes lunch. More information about speakers, session descriptions and registration can be found online at http://eucenter.tamu.edu/Events/Content/WE/WE_site.html.

This symposium is part of the activities of the European Union grant entitled “Getting to Know Europe: Local and Regional Communities and the European Union.” In particular, this symposium falls within the activity chapter known as “Town Twinning Arrangements with European Counterparts.”

Background: College Station, the home of Texas A&M University, entered into a “fraternal partnership agreement” with Ciudad Real, home of the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha in Spain in March 2004. The partnership was developed with the prospect of enhancing the quality of life for both communities through the exchange of ideas and collaboration on activities in various areas of mutual concern, including agriculture, education, technology, commerce, transportation, intergovernmental relations, governmental services, arts and culture.

The event is sponsored by the European Union Center at Texas A&M University and co-sponsored by the Research Valley Partnership; Vestas Technology R&D; Zachry Department of Civil Engineering, Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M; American Electric Power (AEP); Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M University; Office of the Vice President for Research, Texas A&M; Texas Engineering Experiment Station, a member of the Texas A&M University System; Texas Engineering Extension Service, a member of the Texas A&M University System; and Arena Clean Energy LLC.

U.S. program partners include the City of College Station; College Station/Ciudad Real Fraternal Partnership Committee; The Research Valley Partnership; Office of the Vice President for Research, Texas A&M ; Zachry Department of Civil Engineering, Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M; Texas Engineering Experiment Station, a member of the Texas A&M University System; Texas Engineering Extension Service, a member of the Texas A&M University System; Office of Technology Commercialization, Texas A&M University System; Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce; Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau; Arena Clean Energy; City of Bryan; Agrilife Research, a member of the Texas A&M University System; Gamesa Technology Corporation; and Iberdrola Renewables.

Spain program partners include the government of Castilla La Mancha; the city of Ciudad Real; Ciudad Real Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha; Consulate General of Spain, Houston; and Renovalia Energy.

Contact Ann Klaus, 979-862-6700

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