The Dane who Harnessed the Wind - Ep139: Henrik Stiesdal
Oct 4, 2023
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Henrik Stiesdal, 'The Godfather of Wind', discusses his pioneering wind turbine technology, offshore turbine foundations, and innovations in thermal power storage and hydrogen. He reflects on the evolution of wind energy, the challenges of offshore installations, and the importance of reliability in turbine design. The podcast highlights European competitiveness, offshore wind farm development, and the safety implications in wind power engineering.
Henrik Steedal's innovative spirit has led to over 175 inventions and 1,000 patents in the wind industry.
Steedal's adoption of a three-bladed rotor design improved wind turbine efficiency and durability.
Industrialization and standardization have played a key role in reducing costs in the offshore wind industry.
Safety innovations like blade tip mechanisms have enhanced operational reliability and accident prevention in wind power technology.
Floating offshore wind projects offer a solution for expanding renewable energy generation in deeper waters.
The renewable energy sector's focus on sustainability drives innovation, cost reduction, and safety improvements for a cleaner energy future.
Deep dives
Henrik Steedel's Innovations in the Wind Industry
Henrik Steedel, a pioneering figure in the wind industry, has been instrumental in developing numerous innovations in the sector. With around 175 inventions and over a thousand patents to his name, Steedel continues to drive innovation through his startup, focusing on floating offshore turbine foundations, thermal power storage, and hydrogen technologies.
Initiating Wind Turbines on a Farm
Steedel's journey began with the construction of his first wind turbine on his parents' farm in response to the 1973 oil crisis. Motivated by rising energy prices, he drew inspiration from young wind turbine builders he encountered, leading to the development of his own turbines to power the farm.
Significance of Three-Bladed Rotor Design
Steedel's adoption of a three-bladed rotor design, not originally his invention, was based on the concept of dynamic heli stability. This design, pioneered earlier in the 1920s, provided smoother operation compared to the two-bladed design, leading to increased durability and long-term effectiveness.
Industrialization in Offshore Wind Development
The success of offshore wind industry cost reduction lies in industrialization and standardization. By applying the principles of mass production to components like turbine towers, significant cost reductions have been achieved. This approach is now being extended to floating offshore wind foundations to drive down costs further.
Challenges and Safety Innovations in Wind Power
The wind industry faced safety challenges in its early days, including incidents of blades detaching from turbines. Learning from such incidents, safety innovations were developed, such as blade tips with spring mechanisms to prevent over-speed situations. These innovations emphasize the importance of continuous learning and improvement in wind power technology.
Expanding Offshore Wind with Floating Foundations
Floating offshore wind presents a solution to expand wind energy generation in areas with deeper waters where traditional fixed foundations are impractical. Through industrialization and modularization, floating wind projects aim to make renewable energy generation accessible in regions with high energy demands and limited land availability.
Looking Towards a Sustainable Energy Future
Amidst challenges and advancements in wind power technology, the focus remains on achieving a sustainable energy future. Industrialization, cost reduction, and safety improvements play vital roles in driving the transition to cleaner energy sources globally, offering promising pathways towards a decarbonized future.
The Impact of Policy and Technological Advances
Policy shifts towards auction-based pricing and technological advancements like industrialization and modularization have been instrumental in driving down costs and expanding renewable energy deployment. These developments highlight the importance of continuous innovation and collaboration in the renewable energy sector.
Emphasizing Safety and Efficiency in Wind Industry Growth
As the wind industry continues to grow, safety measures, such as blade tip innovations and industrial standards, are crucial to prevent accidents and ensure operational reliability. Incorporating lessons from past incidents, the industry focuses on maintaining a balance between growth, efficiency, and safety.
Facing Challenges and Driving Progress in Renewable Energy
Despite challenges and setbacks, the renewable energy sector, particularly wind power, continues to evolve through technological advancements and cost-effective solutions. By addressing safety concerns, enhancing efficiency, and promoting sustainable practices, the industry strives to achieve a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
Innovating for a Sustainable Future
Henrik Steedel's journey in the wind industry epitomizes innovation and resilience in driving sustainable energy solutions. From onshore wind projects to pioneering floating offshore foundations, his work underscores the transformative potential of renewable energy and the ongoing pursuit of a greener, more sustainable future.
This week, Michael’s guest is Henrik Stiesdal, former CTO of Siemens Gamesa and a pioneer of wind turbine technology. Nicknamed "The Godfather of Wind", this Danish inventor is behind many of the sector's most important innovations. He is responsible for over 175 inventions and is named in over 1,000 patents. Today, he runs Stiesdal, a startup which innovates in floating offshore turbine foundations, thermal power storage and hydrogen.
Links:
Henrik was profiled in The New York Times in May: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/03/business/energy-environment/denmark-wind-power-stiesdal.html
Henrik featured in Offshore Engineer in 2022: https://www.oedigital.com/news/497276-cto-in-focus-henrik-stiesdal-wind-power-pioneer
Discover more about Henrik’s company, Stiesdal: https://www.stiesdal.com/about/ Purchase The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Boy-Who-Harnessed-Wind/dp/0007316194
Related Episodes:
Watch Episode 130 with Paddy Padmanathan here: https://www.cleaningup.live/ep130-paddy-padmanathan-the-usain-bolt-of-solar-power/
Watch Episode 128 with Prof. Bent Flyvbjerg here: https://www.cleaningup.live/ep128-prof-bent-flyvbjerg-how-big-things-should-get-done/
Guest Bio
Henrik Stiesdal is Founder, Chief Technical Officer and Board Member at Stiesdal, who are committed to developing and commercializing technologies with high impact on climate change mitigation. Henrik is a wind power pioneer: having built his first test turbine in 1976, Henrik sold the license to commercial design to Vestas in 1979, kick-starting today’s wind industry. Henrik was Technical Manager of Bonus Energy from 1988, then CTO of Siemens Wind Power from 2004-2014. Henrik installed the world’s first offshore wind farm in 1991, and holds more than 1000 patents.
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