Wind Technology Collaboration Programme

The aim of this Task is to promote wind turbine technology through information exchange among experts on R&D topics. The primary mechanism for executing this is through holding "Topical Expert Meetings" on priority research topics agreed by the ExCo.

The Representative for Task 11 is Mr. John McCann (SEAI).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 11 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

The aims of this Task are to:

• Provide information to facilitate the highest economically feasible wind energy penetration within electricity power systems worldwide; and
• Analyse and further develop the methodology to assess the impact of wind power on power systems.

The Representative for Task 25 is Assoc. Prof. Damian Flynn (University College Dublin).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 25 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

The aims of this Task are to produce a state-of-the-art report on current knowledge and results on social acceptance of wind power installations, including a list of studies and online library of reports and articles; and to establish "Best Practices" and tools for policy makers and planners to reduce project risks due to lack of social acceptance, accelerate time of realisation of projects, accelerate the exploitation of the full potential of wind energy in the concerned countries, and establish strategies and communication activities to improve or to maintain the image of wind power.

The Representatives for Task 28 are Mr. John Aston (Astoneco) and Mrs Bernadette Power (University College Cork).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 28 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

Task 34, known as WREN-Working Together to Resolve Environmental Effects of Wind Energy. Since its inception, WREN has served as the leading international forum for supporting the deployment of wind energy technology around the globe through a better understanding of environmental issues, particularly those related to wildlife, efficient monitoring programs, and effective mitigation strategies (which include avoidance, minimization, and mitigation).

The Representatives for Task 39 are Nicola Largey (MKO Research), Patrick Roberts (MKO Research).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 34 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

The aim of this Task is to accelerate the development and deployment of quiet wind turbine technology and consolidate understanding of wind turbine sound emission, propagation, and ultimately its perception by residents. The Task will convene an international expert panel to identify best practices in the prediction, measurement and assessment of noise, as well as investigate regulatory aspects.

The Representatives for Task 39 are Dr. Denis O'Hora (University of Galway), Dr Eoin King (University of Galway), Jennifer McSharry (University of Galway) and Eugene McKeown (University of Galway).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 39 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

The aim of this Task is to coordinate international research on Distributed Wind (DW) turbine technology, technology development or assessment to allow DW to integrate into future markets, and processes or procedures to support the cost-effective development of DW technologies.

The Representatives for Task 41 are Mr. Raymond Byrne (Dundalk Institute of Technology) and Dr. Paul MacArtain (Dundalk Institute of Technology).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 41 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

The objectives of this Task are to coordinate international research activities towards the assessment of the remaining operational life of wind turbines near the end of their certified design life and identification of strategies for extending the end of useful life.

The Representative for Task 42 is Dr. Abdollah Malekjafarian (University College Dublin).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 42 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

The aim of this Task is to understand the optimal pathways for the adoption of digital technologies such as: data standards and data sharing, machine learning and artificial intelligence, data analytics and visualization, open-source tools, IoT instrumentation.

The Representatives for Task 43 are Dr. Des Farren (ServusNet Informatics) and Mr. Stephen Holleran (Brightwind).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 43 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

The aim of this Task is to coordinate international research in the field of wind farm flow control. This Task will mainly focus on the control algorithms and technologies, and how they translate into real-world performance gains.

The Representative for this Task is Dr. Breiffni Fitzgerald (Trinity College Dublin).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 44 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

The purpose of this Task is to identify and mitigate the barriers to the recycling of wind turbine blades. The Task will focus on three main areas:

• The technical aspects of recycling wind turbine blades,
• The analysis of the recycling value chain and its environmental, social and economic impact and,
• The standards, certification and legislation framing the activities related to recycling wind turbine blades

The Representatives for Task 45 are Dr. Paul Leahy (University College Cork) and Peter Deeney (Univeristy College Cork).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 45 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

The aim of this Task is to achieve a better understanding of the key technical challenges in blade erosion. The Task will produce literature surveys, topical reports, recommended practices and models.

The Representatives for Task 46 are Assoc. Prof. Trevor Young (University of Limerick), Dr. William Finnegan (University of Galway) and Edmond Tobin (South East Technological University).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 46 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

The aim of this Task is to build a strong community that works together to identify and mitigate the barriers to the development and deployment of airborne wind energy systems. The Task focuses on producing tangible results such as recommended practices that can be used by researchers and practitioners.

The Representatives for Task 48 are Prof. Daniel Toal (University of Limerick) and Dr. Mahdi Ebrahimi Salari (University College Cork).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 48 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

This Task aims to accelerate the sustainable commercialization of floating wind arrays.

The Representatives for this Task are Christopher Wright (Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions) and Louis-Marin Lapastoure (Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 49 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

This aim of this Task is to coordinate international research and development in the field of hybrid wind power plants. Technology to be considered within this Task will cover a broad range but will focus on the design and operation of wind-based hybrid power plants.

The Representatives for Task 50 are Prof. Nan Zhao (University College Dublin) and Arash Alavi (SEAI).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 50 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

This Task will focus on facilitating communication and collaborations among international research groups engaged in the improvement of the accuracy and applicability of forecast models and their utility for the stakeholders in the wind industry, in the power sector and in the energy system.  

The Representatives for Task 51 are Prof. Conor Sweeney (University College Dublin), Justin Rutherford (Rutherford Consulting Ltd) and Paul Leahy (University College Cork).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 51 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

The aim of Task 53 is to evaluate cost and value primarily in the context of anticipated deep decarbonization developments and emerging wind energy applications. This Task builds on Task 26 efforts, but it also reflects a considerable change. In this new collaboration, methods development and data collection of new wind applications, plant configurations and operations, and associated uncertainties come into focus.

The Representatives for Task 53 are Dr. Fiona Devoy McAuliffe (University College Cork) and Forest Mak (SEAI).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 53 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

The OC7 Project under IEA Wind aims to improve the accuracy of models for estimating structural loads in offshore wind system designs, with a special focus on floating wind systems. It addresses three key challenges: adapting hydrodynamic modelling for diverse floating structures, incorporating structural flexibility in design for larger turbines, and understanding wake effects within wind farms, especially for floating systems. This project builds on the successes of the OC3-OC6 projects to advance offshore wind energy design capabilities.

The Representative for Task 56 are Aengus Conolly (Wood Group Kenny Ireland) and Christopher Wright (Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions).

The Task aims to coordinate global research in offshore energy hubs, with a focus on their design, development, and operation, and potential extension to onshore hubs. It will gather research, identify gaps, and address uncertainties affecting offshore hub development. The task intends to guide the industry and policymakers on technology, modelling, and strategies for offshore hubs, and accelerate their development. Key efforts include fostering collaborative research, aligning international efforts, and promoting partnerships with TCP Energy Storage and TCP Hydrogen.

The Representative for Task 58 is Damian Flynn (University College Dublin).

The aim of this Task was to improve the large-scale deployment of cold climate wind power in a safe and economically feasible manner.

The Representative for Task 19 was from Siemens Gamesa.

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 19 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

The aims of this Task were to:

• Provide insights on the future costs of wind energy and factors that could drive costs higher or lower over time,
• Explore the value components of wind power,
• And develop and maintains consistent and transparent methodologies and data with the international community.

The Representatives for Task 26 were from University College Cork and IWEA.

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 26 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

The aim of this Task was to validate the tools used to design offshore wind systems. OC6 implemented a three-way validation process that compares both the engineering-level modelling tools and higher-fidelity tools to measurement data. The results will be used to help inform the improvement of engineering-level models, and/or guide the development of future test campaigns.

The Representatives for Task 30 were Assistant Prof. David Igoe (Trinity College Dublin) and Assistant Prof. Breiffni Fitzgerald (Trinity College Dublin).

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 30 IEA Wind TCP webpage.

The aim of this Task was to organise international collaboration, among national weather centres and/or large projects with an interest on wind forecast improvements, operational forecaster and forecast users.

The Representatives for Task 36 were from Cork Institute of Technology.

For further information about the Task, please visit the Task 36 IEA Wind TCP webpage.