Wind energy is the second pillar of the energy supply of the future, joining photovoltaics in this key position. It will not be possible to achieve the short-term climate targets or arrive at long-term climate neutrality without the wide and dynamic expansion of the wind energy sector. Offshore wind turbines have a major role to play in this development, as do onshore wind farms. The aim of the wind energy research work at the ZSW is to accelerate the development of wind power technology in order to increase the performance and capacity of turbines. This will also contribute to the progress being made in the global energy transition.
The ZSW has already been conducting research into wind power forecasting and feed-in projections for many years now. Back in 2011, the ZSW and its partners founded the Wind Energy Research Cluster “WindForS”, networking more than 25 groups at seven universities and research institutions in the south of Germany. The partners from Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria have a common goal which is to establish and then run a research test site in complex mountainous terrain which will serve as a platform for both research and industry. This film provides a summary of the research project.