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The Royal Scottish Society of Arts
Showcasing Scotland's Science, Technology and Innovation



5th Meeting of the 182nd Session (2002-2003)

Wind Power Technology and Ecology - the long view

Professor John Twidell
Visiting Professor, Dept of Engineering and Construction Management, Reading University
Editor "Wind Engineering"

In the Wolfson Suite, Ground Floor,
Edinburgh University Library, George Square, Edinburgh
On Monday 10th March 2003, at 7 pm

Wind power is now considered mainstream electricity generation by utilities. Worldwide there is 25,000 MW of installed wind capacity, increasing at 30% per year; so more wind capacity is being built than nuclear capacity. Scotland is acknowledged as having the greatest potential for wind power in Europe, and now that potential has started to be realised.

The first UK patent for modern wind power was lodged in 1888 by Professor James Blyth of the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College (now the University of Strathclyde), who by then had built a controlled turbine for electricity at Marykirk, near Montrose, that lasted 25 years until 1914. (Blyth was awarded a prize medal by the RSSA for this work). Yet despite that start and the vigour of Scottish Industry, wind power had a chequered history in Scotland until the present Scottish Administration gave more favourable support. Now, at last, this sustainable and pollution-free resource is pumping cash-flow in Scotland, with the promise of more to come.

The lecture will consider the pros and cons of Scottish wind-power from a long view indeed. We need to appreciate:

Location of meeting


Society Business

The President, Dr Stuart Monro, will be in the Chair

Members of the Public are welcome to attend

Graham Rule, Secretary
0131 667 0647
secretary@rssa.org.uk


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