Kristen Graf

Women of Wind Energy, or WoWE, was founded in 2005 to ensure that women can partake in a full and productive role in the development of wind power.

In this WindTalk podcast, WoWE’s Executive Director Kristen Graf speaks to us about the importance of women in the wind industry, including some of the successes and challenges they face.

To learn more about the WoWE organization, click here.

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Sierra Club launches grassroots campaign to urge mayors in cities across the country to commit to 100% clean energy.

On the heels of the historic Paris Climate Agreement, the nation’s largest grassroots environmental group is throwing its weight behind clean energy with its new #ReadyFor100 campaign.

With 2.4 million members and supporters, the Sierra Club will harness its massive grassroots power to urge mayors in cities across the country to follow the lead of cities like San Diego, Paris, Sydney, and Vancouver that have committed to 100% clean energy.

In December, San Diego became the largest U.S. city to commit to 100% clean energy. Fourteen other U.S. cities, including San Francisco, CA, Burlington, VT and Aspen, CO,  have made similar commitments, showing that the 100% clean energy is the new standard for climate leadership.

The campaign even made a surprise appearance at the recent U.S. Conference of Mayors in D.C. The #ReadyFor100 took over the outside of the Capitol Hilton hotel, where nearly 300  U.S. mayors are convened, with a massive light projection on the side of the building showcasing the message “Welcome U.S. Mayors: Are you #ReadyFor100?” and images of five-story tall windmills. (Check out the video here.)

“Poll after poll show huge, bipartisan majorities are ready for clean energy,” said Michael Brune, the Sierra Club’s Executive Director. “Every market indicator shows our economy is ready. All over the country, clean, renewable energy is creating jobs, growing local economies, and safeguarding the health of our families from dangerous pollution. From coast to coast, American communities are ready for 100% clean energy, and this campaign will help realize our nation’s full potential to have a fair, just, and prosperous clean energy economy.”

Stanford scientists say the transition to 100% renewable energy will save the average American family $260 dollars per year in energy costs and another $1,500 per year in health care costs.

“We’re proud that Burlington was the first city in the U.S. to source our city’s power from 100% renewable energy, and we look forward to encouraging and supporting other cities as they make this important step towards a cleaner, healthier future,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger of Burlington Vermont.

Aspen, Colorado’s Mayor Steve Skadron added: “Last year Aspen hit its goal of 100% renewable energy, demonstrating that it is 100% possible. We plan to work with the Sierra Club to inspire more cities to commit to this essential way forward for the health of our communities, our country and the planet.”

Sierra Club 
www.sierraclub.org

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Envision’s new Innovation Center in Boulder will focus on in-house blade design and allow the company to provide complete blade engineering.

Envision Energy, a supplier of smart energy solutions, has announced the establishment of its Global Blade Innovation Center in Boulder, Colorado. This marks another significant investment in R&D by Envision in the United States.

“Envision’s R&D centers are cultivating talent and facilitating collaboration with the best professionals in the world,” said Felix Zhang, Envision Energy’s Executive Director. “This new center in Boulder will focus on blade design, which will drive innovation and enhance our capabilities significantly. We believe our effort here will bring tremendous value to our clients and even the whole industry.”

Kevin Standish, a recognized leader in turbine blade design in the wind energy industry, will lead this operation. Prior to joining Envision, Kevin has held the position of Chief Engineer of Blades at Siemens Wind in the U.S.

“As all energy capture begins with the blade of the wind turbine, Envision has placed special emphasis on this area of research. Bringing blade design capability in-house will enable Envision to leverage a complete systems’ engineering approach,” said Standish. “The sustained trend in the wind industry toward increasing larger turbine rotor sizes and power ratings demands that turbine designers make simultaneous advances in aerodynamics, loads, controls, acoustics, structure, materials, and manufacturing excellence. Currently, our priority is to hire the best engineers from wind, aerospace and other high-tech industries to build up a top-notch team of engineering competence and capability here in Boulder.”

Together with the company’s Global Digital Innovation Lab in Silicon Valley and its Digital Energy Research Center in Houston, Envision Energy is attracting top talent from around the globe as it ramps up a world-class research team and continues the journey of innovation towards a sustainable future.

Envision Energy
www.envision-energy.com

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