Technology Scan

The wind energy industry is currently receiving around a 30% subsidy to level the playing field with coal and natural gas energy production, and there will inevitably be a day when the subsidies will stop. To remain competitive, the wind energy industry is relying on innovations to reduce costs and increase production. Therefore, innovation needs to occur at all levels of the wind industry supply chain: design, manufacturing, transportation, assembly, operation, and transmission. Taking it to the next step, the new research findings and innovations will be matched with Texas educational institutions that are best equipped to perform valuable research in that field. The technology scan will provide industry and academia with an inventory of emerging developments and different universities’ areas of focus. Instead of duplicating others work, this process enables technology to be developed and put into practice more quickly and makes more efficient use of research funds.

Deliverable: A report documenting a “technology scan” which will identify and examine emerging research and innovations that are affecting the different levels of the wind energy value chain. The study will include study a literature review of the wind energy sector, identify ‘disruptive technologies,’ examine current educational involvement, and match areas of innovation with research universities.  The project is anticipated to be completed within 12 months.