Draft South African wind energy technology platform: preliminary wind energy research and development framework

Abstract

The South African Wind Energy Technology Programme (SAWEP) Phase 1 aims to achieve two key strategic outputs that will guide South Africa on wind energy development. One of these outputs is the Wind Atlas for South Africa (WASA) which will play a significant role in providing information for potential investors for wind farms on areas that have opportunities. The other output is the study of the development of a Wind Industrial Strategy for South Africa. This will help determine the possibility of establishing a wind industry in South Africa. The Wind Industrial Strategy project aims to play a strategic role in paving the way for the gradual phasing in of wind energy in South Africa. One of the objectives of the Wind Industrial Strategy project was to also undertake a preliminary investigation into local innovative wind turbine and component research and development. This paper describes the potential high-level opportunities for wind energy research and development. A preliminary Technology Tree and a Draft South African Wind Energy Technology Platform is also discussed.