Wind is one of the most innovative industries. There is no question about the special importance of wind for power generation worldwide, and the industry is well aware of its key role. It is moving forward rapidly to meet the major challenges, that is, the further reduction of power generating costs and the development of new markets.
New technology, products and applications mean that wind energy already competes with fossil fuels. What matters now is to drive the transition to emission-free power. Answers on the strategies and technological innovations needed to meet these challenges, and on how to make use of new opportunities, will be given at the Global Wind Summit, the biggest and most important meeting of the industry worldwide.
The summit combines two top events under one roof. WindEnergy Hamburg, the leading global wind expo for the onshore and offshore sectors, is to be held for the third time by Hamburg Messe und Congress in cooperation with Messe Husum, and will run alongside the global on and offshore conference, WindEurope, which is the leading association and voice of the industry.
Key issues
The Global Wind Summit is a powerful and unique platform for business, networking and information for the wind industry worldwide, and is expected to attract exhibitors, conference delegates and visitors from 100 countries.
Its overall goal is be to find answers to the most pressing current issues and challenges in the industry, such as high-cost pressure, competitiveness at auctions, rapidly changing political conditions, and the question of how to launch and successfully complete projects under such difficult conditions. The international exchange of views at the summit will generate useful impulses and solutions.
The expo and the conference will also give insights into the latest technological developments and ideas on what will be possible in the future, for example, with development of the digital economy.
WindEnergy Hamburg is the only global expo for the onshore and offshore sectors. A total of 1,400 exhibitors cover the entire global value chain with a breadth and depth unmatched by any other event worldwide.
Despite the great challenges that the industry currently has to meet, it has the same number of exhibitors as two years ago, including 14 leading turbine manufacturers, such as Vestas, GE, Siemens Gamesa, Enercon, Nordex and Senvion, and key players from China, such as Envision and Mingyang Windpower.
Around 40% of exhibitors offer products and services for the offshore sector, compared with 35% in 2016, making WindEnergy Hamburg is the world’s biggest offshore wind industry expo. The offshore specialists are mainly in three exhibition halls (B2-4). All in all, the expo covers nine halls and 65,000m² of exhibition space.
WindEnergy Hamburg is more international than ever, with companies from 40 countries this year. By comparison, there were exhibitors from 34 countries in 2016. The new countries include South Africa, Iceland, Latvia and Lithuania. Taken together, exhibitors’ activities and projects cover every continent.
The event will feature 22 national and regional pavilions, including pavilions from China, Canada and the US. Companies from established markets will find new business partners for realisation of projects in new markets and delegates from new markets will find partners who can help them to get wind power launched
Worldwide gathering
Trade visitors are expected from 100 countries and therefore all established and emerging markets. Delegations will come from all over the world and will include representatives from the 30 or so supporting associations, making Hamburg the ideal opportunity for exchanges between trailblazers and newcomers at the stands, and the sessions of the WindEurope conference. The key subjects at WindEnergy Hamburg 2018 are dynamic markets, cost-efficiency and smart energy; together with WindEurope and the conference programme with more than 50 conference sessions by 250 experts, the major topics for the industry worldwide are reflected.
Visitors to WindEnergy Hamburg will find information and exhibits on the future of wind energy production, integration and sector coupling. Trailblazers in research and development will exhibit intelligent innovations, such as new models of smart turbines, smart rotor blades and intelligent pitch systems.
Help to make the breakthrough
The expo will also deliver the latest developments in digital technology, operation and maintenance and optimising big wind farms. There will also be numerous companies showing projects for sector coupling for use of wind power for mobility and transport, heating and cooling, and industrial production, while a tour will take visitors to energy storage specialists.
The Global Wind Summit will help wind energy achieve its worldwide breakthrough; Hamburg will be the hotspot for innovation, business and networking.
