For years, many people spoke of climate change like it was some kind of urban legend; they had heard about it, it certainly sent chills down their spine, but they never actually believed they were the ones who would end up getting hurt.

Now, with climate change elevated to climate crisis, and the supporting evidence there for all to see, we find ourselves at the mercy of a most threatening and unwelcome guest.

As in any time of crisis, it’s now that we turn to the ‘doers’ in society – the people who think outside of the box, who use their skill and expertise to make a meaningful difference. This was the basis of the Wind Energy Science Conference (WESC) held in UCC this month, organised on behalf of the European Academy of Wind Energy.

The largest conference ever to be held in Cork, WESC drew over 800 leading wind energy scientists and engineers from almost 40 countries, all with the purpose of engaging in a multi-disciplinary discussion on the challenges facing the development of wind energy technologies.

Dr Cian Desmond is Chair of WESC, and organised the four-day conference. A Research Fellow at the SFI Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy (MaREI), his work focuses on both onshore and offshore wind.

Cian’s offshore work centres upon the design and testing of floating wind turbines; onshore, he is focused on the social acceptance of renewables and, particularly, the development of support tools for community developments.

Here, Cian explains the importance of gathering the world’s top experts in wind energy on one campus:

“The aim of the conference was to create a multi-disciplinary open forum for discussion, where scientists and engineers could explore the latest developments in wind energy science, spot emerging trends, and identify future collaborators.

“In this regard, the conference was a resounding success. The science presented across the 140 sessions was state-of-the-art, and delegates really embraced the call for an open forum for discussion. Many of the delegates commented that it was the most interactive conference that they ever attended.”

“We are in a climate emergency,” he adds, soberly, “and while there are many different emerging technologies on the horizon, the problem is that we need the solutions now.

“Wind energy is the cheapest form of new (energy) generation – the technology is mature, the supply chains are developed, and we have an abundant resource in Ireland.

“The main challenge facing the development of onshore wind is social acceptance; to solve this, and other challenges hampering the development of wind, a multi-disciplinary approach is required.”

This debate on the value of educating engineers in the social sciences, organised by Bonnie Ram of Delaware Uni, was a real highlight of #WESC2019. The outcome? Such education is vital!! pic.twitter.com/in7cngBNRQ

— EAWE (@eawe_eu) June 23, 2019

The importance of getting the leading academics together on one campus, to share research and coordinate future collaborations could prove invaluable for advancements in wind energy. This was most vividly seen, Cian says, through the discussions that arose around two contentious social issues: noise and visual pollution.

“The discussions on these points were frank and informative. I am planning an opinion piece with three of the main contributors,” explains Cian. “The first part of the solution is to acknowledge that mistakes were made in the past, and to listen to the stories of those that have been impacted.”

Winning the bid to host WESC in UCC is a culmination of 10 years of research and development work by Dr Desmond and his colleagues in MaREI.

Cian, a former recipient of a Marie Curie Research Fellowship, has been heavily involved in several major projects which have allowed him to develop a robust international network. Drawing on these contacts enabled him to attract the 800+ delegates to UCC for this four-day festival of wind energy science.

More than 800 delegates from 40 countries are attending a European Academy of Wind Energy conference at University College #Cork this week. Delegates have been told that community ownership may be the solution to disputes about wind farms in rural areas. @rtenews #WESC2019 pic.twitter.com/EjepREaTcD

— Paschal Sheehy (@PaschalSheehy) June 17, 2019

One of the largest projects, currently led by the MaREI Centre, is the EU MaRINET2 initiative. As part of this initiative – an EU H2020 collaboration – almost 40 EU Marine Renewable Test Facilities are working together to accelerate the development of wind, wave and tidal energy technologies.

Other projects include the SFI-funded EirWind, focused on addressing barriers to the development of offshore wind in Ireland; and ARCWIND, an EU Interreg project aimed at adapting existing floating wind turbines to the harsh conditions of the Atlantic Ocean.

"We are in a climate emergency, and while there are many different emerging technologies on the horizon, the problem is that we need the solutions now" - Dr. Cian Desmond

Indeed, it seems location and subject matter were perfectly aligned here. Furthermore, the timing of the Wind Energy Science Conference could not have been more appropriate, falling within the same week as the launch of the Irish Government’s Climate Action Plan.

Wind energy features prominently in the Plan, with the announcement that new funding supports will be provided for foreshore and offshore wind energy. Meanwhile, the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources has now been set at a target of 70 percent (formerly set at 30 percent).

To a pioneering researcher in the area of renewable energy, does the plan go far enough?

“To be honest, I have not had time to digest the full plan. WESC was hectic, and we have a two-week-old baby at home – not to mention his brother and sister!” says Cian.

“Looking at the headline figures, it is ambitious; and I was proud of what is proposed when talking to delegates at WESC. In reality, it is probably not ambitious enough, but I don’t think that we are ready to hear what is needed.”

While only time will tell if these targets can be reached; right now, of one thing we can be sure: the ideas and innovation sparked at WESC have stirred up winds of change for the future of renewable energy.

Follow this link for more information on research at MaREI.