by Henrik Lund, OVE

• Important improvements in technology

• Significant drops in production prices

• Major export orders

• Installation of more than 3000 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of more than 450 MW

• Production of approximately 3% of the Danish electricity consumption.

That is some of the results of the Danish development of wind energy utilization. These results were created by a public movement, a small-scale industry and a number of hardworking pioneers during the last one or two decades.

Technological development

The tradition for utilizing wind energy is long in Denmark. First as a source of mechanical energy, but early in this century electricity was produced on windmills as well. In modern times a rapid and remark able development began in the mid

70es in response to the energy crisis.

Different wind turbines was proposed such as darrieus, gyro mills and proceller types. One particular concept emerged from these attempts: the horizontal axis, 3-blade up-wind, grid-connected induction generator wind turbine.

The wind turbines have grown in size during the period. The first turbines from the mid-70es were small turbines with a capacity of 2.5 to 30 kW. In the early 80es the most common turbine was the 55 kW machine, the 99 kW machine dominated in the mid-80es and then the 150 kW machine. Now machines from 200 to 400 kW are the most common.

Price development

The price for wind turbines has risen during the period, but so has the size and the efficiency.

A typical 250 kW wind turbine cost 1.5 mio. DKK (250,000 US$) and produces approximately 500,000 kWh/year.

The electricity price for an optimally sited wind turbine has fallen from more than 1 DKK/kWh in 1980 to between 0.3 and 0.4 DKK/kWh in 1988 and is expected to fall to between 0.2 and 0.3 during the 90es (1 DKK = 0,14 US$). This makes windpower electricity nearly as cheap as electricity produced on coal fired steam turbines. And windpower Is, of course, much better for the environment.

Ownership and political circumstances

In the 1970es ail wind turbines were sited individually and owned by private persons. Then for a period, most of ail wind turbines were owned in partnerships between a number of families each having a share corresponding to their electricity consumption.

During the 1980es utility wind farms have gained increasing importance with offshore wind farms being the most recent development.

Tax-regulations, government subsidies and electricity settling prices have had a major influence on the development on wind power in Denmark. Without a constant public pressure and a positive attitude from a majority In parliament the development would not have reached the results mentioned here.