Jan 26 2011
Gamesa, a Spanish Wind energy developer and manufacturer, has entered into an agreement with the University of Zaragoza for endowing the 35th Academic Chair.
The long term cooperation agreement was signed in the University’s Auditorium by Pilar Zaragoza, the Vice Rector of Institutional Relations & Communications, and by José Antonio Malumbres, Chief Technology Officer of Gamesa, to reinforce R&D activities and help the development of new technologies for wind power and other RE sources. The chair will facilitate the creation of a research coordination program with the joint participation of both International and Spanish tech-based companies. Cooperative relationships would be formed with other International University Centers and Research Groups, which carry out research in technological developments.
There was also a plan to strengthen cooperation on research of composite materials, new designs of wind turbines and wind farms, wind turbine grid connection, electricity generation, metals-based materials, electric models, aerodynamics, simulation, simplified models, automated control and robotics, CFD, stochastic models and electronics. They also plan to launch a new scholarship program for students of engineering who carry out final projects in RE technologies and would offer aid for completing the doctoral theses on these subjects.
Gamesa is engaged in creating a global network of applied innovation and introduces programs to promote tech-based start-up companies in the fields of RE and energy efficiency and the University of Zaragoza’s Gamesa Chair would focus upon this work. Gamesa with 15 years of experience in designing, manufacturing, maintenance and installation of wind turbines has installed 20000 MW of wind assets globally. Its 7000 strong workforce makes it a name to be reckoned with in the wind energy business.
Gamesa has been operating in Aragon from 1995 and has been maintaining and operating many wind farms in three provinces of Aragon. The company also runs two wind R&D centers in the towns of Jaulin and La Muela. Gamesa has installed the prototype of its new Gamesa G10X wind turbine in Jaulin with a unit capacity of 4.5 MW, which is the most powerful onshore turbine found in the world. It is also the owner of a manufacturing plant and has offices in Tauste and this would facilitate building a direct and close relationship between the students of the University of Zaragoza, the company staff and the professors.
Currently the University has 35 academic chairs, which are supported by various companies and institutions for the benefit of both the sides through the innovation, development and research activities conducted across many disciplines.