Researchers speak to BBC News about wind turbine technology

Dr Carlos Ugalde-Loo and Dr Sathsara Abeysinghe were interviewed as part of a renewable energy themed broadcast within BBC’s coverage of COP26.

On 4 November 2021, Dr Carlos Ugalde-Loo, Reader in Electrical Power Systems, and Dr Sathsara Abeysinghe, Post-Doctoral Research Associate at the School of Engineering, spoke to BBC Wales’ Economics Correspondent, Sarah Dickins, about wind power.

Different stakeholders were interviewed throughout the day including members of the local community, Welsh government, opposition groups and the wind farm operator.

Carlos discussed the technical sides of wind power, including how a wind turbine produces electricity, how reliable it is as a form of energy, upgrades to transmission infrastructure, and energy storage.

Sathsara discussed economic aspects related to onshore and offshore wind turbines and renewables, considerations for fossil-fuel and climate change related generation, and subsidies.

Carlos and Sathsara are both associated with the Centre for Integrated Renewable Energy Generation and Supply (CIREGS), which seeks to provide expertise to industry and policymakers as well as other academics to expand our knowledge on topics such as wind and solar energy, high voltage direct current (HVdc), smart grids, integrated energy systems and more.