Publisher's Note October 2008

This year HUSUM WindEnergy, with its accompanying trade symposia, took place from 9 to 13 September. This was the first edition where Husum Messe and Hamburg Messe joined forces after competing for several years with separate shows. More than 700 exhibitors from about 35 countries, among them all major global turbine manufacturers as well as suppliers and providers from all industry sectors, presented themselves at the exhibition. The event attracted almost 30,000 attendees from 40 nations. Despite the lack of good infrastructure (insufficient hotels, exhibition buildings instead of tents, etc.) Husum WindEnergy is one of the most important shows for the industry. On page 38 we publish a review of the event but if you want to find out for yourselves what is going on in the industry I suggest you attend the next show in 2010.

{access view=!registered}Only logged in users can view the full text of the article.{/access}{access view=registered}Over the last four years we have published several articles about lidar and sodar for wind measurements. So far the ZephIR, developed by Qinetiq and now commercialised by Natural Power, has mostly been used onshore. In 2006 NaiKun began working with Natural Power on an approach to gathering wind data offshore for the Hecate Strait wind farm project off the coast of northwest British Columbia. The article on page 7 reflects on the pioneering approach taken by NaiKun Wind Development Inc and the results delivered by ZephIR to date.

Later in this issue we publish a technical article about endurance calculations for bearings. Practical experience has shown that seemingly identical rolling bearings operating under identical conditions will not necessarily exhibit the same endurance life. Standardised life calculation methods can help us make educated choices about a bearing size's suitability for a particular application. On page 26 you will find the full article.

Windtech International releases Media Planner 2009
Looking ahead is important. Why not include Windtech International in your promotional activities to ensure you reach a truly international readership? Currently 70% of the magazine's distribution is to individual qualified subscribers and it is our goal to increase this to at least 80% in 2008. All other recipients are members of their national association of wind energy and therefore very dedicated to the wind energy business. On average, the magazine is read by 3.2 persons within each organisation. This means that Windtech International reaches more than 12,000 people in the industry. With the technology focus of Windtech International we are clearly filling a gap in the industry and this is very much appreciated by the continuously growing readership. For 2009 we have prepared a Media Planner containing dates of magazine issues, and copy guidelines/deadlines for contributors, circulation, advertising possibilities, etc. Feel free to contact me to receive the 2009 Media Planner.

Enjoy reading!

Floris Siteur{/access}