NREL and ECN sign agreement

UNITED STATES: The US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory has signed an agreement to collaborate with its Dutch counterpart ECN.

The two organisations will work together on developing areas such as control systems (offshore and onshore).

NREL director of National Wind Technology Center, Fort Felker, said: "This agreement will lead to increased cooperation between NREL and ECN in the further development of wind energy systems.

"By sharing knowledge and working together, we will increase the scope and pace of our contributions to this important technology."

In December ECN signed a memorandum of understanding with Korean engineering group Posco Power to develop renewables initiatives.

The agreement covers wind, solar and bio-energy. A joint-statement said the greatest focus would be on developing Posco's first offshore wind farm in South Korea.