Deakin contributes to China's wind energy sector

A research agreement just signed by Deakin in China has opened the way for Deakin researchers to participate in the world’s largest wind turbine sector.

Deakin’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Lee Astheimer signed the Research Agreement with the Dongfang Turbine Company in China during a recent visit. The Deakin delegation also included Professor Qipeng Guo of the Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) and Mr Lin Zhang of Deakin Commercial.

The group met with senior representatives from the Dongfang Turbine Company and the Dongfang Electric Machinery Company during the visit and exchanged ideas about potential research collaboration with Deakin. The two companies are core businesses of the parent company, Dongfang Electric Corporation - one of the largest power generation equipment manufacturers and service providers (including hydro, coal fired, nuclear, thermo and wind) in the world.

“Wind power has been identified as a key growth component of China’s economy,” said Professor Astheimer. “China is now the world’s largest user of wind power, accounting for around 31 per cent of the total wind energy. This agreement is an ideal opportunity for Deakin to contribute our know-how to the growth of this fundamental green energy resource.”

The research agreement provides for a $500,000 five-year project that will see researchers from Deakin’s Polymers Research Group developing high performance epoxy resins and composites for Dongfang Turbine Company.

Led by Professor Qipeng Guo, Personal Chair in Polymer Science and Technology in the IFM, the researchers will focus on developing epoxy resins that improve the performance of wind turbine blades.

Professor Guo explained that the researchers will focus on developing a composite material that has a longer life and is lighter, cheaper and more environmentally friendly than the resin currently used to make the turbines. They will also explore the potential for carbon fibre to further enhance turbine performance in the future.

The Global Wind Energy Council has claimed that the development of wind energy in China is unparalleled in the world - and it has been estimated that China could meet all of its electricity needs from wind power by 2030.

The Deakin delegation also visited a few private companies in Sichuan, including Sichuan SZD New Materials Company, which is funding Deakin’s Polymers Research Group to undertake a $250,000 five-year project developing nano toughened benzoxazine resins and high performance composites.

The delegation also signed an MOU with Sichuan Zhengrong Industrial Company, which has committed to be an industry partner for a new ARC linkage application led by Professor Qipeng Guo.