The focus of the conference will be Community Citizens’ Power, and it will highlight the status of community power worldwide.

We will examine community power benefits, and the policies necessary to support it. Our goal will continue to be the evolution of tools and strategies to develop and further promote community power all around the World.

Stefan Gsanger, WWEA Secretary General: “If we want to reach a 100% renewable energy supply worldwide with wind energy as a cornerstone, we have to make sure that the local communities actively support this endeavor and that they benefit from the wind farms in their vicinity. Community Power ownership models offer an excellent approach to achieving this objective.”

Community Power is the best way forward, and we look foward to seeing you in Bonn for this year’s wonderful WWEC 2012.

Greening Energy: Converting Deserts into Powerhouses

Cairo, Egypt, 31 October – 2 November 2011

The World Wind Energy Association, the Egyptian Wind Energy Association and the German-Arabic Chamber of Commerce welcome the presence of those more than 500 participants attending this conference, from wind and all other renewable energy technologies. The conference took place at a time which has brought fundamental political and social change in the host country and in the whole region, also opening the doors for an urgently needed and fundamental transformation of the energy supply.

The conference covered all aspects of wind utilisation, related policies, manufacturing, development, operation as well as economic and social issues, with a special focus on how to convert with renewable energy deserts into powerhouses.

Especially against the background of the ongoing nuclear disaster in Japan, the Conference calls for an immediate switch away from high-risk nuclear and fossil energy technologies to renewable energies.

On celebrating the tenth anniversary of the World Wind Energy Association, the Conference applauds WWEA for ten successful years of leadership work for a renewable future.

The conference appreciates the support of the governments and governmental organisations, especially of the Egyptian Government, the German Ministry for the Environment, the League of Arab States, the European Union, GIZ as well as UNESCO, IRENA, the International Renewable Energy Alliance, REN21 and all organisations and individuals enhancing the Conference.

The conference applauds the scientifically substantiated statements made that a 100 % renewable energy supply can be reached worldwide by the year 2030, implemented through comprehensive strategies and policies.

The Conference underlines the huge potentials of wind and other renewables for economic growth, sustainable development, energy security and for job creation. It was pointed out that in Egypt alone, 75’000 jobs can be created by 2020 in the local wind industry. The Conference welcomes the announcement by the International Labour Organisation to publish in the near future a report on occupational skills and job requirements in the renewable energy sector worldwide, as prepared in cooperation with the REN Alliance.

The Conference appreciates that the Sewedy Wind Energy Group under the leadership of Mr Ahmed El Sewedy have been awarded with the World Wind Energy Award 2011 for the company’s leading role in introducing wind power on a large scale in Egypt, the MENA region and in Africa and for establishing the first major wind turbine manufacturer in the region.

The Conference endorses the proposal of a Global Feed-in Tariff programme as a crucial step, and expresses its hope that such a programme could be established in the frame of the Green Climate Fund during the COP17 in Durban.

The Conference urges the Egyptian Government to introduce effective feed-in legislation and to develop a comprehensive long-term strategy for local content and for support of local manufacturing.

The Conference welcomes that the concept of Community Power receives more and more common support worldwide, and encourages communities around the world to become renewable energy champions by harvesting the renewable energies in their environment, a concept which should be promoted strongly also in the MENA region. Governments are called upon to support these communities.

In addition the Conference supports the following objectives, policies and actions to:

1.      remove gradually all subsidies and introduce the internalisation of all externalities to achieve a level playing field;

2.      pursue compensatory regulatory frameworks such as sufficient and effective fed-in tariffs that encourage renewable energy developments until this is achieved, and that provide sufficient financial security to promote long-term investment, especially for smaller investors;

3.      improve integration of wind power into existing power systems, create smart grids and enhance synergies between the various renewable energy solutions in order to achieve an integrated 100 % renewable energy supply in the foreseeable future;

4.      work closely with IRENA on the implementation of its work programme and contribute to its further refinement;

5.      raise the political and social awareness on all levels of society for the inevitable use of renewable energy;

6.      create new and strengthen existing human, industrial, administrative and financial capacities and institutions for renewable energy;

7.      reduce overall costs for energy supply by an increasing share of renewable energy power;

8.      develop and expand national, regional and international financing mechanisms for renewable energy, especially making use of funds provided as part of the international climate change negotiations, and ensure that the Global Green Climate Fund gives priority to renewable energy;

9.      support developing countries in obtaining easier access to technology and in creating domestic renewable industries;

10.    encourage all wind energy stakeholders to participate in the next World Wind Energy Conference which will be held in Bonn, Germany, 3rd to 5th July 2012.

Cairo, 2 November 2011

The WWEC2011 Chairpersons

Millions of well educated young people need to find meaningful employment in thousands of small and large communities that through renewable energy will get a chance to put countries like Egypt, the whole region, Africa and the many desserts of the world  on the map as thriving communities.

Volker Thomsen is a member and Co-Chair of the executive committee that for the last two years have been preparing this conference. He will together with his colleagues be the lead author of the Vision and plan for Egypt and the the region that  will prepare the grounds for all the changes and implementation.

Plan for Egypt
Converting Desserts into Powerhouses
one OASIS at a time

Using the WWEC2011 in Cairo 31st October – Nov. 2nd www.wwec2011.net as the turning point and inspiration for Egypt to become A LEADER in VOCATIONAL TRAINING & LEARNING

and planing  a grand scale implementation of sustainable Green INNOVATION and Economic Development creating 6 Million modern jobs throughout Egypt in the next 10 years

A Brief Concept developed by the Executive Committee of the WWEC2011 for the Egyptian Government and the Arabic League:

Executive Chairs:

Dr. Alaa Ezz, Secretary General, German-Arab Chamber of Industry & Commerce, Cairo Egypt

Stefan Gsaenger, WWEA Secretary General, Bonn Germany

Prof. Galal Osman Dr.Ing., President Egypt WEA Wind Energy Association Cairo Egypt

Volker Thomsen, WWEA Treasurer, retired Global Entrepreneur and College President and lead author of this report

PREAMBLE

When we analyse why the leading countries in innovation and productivity are at the top of the world rankings, we quickly detect that there is a direct relationship between the level of vocational training, the commitment to living harmoniously with the environment, using natural resources wisely, always applying green innovation, efficiency and creating economic opportunities for all communities small or large. Some of the best examples are the Scandinavian Countries as well as Germany.

How can we translate this idea to the Egyptian situation today?

The lead author (who himself has a lifelong exposure as an entrepreneur, author, learner and educator of more than 40 years in over 20 countries) of this short, basic concept has noticed that economic rules and their outcomes are based on the same principles regardless of location see http://volkerthomsen.com/about/ .  The opportunities to convert them into real life will of course vary based on cultural differences as well as differences in political and economical systems. Determining factor will also be the willingness to commit to long overdue change and do this in a peaceful and proactive fashion like the unusual successful Egyptian peaceful revolution has showcased itself to the world.

History has proven that the former Soviet Union model was not sustainable.  It may also yet prove that the present American capitalist model may likewise have to be modified and revised. This makes it even more attractive to find a different and more original Egyptian way perhaps more related to the German, Canadian or Scandinavian way of life.

What does this actually mean? It does not necessarily mean going away from capitalism. Ownership and accountability are necessary; we even want to say ownership for everybody is a must. There are many attractive company and ownership models evolving all around the globe. These models will of course move large portions of the activities back from the gambling stock markets to real people in real companies that take ownership. This has been described in “Canada Enroute to Prosperity” with some good examples and best practises.

This book as well as our proposal are meant as an inspiration for Innovation and job creation through education and training, health and wellness and green innovation.

Preferred partnerships between countries do not exclude strong ties and partnerships with other countries. With the right steps a cultural historic country and a sleeping beauty like Egypt will evolve as a giant tiger taking its proper place within world economic development and politics.

Relationships between Egypt and the USA, Canada the European Community, China, India and Russia must be enhanced and even if “Rethinking Egypt” in a more exclusive partnership with the USA is a very tempting option I am strongly recommending building even stronger partnerships with neighbouring countries as well as other particularly dynamic Countries like Germany, Scandinavia, Japan, China and any other interested nations. Nobody would have believed that fighting neighbours like France and Germany ever would become the strongest allies, but it became possible in the context of the development of the European Union. Within the European Union they are the strongest trading partners and allies.

Looking at the recent history in Egypt the latest people movement and overall direction of the development is very encouraging, and going the distinct Egyptian way may prove to be the only sustainable option for real economical growth.

Having had the pleasure to witness the “Egyptian Revolution” as part of the Executive Committee preparing the WWEC2011 in Cairo 2011 see: www.wwec2011.net we are impressed with the way the activities unfolded and how it was handled by the Egyptian People and consequently in a courageous shift also by the Egyptian Military leaders. In order for this not to have been in vain it is long overdue to create a pragmatic grand vision and a understanding of how concerted efforts and leadership shown by all parties can move Egypt to again become a leading Nation back to its old glory as a cultural and economical centre.

Living in Canada and neighbouring the USA requires a strong and close relationship with the neighbours. However at the same time it is existential to maintain as much independence as possible. The present strong dependence on the USA is totally unacceptable and unnecessary. More than 80 % of all Canadian exports are going to the USA.

Growing up as part of the Danish minority in the border region of Germany and Denmark it was experienced what it meant for Denmark to export 80 % of its agricultural production to the UK and Germany. Denmark was then primarily dependent on agriculture. Today the agriculture without having been reduced in size is only a few percent of the GNP and both Germany and the UK are reliable and respected partners representing each less than 15 % of the overall market including all industrial goods and services. This together with a strong focus on learning and training, the environment and green innovation has made Denmark a leading and fully independent industrial nation ranked among the five world leaders. Because of a similar development in other Scandinavian countries three of them are ranked among the five world leaders in productivity and innovation.

Taking these and other factors into consideration, history offers the newly evolving Egypt a unique opportunity to create a new model that could lead her to an independent and to-no-avail level of success.

In Volker Thomsen’s book, Canada Enroute to Prosperity: An Inspiration for Innovation and Job Creation through Education and Training, Health and Wellness and Green Innovation, it is called the new opportunities the Canadian , German or Scandinavian way of life, but there is no reason why Egypt could not participate in this kind of peaceful revolution, creating a sustainable economic model of its own, and do this together in a special partnership with countries such as Scandinavia, Germany and Canada.

The Egyptian Population in Canada, USA , throughout all of Europe and the rest of the world with more than three million members should be encouraged to act as ambassadors and catalyst for the Egyptian, Arabian and African evolution. The global shift from depleting resources like oil coal and gas to renewable resources that in great variation and abundance are available every where in world is the greatest opportunity for the modern world to create quality and equity for every person in each country. The

CHALLENGES or rather the OPPORTUNITIES are the same everywhere and are not any different in Egypt or better than most places.

All across Egypt, the government and private sector have certain difficulties to align themselves with forward-thinking policies that embrace the public interest.  This is like in most other countries quite understandable considering the history of the country, and should not discourage the present interim leadership from interpreting the challenges as great opportunities.  The present opportunity in cultural, social and economic growth can be seen as a special gift to Egypt from heaven; it should be used wisely to create the necessary infrastructure and education/training foundation for the future which will lead Egypt to a renaissance of prospects, and which can make her a leading nation in economic growth, productivity and innovation in a sustainable way. Change is always difficult to implement but the only way out of our present dilemma and economical depression.

OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities can only be fully developed if you prepare the ground for a thriving economy by installing a certain basic infrastructure and a strong knowledge base.  Egypt is blessed with just as many talented, brilliant and dedicated people as any other country; it is now up to the political leaders to inspire the self-motivation it will take for people to create their wealth and opportunities for the entire population.

When we look at the recent history of industrialization throughout the world, it is obvious that only those countries succeed that have a well-prepared and educated workforce.  Unfortunately, the perception of most people today is that only a university education will prepare one in an appropriate fashion, and thus enable innovation and development.

Even if it is important that a certain percentage of the population is university-trained, the truth is that it is equally or more important that the broader public has the benefits of training and education at various applied levels, and these are considered to be just as important and valuable as a university education.  If you want to build a house, you require a good foundation.  That means you will need a qualified mason, carpenter, bricklayer, plumber, electrician, and so on.

To continue the present Egyptian success story, you need the same input.  To create a nation with the full partnership of its people, you need policy in place to allow and enable everyone to participate.  Again, when we compare successful countries like Scandinavia, Germany and others, we soon see that the participation ratio is in the neighbourhood of 80-95%.  When I say participation rate, I mean that all people receive a basic elementary education, and then progress on to either vocational, college or university education, and that all of these types of training combined reach roughly 90% of the population.

Presently in Canada, 25% of the Canadian born population is graduating from university, and approximately the same number has credentials from either community college or vocational training.  That means that a full 50% of the population receive no recognized or formal credentials beyond the secondary school level. Because of the huge immigration influx after World War Two with well qualified professionals of any scope and calibre my estimate for Canada today is around 60 to 70 %. However it will decline if we not increase the participation rate of the Canadian raised and trained population.

We are pleased to tell you that for example the Ontario government during the last 11 years has been budgeting, planning and implementing to increase the participation rate beyond the 70% in the near future, and it is implementing very innovative strategies that will lead to this goal. For example the college system together with its local school boards in Ontario is engaged in several very forward looking pilot projects. These projects include dual credits where students parallel receive credit from the high school and the college. One of the most promising models is called triple play, where students are being prepared for their future at the high school, the college and an employer all at the same time. Some barriers created through concern of Unions must be overcome to fully explore inspiring pathways for all our young people.

We must realize that most underdeveloped countries have a participation rate as low as 10 %.  When we at the same time remember that all countries even the highly developed ones all started at zero the conclusion will be that this is one of the most important keys to economical, social and cultural success that needs to be introduced und provided for in all countries. Particularly countries like Egypt with a former record of a high development are logical candidates to be brought back to an equal level of development even more quickly than others.

The review of post secondary education that led to the report Ontario: “A Leader in Learning” was undertaken and completed with great thoroughness by former Ontario Premier Bob Rae and a well qualified small research team.  Within less than a year they went through a broad public and international consultation with all parties and it is a very interesting document to study in the context of what needs to be done in Ontario. Modified to the actual needs in Egypt this could be a good model for the training, education and side part of the overall project.

This Rae Review is one of the key tools to succeed in implementing and following through with a good, fair and equitable process see A Leader in Learning: http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/reports/postsec.pdf.

To truly identify the opportunities in this area in Egypt, a similar review needs to be undertaken, and could initially be done in a more condensed form, to be used as a guideline for your decision-making regarding how you would like to proceed with future steps. This report however needs to put an equal emphasis on economical development as well as preparing the workforce.

Without knowing the exact participation rate in Egypt (again, those people who have received credentials from a university, college or vocational training) I can still assure you that your challenges and opportunities are similar to those we have found in Ontario and other jurisdictions all over the world as long as the action is supported by the people of Egypt in a passionate way.

Working together in partnership, there will be great prospects for your partner countries to help Egypt in a meaningful way to help her make the quantum leap from the old centralized dominating model to a new and truly innovative Egyptian social, economic and cultural model.

A broad-based innovation strategy needs to include a capacity for Egypt to create many of its own products in a competitive fashion (in both price and quality) with other countries. Doing this in an environmentally friendly basis similar to Northern Europe will automatically put your development and progress into a similar league and good quality.

It will therefore be necessary to create the capacity to train enough people in vocational skills on an ongoing basis everywhere to ensure that every community—city or group of villages—have the appropriate infrastructure to support such development.  You must also consider the specific professional training needed for both a civil updated policing force and correctional capacities.

How can these outcomes be accomplished?  Like anything else, it starts with learning and education concepts so that the school system can re structure curriculum and pathways for all students.  There are many good role models available in Germany and Scandinavia, as well as some newer, innovative models in Canada (especially in Ontario) which can be readily converted and even improved to serve Egyptian needs.

A key challenge most likely will be to NOT create more research and more university capacity; it will be to create enough workshops, laboratories and continuing learning of an applied nature where millions of young and mature learners can be trained or retrained and become qualified trades people and professionals.

If we again may be permitted to use the example of building a foundation, upon which you can build an Egypt that is independent and leading in terms of cultural, social, industrial and economical development, and this will then carry Egypt to lead, compete and participate in the global economy in a more enhanced way.

All this combined with a forward thinking strategy on innovation and economic development, that is based on new technologies such as for example renewable energy and IT all in tune with the environment, will help Egypt to make a quantum leap and join the world leaders in innovation and productivity. This will of course take some time but can be accomplished particularly if you can create your sustainable model that is less focussed on a huge never ending consumption and waste of goods anybody really needs.

A Modern “Marshall Plan” carried by the Egyptian Government, the Arabic League as well as supported by its European, American, Chinese, Indian  and other International Partners that want to participate. Even if it is not possible to get all parties to agree Egypt could together with a limited consortium of Countries carry this tout. As long as the people of Egypt are united around this goal the movement would be so powerful that it is bound to get support and to succeed on all levels.

Like in Europe the success would be showing by “Converting Desserts in Powerhouses” one OASIS at a time.

When the Marshall Plan was implemented in Europe after World War Two it contained USA help over a period of more than 4 years starting in 1948 and ending in 1952. It was relative small around 13 Billion Dollar in total and even including the $12 billion in American aid to Europe between the end of the war and the start of the Plan it was “only” $25 billion that merely  presented 10 % of the 1948 USA GNP or 1.5 % of the four year period. this investment in form of a gift has been one of the most meaningful and profitable large actions or investments done by any nation. the smartness of this simple strategy prevented the creation of a third world war and initiated a big boom of innovation and productivity. The included extract from Wikipedia demonstrates the great potential for something similar for Egypt and other African and Arabian countries. If we would analyse the economic return on the investment into the “Marshall Plan” we will find that it has had a stunning outcome far beyond normal situations and has been paid back manifold.

Marshall Plan

The Marshall Plan (officially the European Recovery Program, ERP) was the large-scale American program to aid Europe where the United States sent monetary support to help rebuild European economies after the end of World War II in order to combat the spread of communism. The plan was in operation for four years beginning in April 1948. The goals of the United States were to rebuild a war-devastated region, remove trade barriers, modernize industry, and make Europe prosperous again. The initiative was named after Secretary of State George Marshall. The plan had bipartisan support in Washington, where the Republicans controlled Congress and the Democrats controlled the White House. The Plan was largely the creation of State Department officials, especially William L. Clayton and George F. Kennan. Marshall spoke of urgent need to help the European recovery in his address at Harvard University in June 1947.[1]

The reconstruction plan, developed at a meeting of the participating European states, was established on June 5, 1947. It offered the same aid to the Soviet Union and its allies, but they did not accept it.[2][3] The plan was in operation for four years beginning in April 1948. During that period some US $13 billion in economic and technical assistance were given to help the recovery of the European countries that had joined in the Organization for European Economic Co-operation. This $13 billion was in the context of a U.S. GDP of $258 billion in 1948, and was on top of $12 billion in American aid to Europe between the end of the war and the start of the Plan that is counted separately from the Marshall Plan.[4] The Marshall Plan was replaced by the Mutual Security Plan at the end of 1951.[5]

The ERP addressed each of the obstacles to post war recovery. The plan looked to the future, and did not focus on the destruction caused by the war. Much more important were efforts to modernize European industrial and business practices using high-efficiency American models, reduce artificial trade barriers, and instil a sense of hope and self-reliance.[6]

By 1952 as the funding ended, the economy of every participant state had surpassed pre-war levels; for all Marshall Plan recipients, output in 1951 was at least 35% higher than in 1938.[7] Over the next two decades, Western Europe enjoyed unprecedented growth and prosperity, but economists are not sure what proportion was due directly to the ERP, what proportion indirectly, and how much would have happened without it. The Marshall Plan was one of the first elements of European integration, as it erased trade barriers and set up institutions to coordinate the economy on a continental level—that is, it stimulated the total political reconstruction of western Europe.[8]

Belgian economic historian Herman Van der Wee concludes the Marshall Plan was a “great success”:

“It gave a new impetus to reconstruction in Western Europe and made a decisive contribution to the renewal of the transport system, the modernization of industrial and agricultural equipment, the resumption of normal production, the raising of productivity, and the facilitating of intra-European trade.”[9]

Looking that this summary it is clear that the emotional boost and the truly inspiring moral support triggered that the participating European Countries were motivated and encouraged to build a new peaceful and prosperous Europe. This is exactly the kjnd of encouragement Egypt and all other evolving  countries need.

Based on the spectacular opportunities that arise through the internet and modern information technology and the ideal fact that there are renewable energy sources in abundance everywhere in the wold makes it for the first in mankind’s history possible to reshape and recreate all countries into modern prosperous societies everywhere including each individual community.

It will do one more thing it will even support prosperity in the existing  successful countries that will be able to deliver even more goods and services than before.

However there has to be a drastically improved focus on quality which can last for a longer time instead of short lived cheap products that in the long run are more expensive.

This is already happening and the car industry is a really good example.

Once the transition from the fossil fuel driven car to the electrical has taken place this will actually become much more relevant and obvious. An electrical motor to begin with is very robust and can be used for many years with little maintenance. This can be improved to something that moves things without moving parts and a very much longer life span. An interesting example is the electric magnetic train:

Transrapid

Transrapid is a German high-speed monorail train using magnetic levitation. Based on a patent from 1934, planning of the Transrapid system started in 1969. The test facility for the system in Emsland, Germany was completed in 1987. In 1991, the technical readiness for application was approved by the Deutsche Bundesbahn in cooperation with renowned universities.[1]

Its current application-ready version, the Transrapid 09, has been designed for 500 km/h (311 mph) cruising speed and allows acceleration and deceleration of approx. 1 m/s² (3.28 ft/s²).

In 2004, the first commercial implementation was completed. The Shanghai Maglev Train connects the rapid transit network 30.5 km (18.95 mi) to the Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The Transrapid system has not yet been deployed on a long-distance intercity line.

The system is developed and marketed by Transrapid International, a joint venture of Siemens and ThyssenKrupp http://www.transrapid.de/ .

Like all innovation as long as it is not introduced on a broad basis there will always be some shortfalls. However properly done this very concept lends itself to create clean, quiet and efficient cities and connect them in a fast way by land. Any distance under 2000 km can in reality be handled much faster,safer and more cost efficient than air transportation.

SMALL is THE NEXT BIG THING

The industrial revolution also brought the reliance on ever bigger energy systems that became less efficient but more controlling and determining factor where economical development could and can happen.

In principal there is foremost a need of distributed electricity or energy generation of any kind directly based on the local needs and centred where the needs are. It is therefore absurd to create big wasteful systems that have difficulties in a cost efficient way to provide country wide coverage. Clusters of users should therefore be in charge and auto nom in their decision making. That will in most cases be the most efficient and least wasteful method. The standards applied everywhere and the connecting overarching grid must be publicly owned and should be designed as a smart system that connects the various distributed generators to the extend needed by the market. It is able to adjust itself day by day, hour by hour and even minute by minute.

In this conjunction it is of great interest to get everybody in one boat and it can in some cases be very supportive and productive if large companies or co-operative organizations can help as minority or equal partners of local organizations by providing knowledge, technical expertise and money. However it is very important in a society like Egypt to get the local community to fully stand behind this kind of economical development that in reality is a cultural, social and economical development that only is sustainable if it is carried by the peoples long term passion, commitment and well being.

For the transition period from big to small from underdeveloped to developed we to our surprise can see that many small projects combined actually can be quite big and much bigger than a few very big . A good example are many small and midsize farmers or entrepreneurs in Germany or Denmark who became the owners of large, efficient and well maintained wind turbines, solar installations or bioreactors. As an example there are 20.000 members in the German wind power association generation business representing more than 27.000 MW capacity at an investment of around $ 400 billion.

Wind power in Germany

In 2010, the installed capacity of wind power in Germany was 27.2 GW.[1] Wind power currently produces about seven percent of Germany’s total electrical power. More than 21,607 wind turbines are located in the German federal area and the country has plans to build more wind turbines.[2][3] As of 2011, Germany’s federal government is working on a new plan for increasing renewable energy commercialization[4], with a particular focus on offshore wind farms.[5]

Contents

1 Overview

2 Repowering

3 Offshore wind power

4 Statistics

4.1 States

5 See also

6 References

7 External links

Overview

As of 2010, Wind power in Germany provides over 96,100 people with jobs and German wind energy systems are also exported.[2][6] The Fuhrländer Wind Turbine Laasow, built in 2006 near the village of Laasow, Brandenburg, is the tallest wind turbine in the world. Also most other of the tallest wind turbines in the world are situated in Germany, see List of wind turbines#Tallest_wind_turbines.

At Germany, there are also most of the most powerful wind turbines in the world, the Enercon E-126.

However, the economics of wind power in Germany are under close scrutiny[7] and there are other issues which deserve consideration. These include the effect of wind turbines on the landscape, the effect on the bird population, and the effect on the tourist industry.[2]

Repowering

Repowering, the replacement of first-generation wind turbines with modern multi-megawatt machines, is occurring in Germany. Modern turbines make better use of available wind energy and so more wind power can come from the same area of land. Modern turbines also offer much better grid integration since they use a connection method similar to conventional power plants.[8][9]

Offshore wind power

See also: List of offshore wind farms in Germany

See also: Alpha Ventus Offshore Wind Farm, Baltic 1 Offshore Wind Farm, and BARD Offshore 1

Offshore wind energy also has great potential in Germany.[10] Wind speed at sea is 70 to 100% higher than onshore and much more constant. A new generation of 5 MW or larger wind turbines which are capable of making full use of the potential of wind power at sea has already been developed and prototypes are available. This makes it possible to operate offshore wind farms in a cost-effective way once the usual initial difficulties of new technologies have been overcome.[11]

On July 15 of 2009, the first offshore German windturbine completed construction. This turbine is the first of a total of 12 wind turbines for the alpha ventus offshore wind farm in the North Sea.[12]

Following the 2011 Japanese nuclear accidents, Germany’s federal government is working on a new plan for increasing renewable energy commercialization, with a particular focus on offshore wind farms.[13] Under the plan large wind turbines will be erected far away from the coastlines, where the wind blows more consistently than it does on land, and where the enormous turbines won’t bother the inhabitants. The plan aims to decrease Germany’s dependence on energy derived from coal and nuclear power plants.[5]

see: http://www.wwindea.org/home/images/stories/pdfs/worldwindenergyreport2010_s.pdf and http://www.wind-energie.de/ .

The German solar Power has reached 500.000 individual installations covering every community with more than stunning 17.000 MW installed capacity at a installed value of around $100 Billion

http://www.ises.org/ises.nsf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power_in_Germany

Solar power in Germany

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A portion of the Waldpolenz Solar Park

Germany is one of the world’s top photovoltaics (PV) installers, with a solar PV capacity as of 2010 of almost 17,000 megawatts (MW).[1] The German solar PV industry installed 7,400 MW from nearly one-quarter million individual systems in 2010, and solar PV provided 12 TWh (billion kilowatt-hours) of electricity in 2010, about 2% of total electricity.[2] Some market analysts expect this could reach 25 percent by 2050.[3]

GETTING STARTED

As proposed in the introductory letter, the best starting point will be to select a very small team of experts from Egypt, Scandinavia, Germany, USA and Canada; for example, the composition for the team could be 4-5 Egyptian experts, partnered with a total of about 4 experts from the partner countries, and a chair.  These people will then be given the task to create the structure or framework for the whole project.

The less bureaucratic the process will be, the sooner a viable concept can be created and prepared for your review.

THE PARTNERS

Partners for the next steps must include strong political leadership in order to be a catalyst for action; government bureaucracy will need to promote the co operation needed between the various ministries and agencies, as well as the different levels of the federal, provincial and community governments.  In addition, this leadership can organize symposia and recommend the process for implementing the program.  I would recommend that this be accomplished through an Egyptian agency for innovation as proposed in my book on page 33.

The International partners will be recruited out of a mix of vocational trainers and educators, industrial and political players, and bureaucrats.

OUTCOMES

We have the courage and the foresight to claim that if you seriously engage in what we are proposing, you will, within one generation, create an Egypt with an equal skill set, knowledge base and wealth to any leading country that we have previously referenced.  If you accomplish all of these things, you will have created a platform that will no doubt capture the interest of industrial (as well as otherorganisations) from around the world that would be interested in investing in Egyptian innovative development on a large scale. It will lead to innovation and productivity at the top level. More important it will involve and include every small and big community in Egypt and over 10 years create more than 6 million jobs covering the entire spectrum of infrastructure, construction, transportation  and last but not least a shift for the entire energy industry to tens of thousands of sustainable long term distributed energy systems linked in one smartly designed interactive and save grid.

SUMMARY

We started out this proposal by saying that the potential presented to you out of the present political, social and cultural situation is of a great magnitude for a meaningful and sustainable economic development and Egypt truly has an unusual potential for a broad based development with new employment reaching into each community; if you utilize them in this context and in an environmentally sustainable way you will create an Egypt where the wealth of your culture, the richness of your spirit, and the depth of your soul will be nourished, and finally meet the ordinary peoples’ desire after many years of emotional and physical starvation.  Done in a pragmatic way, you will be able to reach out to everybody and inspire the people to arise, phoenix-like, from the ashes. The biggest task will be to do this in tune with the environment and without further destruction of mother earth.

With determination Egypt can succeed and arise as a true sustainable leader:

Egypt a Leader in Learning, Training and Green Innovation.

This will lead to an Egypt with thriving communities and Converting Desserts into Powerhouses one OASIS at a time.

Volker Thomsen

Treasure Island

Kingston ON Canada

To inspire, to provoke and introduce change in human behavior is one of the most difficult things a person can accomplish.

Hermann Scheer has been a courageous and successful warrior for introducing the Solar Age. Energy Autonomy and Community Development are the most important steps for a peaceful and prosperous world.

This (his) thinking needs to be employed in all areas of life but most important in rebuilding and preserving the agriculture and not give in to a massive industry and gene manipulation that will disable farmers to plant and harvest their own seed. The farmers need to be enabled to again providing food for their communities and to harvest their own wind, solar and biofarms.

Hermann has been a role model for all of us for many years and I have no doubt that the outcomes of his work and his legacy will live on. We have the honour and obligation to build upon this and move forward from here.

Hermann Scheer Interview on youtube

The californian broadcast station “democracy now” has today published a long interview in memoriam of Hermann Scheer from September. For those who never had the chance to meet him this interview is an example of the brilliance of his thoughts, his view upon the picture and his fearless way to say the truth. These 5 clips show whom we have lost.
“Hermann Scheer (1944-2010): German Lawmaker, “Hero for the Green Century” 1 – 5″

Also see Hermann speaking at the WWEC 2008 in Kingston.
http://volkerthomsen.com/2008/07/15/hermann-scheer-on-renewable-energy/

Leveling the playing field

The New Context: Green Power Exceeding Expectations

Excerpts from http://pubs.pembina.org/reports/ontario-green-energy-report-august-web.pdf

“We may not need any [new coal or new
nuclear], ever… I think baseload capacity
is going to become an anachronism.”
— Jon Wellinghoff, Chair,
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, April 21, 2009.5

Ontario’s ground breaking Green Energy Act has positioned
the province as North America’s leader in renewable power
development. In 2009, Ontario’s 1,000 MW of wind power
produced 2.3 terawatt hours4 of electricity – equivalent to the
power used in over 400,000 houses every year, while the output
from Ontario’s coal plants was down to 8.9 terawatt hours. In
the last six months, the province has contracted for an additional
4,800 MW of new renewable energy generation to be built within
the next five years under the Green Energy Act, which would
generate roughly 11.4 terawatt hours annually. At the same
time, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is proceeding with plans
to convert some of its coal burning units to produce 2 terawatt
hours annually from biomass.
In total, Ontario has already procured more green energy in 2010
than it expected to over the next 17 years.

Thanks in part to the success of the
government’s conservation programs,
electricity demand is now expected
to decrease over the next decade.
Instead of building additional electricity
supply, we can now focus on using
modern green energy options to
replace retiring nuclear stations.

The province has already made commendable progress in building
a green economy. Ontario is on track to phase out its coal stations
by 2014 and replace them with a mix of conservation, green energy,
and cleaner gas generation. Much of this progress, however, will
come to a halt if the government stays the nuclear course.
The Green Energy Plan 2.0, outlined below, presents an affordable
and forward-thinking option. It is less risky than buying a new
nuclear station. The 3,000 MW of capacity in the six reactors at
the Pickering plant currently provide about 15 per cent of Ontario’s
overall electricity when they are operating well. Instead of relying on
new untested nuclear plants, Ontario could replace the contribution
from these aging reactors to the province’s supply with a portfolio
of proven hydro, wind, solar, biomass, Combined Heat and Power
(CHP), conservation and efficiency options.

Ontario’s green energy legislation provides many of the right
conditions for conservation and renewable energy to thrive.
But if green energy is ever to reach its full potential, the
government must revise its 2006 commitment to maintaining
nuclear at 50 per cent of supply. Otherwise, the government
will cause clean energy to remain a marginal source of power
in Ontario, despite the innovative Green Energy Act.

A Green Energy Plan 2.0 would allow Ontario’s green workforce to continue growing and diversifying the province’s economy.

Ontario is already seeing progress being made on creating a
“green collar” workforce.

The growth in the green jobs sector can and should continue.
A recent study by Blue Green Alliance, a coalition of environmental
and labour groups, estimated that 90,000 jobs could be created
with green energy over the next decade  by replacing aging
nuclear stations with green energy as they retire.

The province’s domestic content requirements, for example, require
at least 25 per cent of wind project costs and 50 per cent of large
solar project costs to come from Ontario goods and labour. Along
with guarantees in prices for energy generated from renewable
sources, companies will have the confidence to invest in Ontario,
hire workers, and produce and sell green energy.

One of the major benefits of the Green Energy Act is that it allows
renewable energy producers across the province to connect to
the grid — not just those working in a nuclear facility. Aboriginal
communities, homeowners, farmers, schools, factories, co-ops, as
well as large-scale commercial generators will be able to boost local
economies and create jobs by selling green energy to the province’s
electricity grid. In the green energy future, everybody wins.

Unlike jobs in the nuclear industry, an upgraded green energy
plan will bring more diverse jobs to all corners of Ontario. The
province can expect to see jobs in wide-ranging sectors such
as manufacturing, industrial efficiency, clean generation, home
retrofitting, and offshore developments.

Building a 21st century energy system means that Ontario must
learn from its 20th century mistakes with nuclear power. Clean
energy sources must be given room to grow in order to realize
their potential. The Ontario government’s role is to provide
direction and guidance to encourage the province’s transition
to a green energy future.

In 2008, then-Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George
Smitherman stopped the Ontario Energy Board’s review of the
Ontario Power Authority’s 2007 long-term electricity plan and
instructed it to review and “enhance” its long-term targets for
renewables, conservation, and decentralized energy within six
months. At the time, the Minister insisted nuclear would still
remain at 50 per cent of supply, inadvertently limiting significant
enhancements to green targets.

Since that time, it has become clear that green energy can play
a more significant role in in Ontario’s energy plan.

Adopting a portfolio of renewable energy sources has numerous benefits:

Doable — All the energy options in the portfolio are proven to
work and can easily meet and surpass the green targets
established in 2006.

Diverse — Instead of risking billions of dollars on an untested
reactor, this green portfolio would provide power diversity from
proven sources: onshore and offshore wind; local, residential,
and industrial power stations; and efficiency programs.

Disperse — Combined Heat and Power (CHP) stations could provide
efficient baseload power to hospitals, schools, and industrial facilities
across Ontario instead of being centralized in a distant location.
Conservative — The OPA already intends to surpass its original
targets for wind power for 2014. The additional wind capacity
proposed here is less the OPA’s own deployment estimates for 2014.25
Cost effective — Feed-In Tariff rates are scheduled to be reviewed
and likely decline over time for new projects, while projects that are
already approved will remain fixed for 20 years. Meanwhile, nuclear
power costs have continued to escalate.

Highlights of Ontario’s

Green Energy Plan 2.0

Recommendations
1. Direct the Ontario Power Authority to replace the Pickering
reactors by increasing its mid-term baseline targets (between
the years 2015 and 2020) for renewables, conservation, and
Combined Heat and Power.

2. Forgo or delay  buying new reactors.

3. Follow through on commitments to establish a Feed-In-Tariff for
Combined Heat and Power generation in order to enable the
development of diversified baseload generation.

4. Instruct the Ontario Power Authority that aging nuclear facilities
can be replaced by cost effective green energy options.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ end of excerpts from the Report ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

< …and lets all get together and figure this out.. because the future of this Country and this Province really depends on what we do today>

If you have recommendations as to what we should be putting forth as the sustainable directions for future prosperity, security and well-being in all matters pertaining to energy, conservation, technology, food, shelter, transportation, environment and our overall economy please add your comments below. Recommendations only. The debate is being held elsewhere. Thank you all.

A Climate for Renewables

There will be many hills to climb before we reach our renewable energy goals.

by Hélène Pelosse, IRENA

London, UK [Renewable Energy World Magazine]

Hiking is one of my favorite outdoor activities. Twenty years ago, my father and I went on a trip to explore several glaciers. It was a special experience for us, and one of my fondest memories. So you can imagine my horror to see recent photos of these very same glaciers that showed how much they had receded. Just 20 years ago, they were majestic examples of the Earth’s natural beauty. Now, they are case studies of a planet in crisis.

Sadly, my story is not an isolated tale. There is no shortage of predictions about what the world will look like in the future if carbon emissions continue to rise. All of them are negative. Glaciers will melt. Species will become extinct. And extreme weather conditions will proliferate.

Yet, despite these grim prognostications, there is reason for hope. As the dangers of climate change become more readily apparent, the international community is joining together to explore the opportunities in this crisis. In fact, the creation of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is just one example of this new spirit of global cooperation.

From my office chair at IRENA’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), I have been fortunate to witness this phenomenon first hand. The fact that IRENA is based in one of the world’s most important oil producing countries sends a powerful message to the world that we can not rely on the energies of the past to power the future.

IRENA is the first intergovernmental organization tasked with providing support and advice to its member states on implementing effective framework conditions for the transition towards a new era of increased renewable energy, and I’m grateful to have a front row seat for the proceedings.

I believe the turn towards renewable energy will be as influential as the Industrial Revolution. I am not the only one who thinks so. This is why so many countries have joined IRENA. Our organization has grown quickly, and the sheer size of our member roster is telling. We launched in January 2009, the initial idea coming from Germany, then Spain and Denmark joined in. Over the year, almost 50 countries got involved in the founding process. By the autumn of 2009, dozens more had signed on, bringing the total number of IRENA member states to 137. The United Nations has 192. It’s difficult to believe that when IRENA first began, some of us thought it would be a success to have 30 countries on board.

It is clear that many countries are ready to embrace renewable energy. Although renewables are only one approach to mitigating the complex challenge of global warming, it is one of the best strategies we have. The spin-off benefits of a renewable powered future are simply too good to ignore. By their very nature, renewable energies are secure, affordable, easily accessible, and clean. And because of these traits, it can preserve the environment and protect our climate. It can boost economic growth and create local jobs that will lead to regional development. It can even increase social cohesion and make the world’s energy supplies more secure.

Renewable energy technology is progressing by leaps and bounds. Research and development in green technology is no longer restricted to European countries such as Germany, Spain, and Denmark. Just last year, for example, China surpassed Japan as the world’s leading producer of photovoltaic cells.

Remember when computers were so rare that only scientific researchers had access to them? Or perhaps you might recall when brick-sized mobile phones were so expensive that they belonged only to Hollywood producers and investment bankers. As with all technology, prices of renewable equipment are bound to come down as these products become more mainstream and manufacturers achieve economies of scale. I would not be surprised if renewable technologies become so common that we are able to purchase small-scale versions for our homes in supermarkets very soon.

Earlier this year, at least 64 countries had policies to promote renewable power generation. India recently announced an ambitious Solar Plan aiming to generate 20 GW from sunlight by 2020, starting from its current 2.12 MW. The EU has set a target of 20% renewable power by 2020 and is currently drafting legislation to support this goal.

With the advances in technology and the plans in place, we are starting to see incredibly ambitious projects take form. South Africa is developing a 100-MW concentrating solar power project. Norway will be opening the world’s first osmotic power plant outside Oslo as REW goes to press. In Bangladesh, as of March 2009, the renewable energy company Grameen Shakti had installed more than 220,000 solar home systems in rural areas that turn houses into small power plants. Morocco and India both have plans to create preferential zones for renewable energy technology production. And in IRENA’s back yard in the oil-producing UAE, the city of Masdar plans to establish a similar renewable energy technology zone.

The world’s renewable energy sector will grow. We have already seen an increase in the production of renewable energy over the last decade. Last year, both the United States and the European Union added more power capacity from renewables than from conventional sources. And consider this: an estimated US$120 billion was invested in renewable energy worldwide in 2008, almost double the $63 billion invested in 2006.

All of these developments are taking place at an important time in world history. Science has shown that we must change the way we produce and consume energy or face a future ravaged by warmer temperatures.

Current methods of energy generation produce negative effects that are rarely shown on our utility bills, but all of society pays for them. What we emit into the atmosphere today will influence the planet for decades to come and possibly far longer, affecting generations to come.

There is an even more pragmatic reason for pursuing a renewable energy future. Renewables could provide an unlimited supply to meet the needs of the estimated 10 billion humans that will inhabit Earth by 2050. Renewable energy’s greatest benefit is perhaps that it is accessible for every country in the world. Most regions of the globe have access to resources such as sun, wind, water, biomass, agricultural residue, or the Earth’s heat. We have begun to harness these resources in new and exciting ways that help countries all around the world help themselves.

We have already seen what happens when creative people design things that take advantage of renewable power. This innovation has resulted in products such as solar home systems in Ethiopia or eco-friendly cooking stoves in India. Many more innovative products are on the way. Around the world, entrepreneurs are hard at work developing clever market-based solutions that deliver safe and affordable energy to the 1.6 billion people without access to electricity, a market estimated at $500 billion.

In addition to helping alleviate conditions of poverty, the renewable energy transformation allows developing countries to avoid making some of the mistakes industrialized nations have made in the past. Developing nations can leap over interim technologies that were adopted and then discarded in favor of more efficient advances. It also allows industrialized countries to produce energy in a sustainable manner, harvesting resources at their doorsteps. Furthermore, renewables will advance technological sectors around the world and create a new class of knowledge worker. The future looks bright for us all.

In many ways, this transition is much like the hiking and climbing I enjoy so much. The journey won’t be easy, and it must be taken one step at a time. There are bound to be innumerable peaks and valleys to pass through. But just as a group of climbers eventually reaches a summit and gets to see the spectacular surroundings from the top, the international community will also get to see a whole new world.

As a mother of three, I want to help create a world I will be proud to pass along to my children. And I know others who are equally passionate about renewable energy. The transition to clean energy is an enormous challenge and an unprecedented opportunity. History shows that humanity is capable of great achievements: climbing to a renewable energy future will be its greatest legacy.

Hélène Pelosse is the interim director general of IRENA

September 24, 2009 9:51 AM
From http://news.ontario.ca/newsroom/en/

Ontario has launched a series of bold measures to attract new investment in renewable energy projects and build a green economy that will promote the creation of 50,000 jobs over the next three years. Today’s announcement completes the final four steps of Ontario’s momentous “Ten Steps to Green Energy,” which will create green jobs and open green energy investment opportunities throughout the province.

STEP 7: Ontario has established the Renewable Energy Facilitation Office (REFO), a one-window access point to assist developers, communities and municipalities obtain information on developing renewable energy projects in Ontario, and help them navigate through the regulatory approvals necessary to bring their projects to life.

STEP 8: Establishing minimum setbacks for wind turbine projects, as part of the Renewable Energy Approval (REA) process, which became law on Sept. 24, 2009. The REA is designed to ensure that renewable energy projects are developed in a way that is protective of human health, the environment, and Ontario’s cultural and natural heritage.

STEP 9: Ontario develops domestic content requirements which would ensure at least 25 per cent of wind project costs and 50 per cent of large solar project costs come from Ontario goods and labour. Requirements for solar will increase on Jan. 1, 2011 and requirements for wind will increase on Jan. 1, 2012.

STEP 10: The Green Energy Act introduces North America’s first comprehensive feed-in tariff program that guarantees specific rates for energy generated from renewable sources. It is designed to encourage the development of renewable energy projects by a range of generators including Aboriginal communities, homeowners, farmers, schools, stores, factories, co-ops, offices and larger-scale commercial generators.

With certainty in the rules and regulations, guarantees in prices for energy generated from renewable sources and domestic content requirements in support of the growth of new “green collar” jobs, companies will have the confidence to invest in Ontario, hire workers, and produce and sell renewable energy.

Feed-in Tariff Program

The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program offers long-term price guarantees for renewable electricity generators, which will increase investor confidence and make it easier to finance projects. Ontario’s FIT program will encourage billions of dollars in investment to help Ontario’s energy supply mix become one of the cleanest in North America. The FIT has several key features:

• allows all sizes of generators, from homeowners to large developers to participate;
• has prices that are intended to cover total project costs and provide a reasonable rate of return over a 20-year contract (40 years for waterpower);
• is open to various renewable energy technologies: biogas, biomass, landfill gas, solar photovoltaic (PV), wind and waterpower;
• provides incentives for Aboriginal projects;
• provides incentives for community-based projects;
• provides a straightforward way to obtain a contract for renewable electricity generation;
• has different prices for different technologies and different project sizes; and
• includes domestic content requirements.

FIT payments can range from 10.3 cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh) for landfill gas projects larger than 10 MW to 80.2 c/kWh for residential solar rooftop projects 10 kW or smaller. The FIT also includes a “price adder” for Aboriginal and community projects to encourage participation.

Domestic Content

Developers will be required to have a certain percentage of their project costs come from Ontario goods and labour at the time they reach commercial operation.

For wind, the requirement will start at 25% and increase to 50% on Jan. 1, 2012.

For micro solar PV (10 kW or smaller), the requirement will start at 40% and increase to 60% on Jan. 1, 2011.

For larger solar PV, the requirement will start at 50% and increase to 60% on Jan. 1, 2011.

The domestic content regulations will encourage investment, green manufacturing, construction and installation jobs in Ontario.

The Ontario Power Authority will begin accepting FIT applications on Oct. 1, 2009 and expects to sign the first contracts in early December.

Ontario will direct the OPA that there is to be no ground-mounted solar procurement above 100 kilowatts on class 1 and 2 or Specialty Crop Areas to provide continued protection of such lands. Some ground-mounted solar procurement, up to 500 megawatts, will be allowed on Class 3 lands, allocated on a regional basis.

Renewable Energy Approval (REA)

The Renewable Energy Approval (REA) process becomes law today, Sept. 24, 2009, and is designed to ensure that renewable energy projects are developed in a way that is protective of human health, the environment, and Ontario’s cultural and natural heritage. While the FIT program simplifies the contracts and pricing for new projects, a streamlined approvals process makes it easier to bring renewable energy projects to life.

The REA:

• Takes a cautious approach to setbacks and noise limits by establishing the largest setback requirements in Canada, the United States and eight European countries — a minimum setback of 550 metres for one to five wind turbines, with setbacks increasing with the number and the sound level rating of turbines
• Integrates environmental approvals, providing clear provincial rules and requirements, transparent decision-making and certainty for stakeholders and proponents.
• Integrates the former regulatory approval requirements, including: municipal planning approvals, Environmental Assessments, Certificates of Approval, Permissions to Take Water and other provincial approvals and permits.
• Establishes consultation processes for municipalities and communities in relation to project site requirements and local infrastructure.
• Encourages Aboriginal consultation early in the process with communities identified by the Crown.
• Is coordinated with other provincial approvals to ensure a streamlined approach, providing a six-month service guarantee per project.

Renewable Energy Facilitation Office
The newly created Renewable Energy Facilitation Office (REFO) is a one-window access point for information on renewable energy project requirements, and can connect Ontarians with the appropriate resources to assist them in navigating through the approvals and Feed-in Tariff processes.

The REFO functions as a source of information for renewable energy developers, communities, and municipalities, and can act as a liaison between these parties and Ontario’s ministries and agencies. The REFO can assist in setting up a coordinated orientation meeting to discuss your project’s requirements. This meeting can help clarify various requirements related to your renewable energy project.

As an umbrella body with no regulatory responsibilities, REFO has a unique understanding of the renewable energy regime and serves to educate all its parties based on its understanding.

More information

Read more about Ontario’s Green Energy Act

For details about the Feed-in Tariff Program visit www.powerauthority.on.ca/FIT

For details on the new approvals process, visit the Ministry of Environment at www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/business/green-energy

To learn more about renewable energy in Ontario visit www.ontario.ca/renewableenergy

Visit the Renewable Energy Facilitation Office at www.ontario.ca/renewableenergyprojects

Amy Tang, Minister’s Office, 416-327-6747
Eric Pelletier, Communications Branch, 416-325-1810

John Karapita, Minister’s Office, 416-314-6736
Kate Jordan, Ministry of the Environment, 416-314-6666

g8_investment_execsum

Volker Thomsen assumed his duties as President and CEO of St. Lawrence College on October 1, 2000. In September 2004 St. Lawrence College Board of Governors appointed Volker Thomsen for a second five-year term, from 2005 to 2010.

Thomsen has more than 30 years experience as a successful founder, shareholder and CEO of a group of companies in the food, natural health products, pharmaceutical manufacturing and marketing sectors. He has, furthermore, during the same period been involved in renewable energy, particularly in Denmark and Germany. He participated in planning wind parks in conjunction with biomass reactors, enabling rural communities to combine energy in a meaningful way and be independent of outside supplies. 

September 2001, St. Lawrence established its first wind generator at the Cornwall Campus. Presently there are plans for a big wind generator on the Kingston Campus, and the College is engaged in a large-scale community plan for renewable energy.  The solar, heat pump and wind fueled SLC Energy House is demonstrator in partnership with the local school boards. Thomsen is one of the visionaries behind the first                         

$410 million wind park in Ontario that will be launched on Wolfe Island 2008.                                                          

In May of 2006, Thomsen spearheaded the foundation of the World Wind Energy Institute; participants from institutes spanning five continents met on St. Lawrence College’s Kingston campus to activate this global network of educational and renewable energy institutes dedicated to student exchange and learning in the field of renewable and sustainable energies.

Thomsen has also been actively engaged in music and in the arts, both in Europe and in Canada. In this capacity he is also the founder of “Festivals on the St. Lawrence.” This international festival in Northern New York and Eastern Ontario is focused on music, art and heritage on both sides of the river.

Volker Thomsen has worked most of his life in his international businesses located in over 20 countries, including Canada. He was also a leading director of a co-operative bank in his hometown Flensburg, an old Danish city on the German/Danish border, and remained on its supervisory board for fifteen years.

Thomsen’s interest in education, adult learning and training began early in his career. Having experienced apprenticeship training first-hand, Thomsen is a strong advocate for apprenticeship programs, vocational programs and community colleges in Canada. He was a member of the Minister’s Action Table and of the Ontario MTCU (Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities) Training Branch Steering Committee for Reforming Apprenticeships, where he has participated in creating a Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship program, an innovative approach that is expanding rapidly. He was also the driving force behind SLC creating its first three bachelor degrees, and initiating the first two CITO funded applied research projects.

Thomsen has received numerous awards. Latest examples:

ü      In 2003 the Greater Kingston Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Volker Thomsen as “Business Person of the Year”.

ü      In 2006 he received two MTCU (Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities) Apprenticeships awards.

ü      In February 2007 He was honoured with the Kingston Technology Council Champion Award.

ü      March 2007 he was inducted into the “Klaus Woerner Skilled Trades Hall of Fame“ by Skills Canada in Kitchener.

In the future Volker Thomsen is dedicating his energy to lead the World Wind Energy Conference 2008 in Kingston, chairing Thomsen Foundation for a Sustainable Future with the focus on sustainable energy and supporting students in needs with training and education.

At the whole day retirement celebration for his departure in June 2007, students, staff and friends presented commemorations, music and entertainment including a song that is distinctive for his impact at SLC:

Song for Volker

(For the June 21, 2007 celebration of St. Lawrence College)

(To the tune of My Favorite Things Sound of Music/Trapp Family)

Windmills and biomass and big solar panels

Energy management using renewables

Sustainable lifestyles we all need to bring

These are a few of your favourite things.

Red wine and chocolate and fine veggie dinners

Nothing but whole grain to make us all winners

Plenty of exercise, don’t forget to sing

These are a few of your favourite things.

Seven great years at St. Lawrence now ending

You’ve made us proud and best wishes we’re sending

Plenty of memories we’ll not forget

We don’t think we’ve heard the last of you yet….

When enrolment sags

When expenses sting

When our funding is bad

We simply remember your favourite things

And then we don’t feel so sad!

Life is Beautiful and we are Enroute to a Sustainable Prosperous Future