Wind Turbine History in Denmark
Nowadays, wind turbines are a solid reality and a well-established industry…but this was not always the case! Known already since the 5,000 BC, wind energy was firstly utilized for propelling boats, grinding grain and pumping water (200 BC), but already in the late 1800s prototypes producing electricity started to appear (reference: EIA).
Clearly, the model developed in those days were very different from the current ones, both in terms of material used and of performances; nevertheless, the concepts were innovative and allowed to set the basis for the modern wind industry development.
To make sure that this knowledge was not lost, Folkecenter, together with the Energy Museum, the Poul la Cour Museum and the Danish Historic Wind Turbine Association, have developed a series of brochures explaining the major steps the industry went through. The result of 14 years of research in the archives resulted in the publication of 12 brochures including both explanations and pictures.
On October 29, 2020 it was decided to make these brochures available for free for everyone, to make sure that the knowledge collected does not get lost; these brochures are now available on this page (in Danish only for the moment).
We hope you will enjoy the reading!
Chapters of Wind Turbine History in Denmark
Partners
The Danish Museum of Energy
The Danish Museum of Energy opened to the public in 1985. The museum is located a few kilometers from Bjerringbro by the large artificial Tange Lake, which supplies Denmark’s largest hydropower plant with water. The museum has a permanent exhibition about the history of wind power in Denmark. Denmark’s first modern wind turbine, Gedsermøllen, from 1957, is exhibited outdoors together with a Riisager mill. The museum also houses a library and archive.
Read more about the Energy Museum at www.energimuseet.dk
The Museum of Poul la Cour
The Poul la Cour Museum is housed in the hearth of Danish wind turbine technology. This is where Poul la Cour made his experiments with hydrogen and wind energy over 100 years ago. The museum was inaugurated in June 2001.
Read more about the Poul la Cour Museum at www.poullacour.dk/en/home/
Denmark’s Collection of Wind Power History (DVS)
DVS is a private association that was founded in 1997. DVS works to preserve the last 150 years of wind turbine history from the first farm turbines to the turbines that were the foundation for the modern Danish wind turbine industry. DVS collects information and documentation material, preserved turbine parts and complete wind turbines.
Read more about the Danish Wind Power History Collection at www.vindhistorie.dk
You might also be interested in…
Catalogue of Small Wind Turbines
Free publication comparing the available small wind turbines in the market – edition 2016
7th International Conference on Small & Medium Wind Energy
7th appointment of our international event, which will gather national and international experts on small wind energy