For further details of this upcoming Wind Turbine User Group and to register your place, please visit the event website.
Could you briefly explain your role, involvement, and experience related to the focus of this event?
Qian Li (QL): As the Lead Research Engineer at EDF Renewable R&D, my role centers on advancing offshore wind operation and maintenance strategies. My work is directly tied to helping the UK achieve its net-zero goals by optimizing offshore wind energy systems. I focus on developing innovative solutions using numerical simulations and machine learning to improve the efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of offshore wind operations. My experience encompasses both technical analysis and collaborative research, aiming to make offshore wind a sustainable and competitive energy source for the UK. This includes projects involving predictive maintenance, asset management, and minimizing downtime through advanced analytics, which are all critical to the themes discussed at the Wind Turbine User Group 2025 event.
What, in your experience, has been the biggest roadblock for the industry over the past 2-3 years?
QL: In my experience, the biggest roadblock for the industry over the past 2-3 years has been the challenge of scaling up offshore wind infrastructure while managing rising costs and supply chain disruptions. The pandemic significantly affected supply chains, causing delays in component delivery and increased costs, which in turn impacted project timelines. Addressing these roadblocks requires collaborative efforts across the industry, innovation in cost-effective solutions, and policies that support workforce development and supply chain resilience. These topics align closely with the objectives of the Wind Turbine User Group, which aims to facilitate knowledge sharing on overcoming such challenges.
What key topics are you excited to discuss at this year's conference?
QL: At this year's Wind Turbine User Group conference, I am particularly excited to discuss topics related to digital innovations in wind turbine operation and maintenance, as well as supply chain resilience and workforce development. The conference is an excellent platform to explore strategies for addressing engineering challenges throughout the lifecycle of wind turbines—from construction and installation to retrofitting and decommissioning. I am particularly interested in learning more about innovative approaches to predictive maintenance, using data-driven solutions to reduce unexpected downtime, and how best practices can be benchmarked against leading organizations in the field.
What do you consider to be the key areas of innovation in this industry, both in the UK and internationally?
QL: Key areas of innovation in the wind energy industry, both in the UK and internationally, include the development of floating wind turbines, digitalization of operation and maintenance processes, and advancements in grid integration and energy storage solutions. Floating wind technology allows deployment in deeper waters with stronger winds, significantly expanding the potential for offshore wind projects. Digitalization, including predictive analytics and IoT, helps improve operational efficiency and reduce installation/maintenance costs. Additionally, advancements in energy storage and grid integration are essential to ensure stable energy supply as offshore wind capacity continues to grow. These areas of innovation are precisely the kind of advancements that are discussed at events like the Wind Turbine User Group, where experts come together to share practical solutions and best practices.
Who else are you most interested in hearing from on the programme?
QL: I am most interested in hearing from experts who are leading advancements in floating wind technology, digital innovations in predictive maintenance, and supply chain management. Hearing directly from project developers, technology providers, and end users will provide valuable insights into the challenges they have faced and the innovative solutions they have implemented. I am also eager to engage with other attendees on how we can collaborate to address key industry challenges, especially those highlighted during the Wind Turbine User Group event.
Why is it important for engineers to join this conference?
QL: It is important for engineers to join the Wind Turbine User Group 2025 conference because it provides a unique opportunity to stay up to date with the latest technological and regulatory developments, gain insights into best practices, and benchmark processes against market leaders. By attending, engineers can engage directly with project developers, and service providers, allowing them to address common engineering challenges collaboratively. This conference also fosters valuable networking opportunities, enabling participants to connect with peers, share experiences, and contribute to the collective effort of advancing wind turbine technologies to support the UK's net-zero ambitions.
The Wind Turbine User Group 2025 takes place on 14-15 May 2025 in London
Now in its third iteration, this specialised technical forum brings together representatives from across the UK wind energy community to share successes, demonstrate technical innovations, address common industry challenges and exchange ideas.
Featuring technical presentations and case studies, peer reviewed by a senior committee of engineers in the industry, the User Group agenda is specifically curated to meet the needs of all end users working with wind turbines and their related assets, both in onshore and offshore settings.
To view the full list of presentations and to book your place, visit the User Group website - book before 14 March 2025 to secure the Early Bird discount and save 10% off.