EXPO 2017: From Wind Turbines to Smart Grid

By Astana EXPO 2017

EXPO 2017, an International Specialized Exhibition on “Future Energy”, opened its doors in the capital of Kazakhstan on June 10. It is inviting industry professionals and tourists from around the world to discover the most advanced technologies and the latest innovations in green energy.

A global meeting point in Astana has brought together 115 countries and 22 international organizations that will discuss and seek solutions to various issues of global warming, climate change, energy security and equal access to energy.

Most participating countries have national pavilions where they are showcasing unique green technologies and sharing expertise in using renewable energy sources in different settings from arid deserts to stormy oceans.

The centerpiece of the EXPO site is the largest spherical construction in the world Nur-Alem. It is an illustrative example of an energy-efficient building. The upper part of the Sphere is covered with photovoltaic panels, while the top of the building is equipped with two soft-running wind turbines with a 20 kW capacity.

The eight-storey Nur-Alem is 80 meters in diameter and 100 meters high. It is mounted on a 5000 square meter platform, which houses the pavilion of the EXPO host-country – Kazakhstan. The remaining floors accommodatethe Museum of Future Energy.

Of special interest is the Energy Best Practices Area (eBPa). It showcases breakthrough developments in various sustainable energy fields. The pavilion’s projects have been selected based on the results of an international competition.

One of the eBPa’s most promising projects is an innovative design of wind turbines called Angled Blades. Developed in Kazakhstan, the technology allows to generate more power using less wind.

Another example of a cutting-edge design is the Smart Grid project developed by electrical technology firm ABB. It is a system designed to rapidly solve problems caused by a disruption in the power supply from renewable energy sources.

Many other remarkable technologies are being showcased in national pavilions. For example, Poland is presenting coal gasification and biomass processing projects, Turkey’s exhibits include various models of wind turbines and Germany has a Formula E all-electric racing car in its pavilion.

There is an impressive range of opportunities on offer. Over 3000 entertainment and business events have been lined up for visitors to the exhibition in Astana that will be open until September 10. The key event of the EXPO business programme is the Future Energy Forum, scheduled to run from June 29 to September 5. It will serve as a global platform for industry professionals from all over the world to discuss a wide range of issues, including the reduction of greenhouse emissions, energy efficiency and fair energy distribution.

The Industry Contribution is a new section in which the offshore wind industry companies share their project endeavors or analyses. This article was produced by Astana EXPO 2017 and does not necessarily reflect the view of OffshoreWIND.biz. No member of the editorial team took part in creation of this article. Please contact us at [email protected] for inquiries.