American airline builder Boeing and Danish wind turbine maker Vestas have teamed up to combine technologies in the aerospace and wind energy sectors.
The first stage of the partnership will begin this year when researchers from both companies collaborate to identify projects already underway that could benefit from each other – such as Boeing being able to improve fuel efficiency for its aircraft.
For Vestas — a largely undiversified wind company unlike its main competitors Siemens and General Electric — the partnership could help it improve the construction of its towers and increase the power output from its turbines, said Jan Kristiansen, a senior vice president at the company.
Vestas could reduce the amount of steel used in windmills by utilizing aerospace materials to improve wind resistance.
“We make increasingly long and heavier blades – some measuring 60 meters – and we need expertise to make these strong and efficient,” said Mr. Kristiansen.