The wind industry is quick to adopt APQP4Wind

With the APQP4Wind project, it has been possible to formulate a joint approach that will strengthen the production processes in the wind industry. The approach has quickly been adopted by several companies who have already worked it into their existing production processes. The willingness to adopt this new approach to quality planning shows both the need to streamline processes to bring down the cost of energy and the potential for further steps towards a common framework for quality assurance.

In January, the representatives behind the APQP4Wind project launched a new manual and website, and for the first time the industry could sign up for APQP4Wind training courses. The APQP4Wind project had its beginning back in 2015 and the main purpose of the project is to ensure further standardization of the quality processes in the production of wind turbines. The standardization will ensure higher quality, fewer errors in production and will help lower the cost of energy, which is essential to ensure the competitiveness of the global wind industry.

Just six months after the official launch, nearly 1,000 manuals have been ordered and around 200 employees in the wind industry have been trained in this new standardized approach to quality planning and received their certificates. The training concept is targeted at different levels of the organization with tailored training courses for management as well as quality specialists, practitioners, and auditors. This is, according to General Manager, Kim Nedergaard Jacobsen, a testament to the need in the industry for standardized and transparent production processes and the immense willingness to work closely together across the value chain in order to bring down the cost of energy:

“The numbers speak for themselves. We have experienced an enormous interest and willingness to embrace APQP4Wind, which I believe stems from the huge focus on levelized cost of energy (LCoE-Levelized Cost of Energy). The potential that lies in implementing the APQP4Wind approach is clear, and therefore the industry has been quick to adopt and embrace this approach.“

The project is supported by the Danish Industry Foundation, facilitated by Wind Denmark and developed by Vestas Wind Systems, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, KK Wind Solutions and LM Wind Power.

Both the training courses and the manual will continue to be improved through the next couple of years based on the industry’s experience working with APQP4Wind.

Focus on Industrialization and standardization at WED2017

Industrialization and standardization is one of the main themes of this year’s WIND ENERGY DENMARK because it represents a natural step that the wind sector needs to take to achieve economies of scale in production and strengthened cooperation throughout the entire value chain.

WIND ENERGY DENMARK 2017 explores and challenges some of the questions that emerge in relation to industrialization and standardization in the wind sector. By joining the event, you will have the possibility to learn more about the APQP4Wind project and get new insights into where and how the industry can utilize the potentials for further standardization to strengthen its competitiveness towards other energy sources.