Denmark's Henrik Stiesdal framed the early design principles for wind turbines and led the installation of the world's first offshore wind farm.
Mr Stiesdal is associated with what became known as the "Danish concept", setting the fundamental parameters for efficient and robust turbine design:a mechanism to control yaw, turning the whole set-up directly into the flow of air "For a while, half went counterclockwise - but now, they all go clockwise because people recognised the success of the early designs."Mr Stiesdal licensed his concept to Vestas, working for them and introducing many innovations over a number of years, before moving to Bonus , where he managed the 1991 installation of
When Mr Stiesdal and Mr Garrad began their careers, wind energy was an insignificant component of the energy mix.