RIA releases study on automation in wind turbine industry.

Press Release Summary:



Market study by RIA examines opportunities for automation in fabrication of wind turbines, since growing at 28.7% in 2008 and industry may have reached point where automation technologies may be needed for continued expansion. In U.S., wind power grew 50% in 2008 over 2007, while Denmark uses wind turbines to generate 20% of power. Also, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides 30% investment tax credit to purchasers of wind turbines.



Original Press Release:



New Study Released on Market Opportunities in the Wind Turbine Industry



ANN ARBOR, Michigan (July 15, 2009) - A new market study from Robotic Industries Association examines the opportunities for automation in the fabrication of wind turbines used to generate electricity. This market is of particular interest because of its rapid growth (28.7% in 2008), and signs that it has reached the point where automation technologies may be needed for continued expansion. A PDF of the study can be obtained free from the members-only section of Robotics Online (www.robotics.org), or from RIA's bookstore on the site.

At only about one percent of all energy generated globally, the contribution of wind turbines is still small but rapidly growing. In Europe, wind turbine deployment is farthest along, with some countries reliant on wind power for a respectable portion of their energy mix. Most dependent on wind power is Denmark, which uses wind turbines to generate 20% of its power. Following are Spain at 10% and Germany at about 7%. The United States is far behind in this respect, but will eventually catch up if its use of wind power continues to grow at its current, blistering pace of 50 percent (2008 over 2007).

Governments are interested in promoting wind power because it is a widely available, renewable source of energy that is free of pollution and climate-changing greenhouse gases. The European Union has a mandate to get 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.

In the United States, wind energy gets a federal tax credit of 1.8 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWH). Moreover, the US Department of Energy has set the goal of 30% energy from wind by 2030. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) also provides a 30% investment tax credit to purchasers of wind turbines. With strong governmental backing, it is not surprising that the worldwide wind turbine market grew by 28.7% in 2008.

For more information call Association headquarters at (734) 994-6088 or visit Robotics Online (www.robotics.org).

About RIA

Founded in 1974, RIA is the only trade group in North America organized specifically to serve the robotics industry. Member companies include leading robot manufacturers, users, systems integrators, component suppliers, educators, research groups, and consulting firms. RIA is renowned worldwide as the sponsor of the Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards, co-produces the biennial International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show and Conference plus many regional events, and is secretariat of the ANSI/RIA R15.06-1999 Robot Safety Standard. RIA is the sole source of North American robotics industry statistics which are included in the World Robot Statistics published by the International Federation of Robotics. RIA also is publisher of the industry's leading Web portal, Robotics Online (www.robotics.org).

Contact:

Paul Kellett

734/994-6088

pkellet@robotics.org

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