The 2004-2008 winning entry is a blade insert patent for the joining of a segmented wind turbine blade, which allowed Gamesa to develop its trademarked Innoblade for the G10X-4.5 MW wind turbine system.

Additionally, the development allowed the company to manufacture a 62.5 m wind turbine blade for a turbine which offers unit capacity of 4.5 MW yet has the logistical constraints of a 2 MW wind turbine, Gamesa says.

The prize rewards the significant technological advantage posed by this patent, which permits the production of segmented wind turbine blades and the handling of long blade spans. The patent’s inventors are Ion Arocena, Sandra Arroz and Eneko Sanz.

The winning 2009 patent is titled Wind Turbine Monitoring Methods to Improve Output, Recouping Energy Losses. This monitoring strategy improves annual energy output by an average of 0.85%. The winning inventors are Juan Carlos García, José Maria López, Ignacio Romero, Mario Jiménez and Ángel Martín.

Chief Technology Officer José Antonio Malumbres says: “The inventing process is a nexus of five values: it allows us to move ever closer to the sustainability ideal; prove our excellence in both product and process; conduct ourselves in the market with respect and transparency through patents that protect our inventions; work as a team, and, above all, stay at the forefront of the industry with cutting-edge technology.”

Five new technology centres

Over the next few months Gamesa will open five technology centres in the United States (Virginia), the United Kingdom, India (Chennai), Singapore and Brazil.

The Virginia and UK facilities will engage in the development of technology and offshore wind products, a market segment in which the company aims to become a major player in coming years.