Working with a fractured ankle...
I fractured my ankle playing Volleyball a couple of weeks ago. It presents unique challenges! Should be out of the AirCast in three weeks...
Windlabs CEO featured in BRW
Mark Sinclair, CEO, Windlab Systems is featured in the Lifescycle / Innovation section of the August 14-20 issue of Business Review Weekly (BRW). The full article is here behind a pay wall.
Windlab Systems was formed in May 2003 with seed funding from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Epicorp. Blue Cove Ventures participated in Windlabs Series "A" investment round in July 2007.
Windlabs featured in Fin Review Article
The $1.2Bn Coopers Gap project moved a step closer this week after gaining community support. The Australian Financial Review covered the story here.
The article reports that the project should generate enough power for 320,000 homes from 252 Wind Turbines. This project is the first of 12 to come to fruition in Australia and is being jointly developed by Windlabs and Investec Bank.
Windlab Systems was formed in May 2003 with seed funding from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Epicorp. Blue Cove Ventures participated in Windlabs Series "A" investment round in July 2007.
Senator Carr opens Windlabs HQ
On Thursday 31st July 2008 Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research opened the new global headquarters for Windlab Systems.
The picture above shows Mr. Mark Sinclair, CEO - Windlab Systems (left) and Senator Carr (right) with the plaque celebrating the occasion. Image courtesy of Rohan Thomson.
Windlab Systems was formed in May 2003 with seed funding from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Epicorp.
Their inception can be traced back to the early 1960s when Australian scientists from CSIRO began groundbreaking research into the effects of wind flow over hills. This work culminated in the establishment of the Wind Energy Research Unit (WERU).
WERU's extensive experience in taking meteorological measurements, both in simulated atmospheric flows in wind tunnels and outside in the real world, enabled the development of a new suite of modelling tools - Raptor® and RaptorNL™ for predicting wind flow over topography, and WindScape® for regional wind mapping.
These new models quickly gained recognition, outperforming standard wind models developed in Europe. In 2002, they won a new technology award from the New South Wales Government, Australia. Windlab Systems was formed the following year to enable full commercialisation of the models. Founding staff included Raptor® developer, Keith Ayotte and Nathan Steggel, developer of WindScape®, supported by an experienced board of directors and management team.
Windlab Systems has continued to prosper as concern about climate change has prompted growth in renewable energy sources. The company now takes an active role in the development of wind farms, from site location and landowner engagement to wind-assessment activities throughout the development of the project.
The occasion marked a significant milestone in the on-going success of the company. The company has grown from 8 to 18 staff in the last year and has opened offices in North America. Blue Cove Ventures participated in Windlabs Series "A" investment round in July 2007.
During Senator Carr's speech he revealed that the Innovation Review has been extended by one month to allow time for the over 700 submissions to be reviewed and considered. It is hoped (by this author) that a replacement for the Commercial Ready programme will be created to fill the abyss left by its untimely demise.
Climate Ready Program launched - Partially fixes Commercial Ready Debacle
On the 28th July Minister Carr launched the Climate Ready Program. It is a competitive merit-based grants program that aims to increase the level of high quality innovation activities by small to medium sized enterprises in Australia that address the effects of climate change. It provides grants from $50,000 to $5 million for the costs of research and development, proof-of-concept and early-stage commercialisation activities in eligible projects.
The program will support projects for innovations designed to address the impacts of climate change which may include:
- water recycling, waste recovery or small scale renewable energy technologies
- technologies that reduce the energy used by appliances or increase the efficiency of industrial processes
- products, processes or services to monitor emissions or power usage
- using biotechnology or nanotechnology to address the effects of climate change on humans and the environment
- information systems for businesses or consumers to compare the carbon footprints of different activities
- green building materials that make homes more energy efficient
For further information on the program please refer to the AusIndustry website: AusIndustry or click here.
This goes some way towards addressing the removal of the Commercial Ready program. It does not, however, address the needs of any non renewable energy / climate change focussed innovations. I hope that all of the active lobbying will result in positive news once the Innovation Review is complete.
