World Renewable Energy Network
Encyclopedia
WREN is a major non-profit organization registered in the United Kingdom
with charitable status and affiliated to UNESCO
, the Deputy Director General of which is its honorary President. It has a Governing Council, an Executive Committee and a Director General. It maintains links with many United Nations, governmental and non-governmental organisations.
Established in 1992 during the second World Renewable Energy Congress in Reading, UK, WREN is one of the most effective organizations in supporting and enhancing the utilisation and implementation of renewable energy
sources that are both environmentally safe and economically sustainable. This is done through a worldwide network of agencies, laboratories, institutions, companies and individuals, all working together towards the international diffusion of renewable energy technologies and applications. Representing most countries in the world, it aims to promote the communication and technical education of scientists, engineers, technicians and managers in this field and to address itself to the energy needs of both developing and developed countries.
Over two billion dollars have now been allocated to projects dealing with renewable energy and the environment by the World Solar Summit and World Solar Decade along with the World Bank
.
, UK. All members of WREC/WREN are entitled to bid to host the Congress. The WREC/WREN Council meets and decides the location based on: availability of local funding and sponsorship; ease of travel to the location; extent of host government and institutional support; benefits to the local country. All local organisation and services must be provided by the host country.
The first three congresses were held in the UK (Reading
), followed by a move to Denver (USA) and then to Florence
(Italy
). In the year 2000 the congress returned to the UK (Brighton) with every effort being made to ensure that this event enhanced the recognition of Renewable Energies in the new millennium. In 2002 the congress took place in Cologne
(Germany
) and 2004 once more in Denver (USA). In 2006 the congress was held in Florence (Italy) and in 2008 in Glasgow
(UK). The next congresses will be in Abu Dhabi
(UAE) in 2010 and in Denver (USA) in 2012 respectively.
The following table shows the statistics for the previous WREC conferences:
The World Renewable Energy Congress (WREC), a major recognised forum for networking between these sectors, addresses these issues through regular meetings and exhibitions, bringing together representatives of all those involved in the supply, distribution, consumption and development of energy sources which are benign, sustainable, accessible and economically viable. WREC enables policy makers, researchers, manufacturers, economists, financiers, sociologists, environmentalists and others to present their views in Plenary and Technical Sessions and to participate in discussions, both formal and informal, thus facilitating the transfer of knowledge between nations, institutions, disciplines and individuals.
The WREC Renewable Energy Awards aim at highlighting the worldwide best-implemented policies, projects and research in the following topics:
. The aims and objectives of WREC/WREN are as follows:
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
with charitable status and affiliated to UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, the Deputy Director General of which is its honorary President. It has a Governing Council, an Executive Committee and a Director General. It maintains links with many United Nations, governmental and non-governmental organisations.
Established in 1992 during the second World Renewable Energy Congress in Reading, UK, WREN is one of the most effective organizations in supporting and enhancing the utilisation and implementation of renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
sources that are both environmentally safe and economically sustainable. This is done through a worldwide network of agencies, laboratories, institutions, companies and individuals, all working together towards the international diffusion of renewable energy technologies and applications. Representing most countries in the world, it aims to promote the communication and technical education of scientists, engineers, technicians and managers in this field and to address itself to the energy needs of both developing and developed countries.
Over two billion dollars have now been allocated to projects dealing with renewable energy and the environment by the World Solar Summit and World Solar Decade along with the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
.
Global Activities of WREC/WREN
The global activities of the World Renewable Energy Congress / Network encompass:- International congresses (World Renewable Energy Congress, WREC)
- Regional meetings
- Workshops on renewable energy topics
- Competitions and awards promoting renewable energy
- Journal publication "Renewable Energy"
- Scientific publications
- Targeted books and annual magazine
- Newsletter
Mission statement
With the accelerated approach of the global climate-change point-of-no-return the need to address the pivotal role of renewable energy in the formation of coping strategies, rather than prevention, is more crucial than ever. Sustainability, green buildings, and the development of the large-scale renewable energy industry must be at the top of all development, economic, financial and political agendas. The time for action has arrived. Prevention and questioning how and why we face this great challenge is a luxury we can no longer indulge. We welcome the establishment of the long overdue International Renewable Energy Agency which we hope will work side-by-side with similar intergovernmental agencies striving for the adoption of renewable energies.Major Events
The major event organised by WREC/WREN is the biennial congress, normally held during the summer of every even year. The congresses are mostly run and organised by the WREC headquarters which are in BrightonBrighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
, UK. All members of WREC/WREN are entitled to bid to host the Congress. The WREC/WREN Council meets and decides the location based on: availability of local funding and sponsorship; ease of travel to the location; extent of host government and institutional support; benefits to the local country. All local organisation and services must be provided by the host country.
The first three congresses were held in the UK (Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
), followed by a move to Denver (USA) and then to Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
(Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
). In the year 2000 the congress returned to the UK (Brighton) with every effort being made to ensure that this event enhanced the recognition of Renewable Energies in the new millennium. In 2002 the congress took place in Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
(Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) and 2004 once more in Denver (USA). In 2006 the congress was held in Florence (Italy) and in 2008 in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
(UK). The next congresses will be in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
(UAE) in 2010 and in Denver (USA) in 2012 respectively.
The following table shows the statistics for the previous WREC conferences:
| No | Date | No of Countries Contributing | Place of Congress | No of Attendants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Sept 1990 | 79 | Reading UK | 650 |
| II | Sept 1992 | 86 | Reading UK | 580 |
| III | Sept 1994 | 96 | Reading UK | 620 |
| IV | June 1996 | 107 | Denver USA | 768 |
| V | Sept 1998 | 110 | Florence ITALY | 765 |
| VI | July 2000 | 112 | Brighton UK | 801 |
| VII | July 2002 | 117 | Cologne GERMANY | 879 |
| VIII | Sept 2004 | 97 | Denver USA | 1127 |
| IX | Aug 2006 | 107 | Florence ITALY | 915 |
| X | July 2008 | 88 | Glasgow UK | 760 |
Purpose of WREC
At no time in modern history has energy played a more crucial role in the development and well being of nations than at present. The source and nature of energy, the security of supply and the equity of distribution, the environmental impact of its supply and utilization, are all crucial matters to be addressed by suppliers, consumers, governments, industry, academia, and financial institutions.The World Renewable Energy Congress (WREC), a major recognised forum for networking between these sectors, addresses these issues through regular meetings and exhibitions, bringing together representatives of all those involved in the supply, distribution, consumption and development of energy sources which are benign, sustainable, accessible and economically viable. WREC enables policy makers, researchers, manufacturers, economists, financiers, sociologists, environmentalists and others to present their views in Plenary and Technical Sessions and to participate in discussions, both formal and informal, thus facilitating the transfer of knowledge between nations, institutions, disciplines and individuals.
WREC Renewable Energy Awards
The WREC Renewable Energy Awards were established in 1998, during the 5th edition of the WREC Congress in Florence as a way to recognize outstanding achievement and vision in the global renewable energy sector.The WREC Renewable Energy Awards aim at highlighting the worldwide best-implemented policies, projects and research in the following topics:
- Fuel Cells and HydrogenHydrogenHydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. With an average atomic weight of , hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75% of the Universe's chemical elemental mass. Stars in the main sequence are mainly...
- Low Energy Architecture
- Solar Energy
- Wind Technology
- BiomassBiomassBiomass, as a renewable energy source, is biological material from living, or recently living organisms. As an energy source, biomass can either be used directly, or converted into other energy products such as biofuel....
- Sustainable TransportSustainable transportSustainable transport refers to any means of transport with low impact on the environment, and includes walking and cycling, transit oriented development, green vehicles, CarSharing, and building or protecting urban transport systems that are fuel-efficient, space-saving and promote healthy...
- Green Energy BusinessBusinessA business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
WREC/WREN Aims and Objectives
WREN is a non-profit UK company (reg. no. 1874667) limited by guarantee and not having a share capital, incorporated in 1990 as a registered charity (No. 1009879), with registered offices in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The aims and objectives of WREC/WREN are as follows:
- Ensuring renewable energy takes its proper place in the sustainable supply and use of energy for greatest benefit of all, taking due account of research requirements, energy efficiency, conservation, and cost criteria.
- Assisting and promoting the real local, regional and global environmental benefits of renewable energy.
- Promoting the innovation, diffusion and efficient application of economic renewable energy technologies.
- Enhancing energy supply security without damage to the environment.
- Widening energy availability, especially in developing countries and rural areas.
- Promoting business opportunities for renewable energy projects and their successful implementation.
- Ensuring the financing of, and institutional support for, economic renewable energy projects.
- Encouraging improved information and education on renewable energy.
- Involving young people in information and education on renewable energy with a parallel, closely #integrated programme.
- Providing a technical exhibition where manufacturers and others can display their products and services.
- Strengthen and expand the effectiveness of Networking among nations, institutions, agencies, organizations and individuals in research, application, commercialization and education of renewable energy technology.
- Providing a forum within which participants voice their achievement and thought at various parts of the world.