In a young company you’re always looking forward and things move fast. So, when you actually take the opportunity to look back it’s incredible to see what you have achieved. Here are some highlights from life at Modvion over the past year…
1. We’re in production!
In January our location at Transportgatan, otherwise known as Factory One, looked quite different. In just twelve months we have a full production line, capable of producing modules for towers up to 200 metres. The factory was inaugurated in May and now we are starting up a second location where the modules are coated with a weather protection system.
Factory One is currently in production for the commercial wind turbine being built in 2023. We have produced many test modules and now we’re on to the real thing! One module can be up to 15 metres long and seeing the first one in reality was really a goosebump moment. Now it’s more like business as usual, three modules down – 25 to go.
2. Testing, testing
Modvion is at the forefront when it comes to using engineered wood in dynamic constructions. A huge part of our work during 2022 has been a rigorous testing programme together with RISE, partly funded by Energimyndigheten, to verify the tower’s mechanical properties.
- 170 million load cycles have been completed to verify the strength of the tower.
- It is now possible to calculate how many times Modvion’s joints can be exposed to high, low, fast, or slow cyclic loads.
- The testing programme has destroyed around 3 cubic metres of wood so far.
3. Wind of Change
It’s no secret that we are working on our tallest tower to date. The Wind of Change project will reach 150 metres in total height, including the blades, and once completed it will be the world’s tallest wind turbine tower made of wood. Work has now begun at site preparing for the foundation and the access roads, ready for the build in 2023.
4. Modvion is award winning!
Modvion has been lifted as an exceptional example of innovation and sustainability within energy. Modvion was awarded a Start-up Energy Transition (SET) Award, organised by the German Energy Agency and the World Energy Council. In short succession we found out we had made NyTeknik’s list of the top 33 innovative young companies in Sweden for the second time in a row. Then we also won Dagens Industri’s E-Prize for the best renewable energy innovation – all in one year.
5. Friends of Modvion
Since inaugurating the factory in May we have had some fantastic people through the doors. Here’s a non-exhaustive list:
- Axel Josefsson – thank you for helping us inaugurate Factory one!
- Khashayar Farmanbar – the former Energy Minister made sure to pay us a visit when in Gothenburg.
- The Green Party joined us for a study visit, bringing Karin Pleijel, the opposition representative for Gothenburg.
- The Center Party brought their A-Team, with Rickard Nordin, Emmyly Bönfors and Emina Music.
- Prince Daniel technically didn’t come through the door but when you meet royalty it has to make the list! Our CEO Otto Lundman was invited to Prince Daniels entrepreneurship day 2022.
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The Team
No highlight reel is complete without talking about the team here at Modvion. We have grown by around 50%, expanding in number and in expertise. The board also gained two new members, Christina Aabo and Todd O’Neill, and added an all-star advisory board meeting every six months. We’re proud of the team and the culture of collaboration here at Modvion, long may it continue.
Looking towards 2023
Steel prices are high and with the carbon tax coming in from the EU, are set to go even higher. At the same time, we need to double our electricity production over the next ten years in Sweden alone, where increased wind power installation is essential. Wind turbine manufacturers are looking for alternative materials and ways to build taller, more efficient turbines. As one of our advisors pointed out, the world really is moving the direction of Modvion.
Next year will be a pivotal. It’s the year we will build our next tower for a commercial wind turbine reaching 150m total height, including the blades. The work has already begun, and we can’t wait to show you!
Make sure to follow our progress.
