Wind Power

This time on the Wind Power Podcast, we spoke with two business leaders at the forefront of re-introducing wooden materials to the contemporary wind industry — Maria-Lina Hedlund, the CEO of wooden wind turbine tower company, Modvion, and Gustavo Lasierra, the co-founder of wooden blade manufacturer Voodin Blades.
Humans have used wooden components to harness the power of the wind for centuries, and now the material is seeing a renaissance with these companies that claim wood is ideally suited for use in modern wind turbine manufacturing from towers to blades.
Modvion and Voodin Blades use layers of wood called laminated veneer lumber (LVL) in their towers and blades respectively, and point out the many advantages using this material can have for wind power, from the cost savings and strength to weight ratios to lower maintenance actions and greater sustainability.
Both firms have faced challenges getting the necessary approvals and permits from the relevant authorities to use their components with contemporary wind turbines, but are now seeking to expand their offering through partnerships with some of the major names in the European wind industry.
This episode was produced by Inga Marsden.
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What did the Space-Comm Expo conference and exhibition tell us about connecting space and wider business? How does this manifest as tech connectivity in telecoms and why do farmers care about that? What did we learn about the benefits of extreme cold in manufacturing laboratories and why do pharmas care about that? How vulnerable are global logistics to the spoofing of navigation signals? And why is the UK government centralising space strategy in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology?

Join Alice and Jonners as they reflect on the UK space sector’s largest trade event and the “energy, diversity and …sheer scope of what this industry has to offer”.

Contributors:
Alice Bunn, President of UKspace
Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn
UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Jonathan Daves, The Karman Line
Jonathan Daves | LinkedIn

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Key topics covered:
Space-Comm Expo, London, March 2026
Conference overview
Sector integration
Insurance
Customer utility
Government role
Future outlook

Technological advancements
· Telecoms
· Manufacturing

Defence and security
· Satellite capabilities
· Current threats

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The Global Wind Energy Council’s (GWEC) chief executive Ben Backwell and researcher Kevin Winter join the Wind Power podcast to discuss the rise of misinformation and disinformation around wind power, and how misleading claims are shaping public debate about the sector.

Backwell explains why false narratives about wind power continue to circulate and how organised disinformation campaigns can take hold, particularly as the rapid growth of renewable energy prompts political pushback.

Winter, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Hohenheim, also discusses findings from his 2024 study on public agreement with misinformation about wind farms, which explores how widely such claims are believed and what drives their appeal.

This episode was produced by Inga Marsden.

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As of 2026, the UK space industry is a significant and strategic driver of the national economy, contributing over £19 billion in revenue and supporting tens of thousands of high-skilled jobs. Satellite-based services and data underpin roughly 18% of UK GDP, equivalent to approximately £454 billion of the wider economy. And the sector is growing exponentially.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. For the space industry to fully realise its potential it needs more of the right people to understand what’s happening and get involved. People like policy makers, investors, regulators, planners, communicators, lawyers and consultants.

Dr Alice Bunn, the president of UK Space, and her panel of guests, Sam Alden co-CEO of Space Solar, Nick Shave managing director of Astroscale and Anushka Sharma founder of Naaut, discuss the surprising, awe inspiring business of space and make the compelling case for why more companies and investors should get involved.

Contributors:
Host:
Alice Bunn, President of UKspace
Dr Alice Bunn OBE FIMechE FRAeS CEng | LinkedIn
UKspace: Overview | LinkedIn

Guests:
Nick Shave, Managing Director of Astroscale
Nick Shave FRAeS | LinkedIn
Astroscale: Overview | LinkedIn

Sam Adlen, CEO of Space Solar
Sam Adlen | LinkedIn
Space Solar: Overview | LinkedIn

Anushka Sharma, founder of Naaut
Anushka Sharma | LinkedIn
Naaut: About | LinkedIn

Key topics covered:
Impact of Space on Everyday Life
Practical Applications
Environmental Monitoring
Global Security

Sustainability and Innovation in Orbit
Space Debris
Manufacturing in Microgravity
Space-Based Solar Power

Economic and Regulatory Landscape
Cost Reduction
Investment and Finance
Regulation and Policy

The Future of Space Exploration
New Platforms
Academic Contribution

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Tinne Van der Straeten, the new chief executive of WindEurope, talks to the Wind Power podcast about her priorities as she takes up her post at the trade body.

In a wide-ranging interview, Van der Straeten, a former energy minister in the Belgian government, spoke about how to meet European wind targets, changing public opinion towards wind power, and whether a firm hand is needed for EU member states that are lagging on faster permitting rules.

Van der Straeten also answered questions on whether the EU’s wind installation targets can be met without the input of Chinese manufacturers and gave her reaction to an analysis that suggests Europe could gain from US president Donald Trump’s antipathy towards wind power.

This episode was produced by Inga Marsden.

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