World Renewable Energy Network
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, institututions, 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.
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
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 Brighton, 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 millenium. 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 pevious 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 VII Sept 2004 97 Denver USA 1127 IX Aug 2006 107 Florence ITALY 915 X July 2008 88 Glasgow UK 760