Wind SCOUT

Objectives

The mission of the IEA Wind TCP is to promote high impact wind energy research and communication through international collaboration. Task 11 Wind SCOUT (Strategy, Collaboration & Outreach on Urgent Topics of Wind Energy Research) is focused on achieving the TCP mission by bringing together international experts to share experience and exchange knowledge in Topical Expert Meetings (TEMs).

In addition, Task 11 also supports the creation of recommended practices in those areas where there is consensus among the experts involved about a particular new technology or method that can be adopted to support wind energy developers, investors or decision makers. Task 11 is a key tool for the IEA Wind TCP to promote international collaboration and information exchange. Task 11 has three objectives:

1. Organize up to four Topical Expert Meetings (TEMs) on strategically relevant topics every year, gathering researchers, industry and government experts.

2. Support TCP internal needs for TCP dynamic

   Supporting Leadership Team with TCP outreach, promoting Recommended Practices, maintaining updated Task 11 website, suggesting and following up on Executive committee.

3. Support a task dynamic

   Creating more regular exchange and work within Task 11; creating a Teams space for active members, and organizing a yearly meeting.

In 2025, three new Topical Expert Meetings (TEM) were successfully organized, bringing together over 100 international experts, primarily from industry and prestigious universities and government research centers.

Importantly, several TEMs helped accelerate concrete follow-on collaboration. Outcomes and momentum from TEM discussions contributed to the launch of new or continuing international initiatives.

Participation

In 2025, the Task 11 Wind SCOUT had 18 members

Task 11's mailing list includes about sixty people.

Progress and Results in 2025

In 2025, three Task 11 Topical Expert Meetings (TEMs) [2] were organized, addressing both high-level strategic planning and specific technical topics to advance the wind energy sector's knowledge and capabilities.

TEM#114 [1] highlighted the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) across the wind lifecycle—from forecasting and condition monitoring to performance optimization and decision support—while emphasizing the need for robust, trustworthy, and reproducible applications. Key gaps included data quality and access, benchmarking, validation, and integration into operational workflows, alongside governance for safe deployment.

TEM#116 [2] examined cybersecurity as a critical and evolving risk, particularly for increasingly interconnected and hybrid wind systems. Discussions covered threat landscapes, integration into operational technology environments, and incident response, with identified needs including retrofitting existing assets, standardizing best practices, and strengthening workforce capabilities to manage cyber-physical risks.

TEM#118 [3] focused on robotic and autonomous systems for inspection, monitoring, and O&M, highlighting advances in AI-assisted inspection, autonomous marine systems, and integration into digital asset management workflows. However, challenges remain in achieving robust autonomy in dynamic environments (fluctuating weather, equipment movement or unforeseen obstacles), aligning regulation and certification, and developing shared datasets and validation methods.

Across all three TEMs, common needs for stronger collaboration, shared frameworks, and coordinated international efforts emerged. Opportunities include developing shared datasets and benchmarks, harmonising modelling and validation approaches, and aligning with ongoing digitalisation efforts, particularly under Task 43– Wind Energy Digitalization*. Roadmaps developed through these TEMs emphasise defining priority use cases, establishing best-practice guidance, and advancing integration with digital workflows and system-level operations. Recommended actions include developing minimum reporting and validation standards, creating best-practice guidance for safety, cybersecurity, and human–machine interaction, and supporting reproducible and transparent methodologies. Sustained investment is required in shared infrastructure, long-term validation, workforce development, and coordinated international initiatives. These TEMs have already contributed to follow-on activities, including working groups on "Readiness for AI" and "Readiness for robotics," and ongoing coordination with Task 43, while also opening the door to potential future Tasks to further structure collaboration in these rapidly evolving areas.

Task 11 concluded in 2025 and produced two reports: the End-of-Term Management Report and the Final Technical Report for 2023 – 2025 term.

A workshop was also held with members in October 2025 to plan the next steps for Task 11, which is now known as Task 65.

*Task 43 – Wind Energy Digitalization aims to help bring about a revolution in the way technology is used in the wind energy industry

Impact during 2025

The outcomes of TEM#114, TEM#116, and TEM#118 bring substantial benefits to the participating experts from universities, industry, and government, also to society and the environment by advancing digital technologies in wind energy. These TEMs fostered cross-sector collaboration, offering participants access to cutting-edge AI, cybersecurity, and robotics advancements. Industry stakeholders, including OEMs, operators, and developers, gain valuable insights into best practices, system optimisation, and risk management, directly enhancing the efficiency, safety, and resilience of wind systems. By encouraging data-sharing, validating new approaches, and setting industry standards, these activities help reduce operational costs and improve performance.

For society and the environment, AI and robotics in wind energy improve operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and make renewable energy more reliable and scalable. This supports global climate action by accelerating clean energy deployment. Stakeholders, such as regulators and policymakers, will use the TEM results to guide investments, refine policies, and ensure the cybersecurity and integrity of wind energy systems. These efforts also advance the sustainable development of the wind sector, contributing to reduced carbon emissions and lower import dependence worldwide.

The publication of the Final Technical Report allows Wind TCP members to review key findings on priority topics, providing valuable insights for the sector's future.

Next steps

Task 11 has shown that TEMs effectively:

• Align understanding of complex, cross-cutting challenges like lifecycle sustainability, extreme weather resilience, AI, cybersecurity, and circular supply chains.
• Foster collaboration across IEA Wind Research Tasks and TCPs.
• Translate research into actionable roadmaps, best practices, and follow-on Tasks for deployment-relevant outcomes.

The transition to Task 65 reflects the IEA Wind TCP's recognition that continued international collaboration is crucial for scaling wind energy rapidly, reliably, and sustainably in support of the global energy transition.

New TEMs are already being planned to address new urgent and high-priority issues for the sector.

References

1. [1] iea-wind.org/task11/tems/
2. [2] iea-wind.org/task11/tems/
3. [3] iea-wind.org/task11/tems/
4. [4] Task11_Final_Technical_Report_2023-2025.docx