History of Danish Wind Power - Wind Power for the World: The Rise of Modern Wind Energy - page 39

rotor with fewer blades and without the characteristic conical form.
At the same time, there were continuous problems with the heavy
6-bladed rotor on the new windmill and at last, la Cour decided
to replace it by a more traditional construction with four blades.
The cooperation between the two wind power pioneers then
finished in a long and bitter public dispute.

3.3 Wind Electricity for Rural Areas:

1903-1919

After the turn of the century, Poul la Cour's interest was concen-
trated on the use of wind power for electrification of rural areas and
small towns. In 1903, he was the leading force in the establishment
of the Danish Society for Wind Electricity (DVES). Two years
later, DVES had already helped to establish 25 small local power
stations. Twenty-two of these used wind power with battery
storage and kerosene or gas engine as a supplement for periods
without wind. The power plants delivered electricity for one or
more farms or small communities [5].
Beginning in 1904, yearly courses for “rural electricians” or
“wind electricians” took place at the test mill at Askov Folk High
School. After three months of theoretical training, the students
performed practical installation work on one of the small power
plants planned by DVES.
The youngest student on the very first course, Johannes Juul,
was in fact too young for the course. When it started he was only
17, but he was so eager to take part in the course, that he had
manipulated the year of birth in his papers. As this was revealed,
he had to wait for his diploma until his 18th birthday in May 1905.
During this waiting period he was an apprentice at DVES, assisting
with installation work at power stations. For his stay, he carried
a camera along and thank to him the Danish Museum of Energy
now owns a unique collection of photos showing the “rural
electricians” at work.
More than 40 years later, this enthusiastic young man, after a
long career as an electrician, producer of electric equipment and
employee in a Danish utility, took up the legacy of Poul la Cour and
became a key person in the development towards modern wind
turbines.