Nicolas Fichaux, of the European Wind Energy Association and the European Wind Energy Technology Platform (TPWind), talks about the challenges facing the renewables energy and his own personal achievements. PES: Welcome to PES magazine, can you firstly explain a little about your role within the wind industry?Nicolas Fichaux: I am Head of the Policy Analysis… Read more »
So: the European super grid. We at PES are broadly enthusiastic about the scheme, but what do our esteemed peers in the wind industry make of it? Here’s what some of them have had to say… “[The] North Sea grid will connect offshore wind to our electricity supply, enabling Europe to exploit its largest untapped… Read more »
The certification of wind turbines or components is state-of-the-art and a must in most places around the world. Furthermore, certification to harmonised requirements is an active support of export. Therefore it is important for manufacturers, banks and insurances of wind turbines and components to know the different certification processes as well as guidelines. This exclusive… Read more »
The continent’s first electricity grid for renewable power has become a political reality, as nine countries formally link clean energy in a deal worth €30bn. For the wind industry, in particular, it will mark perhaps the final step towards mainstream acceptance. The North Sea Grid is the big idea as far as renewable energy generation… Read more »
As long ago as 1995, a German study reported that more than 80% of insurance claims for damage to wind turbines were paid as result of lightning strikes. A little thought will reveal that this is not particularly surprising. Wind turbines are tall structures and their blades have a small radius of curvature at their… Read more »
IntroductionThe current economic crisis sparked by the credit crunch of 2008 has had a significant impact on renewable energy markets. As a result of the global economic downturn, the lending market has contracted, making securing financing for renewable energy projects dramatically more difficult than in the past. Equity investors have in turn become fewer. Despite… Read more »
For offshore wind turbines, taking every possible step to reduce the risk of mechanical breakdown is mission-critical. With a raft of unique application challenges and constant concern around efficient use of funding for wind farm management, engineering reliable, productive up-time into the wind energy sector will be no easy task. And for off-shore turbines, with… Read more »
Dr Eddie O’Connor, CEO of Mainstream Renewable Power, recently gave a thought-provoking and wide-ranging speech to a meeting of the Institute of International and European Affairs. Here for PES, he reiterates some of the major concerns and prophecies of that speech. To begin with here, I take it as a given that we humans have… Read more »
Bob Dylan told us the answer to the world’s political problems was blowing in the wind, Donovan memorably failed to catch the wind and now a professor of Dynamics at England’s Nottingham University wants us to store the wind. Seamus Garvey of the Midlands-based university’s Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, believes the future… Read more »
Expansion of the global renewable energy market is set to continue increasing despite the current economic situation, forming a fundamental part of how many countries will meet their post-Kyoto targets. The ability to up-skill and transfer knowledge at a European level is going to be critical to meet this expected demand and to successfully compete… Read more »
Americas Wind Energy Corporation – Financial Analysis Review;Americas Wind Energy Corporation (Americas Wind) is an independent wind turbines manufacturer. The company is engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of medium sized wind turbines mostly between 500 and 1,000 megawatts (MW). It employs the Lagerwey Direct Drive technology to increase the reliability and performance of its… Read more »
Enphase Energy, the leader in solar microinverter systems, today launched its multimillion dollar ‘Full Throttle’ sales promotion, which provides cash awards up to $5,000 to solar installers using Enphase Microinverter Systems. The promotion applies to systems installed between April 1, 2010 and July 31, 2010. “In 2009, we were thrilled with the level of demand… Read more »
Acro Energy Technologies Corp. (CA:ART 0.35, 0.00, 0.00%) , a leading US solar integrator, announced that it achieved record revenues for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010. During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, Acro Energy generated gross revenue of approximately $3,700,000. The Company is pleased with the first full quarter of operations for… Read more »
Western Wind Energy Corp. (“Western Wind” or the “Company”) announced today its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2009. The Company is pleased to announce a 10% increase in electricity production to 58,859 MWh for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to 53,579 MWh for the year ended December 31, 2008. However… Read more »