Wind energy has set two new records in 2011: in March, it produced more electricity than in its history and, for the first time, it was the technology that generated more power in Spain than any other resource. Spanish renewables generation over the first two months of 2011 covered 38 per cent of national consumption,… Read more »
The most talked-about feature in PES Wind returns, with a fresh selection of questions for the industry’s most incisive and intelligent commentators. Their answers may differ, but rest assured that you’re getting the very best analysis that the industry can provide. PES: Over the next five years, what increases in the efficiency of wind turbines… Read more »
Engineers are considering bolt tightening more carefully as standards, materials and assembly methods change. Should not fitters require similar accreditation to welders? The need for documented records of assemblies on a global basis is critical as design and cost is optimised. The introduction of new coating materials with different friction factors, protection against hydrogen embrittlement,… Read more »
20 Megawatt wind turbines are feasible, according to a new report from the EU-funded UpWind project. The group explored the design limits of upscaling wind turbines to 20 Megawatt (MW) and found that they would have rotor diameters of around 200 metres, compared to some 120 metres on today’s five MW turbines. PES presents an… Read more »
With the establishment of a technical training academy as well as a massive four year equipment and innovation investment programme, dredging and marine contractor Van Oord clearly see a big future for offshore wind development. Director of Offshore Wind Projects, Johan van Wijland, speaks to PES about their plans for the future. PES: Welcome to… Read more »
Innovation has always been the beating heart of the wind power industry, and the sector is all the better for it. In keeping with this constant quest for improvement, Marika van Pol presents Mercon and ALE’s new concept for offshore metmast installations – called EMI for Eco Metmast Installation. Construction company and installation specialist join… Read more »
With a struggling economy and the Chinese manufacturing industry growing by the day, Klaus Bergmann – Managing Director of renewable energy consultants BBB Umwelttechnik – explains why excellence at the planning stage has never been more crucial. PES: Welcome back to PES. Can you tell us about how the company’s evolved since we last spoke,… Read more »
Tough economic times mean shipping companies are looking to wind farm development to fulfil capacity. Raymond Fisch, Senior Vice President of BBC Chartering explains to PES how they are expanding despite intensifying competition. PES: Welcome back to PES. It’s been some time since we last spoke, can you give us an update on how the… Read more »
Shaun Skilton, Product Sales Manager for the HFDE Condition Monitoring Business Unit of Parker Hannifin, highlights the importance of effective hydraulic system maintenance to ensure long term reliability in installed turbines. As increasing numbers of wind turbines move out of their manufacturers’ warranty period, more and more maintenance contractors will be required to provide independent… Read more »
Dr. Isabel Boira-Segarra, Sector Leader for Renewables Europe at EC Harris explains how those at the forefront of wind energy technology will reap the rewards for the risks they take. With some countries across Europe questioning nuclear power in the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster, there is growing momentum for renewable energy sources to play… Read more »
In this article, Jim Hayward and David Wing of Baringa Partners share their thoughts on what European suppliers must learn from consumer psychology (and history) to ensure smart meter rollouts succeed. The date is July 15th 1979 and at the White House in Washington DC President Jimmy Carter has just completed an historic televised address… Read more »
A reflection of the industry itself; this year’s event has doubled in size since 2009, ensuring that EWEA OFFSHORE 2011 will be the biggest conference of its kind in the world. The offshore wind energy sector, despite the economic crisis blowing around it, remains decisively strong: In 2010 some 308 new offshore wind turbines, worth… Read more »
An increasingly visible operator within the offshore sector, Damen has built a formidable reputation on reliability, innovation and a dedicated staff. We spoke to the organisation’s Offshore Wind Business Development Manager, Peter Robert. PES: Welcome to PES magazine. Can you firstly explain a little about your business and how you serve the wind industry? Peter… Read more »
Any planned development that potentially affects a site of historical significance will always stir up controversy, but will a large-scale wind farm proposal off the northern coast of France – visible from the D-Day landing beaches – have further reaching implications for an industry already struggling with public concern over its effect on the local… Read more »
Demand for clean energy has led to a wind turbine building boom. But the industry’s leading designers are going beyond what’s been done before in an effort boost efficiency and yield. PES investigates. Everyone’s noticed that wind turbines are getting really big – some with blades as long as a football field – and more… Read more »
As we’ve found over the years, controversy is never very far away in this industry. Despite the great many economic and environmental benefits wind energy offers, the scale and nature of both land and offshore developments are frequently the subject of protest. Our industry has done much to improve cooperation with communities, and takes care… Read more »
The EU executive has announced its first ever plan to use €9.1 billion from the EU’s 2014-2020 budget to help upgrade Europe’s energy infrastructure, according to strategic climate and energy needs. The money will be available under the proposed EU budget for 2014-2020 in the form of newly-minted project bonds, grants and loan guarantees, according… Read more »
FORCE Technology is one of the leading consulting service providers within the wind energy sector. Innovative, forward-thinking and adaptable, the Danish firm has built its reputation on delivering highly-customised, high-quality inspection services. We caught up with Morgan Troedsson, Product Manager, Wind Energy Business Development, for an interview. PES: Welcome to PES. Can you begin by… Read more »
The common goal to increase energy efficiency is driving the development of ever more reliable pressure sensors for use in wind turbines, says Mike Powers. Maximising energy efficiency protects profit margins and strengthens businesses; it also satisfies our human need to know that we are all working towards sustainability. Pressure sensors have played a major… Read more »
Engineering knowledge and innovation are crucial in meeting the challenges of wind farm development, and meeting them safely. Hailo’s Managing Director, Winfried Czilwa, speaks to PES about how the company has gone from pioneer to being Europe’s largest climbing equipment manufacturer. PES: Welcome back to PES magazine. How has business been since we last spoke?… Read more »
A globally-operating company with manufacturing plants in the Netherlands and the US (and representative offices in England, China and Poland), Holmatro’s hydraulic products are used across the entire globe. We take a look at the company’s operations, and discover how it fits into the European wind sector. Since 1967, Holmatro has manufactured and supplied high-pressure… Read more »
The latest research from Wind Energy Update reveals that despite the huge amount of attention given to gearbox failure, electrical faults are a leading cause of offshore wind turbine downtime. Failures of electrical and controls systems are the root cause of wind turbine repairs in 50% of cases, and operators should expect an electronic or… Read more »
Unexploded bombs littering European coastal waters provide a dangerous new challenge for wind farm developers. PES examines all the issues surrounding this potentially explosive situation. The seas around Europe have been martially contested for hundreds of years and such warfare, in particular the Second World War, has left a potentially lethal legacy of unexploded devices… Read more »
Despite the continued concerns over the visual impact of offshore wind farms, France is still pressing ahead with its ambitious plans for investment in wind energy; controversially proposing sites offshore of the D-Day landing sites. Elsewhere, 2020 renewable energy targets are looking easier for some than others, and new targets for the following decades are… Read more »
A valued member of the team at Ormazabal, Andoni Iturrizaga is well-known throughout the industry. But what’s not quite not so well-known, however, are his views on the sector and what drives him on to excel in his job. We caught up with the busy executive… PES: Thanks for your time today, can you firstly… Read more »
With the number of European wind farms set to grow, a new EU strategy outlines how these installations can operate in economic and environmental harmony. PES presents all the salient points. The rapid expansion of wind farm installations in the coming years will bring many benefits to society, not least in reducing greenhouse gases. In… Read more »
Donald Trump has written to Scotland’s first minister Alex Salmond, regarding proposals to build an 11-turbine wind farm off Aberdeen Bay, 2km (1.2 miles) from his golf course. The US tycoon has said that his wind farm fight is for Scotland’s benefit and not just his luxury golf resort, which is nearing completion. A planning… Read more »
The EU’s SEANERGY 2020 project has an overall aim to provide policy, regulatory and planning conditions recommendations that can reduce barriers to the growth of offshore power generation from marine renewable sources. Here we present an extracted comparison of the Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) regimes in 17 EU Member States in relation to offshore renewable… Read more »
A worldwide increase in energy demands and supportive renewable energy policies have been key factors in the growth of renewables over the last decade. Between 1998 and 2007, wind power’s installed capacity has grown by 30.4 per cent each year, and international organisations are expecting similar figures until the year 2030. The expected expansion of… Read more »