Month: September 2015

Working on water

While oil and gas production may not always go hand in hand with the wind industry, shipbuilders like Damen are finding synergy across energy sectors. Peter Robert, Business Development Manager Offshore Wind talks to PES about the company’s latest developments. PES: Welcome back to PES. For the benefit of new readers, would you care to… Read more »

Predicting the future

There is no doubting the desire to move towards a more sustainable energy future, but financial and political uncertainties are clouding the renewables vision. Predicting what lies ahead can enable the industry’s innovators to push this vision forward. Europe’s KIC InnoEnergy is bringing the tools to market to do just that. For 1,200 years, the… Read more »

Fighting fires

Fire is the second leading cause of accidents in wind turbines after blade failure, with the damage caused going far beyond purely financial. Now, the launch of a new fire protection standard will protect the rapidly growing energy industry from financial, economic and reputational risks. A new fire protection standard launched by DNV GL will… Read more »

Enter the wind drones

Drones are everywhere today. Just five years ago they used to be only for the military, and cost millions. And now they are for hobbyists and even children. Now the race is on to fill the gap in the middle: startups, corporates and analysts are battling to find the most promising commercial applications for drones…. Read more »

Diving into the details of 3D subsea cable route inspection

EIVA is a pioneering Denmark-based company that provides software, hardware and integrated solutions for virtually any offshore task in the survey, construction and services industry. We asked one of the organisation’s technical experts to provide us with an in-depth look at how it meets the challenges of subsea visualisation. To ensure safe and efficient operation… Read more »

Aiming high

So much wind power is produced in one European country today that it can cover the entire electricity demand. But it’s not just Denmark that sings to the tune of wind energy’s success, it’s the entire continent. Acting EWEA CEO Malgosia Bartosik looks at the remarkable rise of wind power. Right now, wind power plants… Read more »

The boom in offshore

With offshore installations growing in size, scope and depth, the industry needs every advantage that new developments in technology can offer. The High Wind consortium is focusing on just this need. PES speaks to Johan Heiler about their latest innovation… PES: Welcome to PES. Would you like to introduce the company and tell us a… Read more »

Between a rock and a hard place

How do you install two 80 metre masts on a hill of rocky terrain in Norway? You enlist the experts. Here, Dulas Site Manager Bob Sharples recounts his experiences of being part of the team that took part in this fascinating and eye-opening recent project. With a history spanning over thirty years and experience of… Read more »

Port Of Tyne Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

Marie Glanville has joined the Port of Tyne as Chief Financial Officer. Previously Marie was Group Financial Controller of Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings plc. She has worked in senior finance roles at other North East-based listed companies, including Grainger plc and the Go-Ahead Group plc, as well as the housing company Gentoo. Andrew Moffat, Port of… Read more »

SeaZip Offshore Service goes for fleet expansion with two additional Damen Fast Crew Suppliers (FCS) 2610

HARLINGEN – Having signed a newbuilding order for two Damen Fast Crew Suppliers (FCS) 2610, Harlingen-based SeaZip Offshore Service BV will expand the number of specialised service vessels in its fleet to a total of six. Even further expansion is anticipated, considering the explosive growth which the offshore wind market is experiencing. The vessels that… Read more »

Photovoltaic Temperature Sensors

Ingenieurbüro Mencke & Tegtmeyer GmbH has completely reworked their range of analogue sensors for module and ambient temperature measurements. The same high quality standards which apply to the field-proven solar irradiance sensors also apply to the further development. The result are top-grade sensors with very high accuracy. Special features of the optimization include, among other… Read more »

Seven energy megatrends

An outlook on determining trends in energy and related politics, courtesy of BBC Chartering. In the course of history, energy has always been a driving force for change. Nearly no other industry can claim having a more far-reaching effect on other industry sectors or society at large. The world is continually challenged to find answers… Read more »

Embracing a new outlook on blade maintenance

Founded in 2010, Bladefence offers sophisticated methods of maximising the performance and endurance of wind turbine blades. The Finnish company is committed to changing the common practice of reactive and expensive wind turbine blade repairs towards shared risks, preventive maintenance and fixed fees. It’s an endeavour that is beginning to reap rewards argues the company’s… Read more »

Terminal velocity

Buss-Offshore is becoming increasingly-known for handling large offshore projects via its Orange Blue Terminal in Eemshaven. We take a look at the strategic port and speak to Moritz Christern, Project Manager Offshore Logistics. Up to three jack-up vessels are jacking up at the same time at the Orange Blue Terminal (OBT) in Eemshaven these days…. Read more »

Capturing offshore wind development from Dublin to Dubai

Alan O’Neill has spent much of the last 34 years in the North Sea, attached to a harness, photographing and filming its developing industry for his collection of 1.5m offshore images. In this illustrated feature, we present a stunning selection of his work. Alan’s job, usually at height, often at night, on overhanging vessels, turbines… Read more »

Change for the better

With organisations in the wind sector keen to enhance their competitiveness, capital growth and expansion, we are seeing an increase in small and mid-size players taking advantage of opportunities to be acquired and move forward. But the potential pitfalls must be carefully navigated to ensure successful change. PES welcomes Paul Arnold of change management experts,… Read more »

CWind expands fleet and names latest vessel

CWind, a leading provider of integrated services to the wind industry, has today named the latest workboat to join its fleet of crew transfer vessels. CWind Spirit, a 22m catamaran destined to support offshore wind projects in the UK and continental Europe, was named by Gemma Ross at a ceremony in Ipswich earlier today. Gemma,… Read more »

ELA Offshore is traveling around: A full exhibition calendar for September: SPE OE in Aberdeen and the HUSUM Wind in Husum are about to begin

In September, there are two large international trade fairs where ELA Container Offshore GmbH will be exhibiting. Besides participating at the SPE Offshore Europe from the 8th – 11th of September, 2015 in Aberdeen, ELA Offshore will also have a large stand at the HUSUM Wind from the 15th – 18th of September, 2015 in… Read more »

Climeon partners with Dynamic Projects International to bring 100% clean electricity and energy savings into the Americas.

Through a strategic marketing agreement, Dynamic Projects International (DPI) will promote the Climeon OceanTM in the American market. Initial focus will be on land based oil and diesel power plants, a potential market of more than 2 000 of the 1MW Climeon OceanTM units, equaling a potential saving of more than 6 million tons CO2… Read more »

Vestas receives 39,6 MW order for citizen-owned wind park in Lower Saxony

Vestas supplies 40 MW for citizen-owned wind park in GermanyWindpark Kalkriese GmbH & Co. KG has placed an order for 12 V126-3.3 MW for a 39.6 MW wind park in Lower Saxony. The project will use Vestas’ patented Large Diameter Steel Towers to achieve higher hub heights and increased annual energy production. The turbines will… Read more »

FLiDAR acquired by AXYS Technologies

Wind Project Finance Seminar – 25 November 2014FLiDAR NV acquired by AXYS Technologies September 4, 2015 – AXYS Technologies Inc (AXYS) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the FLiDAR NV shares. Canadian-based and privately-held, AXYS has been a market leader in environmental monitoring for the last 40 years. In… Read more »

Listening, learning, leading

Edwards, a leading technology solution provider, is well known in the solar industry for its advanced manufacturing process technology. We headed to the company’s headquarters in the United Kingdom for an illuminating conversation with Ralph Loske, Edwards’ European Sales Director. PES: Welcome to PES. Would you like 
to introduce the company and explain 
a little… Read more »

Testing times

It’s true that the dropping cost of production, as well as technological advances are at the heart of growth in solar. But to continue this growth the industry must measure, as well as maintain standards. PES speaks to Stefan Roest of Eternal Sun BV about how they are putting solar to the test. PES: Welcome… Read more »

Wafer innovation: Fraunhofer CSP develops pioneering module solution

We examine the latest developments from this ground-breaking scientific and research institution as it devlivers solutions for efficient, cost-effective and reliable solar modules. ‘Emerging from the crisis stronger’ is a phenomenon that should also apply to the solar industry. And under this premise, the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaic CSP (CSP) in Halle is carrying… Read more »

Remote control

In many remote areas or regions where the electricity supply is unstable or extremely expensive, grids powered by diesel generators are extremely common. With the PV Genset, Fronius is now offering a solution for applications that use diesel as the energy source. The key to the success of the solution is the Fronius PV system… Read more »

Building a reputation on quality and trust

An innovative and resourceful company that already excels in the automotive industry by supplying quality assured fasteners, Fukung Hardware is set on making gains in solar. We spoke to the organisation’s Candice Hwang to find out more. PES: Welcome to PES. Would you like to introduce the company and explain a little about you serve… Read more »

Effective plant monitoring promotes efficient PV

The PV market is growing, with an expected 58.3 GW to be installed in 2015. However, the installed assets and investments require constant, solid and traceable PV plant data monitoring 
in order to determine actual performance and fulfil owner/investor expectations. Juergen Sutterlueti of Gantner Instruments Environment Solutions GmbH, takes us through the issues. Photovoltaic project… Read more »

A measure of success

Dirk Tegtmeyer is a regular contributor to PES, and his valued input acts as a bellweather for the health of Ingenieurbüro Mencke & Tegtmeyer GmbH and the PV industry at large. We caught up with the German executive once again for another exclusive interview. PES: Welcome back to the magazine. How has business been since… Read more »

Solar Irradiance Monitoring: an essential guide

Regular contributors to PES, Kipp & Zonen are world renowned experts when it comes to providing class-leading instruments for measuring solar radiation. But what is important when it comes to selecting solar irradiance measurements equipment in solar energy projects? And what are the optimal solutions and systems for PV, CPV and CSP projects? We asked… Read more »

Winner takes all

In 2015, three different companies (and counting) have announced record-breaking cell efficiencies. R&D departments are locked in a pitched battle to produce the ultimate solar cell in order to dominate the PV landscape. We take a look at the state of play – and what exactly is up for grabs. Our story begins on 24… Read more »

Introducing Photovoltaic Backwards

On a wider scale, Loser Chemie GmbH develops and distributes future-oriented and environment-friendly products, plants and processes that focus on a great many fields. One of the company’s particular niches, however, is the PV industry and it is currently pioneering the recycling of indium, gallium, tellurium, etc. from thin film photovoltaic waste. The company’s Dr…. Read more »

Offering So Much To Solar Whatever The Weather

PES presents an exclusive, in-depth look at the pioneering projects and products of G. Lufft Mess- und Regeltechnik GmbH. Global cooperation with system partners requires a wide variety of different variants and interfaces. Lufft environmental sensors, whether stationary or mobile, can be integrated via many different protocols in new or existing applications. Through the low… Read more »

Material matters

As the PV market grows, it is inevitable that the industry will attract manufacturers who can bring valuable knowledge from other sectors. PES speaks to Dr. Thomas Kietzke of Merck Performance Materials to find out how they are helping to develop and improve solar power. PES: Welcome back to PES. For the benefit of new… Read more »

A world of opportunities

Having been established for over 30 years, meteocontrol GmbH will be a familiar company with services that will be similarly familiar for many within the industry. It is also a regular contributor to PES and we have been able to interview many of its executives over the years. This issue is no different, and we… Read more »

The Dawn Of Pvs New Era

As President of SOLARUNITED, Eric Ast is a busy man. And also being Global Business Development Manager Photovoltaics at Multi-Contact, makes him an even busier man. We managed to grab five minutes with the respected industry pioneer to ask him about the company and its current aspirations. PES: Welcome back to PES. How has business… Read more »