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 »
Just over 60 years ago, on March 26, 1949, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft was founded in the large conference hall of the Bavarian Ministry of the Economy. At the time, the idea was to develop new structures for research after the war’s destruction, and to spur reconstruction of the economy. Today, the globally-respected institute analyses current macro… 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 »
So, with a new issue of PES going to press and a new financial year in the offing, is it time to boost your business with some new recruits? We asked Adam Grainger (Global Head of Energy and Engineering, Networkers International) to give our subscribers his five top tips for identifying quality candidates. 1) Identify… Read more »
For more than 100 years, the team behind Mobil Industrial Lubricants continues to help companies all around the world to meet their most demanding energy challenges, pushing the boundaries of innovation and setting new benchmarks for lubrication excellence. Today, Mobil Industrial Lubricants’family of premium oils and maintenance solutions help successful companies within the global energy… Read more »
A Spanish company plans to invest $1 billion to build a large solar energy production plant in New Mexico. Gov. Bill Richardson joined Wednesday with executives of GA-Solar and its parent company, Gestamp Corp., to announce the photovoltaic solar plant. It will cover 2,500 acres near Santa Rosa in eastern New Mexico. The plant will… Read more »
Chinese solar-cell maker Canadian Solar Inc’s (CSIQ.O) said it had agreed to supply 60 megawatts of photovoltaic modules to Spain’s Fire Energy Group in 2010. Fire Energy, a system integrator, said it will promote Canadian Solar’s PV products in Spain, Germany and Italy. Initial shipments started this month. Wednesday’s news comes a day after the… Read more »
The public overwhelmingly support a much more ambitious scheme to push renewable energy for homes and communities, a new poll shows today ahead of a key government announcement next week. Government officials are putting the finishing touches to plans to boost the take-up of renewable energy in Britain – which is the lowest in Europe… Read more »
N.Y. Gov. David Paterson visited SUNY-ESF today (Jan. 27, 2010) to announce a major energy initiative that would lead to the installation of up to 100 megawatts of solar photovoltaic systems at public buildings throughout the state. Paterson said the photovoltaic arrays would be installed in schools and government buildings by 2014, increasing by five… Read more »
When it comes to their positions on energy and the environment, Ted Turner and Southern Co. Chief Executive David Ratcliffe seem as compatible as Felix and Oscar of “Odd Couple” fame. The latter shared an apartment, though; the media mogul and the utility executive are going into the solar energy business together. On Tuesday Turner… Read more »
North Dakota has been at the top of many lists. And recently, the state was added to yet another one. The American Wind Energy Association names North Dakota as one of the top ten wind producing states in the country. P-S-C Commissioner Tony Clark says it a pretty remarkable accomplishment for the state. Nearly ten… Read more »
The global race to develop clean technology is not just about who can build the best solar parks or wind farms. It is also shaping up as a contest between Chinese-style capitalism and the more market-oriented approach fancied by the United States and Europe. The question comes down to this: will China’s highly capitalized command-and-control… Read more »
State regulators have designated a region in the Thumb area of Michigan and a west Michigan region as those likely to be most productive for wind energy. In designating the “wind energy resource zones,” the Michigan Public Service Commission said the primary zone is a region that includes parts of Bay, Huron, Saginaw, Sanilac and… Read more »
Operations at a 2,000-acre wind farm in Cadillac, Mich., are meeting the electricity demands of roughly 2,000 homes, Michigan utility Detroit Edison said. Anthony Earley, chairman at Detroit Edison’s parent company DTE Energy, said the wind farm fit within Michigan’s vision for a clean energy future. “We’re focused on finding clean, cost-effective new sources of… Read more »
For years, the interest in harnessing wind power has grown in Iowa to the point where our state is looked upon as a national leader in that alternative energy source. Recently, Iowa surpassed California to claim second-in-the-nation status in wind energy capacity, trailing only Texas. Large wind farms in rural areas have become a familiar… Read more »
President Obama’s State of the Union Address 2010 begins at 9PM eastern (6pm on the west coast) and I will be one of the 50 million or so that are expected to tune in. If you want to watch it online, you can catch it on Youtube or on White House.gov. It’s also fun to… Read more »
As the decade draws to an end, many of us within the renewables industries will be reflecting upon ten years that have shaped the future. Prior to 2000, wind and photovoltaic technologies were in their infancy and largely unproven commercially. Yet within a few short years, the spectre of global warming had raised its ugly… Read more »
European Offshore Wind 2009 conference and exhibition (EOW09) – the world’s largest gathering of offshore wind energy professionals took place in Stockholm from 14-16 September. The event, organised by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), was hailed a huge success, doubling in size from its previous edition in 2007. {pagebreak} Over 4,800 participants saw more… Read more »
Trina Solar boasts a proud and successful history as a solar photovoltaic manufacturer since its inception in 1997. Here, PES speaks to Ben Hill about the company’s success story and hears it is far from complacent about its future. PES: Can you tell us a little about the history of Trina Solar and how it… Read more »
History was written in global merchant shipping during August and September 2009 when two multipurpose heavy lift carriers under the flag of Beluga Shipping GmbH successfully mastered the premiere in the commercial transit of the legendary Northeast-Passage from Asia to Europe. MV “Beluga Fraternity” and MV “Beluga Foresight” delivered various heavy lift modules from Ulsan,… Read more »
P and G Media is delighted to announce that the latest issue of Power and Energy Solutions, North America edition, is out now. PES has become the de facto destination for wind power executives throughout the continent, and encompasses all the issues facing the industry today. In the new issue, as always, we open with… Read more »
PES is proud to announce the publication of its latest issue, subtitled: PV comes of age – solar power and the push for mainstream acceptance. Has the PV industry finally come of age? Well, the statistics certainly look good, even if the economic downturn has – temporarily, perhaps – slightly dented the industry’s image as… Read more »
Industry executives attending the 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (EU PVSEC) in Hamburg will be able to pick up their latest copy of PES magazine at the show, where we are once again media partners. {pagebreak} This year, we’ll be meeting the demand of the record-breaking number of visitors with a massively-increased circulation, and… Read more »
PES is proud to announce the publication of its latest issue, which focuses on the offshore wind business, and features all the latest news and developments from across the world of wind power. The issue incorporates comment from all industry’s essential decision-makers as well as going behind the scenes of Europe’s growing offshore wind industry…. Read more »
Power and Energy Solutions (PES) is delighted to announce a major industry link-up with www.windfair.net. PES, the now-essential publication for executives within the wind sector, boasts a substantial readership throughout Europe and North America. Our aim, as ever, remains to bring up-to-date analysis and essential information on the renewables industry through our publications and on… Read more »
Making wind tower maintenance easier and more efficient, international premium shrinkwrap supplier Dr. Shrink offers its new TowerMinders. Instead of crews using the traditional rope with rags tied around it to stabilize work platforms on towers, they can now utilize this innovative rolling ball system to make the job easier and safer. {pagebreak} TowerMinders eliminates… Read more »
Current trends and technologies in the photovoltaics industry at the 5th PV Industry Forum The term “grid parity” refers to the point at which electricity generated by a photovoltaic installation can be supplied for the same price as conventional electricity. Market researchers expect this point to be reached in as little as a few years…. Read more »
Power and Energy Solutions, the industry-leading publication from P and G Media, launches its first North America title, which is out today. Packed with essential wind analysis, comment and features, this latest issue focuses on the how transport is fueling the new wind boom in North America. {pagebreak} The magazine features an exclusive interview with… Read more »
Power and Energy Solutions, the industry-leading publication from P and G Media, is out today. Packed with essential wind analysis, comment and features, this latest issue focuses on the green collar worker shortage. As the industry is acutely aware, there aren’t enough skilled personnel to fill the jobs that will satisfy the environmental requirements of… Read more »
Platts European Renewable Energy2-3 April, 2009Hilton BerlinBerlin, Germany Power & Energy Solutions Subscribers Save €100 {pagebreak} Quote ref: PESEM Register now >> http://www.platts.com/Events/2009/pc981/ There are only 4 weeks left to secure your place at the key event on the renewable energy calendar in 2009! Platts European Renewable Energy will provide attendees with not only an… Read more »
Despite the economic downturn, wind power has becomes Europe’s fastest growing energy source. More wind power was installed in Europe than any other electricity-generating technology in 2008, according to data released by the European Wind Energy Association. EWEA figures show that wind power provided 43% of new capacity – or almost two gigawatts – compared… Read more »