While Germany and Scotland grab most of the headlines for wind energy production, it is Denmark that sets the standard in policy terms. Copenhagen is preparing a push for stronger EU-wide 2030 climate and energy goals despite tough opposition from states such as the UK and Poland… The Danish climate and energy minister, Martin Lidegaard,… Read more »
When wind farms change owners, detailed expertise is in high demand; the projects may involve specific risks that – although not immediately apparent – may result in higher costs, lower energy production than predicted, or liability issues that affect Returns On Investment and cash flow. It is therefore vital to identify potential risks in advance… Read more »
A trusted shipping company with an enviable safety record and a far-reaching reputation for reliability, ESVAGT is a shining star in the offshore wind sector. We analysed the company in depth and found an operation that’s committed to safety and quality in equal measure… ESVAGT is a ship-owning company founded in Esbjerg, Denmark, in 1981… Read more »
Every year in PES, we take a closer look at the work of the European Wind Energy Association, and in particular its Annual Report. Hot off the press, it provides an accurate snapshot of the association and signposts challenges and opportunities. We’re delighted to present a few of the highlights, including an interview with the… Read more »
Words: Morgan Troedsson, Product Manager, FORCE Technology A familiar commentator in the pages of PES, Morgan Troedsson of FORCE Technology is one of the world’s foremost experts when it comes to blade inspection (and a lot more besides)… Every manufacturer of rotor blades for contemporary wind turbines is concerned with efficient and safe Quality Assurance… Read more »
Offshore marine engineering specialist GeoSea has been involved in the offshore wind industry since the early days and has played a role in some 40 wind farms to date. Bart de Poorter, General Manager of GeoSea, outlines how the company has evolved to serve the offshore wind sector and where he sees its role in… Read more »
Project management is paramount when operating in wind transportation today. In fact, it’s the only way to ensure the high quality that all wind companies demand, says CEO Hans Ove Dahl from GIVE GOODWIND – the Denmark based transporter that is busy expanding its business in neighbouring markets. PES: Welcome to PES Magazine. Would you… Read more »
A world-renowned specialist for the transport of heavy-lift, project and break-bulk cargoes across all oceans of the world, Hansa Heavy Lift is a perfect fit for the wind industry. The company’s young fleet of special heavy-lift vessels and highly qualified crews ensure an exceptionally smooth service. We spoke to Managing Director Joerg Roehl. PES: Welcome… Read more »
As the global specialist in pipeline mats and crawler crane mats, Ko-Mats GmbH has embraced the opportunities presented to it by the wind industry. It provides end-to-end solutions for many of the challenges that turbine logistics companies face, through a large stock of mats for sale or hire. We spoke to the company’s August Oude… Read more »
With 10MW turbines on the horizon, stable policy conditions, improved investment conditions and a dependable infrastructure, wind is about to enter its fastest ever growth period. We examine the mitigating factors and explore what is set to be a golden period for wind. Let’s kick this feature off with a look at the figures. The… Read more »
A relatively-recent entrant to the wind market, Mensys is a recruiter of note that is set to double its turnover in the next 12 months. We spoke to Lars Poslednik, Country General Manager, Germany. PES: Welcome to PES. Would you like to take the opportunity to bring us up to speed with the history of… Read more »
When we last spoke to Henning Weisz, the CEO of Global Tarps (Group MPASIA), it was following a 12 month growth period that had also seen the company maintain its reputation for quality and service. We caught up with Henning once again to find out how the business has been performing recently. PES: Welcome back,… Read more »
A company that is about to celebrate half a century of innovation, Peikko Group Corporation is a family-owned company with over 1,000 staff worldwide. The organisation’s main markets are European non-residential construction, the new residential construction sector, and select industrial target groups – such as wind energy. We spoke to Andris Berzins, Product Manager at… Read more »
While utility-scale wind projects in the US (especially onshore) are continuing apace, many corporations are cashing-in on renewables by investing in wind energy to power their operations. IKEA, Microsoft and Facebook are just a few of the leading lights. PES takes a look. Those who bemoan the relatively slow adoption of renewable energy in the… Read more »
In June 2004, delegates from 154 countries converged in Bonn, Germany, for the world’s first government-hosted international conference on renewable energy. REN21 emerged from that process to become the first international organisation to track renewable energy developments. We take an in-depth look at how far the organisation has come, the strides it has made in… Read more »
As the wind sector develops and matures, ancillary industries are becoming ever-more important. From education to logistics to weather forecasting, there is seemingly no end to the skills and ‘feeder’ roles that both fuel our fortunes and help improve the quality and consistency of our output. We’ve brought together a roster of some of the… Read more »
Longstanding contributors to PES, Scaldis Salvage & Marine Contractors NV (Scaldis) are known for taking a measured approach that all-but eliminates last-minute surprises. We spoke once again to Linda Vanhaelst, Business Development & Marketing, about the company’s recent acquisitions and how it is laying the foundations for greater growth. PES: Welcome back to the magazine…. Read more »
It seems that 2014 has been the year to knock wind energy, with detractors trying to take a swipe at the technology, the health issues, planning, or any one of a number of perceived ills. We take a look at the reality behind the scare stories. This year has seen yet more negativity on wind… Read more »
As CEO of Site Facility, Jacob HeskjÊr is in charge of a bold vision that sees the company rolling-out camp facility solutions worldwide. And if that means finding a nearby site – complete with water and power – in the Arctic Circle, so be it. PES: It’s good to see Site Facility in the magazine… Read more »
As one of the world’s biggest MPP (multi-purpose) shipping companies, Thorco Shipping takes a keen interest and invests heavily in the wind industry. We caught up with the organisation’s CEO, Thomas Mikkelsen, to find out more about the current operations and future plans. PES: Welcome to PES magazine. Would you like to take this opportunity… Read more »
PES takes a look at the current state of renewable energy rollout, considers wind energy’s increasing role, and discovers what’s in store for the next few years. Since 2010, more than a quarter of a trillion dollars have been invested annually in renewable energy, energy efficiency and supporting technologies. Global investment in clean energy… Read more »
For U.S. wind power, the last 12 months was both the best of times and the worst of times. That’s the conclusion from the new Wind Technologies Market Report recently released by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and prepared by DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). We take a look at the latest trends… Read more »
It’s a curious contradiction that, while wind is a renewable, non-fossil fuelled, energy source, some global wildlife organisations have put up massive resistance to its expansion. Refreshingly, the industry has finally received a vote of confidence from a major body – the National Wildlife Federation. We take a look at their recently-published recommendations about making… Read more »
The Global Wind Energy Council has recently identified the key commercial battlegrounds where wind power can make gains in the next four years. We present an exclusive look at their global findings, together with a special focus on offshore. On the whole, the market diversification trend which has emerged over the past several years intensified… Read more »
When it comes to the cutting edge of solar innovation, Building Integrated Photovoltatics (BIPV) tends to lead the way. Alex Savidis, Applications Manager of Solar Capture Technologies explores the latest technologies – and crucially, materials – being used. You could be forgiven for thinking that all solar panels have to be flat, rectangular, and made… Read more »
Even in challenging market conditions, Germany’s Solare Datensysteme GmbH (SDS) has maintained its leading role as a provider of PV monitoring and energy management solutions. Guy Thouin, Managing Partner from SDS, lets us in on the company’s business strategy and explains what exciting new devices we might see in the near future. PES: Welcome to… Read more »
Solayer reduces deposition costs in TF PV production with its redesigned magnetron SOL.MAG and improved film quality with extended homogeneous coating width. PES investigates… The tough economic situation within the thin-film PV industry, but in general within the photovoltaic panel production sector, is constantly pushing manufacturers to reduce costs while trying to improve the quality… Read more »
Using battery energy storage systems in local PV installations and testing the performance of the connected solar inverters. A discussion, courtesy of Spitzenberger & Spies GmbH & Co. KG. The longstanding problem when using photovoltaic energy harvesting is the night, when no energy production is available. Yet, several ways are currently being discussed to supply… Read more »
While regular readers will be well acquainted with Upsolar products and services, the thinking behind the company’s expansion strategy has always remained behind closed doors – until now. We speak exclusively to Roy Li, Managing Director of Asia Pacific, and Ioannis Markatatos, General Director of Turkey and Greece, to find out more about the organisation’s… Read more »
An often overlooked aspect of the PV sector, module theft is becoming increasingly common – particularly in rural or remote areas. We spoke to Oliver Strecke, Managing Director of monitoring company Viamon, to discover what can be done to counter the problem. PES: Welcome to PES magazine. Would you like to take this opportunity to… Read more »
VON ARDENNE develops and manufactures advanced vacuum coating equipment for the deposition of ultra-thin functional layers on materials such as glass, metal strip, wafers and polymer films. In this article, we take an exclusive look at the company and its latest product, XEA|nova – set to be introduced at this year’s Intersolar Europe. The German… Read more »
A resources solution that has been successfully deployed on a number of closed sites in Germany, solar farms located on waste sites could offer the ultimate win/win for renewable energy generation.Words: Adrian Lea, Technical Director, Wardell Armstrong With soaring energy prices, challenging emissions targets and the demand for greater security of supply, any imaginative and… Read more »
We unveiled this feature and in our last issue, and it’s taken our readers by storm. Are YOU up to speed when it comes to the wonderful world of solar? We prescribe regular doses of PES and the occasional look at Twitter for diverse nuggets of information like these… The White House @WhiteHouseFACT: Solar power… Read more »
Words: Ian Rose, Professional Services Director at PassivSystemsThe way we monitor solar PV panels is the difference between an investment fully realised and an investment exposed to unnecessary risk, argues Ian in this essential column… The solar market has endured a rollercoaster ride as government incentive levels have fluctuated, driving large peaks and troughs in… Read more »
Glass innovations come into focus at a testing time for the industry. PES investigates… Although the costs for solar power have come down considerably lately, photovoltaics are still unable to compete with conventional energy sources. The “last mile” to competitiveness will therefore prove difficult for the sector: cell and module production have already been rationalised… Read more »
The German Energiewende (energy transition) – once an international model – threatens to disintegrate. Now is the time to develop a common European energy strategy, experts say. PES reports. “Germany would be well-advised to start looking beyond the edge of its nose on energy policy”, warned Bert Rürup, former “economic wise man” and director of… Read more »