Alexander Hill, Energy Business Development Manager at Critical Software Technologies, discusses the importance of a standards-led, safety critical culture within the wind industry. Safety critical systems are entrusted to perform crucial tasks, ones that cannot be allowed to fail. They are systems that are essential to our modern life yet rarely contemplated by the people… Read more »
As Head of Centre for DUWET (Danish University Wind Energy Training), Steen Mortensen is at the cutting edge of the industry, and has seen it evolve from a nascent concern into a booming international powerhouse. We speak to the visionary trainer about skills gaps, the coming generation and the influence of wind associations on the… Read more »
When PES was first established, it was done so in tandem with the Sustainable Energy Europe 2005-2008 campaign. That particular milestone has come and gone, and earlier this year we achieved yet another legislative landmark. In January, the EU achieved its 2010 renewable electricity target of 21% of electricity (according to the EU’s 2001 Renewable… Read more »
Committee moves to protect emissions trading The European Parliament has sent a strong signal that the price of carbon emissions must be raised by fixing the Emissions Trading System (ETS) – one of the EU’s key laws on climate change. The Parliament’s Environment Committee voted in favour of withholding carbon allowances in the ETS –… Read more »
Some say the world’s second biggest exporter is undergoing a crisis of confidence with regards to renewables – and particularly, wind energy. Nigel Blackaby, Chairman of the Advisory Board, POWER-GEN Europe 2012 takes a look at the ramifications for the rest of the continent. In the wake of Fukushima disaster, energy experts now agree that… Read more »
With a 10 billion euro offshore project now underway, France has emerged as a surprise contender for the continent’s wind energy elite. We chart the rise and rise of the country’s power ambitions. The new wind farms, which will comprise some 1,200 turbines, spread over five sites off the north and west coast of France,… Read more »
The EWEA Annual Event – Europe’s premier wind energy event – will showcase the latest innovations in the wind energy industry with an extensive exhibition, a high-quality conference programme, expert speakers and unrivalled networking opportunities. In short, it’s a must for the international wind energy community. Focusing on innovationPromoting continued innovation in the wind power… Read more »
As a logistics operation spanning over 150 countries, DHL are known throughout the world. Similarly, as manufacturers work with markets across the globe, the move into equipment carriage for wind energy appears a logical direction. PES talks to Peder Jensen, Global Sector Head, Renewable Energy, for DHL Global Forwarding about their foray into the sector…. Read more »
PES takes a look at the recently-published EWEA report on EU climate policy, and examines the potential for wind power to drastically reduce emissions by setting greater targets. BackgroundWind energy production does not emit any greenhouse gases (GHG), unlike coal, gas and oil. Because of the way the electricity market operates – using marginal costs… Read more »
Global Wind Power’s Simon Leed Krøs is well versed in the ways of wind energy, having helped his company to score a string of successful developments in Eastern Europe and beyond. In this exclusive interview, he takes a look at where (and why) the company has met challenges and exceeded expectations. PES: Welcome to PES…. Read more »
The key to building a wind farm is industrialisation: projects should be scalable and commercially viable from the bottom up. It follows that perhaps the most crucial consideration in an offshore development, solid foundations can literally make or break a project We take a look at all the critical components to present an unmissable ‘user… Read more »
As Managing Director of Seaports of Niedersachsen GmbH, Andreas Bullwinkel governs a port infrastructure that is perfectly-placed and optimally-equipped for the wind industry. The nine locations have benefited from massive investment, and that finance is starting to bear fruit for the European industry as a whole. We spoke to the German businessman. PES: Welcome to… Read more »
Once again, we’ve polled thousands of our readers and asked them where they believe solar power is heading, and where the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats lie. The questions went out to our respondents in the closing months of 2011, and the answers here serve as a litmus for perhaps the most significant year our… Read more »
Once again, we’ve polled thousands of our readers and asked them where they believe wind power is heading, and where the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats lie. The questions went out to our respondents in the closing months of 2011, and the answers here serve as a litmus for perhaps the most significant year our… Read more »
Within the framework of the call for bids announced in France to construct five offshore wind farms (3,000 MWe), the GDF-Suez/Vinci and Iberdrola/Eole Res consortiums, with each of which our group has signed a strategic partnership agreement, submitted their bids on January 11.These bids will be evaluated on the basis of three criteria:§ The quality… Read more »
In partnership with the University of Corsica and the French Nuclear and Alternative Energies Commission, the Hydrogen & Energy Storage of AREVA inaugurated on January 9th the MYRTE platform at the University of Corsica site in Vignola, close to Ajaccio. MYRTE platform aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a solar energy storage solution using hydrogen… Read more »
A positive aspect of wind energy has always been the benefit to the economies and industries that support it. Shipping is one such industry crucial to wind farm development. PES speaks to Xavier De Meulder, Project Manager for Meriaura Ltd. about how wind energy is helping drive and develop his business. PES: Welcome back to… Read more »
Europe’s energy infrastructure must be updated and better connected, for it “pays the price for its outdated and poorly interconnected energy infrastructure,” admitted the European Commission recently. In this exclusive report, we look at the plans to build an integrated European energy network, and discuss the potential obstacles. Let us begin with the words of… Read more »
Despite a change in ownership, it is business as usual for SAL Heavy Lift Shipping. PES spoke to Director of Business Development Jan-Peter Esbensen at the company’s Steinkirchen HQ, about the organisation and its operations. PES: Welcome back to PES magazine. How’s business been since we last spoke? Have you been involved with any keynote… Read more »
With many wind farms now well established, operators must consider the provision of maintenance and examine the latest component technology available to protect their investment and ensure continued reliability, warns industry expert Phil Burge… Clean power With the attraction of clean, free renewable energy, wind power is one of the fastest growing energy sources and… Read more »
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 »
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 »