Category: Wind

European grid planning and integrated markets urgently needed

“A truly European approach to grid planning, together with the integration of wholesale markets, are crucial to the large scale deployment of renewable energy, including wind power, and improving security of energy supply”, says EURELECTRIC and the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) in a joint declaration. The Joint Declaration is addressed to the European Commission,… Read more »

Pioneer Power Solutions Completes Asset Purchase From AAER Inc.

A full line manufacturer of liquid filled, encapsulated and ventilated electrical transformers for utility, industrial and commercial applications, today announced it has completed the purchase of certain assets of AAER Inc. (“AAER”), a technologically advanced, megawatt-sized wind turbine manufacturer based in Quebec, Canada. Pioneer previously announced its intent to acquire these assets on June 3,… Read more »

SGS Receives Vestas Award for Successful Completion of 99 MW CLP Wind Power Project

As recognition of its contribution towards the successful execution of 99 MW CLP wind power project at Theni, India, SGS received Vestas award. Vestas Wind Systems A/S, the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturer, seller, installer and servicing company, honored SGS with an award as recognition of its contribution towards the successful execution of a wind… Read more »

Climate Solutions Businesses call for a Refocus on Financing, Market Mechanisms and the Private Sector Role

The low-carbon investment needed to stop rising greenhouse gas emissions is impossible to achieve without massive applications of private sector capital. The private sector is looking urgently for investment signals out of the next United Nations Ministerial negotiations in Cancún at the end of the year. Due in part to market uncertainty, 2009 investments in… Read more »

Wind Works Power Corp. Acquires 100% Interest in Fully Permitted Wind Project in Germany

Wind Works Power Corp. is pleased to announce it has acquired a 100% interest in Wind Park Burg I, a 4 megawatt (MW) fully permitted wind energy project located near Magdeburg, in the eastern part of Germany. Wind Park Burg I Highlights: — Fully permitted, construction-ready wind energy project;— Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) via Feed-in… Read more »

European Wind Initiative: Europe launches ten year research and development plan for wind energy

As the Spanish EU Presidency launched the ‘European Wind Initiative (EWI) – a €6 billion ten year research and development roadmap for the wind energy sector – the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) said that, if properly funded, it would give European companies a competitive boost. “The European Wind Initiative is a big step forward… Read more »

EWEA looking to recruit Head of Membership and Sales

Open-ended contract to start as soon as possible EWEA is the voice of the European wind energy industry – actively promoting the utilisation of wind power on behalf of more than 650 member organisations in Europe and worldwide. Our resources are focused on lobbying and communication activities. EWEA is located in Brussels where it engages… Read more »

China wind power group in $1.2 billion IPO: sources

(Reuters) – China’s second-largest wind turbine maker, Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co Ltd, plans to raise up to $1.2 billion in a Hong Kong initial public offering, sources close to the deal said. The offering will test the appetite for renewable energy firms in a market heavy with property and financial companies. The Hong… Read more »

30% emissions cuts would keep EU in front of green energy race

Following the release by the European Commission of its analysis of options to move beyond 20% greenhouse gas emission reductions, the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) today issued a briefing to MEPs, Commission and Member State officials that “urges Council and European Parliament to agree 30% domestic greenhouse gas reductions, in order to maintain Europe’s… Read more »

GWEC Press Release: Klaus Rave new GWEC Chairman

Dr Klaus Rave was unanimously elected new GWEC Chairman at yesterday’s Board meeting in Dallas for a two year term. Dr Rave follows Arthouros Zervos, who had been Chairman since the association was established in 2006. Dr Rave is one of the leading wind power experts in Europe. As Managing Director of the Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein,… Read more »

SGS Appoints New Manager of the Wind Energy Technology Center (WETC) in Tianjin, China

SGS appointed Dr. Pavel Novak as the new manager of the Wind Energy Technology Center (WETC) in Tianjin, China. Pavel took over responsibility for the operation of WETC and staff training. — SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, appointed Dr. Pavel Novak as the new manager of the Wind Energy Technology… Read more »

Dynabrade Quality Power Tools for all Phases of Production in Wind Energy!

Founded in 1969, Dynabrade® has earned a reputation and position of continued leadership in the innovative design and manufacturing of unique portable abrasive power tools serving all major industries. Thanks to continuous research and development, Dynabrade® produces reliable, long-lasting and ergonomic tools, that are available through distribution networks worldwide. To meet the needs in the… Read more »

Wind turbine parts maker to build Arkansas plant

German manufacturer Beckmann Volmer said Thursday it plans to build a $10 million plant in Osceola to produce steel components for wind turbines that will employ up to 500 people. The company said it will initially hire 300 people to work at the plant, and will later spend an additional $7.5 million more to expand… Read more »

NaiKun Wind Takes Steps to Sustain Offshore Wind Project, Announces Second Quarter Financial Results

NaiKun Wind Energy Group Inc.announced today that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) has initiated a process to retain an advisory firm to assist the Company in undertaking a review of the strategic alternatives available to ensure maximum shareholder value. Since the recent announcement by BC Hydro that NaiKun Wind’s 396 MW offshore wind energy… Read more »

MAG: New industry team for Renewable Energy solutions starts successfully

MAG recently formed a new Renewable Energy business unit providing automation solutions for solar panel and wind turbine manufacturing. The company announces over 20 million Euro in recent industry orders. More than 30 solar-panel production systems were delivered in the last five years. MAG is powering up on green energy, announcing the formation of a… Read more »

China’s top wind blade maker eyes U.S. growth, IPO

ZhongHang Huiteng Windpower Equipment Co, China’s largest maker of wind turbine blades, has targeted growth abroad, primarily in the United States, as it positions itself for a planned IPO in Shanghai, a top executive told Reuters. The Baoding-based manufacturer, which recorded about 3 billion yuan in revenue yearly ($439 million), aims to list shares on… Read more »

Gemini Energy Services Awarded Department of Energy Grant to Develop Veteran Workforce for the Wind Industry

Gemini Energy Services, a division of Orion International, has been awarded a $200,000 Workforce Development grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, to create a tailored training curriculum for military veterans that will translate their military skill set into a Technical career within the Wind Industry. Orion International has committed an additional $154,000 to the… Read more »

SGS Provides QHSE Management for the Belwind Bligh Bank Offshore Wind Farm in Belgium

In July 2009, SGS was awarded a contract to conduct Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental (QHSE) Management for the Belwind Bligh Bank Offshore Wind Farm in Belgium. The key objective of QHSE Management is to optimize the revenue generated by any wind farm project over it’s life span, by assuring high quality standards and safe… Read more »

Firetrace® To Show Turbine

AWEA member company, Firetrace International, is showcasing its self-contained FIRETRACE® automatic fire suppression system at the 2010 Windpower conference and exhibition in Dallas. The solution was specifically developed for the fast and reliable protection of critical component parts of onshore and offshore wind turbines. Significantly, FIRETRACE systems operate without the need for any external power,… Read more »

Competence and knowledge that comes from supervising more than 10 offshore wind farm projects

Advanced Offshore Solutions was established back in 2006 by Kurt E Thomsen, a pioneer in the offshore wind farm installation business. Since then, the Danish company has established a reputation for being a world leader in the design, building and implementation of transport and logistical solutions for the offshore wind industry. PES talks to Mr… Read more »

New CanWEA Chair aims to close policy gaps

It seems as if America is not the only nation in North America that is crying out for reform. The Canadian wind energy industry needs improved support from governments, utilities, and communities as it moves into the mainstream of country’s energy sector, says the new Chair of CanWEA’s board of directors. Gary Pundsack, Government Relations… Read more »

Catching the wind with laser technology

The wind industry could soon be using a new type of innovative technology that has more to do with lasers than ecology. A new laser system that can be mounted on wind turbines allows them to prepare for the wind rushing toward their blades. These lasers act like sonar for the wind, bouncing off microscopically… Read more »

Report claims China is putting the squeeze on US wind-power market

American companies are being squeezed out of the lucrative Chinese wind-power market at the same time as Dallas-based investors are bringing Chinese firms to the US via a big wind farm project in Texas, according to a new industry report. PES examines a potentially-damaging situation. The study examines Chinese government policies promoting the development of… Read more »

Keep on watching the skies

Wind turbines are on the up. The giant constructions are constantly getting taller because, as every schoolboy knows, the higher you get off the ground, the greater the wind speeds. But building big towers is a costly business, especially if you want one 15,000ft tall. So why not ditch the tower and make the windmill… Read more »

Wind turbines are on the up.

The Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz fretted over his joints, and owners of wind turbines have the same angst. They need to be assembled offshore and maintenance of the joints is critical where a 20+ year life expectancy under the buffeting of winter seas and gusting storms is normal. The assembly is subject… Read more »

Full wind ahead for Nebraska

French fur traders first visited Nebraska in the 17th Century and the state was later explored by pioneers Lewis and Clark from 1804-1806. A few years later, Robert Stuart pioneered the Oregon Trail across Nebraska in 1812-1813 and the first permanent white settlement was established at Bellevue in 1823. Now a new report says Nebraska… Read more »

Technical report: offshore wind grid is the answer

The solution to offshore wind energy obstacles lies in pooling all the power into one common electricity grid, according to researchers at the University of Delaware and Stony Brook University. “We hypothesize that wind power output could be stabilized if wind generators were located in a meteorologically designed configuration and electrically connected,” say the authors… Read more »

Safety issues must never be taken for granted

The potential for serious accidents in the wind industry should never be underestimated. Wind turbines are massive, potentially highly dangerous structures and in an industry that boasts an enviable safety record, it is as important now as ever to ensure that safety remains our watchword. PES looks into what is going on in the industry… Read more »

Sailing close to the wind

With offices throughout Europe and the US, Navigant Consulting’s Energy practice helps clients strengthen their enterprises in order to increase performance, opportunity, and growth. PES spoke to Bruce Hamilton, the company’s Director of Energy, in Portland, Oregon, about its success record and about the future of wind and other renewables … PES: Welcome to PES… Read more »

Wind turbine sound and health effects

Dr. Robert McCunney is a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Biological Engineering, a staff physician in occupational and environmental health at Massachusetts General, and a clinical faculty member at the Harvard Medical School. He was the lead drafter of Wind Turbine Sound and Health Effects: An Expert Panel Review. Here,… Read more »

Official: 20 per cent wind is possible by 2024

The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is about to release the Eastern Wind Integration and Transmission Study (EWITS). This unprecedented two-and-a-half year technical study of future high-penetration wind scenarios is designed to analyze the economic, operational, and technical implications of shifting 20 per cent or more of the Eastern Interconnection’s… Read more »

HELUWIND Uwe Schenk

Some people’s enthusiasm for an industry that can often seem impersonal and product-centered might wane after a few years. Not so Uwe Schenk, Product Manager of HELUWIND Cables. His passion for the wind business remains as intact now as it was when he joined a burgeoning industry, more than a decade ago. PES spoke to… Read more »

Rickmers-Linie overcomes financial crisis

Rickmers-Linie, the heavylift, breakbulk and project cargo specialist based in Hamburg, has seen indications that the challenging months of financial crisis have been overcome – with wind power transport identified as one of the defining drivers of the upturn. PES takes a closer look at the company and its wind-optimised fleet. Gerhard Janssen, Director Marketing… Read more »