At a time when the energy transition is becoming increasingly urgent, accurate long-term wind resource forecasts are becoming an indispensable pillar of renewable energy planning. Not only do these forecasts serve as an indispensable tool for strategic decision-making by planners and project developers, they are also a fundamental prerequisite for fully realizing the potential of… Read more »
The green economy, aiming for sustainability while driving economic growth, is gaining momentum. From cutting-edge tech to renewable energy, this article explores its diverse facets. Discover how investments in carbon-reducing innovations are pivotal, and why transitioning to a green economy is essential for a prosperous future. The green economy refers to an economic system that… Read more »
Speaking with PES, Arran Armstrong, Technical Manager at 2H, addresses the challenges associated with soil conditions in offshore renewable energy projects. 2H is the independent advanced systems engineering brand within the marine energy and infrastructure group, Acteon. The unexplored locations of these projects require new geotechnical frameworks, making foundation installation risky and costly, meaning that… Read more »
How do you build the world’s largest offshore wind farm 89 km off the Yorkshire coast, install 165 wind turbines, and keep your workforce safe from injury or worse? According to Patrick Harnett, the newly appointed Chief Operating Officer at Ørsted, who was the Senior Programme Director for Hornsea 2 Offshore Windfarm during its construction,… Read more »
The global wind turbine inspection and drone technology space is dynamic and fast-moving, so PES wanted to speak with Peter Fromme-Knoch, CEO; Thorsten Zander, CTO; Christian Raml, Head of R&D and Dan Baseley, Marketing, at Austria-based Aero Enterprise, one of the leading companies in both technology advancements and inspection services in this field. PES: Welcome… Read more »
Lightning strikes pose a significant threat to wind turbines, potentially causing catastrophic damage. However, this risk can be effectively managed through systematic lightning protection system (LPS) inspections. This article explores the importance of LPS inspections, details methods employed by Aerones, and presents a data-driven approach to optimizing inspection frequency based on various factors. Lightning, a… Read more »
Arctura’s ArcGuide® coating represents a groundbreaking approach in mitigating lightning-induced damage to wind turbine blades, a problem that costs the industry over $100 million annually. Designed to alter the electric field surrounding the blades, the coating encourages the formation of lightning leaders at specific receptors rather than within the blade itself, reducing the frequency of… Read more »
Drones have long been used for inspection and maintenance with wind turbines, transforming the ease of access and reducing the cost of operating in this space. Now, drones can support further in improving the efficiencies of turbines through regular cleaning. Neglecting wind turbine maintenance Many operators are well versed in managing wind turbine downtime. What… Read more »
From generating energy from the wind to brightening up public spaces and bringing communities together through creativity and art, Canvus breathes new life into retired wind turbine blades in a unique recycling initiative. PES was keen to find out more about the idea from Managing Partner Brian Donahue. He tells us where the concept came… Read more »
Clarksons Port Services has over 50 years’ experience delivering vessel agency services and logistics management to the offshore energy sector. Since 2003, it has delivered marine integration services and coordination to over 50 wind farms. Clarkson PLC is the world’s leading provider of integrated services to the shipping and offshore markets. The Group employs over… Read more »
The Global Offshore Wind (GOW) conference and exhibition, organised by RenewableUK, is set to take place on June 18th and 19th at Manchester Central. This premier event brings together over 5,000 attendees, more than 260 exhibitors, and over 200 speakers from more than 50 countries, making it a focal point for the offshore wind industry…. Read more »
With offshore wind projects in the US facing logistical challenges due to the Jones Act, William Cline and Nicklas Berg, Senior Fuel Suppliers and Team Leaders at Dan-Bunkering, explain how the company is addressing these hurdles, streamlining operations and enhancing cost-effectiveness. From mitigating regulatory obstacles to optimizing fuel management and reducing CO2 emissions, a comprehensive… Read more »
Being a manufacturer of components for wind turbines puts one in a perfect position to check the pulse, and temperature, of the industry. And, from this vantage point, it’s evident that there are two patterns that are shaping the way we deliver our products and services. The first trend we explore is the alarming transition… Read more »
ASEAN countries have committed to long-term net zero targets, but recent trends show that they are tackling decarbonization largely in an independent manner, which is costly and inefficient. South East Asia has a wide range of renewable energy resources including solar, wind, hydropower and geothermal. Cross-border interconnection has a crucial role to play during the… Read more »
Wind energy stands as a beacon of sustainability, providing clean and renewable power to millions around the globe. At the heart of this green revolution are wind turbines, towering structures harnessing the power of the wind to generate electricity. However, ensuring the reliability and longevity of these turbines requires diligent maintenance, with blade condition monitoring… Read more »
Accurate bolting lies at the heart of the successful installation and maintenance of wind energy structures. Unlike any other working environment, wind energy, both onshore and offshore, represents a major challenge to bolting tool manufacturers. The design of the bolting tool, its resilience and accuracy are going to come under scrutiny as never before. The… Read more »
Most blade bearings in large wind turbines are double-row four-point contact ball bearings. They connect the blades with the rotor and allow them to be pitched along their longitudinal axis. As the dimensions of wind turbines have been constantly increasing, every component has had to get bigger too, thus also increasing the loads on the… Read more »
In the current landscape of global energy infrastructure development, the necessity for efficient and reliable transmission systems has become increasingly pronounced, driven predominantly by the imperative of sustainable energy transition. In response to this pressing need, the deployment of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine cables has emerged as a pivotal solution for transmitting electricity over… Read more »
If net zero targets are to be met and sustained over the long-term, offshore wind in the UK and Europe must continue to expand. Hitachi Energy is one company that is contributing to this expansion, focusing on technological innovations, infrastructure improvements, and strategic collaborations that are driving the renewable energy transition. PES wanted to hear… Read more »
The wind energy sector faces significant workforce demands, with the Global Wind Organization (GWO) addressing safety and training needs. By leveraging digital technologies like virtual reality, companies like Kanda are transforming GWO training, offering scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions. This innovation enhances safety, operational efficiency, and workforce development in the industry. As the demand for… Read more »
The US offshore wind market is a burgeoning industry with immense potential and notable hurdles. Achieving ambitious renewable energy goals could foster massive job creation, significant capital investment, and substantial advancements in infrastructure. However, challenges such as rising costs, robust supply chains, and complex regulatory frameworks must be addressed to unlock the full potential of… Read more »
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based inspection systems are revolutionising maintenance practices for turbine blades on wind farms. These drones, armed with high-resolution cameras, perform detailed inspections of wind turbines, capturing essential data to evaluate their condition. By operating beyond visual line of sight, UAVs can efficiently inspect numerous turbines, minimising human exposure to dangerous environments. PES… Read more »
Hand injuries can significantly affect quality of life and work performance. Despite their preventable nature, this type of injury is common in workplaces, including the renewable energy sector. Mechanix Wear offers specialized PPE solutions to address these hazards. Through programs like TRACK, the brand provides comprehensive assessments and trials to ensure optimal hand protection, reducing… Read more »
Renuware is a rapidly expanding company in the energy sector. It is dedicated to tackling supply chain issues, specifically in the areas of wind turbines, subsea operations, and offshore support vessels. Its people-oriented approach distinguishes it from others, emphasising personal interaction. By capitalising on its technical knowledge, the company provides customised training and works closely… Read more »
In the dynamic world of offshore wind energy, safeguarding subsea foundations and cables poses significant challenges. Helping to address the various complexities faced by engineers and developers in protecting these vital components, innovative solutions are changing the landscape of offshore wind farm protection. Ridgeway has been at the forefront of supplying the offshore wind sector… Read more »
Wind farms face weather-related challenges that impact turbine performance and profitability, such as wind variability, rain, hail, lightning, and turbulence. Accurate weather data is key to optimising energy production, reducing maintenance costs, and improving safety. Integrating wind lidars, environmental sensors, and digital tools helps wind farm managers make real-time adjustments, enhancing energy efficiency and minimising… Read more »
Wind turbine operators are facing a growing challenge as turbine blades increase in size: more frequent and severe lightning damage, particularly in lightning-prone regions like the US Midwest. GE Vernova’s 2.X-116 and 2.X-127 turbine blades have proven to be especially vulnerable, with their lightning protection systems (LPS) struggling to safely capture and divert lightning strikes… Read more »
The wave turbine, a pioneering project developed by the WUPROHYD design office, promises to tap into the vast energy potential of sea and ocean waves. This innovative renewable energy system is expected to have a capacity ranging from 2.5 to 3 terawatts, equivalent to 2,500,000 to 3,000,000 megawatts. The WUPROHYD design office, the first of… Read more »
Supported by advisory services provided by DNV, RES, the world’s largest independent renewable energy company has utilised wind lidar as a standalone solution for wind resource assessment and project planning at its 16-turbine scheme, Cairn Duhie. It’s a step change in safety, economy and efficiency. Advances in digital technology have yielded significant benefits to many… Read more »
In a conversation with Craig Plaatjes, Global Solar Product Manager at OTT HydroMet, we discuss the SMP Series from in-house brand Kipp & Zonen. The SMP Series includes the following three spectrally flat and Class A pyranometers, SMP10, SMP22 and SMP12. PES: When we’ve featured OTT HydroMet in the past the focus has primarily been… Read more »
Sitetracker’s Director of Product Marketing, Energy and Utilities, Emily Obenauer, sheds light on the challenges solar developers face across project phases, from permitting complexities to construction coordination. PES wanted to ask her how Sitetracker’s platform streamlines processes, centralizes data, and integrates AI, fostering efficiency and sustainability in solar development. PES: It’s good to talk to… Read more »
Over the past few years Europe has made noticeable progress in strengthening local PV production, thereby increasing resilience, sustainability, and independence along the entire value chain. Still, there are many obstacles to overcome, and without any doubt, the most severe threat is the Chinese PV industry and its economies of scale. To stay competitive, it… Read more »
If planners and installers do not install PV systems correctly and cause damage as a result, they can be personally liable. Many of them are not really even aware of their responsibility. European Construction Products Regulation 305-2011 sets the guidelines for most construction products, but there’s no clear standard for PV systems on flat roofs…. Read more »
With over 5 GW of products shipped and having generated around 5 TWh of clean electricity in more than 130 countries to date, APsystems has continued to lead MLPE innovation for over a decade and this mission requires managing quality on a grand scale. This article looks at the vision of quality shared by its… Read more »
Solar photovoltaic energy is poised to play a leading role in the transition to clean energy. According to the latest World Energy Outlook (WEO) report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), solar energy will account for more than half of the growth in renewable energy by 2030. Axial, a Spanish company specialising in the design,… Read more »
The ground-mount solar market in EMEA has evolved, with growing demand due to renewable energy targets and supportive policies. Key trends include larger utility-scale projects, smart technology integration, and agrivoltaics, which merges agriculture with photovoltaic energy. Against this backdrop, PES wanted to find out more about Clenergy’s fixed ground-mount systems from the company’s EU Product… Read more »