As the global wind industry surges, technological advances are reshaping every stage of the supply chain. The need for connectivity innovation is especially evident in the offshore wind sector, where technology is scaling rapidly, making early decisions in wind farm design crucial. Developers often face the dilemma of choosing between two cabling systems: inner cone… Read more »
Archives: Exclusive Articles
Maximising efficiency through integrated measurements
As the shift towards renewable energy gains momentum, innovative hybrid development projects are emerging to maximise efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. ZX Measurement Services looks at how integrating wind and solar energy assessments can enhance output and stability, exploring essential measurement strategies for optimising these systems. The global push towards renewable energy has led to innovative… Read more »
The Excel effect: building bigger, not better
The wind energy industry stands at a crossroads. On one side, there’s the allure of groundbreaking innovations and ever larger turbines promising increased efficiency. On the other is a growing realization that rapid advancement might be coming at the cost of reliability and maintainability. This article explores the tension between innovation and practicality in the… Read more »
Subsea construction and marine services from conception to completion
TRESIOS is a project contractor specializing in subsea construction and marine services for the energy and maritime industry, founded by Wouter van Wagtendonk and Ferry Sanders. The owners both previously worked for Allseas, before becoming independent contractors where they met and joined forces. They excel in managing medium- to large-scale projects that demand comprehensive project… Read more »
Offshore wind power enhanced by ultra-high resolution technology
Ultra-high resolution 3D seismic imaging has the potential to revolutionize offshore wind power development by providing detailed insights into subsurface conditions. This cutting-edge technology enhances turbine foundation design, reduces risks, and optimizes project costs, supporting the rapid growth of the offshore wind industry and its role in renewable energy. As the global shift towards renewable… Read more »
Guardians of the deep
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 »
Weather intelligence for stronger offshore safety
Effective offshore safety is crucial for the success of industrial operations. As the wind industry continues to grow, safeguarding assets and prioritizing worker safety have become more critical than ever. Integrating weather intelligence in safety systems helps offshore facilities to become predictive safety models, minimizes risks and enhances overall outcomes. The impact of metocean factors… Read more »
Achieving precise cable laying for offshore wind farms with a vessel mounted ADCP
Safely and precisely laying subsea power cables is crucial for transmitting power from offshore wind turbines to the onshore grid. Belgian company DEME depends on Nortek’s vessel-mounted ADCP system to provide real-time, high quality current data across the entire water column, ensuring stable and secure subsea cable installations. Subsea cables are required to connect offshore… Read more »
A new era for offshore wind farm operations
Two advanced vessels, MHO Balder and MHO Borea’s are facing their biggest challenge yet. They are setting sail for the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm in the North Sea, marking the longest distance they have operated from the coast and their first winter mission in harsh weather conditions. Located approximately 195 kilometres from the UK’s northeast… Read more »
Flexible, responsive and remote inspections
PES caught up with Graham Walker, Marshall Architect, at Marshall, as he shares insights into Lilypad, an innovative ecosystem of resident UAVs designed to provide wind farm operators with flexible and responsive remote inspections. We wanted to ask him how Lilypad leverages BVLOS technology to enhance turbine maintenance. PES: Thanks for your time today, Graham…. Read more »
Are drones the energy sector’s golden ticket?
Coupled with advances in autonomy and AI, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) like drones are rapidly permeating all aspects of modern life. As the regulatory landscape for their use opens up and compliance protocols mature in the user market, there’s almost unlimited potential to augment if not replace many conventional modes of energy surveillance, transport, and… Read more »
Changing the game in turbine major component exchanges
The industry needs safer, quicker, and lower-cost solutions to keep wind turbines spinning and keep up with the market’s demand, at a competitive price level. LiftOff is determined to make this happen. Having proved its competence in providing unique and innovative ways of working, the company is taking significant steps as it continues to deliver… Read more »
Revolutionizing lifting with heavy lift slings
As the wind energy industry continues to grow, so does the technology that supports it. One area of innovation is heavy lifting solutions, where traditional steel wire ropes and chains are being replaced by safer, more efficient alternatives. Among the pioneers of this movement is Extreema® Softslings, which is setting new benchmarks for lifting equipment… Read more »
Going for gold in the race to clean energy
Achieving the UK’s 2030 power sector decarbonisation target means tackling multiple challenges across energy generation, transmission, and storage. Success depends on aligning supply chains, building skilled work forces, and engaging communities to create a sustainable, secure, and decarbonised future. The 2030 power sector decarbonisation target could be considered a tall order. Many have presented multiple… Read more »
Adapting to smart factories in the wind sector
The offshore wind industry faces a shortage of qualified personnel and a high demand for production capacity for wind foundations. This necessitates a transformation of the manufacturing process. HAANE’s recent Adaptive Welding System marks a major advancement and a big step toward automation in wind foundation pipe production. HAANE welding systems is a pioneer in… Read more »
Tailored solutions for offshore energy equipment
The offshore energy industry is challenging, necessitating equipment that is robust, reliable, and meticulously engineered to endure the harsh conditions of marine environments. Whether in oil, gas, or renewable energy projects like offshore wind, the sector’s complexity demands high-performance solutions to ensure the safe and efficient execution of operations. GN Rope Fittings is a leading… Read more »
Denmark: a model for offshore wind expansion
As Europe transitions to sustainable energy, Denmark stands out as a leader in offshore wind power, driven by strategic investments and technological advancements. Its commitment to sustainability and innovation has positioned the country as a global pioneer, offering valuable insights for emerging markets like Southeast Asia, where the push for renewable energy is gaining momentum…. Read more »
Sizing as a first step to local energy system integration
Germany’s transition to decentralized power systems has introduced new challenges in energy management. Fraunhofer IWES is exploring how to size and optimize local energy systems simultaneously, ensuring cost efficiency, system reliability, and effective integration of renewable energy and storage solutions. Since Germany began its energy transition, the power system has increasingly shifted toward decentralization. Unlike… Read more »
Precision and efficiency in turbine installation and maintenance
As wind energy grows globally, effective turbine installation and maintenance are essential for maximizing energy production. Solutions from Enerpac look to enhance safety, precision, and efficiency, supporting the renewable energy transition. As the global shift toward renewable energy accelerates, the wind turbine industry has become a cornerstone of the clean energy movement. With countries committing… Read more »
Top performance at WindEnergy Hamburg
Ematec’s advanced lifting solutions for the wind power industry continue to attract significant interest, with the company returning from Germany with a wealth of new project enquiries. Its innovative RBC-D yokes and collaboration with Seaside Solutions’ APS were key highlights. Interest in high-end solutions from Ematec is exceptionally high. The specialist supplier of lifting equipment… Read more »
A year in review
As we reflect on a year filled with exciting developments and heightened engagement in the wind energy sector, 2024 proved to be another remarkable year for major events. From Wind Europe in Bilbao to Global Offshore Wind in Manchester, UK, and culminating with the packed-to-capacity Wind Energy Hamburg, the EasyQote team was invigorated by the… Read more »
Charting a new course with the next generation of wind vessels
dship Carriers is poised to revolutionize wind cargo transport with its groundbreaking D500 vessel. Captain Hauke Bindemann, the company’s CTO, discusses the design, fuel efficiency, and sustainability features that make this a potential game changer for the wind energy sector. PES: A warm welcome to PES Hauke. I’m looking forward to talking to you today…. Read more »
Strategic growth and progress: a winning combination
Dellner Wind Solutions has navigated the wind energy industry’s dynamic landscape with strategic acquisitions and cutting-edge innovations. As WindEnergy Hamburg demonstrated, the future of wind power relies on robust supply chains, scalability, and smart collaborations, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth. As WindEnergy Hamburg proved, the wind energy industry stands ready to tackle the challenges of… Read more »
Everyone’s talking about energy transition
In just over five years, renewable energy targets set for 2030 will come knocking on the door. Whether they will be reached, missed, or overshot depends on multiple factors, most of which concern policymakers and the energy sector itself. At the end of 2023, the EU increased the binding renewable energy target for 2030 to… Read more »
A year of expansion and transformation in offshore wind
In early 2023, Clarksons Port Services completed the acquisition of DHSS, an offshore energy logistics provider with a longstanding and expansive network in the Netherlands. On January 1st, 2024, it was officially rebranded as Clarksons Port Services. This created an ideal opportunity for PES Wind to engage with Wim Schouwenaar, the managing director of the… Read more »
Exploring wind solutions
In an insightful conversation with Roberto Pasqualini, Wind Business Development Senior Manager at Bonfiglioli, we explore the company’s innovative solutions showcased at WindEnergy 2024, including advanced pitch and yaw drives, synchronous servo motors, and its commitment to sustainability in the wind sector. PES: I’m very pleased to be speaking with you today Roberto and am… Read more »
Predictive maintenance using advanced technology for early damage detection
As wind turbines grow in size and complexity, maintaining them efficiently has become a major challenge. Predictive maintenance and innovative technology, like the BladeBUG robotic platform, are changing wind energy operations for the better by reducing downtime, costs, and risks. Ensuring the efficiency and condition of turbine blades is key for long-term profitability and sustainability… Read more »
Unknown unknowns: facing uncertainty in the US renewables industry
In a year marked by significant global instability, the rise of safety culture in the renewable energy sector is more crucial than ever. Amidst geopolitical tensions and rising energy demands, organisations like Active Training Team (ATT) are pioneering innovative training programs that emphasise emotional intelligence and workforce safety, ensuring the industry can grow sustainably while… Read more »
Cool power tech energising the renewables mix
In tandem with continual progress to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix, the demand from refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pumps will surge dramatically during the next few decades. Global cold demand accounts for approximately 20% of total electricity consumption and is currently increasing at a rate of approximately 13% per year. These… Read more »
Roses for the future: long-term yield forecasts
Careful site selection is critical to the success of renewable energy projects. As subsidies decline and competition increases, accurate long-term yield forecasts are essential for ensuring profitability and sustainability. 4cast explores the key strategies and technologies driving effective site assessment. Determining the optimal location is a fundamental aspect in planning and implementing renewable energy projects…. Read more »
Driving efficiency: how customer partnerships accelerate innovation in solar farm implementation
With renewable energy surging by an unprecedented 87% in 2023, and new solar capacity making up 75% of this growth,1 the global energy grid is changing fast. This rapid expansion has been accompanied by a wave of customer-driven technological innovations, and TE Connectivity is at the forefront of this transformation, developing products that address current… Read more »
Easing the O&M burden with uncrewed systems delivering data
Offshore wind is increasingly contributing to the UK’s energy mix. An installed base of more than 2,500 turbines across 52 wind farms supplied around 17% of the UK nation’s electricity last year; a percentage rate that’s increasing. Maintaining that supply means that the operations and maintenance (O&M) workload is also increasing. But with vessel availability… Read more »
Enhancing wind turbine reliability: advanced monitoring to prevent unscheduled downtime
Electrical system failures cause around 40% of wind turbine faults. High frequency data analysis can improve early detection and prevention. Talking to PES, Ping Liu, Chief Product Officer at WindESCo, discusses how advanced sensors and data sampling rates up to 100 kHz can capture irregularities, enabling predictive maintenance and reducing downtime and repair costs. PES:… Read more »
Powering the future of wind energy careers
The shortage of wind technicians is one of the greatest threats facing the wind energy industry. While calling it a threat might sound dramatic, it’s more accurate to say that this deficiency represents the industry’s weakest link. Many countries are facing an alarmingly high demand for wind techs in the coming years to meet climate… Read more »
Lidar’s impact on turbulence intensity and complex terrain
Lidar technology is transforming wind energy by providing accurate turbulence intensity and wind flow measurements in challenging terrains. As wind farms expand into complex and offshore environments, lidar’s advanced capabilities offer crucial insights for optimizing turbine performance and ensuring efficient energy production. 2023 marked the best year ever for new wind energy capacity growth. Despite… Read more »
How LPS measurement became contactless
Innovation in wind energy often stems from obstacles, challenges, or the pursuit of more efficient solutions to streamline routine tasks. When TOPseven unveiled its pioneering development for autonomous visual drone inspection of wind turbines to an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), industry professionals posed an intriguing question that would become the catalyst for a groundbreaking advancement…. Read more »