Airborne dust particles, sticky tree and plant sap, lichen, soot and bird droppings are just a few of the things that can contribute to a build-up of dirt on your solar panels. Accumulation creates shading on the panels and will prevent sunlight reaching the cells. This results in poor system performance, loss of efficiency and… Read more »
Keeping solar panels clean is crucial to maximizing their efficiency and ensuring optimal energy production. Dirty solar panels can reduce energy output by up to 30%, which can have a significant impact on a system’s overall performance and profitability. We thought it would be useful to learn more about some of the latest cleaning techniques… Read more »
Without a doubt, storage systems are key to a successful energy transition. In the past months we have discussed production volumes, delivery times, supply chains and technical support comprehensively. But what about the ‘inner qualities’ of energy storage solutions? Are they interchangeable today, or what are the differences and features to watch out for? Although… Read more »
Subsurface challenges and risks are compounding as optimal land is less available for utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar sites. Without proper planning and consideration of a project’s specific subsurface challenges, costs can rapidly balloon, and developers and engineering, procurement and construction contractors (EPCs) can be left scrambling to remediate subsurface issues. In this article, FTC Solar… Read more »
Interdigitated Back Contact, or IBC, technology allows for a high efficiency of no less than 21.6%, which is a significant improvement over traditional solar panels. Belinus PV modules come with a 35-year all-inclusive warranty, which is one of the longest in the industry. The IBC technology used in Belinus’ solar panels is unique in several… Read more »
The growth of renewable energy sources is inescapable, and as the world grapples towards net zero it’s only likely to get bigger. Recent figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA), suggest that solar, wind and other renewable energy sources are expected to continue growing, even hinting that there will be as much capacity added in… Read more »
The traditional energy supply landscape is changing, with solar energy becoming a necessity for modern companies. Many are taking control of their energy supply with their own industrial solar parks. PES learnt more about this shift from Joachim Goldbeck, CEO of Goldbeck Solar. PES: I am pleased to welcome you to this edition of PES… Read more »
It’s springtime in the northern hemisphere, which means more lightning strikes to wind turbines. Most of the time they can handle the strikes, no problem. But in rare instances lightning does tremendous damage. When asked about a damaged turbine, lightning experts usually respond that ‘it’s force majeure’, or ‘it was a super-bolt™’. Not elegant responses,… Read more »
Around the globe, lidar is becoming the modern standard for wind measurement campaigns. With new wind energy projects being built rapidly, the need for accurate and reliable wind measurement data has never been greater. As organizations use lidar data and integrate remote sensing technology into every stage of wind energy development campaigns, it is important… Read more »
Belgian construction company DEME is currently installing foundations for Vattenfall’s Vesterhav Nord and Syd offshore wind farms on the Danish North Sea coast. Installation of the 41 foundations, to support the 8.4 MW Siemens Gamesa offshore wind turbines, is handled from a new offshore wind port, the Port of Thyboron. The foundations DEME is installing… Read more »
Decreasing asset infrastructure maintenance costs, while improving frontline worker safety, is an often overlooked aspect of sustainability in the renewable energy industry. Wind portfolios continue to expand, and turbines increase in size every year, yet the industry has not reached a standard approach to the cadence of inspections and repairs needed to effectively optimize energy… Read more »
Towering towards the sky, harnessing the earth’s natural elements, wind turbine installations continue to spread across the globe. As the world moves towards net zero, the drive towards renewable energy will continue to grow exponentially. As the turbines themselves move further out of sight, keeping the potential for corrosion and other maintenance issues front of… Read more »
PES met up with Mette Dietz Lilkaer, Market Analyst & Marketing Manager, Port of Aalborg, to learn how it has been reacting to market changes and challenges. Our last trip to the port in northern Denmark took place in the autumn of 2021. The wind sector and indeed the world has changed quite dramatically since… Read more »
The importance of protecting the natural environment and resources for human existence and development is considered a fundamental approach towards sustainability. There are several port-related issues with sustainability implications, such as energy savings, air quality, emission reduction, natural resources conservation, and waste handling which are already being considered by the industry. A number of initiatives… Read more »
Where once rope access and ground-based cameras had to be enough to inspect the condition of wind turbines, technology has evolved to provide a safer and more accurate process. Machine learning and AI have opened up new possibilities in self-service drone inspections. Time then to gain some insight into the benefits of this shift, from… Read more »
Repowering is the process of upgrading or replacing components of a wind turbine to improve efficiency and capacity. There are two main types of repowering, full and partial. It is estimated that, on average, full repowering can double the generation of capacity in MW and triple the electricity output, because the new turbines produce more… Read more »
Submarine telecoms cables have an average of 210 faults per year on the global infrastructure, the vast majority of which are caused by external aggression, such as fishing and anchoring. Many of the increasing network of power interconnector, array and export cables follow comparable routes, or are in similar areas to the shallower water telecoms… Read more »
Wind is an important source of renewable energy, but it is crucial to minimize its impact on the ecosystem and especially on birds, through effective bird protection measures. nvisionist is committed to helping society transition away from fossil fuels and reach global zero-emission goals, while maximizing energy production of Wind Turbine Generators. Wind power is… Read more »
Wind turbines are getting bigger and heavier, so it makes sense that the machinery and techniques used to lift them should evolve too. Electric chain hoists have been used within the industry since the early days, so what changes are being seen and how are companies like LIFTKET adapting their products to suit? As early… Read more »
Staying ahead of the curve is a recurring theme that anyone involved in a competitive industry contends with. In the offshore platform sector, one example is to invest in a forward-looking project infrastructure to ultimately achieve significant long-term cost savings and other benefits. Outdated operating methods are replaced with better, modern alternatives. Technologies become more… Read more »
Digital innovation is crucial for tracking blade damage history and repair details on large fleets. As the first software-as-a-service for this market, Blade Expert sets a new communication standard for rotor blade works and data management that allows any service company to deploy its own system, while enabling owners and operators to optimise their maintenance… Read more »
New challenges call for new ideas. Recognising the unpredictability of the offshore environment and understanding that when it comes to solutions and equipment, one size doesn’t fit all, is an important key to success within the sector. Offshore wind is a fast developing and ever-changing industry, and nowhere are the challenges greater felt than in… Read more »
The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has launched three hydrogen flagship projects which reinforce the German National Hydrogen Strategy. The H2Mare flagship project is one of them, bringing together 33 partners from industry and science. In the scope of this project, Fraunhofer IWES is investigating the scientific basis for quasi-autonomous offshore hydrogen… Read more »
Data is essential in helping optimise future wind farm design, allowing for improvements to the efficiency of operations during the construction phase and throughout its lifecycle. Collecting the data accurately is crucial, so we were keen to learn more about the technology that makes this possible, from Sergi Roma, Business Developer at EOLOS Floating Lidar… Read more »
From manufacturer, to installation and maintenance, having the right tools for the job at any point in the process is crucial for effective turbine and blade management. As the machinery gets bigger and the demands on the sector grow, the tool makers themselves are faced with new challenges. PES heard from Erik Roos, Director of… Read more »
With safety, efficiency and cost-effectiveness among the driving factors for wind turbine manufacturers, there is currently a big rush on high-end yokes. Something that ematec is well placed to help with. By taking customer feedback on board, the German supplier is enjoying full order books as it celebrates its 25th year in business. Why are… Read more »
DHSS, recently acquired by Clarkson Port Services and now part of Clarkson PLC, continues to grow its coverage of services on a global scale. With strategic locations around the UK and the Netherlands, the combination forms a solid tandem, providing important turn-key services, including port agency, terminal handling and quayside logistics, warehousing, helicopter services as… Read more »
In-person, no more virtual, no temperature control at the entrance and with visitors and exhibitors shaking hands and no restrictions. All of these contributed to an unbelievable energy that rocked the exhibition hall and stages in the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center during an action-packed three days for Wind Energy Asia. There is talk of problems in… Read more »
Wind power has made great strides in a very short time. It is now a cornerstone of Europe’s energy system, and at the heart of its long-term ambitions. It makes up 17% of all electricity consumed in Europe today, and the European Commission wants that figure to grow to 43% by 2030. But the wind… Read more »
The global economy has seen some of its most significant challenges in modern history in the last decade. One of the main drivers is the increasing focus of governments worldwide bolstering their energy supply, to reduce vulnerabilities to catastrophic global events, like the ones we have seen this century. Combined with the increasing drive to… Read more »
‘Floating wind’, the new buzzword of the offshore energy sector, is said to revolutionise the global energy infrastructure. Floating turbines open up new potential sites for exploitation, further offshore, in deeper seas, where stronger and more consistent winds mean better yields. Only four floating wind farms have been built so far, but this relatively new… Read more »
With the increasing size of wind farms and the turbines themselves, the scale of inspection and maintenance challenges faced by the wind energy industry is also growing. Servicing the blades has become more difficult, whereas turbine failure and downtime are more costly. Additionally, growing risks related to increased lightning damage due to towers and blades… Read more »
Globally, the use of data is becoming increasingly important, enabling many processes to be optimized. At 4cast, physics, computer science, meteorology, and mathematics experts work together with data. The company uses big data to create precise energy yield forecasts for wind and solar parks. By providing accurate predictions directly to marketers, grid operators, energy service… Read more »
According to WindEurope’s latest analysis, Europe currently has 255 GW of wind energy installed, of which 19 GW are newly established facilities from 2022. WindEurope’s expectations for the future are that an additional 129 GW will be established in Europe between 2023 and 2027. To meet the 2030 climate goals, the expansion is expected to… Read more »
Ingenuity through simplicity. Discussing simple yet effective solutions to very common problems in the industry, with VelociWrapper®. Thousands of years ago, a caveman brought a round, flat rock to his council meeting. He showed how the rock could be rolled on its side, enabling it to be moved with relatively little effort. If the rock… Read more »
Fuel prices are rising exponentially across the world and demand for cleaner, cheaper electric vehicles is growing. We thought it was a good time to catch up with Soltaro CEO Tynan Coles, to get his take on the market, the opportunities it presents for the solar industry and what uptake has been like so far…. Read more »