Archives: Exclusive Articles

Pioneering data and fresh thinking on the US East Coast

A global provider of energy data and intelligence, TGS recently completed what it asserts is the world’s most extensive multi client offshore wind measurement campaign along the US East Coast. This pioneering initiative aims to revolutionize how wind energy potential is assessed and optimized, using advanced technology and collaborative data sharing. Setting the stage: a… Read more »

Advancing bolt tensioning for larger turbines

As wind turbines increase in size, the challenges of bolt tensioning become more complex, posing significant risks to the structural integrity and safety of these massive structures. Ensuring precise, reliable and safe bolt tensioning is crucial for the effective operation and longevity of wind turbines, especially as they scale up in size and power. Richard… Read more »

Have you considered the benefits of self-performed rotor blade inspections?

As owner-operators in the wind sector look to gain greater control of the operational challenges and costs associated with maintaining wind turbine asset health, there is a growing trend toward empowering in-house teams to self-perform rotor blade inspections. Using the latest high-quality technology that couples advanced UAVs with software solutions that support long term management… Read more »

Scaling up rotor blade inspections

Join SkyVisor for a look at the transformative impact of in-housing rotor blade inspections with automatic drone flights and AI-driven defect detection solutions. Discover how to gain greater control over your assets, learn about the latest drone regulations, pricing, and technology, plus explore how deep learning is revolutionizing blade health monitoring. The changing role of… Read more »

Taking a data driven approach to turbine maintenance

Sensing360’s innovative optical sensing technology enhances condition based maintenance and reliability based maintenance by integrating real time load data for precise failure prediction in wind turbines. The company’s Cofounder and Chief Operating Officer, Eric van Genuchten, explains to PES how this approach optimizes maintenance, reduces costs, and boosts wind farm efficiency for operators. PES: It’s… Read more »

Leading Europe’s offshore wind expansion

Odense Port, a key player in Europe’s offshore wind industry, boasts ample space to accommodate production and pre-assembly of turbine components. PES heard from its Senior Business Development Manager, Morten Diederich, about its aim to become the world’s first All-Component Offshore Wind Port, reducing costs and risks while fostering innovation through a unique industrial cluster… Read more »

The challenge of scaling offshore wind ports

Port Esbjerg exemplifies the evolving role of ports in the green transition by balancing offshore wind and emerging power-to-X industries. As one of the largest offshore wind ports, it underscores the necessity for ports to adapt their infrastructure and governance to meet new demands. Effective planning, investment, and collaboration are essential to support this transition… Read more »

Offshore wind: unlocking value across the project lifecycle

ONYX Insight has been working with offshore asset owners and operators since 2010 and has witnessed firsthand the tremendous progress made by the sector. Yet, despite these achievements, there is still untapped potential that can be deployed today for further operational improvements. This article highlights the best practices learned and how technology can significantly increase… Read more »

Advancing technology for avian safety and wind energy optimization

In the relentless pursuit of sustainable energy, wind power stands as a beacon of hope, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change. However, the installation of wind parks, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas, poses significant challenges to avian wildlife. In a bid to harmonize renewable energy production with environmental preservation, Nvisionist… Read more »

Safeguarding offshore wind structural health with round the clock monitoring

Offshore wind farms are crucial to a sustainable energy future, harnessing powerful ocean winds to combat climate change. However, their success depends on overcoming the harsh marine environment. Continuous monitoring and advanced technologies are essential for maintaining efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring these structures provide reliable, clean energy over the long term. Structural Health Monitoring… Read more »

Driving hydraulic expertise offshore

Drawing on over 50 years of expertise in high pressure hydraulic tools and systems, Holmatro has solidified its position as a key player in addressing the challenges faced by the offshore wind industry. In an exclusive interview with PES, Aries Dijkhuizen, Key Account Manager, shares how the company’s extensive experience has informed its approach to… Read more »

Maximising efficiency and minimising downtime with helicopters

In the dynamic field of renewable energy, particularly wind power, maintaining operational efficiency is critical. Wind turbines, the backbone of this green energy revolution, require regular maintenance and prompt repairs to prevent costly downtime. The use of helicopters in wind turbine maintenance offers numerous advantages that enhance operational efficiency, minimize downtime, and significantly reduce costs…. Read more »

Reducing emissions for offshore operations

As the energy transition advances worldwide, the offshore industry faces stricter regulations, coupled with growing societal and stakeholder demands to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and the environmental impact of its operations. NOV’s GustoMSC, a leading offshore engineering firm, has launched the GustoMSC Energy and Emissions Quest (GEEQ) program to address these challenges, enhance efficiency,… Read more »

Optimizing turbine efficiency with no downtime blade inspections

Maximize wind turbine efficiency with the latest blade inspection innovations. Using advanced technology eliminates the need for costly turbine shutdowns, significantly boosting energy output, enhancing safety, and improving maintenance accuracy. The result is reduced operational costs and extended turbine lifespan. Wind energy plays a crucial role in the global transition to renewable energy, yet optimizing… Read more »

Tackling noise, efficiency, and reliability in wind turbines

A shift towards more integrated drivetrain architectures in wind turbines is being driven by the need to boost power density, resulting in increased challenges with noise, vibration, harshness, and tonality. Geislinger’s advanced solutions are proving effective in mitigating these issues, enhancing turbine robustness and reliability. A clear trend towards more integrated drivetrain architectures is emerging… Read more »

Revolutionising wind turbine maintenance

Battery powered tools are transforming wind turbine construction and maintenance. It’s a timely development. Larger turbines, more sophisticated sensors and monitoring, and rising offshore costs are putting the efficiency of bolting, maintenance, and repair operations under scrutiny as never before. According to Erik Roos, Director Wind Industry Products & Solutions (EMEA) at Enerpac, new developments… Read more »

The next revolution is already waiting

A lot has happened at ematec over the past year. One of the leading suppliers of yokes for assembling individual rotor blades, the specialist supplier of lifting equipment for the wind power industry has invested heavily and announced changes in its management team. In the run-up to WindEnergy 2024, PES spoke to Julian Eberhard, the… Read more »

Putting the brakes on under pressure

Brakes are an integral component of a wind turbine, and among the most important are yaw brakes, active or passive, installed to align the nacelle into the wind. Now, Dellner Wind Solutions has revealed plans to introduce a new high-pressure braking system to reduce the number of yaw brakes required in a wind turbine. Sliding… Read more »

Taking turbine evacuation personally

Wind energy is already a cornerstone of the global transition to renewable energy. As the number of countries committing to new wind energy projects increases, both on and offshore, the safety of wind turbine technicians is paramount. One of the most significant advancements in recent years is the shift from relying on stored emergency evacuation… Read more »

Hamburg generates wind for the future

From 24th to 27th September 2024, WindEnergy Hamburg will bring together the  global wind energy community. Over 1,500 companies from more than 40  countries will showcase innovations and forward looking solutions. The focus  will be on the energy transition, the use of AI, and the recruitment of young talent. Networking formats such as the daily… Read more »

Renewed UK Government focus brings opportunities for renewables

The UK’s new Labour government is accelerating renewable energy opportunities with its Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Backed by over £1bn in funding, the bill cuts bureaucracy, enabling rapid development and investment in renewables, reshaping the nation’s green economy. We’re mere months into the new Government in the UK, and changes are aplenty. The Labour government… Read more »

Balancing innovation and customer focus in a competitive market

Bergolin GmbH & Co. KG boasts a rich history as one of Germany’s oldest paint factories while also being a forward thinking company that continually innovates in the international coatings market. Boasting smart minds and processes, the company transforms customer needs into innovative products. We sat down with five experts driving these innovations to learn… Read more »

Monopile delivery directly to the sea

Commercial scale offshore wind farms pose many challenges for the industry. One is the ability to promptly produce and deliver monopiles to the field to meet offshore installation schedules. The same weather conditions that define an ideal wind farm also drive the installation schedule offshore. Rapid deployment is important to achieve a maximal number of… Read more »

The North Sea: the cradle of offshore access

The North Sea is the epicentre of offshore wind energy, vital for Europe’s renewable strategy with ambitious targets. Ampelmann’s innovative gangway systems have revolutionised offshore access, ensuring safe operations in challenging conditions, and are now crucial for the growing global offshore wind sector. Unquestionably, the North Sea is the cradle of offshore wind. Even if… Read more »

Extending turbine lifespan with robotic leading edge repair

The wind energy industry is growing rapidly due to the urgent need to combat climate change and the global shift toward renewable energy, leading to new challenges that demand innovative solutions. One of the most pressing issues is leading edge erosion (LEE) on wind turbine blades, which can significantly reduce efficiency and increase maintenance costs…. Read more »

Balancing power and precision to advance renewable energy

Advancing offshore wind energy demands a blend of power and precision, especially as turbine sizes increase. Innovative hydraulic hammers, like MENCK’s MHU fleet, play a crucial role in securely driving larger monopiles into challenging seabeds. Fabian Hippe, Sales Director, Acteon Marine Foundations, explains to PES how this technology balances efficiency and environmental protection, driving sustainable… Read more »

Tracing the future: automated performance analysis

In a world of fluctuating conditions and volatile energy markets, long-term performance analysis is becoming increasingly significant. By using advanced analytical methods, we can navigate this uncertain future more effectively. Instead of merely observing the current performance of renewable energy plants, these forecasts allow us to glimpse into the future. Compliance with legal and regulatory… Read more »

High friction testing and innovations in solar

Tire Conversion Technologies (TCT) has been advancing rapidly in the global solar industry with its innovative rubber-recycled products. With high friction testing results on the horizon and a new partnership with Walmart focused on achieving the company’s Eco Label, PES caught up with Jillian Laurenzo Ketcham, Director of US Sales, to discuss these developments. PES:… Read more »

Integrating energy sectors for a sustainable future

In the quest for green energy solutions, sector coupling has emerged as a pivotal strategy for integrating renewable energy across various areas of the economy. As a pioneer of solar technologies for more than 30 years, Solarwatt has evolved from a Greentech startup to one of the leading providers of photovoltaic systems and energy solutions… Read more »

Ground mount systems as the foundation of success

As the solar energy industry continues to expand at an unprecedented rate, the focus on quality has never been more critical, particularly regarding ground mount systems. With such incredible growth in the utility scale solar sector, ensuring that the mounting systems are responsibly designed, engineered, and installed is paramount. The reliability and performance of such… Read more »

International feed-in management solutions

Feed-in management is a crucial aspect of managing energy. It refers to the control and optimisation of the feed-in of renewable energies such as wind and solar into the electricity grid. It now plays a central role in the integration of renewable energies into electricity grids worldwide. In some countries, it is firmly established and… Read more »

Selecting the right photovoltaic design software

Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the industry, choosing the right photovoltaic (PV) design software is crucial for anyone in the solar sector. The right software not only simplifies the complex process of designing and managing solar energy systems but also enhances project efficiency and overall profitability. Here, we look at the… Read more »

Shaping the commercial PV market with advanced solar technology

Over the past decade, the commercial solar PV sector has evolved significantly. More recently, businesses and investors going solar have shifted from focusing purely on ROI to incorporating broader criteria such as reliable performance in severe climate conditions, ethical business practices, and eco-cautious manufacturing. REC Group, a long term expert in the commercial and industrial… Read more »

Focusing on environmental monitoring

The global shift towards renewable energy is driven by the urgent need to address severe weather impact, reduce carbon emissions, and secure a sustainable energy future. Among the renewable energy technologies, solar power stands out for its potential to provide clean, abundant, and increasingly cost-effective energy. However, to maximize the efficiency and reliability of solar… Read more »

From Canadian roots to global solar leader

Founded in 2009, Polar Racking emerged from the Ontario Green Energy Act, aiming to provide high quality, low maintenance solar racking solutions. Now a North American leader, the company has expanded globally, innovating with agrivoltaic solutions and advanced tracking technologies. PES was keen to learn more about this impressive growth from the company’s CEO, Vishal… Read more »