Archives: Exclusive Articles

Collaboration with sustainability at its core

PES had a great interview with Steve Davies, PV Market Manager at DuPont Teijin Films and Alessandro Anderlini, Business Manager responsible for the EMEA markets in Coveme’s PV Solar and Specialty Films Divisions. This is a good example of suppliers and manufacturers collaborating to provide the best product for their clients. Sustainability is of paramount… Read more »

Visions full of energy

The battery technology revolution starts now Every day the sun sends around 10,000 times more energy to earth than the world consumes in the same period of time. Only a fraction of it has been used so far. The decisive factor for a climate-friendly world of tomorrow is to use much more of this energy… Read more »

How much sun will you harvest today?

PES was delighted to catch up with Birk Kraas, Commercial Head of Meteorological Services at CSP Services. He leads a team with experience in highly specialized and customized measurement equipment. Between them, they have built up a large bank of knowledge and know-how over many years. Being able to carry out work remotely, as well… Read more »

Securing solar parks against theft and vandalism using video surveillance

Given finite resources and an increasing demand for energy, renewable energies rank as one of the most important sources of electricity for the future. An expansion in their use is of key importance in many countries, to guarantee their energy supply and make it more climate-friendly. The topic of energy transition has made it onto… Read more »

Overcoming module degradation

CEO & Founder, Simon Meijer, gave PES a thought-provoking introduction to COOLBACK. Their aim is to keep modules cooler, adding strength with less materials, whilst keeping an eye on their carbon footprint. What could be better than an R&D oriented company to lead the way in curbing module degradation? PES: Thank you for taking some… Read more »

Secure your site with temporary camera surveillance

Kooi Security was founded in 2010 by CEO Pieter Kooi. From their headquarters in Drachten, the Netherlands, the company was one of the first to offer solutions using temporary mobile camera surveillance. In the beginning the focus was mainly on the wind industry, but this soon expanded into many other sectors. Today Kooi is active… Read more »

Smart Energy Week 2021

Solar Power Events is pleased to return to in-person gatherings with Solar Power International (SPI), Energy Storage International (ESI), and Smart Energy Week 2021 this September 20th through 23rd. The event will be held at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Powered by North America’s leading clean energy… Read more »

Working with the power of the sun

Efficient energy solutions with photovoltaics, storage and energy management. A system that pays off for companies worldwide. There is no need to convince anyone that the construction of a solar power plant is an investment in the future, allowing us to become independent from energy grids, and with the perspective of large savings. In fact,… Read more »

On top of the world

From one extreme to another Derek Jones, Renewable Energy Group Manager at Campbell Scientific, speaks to PES about their measurement systems. They use the latest, best technology, to provide the most accurate data to the solar industry. They have a full range of solutions which can be tailor made for clients and cover an extreme… Read more »

Inspired by Mars

Atonometrics was founded in Austin, Texas, in 2007, with the mission to provide high-quality test and measurement equipment to the small but growing photovoltaics industry. The company founders came from a long background in test and measurement equipment for the semiconductor industry. The experience of the management team included over 30 years of R&D, product… Read more »

Difficulty in finding labor

‘It’s hard to find good help these days.’ How many times have you heard that phrase? More times than there are entries on your CV? Skilled tradesmen have grown harder and harder to find, with 52% of contractors saying they are struggling to fill hourly craft positions, according to a September 2020 Associated General Contractors… Read more »

Challenges to measure IV and EL characteristics of solar modules in laboratories and production

The global photovoltaic industry is going through a rapid transformation that affects all parts of the value chain. Producers face an ever-increasing demand for modules and have to scale their operations at a very high pace. The manufacturers’ competition around offering the lowest levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) created a trend for larger modules, bifacial… Read more »

Smart technology

Huawei Smart PV solutions take solar technology to the next level. For example, simple monitoring of PV systems makes it possible to monitor operations and identify potential for optimization. Smart technology from Huawei is also able to increase efficiency – ensuring maximum return on investment. Huawei is an international leader in advanced and efficient solar… Read more »

Sennen to deliver more accurate predictions of weather windows to London Array

Sennen has announced its latest update to its real time weather and weather forecasts module that will enable Sennen to display even more accurate weather predictions, such as the chance of lightning and fog, for London Array. With the next generation of wind farms being built further and further offshore, route planning and forecasts for… Read more »

How can we make the most of the UK’s green industrial revolution?

Wijnand van Aalst, CEO of Van Aalst Group, talked to PES about the place of Safeway Gangway in the group. There are various gangways all providing safe walk to work solutions, with differing options depending on where they are being used. Training and safety are key and thus taken very seriously, as can be seen… Read more »

Preventing efficiency loss with enhanced leading edge protection

The relentless focus on maximizing efficiency in renewable energy is a key driver in the development of both onshore and offshore wind energy equipment. From increasing blade sizes to minimizing friction in the gearbox, every aspect of wind generation has been optimized to provide maximum efficiency when the turbine is built. Attention is now shifting… Read more »

Top of the class software for inspections

In this changing world of the pandemic, PES was pleased to catch up, albeit remotely, with Geoffrey Vancassel, CEO and founder of Sterblue. This seemed very apt for a company that doesn’t need a physical presence to serve its clients. Their state-of-the-art software can save their clients huge amounts of money and be used independently…. Read more »

Overcoming challenges in scaling up technical asset management

Sereema is celebrating its 6th anniversary this year. PES thought it would be a good time to ask the CEO, Jérôme Imbert, to tell us about digital and asset management strategies from the beginning, how it is now and moving forward. Six years ago, the wind industry was moving. Data was frustrating for everybody. SCADA… Read more »

Next level wave intelligence for floating wind farms (FOWF)

It could meet Europe’s electricity demand seven times over, and the United States’ electricity demand four times over. In the last decade, offshore wind power has developed from an expensive rookie to a competitive source of energy. As the world’s interest in offshore wind grows, there is a rapidly growing need for cost-effective solutions. But… Read more »

Sustainable ports in the green future

Ports are the arrival, transit and exit point for a large part of the world’s trade and can as such be portrayed as economic growth engines. Port activities come with a cost to the environment and the surrounding cities, where our race towards zero carbon emission also affects the way in which ports will be… Read more »

Cable innovation is critical for the future of wind energy

Utility-scale wind turbine energy technology has developed rapidly over the past 20 years, from a few hundred kilowatts to multi-megawatt installations capable of producing enough electricity to power thousands of households. As windfarms increase both in physical size and generation capacity, with turbines growing from 2-3 megawatt (MW) today to typically 5 MW onshore and… Read more »

Modern technology supports classic methods in engineering development

For over 30 years MAATS Tech have been recognised for providing quality, considerately designed equipment arrays for a plethora of vessels across a variety of capabilities. Core competencies are centred on dynamically positioned special purpose vessels for diverse operations in subsea construction, diving, cable laying and flexible pipe laying, for both new build and conversion… Read more »

Combating ‘light pollution’ with grit and innovation

One of the most pressing issues when it comes to making wind energy fit for the future is the aspect of acceptance: acceptance among the broader public, but especially among those directly affected by it, the residents and the environment. Transponder-based aircraft detection lighting systems (ADLS) offer a sustainable solution putting non-stop blinking obstruction lights… Read more »

Powertrain technology for enhanced wind drivetrains

With the Geislinger Compowind® coupling the Austrian-based company sets new standards for the wind drivetrain technology. Lightweight, fatigue-resistant, and maintenance-free composite membranes virtually absorb all bending moments and allow the gearbox to be rigidly attached to the main frame. Therefore, not only is the gearbox relieved from unnecessary loads, but the dynamic system behaviour of… Read more »

Old layout, new layout – the same geotechnical campaign?

‘Measure twice, cut once’ as the old proverb goes. And it is true. A thorough geological site investigation campaign is one of the most important sources of data when it comes to designing foundations. Especially in the case of high-risk offshore constructions such as wind turbines. However, what should we do if the style changes… Read more »

Renting instead of buying: flexibility on demand

PES spoke with Hans Gatzemeier, CEO of ELA Container Offshore Gmbh, about how to increase flexibility by renting their offshore mobile room solutions. This solution is proving more and more popular, as it means that once finished with, the containers can be collected. The pandemic has meant working in different ways, and Hans admits he… Read more »

A real and virtual show: a true hybrid

Wind Energy Asia took place in real and virtual format: a true hybrid unfolded in only months! Another great event in a difficult environment. Robert Campbell, Executive Vice President at Wind Energy Asia, reviews the show for PES. After a great show in March 2020, with the pandemic taking off worldwide, but well under control… Read more »

Lifetime extension: making full use of installed capacity

Decision-makers in the wind-energy industry are faced with a choice of three options when their wind energy converters (WECs) approach the end of their design life: they can either dismantle, repower or continue the operation of their WECs. In many cases, available lifetime reserves allow cost-effective continued operation. TÜV SÜD explains how to prepare the… Read more »

Saving birds and protecting investors

Rapid increase of onshore wind energy requires more and more land. Sometimes the new wind farms are located in bird sensitive areas. This is also true for some projects prepared for repowering. On the other hand, many wind farms face restrictions in operation due to bird mortality e.g. extended turbine shutdowns in migratory periods. Wind… Read more »