Archives: Exclusive Articles

Innovative, efficient and almost invisible

Only three components, record breaking assembly times, and an almost invisible design: PMT GHOST revolutionises photovoltaic installation on roofs with an inclination angle of up to 75°. This innovation from Premium Mounting Technologies (PMT) enables flexible and continuous systems of any size. Premium Mounting Technologies is ushering in a new era of PV mounting systems… Read more »

Innovations in recycling boost photovoltaic sustainability

The PHOTORAMA project addresses the impending wave of end of life photovoltaic modules by developing innovative recycling technologies. By classifying and processing various module types, the consortium aims to recover valuable materials like silicon and silver, significantly reducing waste and promoting sustainability in the photovoltaic industry. Their efforts have now been rewarded with the European… Read more »

Improving solar PV performance with meteorological monitoring

In an interview with PES, Alondra Anacleto, North America Team Lead for the solar vertical at OTT HydroMet, discusses how meteorological measurement and monitoring technology optimizes solar PV performance. Now, with the right solutions, operators can optimize energy output, reduce downtime, and improve profitability by accurately measuring key environmental parameters. PES: It’s great to have… Read more »

Sun simulator for tandem technology

With solar cell prices plummeting due to overcapacity, the push for cost reduction has intensified. Tandem solar cells using perovskite layers promise efficiency gains from 26% to 34%, but measuring these cells accurately requires overcoming hysteresis effects. XENON simulators struggle with this due to their short flash durations, while LED simulators offer extended, stable flashes… Read more »

Increasing energy storage capacity for a sustainable future

In recent years, energy storage has emerged as the critical enabler of grid stability and efficiency, driving the transition to cleaner and more resilient energy systems. With the increasing integration of renewable energy sources, the need for reliable and scalable energy storage solutions has never been more pressing. Industry expectations for multi megawatt hour (MWh)… Read more »

Transforming solar energy with tracking technology

In the dynamic world of solar energy, advancements in solar tracking technology are reshaping the industry. Discover how modular designs, advanced cable management systems, and integrated software solutions are optimizing solar installations, enhancing performance, and opening new opportunities in diverse settings. This article explores the cutting edge innovations driving the future of solar tracking technology…. Read more »

Driving the future of solar

IDEEMATEC’s Mario Eckl, Founder & Chief Executive Officer and Ralph Winter, Chief Operations Officer, spend time with PES exploring the future of solar tracker solutions and look at how cutting edge technology and global partnerships drive sustainable solar energy solutions. PES: We’d love to hear more about the innovative design principles behind your trackers that… Read more »

Microinverters and the technology behind durable performance

Photovoltaic (PV) inverters convert DC power from solar panels into AC power, crucial for solar setups. Their efficiency significantly impacts overall system performance. By converting power from each solar panel individually, they ensure optimal performance without being affected by others. As the microinverter market grows, establishing standards for evaluation is essential. This article outlines key… Read more »

Key considerations for fastening solar structures

Solar racking and tracking systems contain thousands of fasteners throughout the various types of structures. Small and seemingly simple, the criticality of fasteners in the strength and structural integrity of photovoltaic systems is often overlooked. Fastening methods in solar joining Torque has long been the standard by which tightness of a joint is measured. Conventional… Read more »

Rethinking roofing practices for solar installations

What started with an idea shared around a family’s kitchen table has quickly grown to become a business that is revolutionising industry practices for solar panel installations on slate roofs. As Genius Roof Solutions celebrates 20 years in business, PES caught up with Directors, Jemma Green and Joanna Ashcroft, and the company’s Head of Business… Read more »

Enabling efficient management for Angolan solar initiative

Gantner has supplied its advanced monitoring solutions to one of the largest solar projects in Africa. This massive initiative involves seven solar power plants in Angola, boasting a total capacity of 370 MWp. These plants are set to significantly enhance the region’s electricity supply, facilitate the country’s transition to renewable energy, and reduce its reliance… Read more »

Increasing energy yield in challenging terrain and high wind scenarios

Single axis trackers enhance solar energy yield by following the sun, even in challenging environments. Progressive wind stow and terrain optimized backtracking strategies significantly reduce energy loss, improving performance in high winds and uneven terrains. With the proliferation of solar power plants worldwide, single axis trackers are proving an invaluable resource. Rotating solar panels throughout… Read more »

Navigating EV charging challenges for tomorrow’s e-mobility

As more EVs hit the roads, the demand for charging infrastructure continues to grow, raising concerns about the potential strain on the electricity grid. Public and private EV chargers play a crucial role in supporting the transition to electric transportation, but their impact on the grid must be carefully managed to ensure reliability and efficiency…. Read more »

A new dawn in solar O&M: remote, repowered and repaired

Our team sat down with Sam Wookey, Head of Operations and Maintenance at Ethical Power. An experienced solar engineer, Sam brings practical, on the ground experience to his management style, ensuring the team remains customer focused while delivering data driven and functional solutions. PES: You recently announced a contract in New Zealand; as a UK… Read more »

Soiling loss monitoring at maximum power point

In the quest for optimizing photovoltaic (PV) system performance, accurate soiling loss monitoring is crucial. Soiling, the accumulation of dirt, dust, and debris on PV panels, significantly impacts energy production. Traditional methods measure soiling loss at the short circuit current (Isc) or with soiling ratio (SR) detectors, but this approach often fails to provide a… Read more »

Lithium battery technology breakthrough offers a healthy alternative

Advancements in PFAS-free lithium battery technology offer eco friendly energy storage, addressing environmental and health concerns while providing efficient, cost effective, and sustainable alternatives to traditional manufacturing methods. Technological advancements have paved the way for lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries to emerge as an innovative, eco friendly choice for energy storage. Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionised… Read more »

Pioneering solar solutions with roof flashing expertise

As the solar energy sector continues to flourish, the demand for reliable, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing installation solutions has never been higher. Enter DEKS Industries Europe Limited, a company with a rich heritage in innovative roof flashing technology that has seamlessly transitioned its expertise into the solar market. Established in 1946, DEKS has become a… Read more »

The evolution of excellence in rooftop mounting solutions

Advancements in engineering technology and design are continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible in solar energy. Clenergy has been at the forefront of this evolution, providing innovative mounting solutions that meet the dynamic needs of the market. The Ascent 1.1 rooftop mounting system is one of the company’s latest innovations. Building on the… Read more »

The importance of wind yield forecasts in the age of the energy transition

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 »

Unearthing greener investment

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 »

Laying the foundations for improved soil management

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 »

Enabling the offshore wind industry to thrive

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 journey toward autonomous drone solutions and AI-powered analysis

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: manageable threat or force majeure for wind turbines?

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 »

Reducing blade damage caused by lightning

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 »

Using drones differently

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 »

Turning turbines into works of art for the good of the community

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 »

A trusted partner for offshore wind logistics

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 »

Charting the course

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 »

Navigating offshore challenges

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 »

Build up

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 »

Taking a regional approach to decarbonization

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 »

Knowing your blades at every moment

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 »

Bolting in quality and resilience

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 »

Realistically testing large roller-type blade bearings

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 »

Challenges and solutions in factory testing cable segments

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 »