Blades for offshore turbines have long since passed the 100 m threshold, and there is no end in sight. With increasing sizes and loads, the structural reserves of blades are being squeezed ever further by design engineers. Consequently, thorough validation at full-scale level is of the utmost importance to ensure reliability over the entire lifetime…. Read more »
Aalborg and its port have become major players in the international wind energy industry, as a leading hub for production and blade testing. PES caught up with Michael Rosenkilde Lind, Chief Commercial Officer at Port of Aalborg to understand more about how it came to hold this position and the kind of industry partnerships it… Read more »
Underwater inspections are critical to offshore wind farm operations. They help determine whether an area is suitable for development, gathering geophysical and geotechnical information. They also keep offshore wind monopiles, turbine jackets, and foundations safe and functional. Offshore wind farms are home to harsh aquatic conditions, including strong currents, tidal erosion, and marine growth. These… Read more »
The global push towards sustainable energy sources has led to a significant surge in wind power adoption. As the industry evolves, ensuring the efficiency, reliability, and longevity of wind turbines becomes paramount. Recognising the critical role of turbine blades in harnessing energy, a pioneering project named Owners Requirement Phase 2 is bringing together wind turbine… Read more »
As onshore wind turbines are installed closer to urbanised areas and in ever-increasing numbers, wind turbine original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are faced with increasingly stringent noise regulations. To date, this situation has been mostly restricted to the European continent, but other regions in the world are starting to follow this trend very rapidly. Turbine and… Read more »
Today, Floating Lidar Systems (FLS) are considered to be the established and de facto standard technology for offshore wind resource assessment measurements in the wind industry. Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES has accompanied this development from the beginning, not only as an expert in the development of guidelines and recommendations, but also by… Read more »
This autumn, a unique offshore wind ‘living lab’ in Grimsby, UK, was switched on to launch what is being heralded as a new digital future. It is hoped that the £2.8m project will accelerate the development of a new generation of digital technologies that are essential to the huge expansion of offshore wind farms. PES… Read more »
In these challenging times, access to detailed data, insight and tools within the wind energy sector can make the difference between success and failure. As the profile of offshore wind continues to grow, companies with significant experience and resources gained from other industries can make substantial contributions toward enhanced efficiencies across the offshore wind development… Read more »
With two new buildings currently in the process of the final details at a China shipyard, Danish offshore shipping company MHO-Co already has the next generations on the drawing board. ‘Go green or go home’, the founder bluntly stated in a previous article and he and his staff continually practice what they preach. Following a… Read more »
Following up on its ‘avian monitoring on the radar’ article in the last edition of PES Wind, DeTect makes a welcome return with an introduction to Aircraft Detection Lighting Systems. How is the technology being used to monitor airspace around wind farms while reducing light pollution? An Aircraft Detection Lighting System (ADLS) is a sensor-based… Read more »
This year’s lightning season in the northern hemisphere is thankfully ending. Early reports from the field indicate that a significant proportion of lightning strikes caused blade damage. One disturbing fact is becoming clear: there is a tremendous lack of knowledge about which types of lightning strikes are creating damage. Nor is there a significant amount… Read more »
PES had a conversation with Xabier Irure, who currently holds the position of Global Commercial Director at Ingeteam Wind Energy. Its primary focus at the moment is expanding its global presence. The conversation centered on the potential for growth and the challenges associated with sustainability in a highly competitive environment. PES: A warm welcome to… Read more »
As commercial maritime activity moves further offshore into more challenging environments, secure and accurate operational current data is essential to safely optimise vessel operations. The Nortek VM Operations Series is an important and timely innovation, providing real-time oceanographic data for the offshore market. The Nortek VM Operations Series helps map the sub-seabed for a new… Read more »
It’s not exactly rocket science, but now that wind is measured with lidar, it’s worth taking a breath to actually think about what can be done first on a site. Not surprisingly as a lidar manufacturer writing this article, at ZX we say measure the wind first. But, when the goalposts have changed it really… Read more »
Harnessing wind energy through offshore turbines frequently necessitates the use of monopiles as integral foundation components. These structures have now grown to such vast proportions that novel manufacturing techniques and equipment are essential. HAANE is a company that addresses these evolving demands by offering a variety of welding systems that ensure stability and dependability. HAANE… Read more »
‘Home-grown’ solar energy from a roof-mounted system provides greater independence, saves energy costs, and contributes to climate protection. However, dirt, technical defects, or shading from vegetation and roof structures can impair the efficiency of PV systems. Regular servicing, maintenance, and inspection ensure sustainable safety and reliability of the electrical installations, help to optimise their energy… Read more »
Over the last three years, artificial intelligence or AI, has boomed, with the release of language models such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Its ability to sustain coherent conversations about any topic has captured the imagination of people across the globe. This increased awareness of the capabilities of AI, has created the largest demand to adopt a… Read more »
Given the multitude of challenges currently facing the offshore wind industry, project developers will appreciate having one less thing to worry about. Increasing costs, grid issues, and logistical bottlenecks are all things that are largely out of a company’s hands. But certainty over waves and weather measurement need not be left to chance. Renowned globally… Read more »
Following up on its ‘avian monitoring on the radar’ article in the last edition of PES Wind, DeTect makes a welcome return with an introduction to Aircraft Detection Lighting Systems. How is the technology being used to monitor airspace around wind farms while reducing light pollution? An Aircraft Detection Lighting System (ADLS) is a sensor-based… Read more »
The very nature of the energy sector demands an emphasis on safety. We are taking the very essence of power and attempting to harness it, transferring it into applications that run every core component of our entire way of life. Dangerous work requires extraordinary people to manage it, and a rigorous safety regime to ensure… Read more »
The Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference (OEEC) is set to once again take the energy industry by storm, offering a unique platform for professionals, experts, and businesses to delve into the latest trends, innovations, and technologies within the offshore energy sector. Scheduled for 28th and 29th November in Amsterdam, OEEC 2023 promises to be a… Read more »
As we rapidly transition to renewable energy sources to help tackle climate change, supply chain resources are increasingly under pressure. There has never been a greater need for new technology and practices that help to maximise resources. Thanks to an industry collaboration, Natural Power and its project partners, EDF Renewables, environmental DNA and nature intelligence… Read more »
As wind turbines grow exponentially in size, so do the challenges associated with maintaining them. The industry’s issue lies in the scarcity of personnel willing to perform these high-altitude tasks, compounded by the increasing size of turbines which escalates downtime costs. Aerones is revolutionizing wind turbine maintenance with robotic solutions, enhancing efficiency, safety, and accessibility…. Read more »
Solaxess SA is a Swiss company specializing in the design of materials for the photovoltaic (PV) industry, intended for the realization of architectural projects. Thanks to technology developed by CSEM, and three years of reliability and certification, Solaxess contributes significantly to the aesthetic improvement of photovoltaic panels. Now, they are an integral part of buildings,… Read more »
Technical specifications provide valuable insights into a measuring instrument, but its true capabilities come to light through real-world performance. The presence of dew, frost, or debris on the optical dome of a radiometer can greatly influence its readings, often resulting in inaccurate data. Fortunately, these challenges can be effectively addressed by implementing ventilation and heating… Read more »
After nearly a decade of operation, dship Carriers has solidified its position as a leading player in the global shipping industry. Through years of expertise and dedication, it has successfully navigated through the dynamic wind energy sector, adapting to changing industry demands and embracing innovative solutions. By actively supporting the smooth implementation of wind energy… Read more »
Currently, the advancement of dependable wind turbines heavily relies on the continuous utilisation of test rigs. Thus facilitating the alignment of calculations and simulations at both the component and system levels, ensuring a seamless progression in turbine development. One notable contributor in this field is RENK Test System GmbH. Offshore wind turbines have seen a… Read more »
After just a few very busy months, Danish offshore shipping company MHO-Co based in Esbjerg managed to more than triple its fleet. The existing five vessels at the beginning of 2023 became a fleet of 16 by summer. A very fast and major step for any company, and especially for a small shipping business with… Read more »
As wind energy moves to larger, lighter turbines in harsh and remote locations, its specialty in large-diameter, custom seals, alongside a reputation for reliability, is making System Seals a player of note in this growing space. Systemwind is the company’s offering for the wind sector. According to Sales Director Sean Hensey, it represents ‘fresh thinking’… Read more »
Tom Sulzer is CEO and Co-founder of Sulzer Schmid. Under his leadership, the company has taken a leading role in solving some of the most complex maintenance issues that wind turbine manufacturers, operators and asset owners are faced with. The Swiss-born CEO is poised to transform the turbine inspection business into a player to reckon… Read more »
In the early years of wind energy, the industry faced numerous challenges, with issues related to gearboxes and the mechanical drivetrain leading to significant losses in revenue and high operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. To address these concerns, condition monitoring systems (CMS) emerged as a ‘standard’ component of predictive and preventative maintenance strategies, vastly increasing… Read more »
Ematec AG never stands still and 2023 is no exception, with the leading distributor of lifting equipment for the single-blade assembly of rotor blades stepping up its game once again. At Husum Wind it presents the new generation of the RBC-D50.1 to the trade public. ‘It’s great that we were able to add to the… Read more »
With global wind capacity set to exceed 1 terawatt by the end of the year, the demand for accurate, reliable wind data will only increase in the future, powered by clean energy sources. As wind turbines sky higher and wind farms covering more expansive areas spring up, on and offshore, the accuracy of lidar technology… Read more »
How do you solve a problem like ageing? We’re now 30 years on from the commissioning of Scotland’s first commercial onshore wind farm, and our sector is coming together to discuss the reality of what to do with an ageing fleet of turbines that are rapidly reaching the end of their financially useful lives. By… Read more »
The seemingly never ending ramp up in offshore wind installations in recent years, together with the drive for ever larger and heavier wind turbines in deeper waters, presents the industry with many logistical challenges. Not least of these is heavy lifting operations in deep waters. The next generation of turbines, up to 20 MW, are… Read more »
In the pursuit of a cleaner and sustainable future, the demand for renewable energy, particularly from wind power, has witnessed remarkable growth over the years. As the wind energy sector continues to thrive, companies strive to innovate and provide improved solutions for the erection, assembly, and maintenance of onshore and offshore wind turbines. One collaboration… Read more »