Offshore wind farm development has got off to a slow start in the US. Despite many projects being in the pipeline since the mid-to-late 2010s, with initial completion scheduled for the early 2020s, no major US wind farm has yet commenced operation. Colebrook Offshore explores the reasons behind the delays. One example is the MarWin… Read more »
As climates shift and weather events become more extreme, it is imperative that wind farm owners and operators prepare for the worst that the cold season has to offer. Ice-based downtime significantly reduces the efficiency, and therefore the profitability, of wind energy installations worldwide. This issue is compounded by the increased energy needs of the… Read more »
The upsurge of renewable energy is critical to the future of our planet. However, wind farms can have an adverse impact on birds and other wildlife. Sibylle Giraud, VP Wind and Environmental Practice at Robin Radar Systems, discusses some of the latest technologies and solutions that can help reduce bird mortality at wind farms. PES:… Read more »
As steel plates for monopile production continue to increase in thickness, reaching up to 200 mm, it becomes crucial to have a cost-effective machining solution. Michael Steinkogler, Chief Operating Officer of Linsinger, explains how, by combining cutting-edge machine technology with its dedicated tool development, the company can offer a comprehensive solution that addresses all the… Read more »
Modern wind turbines are commonly equipped with service lifts, but what can be done to upgrade those old wind towers that only have climbing ladders? Limited space and costly modifications have made it impossible to install lifts on older turbines, reducing its energy output and compromising worker safety and health. Wind farm owners and operators… Read more »
Erik Roos, Director of Wind Industry Tools & Solutions at Enerpac, talks to PES about its expertise in levelling and fixation and explains the advantages of its in-house capabilities spanning design, engineering, manufacturing, and testing. PES: It’s great to speak to you again Erik and I’m looking forward to discussing Enerpac’s part in the wind… Read more »
Although wind parks can’t produce power without wind, too much isn’t favourable either, as beyond a certain wind speed, turbines risk being damaged. In fact, strong winds can even force production to come to a complete halt or cause wind plants to fall over. To assess the profitability and safety of a wind park in… Read more »
In 1989 Husum Wind was the world’s first trade fair devoted exclusively to wind energy, taking place within a livestock auction venue. Twenty companies presented their products to more than 10,000 visitors. A lot has happened since. In the late 1980s/early 1990s the German market developed dynamically due to the Electricity Feed Act. With the… Read more »
Digitalisation is bringing change, including the operation of supply networks that form part of the critical infrastructure. Current vulnerabilities demonstrate how important it is for this to be in compliance with the IT security catalogue in accordance with the German Energy Industry Act. TÜV SÜD is supporting the transmission system operator (TSO) ONTRAS by providing… Read more »
Blades certified before 2019 may be susceptible to damage from a destructive and anomalous type of lightning strike. Lightning protection systems (LPS) have been tested to an international standard since the early 2000s; however the focus was mainly on cloud-to-ground lightning and associated high energy levels. But there is another type of lightning that is… Read more »
For many years, the wind industry has been working to reduce the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE), with the aim of increasing profits and building strong balance sheets. However, it’s now becoming clear that some major economic headwinds are emerging for the sector, and the continuous downward trend of LCoE may be in jeopardy. Rising… Read more »
The wind industry is undergoing an existential challenge in a period where fast growth of wind energy is needed the most. Many factors outside the control of the industry have been increasing the overall levelised cost of electricity (LCoE). However, challenges like unplanned O&M costs, optimisation of lifetime and performance, could be within industry control…. Read more »
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 »
Radac is actively engaged in innovative developments through joint industry projects, harnessing a collaborative approach and a keen thirst for knowledge. Customer-centric, it thrives on working closely with clients, understanding their needs, and delivering effective solutions. While product development is significant, the company’s core lies in fostering knowledge and insights. This article sheds light on… Read more »
Originally developed for the US Air Force and NASA as a precision bird detection radar system, DeTect’s Avian Radar technology can provide continuous monitoring of bird and bat activity at ranges of three to eight miles around wind farm sites. The company’s Senior Biologist, Jenny Davenport, explains more to PES. PES: Firstly, I’m really pleased… Read more »
With its multi-client approach, TGS provides quality data early and at a low cost, reducing uncertainties and enhancing project development decisions. Matthew Cramer, the company’s Offshore Wind Commercial Lead, New Energy Solutions, explains how it is shifting the mindset of the industry and creating significant efficiencies in the way measurements are performed. PES: It’s great… Read more »
The rapid transformation of the industry cannot be overlooked. The winds of change come in more than a breeze, because in a world urgently seeking solutions to combat climate change, wind energy has emerged as a pivotal player. By 2050, a staggering two-thirds of the world’s energy supply is projected to be sourced from renewables,… Read more »
One of the biggest challenges during this transitional period in the renewable energy sector is in securing the right talent to help steer countries to net zero. PES caught up with Kaveh Etemadi, Managing Director of comanos, to learn about its approach to recruitment, helping match the most suitable personnel to the right jobs. PES:… 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 sector continues to thrive, companies strive to innovate and provide improved solutions for the erection, assembly, and maintenance of onshore and offshore wind turbines. It is our pleasure… Read more »
The Hideaway, Baxby Manor near York planned to expand its range of accommodation with the addition of several fully equipped holiday Kabinas, but was reaching the capacity limit of its 60 A single phase grid supply. As the campsite aims to offer eco-friendly holiday lets, the owners decided to complement the power supply with a… Read more »
Solar power is the number one energy source in renewable energy for today and the near future. The increase of photovoltaic capacity accounts for more than two-thirds of the renewable energy market and is the fastest growing green energy source, according to analysis by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Solar energy is also set to… Read more »
As the solar industry matures, manufacturers and project developers are becoming more and more focused on ensuring the long-term reliability of solar modules. There are inherent challenges to predicting the performance of a module over a potential lifespan of 30 years or more, but innovative approaches are emerging from leading manufacturers. PES spoke with LONGi… Read more »
ChemiTek Solar, a Portuguese industrial manufacturer specialising in anti-soiling coatings for PV modules, in collaboration with The Green Energy Park in Benguerir, Morocco, has successfully concluded the outdoor testing and characterisation of its solutions. The results have been published by Heliyon, the all-science, open access journal. Here, PES takes a look at the findings. The… Read more »
With the clean energy generation becoming more prevalent every day, manufacturers within the industry play a crucial role in the implementation of solar energy projects around the world. A leading supplier of mounting systems for solar modules, Mounting Systems GmbH has established itself as a trail blazer in the sector. In this article, we take… Read more »
Renewable energy has become a crucial focus in the fight against climate change, driven by the need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigate the impact of global warming. Fossil fuel energy production has been the primary contributor to GHG emissions, causing approximately 75% and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions. The consequences are… Read more »
DEKS was established in Melbourne, Australia in 1947 and created the first and original rubber roof flashing. Its focus was on creating, manufacturing and distributing leading brands within the roofing, drainage and plumbing industries ever since. Now, the company is applying its roofing knowledge to the solar market to provide protection and efficiency for domestic… Read more »
Ideematec has industry experience in 25 countries across six continents, shipping over 4 GW of trackers worldwide. Now it faces perhaps its biggest challenge to date, playing its part in providing enough low-cost electricity to power around 130,000 Texas homes. PES was keen to hear all about the project from Ideematec, Inc. President & CEO… Read more »
More power, larger modules, more efficient solar power production; with the enormous leaps in development in the solar industry, the foundations must also be right. The innovative mounting system PMT EASY from Premium Mounting Technologies (PMT) introduces the next level of safe and reliable solar module mounting. The energy turnaround has picked up speed. Although… Read more »
Sector coupling is an effective means of achieving the energy transition efficiently. The aim is to effectively connect sectors such as industry, buildings and transport. When they are interconnected and the components of energy generation from renewable energies are combined, CO2 emissions can be significantly reduced. Storage solutions help to balance out volatile renewable energies…. Read more »
Generating their own solar power is an increasingly attractive option for businesses that are looking to optimise their operations and demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability. For commercial and industrial (C&I) businesses with suitable load-bearing roofs or ground space, solar power generation comes with a range of benefits, from energy independence to cost savings and… Read more »
Offering sustainable and efficient off-grid power solutions, a new technology company focused on renewable energy storage products will be launching in the UK in January 2024. The product range includes both innovative portable power station and residential energy storage. Marxon, sister company of Leoch Battery, aims to be at the forefront of innovative green energy… Read more »
As the demand for renewable energy continues to rise, the need for efficient and cost-effective photovoltaic (PV) technologies becomes increasingly pressing. Perovskite and bi-facial modules have gained significant attention due to their potential for high efficiency and versatility. However, to ensure their successful deployment on a global scale, it is imperative to conduct extensive onsite… Read more »
Energy self-consumption refers to the practice of generating renewable energy and utilising it directly within the premises where it is produced. This concept has gained significant relevance in 2023, as the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change and the need to transition to sustainable energy sources. It allows individuals, households, and… Read more »
The most anticipated clean energy trade show of the year, RE+ 2023, is set to take place from September 11th to 14th, at the iconic Venetian Conference and Expo Center and Caesars Forum in the vibrant city of Las Vegas. Following the roaring success of RE+ 2022, which boasted a staggering attendance of 27,000, this… Read more »
Pol Spronck, Managing Director of Solarwatt Technologies Ltd, talks to PES about the company’s mission to make clean energy easily accessible to as many people as possible. What are the products, services and solutions that will make this happen and how far have they come in their journey so far? PES: Welcome to PES Pol…. Read more »
Heterojunction solar cell technology (HJT) has revolutionised the way we think about solar energy. The cells are made from two materials, crystalline silicon and amorphous thin-film silicon, to create a ‘sandwich’ effect, layered on top of each other and separated by a thin layer of intrinsic amorphous silicon. This combination allows for better charge carrier… Read more »