Exclusive Articles
Shaping the future of photovoltaics
The European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) is one of the most prestigious events in the renewable energy sector. As we gear up for the EU PVSEC 2023, we highlight why attending this influential conference is a must for industry professionals, researchers, and key players in the field of photovoltaics. Plus, we… Read more »
Spearheading the solar revolution
With the ground broken on what will be Europe’s largest logistics center for power storage solutions and photovoltaic products, SKE is making a statement of intent to deliver innovation and training just when the sector needs them the most. PES was keen to learn more about the center itself and the Austrian company’s commitment to… Read more »
Monitoring and analytics enhances solar plant performance
Solar plants are adopting digital tools to improve site performance, with mixed success. Traditional asset performance management (APM) tools focus primarily on inverter data and DC-side performance issues but pay very little attention to tracker performance. Most tracker analytics are manual and focus mainly on actual versus expected angle trends. With a lack of detailed… Read more »
The emergence of a circular PV economy
The End-of-life (EOL) management of PV panels has been discussed for over a decade, with many reports, strategies, policies, and industries created to minimise their waste impact. As the cohesiveness of the European and USA PV value chain evolves, so too does access to new thinking and ways of designing, manufacturing, and operating to move… Read more »
West Africa’s first hybrid power plant demonstrates successful mix of solar and hydropower
Ghana has made remarkable progress in providing access to electricity. Currently, 43% of the total population in sub-Saharan Africa lacks electricity, but Ghana is on course to achieve full access within 18 months. The country is on track to achieve its goal of universal access to electricity by 2025, with the successful implementation of the… Read more »
The growth of offshore wind lies in the data
Collecting ocean data is an important part of operating an offshore wind farm, but doing so sustainably in order to protect the natural environment is also crucial. We asked James Ives, CEO of XOCEAN, what solutions his company can offer to allow data to be collected reliably and efficiently and in a carbon neutral way…. Read more »
Inspection training pays off
The expectations of continued wind industry growth bring sustained challenges at many levels. One of these is finding the best way of expanding the workforce while maintaining safety and training standards, something that can be achieved with the correct training and support. Demand for wind turbine technicians is predicted to grow over the next five… Read more »
Counting the cost of lightning protection
Lightning strikes are powerful and awe-inspiring displays of nature’s fury. However, they can also wreak havoc on man-made structures, including wind turbines. According to industry experts, around 1 to 3 percent of lightning strikes to wind turbine blades result in blade damage. However, this figure can vary significantly, depending on the location of the wind… Read more »
Rugged, nimble, underwater robots help to maintain offshore wind farms
PES spoke with Brad Clause, an account executive specializing in offshore energy applications at VideoRay, the world’s leading manufacturer of underwater robotic systems. We wanted to learn how VideoRay systems can improve the efficiency of maintaining offshore wind monopiles and turbine jackets and foundations. PES: It’s lovely to welcome a new name to PES, and… Read more »
Lidar takes the lead: wind energy measurement in action
Around the globe, renewable generation capacity is exploding, as more countries seek to reach net zero in the decades ahead. With the world increasingly turning toward renewable sources, wind energy plays an increasingly prominent role in this transition. In the modern world of wind energy, the need for accurate and reliable wind measurement data has… Read more »
