The promise of clean, unlimited wind energy presents many technical challenges for the components in the turbine nacelle. Reliability, remote monitoring, and ease of component maintenance are all critical concerns for manufacturers and operators of wind-energy-generating turbines. Nevertheless, Pall helps its wind power customers stay one step ahead through a range of innovative solutions. PES speaks to the company’s Daniel Alessandri.
PES: Welcome back to PES magazine, how has the company been performing since we last spoke?
Daniel Alessandri: It’s been exciting at Pall since we last spoke. Pall’s execution of its strategic growth plans continues to yield positive results. Sales for the first half of our fiscal year 2011 increased 14 per cent (in local currency). Sales are strong across markets, industries and geographic regions.
PES: And is the US market in particular still buoyant for you?
DA: The western hemisphere represents about one-third of Pall total sales, with the US a very large part of it. Sales have been very strong in the western hemisphere across markets as the economy continues to recover. For power generation, and the wind energy sector in particular, the US is definitely still buoyant.
Of course the wind industry is still feeling the effect of the capital access crunch brought on by the financial crisis. The US wind sector will still feel the ripples this year and slower demand during the crisis will work through the supply chain until the end of 2011.
Still, the fundamentals are very favorable, with a formidable wind potential, a healthy industrial base, and the adaptability and flexibility that is the hallmark of US business.
Of course, uncertainties remain, brought on by a lacking long term energy policy, and unclear tax policy for wind energy in particular. So yes, the US wind market is still buoyant… but it might also be bumpy.
