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April 2010
ARTICLES
The Future of Wind Turbine Diagnostics
As wind turbines increase in size, and their operating conditions become more extreme, a number of current and future tribological challenges exist.
Wind energy is undergoing expansion, and it is bound to grow to a commercial/consumer level in the decades to come. This growth has materialized in the form of large-scale wind farms, wind energy cooperatives, wind turbines owned by individual investors, and multinational exploration of remote sites and offshore locations. Despite the increasing rated capacity of […]
Anoop Verma, Andrew Kusiak, Ph.D.
Compaction grouting has multiple advantages
Compaction grouting is the only soil improvement technique that can be used both pre-construction and beneath an in-place foundation.
When the site of a planned wind tower is underlain by sufficiently dense granular soils, a mat foundation can be designed to safely support the structure. If the soils are too loose they may provide insufficient bearing capacity, result in excessive static deformation, or undergo unacceptable performance during a seismic event (liquefaction or excessive dynamic […]
James D. Hussin
Transporting components can affect long-term profitability
How your turbine is handled prior to going online can take a definite toll on its service life, and inspections can reveal damage before the warranty period draws to a close.
The owner of a newly commissioned wind project can generally expect a full return of their investment over 20 years. After all, despite the uncertainty of wind resources and future O&M costs, the project’s financial return is modeled on the life expectancy the manufacturer has designed into its turbine, providing some 158,000 MWh of power […]
Merritt Brown
Equipment shortage possible on a global scale
Demand for transport and equipment could soon outpace supply, so choose an experienced logistics solutions partner to help ensure you’re not left hanging in the wind.
In the January issue we noted that 2010 promises to be a challenge for the wind power industry as general equipment availability and transport capacity begins to tighten up, placing additional constraints on supply chains. As more countries enter the market, the shortage of equipment to transport and to erect wind farms will be felt […]
Hüseyin Kizilagac
NEWS
GE Dedicates $45 Million to Renewable Energy Global Headquarters
Signaling its continuing commitment to developing and delivering cleaner, more-efficient energy solutions for the world, GE has officially dedicated a $45 million Renewable Energy Global Headquarters in Schenectady, New York. “The dedication of our new, state of the art global headquarters represents our ongoing mission to provide renewable energy solutions that will help meet both […]
April 1, 2010
Shermco Sponsors the American Wind Energy Association
Shermco Industries has announced their 2010 Terawatt Sponsorship of the American Wind Energy Association, the national organization promoting wind power growth through advocacy, communication, and education. “The expansion of wind energy is vital to America’s future as a clean, renewable energy consumer,” says Kevin Alewine, director of renewable energy services for Shermco. “AWEA is very […]
April 1, 2010
New xConnector from SmartSignal Provides Increased Value
SmartSignal® Corporation announces that six leaders of the power-generation industry already have purchased SmartSignal xConnector™ since its introduction in fall 2009. Those customers include Constellation Energy, BC Hydro, RRI, NV Energy, APS, and Bruce Power.OSIsoft’s PI System™ gathers real-time and historical data for its customers, and SmartSignal analyzes it to provide industry’s earliest and most […]
April 1, 2010
New Series of Bolt Tensioning Tools from TorcUP
TorcUP, a designer and manufacturer of bolt torque and tension equipment, has launched a new series of bolt tensioning tools for the wind power generation industry. The tool range is suitable for complete wind turbine erection or maintenance programs on a variety of wind turbine models. The products feature quick-release swivel fittings, automatic piston reset, […]
April 1, 2010
Tindall Secures DOE Tax Credit For New Wind Tower Base Plant
Tindall Corporation announces the award of $16,750,500 in tax credits by the U.S. Treasury Department to provide incentive to build a new precast concrete wind tower base manufacturing facility in Newton, Kansas. The plant will provide production facilities for the company’s Atlas CTB™ concrete wind tower bases. The earmarked funds are from the American Recovery […]
April 1, 2010
Elixir Industries Enters the Renewable Energy Arena
Elixir Industries has taken steps to broaden its focus into the renewable energy market sectors. The company has undertaken extensive manufacturing equipment upgrades over the past several months at many of its key manufacturing facilities across the United States. In addition to acquiring Mexia Industrial Products Company, Elixir has purchased equipment with close tolerance capabilities […]
April 1, 2010
New Metrology Portal from Carl Zeiss
In addition to a highly accurate measuring machine, the most important resources in measuring technology are the latest software and detailed application knowledge. Today, knowledge and software updates are increasingly exchanged via the Internet. Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology (IMT) has accompanied this development over the past 10 years with discussion forums and software downloads. In […]
April 1, 2010
DOE Grant Will Help Develop First Phase of NECO Wind
NECO Wind announces that Phillips County, Colorado, was recently awarded a $2.5 million Community Renewable Energy Grant by the U.S. Department of Energy to help finance its community-based wind energy development. The grant, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will help jumpstart development on the first 30 megawatt (MW) phase of the project […]
April 1, 2010
New ExoFit NEX Full Body Harness from Capital Safety
The ExoFit NEX™ is the next generation premium harness from DBI-SALA; every component is an innovation and improvement on current designs. The ExoFit NEX wraps around you for the ultimate in no-tangle donning and comfortable security. The breathable lining guarantees you’ll stay dry and comfortable every day. It even has memory-fit features allowing you to […]
April 1, 2010
New Generation of Blade Trailers from IST
The 53’ BT 2010 model blade trailer from International Specialized Trailers (IST) requires no forklift, crane, or equipment to extend or collapse. The new dual-purpose neck adjusts to the desired load height, allowing you to accommodate the new generation of wind turbine blades. This will allow the operator to lower the load height for bridges […]
April 1, 2010
AWS Truewind Announces windNavigator Application
AWS Truewind, LLC, a leading renewable energy consultant, has released advanced wind prospecting and site assessment tools via its Web-based windNavigator application. “In a remarkably short period of time, our windNavigator application became the go-to resource for energy developers and government planners looking to locate and confirm attractive wind development sites,” according to Bruce Bailey, […]
April 1, 2010
KMT Extends Exclusive Relationship with FANUC
KMT Robotic Solutions, Inc., and FANUC Robotics America, Inc., has announced a multi-year extension of their decade long exclusive relationship agreement. This agreement continues to provide KMT Robotic Solutions with the exclusive responsibility to apply FANUC robots in waterjet and routing/drilling applications for customers manufacturing plastic, composite and soft-trim products in the Americas.“Our 10-year exclusive […]
April 1, 2010
Safe Switchgear Solutions from AETI
American Electric Technologies, Inc., announces the introduction of the wind energy industry’s first switchgear solution designed specifically to provide safer, more-reliable, higher-performing wind farm operations.The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 212 workers lost their lives in 2008 from contact with electric current. In 2007, 250 fatal worker injuries occurred and in 2006, 256 deaths […]
April 1, 2010
Appointments Made at Second Wind
Second Wind, Inc., announces that Larry Letteney has been named chief executive officer. He succeeds Walter Sass, who was named executive chairman of the board and chief technology officer. The new executive appointments are effective immediately.Sass, who co-founded Second Wind in 1980, has led the company’s efforts in developing several game-changing technologies for wind resource […]
April 1, 2010
