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June 2012
ARTICLES
Many factors play a role in successfully coordinating crane service for wind park maintenance
In the past few months we have discussed crane rigging, types of cranes, and how to remove blades. This month we will be taking a step back and discussing the behind the scenes of wind park maintenance. Clients will ask if we can get the crane on-site in a few days or within a few […]
Chris Martin
Where a gearbox oil sample is taken is just as important as how it is taken
Where a gearbox oil sample is taken is just as important as how it is taken. As this second installment of a two-part series explains, itâs all about obtaining the most evidence from the best possible location.
In our previous installment we explained how wind technicians can use their physical senses to diagnose some common wind turbine gearbox problems while up tower. The color and smell of the oil, for example, can relate to such abnormal operating conditions as oil degradation, water emulsification, and solids entrapment. These properties can quickly tell a […]
Merritt Brown
Tuned liquid column dampers offer a robust and cost effective means for reducing loads on floating turbines.
Tuned liquid column dampers offer a robust and cost effective means for reducing loads on floating wind turbines.
Offshore floating wind turbines (OFWTs) may hold the key to large-scale offshore wind energy. They can operate in deep waters, far from shore where visual impacts are negated and where the wind resource is generally strong and consistent. However, OFWTs have significant challenges as well, in particular the increased loading on the blades and tower […]
Matthew A. Lackner, Ph.D.
The Seven Laws of Supply Chain Management
In this installment we discuss the Seven Laws of Supply Chain Management that represent supply chain discipline and problem solving.
From one my favorite books, “A Road Less Traveled” by M. Scott Peck, the opening line is “Life is difficult.” And as Dr. Peck states once we recognize this it starts to become less difficult. The difficulties are often represented as problems and it is how well we solve these problems that indicates the wellness […]
Michael Graska
NEWS
Capital Safety Gives Away ExoFit NEX⢠Harness at WindPower 2012
One lucky person has a chance to win an ExoFit NEX Global Wind Energy Harness from Capital Safety at AWEA Windpower 2012.The harnesses were developed specifically for the needs of the global wind energy market. With a convenient radio and Lad-Saf® sleeve holster on the front of the harness and removable tool loops on the […]
June 7, 2012
Massive Test Facility For Wind Turbines Taking Shape
Clemson University and its partners in South Carolina is pouring concrete for the first of two foundations that will house the world’s largest wind turbine drivetrain testing stands.Choate Construction is building the $98 million facility at what is now part of the Clemson University Restoration Institute.The concrete foundation will form the base of the stand […]
June 7, 2012
Sandia Announces Construction on Texas Wind Turbine Research Facility
Sandia National Laboratories and its academic and private partners expect to have a state-of-the art wind turbine research facility in operation in October in Lubbock, Texas. The first phase of Scales Wind Farm Technology Facility (SWIFT) is being constructed in partnership with Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Vestas and Group NIRE, a renewable energy development […]
June 7, 2012
New HiPer-tex⢠W3030 Roving Introduced
Engineered specifically for polyester or vinylester resin systems, HiPer-tex™ W3030 roving also allows for longer, lighter blades for both offshore and onshore wind turbines. 3B is launching HiPer-tex™ W3030 high performance roving – the third product in the company’s series of innovative solutions for wind turbine rotor blades.Specifically developed and engineered for polyester and vinylester […]
June 7, 2012
Tests Confirm Increased Energy Generation
During the last few months the Evance R9000 small wind turbine has undergone further tests which have confirmed its energy generation has increased by over 4% to 9,167kWh at a wind speed of 5 metres per second.The R9000 small wind turbine was one of the first small wind turbines to achieve SWCC conditional certification last […]
June 7, 2012
Placement System Specifically Designed For Installation of All-Dielectric/Self-Support Cable
Known for rugged and dependable outside plant cable installation tools and equipment, the General Machine Products Company, Inc. (GMP), Trevose, PA, is pleased to introduce the All-Dielectric/Self-Support Cable Placement System to its line of aerial cable placement solutions. The All-Dielectric/Self-Support (ADSS) Cable Placement System provides specialized equipment necessary for aerial installation of nonconductive, high-strength fiber […]
June 7, 2012
ACCUTETHER TM Fiber Performance Excels in Payout, Tether and Sensing
OFS and its Specialty Photonics Division, a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of innovative fiber optic network products, is please to announce commercial availability of AccutetherTM fiber in both standard and reduced diameter sizes. This singlemode fiber features excellent bend performance and is ideal for defense applications where the fiber experiences tight bend, is permanently […]
June 7, 2012
Second Wind Launches Wind Energy Operations Services
Second Wind announces the introduction of a suite of wind farm operations services based on the company’s Triton® Sonic Wind Profiler and SkyServe® Wind Data Service. Triton, a remote sensing system using sodar technology to provide wind measurements across the turbine rotor sweep, and SkyServe, a cloud-based data delivery tool, have already been widely adopted […]
June 7, 2012
IOSSO Metal Processes Extends Part Life
The patented chromium alloy treatments have characteristics far superior to conventional coatings in terms of extended life and cost efficiency. Equally important, the Iosso Metal Processes can be applied to all ferrous based alloys, referred to as the IOSSO-FE Process and most uniquely to zinc die castings, referred to as the IOSSO-ZN process.The Iosso Metal […]
June 7, 2012
Industry Veteran to Lead Next-Generation Wind Turbine Company
Northern Power Systems www.northernpower.com, a next-generation wind turbine company, announced today that Troy Patton has been elected President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Patton previously served as President of the Utility Wind business at Northern Power Systems (NPS).“We are very pleased to appoint Troy Patton as President and CEO of NPS,” said John Simon, Chairman […]
June 7, 2012
Opening Day Near for Janneby Wind Testing Site
The only independent wind turbine-testing site in the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein will soon be ready to accept its first wind turbines. The test field, which has been developed by GL Garrad Hassan, GEO (Gesellschaft für Energie und Oekologie mbH) and Bürgerwindpark Janneby e.G, received final building approval and will launch testing activities at […]
June 7, 2012
GE Provides 38 Turbines to Polish Project
General Electric will supply 38 wind turbines for four wind projects in construction in Northern Poland. When operational, these projects referred to as Darlowo Wind Energy Center – Phase Two that mark the first use of GE’s 2.5-megawatt class wind turbines that feature 103-meter rotors for high productivity.Invenergy Wind LLC and Polish development company, Enerco […]
June 7, 2012
National Security and Business Leaders Convene on Law of The Sea
U.S. national security and business leaders, including Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called the Law of the Sea Convention essential to protect American security and economic interests, guarantee the global mobility of U.S. armed forces, and extend U.S. sovereignty.“Frankly, this is not even a close […]
June 7, 2012
PSI Repair Services to Showcase Off-Warranty Repair Support at WINDPOWER 2012 Conference & Exhibition
PSI Repair Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries, will showcase its off-warranty repair support for wind energy operations and maintenance (O&M) professionals at the AWEA Windpower 2012 Conference & Exhibition.PSI Repair Services offers fast, affordable repairs, including upgraded/longer-life products, for out-of-warranty electronic, hydraulic and precision mechanical components that drive your turbines’ pitch and […]
June 7, 2012
AGY Expands S-2 Glass Manufacturing Capacity by 20 percent
AGY announced today that it has increased production output of its S-2 Glass® fiber reinforcements by twenty percent with the capability to further increase its output as market demands dictate. This expansion enables AGY to meet growth in both the aerospace and industrial markets for high-performance glass fibers used for composite reinforcement.S-2 Glass fibers are […]
June 7, 2012
Power Grid âFriendshipsâ Help Avoid South Asian Power Deficits
Certain South Asian countries are due to benefit from resource sharing with neighboring nations, as power grids are planned to help spread the growing electricity demand in the region, according to energy expert GBI Research.The new report states that the continuously increasing demand for power is stemming from rapid industrialization and commercialization in the South […]
June 7, 2012
RWE Innogy to Build Fourth Wind Farm in Poland
In Nowy Staw, near the city of Gdansk, the first construction vehicles will soon arrive on site, marking the start of construction for Innogy’s fourth wind farm in Poland. Nineteen wind turbines manufactured by REpower Systems SE with an overall installed capacity of 39 megawatts (MW) will be built over an area of 15 square […]
June 7, 2012
EIP Files FOIA Suit to Obtain Details on 65 Clean Air Act Meetings
The Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) filed suit late Tuesday under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to obtain records of 65 meetings that the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) held with interest groups to discuss four major Clean Air Act rules under consideration by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).The scope of […]
June 7, 2012
Energy Efficiency Design, Transportation and Human Systems Experts Featured at The 22nd Annual INCOSE International Symposium
Questions: How can top secret information be protected from hackers? Questions: How does a nation prepare for a high-speed rail? Questions: What does it take to manage and operate an eco-town? These issues and more will be discussed at the International Council on Systems Engineering’s (INCOSE) 22nd Annual INCOSE International Symp osium in Rome, Italy from July […]
June 7, 2012
