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February 2010
ARTICLES
Robust supply chain crucial for blades
Sandia National Laboratories initiates a program to address the challenges of manufacturing dependable, cost-effective blades for wind turbines.
A robust, reliable, and high-quality supply chain of wind turbine blades is crucial for the sustainability of the wind industry to ensure growth and projected demands. With approximately 8,300 MW installed in 2008, and 5,800 MW installed through the third quarter of 2009, the demand for wind energy in the United States has experienced exponential […]
Jose R. Zayas
Avoiding wind farm construction risks
Engineering solutions can mitigate increasingly complex infrastructure problems, allowing you to eliminate risk from your wind project before transportation begins.
For those responsible for the construction of wind farms, risks literally could be just around the corner. If your project logistics resources do not have extensive civil engineering experience, there could be serious consequences—from missed deadlines to cost over-runs. You want a resource that anticipates every curve in the road. The logistics provider’s civil engineering […]
Hendrik Wagner, Hüseyin Kizilagac
Dealing with a wind tower’s high load
Both wind and weight create tremendous forces on tower foundations, making anchoring techniques particularly critical. Here are points to keep in mind.
Wind towers are not particularly heavy, but are subject to high lateral loads at a distance high above their base, resulting in a large overturning moment. This loading condition results in a downward load on the downwind edge of the foundation, and an upward load on the windward edge. Seismic loading, where applicable, further increases […]
James D. Hussin
Test rig built to help validate bearing designs
As the market in wind turbines grows so does the demand for large, low-maintenance bearings. SKF has built a unique test rig for large bearings used in wind turbines.
Alternative energy generation is becoming an important part of the power generation mix, and it is likely that the size of individual generating units will grow. With 3 MW turbines standing at a height of 295 feet, large bearing systems are required at the heart of the generation machine. This is why SKF has built […]
Armin Schlereth
NEWS
Ice Sensor from New Avionics
The new Ice*Meister™ model 9734 industrial ice detecting sensor system offers many benefits to wind turbine owners and operators. Once “tuned” for the application at hand, the device operates as a digital ice/no-ice indicator. At maximum sensitivity it detects the incipient formation of any kind of ice, even the condensation from human breath, and also […]
February 3, 2010
Roller Bed from ESAB
ESAB Welding & Cutting Products introduces the FUB 30 roller bed for fit-up of sections. This roller bed features a robust design to withstand the rugged environment in the welding industry. Designed to assemble 1+1 sections, the system is fast and easy to assemble. Each set consists of one power and one idler rollorgia, palatino;”>er […]
January 28, 2010
John Deere Renewables Announces Wind Farm Groundbreaking
John Deere Renewables, a national leader in wind energy development, has announced the groundbreaking of a new wind farm development project in Idaho. Located in Twin Falls County, the Tuana Springs Wind Farm will consist of eight 2.1MW turbines and have the capacity to produce enough electricity to power more than 5,000 Idaho homes. Christi […]
January 28, 2010
Nordex Receives First U.S. N100/2500 Turbine Order
Nordex USA, Inc., announces an order for eight N100 wind turbines to be installed at a 20-megawatt wind farm in Glenmore, Wisconsin. Developed by Emerging Energies of Wisconsin, the project will generate nearly 64 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually, which is enough to power about 8,000 homes and displace an estimated 55,000 metric tons […]
January 28, 2010
Low-Profile Socket/Ratchet Sets from Snap-on
There’s nothing more frustrating than facing a tough fastener job in close quarters and not having the right tool. It’s a real world, everyday problem. Low-profile socket/ratchet sets from Snap-on Industrial—a leader in tooling solutions for mechanical, hydraulic, and industrial applications—answer the need for sockets and ratchets that fit cramped quarters. Sizes include 1/4” drive […]
January 28, 2010
Port Corpus Christi Multipurpose Facility Project
Taking the next step in the development of the La Quinta Trade Gateway project, the port commission has approved a Professional Services Agreement for engineering designs with Goldston Engineering, a CH2M HILL company. The multipurpose facility will be designed to handle a wide variety of general cargo including containers, military, wind turbines, steel pipe, and […]
January 28, 2010
NREL, Second Wind Partner on Sodar Research
As part of continuing scientific research on understanding wind resources, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Second Wind, Inc., have announced a partnership to characterize the performance of Second Wind’s Triton™ sonic wind profiler. Under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), NREL and Second Wind will conduct research correlating […]
January 28, 2010
GE Receives Contract to Supply Turbines for Largest U.S. Wind Farm
GE has received a $1.4 billion contract from independent power producer Caithness Energy to supply wind turbines and provide services for an 845MW wind farm project to be located in Oregon. The wind farm, called Shepherds Flat, has received the majority of the necessary government permits to operate and is ready to be built. When […]
January 28, 2010
Easy Shaft Alignment from Ludeca
SHAFTALIGN is a high-precision, easy to use shaft alignment tool incorporating human error-proof functions. With its TFT backlit color display it combines simplicity of operation with precise measurement and state of the art technology. Intuitive auto-flow capability guides the user to obtain the desired machinery alignment condition. The innovative “active clock” measurement mode automatically collects […]
January 28, 2010
3TIER on DOE Team for Smart Grid Demo
The Department of Energy (DOE) has selected a Pacific Northwest team including 3TIER—a global leader in renewable energy information services—to conduct a regional smart grid demonstration project. The project will test new smart grid technologies including devices, software, and advanced analytical and forecasting tools that enhance the power grid’s reliability and performance. The Northwest study […]
January 28, 2010
Turbine Generators from WindGen America
In spite of an expanding wind power industry, the North American market has steadily relied on imported wind generators. That is about to change. WindGen America, LLC, is in the process of building the first wind turbine generator manufacturing facility in the Untied States. The company’s principals have extensive wind power experience and will be […]
January 28, 2010
SeaRoc joins Natural Power
SeaRoc—the marine, engineering, and offshore experts—are joining Natural Power to form the first renewable energy consultancy truly capable of providing end-to-end services globally for the industry both onshore and offshore. The announcement follows almost 18 months successful operation under a framework agreement and an existing minority stake acquired earlier this year. Natural Power has already […]
January 28, 2010
Romax Supporting Taiwanese Wind Energy Industry
Technical consultancy Romax Technology is providing vital knowledge and services to Taiwan’s growing wind energy industry. Through a series of wind energy seminars and partnerships with leading wind energy organizations in Taiwan, Romax is helping leading players in the wind energy industry to realise Taiwan’s wind energy potential.Taiwan has recently identified a need in the […]
January 28, 2010
Siemens Wind Power Continues Growth Trend
Siemens has confirmed its objective to become one of the world’s top providers of wind turbines. Siemens entered the wind power market five years ago with its acquisition of Denmark’s Bonus Energy. Since then wind power operations at Siemens have undergone rapid development. The workforce has grown sevenfold, while revenue has actually increased tenfold. “This […]
January 28, 2010
REpower Signs Contract for Wind Farm Projects in Canada
REpower Systems AG has signed a framework contract with EDF Energies Nouvelles and RES Canada that comprises the delivery of up to 954 megawatts for five projects in the Canadian province of Québec, currently developed by the consortium Saint-Laurent Énergies, a Montreal based wind energy company jointly owned by EEN Canada, Inc., RES Canada, Inc., […]
January 28, 2010
Vestas Spare Parts & Repair for Wind Turbine Owners
Vestas Spare Parts & Repair currently operates offices worldwide to service the world’s largest installed fleet of wind turbines. Since January 2009, Vestas has had a dedicated organization for servicing its customers. A brand-new office center next to the Vestas Headquarters in Randers, Denmark, has been constructed. Furthermore, locations for the leadership team are also […]
January 28, 2010
Mitsubishi to Locate Wind Manufacturing Plant in Arkansas
Mitsubishi Power Systems Americas, Inc., (MPSA), has announced its intention to build a wind turbine manufacturing facility in Fort Smith, Arkansas. MPSA plans to invest approximately $100 million in the project, which could employ as many as 400 people.“We are very excited to announce the future MPSA Wind Turbine manufacturing site in Fort Smith, Arkansas,” […]
January 28, 2010
Wind Seminars by Lincoln Electric
The alternative energy industry continues to focus on wind power as a viable addition to address the ever-expanding global energy demand. With this in mind, Lincoln Electric has recently hosted more than 120 industry professionals interested in learning more about wind tower fabrication for several daylong seminars.Seminar attendees traveled from across the United States and […]
January 28, 2010
Slip Systems for Wind Turbine Generator Protection from CENTA
In wind power plants, electrical circuit problems are known to cause short-term torque peaks. In this event, slip clutches protect the costly gearbox against overload by slipping at a defined maximum torque in order to temporarily interrupt the drive. The slip process takes place not on the generator shaft surface, but inside the CENTA Torque […]
January 28, 2010
