Up-Tower Electrical Testing
Premature failures of mechanical systems have a significant impact on the cost of wind turbine operations and thus the total cost of wind energy....
Turbines Directory 2014
Wind turbines are the one component that wind farms simply cannot do without. More than 100 wind turbine manufacturers exist globally, offering as many...
A New Foundation?
Being part of the United States wind industry is challenging right now. For contractors to manufacturers, to developers, and every sector of the supply...
Building Responsibly
Wind energy is both clean and renewable and it helps offset two of the most damaging impacts of conventional electricity generation—air pollution and natural...
High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Transmission Super Highway Benefits to the Plains and Southeast
The South is the new frontier for the wind industry. As the rest of the country struggles with a lack of electricity demand growth,...
There is no room for complacency or non-compliance among wind energy personnel
When working hundreds of feet in the air, with ground level a dangerously long distance down, wearing equipment that either prevents or protects against...
Dealing with the gearbox
As you know, the gearbox is a critical component of the wind turbine drivetrain. Should you encounter a problem with this unit, what should...
Foundation problems and their solutions
Foundations have been a critical aspect of wind turbine tower design since the earliest days of the industry. Many early towers experienced foundation problems...
Unforeseen subsurface conditions: Mitigating the risks of what can’t be seen
Construction contracts require owners and contractors to accept risk as part of the project construction. Two closely related risks on wind energy projects are...
Listen to the story that turbine data is trying to tell you
I don’t want to waste my time, labor, or money doing unnecessary things.
This year I have spent much of my time here talking about...
Inside NREL’s National Wind Technology Center
“You make ‘em, we’ll break ‘em” could be the motto of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL’s) National Wind Technology Center (NWTC). Located just...
Tower Ring method for cleaning wind towers significantly raises safety and environmental standards
Health and Safety experts will tell you: “The best way to reduce risk, is to eliminate the risk.” Pretty simple logic, right? Try applying...
Complete preparation goes a long way in preventing costly foundation failures
A recent report by GCube, a prominent renewable energy industry insurance provider, listed the top five categories of wind project insurance claims in 2012:...
Schedule contracted maintenance tasks well in advance of your completion deadline
As more and more wind power plants come off of warranty, scheduling for specialty sub-contractors becomes an issue.
Your approach scheduling services in the wind...
A case study surrounding the impact of Vortex Generators on wind turbine performance
Wind farm owners are constantly seeking new technology to help optimize and increase Annual Energy Production (AEP) and while Vortex Generators (VGs) have existed...
A digital camera can be a powerful tool in giving a total ‘snapshot’ of...
Technology has become a part of our everyday lives. Use of technology in maintaining wind turbines is a prime example. One technological tool we...
Lowering the cost of wind energy through composite technology and quality-by-design
Energy has always been pivotal to the progress and sustainability of civilization. This has never been more true than today and we are facing...
In drawing up your component transportation playbook, consider choosing an experienced third-party logistics provider
At one point, all companies have internally analyzed the option to have their suppliers own the transportation of components or to manage it themselves....
Getting turbine components where they need to be
Although wind power is the fastest-growing energy source, in many instances the skills required to move components to the project site have not kept...
Ropes and cable-suspended baskets represent viable, efficient access method alternatives
I was talking with a fellow passenger on a flight recently and brought up that I work in the wind industry. She asked me:...
