The DOE’s funding opportunity supports development of offshore renewable energy by funding research to improve environmental compatibility of deployments in all regions of U.S. waters. (Courtesy: Department of Energy)
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and Water Power Technologies Office and the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement are providing $16.4 million in funding for installation noise reduction and reliable moorings for offshore wind and marine energy. Projects will also be managed in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service.
This funding will support accelerated and responsible development of offshore renewable energy by improving the integrity and monitoring of mooring lines for floating offshore wind energy systems and marine energy converters, as well as by reducing or avoiding noise generation and propagation during the installation of fixed-bottom offshore wind foundations.
This FOA supports accelerated and responsible development of offshore renewable energy by funding research to reduce risk and improve environmental compatibility of deployments in all regions of U.S. waters including the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico. This includes research into the integrity and monitoring of mooring lines for floating offshore wind energy systems and marine energy converters, as well as reducing or avoiding noise generation and propagation during the installation of fixed-bottom offshore wind foundations.
Projects awarded under this funding opportunity will support the Biden-Harris Administration’s goals of a carbon-free electricity sector by 2035 and a net-zero-emissions economy by 2050. This funding program also supports the Biden administration’s goals to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030.
The Combi-LC, designed at Combilift’s HQ and manufacturing plant in Ireland, in collaboration with Siemens Gamesa, allows for the movement of wind turbine blades and towers. (Courtesy: CombiLift)
Combilift, the largest global manufacturer of multidirectional, articulated forklifts and straddle carriers, has announced its move into the offshore wind sector with the launch of a new product designed to meet the load handling demands of large scale offshore wind manufacturers.
As the green energy sector sees a surge in larger wind turbine components, including towers and blades, Combilift joined forces with industry leaders to engineer safe, stable, efficient lifting and storage solutions across its supply chain.
The Combi-LC, designed at Combilift’s HQ and manufacturing plant in Ireland, in collaboration with Siemens Gamesa, allows for the movement of wind turbine blades and towers, some as long as 115m and weighing in at around 70 tons, through production stages and on to storage locations, which can sometimes be as far as 5km apart.
The concept of bespoke Load Carriers (patent pending design) is based on two fully customizable remote-control units with low-level chassis beds that can work in tandem master and slave operation, with dimensions and wheel configurations that vary according to load type and weight.
Siemens Gamesa, one of the world’s largest offshore wind suppliers, has become the first company to leverage the new technology by signing a multi-million order for a number of the bespoke Load Carriers, and Combilift is in active discussions with other offshore wind companies with similar demands.
Combilift expects to generate more than €50m in revenue per year in this market segment by 2026.
“We are thrilled to have launched this new product, the Combi-LC, and we hope it will act as a gateway for us to further progress within our venture into the wind energy sector. The scale of offshore wind projects around the world leads to a very unique set of challenges, one of which being the ability to transport the very large components that make up a wind turbine. We recognized this and used our expertise in load handling to develop a solution to support those in the industry. The product is specifically made to order and therefore can be uniquely customized to fit specific applications,” said Josh Moffett, heavy equipment manager at Combilift.
“Over the past 25 years, Combilift has made a very important impact to the Irish economy. Combilift is a visionary company in every sense and I’m delighted that the Irish government, through Enterprise Ireland, has supported Combilift through its incredible 25-year journey,” said Heather Humphreys, minister for rural and community development.
Turbine delivery to repower the Downeast Wind project begins in the second quarter of 2024 with commissioning scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Vestas has received a 126-MW order to repower the Downeast Wind project owned by Apex Clean Energy in Maine. The order consists of 30 V150-4.2 MW wind turbines.
The order includes supply, delivery, and commissioning of the turbines, as well as a multi-year Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement, designed to ensure optimal performance of the asset.
“Our strong partnership with Apex Clean Energy continues to bring wind energy to local communities across the U.S., and we look forward to the Downeast Wind project creating clean energy for the state of Maine,” said Laura Beane, president of Vestas North America. “With our industry-leading 4-MW platform, one of the most popular platforms sold globally, we’ll help bring Maine one step closer to achieving its goal of 80 percent of its energy coming from renewable sources by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050.”
“Our longstanding partnership with Vestas is pivotal to realizing our mission to accelerate the shift to clean energy across the country,” said Ken Young, CEO of Apex Clean Energy. “As our portfolio expands, we remain committed to building renewable energy projects that not only accelerate the transition, but also directly benefit the communities we work with.”
Turbine delivery begins in the second quarter of 2024 with commissioning scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Vestas Wind Systems has signed a conditional agreement to supply turbines for an onshore U.S. project. (Courtesy: Vestas Wind Systems)
Vestas Wind Systems has signed a conditional agreement for the supply of turbines for an onshore project in the U.S. with a capacity above Vestas’ current disclosure threshold of 1 GW.
If and when the agreement translates into a firm and unconditional order, Vestas will disclose that news in a company announcement, in accordance with the company’s disclosure policy.
CMaS Evolution is an integral part of Service 360. Plant operators have all turbine information constantly available and can optimize operation. (Courtesy: Winergy)
Winergy has introduced Service 360, a service concept for wind turbine drivetrains. Thanks to multi-brand service, digital services and the unique positioning as a system provider, it is the most comprehensive service concept in the market for wind drives. Winergy, the wind brand of the drive specialist Flender, offers turbine manufacturers and wind farm operators a one-stop solution for the entire drivetrain from gearbox to generator.
Today, wind is the cheapest energy form. Nevertheless, turbine OEMs and energy companies are trying to generate the maximum energy output at even lower costs. Efficient management of wind farms is essential to harness the available wind resources while minimizing downtimes.
With Service 360, Winergy offers a service concept for drivetrains that can be individually adapted to the respective customer need. It is unique in the wind market and the result of many years of cooperation with turbine manufacturers and wind farm operators. The service offering includes key innovations that cover the entire drivetrain, including the generator, and extends to servicing gearboxes from other manufacturers. Winergy is thus able to cover more than one hundred different turbine types and 130 gearbox models. Customers benefit from experience of the leading manufacturer of drive systems, regardless if it is a Winergy product or not.
Partners receive a complete package beyond the products. In terms of service, it is crucial to be close to the wind farms. Winergy covers all major wind markets in the world with its network of manufacturing and service locations. The integration of Moventas locations has expanded the presence further. Service 360 is thus available quickly and at any time. Service 360 also offers service for every point in the turbine’s life cycle, from installation, maintenance and repair to partial repowering, i.e. increasing the power of the wind turbine by upgrading individual components or the entire drivetrain.
“With this flexible multi-brand service, we focus on many gearbox and turbine brands and can thus serve drivetrains of entire wind farms. Service 360 can be applied to all turbine types with their various gearbox and generator types,” said Aarnout Kant, Winergy President.
Digital condition monitoring is an integral part of many wind farms. Operators use it to monitor and analyze their turbines. Winergy’s CMaS Evolution goes beyond this and offers customers a digital all-round service. It is part of Service 360 and for the first time fully compatible with already installed hardware. The end-to-end solution offers customers all important services, from the condition of the turbine to concrete recommendations for action to the delivery of spare parts at the right time and place.
CMaS Evolution is based on the further development of the successful Moventas CMaS Service and, thanks to Winergy’s unique position as a system provider, covers all components of the driveline from the main bearings to the transmission and generator. Existing systems can be connected without changing the infrastructure. Customers receive access to a digital portal in which all information about the turbines and services can be viewed transparently. The scope of the required services is based on the needs of the customers and can be individually adapted.
Cross-turbine algorithms also allow conclusions about the condition of the sub-systems and components outside the drivetrain. CMaS Evolution offers everything in one place: recommendations for operation, condition reports, instructions, required spare parts and their availability, as well as the planning of service calls.
“Service 360 combines everything our customers and partners need: service for all their turbines and drive types. For the entire drivetrain and not just for individual components such as the gearbox or the generator. Plus, it is available everywhere in the world. With CMaS Evolution, we are also leveraging the full potential of digital intelligence to further increase the efficiency of wind farms. In addition to wind gearboxes, generators, direct drive segments as well as wind couplings, Winergy has long been known for its extensive service portfolio,” said Antti Turunen, Wind Service vice president.
The Service 360 package also offers original spare parts, replacement of drivetrain components, workshop repairs at one of Winergy’s worldwide locations, on-site service, digital services, and training.
Winergy will present Service 360 at the Husum Wind trade show from September 12 to 15, 2023, in Hall 3, Stand C13.
FOWIC will, in corporation with Shimizu, make use of the jack-up vessel Blue Wind for the project. (Courtesy: Fred. Olsen Windcarrier)
Fred. Olsen Windcarrier (FOWIC) has been awarded a contract working with Shimizu for the transportation and installation of monopile foundations for the 640 MW (8 MW / 80 wind turbines) Yunlin offshore windfarm off the west coast of central Taiwan.
FOWIC, which is in a cooperative relationship with Shimizu regarding offshore wind farm construction, will start operations in February 2024. The duration of the project is estimated to be 200 days.
FOWIC will in corporation with Shimizu make use of the jack-up vessel Blue Wind for the project. When fully operational, this project in Taiwan will have a capacity to create up to 640 MW green energy equivalent of more 600,000 Taiwan households and be another important step towards a fully green energy future in Taiwan.
“We are extremely proud to be awarded the transport and installation contract with Shimizu. This contract demonstrates our commitment to offshore wind development in APAC as a region and to our partnership with Shimizu. We look forward to executing this project together with Shimizu and all the local stakeholders and suppliers on the project,” said Alexandra Koefoed, CEO at Fred. Olsen Windcarrier.
Fred. Olsen Windcarrier established a partnership with Shimizu Corp. in 2021 to strengthen its position in the offshore wind industry in the APAC region. Both companies have a background in civil engineering and offshore & marine construction.
Together, FOWIC and Shimizu capitalize on a versatile jack-up vessel fleet, while making use of a larger pool of market knowledge and project execution experience.
“We’re happy for the chance to contribute with our joint capabilities to the Yunlin offshore windfarm project and to the APAC renewable energy overall,” said Koefoed.
The vessel is engaged in the Ishikari Bay New Port Offshore Wind Farm project, one of the largest commercial offshore wind farms in Japan with 8 MW / 14 wind turbines. The vessel will start preparation for the Yunlin offshore windfarm project in December 2023.
TDI-Brooks breaks ground and begins construction of a new expansion building that is located at TDI’s headquarters in College Station, Texas, 90 minutes north of Houston. (Courtesy: TDI-Brooks)
Following three years of rapid growth of both business and personnel, TDI-Brooks has broken ground and begins construction of a new 16,000 square foot “Technical Building #2.” The new expansion building is located at TDI’s headquarters in College Station, Texas just 90 minutes north of Houston.
The building is designed with 5,000 square feet of new office space along with technical work spaces, fabrication shops and storage areas. TDI-Brooks technical staff plans to move into the building by the end of the year.
“This new location will not only allow for the growth of staff we’ve employed to keep up with the growing demand for our technical services in offshore wind, it will allow further space for fabrication and storage of our geotechnical tools designed for seafloor surveys,” said Daniel Brooks, Director of Technical Systems and CPT Specialist.
TDI-Brooks is a 27-year-old research and service company specializing in geotechnical and offshore survey projects; multi-disciplinary oceanographic and environmental projects; surface geochemical exploration; and high-end environmental chemistry for IOC and offshore wind clients in addition to federal and state agencies. TDI-Brooks operates five research vessels, Brooks McCall, Miss Emma McCall, Gyre, Proteus and the Nautilus. These are multi-use vessels suited for a wide variety of oceanographic research duties for the offshore renewables and energy sectors.
TDI-Brooks was formed in mid-1996 by Drs. James Brooks and Bernie Bernard. Headquartered in College Station, TX with a remote domestic office located in Houston, TX and strategically placed offices around the globe. TDI-Brooks has a staff of more than 150 individuals including fourteen Ph.D. level oceanographers, geochemists, biologists and geologists, hydrographers, geophysicists, mariners, cartographers, engineers, GIS and CADD specialists who perform surveys and produce deliverables of the highest quality.
The company has international affiliates in Port Harcourt, Nigeria (TDI-Brooks Nigeria Ltd.) and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (GSI-Brooks) with branch offices in Colombia (TDI-Brooks Succursal Colombia) and Mexico.
Caption: BOEM has launched a comment period for two offshore wind areas in Oregon. (Courtesy: Reuters)
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has launched a consultation for two offshore wind areas off the coast of Oregon that could host 2.6 GW of capacity.
Over a 60-day public comment period starting on August 15, BOEM will hold an intergovernmental task force meeting and several public meetings with the region’s fishing community.
The WEAs have water depths of around 1,300 meters, requiring the deployment of floating offshore wind turbines that can be manufactured domestically, the Business Network for Offshore Wind noted.
“The introduction of these new WEAs will benefit not just Oregon, but California and Washington by attracting new investments in ports, vessels, and supply chain companies and delivering reliable power to the Western grid,” said Liz Burdock, founder and CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind.
Oregon plans to develop 3 GW of floating wind capacity by 2030 and is following progress made in California.
The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has agreed to streamline grid connection processes for wind and solar farms under new rules that prioritize projects that have secured permits and impose penalties for transmission operators that miss deadlines.
The final ruling aims to reduce delays in grid connections that are stunting renewable energy growth. Developers now take several years to secure grid connections as transmission operators work through a backlog of projects.
The announcement marks another step in fulfilling President Biden’s goal to deploy 30 GW of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030.
The Department of the Interior recently approved the Revolution Wind project. Located about 15 nautical miles southeast of Point Judith, Rhode Island, the project will have an estimated capacity of 704 MW of clean energy, capable of powering nearly 250,000 homes. The project is expected to create an estimated 1,200 local jobs during the construction phase.
The announcement marks another step in fulfilling President Biden’s goal to deploy 30 GW of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030. This is the department’s fourth approval of a commercial-scale, offshore wind energy project, joining the Vineyard Wind project offshore Massachusetts, the South Fork Wind project offshore Rhode Island and New York, and the Ocean Wind 1 project offshore New Jersey.
“President Biden has set an ambitious goal of achieving 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030 – and I am more confident than ever that we will meet it; together with industry, labor and partners from coast to coast, we are building an entirely new industry off the east and west and Gulf coasts,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “The Interior Department is committed to the Biden-Harris administration’s all-of-government approach to the clean-energy future and delivering clean, reliable renewable energy to help respond to the climate crisis, lower energy costs, and create good-paying union jobs across the manufacturing, shipbuilding and construction sectors.”
“Today’s approval is not the end of our work on this project,” she said. “We will continue to maintain open communication and frequent collaboration with federal partners, Tribal Nations, states, industry, and ocean users to address potential challenges to and identify opportunities for the continued success of the U.S. offshore wind industry.”
“Under President Biden’s leadership, the American offshore wind industry is booming, creating new opportunities up and down the supply chain,” said Assistant to the President and National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris administration’s historic climate and clean-energy agenda, companies have quadrupled their U.S. offshore wind investments to over $20 billion, representing thousands of good-paying union jobs. (The) approval of a fourth major offshore wind project is our latest permitting milestone that will help strengthen America’s energy security, make our power grid more reliable, lower energy costs, and cut dangerous climate pollution. This is Bidenomics in action.”
President Biden’s economic agenda — Bidenomics — is fueling America’s clean-energy future, creating American-made products in American factories with American workers, and attracting more than $500 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean-energy investments, including in the offshore wind industry. Since the president took office, companies have announced 18 offshore wind shipbuilding projects as well as investments of nearly $3.5 billion across 12 manufacturing facilities and 13 ports to strengthen the American offshore wind supply chain, representing thousands of new jobs. The Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and federal partners are engaged in a thoughtful, all-of-government approach to collaborating on issues such as ocean co-use and efficient permitting to build a robust offshore wind industry that benefits communities and co-exists with other ocean users with minimal impacts.
“Revolution Wind represents another step forward in achieving the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of deploying 30 GW of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030,” said BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein. “The project’s approval underscores the administration’s commitment to promoting domestic energy production and fighting climate change, while promoting economic growth and fostering environmental stewardship within coastal communities. We are committed to working closely with Tribes, state and local leaders, industry, ocean users, and key stakeholders to responsibly develop this clean energy resource and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.”
With this milestone, BOEM remains on track to complete reviews of at least 16 offshore wind project plans by 2025, representing more than 27 GW of clean energy.
After carefully considering the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) alternatives, including public comments received on the draft EIS, the department has approved Revolution Wind’s Construction and Operations Plan (COP) under its preferred Alternative G identified and analyzed in the EIS. This preferred alternative will meet energy needs by installing fewer wind turbines than originally proposed by the developer to reduce impacts to visual resources, benthic habitat, and ocean co-users. Alternative G includes up to 79 possible locations for the installation of 65 wind turbines and two offshore substations within the lease area.
The Record of Decision includes an extensive range of measures aimed at avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating the potential impacts that may result from the construction and operation of the project. Among them, Revolution Wind has committed to establishing fishery mitigation funds to compensate losses directly arising from the project incurred by recreational and commercial fisheries in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and to creating a direct compensation program to reimburse lost revenues for fisheries from other states. Additionally, Revolution Wind has committed to measures such as vessel speed restrictions and construction clearance zones to reduce the potential for impacts to protected species, such as marine mammals, sea turtles, and Atlantic sturgeon.
BOEM worked with Tribes, federal, state and local government agencies, and reviewed more than 120 comments provided by industry, ocean users, and other key partners and stakeholders to develop these mitigation measures.
From 2021-2023, BOEM met with 44 consulting parties, including Tribal Nations, federal and state agencies, local governments, nongovernmental organizations, private property owners, and Revolution Wind, as part of the National Historic Preservation Act section 106 process to identify avoidance, minimization and mitigation measures for impacts to historic and cultural resources and properties.
BOEM considered the information obtained from these meetings and public comments when developing the final EIS, a critical step to ensure the project’s potential environmental impacts are fully analyzed and to identify any measures to mitigate those impacts for the Record of Decision.
President Joe Biden celebrated the advancement of the U.S. offshore wind supply chain during a steel-cutting ceremony for the Acadia, the first U.S.-built subsea rock installation vessel (SRI) for offshore wind. The vessel was ordered by Business Network member Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Corporation (GLDD) and is being constructed at the Philly Shipyard in Pennsylvania. During the ceremony, Biden celebrated the $16 billion of investments made during his administration in offshore wind manufacturing, shipbuilding, and ports, noting substantial growth in the supply chain that is now creating jobs in Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Texas, and New England.
GLDD’s investment into the $246 million vessel garnered the company a 2022 Ventus Award for Supply Chain Advancement for the vessel’s new efficiency standards and innovation with its large capacity, accurate placement technology, innovative battery, and alternative fuel system. Headquartered in Houston, GLDD has been in operation for more than 130 years. This vessel construction represents the company’s diversification into offshore wind and will fill a substantial need in the growing offshore wind industry.
“The Biden-Harris administration is helping make offshore wind a reality by bringing certainty to the permitting process, making investments in ports and transmission, and incentivizing domestic manufacturing,” said Business Network for Offshore Wind CEO Liz Burdock.
“Congratulations to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Corporation for this achievement; we look forward to seeing the vessel finish construction and commence operation in 2025,” said Burdock.
Biden also announced the Final Sale Notice (FSN) for setting up an August 2023 auction. These will be the first federal lease areas auctioned in the Gulf of Mexico and, once developed, could support up to 3.7 GW of offshore wind generation. Despite having no active lease areas, the Gulf has been a leader in developing the U.S. offshore wind supply chain. The Network reports that 23 percent of contracts in the U.S. market are going to Gulf firms and about $1 billion in investments are flowing to Gulf shipyards or fabrication yards.
“Today’s release of the Final Sale Notice for the Gulf of Mexico Lease Areas marks an exciting new front for offshore wind in the United States,” said John Begala, the Network’s Vice President for Federal and State Policy. “With its long history of offshore construction, engineering expertise, and environmental monitoring and data collection, introducing the Gulf of Mexico and the region’s experienced professionals to the offshore wind market will drive new innovations and opportunities for the industry. BOEM’s inclusion of the supply chain, workforce, and fishery bidding credits demonstrates their continued commitment to seeing offshore wind develop in an equitable and inclusive manner.”
Vineyard Wind announced a pilot program to deploy and test a secondary bubble curtain during foundation installation (Courtesy: US Offshore Wind)
The U.S. offshore wind industry and supply chain reached major milestones in the second quarter of 2023 as installation began on the nation’s first two commercial-scale projects using components sourced from U.S. manufacturing facilities. These achievements are the result of a rapidly growing supply chain that has seen historic levels of investment in the last few years, including passage of the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). These and other findings are detailed in the Business Network for Offshore Wind’s U.S. Offshore Wind Quarterly Market Report, which documents key investments announced over the past three months, growth in state demand for offshore wind, and notable policy advancements that drove the U.S. market forward between April and June 2023.
The network has also released a complementary Mid-Year Supply Chain Snapshot that highlights the accelerated growth experienced in just the past few years. While the U.S. market achieved a major milestone with the start of installation on the Vineyard Wind and South Fork Wind offshore projects, the Mid-Year Supply Chain Snapshot further profiles the development of the immense supply chain that is supporting the emerging industry. State demand has driven the market forward for years, but actions by the Biden-Harris administration to bring certainty to the permitting process and make historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy development have greatly accelerated supply chain growth.
The Snapshot details:
• A 272% increase in the number of U.S. market supplier contracts since 2021, according to the Network’s Market Dashboard, with 47% of that growth occurring since the IRA was signed in August 2022.
• 90% of contracts in the U.S. market going to companies that are either headquartered or have a presence in the U.S.
• A 169% increase in companies that have registered in the Network’s free offshore wind supply chain database since 2021, with a 54% increase since the IRA was signed.
• $16.6 billion in new market investments made since 2021 — more than quadruple the amount invested previously — with $7.7 billion of those investments made after the IRA was signed.
• A 100% increase in the number of vessels under construction or being retrofit in U.S. shipyards since 2021.
We are proud to say that we have steel in the water, steel in our factories, and steel in our shipyards today,” said Liz Burdock, founder and CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind. “Thanks to supportive federal and state policies, we are seeing unprecedented growth in the U.S. offshore wind supply chain across the nation. New contracts are signed daily with a vast majority going to small- and medium-sized American companies creating thousands of new jobs. With $7.7 billion in new U.S. offshore wind investments since the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law, this is just the beginning. We will see many more factory openings, port revitalizations, and vessels under construction in the years to come.”
The historic commencement of the Vineyard Wind and South Fork Wind projects also yielded additional U.S. supply chain milestones. The two wind farms will feature the first U.S.-manufactured offshore substation, built in Texas, the first U.S.-manufactured export cables, from South Carolina, and the first run of critical steel foundation and tower components in Rhode Island. Unconnected to these projects, the U.S. supply chain also celebrated the first U.S.-assembled monopile foundation in Paulsboro, New Jersey.
The Network’s U.S. Offshore Wind Quarterly Market Report, which includes new data and analysis on market trends and advancements, provides additional context to the quickly developing market and its supply chain. The report details:
• The many recent firsts for the U.S. supply chain, including the first U.S.-built offshore wind substation and monopiles, along with the first cables manufactured for a U.S. commercial-scale project.
• New investments in steel manufacturing facilities in Ohio and Baltimore and a California port’s ambitious $4.7 billion plan for a major floating offshore wind facility.
• Economic headwinds that have forced projects in Massachusetts and New York to adjust their state financial agreements and led to new legislation passed in New Jersey aimed at supporting one of its projects.
• New offshore wind markets — adding to the existing 84 GW demand — in Delaware, Illinois, and Maine, which have all considered or advanced new procurement legislation, and Louisiana, which is negotiating with developers to advance projects in state waters.
ALLETE Clean Energy completed a refurbishment project at the Condon wind site in 2019. (Courtesy: ALLETE)
ALLETE Clean Energy has entered a new customer segment after signing a 5-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to sell wind power to Seattle City Light, the company’s first municipal customer.
Seattle City Light, among the top-ten largest municipal utilities in the nation with more than 493,000 customers in Seattle, will purchase power from ALLETE Clean Energy’s 50-megawatt Condon wind site in northern Oregon. The PPA also includes an agreement to jointly explore adding solar energy and/or energy storage capacity at the Condon site.
“We’re excited to provide affordable, renewable wind energy to Seattle City Light from our Condon wind site and proud to help Seattle City Light meet their sustainability goals as we advance the clean-energy future,” said ALLETE Clean Energy President Nicole Johnson. “This agreement also furthers our strategy of leveraging our existing wind sites with potential for complementary renewable additions and gaining new contracts.”
ALLETE Clean Energy completed a refurbishment project at the Condon wind site in 2019 to extend its operating life and requalify the site for federal production tax credits. The project included equipment and system upgrades necessary to maintain its high operating availability and clean-energy production performance.
“Seattle City Light prioritizes creating our energy future on behalf of and in partnership with our customers and the communities we serve,” said Emeka Anyanwu, Energy Innovation & Resources Officer. “To meet reliability, affordability, and environmental responsiveness goals, we strive to leverage resources like the Condon project to expand our supply mix with renewable energy resources supporting our efforts to enable decarbonization through electrification of transportation, buildings, and industry. In doing so, we will help communities to shift further away from fossil fuels, meeting the climate crisis head-on.”
ALLETE Clean Energy also serves five Fortune 500 companies from its Diamond Spring and Caddo wind sites in Oklahoma and a number of large electric utilities from its other wind sites.
ALLETE Clean Energy owns, operates, and has delivered build-transfer projects totaling more than 1,500 megawatts of nameplate wind capacity across eight states. The company is well-positioned to drive additional clean-energy sector growth.
The three WEAs total about 356,550 acres. (Courtesy: BOEM)
As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of deploying 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030, today the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced three final Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) offshore Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, which were developed following extensive engagement and feedback from states, Tribes, local residents, ocean users, federal government partners, and other members of the public. If fully developed, the final WEAs could support between four and eight gigawatts of energy production.
The three WEAs total about 356,550 acres. The first WEA (A-2) is 101,767 acres and located 26 nautical miles (nm) from Delaware Bay. The second WEA (B-1) is 78,285 acres and about 23.5 nm offshore Ocean City, Md. The third WEA (C-1) is 176,506 acres and located about 35 nm from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, offshore Virginia. A map of the final WEAs can be found on BOEM’s website.
“BOEM values a robust and transparent offshore wind planning process, which requires early and frequent engagement with Tribal governments, the Department of Defense, NASA, other government agencies, and ocean users” said BOEM Director Liz Klein. “We will continue to work closely with them, and all interested stakeholders, as we move forward with our environmental review.”
BOEM partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) to develop a comprehensive, ecosystem-based ocean planning model that assisted in the selection of the final WEAs.
This model leveraged best available data on natural resources, ocean industries such as fisheries and energy production, and areas of national security activities to identify areas with high wind energy resource potential while reducing potential impacts to other ocean users and sensitive environmental resources. This comprehensive approach not only provided valuable insights about the seascape and uses of the ocean region, but also facilitated greater transparency and positive coordination with government partners and ocean stakeholders through direct engagement and incorporation of their feedback into the NCCOS model.
The final WEAs are in comparatively shallow water. BOEM may identify additional WEAs in deepwater areas offshore the U.S. Central Atlantic coast for future leasing once further study of those areas has been done.
Electricity Transformation Canada (ETC) is developed by the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), which represents the voice of wind energy, solar energy, and energy storage in Canada (Courtesy: Canadian Renewable Energy Association)
Canada’s premier clean energy conference and exhibition is heading to Calgary, Alberta. Happening Oct. 23-25 at the BMO Centre, Electricity Transformation Canada (ETC) will feature an educational program and more than 100 exhibitors. Registration and housing for ETC 2023 is now open.
ETC 2023 will showcase progress, policies, and success stories on the pathway to net-zero, aiming to inspire attendees. This platform is the ideal place for renewable-energy and energy-storage leaders to network, collaborate and move the industry forward, showcasing technology solutions from distributors, engineers, investors, installers, and manufacturers.
Electricity Transformation Canada (ETC) is developed by the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), which represents the voice of wind energy, solar energy, and energy storage in Canada, in partnership with the Italian German Exhibition Group – one of the world’s largest and most active event organizers—and RE+ Events, a global event management organization with a focus on the clean energy industry. These entities support a shared vision of innovation and collaboration in Canada’s renewable energy and energy storage industries, as the key to future success and prosperity.
“We are looking forward to bringing ETC to Calgary this year, with a program that presents innovations in wind energy, solar energy and energy storage, looking even more broadly to the full transformation of the electricity sector in Canada,” said Vittoria Bellissimo, CanREA’s President and CEO.
In addition to the exhibition, ETC will host educational sessions and discussions with industry experts, government officials, and stakeholders. These sessions will delve into the technologies, policies, and investments that have driven Canada’s renewable energy success and future.
“There has never been a more exciting time to help expand the clean energy industry throughout Canada,” said Stephen Miner, President and CEO, RE+ Events. “Our goal with Electricity Transformation Canada is to support the renewable companies that strengthen the Canadian clean energy market and partnering with CanREA creates a powerful platform.”
ETC will host informative educational sessions and engaging discussions with industry experts, government officials, and stakeholders. These sessions will delve into the innovative technologies, policies, and investments that have driven Canada’s renewable energy success and future.
Canada’s premier clean-energy conference and exhibition is heading to Calgary, Alberta. Happening October 23-25 at the BMO Centre, Electricity Transformation Canada (ETC) will feature a value-packed educational program and more than 100 exhibitors, making it the largest ETC yet.
ETC 2023 will showcase progress, policies, and success stories on the pathway to net-zero, aiming to inspire attendees. This platform is the ideal place for renewable-energy and energy-storage leaders to network, collaborate, and move the industry forward, showcasing technology solutions from distributors, engineers, investors, installers, and manufacturers.
Electricity Transformation Canada (ETC) is developed by the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), which represents the voice of wind energy, solar energy, and energy storage in Canada, in partnership with the Italian German Exhibition Group — one of the world’s largest and most active event organizers — and RE+ Events, a global event management organization with a focus on the clean-energy industry. These entities support a shared vision of innovation and collaboration in Canada’s renewable-energy and energy-storage industries, as the key to future success and prosperity.
“We are looking forward to bringing ETC to Calgary this year, with a program that presents innovations in wind energy, solar energy and energy storage, looking even more broadly to the full transformation of the electricity sector in Canada,” said Vittoria Bellissimo, CanREA’s president and CEO.
In addition to the exhibition, ETC will host informative educational sessions and engaging discussions with industry experts, government officials, and stakeholders. These sessions will delve into the innovative technologies, policies, and investments that have driven Canada’s renewable energy success and future.
“There has never been a more exciting time to help expand the clean energy industry throughout Canada,” said Stephen Miner, president and CEO, RE+ Events. “Our goal with Electricity Transformation Canada is to support the renewable companies that strengthen the Canadian clean energy market and partnering with CanREA creates a powerful platform.”
ETC invites all attendees to learn more about Canada’s renewable energy future. Get ready to gather resources, reports, and materials that offer comprehensive insights into the clean energy industry, as well as to enjoy extensive networking opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind-energy, solar-energy, and energy-storage solutions that will power Canada’s energy future. Its diverse members are uniquely positioned to deliver clean, low-cost, reliable, flexible, and scalable solutions.
Global Wind Service, a leading provider of wind turbine installation and service, has announced the appointment of new Chief Operating Officer Nina H. Jensen, effective August 1.
Jensen will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of Global Wind Service and driving the company’s strategic growth initiatives within operation. She has a background in mechanical engineering supplemented with further education within business management. With more than two decades of experience in the oil and gas sector, she has a deep understanding of complex operational environments and a proven track record in managing large-scale projects. 14 years of her career has been within operations outside of Denmark in Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and most recently in Italy.
Jensen will be responsible driving the company’s strategic growth initiatives within operation. (Courtesy: Global Wind Service)
Her expertise in optimizing processes, ensuring operational efficiency, and delivering exceptional results will be instrumental in advancing GWS’s commitment to providing wind turbine installation and service solutions with highest focus on safety, quality, and efficiency.
“I am very excited to join Global Wind Service and step into the renewables field. I look very much forward to continue the development of GWS’s operations and become part of their incredible team. They have an amazing team spirit and energy which fits perfectly to me both on a professional and personal level,” Jensen said.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nina to our executive team,” said Michael Høj Olsen, CEO of Global Wind Service. “I am confident that Nina’s knowledge and leadership experience from oil and gas will greatly benefit our organization as we continue to expand our presence in the renewable energy market. Of course, oil and gas and wind are two very different things, but many things, processes and ways of thinking about operations, safety and more most certainly resemble one another in many ways.”
The appointment of Nina H. Jensen reflects Global Wind Service’s commitment to attracting top talent with diverse backgrounds and industry expertise. By leveraging her experience, the company aims to drive innovation, operational excellence, and superior customer service across all areas of its business.
The wood technology company Modvion is building a 105-meter wind turbine tower made of wood, the tallest of its kind, in Sweden. The tower will be the company’s first commercial installation and is being built for the energy company Varberg Energi, in the municipality of Skara in Sweden.
“This is the start of a new green industry. By using Nordic raw materials and Swedish technology, we can enable climate-neutral wind power for a growing global market,” said Otto Lundman, Modvion CEO.
The wood technology company Modvion is building a 105-meter wind turbine tower made of wood, the tallest of its kind, in Sweden. (Courtesy: Modvion)
A 2-megawatt turbine will be mounted on the tower, produced by Vestas, the Danish wind turbine manufacturer, a shareholder in Modvion since 2021. Including the blades, the total height of the wind turbine will be 150 meters. This is the first time that Modvion’s tower technology will be paired with a turbine from Vestas. The wind turbine tower is planned to be in operation before the end of 2023.
The last wooden modules – made from laminated veneer lumber (LVL) – are being manufactured in Modvion’s factory in Gothenburg, which was inaugurated last year. The modules are assembled four by four at the construction site into seven sections that will make up the finished tower. Work on site began earlier this year with the laying of the foundation and now modules are transported to site where section assembly has begun.
“We’re excited to see this project become a reality. We will support Modvion’s strategy to scale up and work with them to deliver wooden towers as an offering to the growing wind turbine market,” said Todd O’Neill, CEO at Vestas Ventures.
The tower is the component that usually emits the most carbon. By switching to a wooden tower, carbon emissions are reduced dramatically during manufacturing while the material itself stores carbon. The result is a carbon negative component, storing more CO2 than is emitted during production.
The laminated wood that the modules are made from has a better strength-to-weight ratio than the types of steel used for wind turbine towers, enabling lighter towers. The patented modular design allows for simple transportation on standard roads, without the need for lengthy permit procedures. The technology enables cost-effective and tall towers compared to traditional steel towers.
“Wood enables building higher towers at a lower cost, which makes wind power more efficient since winds are stronger and more stable higher up. That gives you more electricity from each permit to build wind turbines,” said Otto Lundman.
Pemamek Ltd., a provider of welding and production automation solutions, has launched a line of milling machinery designed to meet the specific needs of the wind energy sector. It offers advanced solutions for longitudinal, circumferential, and edge beveling processes and the milling solutions are also suitable for the process industry, including pressure vessel manufacturing.
Pemamek is dedicated to helping heavy fabrication industries, such as shipbuilding, wind energy, and power generation industry, to increase productivity. (Courtesy: Pemamek)
One of the advancements is the high-tech Direct Drive spindle technology that Pemamek has incorporated into the system together with the German KESSLER. The servo-driven and backlash-free technology offers less vibration and more lifetime for milling inserts. Furthermore, as in each PEMA welding and production automation solution, the efficient control system and real-time process feedback have become standard features.
“Several years ago, the advantages of direct drive machining technology were already demonstrated through initial machining operations using KESSLER’s torque motor technology. I am proud to have been involved in this journey, and I am thrilled to introduce the machinery featuring a torque motor, spindle shaft, bearings, and sensors, all integrated within the same compact and modular spindle unit, developed in collaboration with Pemamek and Kessler,” said Esko Lätti, Pemamek product manager.
With the new milling technology, Pemamek continues to lead the industry in providing state-of-the-art solutions for heavy-duty applications. By combining precision, efficiency, and reliability, Pemamek remains committed to driving progress in the heavy manufacturing industry.
Floating wind technology developer X1 Wind secured the Innovation Award at the prestigious Premios Eolo 2023, led by the Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE).
AEE has more than 300 member companies representing more than 90% of the market. The Premios Eolo Awards established in 2008 recognizes contributions to promote and share the benefits that wind energy generates in society.
X1 Wind’s floating platform (X30) became the world’s first fully functional TLP floating wind platform and Spain’s first floating wind prototype to export electricity via a subsea cable. (Courtesy: X1 Wind)
Its Innovation Award forms a central part of AEE and REOLTEC’s (Wind Energy Sector Technology Platform) action line, supporting innovation and development that drives international competition, market globalization, and cost optimization.
The recent ceremony was held at the Congreso Eólico Español in Madrid and attended by industry leaders, dignitaries, and politicians including Teresa Ribera, the third vice-president of Spain and minister for ecological transition and demographic challenge.
X1 Wind secured the accolade for its role leading the PivotBuoy Project, whose floating platform (X30) became the world’s first fully functional TLP (Tension-Leg Platform) floating wind platform and Spain’s first floating wind prototype to export electricity via a subsea cable.
The project focused on demonstrating the PivotBuoy mooring system configuration that combined the advantages of a SPM (single point mooring) with a small TLP mooring system. This allows the platform to reach deeper waters minimizing the footprint and impact on the seabed. Additional features of the platform include the lightweight and stable floater, which can be wet-towed by local vessels, simplifying and accelerating the installation process.
Maria Verges, X1 Wind systems engineering manager, who received the award, said the project not only validated a new structural and mooring configuration but also demonstrated its potential to significantly reduce costs within the floating wind industry.
“We’re thrilled to receive this recognition from AEE and REOLTEC on behalf of the entire X1 Wind team and the PivotBuoy Consortium, together with our extensive supply chain,” she said. “Thanks to the X1 Wind team for their commitment and dedication, which allowed the project to become a reality. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the European Commission and Spanish government for their support. Together, we have delivered a landmark project for Spain’s floating wind sector, raising the bar and demonstrating the best of Spanish innovation and engineering capabilities. The data collected during the X30 prototype’s operation, including self-alignment, stability, and production, yielded excellent results. These findings have provided crucial insights and are now being incorporated into our ongoing commercial-scale projects.”
As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced it would initiate the environmental review of a proposed 2,430-megawatt wind energy project offshore Massachusetts.
BOEM will publish a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Construction and Operations Plan (COP) submitted by Beacon Wind, LLC. This is the 11th offshore wind energy COP review initiated under the Biden-Harris administration.
Beacon Wind 1 will generate enough renewable energy to power more than one million New York homes, said Molly Morris, Equinor Renewables Americas. (Courtesy: Beacon Wind)
“BOEM is advancing the administration’s ambitious energy goals while remaining diligent in our efforts to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to ocean users and the marine environment,” said BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein. “As part of our environmental review process, we seek input from Tribes, our government partners, the fishing community, and other ocean users to inform our next steps.”
The lease area is about 17 nautical miles south of Nantucket, Mass., and about 52 nm east of Montauk, NY. If approved, the development and construction phases of the Beacon Wind project could support up to an estimated 6,491 jobs.
Highlights from Beacon Wind’s proposal include:
Construction and operation of two wind energy facilities (Beacon Wind 1 and Beacon Wind 2) offshore Massachusetts with a total capacity of at least 2,430 megawatts of clean, renewable wind energy, which could power over 850,000 homes each year. Installation of up to 155 turbines, up to two offshore substation platforms, and up to two offshore export cables, which are planned to make landfall in Astoria, New York, and Waterford, Conn.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, the Department has approved the nation’s first two commercial scale offshore wind projects, held three offshore wind lease auctions – including a record-breaking sale offshore New York and the first-ever sale offshore the Pacific Coast in California, initiated environmental review of 10 offshore wind projects, and advanced the process to explore additional wind energy areas in Oregon, Gulf of Maine and Central Atlantic. BOEM has also taken steps to evolve its approach to offshore wind to drive toward union-built projects and a domestic-based supply chain.
During the 30-day public comment period, BOEM will hold two virtual and two in-person public meetings for the Beacon Wind EIS on July 13, 2023 at 11 a.m. and July 26, 2023 at 11 a.m. (both Eastern time).
