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Built with precision, shaped by technology, and sustained by innovation, the nacelle cover ensures clean energy reaches homes and industries daily.

When people think of a wind turbine, their eyes are drawn to the blades slicing the sky or the tower stretching above the horizon. Rarely do they stop to notice the nacelle cover. Yet this seemingly simple shell makes the difference between steady energy production and costly downtime. In wind power, where turbines are expected […]

Thermal spray and laser cladding coating methods offer strong potential to enhance the performance of main shafts, provided that additive process parameters are rigorously validated and controlled.

Failures in wind-turbine main shaft assemblies (MSA) are an increasing concern in the industry, both for their frequency and the downtime they cause [1, 2]. The rising power density of turbines, driven by competitiveness, has led to higher MSA failure rates and the appearance of defect types not seen in smaller units. This trend is […]

Developed as a direct response to customer needs, warranties can reinforce an operation’s stability, productivity, and efficiency, while providing the peace-of-mind that any operation needs to drive the industry forward.

The hard-working technicians focused on wind-farm preventative maintenance face a paradoxical challenge: delivering energy to an industry that prizes reliability and consistency while dealing with conditions that seem diametrically opposed to those goals — extreme temperature fluctuations, exceedingly complex maintenance logistics, and weather patterns that defy expert predictions. That’s exactly why the experts at ExxonMobil, […]

An annual turbine oil analysis detects early signs of lubricant degradation and contamination — critical for optimizing turbine performance, reliability and service life.

Although wind-turbine oil could last for 10 years or more, it can start degrading long before that. Given this and because oil is the lifeblood of turbines, regular testing is important. While monthly oil analysis delivers a basic view of the oil’s condition, there are additional tests that should be performed annually to monitor key […]

Examining an approach for calculating enhanced ratings for cable circuits connecting wind farms to the grid.

Cable circuits connecting wind farms to the grid are subject to highly variable loading. The sizing of such cables according to conventional continuous rating methods, e.g. IEC 60287, can lead to some conservatism. Traditional daily loss load factors are also unsuitable for use with these circuits, as unlike demand driven circuits there is no discernible […]

No single inspection or one-time procedure guarantees blade safety; what protects workers, communities, and assets is the accumulated effect of thousands of quality decisions made throughout the blade’s life.

In the wind-energy industry, conversations about safety often center on tower heights, blade lengths, or extreme weather events. But for those in the field — technicians, inspectors, engineers, and operators — safety starts long before a blade ever turns. It begins with decisions made during design, the precision on the manufacturing floor, the hands that […]

As turbines continue to grow taller — and lightning events grow more frequent with climate change — lightning protection system enhancements could become a standard feature for both new builds and retrofit upgrades across the wind-energy landscape.

Lightning is one of the most expensive — and underestimated — threats facing the wind industry today. As turbines grow taller, their vulnerability to lightning strikes is only increasing. The average tip height of these structures has surged from less than 100 meters in 2000 to 164 meters in 2022, tripling the capacity per turbine. […]

A wind turbine rotor blade made from a recyclable epoxy resin system and the recyclable epoxy adhesive system can be fully recycled by a low-energy solvolysis process.

In 2023, the wind-energy sector celebrated the landmark figure of 1 TW of global installed capacity. This milestone was a testimony to the fundamental role played by wind energy in decarbonizing the global power system and helping the world reach its climate and energy goals. It took 40 years to reach the 1 TW milestone; […]

With strong policy support, a skilled workforce, and a growing project pipeline, wind power will continue to play a critical role in meeting the country’s rising energy needs.

America’s appetite for electricity is growing — fast. A recent study by S&P, commissioned by American Clean Power and other energy and business trade groups, shows that U.S. electricity demand is expected to increase up to 50 percent by 2040. This surge is fueled by near-term growth in manufacturing and data centers and long-term trends […]

Reducing downtime and costs through advanced monitoring and remote solutions.

In the race to achieve 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, the U.S. faces significant operational challenges that threaten the efficiency and profitability of its offshore wind projects. However, a game-changing solution is on the horizon: advanced monitoring systems and remote solutions. These technologies are not just operational tools; they are revolutionizing the […]

As the demand for clean, sustainable energy sources increases, in-demand transferable skills can help with a career in the renewable energy industry.

The renewable energy sector is booming, presenting a wealth of opportunities for those ready to make a career switch. But how do you transition into this growing industry? What skills do you need to thrive in renewable energy roles?  The answer lies in transferable skills — abilities you’ve gained from past experiences that can be […]

The development of innovative technology will help ensure wind and solar energy operates efficiently and economically as their need continues to grow globally.

Wind-farm operators know that the bolted connections between the hub and rotor blade of a wind turbine are constantly subjected to dynamic loads, leading to stud and bolt failures. To help prevent the possibility of failure, technology is needed to detect broken bolts or studs in the blade root. This system should be able to […]

High in the air, often miles offshore, component experts need a complex raft of skills to serve the wind-energy market.

Dwarfed by a fleet of sky-scraping wind turbines, one might not realize there are up to 20 brakes installed in each one. They are typically rotor brakes and yaw brakes, while, on the electric pitch systems, there are pitch brakes on each drive motor. In the fast-paced, wind-power world, when up-tower, it is important to […]

The shift toward drone-based lightning protection system inspections represents more than just an operational upgrade – it is a fundamental evolution in how wind-energy infrastructure is safeguarded against one of its most persistent threats.

Wind turbines stand as towering symbols of progress in the global renewable energy landscape. However, their height and exposure make them particularly vulnerable to lightning strikes. Each turbine is designed with a Lightning Protection System (LPS) to safely channel electrical energy into the ground, but these systems require regular inspections to remain effective. Without proper […]

New lower weight noncorrosive structural materials and efficient new production methods will result in producing and placing offshore wind turbines at a rate of 50 units per year all at a significantly reduced cost compared to current practices.

Onshore wind has more than 70,800 units in the United States. Unfortunately, onshore wind is not strong enough, nor does it blow often enough, to meet our growing clean-energy needs. Offshore wind is stronger and more consistent, yet there are only seven offshore wind-turbine generators operating. A new process that starts with the signing of […]

As offshore wind farms push into deeper waters and more challenging environments, integrating advanced monitoring and forecasting systems will bring substantial safety and efficiency benefits.

What likely started as a routine offshore training exercise last February turned calamitous when a helicopter crashed off Norway’s west coast, claiming the life of one crew member and injuring all five others onboard. This tragedy, along with recent helicopter safety training exercises on Cape Cod where offshore wind workers practiced underwater escape techniques, cements […]

Although the use of Lidar for collecting wind measurement data has become more widespread, the makers of the technology hope to convince the industry that it can be used as a standalone alternative to traditional wind-measurement methods such as met masts.

In December 2024, Vaisala hosted a webinar with DNV and AES Clean Energy to talk about how Lidar helps achieve lower measurement uncertainties and guarantees higher bankability in a wind-measurement campaign. Wind Systems was given permission to publish some of the highlights of the program. It has been edited for the magazine. For the complete […]

Using an ultrasonic phased array element arrangement method based on the Fermat spiral array can help ensure the safe and reliable service of key wind-turbine components and promote the technological development of the wind-power industry.

Wind power, as a form of clean, stable, and economical new energy, is currently recognized as one of the most technologically mature, scalable, and commercially viable primary energy sources in the development of new power systems. It plays a crucial role in achieving China’s “carbon peak and carbon neutrality” goals and the transition to low-carbon […]

Media Solutions president and CEO had a talent for transforming challenges into opportunities – becoming a successful, well-respected leader in the B2B publishing world.

Media Solutions’ employees always knew when David Christopher “Coop” Cooper was in the office. At any given time during the day, the hallway would be filled with an off-key refrain of “Only You”; quotes from the movie “Top Gun” (“Talk to me, Goose!”); and, of course, a loud, often-repeated, cacophonous chorus of “Sell! Sell! Sell!” […]