May 2013
ARTICLES
Maximizing long-term integrity of turbine foundation integrity requires attention to fundamental aspects of construction and design
There are four major areas of wind project construction: civil (roads, wind turbine foundations, etc.); electrical collection system; wind turbine erection; and high voltage electrical work (substation/switchyard/transmission line). This column will examine some of the critical aspects of foundation design and construction. Quality foundations are one of the most important aspects of wind farm construction. […]
Avoiding contamination and performing grease sample analysis during low-speed bearing maintenance help mitigate chances of surprise events
On most wind turbines today, bearings outside of the main gearbox are lubricated with grease. Grease is typically pumped into a bearing with a grease gun, either manually or automatically. Other items such as open gear teeth are also protected with a layer of grease—applied by a brush, or automatic lubrication device. Applying this lubricant […]
Computerized maintenance management systems offer streamlined approach to maintenance and integration
Computerized maintenance management systems offer streamlined approach to maintenance and integration with ERPs for predicted growth of O&M segment.
It wasn’t so long ago that I witnessed paper service reports being stored at the base of a tower. For many organizations, things haven’t advanced far beyond that, with spreadsheets still being acceptable to some as a legitimate method of data storage. In their 2011 study on Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) usage, Reliabilityweb.com reported […]
Making accurate comparisons and a greater understanding of the budgeting process can aid in avoiding transportation “bill shock”
As the saying goes, “the devil is in the details.” This holds true when budgeting a transportation project. Items are often left out of the budgeting process that are not accounted for when the final tab is added up. These unexpected, unexplained charges cause arguments between clients and vendors, and can cause the relationship to […]
NEWS
Vestas Receives its Largest Canadian Turbine Order
Vestas has secured a firm and unconditional order for the delivery of 166 V100-1.8MW wind turbines along with a 20-year service and maintenance agreement for the 299MW Blackspring Ridge Wind Project, a joint venture of EDF EN Canada, Inc. and Enbridge. It marks the largest order for Vestas wind turbines in Canada. Deliveries for Blackspring […]
April 29, 2013
Obamaâs 2014 Budget Proposal Make Green Energy a Priority
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman on April 10, detailed President Barack Obama’s $28.4 billion Fiscal Year 2014 budget request for the Energy Department. Poneman emphasized the President’s continued commitment to an all-of-the-above energy strategy that prioritizes investments in innovation, clean energy technologies, and national security. The Department’s budget request is part of the […]
April 29, 2013
U.S. Wind Energy Grows 28 Percent in 2012 on $25 Billion Investment
Wind energy grew 28 percent in the United States in 2012, setting a new installation record and confirming its status as a mainstream energy source, according to the American Wind Energy Association’s U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report for 2012, released in April. In its best year ever, the U.S. industry topped all energy sources […]
April 29, 2013
DOE and NREL Announce Inaugural Collegiate Wind Competition Teams
The U.S. Department of Energy and its National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are announced the teams selected to take part in the inaugural DOE Collegiate Wind Competition. The following 10 student teams were selected through a competitive process to compete in the inaugural competition: • Boise State University• California Maritime Academy• Colorado School of Mines• […]
April 29, 2013
First Phase of London Array Fully Powered
Full capacity has now been reached at the 630MW first phase of the world’s largest offshore wind farm, the London Array. The commissioning of the 175th and final turbine happened at 4:09 pm local time on Saturday, April 6. With all turbines now exporting power to the national grid, London Array is expected to produce […]
April 29, 2013
GE Prototype Operational at European Test Site
General Electric has announced that a prototype of the world’s most efficient high-output wind turbine, the new 2.5-120, is operational at a test site in Wieringermeer, Netherlands. The 2.5-120 is the company’s first brilliant wind turbine, driving higher power output, improving service productivity and creating new revenue streams for customers. The 2.5-120, announced in January, […]
April 29, 2013
Largest Wind Farm in Southern Hemisphere Officially Opens
Australia’s 420MW Macarthur Wind Farm, largest in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring Vestas V112-3.0MW turbines has officially opened. Vestas CEO Ditlev Engel participated in the event, which included leading Australian state and federal government officials. Owned by Australian-based AGL Energy and New Zealand-based Meridian Energy, the Macarthur Wind Farm is a genuinely global construction, engineering, and […]
April 29, 2013
First Wind adopts WTGservice.com Maintenance Management System
3Floorsup, developer of WTGservice.com, has today announced that First Wind is to adopt its industry-leading maintenance management system. First Wind has selected WTGservice maintenance management system for its in-house service operations. The wind industry-specific software will be used by First Wind technicians to track, manage and analyze asset history on First Wind’s turbines across the […]
April 29, 2013
SAMPE 2013 to be held in Long Beach, Calif. May 6-9.
SAMPE 2013 offers innovative approaches in the materials and processes industry. Four days of high-level content draw on the expertise of the leading M&P producers in the research, government, and academic sectors. At SAMPE 2013, top M&P industry professionals will lead sessions and provide attendees the tools they need to take their projects to the […]
April 29, 2013
Vestas Appoints New Chief Financial Officer
Vestas Wind Systems A/S appointed Marika Fredriksson as its Chief Financial Officer and member of the Executive Management. She succeeds Dag Gunnar Andresen, who unfortunately has decided to leave the company by the end of this month due to personal reasons. Fredriksson has extensive experience in the role as CFO with 15 years in various […]
April 29, 2013
Suzlon Group Crosses 1GW Milestone in U.K.
Suzlon Group’s U.K. subsidiary, REpower Systems SE, a leading manufacturer of onshore and offshore wind turbines, has reached the historic milestone of 1GW installed capacity across U.K. wind farms. REpower UK is only the third manufacturer in the U.K. to achieve the 1GW watershed. Since its inception in 2005, REpower UK has consistently been one […]
April 29, 2013
EDF-re Increases Investment in Texas with Spinning Spur II
EDF Renewable Energy announced it has exercised an option to acquire the remaining 49 percent interest in the 161MW Spinning Spur II Wind Project from Cielo Wind Power, LP, bringing its ownership to 100 percent. In addition, EDF RE has signed a turbine supply agreement with General Electric for the purchase of 87 wind turbines […]
April 29, 2013
The Switch Appoints New GM in China
The Switch, a leading supplier of megawatt-class permanent magnet generator and full-power converter packages for wind power and other renewable energy applications, announced today the appointment of David Zhao in the position of General Manager for China. This hiring of Zhao underpins the Switch’s long-term ambitions to establish itself as the preferred partner in PMG […]
April 29, 2013
EDF Renewable Services Wins O&M Contract for Edom Hills Wind Farm
EDF Renewable Services announced it has secured the operations and maintenance contract at the Edom Hills Wind Farm. Owned and operated by a subsidiary of BP Wind Energy, Edom Hills is located in the San Gorgonio Pass near Palm Springs, California. The site consists of eight Clipper Windpower 2.5MW turbines generating 20MW of renewable energy. […]
April 29, 2013
Wind Energy Blowing Life into Global Carbon Fiber Industry
After years of steady but unimpressive growth, the global carbon fiber industry is finally set for a boom in revenue, thanks to burgeoning demand from the wind energy market, according to the latest report from business intelligence company GBI Research. According to the firm’s latest release, global carbon fiber demand will hit 153,700 tons in […]
April 29, 2013
PRODUCT SHOWCASE: IronClad Extreme Duty Foundation Anchor Bolt Caps
A brand new design, Norm Tooman Construction’s IronClad™ Extreme Duty Foundation Anchor Bolt Caps were developed to address the need for caps that resist damage from falling sheet ice and environmental exposure while more effectively sealing out moisture in humid or salt water environments. Extreme Duty caps feature four separate sealing surfaces including an o-ring […]
April 29, 2013
PRODUCT SHOWCASE: Handheld Infrared Oil Analyzer Provides Direct, Immediate Measurement of Lubricant Condition
Lubrication abnormalities are a major cause of equipment downtime and failure. To prevent those costly occurrences, the FluidScan® Q1100 handheld infrared oil analyzer from Spectro Inc. enables users to determine when oil is no longer fit for use due to liquid contamination or degradation. The compact instrument provides direct, immediate measurement of water, total acid […]
April 29, 2013
PRODUCT SHOWCASE: Rennsteig Toolsâs SRW 1000 Tool Securely Removes and Installs Retaining Rings from 15â to 40â in Size
Today, new processes and work methods are being developed along with being improved at an accelerating pace. Tradespeople along with technicians use an expanding range of techniques and they need special tools to use them efficiently. These special tools are used in a wide variety of industries, especially the wind power industry where they are […]
April 29, 2013
PRODUCT SHOWCASE: Custom Fit Wind Turbine Component Covers
Transhield, Inc. is a global supplier of custom fit covers for shipping and storage protection for a variety of industries, including wind power applications. These wind power application covers are a patented alternative for heavy, expensive custom tarps or conventional hand wrapping with the added ability to shrink the cover for a tight fit, resulting […]
April 29, 2013
