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inFocus

Equipment shortage possible on a global scale

In the January issue we noted that 2010 promises to be a challenge for the wind power industry as general equipment availability and transport...

Loose ground can create foundation design challenges

Soft or loose ground at the site of a new tower can pose challenges to the design of the foundation. Jet grouting can modify...

O&M issues to increase through the decade

By the end of 2010, for the first time in U.S. history more wind turbines will be operating out of warranty than will be...

Wind systems have gotten more effective and reliable

As wind turbines have gotten larger over the last couple of decades, it is difficult to imagine the limitations in size or the future...

Foundation ‘gaps’ can prove costly

Wind power companies routinely face performance issues throughout their supply chains. These functional “gaps” often become problems that can prove very costly. Some gaps...

Dealing with a wind tower’s high load

Wind towers are not particularly heavy, but are subject to high lateral loads at a distance high above their base, resulting in a large...

Test rig built to help validate bearing designs

Alternative energy generation is becoming an important part of the power generation mix, and it is likely that the size of individual generating units...

Robust supply chain crucial for blades

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...

Avoiding wind farm construction risks

For those responsible for the construction of wind farms, risks literally could be just around the corner. If your project logistics resources do not...

Increasing reliability with condition monitoring

With the growth of wind farms, users are turning to condition monitoring and automatic lubrication systems for increased reliability. The following questions, and answers,...

DOE 1.5 turbine lets NWTC conduct research

The two largest wind turbines ever erected at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) towered into the sky this...

Turbines must meet certification requirements

Almost all large wind turbines available on the market today have been certified by an international certification body through a comprehensive design evaluation, testing,...

A look at preventive maintenance

With the increasing investment into the development of wind farms, preventive maintenance takes on an important role in ensuring the reliability and cost-effectiveness of...

Micropiles are versatile foundation systems

Many deep foundation systems are available for support of wind turbine tower foundations, including driven piles, drilled caissons, augercast piles, and micropiles. Of these...

Making sense of small wind

In the small wind industry you will often encounter the sentiment that you should buy the biggest tower you can afford in order to...

Understanding the entitlement process with small wind

There are over 25,000 individual planning commissions in the United States, and each has the potential to promote the adoption of regulations hostile to...

Ground improvement techniques for turbine sites

When the geotechnical exploration at a planned wind turbine tower location reveals that the subsurface conditions are weak and compressible, a deep foundation system...

Maintaining gearbox oil properly

Oil is a key life-cycle driver of a gearbox, and proper maintenance is important. The primary purpose of oil is to provide lubrication and...

Making sure the gearbox stays realiable

Gearbox reliability is a crucial issue for the wind energy industry. The gearbox and its supporting components (i.e. shafts, generator, brakes, and lubrication system)...