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March 2025

Components and Technicians: Big parts to play

Joel Cox
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Components and Technicians: Big parts to play

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 minimize downtime and take up exactly what is needed — first time. For example, when working around nuclear installations, it’s necessary to have detailed tool lists and extensive pre-planning meetings to avoid delays and reduce radiation exposure. In wind, the stakes are just as high.

When it comes to wind-turbine braking systems, brake manufacturers need to stay at the cutting edge of their own technological field, while leading the way in height safety best practice. (Courtesy: Shutterstock)

Rotor, yaw, and pitch brakes

Rotor brakes are likely caliper-style (active or passive), while rotor lock style pins (hydraulic or manual) are used for safety locking and maintenance purposes. Yaw brakes (active or passive) and sliding bearings, along with special brakes, are installed for pitch movement on the blades. Then there are high-end coolers, hydraulic systems, cylinders, and accumulators.

A line-up of barrel pistons and pucks being produced for yaw passive braking system. (Courtesy: Dellner Bubenzer Group)

Throw into the equation that modern-day turbines can reach to more than 850 feet and can be as many as 50 nautical miles offshore, and the scale of the task to keep thousands of braking systems operational, even on a single wind farm, starts to present itself. It means that brake manufacturers need to stay at the cutting edge of their own technological field, while leading the way in height safety best practice.

A factory worker completes manufacturing of rotor lock pins for OEM wind turbines. (Courtesy: Dellner Bubenzer Group)

When high-end powertrain and braking components are involved, unscheduled maintenance is seldom required. This also means work can be planned and emergencies prevented. While manual checks on brake pad thickness and wear-and-tear are necessary, modern brakes have wear indicators that can alert maintenance teams of any issues ahead of time.

Unsung heroes

Each brake is a feat of engineering in its own right, and being able to examine one on a workbench takes years of training and practice. The fact that none of the tasks alluded to earlier ever takes place in the comfort of a workshop means plans must be made accordingly from the point of design all the way through manufacturing and application. Where ropes and hoisting equipment enable safe access to nacelles, tools are designed with lanyards to prevent dropped objects. If one is using a wrench or torque wrench to calibrate, think about what can happen if a worker suddenly slips. Damage to equipment, property, and personnel is the first thought at all times.

A line-up of some aftermarket specialty upgrade kits for offshore turbines. (Courtesy: Dellner Bubenzer Group)

A wind-turbine nacelle is not always a comfortable environment to perform such labor. Certain places, such as the hub or lower yawing area, present particular challenges. Where, in the industrial sector, detailed work plans, including specific access and egress protocols, would be in place anytime a worker had to complete a job in a confined space, in wind energy, this environment is the norm. Much respect goes to tower technicians who stand, crouch, crawl, and climb to get jobs done. Some scoff, but they are totally deserving of the higher pay scales that the industry affords them.

Pressure on component suppliers

For a long time, the brake and component industry has tried to impart its knowledge onto wind-energy engineers, but the required expertise largely remains within the product sector itself. While the installed base of wind farms in the U.S. tends to be onshore, more offshore farms are starting to be approved and built. This only adds to the pressure on component suppliers.

As suggested, once competent on brakes, a technician must also be a pioneer in height safety. Safe work at height and climbing to get there involves extensive training and a thorough understanding of the requirements for ascent, descent, and everything in between. It’s not an environment where one can only think about themselves, either; support, rescue, and emergency plans must also be rehearsed and constantly retrained.

I have been throwing on harnesses all my career to work on electric overhead traveling (EOT) cranes, but until going to a wind power-related training class some years ago, I had no real understanding of the evolution that has taken place in climbing, rigging, and height safety. It was eye-opening and concerning in equal measure.

Next time you’re in the field, looking up at a wind turbine and take a moment to think about the abundance of heavy-duty rotor, yaw, and pitch brakes in operation, and the expertise required to access them and keep everything working safely and efficiently. A truly worldwide operation, Dellner adopts a “think globally, act locally” mentality, which enables the company to operate almost seamlessly at wind turbines turn across the world. Technical teams from China, India, Denmark, Germany, Spain, and the U.S. make sure that, if required, Dellner can be on site at a moment’s notice. 

James Fisher strengthens APAC commitment

Wind Systems staff
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James Fisher strengthens APAC commitment

James Fisher & Sons plc, a leading global provider of specialist services to the energy, marine, and defense industries, recently launched a new legal entity in Japan, reinforcing its long-term commitment to Japan and its footprint in North East Asia.

The move furthers James Fisher’s intention to bring its integrated offering and innovative, sustainable solutions to the country’s energy transition, maritime security, and defense needs. The Group already has a partnership covering the offshore wind service industry, including a Joint Collaboration Agreement with Tokyo Gas Engineering Solutions (TGES).

With more than 200 employees across 12 locations in APAC, and operations in more than 25 countries worldwide, James Fisher can use both its regional and global expertise to support Japan’s industrial ambitions more rapidly and efficiently.

“Japan’s ambitious modernization plans are driving demand for advanced maritime technology, defense capabilities and renewable energy solutions,” said Jean Vernet, CEO at James Fisher. “With a target of 10 GW of offshore wind by 2030, a significant increase in defense spending to 2 percent of GDP by 2027, and around 99 percent of its foreign trade moving by sea, it is making substantial investments across these critical areas. James Fisher’s expertise gives us a unique opportunity to support Japan’s evolving needs. Our long-term commitment to the Japanese market will grow in parallel with the country’s goals, ensuring we continue to contribute to its national strategy, while bringing a global perspective to complex challenges.”

James Fisher is dedicated to pioneering safe, trusted solutions for complex customer challenges.

Through its core market sectors, it provides innovative solutions to enhance the global shift toward cleaner energy production, protect lives and assets in the most demanding environments, and leads the way in targeted coastal maritime shipping and global oil and natural gas ship-to ship transfer. 

More info www.james-fisher.com

Why offshore wind will survive: An object lesson in economics and physics

Jason Cotrell
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Why offshore wind will survive: An object lesson in economics and physics

For those in the wind industry, the late teens to early ’20s of the 21st century may be remembered as the boom years for offshore wind development in the U.S. and abroad. Growth appeared to be unstoppable, as bigger, more powerful projects were built every year, the first U.S. offshore wind plants were commissioned, and investors queued up for offshore projects. The global-commissioned capacity of offshore wind increased from 3 GW in 2010 to approximately 68 GW as of the end of 2023.

Manufacturing and assembly innovations, such as 3D concrete printing on Sperra’s floating construction station, can be used to reduce the capital costs of offshore wind and increase manufacturing throughput of critical components such as offshore wind foundations at a fraction of the cost and time compared to building new port infrastructure. (Photo credit: Sperra)

[1] Not coincidentally, the cost of offshore wind generation decreased roughly 60 percent over the same period, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. [2] What was behind this meteoric growth? Lower capital costs, of course, and expanded supply chains, as well as low interest rates, innovation, economies of scale, and increased need for clean energy. But over the last few years, some things have changed.

Rising interest rates, global supply chain issues, and changing political leadership have put projects at risk, especially in the U.S. As a 30-year veteran of the wind industry (with more than a few battle scars to show for it), I maintain that the long-term trajectory for offshore renewables — including fixed and floating wind and solar — remains overwhelmingly positive.

Facts of the matter

The underlying economics and physics of offshore wind and solar are solid. It’s a well-known fact that wind and solar energy are two of the lowest cost and cleanest forms of new electrical generation capacity today. The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of solar PV and onshore wind were 56 percent and 67 percent less, respectively, than the weighted average fossil fuel-fired alternatives in 2023. Even with the macroeconomic challenges of the past few years, the cost of electricity of new offshore wind projects continued to decline, decreasing 7 percent in 2023 compared with 2022 [2].

The lifecycle GHG emissions (which includes emissions associated with sourcing the materials and manufacturing the wind plant) of land-based, wind-generated electricity is a mere 1 percent to 2.5 percent that of coal-fired and natural gas-fired electrical generation, respectively. The physics of wind and solar are also more favorable offshore, as wind farms generate more energy compared with their land-based counterparts. While economic challenges for deep-water offshore wind and solar remain, new approaches to manufacturing, assembling, and deploying wind and solar foundations and anchors (two of the largest drivers of capital cost) hold promise for the sector.

Undeniable truths

There are certain undeniable truths at the heart of the energy transition. One of these is that electricity demand will continue to increase for the foreseeable future. U.S. energy use from data centers alone is expected to potentially triple by 2028, up to 12 percent of U.S. energy consumption, according to DOE estimates (although very recent artificial intelligence innovations may reduce future projections). Not all this demand can be met by conventional forms of electricity generation.

It’s a well-known fact that wind and solar energy are two of the lowest cost and cleanest forms of new electrical generation capacity today. (Courtesy: Shutterstock)

All-of-the-above strategy

We need an all-of-the-above energy strategy — and offshore wind is no exception. Many U.S. coastal states have few good options to address unprecedented energy growth and carbon-reduction goals. In New York, for example, which committed to achieving a zero-emission electric grid by 2040, the development of clean energy is tied directly to jobs and economic development.

New York’s Scoping Plan has estimated that new jobs driven by Climate Act investments are estimated to outnumber potential displaced jobs by a ratio of 10 to 1 in 2030, with as many as 318,000 jobs expected to be created in growing sub-sectors by 2040. New York’s goals include 9 GW of offshore wind by 2035.

Population centers

Energy generation needs to be close to population centers, which are increasingly coastal. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, nearly 80 percent of U.S. electrical consumption is in coastal states. Serving energy needs locally will become increasingly crucial from both a cost and resiliency standpoint. Locating generation closer to demand reduces transmission costs and provides new electricity options, reducing electricity costs overall.

Energy generation needs to be close to population centers, which are increasingly coastal. (Courtesy: Shutterstock)

Surviving and thriving

What will it take for the offshore wind industry to survive — and thrive — in 2025 and beyond? Relentless focus on three core objectives includes:

  • Growing U.S. manufacturing and jobs: According to a recent report by Oceantic Network, $25 billion in supply chain investments from across the offshore wind industry has already fueled significant growth in shipbuilding and steel production at U.S. ports. The impact is felt across 40 U.S. states and territories. Investments in U.S. manufacturing will continue to create long-term jobs, particularly in and around economically challenged port districts.
  • Lowering costs of offshore wind infrastructure: Project economics are driven by many factors, chief among them the embedded technology cost in support structures. Achieving lower-cost offshore wind will require a renewed commitment to innovative manufacturing methods, floating foundation designs, and anchoring solutions that are easier to deploy, lower cost, and made from lower carbon, locally sourced materials such as concrete.
  • A diversification mindset: To thrive in the years ahead, diversification will be key. This doesn’t mean pivoting away from core capabilities but expanding both geographic footprint and technology applications. For example, Sperra’s new floating construction station, which is built using OmniDockTM technologies, is primarily designed to manufacture support structures for offshore wind and floating solar but can also address offshore infrastructure needs as diverse as national defense, civil infrastructure, and ocean reef restoration. While Sperra is dedicated to U.S. ocean renewables, its technologies are highly transferable to other established and emerging offshore markets in the U.S. and abroad.

The current economic and regulatory challenges for offshore wind, while formidable, are not insurmountable. Challenges bring opportunities. Keeping our industry focused on lower cost solutions that expand U.S. manufacturing and create jobs will help align our goals with those of the current administration, as well as those of every offshore renewables developer working to optimize project economics.

Leaders change — this we all know — but the underlying need to develop and deploy renewable energy will not. Ultimately, the growing demand for more energy and lower costs will continue to make the energy transition inevitable.

References

  1. Offshore Wind Market Report: 2024 Edition, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, accessed January 25.
  2. Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2023, September 2024, IRENA, accessed January 2025.

W.E.B’s Italian Ariano, Apricena wind farms enter operation

Wind Systems staff
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W.E.B’s Italian Ariano, Apricena wind farms enter operation

NORD/LB and W.E.B Group recently announced the Ariano (84 MW) and Apricena (12 MW) wind farms in Italy have both officially entered operation.

NORD/LB provided W.E.B Group with a 113-million-euro financing package to develop the two facilities, with the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark providing ECA cover for the Ariano financing.

The Ariano wind farm consists of 20 Vestas V150-4.2 MW wind turbines. (Courtesy: W.E.B Group)

Ariano consists of 20 Vestas V150-4.2 MW wind turbines, while Apricena comprises four Vestas V105-3.0 MW wind turbines. Both farms are in southern Italy, with the electricity generated to be purchased by Terna — Italy’s national grid — powering more than 60,000 households.

 

“At NORD/LB, we’re committed to financing complex and pioneering projects that accelerate Europe’s renewable energy transition,” said Pedro Capote Martín, senior director at NORD/LB. “The Ariano and Apricena wind farms will continue to help Italy — and Europe more broadly — to reach their ambitious net zero targets. We are thrilled to support W.E.B Group in furthering Italy’s decarbonization program.”

“NORD/LB’s deep knowledge and expertise in financing renewable energy projects have been essential in the development of the Ariano and Apricena wind farms,” said Reinhard Kainz, country manager Italy at W.E.B Group. “From the outset, they provided us with tailored advice and created a bespoke financing package that not only ensured the smooth development of the wind farms, but also secures their long-term future. We are also thankful for the support of the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark to this transaction.”

Italy has set ambitious renewable energy targets under the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), aiming for renewables to make up 30 percent of its total energy consumption by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050. The Ariano and Apricena wind farms will play their part in helping to meet these targets and accelerate Italy’s renewable energy transition. 

More info www.web.energy/us-en

Clearway upgrades south Texas wind farm

Wind Systems staff
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Clearway upgrades south Texas wind farm

Clearway Energy Group and Clearway Energy, Inc. has repowered its Cedro Hill wind farm in Webb County, Texas with new, more efficient equipment that increased the wind farm’s capacity to 160 MW – enough electricity to power nearly 40,000 homes every year. “Our Cedro Hill repowering means more efficient delivery of clean, affordable energy to thousands of Texas homes and businesses every year,” said John Martinez, senior vice president of operations at Clearway Energy Group.

The Cedro Hill upgrade supported hundreds of construction jobs to modernize the power plant. (Courtesy:Clearway Energy)

“By investing in this repowering, Clearway is investing in local tax revenue, local jobs, and payments to local landowners for decades to come.” The Cedro Hill repower represents a $269 million investment in South Texas and will extend landowner payment and property taxes in Webb County by $27 million over the project’s life. As part of its ongoing commitment to Webb County, Clearway continues to donate to the Hebbronville Food Pantry and the Webb Consolidated Independent School District. The repower supported more than 200 skilled construction jobs in South Texas. The project involved replacing the blades and nacelles, which house the turbine’s generator and associated parts across the site’s 100 turbines.

As part of Clearway’s commitment to reducing waste, Clearway worked with Wanzek Construction, Inc., a MasTec Renewables company, to ensure that all existing materials, including fiberglass, are recycled or diverted from landfills. Cedro Hill was built and commissioned in 2010, with its generated power sold under a long-term power purchase agreement with CPS Energy, the largest municipal electric and gas utility in the nation, serving the city of San Antonio, Texas, and one of the nation’s largest municipal buyers of wind energy. As part of the repowering, CPS Energy extended its existing agreement to support its commitment to growing its renewable energy portfolio.

CPS Energy continues to benefit from 100 percent of the power generated by the Cedro Hill wind farm. This project is Clearway’s fifth wind farm repower in Texas and sixth across its portfolio.

More info www.clearwayenergygroup.com

American Wire appoints marketing VP, PR director

Wind Systems staff
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American Wire appoints marketing VP, PR director

American Wire Group recently appointed Nada Filipovic as vice president of marketing and communications and Kristina Borojevic as PR and communications director. Filipovic will develop and oversee the execution of detailed marketing plans.

Since joining AWG in 2020, Filipovic has fostered the growth and expanded AWG’s marketing efforts across multiple platforms, from social media to website management.

Borojevic will be responsible for internal and external communications strategies, digital storytelling, and content creation.

American Wire Group has a new director of PR and communications, Kristina Borojevic (top). Nada Filipovic (bottom) is the new VP of marketing and communications. (Courtesy: AWG)

Since joining AWG in 2022, Borojevic has focused on increasing AWG brand awareness through social media including video storytelling, educational content, and trade show promotions.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the strength and success of the marketing group with the promotion of both Nada and Kristina,” said Norman Russell, chief revenue officer at AWG.

“With this new marketing organization, AWG is positioned to accelerate growth in the markets we serve and continuously evolve as an organization.”

More info www.buyawg.com

NovaTech releases new Ethernet switches

Wind Systems staff
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NovaTech releases new Ethernet switches

NovaTech Automation, a leader in substation automation for the U.S. electric grid, recently announced the release of the Hermes 2000 series of utility-grade Layer 2 Ethernet switches, enabling NovaTech to deliver a broader array of digital substation solutions to its utility customers.

NovaTech released the Hermes 2000 series of utility-grade Ethernet switches. (Courtesy: NovaTech Automation)

The Hermes 2000 Gigabit Ethernet switches feature 28 ports and meet IEC 61850-3 standards. Available in various configurations of copper and SFP ports and operating voltages, Hermes 2000 switches are designed for mounting in 19-inch racks.

“The recent introduction and strong response to the OrionVX, the server-deployed version of our popular OrionOS for substation automation platform, highlighted a customer need and an opportunity to provide robust network solutions suitable for the performance, cybersecurity, and environmental demands of the modern digital substation, all backed by responsive service that our customers love,” said Conrad Oakley, NovaTech CEO.

“Hermes 2000 broadens the offering for NovaTech customers and expands our capabilities for turnkey system engineering solutions,” he said.

More info www.novatechautomation.com

Deutsche WindGuard names Ahrens to management board

Wind Systems staff
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Deutsche WindGuard names Ahrens to management board

Benjamin Ahrens recently joined the management board of Deutsche WindGuard Consulting GmbH. He now heads the company based in Varel, Germany, together with Managing Director Axel Albers. “With Benjamin Ahrens, we were able to encourage a highly motivated and excellently qualified expert from within our own team to accept responsibility as a managing director,” Albers said.

Benjamin Ahrens (left) has joined the Deutsche WindGuard management board, pictured with managing director Axel Albers (right). (Courtesy: Deutsche WindGuard)

“As co-founder of Deutsche WindGuard Group, he is focused on benefiting from the younger generation’s potential while setting course for the future at an early stage.” “As an accredited testing and calibration laboratory, Deutsche WindGuard Consulting has always been an industry leader in shaping key developments, innovations, and standards,” Ahrens said. “One of our major goals for the coming years is to further enhance our services and align them even closer to our customers’ requirements, while at the same time equipping ourselves for the constantly changing demands of the market.”

Ahrens and Albers will continue to support their various expert teams in further adapting current tools and processes to enhance the interconnection of internal knowledge and respond even more effectively to external challenges. In 2025, Deutsche WindGuard will also commission new Lidar calibration sites and intensify its cooperation with various partners in the Asian-Australian market.

More info www.windguard.com

Trafag AG launches gas density monitor

Wind Systems staff
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Trafag AG launches gas density monitor

Trafag AG, a manufacturer of high-accuracy measurement devices, recently launched its 8719 Gas Density Monitor, designed to revolutionize gas insulated switchgear monitoring in the renewable energy industry. The device addresses the challenges of maintaining operational safety and efficiency in diverse renewable energy environments. The 8719 Gas Density Monitor includes a large 75mm dial, providing easier needle position readability for technicians working on renewable energy installations and reducing maintenance time.

Trafag AG’s 8719 Gas Density Monitor Trafag AG is designed to revolutionize gas insulated switchgear monitoring in the renewable energy industry. (Courtesy: Trafag AG)

This feature enables monitoring of exact gas density levels, critical for maintaining operational efficiency and safety in renewable energy systems. Additionally, the monitor offers up to five galvanically separated circuits, allowing for independent monitoring of multiple density levels and enhanced alarm capabilities, crucial for complex renewable energy systems such as large-scale solar farms and offshore wind turbines. Its fully temperature-compensated design maintains accuracy in fluctuating temperature conditions, which are common in solar and wind farm settings, eliminating pressure variations caused by temperature shifts and ensuring continuous operation.

For renewable energy operations in harsh climates, the optional arctic temperature capability incorporates specialized additives to extend functionality to as low as minus-60°C, broadening the possibilities for renewable energy deployment in cold regions. The 8719 Gas Density Monitor is suitable for both outdoor and indoor applications. This flexibility allows renewable energy providers to install the monitor across a range of locations, from solar farms to offshore wind turbines, ensuring consistent monitoring across diverse environments.

Durability is another hallmark of the 8719 Gas Density Monitor, with its shock resistance up to 70g. The device is compliant with SF6 and alternative gases, supporting the transition to more environmentally friendly insulating gases in renewable energy infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The optional integrated test/refill valves facilitate easy on-site maintenance, minimizing disruption to renewable energy production. This feature is particularly valuable for remote installations where frequent maintenance visits can be costly and time-consuming.

More info www.trafag.com

ZX Lidar advances offshore wind operations

Wind Systems staff
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ZX Lidar advances offshore wind operations

For nearly a decade, the integration of ZX Lidars technology into Equans’ Meteorological Monitoring Module has played a pivotal role in improving the safety and efficiency of offshore wind farm operations. This sophisticated module provides real-time environmental data from offshore substations.

The optional feature to integrate ZX Lidars technology into the module significantly enhances its capabilities by remotely providing accurate wind data above the platform. This level of accuracy is important for ensuring the safety of helicopter landings and takeoffs on offshore platforms, where challenging conditions demand reliable data. The ZX 300M wind Lidar is deployed on existing offshore substations, using infrastructure already in place to minimize additional setup costs and complexity. This Lidar-enabled approach enhances safety while also providing the opportunity to optimize turbine performance and site operations.

By providing actionable wind data from 10 meters to 300 meters the system enables owners and operators to maintain operations that are efficient, safe, and cost-effective. The Lidar data also supports continual power curve assessments, benchmarking turbine performance against expected output. Early detection of performance anomalies allows operators to plan and execute maintenance proactively, reducing unplanned downtime. “Over the past nine years, Equans and ZX Lidars have seen significant demand for our Meteorological Monitoring Module with integrated ZX 300M wind Lidar,” said Alain Goddyn, Equans section manager marine.

“Combining expertise in offshore engineering and design with an industry-leading wind measurement system delivers something unique to a challenging market. Offshore wind farms face many challenges, and we believe this technological advancement provides an innovative solution to enhance safety, efficiency, and optimization at offshore sites. We are delighted the industry recognizes this as a cost-effective way to add value to offshore substations.”

More info www.zxlidars.com

MISTRAS announces founder’s passing

Wind Systems staff
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MISTRAS announces founder’s passing
Sotirios J. Vahaviolos founded MISTRAS (originally Physical Acoustics Corporation) in 1978. (Courtesy: MISTRAS Group)

The Board of Directors of MISTRAS Group, Inc. recently announced the passing of Sotirios J. Vahaviolos, the company’s founder, chairman emeritus, and board director. A leader and pioneer in the field of non-destructive testing (NDT) and acoustic emission (AE), Vahaviolos founded MISTRAS (originally Physical Acoustics Corporation) in 1978 and dedicated more than four decades to building it into a global leader in testing, inspection, and asset protection.

“On behalf of the entire MISTRAS family, I want to express our profound appreciation for the immeasurable contributions Dr. Vahaviolos has made to our company, our shareholders, and the communities we serve,” said Manny Stamatakis, executive chairman of the Board of Directors. “He built a diversified enterprise that now provides jobs to over 5,000 employees across the U.S., Canada, and several other countries. He was a man of honor and integrity, and he will be deeply missed.”

Vahaviolos and the Board of Directors took careful measures to ensure a seamless transition and continuity of leadership. MISTRAS will continue to operate as planned, with no changes to the company’s management or strategic direction. Prior to founding MISTRAS, Vahaviolos was a scientist and manager at AT&T Bell Laboratories, where he honed his expertise in electrical engineering and advanced NDT technologies. He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering (graduating first in his class) from Fairleigh Dickinson University, followed by an M.S., M.Phil., and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University School of Engineering.

Vahaviolos was recognized as a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), and the Acoustic Emission Working Group (AEWG). He also served as ASNT’s President (1992-1993) and Chairman (1993-1994) and received Gold Medals from ASNT (2001) and AEWG (2005) in recognition of his contributions to the field, in addition to other accolades from respected industry and scientific organizations. Vahaviolos was one of the six founders of NDT Academia International in 2008, further demonstrating his dedication to advancing nondestructive testing worldwide.

More info www.mistrasgroup.com

Sonardyne launches shallow water dynamic positioning system

Wind Systems staff
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Sonardyne launches shallow water dynamic positioning system

Sonardyne, a leading provider of pioneering marine technology, recently launched its new shallow water dynamic positioning (DP) reference system, SPRINT-Nav DP. Building on the company’s decade-long expertise in hybrid acoustic-inertial navigation systems, SPRINT-Nav DP integrates high-grade inertial navigation with doppler velocity log (DVL) technology in a single, pre-calibrated unit. The system joins Sonardyne’s SPRINT-Nav family.

Image from a Sonardyne SPRINT-Nav DP animation. (Courtesy: Sonardyne)

Developed in response to SPRINT-Nav customer’s requests and an increasing demand for shallow water DP operations from the offshore wind farm sector, SPRINT-Nav DP has undergone extensive trials and validation tests to ensure it maintains the mandatory class requirements as an alternative position reference into a vessel’s DP system. SPRINT-Nav DP provides positioning without the need for a GNSS signal.

This makes it ideal for shallow water operations, including offshore renewable energy and nearshore work where GNSS signals are often spoofed, blocked or distorted by nearby structures. This latest addition to the SPRINT-Nav family also saves DP vessel operators time and money. The DVL bottom-lock technology, effective up to a depth of 230 meters, means there is no need to deploy sensors or other equipment as the seabed itself is used as the positioning reference. Factory pre-calibration means that SPRINT-Nav DP is operational as soon as the vessel arrives.

“SPRINT-Nav DP represents a leap forward in shallow water vessel positioning,” said Duncan Rigg, Business Development Manager – Vessel Systems, at Sonardyne. “By removing GNSS dependencies, we’re enabling operators to work more efficiently and dependably in challenging environments. Many existing customers had asked about using their SPRINT-Nav’s for dynamic positioning and we are delighted to introduce SPRINT-Nav DP to enhance their operations.”

More info www.sonardyne.com

Corvus to deliver giant-size battery

Wind Systems staff
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Corvus to deliver giant-size battery

for offshore vehicle Corvus Energy, supplier of zero emission solutions for the offshore and marine industry, recently announced it will deliver a mega-size battery system for the first fully electric offshore vessel. The vessel is an electric commissioning service operation vessel (eCSOV) that will be constructed by Armon shipyard in Spain for U.K.-based shipowner Bibby Marine Ltd.

The eCSOV will have almost 25 MW of Corvus battery installed and will be the world`s first fully electric offshore vessel. (Courtesy: Corvus Energy)

Corvus Energy will supply its Blue Whale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) delivering close to 25 MW/h of power for the vessel. It will be the largest LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery system ever delivered to a maritime project. “A fully electric offshore vessel is something the industry has been working toward for a long time and marks a major milestone in offshore vessel operations,” said Pål Ove Husoy, VP Sales at Corvus Energy.

“This eCSOV will be the first offshore vessel that can operate fully electric for a full day and will set a new standard for future offshore vessels. The unique system design incorporating both battery power and dual-fuel methanol engines will significantly reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency while providing the reliability and performance needed for demanding offshore wind and renewable operations.” Corvus Energy has worked with the shipowner, designer, and integrator to dimension and optimize the system design. Unlike conventional hybrid systems, the vessel will use its large battery pack as the primary power source, with engines running solely for charging at a constant, optimized load that maximizes efficiency, extends battery lifespan and reduces emissions.

The DC grid architecture further enhances system performance by minimizing energy losses and ensuring seamless power distribution. Additionally, offshore charging capabilities will enable simultaneous battery charging while maintaining DP for station-keeping, representing an industry first in the SOV market. Equipment from Corvus Energy will be delivered to the shipyard in 2026, and the vessel is scheduled for operation in 2027.

More info www.corvusenergy.com

Unique appoints global commercial, strategy development director

Wind Systems staff
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Unique appoints global commercial, strategy development director
Fraser Moonie is Unique Group’s new global commercial & strategy development director – survey equipment. (Courtesy: Unique Group)

Unique Group, global leaders in subsea technologies and engineering, recently appointed Fraser Moonie as their global commercial & strategy development director — survey equipment. Moonie will play a key role in leading and executing the strategic commercial initiatives for the survey equipment division across Unique Group’s global locations.

In his new role, Moonie will be responsible for ensuring that survey equipment’s commercial strategy aligns with Unique Group’s overarching corporate goals. His focus will be on driving revenue growth, enhancing market share, and collaborating closely with senior management and cross-functional teams to ensure a cohesive and effective commercial strategy execution.

Moonie brings with him a wealth of experience in the offshore, subsea, and survey equipment industry, having held senior leadership roles at Bibby Offshore, McDermott, Mermaid Subsea Services, and, most recently, at Rovco. His extensive background in ROVs, vessels, survey equipment, and subsea technology positions him well to drive the strategic growth of Unique Group’s Survey Equipment division.

“We are delighted to have Fraser join our leadership team,” said Sahil Gandhi, CEO of Unique Group. “His expertise and strategic vision will be instrumental in advancing our survey equipment division’s growth objectives. Fraser’s appointment reaffirms our commitment to investing in top talent to drive innovation and deliver exceptional value to our customers worldwide.”

In this role, Moonie will be based in the U.K. while traveling extensively to Unique Group’s local offices to engage with clients, partners, and internal teams.

“Unique Group has built a strong reputation for delivering effective and reliable solutions in the offshore and subsea markets,” Moonie said. “I look forward to working with the team to strengthen our global presence and shape the long-term strategic direction of the survey equipment division.”

More info www.uniquegroup.com

DOE report: America can recycle 90% of wind-turbine mass

Wind Systems staff
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DOE report: America can recycle 90% of wind-turbine mass

A report from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) outlines recommendations that could increase the recycling and reuse of decommissioned wind-energy equipment and materials to create a more circular economy and sustainable supply chain. Among other findings, the research reveals that existing U.S. infrastructure could process 90 percent of the mass of decommissioned wind turbines. However, the remaining 10 percent will need new strategies and innovative recycling methods to achieve a more sustainable wind-energy industry.

This research will help guide more than $20 million in investments previously announced from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to advance technologies that address this gap.

“The U.S. already has the ability to recycle most wind-turbine materials, so achieving a fully sustainable domestic wind energy industry is well within reach,” said Jeff Marootian, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “Innovation is key to closing the loop, and this research will help guide national investments and strategies aimed at advancing technologies that can solve the remaining challenges and provide more affordable, equitable, and accessible renewable energy options to the American people.”

The Recycling Wind Energy Systems in the United States Part 1: Providing a Baseline for America’s Wind Energy Recycling Infrastructure for Wind Turbines and Systems report provides an assessment of research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) needs and gaps in existing wind-energy-related supply chains to support the transition to a more sustainable and circular U.S. wind energy industry.

A team of researchers, led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory with support from Oak Ridge National Laboratoryand Sandia National Laboratories, developed the report.

The effective reuse and recycling of wind system components, parts, and materials will rely on a combination of measures, including:

  • Improved end-of-life decommissioning collection and scrap sorting practices.
  • Strategic siting of recycling facilities.
  • Expanded and improved recovery and recycling infrastructure.
  • Substitution of hard-to-recycle and critical materials with more easily separable and affordable materials, improved component designs and manufacturing techniques, or the development of modular system components.
  • Optimized properties of recovered materials for second-life applications.
  • Greater access to wind energy waste streams and the equipment required to disassemble wind energy components.

Towers, foundations, and steel-based subcomponents in drivetrains offer the greatest potential currently to be successfully recycled, whereas blades, generators, and nacelle covers are likely to prove more difficult. Recovering critical materials and alloying elements from generators and power electronics, such as nickel, cobalt, and zinc, will be crucial in establishing a circular economy for wind systems.

Short-term strategies for decommissioning include promoting blade production using more easily recyclable thermoplastic resins and reusing these resins in cement production. Thermoplastic-based blade recycling technologies, such as pyrolysis and chemical dissolution, could be viable medium- and long-term options. Other medium- and long-term solutions include high-yield techniques for separating compounds found in power electronics and hybrid methods for recycling permanent magnets.

Regional factors — such as material demand, disposal fees, transportation distances, and an available skilled workforce — will play vital roles in ensuring the success and cost-competitiveness of recycling wind energy components.

More info www.energy.gov

Conversation with Janis Thalau

Wind Systems staff
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Conversation with Janis Thalau

What is your role with Kapp Niles?

I work with the technology development department at Kapp Niles. Kapp Niles has a long history as machine tool manufacturer for gear-grinding machines. With our generating grinding machines, we focus more on the high-productive manufacturing of smaller gears, such as gears for the automotive industry. For larger internal and external gears, we provide high-precision profile grinding machines. With our technology development department, we collect and ideally anticipate our customers’ requirements and then derive and develop technological solutions for our grinding machines. We then test these and support our customers to work with them in order to better fulfill their requirements.

Kapp Niles has offered tailor-made products used in wind turbines for three decades now. How will you increase your focus on that sector?

We develop and supply our customers with grinding machines that they use to manufacture gears for wind-turbine gearboxes. In this role, we are directly confronted with the requirements that challenge our customers. In case of the wind-power industry, we have observed rapidly changing requirements in the past years as the global energy transition has progressed in a remarkable pace. And, regarding the wind power industry: In comparison to most other industries that manufacture big gears, it’s somewhat unique as they manufacture high quantities of the same or similar gear geometries. Most other customers producing large gears need to be very flexible as they usually only process a few of the same gears and then reconfigure their production. In this context, there is a lot of potential for the wind-power industry when it comes to automation, grinding productivity, optimization of manufacturing parameters, tool selection, etc. With this in mind, we focus on new solutions and powerful tools for our customers in the wind-power industry for a more effective production process, which is why we decided to focus more on those solutions and more on the sector.

What about the wind-energy sector made Kapp Niles feel it was an important industry in which to increase that focus?

There are a couple of factors: We want to concentrate strategically on future technologies. For example, we have already started focusing quite heavily on electromobility. And in that sense, if you focus on technologies for green mobility, you also need to have green electricity in mind. We benefit from already having a long history in the wind-power sector. The beforementioned changes in requirements that we see within the wind-power industry are twofold:

On the one hand, the wind industry has ambitious goals in terms of new capacity additions. If we aim to reach the goals defined within the Paris Agreement, it means that the production chains within the wind industry are required to be way more productive and generate more output. Thus, one big change of requirement that we see in gearbox production concerns productivity and cost.

On the other hand, it’s not only the higher demand for quantity itself, but we see the wind turbines also getting bigger. Developments of new wind turbines go beyond the 20-MW mark, so torque density and power density of the gearbox need to improve as the size of the gearboxes cannot be proportionally increased due to size and weight restrictions of the nacelle. Increasing the torque density often comes at least partially down to improving the quality of the ground gears. That’s the challenge for us: to combine a more productive grinding process with a more quality output.

What parts of a wind turbine are your machines
used for?

With our machines, our customers can grind and measure the relevant gears in a modern wind turbine with high precision. Most in focus are the gears within the main gearbox of the turbine. These are typically multi-stage planetary gearboxes that include the ring gears, the sun gears, as well as the planetary gears.

As the number of planetary gears and the number of gear stages have increased in the last few years, there’s more for our machines to do. Alongside the rise of nominal power output of wind turbines, the moduli and widths of the used gears have increased.

That means our grinding machines must facilitate larger workpiece weights and diameter. This is especially true for the ring gears that reach outer diameters of up to two or three meters. Being able to grind gears of those dimensions with high quality is often a valuable competitive advantage for our customers. Additionally, and by no means neglectable, are the pinions that help rotate the nacelle and the rotor blades.

What solutions does Kapp Niles offer when it comes to your wind-power customers?

For the external gears such as the pinions, the sun gears as well as the planetary gears needed within wind turbines, our KNG master and ZP profile grinding machines offer ideal prerequisites for a highly productive and high-quality manufacturing process.

For internal gears with a diameter of up to 5,000 mm, the ZPI series machines are available. While these machines are each based on a mature concept and have been well tested, we refined them comprehensively within the last years with the demands of different industries such as the wind-power sector in mind. In this context, it’s very important for us to collaborate closely when refining our machine concepts and developing new solutions.

One of our latest solutions is, for example, an automatic tool changing system for our KNG master and ZP machines. That’s one step toward combining a more productive process with one that delivers higher quality, as it can provide a perfect grinding tool for each of the grinding steps. For the beginning of the grinding process, you can use a tool that grinds very productively, and in the end, you can select a fine grinding tool that produces a very high surface finish quality, thus combining high productivity and high quality.

We work a lot on our 5-axis interpolated grinding that is required to produce big geometrical modifications to the gear’s flank, which is increasing in size due to the large torques transmitted by the gears. As they, for example, deform and deflect within the transmission, you want to optimize the contact pattern of the teeth and avoid any contact to the edges of the gears, so the gears have heavy modifications.

To produce that, optimal grinding paths are numerically calculated along the gear’s width. These paths can be simulated in advance to ensure a suitable grinding result. This is a good example for a shift from mechanical engineering tasks to mathematics and software development within the machine tool industry.

Alongside the grinding process itself, it has been very helpful that we understand ourselves as a system supplier as we also provide tools and measuring machines for the ground gear wheels. It has proven to be much easier to optimize the grinding process when you can coordinate tool design, machine tool as well as the subsequent measuring process.

How does the impact on the global energy transition affect Kapp Niles’ products?

Mostly it involves the changing requirements. Our customers are required to adopt new technological solutions in order to be price competitive and have a cost-efficient production to keep up the pace in this industry. This is intensified by a very globalized market within the wind-power industry. Our customers originate from all over the world, and their requirements are always a bit different. Our customers in Europe, for example, ask a few different questions and demand a few different solutions than our customers in Asia, which can be a challenge.

Furthermore, the global political situation can be challenging: especially, if we consider the tendency toward more trade restrictions in conjunction with a volatile economic situation that varies across the globe. As wind farms are usually big investment projects, volatile economic conditions tend to have a strong impact on them and lead to hesitations throughout such projects. As a machine tool manufacturer, we are typically affected by those hesitations very quickly as the industry tends to wait regarding the investment in new production resources in case of uncertainties.

How do you address those situations?

We have established production sites and service branches with experienced staff, for example, in North America and China. In this way, many of the questions and challenges our customers face can directly be addressed to our colleagues abroad.

We have noticed that, as the manufacturing processes and the grinding machines and technologies get more and more complex, the communication gets also more complex. Having local people talking to our customers and understanding their problems tremendously helps in understanding their challenges and identifying helpful new solutions for them.

What kind of reaction do you expect from the industry with Kapp Niles’ increased focus on wind energy?

As we bring any innovations to the market, our customers all around the world are eager on trying them out to see if they help their production become more cost-effective or to produce a higher quality. It can be a bit of a challenge to identify those solutions in advance, which is why we try to stay in close contact with customers in the industry to identify those solutions and challenges quickly. 

More info: www.kapp-niles.com/en/campaign/wind-power

Oceantic Network releases agenda items for IPF

Wind Systems staff
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Oceantic Network releases agenda items for IPF

Oceantic Network recently released an agenda preview for its 2025 International Partnering Forum (IPF), the largest offshore renewables conference in the Americas, April 28 to May 1 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

New in 2025, IPF will host an Ocean Renewables Summit, a Central Atlantic Supplier Fair, the Ventus Gala, and tours showcasing the local supply chain and Dominion Energy’s utility-scale offshore wind project. With America’s first wave of commercial-scale projects in operation and under construction, IPF will convene offshore wind industry leaders to chart the path forward for continued success.

With America’s first wave of commercial-scale projects in operation and under construction, IPF will convene offshore wind industry leaders to chart the path forward for continued success. (Courtesy: Oceantic Network)

“The American offshore wind industry is moving forward, supporting our nation’s economy, delivering jobs and local investment, and helping American homes and businesses Power ON,” said Liz Burdock, CEO at Oceantic Network. “This year’s IPF is the first U.S. industry gathering under the new federal administration, making it an essential platform for sharing vital information, strategizing on future directions, and bringing our community together. Now more than ever, it’s critical that the full industry convene and advance American-made offshore energy.”

At 2025 IPF, the U.S. offshore wind industry will gather to Power ON — celebrating its progress of $25 billion in investment and showcasing its thriving supply chain that stretches across 40 states. The offshore wind industry is creating jobs from California to Maine, delivering new business to local companies and advancing American energy independence. The theme also encapsulates the collective need to advance, adapt, and assert the role of domestic, renewable energy in national policy discussions.

“The City of Virginia Beach is honored to host the largest offshore renewable energy conference in the Americas,” said Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer. “The International Partnering Forum brings together thousands of offshore wind leaders from around the world each year. With our city’s investments, infrastructure, workforce, and strategic location, Virginia Beach is uniquely and proudly positioned to be the global hub of collaboration for offshore wind. As the home of the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project — the first project in federal waters and the largest offshore wind project in the U.S. — we are proud to be at the forefront of the industry. Virginia Beach is the natural choice for the 2025 International Partnering Forum and remains a leader in American renewable energy innovation.”

IPF Week will kick off Monday, April 28, with the U.S. Market Update featuring critical conversations with representatives of key states. They’ll discuss the recent federal changes and share how their states, the primary drivers of demand for offshore wind energy, continue to advance the industry, expand their supply chains and workforces, update their transmission infrastructure, and work to meet their clean energy goals.

“As a host sponsor of the 2025 IPF, LS GreenLink USA, Inc. is proud to support a platform that unites the brightest minds and leaders in the offshore energy industry,” said Patrick Y. Shim, managing director at LS Greenlink USA. “The collaboration and innovation fostered at IPF are essential to advancing the industry, and we are excited to contribute to the conversation. With the growing momentum in offshore wind development, events like IPF will continue to drive progress and help shape the future of renewable energy.”

2025 IPF’s keynote plenary session will be Tuesday, April 29, where speakers will chart a course forward for offshore renewable energy and explore how to garner continued investments in ports, shipyards, steel mills, and factories in a way that also bolsters our nation’s security and global competitiveness. Additionally, attendees can get their start exploring the sold-out exhibit hall earlier this year, starting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. More details on the exhibit hall, the keynote plenary session, and other speakers will be released in the coming weeks.

For the first time, 2025 IPF will host the Ocean Renewables Summit, happening Wednesday, April 30, dedicated to offshore renewable energy sources besides offshore wind. The Summit brings together the offshore wind industry and providers of other ocean-based energy technologies such as wave, tidal, offshore solar, and more. Attendees will learn about these cutting-edge technologies, meet potential supply chain partners, and have day-of access to the Exhibit Hall. The Summit will reveal insights into pilot projects, co-location opportunities, and the policy frameworks needed to advance ocean renewables in the U.S.

Registration to attend the week-long event offers attendees full access to a host of programming tracks, focused summits, tours, business matching services, startup support, networking opportunities. IPF hotel reservations can be made online until March 30.

2025 IPF is supported by Host Sponsors Dominion Energy, LS GreenLink USA, RWE, and the City of Virginia Beach.

More info oceantic.org/oceantic-event/2025-ipf

Drone inspections can prevent million-dollar lightning losses

Adriana Najera
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Drone inspections can prevent million-dollar lightning losses

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 maintenance, damage from lightning strikes can cost the wind-energy industry more than $100 million annually, with blade losses accounting for 60 percent of these expenses.

For nearly a decade, researchers have studied lightning activity across 67,000 wind turbines to produce the most comprehensive assessment of lightning risks in U.S. wind farms. (Courtesy: Kathrine Birch, https://www.pexels.com/photo/clouds-and-rain-over-a-wind-turbine-farm-on-the-hills-12506601/)

For nearly a decade, researchers have studied lightning activity across 67,000 wind turbines to produce the most comprehensive assessment of lightning risks in U.S. wind farms. Data from Vaisala Xweather reveals that lightning strikes occur more frequently in taller turbines. A 115-meter turbine experiences an average of 0.2 strokes per year, while a 200-meter turbine may be hit as often as 1.2 times annually. As reliance on wind energy grows, ensuring effective LPS inspections becomes increasingly important to maintain turbine longevity and operational stability.

High Lightning Density Risk

Figure 1 illustrates the concentration of in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning occurrences per square kilometer in 2023, referred to as lightning density. Wind farms in regions with a high lightning density face a greater risk compared to those in areas with lower lightning density, such as the Northeast and the West Coast.

Figure 1: The concentration of in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning occurrences per square kilometer in 2023. (Courtesy: Vaisala)

One of the most lightning-prone wind farms in the United States is in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma, where turbines face an average of 10 lightning strokes per year. In fact, one turbine in this location has been struck an astonishing 111 times since 2019. Nationally, about a quarter of wind farms experience at least one lightning strike per turbine annually, underscoring the need for systematic inspections and maintenance.Regular LPS inspections are crucial for minimizing turbine downtime and preventing costly repairs. International standards, such as IEC 61400-24, recommend full resistance testing twice annually. Additional inspections are also required after significant weather events such as thunderstorms or hurricanes. Without proper monitoring, LPS damage can go undetected, leading to catastrophic failures and significant financial losses.

UAV Voliro pilot Morten Pedersen prepares the Voliro T drone equipped with an LPS inspection probe on the right to conduct inspection. (Courtesy: Indonesia Suprabakti)

Traditional Inspection vs. Drones

Traditionally, LPS inspections have required teams of certified climbers scaling turbines, a time-consuming and hazardous task. Ohmmeter testing, which measures resistance between LPS components, also demands direct contact with turbine elements, making it a labor-intensive process. However, the industry is shifting toward drone-based inspections to enhance safety and efficiency.

Traditionally, LPS inspections have required teams of certified climbers scaling turbines, a time-consuming and hazardous task. (Courtesy: Dennis Schroeder/NREL)

Drone technology, like the Voliro T equipped with an LPS inspection probe, is transforming wind-farm inspections. Designed specifically for LPS testing, the Voliro T features a Micro-Ohmmeter VG-BAT-150, enabling precise 4-wire measurements using currents of 0.30A. It delivers high-accuracy readings across a broad 0.001-1,000 Ω measurement range, regardless of the turbine rotor’s orientation.

By completing an LPS assessment in just 30 minutes — compared to the half-day required for rope access inspections — drones provide a faster, safer, and more cost-effective solution. This advanced technology allows resistance measurements and early issue detection, preventing costly failures. Companies that have integrated drone-based inspections into their maintenance routines report significantly reduced operational costs and turbine downtime.

A Voliro T drone inspects the lightning protection system of a wind turbine in Indonesia. (Courtesy: Indonesia Suprabakti)

Case Study

With Voliro’s technology, Skyspecs, a provider of autonomous drone inspections and asset management solutions for the wind-energy industry, tested 210 wind turbines across Germany and the U.S., inspecting eight to 18 turbines per day. Inspections are faster and safer, as the staff doesn’t need the use of rope access methods.

The process of drone-based LPS inspections begins with a thorough pre-flight check to ensure the drone is fully operational. The Voliro T drone then is piloted close to the turbine, making contact with LPS receptors to measure resistance and test grounding connections. Data collected during the inspection is available immediately for reporting and interpretation analysis of the wind turbine’s LPS system, allowing wind-farm operators to address any detected defects quickly.

In the air: Voliro T with needle probe payload. On the ground: Cable management system and ohmmeter. (Courtesy: Voliro)

Embracing drone technology for LPS inspections is not just a matter of convenience — it is a necessity for the future of wind energy. High-precision inspections are vital for maintaining efficiency and preventing costly damages. By integrating modern LPS inspection techniques, wind -arm operators can improve reliability, enhance safety, and reduce long-term operational expenses.

Conclusion

The shift toward drone-based Lightning Protection System (LPS) 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. By replacing labor-intensive, high-risk manual inspections with precision-driven UAV technology like the Voliro T, wind-farm operators can transition from reactive maintenance to proactive resilience. This shift not only reduces costs and turbine downtime but also extends the lifespan of critical assets, ensuring the sustainability of clean-energy production. 

Resources

  1. IEC 61400-24 Standard.
  2. Best Practices for Wind Turbine Maintenance.
  3. www.xweather.com/blog/article/xweather-reveals-lightning-risk-for-wind-farms.
  4. Drone Technology for Wind Turbine Inspections.
  5. Lightning Protection for Renewable Energy Systems.

Bachmann presents new approaches to ice detection

Wind Systems staff
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Bachmann presents new approaches to ice detection

Operating wind turbines under icing conditions, ice detection, de-icing, and ice prevention were the topics of the “Winter Wind Conference.” The most important trend at the expert meeting in Skellefteå, Sweden, was that preventive measures (anti-icing) are increasingly replacing de-icing.

The conference offered a comprehensive program of lectures and discussions in two parallel forums, which was complemented by an exhibition of about 45 companies and institutes. The discussions made clear: The optimization of ice detection and de-icing systems (IPS = Ice Prevention Systems or Ice Protection Systems) is becoming increasingly important.

One of the highlights of the Winter Wind Conference was the excursion to the nearby Önusberget wind farm. (Courtesy: Bachmann Monitoring)

While the focus has often been on de-icing in the past, preventive measures (anti-icing) are becoming increasingly important. One of the biggest challenges, however, remains the detection of almost ice-free conditions to control blade heating in a targeted manner, minimize production losses, and enable a secure automatic restart.

Bachmann Monitoring had its own stand at the event, where the company’s solutions were presented. The company highlighted its ability to combine load detection and ice detection. This integration allows synergy effects to be exploited, eliminating the need for separate subsystems, reducing system costs and simplifying installation and maintenance. According to the company, this is a unique feature of Bachmann.

CEO Holger Fritsch gave a presentation on the topic “Validation of cantilever sensors for ice detection on rotor blades.” Using examples from the cooperation with Nergica, a research institute in Canada, Fritsch showed how the combination of cantilever sensors (CLS) and advanced algorithms enables reliable detection of ice formation and ice-free conditions. In the future, this technology could be the basis for a more intelligent controller for blade heating, both for new wind turbines and in the retrofit area.

One of the highlights of the conference was the excursion to the nearby Önusberget wind farm, which is home to 137 GE Cypress 5.5-158 wind turbines and is part of the Markbygden Wind Cluster. At a freezing minus-15°C, the participants were given an insight into how this wind farm is operated in winter under harsh icing conditions using de-icing systems.

“At the conference, it became clear that the market can benefit from optimized solutions that not only reliably detect icing conditions, but also enable intelligent control of blade heaters,” said Marc Thomsen, product manager at Bachmann Monitoring. “Our CLS and our evaluation algorithms can be decisive components here.”

A study by the Weilburg Technology Academy (Germany) shows how important the topic of ice detection is for the efficiency of wind turbines: It found that up to 56 percent of potential energy production is lost due to a lack of automatic restarts.

More info www.bachmann.info/en

Taean Wind aims to start construction in 2026

Wind Systems staff
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Taean Wind aims to start construction in 2026

The Taean Wind Power project, a fixed-bottom offshore wind project with a planned capacity of 500 MW, is targeting to commence construction in the second half of 2026, with commercial operations anticipated by late 2029. CIP, through its flagship fund Copenhagen Infrastructure V, acquired a 49 percent stake in Taean Wind Power in late 2024 and will develop the project jointly with Vena Energy.

“Reaching this milestone emphasizes our dedication to delivering clean, sustainable energy to our local communities,” said Kwanglin Cheong, Taean Wind Power’s representative director.

Taean Wind Powers plans to start construction in 2026. (Courtesy: Vena Energy)

“We extend our gratitude to our stakeholders and partners, including the government, Taean County, our supply chain collaborators, residents, and fisheries for their invaluable support. Together, we are focused on ensuring the success of this project, fostering local engagement, and contributing meaningfully to Korea’s energy transition, engineering a greener future for generations.”

“Taean represents an attractive opportunity to increase our offshore wind footprint in Korea,” said Thomas Wibe Poulsen, CIP partner. “We look forward to completing this exciting project together with our new partners at Vena Energy who, with a strong track record of developing green energy solutions across the APAC region, is a great match for us. The participation in the Taean project will further strengthen and diversify CI V’s investment portfolio and support our ambition of securing attractive risk-adjusted returns for our investors.”

The Taean project is designed to deliver economic and environmental benefits, revitalizing the local economy, creating job opportunities, and enhancing the resilience of the local supply chain. Collaborating with key stakeholders, including LS Cable & System, a leader in cable technology from Korea, as the preferred cable supplier, Taean Wind Power unites industry leaders in offshore wind development, supply, construction, and operations. This collective expertise establishes a foundation to generate enough clean energy to power around 300,000 Korean households annually.

Vena Energy’s technical capabilities are at the forefront of renewable energy innovation in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Taean Wind Power represents a significant step forward in advancing Korea’s energy independence and decarbonization goals, and we are proud to partner with CIP to bring this project to life,” said Simone Grasso, Vena Energy chief investment officer. “By combining our respective capabilities and expertise, we are paving the way for the successful delivery of this landmark project, contributing to Korea’s green energy transition. We look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to position Korea as a global leader in the offshore wind sector and to deliver meaningful and lasting economic benefits for the country.” 

More info www.venaenergy.com

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