Torkworx and RAD Torque Systems recently announced the next generation of the E-RAD series of torque and tension equipment, exhibiting the companies’ shared ongoing commitment to being on the forefront of Electronic Digital Control Systems.

The ERAD-BLU provides the ability to control multiple tools through one single control case. The calibration is stored inside the E-RAD Handle which allows for multiple handles to be used with any E-RAD BLU controller. The 2” x 3” touch screen provides ultimate ease of use. Torque and angle operation is standard in all systems and WTG specific installed presets make the torque process error free. With newly advanced data collection and the ability to password protect the system settings, the ERAD-BLU is the most advanced electronic digitally controlled torque system available. We included a robust single cable design that can be removed from both ends for easy storage and replacement. The accuracy of our latest version has an accuracy of +/-2.8%. Currently the ERAD-BLU is available in 700, 2500, 3000 and 6000 ft/lbs models with the E-RAD 7500 to be released in the near future.

Joint Calibration can be completed via Bluetooth technology. This new technology delivers the ability to calibrate the ERAD-BLU with a Smart Socket via Bluetooth right on the joint with only two pulls. RAD Smart Sockets uses RAD’s Transducer Technology combined with a custom socket to measure the actual torque applied to the bolt during a torque cycle. Comparable in size to a standard socket, the RAD Smart Sockets are the perfect audit tool for inspecting bolted joints and can function as a master calibration for any torque tool. This patented technology provides accuracy within +/- 1% and measures then displays the peak torque reading. Smart Socket Technology logs the data on every torque reading for instant torque read-out on your application in real time. The operator can view and download logs right onto a Bluetooth enabled smartphone or tablet.

If you have critical torque and tension requirements, contact Torkworx by email at support@torkworx.com or by phone at (888) 502-WORX (9679) .

ITH Bolting Technology has introduced the ITH stretch method on wind turbine bolt connections bigger than 3/8″.
Next to its high system precision the ITH stretch method has even more benefits. As the required preload is applied by axial stretching of the bolt, the system works without friction effects and torsion effects. Friction occurs during torqueing. When torqueing bolts the effects of friction can influence the applied preload force up to 100 % from bolt to bolt. This high variation can lead to a collapse of the bolt connection. Therefore it is strongly recommended to use ITH Bolt Tensioning Cylinders on foundation bolt connections like shown in the picture above.

As ITH is worldwide leading tensioning system supplier, there are a lot specific innovations made for the demands of wind industry. In the application picture you can see a compact foundation bolt tensioning cylinder (multi-stage) including NIOX coating to prevent from corrosion, which is especially useful in offshore environments. The tensioner also features the ITH safety concept including patented safety handle, safety fracture device and patented cycle counter.

The new compact pumps series ITH Micro-MAX features an optional protective cage, a fast pressure build-up up to 1,500 bar as well as a remote control for easy one-man operation. Its both weight-optimized (50 lbs) and compact design (15’’ x 11’’ x 18’’) makes the Mico-MAX series perfectly match to work in the tight areas of a wind turbine like on tower bolt connections or inside of the nacelle.

All leading wind turbine manufacturers trust in ITH bolting solutions for all bolting applications like on the main bearing, main bearing hub, blade bolts, yaw bearing bolts, frame bolts or hub bolts.

Find all ITH bolting tool solutions for wind turbines at www.ith.com/industries/tension-and-torque-tools-for-wind-turbines.php.

Gamesa has secured a new contract with Parques Eólicos Gestinver (a company 50%-owned by each of Gestamp Eólica and Genera Avante) to provide operation and maintenance services for 132 MW located in five wind farms in Spain.

Under the terms of the agreement, Gamesa will perform maintenance services on 66 of its 2.0-2.5 MW platform wind turbines located in Lugo, Coruña, and Tarragona, Spain.

The contract contains an option for a five year extension, and renews the operation and maintenance agreement Gamesa has had for the five wind farms since their commissioning.

EDF Renewable Services, a leading provider of O&M services in North America, signed contracts for 454 MW of wind and 134 MWp of solar in 2014, adding to the company’s Canadian portfolio. These additions represent a 52 percent increase in contracted projects in the Canadian market through 27 individual projects in Quebec and Ontario, signifying the company’s commitment to the Canadian renewable energy economy.

“We are pleased to continue expanding our depth of experience and presence in Canada, to assist our customers in achieving operational excellence., said Dalen Copeland, director of business development for EDF Renewable Services, “From full O&M agreements, to customized monitoring, engineering support, SCADA solutions, balance-of-plant, and more, we leverage our more than 25 years of O&M expertise to optimize project availability and maximize profitability.”

EDF Renewable Services operates over 8.5 gigawatts of wind, solar and biomass projects throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico.

DICA® Outrigger Pads introduces the ZeroLift Pad Rack, a crane accessory offering safety benefits for crane operators. The Pad Rack eliminates the need for crane operators to manually lift and carry outrigger pads, and makes transport on the job site simple and safe.

ZeroLift Pad Rack has a carrying capacity of 1,000 pounds and is adjustable to fit pad sizes up to 48”x60”. Made of high-strength steel, the Pad Rack easily installs on either the front or rear of rough-terrain cranes. A single hitch point allows ZeroLift Pad Rack to fold up and out of the way when not in use. When mounted correctly, the ZeroLift Pad Rack has minimal impact on crane ground clearance. At only 60 pounds, the Pad Rack does not affect crane load charts. In addition, ZeroLift Pad Rack is versatile enough to transport other equipment, such as tool boxes if needed.

Crane operators often haul outrigger pads on and off the fenders and decks of RT cranes while on the job site, leading to unintentional damage of the crane. In addition, lifting outrigger pads in this manner exposes operators to potential back, foot and hand injuries, as RT crane fenders and decks are typically more than 5 feet off the ground.

“The ZeroLift Pad Rack provides a reliable and convenient method to store outrigger pads. It can virtually eliminate lifting injuries because outrigger pads are stored at an easy-to-access height where they can be slid instead of lifted,” said Kris Koberg, CEO of DICA.

Koberg further noted, “Crane owners understandably value any product that helps protect their EMR rating.” Experience Modification Rate (EMR) is used by insurance companies to gauge both past cost of injuries and future chances of risk.

For more information about the ZeroLift Pad Rack, visit dicausa.com or call (800) 610-3422.

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind’s V164-8.0 MW prototype set a new benchmark for power production recently when the turbine produced 192,000 kWh in a 24 hour period, enough to power approximately 13,500 Danish households, demonstrating the full capability of the world’s most powerful wind turbine.

The V164-8.0 MW prototype turbine has broken the record for power production by a wind turbine in a 24 hour period from 6-7 October 2014 when the turbine produced 192,000 kW/h, during steady wind conditions at the test site in Østerild, northern Denmark.  The power produced by the turbine in one day was enough to supply the energy needs of approximately 13,500 Danish households, roughly equivalent to Thisted; a city close to the test centre.

The power production data was measured by Denmark’s Technical University (DTU) who own the Østerild site.

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind’s CEO Jens Tommerup said the record demonstrates the full capacity of the V164-8.0 MW.

“This power production record further underlines both the quality of the technology as well as the skills of the team involved who have been working hard to ensure the turbine is performing according to our testing schedule,” Tommerup said.

The conference program for the Canadian Wind Energy Association’s annual exhibition, to be held from October 27-29, in Montreal, Quebec, will focus on a wide range of topics of interest to Canadian and international wind energy investors, wind farm owners and operators, and many other parties within the wind industry. Topics on the conference bill include: from Canadian market growth and investment opportunities, wind energy project development and operations, wind energy integration and storage, and wind energy as a solution to climate change, among others.

Often called the one-stop shop to learn everything about the Canadian wind energy market, the CanWEA 2014 conference is the country’s largest annual wind energy educational and networking event. It brings together approximately 1,500 industry experts and 150 exhibitors in Canada’s wind energy market to discuss growth opportunities, policy and technology developments and to facilitate networking.

“Canada is one of the world’s leading wind energy markets and has installed, on average, more than 1,000 MW of new wind energy capacity annually over the last five years,” said CanWEA President Robert Hornung. “Visitors to CanWEA 2014 will gain insights into the new investment opportunities that are now emerging in provinces across Canada.”

This year’s conference will include a celebration of the association’s 30th anniversary and multiple educational sessions.

Operations and maintenance will have a dedicated session track, responding to the growing service market. Senior leaders from Suzlon, Boralex, and Kruger Energy will provide key operational insights along with owners, OEM and third party service providers.

Another key focus will be advances in energy storage capacity, which is critical to scaling up worldwide renewables by integrating remote generation sites into the grid. Senior representatives of Energy Storage Ontario, the Wind Energy Institute of Canada, and Hatch Consulting will provide their perspectives on storage, as well as battery technology developments and utility scale applications.

LUDECA, Inc. recently announced the rollout of the new RS5 sensor for the proven OPTALIGN SMART machinery alignment system.

The RS5 sensor is a fast, highly accurate sensor for the mid-range shaft alignment market segment. Its XL HD detector, combined with InfiniRange functionality makes its measurement range virtually unlimited, even over long spans of 10m (33 ft.). Its 5-axis technology allows the sensor to offer simultaneous Live Move tracking in both planes for machine corrections. This allows live monitoring of horizontal and vertical machine corrections at the same time, with the sensor at any rotational shaft position.

The synergy between the new, faster CPU and the MEMS inclinometer ensures a finer and faster acquisition of misalignment data during a Continuous Sweep. Hundreds of measurement readings are automatically taken during shaft rotation, ensuring highly repeatable results even in harsh conditions with vibration and under unfavorable mechanical constraints such as coupling backlash. The RS5 sensor permits highly accurate results to be obtained with as little as 60 degrees of shaft rotation, starting and ending anywhere. Users can easily view and compare results in the results table, which stores readings before starting with alignment corrections.

The integrated ambient light compensation makes accurate measurements possible even in strong, direct sunlight. New battery technology means reduced energy consumption for long laser and sensor runtimes in the field. Finally, the RS5 laser and sensor are fully waterproof, shockproof and dustproof for continuous service in the worst of industrial environments.

For more information, go to: http://www.ludeca.com/prod_optaligsmart-shaft-alignment.php.
 

Reaching a key milestone in the development process, Pattern Energy Group LP announced it has received an Environmental Assessment Certificate for its Meikle Wind project, a 185 MW wind power project located in British Columbia.
“This is Pattern Development’s first project in British Columbia, expanding the Company’s presence to a third province in Canada,” said Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Development. “We have now received the major environmental approval for this project, which was the last big milestone before arranging construction financing.”
The Meikle Wind project, which has a 25-year power purchase agreement with BC Hydro, is expected to commence commercial operation in late 2016.
Meikle Wind is one of the seven projects on which Pattern Energy holds the right of first offer rights to purchase.

Des-Case Corporation has launched a new line of desiccant breathers called Extended Series — aptly named, as the breathers will help companies extend the life of their lubricants, the life of their equipment, the amount of time between maintenance intervals and, most importantly, maintenance budgets.

The series of four variously-sized breathers addresses a number of industrial needs, bringing greater protection and productivity to tank farms, wind turbines, large gearboxes, as well as applications in both high humidity environments and remote locations.   The line features higher airflow, more moisture adsorbing desiccant, check-valve technology, and longer life.

Though simplistic in appearance, Des-Case desiccant breathers are highly sophisticated filters for industrial lubricants, removing dirt and water from the headspace of equipment.

“These breathers, as well as our other contamination control products and services have for years helped companies around the world detect, prevent and remove contamination from their equipment and plants,” said Brian Gleason, CEO of Des-Case.  “This new development continues our drive to help customers improve lubricant quality, maximize equipment reliability and achieve an entirely new level of performance.”

Contaminants such as dirt and water in industrial lubricants can lead to equipment breakdown if not filtered out, bringing plants to a grinding halt and costing companies both time and money.  

As wet, contaminated air is drawn through the breather, multiple 3-micron polyester filter elements remove solid particulate and the color-indicating silica gel extracts moisture.  When air is expelled from the container, the top foam pad prevents oil mist from contacting silica gel or entering the atmosphere.

The breather is also outfitted with a nylon standpipe and polypropylene oil mist reducer to allow oil mist to coalesce and drain back into the reservoir, rather than compromising the desiccant.  Six umbrella check-valves are located underneath the unit to isolate equipment from ambient conditions — prolonging breather life and protecting system integrity.

Additionally, more desiccant in the Extended Series breathers provides more adsorption capacity and elongates breather life.  The larger capacity accommodates higher airflow and female threaded mountings offer users greater durability, stability, and versatility with a number of adapters.

Klüber Lubrication, a worldwide manufacturer of specialty lubricants, has introduced Klübertemp GR AR 555, a multi-purpose lubricant offering exceptional corrosion protection and high evaporation stability.

Developed for high-temperature applications (up to 250°C) and applications exposed to aggressive media, Klübertemp GR AR 555 is a white, homogeneous long-term grease based on a perfluorinated polyether oil (PFPE) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The product is NSF H1 registered. Common applications include pillow blocks/bearings, seals, rotary joints and ball bearing chains, as well as circulating fan bearings in various textile machinery.

Lubricants based on PFPE and PTFE are inert and generally regarded as neutral towards most elastomers and plastics.

For more information, visit www.klueber.com.

Morgan Advanced Materials Electrical Carbon business announces that its quality engineered slip rings, can reduce down time and improve the life of equipment whilst reducing maintenance time and costs. Made with the latest innovations in resin compounds Morgan’s molded slip rings encapsulate all current carrying components, inhibit harmful dust intrusion and contamination, and increase the dielectric strength. They can also be specially engineered to improve airflow, which reduces the amount of thermal build up.

These key benefits make them ideal for use in wind turbines as well as numerous other industrial, traction power and signal transmission applications. Slip rings are offered in a wide range of both standard and customized sizes and designs and can be manufactured in either molded or fabricated versions.

High quality slip ring transmitter systems are available in 1 to 8 rings from Morgan, with outside diameters ranging from 24 to 500 mm and feature high mechanical, thermal resistance and excellent dielectric properties.

Affordable, homegrown wind power is helping to save consumers money in many regions of the country, encouraging new wind power growth and the start of construction of over 14,000 megawatts (MW) in America so far this year.

 “Today’s great values on clean, low-cost wind power are encouraging utilities and major companies to sign more and more contracts for it,” said Tom Kiernan, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). “They show how successful the renewable energy tax credits have been in getting the private investment needed to build these new projects,” said Kiernan, in releasing the AWEA U.S. Wind Industry Second Quarter 2014 Market Report.

 According to AWEA’s Second Quarter Market report, 15 wind energy projects have been completed and gone online since the start of the year, adding 217 MW in the first quarter and 619 MW in the second quarter. Installed U.S. wind generating capacity as of June 30 stood at 61,946 MW.

 Another 109 projects were underway at mid-year, representing up to 14,600 MW of additional capacity.

 Just since April, Kiernan noted, leading brands like Google, IKEA, MARS, and Microsoft have announced new contracts or investments for additional wind energy. A variety of industries are also investing in their own on-site wind turbines: at the end of the second quarter, there were utility-scale turbines under construction at a brewery, a produce processing plant, and a tribal casino.

 “The economic benefits of all these projects are significant,” said Emily Williams, AWEA’s Manager of Industry Data and Analysis. “They include U.S. manufacturing jobs, with many factories hiring new workers to meet demand, and all the local benefits from the capital investment of billions of dollars in rural America.”

 Texas has by far the most wind energy under construction in the nation, with approximately 8,300 MW of the total.

Another 6,200 MW are under construction in 20 other states, focused in the Midwest and Plains. New activity began this quarter in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, North Dakota, Michigan, Maryland, California, and Indiana.

 The leading states for installed wind generation capacity as of June 30 were Texas, now at 12,753 MW, California, with 5,829, and Iowa with 5,177 MW. They are followed by Illinois at 3,568 MW, Oregon at 3,153 MW, and Oklahoma at 3,134 MW.

 AWEA’s most recent quarterly Market Report comes as the industry continues to adjust to new rules signed into law at the start of 2013 for the federal renewable energy Production Tax Credit (PTC). The rules now allow any wind energy project that started construction or invested 5 percent of its capital by the end of 2013 to qualify for the PTC once the project starts generating energy for the grid. (As before, projects can also opt for an alternative Investment Tax Credit.)

 Further guidance is expected soon from the IRS on the PTC. That may help increase the percentage of projects with long-term power sale agreements. Even among the roughly 9,400 MW of projects for which utilities signed contracts during 2013-14, over 3,800 MW have yet to start construction. All told in 2013, the U.S. industry completed just 1,084 MW, mostly in the fourth quarter.

“In addition to negotiating Power Purchase Agreements, developers have had to place orders for long-lead-time items like wind turbines and step-up transformers, secure construction services, and secure financing. All this had to start fresh from the PTC extension in 2013,” Williams explained.

 Kiernan said action by Congress to continue the incentive for private investment in new wind farms is once again urgent, to avoid a downturn in development such as the one that occurred last year because of uncertainty up until the last-minute extension on Jan. 2, 2013.

 A further extension of the PTC through the end of 2015 is provided for in the EXPIRE Act, now pending in the U.S. Senate, which includes extensions of 62 different tax policies important to business and individual taxpayers. The Senate Finance Committee kept the PTC in the package on a bipartisan vote of 18-6 in April.

 “We can double American wind power by 2020, and double again by 2030,” Kiernan said, “if Congress gets the rules straight by extending these critical tax policies as soon as possible, and continues to work on long-term policies that would provide a more predictable business environment.

“Wind is a very good deal right now for American consumers, and with consistent policies we can build a lot more of it.”

— The American Wind Energy Association

GE announced it has revised its bid for the acquisition of French energy and transportation powerhouse Alstom. Under the revision, GE proposes “alliances” between the two companies, while maintaining a degree of autonomy.

Among the partnerships GE proposes is a 50/50 joint venture involving Alstom’s wind and hydroelectric renenewable energy assets. In a similar joint venture, the two companies would combine their electrical grid assets.

Additional aspects of the proposal included a global nuclear and French steam alliance, strengthening Alstom’s transportation segment, and an emphasis on job creation in France.

The bid revision was announced three days after Siemens and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries submitted a similar joint counter-bid.  GE’s original bid was rejected by French government officials concerned with French jobs.

East Anglia One Offshore Wind , a joint venture between ScottishPower Renewables and Vattenfall, has received consent from the Department for Energy & Climate Change for a 1200 MW offshore wind farm off the coast of East Anglia, the largest renewable energy project ever to receive planning consent in England and Wales.

The East Anglia ONE project is also the first in England and Wales to be approved from the Crown Estate’s Round Three Process.

The planned development is for up to 240 wind turbines to be installed across an area of 300km2 in the southern North Sea. The project could power the annual electricity demands of around 820,000 homes.

Apex Clean Energy has acquired six wind energy development projects from BP Wind Energy, North America, Inc. These projects have the potential to support approximately 710 MW of wind energy capacity in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, and Tennessee.

“We are pleased to be building our portfolio in the Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic with these high-quality projects,” said Mark Goodwin, President of Apex Clean Energy. “We are committed to bringing electricity from clean, renewable projects like these to market, and we look forward to continuing to drive them toward construction.”
 

Michels Corporation’s continued growth has earned a spot among the top two dozen contractors in the United States.

Michels was ranked No. 24 by Engineering News-Record (ENR) on its 2014 Top 400 Contractors list. ENR is a leading publication for the engineering and construction industry.

Michels is based in Brownsville, WI, and has 26 permanent facilities from coast to coast, including in Canada.

Michels’ ranking on the list, based on 2013 contracts, is up 12 places from the utility contractor’s previous ranking. The ranking marks the ninth consecutive year that Michels has been in the top 100, beginning at No. 95 in 2006.
 

SKF black oxide bearings add a surface layer of protection to promote higher reliability and performance for wind turbines. The coating can be specified for all types of critical bearings in wind turbine systems to help promote higher reliability against widely varying temperatures, speeds, and loads and to resist contaminants, moisture, and chemicals that otherwise could limit bearing lifecycles and increase costs of turbine operation and maintenance. The coated bearings can be introduced into new installations or serve as replacement upgrades.

Black oxide bearings ultimately can increase turbine uptime by enhancing resistance to corrosion and smearing; improving performance in low-lubrication conditions; limiting risk of fretting, micropitting, and cracking; reducing potential damage from aggressive oil additives; and reducing the effects of friction and wear.

The black oxidation surface treatment is applied to a bearing’s rings and/or rollers.  The process — involving a chemical reaction at the surface layer of the bearing steel — is performed in an alkaline aqueous salt solution at defined temperatures.  Up to 15 different immersion steps create a thin, dark black surface layer delivering a significant performance upgrade for the broad range of bearing types and sizes in wind turbines (up to 2.2m in diameter and up to 1,000 kg per individual bearing component).

Suitable bearing types for the coating include tapered roller bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, spherical roller bearings, and CARB toroidal roller bearings, among others playing vital roles in wind turbine systems.