Favorable wind conditions at new WTAMU facility allowed testing and data collection to be completed in only 29 days, instead of normal 8 to 18 months

One month following the opening of an advanced wind turbine test facility at West Texas A&M University, UL announced they have completed the Power Performance testing and data collection on a small wind turbine in 29 days. Depending on wind conditions, this testing typically takes from 8 to 18 months to fill all of the required wind parameters.

The Power Performance testing is one portion of the AWEA 9.1 certification. For the Power Performance portion of AWEA 9.1, the turbine must be tested at a variety of wind speeds. The wide range of annual average wind speeds at the UL wind test laboratory allowed the data to be collected in 29 days. To achieve AWEA 9.1 certification other tests must be completed, but the Power Performance portion typically takes the longest due to the number of different wind speeds which are required to meet the standard.

“Being able to complete the Power Performance portion of the AWEA 9.1 certification process, means the certification process will be finished much quicker,” said Adam Holman, laboratory director at the  UL/WTAMU wind turbine test laboratory. “Because our wind turbine test laboratory is in the Great Plains Wind Corridor, we were able to reduce the certification testing time and the manufacture will be able to go-to-market sooner.”

“UL, the DEWI Group and West Texas A&M University collaborated to establish this outdoor wind test laboratory to provide services for large and small wind turbine manufacturers,” said Jason Hopkins, business development manager for wind at UL. “This site is great for installing wind turbines for extended periods for research, performance measurements and certification purposes.”

The wind turbine test facility is located at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas–with over 400 acres available. Turbine manufacturers can use this site to test, measure and certify their turbines or prototypes. The service portfolio includes different measurements (power curve, mechanical loads, acoustic noise/vibration and electrical characteristics for grid connection, certification of wind turbines/components, as well as customized test programs, data collection and testing consultation.

EDP Renewables will use GE’s Wind PowerUp to increase the power output of 402 GE 1.5-77 wind turbines located at five U.S. wind farms. PowerUp is a customized software-enabled platform that increases a wind farm’s output.

By using PowerUp, EDPR is expected to increase power, generating more than 420,000 MWh of additional energy each year, which would provide the equivalent power used by 33,000 average U.S. homes. The contract model between GE and EDPR is structured to minimize risk while enabling new technologies to be quickly added to the EDPR fleet as they are developed in the coming years.

The wind farms that will be installing PowerUp are Blue Canyon V wind farm in Oklahoma, the Meadow Lake III wind farm in Indiana and the Top Crop I, Top Crop II and Railsplitter wind farms in Illinois. When PowerUp is activated, a GE software program performs a complete before and after wind farm power performance analysis, validating the performance improvement. By adjusting performance dials, including speed, torque, pitch, aerodynamics, and turbine controls, PowerUp is able to improve the power output of each unit and the overall wind farm.

Mita-Teknik announces authorized distributor agreement with IPS (Integrated Power Services), a leading service provider of electric motors and generators in North America. IPS will provide sales and service support throughout North America for various Mita-Teknik wind turbine retrofits.

Mita-Teknik’s retrofits provide cost-effective technology updates to older wind turbines, which are designed to reduce O&M costs, and increase wind turbine performance and earnings. These retrofits include main control systems, turbine application software, SCADA, grid connection systems, condition monitoring and park control.

Mita-Teknik adds its name to the growing list of leading OEMs that look to IPS for service and sales support in North America. IPS has twenty-two locations providing coast-to-coast coverage throughout North America, and provides local, regional and national in-shop repair, up-tower service, equipment storage and product and parts sales to owners and operators of 800+ wind farms in North America.

As of January 7, the GICON®-SOF Floating Offshore Foundation is a patented invention in the U.S. The United States Patent and Trademark Office issued certificate number 8,622,011 B2 entitled ‘Floating foundation supporting framework with buoyancy components, having an open-relief design‘ that protects the intellectual property of the invention in the U.S. market. Patents already exist in Europe. The GICON®-SOF is patented until July 7, 2017, with an extended protection running until January 8, 2029.

“The USA will be one of the leading markets for offshore wind development in the future. Therefore, it is an important step for GICON to achieve patent protection for our SOF in the U.S. market,” GICON’s CEO Prof. Jochen Grossmann said.

The GICON® SOF Floating Offshore Foundation provides new opportunities for offshore wind farm development. It offers various advantages compared to ordinary offshore foundations as the SOF can be deployed in both shallow water (from 65 ft. onwards) and deep water (up to 1,640 ft.). Furthermore, the fully-assembled structure including mounted turbine can be towed to the deployment location leading to a more cost-effective and less weather dependent installation. Tests show that the GICON® SOF is as stable as a conventional, bottom mounted offshore wind foundation. The construction and deployment of a full-scale model is planned for 2014/2015.

Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., the world’s biggest shipbuilder and a leading wind turbine supplier, has announced that it completed installation of a 5.5 MW offshore wind turbine prototype on Kimnyeong Wind Farm on Jeju Island, South Korea.

The offshore wind turbine, measuring 100-meter hub height and 140-meter rotor diameter, is the largest unit ever installed in South Korea. It can generate energy to power about 1,100 households a year. Hyundai Heavy will start a test run on the turbine from March for certification by UL/DEWI-OCC, an authentication institution within this year.

This offshore wind turbine prototype is designed to withstand the strong wind of 62.5 m/s, and to be protected from corrosion caused by the sea water.

“We not only plan to supply the three same size offshore wind turbines to the South-Western 2.5GW Offshore Wind Farm Project in Jeolla province, South Korea, but also to accelerate marketing campaign overseas including Asia and Europe on the basis of ample experiences and knowhow we have accumulated from a variety of offshore plant projects,” said an HHI official.

Hyundai Heavy has installed accumulated 100 MW of wind turbines in Korea and around the world to date.

For more information, visit english.hhi.co.kr/.

Vestas’ first V164-8.0 MW prototype wind turbine has successfully produced its first kWh of electricity, making it the worlds’ most powerful turbine in operation.

“We have now completed the production, testing, and installation of the V164-8.0 MW as planned, thanks to the team’s intense effort during a time when Vestas has reduced its investments and lowered fixed costs. We now look forward to evaluating the turbine’s performance on site,” said Vestas’ Chief Technology Officer Anders Vedel.

The turbine, installed at the Danish National Test Centre for Large Wind Turbines in Østerild, will be closely monitored in the coming months to further validate reliability and energy output. The turbine’s installation is a key milestone towards ensuring maximum business case certainty for customers investing in offshore wind. The V164-8.0 MW will be the flagship product for the offshore joint venture between Vestas and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

“The V164-8.0 MW delivers industry-leading power output, based on Vestas’ proven technology solutions. Combined with the experience and capabilities of both Vestas and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, this puts us in a strong position in the growing offshore market,” said Jens Tommerup, President of Vestas Offshore.  

The V164-8.0 MW is the world’s most powerful wind turbine, with one unit capable of supplying electricity for 7,500 average European households. With a 140-meter tower, the turbine at Østerild has a tip height of 220 meters. The swept area of more than 21,000 m2, nearly the equivalent of four American football fields, increases the amount of energy captured, while reducing operational and maintenance costs by enabling customers to run fewer, larger turbines, with fewer service visits.

Given the necessary pipeline of orders, serial production of the V164-8.0 MW turbine can begin in 2015.

Vestas has secured a 15-year service contract covering 42 V90-2.0 MW turbines at the Topolog Dorobantu wind power plant in Tulcea County in Romania.

The last of the 42 turbines is expected to be installed within April this year. The order has been placed by LUKERG Renew, a joint venture between ERG Renew and LUKOIL. ERG Renew is Italy’s largest wind energy producer, with an installed capacity of 1,340 MW throughout Europe. LUKOIL is a major international vertically-integrated oil and gas company, accounting for 2.2 percent of global output of crude oil.

The agreement is based on Vestas’ Active Output Management (AOM) 5000, which offers an energy-based availability guarantee that ensures the turbines are operational when the wind is blowing. This service option includes the VestasOnline® surveillance system that remotely controls and monitors the turbines. This makes it possible to conduct preventative maintenance that minimises turbine downtime. Topolog Dorobantu wind power plant will be the first project in Romania benefiting from this new service platform.

The Topolog Dorobantu project is one of the largest projects in Romania and produces more than 200 GWh per year, which corresponds to an annual saving of almost 110,000 tons of CO2 emissions.

Ohio Transmission Plant Sets Wind Power Standard Among Major U.S. Auto Facilities

Honda Transmission Mfg. of America, Inc. has finalized installation of a site-based wind power project at its plant in Russells Point, Ohio, through an agreement with a subsidiary of ConEdison Solutions of Valhalla, NY.

The installation of the turbines means that the plant will be the first major automotive manufacturing facility in the United States to obtain a substantial amount of its electricity directly from wind turbines located on its property. Honda Transmission will also reduce CO2 emissions through the use of this renewable energy source.

Studies commissioned by Honda Transmission indicate that wind-generated power is a cost-effective source of electricity for the plant and that the project will not adversely impact local wildlife or the environment. The two wind turbines will supply approximately 10 percent of the plant’s electricity.  Based on their location and actual wind speeds, combined output from the two wind turbines is estimated at 10,000 MWh per year.

The decision to go forward with the project followed completion of a thorough evaluation of renewable energy sources for the plant, which Honda announced in February 2012. The turbines, with blades approximately 160 feet long, have been installed on 260-foot towers on Honda Transmission property.

“We appreciate the support we have received from the township and our neighbors throughout all phases of the project that will help Honda work toward our goal of reducing CO2 emissions,” said Gary Hand, vice president of Honda Transmission.  “This is just one of many ways that Honda is seeking to reduce our environmental footprint.”

“We are proud to be helping Honda strengthen its status as a national leader in sustainability,” said Jorge Lopez, CEO of ConEdison Solutions.  “Through the example set by Honda, the American manufacturing sector will see more ways it can incorporate renewable power into its facilities.”

ConEdison Solutions, one of America’s largest energy services companies, will own and operate the two turbines, through its subsidiary, RP Wind, LLC.  The company is working in collaboration with Juhl Energy of Pipestone, Minnesota, which served as the primary developer of the project. Through agreements with Honda Transmission, ConEdison Solutions will generate electricity for the plant, and be responsible for an interconnect agreement with the Logan County Electric Cooperative and an additional agreement with Buckeye Power, Inc., an Ohio electric cooperative.

“We are honored to work with Honda and ConEdison Solutions to provide wind energy at the Russells Point facility,” said Corey Juhl, vice president of project development for Juhl Energy.  “By assisting in the installation of these two wind turbines next to their manufacturing facility, Honda is making tangible and immediate progress towards reducing CO2 emissions.”

Fostering growth of the Japanese wind energy industry is the ultimate drive behind the second annual WIND EXPO—Japan’s only trade show dedicated to wind energy. The three-day event is being presented in conjunction with seven other smart/renewable energy exhibitions as part of World Smart Energy Week on February 26-28 at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan.

The newly implemented feed-in tariff has made Japan one of the most attractive markets for renewable energy. As an organizer of World Smart Energy Week (A group of eight smart/renewable energy trade shows, Reed Exhibitions Japan had received requests from numerous industry leaders, organizations, associations, governmental bodies and show participants to launch an exhibition specialized in wind energy.

To live up to the expectation of the industry, Reed Exhibitions Japan launched WIND EXPO in February 2013 as a new business platform in Japan with the support of Japan Wind Power Association (JWPA). The first edition was held with 157 exhibitors and 76,328 professional delegates (including concurrent event attendance) and following up to the success of 2013, WIND EXPO 2014 will be a show not to be missed for those who are looking to invest in the market.

As Izumi Ushiyama, president of Ashikaga Institute of Technology mentioned at the previous show, hopes are high for the future of wind energy in Japan, as well as for WIND EXPO.

“Energy policy has been changed, and the importance of wind power as well as other renewables has been increasing in Japan after the earthquake,” Ushiyama said. “From its huge potential and low cost of power generation, Japanese government regards wind power as a leader in the future renewables, and rapid growth is expected in near future. With this circumstance, I believe WIND EXPO will continue to draw attention worldwide.”

As though to reflect Ushiyama’s predictions, WIND EXPO 2014 will be held with more players from both the local and international market making it an even richer venue to find business connections in Japan.

For instance, as well as continual participation of major wind turbine components and equipment manufacturers, in 2014 more offshore related exhibitors such as floating foundation manufacturers, marine cable manufacturers etc. will be showcasing their latest products and technologies.

The show will also see increase in the involvement of firms from overseas. In addition to the Denmark pavilion from the 2013 show, there will be new international pavilions from the UK and Canada, among others.

Major wind turbine manufacturers such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Hitachi, ENERCON, TECO, Eurus Energy, Zephur have already confirmed their participation.

As many as 170 exhibitors and 80,000 visitors (including concurrent events) are expected at WIND EXPO 2014, including visitors from Japan and all over the world. 

In addition to finding the latest high-quality Japanese products/technologies and new business leads in Japan, WIND EXPO will also be a venue to make connections with top experts in the front line of the business.

Wind energy experts from major industry companies are serving as technical conference advisory committee members to create a world class conference. Experts will be sharing the latest, cutting-edge information at the technical conference.

Conference topics range from industry outlook, to policy hurdles, to global markets.
Full conference details are available online at www.windexpo.jp/en/seminar/. (Conference details subject to change)

______________________________________________________

WIND EXPO 2014 – 2nd Int’l Wind Energy Expo & Conference
Dates: February 26 – 28, 2014
Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. local time (10 a.m.–5 p.m. on February 28)
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center)
Website: www.windexpo.jp/en/
Exhibiting inquires: wind@reedexpo.co.jp
Visiting inquiries: visitor-eng.wind@reedexpo.co.jp

Wind energy personnel from across the globe will descend on Barcelona next month for Europe’s premier wind energy event. Organized and hosted annually by the European Wind Energy Association, the event provides a periodic opportunity for the wind energy sector to meet with decision-makers and define the strategic direction for wind energy activities in Europe.

During the four-day event—to be held March 10-13 at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via, in Barcelona, Spain—participants will have numerous opportunities to learn about and discuss the current state of wind power in the European Union; to view and gather information about the industry’s most advanced products and services; and to share and expand their own knowledge about the industry—on both regional and global scales. On a vocational level, the Annual Event fosters unity and collaboration through vast business networking opportunities.

The event’s comprehensive conference program not only delivers cutting-edge technological knowledge, but also lively debates on European policy, markets, and financial issues.

Although the event is geographically aligned with the European region, event organizers are determined not to ignore the global nature of the wind energy industry. The global marketplace is becoming increasingly crowded with new players. To that end, each year EWEA brings together over 60 nationalities from across the world, making the event truly international and a great place to find new suppliers, check out new developments, and build partnerships.

While the majority of business networking is likely to occur in the context of the conference and exhibition themselves, the Association purposefully selects a different host city for each year’s event, with the intent of providing a relaxed environment conducive to building business relationships. With a long-standing reputation for producing fruitful networking events in amazing surroundings, Barcelona will not disappoint.

The conference segment of the Annual Event will open with plenary sessions in which decision makers—from national governments as well as from European and international institutions—will describe how they see the present situation of the energy sector and the solutions they are putting in place to ensure that targets are met.

The conference program is subdivided into four academic tracks: “Business and Policy in Europe and Beyond,” “Hardware Technology,” “Resource Assessment,” and “Science & Research.” Each track consists of six to eight narrowly focused sessions which cover a specific topic related to the track discipline.

More details about the EWEA 2014 Annual Event, including online registration, exhibition floor plan, full conference program, exhibition guidelines, sponsorship opportunities, and much more can be found online at the EWEA 2014 Annual Event website at www.ewea.org/annual2014.

American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) has announced that Michael R. Brower has been appointed the new President and CEO of the organization. Brower served as the Interim President and CEO since July 29th, 2013.

Brower has been an ACORE member since 2002, a member of the Board of Directors, and is a long time Leadership Council member. Most recently, he served as Senior Federal Policy Director at Mosaic Federal Affairs, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hiscock and Barclay LLP, a New York law firm. Brower is a retired career Naval Officer and Aviator.

Throughout his career, Brower has been directly engaged in a wide-variety of renewable energy projects, including work in development, funding and finance, and operational deployments.

Additionally, ACORE recently announced four new Board of Directors members as a result of the annual election of Director. Dan Adler, (managing director, California Clean Energy Fund); Matt Cheney (CEO, CleanPath Ventures LLC); Michael Ware (founder, Advance Capital Markets, Inc.); and Kathleen Weiss (vice president of federal government affairs with First Solar) now fill the vacancies.

Shermco Industries, an industry leader in electrical power system maintenance, repair, testing and training, announced it will provide a 2014 Megawatt-Sponsorship of AWEA.

“Shermco has been a committed AWEA sponsor for many years, and views its sponsorship as a commitment to the advancement of the wind energy industry especially as the water supply crisis worsens in the heartland of America,” said Kevin Alewine, director of renewable energy services for Shermco Industries.

As a Megawatt Sponsor, Shermco supports AWEA workshops, conferences and exhibitions across North America that educate corporations and professionals associated with wind energy generation about significant operational, economic and energy issues.

“We support AWEA because it is the premier organization for the expansion of wind energy, a crucial lynchpin to economical, independent and sustainable energy in North America and around the world,” said Alewine. “We are proud to support this fine organization again this year.”

EDF Renewable Energy has acquired Roosevelt Wind Project, LLC from Infinity Wind Power. The up to 300 MW project is expected to achieve commercial operation in December 2015.

The project encompasses approximately 62,000 acres of farmland within Roosevelt County, New Mexico—roughly 18 miles southwest of Portales. Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS), a subsidiary of Xcel Energy, will purchase the electricity generated by the 250 MW first phase of the project, pursuant to a 20-year, fixed-price power purchase agreement.

EDF Renewable Energy and Marubeni Corporation recently announced that a subsidiary of Marubeni acquired a 90 percent economic interest in the 102.5 MW Shiloh IV Wind Project.

The Shiloh IV Wind Project, located in Solano County California, commenced operations in December 2012 and supplies carbon-free electricity into the CAISO transmission system under a 25-year power purchase agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric. Consisting of 50 REpower MM92 turbines, Shiloh IV generates clean electricity sufficient to supply approximately 40,000 average homes.

EDF Renewable Energy will retain a 10 percent stake in the project. Its affiliate EDF Renewable Services will continue to provide operations and maintenance services. Marubeni will participate in asset management roles working with EDF Renewable Energy in the administration of the project.
EDF RE acquires two Texas projects totaling 394 MW EDF Renewable Energy has announced the acquisition of the 194 MW Spinning Spur 3 Wind Project from Cielo Wind Power LP (Cielo).

Spinning Spur 3 is located on approximately 18,000 acres in Oldham County, Texas, roughly 50 miles west of Amarillo. The project expects commercial operation by the end of 2015.

Electricity generated from the Spinning Spur 3 Wind Project will be provided to two municipal utilities, Georgetown Utility Systems and Garland Power & Light, under long-term power purchase agreements.

Additionally, EDF RE has acquired the Longhorn North Wind Project, located in Floyd and Briscoe counties, 60 miles northeast of Lubbock, Texas, from RES Americas. RES Americas will construct Longhorn, its 18th renewable energy project in Texas, under a Balance of Plant (BOP) agreement. Construction on the 200 MW project commenced in time to qualify it for the production tax credit, with an expected completion date at the end of 2015.

Both projects will utilize the CREZ (Competitive Renewable Energy Zone) transmission lines to connect the wind generating capacity of the Texas Panhandle to high electricity demand areas in the state.

EDF Renewable Energy has announced the acquisition of the 194 MW Spinning Spur 3 Wind Project from Cielo Wind Power LP (Cielo).

Spinning Spur 3 is located on approximately 18,000 acres in Oldham County, Texas, roughly 50 miles west of Amarillo. The project expects commercial operation by the end of 2015.

Electricity generated from the Spinning Spur 3 Wind Project will be provided to two municipal utilities, Georgetown Utility Systems and Garland Power & Light, under long-term power purchase agreements.

Additionally, EDF RE has acquired the Longhorn North Wind Project, located in Floyd and Briscoe counties, 60 miles northeast of Lubbock, Texas, from RES Americas. RES Americas will construct Longhorn, its 18th renewable energy project in Texas, under a Balance of Plant (BOP) agreement. Construction on the 200 MW project commenced in time to qualify it for the production tax credit, with an expected completion date at the end of 2015.

Both projects will utilize the CREZ (Competitive Renewable Energy Zone) transmission lines to connect the wind generating capacity of the Texas Panhandle to high electricity demand areas in the state.

BayWa r.e. Wind, LLC has announced that it has signed a purchase and sale agreement with Compass Energies to acquire the Anderson Wind Project located in Chaves County, New Mexico. The Anderson Wind Project is BayWa r.e.’s second New Mexico wind acquisition in 2013. The 15 MW project is located approximately 100 miles southwest of BayWa r.e.’s 19.8 MW Brahms Wind Project in Curry County, acquired in July 2013.

Construction of the Brahms Wind Project began at the end of September, with commercial operation expected early this year. The Anderson project is expected to begin construction in Spring 2014 with a targeted late summer completion date.

Element Power US, LLC, owner and developer of the Mill Creek Wind Farm, and KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations have entered into a power purchase agreement for a 200 MW wind energy facility to be built in Holt County, Missouri. The 200 MW project, once operational, will be the largest in the state of Missouri. 

Element Power continues to work with local, state, and federal entities on regulatory and environmental reviews.  The project currently has approximately 25,000 acres under lease with over 100 landowner partners. Element Power anticipates commencement of construction in Q3 2014, with expected commercial operation achieved by the end of December 2015.

Invenergy Wind LLC has announced that it has arranged project debt and tax equity financing for its 288.6 MW Miami Wind Energy Center—currently under construction in northern Texas.

Morgan Stanley & Co. arranged the project debt, including a construction loan and a term loan commitment. Tax equity commitments also were secured from several financial institutions. Financial details were not disclosed.

Miami is located in the Texas Panhandle, approximately eighty miles northeast of Amarillo in Roberts, Hemphill, Gray, and Wheeler Counties. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of this year.

Additionally, Invenergy announced the successful refinancing of its 100.5 MW Beech Ridge Energy wind project in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. CoBank, ACB acted as the Mandated Lead Arranger and Administrative Agent for the transaction.

Beech Ridge, which began commercial operations in 2010, is located approximately sixty miles southeast of the City of Charleston. The facility features 67 GE 1.5 MW SLE wind turbines, and is operated and maintained by Invenergy Services LLC, an affiliate of Invenergy. The project’s output is sold to Appalachian Power Co., a subsidiary of American Electric Power, under a long-term power purchase agreement.

Iberdrola has extended by 22 MW the capacity of its La Ventosa wind power complex, one of its most emblematic renewable facilities in the Americas, taking it up to 102 MW.

To this end, it has installed on the site 11 state-of-the-art Gamesa G80 wind turbines, each with 2 MW unit capacity and standing 78 meters tall.

This extension means that La Ventosa can now supply electricity to over 190,000 Mexican households each year. The project, executed by Iberdrola’s engineering and construction subsidiary, has also entailed the upgrade of the wind farm’s grid connection and the 230 kV transmission line owned by the Federal Commission for Electricity (CFE).

An average of 250 construction jobs was created by the extension works. La Ventosa also provides a steady income for over 150 local families and land owners.

Gamesa has closed the sale of its 86 percent stake of a 25.5 MW wind farm in Greece to EMV, a Greek subsidiary of Eren. The Kithaironas wind farm- developed and promoted by Gamesa- is located in Thivas, in the region of Viotia, and comprises 30 Gamesa G52-850 kW wind turbines. Through this operation, Eren is further developing its presence in Greece where it owns 35 MW of solar and wind farms, as well as several hundred megawatts of wind projects currently under development.