Siemens Energy has opened two major Research & Development test facilities for wind turbine technology in Denmark. The new test center in Brande features test stands for major components of Siemens wind turbines, including generators, main bearings and complete nacelles. In Aalborg, seven blade test stands are capable to perform full-scale tests of rotor blades, including the world’s largest blade in operation with a length of 75 meters. In combination, the two facilities form the world’s largest R&D test center for wind turbine technology.

“Our investments in testing today will result in savings for our customers tomorrow,” says Felix Ferlemann, CEO of the Siemens Wind Power Division in Siemens Energy. “With our extensive tests of all major components of a wind turbine we can significantly reduce the risk of technical issues in the field. Our continued commitment to R&D and testing enables us to deliver wind turbines that are both the most innovative and the most reliable at the same time.”

The two test centers in Denmark feature indoor testing facilities of more than 27,000 square meters. The nacelle test stands in Brande are among the most advanced in the industry. They are capable of testing Siemens’ D6 direct drive platform, the company’s largest current wind turbines with a six megawatt rated capacity, and are prepared to test even larger turbines.

The seven blade test stands in Aalborg and three blade tests stands in Brande together form the largest blade test facility in the world both in size and in scope. The Aalborg facilities are able not only to fully test Siemens’ 75-meter long B75 blade, the largest wind turbine blade in operation, but also even larger blades. Wind turbine blades are now bigger than any other composite structure in the world. For example, the wing of an Airbus 380 is less than half as long as the B75 blade.

In its new test facilities, Siemens can perform Highly Accelerated Lifetime Tests (HALT) on all major components of its direct drive and geared wind turbine platforms. In HALT testing programs, which can last to up to six months, Siemens exposes prototypes to much higher loads than they would normally experience over the course their full lifetime in the field.

“In HALT tests, we compress the biggest loads over a short time, as they affect the turbine the most,” says Siemens Wind Power CEO Ferlemann. During the HALT test of blades, for example, full-scale prototypes are oscillated at larger deflections than they would ever experience on site for 2 million cycles vertically and then for another 2 million cycles horizontally.  

The EU wind energy sector installed 11.6GW of capacity in 2012, bringing the total wind power capacity to 105.6GW, according to the 2012 annual statistics launched by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

The 11.6 GW installed in 2012 is higher than the 9.4 GW installed in 2011.

Wind energy represented 26 percent of all new EU power capacity installed last year, and investments of between EUR 12.8 billion and EUR 17.2 billion. It is now meeting 7 percent of Europe’s electricity demand — up from 6.3 percent at the end of 2011.

Overall, the EU is almost 2GW (1.7 percent) under its National Renewable Energy Action Plan forecasts. 18 Member States are falling behind, including Slovakia, Greece, Czech Republic, Hungary, France, and Portugal.

Renewable energy represented 69 percent of all new power capacity in 2012, while in a continuing trend, fuel oil, coal, and nuclear capacity saw negative growth due to decommissioning.

Last year, wind energy installations were led by Germany (2.4GW, 21 percent of all new wind power capacity), the UK (1.9GW, 16 percent), Italy (1.3GW, 11 percent), Romania (0.9GW, 8 percent), and Poland (0.9GW, 8 percent). In terms of total installed capacity, Germany is also the leader with 31.3GW (30 percent), followed by Spain (22.8GW, 22 percent), the UK (8.4GW, 8 percent), Italy (8.1GW, 8 percent) and France (7.2GW, 7 percent).

In other news from the EWEA Annual Event, held February 4-7 in Vienna, Austria:

EU wind industry faces tough challenge —
The wind industry is being hit by the economic crisis and austerity across Europe, and a difficult situation should not be made worse by politicians undermining investor confidence, warned top industry figures in Vienna.

At the opening of EWEA 2013, politicians and high level industry representatives also spoke of the need to secure the further growth of wind energy in Europe after the current 2020 renewable energy target runs out, and of the disparity between fossil fuel and renewable energy subsidies.

EWEA President Arthouros Zervos criticized “sudden or retroactive changes to support schemes” and warned “the wind industry can be a driver for growth, for jobs and exports but not if government policies drive away investors.”

He told the assembled industry leaders and Ministers that “The wind industry is suffering serious job losses, and will suffer more difficulties this year,” and called for “binding renewable energy targets for 2030,” as a way to create investor confidence.

EU wind industry skills shortage: over 5,000 more workers needed per year —
The European wind industry faces a severe skills shortage of around 5,500 appropriately qualified staff per year. This shortfall could climb to 18,000 by 2030 — nearly 5 percent of the entire wind industry workforce — if numbers of suitable workers don’t increase.

The warning comes in a report to be published by the EU’s Wind Energy Technology Platform (TPWind), based on research by renewable energy consultancy GL Garrad Hassan.

“There is a real risk of a shortage of suitably skilled workers. Well over half of the shortfall in new workers in 2030 could be in operations and maintenance. Engineers are in desperately short supply and the problem will get far worse unless action is taken,” said Andrew Garrad, Chairman of GL Garrad Hassan.

Wind energy’s most prestigious prize goes to Professor Arthouros Zervos —
The Poul La Cour prize for outstanding contribution to wind energy has been awarded this year to Professor Arthouros Zervos. The award was presented to Professor Zervos by Klaus Rave, Vice President of EWEA. Speaking at the presentation of the award at the conference dinner of the EWEA 2013 Annual Event in Vienna, CEO of EWEA, Christian Kjaer said “It is hard to know where to begin to describe this year’s winner’s achievements. They are not limited to one area of work, or one organization. They span education, science, R&D, policy making, representation of the industry, and lobbying.”

Professor Zervos has taught wind energy at the National Technical University of Athens since 1982 and was responsible for Wind Energy in EUREC’s European Renewable Energy Master’s Degree taught at Universities across Europe.

For more information, visit www.ewea.org.

The U.S. wind energy industry had its strongest year ever in 2012, the American Wind Energy Association announced, installing a record 13,124MW of electric generating capacity, leveraging $25 billion in private investment, and achieving over 60,000MW of cumulative wind capacity.

The milestone of 60,000MW was reached just five months after AWEA announced last August that the U.S. industry had 50,000MW installed. Today’s 60,007MW is enough clean, affordable, American wind power to power the equivalent of almost 15 million homes, or the number in Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, and Ohio combined.

In this historic year of achievement, wind energy for the first time became the number one source of new U.S. electric generating capacity, providing some 42 percent of all new generating capacity; the final tally will be released in April in AWEA’s annual report. In fact, 2012 was a strong year for all renewables, as together they accounted for over 55 percent of all new U.S. generating capacity.

Resulting from 190 projects across 32 states plus Puerto Rico, this new record for annual installations of over 13,000MW by the U.S. industry far surpasses the previous record of 10,000MW installed in 2010.

In last year’s fourth quarter alone, 8,380MW were installed, making it the strongest quarter in U.S. wind power history. This was due in large part to impending expiration of the successful federal Production Tax Credit (PTC). It was slated to end on December 31, 2012, but was extended by Congress on January 1, 2013, as part of the “fiscal cliff package,” the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.

The global wind energy industry will gather in Chicago May 5-8 for the world’s largest annual wind power event, WINDPOWER 2013. Thousands of workers and leaders from all sectors will attend to show their wares, attend conference sessions, and seek further solutions for success.

For more information, visit www.awea.org or www.windpowerexpo.org.

GE has announced the 2.5-120, the world’s most efficient high-output and the first brilliant wind turbine. The 2.5-120 is the first wind turbine to bring together world-class efficiency and power output at low wind speed sites, capturing a 25 percent increase in efficiency and a 15 percent increase in power output compared to GE’s current model.

The turbine’s high efficiency and high output unlock higher returns for wind farm operators at low wind speed sites. The turbine’s advanced controls enable its 120-meter rotor, resulting in increased energy capture and greater power output in low-wind areas. The taller tower, which has a maximum hub height of 139 meters, makes it ideal for heavily forested regions in places like Europe and Canada.

This advanced technology drives higher wind farm output than GE’s current offerings, improves services productivity and, creates new revenue streams for customers.

Over the past year, GE has successfully demonstrated the integration of wind power and energy storage at its facility in California, delivering predictable power to the grid. The first prototype of the 2.5-120 will be installed in the Netherlands this month.

For more information, visit www.ge-energy.com.

The global offshore wind power market, fuelled by the depletion of fossil fuel reserves, the declining cost of wind power generation and impressive investment from the UK, is expected to explode over the next decade, states research and consulting firm GlobalData.

The company’s new report forecasts the global offshore wind power market to rocket from a 2012 cumulative installed capacity of 5.1GW in 2012 to a far greater 54.9GW by the end of the decade, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 34.5 percent.

The UK is a major player in the offshore wind power market thanks to its substantial financial commitment and ideal location, contributing more than half of the global installed capacity last year, with 2.7GW.

Offshore wind is expected to make a large impact upon the UK’s 2020 renewable energy targets and a major expansion is planned. Correspondingly, GlobalData expects the country’s offshore wind power installed capacity to hit 21GW by the end of 2020, increasing almost 800 percent from 2012.

Nordex USA, Inc. concluded an agreement with Usinas y Trasmisiones Eléctricas (UTE), Uruguay’s state power company, for the sale of 28 of its N117/2400 wind turbines for the Juan Pablo Terra wind farm. Nordex, a leading global manufacturer of utility scale wind turbines, will be responsible for delivery, installation and commissioning and for ongoing maintenance for a minimum of 10 years under a Premium Service Contract.

The site, on the border with Brazil, is located a few miles from the city of Artigas, in the north of Uruguay, about 370 miles (600 kilometers) from Montevideo, the capital city. This will be largest wind farm owned by UTE and represents the country’s commitment to the growth of renewable energy. Delivery of turbines is slated to begin in February 2014 with project completion in June 2014.

For more information, visit www.nordex-online.com/en.

Renewable Energy Systems Americas, Inc. (RES Americas) is pleased to announce the completion of the 139.4MW Twin Ridges Wind Farm located in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.  The project was completed in December of 2012 and is now operational.

RES Americas served as the Balance of Plant Contractor for the project, which was developed and is owned by EverPower. The Twin Ridges Wind Farm consists of 68 2.05MW REpower MM 92 turbines that will interconnect to PJM through the Potomac Edison affiliate of FirstEnergy Corporation. The project employed hundreds of workers during the construction phase and up to twelve operations and maintenance staff will be employed during operations.

For more information on RES Americas, please visit www.res-americas.com.

SGS is proud to announce the acquisition of Herguth Laboratories, Inc.  Herguth Labs is the premier, high end, commercial, oil, grease, fuel and failure analysis laboratory in North America.

The acquisition of Herguth Labs with major testing laboratories located in San Francisco and Chicago introduces the SGS global network of 27 condition monitoring laboratories to the North American market with two more state of the art, 10,000 sq ft facilities, making SGS the world’s largest independent testing company in the field of Oil Condition Monitoring.

The alliance between Herguth Labs and SGS will create synergies that will make it the leading Oil Condition Monitoring company in North America, offering both routine, highly automated analysis and equipment condition’s diagnostics as well as non-routine consulting services such as lubrication programs audits, root cause and failure analysis. Their high level of service as well as high quality standards make it a good addition for the SGS Group, global leader in the area of quality, health, safety and environmental business practices.

For more information, visit www.herguth.com.  

Winter may be in full swing, but KEEN Utility has already set its sights on spring with a collection of innovative industrial footwear for men and women. Leading the charge are two new indoor industrial silhouettes with stellar anti-slip ratings along with expansions of both the Portland “Built in the USA” series and a new insulated KEEN.Welt introduction. These new styles join a roster of progressive work footwear designed with versatility and comfort in mind for hard working feet and the men and women attached to them.

“Each season we meet the challenge of designing better work footwear toe-on. Every year there is a greater demand for versatile footwear that blends comfort, protection and design,” said Kevin Kious, KEEN Utility Sales Manager. “KEEN was founded on the idea of creating a hybrid shoe equal parts form and function. KEEN Utility is an extension of this belief and each new introduction allows us to build a better foundation for hard-working feet everywhere.”

Among the new Spring 2013 styles are:
A perfect partner to the Lexington, the Albany is superior slip-resistance with a highly breathable boot built for warm weather comfort. Outfitted with the KEEN’s new oil- and slip-resistant outsole, the Albany exceeds Mark II Slip-Resistance safety standards by diverting water and oils away from contact points under the foot through tire-like drainage channels improving traction and stability. A waterproof nubuck leather and mesh upper provide unparalleled breathability while asymmetrical composite toes bring lightweight comfort and protection.

The Lexington outsole exceeds Mark II Slip-Resistance testing standards. The super slip-resistant outsole features drainage channels that direct water and oils away from contact points under the foot, similar to a tire tread, helping to increase stability and sure-footing indoors and out. The low-profile boot features an athletic, hiking-inspired silhouette with waterproof leather and a KEEN.Dry breathable, waterproof membrane that allows moisture out but never in. The Lexington features asymmetrical composite safety toes that deliver lightweight contoured protection. Casual enough to be paired with your favorite pair of jeans during a weekend around the house and durable enough to protect your feet on the job site, the Lexington is a go-to boot for an on-the-go worker.

For more information on the KEEN Utility Spring 2013 collection or to find a KEEN Utility retailer near you, visit www.keenfootwear.com.

Keep up with all things KEEN Utility at www.fb.com/keenutility or www.twitter.com/keen_utility.

HYROFLEX cable clamps are part of a system of various mounting supports for securing power cables in wind turbines. These clamps are supplied in various versions with between three and nine cable mounting segments.

Customized inserts allow for different cable groupings per customer request. The basic frame is formed by a steel support structure, which is fixed to the tower and provides the frame for mounting individual cable segments. This system provides pivoting, spring-action fasteners fixed by snap hooks to prevent the cables from dislodging.

In addition, the clamping band protects against any potential short-circuit forces.

Features of the HRFLEX Series Cable Clamps:
• Two styles available: Half-moon and Star
• For quick installation and excellent support of power cables in wind turbines
• Modular combinations of clamp segments (up to 27 power cables)
• Easy accessibility to all cables
• Cable diameter up to ø35mm
• Sturdy construction
• Fire and short-circuit tested

HYDAC provides fluid power solutions to OEM’s, manufacturers and end users of a variety of heavy duty mobile and industrial equipment. These solutions increase the efficiency, longevity and safety of fluid power systems — even under extreme conditions.

HYDAC has division office locations in Bethlehem, PA, Glendale Heights, IL, Birmingham, AL, and regional sales offices across the United States. The company is also supported across the country by a nationwide distributor network.

For more information about HYDAC’s line of product solutions, call 610-266-0100 or visit www.hydacusa.com.

An innovative carbon brush holder, set to reduce maintenance costs for doubly fed generators in wind turbines, will be introduced by Carbex at the AWEA WINDPOWER 2013 exhibition in Chicago, May 5 – 8 (booth no. 1011).

The Carbex V-type brush holder ensures that all the carbon brushes push against the slip ring with equal force, preventing uneven wear and premature brush replacement. This also reduces electrical and mechanical losses, lowering the temperature of the carbon brushes and improving their lubricating properties. In addition, remote monitoring is simplified, as only one switch per phase is required.

A traditional brush holder set-up includes a number of brushes that are fitted around the slip ring and adjusted individually. Brushes typically wear unevenly as each has different pressure against the slip ring.

The V-type holder eliminates these variations. The brushes are fitted and locked into position in single brush pockets. Through equal load on all carbon brushes, and lower temperature, the V-type holder gives longer life to the brushes, resulting in longer service intervals. This can mean substantial savings on maintenance, as visits to remote locations can be very costly, particularly in offshore applications.

The design of the V-type holder simplifies fitting and facilitates service, saving time while on site. The compact holder is located just inside the inspection hatch of the slip ring compartment for easy access. Only one adjustment is required for the holder. There is no need to adjust the angle and contact surface of the individual brushes.

The Carbex V-type holder is patent-pending in the U.S., EU and China. It is available for all common designs of doubly fed generators in the market. The design is modified for the requirements of each OEM to fit the existing bolt holes in the shield. For more information, visit www.carbex.eu. 

Leitwind announced today the commissioning of the Deliceto wind farm, which is now grid-connected and operating in Apulia, Italy. Leitwind was contracted by Elce Energia Spa in 2012 to build the 24MW Deliceto wind farm, which is made of 16 Leitwind’s patented LTW80 1.5MW gearless turbines.

The wind turbines were delivered from the Telfs; Leitwind’s Austrian manufacturing facility. Leitwind was able to build the wind farm in only six months, from signing the supply contract to commissioning the project.  The Deliceto wind farm will produce 57 GWh of electricity annually, which represents renewable power for over 18,000 Italian households.

“Leitwind was responsible for the transport, installation and commissioning of the wind farm. Furthermore, a full service contract for 15 years was finalized, which guarantees the customer efficient energy production and optimal technical availability”, states Leitwind’s CEO Anton Seeber.

The Deliceto wind farm adds to the 40MW of wind energy capacity already installed by Leitwind in Apulia in the past years. Due to the favorable wind conditions, Apulia is one of the leading wind energy areas in Italy.

“This order is of importance for the further development of renewable energy in this region. Moreover, the project creates new jobs in a region which has to deal with a high unemployment rate”, emphasizes Seeber.

These projects demonstrate Leitwind’s continued commitment to the Italian energy market. This past autumn 2012, Leitwind added an additional 5 LTW77 1.5 MW turbines to its existing six wind turbines wind farm in Montecatini, Tuscany. Due to the ideal wind conditions at the site, the eleven LTW77 wind turbines, with total rated power of 16.5 MW, are efficiently producing clean energy in Tuscany.

The Leitwind partnership involves support in all fields, from the first contact with authorities up to completing and placing the system into operation and finally developing a tailored maintenance program.

For more information visit en.leitwind.com

World Smart Energy Week, a grouping of eight renewable/smart energy exhibitions, will take place from February 27 – March 1 in Tokyo at Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center. Newly added this year is WIND EXPO, an exhibition with as many as 300 participating organizations launched by Reed Expositions Japan Ltd. with the support of the Japan Wind Power Association.

The WIND EXPO opening ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on February 27 at 9:30 a.m. local time. This ceremony is open to all participants. However, pre-registration is required.

The keynote presentation, entitled “Industry Leaders’ Strategies and Outlook on Wind Power Generation,” will be held at 2 p.m. local time on Wednesday, February 27. Attendees will hear from executives with Japan’s Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry, Eurus Energy Holdings Corp., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., and Vestas Wind Systems A/S.

The keynote address is preceded earlier in the day at 10 a.m. by a special keynote entitled “Toward a New Energy Society System in Japan,” delivered by Hiroaki Niihara, Director General of Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Department of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The expo will also feature a technical conference, which will feature sessions led by industry specialists on a variety of topics, including (but not limited to): market trends and outlooks, offshore wind power generation, wind simulation, grid integration, and large-scale wind turbines. Registration is required for the technical conference. Visit the expo website for a full list of topics, registration, and pricing.

Other exhibitions scheduled for the week focus on related smart energy technologies, including: fuel cells, photovoltaics, smart grids, and rechargeable batteries. This will provide wind-specific visitors and exhibitors the opportunity to connect with wind and other energy sector professionals. As many as 125,000 visitors and nearly 1,900 exhibitors are expected to participate in World Smart Energy Week. Visitors are encouraged to enter freely into all concurrent shows.

For more information, including a list of exhibitors, e-Guidebook, and seminar navigator, visit the following: Reed Expositions Japan website  (www.reedexpo.co.jp/english/); WIND EXPO website (www.windexpo.jp/en or www.wsew.jp/en).

Vestas has received a three-year extension from Alliant Energy to provide service and maintenance for 121 V82-1.65 MW wind turbines at the Whispering Willow Wind Farm — East in Iowa.

Under the agreement, Alliant Energy chose the Active Output Management (AOM) 2000 service option. This consists of scheduled maintenance and VestasOnline®, a surveillance system that allows Vestas to monitor and remotely control the turbines to ensure the turbines are running optimally.

“We are fortunate to work with the high-caliber team at Alliant Energy,” said Chris Brown, President of Vestas’ sales and service division in the U.S. and Canada. “Our V82-1.65 MW turbine is a proven performer across North America with a high availability. This service contract also ensures jobs for Vestas employees who make sure the turbines operate safely and with maximum electrical output.”

Vestas has performed service and maintenance at Whispering Willow Wind Farm ­— East since the site began operations in 2009. The wind power plant can produce enough electricity for about 50,000 households.

“Our company is pleased to partner with Vestas to extend our service and maintenance agreement for our 200MW Whispering Willow Wind Farm — East,” said Tom Aller, Senior Vice President of Energy Resource Development at Alliant Energy. “Renewable energy is a key component of our long-term energy resource supply. As a result, we need a company that can keep our wind generating facilities operating at an optimum level. Vestas is an industry leader in servicing and maintaining wind generating facilities. Our partnership with Vestas provides good jobs for working families and ensures that this wind farm will continue to produce emissions-free energy for the benefit of our customers safely and efficiently.”

Alliant Energy owns three other projects using the V82-1.65 MW turbine. In December, Alliant Energy began commercial operations at the Franklin County Wind Farm in Iowa, which includes 60 V82-1.65 MW turbines. In 2008, Alliant first worked with Vestas to build the Cedar Ridge Wind Farm in Wisconsin, which consists of 41 V82-1.65 MW turbines. Vestas also supplied 122 of these turbines to the Bent Tree Wind Farm in Minnesota, which began commercial operations in 2011.

Alliant Energy’s utility operations provide electricity and natural gas to more than 1.4 million customers in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

For more information, visit www.vestas.com.

General Electric will install its WindCONTROL advanced software to help maximize energy output at two First Wind projects in Maine that feature a total of 95 GE wind turbines. The GE technology will regulate curtailment by monitoring and controlling the wind turbines’ ramp rates, effectively easing power spikes and putting less strain on the turbine compared to constant starts and stops.

First Wind is a Boston-based independent wind energy company that owns and operates turbines throughout the United States.

“The effect of curtailment on wind turbines has been an area of concern for us. The application of GE’s WindCONTROL technology to our wind turbines in Maine will help the units maximize energy capture while mitigating the strain on our units as we regulate power production,” said First Wind’s Vice President of Operations EJ Martin.

Using GE’s WindCONTROL, turbine owners can earn back power that may have been lost due to inefficient controls for meeting curtailment. The software automatically controls the output of each wind turbine in the wind farm, versus an approach that depends on starting and stopping units to meet a power demand. The more precise regulation of power not only meets requirements despite wind variation but also allows the wind turbines to run more efficiently and reliably without compromising grid stability. By avoiding the continual stop and start of the turbines for power regulation, GE’s WindCONTROL eases the stresses on the wind turbines and helps to extend the life of turbine components.

The two Maine-based wind farms that will be upgraded with GE’s WindCONTROL technology are located in Rollins and Stetson. The Rollins site has 40 GE 1.5-77 turbines while Stetson contains 55 1.5-77 turbines.

GE previously announced that First Wind selected GE as its service provider for First Wind’s entire fleet of 264 GE wind turbines at eight sites across the United States. The eight-year comprehensive service agreement expanded upon existing contracts with First Wind and was the first contract to cover an entire fleet of wind turbines signed by GE at that time.

GE’s comprehensive offering of wind service solutions is a testament to our commitment to help our renewable energy customers increase power production and revenues from their installed equipment. We have a long-standing history with First Wind, and the addition of WindCONTROL software to its existing service agreement will further benefit the fleet,” said Andy Holt, general manager of wind services for GE’s renewable energy business.

For more information, visit www.GE.com.

Registration is now open for EASTEC, the largest manufacturing exposition and conference in the Northeast, according to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).

“Demand has been building for two years and, judging by the quality of exhibitors applying for space, EASTEC is definitely your best option for keeping operations current with the latest technologies and management strategies,” said Kim Farrugia, SME senior show manager.

More than 10,000 manufacturing professionals are expected to attend the event, which alternated years with Mfg4 — Manufacturing for the Future, in 2012. EASTEC features resource centers, keynote speakers, panels and exhibits on growth industries including aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, commerical machinery, electronics, fabricating and plastics. Nearly 500 exhibitors are expected at the 2013 event, including industry leaders Brooks Associates, Compumachine Inc., Delcam, FANUC FA America, FARO Technologies, Mitsubishi and Pratt & Whitney. Attendee registration for the exposition is now open.

New features for 2013 include a panel discussion on workforce development the first day of the event, competitive student manufacturing event for regional high schools, new networking opportunities and area plant tours.

EASTEC 2013 takes place May 14-16 at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass.  The event layout is organized in five exhibit categories to help attendees navigate the grounds: Design, Engineering, and Rapid Technologies; Tooling, Workholding and Machining Accessories; Automation, Quality and Process Improvement; Plant, Energy, and Environmental Efficiency; and Precision Manufacturing Equipment and Systems.

For more information, visit www.easteconline.com.

WKN USA announced today that it began operations for two wind projects on December 22, 2012. After completing the development, the company managed the construction for its parent BayWa, which acquired a majority stake in WKN USA in August 2011. “We are very pleased to have successfully completed both projects on time and on budget for our new major shareholder”, states Florian Zerhusen President and CEO of WKN USA.

Project Mozart is located just north of Rotan, Texas and deploys twelve Nordex N100 2.5MW turbines. The 30MW project interconnects to the local grid system within ERCOT and is expected to deliver energy for more than six thousand households annually. This is the first phase of a larger 250MW development. WKN USA developed and constructed the nearby 63MW Snyder wind farm, which still deploys the tallest towers in the United States at 105 meters.

Project Wagner is located in Palm Springs, California deploying two Vestas V90 3MW turbines, the largest generator in the area producing as much energy as up to sixty of the older surrounding wind turbines. In November, the project was prominently featured in a news story on wind power in Palm Springs by FOX News 5 San Diego .

WKN USA, LLC is a joint venture between Germany’s BayWa AG and WKN AG. Based in San Diego, WKN USA is a leading turn-key developer of renewable energy projects. Formerly operating under Windkraft Nord USA, Inc., with support from BayWa, WKN USA can engage in a full range of activities including development, construction, finance, ownership and operation of projects as well as acquisitions of projects in in any stage of development and the turnkey financing, construction and sale of projects.

For more information, visit www.wknusa.com.

GE and Taiwan Power Company have signed a five-year, full service agreement (FSA) covering 26 GE 1.5-MW class wind turbines operating throughout Taiwan. Under the agreement, valued at nearly $11.4 million, GE will provide a full scope of services including planned and unplanned maintenance, repairs and spare parts. The agreement guarantees fleet availability of greater than 95 percent.

“GE’s record of proven service performance was important to us in signing this agreement,” said Chen Yi-Chen, chief of the department of renewable energy, Taiwan Power Company. “We are confident that GE will provide a high level of professional service for our wind turbine fleet, including availability guarantees and predictable expenditures on turbine operation in the years ahead.”

Of the 26 GE wind turbines, 23 are located in Taoyuan County, and three are located in Kenting Township. The fleet contributes more than 110 million kWh of green electricity to the Taiwan power grid or enough energy for 28,000 Taiwan households.

GE FSAs are complete packages including all planned maintenance activities such as remote monitoring and troubleshooting, routine services, preventative maintenance, on-site support and parts support as well as unplanned maintenance such as up-tower inspection and repair, condition monitoring, turbine performance and life extension solutions.

The FSA provides customers with operational assurance and the opportunity to work with GE to increase annual energy production and reduced cost of electricity.

“With an experienced field team on-site, the wind turbines will be maintained at a high operating level, enabling Taiwan Power to maximize performance and profitability,” said Andy Holt, general manager of wind services for GE.

“Whenever there is an issue, GE experts will respond quickly and skillfully, keeping any turbine downtime to a minimum.”

GE service agreements are supported by the company’s vast resources, including global service facilities and a network of skilled, highly trained local technicians that are closely connected to GE’s engineering organization.

GE has worked with Taiwan Power Company for decades in the nuclear power and gas turbine sectors and in the wind business since 2005.

Taiwan Power Company, Ltd. is engaged in power generation from fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. A state-owned electric power utility, the company’s principal business activities include power development, power supply and investment in power-related business. Taiwan Power has a generating capacity of 38,082MW and serves about 11.9 million customers.

For more information, visit www.GE.com.

EDF Renewable Energy, formerly enXco, today announced that the 161MW Spinning Spur Wind Project, located in Oldham County, Texas approximately 30 miles west of Amarillo, is operational and supplying electricity to the regional transmission grid.

The project, comprised of 70 Siemens 2.3MW turbines, will deliver carbon-free electricity for the benefit of Southwestern Public Service Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy, under a 15-year power purchase agreement and will generate clean electricity sufficient to supply approximately 50,000 average homes. EDF Renewable Services, formerly enXco Service Corporation, will service the balance-of-plant during the turbine warranty period.

“Texas leads the nation in installed wind capacity, due to robust wind resources, a business friendly environment, and supportive stakeholders at the state and local levels,” commented Ryan Pfaff, Executive Vice President of EDF Renewable Energy. “Spinning Spur represents EDF Renewable Energy’s first project in Texas, and we look forward to future opportunities to build on newly established partnerships with the project’s landowners, the local community, and Southwestern Public Service Company.”

Cielo Wind Services, Inc.  (Cielo) of Austin, Texas participated with EDF Renewable Energy in the construction management of the project.  “The Cielo team directed a project spending program for construction contracting with Oldham County businesses and Southwestern Public Service Company customers,” cited Walt Hornaday, a Cielo executive. “The local property tax incentives and Southwestern Public Service Company’s long term wind purchase directly resulted in hundreds of jobs during construction.”

For more information, visit www.edf-re.com.

Invenergy Wind LLC (“Invenergy”) today announced an investment of approximately $500 million by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (“the Caisse”) in a portfolio of approximately 1,500MW of operating wind farms in the United States and Canada that are owned and operated by Invenergy. Following the transaction, Invenergy remains the majority controlling shareholder.

The Caisse will have a material financial interest in 11 wind projects in the United States and 2 wind projects in Canada. Included in this portfolio is the Le Plateau wind farm located in Québec. Le Plateau is a 138.6MW wind farm located in the Gaspésie region which has been in commercial operation since early 2012. The project sells all of its renewable energy to Hydro-Québec under a long-term contract.

“Invenergy is pleased to enter into this strategic relationship with the Caisse,” said Jim Murphy, Invenergy’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “The Caisse is a world-class asset management firm and we find strong synergies between our operating and their investment philosophies.”

“Through this investment, the Caisse becomes a partner of Invenergy, one of the most significant wind industry players in North America,” said Macky Tall, Senior Vice-President, Infrastructure, at the Caisse. “In addition to generating stable and predictable long-term returns, the projects will enable us to broaden our presence in a forward-looking sector — renewable energy — in Québec, Canada and the United States.”

For more information, visit www.lacaisse.com/en.