Google has announced substantial equity investment in the 161MW Spinning Spur wind farm in Oldham County, Texas. This investment is the first that Google has made in Texas renewable energy but follows a long history of energy investments, especially in wind. The Spinning Spur project joins ten other renewable energy projects in Google’s portfolio, which together are capable of producing up to 2GW of power.

Jeff Clark, Executive Director of The Wind Coalition applauded Google’s decision to invest in Texas wind saying, “Google has been a leader in revolutionizing technologies to improve the products and industries that touch people’s lives. In the field of energy Google has led by example, seeking out ways to improve energy efficiency and by harnessing renewable power to meet their energy needs while reducing their environmental impact.”

“This first investment in Texas follows Google’s incredible track record of wind energy investments across the nation. Google knows that wind is a mainstream, reliable, and affordable source of energy and we welcome their investment and commitment here,” said Clark. “This investment is a testament to the incredible wind energy resources found in Texas and the visionary state policies that have made Texas the nation’s wind power leader.”

The Spinning Spur project is located roughly 35 miles from Amarillo and was developed by EDF Renewable Energy, a member of The Wind Coalition. EDF Renewable Energy is an integrated energy company active in all areas of the energy market including generation, transmission, distribution, energy supply, and trading. The project will utilize 70 Siemens 2.3MW turbines.  The electricity produced has been contracted to SPS, a utility that primarily serves Texas and New Mexico. Spinning Spur is expected to produce enough energy to power over 60,000 average US homes.

The Timken Company announced its acquisition of the assets of Wazee Companies, LLC, a regional leader providing motor, generator, wind and industrial crane services to diverse end markets including oil and gas, wind, agriculture, material handling and construction.  The addition of Wazee to The Timken Company’s process industries segment further expands the footprint of the Timken industrial services business.

Based in Denver, Colo., Wazee had trailing 12-month sales through December 2012 of approximately $30 million. The acquisition brings Timken additional diversified services including motor rewind, generator rebuild, electric controls, industrial bridge cranes and uptower wind maintenance and repair, operating from four western U.S. locations.

“We continue to focus our strategy on further diversifying the Timken services portfolio,” said Carl Rapp, vice president of industrial services for Timken.  “Wazee complements our industrial repair capabilities at existing customers and takes us into critical motor and generator services.

“Wazee has a strong reputation in the region it serves and is led by an experienced management team,” said Rapp. “They bring great technical skills and provide an excellent footprint for us to expand our bearing and gearbox repair services.” Wazee currently operates out of four locations—two in the Denver area, one in Pasco, Wash., and another in Casper, Wyo. Wazee has more than 100 employees.

The purchase includes assets from Wazee’s 2011 acquisition of H&N Electric, Inc., which also offers repair, maintenance and overhaul services for critical motors and wind generators in the Pacific Northwest region.

Evance Wind Turbines, a world leading manufacturer of small wind turbines, is delighted to announce that its 5kW R9000 turbine has achieved full certification from the Small Wind Certification Council (SWCC) — the US independent body that certifies small turbines that meet or exceed its performance and safety requirements.

The Evance R9000 successfully passed rigorous safety, function, performance and durability testing, in accordance with the AWEA Standard, to become one of only four turbines to achieve full certification from the SWCC.

Kevin Parslow, CEO of Evance Wind Turbines: “It is great news that we have received full SWCC certification for our R9000 turbine. There are R9000 small wind turbines installed across some 17 states, and we’re looking to expand this significantly during 2013. Customers already know our turbine is highly efficient and durable, however it’s good to receive independent confirmation from the SWCC — not only promoting consumer confidence and industry credibility, but also helping to establish pathways to qualify for incentives.”

Montana resident Mike Langert, is already benefitting from efficient energy generation from his R9000 small wind turbine. “Our home has been built to be energy efficient — with well-planned windows, lighting, insulation, and a GSHP heating/cooling system — but we still use 12,000 to 15,000kWh of electricity a year. With the Evance turbine now generating up to 75 percent of our requirements, we are saving a substantial amount on energy costs and reducing our use of power generated from fossil fuels.”

The Evance R9000 is a UK-designed and manufactured 3-blade, upwind, horizontal axis wind turbine with a swept area of 23.8 square meters. The AWEA Rated Annual Energy is 9,160kWh, for one year based on an average wind speed of 5 m/s (11.2 mph), and the AWEA Rated Power is 4.7kW at 11 m/s. The SWCC Consumer Label, Certificate and Summary Report can be found here.

For more information, visit www.evancewind.com.

Ingeniería para el Control del Ruido (ICR) has recently finished the final phase of the R&D project Invent, based on the study of the Operational Modal Anlaysis (OMA), for the wind turbine manufacturer Alstom Wind.

ICR’s work on this project consisted of the software development for the realization of OMA in wind turbines. The main aspect which sets this software apart from the others available on the market is its capability to automate the process of OMA. From temporary records, in different speed wind, the software is able to automatically generate diagrams of the evolution of the frequencies of the wind turbine in relation to wind speed. Finally, ICR has conducted special training of the engineering team at Alstom Wind in the implementation of the developed software.

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

geoAMPS, a technology company specializing in software solutions to manage land rights and infrastructure assets, has joined the worldwide community of companies in the Esri Partner Network as a Silver Tier Partner.

“We’re excited to become a member of the Esri Partner Network,” Yogesh Khandelwal, geoAMPS President and Chief Executive Officer, said. “It further validates our commitment to quality.”

By becoming a Silver Tier Partner, geoAMPS taps into the Esri Partner Network for technological and marketplace strategies to develop and market geoAMPS business offerings built on the Esri software platform.

“We like to take the educational approach, and develop best practices in a way to leverage mapping technology in day-to-day operations for the betterment of our product and the industry. In doing so, we arrive at creative solutions and better decision-making capability by our clients,” Khandelwal said.

Even before becoming a Silver Tier Partner, geoAMPS utilized Esri’s geographic information system (GIS) software and integrated it into each of the software products it offers. geoAMPS has developed products tailored to meet the needs of companies and organizations involved in land services, alternative energy, mine exploration and production, transportation, land reclamation, surveying, mapping, document management, communications and government.

“We welcome geoAMPS as a Silver Tier Partner,” Amy Garner, Esri Partner Coordinator, said. “The ability to leverage online, offline and mobile technologies within the land rights, infrastructure assets and data management markets makes geoAMPS a perfect fit for the Esri Partner Network.”

“We promote Esri solutions to our clients,” Khandelwal said. “We show them the benefits of utilizing that technology. They may not have been previously aware of those benefits.”

For more information, visit www.geoamps.com or www.esri.com.

Vestas has received a 42MW order from Akuo Energy for 14 units of the V112-3.0MW wind turbine for the Minas wind power plant in Uruguay. This will be the first V112-3.0MW wind power plant to be installed in the country.

The contract for the Minas wind power plant comprises delivery, transportation, installation and commissioning of the turbines, a VestasOnline® Business SCADA system as well as a 10-year Active Management Output (AOM) 4000 service agreement. The AOM 4000 is a full-scope service contract, consisting of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and consumables, which offers solid risk management for customers who want an availability guarantee measured against an agreed threshold. This type of contract offers customers assured performance avoiding unforeseen operational costs of any kind. Delivery of the turbines is scheduled for the third quarter of 2013 and the wind power plant is expected to be commercially operational by the end of the same year.

The order has been placed by Akuo Energy, a private French group specialized in the development of industrial power production plants from renewable resources such as wind, sun, water, biogas, biomass and biofuel with wind power representing 85 percent of the group’s activities.

“We are glad to be the first ones to install Vestas’ V112-3.0MW turbine in the country as we believe that it will deliver an efficient power production and, thus, a high return on investment,” states Juan Negro, CEO of Akuo Energy Uruguay, who continues, “At Akuo Energy we are always looking for the best technological solutions based on the resources available and specific local requirements of each particular project and we chose Vestas to provide us with its technologically advanced wind generating solutions for cost-effective wind power plants.”

“It is a pleasure for us to announce the signature of this new contract with Akuo Energy for Uruguay, whose renewable energy agenda we have always been strongly supporting,” states Miguel Picardo Troyano, VP Vestas South America (excl. Brazil), who continues, “We look forward to continuing working with Akuo Energy and expanding wind power in the country.”

Juan Araluce, Chief Sales Officer of Vestas Wind Systems A/S concludes: “The V112-3.0MW is a versatile and high-performing turbine which allows an efficient power production and gives our customers a solid return on investment. Like all Vestas’ turbines, the V112-3.0MW has been developed by identifying customers’ key needs and translating them into highly reliable wind generating solutions.”

As of 30 June 2012, Vestas has delivered 101 units of V112-3.0MW turbines worldwide representing a total capacity of 303MW, and it has received more than 3GW of firm orders for this model.

The Minas wind power plant project will have an estimated annual production of more than 190,000MWh per year, which will save the environment from almost 59,000 tons of CO2 emissions on an annual basis.

For more information, visit www.vestas.com.

After closing out a year with significant investments in low-emission generation, CPS Energy is kicking off 2013 with 200MW of new wind power. Los Vientos I, a coastal windfarm, is now online and supplying power to Greater San Antonio and the state’s electric grid.

CPS Energy executed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Duke Energy for the power from Los Vientos I, raising its total wind-energy capacity to 1,059MW. The partnership will bring significant educational investments to the San Antonio area while helping CPS Energy shield its customers from environmental regulatory risks by investing in clean energy and innovative technologies, essential components of CPS Energy’s New Energy Economy.

“Coastal wind has the potential to provide us with electric power during summer afternoon hours when energy demand is highest,” said Cris Eugster, executive vice president and chief strategy and technology officer. “It’s a clean generation source for our customers at a locked-in, competitive price, and complements our investments last year in natural gas and solar.”

In addition to Los Vientos, CPS Energy purchases the power generated at Duke Energy Renewables’ Blue Wing Solar Power Project in San Antonio.

Los Vientos is located on 30,000 acres of land in Willacy County, 120 miles south of Corpus Christi and 20 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico. With 87 Siemens wind turbines, rated at 2.3MW each, the facility will generate enough electricity for nearly 40,000 area homes. Most turbines are rated at 1MW.

Wind energy has proven to be beneficial locally and statewide. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) cited at least four new wind power records in 2012.

For more information, visit www.cpsenergy.com. 

Capital Safety, home of the DBI-SALA® and PROTECTA® brands of fall protection equipment, introduces the new and improved DBI-SALA® EZ-Stop™ Lanyard. Lighter, stronger and more durable than ever, the EZ-Stop Lanyard is the industry’s first modular lanyard designed with components that can be replaced individually when worn or damaged, rather than having to purchase an entire new unit. It also features the smallest shock pack in the world, as well as the lightest and strongest webbing and steel rebar hooks on the market.

The new EZ-Stop Lanyard was created as a cost-effective alternative to competing products. The patented one-handed quick connect design offers maximum versatility, allowing users to change pieces on the spot to accommodate various tasks and job requirements, such as leg length, rebar hook size and single or twin leg configuration.

“We base a lot of our new product development on what we hear from customers; what their specific needs are,” said Jacob Shevick, soft goods product manager at Capital Safety at Capital Safety. “We kept hearing that there was an industry need for a product with replaceable parts — not only for the cost-effectiveness of it, but also for the flexibility. The EZ-Stop is a unique product that meets those needs across industries.”

The EZ-Stop Lanyard also features the lightest and strongest components on the market. The new shock pack is 66 percent smaller and 40 percent lighter than competing products, making it the smallest available shock pack in the world. It is equipped with 3/4-inch webbing (the thinnest ever offered), which reduces weight and excess bulk for the wearer. The updated steel and aluminum rebar hooks are another industry first for DBI-SALA, featuring a patented locking nose design and a dual-action 3,600-pound gate for ANSI compliance and increased strength.

All components are made with Repel™ water repellent webbing to reduce the attraction of mold and dirt, leading to better abrasion resistance. The EZ-Stop Lanyard’s superior design is equipped with i-Safe™ technology, which allows it to be tracked in inventory and tagged with usage data. The EZ-Stop meets all applicable OSHA and ANSI industry standards.

For more information, visit www.capitalsafety.com.

The new DEUS® Industrial Escape Kit from DEUS Rescue is a turnkey, individual evacuation solution for anyone who works in elevated industrial environments up to 500 feet such as platforms, tower cranes, communications, oil and gas, utility and wind towers. The lightweight and compact kit is a complete escape system which provides workers a safe and simple way down with nothing to hold, operate or worry about from top to bottom.

The central component of the kit is the DEUS 3700 controlled descent device. The 3700 has been third-party tested and certified to the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Z359.4-2007 fall protection rescue standard.

Complete, pre-rigged and ready to use, the simple-to-operate 3700 is an automatic, compact, speed-limited, descent system. When the DEUS 3700 is connected to a harness and anchor, the worker can experience a smooth and safe descent at a maximum speed of two meters per second. Ideal for rescue situations, the device even works if the person descending is unconscious.

Workers who fall while wearing fall protection gear may still risk suspension trauma waiting to be rescued. The kit eliminates wait times by enabling workers to lower themselves safely and quickly. By reducing the risk of suspension trauma, the DEUS Industrial Escape Kit may help employers meet OSHA requirements for prompt rescue.

Pocket-sized and weighing just 2.5 pounds, the DEUS 3700 features four integrated brakes for redundant safety including a patented centrifugal direct-drive brake with no gears to break or fail. There is also a large control knob that enables the worker to variably control the descent speed — from complete stop to full descent.

In addition to the DEUS 3700, the kit includes DEUS fire- and cut-resistant rope; four DEUS approved, auto-lock, ANSI-rated steel carabiners; and the DEUS ROW (rope over wire) anchor sling. The entire kit comes packaged in the durable and compact DEUS Tower Haul Bag. The lightweight DEUS rope has been certified to NFPA standards and features a flexible, polyester sheath over a Technora core that is fire resistant to 932 degrees Fahrenheit. The rope is available in a variety of lengths – all with UL-certified sewn eyes on both ends which eliminate the time-consuming need to tie knots.

The DEUS ROW (rope over wire) Anchor Choker is an innovative anchor connector that combines the benefits of synthetic rope with the strength, durability and cut-resistance of steel cable. Quick and easy to secure, the braided rope over steel cable protects hands, eliminates the need for edge protection and is fire-resistant and strong. It meets ANSI and NFPA requirements including the NFPA’s “G” rating — the highest available.

Like all life-safety equipment, DEUS escape kits require training for their safe and effective use. To make it easy and practical, DEUS has partnered with top instructors who are certified to train workers at full industrial heights offering the best real-world experience possible. DEUS Rescue also can train and certify in-house trainers who, in turn, can train entire company staffs including new hires.

DEUS Rescue training programs feature the DEUS Back-Up Belay Kit that includes the DEUS 7300 controlled descent device. The 7300 gently engages only in over-speed situations to instantly and automatically lower the trainee safely to the ground.

For more information about the DEUS Industrial Escape Kit, or DEUS Rescue’s full line of controlled descent devices, kits and accessories, or to schedule a demonstration at your own facility, call DEUS Rescue at 866.405.3461 or email sales@DEUSrescue.com.

Larson Electronics has announced today the addition of the EPL-MB-161M-100 explosion proof LED light to its line of industrial grade explosion proof lighting. Producing 10,000 lumens and designed to provide the versatility of magnetic mounting, this light can also be used as pedestal light, allowing operators to place the unit in almost any position desired. With a frame constructed of non-sparking aluminum and a Class 1 Division 1 approved 150 watt LED lamp head, this unit is a light weight and powerful addition to Larson Electronics’ comprehensive inventory of explosion proof lighting solutions.

The EPL-MB-161M-100 magnetic mount explosion proof LED light from Larson Electronics provides operators with a powerful hazardous location suitable lighting solution that can be mounted to almost any metallic surface, or utilized as a standalone pedestal light. The main lamp assembly consists of a round 150 watt LED lamp head which produces 10,000 lumens mounted within a square frame aluminum pedestal base. An additional aluminum mounting bracket equipped with four 200 lbs grip magnetic feet allows operators to mount the bracket to almost any ferrous metallic surface and then hang the light fixture. This two piece mounting system provides excellent versatility and allows the operators to run this light as a standard pedestal light, or as a temporary mounted light for illuminating larger areas.

This is also an ideal method of deploying the light at high levels in areas where the lamp must be elevated, either to avoid water or debris on the ground, or simply to gain better coverage of the work area. The 16 inch LED lamp is adjustable and can be moved through vertical adjustment within its bracket by loosening two thumbscrews on either side of the lamp head and positioning it as needed. The LED lamp produces 10,000 lumens of white light in a wide flood pattern for full coverage of large work areas, and has a 60,000 hour operational life rating, providing more output and over 50 times the operational life of a typical halogen work area light.  Approvals for this work area light include Class 1 Division 1 & 2 Groups C and D, Class 2 Division 1 & 2 Groups A, B, C, and D, and Class 2, Division 1 – 2, Groups E,F,G. Included with this explosion proof LED light is 100 feet of SOOW cord ending in a 1523 explosion proof straight blade plug, providing ample length for connecting to outlets outside the work area and safe and secure connections. These magnetic mount explosion proof lights are well suited to industrial work areas where portability and easy transport is required and provide high output capable of illuminating larger spaces from a small system.

For more information about all of Larson Electronics’ lighting products, call 1-800-369-6671 or visit www.larsonelectronics.com.

Monthly or quarterly servicing of nitrogen at extreme heights can provide both safety and productivity challenges to service technicians. Traditional methods of servicing include utilizing a 200-foot hose connected to a ground-based cylinder or hauling a 140- to 200-pound cylinder up the turbine into the nacelle. Each of these methods creates the potential for injuries to workers who must deal with the heavy cylinders and hoses, the potential for damage to the turbine and a loss of productivity due to extensive set up time and extra manpower to handle the overweight equipment.

In response to these challenges, Cv International has released the WINDPACK and WINDKIT products, portable nitrogen servicing solutions that can be easily maneuvered by a one technician. Demonstrated at the recent AWEA Wind Environmental Health and Safety Seminar, the high pressure WINDKIT, consisting of a regulator control box, service hoses and a 88 SCF/4500 PSIG tank, can be mounted within the nacelle and the service hoses used to reach service points, such as accumulators. The WINDPACK allows technicians to carry a WINDKIT on their back to effectively service transformers or other isolated equipment. A complete compliment of valves and gauging protects components from dangerous over-pressure, allowing technicians to set target pressures during fill and monitor system pressures during bleeding. The kit’s pressure regulator is adjustable from 0-5000 psig/0-350 bar.

Currently in use by Siemens Energy and Vestas American Wind Technology, WINDKIT users report the products “light weight, very safe and highly portable” design as improving their on site safety and performance.

For more information please visit cvintl.com or call the CVI Wind Sales Group at 310-328-8550.

The new LSI-Robway GS025 Wireless Anemometer and GS320 Wind Speed Display are designed for a diverse range of applications. This system is capable of monitoring wind speed at a range of 4,600 ft (1,400 m). This range is crucial when working in and around wind turbines. Wind turbines output a very strong RF signal, creating a difficult environment for wireless signal to operate effectively in. LSI-Robway’s innovative wireless technology has been perfected to work within these environments, as well as in many other situations where other wireless technology falls flat.

The GS025 has been designed as a cost effective solution for monitoring wind speed. It is ideal in a variety of applications, ranging from cranes and lifting, marine, commercial and recreational boating, industrial plant applications, residential applications and more.

The new GS025 Wind Speed Sensor features a user replaceable wind cup head assembly. All parts, including the wind speed body housing and the wind speed cup head assembly, have been plastic molded by LSI-Robway using a rugged nylon composite. The new design will stand up to the rigors of heat, UV rays and mechanical effects. The GS025 features a “D” cell lithium battery. Users will appreciate the ease of battery change; a simple 90-degree turn of the battery cap cover exposes the battery chamber, providing for a quick battery change. Under normal operating conditions the GS025 offers up to 4 years of battery life. If the sensor is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, users can expect up to 20 months of battery life from the lithium battery. A 1.5 volt alkaline D cell battery can be substituted should a lithium battery not be immediately available.

The GS025 wind speed sensor uses a reed switch that reads the pulses from two magnets as they pass by the reed switch to read the wind value. This eliminates static issues with coil designed sensors. It is also what allows the wind speed head to be replaced by users without the need for sensor recalibration.

The LSI-Robway GS025 Anemometer and GS320 Wind Speed Display communicate through Direct-Sequence-Spread-Spectrum technology, creating a more stable line of wireless communication than that of other systems on the market. With a user settable wind speed limit, audible and visual alarms, wind gust alarms and a 2-year warranty, the LSI-Robway Wind Speed System is a more effective way to monitor wind speed.

For more information please contact sales@loadsystems.com or visit www.lsirobway.com.

In an effort to increase encoder compatibility with Siemens controls, Heidenhain has developed the EIB 2391S interface box. Ideal for applications with SINAMICS drive components, the EIB 2391S enhances the serial interface offering for many of Heidenhain’s absolute encoders. Heidenhain’s interface electronics have been noted as the best in the industry for safely transmitting and converting analog and digital encoder output signals.

The EIB 2391S makes it possible to convert a Heidenhain encoder’s output signal from EnDat 2.2 to DRIVE CLiQ. With IP 65 and its compact size, the EIB 2391S is suitable for any industrial environment. Heidenhain’s EIB 2391S 8-pin M12 connection allows the user to pull the cable needed to connect to the interface electronics box through even the smallest locations. Due to the benefits of EnDat 2.2, the EIB 2391S is capable of transmitting diagnostic information into a format recognized by the SINAMICS drive components. Increasing demand for safer machine tool operation, Heidenhain’s EIB 2391S was developed to be used in safety-oriented applications.

For more information, visit www.heidenhain.us.

Ark-Plas Products, Inc. manufactures a complete line of flexible tubing for glue delivery and air delivery applications for wind industry manufacturing.

Polyurethane, Vinyl (PVC), and Vyplas tubing is manufactured in an ISO 9001 registered facility using digital monitoring equipment to ensure our strict tolerances are maintained.  Standard packaging options include bulk spools, ranging from 200 feet up to 2500 feet, and 100-foot spools.

Ark-Plas tubing is available in virtually every increment from 1/16” ID to 1/2” ID. Coiled tubing, with working lengths from 5 feet to 20 feet, is fabricated from Polyurethane, in all standard colors. 

Metric sized tubing is also available from 2.5 MM ID to 6.5 MM ID. 

Ark-Plas tubing is available in Natural-Clear, Black, Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, White, and Transparent Blue, Transparent Red, Transparent Green, and Transparent Yellow.

Ark-Plas tubing, with a wide range of chemical and physical characteristics, can fit most any application, dependably and economically.  We manufacture a full line of semi-rigid tubing as well. Custom lengths and sizes are also available.

Ark-Plas Products, Inc. manufactures a complete line of Semi-Rigid Tubing for pneumatic and fluid applications that includes Nylon 11, Polypropylene, and Polyethylene.

Nylon 11 Tubing resists crushing and abrasion. Nylon 11 is more flexible than Nylon 6/6 and much less affected by moisture absorption. Nylon 11 Tubing will not become brittle or swell because of water and does not exhibit extreme variations in mechanical characteristics. Nylon 11 Tubing is available in Natural and UV Stabilized Black. Colors can be produced, for volume applications. 

Polypropylene Tubing is a copolymer tubing with superior high impact resistant, low temperature performance, and excellent moisture resistance.  Ark-Plas 80 Durometer Shore D Polypropylene Tubing is FDA and USP Class VI rated, making it safe for all food contact and food rated applications. Polypropylene tubing is stocked in natural and has a flammability rating of UL94 HB. Colors can be produced, for volume applications. 

Polyethylene Tubing is extruded from Linear Low Density Polyethylene resin and is available in Natural or UV Resistant Black. Ark-Plas Polyethylene Tubing is 55 Durometer Shore D.  Polyethylene tubing is economical, displays good resistance to chemicals, and is nonconductive.  Black UV Resistant Polyethylene tubing is well suited for use in environments where UV degradation is to be avoided.

For more information, visit www.ark-plas.com.

The Timken Company today announced its acquisition of the assets of Wazee Companies, LLC, a regional leader providing motor, generator, wind and industrial crane services to diverse end markets including oil and gas, wind, agriculture, material handling and construction.  The addition of Wazee to The Timken Company’s process industries segment further expands the footprint of the Timken industrial services business.

Based in Denver, Colo., Wazee had trailing 12-month sales through December 2012 of approximately $30 million. The acquisition brings Timken additional diversified services including motor rewind, generator rebuild, electric controls, industrial bridge cranes and uptower wind maintenance and repair, operating from four western U.S. locations.

“We continue to focus our strategy on further diversifying the Timken services portfolio,” said Carl Rapp, vice president of industrial services for Timken. “Wazee complements our industrial repair capabilities at existing customers and takes us into critical motor and generator services.

“Wazee has a strong reputation in the region it serves and is led by an experienced management team,” said Rapp. “They bring great technical skills and provide an excellent footprint for us to expand our bearing and gearbox repair services.” Wazee currently operates out of four locations — two in the Denver area, one in Pasco, Wash., and another in Casper, Wyo. Wazee has more than 100 employees.

The purchase includes assets from Wazee’s 2011 acquisition of H&N Electric, Inc., which also offers repair, maintenance and overhaul services for critical motors and wind generators in the Pacific Northwest region.

For more information, visit www.timken.com.

On Wednesday, November 14, Shermco Industries presented a check for $5500 to Kristen Graf, executive director of the Women of Wind Energy (WoWE) at the American Wind Energy Association Fall Symposium held at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa. Presented by Kevin Alewine, director of Renewable Energy Services and Paul Idziak, national sales manager, the funds are used by the WoWE scholarship program to support and help develop young women in engineering and other wind energy services.

The money was raised from participants and corporate sponsorships at the annual Ride for Wind event in Sweetwater, Texas. The Ride for Wind is an all-day motorcycle tour through the vast wind farms in West Texas. The participant riders traveled through the thousands of utility scale wind turbines that surround Sweetwater, Big Spring, Roscoe, and Snyder, Texas. This charity was founded by Shermco Industries and Shermco Charities who, along with other corporate sponsors, see this as a great way to support local industry as well as the efforts of WoWE.

“We are very proud to sponsor this event and know that the monies raised have really helped women who want to be professionals in the wind energy sector,” said Scott Meador, vice president of business development of Shermco Industries.

For more information on the annual Ride For Wind event, visit www.rideforwind.org.

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. Program specifics were not available at the time of this writing, but offshore wind farms are expected to be a major topic of the exhibition.

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 able to enter freely into all concurrent shows. 

The WIND EXPO opening ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on February 27 at 9:30 local time. This ceremony is open to all participants. However, pre-registration is required. A technical conference will also be held during the event. The program for the conference has yet to be announced. All of the seminars are free to attend. Participants must apply for attendance at the technical conference. 

For more information, contact Reed Expositions Japan at www.reedexpo.co.jp/english/ or visit the conference websites at: www.windexpo.jp/en or www.wsew.jp/en.

Cartier Wind Energy announced the operation of its Gros-Morne Phase II wind project, powered by 74 GE 1.5-77 wind turbines and located in the Gaspésie region of Québec. The amount of energy generated by the Gros-Morne wind farm can power approximately 20,000 homes in the province of Québec. Gros-Morne I and II combined is the largest wind farm in Canada with a total output of 211.5MW.

GE is supplying 593, 1.5-77 wind turbines and associated services for wind energy projects in Québec, including Gros-Morne. The projects were awarded as part of Hydro-Québec’s 2004 request for proposals (RFP) to supply the province with 1,000MW of new wind power capacity by 2012. GE’s local supply chain manufacturing and supplier partners have been integral to the fulfillment of the province’s local content requirements.

Hydro-Québec has purchased the energy under a 20-year power purchase agreement. Cartier Wind Energy is a joint venture between TransCanada and Innergex.

“Cartier Énergie Éolienne wishes to acknowledge the exemplary work by the GE technicians in the success of the Gros-Morne-Sainte-Madeleine wind farm. You have played an important role in order to deliver the wind farm around 25 days before the date of the commissioning contract with Hydro-Québec. This result demonstrates your professionalism and your commitment,” said Robert Guillemette, CEO of Cartier Wind Energy.

The Gros-Morne project includes a four-year GE operations and maintenance service contract with Cartier. GE has more than 50 wind technicians and engineers in Canada providing expertise on parts, maintenance, upgrades and long-term service contracts for a fleet of more than 1,400 units. The company’s regional wind services parts warehouse is located in Toronto for fast and reliable distribution throughout the country.

“We have proven our ability to execute major projects with local content requirements in Québec and are positioned for the upcoming 700MW RFP expected to be launched in 2013,” said Guy Crepeau, region sales manager for GE’s renewable energy business in Canada. “We are committed to working with developers, including Cartier, as we continue to develop advanced technology to harness Canada’s abundant wind resources.”

Canada is among the world leaders in the production and use of renewable energy. The country’s installed wind base is set to nearly double by 2014, to an expected 10GW of capacity.

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

The renewable energy industry is at a tipping point as the developed markets start to close the door on generous subsidy programs and emerging markets develop cost strategies to compete with fossil fuels according to Ernst & Young’s latest quarterly global renewable energy country attractiveness indices report.

Gil Forer, Ernst & Young’s Global Cleantech Leader, comments: “Current global macro-economic drivers are reinforcing the role of emerging markets in the future global energy mix. As renewable energy technologies become more cost-competitive, the importance of government subsidies is set to decrease to create a sustainable growth platform for both developed and emerging markets, as well as manufacturers.”

The indices provide scores in 40 countries for national renewable energy markets, renewable energy infrastructures and their suitability for individual technologies. During Q3 2012, China remained at the top of the All Renewables Index (ARI), but dropped a point as its solar sector continued the consolidation process in an effort to boost domestic installation and rationalize government support, which could slow growth in the more immediate term. In recent months, China has also seen a large outflow of Chinese investment in favor of markets such as Africa and South America.

The quarter also saw the United States drop 1.5 points in the ARI, resulting in Germany moving up into second place ahead of the U.S. While the German government has recently increased the country’s renewable energy target for electricity to 40 percent by 2020 and is proactively implementing policy measures to create sustainable growth, the downgraded score reflects the more immediate changes around possible subsidy caps for solar, wind, and biomass.

Within the U.S., the uncertainty about long term energy policy combined with concerns over the extension of key renewable energy incentives and the availability of low-priced natural gas are likely to continue slowing the growth in the sector in the short to medium term, particularly in the wind sector.

However when looking towards the long-term, Forer comments: “Now that the U.S. elections are behind us, we can likely expect new long-term momentum behind cleantech related regulations, such as EPA greenhouse gas regulations as well as Department of Energy and Department of Defense energy efficiency initiatives.”

Globally, total clean energy investment fell 5 percent in Q3, to $56.6 billion, with investor enthusiasm dampened by skepticism over policymakers’ renewable energy commitments and the continued decrease in solar and wind technology costs impacting on total investment values.

New investment levels have varied globally — with investment in Europe, Middle East and Africa rising 7 percent to $21 billion in Q3 — mainly driven by solar thermal and wind project financings in Morocco. However, in the same period, investment in the Americas and Asia-Pacific slipped by 25 percent and 3 percent, to $10.4 billion and $25.2 billion respectively.

Ben Warren, Ernst & Young Energy and Environmental Finance Leader comments: “Political and regulatory uncertainty, working in tandem with constrained capital markets, continue to put the brakes on investment and deal volumes. Looking forward, market restructuring and the emerging secondary infrastructure financing market are likely to provide the momentum for future investment.”

Having taken note of the lessons learnt across markets in Europe and the US, where high levels of subsidization have been the key driver of growth in the sector, governments in emerging markets are driving business models that work without direct subsidies or grants that could potentially compete head-on with conventional fossil fuel sources.

The latest indices include Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the first time, reflecting the growing presence of the Middle East within the clean energy market, with the UAE ranked 35th in the index, two places above Saudi Arabia. The roll-out of solar initiatives places the UAE over Saudi Arabia in the Solar Index, while the reverse is true in the Wind Index based on natural resource.

When looking at the global outlook for the clean energy industry, Forer summarizes: “While the reliance on government subsidies is decreasing, it should not be forgotten that until “grid parity” is reached in more regions, financing will still depend on the timing and nature of individual countries’ incentives and support regimes, a commitment to invest in grid infrastructure and connectivity, and the ability of projects to seek multiple partnerships and investors.”

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On March 18 and 19, the second staging of Energy Storage — International Summit for the Storage of Renewable Energies — will take place at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany. Organized by Messe Düsseldorf in cooperation with Solarpaxis AG, the conference and accompanying exhibition will bring together experts from science, industry, and politics to promote practical and commercially viable storage solutions for renewable energies. Topics will include political conditions, financing, cost-effectiveness, and integration of the main storage technologies. The conference language will be English.

Messe Düsseldorf is renowned as the organizer of top international trade fairs while Solarpraxis AG is one of the leading knowledge service providers in the renewable energy sector.

The event has strong international partners, including international associations such as the China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA), the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), the California Energy Storage Alliance (CESA), the International Photovoltaic Equipment Association (IPVEA) as well as the Association of European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers (Eurobat). With this support, the organizers are able to expand the international orientation of Energy Storage 2013, bringing together even more countries to exchange technical ideas and establish business contacts. The conference participants will benefit from the profound market knowledge of the representatives of these international associations.

Additional partners of next year’s event include the EnergieAgentur.NRW, the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), the Bavarian Center for Applied Energy Research (ZAE), the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), the National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Technology (NOW), the Fraunhofer Energy Alliance, Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI) and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion.

At the accompanying trade fair, companies will showcase marketable applications and new concepts in the field of energy storage. A new addition will be the Production Technology Forum. Discussions will focus on current manufacturing technologies, application possibilities and challenges of battery production.

For more information on the Energy Storage conference and trade fair, visit www.energy-storage-online.com.