The growing proliferation of offshore wind farms will see a decreasing share of the global wind turbine rotor blade market allotted to onshore installations, says the latest report from international business analysts GlobalData.

The firm’s new research estimates that in 2020 offshore wind farms will account for 11 percent of all installed rotor blades, whereas last year this share did not reach even 1 percent.

Wind rotor blades used for onshore and offshore wind turbines are not significantly different in terms of design, structure or composition. However, larger blades are used for offshore applications due to the larger turbine size and rated power output.

Offshore wind farms are currently a small portion of total wind power capacity, but the number of planned projects across the world’s major wind markets indicates the level of confidence in this renewable energy source.

The largest wind rotor blade market in 2011 (by a substantial margin) was China, who held a massive 59 percent share with 37,385 installations. The U.S. came a relatively distant second, with an installed total of 11,085 rotor blades accounting for 18 percent of the global market, while India was third with an 11 percent share.

GlobalData predicts the global cumulative wind power installed capacity to show steady growth until the end of the decade, increasing from 238,600MW last year to 658,449MW by the end of 2020.

However, due to increases in the average turbine capacity, this increase will not be mirrored by the number of wind rotor blades installed during the same period. From a global total of 63,405 installed last year, the figure will actually drop to 45,675 come the end of the decade.

Profitability-conscious customers in refinery, power generation, distribution and transmission, mining, construction and wind turbine industries will benefit from Wright Tool Co.’s latest initiative to perfect performance. Wright Tool, manufacturer of heavy-duty, professional-grade hand tools, announced today a partnership with Morris Marketing Group (MMG), a full-service independent rep firm serving the southern states. The new partnership not only opens a southern distribution center, MMG’s capabilities will deliver value — such as enhanced profitability and marketing support — to customers throughout the south.

The 42,000 square-foot distribution facility — located in Greer, S.C. — joins Texas and California as strategic distribution centers for the Ohio-based Wright Tool. MMG, as an independent representative for Wright Tool, leverages the firm’s knowledgeable sales staff located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia.

“Wright Tool’s mantra is ‘perfecting performance’ for our customers,” said Terry Taylor, CEO and president, Wright Tool. “This partnership with MMG helps us realize that perfection. Like our other regional distribution centers in Texas and California, our southern distribution center can handle strategically stocked products based on our customer’s vertical and geographic markets. Also, with MMG’s rock-solid reputation in the southern states, we will be able to serve our clients with a well-trained sales force.”

Along with fulfilling 98 percent of all orders in 36 hours or less, the partnership will help Wright Tool achieve greater profitability for its distributor customers, since the company offers better margins per dollar than competition in the marketplace.

“We are excited to work with Wright Tool, an American manufacturer that not only provides our end-users with the highest quality tools, exceptional service and on-time delivery in the business, but also a customer-centric company that helps its distributor customers be more profitable,” said Gene Morris, president and owner, MMG. “Together, we are going to improve the lives of our customers in the South.”

For more information, go to www.wrighttool.com.

Gamesa, through its subsidiary Gamesa Wind Turbines Private Limited in India, has signed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract to build the project and supply 47.6MW to a wind farm from SJVN Limited, in District Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India. SJVN is a Mini Ratna CPSU (Central Public Sector Undertaking) and a joint venture with Government of India and Government of Himachal Pradesh.

The contract includes the installation of 56 Gamesa 850kW turbines and a ten-year operation and maintenance (O&M) services contract. The company is fully committed to commission the project on or before the schedule period of eight months.

With this contract, the company consolidates its Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) customer portfolio in Maharashtra, India.

“Gamesa takes immense pride to welcome SJVN in the wind energy customer base and the contract further demonstrates the credibility enjoyed by the Spanish wind energy major for being the most preferred destination for foraying into wind energy sector,” said Mr. Ramesh Kymal, Chairman and Managing Director of Gamesa India. “Gamesa-SJVN new contract comes at a time when several States in India are reeling under acute power shortage and it shows how wind energy could play a pivotal role in being an ideal alternative source of energy,” Kymal added.

SJVN, a Mini Ratna & Schedule-”A” CPSU under the Ministry of Power, Government of India has emerged as a major hydro power player in the country. It is engaged in hydro power development in India and neighboring countries of Nepal & Bhutan. It is presently operating the country’s largest 1,500MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station and has about 5,186MW capacity under various stages of development.

After establishing its prominent position among the pioneers in the field of hydro power sector in the country, SJVN is determined in diversifying in other fields of power sector, too. In its endeavor to promote green power, SJVN has stepped towards diversifying in wind power sector.

For more information, to go www.gamesacorp.com/en/.

Gamesa, a global technology leader in the wind energy industry, announces the sale of a wind project in France with installed capacity of 8MW to Impax New Energy Investors II LP (NEF II), an investment fund managed by London-based Impax Asset Management Ltd, via its portfolio company, Epuron France.

The La Souterraine wind project in the Limousin region of France will be equipped with 4 Gamesa G97-2.0MW turbines. The construction of the project — which was developed and will be built by Gamesa — will start by the end of the year.

“This operation shows Gamesa’s strategy in the wind farm development and sale market: To be a technology partner of investors such as Impax, who value investments in high quality renewable energy generation assets,” said Teodoro Monzón, wind farm development and sales managing director.

Joe Berry, investment director in Impax’s private equity infrastructure team, said: “We are delighted to sign our first Gamesa wind farm acquisition, and hope to expand our co-operation in the future. La Souterraine is an excellent fit within Epuron’s fast-growing French portfolio, and another milestone for the company’s ‘buy and build’ strategy.”

Gamesa has had a presence in France since 2000. As a wind farm developer, it has since brought 126MW of capacity online in the country and has a project portfolio of more than 57MW at varying stages of development. Gamesa is a leading industrial group in this market, installing 66 MW. The company also undertakes operation and maintenance (O&M) services on turbines totaling 41MW at 30 wind farms across France.

Impax’s second private equity infrastructure fund, Impax New Energy Investors II LP, has €330 million of capital committed to the renewable energy sector and a growing portfolio of wind power projects including over 200MW in construction and operation in France, Germany, and Poland, as well as solar photovoltaic investments in Italy.

For more information, go to www.gamesacorp.com/en/.

GE celebrates its 20,000th wind turbine installation in conjunction with its 10-year anniversary in the wind industry.

Altogether, GE’s 20,000-turbine fleet has the capacity to power the cities of Hong Kong and London for an entire year.

“We couldn’t have achieved this milestone without our development partners,” said Vic Abate, vice president of renewable energy for GE. “Together, we have advanced wind to its current status as a relevant, reliable, competitive source of energy.”

 In the US and Europe, 40 percent of new power generation installations over the last four years have been wind. GE achieved its 10,000th turbine milestone in November 2008, its 15,000th in February 2011 and in 2012 celebrates its 20,000th installation.

“We congratulate GE on this impressive achievement,” said Jim Shield, Invenergy’s executive vice president and chief development officer. “Our longstanding association has resulted in the installation of more than 2,000 GE wind turbines at Invenergy projects across the United States. As America’s largest independent wind power generation company, we look forward to a continued, successful relationship with GE in the years to come.”

 “Congratulations to GE on reaching this milestone. From our vantage point, it appears to be the culmination of working with customers, driving down prices, continuously advancing technology and then backing it all up with responsive service,” said David Boyce, chief executive officer of Wind Capital Group. “I would expect that winning combination to serve them well into the future.”

 “EDF Renewable Energy has enjoyed a long and successful partnership with GE for nearly a decade. During this time we have put into service more than 1,500 wind turbine generators representing over 2GW of capacity,” said Tristan Grimbert, president and chief executive officer of EDF Renewable Energy. “Our partnership is built on a shared goal of delivering exceptional wind projects. We congratulate GE on reaching this milestone.”

Since its inception in 2002, GE’s renewables business has led the global advancement of wind energy through lowered costs and increased reliability. During the past decade, technology has driven wind’s availability from 85 percent to 98.5 percent and a 3x reduction in electricity cost.

This year, GE will install more than 3,000 wind turbines around the world. The company’s extensive manufacturing, sourcing and logistics network have proven essential to delivering to tight timelines and schedules. Projects range from single turbine installations on farms in the Midwest to multi-megawatt projects on the West Coast, each requiring special attention for successful delivery.

 “As a company who will be operating with more than 840 GE turbines as the backbone of our fleet by the end of 2012, we’re proud to be a part of this significant milestone in wind development,” said Steve Trenholm, CEO, E.ON Climate & Renewables (EC&R) North America. “Partnering with GE has allowed us to provide clean, affordable homegrown energy among our 18 wind farms from New York to West Texas.”

“Based on nearly a decade of experience, we know we can count on GE wind turbines for safe, reliable, environmentally-friendly power generation. Today, we are adding 218 megawatts of GE turbines to our fleet at projects in rural Massachusetts and California’s Tehachapi region. GE Wind is an excellent organization that provides an excellent product and customer service,” said Kevin Devlin, vice president of Commercial Operations for Iberdrola Renewables.

For more information, go to www.ge-energy.com/wind.

The Wind Coalition announced the selection of new leadership, including a new president and vice president, among five executive committee members that will help guide the coalition’s efforts in the South-Central United States.

“Wind energy is the fastest growing sector of the energy economy, responsible for tens of thousands of jobs, billions in investment, and a cleaner and more diverse fuel mix,” said Jeff Clark, executive director of The Wind Coalition. “Our new leadership is focused on the challenges posed by the recent recession, shrinking budgets and fierce competition. We believe wind energy is an important part of America’s energy portfolio, serving as a hedge against the fluctuating price of fossil fuels while creating jobs and economic development in rural communities.”

Members of The Wind Coalition chose Kevin Gresham of E.ON Climate and Renewables North America as its President, Matt Langley of Infinity Wind as its Vice President, Thresa Allen of Iberdrola Renewables as its ERCOT Chair, Tim Conboy of Acciona Energy as its Southwestern Power Pool Chair, and Vanessa Kellogg of EDP as its Treasurer and Secretary.

“Wind works for several reasons, not the least of which is it creates downward pressure on rates,” said Gresham. “Studies show wind energy contributes to controlling the cost of electricity, demonstrating the importance of a diverse fuel mix as prices change. Our goal is not to replace vast sources of electricity like natural gas, but work hand-in-hand with all fuel sources to offer clean, home grown and affordable power to Texas consumers.”

Wind power represents 8.5 percent of the market share in Texas. In states like Kansas and Oklahoma, installed capacity has grown significantly in recent years, and provides both states another commodity they can export.

For more information, go to www.windcoalition.org.

It’s been 25 years since Brent Dehlsen climbed his first wind turbine. Since that day — when his harness and work clothes seemed to be almost adversarial — Brent has been on a journey to develop a line of work clothes specifically for wind technicians. And now he’s pleased to introduce the Harness Hoodie by Purnell, the first and only harness-friendly, durable and comfortable work hoodie created expressly for wind energy professionals who work at-height. It was a long climb to creating a line of work clothes for this industry that hit all the right marks.

“There’s a lot to consider,” Dehlsen said. “On cold mornings, you’re dressed for warmth as you transition from the truck to the tower. As you approach the top of the turbine, your body temperature has risen, and if you’re lucky, you enter a nice and warm nacelle. By now you’re sweaty and have to work in a confined area in bulky gear. How can work clothes accommodate such variable conditions and keep you comfortable?”

After longer than a year of developing and testing, Dehlsen and the team at Purnell have the answer, and you’ll find it in the brand’s line of comfortable, flexible, safety-rated, wind tech-ready work clothes.

The new Harness Hoodie is a prime example of the Purnell difference. It’s designed to be worn comfortably under a harness, thanks to lowered shoulder seams that help reduce chaffing under straps. The hood does not have drawstrings (something OSHA frowns upon in climbing gear). Instead, a zipper draws the extended collar together to keep the neck warm. Positive-closure zippered pockets located at the middle front allow access while climbing, and a water-resistant, zippered pocket on the left sleeve holds a cell phone or small notebook.

All Purnell work clothes are specifically tailored for flexibility and comfort while climbing wind turbines. Additionally, every garment in their Technical Gear series meets NFPA 70E standards for electrical safety in the workplace, with the Hazard Risk Category (HRC) level clearly visible.

For more information about Purnell and its line of technical and casual workwear clothing, visit www.purnellgear.com.

After 10 years of dependable service, an updated version of the popular ADS (Advanced Diagnostic System) has now been launched by Leine & Linde. The new ADS Online is Leine & Linde’s proprietary advanced encoder diagnostic tool that is tailored to supporting condition-based maintenance. The system analyzes rotary encoder condition and warns of impending faults before they occur, especially useful in large complex machinery used in the exploration of oil & natural gas as well as wind turbines and paper-converting machines. This allows for service to be performed only when necessary and in ample time to avoid unforeseen stops in production.

The significance of a system like this is especially noteworthy in large complex machinery where the encoder constitutes a central component for speed feedback with the entire system dependent upon it. Temperature, operating speed and vibration are examples of factors that affect service life and are unique for each application. Since encoders are subject to wear (service life can vary from a couple of years to a couple of decades), an ADS Online system allows users to better predict and schedule maintenance at convenient times instead of waiting for inopportune breakdowns.

Currently available on Leine & Linde’s robust models 801 and 803 rotary encoder products, ADS Online operates by a connection from the encoder’s diagnostic system direct to a PC or to an Ethernet network which would access to important functioning or trends of the encoder anywhere worldwide. With the assistance of PC software, users can obtain detailed analyses. There are plans to offer ADS Online on other Leine & Linde encoder models in the near future.

Encoder applications for those with ADS online include the ability to set custom warnings to ensure vibration doesn’t exceed specific damaging levels, program levels for frequency and shaft speeds to indicate overspeed or standstills, ensure that the machine does not overheat, prevent voltage drops in the power supply, and choose to receive an automatic warning when the encoder reaches a certain operating time.

For more information on these encoders, visit www.heidenhain.com.

A short one year after introducing a system that combines lubrication storage and filtration for greater contamination control, Des-Case today announced that it has sold nearly 100 LT Series Lubricant Management Systems (LT-LMS) into a range of industrial settings in North and South America.
   
“To date, customers both domestically and around the world have embraced this product as a key component in their reliability programs,” said Michael Powers, vice president, sales & marketing with Des-Case.  “It’s gratifying to see it being accepted as a product of choice to transform the lube rooms of manufacturers both in the U.S. as well as countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Canada. We’re pleased with its potential in the marketplace.”

The stackable, all-in-one systems are completely customizable and offer various flow rates, container sizes (in both steel and high-density polyethylene), quick-connect fittings and accessories. The simple, easy-to-set-up design comes with a stand and  frees up valuable lube room floor space.

To learn how the LT-LMS system can revolutionize lubricant storage and handling practices, readers can click here to view a product information sheet, call 615-672-8800 or go to www.descase.com.

Maxwell Technologies, Inc. , the leading global supplier of ultracapacitors, announced today it has introduced a 160V ultracapacitor module designed to provide energy storage and power delivery for wind turbine pitch control, short-term uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and renewable energy systems. Primarily targeted at pitch control systems for 1.5 to 3MW wind turbines, the 160V module provides a turnkey solution to simplify the installation process and reduce costs for all integration partners.

According to the company, the new 160V module is a cost-effective and easy-to-install energy storage and power delivery solution for wind turbine pitch control systems from Maxwell Technologies who has ultracapacitor technology installed in more than 20,000 wind turbines worldwide. Ultracapacitors have been designed into an increasing share of the electric pitch system portion of the market because of their longer operating lifetime, low maintenance requirements and superior cold weather performance compared with batteries.

“Our new single-module solution for wind turbine pitch control systems is easier and less costly to install than other product designs, requires fewer connections improving safety and reliability and reduces overall system build and maintenance costs,” said Jeff Venegas, senior product marketing manager, Maxwell Technologies.

Ultracapacitors provide burst power for electrical blade pitch control systems that enhance the consistency of wind turbines’ electrical energy output and ensure rotor speed remains within a safe operating range by constantly adjusting turbine blades to compensate for changes in wind velocity. Ultracapacitors also provide an independent source of backup power for orderly shutdown in the event of a main system power failure and are used to smooth the flow of wind farms’ output to the electric utility grid.

Unlike batteries, which produce and store energy by means of a chemical reaction, Maxwell ultracapacitor products store energy in an electric field. This electrostatic energy storage mechanism enables ultracapacitors to charge and discharge in as little as fractions of a second, perform normally over a broad temperature range (-40° to +65°C), operate reliably through 500,000 or more charge/discharge cycles and resist shock, vibration and overcharging.

For more information, visit www.maxwell.com.

A new anti-corrosive coating with a drying time of just 60 minutes promises to increase line-speeds for wind tower manufacturers by at least 50 percent compared to standard two and three-coat systems. Launched by international coatings manufacturer Hempel, Hemperea DTM 55973 can be applied directly to metal and is suitable for C3 corrosive environments.

Hemparea DTM 55973 is a new anti-corrosive splash zone coating that combines a primer and top-coat in a single coat. Based on polyaspartic fast-cure technology, it is the only C3 classified coating on the market that can be handled within one hour at 20°C (50%RH).

Anders Voldsgaard Clausen, Group Wind Power Segment Manager at Hempel, believes the new coating could significantly increase line-speeds for onshore wind tower producers, especially those currently using two or three-coat systems.

“Many onshore wind towers need a C3 classified anti-corrosive coating to protect them from wear, tear and corrosion,” Clausen explained. “However, a standard coating system can take between four and twelve hours to dry, which causes huge bottlenecks in the production line. By reducing that curing time to one hour, Hemparea makes it possible for wind tower manufacturers to vastly increase line speeds and therefore reduce production costs.”

Hemparea releases very few volatile organic compounds into the environment. It can be applied manually or with robotic spray equipment directly on the metal.

“We developed Hemparea specifically for wind tower producers who want to handle tower parts quickly after coating them in order to improve efficiency,” Clausen said.

“If a wind tower producer, for example, uses a protective coating with a six-hour drying time, each tower section has to sit in the production hall for almost an entire shift before it can be handled. If the producer switches to Hemparea, that waiting time will be reduced to an hour, which means five or six times as many sections can be completed in one shift.

For more information, go to www.hempel.com.

An Australian company specializing in composite repair structures for marine pilings recently selected SCIGRIP’s SG230 HV (high viscosity) methacrylate adhesives the bonding agent in its PileJax™ pile encasement repair system. The selection came after rigorous testing by the renowned University of Southern Queensland Structural Composites Faculty, National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) certified laboratories and a specialist composite facility in the USA.

Brisbane-based Joinlox required an adhesive that could provide strong durable joints for assembling composite forms in a variety of chemical environments, including permanent and complete immersion in salt water. In addition to the ability to withstand prolonged salt water exposure, SCIGRIP’s SG230 HV was also recommended for its proven ability to adhere to vertical or overhead surfaces without sliding or sagging — and cure completely under water.

“The PileJax system is designed to be a heavy duty structural component in the rehabilitation of aging wharf and bridge piles,” said Joinlox CEO John Pettigrew. “SCIGRIP’s SG230 HV adhesive provides our rapid-fit composite jacket with a bonding agent that is lightweight, easy to apply and exceedingly strong.”

SCIGRIP’s SG230 HV methacrylate adhesive is a two-component, 10:1 mix ratio product for bonding composite and other plastic parts with minimal surface preparation. The adhesive is designed to work with a selection of activators, providing a wide range of working times ranging from 30 to 120 minutes. Typically used in marine, transportation and construction applications, and especially suited for bonding large structural parts requiring long working times and for filling deep irregular gaps up to 1.5 inches (39 mm), the SG230 HV adhesive is available in 490 ml cartridges; 5- and 50-gallon (19- and 189-liter) bulk containers for application with meter-mix dispense equipment.

“At SCIGRIP we continually strive to find smart adhesive solutions to difficult bonding problems in collaboration with customers, such as Joinlox, who need solutions to their product development challenges,” said Manny Tesfaye, director of Global Technical Services. “The unique advantages of the SG230 HV enabled Joinlox to offer the Pilejax encasement system as a cost effective method of repairing and strengthening marine and land infrastructure.”

PileJax systems have been engineered to suit any profile concrete, steel or timber piles as a cost-effective repair system for structural rehabilitation and ongoing protective requirements. PileJax protects against conditions including corrosion, sulphate attack, alkali aggregate reactivity, splashzone degradation, impact, cracking and organism attack such as fungi and borers. The patented PileJax systems are made from unique lightweight, long-life composites, and incorporate the revolutionary Joinlox joining system that is stronger than fasteners or straps and greatly reduces labor, dive time and lifting equipment. PileJax is ideal for marine, tidal or freshwater installations from the silt bed to above the splash zone. Extensive development and university testing has proven the PileJax can withstand the most arduous installations and engineering criteria.

For more information, go to www.scigrip.com. 

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 14, 2012 – Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association, announced today that she is resigning, effective January 1, to return to private practice as a tax attorney.

“There is now a strong, bipartisan team of Congressional champions for the wind industry, and the all-important extension of the Production Tax Credit (PTC),” Bode said. “When that is secured, all of my goals from the AWEA Board will have been accomplished. I am extremely proud to have led the AWEA staff as we worked together to get that job done, and, of course, grateful to the AWEA Board for the opportunity to serve this very promising industry.”

Tom Carnahan, chairman of the Board of Directors, said, “We are grateful to Denise for her countless contributions to the wind industry as the Association has undergone a successful transformation to a first-class bipartisan business trade association. She has been a critically important agent for change and growth at AWEA, and she will be sorely missed. We wish her continuing success.”

“I will be working with AWEA’s Board to appoint a search committee to recruit a new leader for the organization who will work closely with AWEA’s excellent staff to build on Denise’s legacy,” Carnahan said. “In the meantime, Senior Vice President for Public Policy Rob Gramlich has agreed to serve as interim CEO through the transition period. Gramlich, a well-known electric industry expert, has been at the center of AWEA’s external relationships and internal strategic planning for over seven years, and will be able to keep AWEA’s initiatives moving forward without missing a beat. We thank him for his willingness to serve.”

Carnahan also said he was pleased that Bode has agreed to be available to the AWEA leadership for her additional guidance in the future.

During Bode’s four-year tenure at AWEA, the Board charged her with reorganizing and upgrading the professional staff to build a team with strong accountability and professionalism; and with assuring that the wind industry had a seat at the policy table, for which she added advocacy campaign tools and expanded media relations. She worked with the Board to institute best practices for association governing bodies and procedures, and sponsored the creation of the Wind Energy Foundation to expand the industry’s public educational outreach. With extension of the PTC, all of her goals for the organization will have been accomplished.

“I am also proud of the opportunity to have been part of the one of the largest growth periods in the wind industry’s history—doubling capacity and increasing American manufacturing to now almost 70% made in America,” Bode said.

She added, “I am excited to be returning to private practice. With tax policy the dominant interest of my career and prospects for a real tax reform bill in the air, I can’t imagine a better time to make this move.”

Bode took the helm at AWEA on Jan. 1, 2009. She previously led the American Clean Skies Foundation, and before that the Independent Petroleum Association of America. For ten years she served as an elected Corporation Commissioner of Oklahoma, and worked for six years on the staff of then-U.S. Sen. David Boren as his legal counsel,

Gramlich joined AWEA in 2005 and oversees its federal, state, regulatory, and data and analysis teams. He previously worked as Economic Advisor to Pat Wood III, Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from 2001 until 2005. He holds a Masters in Public Policy from the University of California at Berkeley and a B.A. in Economics from Colby College.

“Rob Gramlich will provide the steady hand needed to represent the industry during this critical period,” said Bode. “I am confident that AWEA will continue to fulfill its mission of driving demand for wind energy in America.”

DONG Energy, E.ON and Masdar have announced that the first power had been produced at the London Array Offshore Wind Farm.

The 630MW scheme, located in the Thames Estuary, will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm.  The development has been under construction since March 2011 and 151 of the 175 turbines have now been installed, with construction on schedule to be finished by the end of the year.

The 175 turbines will produce enough power to supply over 470,000 UK homes with electricity.
“With its 630MW the London Array project will be the first of the next generation of larger offshore wind farms and we are pleased to have reached first power,” said Benj Sykes, Wind UK Country Manager at DONG Energy. “Being able to efficiently develop large offshore wind farms and harvest the scale advantages in both construction and operation is an important element in our continuous efforts to bring down costs of energy of offshore wind.”

London Array is being built around 20km off the coasts of Kent and Essex. The wind farm will be installed on a 245km2 site and will be built in two phases. Phase One will cover 90km2 and include 175 turbines with a combined capacity of 630MW. The consortium plans to complete the first phase by the end of 2012. If approved, the second phase will add enough capacity to bring the total to 870MW.

“The London Array offshore wind project is a landmark achievement for Masdar, its partners and the United Kingdom,” said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar. “We are proud to be making a significant contribution to the UK’s renewable energy portfolio and targets. The London Array development is an example of the true potential and commercial viability of renewable energy. It is also a model of the collaboration and action required to implement large-scale clean energy projects in an effort to sustainable meet our growing energy demands.” For more information, visit www.londonarray.com.

Each year, the European Wind Energy Association organizes an event for the wind industry that takes on a new theme to foster progress and industry growth. EWEA 2013 will focus on providing participants with real opportunities to help them find the real growth. New sources of finance and investment, new growth opportunities in the wind energy industry, new markets and technology developments all represent opportunities for new sources of growth and jobs that should be grasped.

EWEA 2013 Annual Event (February 4–7 2013) comprises a conference and exhibition. The conference is developed by industry experts and covers six tracks, where sessions will update attendees with the latest and most up-to-date developments and explore the industry’s most pressing issues. The exhibition will serve as the center point for the whole event, bringing together industry leaders and technology pioneers from mature and emerging markets, enabling delegates to meet, do business and learn first-hand about how challenges are being overcome and the new opportunities that are emerging.

“While the wind industry continues to grow in mature markets, developers are also looking to emerging markets,” EWEA president Arthouros Zervos said. “The Austrian capital — Vienna, a central location between the east and west of Europe, is a fitting place for mature and emerging wind energy markets to meet at the European Wind Energy Association 2013 annual event.”

The EWEA will issue a new report at the conference, entitled “Wind Energy Opportunities in Emerging Markets.” “This event is for anyone who wants to learn about the current state of the wind industry,” Zervos said. For more information, visit www.ewea.org.

Northern Power Systems announced that 74 of its wind turbines, including three in the Caribbean, were in the path of Hurricane Sandy and were undamaged by the high winds. Following Irene, a Category 3 hurricane, Sandy was the second powerful Atlantic storm to hit Northern Power turbines within a year and all turbines that were impacted performed safely as expected.

“The losses experienced from Hurricane Sandy are a tragic reminder of how powerful nature can be,” said Troy Patton, Northern Power Systems President and CEO. “Many of our turbines, from the Caribbean to the eastern seaboard of the US, were directly in the path of Hurricane Sandy, but none were damaged by the high winds. At Northern Power Systems, we have the experience and commitment to continue to make products that are safe and reliable.”

As a testament to the design of Northern Power’s turbines, as soon as each turbine detected Sandy’s hurricane force winds, it automatically entered safe mode. Once conditions returned to normal, each turbine started generating electricity again.

“Having been in the wind business since 1974, we know the ultimate test of a wind turbine is not the design specification, but how well it stands up to extreme winds in real life,” said Jonathan Lynch, Chief Technology Officer at Northern Power Systems. “Although powerful storms such as Sandy occur infrequently in the Northeast, Northern Power turbines routinely experience hurricane force winds in Alaska and continue to operate at high availability.” For more information, visit www.northernpower.com.

Manufacturers who utilize composite materials to build their products will converge at the Long Beach Convention Center for Composites Manufacturing 2013, March 19-21. This event, featuring a content-rich conference and industry-leading exhibitors, provides practical solutions and cutting-edge knowledge on composite applications, processes and best practices. The three-day program features a combination of education, networking, exhibits, exclusive tours, industry keynotes and in-depth manufacturing insight. This event will attract manufacturing engineers and management from many leading industries, including: wind energy, aerospace, medical, transportation, recreational, consumer products and green manufacturing.

The Composites Manufacturing event is developed by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), who work with an industry advisory board. The team drives the content, scope and direction of the event, while providing a maximum return on investment.

Experts from an array of industries will share their professional knowledge, providing information attendees can use as soon as they return to work.

Composites Manufacturing continues to evolve and improve to provide a range of different educational and networking opportunities. Industry keynotes, exclusive facility tours, in-depth workshops, peer-to-peer networking and hands on evaluation of the latest products and services enhance the learning experience.

This year, Composites Manufacturing will be held alongside SME’s AeroDef Manufacturing 2013 event.  This co-location allows attendees from wind energy, automotive, and recreational sporting goods industries to collaborate with aerospace and defense companies.

The applications for composites continue to grow exponentially each decade. Over the past 30 years, advanced composites have found their way into everything from phone covers and gear-shift knobs, to 60-meter-long wind blades and entire commercial airplanes.  As of 2009, the $42 billion U.S. composites industry consisted of more than 3,000 different companies servicing a diverse group of industries.

Composites Manufacturing 2013 is supported by the American Wind Energy Association, Abaris Training and media partner Wind Systems. For more information, visit www.sme.org.

Colorado now has almost 2.2GW of wind energy in place after developer NextEra Energy Resources began commercial operation of its 400MW Limon I and Limon II projects about 90 miles southeast of Denver.

The facility is comprised of twin 200MW projects each with 125 General Electric 1.6MW wind turbines. Xcel Energy subsidiary Public Service Company of Colorado, the dominant electric utility in the state, is buying all the power under long-term contract. NextEra will own and operate it. “Wind continues to deliver cost-competitive energy,” says Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper. He notes that royalty payments to farmers hosting the turbines will help build “strong, vibrant rural communities.”

NextEra estimates that it will generate $130M in taxes and royalty payments over the initial 25 years of operation.

Public Service Company of Colorado President David Eves says the project offers its customers some of the lowest-priced wind energy the utility has seen. “They demonstrate that renewable energy can compete on an economic basis with more traditional forms of generation fuel.”

Limon I and II are NextEra’s fourth and fifth wind projects in Colorado, bringing total nameplate capacity to 975MW, enough power for 450,000 average size homes. For more information, visit www.nexteraenergyresources.com.

The Windreich Group, comprised of British Wind Energy GmbH and TenneT TSO GmbH, has signed an agreement for the production of a temporary grid connection of the offshore wind farm, Deutsche Bucht. Subsequently, the wind farm Deutsche Bucht will be connected to the already commissioned grid connection, BorWin2 by TenneT, to serve as a temporary solution in order to generate power until the originally intended wind farm grid connection, BorWin4, is completed.

While BorWin4 is still in the tendering phase, BorWin2 is already under construction with a total capacity of 800MW. The primary legitimate offshore wind farms are Veja Mate and also the 400MW wind farm Global Tech I initiated by Windreich AG. After the grid connection BorWin4 is completed, the wind farm Deutsche Bucht is to be integrated to these connections in full power. In addition, it was also agreed upon to settle the ongoing litigations. Under this agreement, a timely construction and commissioning of the third Windreich`s wind farm Deutsche Bucht in 2015 is secured.

“Our common interest in contract negotiations was to successfully contribute to the implementation of the energy transition, to which billions of euros have been invested from both companies respectively,” Windreich AG CEO Willi Balz said.

The installation, commissioning, and acceptance of the converter stations, cable conduction, and installation of the AC cable will continue to be managed under the responsibility of TenneT TSO. These regulations shall not be affected by the temporary grid connectivity.

“We want to promote the development of offshore wind energy, so that the objectives of the energy transition can be achieved,” TenneT board member Lex Hartman said. “I am therefore delighted that together with Windreich AG, we have quickly and constructively found a pragmatic solution for the wind farm Deutsche Bucht”. For more information, visit www.windreich.ag or www.tennet.org.

The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) announced the election of the following industry professionals to its Board of Directors for 2012-2013 at the organization’s Annual General Meeting in Toronto Oct. 16:

Adarsh Mehta, Director of Development, Acciona Wind Energy Canada — Ms. Mehta has been involved in the wind industry for the past 14 years, and joined Acciona Wind Energy in 2010. Ms. Mehta was previously elected to the CanWEA Board of Directors for 2008-2011, during which time she served as Vice-Chair, Chair, and Past-Chair.

Ben Greenhouse, Director of Development, NextEra Energy Canada — Mr. Greenhouse has worked in the wind industry since 2007, and has been involved in multiple phases of wind farm development and operations across Canada. As the current Director of Development for NextEra Energy Canada, he leads the development of multiple wind projects.

Colin Edwards, Senior Developer Canada, Pattern Energy Group — Mr. Edwards has been a Senior Developer at Pattern Energy Group since the company’s formation in 2009 and established the Toronto office where he now leads Pattern’s Canadian development activities.

Roby Roberts, Vice President Communications and Government and Regulatory Affairs, EDP Renewables North America — Mr. Roberts joined EDP Renewables North America in 2010 and has more than 20 years of experience in renewable energy policy, communications, business development and regulation.

Roslyn McMann, Senior Sales Manager, GE Renewables — Ms. McMann joined GE in 2008 as the Sales Manager, Western Canada for GE Energy – Power Generation, and is now responsible for the growth of GE’s Renewable Energy portfolio in Canada.

Shannon Wever, Manager, Business Development — Wind Energy, TransAlta — Ms. Wever has led TransAlta’s wind energy business development efforts for all Canadian markets since 2011, and has been employed in the wind energy industry since 2003.

By the end of this year, wind energy’s contribution of clean power to Canada’s electricity supply is projected to grow by nearly 20 percent, with the addition of 1,200MW of new wind energy capacity. This will mark the second consecutive year with well over 1,000MW of newly installed capacity, maintaining Canada’s position as one of the world’s leading wind energy markets. Canada will see wind energy projects commissioned in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Quebec in 2012, with over 60 percent of Canada’s new wind energy capacity in Quebec. For more information, visit www.canwea.ca.