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.”

 For more information, visit www.ey.com/CAI.

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.

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.