North Star and its shipbuilding partner, Cochin Shipyard Ltd., have cut first steel on EnBW’s new hybrid-electric service operations vessel (SOV). It is on schedule to commence a decade-long minimum charter to service to the He Dreiht wind farm off the coast of Germany, from the end of 2026.
The milestone was celebrated at Cochin Shipyard Ltd. in India, where the planning, engineering design and construction work are being carried out. North Star chief technology officer James Bradford attended the ceremony.
The new build will provide premier accommodation in field for up to 34 wind technicians as they maintain the development’s 64 wind turbines, located around 90 km northwest of the island of Borkum. The SOV will also act as a logistics hub and warehouse.
The ship is of VARD 407 design and has been tailored to meet EnBW’s specific requirements. To drive high performance and efficiencies, the high specification SOV includes Electric Voith Schneider propulsion (eVSP) and is designed to use methanol as a fuel in the future. The ship is also fully equipped with a height adjustable motion compensated gangway and 3D compensated crane.
Construction of its renewables fleet is being project managed entirely in-house by North Star. In the last year, North Star has managed shipbuilding programs at four separate shipyard locations around the globe, building its fleet designed to support the energy transition. Delivered on schedule and within budget, the firm’s successful construction projects demonstrate the team’s ability to locally manage the new-build process in the UK and overseas.
“The first steel cutting is always an exciting moment in the construction phase, and we were pleased to join the build team in India to mark the occasion,” said Bruno Bartel, North Star European renewables lead.
“This milestone also represents the beginning of our ambitious growth strategy in the region, as we expand our footprint in offshore wind markets around Europe,” Bartel said.
The United States is making significant strides toward a greener future, with wind energy emerging as a cornerstone of its renewable energy strategy. An analysis by global engineering firm, BGB, uncovers which U.S. states are spearheading this transition and those that are falling behind in their wind energy efforts.
To understand which states are leading the US towards a greener future, BGB analyzed six key data points to evaluate turbine shortfall and overall wind energy efficiency across the country, including the number of turbines in each state, the estimated monthly output, and number of turbines required to meet residential energy demand.
Iowa has more than 6,400 turbines generating more than 5.4 billion kWh of electricity per month, producing enough energy to power its 1.4 million homes, leaving a surplus of more than 4,000 turbines. Iowa’s open plains and consistently high wind speeds make it a national leader in wind energy efficiency, particularly in addressing residential energy demands.
Leading the nation with 19,137 turbines, Texas produces 16.1 billion kWh of wind energy monthly. This output is sufficient to power all 11.5 million homes in the state, demonstrating Texas’ commitment to renewable energy and its capacity to fulfill residential energy requirements.
Oklahoma is home to 5,527 turbines, generating 4.6 billion kWh monthly—enough to power all 1.7 million of the state’s homes while maintaining a surplus of over 3,000 turbines. Its expansive geography and modern infrastructure position it as a major player in the wind industry and a key contributor to meeting residential energy needs.
The US is home to more than 70,000 wind turbines, each helping the US work towards ambitious climate targets by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and enhancing energy security. Beyond environmental benefits, the US wind industry also boosts economic growth, creating more than 120,000 in turbine manufacturing, maintenance, and operations.
Two states that don’t fare as well are North Carolina and Pennsylvania: North Carolina has the largest wind turbine shortfall, requiring 5,983 turbines to be installed if it were ever to meet the energy demand of its 4.7 million homes.
Pennsylvania doesn’t fare much better, with its 766 turbines not able to satisfy the demand of 5.7 million homes. To make up the difference, the state would need another 5,072 turbines.
“Research like this shows just how important wind is to the US energy mix. The top states showcased in our research show what’s possible with strategic investment in renewable energy infrastructure,” said James Wood, CFO at BGB in Virginia.
“With the new administration putting a pause on the development of new turbine installations both onshore and offshore, it’s never been more important to illustrate the power of renewable energy and how it can help the average American save on their energy bills,” said Wood.
The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) has released the Offshore Energy Industry’s Innovation and Workforce Excellence report that showcases the advancements and commitments of the offshore energy sector in innovation, environmental stewardship, and workforce development, featuring 16 case studies from NOIA member companies and other partner organizations.
“This report not only reflects our industry’s dynamic progress but also our commitment to smart, efficient, and responsible energy production. American offshore energy production is where innovation meets environmental responsibility, and this report, with its 16 comprehensive case studies, is a testament to that achievement. We’re not just meeting expectations—we’re surpassing them, pushing technology forward, and empowering our world-class workforce,” said Erik Milito, NOIA president.
“That drive runs through every level of our industry, from the Gulf of America to the Atlantic coast and beyond, reflecting a shared commitment to excellence.”
Case studies include American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Danos, Equinor, Exmar Offshore, Fugro, Kosmos, Noble, Ørsted, SEACOR Marine, Seadrill, SLB, Talos, TechnipFMC, TGS, Valaris, and the NEED Project.
The report delves into cutting-edge projects such as the 20k projects in the Gulf of America, highlighting how the industry is pushing boundaries in ultra-deep water exploration.
The document underscores the sector’s dedication to environmental, social, and governance ) principles, offering insights into carbon capture, use, and storage, and sustainable offshore transport and operations.
Emphasizing durability and safety, the report features case studies and initiatives from industry leaders, showcasing how companies are nurturing the next generation of energy professionals.
NOIA’s dedication to ESG extends to educational initiatives through our long-standing partnership with the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project. For more than 25 years, this collaboration has aimed at enhancing energy education, including in the realm of offshore energy.
The report celebrates the achievements of companies like TechnipFMC, SEACOR Marine, LLOG, and SLB, who have been recognized for their exemplary practices in ESG and safety.
NOIA encourages all stakeholders, from policymakers to industry professionals, to explore the detailed insights and case studies that highlight the sector’s leadership in innovation and workforce excellence.
Operating wind turbines under icing conditions, ice detection, de-icing, and ice prevention were the topics of the Winter Wind Conference. The most important trend at the expert meeting in Skellefteå, Sweden, was that preventive measures (anti-icing) are increasingly replacing de-icing.
The conference offered a comprehensive program of lectures and discussions in two parallel forums, which was complemented by an exhibition of about 45 companies and institutes. The discussions made clear: The optimization of ice detection and de-icing systems (IPS = Ice Prevention Systems or Ice Protection Systems) is becoming increasingly important. While the focus has often been on de-icing in the past, preventive measures (anti-icing) are becoming increasingly important. One of the biggest challenges, however, remains the detection of almost ice-free conditions to control blade heating in a targeted manner, minimize production losses, and enable a secure automatic restart.
Bachmann Monitoring had its own stand at the event, where the company’s solutions were presented. The company highlighted its ability to combine load detection and ice detection. This integration allows synergy effects to be exploited, eliminating the need for separate subsystems, reducing system costs and simplifying installation and maintenance. According to the company, this is a unique feature of Bachmann.
CEO Holger Fritsch gave a presentation on the topic “Validation of cantilever sensors for ice detection on rotor blades.” Using examples from the cooperation with Nergica, a research institute in Canada, Fritsch showed how the combination of cantilever sensors (CLS) and advanced algorithms enables reliable detection of ice formation and ice-free conditions. In the future, this technology could be the basis for a more intelligent controller for blade heating, both for new wind turbines and in the retrofit area.
One of the highlights of the conference was the excursion to the nearby Önusberget wind farm, which is home to 137 GE Cypress 5.5-158 wind turbines and is part of the Markbygden Wind Cluster. At a freezing minus-15°C, the participants were given an insight into how this wind farm is operated in winter under harsh icing conditions using de-icing systems.
“At the conference, it became clear that the market can benefit from optimized solutions that not only reliably detect icing conditions, but also enable intelligent control of blade heaters,” said Marc Thomsen, product manager at Bachmann Monitoring. “Our CLS and our evaluation algorithms can be decisive components here.”
A study by the Weilburg Technology Academy (Germany) shows how important the topic of ice detection is for the efficiency of wind turbines: It found that up to 56 percent of potential energy production is lost due to a lack of automatic restarts.
American Wire Group has appointed Nada Filipovic as vice president of marketing and communications and Kristina Borojevic as PR and communications director.
Filipovic will develop and oversee the execution of detailed marketing plans.
Since joining AWG in 2020, Mrs. Filipovic has fostered the growth and expanded AWG’s marketing efforts across multiple platforms, from social media to website management.
Borojevic will be responsible for internal and external communications strategies, digital storytelling and content creation.
Since joining AWG in 2022, Borojevic has focused on increasing AWG brand awareness through social media including video storytelling, educational content, and trade show promotions.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the strength and success of the marketing group with the promotion of both Nada and Kristina,” said Norman Russell, Chief Revenue Officer at
AWG. “With this new Marketing organization, AWG is positioned to accelerate growth in the markets we serve and continuously evolve as an organization.”
For nearly a decade, the integration of ZX Lidars technology into Equans’ Meteorological Monitoring Module has played a pivotal role in improving the safety and efficiency of offshore wind farm operations.
This sophisticated module provides real-time environmental data from offshore substations. The optional feature to integrate ZX Lidars technology into the module significantly enhances its capabilities by remotely providing accurate wind data above the platform. This level of accuracy is important for ensuring the safety of helicopter landings and takeoffs on offshore platforms, where challenging conditions demand reliable data.
The ZX 300M wind Lidar is deployed on existing offshore substations, using infrastructure already in place to minimize additional setup costs and complexity. This Lidar-enabled approach enhances safety while also providing the opportunity to optimize turbine performance and site operations. By providing actionable wind data from 10m to 300m the system enables owners and operators to maintain operations that are efficient, safe, and cost-effective.
The Lidar data also supports continual power curve assessments, benchmarking turbine performance against expected output. Early detection of performance anomalies allows operators to plan and execute maintenance proactively, reducing unplanned downtime.
“Over the past nine years, Equans and ZX Lidars have seen significant demand for our Meteorological Monitoring Module with integrated ZX 300M wind Lidar. Combining expertise in offshore engineering and design with an industry-leading wind measurement system delivers something unique to a challenging market. Offshore wind farms face many challenges, and we believe this technological advancement provides an innovative solution to enhance safety, efficiency, and optimization at offshore sites. We are delighted the industry recognizes this as a cost-effective way to add value to offshore substations,” said Alain Goddyn, Equans section manager marine.
Clearway Energy Group and Clearway Energy, Inc. has repowered its Cedro Hill wind farm in Webb County, Texas with new, more efficient equipment that increased the wind farm’s capacity to 160 MW – enough electricity to power nearly 40,000 homes every year.
“Our Cedro Hill repowering means more efficient delivery of clean, affordable energy to thousands of Texas homes and businesses every year,” said John Martinez, Senior Vice President of Operations at Clearway Energy Group. “By investing in this repowering, Clearway is investing in local tax revenue, local jobs, and payments to local landowners for decades to come.”
The Cedro Hill repower represents a $269 million investment in South Texas and will extend landowner payment and property taxes in Webb County by $27 million over the project’s life. As part of its ongoing commitment to Webb County, Clearway continues to donate to the Hebbronville Food Pantry and the Webb Consolidated Independent School District.
The repower supported over 200 skilled construction jobs in South Texas. The project involved replacing the blades and nacelles, which house the turbine’s generator and associated parts across the site’s 100 turbines. As part of Clearway’s commitment to reducing waste, Clearway worked with Wanzek Construction, Inc., a MasTec Renewables company, to ensure that all existing materials, including fiberglass, are recycled or diverted from landfills.
Cedro Hill was built and commissioned in 2010, with its generated power sold under a long-term power purchase agreement with CPS Energy, the largest municipal electric and gas utility in the nation, serving the city of San Antonio, Texas, and one of the nation’s largest municipal buyers of wind energy. As part of the repowering, CPS Energy extended its existing agreement to support its commitment to growing its renewable energy portfolio. CPS Energy continues to benefit from 100% of the power generated by the Cedro Hill wind farm.
This project is Clearway’s fifth wind farm repower in Texas and sixth across its portfolio.
EDP Renewables North America, alongside EDP Renewables Canada Ltd. (EDPR Canada) partnered with Caldwell First Nation to complete a land purchase agreement on previously unused industrial property for the 75MWac (300 MWh) Edgeware Energy Storage Project (Edgeware) from the City of St. Thomas. Edgeware was awarded a 20-year contract with the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator through the IESO Long-Term I Request for Proposals. This energy storage project will contribute to the reliability of the Ontario transmission grid to support the province’s energy demand and continued growth.
The project is being developed in partnership with Caldwell First Nation and is located within their traditional territory. The revenue generated from the project will be directly invested back into the community. The project is targeting commercial operation as early as 2027. EDPR Canada is a subsidiary of EDP Renewables S.A., a leader in renewable energy development globally with a strong footprint in North America.
“EDPR Canada is proud to be partnering with Caldwell First Nation and the City of St. Thomas on the development and success of the Edgeware project. The project will provide economic benefits locally while also supporting the reliability needs of the province of Ontario,” said Thomas LoTurco, Executive Vice President, Eastern U.S, Canada & Government Affairs at EDP Renewables North America.
“We are excited to partner with EDPR Canada on the Edgeware Energy Storage Project,” said Nikki van Oirschot, Chief of Caldwell First Nation. “This initiative will directly benefit our community while honoring our traditional lands, environmental values, and sovereignty. It’s vital for Caldwell to be genuine partners in projects, ensuring our perspectives are recognized and reflected in them.”
The City of St. Thomas is undergoing an era of manufacturing growth tied to the automotive industry. Edgeware’s development will contribute to revitalizing the local economy and facilitate workforce development and job opportunities, all while providing tax payments that directly contribute to city services.
“With the Edgeware project, St. Thomas is reiterating its commitment to this collaboration, focused on attracting manufacturing facilities, job creation, and support of local businesses within the city,” said Joe Preston, the mayor of City of St. Thomas. “We are proud to work with Caldwell First Nation and EDPR Canada to help make this project a reality.”
Edgeware proceeds forward in its development phase with permitting efforts expected to be completed in 2025.
Corvus Energy, supplier of zero emission solutions for the offshore and marine industry, is proud to announce that it will deliver a mega-size battery system for the first fully electric offshore vessel.
The vessel is an electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (eCSOV) that will be constructed by Armon shipyard in Spain for UK-based shipowner Bibby Marine Ltd.
Corvus Energy will supply its Blue Whale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) delivering close to 25MWh of power for the vessel. It will be the largest LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery system ever delivered to a maritime project.
“A fully electric offshore vessel is something the industry has been working towards for a long time and marks a major milestone in offshore vessel operations,” said Pål Ove Husoy, VP Sales at Corvus Energy.
“This eCSOV will be the first offshore vessel that can operate fully electric for a full day and will set a new standard for future offshore vessels. The unique system design incorporating both battery power and dual-fuel methanol engines will significantly reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency while providing the reliability and performance needed for demanding offshore wind and renewable operations.”
Corvus Energy has worked with the shipowner, designer and integrator to dimension and optimize the system design. Unlike conventional hybrid systems, the vessel will use its large battery pack as the primary power source, with engines running solely for charging at a constant, optimized load that maximizes efficiency, extends battery lifespan and reduces emissions. The DC grid architecture further enhances system performance by minimizing energy losses and ensuring seamless power distribution. Additionally, offshore charging capabilities will enable simultaneous battery charging while maintaining DP for station-keeping, representing an industry first in the SOV market.
Equipment from Corvus Energy will be delivered to the shipyard in 2026, and the vessel is scheduled for operation in 2027.
Shoreline Wind, a full lifecycle SaaS solution built for wind farm O&M, construction, and design, recently published its latest white paper, “HEADWINDS: Offshore supply chain can boost profits despite challenging times ahead.” The paper offers an optimistic yet clear-eyed analysis of the opportunities and challenges facing the sector’s supply chain as the industry gears up to meet ambitious 2030 global renewables targets.
A white paper from Shoreline Wind details how the supply chain must address several systemic challenges. (Courtesy: Shoreline Wind)
The global offshore wind sector is on the brink of unprecedented growth. In 2023, a record 10.8 GW of new capacity was installed, bringing the total to 75.2 GW worldwide. The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) forecasts that 140 GW of new installations will be needed between 2024 and 2028, requiring annual growth rates nearly triple the current pace. With demand surging, driven by ambitious 2030 targets, offshore wind is uniquely positioned to drive a significant portion of the energy transition.
Despite the immense opportunities, the white paper details the supply chain must address several systemic challenges. Competitive tenders have historically led to a “race to the bottom,” forcing developers to accept lower strike prices and pay higher costs for development rights.
For example, U.K. strike prices plunged from 150 pounds/MWh in 2014 to under 40 pounds/MWh by 2020, while in Germany, developers recently paid 12.6 billion euros for 7 GW of development rights. This hyper-competitive environment has contributed to project delays and, in some cases, failed tenders, including the recent auction in Denmark.
The ripple effects of these dynamics have tightened profit margins across the supply chain, curtailing investment in innovation and scaling capacity. Smaller supply chain companies are particularly vulnerable, with many unable to compete against lower-cost rivals. Additional hurdles such as staffing shortages, port capacity constraints, and a slowdown in capital investment — particularly from U.S. markets into Europe — are further compounding the challenges.
“Offshore wind’s global supply chain is facing critical systemic challenges,” said Ole-Erik Endrerud, founder and chief product officer at Shoreline Wind. “To achieve the 2030 targets, the industry needs to move beyond short-term cost cutting and focus on building a resilient, innovative supply chain that can deliver consistently, and at scale.”
The white paper puts forward key recommendations to address these systemic issues. Governments, for instance, can play a crucial role by providing clearer policy direction, driving long-term investment security. Countries such as France, Germany, and The Netherlands have successfully demonstrated how integrating non-price criteria in tender processes can create more sustainable and viable projects.
Developers also can drive change by removing barriers for supply chain companies. Standardized contracts, improved payment terms, and greater predictability can empower smaller firms to invest in innovation and efficiency. Moreover, leveraging specialist service providers to optimize operations and margins can enable companies to focus on their core strengths while enhancing project delivery.
“Specialization drives supply chain resilience, profitability, and sustainability,” Endrerud said. “By leveraging expert providers and specialists, we create a model that boosts margins, fosters innovation, and accelerates industry growth. Additionally, adopting digital platforms that facilitate more fluid and tighter collaboration across the supply chain can streamline operations, align construction timelines, optimize port usage, and better manage project risks — key steps toward a more efficient and sustainable supply chain. Our latest white paper provides a clear path forward. The offshore wind sector has a unique opportunity to transform its supply chain into a robust, innovative, and collaborative ecosystem. With the right strategies in place, the industry can meet its ambitious targets and continue driving the global energy transition.”
Interocean Marine Services, a specialist provider of marine services to the global energy industry, has announced the appointment of Robert Dalziel as its new Managing Director for the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
Dalziel brings to the company nearly 30 years of engineering and business development expertise within the energy sector. His technical knowledge, coupled with a proven track record in commercial strategy, will be pivotal in driving Interocean’s growth plans across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) & Asia Pacific (APAC) regions.
As the former Managing Director and CEO of Rigmar Group, Interocean’s recently merged sister company, Robert has an in-depth understanding of Interocean’s operations and strategic objectives. His leadership will reinforce the company’s commitment to delivering an integrated technology-led asset support service.
In line with its international expansion, Interocean is growing its MENA & APAC business, with plans to increase its regional presence in five new regions.
“I am absolutely delighted to be rejoining Interocean during this exciting period of growth. After nearly ten years, it was a fantastic opportunity to be involved in the next evolution of the business. The company’s commitment to innovation and its client-centric approach is inspiring. I look forward to working with the talented team to drive continued growth and strengthen our position internationally,” said Dalziel.
“We are thrilled to welcome Robert to the team. His exceptional leadership and proven success in driving business growth will be invaluable as we enhance our market presence, and continue to deliver exceptional service to our clients across the region,” said Alex Clark, Interocean CEO.
Parkwind, a leader in offshore wind development, has announced a partnership with Shoreline Wind to implement its Design software. This partnership will support the design and construction phase of Parkwind’s planned offshore wind projects. Parkwind will look to optimize the construction phase of new projects, expediting installations of turbines and across the site, shortening the time for projects to become operational.
Using Shoreline’s AI-powered Design software to simulate the construction phase, Parkwind will analyze multiple data streams to create the most efficient strategy. This includes allocating the allocation of resources for maximum efficiency and predicting weather patterns to ensure costly resources, such as jack-up vessels—which can incur expenses of up to $300,000 a day—are dispatched to the right location at the right time. Furthermore, by using the design tool for precise scheduling of vessel operations, substantial savings can be achieved throughout the construction phase.
The partnership between Shoreline Wind and Parkwind, part of JERA Nex, the renewable energy subsidiary of JERA Co., Inc., will play a crucial role in planning for the company’s growing portfolio of offshore wind projects. With more than 1GW of operational wind assets across Europe, it has plans in place to expand its current portfolio. These plans include the 1.5GW Sørlige Nordsjø II project in Norway (developed as a joint venture with Ingka) and the 375MW Oriel Windfarm off the coast of Ireland.
As the offshore wind industry continues to expand, both geographically and in terms of capacity (GW), there is increasing pressure to cut costs and improve reliability at a site level. Shoreline’s technology provides Parkwind with the tools required to meet the long-term demands of a rapidly evolving industry.
“Shoreline Wind’s technology allows us to plan our projects more effectively by reducing operational costs and improving overall performance of the design and construction phase. Parkwind’s offshore assets have grown consistently since its first project went online in 2010. We have now reached a critical point in our growth. Integrating Shoreline’s advanced Design software is an important and necessary step in scaling our operations globally while maintaining the highest standards of efficiency and sustainability,” said Daniel Castro, WTG package engineer at Parkwind.
“We are thrilled to be supporting Parkwind with its planning strategy globally. By simulating design and construction phases with a full picture of necessary data, including expected weather,” said Jakob Bebe, head of sales EMEA at Shoreline Wind.
Vestas has received a 270 MW order to power an undisclosed wind project in the U.S. The order consists of 60 V163-4.5 MW turbines, Vestas’ newest high-capacity factor turbine and the project has been developed by Steelhead Americas, Vestas’ North American development arm.
The order includes supply, delivery, and commissioning of the turbines, as well as a multi-year Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement.
“We’re pleased to close out 2024 by continuing to deliver significant projects across the U.S. and meet the growing demand for homegrown electricity while strengthening America’s energy independence and security,” said Laura Beane, President, Vestas North America. “We’re also grateful to the expertise of Steelhead Americas for developing this project, a testament to their growing track record of creating meaningful business opportunities for communities across the U.S.”
Steelhead Americas led all development efforts including permitting, land acquisition, and construction design to deliver the customer a project that is ready for construction and installation.
“Steelhead has a track-record of successfully delivering high-quality wind projects that fuel economic growth and bring meaningful local benefits,” said Chris Rogers, President, Steelhead Americas, a Vestas company. “This project exemplifies that success. By harnessing local wind resources and infrastructure, along with the support of local landowners eager to bring the benefits of wind energy, we can enhance grid reliability and strengthen the local economy.”
With a growing track record of opening new markets, including Mississippi and Arkansas, Steelhead is a wind-focused traditional flip renewable energy developer in the U.S that develops projects in-house from greenfield stage up to shovel ready.
To date, Steelhead has delivered almost 4 GW of renewable energy projects in North America with more than 5 GW in the pipeline, contributing to Vestas global development track record of 28 GW project pipeline and 7 GW of firm order intake from development activities.
Turbine delivery begins in the first quarter of 2026.
SCADA International, a provider of smart renewable energy solutions and digital services, is bringing its acquired companies together under a new name and identity: Opoura. This rebranding reflects the company’s broadened role in the energy sector.
The transition follows a year of record growth, including four acquisitions, bringing in a list of new capabilities, colleagues, and know-how, expanding the group’s offerings to the energy industry.
The progress the company has experienced in recent years has made it clear that the SCADA name, tied to the term Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, no longer fully captures the full scope of what the company delivers.
“When we founded SCADA International in 2006, our ambition was to tackle renewable challenges related to SCADA by offering specialized expertise in both hardware and consultancy. So, a name like SCADA International seemed fitting. As the industry changed and customers took greater control of their operations and data, we also evolved by delivering independent monitoring and control software. In that way, our journey has always been shaped by advancing alongside our customers’ needs and evolving market conditions,” said SCADA CEO Thomas Bagger.
“Through this journey – and with the new companies joining us this year – we’ve grown into something much bigger than when we first started. It feels only right that our name reflects this development. That’s why I’m excited and proud to introduce Opoura – a name that reflects how far we have come and the wide range of solutions and services we now offer.”
The new Opoura brand is rooted in the company’s Nordic renewable heritage. Opoura is a contraction of Optimize Performance of Your Assets.
The rebranding process entails that the four former group companies – Sweet Geeks, Next Consult, Quantec Systems GmbH, and SCADA International – will unite as one brand. NovoGrid will continue for now as part of Opoura.
Headquartered in Denmark and with a presence in North America and Europe, the company enables customers to connect, control, and commercialize assets in the energy landscape.
“We are still the same dedicated team – just a much larger one with a broader range of expertise. At Opoura, we want to ignite the energy transition and are committed to doing so in a smart, innovative way. I’m excited to see how this vision will come to life,” Bagger said.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has issued a Determination of Competitive Interest in two Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) in the Gulf of Mexico. The determination comes after an unsolicited request from Hecate Energy Gulf Wind LLC expressing interest in acquiring a commercial wind energy lease for WEA options C and D.
“The Gulf of Mexico remains an attractive option for offshore wind energy development,” said Gulf of Mexico Regional Director Jim Kendall. “We are excited about the future of this emerging sector in the region.”
On July 29, 2024, BOEM published a Request for Competitive Interest (RFCI) in the Federal Register seeking feedback on Hecate’s unsolicited lease request. Invenergy GOM Offshore Wind LLC expressed interest in WEA options C and D. BOEM has deemed both Hecate and Invenergy to be legally, technically, and financially qualified to hold an OCS renewable energy lease in the Gulf of Mexico.
BOEM will move forward with the competitive lease process and proceed to hold the next offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico in 2026. The next step in that process will be to continue to analyze the other comments received in response to the RFCI and evaluate which portions of WEA options C and D, and other potential WEA options, are best suited for sale. BOEM will release draft WEAs for public input early next year.
Yutong Huang, chief technology officer and principal engineer for measuring services at Windtest North America, has assumed leadership of the company’s technical team in the United States.
Huang, who has been with the Windtest group since January 2023, previously was stationed in the company’s national headquarters in Grevenbroich, Germany. He is now based in Windtest North America’s headquarters in Estherville, Iowa.
Huang has worked in the renewable energy industry for more than 10 years. From 2012 to 2022, he was engaged in the development of wind energy in China, one of the world’s largest markets, and participated in a wide range of measurement projects, from the 1.0MW machine in the early stages to the latest 16MW offshore wind turbines.
Huang served as an assessor for power performance and mechanical loads with the IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Renewable Energy Applications. He also was the deputy head of the Renewable Energy Test Department at the China General Certification Center.
At Windtest, Huang leads the Power Performance and Loads Department, where he is responsible for strategic development, new product and service development and customer support. He also is the liaison between Windtest’s technical departments in Germany and the U.S.
Vestas has received a firm order for RWE’s 900 MW Nordseecluster B offshore wind project in Germany.
The order includes 60 V236-15.0 MW wind turbines and Vestas is responsible for the supply, delivery, and commissioning of the turbines. Upon completion, Vestas will also service the asset under a 5-year service agreement followed by a long-term operational support agreement.
The Nordseecluster is being implemented in two phases, phase A and phase B. The first phase of the project, the 660 MW Nordseecluster A, was announced as a firm order in June 2024 and consists of 44 V236-15.0 MW turbines.
“We’re pleased to contribute to this landmark project for Europe’s offshore wind sector, reflecting our ongoing commitment to advancing clean energy solutions. Our gratitude goes to RWE for years of excellent collaboration, which has been essential in bringing this project to life,” said Nils de Baar, President of Vestas Northern & Central Europe. “We look forward to the Nordseecluster’s successful delivery and to keep driving the transition toward a more sustainable future.”
“With the addition of Nordseecluster B to our portfolio of projects in execution, we’re building offshore wind farms with a total capacity of 4.8 gigawatts. Working closely with our supply chain partners is critical to the successful delivery of this ambitious program and we’re very much looking forward to working with Vestas on our German offshore project Nordseecluster,” said Thomas Michel, RWE Offshore Wind chief operating officer.
The project site is located around 50km north of the island of Juist in the German North Sea. Wind turbine installation for the Nordseecluster B is expected to take place in 2028 with commercial operation planned to start at the beginning of 2029.
SEL offers service packages to maximize cybersecurity effectiveness, to manage the security of SEL-designed OT systems, and more.
With cyber maintenance service offerings, SEL provides ongoing support for ICS and OT systems designed and commissioned by SEL.
These services include the ongoing support and maintenance of systems through patch requirement management, software update management, upgrade notifications, access log, security alert review, device backup, server and workstation health reviews, vulnerability assessments, system capacity analysis, and end-of-life monitoring for firmware and hardware.
The cyber monitoring package puts SEL analysts in the role of a full-time internal security analyst. This includes monitoring networks for suspicious activity, and regularly reporting on network threats and activity.
The cyber readiness and response provides engineers with expertise in a variety of ICS and OT environments can proactively assess and test systems to strengthen your cybersecurity posture. And if a security event does occur, SEL can help minimize the impact and return to normal operation quickly.
Services include infrastructure evaluation, compromise assessment, critical system evaluation, firewall evaluation, incident response plan development and readiness assessment, and vulnerability assessments.
Liebherr’s earthmoving and material handling technology team hosted the 2024 North American Sales and Training Seminar in Richmond and Emporia, VA. More than 100 attendees participated in the two-day event receiving hands-on training of Liebherr’s earthmoving and material handling technology products.
Liebherr USA, Co. earthmoving and material handling technology team held the 2024 North American Sales and Training Seminar for both internal and external distribution network participants. Liebherr employees from the U.S., Canada, and Europe participated and supported the event.
“We are thrilled to host this year’s North American Sales and Training Seminar. Based on the excellent feedback from last year’s national training, we are pleased to expand this event and welcome our colleagues and sales professionals from Canada further reflecting on the importance of the North American market to the Liebherr Group,” said Kai Friedrich, Managing Director of Liebherr USA, Co., and Divisional Director of earthmoving and material handling technology.
The two-day event allowed more than 100 participants to receive extensive hands-on training of multiple products across a variety of stations including crawler excavators, wheel loaders, dozers, material handlers, and the TA 230 articulated dump truck. Each station was equipped with multiple machines, a digital display setup, and tents for onlookers. Additionally, each product manager gave multiple walk-around presentations during the event highlighting each machine’s latest features and innovative technologies.
“The North American Sales and Training Seminar is crucial in equipping our extensive distribution network with the necessary tools to be successful. The training acts as driving force for our internal teams to provide informative resources and comprehensive support to our dealer sales channels,” said Nick Rogers, General Manager of Product Management. “We believe that by fostering a deeper understanding of our product lines and technologies, sales representatives will be better prepared to engage customers confidently, offering solutions that deliver results.”
This event enabled attendees to apply their product knowledge to real-world application scenarios, with the assistance of Liebherr’s certified product managers on-site. This training also provided an excellent chance for Liebherr’s distribution partners to participate in industry networking.
“This is a great opportunity to showcase Liebherr’s product quality, innovation, and support services across our local U.S. distribution network. Together, we can show that Liebherr is a major player in the North American market, and we will continue to expand our presence,” said Friedrich.
Vaisala today announced service enhancements to WindCube, the vertical profiling lidar for wind data offshore and onshore. The new offerings were available for new WindCube orders on Dec. 1.
With customers performing multiple measurement campaigns over a five-year period, WindCube now includes a five-year standard warranty, up from the previous three-year interval. Customers who conduct preventive maintenance at 5 years can purchase a 5-year warranty extension, increasing the warranty period to 10 years. This extension reflects WindCube’s wind measurement reliability, maximized uptime, and proven in-field durability and performance.
Another new offering is an online, level 1 training program with every WindCube purchase. This complimentary certificate program provides faster, more accessible training that results in quicker operational deployment. Optional in-person, on-site training remains available for customers seeking more in-depth instruction.
“The latest WindCube enhancements demonstrate Vaisala’s unwavering commitment to meeting the evolving needs of wind energy customers while remaining the trusted choice for weather intelligence solutions in the renewable energy sector,” said Alexis Crama, Vice President for Renewable Energy Business in Weather and Environment at Vaisala. “Extending our warranty to five years and introducing comprehensive e-learning capabilities allows us to not just improve the WindCube product but evolve how an entire industry approaches wind measurement campaigns.”
In September, Vaisala unveiled Compass, its weather-based decision-making platform for the renewable energy industry. The cloud-based platform organizes, interconnects, and simplifies access to the largest portfolio of weather solutions — including WindCube —combining instruments and intelligence.
