Home 2012

Israel Barajas and Ken McGraw Join Wind Energy Services

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Wind Energy Services Company (WES) announced that two new teammates have joined the company.

Israel Barajas has been appointed HSE Manager with primary responsibility for programs and practices to maintain and enhance the company’s industry-leading safety record. He brings more than 20 years of experience in the composites industry. The last 14 years he has been employed by various entities of the Molded Fiber Glass Companies, including operations in Mexico, Alabama and South Dakota. In addition to experience in the Safety and Environmental areas, his background includes quality, engineering, production, materials, and scheduling and specific expertise in LEAN manufacturing.

Israel holds a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and an MBA, as well as a Health and Safety Management certificate from The University of Alabama.

In a newly created position of Account Manager/Sales, Ken McGraw will be responsible for supporting the company’s business growth in North America.  His prior experience includes ten years in industrial sales and customer service, including his most recent post as District Sales Manager for Dallas and East Texas at Klein Tools.  He has a BS in Business Management from LeTourneau University.

Ken will be based at WES headquarters in Gainesville, TX, and can be contacted at kmcgraw@windenergyserviceusa.com

Omega Morgan Provides Moving Installation Services for Prototype Turbines

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Omega Morgan, one of the West Coast’s leading heavy equipment transport companies, offered free moving and installation services today for a prototype smaller, lighter, gearless wind turbine and four towers from the Portland area to the Port of Arlington, Oregon.

Harry Lee, developer of the new product and Genesis Wind Inc.’s CEO, said his turbine is a prototype for linear, reciprocating direct-drive technology, a brand new development in the world of wind power. The gearless turbine is valuable to future customers because turbine gears typically wear out quickly, causing great expense and downtime problems, Lee noted. It also is 100 feet shorter than the average 300-foot-tall tower and will weigh 35,000 pounds versus 85,000 pounds for the typical wind turbine and tower.

The turbine, which is scalable to 1.5 megawatts of energy, is the first to be installed by Genesis at a pilot wind farm east of Portland.

Lee said. “I am so excited that this big idea is finally being launched.” He has been working on development of the 25-kilowatt wind turbine since 2009. In the near future, the scaled-down turbines will be used for businesses, government buildings, schools, and countless other places to reduce costs and provide a cleaner form of energy.

“This company has a great future. We want to support local start-ups like Genesis because new local companies mean new jobs in Oregon. Our crews are well suited for this effort and can efficiently pick up the turbine and four towers, move them to the site, and install them precisely as specified,” said John McCalla, CEO and president of Omega Morgan.

He said another Northwest company, Axis Crane, also volunteered its services to hoist the equipment onto two Omega Morgan trailers and to move them into place for the installation. United Rentals, Northwest Portland, donated free rental equipment for the project.

“This is the very first time in 10 years that I have received true, meaningful support for our project,” Lee said. “It means so much to me that these two great companies have stepped forward to help and I am truly grateful.”

Omega Morgan provides services to companies and organizations of all sizes by executing large equipment moves, often in complex environments; moving and installation of semiconductor equipment for the high-tech industry, commercial and export packing, crating and rigging.

For more information call Omega Morgan in Portland at 503-647-7474 or 800-442-8141; Seattle at 253-852-7500; Phoenix at 602-789-4143 or visit www.omegamorgan.com; or call Axis Crane at 800-585-2947 or visit www.axiscrane.com. For more information on Genesis Wind, call 503-546-0464.

Woodland Workwear Awarded Utility Patent for KNEEDZ Kneepad

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Woodland Workwear USA announces it has received a utility patent and trademarke for its KNEEDZ Gel kneepad technology.

“This has been a long process but definitely well worth the wait. We are very pleased with the outcome and now we can continue to focus on promoting our KNEEDZ® Gel Kneepad work pants knowing that we have patent protection for our intellectual property. Our founding partners invented a great product that continues to solve a serious safety problem in the workplace,” states Dale Pelletier, President & CEO of Woodland Workwear. “In the spirit of innovation and creativity, we celebrate our patent knowing that it will change the lives of workers for many years to come. We will continue on our quest to solve safety problems in the workplace through innovation and technology.”

The patent was issued under number 8,166,570 and protects Woodland’s invention of gel kneepads that are permanently built-in to work pants for a term of more than 20 years.

Fore more information, call 719-630-5153 or visit www.kneedz.com.

Slipring Harness Failure Modes and Solutions

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Exposure to torsion, oil, abrasion, temperature extremes and human interference can cause downtime and loss of production.

Original equipment manufacturers are required to provide complete systems for industrial applications. Typically, the technical expertise lies in the most critical aspect of the project. Subsequently, many ancillary components are designed to the best of their abilility, but an fall short in the application due to a lack of knowledge and experience in all areas. One example of this is the slipring harness, which controls the three-blade pitch motors. This harness is subject to constant abuse in the form of torsion, oil exposure, abrasion and temperature extremes. When products like these fail, the wind farm experiences significant downtime, loss of revenue, and maintenance expense.

TPC Wire and Cable Corp consulted a major wind farm owner to design and develop a custom slipring harness that addresses the multiple failure modes encountered in the tower. The TPC harness was designed to be flexible at all temperatures, easy to install, and last for many years in the abusive wind tower environment. Previously, the slipring harnesses needed to be replaced every 12 months on average. The TPC slipring harnesses have been in continuous service for more than four years without a single failure.

Snaking the harness through 90 degree elbows, and terminating individual conductors to terminal blocks in very tight clearance areas had previously been very difficult, especially in cold weather. The highly flexible TPC harness was much easier to install at both the hub and the slipring end. Maintenance personnel were thrilled to have a robust, easy to install solution to one of their primary failure areas.

Material and labor cost savings alone totaled $8,575 per turbine, according to the manufacturer, but the increase in production hours of the tower ranged from eight hours to multiple days, depending on the availability of personnel to make the repair. When multiplied across an entire wind farm, the immediate savings and increase in production is important.

For more information, visit www.tpcwire.com or call 1-800-521-7935.

Collier’s HyperSizer v6.2 Improves Design and Manufacturability of Composites and Metals

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Collier Research Corporation today announced the release of HyperSizer®v6.2 structural sizing and analysis software. The latest version of the product, which is used widely in the spacecraft and aviation industries, includes new modeling capabilities for airframe wing box designs, and laminate zone and ply-count optimization enhancements to improve manufacturing efficiency.

New features and enhancements in HyperSizer v6.2 include:

• Discrete Stiffener Modeling – For airframe wing box and fuselage structures, the software automatically identifies in the FEM, skin shell and stiffener beam elements and optimizes their spacings, heights, and laminates. This provides the flexibility for designing panel bays with non-uniformly spaced stiffeners of varying directions, dimensions, and materials, while also assigning margins to each unique stiffener panel segment.

• Laminate Optimization for Manufacturability –An improved, six-step process optimizes laminates (transition zones, ply-count compatibility, ply drops/adds, global ply tracking) while balancing strength, stability, and manufacturability.  This leads to fabrication efficiencies and factory-floor cost-savings.

• Other enhancements – New puck composite failure analysis for both 2D and 3D fiber fracture; new curved (skin) local buckling analysis; upgraded compression and shear post buckling analyses; enhanced panel concepts (PRSEUS, reinforced core sandwich, and tapered tube beam); improved test data and other graphical displays and functions; and new methods documentation. 

For more information, visit www.hypersizer.com

PRODUCT SHOWCASE: Virtual Power Stations Communicate With ‘bluecom’ From Bachmann Electronic

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The requirement placed on state-of-the-art wind farms to respond to the power grid like a single conventional power station requires the use of a central wind farm controller: communication is required in very high speed. Bachmann electronic presents ‘bluecom’ – a communication solution specially developed for smart grids.

‘bluecom’ is based on conventional Ethernet technology and provides affordable and easy to implement communication for fast and reliable information exchange in real time. The transmission protocol was specifically optimized with regard to the particular requirements of future-proof energy systems. The prime objective of these measures is to maintain the stability of the grid by enabling energy parks and virtual power stations consisting of a large number of decentralized power generation plants to respond quickly.

The new communication protocol ‘bluecom’ Bachmann provides an important foundation for the transition to a smart grid and the use of regenerative energies for electricity generation. It is another contribution by Bachmann electronic to the active development of the power grid of the future.

For more information, visit www.bachmann.info.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE: O&M Products Increase Equipment Reliability and Reduce Downtime and Failure

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For O&M applications on wind turbines, Henkel Corporation has introduced a full line of Loctite® adhesives, sealants, lubricants and coatings for installation and maintenance of blades, nacelles, towers and bases.

For rotor blade repair, Loctite® high performance polyurethane resins cure rapidly at room temperature, significantly reducing downtime associated with blade maintenance. Developed using the same standards and technology as Loctite® GL-approved rotor blade assembly materials, polyurethane repair resins offer superior long-term dynamic fatigue strength, outstanding tensile shear strength, resistance to aging, and creep performance. Specifically formulated to restore composite blades, these resins are used to patch and repair structural cracks on blade tips and stress risers, impact damage caused by lightning and bird strikes, and leading edge wear and erosion.

On the nacelle, Loctite® O&M products provide excellent UV/moisture resistance to seal against harsh weather conditions. Cleaners and lubricants keep equipment running reliably. High-traction coatings prevent slipping on interior and exterior walkways. And anaerobic products maintain threaded fasteners, joints and flanges.

Loctite® O&M products seal out moisture and prevent corrosion on tower sections, load support plates, platforms, bolt heads, ladder frames and metal surfaces. Products are also used for ladder bonding and thread locking.

On the base, Loctite® fast curing grouts facilitate tower installation and ensure the structure is level and secure. Sealants prevent water ingress around electrical cables and concrete repair products correct damage and cracks.

To view the full line of Loctite® products for wind turbine installation and maintenance, visit www.henkelna.com/windpower

PRODUCT SHOWCASE: Positioning Spray by 3M Integrates During Infusion Process

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3M™ introduces the new 3M™ Adjustable Composite Positioning System (ACPS) 11095, a spray designed for pre-infusion resin bond dry reinforcements and composite matrices.

The unique properties of 3M™ ACPS 11095 enable it to integrate into the part during resin infusion, eliminating read-through and transition layers in the part post-cure. This patent-pending system offers manufacturers benefits in productivity, esthetics and flexibility.

3M™ ACPS 11095 is uniquely formulated to be compatible with most resin systems, including polyester, vinyl ester and epoxy resins. It goes down easily on both flat and curved mold designs, and after spraying, the product builds tack within seconds and is tack-free in two to three minutes.  Designed with ease-of-use in mind, the product features a unique color change system that gives it a blue color when first sprayed, then fades to clear as it cures. With this feature, users can easily see the amount of coverage they’ve achieved, and also have a visual indication of the curing cycle. 3M™ ACPS 11095 is not affected by ambient temperature and/or humidity, allowing it to be used in a variety of manufacturing conditions.

Additional user-friendly features of 3M ACPS 11095 allow substrates to be easily repositioned without leaving fibers behind, simply by peeling back an individual layer and reapplying. If the coating dries before laying up of materials, an additional coating can be applied at a lower rate, which reactivates the previously applied coating. The product also enables manufacturers to use less than competitive brands.

3M™ ACPS 11095 has the ability to hold most types of reinforcement and to maintain the position of reinforcement for days without sagging. With typical usage, users will see little to no change in laminate shear properties. Available in aerosol cans as well as five-gallon and 55-gallon containers compatible with most traditional spray equipment, the product is also easy to clean up with most solvents. 3M™ ACPS 11095 is approved by Lloyd’s Register and DNV.

For more information contact 3M Technical/Application Support at 772-343-7300, or Customer Service/Ordering at 1-855-380-6553 or visit www.3M.com.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE: Easily Erect and Disassemble Scaffolding with Scaffold Ratchet

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When the job calls for erecting scaffolding to work at an elevated level, the new Williams® Scaffolding Ratchet from Snap-on Industrial Brands can be a true time saver.

The scaffolding ratchet is three tools in one. The ratchet includes tools that erectors need to easily and quickly engage the posts, fasteners and clamps on scaffolding. Since most scaffolding uses 7/8” hex nuts, the ratchet comes with a 1/2” drive pinned 7/8” six-point socket. Opposite of the socket is a bronze hammerhead, which comes in handy to pound out quick-release levers. Lastly, a pry bar is located at the other end of the ratchet to aid in scaffolding disassembly.

Other features and benefits of the scaffolding ratchet include:
•    36-tooth gear with 10-degree of engagement for working in tight areas
•    Supertorque lobular opening for greater turning power without deforming the fastener
•    Easy access reversing level to change working direction with only one hand
•    Bronze hammerhead to reduce rebound
•    Tethering device to prevent dropped tools

For more information about the Williams® Scaffolding Ratchet from Snap-on Industrial Brands, call 800-446-7407, or visit www.snaponindustrialbrands.com.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE: Sonoco Expands EcoReel Recycling Program

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Sonoco is expanding its innovative EcoReel® recycling program to include scrap cable recovery at wind farm construction sites. Together with associate company American Cable Recyclers, Sonoco takes care of unwinding, securing and purchasing high-value #1 and #2 insulated or bare brite copper remnants. The company also unwinds, stores and buys scrap URD and other cable plus knock down and remove and recycle the wood reels.

 “This new program is a convenient way for wind farm contractors to keep the site safer and more secure,” said Wendy Williams, Recycling Operations Manager at Sonoco. “Our customers as well as the utilities, contractors and distributors they supply can quickly recognize the environmental and fiscal advantages of reusing wood reels.”

A member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI), Sonoco recovered over 44,000 wood reels in 2011 saving nearly 15,000 trees. All viable reels are put through a rigorous seven-step process to make sure every recycled and refurbished reel will deliver like-new performance. Reels can often be reused three or more times. Sonoco’s EcoReel recycling program began in 1991.

For more information, call 828-330-0379 or visit www.sonoco.com.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE: Availon’s New Positioning Controller Improves Availability

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Availon, Inc., a premier independent provider of parts and engineering services to the wind power industry in North America, is pleased to introduce a thoroughly redesigned, robust, and cost-efficient pitch controller.

True to the company’s “We Listen” stance, Availon has partnered with Lenord + Bauer, the world renowned manufacturer of innovative automation systems for industrial motion sequences. The premise for the extensive re-design of the pitch controller was the customers’ feedback and the ability to do a root cause analysis by Availon’s engineers who singled out several issues that needed to be addressed, such as: communication problems; damages, caused to the controller’s circuit board by the constant vibration and environmental contaminates; damages to the controller and the controlled components from voltage spikes; and the disparity between specified temperature range and actual operating environment.

To minimize turbine’s failures, the new innovative design features robust and reliable communications from the Pitch Controller to the axis cabinet components. Circuit boards are specially coated to prevent loosening due to vibration and to guard against corrosion. Improved RS communications now provides a higher tolerance for voltage spikes. Upgrades to

John Boorman, Availon North America Director of Sales, notes: “Availon’s mission has always been improvement of wind turbines availability. The new pitch controller is a perfect example of our engineering capabilities to design custom solutions that reduce or eliminate reoccurring fault problems and shortcomings.”

For more information contact ServicesUSA@Availon.com or PartsUSA@Availon.com.

76 Terex Tower Cranes Delivered to Venezuela

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TerexTM Cranes announces that it has received an order for 76 flat top tower cranes for PDVSA – Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. The State owned company will utilize most of the cranes for a housing project that involves building 50,000 residencies per year.  Of the 76 cranes, 38 are CTT 161A-6TS and 38 are CTT 91-5 TS12, all of them manufactured in the city of Fontanafredda, Italy. The cranes will be delivered through 2012.

This is among the biggest order of cranes for Latin America. “This order proves our brand strength and our commitment with Latin America”, says Ivens Encarnação, General Manager, TerexTM Cranes Latin America.

TerexTM has a complete product offering for the construction and infrastructure industry, and superior after sales services and support for its customers. “The order with PDVSA positions us at a new league in Latin America, and increases significantly the presence of TerexTM Cranes in the local crane Market”, adds Ivens. For more information, visit www.terex.com.

Capital Safety Gives Away ExoFit NEX™ Harness at WindPower 2012

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One lucky person has a chance to win an ExoFit NEX Global Wind Energy Harness from Capital Safety at AWEA Windpower 2012.

The harnesses were developed specifically for the needs of the global wind energy market. With a convenient radio and Lad-Saf® sleeve holster on the front of the harness and removable tool loops on the belt, this harness allows the user to easily carry equipment on their harness while climbing a tower. The construction model utilizes a removable lumbar protector that helps prevent wear and tear on the belt and back pad. Its ability to be replaced with accessory protectors prolongs the harness’ life. Stamped with ANSI, CSA and CE approvals this harness can be taken to worksites across the globe and be in compliance with appropriate standards.

The harness is constructed with aluminum front, back and side D-rings, locking quick-connect buckles and a sewn-in hip pad with belt and lumbar wear protection. The harness is available in XLarge, Large, Medium and Small. A medium size model will be on display at the Wind Systems booth #6213. A fitted harness will be mailed to the winner after the show.

Massive Test Facility For Wind Turbines Taking Shape

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Clemson University and its partners in South Carolina is pouring concrete for the first of two foundations that will house the world’s largest wind turbine drivetrain testing stands.

Choate Construction is building the $98 million facility at what is now part of the Clemson University Restoration Institute.The concrete foundation will form the base of the stand that will allow full-scale highly-accelerated testing of advanced drivetrain systems up to 7.5MW with 50Hz and 60Hz capabilities. It is scheduled to be operational in early 2013. The second test stand that will be able to accommodate next generation wind turbine drive trains up to 15MW will begin operation in spring next year.

The US Energy Department in November 2009 awarded a $45 million grant to the Clemson-led group under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help build and operate the project. South Carolina and private donors provided the about $53 million in matching funds.

Clemson’s public partners are the State of South Carolina, South Carolina Commerce Department, South Carolina Public Railways, South Carolina State Ports Authority and the Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment Authority.

The site is adjacent to existing rail and dockside infrastructure, essential for handling the heavy components.

University officials estimate the drive train testing center will create as many as 800 direct and indirect high-paying professional jobs.

Sandia Announces Construction on Texas Wind Turbine Research Facility

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Sandia National Laboratories and its academic and private partners expect to have a state-of-the art wind turbine research facility in operation in October in Lubbock, Texas.

The first phase of Scales Wind Farm Technology Facility (SWIFT) is being constructed in partnership with Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Vestas and Group NIRE, a renewable energy development company.

The US Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is funding Sandia’s work, which will allow the use of the site for research.

Studies at the facility will initially focus on turbine-to-turbine interactions and innovative rotor technologies. Other areas for investigation include aero-acoustics and structural health monitoring of turbines using embedded sensor systems.

The SWIFT concept reflects a shared emphasis among the partners on lowering the cost of wind energy by maximizing the output of a wind farm rather than a single turbine.

The site will initially use three Vestas 300kW V27 turbines, which are smaller than utility-scale turbines. Sandia worked with Vestas to develop the site plan, uniquely tailored to study turbine-to-turbine interactions.

The site might eventually expand to include nine or more wind turbines, allowing researchers to learn how individual turbines and wind farms can integrate better with the grid.

New HiPer-tex™ W3030 Roving Introduced

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Engineered specifically for polyester or vinylester resin systems, HiPer-tex™ W3030 roving also allows for longer, lighter blades for both offshore and onshore wind turbines.

3B is launching HiPer-tex™ W3030 high performance roving – the third product in the company’s series of innovative solutions for wind turbine rotor blades.

Specifically developed and engineered for polyester and vinylester resin systems and for resin infusion processes, HiPer-tex™ W3030 roving provides yet another novel option which allows OEMs to manufacture longer and lighter blades for the larger multi-megawatt wind turbines located both onshore and offshore.

3B, HiPer-tex™ W3030 rovings combine high performance glass properties and enhanced sizing compatibility with unsaturated polyester and vinylester resin systems. This new roving provides optimum properties for rotor blades created with lower cost resin systems and therefore helps blade manufacturers narrow the gap with higher cost, alternative composite solutions.

The new roving offers up to 10% weight saving for the same design and length when comparing rotor blades manufactured with traditional E-glass. In addition, the turbine blade span can be lengthened by up to 6% while still maintaining the same weight though contributing up to 12% more energy output.

A more consistent laminate quality is achieved as HiPer-tex™ W3030 roving offers better wet-out. Higher shear strength and substantially greater interfibre strength and excellent fatigue performance is provided by the significantly improved resin matrix adhesion when compared with existing high modulus fiberglass in the market place.

3B’s technological expertise and manufacturing know-how delivers reliable, high performance, sustainable and cost-competitive solutions for wind energy applications especially designed for the challenging and bigger multi-megawatt turbine blades, according to the manufacturer.

Other recently launched products in 3B’s rovings products for wind turbine blades include HiPer-tex™ W2020 and SE2020 made with Advantex® glass, both specifically designed and engineered for epoxy resin systems used in resin infusion or prepreg processes.

Tests Confirm Increased Energy Generation

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During the last few months the Evance R9000 small wind turbine has undergone further tests which have confirmed its energy generation has increased by over 4% to 9,167kWh at a wind speed of 5 metres per second.

The R9000 small wind turbine was one of the first small wind turbines to achieve SWCC conditional certification last year, and has received further improvements since.

Many Evance customers have already benefitted from higher than expected energy generation as the R9000 system improvements were implemented several months ago. For example, Clive Breeze was pleasantly surprised with the energy generated from his recent installation: “In the first three weeks alone, the R9000 turbines exceeded the predicted energy generation targets by 10 percent.” This reduced the customer’s first quarterly electricity bill by the equivalent of nearly $500.

“We’re delighted that our R9000 turbine is proving so efficient in energy production as this translates directly into a faster return on investment for our customers,” said Kevin Parslow, CEO of Evance Wind Turbines. “Our R9000 machine accounted for a third of all small wind turbines sold in the UK last year – making it the UK’s small wind turbine of choice. We look forward to accelerating our drive into the North American market though our network of installers in a bid to establish a similar market leadership position,” concludes Kevin. For more information, visit www.evancewind.com.

Placement System Specifically Designed For Installation of All-Dielectric/Self-Support Cable

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Known for rugged and dependable outside plant cable installation tools and equipment, the General Machine Products Company, Inc. (GMP), Trevose, PA, is pleased to introduce the All-Dielectric/Self-Support Cable Placement System to its line of aerial cable placement solutions. The All-Dielectric/Self-Support (ADSS) Cable Placement System provides specialized equipment necessary for aerial installation of nonconductive, high-strength fiber optic ADSS cable over short, medium and long span distances.

As its name indicates, All-Dielectric/Self-Supporting cable requires no messenger wire for support. Therefore, placement is achieved in a single pass, making ADSS cable an easy and economical way to install a fiber optic network. This type of installation can also be a solution in an aerial environment where power cables are close by, or where a lashing operation is impossible due to the proximity of other cables on the poles.

Because ADSS cable can be deployed in a variety of tough environmental and electrical conditions, components that make up the All-Dielectric/Self-Support Cable Placement System are specifically designed to meet the challenges work crews face.

The Cable Pony Trailer Mounted Winch uses grooved, double bull wheels to provide superior handling of the pulling rope, while providing a constant tension with a maximum capacity of up to 2,200 lbs. (1,000 kgs). The winch can offer line pulling speeds up to 130 ft. (40 M) per minute.

The ADSS Cable Placement System also includes a Payout Stand and Storage Reel. The Storage Reel has a capacity of 2,000 ft. (609.6 M) of 5/16 inch. (7.9 mm) diameter rope. It is uniquely designed to be compatible for mounting either on the Cable Pony Trailer Mounted Winch or the Payout Stand.

Two (2) sizes of In Line Blocks and three (3) sizes of Starter Blocks are also offered with our ADSS Cable Placement System. This variety of blocks will maintain the bending radius requirements for various cable diameters, load ratings, etc.

For more information, visit GMPtools.com/nf/adss.htm, or by contact Ted Clemens at 215-357-5500; info@GMPtools.com.

ACCUTETHER TM Fiber Performance Excels in Payout, Tether and Sensing

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OFS and its Specialty Photonics Division, a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of innovative fiber optic network products, is please to announce commercial availability of AccutetherTM fiber in both standard and reduced diameter sizes. This singlemode fiber features excellent bend performance and is ideal for defense applications where the fiber experiences tight bend, is permanently coiled or where a coil is designed to payout. Proof tested to 100 or 200 kpsi the fiber has high reliability and is available in long continuous lengths. The standard size fiber has a 245μm O.D. and the reduced diameter fiber features an 80 μm cladding and 160 μm O.D.

“A major advantage of this fiber is the excellent bend performance”, says Cathy Ciardiello, Market Manager for OFS defense related business. “Macrobend attenuation at 1550nm induced by 50 turns around a 4mm mandrel is < 0.01dB. The tight dimensional control of geometric parameters helps ensure stability for consistent winding/ payout of coils”, adds Ms. Ciardiello, and the dual acrylate coating system protects during deployment and lifetime. AccutetherTM coils can be ordered directly from the OFS Specialty Photonics site in Broendby, Denmark.

For more information, please visit www.ofsoptics.com or www.specialtyphotonics.com

Second Wind Launches Wind Energy Operations Services

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Second Wind announces the introduction of a suite of wind farm operations services based on the company’s Triton® Sonic Wind Profiler and SkyServe® Wind Data Service. Triton, a remote sensing system using sodar technology to provide wind measurements across the turbine rotor sweep, and SkyServe, a cloud-based data delivery tool, have already been widely adopted by wind farm developers for use in wind resource assessment.

“2011 was a big year for Second Wind as Triton and SkyServe continued to lead the global wind power development market for remote sensing,” says Larry Letteney, CEO. “In addition, working in partnership with several large wind farm operators and utilities, we deployed a large number of Triton in support of wind farm operations.”

Wind farms have a number of operating issues that can be explained and resolved based on thorough understanding of the wind conditions onsite. With the rapid global growth of wind energy and improvements in turbine technology, advanced wind information systems are needed to provide more comprehensive information about wind conditions. The applications for Triton on operating wind farms include:

• Complementing or replacing expensive hub height reference towers for operational support, compliance, power marketing, and improved wind forecasting;
• Mobile applications providing turbine performance, wake, and sector analysis;
• Complete wind farm assessment for warranty and financial purposes.

Second Wind recently expanded into a new 25,000 square-foot manufacturing facility near Boston to support the wind industry’s growing demand for Triton.

Matt Hendrickson, senior director of energy assessment at 3TIER, says that “A well-qualified remote sensing system such as the Triton can be extremely valuable in assessing wind farm performance. Measuring the vertical structure of the wind profile and relating it to turbine efficiencies goes a long way in explaining varying production patterns. Used properly, this technology will ultimately increase the skill of one’s predictive models.”

Second Wind has been a global innovator in advanced technology for wind measurement since 1980. For more information visit www.secondwind.com.