The first-ever SKF Solution Factory in the United States has opened in Houston to provide customers with ready access to a portfolio of services and competencies under one roof at one strategically located venue. The first-ever 25,000 square-foot facility joins a growing network of eight others around the world.

“This new facility can equip customers with value-added solutions and industry knowledge to optimize their machinery performance and maximize operating efficiencies,” according to Poul Jeppesen, president and CEO of SKF USA, Inc. “The facility further provides us with an unprecedented venue to advance our dialogue with customers in a working partnership to help solve their challenges.”

Among on-site competencies and services the Solution Factory houses applications engineering, spindle and ball screw repair, bearing application expertise, sealing solutions, lubrication system expertise, mechanical equipment services—including mounting, alignment, and balancing—remote condition monitoring and diagnostics, engineering consultancy services, and operator and worker training.

“All these resources under one roof allow us to deliver customized and timely product and service packages tailored for particular operations,” Jeppesen adds. “We expect that this Solution Factory will quickly become a key destination for customers striving to increase overall asset efficiency, reliability, and productivity.”

The newest SKF Solution Factory serves a wide range of industries in the region and beyond, including petroleum and gas, hydrocarbon processing, wind energy, and general manufacturing, among others. To learn more call (281) 925-2800 or go to www.skfusa.com.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar praised the work of the 22-member Wind Turbine Guidelines Federal Advisory Committee, which reached consensus on a set of draft recommendations aimed at minimizing the impacts of land-based wind farms on wildlife and its habitat. Salazar said he will review the recommendations and take them under advisement as he asks the service to develop guidelines for evaluating wind energy development on public and private lands.

“Wind power is one of the keys to America’s clean energy future, but its development must be balanced with the long-term protection of the natural resources under our management,” Salazar says. “I commend the committee for their two years of work developing these recommendations, which will help us ensure that wind energy is developed in a responsible manner.”

Highlights of the committee’s recommendations include a decision-making framework that guides all stages of wind energy development; reliance on the best available science when assessing renewable energy projects and their potential environmental impact; and use of landscape-scaled planning that recognizes the need to think long-term about protecting our nation’s economic and natural resources.

“The Interior Department is creating a new energy frontier for America by harnessing the renewable-energy potential of America’s public lands while protecting wildlife,” says Michael Bean, counselor to assistant secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. “The committee’s recommendations will help us reach science-based decisions for future wind energy projects, while minimizing and mitigating local and regional impacts to wildlife.”

The group was created in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act and represents varied interests associated with wind energy development as well as wildlife management professionals. The committee does not address offshore wind energy development. The committee reports to the secretary of the interior through the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It functions solely as an advisory body, providing recommendations on effective measures to protect wildlife resources and coordinate the review and evaluation of facilities by state, tribal, local, and federal agencies. The draft report contains both policy recommendations and recommended voluntary guidelines for siting and operating wind energy projects in order to avoid or minimize potential impacts to wildlife and habitat. To learn more about the Interior Department’s wind initiatives visit www.doi.gov/whatwedo/energy.

Regardless of the workplace—from a manufacturing plant to a diesel repair center, power generation site, or a wind farm—the portable Snap-on Industrial Digital Torque Tester (DTT) can do its job almost anywhere. Thanks to its light weight combined with an integral transducer and sturdy housing, the unit can be wall mounted or employed in a benchtop vise to allow the user to accurately test torque wrenches and torque screwdrivers.

The Snap-on Industrial DDT features an easy-to-use 4.7-inch touch-pad screen to capture peak torque values during real-time testing and allows download of test data to a PC. All DTT torque testers are sold in a complete kit that includes the tester, hard carrying case, two socket driver reducer adapters, AC/DC power supply, AC adapter, and USB cable. The six DTT models range in capacity from ¼” drive, 10-100 in. oz. to ¾” drive, 60-600 ft. lbs.  All models will display readings in English, Newton meters and kilogram-centimeter units of torque. Accuracy is ±0.5% of reading ±1 count CW and CCW from 10 to 100% of full scale at 25ºC. Display accuracy of the unit is four digits, 9999 cycle counts.  It requires six AA Alkaline batteries, or it can be run off the AC adapter.

Snap-on Industrial is a division of Snap-on Incorporated, a leading global innovator, manufacturer, and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software, and service solutions for professional users. More information is available by calling (877) 740-1900 or visit int www.snapon.com/industrial.

Ingeteam will invest in the implementation of a combined production center in the United States. The company’s activity will focus primarily on the energy sector, specializing in the manufacture of wind power generators and converters, as well as solar photovoltaic converters, to meet the needs of the North American market. Ingeteam already has an office in Santa Clara, California, specializing in the sale of solar photovoltaic inverters. Likewise, another of the new affiliate’s objectives is the manufacture of motors, generators, and converters for other markets in which the company is active.

Ingeteam currently has a location in Mequon, Wisconsin, carrying out wind turbine operation and maintenance activities. Through this activity it manages more than 2,200 MW distributed over 60 wind farms all over the world. It should be stressed that Ingeteam’s wind power systems currently enjoy a market share between 12 and 15 percent. This share will increase in the coming years since the new factory is going to make possible the production of equipment for the equivalent of 7,500 MW each year, meeting the needs of its customers in this country. Several ranges of converter/generator products will be manufactured in the facilities, covering ranges from 1.5 to 5 MW of power for wind usage. In the medium term it is planned to endow the plant with the capacity to perform joint testing of complete equipment.

Ingeteam is a business group specializing in electrical engineering and the development of electronic technology that works in the energy, industry, marine, and railway traction sectors with the brands Ingeteam, Indar and Pine. It is made up of 28 companies spanning four continents—Asia, Europe, North America, and South America—and employing more than 3,500 people. To learn more contact Aitor Sotes at +1 262-240-9850 or aitor.sotes@ingeteam.com. Go online to www.ingeteam.com.

Indonesia-based Korindo has announced it has begun marketing utility-scale wind towers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico under the name Korindo Wind. To date it has delivered 550 towers to customers developing North-American wind energy projects, and nearly 1,000 worldwide. With its plant less than a mile from the Port of Ciwandan, Indonesia, and the ability to deliver sections to the port closest to a project site, Korindo Wind is able to develop competitive pricing for customers around the globe. Jakarta-based Korindo, founded in Jakarta in 1969, launched Korindo Wind with the construction of a wind tower manufacturing facility in 2006.

“With the expected upturn in wind energy development in North America, it has become important to more firmly establish Korindo’s wind energy division here,” says Ricky Seung, president of Los Angeles-based Kousa International, exclusive agent for Korindo Wind. “Now, as the U.S. economy rebounds and more financing becomes available for wind projects, Korindo Wind is in an excellent position to form long-term partnerships with companies that develop projects or source primary components such as Korindo Wind’s high quality wind towers.”

Korindo Wind is an ISO 9001:2000 certified wind tower manufacturer. Its technologically advanced plant in Ciwandan, Indonesia, features a highly efficient linear production line and has an annual capacity of 800 towers, or the equivalent of 2 gigawatts installed. The company also provides Precision LogisticsSM, a comprehensive, risk-free logistics solution based on Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping. Kousa International, Los Angeles, is the exclusive agent for Korindo Wind. For more information go to www.korindowind.com.

Shermco Industries has hired Mike Hancock as manager of business development for its Engineering Services Division. An electrical power industry veteran of over 17 years, he will work with all levels of the organization, applying his broad expertise on business development to the organization’s current operation and planned expansion. Hancock will focus on business growth and major project execution, as well as supporting and working with all of Shermco’s district operations managers, coordinators, sales engineers, and approximately 100 field operations personnel.

“Mike has extensive experience in this industry and he has a very impressive track record of success,” says Thad Brown, vice president of Engineering Services. “He’s overseen some large scale projects in his career, including one related to Hurricane Ike relief efforts and another associated with the 2009 Iowa area floods.”

Shermco Industries is a provider of safe, reliable testing, repair, professional training, maintenance, and analysis of rotating apparatus and electrical power distribution systems and related equipment for the light, medium, and heavy industrial base nationwide. Founded in 1974 in Dallas, the company is comprised of two strategic business units; the Machine Services Division, and an Engineering Services Division. With a corporate location in Irving, Texas, a sales office in Brussels, and service centers in Austin, Texas, and Tulsa and Sweetwater, Oklahoma, Shermco has more than 250 full-time employees. The company is a member of the Electrical Apparatus Service Association, the American Wind Energy Association, and the International Electrical Testing Association. For more information go to www.shermco.com.

GE will invest approximately €340 million to develop or expand its wind turbine manufacturing, engineering, and service facilities in four European countries—the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, and Germany—signaling GE’s deep commitment to the promising European offshore wind sector. “Offshore wind will play a vital role in meeting the growing global demand for cleaner, renewable energy and has a bright future here in Europe,” says Ferdinando (Nani) Beccalli-Falco, president and CEO of GE International. “These investments will position us to help develop Europe’s vast, untapped offshore wind resources, while also creating new jobs for both GE and our suppliers.”

At the core of GE’s European expansion plans is the development of its next-generation wind turbine, a 4-megawatt machine designed specifically for offshore deployment. As the largest wind turbine in GE’s fleet, it will incorporate advanced drive train and control technologies gained through GE’s acquisition of ScanWind. The 4-megawatt wind turbine will feature GE’s innovative technology that eliminates the need for gearboxes. This technology is already being demonstrated at a test site in Hundhammerfjellet, Norway, where the first ScanWind direct drive unit has been operating for more than five years.

“GE’s proven reliability on more than 13,500 land units coupled with ScanWind’s proven offshore, gearless design enables us to provide our customers the reliable solutions necessary for the offshore wind industry,” says Victor Abate, vice president of renewable energy for GE Power & Water. “These announcements lay the foundation for us to begin scaling our offshore business, technology, and supply chain locally in Europe where we see the greatest growth opportunity.”

The European Wind Energy Association expects that Europe’s offshore wind sector will grow more than 70 percent in 2010, with continued growth forecast over the next several years. If all of the offshore wind projects currently in development are completed, they could produce 10 percent of the European Union’s total electricity while avoiding 200 million tons of CO2 emissions each year. Overall, offshore wind is expected to make a major contribution in helping the European Union reach its goal to have 20 percent of its energy produced from renewable resources by the year 2020. For more information visit the company’s Web site at www.ge.com.

Jens-Peter Saul has been appointed CEO of the Siemens Wind Power Business Unit headquartered in Brande. He succeeds Andreas Nauen, who is leaving Siemens at his own wish. He was previously managing director of Siemens Energy in the UK and also responsible for the North and West Europe regions.

Saul earned a degree in engineering at the University of Hanover in 1994. He joined Siemens’ Fossil Power Generation Division in 1996 as project manager, where he held various managerial posts. Following a short term as project manager with a consulting company in the automobile sector, he assumed managerial functions at Siemens in 2002, including responsibility for power plants sales and marketing in the Middle East. In 2005 he was appointed head of power plant business for the Siemens Power Generation Group in the UK.

“We would like to thank Mr. Nauen for his achievements for our company,” says René Umlauft, CEO of Siemens’ Renewable Energy Division. “In Jens-Peter Saul we have found the right successor to push ahead with achievement of our ambitious targets in the field of wind turbines.”

The Siemens Energy Sector is the world’s leading supplier of a complete spectrum of products, services, and solutions for the generation, transmission, and distribution of power and for the extraction, conversion, and transport of oil and gas.

Learn more by visiting www.siemens.com/energy.

Mariah Power, developer of the Windspire® vertical axis wind turbine,  announces a corporate name change to Windspire Energy, Inc. The name simplifies the branding of the company and its lead product, while leveraging the innovation of the Windspire wind turbine. In conjunction with the name change the company  has also launched www.windspireenergy.com, a new buyer-focused Web site with information on the many available applications of Windspire wind turbines.

The Windspire is a vertical axis wind turbine designed for use in urban, suburban, and rural areas. The unique design of the rotor enables the turbine to generate energy silently while standing just 30 feet tall. Hundreds of Windspires are currently powering homes, businesses, schools, and museums across the United States. Recently the company announced the installation of 20 Windspires at the headquarters of leading software company Adobe Systems in San Jose, California (see article in this issue).

“We are focused on delivering renewable energy solutions that are elegant in their simplicity,” says Walt Borland, president and CEO. “The corporate name change is just one example of how we are simplifying everything that we do, including our brand.”

Designed and manufactured in the U.S., the Windspire is eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit and many local rebates that can be as much as $4,800.00. In 11 mph average annual winds a Windspire will generate about 2,000 kWh over the course of a year. The thin profile of the Windspire allows customers to easily scale-up the number of turbines to meet higher energy needs.

Windspires are currently manufactured in Michigan and are available through a network of certified dealers who are trained to do site evaluations, installations, and to facilitate permitting and local rebate redemptions. Visit www.windspireenergy.com to learn more, or to locate a dealer near you.

BASF has inaugurated a new section of its Technical Competence Center for intermediates at its Shanghai Pudong site. The new laboratory will specialize in epoxy systems for fiber-reinforced composites, which are used, for example, in wind turbine blades. BASF sells these systems under its Baxxodur® brand. The competence center integrates this new epoxy laboratory with BASF’s existing PolyTHF laboratory, which will also expand the scope of its services.

“With our local competence center we provide our customers in Asia a fast and reliable technical support tailored to their needs,” says Dr. Guido Voit, who heads the Regional Business Unit Asia Pacific in BASF’s Intermediates division. “We utilize BASF’s integrated global knowledge network to benefit our customers in the region.”

In the new epoxy laboratory BASF can simulate its customers’ production processes using Baxxodur epoxy systems under production conditions. BASF’s application engineers develop tailored solutions and provide onsite technical support to their customers. The rotor blades of today’s state of the art wind turbines are mostly made of epoxy-resin-based composites. Baxxodur epoxy systems from BASF allow blade manufacturers to reduce the cycle time to produce the blades, thereby enhancing their productivity. With their specific properties the BASF systems can be used to reliably produce high-quality key components like spar caps and root sections of rotor blades. BASF systems outperform traditional epoxy systems especially in the production of large rotor blades. The systems are approved by Germanischer Lloyd AG (GL), which offers assurance, consulting, and classification for the maritime and energy industries.

At BASF’s expanded Technical Competence Center various polymer synthesis facilities can be used to customize new formulations, improve existing ones and adjust mechanical and thermal properties of PolyTHF-based products to specific applications. Sample and specimen analysis as well as laboratory support for starting up customer plants round off the service offer.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company, with a portfolio ranging from chemicals, plastics, and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals, and oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, and mobility. Learn more by visiting www.basf.com.

TorcUP, a designer and manufacturer of bolt torque and tension equipment, has launched a new series of bolt tensioning tools for the wind power generation industry. The tool range is suitable for complete wind turbine erection or maintenance programs on a variety of wind turbine models. The products feature quick-release swivel fittings, automatic piston reset, and hands-free operation. The products are manufactured from aircraft-quality high-strength tensile steel and are compact and lightweight for ease of handling. This new range is designed for manufacturers of wind turbines, installation companies, and subcontractors.

Located in Easton, Pennsylvania, TorcUP has a passion to design the best tools in the industry. TorcUP understands that changes in the industry require changes in tooling, providing safer and more-reliable designs that will help get the job done.

For more information call (888) TorcUP-1 of (610) 250-5800. Send e-mail to sales@torcup.com, or go online to www.torcup.com.

Tindall Corporation announces the award of $16,750,500 in tax credits by the U.S. Treasury Department to provide incentive to build a new precast concrete wind tower base manufacturing facility in Newton, Kansas. The plant will provide production facilities for the company’s Atlas CTB™ concrete wind tower bases. The earmarked funds are from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and fall under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Section 1302, to encourage clean energy manufacturing.

“We are pleased to be applying our precast design and engineering solutions to the wind energy market at this time,” says William Lowndes III, chairman and CEO. “The tax credit is vital to moving this project forward in the next year to create new jobs and positively impact the wind energy market.”

The Atlas CTB wind tower base system boosts turbine hub heights to 100 meters and higher. Assembled on site from precast concrete staves and tube sections, the Atlas CTB will support larger, higher turbines to capture stronger, steadier winds for improved power output.“Newton’s location in the heart of our nation’s wind corridor makes it an ideal setting for this new manufacturing facility,” according to Chris Palumbo, P.E., vice president of business development. “This plant, our sixth manufacturing location in as many states, will be dedicated to the production of Atlas CTB components.”

Tindall Corporation is a leader in the design and manufacture of precast, prestressed concrete structural and cladding systems for mixed-use, educational, commercial, industrial, energy, wind power, and parking structures, as well as modular products for the corrections industry and utility products. With more than 45 years of experience it is one of the nation’s largest precast companies and has five manufacturing facilities strategically located across the southern states.

To learn more contact Palumbo at (864) 595-3315 or chrispalumbo@tindallcorp.com. Go online to www.tindallcorp.com.

Elixir Industries has taken steps to broaden its focus into the renewable energy market sectors. The company has undertaken extensive manufacturing equipment upgrades over the past several months at many of its key manufacturing facilities across the United States. In addition to acquiring Mexia Industrial Products Company, Elixir has purchased equipment with close tolerance capabilities at numerous locations to compliment new and existing fabrication operations. With the acquisition of Mexia, and new CNC fabrication equipment, Elixir can now offer full service metals fabricating and processing. The company offers advanced CNC laser cutting, plate cutting, CNC punching and forming, CNC press braking, MIG and TIG welding, primer, powder coating, aluminum extrusion, aluminum fabrication, robotic welding, and advanced CNC water-jet fabrication. In addition to fabrication services, Elixir has mechanical and chemical finishing capabilities. Mechanical finishes include brushing, buffing, and glass beating. Chemical finishes include both anodizing and powder coating.

In addition to extensive steel and metal fabrication capabilities, Elixir operates a full service aluminum extrusion and fabrication facility. With an array of state of the art extrusion and fabricating equipment, the company can offer customers with one-stop solutions. Its extrusion center is a complete manufacturers’ supplier.

Founded in 1948, Elixir Industries has continued to offer new and existing customers lasting relationships based on quality, service, and adaptability. To adapt to challenging global economic times it has undergone restructuring activities as well. These restructuring efforts combined with equipment upgrades and a strong financial position provides a solid foundation to supporting customer success for decades to come. Elixir Industries will be participating in the AWEA WINDPOWER 2010 show, so please stop by booth #15306.

For advance information contact Julie Cameron at (949) 860-5009 or jcameron@elixirind.com. Go online to www.elixirind.com.

In addition to a highly accurate measuring machine, the most important resources in measuring technology are the latest software and detailed application knowledge. Today, knowledge and software updates are increasingly exchanged via the Internet. Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology (IMT) has accompanied this development over the past 10 years with discussion forums and software downloads. In order to meet the rising demands of measuring tasks, Carl Zeiss IMT has now created the Metrology Portal, thus considerably expanding the existing offering. The objective is to support customers in their daily measuring work and plans for future projects, and to increase their productivity.

The Metrology Portal provides beginners and experts with information for all areas of measuring technology. Furthermore, additional information is available to customers who have a software support agreement with Carl Zeiss. Extensive eLearning videos, descriptions of the fundamentals, and various measuring technologies provide customers with an opportunity for self-study, thus enabling new users to acquire basic knowledge more quickly and experienced users to refresh what they have already learned.

Short programs, help scripts, macros for myCALYPSO, and other software add-ons are available. Anyone can upload or access programs and macros. Other users can enhance programs and republish them. Carl Zeiss employees test these programs and label them “ZEISS verified” to ensure that they meet the company’s high standards of quality. Glossaries and basic information are available to clarify fundamental questions and help ensure that everyone uses the same terminology, thus facilitating better communication between Carl Zeiss and users.

For more information, or to register, search using “metrology portal” at www.zeiss.com.

NECO Wind announces that Phillips County, Colorado, was recently awarded a $2.5 million Community Renewable Energy Grant by the U.S. Department of Energy to help finance its community-based wind energy development. The grant, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will help jumpstart development on the first 30 megawatt (MW) phase of the project located in Phillips County. The remainder of the project will be completed in separate phases, totaling up to 650 MW across Colorado’s Phillips, Logan, and Sedgwick counties.

The funding awarded to Phillips County is part of a broader DOE initiative that will distribute $20.5 million to community-based, renewable energy projects across the United States. Community-based energy projects like NECO Wind foster rural economic development through localized job creation, tax revenues, and lease payments. They also have been shown to increase local economics up to five times that of non-community-owned energy projects. The NECO Wind project in Phillips County is one of only five projects to receive a grant from the DOE.

“The NECO Wind project has had an enormously positive response from the residents in the project area,” says National Wind’s Scott Hafner, the project’s senior developer. “Without their support, this DOE award wouldn’t have been possible in the first place. We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with Phillips County and rest of the community to develop the initial 30 MW phase as well as the remaining phases of the NECO Wind project.”

NECO Wind has made swift progress through the beginning stages of development. Currently, over 90,000 acres have been leased to the project’s two footprints leaving site control effectively complete. The next stage will be to design preliminary turbine layouts beginning with the Phillips County portion of the southern footprint. “We will be contacting residents directly affected by these preliminary designs to welcome their involvement in the final design,” says Hafner.

NECO Wind is a community-based wind development company located in Sedgwick, Phillips, and Logan counties in Colorado that intends to develop 650 megawatts of wind-turbine-based renewable energy. The company’s mission is to produce wind energy projects that are sustainable, generational, and environmentally responsible, and to assure that the financial benefits are shared with area landowners and the surrounding community. For more information please visit www.necowind.com.

National Wind is the leader in developing utility-scale (50 megawatts or larger) community wind energy projects. It forms powerful community wind energy partnerships with property owners, assuring that the project’s economic benefits are shared with the surrounding community. National Wind and its subsidiary, Wind Energy Developers, LLC, have participated in developing 13 wind energy projects and currently have over 4,000 megawatts in active development. National Wind projects are located in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, and Ohio. The company has an additional 1,500 megawatts of wind energy in advanced feasibility study stages and is continually exploring expansion opportunities in other states.

Go to www.nationalwind.com for more information.

The ExoFit NEX™ is the next generation premium harness from DBI-SALA; every component is an innovation and improvement on current designs. The ExoFit NEX wraps around you for the ultimate in no-tangle donning and comfortable security. The breathable lining guarantees you’ll stay dry and comfortable every day. It even has memory-fit features allowing you to lock the adjustments in place to prevent the web from slipping. Features and benefits include:

• Hybrid shoulder, back, leg, and hip padding with premium comfort and durability;
• Revolver™ vertical torso buckles make non-slip adjustment of shoulder straps fast and easy;
• Duo-Lok™ quick-connect buckles with memory-fit web-lock ensures an exact fit every time;
• Repel web technology extends harness life by resisting moisture and abrasion;
• 420 lb. capacity for tool carrying options;
• Ultra-soft edging for added comfort, and more.

By special arrangement with Capital Safety, Wind Systems magazine will be featuring the ExoFit NEX at its booth #10841 at the AWEA WINDPOWER show in Dallas and raffling one off each day, for a total of three. Be sure to stop by the Wind Systems booth, as well as Capital Safety’s booth #10860.

For more information call (800) 328-6146, e-mail info@capitalsafety.com, or go to www.capitalsafety.com.

The 53’ BT 2010 model blade trailer from International Specialized Trailers (IST) requires no forklift, crane, or equipment to extend or collapse. The new dual-purpose neck adjusts to the desired load height, allowing you to accommodate the new generation of wind turbine blades. This will allow the operator to lower the load height for bridges or raise it for rough job sites or railroad tracks. You can now load the pilot car, grab your remote, lower the front of the trailer, load the car, raise the trailer with remote, back the truck underneath, hook up, and go.

This new neck will retrofit to any brand of blade trailer, and the extension will allow the capability of hauling the new 200’ blades. 24”-60” load bunk height, capable of hauling one or two blades, and a 37-degree turning radius.

For more information call (866) 253-3144, send e-mail to nancyist@hutchtel.net or mikeist@hutchtel.net, or go to www.isttrailers.com.

AWS Truewind, LLC, a leading renewable energy consultant, has released advanced wind prospecting and site assessment tools via its Web-based windNavigator application. “In a remarkably short period of time, our windNavigator application became the go-to resource for energy developers and government planners looking to locate and confirm attractive wind development sites,” according to Bruce Bailey, president and CEO. “Over the course of the past year, however, it became increasingly apparent that our customers needed more tools to augment their resource-constrained teams. We developed windNavigator Siting and Assessment, a robust set of subscriptions and reports based on our trusted windNavigator dataset, to answer this need and support an expanded customer base.”

The windNavigator Siting and Assessment module features three subscription packages (Developer, Prospector, Advocate), three levels of reports (Site Surveyor, Site Analyst, Site Analyst Pro), discounts on high-resolution GIS data and related products, and advanced account administration features to improve workflow and reduce overhead costs. Subscriptions are thoughtfully designed to support a broad range of customers from utility-scale developers with internal GIS capabilities to small wind developers and industry advocates furthering the wind agenda in their community. Developer, the most robust package available, features 200 m resolution on-screen wind resource browsing and speed queries, four hub heights (30, 60, 80, and 100 m), deep discounts on GIS data and reports, and multiple users.

The windNavigator report suite features three reporting options from high-level assessment to in-depth analysis. The Site Surveyor report provides a high-level summary of the wind resource at a project location based on a user-defined turbine model and hub height. The Site Analyst report takes the assessment one step further with 200 m resolution data, energy estimates for up to three turbine models, and detailed information on the monthly and annual wind resource characteristics. Site Analyst Pro offers the most in-depth analysis of a project site featuring all of the information in Site Analyst plus monthly breakdowns of speed distribution, wind rose, and diurnal patterns. The reports will help developers of all shapes and sizes expedite prospecting and initial site analysis processes so they can prioritize business opportunities and move projects forward with confidence.

“Our main objective for windNavigator has always been to provide a resource for customers that is truly suited to their needs while maintaining the level of quality AWS Truewind is renowned for,” says Amber Trendell, director of sales and marketing. “With project development timelines shortening and funding resources tightening, our customers have to remain nimble to keep their pipeline full. It’s our job to provide tools and resources our customers can rely on so they can work smarter, faster, and make sound business decisions.”

To learn more contact Trendell at (518) 213-0044 ext. 1020 or atrendell@awstruewind.com. Go online to www.awstruewind.com.

KMT Robotic Solutions, Inc., and FANUC Robotics America, Inc., has announced a multi-year extension of their decade long exclusive relationship agreement. This agreement continues to provide KMT Robotic Solutions with the exclusive responsibility to apply FANUC robots in waterjet and routing/drilling applications for customers manufacturing plastic, composite and soft-trim products in the Americas.

“Our 10-year exclusive relationship with FANUC Robotics in the waterjet and routing markets has enabled both KMT and FANUC Robotics America to enhance our mutual products and services to the substantial benefit of our customers,” says Kevin McManus, president and CEO of KMT Robotic Solutions. “FANUC’s willingness to entrust KMT with the sole responsibility to develop standard and unique product and technology solutions for companies manufacturing plastic, composite and soft trim products has enabled us to significantly advance the related technology, and in turn, help our customers make more money and improve the safety of their plants. In return, FANUC Robotics has been an excellent partner. Their products are innovative and reliable which leads to strong customer satisfaction and reinforces FANUC’s leadership position in the robotics industry. FANUC Robotics America has the industry’s largest product development group in the Americas. KMT and FANUC Robotics work together as a team to incorporate the needs of our customers in their product development plans.”

“We are pleased to continue to work with KMT as our exclusive partner in the Americas for these applications and materials,” says Kevin Ostby, vice president of FANUC Robotics America. “KMT has worked closely with FANUC Robotics for 25 years and has spent the last decade significantly advancing this technology and satisfying customers. They are a premier member of our Integrator Network, and have helped us achieve a leading market position for robotic waterjet and routing applications in the Americas. We look forward to continuing our work with them to help even more companies in the Americas improve the cost, quality and overall performance of their manufacturing operations through the proper and creative application of our robots for waterjet and routing applications.”

KMT Robotic Solutions was formed in December of 2006 with the union of KMT Cutting Systems in Ronneby, Sweden, and Robotic Production Technology in Auburn Hills, Michigan. KMT Robotic Solutions has more than 3,500 robots installed around the world and more than 25 years experience developing, designing, building, servicing, and supporting robotic cutting, trimming, and cleaning solutions for manufacturing customers. With direct and relationship partner locations in Europe, the Americas, China, and Japan, KMT is strategically positioned to serve the global market. For more information go to www.kmtgroup.com/robotic.

FANUC Robotics America, Inc., designs, engineers, and manufactures industrial robots and robotic systems for a wide range of applications including arc and spot welding, material handling (machine tending, picking, packing, palletizing), material removal, assembly, paint finishing, and dispensing. The company also provides application-specific software, controls, vision products, and complete support services. After 27 years of success, FANUC Robotics maintains its position as the leading robotics company in the Americas. A subsidiary of FANUC LTD in Japan, the company is headquartered in Detroit and has facilities in Chicago, Los Angeles, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Toronto, Aguascalientes, Mexico, and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Over 210,000 FANUC robots are installed worldwide.

Visit online at www.fanucrobotics.com.

American Electric Technologies, Inc., announces the introduction of the wind energy industry’s first switchgear solution designed specifically to provide safer, more-reliable, higher-performing wind farm operations.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 212 workers lost their lives in 2008 from contact with electric current. In 2007, 250 fatal worker injuries occurred and in 2006, 256 deaths were reported. These statistics include deaths from arc flashes, which are electrical explosions caused by low-impedance faults between ground and another voltage phase in an electrical system. Arc flashes tend to occur during initial power equipment start-up and during equipment maintenance. Injuries from arc flashes range from minor injuries to third-degree burns, blindness, hearing loss, nerve damage, cardiac arrest, and even potential death. Approximately 65 percent of arc faults occur during electrical maintenance when the equipment doors are open and an operator is standing in front of the equipment. Conventional arc-resistant switchgear, which channels the arc flash through vents away from the equipment and the operator, has limited arc-management capability, significantly compromising wind farm maintenance worker safety in confined areas and putting assets at risk. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports they investigated 32 arc flash-related accidents in 2009, 38 in 2008 and 25 in 2007. Some industry reports estimate that the average cost a company incurs for medical treatment on behalf of each arc-flash survivor is $1.5 million, and total costs of litigation could reach up to $10 million.

AETI is leveraging their 60 years of experience in deploying custom-designed power distribution equipment in the world’s harshest environments with the company’s wind farm services experience, introducing a switchgear that is designed specifically for the wind power industry that breaks new ground in safety, performance, and reliability. More than 50 percent of arc faults injuries occur during electrical maintenance when an operator is standing in front of the equipment. By designing remote circuit breaker racking, maintenance workers can rack in and rack the circuit breakers from a safe distance away. The switchgear also incorporates a ground safety switch, interlocked with the circuit breaker, enabling the operator to ground incoming cables during maintenance, reducing exposure to accidental electrical back feed. Most significantly, AETI’s wind farm switchgear provides protection for high impedance faults, where fault currents may not reach the required level to trip conventional breaker trip settings. The system uses proven light-sensing technology to detect the arc-flash, and sends a signal to open the circuit breaker, isolating the arc-fault within approximately 50 milliseconds.

AETI’s wind farm switchgear is designed to enable maximum wind farm power delivery to the grid. Unlike traditional 38kV switchgear with limited peak duty, it provides 40kV power distribution at 3000A continuous duty, enabling more wind power to be delivered to the grid per collector line. The switchgear also has a 40kA interrupting rating, enabling wind farm developers to connect to high-capacity power grids. The system is designed for wind farm reliability. By offering industry leading 170 kV basic impulse level (BIL), the substation and wind farm are provided increased resilience lightening strikes. The system also uses vacuum-based circuit breaker technology that eliminates use of toxic sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas and continual recharging maintenance services.

“We are pleased to bring our rich history of manufacturing first-rate power distribution gear to the wind and renewable energy markets,” says John Skibinski, AETI’s vice president of renewable markets and chairman of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) wind reliability task force. “We are even prouder to provide safer, higher performance and more reliable switchgear to the industry.”

American Electric Technologies, Inc., is the premium global supplier of custom-designed power delivery solutions to the traditional and renewable energy industries. AETI offers M&I Electric™ power distribution and control products, electrical services, and E&I construction services, as well as American Access Technologies zone enclosures and Omega Metals custom fabrication services. South Coast Electric Systems LLC., a subsidiary, services Gulf Coast marine and vessel customers. AETI is headquartered in Houston and has global sales, support, and manufacturing operations in Beaumont, Texas; Keystone Heights, Florida; and Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. In addition, AETI has minority interests in two joint ventures, which have facilities located in Xian, China, and Singapore. AETI’s SEC filings, news, and product/service information are available at www.aeti.com.