ONYX Insight, a leading independent predictive analytics solution provider, has delivered more than $340 million in savings to the wind industry through its fleetMONITOR condition monitoring software.

From its inception, the software was designed for owners of mixed assets, enabling centralized analysis of data from multiple CMS systems.

The hardware-agnostic software is built to work with any CMS system and is actively used across more than 20,000 turbines today, enabling rapid diagnostics of turbine reliability problems. Its fault database covers more than 30 turbine OEMs, allowing asset owners to anticipate major component failures 24 months in advance and use this information to extend assets’ useful life, optimize supply chain, and ultimately improve operational efficiency.

The technology has successfully collected more than 1 billion data measurements and abated more than 1 million metric tons of CO2 — the equivalent of taking 632,030 cars off the road — by avoiding the requirement for component replacements, de-risking catastrophic failures and reducing downtime.

Adopted by leading wind-energy asset owners, operators and OEMs including Pattern Energy, ERG, and bp — to name a few — fleetMONITOR is cloud-based for rapid deployment and can be seamlessly integrated to monitor data across different components and more than 15 hardware systems in one place, simplifying the increasingly complex landscape of wind-turbine operations. Further efficiencies are achieved by using the latest AI advancements to combine vibration, SCADA, oil particles, and temperature data for market-leading levels of certainty.

“Ten years ago, we spearheaded the drive toward predictive maintenance with the launch of fleetMONITOR, effectively transforming the industry approach to traditional condition monitoring,” said Won Shin, VP Product at ONYX Insight. “I am proud that we have continued this trajectory, scaling our offering to develop new innovations backed by engineering know-how to provide unparalleled visibility over the health of wind-turbine fleets, leading to a nearly 50 percent increase in turbines actively in the system in the last 12 months alone.

“Our technology sets the bar for flexibility, efficiency and quality in wind-turbine health management, and as reliability issues remain a key industry-wide challenge, our solutions have never been more relevant,” he said. “Predictive maintenance is no longer a ‘nice to have’; it’s a critical element in ensuring performance and efficiency across wind-turbine fleets, and we are proud to be a leader in this space. I look forward to the next 10 years of advancing the future of condition monitoring.”

FleetMONITOR is backed by ONYX’s experienced condition monitoring teams in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, which work as extensions of operators’ organizations, supporting them with technology transfer on their journey to in-house monitoring and ultimately greater visibility and control over their assets’ health.

MORE INFO  onyxinsight.com

James Fisher and Sons and Tokyo Gas Engineering Solutions have signed a joint collaboration agreement to provide construction and operations and maintenance (O&M) services.

The partnership, signed in Tokyo on Feb. 6, will focus on Japan’s offshore wind market, aligned to the region’s target of delivering 10GW of offshore wind by 2030. Together, James Fisher and TGES will support customers to deliver efficient and effective operations at a crucial point in time for the industry, with a significant number of projects due to be under construction or operational by the end of 2030.

“We are excited to partner with TGES at such a crucial time in the country’s energy transition, recognizing that industry collaboration is a critical enabler to delivering 36 to 38 percent of total energy capacity from renewables, by 2030,” said Jean Vernet, James Fisher CEO.

“James Fisher will provide the guidance, expertise and exceptional services, alongside TGES’ strong engineering expertise, extensive local knowledge and established supply chain, providing customers with high-quality, cost-effective construction support and O&M services. This not only builds on our capability to deliver offshore wind services in Japan; it aligns with our long-term ambitions for the Northeast Asia Pacific region,” said Vernet.

“Offshore wind plays a crucial role in the decarbonization of Japan and its stable operation is critical to supporting energy decarbonization. TGES’ strength in engineering and O&M know-how in energy infrastructure, combined with James Fisher’s extensive capabilities in offshore operations, will provide significant value in terms of low cost and high reliability for offshore wind projects, an important renewable energy source in Japan,” said Yasuhiro Konishi, TGES CEO.

The James Fisher Renewables team has already delivered 29 offshore wind projects in Asia Pacific through its local Taiwanese office, with a global portfolio of 6.1GW. The company’s knowledge of the offshore wind sector will complement TGES’ experience in liquefied natural gas  and gas fired power plants, alongside established local infrastructure and deep set understanding of the Japanese market, particularly in engineering and O&M.

To further support this partnership, and in response to the growing skills gap facing the offshore wind industry, engineers will be given the opportunity to enroll in the James Fisher Academy Senior Authorized Person pathway, which offers online, classroom, and field-based learning to provide employees with critical skills.

MORE INFO  james-fisher.com

German drive manufacturer Flender has reached an agreement with Eickhoff to acquire Eickhoff Wind Asia Pvt Ltd (EWA) with its assembly plant in Walajabad Taluk, India.

Established Oct. 1, 2020, in India, Eickhoff Wind Asia Pvt Ltd (EWA) specializes in the production of wind gearboxes. The facility has a test bench capacity up to 8 MW. It is located in the greater Chennai area, close to Flender’s existing facility.

One of the pillars in Flender’s global footprint strategy is to expand and localize wind turbine drive systems in India. Next to the investments in its own production sites in Kharagpur and Chennai, the acquisition of Eickhoff Wind Asia allows Flender to further scale up and accelerate in pace. This is required to meet the growing needs of the renewable energy transition.

“Next to scaling up quickly, it is key for the wind industry that its supply chain is sustainable, resilient, and affordable. A diversified global manufacturing and service footprint combined with a high degree of localization is key to achieve this. The acquisition is another strategic milestone to further expand our footprint based on the needs of our valued partners and the industry,” said Flender Group CEO Andreas Evertz.

“Together, we continue to provide the wind market with cutting-edge technologies and services. Our partners will profit from increased capacity, availability and further reduced reaction times,” says Aarnout Kant, president of wind at Flender.

MORE INFO  flender.com

Eologix-ping, a specialist in blade health monitoring, presents on March 13 the webinar “Eyes on Lightning Strikes – Understanding the Challenges for Wind Turbines.”

The event is slated for Wednesday, March 13, commencing at 9 a.m. Central.

Wind turbine operators, industry professionals, and enthusiasts are invited to join the free session that delves into the issue of lightning strikes and their impact on wind turbines.

Eologix-ping is an innovator in the field of rotor blade monitoring for wind turbines, with an international team of around 50 employees in different time zones.

Speakers at the webinar include:

Angela Krcmar, head of sales Americas, Eologix-ping: With 15 years of experience in the renewables sector, Krcmar has been instrumental in identifying and supporting operators and OEMs with asset protection solutions. Her expertise contributes to optimizing fleet performance, ensuring safety for personnel, and benefiting the surrounding community.

Hans Loewenheath, product manager, Vaisala Xweather Lightningand: Loewenheath joined Vaisala in 2020 with a focus on lightning digital services. He is passionate about discovering customer value and helping organizations improve their safety and efficiency. Prior to joining Vaisala, he worked in industrial instrumentation and automation industry in sales, product management, and product marketing.

Allen Hall, president and CEO, Weather Guard Lightning Tech: Hall is a lightning protection engineer with more than 20 years of experience in aerospace and wind energy. He serves as an FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER). As the President and CEO of Weather Guard Lightning Tech, he designed the StrikeTape lightning diverter system to protect wind turbines and aircraft worldwide. Allen co-hosts the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast.

Michael Bryan, asset manager, Tucson Electric Power and Oso Grande Wind:  Bryan joined TEP in 2004 as an operator at the Springerville Generating Station (SGS) and transitioned into the chemical technician role, then chemical services supervisor. After five years, Bryan transitioned to his current role as the asset manager for Oso Grande Wind.

MORE INFO  eologix-ping.com/en/webinar-lightning

The Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES has conducted a boulder detection campaign in the Baltic Sea on behalf of Baltic Power for the foundations of Baltic Power’s planned wind turbines.

It applied the surveying technology along the planned subsea cable routes for the first time. The Manta Ray G1 measuring system allows the detection of boulders located up to 100 meters below the seafloor, as well as the survey of shallower objects along cable corridors. The technology, developed by Fraunhofer IWES, makes it possible to minimize risks posed by boulders during the installation of wind turbines, offshore substations, and cables.

it is necessary to investigate how many potential rocks are located in the immediate vicinity of the planned corridors in the subsurface and determine the locations of boulder fields. The cable-laying ships can then lay the power cables along the explored corridors while avoiding the detected boulders.

Baltic Power, a joint venture project between ORLEN and Northland Power, is planning to install an offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea with a total capacity of up to 1.2 gigawatts. The farm will comprise 76 wind turbines and two offshore substations. Boulders in the area can pose risks during the installation process, and the cable corridors also need to be surveyed to ensure that the subsea cables can be installed with the lowest risks.

The cables connect the wind turbines to the OSS and those, in turn, to the power lines on land. The project got underway in January 2023, and the IWES project team completed the required offshore data acquisition in summer 2023, which was followed by data processing and interpretation.

The Manta Ray G1 measuring system allows the scientists at Fraunhofer IWES to locate boulders at depths of up to 100 meters below the seafloor. The Manta Ray G1 comprises a towed array equipped with seismic sensors (hydrophones) and positioning systems. During the acquisition, the hydrophones pick up the sound waves emitted by a signal source and reflected or diffracted by the subsoil. This makes it possible to map the sediment layers and to detect rocks in the sub-seafloor. This method of diffraction imaging allows tracing of the acoustic energy diffracted by the boulders to its point of origin.

The IWES team also surveyed subsea cable corridors with the Manta Ray G1 technology for the very first time. For the customer, detection of boulders along the cable routes is equally important.

“We are proud to be able to help the renewable industry implement wind farm projects faster and in a more efficient manner, thereby minimizing risks. Our research work and successfully completed industry projects continue to validate our method, and we also satisfy industry requirements more comprehensively. This motivates us to further improve our seismic measurement methods, and we look forward to applying our expertise in further project, said project coordinator Gino Frielinghaus, head of department sub-surface Investigations at Fraunhofer IWES.

MORE INFO  iwes.fraunhofer

The U.S. offshore wind industry’s capacity has grown 800 percent, according to a new report published by the Oceantic Network.

The network has released its 2024 U.S. Offshore Wind Market Report. Among the findings:

The offshore wind capacity approved for construction by the federal government grew 800% –from 0.93 GW to 8.3 GW in 2023.

Developers terminated 51% of power contracts in place prior to 2023 and are seeking financial support for another 24%.

Despite setbacks, 2023 saw several key announcements of new manufacturing facilities, port infrastructure upgrades, and offshore wind vessels.

States spent much of 2023 working to create interstate cooperation frameworks in order to stabilize regional markets, lower project costs, and increase economic benefits.

“Global economic challenges hindered our progress in 2023, bringing uncertainty to this new and growing market. However, with each step back, we’ve seen the industry press forward and are seeing a transformation in market fundamentals,” said Liz Burdock, founder and CEO of Oceantic Network.

“New power contracts that are resistant to broader economic pressures are being executed and states like New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts remain dedicated to offshore wind development and investing in a domestic supply chain. In 2024, we are seeing the market rebound with interest rates and inflation falling along with new supply chain capacity,” said Burdock.

The report included predictions for the industry in 2024, including the potential for three or more new lease auctions as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) opens new areas in the Gulf of Maine, Central Atlantic, Oregon Coast, and the Gulf of Mexico.

By December, states could award as much as 15.5 GW of new power offtake, about 60 percent of that will be used to replenish lost contracts. Total capacity that is approved for construction will continue to rise to at least 14.6 GW, the report predicted.

MORE INFO  oceantic.org

In support of the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of deploying 30 GW of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) recently announced its approval of Empire Wind’s Construction and Operations Plan (COP), which authorizes construction and operation of the wind-energy project offshore. This is the project’s final approval from BOEM, following the agency’s Record of Decision approving the project in November 2023.

“We are proud to announce BOEM’s final approval of the Empire Wind offshore wind project,” said Director Elizabeth Klein. “This project represents a major milestone in our efforts to expand clean-energy production and combat climate change. The Biden-Harris administration is committed to advancing offshore wind projects like Empire Wind to create jobs, drive economic growth, and cut harmful climate pollution.”

The approved plan includes construction and operation of two offshore wind facilities, known as Empire Wind 1 and Empire Wind 2. The lease area is about 12 nautical miles south of Long Island, New York, and about 16.9 nautical miles east of Long Branch, New Jersey. Together these projects would have a total capacity of 2,076 MW of clean, renewable energy that BOEM estimates could power more than 700,000 homes each year.

On Nov. 21, 2023, the Department of the Interior announced its approval of the Empire Wind offshore wind project, which is the sixth commercial-scale offshore wind project approved by the Biden-Harris administration. It is expected to generate significant economic benefits for New York and the surrounding region, including supporting more than 830 jobs each year during the construction phase and about 300 jobs annually during the operations phase.

Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, the Department of the Interior has approved the nation’s first six commercial-scale offshore wind-energy projects. BOEM has held four offshore wind lease auctions, which have brought in almost $5.5 billion in high bids, including a record-breaking sale offshore New York and New Jersey and the first-ever sales offshore the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts. BOEM has also advanced the process to explore additional opportunities for offshore wind-energy development in the Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, offshore Oregon, and the Central Atlantic coast. The Department has taken steps to evolve its approach to offshore wind to drive toward union-built projects and a domestic-based supply chain.

MORE INFO  www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/empire-wind

PDE Offshore Corporation, a Taiwanese offshore geophysical and geotechnical investigation company, has upgraded its underwater acoustic positioning system onboard MV Geo Energy to Sonardyne’s Ranger 2 USBL system. This will further enhance its capability in the exploration of offshore renewable energy (ORE) in Taiwan.

Its new geotechnical vessel Geo Power, also equipped with Ranger 2 USBL system, is now under conversion work and will join the fleet in mid-2024. It will provide both seabed and downhole cone penetration testing services.

PDE Offshore has been conducting geotechnical and soil investigation in the shallow waters of the Taiwanese Strait since 2017 as the country looks to replace its coal-based energy with cleaner, sustainable alternatives such as offshore wind farms.

Working with most of the world’s leading ORE developers, PDE Offshore wants to increase its capability. This requires a proven USBL positioning system for its Geo technical vessel to work in greater water depths and challenging water conditions as PDE Offshore’s operations expanded.

Having successfully used Sonardyne’s Mini Ranger 2 for several years, investing in the full Ranger 2 system was a logical choice to provide the reliable dynamic positioning references essential for their operations, whilst also giving the capability for operating in greater depths and more challenging conditions.

Incorporating over 30 years of USBL knowledge, Sonardyne’s Ranger 2 system can be used to track anything, in any depth, from any vessel. Track a subsea asset, position or communicate with an underwater vehicle, dynamically position your vessel – or do all of this simultaneously. It can be used for both survey and construction phases of ORE and supports complex tracking scenarios such as structures and vehicles with multiple transponders and multiple remote offsets.

“We have been working with Sonardyne since 2017 using their Mini Ranger 2 system. The system is proven, reliable and our engineers are familiar with its operation. It was a simple and logical choice to go ahead and upgrade to the Ranger 2 system to improve our capability to take on greater projects in the region,” said Huang Hsin-chih, PDE Offshore president.

“Taiwan’s ambitions of becoming a green island means it is fast becoming a leading player offshore wind in Asia Pacific. We’re pleased to be a part this energy transition through PDE Offshore’s continued confidence and investment in our products. We look forward to supporting them in their future operations,” said Dan Tan, Sonardyne in Singapore regional sales manager. 

MORE INFO  https://www.sonardyne.com/

K2 Management (K2M), an energy transition project management and engineering consultancy, has been selected as the Owner’s Engineer for the MyeongRyang Offshore Wind project, a venture led by Pacifico Energy Korea (PEK), subsidiary of American renewable energy developer Pacifico Energy.

The MyeongRyang Offshore Wind project is the first phase of a larger 3.2GW offshore wind complex off the coast of Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do in South Korea. The MyeongRyang Offshore Wind project involves the construction of a fixed offshore wind farm with an installed generation capacity of approximately 420MW. Set to commence construction in 2028, the wind farm is poised to play a pivotal role in South Korea’s target of installing 14.3GW of offshore wind by 2030.

K2 Management’s role as Owner’s Engineer for the MyeongRyang Offshore Wind project encompasses support in overall project management. This includes conducting wind analysis, metocean studies, conceptual designs, and preparing and selecting contractors for site investigation. K2M will continue to offer technical support throughout the site investigation process, as well as assistance in obtaining permits. Work began in December 2023, and K2M is expected to be actively involved until 2025.

”South Korea continues to build a strong offshore wind market, and the recent auctions last year are a positive reflection of the nation’s goals. We are incredibly proud to be able to contribute to that growth by supporting PEK in the first phase of their major 3.2GW wind complex, a project that will play a crucial role in helping the country decarbonize. By leveraging our international consultants, local expertise and collaborating closely with PEK’s team, we are well-positioned to ensure the successful development of this project,” said Jake Jung, K2’s country director for South Korea.

“The MyeongRyang Offshore Wind project is a significant development that demonstrates the vast potential of offshore wind power in South Korea,” said Seoung–Ho Choe, representative director/CEO of PEK. “This marks our inaugural venture into offshore wind in the country, and one of the largest offshore wind projects in Korea, and we’re excited to initiate the first phase of this project. Drawing upon K2 Management’s expertise and extensive experience in global offshore wind projects, we are confident in ensuring its success.“

MORE INFO  www.k2management.com

DNV, the independent assurance and risk management provider, has formally opened THInK, its new Training Hub for Industrial Knowledge, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 

The dedicated training facility, the first of its kind in the region, will offer a range of comprehensive programs, underscoring DNV’s commitment to enhancing the abilities of those entering, and already in, multiple industry sectors. Ensuring that workers have the latest skills and knowledge is essential for businesses to create a competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving and challenging industry.

THInK will offer a personal and customizable approach to development, offering in-person, virtual, and hybrid training sessions. DNV will also make use of virtual reality (VR) technology to safely replicate hands-on experiences in high-risk industries.

The hub will allow access to a variety of internationally accredited courses on safety, lifting, Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWP), earth moving machinery and scaffolding, among others. Fully customized classes can be developed and adapted to meet the specific needs of clients or industries.

Each course is designed to cater to different areas of expertise and will be taught by trainers with years of field experience and are still involved in real-life projects on a daily basis.

“THInK will become a repository of industry knowledge that will truly allow people to realize their full potential and accelerate their development. This will be done through a combination of traditional training methods as well as innovative methodologies such as Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence. THInK is the latest testimony of our investment in UAE and our commitment to In-Country-Value,” said Mohamed Houari, DNV Inspection’s global managing director.

MORE INFO  www.dnv.com

Zelim, a UK-based startup developing search and rescue solutions, is joining forces with Ocean Winds, an international company dedicated to offshore wind energy and 50-50 joint venture between EDP Renewables and ENGIE, in a pilot project to test AI enabled person detection software for floating offshore wind farms. The objective is to test and prove Zelim’s ZOE technology, AI-enabled software dedicated to person overboard detection and capable of finding and tracking people, vessels and other objects, in real time and in harsh maritime conditions.

During the collaboration, Zelim will offer continuous monitoring of ZOE’s live feed from cameras installed on two turbine foundations on Ocean Winds’ WindFloat Atlantic project. The project will serve to train and improve the ZOE detection models whilst proving its capability.

ZOE will be detecting people and objects in the waters surrounding the turbines, providing direct alerts to the operation and maintenance control center in the case of a person falling overboard or an external vessel approaching the windfarm. By proving this capability, ZOE will support the site’s operation and effectiveness by providing an additional layer of health and safety support.

“Finding someone in distress at sea is often a game of chance, especially when you factor in waves, sea spray, darkness and how quickly people can drift in the current. Couple that with the limitations of a human searcher’s eyesight and concentration. We have been developing ZOE over the last three years to increase certainty in search, even in challenging conditions. We see ZOE providing a safety net around offshore assets, where if somebody ends up in the water, they will be detected and an immediate alert sent, thereby enabling a fast and efficient rescue. We are thrilled to be working with the team at Ocean Winds to create a new benchmark in safety for offshore workers,” said Doug Lothian, Zelim chief technology officer.

“As a pure offshore wind developer and operator of over 1.5 GW in the world, a key focus at Ocean Winds is the increase of the safety and health of our workers and communities, which always come first. We are very excited for the implementation of this project and are looking forward to the results, and potential deployment throughout our projects already in operation or under construction,” said Elena Caja, HSSEQ director.

MORE INFO  https://www.zelim.co/find/
https://www.oceanwinds.com/

New Jersey has awarded offshore wind contracts to the 1.3GW Attentive Energy Two and the 2.4 GW Leading Light Wind projects in an accelerated auction round.

Attentive Energy Two is a joint venture between TotalEnergies and Corio Generation. Leading Light, which is expected to start producing power in 2031, is a partnership between U.S. energy firms Invenergy and energyRe.

“Today’s Third Solicitation awards are undeniable proof that the future of offshore wind in New Jersey is as strong as ever,” said Gov. Phil Murphy.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities said the two projects would bring about $6.8 billion in economic benefits to the state and provide enough clean energy to power around 1.8 million homes.

The projects will support the construction of a turbine tower factory at the New Jersey Wind Port and invest in the expansion of the EEW monopile facility at the Port of Paulsboro, the board said in a statement.

The awards came after a tumultuous year that saw the cancellation of several offshore wind projects in the U.S. Northeast due to higher costs. In October, Orsted canceled Ocean Wind 1 and 2 off the coast of New Jersey, citing soaring inflation, rising interest rates and delays in securing ships needed to build the projects.

New Jersey, which plans to build 11 GW of offshore wind energy by 2040, is slated to launch another offshore wind solicitation this year and expects to award those new contracts in early 2025.

MORE INFO  www.reutersevents.com/renewables/wind/

Global renewables firm Endiprev is strengthening its international profile after becoming the lead engineering services provider for the ground-breaking Vineyard Wind Project – the U.S.’s first utility-scale offshore wind-energy project.

The Texas-headquartered company delivers a range of specialized technical and engineering services for onshore, offshore, and high-voltage energy generation.

With a rapidly expanding U.S. operation based out of Dallas, Texas, Endiprev is performing mechanical and electrical completion and commissioning services for the Vineyard Wind Project and is poised to provide technical support and troubleshooting services for the duration of the project.

The news comes as the first GE Haliade-X wind turbine was recently installed at the project site 15 miles off the coast of Massachusetts.

Vineyard Wind 1 is jointly owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Iberdrola, through a subsidiary of Avangrid Renewables. GE Vernova Offshore Wind is supplying a total of 62 wind turbines in order to generate 800 MW of clean, renewable energy for more than 400,000 homes and businesses, while reducing carbon emissions by 1.6 million tons per year.

A total of 120 Endiprev engineers and field technicians are expected to work on the Vineyard Wind Project over the next several months.

Endiprev Business Development Manager Tiago Ornelas said Endiprev secured the contract through GE Renewable Energy, part of GE Vernova Offshore Wind, building on a long relationship dating back more than a decade.

“Vineyard Wind represents the future of American offshore wind, delivering clean, sustainable energy with tremendous potential for job creation and carbon reduction,” he said. “We are thrilled to be supporting this ‘first-in-the-nation’ project. It signals the trust which GE Renewable Energy places in our work quality and professionalism. We have built a strong relationship over many years, and we look forward to continuing this successful partnership with GE and contributing to the future advancement of offshore wind in U.S. waters.”

Endiprev’s collaboration with GE Renewable Energy dates back to 2012, when it supported the installation of the first Haliade 150 Prototype in France. The firms have remained close partners working together on numerous offshore projects across Europe, North America and Asia, including the first project with Haliade-X technology in the Netherlands.

“Endiprev played a role in the delivery of the very first offshore wind farm in the US, performing commissioning activities for the Block Island project,” Ornelas said. “Since then, we have been a constant presence in Block Island, assisting GE with maintenance campaigns, troubleshooting, and other technical services. Most recently, we were honored to support GE Renewable Energy in the commissioning of the Saint-Nazaire Wind Farm in France. This project provided a perfect opportunity for many of our American technicians to gain offshore experience and train them specifically on the Haliade technology before bringing them back to Vineyard Wind. We have invested a great deal of time, effort, and resources training our team in order to excel throughout the project, and we look forward to playing an important role helping unleash offshore wind at utility scale for the first time in U.S. waters.”

MORE INFO  www.endiprev.com

ALL Crane will take delivery of Liebherr’s newest rough terrain cranes when the ALL family of companies takes delivery of the first five units through early this year. The Liebherr LRT 1130-2.1 boasts the strongest-in-class 140-USt capacity and the longest telescopic boom (197 feet) of any two-axle RT.

The LRT 1130-2.1 delivers the most economical transport dimensions of its performance class, being able to be transported on conventional low loaders without disassembly.

“ALL has a tradition of making history when it comes to high-capacity RTs,” said Brian Peretin, general manager, sales, of the mobile and crawler cranes division of Liebherr USA. “ALL purchased the very first units of our 90-ton and the 100-ton RT series when they were first released.”

Popular in the North American market, rough terrain cranes are always in high demand for petrochemical maintenance and construction, as well as serving as assist cranes and tail cranes for wind energy assembly and repair. “Larger RTs have become a phenomenon in the past 10 to 15 years,” said Peretin. “They offer many of the same features of all terrain cranes, but with a smaller footprint, pick-and-carry capabilities, and a smaller cash outlay.”

Liebherr developed the LRT 1130-2.1 based on input from heavy RT users such as ALL, who have a feel for what the market demands.

These first five units are expected to be in high demand for applications requiring a solid load chart, long boom, and the need to fit into tight spaces.

MORE INFO  allcrane.com

Vestas has received a 135 MW order to power an undisclosed wind project in the U.S. The order consists of thirty V163-4.5 MW turbines, Vestas’ newest high-capacity factor turbine. 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 20-year Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement, designed to ensure performance of the asset.

Turbine delivery begins in third quarter of 2024 with commissioning set for 2025.

Highlighting its focus on project development in key markets, Steelhead Americas led all development efforts including permitting, land acquisition, and construction design to deliver to the customer a project that is ready for construction and installation.

Steelhead leverages Vestas’ industry expertise and turbine technology to advance in existing markets and unlock new geographic markets to expand renewable energy across North America.

MORE INFO  vestas.com

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) announced that Anne Reynolds, a leader in the clean energy industry, will join the organization as the new Vice President, Offshore Wind, bringing a wealth of experience and a strong track record in advocacy and environmental policy.

Reynolds, previously the executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY), played a pivotal role in advancing New York’s offshore wind industry and clean energy policies. Her leadership contributed to major policy wins, demonstrating her capability to drive impactful change.

“We are pleased that Anne is joining ACP in this important leadership role,” said Frank Macchiarola, ACP’s Chief Policy Officer. “Her combined background in government and environmental and energy advocacy makes her uniquely qualified to champion cohesive policies to expand the U.S. offshore wind industry.”

In her role, Reynolds will lead ACP’s efforts to advocate for and implement offshore wind strategies, working closely with member companies and state and federal policymakers to further a domestic offshore wind industry with enormous potential.

Her experience, including her role in the New York State Climate Action Council and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, helps bolster ACP’s comprehensive understanding of environmental issues and policy development. Reynolds was also a founder of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance.

Reynolds officially joins ACP on January 22, 2024.

MORE INFO  cleanpower.org

Proposed offshore wind manufacturing facilities at the Capital Region’s major marine ports will bring an influx of jobs by the thousands while adding billions to the local economy, according to an economic impact assessment released today by the Port of Albany and the Port of Coeymans.

The development and operation of proposed facilities at the two ports — Port of Albany and Port of Coeymans — would support up to 10,000 construction-related jobs, create over 3,200 new jobs, and add $1 billion in wages over the course of construction and first year of operations, according to the assessment. These figures include jobs and wages at the project sites, across the supply chain, and throughout the broader regional economy. Additionally, the projects would generate up to $4 billion in total industry spending stemming from initial investment and supply chain spending over the course of construction and first year of operations.

The ports are key to positioning the Capital Region as a domestic hub for offshore wind manufacturing, with both the U.S. lacking capacity to make turbine components and supply chain issues plaguing the industry. Components made in the Capital Region will reduce America’s reliance on imports while ensuring local communities will benefit from an industry that is expected to peak at 18,000 to 23,000 workers in New York state by 2040.

The Port of Albany is building the nation’s first offshore wind tower manufacturing facility; once completed, the 626,000-square-foot complex will annually produce up to 150 towers to support the turbines, which will be floated down the Hudson River.

Meanwhile, the Port of Coeymans is planning to break ground in 2024 on a production, staging,  and transportation site for nacelles, which house the critical components needed to convert wind into clean energy. The Port of Coeymans has also proposed a standalone project to manufacture and transport wind turbine blades. The projects are expected to be completed by 2026 and 2027, respectively, with production ramping up to a maximum of 60 nacelles and 180 blades per year.

Other highlights of the economic impact assessment:

• Earnings created by new jobs at the ports will lead to increased household spending — and demand for workers in other businesses across industries that are impacted by the increased household spending. The health care, social assistance, finance and insurance, accommodation and food services, and retail sectors are projected to get the biggest boost, leading to an additional $525 million in sales throughout construction and first year of operations, as well as 1,040 local jobs and $61 million in annual wages for each year of operations.

• The Port of Albany facility is estimated to generate $163 million in tax revenue during construction and its first year of operation, including $9 million for Albany County and $10 million for the City School District of Albany.

• The Port of Coeymans facility is estimated to generate $232 million in tax revenue through its first year of operation, including $12 million for the county and $12 million for the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District.

These projects will also promote industry diversity. Hundreds of eligible, local serviced-disabled veteran-owned businesses (SDVOBs) and minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) will have the opportunity to access contracts estimated worth $71 million during construction and $23 million in the first year of operations of the ports’ offshore wind plants.

“This shows the power ports play in commerce in New York. The coordination on this is exceptionally forward thinking for both renewable energy production as well as domestic supply chain,” said Richard Hendrick, CEO of the Port of Albany.

“Offshore wind manufacturing is an unprecedented opportunity for Albany County and validates the county’s economic strategy focusing on alternative energy and green technology,” said Kevin O’Connor, CEO of Advance Albany County Alliance.

“New York’s ports are essential to enabling the state’s bold carbon emissions reduction goals and economic development initiatives. Our analysis shows that investment in offshore wind can deliver major long-term regional economic benefits. The Port of Albany and the Port of Coeymans reflect an exciting, once-in-a-generation opportunity to build new infrastructure for clean energy, support thousands of new jobs, and spark billions in economic activity,” said Rebecca Karp, Founding Principal and CEO of Karp Strategies.

MORE INFO  https://www.ceg.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Offshore-Wind-Economic-Impact-Analysis.pdf

Pattern Energy Group LP, a leader in renewable energy and transmission infrastructure, has closed an $11 billion non-recourse financing and begun full construction of SunZia Transmission and SunZia Wind, which together is the largest clean energy infrastructure project in U.S. history.

SunZia Transmission is a 550-mile ±525 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line between central New Mexico and south-central Arizona with the capacity to transport 3,000 MW of electricity across Western states. SunZia Transmission will deliver clean power generated by Pattern Energy’s 3,515 MW SunZia Wind facility, which is being constructed across Torrance, Lincoln, and San Miguel counties in New Mexico.

“Our hope is this successful financing of the largest clean energy infrastructure project in American history serves as an example for other ambitious renewable infrastructure initiatives that are needed to accelerate our transition to a carbon free future,” said Hunter Armistead, CEO of Pattern Energy. “We’d specifically like to thank our shareholders for their support of Pattern’s efforts to deliver this critical project and meaningfully advance the world’s energy transition.”

This financing includes an integrated construction loan and letter of credit facility, two separate term facilities, an operating phase letter of credit facility, an innovative tax equity term loan facility and a holding company loan facility.

“SunZia represents an important step forward in the global transition to renewable energy and we are pleased to support Pattern as it works to bring this project toward completion,” said Bill Rogers, managing director, global head of sustainable energies, CPP Investments. “CPP Investments’ ability to provide a unique combination of flexible capital and deep expertise places us well to support projects like SunZia, which we expect will provide attractive, risk-adjusted returns to the CPP Fund over the long term.”

SunZia Wind and Transmission will employ more than 2,000 workers on-site during construction, including heavy equipment operators, electricians, laborers, and others.

MORE INFO  www.patternenergy.com

Vestas has received a firm order from Strom 2020 GmbH & Co. KG for the Bosau wind project in Germany.

The order consists of seven V150-6.0 MW wind turbines and includes supply, delivery, and commissioning of the turbines. Upon completion, Vestas will service the turbines under a 20-years Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement.
“We are pleased to work together for the first time with Strom 2020 and would like to express our thanks to Strom 2020 for their trust in us,” said Jens Kück, Senior Vice President Sales Onshore for Northern and Central Europe at Vestas. “The V150-6.0 MW is the ideal choice for a site with stronger wind speeds and can thus make an important contribution to the energy transition in Schleswig-Holstein.”

“After many years of planning and some ups and downs along the way, we are pleased to have won Vestas as a contractual partner for our wind farm in the municipality of Bosau. We are excited about the coming years, the construction and operation of the wind turbines, and we are optimistic about the future and look forward to a good cooperation,” said Malte Carstens, Managing Director of Strom 2020.

With the order, Vestas’ announced order intake for 2023 passes 10 GW. This is the eighth consecutive year that Vestas passes the 10 GW mark since pioneering the global wind industry more than 40 years ago.

The project site is located in Schleswig-Holstein between Lübeck and Kiel. Turbine delivery is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2025 with commissioning scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2025.

MORE INFO  www.vestas.com

IPS, a North American solution provider for electromechanical equipment, rotating equipment, and power management systems, has acquired Wind Solutions LLC. The company, based in Sanford, North Carolina, specializes in repair upgrades, accessory components, and patent-protected yaw system components. Wind Solutions works with owner-operators and utilities across North America.

The acquisition strengthens IPS innovations in utility-scale renewable energy power generation with in-house design, engineering, and modeling. Wind Solutions has built its business with innovation, intellectual property, and speed to market.

“We’re proud to join IPS and its North American network,” said CJ Winslow, Wind Solutions founder and president. “Our engineering and product development will strengthen IPS single-source capabilities for wind power and open new markets for our innovations.”

“IPS is excited to welcome CJ Winslow, Brad Baldwin, and their colleagues at Wind Solutions to IPS,” said John Zuleger, IPS President and CEO. “Wind Solutions has leveraged a strong intellectual property platform and a focus on wind customer needs to improve wind turbine efficiency and reliability. This team brings valuable engineering and state-of-the-art technical talent that will help us build our service offering to wind customers across North America.”

Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, IPS has service centers, distribution centers, and field service offices across North America, combining industry-specific experience with engineering resources to revolutionize reliability for customers. 

MORE INFO  www.ips.us