The 20 year life span of some turbines is coming to an end in California and in what is described as the most “premo” wind country in the state. EnXco’s Permitting Director Rick Miller spoke on the transition at a recent AWEA event, discussing the wind industry challenges of taking down 100-kW turbines and replacing…
Kathie’s Question: Do You Think Renewable Jobs Are Right for Veterans?
Jeff Danovich of policymic.com thinks so. He makes some valid points. As the war in Iraq has ended and things in Afghanistan are drawing down, many veterans are and will be returning home. If they aren’t busy burning their service metals, they’ll probably be looking for jobs. Veteran unemployment is actually higher than the national average. However, with the…
ABB Automation & Power World 2012 a success
ABB Automation & Power World 2012, held in Houston, Texas from April 23-26, exceeded projected event attendance expectations. The conference attracted a record number of participants for any ABB event, totaling more than 5,000 attendees, exceeding prior year attendance figures by 20 percent. The company also announced the dates and venue for ABB Automation &…
A closer look at the wind blade-access platform
The wind industry has devised several ways to get a closer look at wind blades and towers. A technician might rappel out of the nacelle and slowly lower himself while giving the wind blade an inspection. Ground-mounted lifts carry technicians up on a platform. A rope-hoisted work platform or blade-access platform also helps. This latter…
Wind turbine maintenance: Safety at height
A tool dropped from about 80m, the height of many wind turbine towers, takes four to five seconds to reach the ground. It’s just enough time to shout “look out below” before someone gets hurt. The simple physics highlights the problem of working at height. Things can happen fast, and so constant training becomes essential…
Behind nacelle doors
Mike Rowe produces the engaging TV show “Dirty Jobs” rightfully named for the vile work he takes on. Rowe bravely spends the day doing the dangerous to the disgusting, from removing snakes from ponds to cleaning sewers, all for our entertainment. One not-so-disgusting but eye-opening job had him spend a day as a wind turbine…
Breakthrough Solutions for Blade Access to Improve Productivity
Wind turbine owners and operators face tough choices for optimizing blade surface repair. Learn from 3M and Spider the strategy for improving the quality of blade repair and protection at reduced cost. The webinar covers the latest breakthrough in blade access technology which provides a safer, more cost-effective and efficient solution for OEMs, O&Ms, plant owners…
Downwind: Innovations in offshore wind transportation
Offshore wind development is taking off around the world. The wind projects, however, pose logistic challenges that call for solutions from new ideas. For example, the UK has opened new areas for offshore wind development. However, these locations are farther from shore and in rougher water than ever before, which makes transporting crews and equipment…
Combo HMI-PLC for wind with plug-in I/O
Maple Systems offers the HMC (Human Machine Controller). The company says the HMC is cost-effective, efficient, and compact, combining an HMI and PLC into one. Simply put, HMC=HMI+PLC. With customizable I/O, the HMC accepts up to five plug-in I/O modules with varying configurations of digital and analog inputs and outputs. Choose a 3.5-in. or a…
Renewable-energy active hydraulic brakes now GL approved for wind
Several hydraulic-brake products from Carlisle Brake & Friction have been approved by Germanischer Lloyd (GL) Industrial Services. The brake models, WBA1-90-SC, WBA4-90, and WBA6-120, offer innovative and cost-reducing features such as next-generation friction and hydraulic systems. As part of the accreditation process, the GL representative ensures that the installation, operation and maintenance manuals are observed…
Micro-Kiss, no-drip, mix-dispense valves for wind turbines
Sealant Equipment & Engineering, Inc. says its 2600-093 Micro-Kiss Series mix-dispense valves are designed for low-flow mixing and dispensing of 2-component adhesives and sealants such as silicones, epoxies, urethanes, and acrylics. The no-drip design feature integrates carbide ball-end needles with carbide seats for long life dispensing of viscous and abrasive materials. The valves may be…
Connectors with high density contacts for the wind industry
Conec, manufacturer of connectors, has expanded its combination mixed layout D-subminiature connector family by adding high density (size 22) signal contact layouts. Configurations available include: 19W1, 15W4 and 45W2, in straight solder pin and solder cup versions. The company says these provide more flexibility for design engineers who need to get more signal contacts in…
Palm-size box PC with Intel processor suited for wind and solar
Advantech, manufacturer of embedded computing products, offers the ARK-1120, an ultra-compact and fanless embedded system powered by an Intel Atom N455 processor. Its compact size, affordable price, robust performance and support for both HDD and CompactFlash memory makes it attractive for a range of embedded uses. This product is wellsuited for applications that need a…
Argon vest with warming insulation for wind workers
Ergodyne says their N-Ferno 6900 Warming Vest with NobleTek Insulation provides remarkable warmth, comfort, and flexibility, without the added bulk of natural or synthetic fiber. The vest uses flexible, airtight, yet breathable chambers filled with Argon gas. The 4.5-mm layer of Argon has the same thermal conductivity as 14- mm of the best synthetic or…
Electrical slip rings meet design challenges
In response to demands for longer, uninterrupted service life, Deublin offers electrical slip ring systems with material configurations that enable years of trouble-free operation. The manufacturer can design slip rings to a variety of EMI, operating temperatures, storage temperatures, acceleration, mechanical vibration, and mechanical shock requirements. The company’s rotary union and slip ring combinations also…
Wind Innovators 2012: William Lowndes III and William (Willy) Lowndes IV, Tindall Corporation
After graduating from The Citadel in the early 60s, William Lowndes III aimed to satisfy his entrepreneurial drive by acquiring Tindall Concrete Pipe Co. It came with an acre of land, a two-bag-concrete mixer, and infinite possibilities for the future. Now the Spartanburg South Carolina-based Tindall Corp. is one of the largest privately held Precast…
Wind Innovator 2012: Travis Smith, Senior Member of IEEE
Travis Smith didn’t start out in the wind energy sector. But with more than 20 years of experience as an engineer and consultant, he has since become the “wind guy” in a small, often-overlooked community— the protection engineers who ensure the stability of the electrical grid. Now a staff engineer at the Department of Energy’s…
Wind Innovator 2012: Marc Sielemann, Nordex Chief Operations Officer
To the untrained eye, there is little similarity between a car and a wind turbine. But to someone with a creative mind and commitment to improvement, the similarities are compelling. Even though the worldwide number of installed turbines today only equals the number of passenger cars produced in a single day, the underlying management and…
Wind Innovator 2012: Fermin Catalán, Chief Engineer of the G11X offshore turbine
Pamplona, Spain is a good place to grow up and get hooked on engineering and renewable energy. The region has lots of renewable-energy companies, turbine manufacturers, and their suppliers, says Gamesa’s Fermin Catalán. He’s Chief Engineer for the company’s new G11X offshore turbine, a 5-MW platform. To enjoy engineering, it also helps to come from…
Wind Influencer 2012: Britt Theismann, Former Senior Vice President of AWEA
Britt Theismann joined AWEA as Membership Director in 2005 and, with wind power experiencing exponential growth, led the recruitment of hundreds of supply chain companies into the U.S. industry and AWEA membership. During the next five years, AWEA’s membership grew from some 400 companies to well over 2,000, and as a result, domestic production of…