Large slewing rings for wind turbines

Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: A manufacturer of large slewing rings says two of its eight lines of slewing rings have applications on wind turbines. For one, the Rotek Series 3000 double row ball units are an evolution of the classic four-point contact, slewing ring design. These feature induction-hardened raceways, the highest …

Vestas receives record-setting order — 570 MW for California

Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: Vestas received a 570 MW order for 190, V90-3.0 MW turbines for Terra-Gen’s Alta Wind Energy Center near Tehachapi, California. The order has been placed by subsidiaries of Alta Wind Holdings, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Terra-Gen Power, LLC. Terra-Gen’s V90-3.0 MW purchase is Vestas†…

Study explores role of grid technologies in growth of U.S. wind energy

Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: A recent report, Business Strategy: Optimizing Transmission for Wind Integration examines the role of key transmission technologies essential for the rapid growth of the U.S. wind energy market. The report (Document # EI223579, June 2010) from IDC Energy Insights, Framingham, Mass., (idc.com) descri …

Vestas adds facilities, jobs in Colorado

Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: Vestas says it has created more than 1,000 highly skilled manufacturing jobs to meet growing production needs at its three Colorado factories. The Vestas’ blade factory in Windsor, tower factory in Pueblo, and nacelle factory in Brighton have been hiring to fill a variety of new jobs to prepar …

Liquid cooled converter handles 3 to 8 MVA

Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: A medium-voltage frequency converter, the PCS 6000 Wind, works on wind turbines that require high power density and high reliability.  The 6000-series of liquid-cooled Integrated Gate Commutated Thyristor (IGCT) converters has a reputation for durable and reliable operation under harsh conditio …

Strong wind, weak policy in Wyoming

Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: Land procurement and development for wind farms is no walk-in-the-park. Obstacles, such as zoning and lack of transmission right-of-ways, are hampering current projects, but even more troubling are new obstacles state legislatures and city councils are implementing, such as those recen …

Electric blade pitch control

Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: A state-of-the art servodrive for electric pitch systems was on display at WINDPOWER 2010 in the Moog booth. The PITCHmaster II was developed for the harsh conditions prevailing in rotor hubs. It operates reliably at constant internal switch gear cabinet temperatures ranging from -22°F to 158°F. …

Lincoln Electric signs $3.2 million with Ventower

Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: Lincoln Electric and Ventower Industries signed a $3.2 million contract today at the AWEA Windpower 2010 conference. Lincoln Electric will supply two installments of Lincoln Electric welding power sources and accessories to Ventower's new Michigan facility. Ventower Industies new tower manufacturing …

Electromechanical device for blade pitch control

Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: In addition to hydraulically controlled and actuated blade pitch control systems, Parker can provide components and systems for dynamic performances with electromechanical technology. Parker’s electromechanical solutions, on display in Booth 10443, include dc drives with rugged designs and flexibl …

Alliance lets team develop products for wind industry

Archived; click post to view.
Excerpt: Composites One says it has formed an alliance with the 3M’s Renewable Energy Division that will let both companies continue penetrating the emerging wind-energy industry with products geared toward wind-turbine manufacturers. 3M Renewable Energy in Booth 7004 will offer to the market a mix of soph …