A partnership between turbine maintenance company Rope Partner and Denmark based company, Bladena, a blade expert and structural and aeroelastic researchers, will let the two specialize in providing blade enhancements to counteract cracking and other operational failures. Preventative measures include a patented technology known as the D-String. Research shows a significant number of turbine blade
Vestas produces first prototype turbine blades in Colorado factory
May 30, 2013 : 0 Comments
Vestas recently introduced its first prototype wind turbine blades manufactured by the company in the U.S. The prototype blades are for its new V117-3.3 MW wind turbine. The 57.5-m blades (about 189 ft) are the longest ever manufactured in the in the U.S. The Brighton facility is the only Vestas factory in the world equipped
Bosch Rexroth controller helps prevent rotor blade damage
May 21, 2013 : 0 Comments
Continuous blade monitoring can be an effective tool for sustaining the efficiency and performance of wind turbines. Rotor blades are exposed to significant environmental strains, such as icing, storms, and excessive wind gusts, which can damage blades. When this damage is detected only during routine visual inspections, the complexity and cost of repairing―or even replacing
Suzlon announces release of upgraded S97 wind turbine in North American market
May 16, 2013 : 0 Comments
S97-2.1 MW becomes an IEC Class II machine Suzlon Group is announcing its S97–2.1 MW wind turbine has been upgraded to handle higher wind speeds in a 60 Hz version for applications in North America. Announced at WINDPOWER 2013, the new S97 is for sale now. “The launch of the S97 has been very successful
PPG Fiber Glass sells interest in PPG-Devold joint venture, will continue to supply wind industry
May 14, 2013 : 0 Comments
PPG Fiber Glass has sold its 50% interest in the PPG-Devold fiber glass joint venture to Hexagon Devold, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hexagon Composites. The 50-50 joint venture was created in 2007 to manufacture glass fiber reinforcement fabrics for use in turbine blades for wind energy. PPG will continue to manufacture fiber glass material for
New blades can save old turbines from early retirement
April 23, 2013 : 0 Comments
Many older turbines in the U.S. have more than a decade of work under their belts and still work quite well. Their outputs, which were less than one megawatt when new, may be sagging now, but their hearts are strong. With names such as Zond, Micon, Kenetech, and Nordtank, these older machines were built with
PPG wins GL certification for high-modulus glass composition fibers
March 27, 2013 : 0 Comments
PPG Industries’ fiber glass business has received certification from Germanischer Lloyd (GL), a leading international certification body in the wind energy industry, of HYBON 2002 XM and HYBON 2026 XM fiber glass roving products. Approved as exceeding the requirements for R-Glass fiber, each of these direct roving products is manufactured with INNOFIBER XM specialty glass
Acciona Windpower launches 125-m rotor for its AW3000 turbine
March 6, 2013 : 0 Comments
Acciona Windpower has launched a new 125-m rotor that gives its AW3000 wind turbine better performance at low-wind sites. The AW 125/3000 model combines the 125-m rotor with the AW3000 3 MW generator and the company’s 120-m tall concrete tower to create an industry-leading solution for low wind, IEC Class III sites. The evolution of
Space frame promises 100m blades, lower wind-power costs
February 22, 2013 : 0 Comments
Researchers have announced a project they say could fundamentally change the design and installation of wind blades, bring the cost of wind energy in-line with fossil fuels and allow for more developments in moderate wind-speed markets. The project hinges on a design that wraps tensioned architectural fabric around a metal space frame, much like early
World’s largest rotor 20% lighter than “traditional” design
February 22, 2013 : 0 Comments
Wind turbine manufacturer, Siemens (www.siemens.com), has developed the SWT-6.0 with a rotor diameter of 154m to meet the demanding conditions of offshore wind. Unique to the model is the B75 rotor blade, which is 75-m long making it the world’s largest fiberglass component cast in one piece. These IntegralBlades have no adhesive joints and are
