New discoveries hoped from a turbine in a wind tunnel

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Excerpt: The aerospace-engineering department at Politecnico di Milano (Italy) is working on a model wind turbine in the school’s wind tunnel. It has been used for researching operating behaviors in extreme conditions. Bachmann electronic is providing the controller for the model. The setup is to te …

Fatigue-life calculations certified for turbine castings

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Excerpt: GL Renewables Certification has certified the engineering software nCode DesignLife. The structural integrity software for the fatigue calculations of cast and forged structural machinery components in wind turbines has been evaluated on the basis of GL RC's Guideline for the Certification of Wind T …

1.5-MWh battery headed for test in Arizona

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Excerpt: Arizona Public Service Company has begun testing a 1.5 MWh energy-storage system the size of a shipping container. The goal of the company’s two-year pilot in Flagstaff, Ariz., will be to determine the benefits for storing solar-generated electricity and putting it onto the grid at times when …

The evolution of wind power: kites

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Excerpt: Developer for SkySails Power, a kite-based wind generator system, says it consists of five main components: a free flying kite with rope, a launch and recosystem, an automated control system, a generator for producing electrical power and a support platform. SkySails Power operates at altitud …

Illinois based wind-gear service receives $1.6 million from state to support expansion

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Excerpt: ZF Friedrichshafen AG has expanded its wind power services by becoming an authorized repair center for all legacy models of Hansen Transmissions in wind turbines. To support OEM and owner-operator turbine service across North America, the repair facility, in Vernon Hills, Ill., has received appr …

Sensor manufacturer adds a family of tape-extension position devices

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Excerpt: A sensor manufacturer has expanded its product line of tape-extension position sensors, POSITAPE with the introduction of the WB25 series. The family was developed for applications that require the use of cable pulleys due space limitations. The measurement ranges of the WB25 series are 12m, 15m …

Safety: Making MET towers more visible

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Excerpt: Meteorological Evaluation Towers (MET) are placed in remote locations to gather wind resource data for one or two years. These MET towers vary in height from 60 to 100m (197 to 328 ft) above ground level (AGL) and are getting taller to provide the best wind data. Typically, towers under 200-ft AGL r …

Bolting: Choosing the right coating for fasteners

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Excerpt: The importance of fastener coatings is becoming more apparent throughout the wind industry. Different coating chemistries have been used to improve corrosion protection, or lubricity, or both. However, increasing demands on field life, global legislation, and worldwide commonization continue to crea …

Blade manufacturer readies production

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Excerpt:                   Wind turbine blade manufacturer GBT USA (Global Blade Technology) announced in mid-September 2011 it would be opening a production plant in the U.S. has seen quite a bit of growth in the last four months. I …

Report: 5 ways modern grid good for the economy

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Excerpt: A coalition advocating for the improvement of the nation's electric system released a report detailing the current state of the nation's power grid and quantifying the benefits of a modernized electric system. The report provides federal and state regulators with concrete examples of demonstrate …