Small wind was a highlight of the Solar and Wind Expo (www.thesolarandwindexpo.com) a consumer-oriented renewable energy event recently held in Baltimore. Several small-wind companies exhibiting were enthusiastic about the event and its attendees. “They came to see and learn about the latest in renewable energy equipment,” said Gary K. Sorrelle, a wind specialist with Atech…
Twenty-MW wind farm headed to Lake Erie
The first offshore wind farm to launch may not be off highly publicized Cape Cod but in the less controversial waters of the North Coast, off Cleveland, Ohio. GE Wind and Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo) of Northern Ohio recently announced a long-term partnership beginning with the development of the first fresh water offshore…
What about all that wind near the ground?
Conventional turbines are perched 60 to 80-m off the ground where the wind is stronger. But what about the wind below those elevations? California-based Wind Harvest International says it has a solution in a straight-bladed, vertical-axis wind turbine that offers the first cost-effective solution to harvesting high energy, turbulent near-ground winds. “Using a methodical approach…
Large part machine shop ready for turbines
After years of supplying the plastics machinery business and other companies in the industry, Milacron Machining, Mt. Orab, Ohio, is now applying its precision machining expertise to produce large, complex parts for the wind power market. “We have machined components for 2.5 MW and 1.5-MW gearboxes including housings, and planetary carriers,” says plant manager Jim…
Two sensors per blade makes turbine safer
The pitch control system is among the most important on a wind turbine, say engineers at German turbine manufacturer Vensys Energy AG. The control measures, monitors, and adjusts the working angle of the rotor blades on a wind turbine, which can change its power output. The control also turns the rotor into the wind on…
Control tester automates control testing
The modular architecture of a real-time-test program lets wind-turbine engineers automate the task of verifying many control ideas by including hardware components in their test loop. That includes embedded-control software for wind turbines. To write the program, Siemens wind-turbine engineers selected NI TestStand, LabVIEW Real-Time, LabVIEW FPGA modules, and the NI PXI platform, all from…
Large electrolysis units could stabalize the grid and more
The best way to store the wind-generated power is anyone’s guess. The equipment for one idea comes from Toronto-based Hydrogenics, a firm that manufacturers industrial electrolysis units, devices that separate hydrogen from oxygen in water. Hydrogen can be used in industrial applications, but the company suggests storing it as a vehicle fuel and provides several…
Tracking trends at the recent trade show
Monitoring the products companies had on display at the AWEA’s recent WINDPOWER 2010 trade show and comparing them to products from the 2009 event, makes it possible to see dynamic and positive changes in the wind industry. After the show in Dallas, for instance, the trends in a nutshell are that turbines are headed to…
New US-Built Wind Turbines – They’re Coming!
To celebrate the inaugural American-made commercial wind turbines coming off the production floor this year, Aeronautica Windpower decided to buck the trend of plain white towers, and show off the Stars and Stripes instead. “Most people don’t know it, but other than some smaller machines, all wind turbines going up around the US are made…
Company awarded DOE Grant
General Compression, Inc. (“GC”), a Massachusetts company developing a compressed air energy storage system that burns no fuel when generating electricity, has been selected to receive up to $750,000 in the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E GRIDS) funding program. The government grant will help move the development of General Compression’s Advanced Energy…
Timken wins $26 million wind-energy contract
The Timken Company says it has received a contract worth $26 million to supply wind turbine products and services to China’s Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Company. The contract will support more than 1,500 MW of new wind power capacity. Timken will contribute to Goldwind’s expansion in the industry, with Timken providing engineering support, advanced…
Many features in one connector
The recent Han-Yellock connector series is the result of several years of market feedback. The connector design is aesthetically pleasing yet effective in harsh environments. The product combines many features in one connector, most noticeably a new integral lock which uses a patented push button, a departure from existing lever designs for latching and unlatching…
Purchase of SCADA tech puts smart grid in reach
CG Automation, a subsidiary of MSE Power Systems Inc., has acquired ADMS Wind SCADA and wind-turbine-monitoring systems from Second Wind Systems Inc. Combining SCADA with its expertise in utility automation, MSE Power Systems and CG Automation can offer more reliable, interconnections for smart-grid designs. CG Automation provides automation products and systems to electric utilities and…
Ceramic capacitors include high temps, high cap versions
A manufacturer of passive components has expanded its offering of multilayer ceramic capacitors to provide high-capacitance values at temperatures up to 150ºC. Designated the X8L Series, the high temperature MLCC (Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors) range has an elevated capacitance performance at temperatures to accommodate applications in harsh environments. “Like the X8R Series, the new, high capacitance…
Hydraulic torque wrenches produce up to 58,000 ft-lb
The SD-Series is a range of square drive, hydraulic torque wrenches. The one piece body housing offers rigidity, strength, and durability in a lightweight form. The series torque output ranges from 1,722 Nm (1,270 ft-lb) to a staggering 78,625 Nm (58,000 ft-lb). The series from Tentec offers a selection of options such as reaction arms,…
A-star and four industry players to develop smart-grid equipment
Groundbreaking began for the Experimental Power Grid Center (EPGC) on Jurong Island, Singapore, for an R&D facility that will function as a laboratory for smart-grid tech. Four companies – Rolls Royce, Vestas, SP PowerGrid, and CEI Contract Manufacturing – have partnered with the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A-Star) to develop smart grid and…
Cooling and controls let turbines generate more power
Grid Tie Inverter software uses proprietary algorithms to increase the range in which sustainable energy sources can deliver 60-Hz ac to the power grid. “We estimate an increase in efficiency of up to 25%,” says Energetic Drives’ CEO Ian Griffiths of the company’s algorithms. “For example, a traditional wind turbine generator has to be turning…
Plating protects fittings against corrosion
A proprietary plating gives hydraulic fittings protection against red rust. This helps users avoid the cost of corrosion which is calculated in terms of possible leak points and replacement fittings, along with potential lost sales stemming Parker TFD fittings and those from five major competitors were exposed to neutral salt spray test ASTM B117. One…
Covers protect tower sections in transit
Custom fit covers for wind tower sections are available as an alternative to heavy and expensive custom tarps or conventional hand wrapping. These covers protect the tower sections from dirt and water during shipping. Various openings are allowed for different trailer configurations. The covers are made from Shrinkable Fabric and consist of three layers: a…
Climb assists headed to 66 Wyoming wind turbines
The manufacturer of IBEX 1000 Climb Assists will supply 66 of them for new wind turbines in Glenrock, Wyoming. The Climb assists will be installed in the GE 1.5-MW wind turbines being constructed at the Top of the World project near Casper, Wyoming for its owners and operators. The patented IBEX Climb Assist puts control…