Day Two of WINDPOWER 2014 was a good day. One thing I noticed was an influx of small companies – many of which, I had never heard of. This is exciting news. Seeing these exhibitors gives reason to be optimistic in what some consider a “down market.”
Marc Demmon of Standfast demonstrates how the TRAM Fall Protection differs from its competitors.
For a change of pace, WINDPOWER 2014 featured a few exhibitors not in the wind industry. I never thought I could get my teeth whitened in between visiting booths!
OK, back to real business. Marc Demmon of Standfast demonstrated the ease of use, security, and durability of the TRAM Fall Protection Systems. The TRAM system is intended for technicians working on the nacelle. It gives them a movable railing – fall protection – to hang onto, in addition to their lanyard. OSHA standards require two 6-ft lanyards at foot level. The TRAM can be adjusted to 2-ft. and allows a lanyard to the waist.
ACCIONA Windpower announced that it’s AW3000, 125m rotor wind turbine has been upgraded from wind class III to IIb, for medium-wind sites. The company says its portfolio enhancement offer more security and durability in strong winds. ACCIONA currently has about 1,854 MW of wind turbines in contingent or completed orders worldwide.
Renewable NRG Systems showcased its TurbinePhD, a predictive turbine-health monitoring system. Intended for early fault detection, TurbinePhD is a vibration-based condition monitoring system that provides complete mechanical diagnostic coverage of the turbine drivetrain. Detecting faults prior to secondary damage reduces downtime and decreases maintenance costs.
The Vanguard FTS 370i obstruction lighting system come Infrared compatible LEDs. SPX developed the wind turbine lighting system specifically for military and Medevac pilots, whom typically have trouble seeing most lighting systems.
SKF Lincoln showcased quite a few products that included its 20V and 120V PowerLuber grease guns. Manual lubrication systems are convenient for technicians because they can hit a turbine’s multiple lubrication points with one easy motion. The PowerLuber is also used for filling auto-lubrication systems.
Bonfiglioli’s 712TW series, compact planetary gear unit is a yaw-drive gearbox specifically for wind turbines, and they say are becoming more appealing throughout the industry.
Sadly, batteries die in pitch control systems every two to three years. Maxwell’s Pitch Blade Control systems is powered by supercapacitors which easily outlast batteries, and can be customized and retrofit to requiring minimal maintenance.
Grieg Star was on hand to discuss its open-hatch shipping fleets for transporting turbine components worldwide. The open-hatch concept allows for greater logistics flexibility for stowing complex cargoes, such as turbine nacelles, blades, and towers.
– Nic Sharpley
Filed Under: News
