Windpower Engineering & Development is a growing wind-power resource targeting professionals involved in all aspects of a wind farm’s lifecycle, including developers, engineers, technicians, manufacturers and researchers that work to site, build, maintain, repair and optimize wind-related components, software and projects. The goal at Windpower Engineering & Development is to educate and expand the knowledge…
As wind turbines grow larger, so do risks in tornado-prone areas
Underwriting insurance for wind turbines involves a comprehensive evaluation of factors that can influence the risk and potential losses associated with these structures. Insurers consider a range of specific elements to determine the level of risk and to determine insurance premiums. Key factors involved in underwriting wind turbine insurance include the geographic location and climate…
Transmission issues are key hurdle for offshore wind projects in the USA
Recent news of offshore wind turbine projects in New England waters shows that there is renewed interest in this water-bound source of wind power. Although the United States has been slower to adopt offshore wind energy — the European and Asian markets already boast more than 10,000 offshore wind turbines — it is encouraging to…
The cost-efficient floating wind conundrum
Demonstrator projects show that offshore floating wind is technically proven as a feasible concept. The challenge is how to deliver it for utility-scale projects within the budgets already committed to. Finding a cost-efficient and practical solution that best meets the demands of developers — while also taking into account the perspectives of all stakeholders —…
Knowledge is power: Blade condition monitoring’s powerful insight with web-based visualization
The profitability of a wind farm is inextricably linked to the energy output and availability of the turbines at the site. Therefore, as every wind site manager knows all too well, turbine downtime must be prevented or significantly reduced to optimize power production throughout the year. While it’s an indisputable fact that a mechanical or…
Essential safety tips for wind farm technicians: Protecting workers in extreme conditions
The job market for wind turbine technicians is growing rapidly. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that employment for wind farm techs will grow 45% between 2022 and 2032. Wind farm workers and turbine technicians perform vital maintenance and repairs on wind turbines, ensuring that they can continue to deliver reliable, clean energy to…
December 2023 Issue: Renewable Energy: A Year in Review
Renewable Energy 2023: A Year in Review Welcome to this special edition of Solar Power World and Windpower Engineering & Development, what we are calling “Renewable Energy 2023: A Year in Review.” Each year, the staff of WTWH Media’s two renewable brands reflects on the last 12 months to prepare for what’s trending into the…
The turbulent forces affecting the U.S. wind and renewables industry in 2024
As the United States positions itself for a sustainable and greener future, the wind power and renewables industry faces a pivotal moment in 2024. Despite over a decade of unrestrained growth in new renewable capacity additions, sector headwinds have tempered that trajectory. The past year has shown how renewables are particularly influenced by the dynamic…
Wind Spotlight: Looking back at a year of Thrive with ZF Wind Power
One year ago, ZF Wind Power launched Thrive, an all-encompassing service concept for wind park operators. With us is Sivakumar Jayapal, chief service officer for ZF Wind Power. A written portion of this podcast is below but be sure to listen to the full episode on your preferred podcast service. Windpower Engineering & Development ·…
Engineering the energy transition: The challenges of offshore wind
Decarbonizing the global energy supply requires a renewable energy mix to replace more traditional power generation. Offshore wind is a key component of this energy transition. This article discusses the engineering challenges associated with offshore wind development and explains the role that flow control equipment can play in improving operations on wind turbine installation vessels…
Three questions with the New Jersey Wind Port
The New Jersey Wind Port, currently under construction, is slated to be the nation’s first purpose-built offshore wind marshalling and manufacturing port, an important milestone for offshore wind development in the United States. The port broke ground in 2021, and its first phase is on track for completion in April 2024. Subsequent phases will be…
September 2023 Issue: Sitting offshore turbines in risky U.S. waters
Windpower Engineering & Development is a growing wind-power resource targeting professionals involved in all aspects of a wind farm’s lifecycle, including developers, engineers, technicians, manufacturers and researchers that work to site, build, maintain, repair and optimize wind-related components, software and projects. The goal at Windpower Engineering & Development is to educate and expand the knowledge…
Navigating challenges and charting growth for the U.S. offshore wind market
As the United States’ energy transition rides the high of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Vineyard Wind 1 project, set to be the first gigawatt-scale offshore wind farm, marks the beginning of a new era for renewable energy in the country. With a 15-GW pipeline of numerous other projects in pre-construction and procurement stages, including…
Floating offshore wind power could be the key to reaching decarbonization targets
The energy transition is driving the development of offshore wind power around the world to provide communities with reliable clean power and prevent harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from being released into the atmosphere. In the United States, the development of offshore wind projects is more advanced on the East Coast due to the shallower…
Navigating risks in the U.S. offshore wind industry: Insights into insurance and extreme weather challenges
In 2023, the offshore wind insurance market will support over 5 GW of offshore wind construction along the U.S. East Coast. Considering the existing development pipeline in the United States, this number is expected to grow to approximately 50 GW within 10 years. While considered an emerging sector in North America by many, the reality…
A case for regional collaboration among states in the new offshore wind economy
In 2022, U.S. state governments increased their collective procurements of offshore wind power to over 8,100 MW. While these collective procurement targets have the potential to transform electricity generation in the United States, states have so far come to these targets and approached offshore wind development more generally, on an individual basis. To fully realize…
Managing the storm of risk in today’s wind market
Wind power operators face a unique set of risks that can be effectively managed to protect wind farm assets and ensure the viability of the operation. Whether facing required upgrades to an aging equipment fleet or incorporating new technology into the operation, wind operators can plan for associated risks with the support of healthy, vetted…
A new generation of medium voltage wind converters holds the key to sustainable wind power
Countries across the globe have embraced wind power, recognizing its potential to reduce carbon emissions and foster sustainable development. China, the United States and Germany have all made substantial investments in wind power, while the United Kingdom, Denmark and the Netherlands are all pioneering offshore wind projects, demonstrating the immense possibilities of this clean energy…
Tips for wind gearbox inspections using a borescope
The global shift to renewable energy and expanded use of wind power has significantly increased the number of wind turbines, both onshore and offshore. The demand for wind turbine maintenance is also increasing, especially for critical components such as gearboxes. Borescope inspections of gearboxes are a cost-effective way to shorten the downtime of wind turbines…
Three questions with the California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission (CEC) began an international visitor program more than 30 years ago, and it’s one of the state’s oldest international programs. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the CEC welcomed 71 delegations from five continents that were visiting to learn about their policies, programs and services. Clean Energy States Alliance research associate…