In this WindTalk podcast, we speak with Ryan Blitstein, the VP of Renewable Energy at Uptake, about artificial intelligence (AI) and the importance of data analytics at wind farms. Uptake is an industrial AI and machine learning company. Ryan provides insight on how wind-farm owners and operators can optimize the features of AI, best take…
ExxonMobil talks oil & lubricants in wind turbines
Welcome to WindTalk podcast, a series of discussions with wind-industry leaders. In this episode, we spoke with Gary Hennigan, a National Account Executive with ExxonMobil. Gary has more than 18 years of experience in the lubricants industry, and he shared key tips with us on developing and maintaining a good lubrication program for wind turbines.…
Getting essential data to wind techs when they need it
The data-analytics firm Uptake is in the business of getting critical information to wind technicians as they need it. In this podcast, Ryan Blitstein says the company also provides a sort of digital crystal ball that can tell when bearings and other components might need replacement. And that will let wind-farm owners and operators trim…
Myths and facts about condition-monitoring systems for wind turbines
Unscheduled maintenance and turbine downtime are costly issues in the wind industry. Condition-monitoring systems (CMS) offer one answer to help detect component damage or failures before they become serious problems. In this WindTalk podcast, CMS Wind President David Clark discusses three basic approaches to CMS. He also deciphers facts from some common CMS myths to…
How the wind-power industry is changing
What will the future of wind energy look like? Henry Bailey, the Global VP & Head of Utilities Industry Business Unit at SAP, shares his thoughts on the future of wind and the emerging trends that he’s noticing in the renewables’ sector. SAP is currently the world’s third largest independent software manufacturer.
Tips for extending bearing life in wind turbines
Gearbox reliability has improved remarkably in the last 10 years thanks to a better understanding of bearing loads. However, even high-quality components have a limited life expectancy in the wind industry so it is important to have a consistent maintenance plan in place. In this Wind Talk podcast, The Timken Company‘s Rick Brooks discusses new trends…
Women in the wind industry
Women of Wind Energy, or WoWE, was founded in 2005 to ensure that women can partake in a full and productive role in the development of wind power. In this WindTalk podcast, WoWE’s Executive Director Kristen Graf speaks to us about the importance of women in the wind industry, including some of the successes and…
New standards for wind-turbine cables
Underwriters Laboratories’ standards UL 6141 and UL 6142 are the first American safety standards developed specifically for wind turbines. These UL standards are intended to simplify the approval process for wind-turbine electrical systems and cables. In this WindTalk podcast, Bruce McDonald, Key Account Manager for HELUKABEL USA, a supplier of cables, wires, and related accessories for the…
Keeping an eye on a wind farm’s balance-of-plant
More than wind turbines need maintenance on a wind farm. After the towers and turbines, everything else is the balance-of-plant.
Tips for first-time wind developers
Wind-power projects come with their own unique and often subtle challenges that can prove difficult for new developers, and easily make or break a potential wind farm. In this WindTalk podcast, a series of discussions with wind industry leaders, Jay Haley, a Principal in Charge of Wind Energy at EAPC, discusses key siting and wind…
What drones can do for the wind industry
In this WindTalk podcast, we speak with Grant Leaverton, Vice President and General Manager of Advanced Aerial Inspection Resources (AAIR), about the use of unmanned aerial systems or drones at wind sites. AAIR is a conditional assessment firm that uses drones to provide aerial inspections and asset management to the wind and utility industries.
Using industrial networking and 4G LTE communication at wind site
In this WindTalk podcast, a series of discussions with wind industry leaders, we speak with Daniel Liu, Business Development Manager for Moxa. Moxa is a provider of industrial networking and automation solutions, including products commonly used as part of wind-power applications, such remote communication and weather-monitoring at wind sites.
Leasing options for small wind energy
United Wind offers leasing options to small wind customers in the United States. The company’s unique WindLease program lets qualified users generate wind power on their property with no upfront costs. In this podcast, we speak with United Wind’s Co-founder and CEO, Russell Tencer. He talks to us about small and distributed wind power and…
Ensuring worker safety in the wind industry
Welcome to this WindTalk podcast, a series of discussions with wind-industry leaders. In this edition, we talk with Dustin Schneider, a Fall-protection Expert at Capital Safety, a 3M company. With over 17 years of experience, Dustin works directly with end-users and distributors to provide the best safety resources and training at industrial work sites. Here Dustin speaks to us…
A new approach to wind-flow modeling
Welcome to this WindTalk podcast, a series of discussions with wind-industry leaders. In this edition, we talk with Liz Walls, the Co-founder of software-development company Cancalia Engineering & Consulting. Here she discusses the importance of wind modeling and the development of Continuum, a new wind-flow modeling software that provides a range of services, including met…
Fall protection and safety training for wind-turbine technicians
Along with being one of the top turbine manufacturers, Siemens is also strongly committed to safety in the wind industry. In 2013, the company opened a 40,000-square-foot Wind Service Training Center in Orlando, Florida. It is one of four wind-training centers that Siemens operates globally. In this WindTalk podcast Billy Watts, the CEO for Siemens’…
Solvent safety in the wind industry
Inland Technology is involved with the research and development of environmentally conscientious solvent alternatives. In this WindTalk podcast, the VP of Inland Technology Eric Lethe discusses solvent safety and chemical use in the wind industry.
Turbine O&M, overhaul, and life extension
Wind-turbine manufacturer, Gamesa, recently completed ‘Overhaul and Life Extension’ upgrades to a wind farm in Wyoming. In this WindTalk podcast, Philippe Dellevile, Gamesa’s VP of Services in North America, discusses turbine upgrades, O&M, and the overhaul program related to the Wyoming wind project. This WindTalk podcast is brought to you by ExxonMobil.
Evaluating energy storage systems with an audit
Greensmith, a provider of grid-scale energy storage software and integration solutions, recently released a new audit service for energy storage that helps system developers evaluate the design of their storage system and improve performance. In this WindTalk podcast, Greensmith CEO John Jung discusses wind power and energy storage, and how an auditing service can help…
Hitting new milestones: Wind energy in Canada
Canada recently became the 7th country in the world to surpass 10,000 MW of installed wind energy capacity, enough to power over three million homes annually. In this WindTalk edition, Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) President Robert Hornung discusses the country’s wind-power successes and challenges, and what he predicts for the future wind industry in…