Aerones, the wind turbine inspection and maintenance company, has launched a new robotics system for improved precision, stability, and effectiveness, abandoning its previous drone-based system in favor of patented ground-based winch and robotic arm technology. The ground-based system allows for the automation of routine inspection and maintenance functions, such as cleaning, coating and repair. The…
Composite repair institute Abaris resumes classes at Nevada facility
Abaris Training Resources, a composite materials training institute, will resume classes on June 1st, 2020 at its Reno, Nevada location after being closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. “The Abaris team is excited to be getting back to work and will start with two of the most popular courses: ‘Composite Essentials for Engineers’…
Is rope-based descent emergency evacuation at the end of its tether?
The use of rope-based descent (RBD) systems for emergency evacuation in the wind energy sector could be reduced given the encouraging market response to Evacuator, a fireproof, rapid descent system capable of getting single and multiple crew members working at heights of up to 300 m to safety in an emergency situation. Evacuator can mean…
Nordex enrolls in DXC Technology’s new incident response application
DXC Technology has introduced its Corporate Incident Response (CIR) application for ServiceNow to enable organizations like the Nordex Group, one of the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturers, to quickly and proactively identify, address and manage important non-IT corporate incidents, such as those related to facilities, physical security, and environment, health and safety. The application, built…
Chartwell Marine, Bar Technologies unveil new offshore wind vessels
Vessel designer Chartwell Marine has partnered with naval architects BAR Technologies to support delivery of the latest generation of offshore wind crew transfer vessels (CTVs). The partnership will forward the development of new vessel designs ranging from 30-meter CTVs through to 60-meter service accommodation and transfer vessels (SATVs), making use of BAR’s patented foil optimization…
COVID-19 is leading to decreased wind turbine O&M costs and more efficient practices
As wind farm owners and investors prioritize critical equipment maintenance, reduce subcontractor reliance and adopt virtual working practices for non-essential kit monitoring and analysis, operational and technology teams have fast-tracked a new working framework for wind turbine operations and maintenance that will drive future operational efficiencies, post COVID-19. This is according to a detailed survey…
PSG releases new Checkmate Xplorer body harness for fall protection
Pure Safety Group (PSG), manufacturer of fall protection equipment used by workers at height, has introduced the new Checkmate Xplorer industrial full body harness for fall protection to the U.S. market. The harness, designed to be more comfortable than conventional harnesses during periods of suspension and frequent loading, features visual alert stitching, an intuitive way…
North America doubles standardized wind tech safety training in 2019
Demand from major wind energy employers for standardized safety training has led to a major increase in the use of Global Wind Organisation (GWO) standards in North America. The training, which covers basic safety and technical skills for one of the fastest-growing jobs in America, almost doubled in 2019, with training providers across key wind…
Petzl to release updated VOLT harness line
Petzl, manufacturer of professional safety equipment, will release an updated VOLT harness line this March. The VOLT harness line is designed to provide fall protection and comfortable work positioning for those working on towers or inside wind turbines. Both models, the VOLT and VOLT WIND are easy to put on and take off with FAST…
Connected drones: The next technology advance for wind turbine inspections
By Donavon Graves, Director of Business Development and Strategic Planning, Skyward – a Verizon company Drone inspections play a vital role in preventive maintenance of vertical structures, ships, worksites and horizontal infrastructure like railroad tracks and power lines. Therefore, connected drones are the next phase of this technology. In the near future, the main mode…
Solutions for aging GE 1.5x wind turbines in need of intense maintenance
By Bruce Hammett, President and CEO; and Denny McKissic, National Account Manager, WECS Renewables Not keeping wind turbines positioned toward the wind is a critical revenue killer for operators, not to mention the maintenance costs associated with slight positioning problems. Maintaining directional control requires properly functioning wind direction sensing systems and robust long-life yawing systems.…
Black Swift Technologies unveils new automated industrial inspection drone
Black Swift Technologies (BST), a specialized engineering firm based in Boulder, Colorado, announced the availability of the Black Swift E2 UAS, an American-made, advanced unmanned aerial system (UAS) specifically designed for automated industrial and structural inspections. Its advanced navigation enables the Black Swift E2 to conduct highly accurate, up-close inspections of infrastructures like wind turbines,…
Grace Industries releases new line of lone worker fall-suspension-alert products
Grace Industries has introduced a new line of lone worker fall suspension alert-notification products for people who work at heights. After a fall, the response time is critical for a worker hanging for a prolonged period of time placing them at serious risk of suspension trauma. Suspension trauma, also known as orthostatic intolerance or harness…
Roper Partner secures investment to increase wind turbine O&M services
Rope Partner, a leader in wind turbine blade repair, maintenance and performance-enhancing services, has been acquired by funds advised by Magnesium Capital LLP. In the last decade, the global wind market has rapidly expanded, with the majority of operating capacity installed since 2009. Providing the required O&M services for these existing turbines as they enter…
The winds of change: The future of predictive analytics in wind farm reliability
By Noah Myrent, global head of monitoring at ONYX InSight Renewable energy is on the rise, now more than ever. Thanks to advances in digitization and data analytics, wind turbines can be relied on as a robust source of energy. While in the past, wind turbines were largely unintelligent monoliths monitored periodically via on-site technician…
Scout Clean Energy secures financing on 130-MW Indiana wind farm
Scout Clean Energy, a Colorado-based renewable energy developer, owner and operator, closed construction financing and tax equity commitments for the 130-MW Bitter Ridge Wind Farm in Jay County, Indiana. Bitter Ridge has been developed by Scout and will be owned and operated long-term by Scout’s dedicated asset management team. Scout is a portfolio company of…
Seacat Services recommends proven practices for emerging offshore wind support vessels market
Vessel operators seeking a foothold in the United States offshore wind market must invest early in well-established practices and proven vessel designs to meet customer demands and ensure the successful development of a domestic “Offshore Energy Support Vessel” (OESV) market. This is according to class-leading OESV operator, Seacat Services, whose fleet of 14 specialist vessels,…
NRG Systems offering bat deterrent system to Vestas turbine customers
NRG Systems, a designer and manufacturer of smart technologies for a range of wind, solar and meteorological applications, has signed a strategic agreement with Vestas Wind Systems A/S to offer turnkey Bat Deterrent Systems, complete with installation and service, for existing Vestas turbines. The global agreement covers Vestas turbines in all regions but is initially…
IHS expects U.S. wind O&M spending to increase 50% by 2030
United States wind O&M annual spending is expected to increase to more than $7.5 billion by 2030, a 50% increase above 2018 spending, according to a new report by IHS Markit. According to the IHS Markit 2019 Wind Power Plant Benchmarking in North America: Technological Advancements for Operations and Maintenance, the forecasted increase in O&M spending follows…
Midwest wind farm installs 33 Climb Auto Systems from 3S Americas
3S Americas, a subsidiary of 3S Lift, is proud to announce the installation of 33 Climb Auto Systems on wind projects in the northern Midwest. “We are very excited to have partnered with a large regulated utility in the upper Midwest who shares similar values with 3S Lift: to improve health and safety, increase turbine…