Workers employed by or contracting with the world’s leading wind energy companies increasingly follow a single, global training standard. New figures from Global Wind Organisation (GWO), a non-profit body owned by leading turbine manufacturers and owners, reveal a 26% increase in the amount of training courses delivered using to its standards. GWO aligns the basic…
How galled fasteners may affect wind-turbine O&M
By Patrik Lundström Törnquist & Anders Söderman BUMAX Galling is a form of wear that is caused by metal surfaces in gliding contact with one other, such as the many bolts and fasteners holding rotor blades together in wind turbines. With potentially disastrous and costly effects resulting from galled fasteners seizing or even subject to…
Wind O&M and training company, Boston Energy, to set up Rhode Island operations
Boston Energy, a global wind-turbine maintenance company, will make Rhode Island the home of its U.S operations. Boston Energy, which will be based at the Cambridge Innovation Center in Providence, will create more than 50 jobs in the Ocean State. “Rhode Island is a leader in offshore wind,” said Governor Gina M. Raimondo (D-R.I.). “This…
Extending main-shaft bearing life in wind turbines
By David de Garavilla & Dr. Xiaobo Zhou SKF The renewable energy sector is being forced to reduce the levelized cost of electricity (LCoE). The wind energy industry is striving to match or exceed the LCoE of traditional energy sources. Due to the cost of the equipment combined with the lower relative operations and…
Ergodyne adds to its cold-weather N-Ferno line of safety gear
In preparation of the winter months ahead, Ergodyne announced its launch of new products to their extensive line of N-Ferno cold-weather gear. These new additions come just in time as retailers and customers start to think ahead to the winter months. “We listened to worker feedback on the type of protection they need on the job…
Castrol launches new Wind Academy to “up-skill” O&M techs
Castrol, a provider of lubricants to the wind energy industry, is launching the Castrol Wind Academy. The new Academy is a multi-channel training program designed to up-skill wind energy operations and maintenance (O&M) technician teams with the latest insights, technologies, processes, and examples of how best practices in O&M can improve operational efficiency, equipment life…
Three keys for choosing and analyzing gear oil in wind turbines
A wind turbine is only as reliable as the quality of its components, and this is particularly true of a turbine’s main gearbox. The job of the gearbox is to speed slow, high-torque rotation into a much faster rotation for the turbine’s generator. However, the harsh operating conditions turbines endure — including variations in wind…
Pure Safety Group names new CEO
Pure Safety Group (PSG), the world’s largest independent height safety product development and training company, has named Joseph Piccione as chief executive officer, effective immediately. “Joe’s track record of growing companies internationally and leading teams to consistent results with a keen focus on the customer are key as PSG continues its international expansion and innovation…
Insuring offshore wind farms
A Q&A with senior underwriter, Jonny Allen A long with the environmental benefits of clean energy, the economic value of offshore wind power in America is expected to be notable. An Eastern seaboard state in the U.S. could expect at least $600 million in economic benefits from one offshore wind farm, according to the advocacy…
What’s new in gear oil, filters & analysis
The wind-power industry is continually improving turbine components and operation for greater uptime and power generation. One key to reliable operation is quality gear oil and filers. Here are a few new products and technologies. Extended turbine uptime Wind-turbine gearbox operations and management are demanding. The equipment must withstand extremes of hot or cold climates,…
How disruptive technology is changing condition-monitoring systems in wind turbines
Written by Bryan Rabenau, VP Technology ONYX InSIght It may seem surprising to some just how many wind turbines are running without condition-monitoring systems (CMS) for the major components. It is now typical to install CMS in offshore wind turbines from day one. However, many older turbines and most new models are without fitted…
How robots may change wind O&M
Robots may soon change the way routine maintenance is conducted on wind turbines, leading to fewer up-tower climbs for wind technicians. Given the risks and high cost of conventional rope or aerial lift access for turbine O&M, this is promising news for the industry — and particularly for the offshore wind sector, which typically means…
Maryland offering two new offshore wind grants
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is launching two offshore wind grants for 2020. The allotted funds will support: 1. the Maryland Offshore Wind Capex program with $1.6 million dollars 2. Maryland Offshore Wind Workforce Training Program with $1.2 million dollars The Maryland Offshore Wind Workforce Training program provides grant funding on a competitive basis to…
New safety guidelines for dropped object prevention at offshore sites
G+, a global health and safety organization for the offshore wind industry, has compiled much-needed safety recommendations for wind-farm owners and operators on the risks posed by dropped objects: the Reliable Securing Booklet for Offshore Wind. Publication of the reliable securing guidelines has come off the back of 2018 safety statistics released by G+, which demonstrate…
Vattenfall proves offshore wind can be profitable without subsidies
Vattenfall announced that it will be constructing the Hollandse Kust Zuid (HKZ) 3 & 4 offshore wind farm using a zero subsidy mechanism. This project follows Hollandse Kust Zuid (HKZ) 1 & 2 and, together, represent the first two unsubsidized offshore wind farms globally, says GlobalData, a data and analytics company. The wind farms will…
Three questions with tool manufacturer, Enerpac
Enerpac manufacturers tools and accessories designed to increase productivity while making work safer and easier to perform — including for jobs at wind sites. Windpower Engineering & Development recently asked the company to answer three key questions about tools and safety in the wind industry. Here are the answers… 1.What’s new in tools for the…
ISA announces Global Cybersecurity Alliance members
The International Society of Automation (ISA) announced the first founding members of its new Global Cybersecurity Alliance (GCA): Schneider Electric, Rockwell Automation, Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Claroty, and Nozomi Networks. ISA created the Global Cybersecurity Alliance to advance cybersecurity readiness and awareness in manufacturing and critical infrastructure facilities and processes. The Alliance brings end-user companies, automation,…
NSF accredited as GWO certification body for wind-turbine training facilities
NSF International subsidiary NSF Certification, LLC has been accredited as a certification body for the Global Wind Organisation (GWO). The accreditation enables NSF to audit and certify wind-turbine training facilities to GWO’s suite of safety standards. “Our industry needs access to more standardized safety and technical training, and this means more GWO training providers in…
Lawmakers propose Clean Energy Victory Bonds in fight against climate change
The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate introduced the Clean Energy Victory Bond today. The legislation — introduced in the House by Representatives Zoe Lofgren and Doris Matsui and in the Senate by Senator Tom Udall — calls for the government to issue up to $50 billion per year in Clean Energy Victory Bonds that…
Orsted launches new $800M green loan facility
Global offshore wind developer, Ørsted today announced the signing of its first green loan facility in support of wind energy. This green facility — guaranteed by Ørsted A/S and for Greater Changhua projects — attracted a total of 15 banks to join and provided excellent opportunities to local financial institutions to participate in offshore wind projects…