Repair instructor, Lou Dorworth, of Abaris Training recently wrote an article on new techniques for repairing wind turbine blades (which will be featured in our June issue). In this Wind Talk podcast, he explains the types of blade damage commonly found, conventional methods for repairs, and new ideas for returning damaged blades into like-new.
How appealing is wind energy in the U.S.?
Welcome to another edition of Wind Talk, a Windpower Engineering and Development podcast series that gives you the opportunity to hear from industry newsmakers in their own words. In this podcast, Troy Miller, Business Development and Marketing Manager in the Power Quality Products Division at S&C Electric Company, discusses the United States’ demand for wind…
Muir Data Systems discusses its new software for ISPs
Muir Data Systems (MDS) recently released its Sequoia CMMS, a software product designed for Independent Service Providers (ISPs) performing blade maintenance work. In this Wind Talk podcast, James Parle, CEO of MDS will discuss the software, and its benefits to ISPs and the wind-energy industry.
Romax Technology’s Dr. John Coultate talks scaling wind, Romax consultancy, and end of warranty inspection
In this episode of Wind Talk we speak with Dr. John Coultate, head of monitoring and O&M consultancy at Romax Technology. Romax offers turn-key solutions for drivetrain design; engineering and strategic consultancy; solutions for drivetrain health management and drivetrain simulation software. John talks about the challenges of scaling wind energy. He also discusses some of the lessons that…
Finding an ROI when up-rating or de-rating a wind turbine
O&M crews work hard making sure wind turbines hit the 20-year mark as profitable machines. As they close in on that birthday, it may be necessary to curb their power outputs, although some cases allow boosting it a bit. But how do the changes affect reliability and what its return on investment? Stephen Steen at…
The changing face of O&M: A podcast with GE’s General Manager of Wind Services Andy Holt
The work of wind technicians is changing as wind turbines change. Most techs are finding that newer turbines call for less torquing and fewer oil changes but more control tuning. In this podcast, GE’s General Manager of Wind Services discusses trends in operations and maintenance practices, the skills the company looks for in wind technicians,…
Offshore wind is the way to go: an interview with PMSS’ Taylor Roark
Investment in offshore wind is picking up in the U.S., but it still has a long way to go. In this episode of Wind Talk we spoke with Taylor Roark, senior consultant – project assurance with PMSS, about the incipient U.S. offshore wind industry and the challenges that still lie ahead. Roark also discusses the…
Windpower technicians face the freeze
Windpower technicians across the United States were forced to cancel maintenance runs in early January when the polar vortex – a mass of low-pressure and extremely cold air, usually found swirling above Siberia and Northern Canada – had moved south into American airspace. The air mass brought sub-zero temperatures to places unacquainted with extreme chill.…
AWEA exec discusses why you should attend next week’s Wind Project O&M and Safety Seminar
I’m Nic Sharpley, managing editor of Windpower Engineering & Development magazine. Welcome to another edition of Wind Talk, our podcast series that gives you the opportunity to hear from the industry’s newsmakers in their own words. Today, we have Michele Mihelic, Director of Worker Health and Safety Policy, and Standards Development at AWEA. Michele is…
DNV KEMA exec discusses new energy storage testing facility and NY-BEST partnership
Today, we have Rick Fioravanti, a board member with the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST) and DNV KEMA’s energy storage applications vice president.DNV KEMA recently moved its energy storage testing facility to New York and is working with NY-BEST to discover and commercialize technologies that will help move renewables, such as…
Can domestic manufacturing support the U.S. wind industry?
I’m Nic Sharpley, managing editor of Windpower Engineering & Development magazine. Welcome to another edition of Wind Talk, our podcast series that gives you the opportunity to hear from the industry’s newsmakers in their own words. I’m here with Patrick Fullenkamp, a Principal Investigator for the Department of Energy, who along with the Global Wind…
A look inside AWEA Offshore WINDPOWER 2013 and U.S. offshore wind
I’m Nic Sharpley, managing editor of Windpower Engineering & Development magazine. Welcome to another edition of Wind Talk, our podcast series that gives you the opportunity to hear from the industry’s newsmakers in their own words. Today, I’m here with Chris Long, AWEA’s Manager of Offshore Wind & Siting Policy, who is bringing wind energy…
Offshore wind: Protecting marine mammals with noise reduction
I’m Nic Sharpley, managing editor of Windpower Engineering & Development magazine. Welcome to another edition of Wind Talk, our podcast series that gives you the opportunity to hear from the industry’s newsmakers in their own words. Today, I’m here with Jens Kuhnert, product manager of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies Merkel, the global specialist for innovative hydraulic…