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,…
How U.S. windpower exporters can be ready for the global market through 2015
A new report from the U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) says Canada, China, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico will be the top five markets for U.S. renewable energy exports during the next two years, and the windpower sector will overtake the solar sector as the largest exporter of renewable energy products. In this WindTalk…
Wind Talk: IWEA director on Iowa’s windpower future, the PTC and WindTech
Harold Prior, executive director of the Iowa Wind Energy Association, says he is “bullish” about the future of wind energy in his state and across America. We caught up to him during WindTech at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa. WindTech is the premier hands-on training event for wind technicians. In this Wind Talk…
Wind Talk: An offshore wind victory in Maryland
Propelled by the effects of climate change and seeing an ideal location for offshore wind, the Sierra Club of Maryland spent years championing the Maryland Offshore Energy Act of 2013. Finally, on April 9, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley signed the legislation, which creates incentives to develop up to 500 MW of offshore wind capacity. Skepticism…