Power & Energy Solutions

The premier renewable energy publication

Exclusive Articles, Talking Point, Wind

Our climate is changing. Extreme weather events will become the new standard, temperatures are rising around the globe. Only a few degrees more already means immense consequences for ecosystems, economic sectors and human health across Europe and worldwide. The WWF analyzed that climate change causes around half of all animal and plant species, in the world’s most important natural regions, to be threatened in the medium term. The European Environmental Agency gets to the heart of the matter: ‘Essential for the generation of industrial, commercial and social wealth, energy also provides personal comfort and mobility. But its production and consumption place considerable pressures on the environment: greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, land use, waste generation and oil spills. These pressures contribute to climate change, damage natural ecosystems and the man-made environment, and have adverse effects on human health.’ Much of the observed and predicted changes can be directly linked to human greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases exert a significant influence on global warming. An actively promoted development of renewable energy is one of the main means to curb this dramatic change. Green electricity only works together ‘The negative impacts of climate change can only be limited by the reduction of emissions –

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Corporate Focus, Exclusive Articles, Wind

Hardly any industry is growing as fast as the offshore-wind energy sector. The helicopter operator HTM Helicopter Travel Munich GmbH, has supported offshore alternative energy from the very beginning. Today, the company is one of the leading providers for helicopter hoist-missions to offshore wind turbines and their substation platforms. PES is delighted to bring you this exclusive. It’s early in the morning on the airfield of the East Frisian City of Emden (EDWE) and even at this time there is a hustle and bustle. Ground handlers are towing helicopters over the apron, refueling them and the first passengers are arriving at the check-in area. A strong and cold wind is blowing, a perfect day for flying, at least for the HTM crews. As soon as the wind turbines are out of service and the waves too high to transport the trouble shooting teams, via CTV (a special Crew Transfer Vessel), the hour of action sounds for the Emden based helicopter operator. Time is money and an unserviceable wind energy plant produces costs instead of earning profit (12.000-30.000 euros a day on windy days). Therefore, the top goal of HTM is to serve their customers timely, safely with utmost flexibility flexible. One day offshore Normally

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Exclusive Articles, Think Tank, Wind

Since the beginning of this year, US states together, have committed to over 8,000MW of offshore wind by 2030. And now, these long-term commitments by states have started to materialize in near term actual projects. PES brings you the latest update from GustoMSC. Building a long-term industry on near term projects In May this year Vineyard Wind was awarded an 800MW project by the state of Massachusetts followed by two further awards of 400MW by Rhode Island and 200MW by Connecticut to Deepwater Wind. Increasingly these developments provide justification to invest in dedicated and efficient installation solutions both for a long-term efficient US offshore wind industry and to provide short term solutions to install these first projects. GustoMSC, a design and engineering company of mobile offshore units and equipment, has designed the vast majority of offshore wind turbine installation jack-ups and vessels operating to date. Since 2010, these jack-ups with integrated jacking systems and cranes have installed over 4,000 turbines and foundations. Past developments GustoMSC has long been aiming to support developments in the US offshore wind market with its expertise. Two years ago, GustoMSC participated in a study, led by the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA), aimed at understanding what

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Corporate Focus, Exclusive Articles, Wind

In the last issue of PES Wind, Hans Gatzemeier, Managing Director of ELA Container Offshore GmbH, gave an exclusive interview. Amongst other things, he talked about their company background, offshore container solutions, HSE measures and employee training. Here is our follow-up, in which we are pleased to present our various container solutions provided by the ALLROUNDER, PREMIUM and PREMIUM PLUS. ELA Container GmbH, a family run company, was founded in 1972. It came from an idea to convert transport containers into functional, mobile multipurpose rooms. ELA Container Offshore was set-up in 2014, as a response to the special needs of the offshore industry. The aim was to provide the offshore business with compact container modules. Nowadays ELA has 600 employees, an international operation and has leased out more than 23,000 mobile units throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Thanks to our long-term experience in building container solutions, we have succeeded in developing a wide range of container types especially designed for the offshore industry. The standard system, already meets most customer requirements. The containers fulfil a wide range of individual needs and are equipped with a variety of facilities, meaning they can be used as: • Living quarters • Dining rooms • Kitchens • Bathrooms and toilet • Offices •

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Exclusive Articles, Talking Point, Wind

The rapid market expansion, in offshore generated wind power, requires a new approach towards offshore access for maintenance of wind generators. Two experts in access systems, Willem Prins and Marco Klitsie, developed a totally new and patented access method for which solid investors and building partners have already been found. The EAGLE-ACCESS SYSTEM will be ready for trials in early 2019 and so PES wanted to know more… Background Looking back on 15 years of experience in consultancy and the design and development of access systems for offshore platforms for several clients in the market, we conclude the present technology is far from mature. There are still more technical steps to be made, especially in the offshore wind market. A short history By the end of the 20th century the offshore oil and gas industry felt the need for cheaper access for personnel to platforms, replacing the expensive use of helicopters, which was also driven by the trend towards smaller and unmanned platforms. In 2003 the first proposals for access from PSV’s to platforms came to light and two competing access systems were introduced to the market: OAS by Offshore Solutions and Ampelmann. Both systems accommodated the access for personnel from DPII supply vessels to

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Exclusive Articles, Talking Point, Wind

High-quality wind resource data is essential for investors and developers looking to guarantee the accuracy of financial modelling – all the more so as the decline in subsidy tariffs, both in the UK and further afield, leave little margin for error. When it comes to guaranteeing the accuracy of this data, industry conversations have typically focused on whether meteorological (met) masts or remote sensing devices will win out as the technology of choice for undertaking wind resource assessment campaigns. But, while each possesses certain strengths and weaknesses, developers should be conscious of a number of other site and project considerations during early-stage site prospecting that, if addressed early on, can reduce costs and maximise a project’s financial returns over its lifetime. Unfortunately, all too often investors make the decision to use either a met mast or remote sensing unit, whether LiDAR (light detection and ranging) or SoDAR (sonic detection and ranging) in isolation, with little understanding of the sites where this equipment will be deployed. This means that a range of factors, particularly around site conditions, planning issues and the unique circumstances of a specific project are overlooked. In turn, this will often result in increased and unnecessary costs, as well

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Exclusive Articles, Think Tank, Wind

India has been witnessing an unprecedented surge in the installation of solar plants since the announcement of the National Solar Mission in 2010. With more than 25GW of installed capacity as on August 2018, the country is chasing the ambitious target of 100 GW Solar PV installations by the year 2022. With increasing installations on land and rooftops, the emerging focus area is to put the untapped vast area of waterbodies to good use. India has 91 major reservoirs with more than 75% of these reservoirs located in the sunny Southern, Western and Central regions. Installation of solar PV plants on water bodies like lakes, man-made and natural reservoirs, industrial ponds and fish farms could be attractive due to the following reasons: 1. The scarcity of large land areas for installation which, in some cases has led to cultivable lands being sacrificed for installation of solar plants. 2. Increasing price trend of land. 3. Optimal use of evacuation infrastructure, e.g.: near hydel projects. 4. Reuse options for abandoned areas like mines, quarries etc. 5. Conservation of water by reduced evaporation. 6. Limiting algae growth through reduced sunlight penetration into water. 7. Improved generation from PV plants due to lower module temperatures. 8. Possible maintenance cost reduction of plants e.g.

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Corporate Focus, Exclusive Articles, Wind

Blaaholm designed and manufactured the Davit Crane because of the increased weight of future wind turbine components, which puts greater demands on crane capacity and the demand for savings on service costs from their customers. PES sat down with Torben Blaaholm to find out more about this crane’s innovative features. The new crane offers the following key features: a lifting capacity of 1000kg to 2000kg, automatic and manual overload protection systems and special features for easy access for the servicing. We also provide a special service through a partnership with Fanø Kran-Service, which provides great benefits for our customers. We developed the Davit Crane in cooperation with our customers in the wind industry, due to the increased weight on future components used in wind turbines, which places greater demands on the current onsite crane capacity. It’s is new to the market and the reduced service costs and competitive prices have secured early success. There are already signed contracts and we have been invited to tender on a significant number of offshore wind projects. Located in Esbjerg, Denmark, Blaaholm has developed and produced lifting equipment for the wind industry since 2008. We supply solutions worldwide within 4 business areas: tower production, wind industry, automation &

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Exclusive Articles, Talking Point, Wind

The battery market is seeing unprecedented interest and investment. This comes from existing battery manufacturers, vehicle makers, chemical companies, energy suppliers and others, with many businesses moving outside their traditional comfort zones. However, amid all the positive announcements, return on investment has so far been slight. Companies, whether new entrants or existing businesses, face significant risks if they are to successfully carve out market positions. While these risks vary depending on the companies’ positions in the value chain, victorious players will need to manage their way through complex ecosystems, pick the right technologies to back, secure necessary knowledge and intellectual property, and ensure that they can operate at scale in their chosen areas. This must all be done within a traditionally conservative and risk-averse industry. How can this be achieved? One market, many applications When creating a battery strategy, the first point that is vital to understand is that the market is made up of multiple applications, each with different and very specific needs. Factors impacting technology suitability for each application include power density, capacity, cycle lifetime, energy density, capital cost, charging time, reliability and safety. That means, in our view, that no single technology is likely to ultimately dominate the industry

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Misc, Press Releases, Renewable News

Responding, Fabrice Leveque, Senior Policy Manager at Scottish Renewables, said: "The UK Government has confirmed that it will consult soon on the principles for a Contracts for Difference auction in 2021. "This consultation, which is detailed in this response, should be the vehicle with which the Government considers the future for the cheapest forms of new electricity generation - onshore wind and solar - which remain locked out of the energy market. "The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is right to say that early action on clean growth has given the UK huge potential to lead the world and reap the rewards of the global shift to a low-carbon economy. "It is essential that we do not let the opportunities provided by renewable energy - including onshore wind and solar - slip through our fingers, and we look forward to working with Government as its plans for the fourth CfD auction progress."

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