Power & Energy Solutions

The premier renewable energy publication

Exclusive Articles, Solar, Talking Point

The fundamental standards for manufacturing semiconductors and solar cells are as concise as they are clear – they demand absolute protection of people and the environment against chemicals, while simultaneously protecting ultrapure chemicals from contamination. Lately of course, the requirement for highly efficient processes has been added. It is surprising that still little is known about how this can be achieved simply and economically by using modern dispensing systems. And in addition, there is potential for substantial savings during the various process steps. Dispensing chemicals more quickly, more safely and more efficiently There are very good reasons why the QC-System, produced by AS, has emerged over decades as one of the leading dispensing systems worldwide for ultrapure and aggressive chemicals. Customers including prestigious chemical manufacturers and end customers in various industrial sectors benefit from a highly flexible precision tool in more than 100,000 variants for almost any imaginable operational purpose. It is completely free of metals and made from 100% ultrapure, high-performance plastics, including a patented coding system that prevents product mix-ups. It includes a Quick-Connect System, every last detail of which is designed to maximize safety and purity during production. The QC-System: many ideas for maximum safety The QC-System undergoes continuous further development and improvement to

Read More
Exclusive Articles, PES Essential, Solar

Leonardo Botti, Global Head of Product Management ABB, reviews the impact of Blockchain and how digitalization can support the technology’s adoption. In 2009 a new disrupter finance model was launched- BitCoin. It heralded a new era in how currency and transactions were made and transferred globally. The emergence and rising popularity of this new cryptocurrency market reached a defining point in 2017 when the number of B2B enterprises adopting Bitcoin trebled and suddenly attracted the attention of global investors. But what does this decentralized digital currency have to do with the changing energy market? To answer this question we need to look at the technology that underpins BitCoin - ‘blockchain’. Blockchain is based on a peer-to-peer platform that has created new ways in which we can transact with one another. The underlying transaction model moves us away from a centralized architecture towards a more direct and decentralized system between peers. This reduces the need for a central server, authorization and authentication of transactions by one single authoritative body. For the energy market, it is presenting new opportunities for innovation within utilities and amongst homeowners. It is redefining how our energy is supplied and potentially creating a sustainable energy community. Role of the prosumer Energy transactions

Read More
Ask the Experts, Exclusive Articles, Solar

PES caught up with the joint managing directors of Isovoltaic Solinex, DI Thomas Rossegger and Mag. Matthias Meinl. They lead a very experienced team in backsheet technology and have customers all over the globe. Their latest offering is polypropylene-based and out performs similar products on the market. R&D and innovation remains a constant quest. PES: Welcome to PES Solar/PV magazine, it’s great to talk with you. Could you begin by explaining a little about the background of ISOVOLTAIC SOLINEX and the importance of the solar/PV industry to you? Thomas Rossegger & Matthias Meinl: At Solinex, we have accumulated more than 30 years in the backsheet business within the global PV industry. Being a carve-out of long-standing Isovoltaic AG, our team has extensive experience and an excellent network on the market. As such, we combine the benefits of a new and innovative company, offering a highly reputable product, to the global PV industry with an outstanding, qualified and experienced team. At Solinex, we are continuing the innovative spirit that our original company Isovoltaic, has always been known for and du to this we are leaders in the global backsheet market. Our dedicated mission is to cater to the global PV industry, with a

Read More
Ask the Experts, Exclusive Articles, Solar

PES caught up with the joint managing directors of Isovoltaic Solinex, DI Thomas Rossegger and Mag. Matthias Meinl. They lead a very experienced team in backsheet technology and have customers all over the globe. Their latest offering is polypropylene-based and out performs similar products on the market. R&D and innovation remains a constant quest. PES: Welcome to PES Solar/PV magazine, it’s great to talk with you. Could you begin by explaining a little about the background of ISOVOLTAIC SOLINEX and the importance of the solar/PV industry to you? Thomas Rossegger & Matthias Meinl: At Solinex, we have accumulated more than 30 years in the backsheet business within the global PV industry. Being a carve-out of long-standing Isovoltaic AG, our team has extensive experience and an excellent network on the market. As such, we combine the benefits of a new and innovative company, offering a highly reputable product, to the global PV industry with an outstanding, qualified and experienced team. At Solinex, we are continuing the innovative spirit that our original company Isovoltaic, has always been known for and du to this we are leaders in the global backsheet market. Our dedicated mission is to cater to the global PV industry, with a product

Read More
Exclusive Articles, Talking Point, Wind

PES introduces the C-bed Floating Hotels, a worldwide pioneer within offshore accommodation and project services, providing home from home comforts to offshore crew. C-bed believes that you deserve to be treated well when you work hard offshore and are away from your family. So, they have designed their ships to be almost better than home. Take a tour around C-bed’s specialised offshore vessel, Wind Innovation. Top/middle: Arriving at the floating hotel The fit for purpose permanent boat landing, with cranage facility, makes it easy and safe to get on board the vessel. Both for personnel and equipment. Bottom right: Or you can arrive by air… Top left: Welcome on board - here’s your room key Safely on board, you arrive at the reception, where the staff is ready to give you a warm welcome and keep track of everybody on board. They provide personal service 24 hours a day. Top right: A good night’s rest All 80 single cabins with en-suite bathroom, Wi-Fi internet, TV, desk and wardrobe ensures the guests are fully recharged before another day’s work. Middle: Walk-to-work By applying her DP2 capacity, Wind Innovation allows the offshore technicians direct access to their offshore workplace. The Uptime motion compensated gangway ensures swift transfers between ship and turbine foundation of personnel

Read More
Exclusive Articles, PES Essential, Wind

The renewables market, particularly wind, is a key sector for ALE. Building on experience in the power sector, we have used our knowledge and expertise to develop smarter solutions to the challenges created by the increasing heights of wind turbines and associated components. In relation to the on-shore wind enery market, ALE offers a bespoke Transport, Crane and Installation (TCI) package for the wind energy sector. The transportation phases of projects include route assessments, liaising with local authorities, providing specialist transportation equipment and facilitating the removal and replacement of any street furniture or structures that may obstruct the route. We own a fleet of specialised equipment that is specifically used for projects in this sector, such as ` blade trailers and low profile wind tower adapters. Our qualified electrical and mechanical installation teams have the knowledge and experience to provide the most efficient solution, on a project by project basis. We can also provide our clients with port handling services. This includes equipment inspection, damage assessment, storage facilities and loading or reloading of equipment to specialist transport. “We offer different types of cranes for the erection of wind turbine components. The LG1750 combines the benefits of a crawler crane, it is high

Read More
Exclusive Articles, Talking Point, Wind

Times have changed over the last 50 years in our industry. PES has had the pleasure to witness the ever improving quality, health, safety, environment (QHSE) implemented in company policies both on and offshore. Read on to find out what is happening at Glomar Offshore. In Glomar Offshore, as an owner and operator of 20 offshore support vessels, varying from, lower end of the market: guard vessels, to standby safety and Emergency Response and Rescue (ERRV), to high specification, subsea and offshore accommodation and access units, we deploy our fleet in both the Renewables and O&G industries on approximately a 50-50 ratio. Whilst these two sub segments, constituting the bulk of activities for the median Northern European ship owner, alongside dredging, salvage and governmental/institutional support, are considered quite distinct, this is far from reality. As such, the experience, QHSE record, skillset and technology used are the same. In our industry, it has to be in every company’s policy to prevent incidents in all activities carried out by the shore-based and shipboard personnel. This includes external personnel, subcontractors, as well as assets from third parties employed for a specific project. All companies should aim for a culture of commitment to safety, accountability and responsibility. Safe

Read More
Exclusive Articles, Think Tank, Wind

PES is delighted to bring you this latest advanced technology solution from ZF Wind Power. Over the last few years total wind turbine noise, which is mainly generated by the interaction of the wind and the wind turbine structure, has changed from being one of the properties of a wind turbine to a true differentiator between different wind turbine OEMs: the less noise the wind turbine generates, the more wind turbines can be placed on the same piece of land without violating the prevailing noise regulations. To achieve this, wind turbine OEMs are investigating among other things reducing overall noise levels by utilising optimised low noise blade design using e.g. serrations and improving controller strategies to include a wide variety of low noise modes. As the overall wind turbine noise is used to mask the noise coming from the mechanical components inside a wind turbine such as the generator and the gearbox, these noise sources also need to be optimised. The low noise blade designs, which are still being studied, have a direct impact on the overall wind turbine noise and thus require the mechanical noise to be reduced at the same pace. Next to that, the increased number of low

Read More
Exclusive Articles, Talking Point, Wind

Following the recent news, widely published in the industry and national press regarding a number of offshore wind farms, it seems that last year’s end of warranty inspections highlighted unprecedented amounts of offshore wind turbine, blade leading edge erosion, across several offshore wind farms in Europe. As the offshore wind industry enters the 2018 season blade repair campaigns, there is much to be considered. Early intervention is imperative for the quality and longevity of repairs. PES asked WTG to give us their view on this problem. It is an issue the industry has long been aware of and there are many initiatives in place looking to tackle the issue, such as the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult’s Blade Leading Edge Erosion Programme. Is this the Benchmark for future blade inspection and Integrity management during warranty? The following extract applies: If the expected lifetime of the surface coating is less than the lifetime of the blade, suitable inspection and maintenance intervals should be specified. Inspection and maintenance intervals shall be planned to provide adequate assurance that no significant deterioration in the condition of the installation may arise in the interval. The design should take into account the practicability of carrying out inspections of relevant components

Read More
Exclusive Articles, PES Essential, Wind

S&P Global Ratings rated its first onshore wind project in 2003. Since then, the renewable energy sector has undergone tremendous expansion. In the past decade alone, its compound annual growth rate has totalled 20%, thanks largely to the rising awareness of how using fossil fuels for power generation contributes to climate change. In Latin America in particular, where most renewable capacity comes from large hydro plants, onshore wind power sources are playing an increasingly important role. Oaxaca, a region in Mexico, for example, is considered one of the best regions worldwide for onshore wind farms. Its geological formation creates a corridor with consistently strong winds. So, the favourable wind resource, in combination with lower operation and maintenance cost, resulted in the upside of the credit outlook in the region. A global outlook Last year alone, onshore wind added approximately 53 gigawatts (GW) to the global capacity grid – bringing the total to around 540 GW. This is partly due to higher capacity factors and falling prices throughout the wind turbine supply chain, both of which are fostering onshore wind power’s rapid development. However, the sector’s growth isn’t without serious challenges. Wind resource availability has often failed to live up to the initial estimations made

Read More
© 2012+ P&G Media. CR. 5706994. Registered in England and Wales | Power and Energy Solutions is published by P&G Media