Power & Energy Solutions

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Corporate Focus, Exclusive Articles, Wind

At PES we know that maximising uptime and reducing costs are essential to the offshore wind power business. Semco Maritime helps offshore wind farm operators do exactly this by offering full service and maintenance concepts for offshore substations and wind turbine foundations - the so-called transition pieces. Semco Maritime helps offshore wind farm operators maximise uptime and drive down operational costs by offering full service and maintenance concepts for offshore substations and wind turbine foundations, the so-called transition pieces. It is simply good business to have a pro-active approach to maintenance because it prevents break-downs which cause costly downtime during repair. ‘After building and commissioning more than 20 offshore substations in the North Sea area we discovered a gap in the market. We found that offshore wind farm operators spend much time and energy on coordinating the work of a large number of service providers. Therefore, we are now offering a full scope service concept whereby we release time and resources for the operator enabling him to concentrate on the operation of the wind farm,’ says Bjarne Christensen, Director of service operations at Semco Maritime.

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Exclusive Articles, PES Essential, Wind

Words: Al Maiorino It seems the US is finally being blown away with the idea of wind power. At last traditional forms of energy are being reviewed and clean, sustainable wind energy is being taken seriously. There is to be a 200 turbine windfarm off the coast of Long Island. “Today is a big day for clean energy in New York and our nation. Governor Cuomo has set a bold vision for a clean energy future, and this project is a significant step toward making that a reality. The South Fork Wind Farm will be the second offshore wind farm in America, and it’s largest. There is a huge clean energy resource blowing off our coastline just over the horizon, and it is time to tap into this unlimited resource to power our communities.” said Deepwater Wind CEO, Jeffrey Grybowski, in an empowering speech following the approval of a revolutionary project. In light of much discussion over climate change, it has become imperative to reassess conventional forms of energy sources such as fossil fuels and make changes. There is a need to provide energy that is replenished naturally, offers climate change mitigation, and adds economic benefits on various levels. In response

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Exclusive Articles, PES Essential, Wind

PES invited award-winning Scottish technology company PhotoSynergy Ltd (PSL) to give us an insight in to their suite of new products, produced in response to industry led requests to find practicable, cost-effective solutions in a variety of sectors where safety of life is paramount. The company, in collaboration with a number of key technology partners, continues its focus on increased safety and productivity through innovative forms of illumination based broadly on its ground-breaking LIGHTPATH™ technology, a fibre lighting system offering an innovative technical solution. In January this year, PSL and Livingston-based WFS Technologies launched the Seatooth LIGHTPATH™, an on-demand wireless ribbon lighting system designed to revolutionise diver safety and efficiency in remote subsea locations. The system is a combination of two advanced technologies – WFS’s Seatooth, a subsea wireless communication system that can download and log information gathered on subsea installations remotely and PSL’s LIGHTPATH™, a side-emitting flexible fibre that projects a continuous line of light that carries no electrical power – and works for both diver and ROV operators, working either near surface, or at depths of up to 3,000m. The light is engaged automatically when the diver or the ROV comes within 5m of a structure, and provides

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Exclusive Articles, PES Essential, Wind

Words: Gerry Lalonde, CEO, Orenda Energy Solutions. Planning consent is still grey area for the small/medium wind turbine market and it is about time we had consistency and predictability rather than disparate decision making that often blights and inhibits progress across the UK. It has been known for years that planning authorities decision making varies depending on location and geography which might make anyone but the most determined user look at other renewable schemes that offer an easier pathway to energy self-sufficiency, when wind energy ticks many boxes in terms of its appeal – grid friendly with no grid structure required, unobtrusive, as well as offering revenue and investment opportunities. In my view, that’s why we need to shake off the planning shackles because, as the energy industry in the UK continues to evolve, small/medium wind can be pivotal as the ‘driver’ as the scheme of choice particularly for farmers and private landowners. Turbines at this level, around the sub-50kW mark, are vital to maintain this continuous drive to underpin the UK’s small-scale renewable needs. Even the Chief Executive of the National Grid, Steve Holliday, was on record in a recent interview stating that ‘’by 2020 small-scale, distributed generation will represent a third

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Exclusive Articles, Talking Point, Wind

What is torqueing and why is it important to be able to record it? PES finds out from Norbar, the torque tool specialists. In this context, torqueing is principally the measured application of rotational force to a threaded fastener. When the torque is either under or over the manufacturer’s specification, it can cause considerable damage to the turbine structure. Protecting against this risk should be of primary importance so the health and safety of operatives and the life expectancy of the turbine are safeguarded. The extent of the damage from inaccurately applied torque can vary substantially. The potential for vibrations occurring in the turbine is perhaps the most crucial technical implication of over or under torque. Any vibration presents a real risk of calamitous failure. Maintenance operatives across many windfarms need to use an assortment of tools to finish the job. In the turbine tower for example, an operative may need one tool to run down the bolts plus a hydraulic wrench to achieve final torque. Using these two tools present a number of potential complications, particularly regarding ease of operation and manoeuvrability. Subsequently health and safety is a significant concern. Therefore having the ability to record the torque data from tightened joints

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Corporate Focus, Exclusive Articles, Wind

During October 2015 Moventas Gears, the wind turbine gearbox specialist headquartered in Finland, made an investment decision, which now supports customers all around the UK and central Europe. The 3.6MW Full Load Test Bench & Final Assembly workshop was commissioned in Huddersfield, in August 2016. Supported by the UK government, the Huddersfield upgrade was part of a Regional Growth Fund initiative. All gearboxes serviced at Moventas go through a proven test run process regardless off the gear type or size. This is a Moventas internal and essential quality standard and usually also a customer requirement. Refurbished gearboxes that have gone through partial load or spin test can also have the option to be full load tested; if there has been major component change or modifications in the design, the full load test is a must. Moventas has a range of test benches dedicated to the serial production and service workshop requirements covering kW and MW drive trains. The difference between full load test and partial load or spin test The main purpose for the traditional full load test run is to guarantee successful component manufacturing, refurbishment and assembly process. The test run itself is not to improve quality – it is a

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Exclusive Articles, Talking Point, Wind

Words: Kurt E. Thomsen I know what you are thinking, right now you may be considering installing an offshore windfarm and here I am telling you about the problems of getting rid of the thing again. But! The topic is relevant whether you are installing a windfarm, nearing an end to the operational life, or actually in the process of preparing the decommissioning of the windfarm. Why, you might ask, is this relevant, the removal of the wind turbines is actually the reverse operation of installing it or not? The answer is that this is actually not the case. And as usual the devil is in the detail. Here are the reasons. In the early years I was frequently asked to give a quote for how much it would cost to remove an offshore turbine, my answer was simple, the same plus inflation as it would cost to install it. This is partly the answer, however a significant number of costs will occur which we did not foresee when we were originally asked. Firstly, the sheer number of turbines, which have to be removed, will make a significant impact to the port where you have to unload them. For the Danish and German North Sea,

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Exclusive Articles, Talking Point, Wind

The number of wind turbines used globally has grown exponentially over the last few years and with it so has the need for efficient and safer inspection methods. Ray Faulkner from iRed, an industry-leading thermographic consultancy and training centre, explains how Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs/Drones) are establishing a strong case for involvement. Renewable energy has now overtaken coal as the world’s biggest source of power-generating capacity. Clean energy costs are tumbling, with the potential for industry growth rapidly expanding. Britain has been at the forefront of developing this technology; however it’s in danger of falling behind. The rest of the world is catching on. China, for example, is working towards becoming a green energy superpower, with huge investments in solar energy. India is making strides in their development of wind power and Ireland has recently voted to become the first country to remove all dependence on fossil fuels. The UK has been the fastest growing green economy in Europe. Despite being a world leader in offshore wind - helped by having the second largest tidal range in the world - the UK has the potential to supply a far greater share of the country’s energy needs. According to Renewable UK, there are

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Exclusive Articles, PES Essential, Wind

In February 2015, the Indian government announced its plans to almost quadruple its renewable power capacity to 175 GW by 2022 as part of the plan to supply electricity to every household in the country. This includes 60 GW from wind energy. Further, India made a commitment at COP21 to raise the share of non-fossil-fuel power capacity in the country’s power mix to 40% by 2030. Consequently, these plans and targets make the Indian market a unique fast moving and growing market where competitive companies can have great business opportunities. But, they also come with a complex and unstable legal framework where manufacturers find many obstacles on the way. Market developments In 2016, India set a national record with 3,612 MW of new installations, bringing the country’s total to 28,700 MW and consolidating its 4th position in the cumulative global rankings, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) of India. India was among the top 10 countries in terms of renewable energy investment, according to UNEP & Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Also, India’s renewable energy sector held its position at the third spot for the second year in a row in the Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index (RECAI) released by

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Exclusive Articles, Talking Point, Wind

Ever wonder how wind turbines operate autonomously, with such little human intervention, in the middle of the sea? Rico Shoeni, Market Manager for Industry at HUBER+SUHNER, gives PES an inside look at the latest developments and the type of technology currently in development to power offshore wind farms. With the ever-increasing effects of global warming, coupled with the environmental and economic costs of fossil fuels, never before has renewable energy been in such demand. A research report from the World Energy Council has even predicted that the world's demand for power is set to double by 2050, leading to a global rush to construct as many renewable energy sources as possible. One of the most popular and effective sources of clean, renewable energy is wind power. Now, when people think of wind turbines, the image that most likely comes to mind is the towering white windmill-esque structures usually set to the backdrop of rolling green fields. The most popular new venture for this technology, however, is in the realm of offshore turbine sites, located primarily on continental shelves across Europe and the World. Already, there are multiple offshore sites across Europe, comprising hundreds of separate turbines producing thousands of MW of

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