Talking Point

Introducing an innovative concept for offshore metmast installations

Innovation has always been the beating heart of the wind power industry, and the sector is all the better for it. In keeping with this constant quest for improvement, Marika van Pol presents Mercon and ALE's new concept for offshore metmast installations - called EMI for Eco Metmast Installation.

Construction company and installation specialist join forces

Mercon and ALE have decided to team up to introduce EMI, and Willem Griffioen, Managing Director at Mercon feels the two companies are the right combination: "Mercon is a renowned construction company with a long history in building offshore platforms. ALE, on the other hand, is a global heavy lift and transportation company. Expertise in complementary activities, thus." He adds:

The common goal to increase energy efficiency is driving the development of ever more reliable pressure sensors for use in wind turbines, says Mike Powers.

Maximising energy efficiency protects profit margins and strengthens businesses; it also satisfies our human need to know that we are all working towards sustainability. Pressure sensors have played a major role in increasing the efficiency of wind turbines; boosting the growth of an industry that has the proven ability to offer stable, sustainable energy supplies and cut our carbon emissions. Not only do sensors make wind turbines cost effective to run, consolidating the case for more wind farms and a corresponding increase in investment, they provide this support over the long term, offering the continued

A worldwide increase in energy demands and supportive renewable energy policies have been key factors in the growth of renewables over the last decade. Between 1998 and 2007, wind power's installed capacity has grown by 30.4 per cent each year, and international organisations are expecting similar figures until the year 2030.

The expected expansion of wind power, along with the development of bigger turbines, has allowed us to build wind power farms not only on land, but now also out at sea. In such cases, requirements of medium voltage (MV) equipment are even higher. As access is more limited in water, turbine reliability and its safety features become more vital to operation. Guaranteeing maximum and continuous supply during operation and personnel safety whe

With many wind farms now well established, operators must consider the provision of maintenance and examine the latest component technology available to protect their investment and ensure continued reliability, warns industry expert Phil Burge...

Clean power

With the attraction of clean, free renewable energy, wind power is one of the fastest growing energy sources and today one of the most economical solutions for electricity generation. This is offset in part due to the increasing costs of retrieving fast depleting non-renewable fossil fuel sources and the possible health risks and external costs of nuclear power, as highlighted by recent incidents at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

With rising costs in energy produ

20 Megawatt wind turbines are feasible, according to a new report from the EU-funded UpWind project. The group explored the design limits of upscaling wind turbines to 20 Megawatt (MW) and found that they would have rotor diameters of around 200 metres, compared to some 120 metres on today's five MW turbines. PES presents an exclusive look at the findings.

The need for the UpWind project: exploring the design limits of upscaling

The key objective of the European wind industry‘s research and development strategy for the next ten years is to become the most competitive energy source by 2020 onshore and offshore by 2030, without accounting for external costs.

In October 2009, the European Commission published its C

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