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- Category: Articles
Needed: A Formula for More Realistic Utilisation of Naturally Recurring Resources
Although Windtech International mainly focuses on the technology of the wind industry, we are aware that it is important sometimes to step back from the development of new equipment to look at the picture more generally. For example, where should we concentrate research and innovation efforts and how does this tie in with considerations about use of different types of energy and whether or not they are subsidised? In this article, Gene Kelley, of W2 Energy Development Corp, argues that maybe we need to re-examine how we look at the availability and costs of energy resources. He concludes that we should prioritise our investments in time and capital on the projected longevity of a resource and how efficiently it can be harvested and used, while at the same time identifying and eliminating the use of derivative energy wherever possible.
By Gene R. Kelley, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, W2 Energy Development Corporation, USA
Although Windtech International mainly focuses on the technology of the wind industry, we are aware that it is important sometimes to step back from the development of new equipment to look at the picture more generally. For example, where should we concentrate research and innovation efforts and how does this tie in with considerations about use of different types of energy and whether or not they are subsidised? In this article, Gene Kelley, of W2 Energy Development Corp, argues that maybe we need to re-examine how we look at the availability and costs of energy resources. He concludes that we should prioritise our investments in time and capital on the projected longevity of a resource and how efficiently it can be harvested and used, while at the same time identifying and eliminating the use of derivative energy wherever possible.By Gene R. Kelley, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, W2 Energy Development Corporation, USA
- Category: Articles
A Zero-Blade Non-Rotational Wind Converter
A new bladeless wind technology has been developped to harness the wind differently and more efficiently. The Saphonian has no blades, does not rotate, and its design is largely inspired from sailboats. It is a serious attempt to provide a clean, cheap and storable source of energy.
By Anis Aouini and Hassine Labaied, Co-founders of Saphon Energy, Tunisia
A new bladeless wind technology has been developped to harness the wind differently and more efficiently. The Saphonian has no blades, does not rotate, and its design is largely inspired from sailboats. It is a serious attempt to provide a clean, cheap and storable source of energy.By Anis Aouini and Hassine Labaied, Co-founders of Saphon Energy, Tunisia
- Category: Articles
A Solution for Radar Interference
In the past year, the pages of Windtech International have been filled with excellent strategies to counter NIMBYism and the vested interests that sometimes lie behind such views. However, NIMBYism is by no means the only obstacle to wind farm development across the globe. Despite the tough targets for renewable energy production set by governments, huge numbers of wind farm proposals lie gathering dust in planning offices due to the concerns of airport air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and defence ministries.
By David Crisp, CEO, Aveillant, UK
In the past year, the pages of Windtech International have been filled with excellent strategies to counter NIMBYism and the vested interests that sometimes lie behind such views. However, NIMBYism is by no means the only obstacle to wind farm development across the globe. Despite the tough targets for renewable energy production set by governments, huge numbers of wind farm proposals lie gathering dust in planning offices due to the concerns of airport air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and defence ministries.By David Crisp, CEO, Aveillant, UK
- Category: Articles
A New Offshore Wind Atlas
In 2008 an EC FP7 funded project, NORSEWInD, was launched with the aim of addressing the lack of data available for offshore wind development. The project's aim was to provide a new offshore wind atlas for the Irish, North and Baltic Seas. This article follows on from an earlier article, published in the October issue 2008 of Windtech International, introducing the NORSEWInD project.
By Andy Oldroyd, Technical Director and Co-founder, Oldbaum Services, UK
In 2008 an EC FP7 funded project, NORSEWInD, was launched with the aim of addressing the lack of data available for offshore wind development. The project's aim was to provide a new offshore wind atlas for the Irish, North and Baltic Seas. This article follows on from an earlier article, published in the October issue 2008 of Windtech International, introducing the NORSEWInD project.By Andy Oldroyd, Technical Director and Co-founder, Oldbaum Services, UK
- Category: Articles
Lowering the Cost of Wind Power to Better Compete
As renewable sources such as wind and solar compete as serious contenders in generating more energy for the world, the energy produced must be as cheap, if not cheaper, than that of fossil-based sources. In addition, the quality of energy produced must be equally as high. The formula for lowering the cost of energy from any source is ultimately very simple: lower overall capital investment costs, equipment lifetime operation and maintenance (O&M) costs and fuel costs, while boosting the amount of energy generated. This formula becomes even more attractive with wind and solar – as the cost of fuel is already free. In the end, it all comes down to five main drivers that have a major effect on lowering the cost of energy with renewable sources.
By Jussi Vanhanen, Director, Sales and Marketing, The Switch, Finland
As renewable sources such as wind and solar compete as serious contenders in generating more energy for the world, the energy produced must be as cheap, if not cheaper, than that of fossil-based sources. In addition, the quality of energy produced must be equally as high. The formula for lowering the cost of energy from any source is ultimately very simple: lower overall capital investment costs, equipment lifetime operation and maintenance (O&M) costs and fuel costs, while boosting the amount of energy generated. This formula becomes even more attractive with wind and solar – as the cost of fuel is already free. In the end, it all comes down to five main drivers that have a major effect on lowering the cost of energy with renewable sources.By Jussi Vanhanen, Director, Sales and Marketing, The Switch, Finland
- Category: Articles
Making Inspection More Cost-Effective
In this article, Marcel Bruins explains how rotor blades can be inspected using drones. The idea of performing rotor blade inspections in a safer and more cost-effective way was conceived a few years ago, when he was still working for a rotor blade repair and maintenance company (previously Aerpac in Almelo, The Netherlands, which was later taken over by GE Wind Energy). Marcel currently works as a project manager for the International Business Support department, at Availon GmbH, the largest independent service provider in Europe.
By Marcel Bruins, International Project Manager, Availon, Germany
In this article, Marcel Bruins explains how rotor blades can be inspected using drones. The idea of performing rotor blade inspections in a safer and more cost-effective way was conceived a few years ago, when he was still working for a rotor blade repair and maintenance company (previously Aerpac in Almelo, The Netherlands, which was later taken over by GE Wind Energy). Marcel currently works as a project manager for the International Business Support department, at Availon GmbH, the largest independent service provider in Europe.By Marcel Bruins, International Project Manager, Availon, Germany
- Category: Articles
The New Control Platform
kk-electronic has been an active participant in the wind power industry since its early days and we have been able to influence the development of the industry with our products and innovations. Our first control system (in 1978) gave the ability to connect to the grid, and since then five generations of products have refined and optimised the performance of control systems and wind turbines. The newest solution from kk-electronic – the ‘C’ control platform – was introduced in April 2012. This new control platform breaks with traditional thinking about control systems, since it adds several new dimensions to the product category.
By Erik Gammelgaard, Marketing Manager, kk-electronic, Denmark
kk-electronic has been an active participant in the wind power industry since its early days and we have been able to influence the development of the industry with our products and innovations. Our first control system (in 1978) gave the ability to connect to the grid, and since then five generations of products have refined and optimised the performance of control systems and wind turbines. The newest solution from kk-electronic – the ‘C’ control platform – was introduced in April 2012. This new control platform breaks with traditional thinking about control systems, since it adds several new dimensions to the product category.By Erik Gammelgaard, Marketing Manager, kk-electronic, Denmark
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| #18 Nordex wind turbines installed at the Petkus wind farm in Germany (courtesy Tomasz Mokosinski) |
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