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The technical resource for wind profitability
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FEBRUARY 2022
INSIDE WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT // VOL. 14 NO. 1
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COVER STORY
Innovation in floating wind will be crucial to the future of offshore
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Operational efficiency and technology options will continue to evolve over time. The challenge is to remain open to innovation and look for continued improvement without impeding progress. Cover image credit: BW Ideol, V. Joncheray
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IN EVERY ISSUE 04 CONTRIBUTORS 05 WINDWATCH Some interesting product and policy news from our website.
FEATURES
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07 WIND WORK AROUND THE UNITED STATES On- and offshore wind project announcements from across the country.
2022 LEADERSHIP
IN WIND ENERGY The U.S. wind industry is growing into new markets. Success would not be possible without the ingenuity and determination of these leaders.
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Weather awareness
As the offshore industry moves into harsher environments with increasingly challenging extreme weather conditions, the ability to accurately monitor the meteorological conditions that impact daily operations is critical to safety and success.
Tailored solutions
It is imperative that U.S. offshore projects take into account every site’s fabrication and port capabilities, O&M options and local content requirements and thoughtfully interweave sustainable solutions.
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and machine learning 20 AI Increasing the confidence of where to site a wind farm, based on technological components and meteorological observations, will be achieved by relying on artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques.
parts and pieces 24 Fewer Harnessing innovative and new
design techniques are essential to reducing construction costs, shortening project timelines and moving toward a more sustainable, lean and profitable industry.
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CONTRIBUTORS WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
ALEX BALDASSANO
GARY BILLS
MARK GOALEN
ALEX BALDASSANO is the global head of energy transition for Climavision, responsible for managing relationships with key clients and developing new opportunities. Baldassano is an innovative renewable energy leader with over 15 years of domain expertise. He brings a mastery of the complex energy ecosystem and proven business development track record to the team. Before joining Climavision, Baldassano was Wood Mackenzie’s head of energy management for the energy transition practice; a business he co-founded in 2010. In that capacity he led the renewables, electricity and natural gas consulting business. He also formulated restructuring and integration plans for two internal acquisitions, as well as creating green energy product offerings for over 30 North American energy suppliers. With over 15 years of experience in the renewables sector, GARY BILLS is the Regional Director for EMEA at K2 Management. Having worked in a range of engineering design, business development and consultancy roles, he is responsible now for the commercial activities of the business division and business development activities inside the EMEA territory.
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THOMAS DAHLGREN
MIKKO NIKKANEN
THOMAS DAHLGREN is president and CEO of COWI North America, a leading consulting group that creates value for customers, people and society through its unique 360° approach. MARK GOALEN is a MEng Naval Architect and Chartered Engineer with 17 years of experience in project engineering and management, subsea construction, vessel modification, consultancy work, design engineering and tendering. He started his career with a large multi-national installation contractor, prior to specializing in technical consultancy. He combines this wide-ranging experience to understand project risks, restraints and demands with use of technical knowledge to guide decision making. Today, Mark Goalen is director of offshore engineering for Houlder. MIKKO NIKKANEN is the head of maritime at Vaisala, a global leader in weather, environmental and industrial measurements where he brings more than 20 years of global experience in leadership, business development and solution creation in various industries and application areas.
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FEBRUARY 2022
WIND WATCH W H AT ’ S N E W WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
FEBRUARY 2022
Ørsted
Biden Administration auctioning 7 GW of offshore wind leases off New York coast The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is scheduled to hold an auction in February for more than 480,000 acres offshore of New York and New Jersey for wind development. The lease area is split into six sections that could result in 5.6 to 7 GW of offshore wind energy. BOEM initially asked for information and nominations of commercial interest for 1.7 million acres in the New York Bight but reduced the acreage by 72% to avoid conflicts with ocean users and minimize environmental impacts.
FEBRUARY 2022
Leasing sections of the Bight will require developers to engage with Tribal communities, underserved communities, the regional commercial fishing industry and other ocean users throughout project development. There are also lessee stipulations for developing a U.S. supply chain for offshore wind, using domestically manufactured components and hiring union labor for construction.
WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
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WIND WATCH W H AT ’ S N E W | C O N T I N U E D WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
FEBRUARY 2022
BOEM assessing California coast for offshore wind development
New Jersey solicits offshore transmission line development
Expanding potential U.S. offshore wind development to the West Coast, the BOEM released a draft Environmental Assessment on impacts development could have on the Humboldt Wind Energy Area (WEA) off the coast of California. The Humboldt WEA is about 206 sq. miles of ocean that could host up to 1.6 GW of offshore wind. BOEM is also preparing a draft Environmental Assessment for potential impacts of offshore wind leasing in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities solicited project proposals for subsea transmission lines to prepare the East Coast power grid for potential buildout of 7.5 GW of offshore wind by 2035. Companies like Con Edison Transmission and Atlantic Power Transmission submitted bids for buried electric transmission lines. Solicitation for the project closed in September 2021 and will be followed by months of deliberation, with a final board decision coming in Q3 or Q4 of 2022.
New York commits $500 million to offshore wind infrastructure
Hyundai floating offshore wind foundation receives testing approval
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced in early January a plan to invest $500 million in offshore wind and related supply chain infrastructure in the state. The investment supports state plans to develop enough offshore wind to power at least 1.5 million homes (about 2 GW) with offshore wind and create 2,000 new jobs. Construction on the state’s first offshore wind farm, South Fork Wind Farm, is supposed to start in early 2022.
Hyundai Heavy Industries has designed an offshore floating wind substructure, Hi-FLoat, that is designed to support a 10-MW turbine with semi-submersible and mooing technology. Bureau Veritas, a testing, inspection and certification service, approved HHI to develop Hi-Float. Bottom-fixed offshore wind installations are common, however, unlike bottom-fixed, floating foundations are designed to be deployed in deep water zones.
WANT MORE NEWS? VISIT US AT WWW.WINDPOWERENGINEERING.COM/CATEGORY/NEWS
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WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
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FEBRUARY 2022
WIND WORK AROUND THE
UNITED STATES A selection of recently completed wind projects.
Cordelio Power completes 185-MW Glacier Sands project Illinois Cordelio Power constructed a 185-MW wind project in Mason County, Illinois. Glacier Sands wind farm sites 43 Vestas V150.43 wind turbines and has reached commercial operation. The wind farm is selling 100% of its power to tech giant Microsoft.
Greenback Renewable Energy
1-GW project portfolio begins commercial operation New Mexico Pattern Energy Group started commercial operation of Western Spirit Wind, a group of four wind farms totaling more than 1,050 MW located in Guadalupe, Lincoln and Torrance counties in New Mexico. Blattner Energy erected the 377 GE turbines.
Avangrid Renewables develops 80-MW New York project New York Avangrid Renewables brought online a 79.7-MW wind farm in Martinsburg, New York, in late 2021. Roaring Brook Wind Farm is composed of 20 wind turbines spread across approximately 4,700 acres that will power more than 31,000 homes.
EDP Renewables repowers portion of 423-MW wind farm Oklahoma EDP Renewables North America repowered the second phase of Blue Canyon Wind Farm in Kiowa and Caddo counties, Oklahoma, extending the project’s lifespan by 20 to 30 years. For this phase, 73 of 84 turbines were replaced, including each turbine’s nacelle, blades and top tower sections.
Amazon buys power from Southern Power’s 118-MW wind farm Oklahoma Southern Power developed its fifth wind farm in Oklahoma, a 118-MW facility in Murray County. Glass Sands Wind Facility uses 28 Vestas wind turbines. Power generated by the facility is being sold to Amazon under a power purchase agreement.
FEBRUARY 2022
EDP Renewables powers on 302-MW wind farm in Indiana Indiana EDP Renewables North America developed the 302-MW Indiana Crossroads Wind Farm in White County, Indiana. The 72 4.2-MW Vestas turbines were installed by White Construction, an IEA subsidiary. The facility will service Northern Indiana Public Service Company customers. Leeward Renewable Energy repowers legacy wind farm in Illinois Illinois Leeward Renewable Energy repowered the Crescent Ridge Wind Project in Tiskilwa, Illinois, bringing the facility to 54.4 MW. Leeward decommissioned nine turbines, repowered 24 legacy turbines and constructed four new Vestas turbines. Global retailer Amazon is the sole energy offtaker on the project. Greenbacker Renewable Energy finishes modest Maine project Maine Greenbacker Renewable Energy constructed RoxWind, a 15.3-MW wind farm in Roxbury, Maine. The wind farm is made of four 3.8-MW GE turbines. Greenbacker acquired the project from Palmer Capital in 2020.
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How offshore weather awareness enhances safety and optimizes operations By Mikko Nikkanen • Head of Maritime at Vaisala
As
wind energy continues to play an increasingly important role in future energy systems, developers are turning to offshore locations with inherently stronger, more consistent and more abundant winds to maximize the value of their projects. Just last year, investment in offshore wind surpassed $300 billion, according to the Global Wind Energy Council, and the global wind energy industry grew by more than 53% from 2019 to 2020. With offshore wind continuing its rapid growth, turbines are growing taller and offshore sites are becoming more expansive in order to generate more energy. However, as the wind industry expands farther from coastlines, larger
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turbines and deeper waters make weather intelligence even more critical for operational decision-making. The safety of staff and offshore assets is critical, and without immediate, accurate data across a range of crucial weather parameters, including wind, thunderstorms, lightning and sea conditions, operational safety is at risk and costly delays are likely. New environments bring new challenges Offshore environments are challenging to work in. From their hard-to-access, remote locations to the demanding environmental conditions at these locations, the development of offshore wind farms faces several operational challenges that can
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result in costly delays and safety risk. In offshore wind farm build-up and maintenance operations, strong winds are not only a safety concern for people, but they are also a major cause of damage to vessels, equipment and turbine components that can cost millions in repairs and downtime. With taller turbines and larger project sites in deeper waters come increasing challenges surrounding the loading, transportation and installation of offshore turbines. While strong winds are vital to the success of offshore operations, they can also significantly impact the ability for wind turbine installation vessels (WTIVs) operations teams to efficiently, cost-effectively and safely install and maintain wind farms.
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O F F S H O R E W E AT H E R A W A R E N E S S
Plus, meteorological and oceanic conditions are significantly less forgiving the farther from shore projects are located. Complicating those challenges even more, the immense demand for WTIVs to support this growing market significantly limits the availability of these specialized vessels capable of carrying the on-board crane and turbine component parts necessary to build 150-m turbines from the port to the installation site. WTIVs are equipped with legs that reach down to the seafloor to steady the ship and lift it up out of the ocean so it can avoid direct wave impacts and serve as a stable platform during installation. The vessel’s crane then lifts the turbine component parts and installs them in the appropriate position. Due to the numerous advantages WTIVs bring to offshore wind construction and maintenance, renting a WTIV can cost $20,000 per half-hour (and up to $300,000 per day) — and building a new vessel for this application comes with an enormous $500-million price tag — so minimizing downtime is vital because every second counts. Since strong winds, destabilizing waves and other inclement meteorological conditions (lightning, precipitation, freezing cold temperatures, and rain, fog, snow or other obscurants) have the potential to endanger crew safety, seriously delay installation operations and prolong construction times, it’s vital to know the wind, wave and other meteorological conditions at any given moment to ensure staff and asset safety. According to the Global Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organization, 2020 witnessed nearly 750 health and safety incidents at offshore wind farm sites across the world, with nearly 300 of those resulting in employee injury and almost 150 damaging assets. Determining whether it’s safe to have a crane lifting turbine components, crew members installing blades or a helicopter transporting maintenance crews and/or replacement components to the offshore wind
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farm site relies on accurate measurements of the wind, lightning, waves, visibility and other weather conditions both between the port and the wind farm and at each location. Offshore wind installations are weathercritical, and the installation process can take several days for each individual turbine. As a result, if the install phase takes longer than initially anticipated, the extra cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars each day is often unsustainable. Again, maximizing safety and minimizing downtime is essential. Harsh and unpredictable environmental conditions are common in offshore environments, which is why decision-makers need localized meteorological and forecast information to minimize these threats and maximize the value of an offshore project. Fortunately, precautions to minimize
ACCORDING TO THE GLOBAL OFFSHORE WIND HEALTH AND SAFETY ORGANIZATION, 2020 WITNESSED NEARLY 750 HEALTH AND SAFETY INCIDENTS AT OFFSHORE WIND FARM SITES ACROSS THE WORLD, WITH NEARLY 300 OF THOSE RESULTING IN EMPLOYEE INJURY AND ALMOST 150 DAMAGING ASSETS.
O F F S H O R E W E AT H E R A W A R E N E S S
damage, downtime and safety risk of workers can be taken by utilizing the latest innovations in advanced weather sensing technologies. Leveraging advanced weather insights to maximize safety and minimize downtime Accurate and reliable weather awareness is key to knowing when the weather is right for safe and efficient wind farm installations. Without accurate and reliable weather information from the latest wind lidars, helideck monitoring systems (HMSs), global storm networks and weather sensors, effectively ameliorating the impacts of wind, thunderstorms, sea state and visibility effects to avoid costly delays and increase safety is incredibly difficult. At sea, the wind can be unpredictable and a lack of local observations creates challenges. Wind lidar remote sensing
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WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
technology enables the accurate detection of hazardous wind gusts that can impact offshore operations by simultaneously measuring wind speed and direction at multiple heights. Modern lidars are reliable and easy to deploy and position almost anywhere on a vessel, which makes gaining a comprehensive view into how winds are developing on top of the WTIV and at different locations around the site (up to 300 m in the atmosphere, covering the full rotor sweep of even the largest offshore turbines) easier than ever before. In addition, wind lidars are commonly used during craning and mounting operations to help ensure the proper timing for cranes to lift turbine components on offshore location or at loading port. By vertically measuring wind speed and direction to inform transportation movements and ensure employee safety, wind lidars can simplify offshore operations and maximize
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operational continuity while maintaining overall safety. When wind lidars combine with the weather sensor technologies integrated into HMSs (a barometer, temperature and humidity probes, a visibility sensor, a ceilometer and a wave measurement radar), an even broader range of meteorological and oceanographic conditions can be monitored. HMSs are generally required according to CAP 437: Standards For Offshore Helicopter Landing Areas to help ensure effective flight planning and safe landings on offshore installations. These systems tend to come equipped with software that includes a real-time data display, reporting tools and critical alarms. With these advanced weather insights, any negative impacts can be quickly quantified, enabling project operators to make more informed decisions during critical weather situations aimed at optimizing operations,
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POWERING... WIND TURBINES minimizing downtime at sea and ensuring the safety of the on-site crew. A global lightning detection sensor network is able to detect thunderstorms in real time, track their trajectory and intensity, and support hazardous weather warnings — even outside the range of weather radar — to help minimize lightning-related safety concerns, especially during the transport of helicopters and operations crews to and from offshore installation sites. Helicopters are not allowed to fly through thunderstorms, thus it’s better to be fully aware of the direction of a thunderstorm’s movement and lightning forecasts beforehand to avoid safety risks. Additionally, crane lifting operations at higher altitudes attract lightning during thunderstorms, increasing the likelihood of a safety hazard, fire or explosion. Safe and efficient operations depend on accurate lightning detection, and early warnings allow decision-makers to better anticipate a lightning threat before it reaches the offshore site, helping to keep workers safe while reducing the duration of safety shutdowns. Altogether, advanced weather insights optimize offshore wind farm construction and operations by: • Alerting onboard decisionmakers before sudden winds or thunderstorms hit, allowing time to secure cranes and position vessels for safety. • Providing helicopter pilot and traffic control accurate weather and sea state information on a 24/7 basis.
•
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Optimizing the maximum weather window for safe and efficient accessibility, installations and longer-term maintenance operations. Increasing crew and asset safety with early warnings. Minimizing downtime and delays. Making improvements and updating protocols at offshore sites to enhance safety and decrease damage and downtime — saving money in the long run.
For years Vaisala has supplied wind farms and other offshore wind projects with weather awareness solutions that meet ever-evolving industry needs. From the ruggedized WindCube Offshore wind lidar to Vaisala’s Thunderstorm Manager, Global Lightning Detection Network GLD360 and Helideck Monitoring System (HMS), new techniques and technologies are required to uphold safety and performance while minimizing damage, downtime and liability. Whether the conversation surrounds worker injury/death, crane and turbine damages, halted crane activity, or increased downtimerelated delays, severe weather, strong winds and lightning all pose serious risks to WTIVs, helicopters and supporting ports. As the offshore wind industry continues to move into harsher environments with increasingly challenging and unpredictable extreme weather conditions, the ability to accurately monitor the meteorological conditions that impact your daily operations is critical to maximizing both staff and asset safety as well as the value of your offshore project. WPE
HELUKABEL provides system expertise throughout the wind turbine — rotor tip to tower base. We focus on control and data cables in the nacelle, torsion-rated cables in the loop, and flexible control and power cables for the down tower. Our copper and aluminum wind cables provide superior performance in climates ranging from -55°C up to +145°C, and can withstand the harsh environmental factors found in both on- and offshore environments. Finally, they have been internationally approved by UL (WTTC), CSA (FT4), CE and VDE.
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FEBRUARY 2022
Why the United States needs tailored solutions to realize floating offshore wind ambitions By Thomas Dahlgren • President and CEO • COWI North America
Commercial
-scale floating offshore wind is approaching fast. In the United States, floating offshore wind is the only option on the West Coast and off the coast of Maine where the water depths preclude using bottom-fixed foundations. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced plans to hold seven new offshore wind lease sales by 2025 including offshore California in second half of 2022 and in the Gulf of Maine in 2024. The Biden Administration’s 30 GW by 2030 plan is swiftly moving from ambitious aspiration to definitive action and it includes floating wind. We may also see more floating offshore wind in the Northeast, beyond the coast of Maine. While the West Coast and Gulf of Maine’s geography has always dictated the need for floating offshore wind solutions, once BOEM’s forthcoming leases have been executed on the East Coast, almost all feasible plots below 60-m water depth will have been committed. To push further offshore in the Northeast will require developers to seek floating solutions suitable for the deeper waters.
FEBRUARY 2022
If we are to fully unlock commercial viability for every site – be it on the East or West Coast — it is imperative that each project is optimized to take account of the site’s specific conditions, fabrication and port capabilities, operations and maintenance options, local content requirements and stakeholders; and thoughtfully interweave sustainable solutions. Materials and fabrication Full U.S. fabrication will require a substantial level of coordination and investment that will be influenced by each state’s requirement for local content. Equally, BOEM may also stipulate U.S. labor and content restrictions as lease requirements in the upcoming wind energy area auctions. Developers and contractors may find they need to engage with each other at an earlier stage so that the eventual design can be uniquely tailored to that project and to the local resources available — be that optimizing the foundation design for minimum draft to use a specific port or tailoring the hull design to a local well-respected steel fabricator’s automation capability. Or
perhaps the best solution is to divide the fabrication of the hull with major components built at a more remote facility and transported to facilities more local to the site for assembly and installation of the turbine. Sustainability is a core consideration too, particularly for developers whose shareholders and stakeholders have a strong interest in total life cycle emissions and socioeconomics. Of course, some solutions will always be more carbon intensive than others — depending on their steel and concrete content. However, procurement can also impact the project’s carbon footprint. While shipping steel components from Asia Pacific to the United States might be more cost competitive, depending on location, it can also be more carbon intensive in comparison to local suppliers who may only be marginally more expensive. Port and marine Industry is increasingly focused on floating designs that allow for shoreside installation of the turbine — such as semi-submersibles — that can simply be floated out of port intact and are seen
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TA I L O R E D F L O AT I N G S O L U T I O N S
as inherently advantageous. However, most offshore projects, both fixed and floating, are limited in some way by regional port conditions and marine capabilities. The West Coast has a history of constructing offshore structures for oil and gas as well as ships and has a skilled marine workforce to call upon. However, on both the West and East Coasts there are few ports that are deep enough, have adequate area and are not behind bridges that are ready to use, and there are none that can accommodate the assembly of the most affordable floating substructure — the spar — which requires very deep water. As a result, there are several studies underway to understand what port upgrades might be possible, spanning everything from pier strength-bearing to opportunities for improved port utilization. Additionally, fabrication can be divided among multiple facilities including partial assembly in the Gulf of Mexico for West Coast installations, however, it comes with the coordination of navigating large components through the Panama Canal. Module fabrication in the Gulf of Mexico for use in the Northeast has less challenging logistics. If the industry is to reach deployment, cost and local content goals, the logistics of assembly will be a key consideration and one that will require a certain level of flexibility that a traditional type of solution may not be able to accommodate. A tailored approach can flex to, or even innovate around, limitations and, conversely, take advantage of new capabilities and resources as they evolve. These tailored solutions must also be de-risked to achieve the technical and commercial certainty that developers and suppliers alike require to make necessary commitments.
NREL
ESG and local benefits While the industry is very attuned to developing projects that are sympathetic to their immediate environmental surroundings, developers often find it more of a challenge to identify and quantify what further sustainability or social benefits a project might be able to achieve more broadly. Political support will be important
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FEBRUARY 2022
TA I L O R E D F L O AT I N G S O L U T I O N S
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for driving this agenda forward. New York City’s recently announced “offshore wind vision” is an excellent example of this in practice, where 40% of job and investment benefits are to be directed toward women, minorities and environmental justice communities. In practice this will mean that developers will need to reinvigorate some of their established supply chain processes to proactively contract with minority- or women-owned businesses, for example.
A TAILORED APPROACH TO FLOATING OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT IS THE ONLY TRULY VIABLE WAY TO ACHIEVE COST COMPETITIVENESS WHILE DELIVERING ON BIDEN’S CHALLENGE. Realizing cost competitiveness A tailored approach to floating offshore wind development is the only truly viable way to achieve cost competitiveness while delivering on Biden’s challenge. Anything less risks leaving opportunities for cost savings, efficiencies and community benefits unrealized and, at worst, could stifle innovation and industry progress. It is an approach that has proved itself in the bottom-fixed market repeatedly, where adapting designs to the limitations and opportunities present in the supply chain has been crucial to promote serial production and to bring down costs. Finally, this is not just a consideration for the U.S. market; emerging markets around the world stand to benefit greatly from taking an approach that will always get the most out of the project — be it cost, community or carbon — regardless of the confines at play. WPE
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transitions have been occurring globally since the 1800s. As demand patterns shifted and production technologies matured, the world witnessed an industrial revolution-fueled need for coal. This supply cornerstone gradually gave way to crude oil-based energy production in the early 1900s. Succumbing to the global oil crisis of the 1970s, the 1980s ushered in a transition toward natural gas. And now the term has again been dusted off and pushed into the popular vernacular by political heavyweights such as President Joe Biden and financial wizards like Blackrock’s Larry Fink. 2021’s COP26 created a worldwide platform
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linking climate change to a green-energy transition; a transition away from the fossil-based fuels that still account for over 80% of global use and toward renewable energy sources, like wind. Wind is a critical component of the green energy transition solution set, but by no means a new one. Denmark’s 2-MW Tvindkraft wind turbine began producing power in 1978. Similarly, California’s Altamont Pass wind farm, composed of over 4,900 individual wind turbines, became operational in the early 1980s. However, wind development in 2022 is faced with a new set of challenges reflecting a complicated global patchwork of advanced technologies, governmental
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subsidies, commodity market dynamics and, perhaps ironically, weather patterns that are bucking historical trends. Stakeholders participating at different phases of the wind lifecycle are left asking where is the optimal place to locate a wind farm? Will there be enough wind (or too much wind) to produce an optimal power output? How can we maximize our financial return? How do we maintain the physical components of the wind farm to increase longevity and decrease outages? Now all these critical questions can be answered by relying on mathbased solutions. Specifically, the wind industry is relying on machine learning (ML) in all facets of wind development
FEBRUARY 2022
AI AND MACHINE LEARNING:
Bridging the divide between a development pipeline, operations and ROI BY A L E X B A L DAS SA N O • G LO B A L H E A D O F E N E RGY T RA N S I T I O N • C L I M AV I S I O N
and operations. The effectiveness and accuracy of these adapting algorithms is underpinned by quality data. As the old saying goes, “garbage in, garbage out,” and this is especially true in the wind business. Site-specific historical data such as hourly maximum and mininum wind speed, wind gusts, wind direction, average wind speed, wind gradient/ sheer, all at different heights is critical in assessing the ideal location of a wind turbine. Naturally, this site-specific data does not exist over every inch of the globe, including oceanic bodies. Instead, wind developers rely on data cultivated from nearby proxy sites, or weather stations such as government controlled
FEBRUARY 2022
automated weather observing systems (AWOS) typically located at airports. This data is aggregated and made available to the public, including wind developers, by government agencies such as the U.S. National Weather Service. Private weather radar, such as Climavision’s North American network, augments publicly available data sets. At this point, increasing the confidence of where to site a wind farm, based on resulting power output as a biproduct of technological components and meteorological observations, will be achieved by relying on artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning techniques. The proxy data that is being
ingested into the ML platform is growing every day, and coupled with recent climate change phenomena, ML becomes the only modern viable method to confidently identify where a wind farm should be sited today, next year and 10 years from now. The importance of constantly refreshed siting models cannot be understated as utility-scale wind farm development is complex and can take years from land/ water acquisition, permitting, offtake negotiation, procurement and construction. A prime example is Deepwater Wind’s Block Island wind project, where conception commenced in 2008 and the project was finally operational and producing power in 2016.
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AI A N D M AC H I N E L E AR N I N G
MACHINE LEARNING TECHNIQUES ARE NOT ONLY CRUCIAL IN COMPLETING PRECOD ACTIVITIES LIKE PROJECT SITING, BUT ALSO IN SECURING BANK FINANCING.
ML techniques are not only crucial in completing pre-COD activities like project siting, but also in securing bank financing. There is no shortage of global publicly traded banks that offer longterm debt solutions to wind developers. In fact, the supply of debt products has grown in recent years to include hedge funds, regional banks like Fifth Third Bank, and green banks like the NY Green Bank backed by local and federal governments. A key ingredient for a private wind developer (and any renewable energy developer, for that matter) to secure funds is a long-term power price curve. In other words, over the next 20 years, how much money will each wind-generated megawatthour command in the open market? This theoretical offtake energy price (which might include both electricity
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and renewable energy credits), multiplied by the forecasted generation quantity, will form the revenue foundation of any basic financial model. Banks typically require an independent thirdparty like Wood Mackenzie or DNV to provide a long-term power price curve. In recent years, some more risk-averse banks have even started requiring multiple independent long-term power price curves, which is a reflection of operational wind farm investments not performing according to initially modeled power and price production (think the ERCOT wind generation failure of February 2021 and the UK/Ireland wind generation failure of Summer 2021). The independent consultant groups that have become synonymous with creating long-term power price curves traditionally relied on 10- to 20-year historical power price data, coupled with liquid electricity and gas-forward curves to fuel their forward-looking models. Now the paradigm is shifting toward models incorporating nearer-term historical price data, highly localized weather forecasts from firms like Climavision, and the assimilation and cleansing of this data through machine learning tools. If today’s wind project does indeed proceed through the siting, permitting, financing and construction development process, once it hits the commercial operation date (COD), machine learning takes on a new relevance for the entire lifecycle of the farm. At the point of COD, profit maximization will now be tethered to the physical ability of the wind farm components to harness the power from the wind and generate electricity. Independent power producers and utilities that own these farms need to ensure the equipment is in good working order, downtime is limited and maintenance occurs at the right intervals for the appropriate parts. Rotors, gearboxes, yaw drives, shafts and blades are in constant motion. Like a car’s engine, these moving parts require regular preventative maintenance to ensure the wind farm’s useful life meets and then exceeds the industry standard 25 years. Combining real-time, onsite SCADA systems from the likes of a GE, ABB or Schneider Electric with machine learning equates to a physical O&M plan enriched by a massive quantity of data points, high-integrity cleansed data, processed at incredibly fast speeds. Operational longevity beyond 25 years is now within a realistic reach.
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AI A N D M AC H I N E L E AR N I N G
Our current energy transition is not only witnessing a move from fossil-fired electricity generation to renewable resources like wind, but there is now a sub-transition occurring whereby intermittent renewable generation resources are being paired with nascent storage technologies. The implications of a modernized generation fleet comprised of wind farms paired with batteries is profound from a grid resilience and optimization standpoint. A wind farm can now be transformed from an intermittent to a baseload generation resource. Utilities, independent system operators and balancing authorities can more effectively match load with generation, strengthening grid performance and subsequently supporting low prices.
The independent power producer can now generate, store and release electricity onto the grid when wholesale power markets provide real-time and short-term pricing signals. Reaping the rewards of a successful financial optimization strategy is incumbent upon an energy manager like Wood Mackenzie using machine learning to synthesize everchanging regional generation, load, transmission, weather and price data inputs. Machine learning effectively becomes a key ingredient in determining the most profitable quantity, location and time interval to store or release wind-generated electricity. It is truly amazing that since the recent maturation of artificial intelligence and machine learning
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techniques, many of the critical wind development processes — including siting, bank financing, physical operations and financial optimization — now rely exclusively on highly sophisticated ML outputs. Machine learning is not only driving the successful development of wind farms, but also providing a critical foundation to the global energy transition. WPE
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FEBRUARY 2022
FEWER PARTS AND PIECES:
RETHINKING WIND TURBINE CONSTRUCTION BY G A R Y B I L L S • R E G I O N A L D I R E C T O R E M E A • K 2 M A N A G E M E N T
As
the world edges toward a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, its demand and appetite remain unabated and continues to grow. The IEA projected that in 2022, there will be a 4% increase in global electricity demand. With gas prices at an all-time high and net-zero targets set to drive down a reliance on fossil-fuels generally, it is more essential than ever that renewable energy is delivered with maximum efficiency. To do this, we need to increase the pipeline of projects under construction — and fast. The offshore wind industry will be critical to this. As part of answering the call to meet demand, the industry is on a continual march to get projects built quickly, while ensuring the levelized cost of energy continues to fall. Harnessing innovative and new technologies and new design techniques are essential to reducing construction costs, shortening project timelines and moving toward a more sustainable, lean and profitable industry. It is through innovation, new technologies and fresh thinking that we will ultimately deliver renewable energy projects with greater efficiency. New construction methods and the potential they offer Foundation technologies are a key area where improvements in construction processes are possible and represent a
FEBRUARY 2022
notable opportunity for building more projects quickly and efficiently. The foundation is a substantial part of any project’s development costs, representing around 15 to 20% of total capex. This means scrutinizing the technical and cost implications of planned structures, especially since the industry is becoming more ambitious in terms of the geographical conditions for which projects are being proposed. Developing in these more challenging conditions, where the water is deeper, the seas stormier and where soil type is more diverse, coupled with larger turbines, means that dynamic thinking is required about the options available when it comes to creating sound, cost efficient foundations for towers and turbines. Larger components Just a few years ago, a large blade would be 45-m long. Now, they span more than twice that, and the forward trajectory is expected to be larger again. But, as a natural consequence, it isn’t just wind turbine blades that are increasing in size. Offshore wind monopiles are getting larger, reaching into deeper waters and emerging as the most common type of foundation. We are now seeing monopiles with diameters of more than 8.5 m being installed. As they continue to increase in size, the technology behind installing them
into the ground, and then connecting them to the rest of the turbine, is improving. New techniques are allowing the monopile foundation to be used in waters now reaching 55 m. Alternative foundation possibilities Gravity-based structures were among the first of the foundations used for offshore wind, owing to their comparatively well understood function arriving from their use in onshore wind. Although they traditionally have been used in shallower waters, they are expected to also be used in deeper ones in the coming years, due to their low production costs. There are naturally many other structures available, such as jackets and tripods. As the industry develops, a combination of concrete and steel is becoming more common for these structures, broadening the cost-saving benefit of the raw materials involved and making them another notable choice for foundations. And then there is floating wind. With its growing share in offshore wind energy production, this technology is making the marked shift from experimental to industry-scale commercial fleets. Over half of the awarded lease areas in Scotwind were for floating projects, showing how the industry can expect notable advancements in the commercial-scale rollout of floating projects in the coming years.
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TURBINE CONSTRUCTION
Gemini Wind Park, Netherlands
Eliminating transition pieces Novel offshore wind designs have created the possibility of constructing a turbine without a transition piece. This steel component linking the monopile to the rest of the wind turbine used to be essential, ensuring that the turbine was fully aligned. However, this component is no longer a necessity. Technological advances mean that drilling piles is more accurate than ever, allowing developers to avoid relying on correcting misalignment by adding a transition piece to the top of the monopile. The transition piece also serves as a construction from which essential secondary steel elements for operations and maintenance can be attached, such
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as ladders and boat landings. But again, these can now be attached directly onto the turbine tower, avoiding the need for this extra step in construction and streamlining the process. Building turbines without a transition piece can bring even more advantages when it comes to speed of construction, cost and environmental friendliness. Firstly, the transportation of equipment and turbine parts — an offshore turbine tower built without a transition piece can reduce the number of journeys a vessel has to take, because there are fewer parts. The vessel that was previously needed to transport this part of the turbine will no longer be necessary. While a larger vessel may be needed to transport a larger monopile, economies
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of scale mean that this could reduce the number of trips a vessel has to make between ports and offshore wind farms, cutting fuel costs, time and carbons emissions. Furthermore, the large-diameter flanges used to secure the monopile to the transition piece and then the transition piece to the turbine have substantial manufacturing lead times, sometimes among the longest of turbine parts. By taking away the transition piece, there is no need for these additional parts, which theoretically can be an effective way to make efficiencies in build-time. Building without a transition piece can also provide lifetime operations and maintenance savings. Removing an entire section of the turbine eliminates the time
FEBRUARY 2022
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TURBINE CONSTRUCTION
spent doing maintenance checks and repairs on the said section. Although naturally the weight of the turbine would be transferred to other parts, there will be one connection that needs to be regulated and maintained which improves safety and, when multiplied across an entire wind farm, could save a notable amount of time. Though these are small-scale changes, every gain will be valuable as margins are squeezed to maximize development. Time and cost advantages for adopting new technologies It is worth noting the manifold effect that increases in scale, which then filter down to the monopile. As the industry’s ambitions continue to grow, bigger foundations are needed for deeper waters and larger turbine capacity. But while this requires more in the way of raw materials, it does translate into more power per the amount of steel and raw materials used – as bigger turbines in areas with better resource generate more energy. More power generated means a direct increase in project revenue return, investor confidence and continued support for new technologies that enable these higher energy demands to be met. The extent to which different designs can take advantage of resource
is also important. Offshore floating wind is a key example of a technology that presents a massive opportunity for the industry. With over 80% of all potential offshore wind energy resource being in waters deeper than 60 m – which is deeper than current fixedbottom designs can manage – floating wind will be essential in pushing industry growth. We must also acknowledge the benefit of structures, such as gravity-based foundations, that can be made of concrete rather than steel. As steel prices continue to be volatile, substructure construction techniques that can limit its use, such as building without a transition piece, or not using steel as the main component, such as concrete gravity-based structures, are likely to increase in popularity.
blighted with shows the financial and reputational burden that can arise from projects focussing too much on cutting cost. With the offshore wind market so liquid and the pressure now to get more renewable energy projects online, we need to be nimble when it comes to the engineering of turbine towers and foundations — particularly as developers turn to deeper waters to access the best resource. Continuing to innovate, explore new and improve upon existing ways of development by looking at elements such as monopiles, other foundations and transition pieces means the industry can move faster, reduce its costs and LCOE while making project processes more sustainable. WPE
Looking ahead with ambition Seeking to move faster and cheaper isn’t necessarily a recipe for success though. This approach needs to be considered carefully, since .71 Ø.115 cutting costs can be detrimental for the sake of meeting DETAIL A demand when not done cautiously SCALE 1:2 .65 1.93 enough. R.125 D 90° For instance, the ripple of cable A • Integrated O-ring – No need • Universal Fit – Fits rod problems that for separate installation projections from 8 to 19 that the industry • Integrated waterproof air inches and all rod diameters continues to be vent - prevents vacuum • Large inventory made 11.54
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WITH THE OFFSHORE WIND MARKET SO LIQUID AND THE PRESSURE NOW TO GET MORE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS ONLINE, WE NEED TO BE NIMBLE WHEN IT COMES TO THE ENGINEERING OF TURBINE TOWERS AND FOUNDATIONS – PARTICULARLY AS DEVELOPERS TURN TO DEEPER WATERS TO ACCESS THE BEST RESOURCE.
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Innovation in floating wind will be crucial to the future of offshore energy
BY MARK GOALEN • DIRECTOR OF OFFSHORE ENGINEERING • HOULDER
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FEBRUARY 2022
With
offshore floating wind as a proven commercial reality, the challenges associated with the industry are now focused on delivering at scale, but there are still key innovation issues to be resolved across the industry. Meeting targets The global floating offshore wind industry was expected to reach 126 MW by the end of 2021 and grow to 70 GW by 2040. As well as powering electricity grids around the world, floating wind will help decarbonize offshore oil and gas production and play a critical role in green hydrogen production. Developers, insurers, financers and all stakeholders serious about making the significant advances needed to upscale floating offshore wind capacity to meet these expectations will be interested in reducing project risk, improving installation time and building robust supply chains that will function throughout their asset’s lifecycle. Operational efficiency and technology options will continue to evolve over time. The challenge for developers is to remain open to innovation and look for continued improvement without impeding progress. Foundation pros and cons Choosing the best foundation technology is critical to delivering the best levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for floating offshore wind projects. The decision should be based on assessment of available port infrastructure and supply chains as much as water depth and environmental conditions. As much as economies of scale based on consistency and repeatability are appealing, the choice of foundation type should not be made before site analysis. The physical attributes of foundations will influence where they can be fabricated and the ease with which they can be towed and moored, and detailed motion response should be compared on a caseby-case basis for any specific location. A foundation perfectly suited to the
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Mediterranean may not be viable in the Pacific. There are currently four main types to choose from, with multiple options for each type and still several more innovative concepts under development. Firstly, spar buoys are cylindrical in shape and very stable given their deep draft with ballast creating a low center of gravity. They require a deep-water area for fabrication and also for maintenance if towed to shore. They can be made from steel or concrete, and are conventionally catenary moored. The other option is semi-submersible platforms which consist of typically three connected vertical columns. Considered suitable for most locations given that relatively shallow water required at fabrication site, stable for tow during installation and O&M, their biggest disadvantage is being prone to heave motion which is difficult to prevent without increased fabrication complexity. Semi-submersibles are generally fabricated from steel and conventionally catenary moored. Tension leg platforms typically have a central column and arms connected to tensioned tendons. They can be assembled onshore or in a dry dock, but they can be harder to keep stable during transport and installation than other concepts. Their biggest advantage is that the taut mooring lines significantly reduce the length of mooring lines for deep water locations in comparison to a catenary moored structure. Damping pool structures have a square barge structure which contains a damping pool that has been tuned to reduce the foundation motion. They can be made from concrete or steel — a factor that can increase flexibility of the fabrication location.
critical to determining which solutions are feasible and where the challenges lie. Initial findings from U.K. Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (ORE) for a select set of scenarios suggest that it is cheaper to tow turbines to shore where crane operations are simpler and there is ready access to onshore services and personnel. However, offshore wind developments can be remote from good port facilities, and there are risks associated with disconnecting and reconnecting the units and towing them to shore. As the Floating Wind Joint Industry Project recently concluded in its Phase III report, one of the main challenges for the towto-port option is the safe detachment and wet storage of cables and mooring connections. Conversely, for in-situ maintenance, there are challenges with the limitations of heavy lift vessels: many of the existing heavy lift vessels are unable to lift to the required hub height with the required reach for larger turbines. Planning and logistics are clearly important and should be modelled in more depth than is possible in just a project schedule. A dynamic model that compares options and provides results based on what is important to the developer (cost, risk, carbon emission or schedule) would be a useful tool. The same model could include contingency factors such as installation weather limitations, unexpected schedule delays and their knock-on consequences. The output from the model will not only provide what is the best option for a site-specific development but will also establish the available budget to develop the O&M vessels that would be required to conduct repairs on location, and the bespoke tooling that will need to be designed to make that happen.
Project planning Understanding the installation methodology and defining the developments and operations and maintenance strategy up front is also
Dynamic development Several types of floating foundations have now been proven in full-scale trials, and installation at commercial scale has been achieved, as evidenced by the completion
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SCALING OFFSHORE WIND
ORE Catapult
of the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm to date, the 48-MW Kincardine Offshore Wind in Scotland. Experience so far has demonstrated that some of the most developed technologies have encountered issues or have features that increase fabrication complexity. These will likely be phased out as the designs evolve, and it’s important that developers recognize this in their financial models. The floating industry can’t simply expect to capitalize on the experience of the much more mature fixed wind industry. Foundation designs continue to evolve as new innovations resolve earlier technical difficulties, and new technologies continue to open possibilities for reducing commercial and technical risk. The ORE Catapult report “Floating Offshore Wind: Cost Reduction Pathways to Subsidy Free” released this year notes that advances in fabrication, such as robotic welding complete with machine learning, will have a significant impact on project cost due to increased production efficiency. A more integrated design interface between anchors, mooring system and substructure could speed up installation and major repair operations.
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Additionally, autonomous robots could be employed to de-risk inspection and maintenance tasks. Indeed, last year, a six-legged robot successfully scaled a vertical blade on an offshore demonstration turbine. Other exciting technology developments such as self-erecting nacelles and less conventional floating structure designs will continue to increase what is possible, while minimizing the cost of the vessels and tools required to handle the equipment. The project developer’s “toolbox” continues to expand, but making the right decisions requires in-depth analysis of a multitude of influencing factors — a serious undertaking in terms of research but one that has the potential to pay dividends. An industry-wide challenge Development and design cycles naturally overlap. As warned in the ORE Catapult cost reduction report, turbine technology development could outpace the supporting technology required to install it. The need for new larger cranes and vessels could hinder project timelines, and ultimately the cost of fabricating and installing these larger components may
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outweigh the economic benefits of larger turbines. Perhaps an even more fundamental, industry-wide issue than the already visible and articulated challenges is what remains unknown as a consequence of the risk profile of such complex projects. There are many interfaces and interactions required, that must work in harmony, not isolation, and some developers are opting for EPIC contracts to avoid fronting and managing the risks associated with multi-contract management. This is stifling opportunities for SME growth and development and therefore stifling innovation. The EPIC approach reduces developers’ flexibility and potential to deliver cost reductions through innovative processes, new logistics chains, and dynamic contractual relationships. Restricting these opportunities to reduce costs and mitigate risks will hinder ongoing decision making and could seriously slow growth potential across the industry. Innovation is crucial Innovation can take the industry from proven commercial-scale to full utilityscale developments capable of achieving the required LCOE at the volume of units required to hit or better the installed power targets. There is no shortage of companies prepared to invest in the development required. One barrier to this could be the investment required to develop the port infrastructure to fabricate the foundations is vast, and there needs to be confidence there will be sufficient volume of foundations to cover that investment. That approach lends itself to consistency and repeatability in fabrication which is difficult to achieve with so many drastically different options in existence and still under development. Regardless in every aspect of this embryonic industry, innovation will be crucial if offshore floating wind is to play a full part in future offshore energy provision. WPE
FEBRUARY 2022
2022 LEADERSHIP IN
WIND ENERGY Celebrating the companies and individuals leading the wind power industry.
The U.S. wind industry is growing into new markets, namely offshore development. Success would not be possible without the ingenuity and determination of our leaders. These individuals and companies are working for the growth of the entire wind industry. The future of the industry will build on the foundation of today’s efforts. Windpower Engineering & Development would like to acknowledge such achievements on the following pages. These accomplishments in engineering and product advancements are what drive us into new markets and create jobs. We think they deserve recognition from you, too. Vote online through October for one or more of the companies listed in this special section.
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Abaris Training Resources, Inc. is recognized as the leading provider of advanced composite training for wind blade manufacturers, repair technicians, and engineers worldwide. Abaris has nearly 40 years of experience teaching composite structural repair techniques and methodologies to the aerospace industry and over the past decade, transferred that knowledge to those now serving the wind energy industry. Abaris now offers two windblade repair courses; R-5 “Basic” and R-15 “Advanced” courses, building skills for skin, core, tip, trailing edge, carbon spar repairs, and more. Abaris is soon to be GWO certified! Abaris Training is the world leader in advanced composite training. We have trained more
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than 29,000 students since our inception in 1983, across a number of industries ranging from aerospace to automotive to marine to wind energy and more. Our goal is to teach the latest technology to our students in a friendly yet professional atmosphere. Currently we offer over 23 different courses covering many disciplines surrounding engineering, manufacturing, repair, and NDI of advanced composite structures. Classes are available in two different facilities: Reno, Nevada and São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil. All courses are taught by highly motivated instructors, all of which have vast experience and knowledge of composites and are acknowledged for being the top in their respective fields. In addition to training at Abaris facilities, Abaris can host entire groups at our facility or bring the training to you. Our Direct Services division specializes in organizing either off-the-shelf, or custom courses for our customers, worldwide.
www.windpowerengineering.com/leadership Voting for this company will identify it as a leader in the wind power industry.
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ALA Industries Limited was founded in 1993 as a Manufacturer’s Representative. They are a top-tier hydraulic equipment supplier. ALA’s primary focus was the Latin American market. ALA was Manufacturer’s Representative for international companies such as US Tsubaki, one of the largest manufacturers in the world of industrial, automotive, roller, and specialty chains, as well as Asahi Seiko, the largest manufacturer of mounted ball bearings. ALA is currently responsible for the sales of Yuken, GRH, Vivoil, and Fluid Press. ALA services over 100 value-added distributors across the USA, Canada, and Central America with a complete line of industrial and mobile hydraulics. Our distributors are independent contractors engaged in “value-added engineering.” ALA Industries Limited is based out of Portage, Indiana, USA.
ALA Industries Limited 3410 Delta Dr, Portage, IN 46368 (219) 762-2059 alaindustrieslimited.com
ALA Industries Limited is a leader in engineering. Leadership in engineering can be seen through teamwork not only within ALA Industries but with our manufacturing companies that we represent. We aim to create a seamless flow from our manufacturers to our distributors. The combined effort of all affiliated companies help ALA to better ourselves and provide excellent service and products. We focus on delivering outstanding communication, accountability, and transparency with all companies that we work along. ALA Industries is a leader in engineering due to the goal and ability to create and maintain long-term relationships with our distributors and the manufacturers that we represent. ALA provides a prestigious product line throughout the Americas that aids the maximization of the end users hydraulic systems. The overall goal of ALA Industries
Limited is to focus our time and energy not only on the success of our products, but also to be able to acknowledge areas of improvement and fix them within a timely manner. ALA Industries also seeks to expand their product market to help sustainability efforts, such as pitch control valves for wind turbines. Within ALA Industries, our employees are dedicated, dependable, and respectful to their fellow employees and clients. They have a focus on servant leadership. Overall, ALA Industries Limited has positioned themself as a leader in engineering due to their ability to have open communication with clients alongside providing premier products.
www.windpowerengineering.com/leadership Voting for this company will identify it as a leader in the wind power industry.
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AZTEC BOLTING SERVICES, INC. has been a leading provider of bolting tools to the wind energy industry for over 30 years. Aztec Bolting utilizes the latest products from Enerpac to Skidmore for all your torque and tension requirements. We offer the finest tools available for sale or rent, including hydraulic tools that can yield up to 80,000 ft./lbs. Aztec Bolting also provides calibration services and repairs through our ISO 17025 accredited mobile fleet and calibration facility at the company headquarters in League City, TX.
Since 1987, Aztec Bolting Services has been providing innovative equipment and superior technology. As a distributor of Enerpac Bolting and Tensioning Products, Skidmore-Wilhelm, Stahlwille, and Norbar hand torque wrenches, electronics and torque multipliers, we are prepared to assist our customers in achieving their Wind Power Construction and Maintenance goals. Aztec Bolting Services is proud to enter into this new year introducing a new selection of Enerpac tooling. And because Aztec is an authorized service center and a national distributor of Enerpac products, you can count on a lifetime warranty!
The new standard in torque wrenches. Enerpac DSX Torque Wrench
The new Enerpac DSX Square Drive Aluminum Torque Wrench delivers strength, safety, superior performance and ergonomic design. The DSX makes the ideal choice when you need a simple, lightweight, strong and safe torque wrench. Critical safety features are designed to prevent dropping of on-site components. The DSX also features a compact high-strength unibody design, which provides a small operating radius without sacrificing endurance.
Working alone, or on site with your labor force, Aztec is committed to delivering the right solution, to meet your timing and budgetary requirements. Aztec Bolting Services, based in League City, TX, continues to provide a state-of-the-art mobile fleet division with office locations in Midland, Corpus Christi, Sweetwater and Nederland, TX, and Oklahoma City, OK.
Enerpac HMT
The new HMT1500 Modular Torque Wrench is a versatile and durable hydraulic torque wrench. It has a powerful, lightweight design allowing it to perform 25% faster and is twice as durable as other tools in the same class. Interchange cassettes easily for on-site, on-the-fly adjustments across applications, and count on a safety driven performance through standard safety features.
Aztec Bolting Services 520 Dallas Street League City, TX 77573
Enerpac E-Pulse Pump
The new lightweight, portable solution that is powerful enough to get the job done quickly and safely. The Enerpac E-Pulse Electric pump features a brushless DC motor and speed variable controls to provide typical power from larger pumps in a durable, portable package.
1308 South Midkiff Road, #303 Midland, TX 79701 802 Navigation Boulevard #106 Corpus Christi, TX 78408 1113 Lamar Street Sweetwater, TX 79556
The Norbar Evotorque Battery Tool
3620 HWY 69N Nederland, TX 77627
The Norbar Evotorque Battery Tool boasts high accuracy through features including a built-in torque transducer, a brushless motor, and is fully programmable with safety, smart technology, and comfort at the forefront of design.
800.233.8675 www.aztecbolting.com
www.windpowerengineering.com/leadership Voting for this company will identify it as a leader in the wind power industry.
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Our professionals can be on-site anytime, anywhere with our ISO 17025 Accredited Mobile Calibration Fleet. Our Mobile Units can provide more versatile services than ever before from Controlled Bolting Training to onsite calibrations of your products.
www.windpowerengineering.com
FEBRUARY 2022
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Boker’s, Inc., is a woman-owned, AS 9100:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer of precision stampings, washers, spacers and shims. To request a complimentary copy of the company’s 2022 Stampings & Washers Catalog and a 2022 Scheduling Calendar with Metric Conversion Chart, contact Boker’s at: bokers.com
With over 100 years of experience, Boker’s has earned the reputation as a stamping leader. They deliver precision stampings in a complete range of sizes: flat blanking and piercings up to 12” x 12” (flat) with thicknesses from .005” to .190” (varies by material) and draws up to 3” deep and 8” in diameter.
Boker’s, Inc. 3104 Snelling Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55406-1937 Phone: 612-729-9365 TOLL-FREE: 800-927-4377 (in the US & Canada) bokers.com
With numerous inside diameters, thicknesses and over 2,000 commonly specified and hard-to-find material options— including various types of steel, aluminum, brass, copper, nickel silver, plus nonmetallic materials such as PTFE, polyester, fiber and nylon—whatever your requirements, if it can be stamped, Boker’s can turn it into the part you need. Boker’s also delivers a wide selection of standard and non-standard washers, spacers and shims. With over 32,000 stock tools, and outside diameters of .080” to 5.140” along with a variety of inside diameters, you have millions of flat washer possibilities. All stampings, washers, spacers and shims are available in short, medium and long runs with a 100-piece minimum. Boker’s also offers 3D printing for prototyping, complete Statistical Process Control (S.P.C.) capability, in-house tooling, and “Dock-toStock” and “Just-in-Time” programs.
www.windpowerengineering.com/leadership Voting for this company will identify it as a leader in the wind power industry.
FEBRUARY 2022
WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
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PPG Engineered Materials (formerly Dexmet Corporation) manufactures precision expanded metal foils and polymers for applications in aerospace, power generation, filtration and automotive industries. Dexmet was founded in 1948 and is based in Wallingford, Connecticut and was acquired in 2019 by PPG. For over 60 years Dexmet has been at the forefront of expanding technology and has redefined the standards for micro mesh materials providing the greatest range of products and capabilities for foil gauge metals and thin polymer films. Dexmet manufactures thin, light-weight precision expanded Copper and Aluminum from .001” thick and widths reaching over 48” that can meet specific weight, conductivity and open area requirements required by aerospace or wind generation applications. Precision MicroGrid® materials from PPG Engineered Materials are the industry standard for expanded materials used in lightning strike protection, on carbon fiber structures with OEM aircraft manufacturers as well as EMI/RFI, and ESD protection for sensitive internal instrumentation. The Dexmet Quality System is ISO AS9100:D and ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Engineered Materials Wallingford, CT +1 (203) 294-4440 www.dexmet.com
www.windpowerengineering.com/leadership Voting for this company will identify it as a leader in the wind power industry.
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WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
As the power output requirements increase for wind turbines, wind generator
manufacturers are moving towards larger blades to rotate these larger turbines at lower wind speeds. As the wind blades increase to over 45 meters in length, blade construction is moving away from the more traditional all fiberglass construction to utilize more carbon fiber. The carbon fiber provides a substantial weight savings and increased strength to combat the extreme stress loads exerted on the blades during operation. Carbon fiber, however, is conductive and more prone to be struck by lightning. Without proper protection, they are susceptible to severe damage and catastrophic failure. For two decades Dexmet has been working with aircraft designers developing precision expanded MicroGrid® foils for lightning strike protection on carbon fiber composite aircraft and its components. Benefiting from the development work done in the aircraft industry, Wind Blade Manufacturers are now realizing the importance of having the proper lightning strike protection for larger carbon fiber blades. As with aerospace applications, weight is always critical so PPG Engineered Materials provides different conductive materials to minimize the weight based on the different strike zones. As with all rotary blades, lighting is more prone to hit the leading edge and the outer blade surfaces towards the tips where the highest amount of static energy is generated. For these locations, the heavier, more conductive materials are utilized. As you move towards the root of the blade, a lighter weight material can be incorporated to reduce weight and cost. The variability with our expanding process provides the capability of producing a custom material based on desired weight, conductivity, or open area to meet exact application requirements. www.windpowerengineering.com
PPG MicroGrid® Proven Lightning Strike Protection • Proven Technology for Lightning Strike Protection • Highly Conductive Patterns Matched to Specific Requirements • Open Area Design for Easy Dry or Wet Layup without Delaminating • Easily Repairable for Low Maintenance Costs and Minimal Downtime MicroGrid® Materials for Hybrid-Carbon Fiber Wind Turbine Blades PPG MicroGrid® materials are thin, open area products applied to a layer on the top of the structural carbon fiber spar/web or other systems that utilize carbon such as de-icing solutions that consume carbon heating mats on the leading edge. PPG MicroGrid® materials can achieve the critical conductivity, sometimes in conjunction with the carbon components, to dissipate 20-25 years’ worth of lightning strikes. Expanded copper and aluminum MicroGrid® meshes are essential at extending the life of hybrid carbon fiber composite blades. PPG engineered materials are used in conjunction with the other parts of the entire lightning strike protection system for a wind turbine blade. Our mesh can provide connections between receptor(s) and anchor blocks/root through which high voltage current pass to ground connections. To learn more about the benefits of PPG Engineered Materials, witness its lightning protection performance or understand how it can reduce your maintenance costs and down time, contact PPG at sales@dexmet. com or visit our web site and let us show you how to incorporate the innovative MicroGrid® materials into your composite designs and start recognizing the benefits today.
FEBRUARY 2022
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We’re committed to providing future generations with the means to power their lives in the most economic, environmental and socially responsible ways possible.
Energy Innovation for the Next Generation
EDF Renewables North America Headquarters North American Headquarters
EDF Renewables North America is a market leading independent power producer and service provider with 35 years of expertise in renewable energy. The Company delivers grid-scale power: wind (onshore and offshore), solar photovoltaic, and storage projects; distribution-scale power: solar and storage; and asset optimization: technical, operational, and commercial expertise to maximize performance of generating projects. The Company’s PowerFlex subsidiary offers a full suite of onsite energy solutions: solar, storage, EV charging, energy management systems, and microgrids. EDF Renewables’ North American portfolio consists of 20 GW of
developed projects and 13 GW under service contracts. EDF Renewables North America is a subsidiary of EDF Renewables, the dedicated renewable energy affiliate of the EDF Group. Our purpose is to build a net zero energy future with electricity and innovative solutions and services, to help save the planet and drive wellbeing and economic development.
15445 Innovation Drive San Diego, CA 92128 888-903-6926 info@edf-re.com
www.windpowerengineering.com/leadership Voting for this company will identify it as a leader in the wind power industry.
FEBRUARY 2022
WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
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HELUKABEL: The Worry-Free Cable Experience HELUKABEL USA, based near Chicago IL, is a global manufacturer and supplier of cables, wires and cable accessories. Our extensive product line includes flexible and continuous-flex control cables, data/ network/bus cables, VFD/servo cables, torsion cables for wind turbines, singleconductors, and multi-norm cables with domestic and international electrical approvals. HELUKABEL combines excellent cable quality, innovation and technical expertise with a vast product portfolio and smooth logistics operations. We call that the worryfree cable experience!
Wind power continues to play a major role in the generation of renewable electricity. From installing new wind farms to retrofitting existing ones, wind turbines are being designed to be more efficient and used in locations that were previously thought to be unsuitable for wind energy production. The technology found in these power sources allows them to operate safely for long periods of time on every continent and in any climate zone. HELUKABEL offers you optimal solutions for onshore and offshore wind turbines from rotor tip to tower base, as well as for the infrastructure cabling of wind farms. Our full product range includes low-voltage and medium-voltage cables with copper or aluminum conductors, twistable cables, data and network technology, pre-assembled fiber optic cables as well as individual connection and interconnection technology and other accessories for fastening and bundling cables in the tower.
Our cables are rigorously tested to UL, CSA, and many other international standards to ensure their durability to withstand a variety of harsh environmental factors, including humidity, vibration, extreme temperatures, oil exposure, electromagnetic interference and more. With a 70,000 sq. ft. warehouse near Chicago, IL and backed by a fully automated logistics center in Germany, we are able to serve the North American market on a justin-time basis, which truly makes HELUKABEL your one-stop shop cabling solution provider.
HELUKABEL, USA, Inc. T: (847) 930-5118 sales@helukabel.com www.helukabel.com
www.windpowerengineering.com/leadership Voting for this company will identify it as a leader in the wind power industry.
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WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
www.windpowerengineering.com
FEBRUARY 2022
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From tip to hub, Megger gives you high performance For over 130 years, Megger has pioneered new technologies to deliver genuine benefits for its customers. The company is rigorous in its evaluation of these technologies to ensure that the high standards of safety, reliability and durability for which its products are renowned are always maintained. We have a strong focus on research and development, and look to reinvest a high proportion of our income in these activities. This investment has attracted some of the worlds most talented and creative testequipment design engineers. To ensure that our products reflect real world needs, we have collaborative arrangements with major manufacturers of equipment used in all areas of the electrical energy supply industry.
Megger 2621 Van Buren Avenue Norristown, PA 19403 866-254-0962 www.us.megger.com
Megger test equipment offers versatile, power validation and the ability to offer turnkey testing solutions. Megger equipment’s testing performance can handle ground bond testing, routing maintenance and corroboration of protection systems. From tip to hub, Megger is your partner for reliable electrical test and measurement equipment. We offer an industry leading IP rating, noise rejection, impact resistance and temperature specifications, all of which allow operation in the widest range of environments. Our products are designed with unique capabilities based on our application experience to ensure world’s best operating performance. Intuitive product interfaces often reduce training time and ease product use.
www.windpowerengineering.com/leadership Voting for this company will identify it as a leader in the wind power industry.
FEBRUARY 2022
WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
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Norbar Torque Tools introduces EvoTorque2, where we have brought together durability, low cost-of-ownership,
Norbar EBT EvoTorque Battery Tool – Another radical change comes to battery powered torque multipliers! Norbar Torque Tools has jumped into the battery tool market, and made a big splash!
Norbar quality and accuracy, and all the features you need, and rolled them into one,
Meet EBT – EvoTorque Battery Tool, with everything our EvoTorque2 electric brought you, but along the way we lost the power cord, and picked up an 18V battery.
price-competitive tool. EvoTorque2 is easy to program, presents a small and lightweight package, stores thousands of readings, and can be serviced in the field. There are too many features and advantages to list in a few short lines of text, so the best way
Operating the same EvoLog software as EvoTorque2, EBT is the perfect complimentary tool, because it is set-up, programmed, and operated exactly the same as its corded big brother. With a brushless motor, a durable and accurate Norbar gearbox, and a built-in transducer, Norbar has set the bar high in the world of battery tools. With an accuracy of +/-3% OF READING, EBT hits the target every time, across the full range of the tool. If accuracy matters to you, if durability matters to you, and if unparalleled service and support matter to you, the only name you need to remember is NORBAR.
to measure the advantages and value of EvoTorque2 is to try it yourself. Stack us up against the competition – you’re going to be amazed!
Norbar Calibration Fixtures – Accuracy and durability brought to the field! Norbar Torque Tools knows how critical it is to have and prove the calibration and accuracy of your torque tools. We have been providing calibration equipment to the Wind industry around the world. We can package and configure equipment to suit all your needs, and our modular design allows your equipment to grow and change as your needs grow and change.
Norbar Torque Tools, Inc. 36400 Biltmore Place Willoughby, OH 44094 Phone: 866.667.2272
Whether you need fixtures to calibrate hydraulic wrenches, or joint-simulators to calibrate your non-impacting torque tools, or just a way to calibrate or verify torque wrenches, Norbar has the equipment and expertise to cover all your needs!
Fax: 440.953.9336
Norbar HandTorque Multipliers – Big range and a small size, with a Certificate of Calibration!
Email: info@norbar.us www.norbar.us
Norbar Torque Tools Compact Series Torque Multipliers are designed to deliver high torque ranges, in user-friendly gear ratios, packaged in a small and lightweight package. Because size and weight considerations are critical to your business, Norbar has developed a line of torque multipliers that make life in the tower easier by providing a powerful 27:1 gear ratio – an operator input of 100 lb-ft generates 2700 lb-ft of torqueing power! www.windpowerengineering.com/leadership Voting for this company will identify it as a leader in the wind power industry.
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WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
When it comes to real convenience, Norbar has designed the Compact Series Torque Multipliers to accept the same torque reactions as you will use on your EvoTorque2 tool, saving you even more time and money down the road. All Compact Series Torque Multipliers include a Certificate of Calibration, and are delivered in a high density plastic carrying case.
www.windpowerengineering.com
FEBRUARY 2022
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NTC Wind Energy provides utility scale wind turbine foundation solutions, products and services. Our patented Ironclad™ bolt caps are the premier bolt cap of the industry and are specified by nearly all foundation design engineers. In addition to cap installation and service, NTC Wind Energy provides IronClad grout sleeves, rock anchor bolt caps, foundation anchor bolt tensioning services, corrosion inhibiting grease, grease application tools and foundation anchor bolt restoration services. NTC Wind Energy also specializes in solving unique problems associated with foundation construction. We’ve designed, fabricated and patented specialty tensioning tools to address problems associated with short bolts and tight tower wall clearances. We’ve also developed templates for bolt cage construction, cutting manpower by as much as 75% and greatly enhancing safety.
NTC Wind Energy P.O. Box 2280 Boerne, TX 78006 Toll Free: 1-800-359-0372 www.NTCwind.com
NTC Wind Energy developed and patented the first bolt caps in the wind industry over 20 years ago. In those days, lattice towers were just giving way to monopole towers and the industry was very small and tight. Since that time, the industry has grown exponentially and NTC Wind Energy has grown with it. NTC Wind Energy prides itself in finding innovative solutions to common problems in design and construction of onshore wind turbine foundations. Rock anchor bolt caps, grout sleeves, specialty anti-corrosion grease and grease applicators are just some of the products that NTC Wind Energy provides. Low clearance, precision bolt tensioning and bolt restoration services are also provided. Over the years, NTC Wind Energy has developed five generations of bolt caps, each one an improvement over the last. Most recently, NTC Wind Energy developed a heavy-walled injection molded polypropylene copolymer bolt cap that is UV resistant and stands up to almost anything nature can throw at it, the IronClad Super Duty bolt cap. This cap can be installed and removed by hand and features the only integrated o-ring in the industry. One of the innovative solutions that NTC Wind Energy has developed is a water-proof air relief port built into the Super Duty bolt cap. This prevents a common issue with moisture being drawn into the cap as it expands from exposure to sunlight when water is pooled on the base flange. The IronClad Super Duty bolt cap is the only cap available with this important feature.
www.windpowerengineering.com/leadership Voting for this company will identify it as a leader in the wind power industry.
FEBRUARY 2022
WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
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Advanced Bolting Technology for Wind More than 20 years of gearbox design and engineering. RAD Torque Systems is a leading Canadian manufacturer of pneumatic, battery powered and electronic pistol grip torque wrenches. We’ve pioneered and patented the first programmable digital torque technology enabling effortless data collection and highly precise Bluetooth calibration. RAD is best known for its innovation and high quality tools. RAD Torque Systems is owned and operated by New World Technologies Inc., a company that continues to invest in and employ the latest technology to achieve the highest kevel of innovation, quality and performance.
RAD Torque is Reliable
At RAD Torque Systems we understand that heavy-duty industries like the wind industry need a powerful tool they can trust won’t break down. That’s why we’ve dedicated more than 20 years to designing torque wrenches that have been proven to be reliable job after job.
RAD Torque is Compact
RAD Torque Systems 30580 Progressive Way Abbotsford, British Columbia V2T 6Z2 Canada http://radtorque.com
RAD specializes in gearbox design, which means we’ve developed very compact gearboxes in comparison to our competitors. This allows for our tools to fit into hardto-reach spots. From a safety aspect, RAD tools have one of the best power-to-weight ratios on the market, which makes them more ergonomic and less “bulky” than other torque wrenches.
RAD Torque is Flexible
Have an awkward spot you need to bolt? No problem! The RAD team of engineers have the flexibility to custom design any tool to suit any application. Plus, we have a fast turnaround time compared to other companies because we have nearly a dozen engineers on staff and every tool is machined and manufactured in-house.
The System of Choice for Wind Industry: E-RAD BLU
The E-RAD BLU precision torque wrench tools are designed to provide a high degree of accuracy. Using a patented gearbox design and the precision of an electric AC Servo motor, these tools deliver smooth continuous torque. Best of all, it’s the most affordable system on the market.
www.windpowerengineering.com/leadership Voting for this company will identify it as a leader in the wind power industry.
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WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
www.windpowerengineering.com
FEBRUARY 2022
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SparkCognition award-winning AI solutions, allow organizations to predict future outcomes, optimize processes, and prevent cyber-attacks. We partner with the world’s industry leaders to analyze, optimize, and learn from data, augment human intelligence, drive profitable growth, and achieve operational excellence. Our patented AI, machine learning, and natural language technologies lead the industry in innovation and accelerate digital transformation. Our solutions allow organizations to solve critical challenges like reducing customer churn, detecting fraud, preventing unexpected downtime, and optimizing asset performance, while avoiding zeroday cyber-attacks on essential IT and OT infrastructure. SparkCognition’s product portfolio enables organizations to quickly capitalize on their data, providing actionable insights based on realtime analysis, amplifying their return on investment, and redefining best practices. Since 2013, we have worked to perfect AI, accelerate market adoption, and enhance, advance, and safeguard organizations, fostering a smarter, safer, and more sustainable future.
SparkCognition: AI Perfected for Business
AI Solutions for Renewable Asset Management The SparkCognition Renewable Suite is an advanced Asset Performance Management system currently deployed on over 8.5 GW of renewable energy assets around the world. The Renewable Suite is a single tool for managing wind, solar, and energy storage assets. Capabilities of the Renewable Suite include monitoring, dashboards and KPIs, failure prediction and anomaly detection, prescriptive recommendations, automated reporting, energy production forecasting, customer deployed models, self-serve analytics, and much more.
SparkCognition www.sparkcognition.com
www.windpowerengineering.com/leadership Voting for this company will identify it as a leader in the wind power industry.
The SparkCognition Renewable Suite is developed and maintained by experts in software engineering and data science, as well as engineers from renewable energy OEMs and operators. Dedicated Customer Success Managers with Renewable Energy operating experience provide hands on support users of the Renewable Suite and ensure that each user is getting the maximum amount of value from the tool. Benefits of the Renewable Suite include increased energy production (a 2% increase is typical), decreased maintenance costs, and improved operational efficiency. To learn more about the SparkCognition Renewable Suite, please visit our website.
FEBRUARY 2022
WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
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Industry-standard lidars for accurate wind data Leosphere, a Vaisala company, is the global leader in lidar remote sensing solutions for wind energy measurement, assessment, development and operations – both onshore and offshore. The WindCube lidar suite is the most accepted and trusted in the market, providing the bankable data and business outcomes that wind developers, operators, and turbine manufacturers need to thrive. WindCube lidars are operating at thousands of sites across the globe, providing outstanding data accuracy and efficiency across all phases of a wind project. The Vaisala suite of weather sensors and data solutions provide complementary key measurement technologies for accurate, reliable data for wind and solar energy.
Leosphere, a Vaisala company, has earned its leadership position in wind energy largely because our scientific and R&D contributions are aggressive, strategic, and unmatched. WindCube is the industry’s reference lidar, a status earned over more than 15 years of scientific innovation and approximately 5,000 deployments around the globe. WE PROVIDE: Trustworthy, superior metrology: WindCube solutions are backed by the best science and metrology, and validated by the most demanding testing and certifications in the industry. Our contributions make wind energy smarter. Unrivaled thought leadership: Our years of experience, impressive global client roster, and plethora of industry breakthroughs demonstrate that we are the iconic gold standard in wind energy.
Leosphere, a Vaisala company 194 South Taylor Street Louisville, Colorado 80027 windcubelidar.com
Innovative lidars from a one-stop shop: Customers know we have the right suite of solutions for their needs in wind energy — taking them ever higher by adding value at each step of the project lifecycle. Easy, reliable global solutions: We make our clients’ lives easier. Our easy to use, turnkey WindCube product suite enables customers to harness the power of wind energy efficiently and affordably.
www.windpowerengineering.com/leadership Voting for this company will identify it as a leader in the wind power industry.
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WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
www.windpowerengineering.com
FEBRUARY 2022
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WECS Renewables A primary supplier for utility scale wind farms, WECS provides electrical material for the balance of Plant and systems for power production equipment including MV and HV components for Substation / Collections / and PMT / Tower system. WECS is a primary source for OEM products at all voltages. WECS has also developed numerous proprietary products and continues to innovate in the industry. WECS also offers project review and suggested spare parts list
WECS Renewables Capabilities • Team: Technical experts with engineering capabilities for identifying best solutions • Inventory: Vast Inventory covering from panel to Substation connections • Same Day Shipments: Our West Coast warehouse can provide same-day shipments across North America • Experience: Over 35 years of experience in planning & supplying renewable projects WECS Renewables 19392 Ruppert Street, N. Palm Springs, CA 92258 760.251.0040 info@wecsrenewables.com
• OEMs Prefer WECS: Deep relationships with best manufacturers - best pricingacross globe • Additional WECS Differentiators:
- Custom tailored kitting
- Engineered solutions customized for specific application - Comprehensive sourcing - including alternate solutions - Project support and material management
WECS’s technical knowledge of operating systems and components allows us to understand and plan for both the product need and the product application. www.windpowerengineering.com/leadership Voting for this company will identify it as a leader in the wind power industry.
FEBRUARY 2022
Example Solar Products (LV/MV Gear, PV connections, DC Feeder, Cable Management, Collector Materials, Substation Equipment and connections, Wire & Cable, Fuses)
WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
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AD INDEX WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
LEADERSHIP TEAM VP of Sales Mike Emich 508.446.1823 memich@wtwhmedia.com Managing Director Scott McCafferty 310.279.3844 smccafferty@wtwhmedia.com EVP Marshall Matheson 805.895.3609 mmatheson@wtwhmedia.com Publisher Courtney Nagle cseel@wtwhmedia.com 440.523.1685 SALES Jami Brownlee 224.760.1055 jbrownlee@wtwhmedia.com Ashley Burk 737.615.8452 aburk@wtwhmedia.com Jim Powers 312.925.7793 jpowers@wtwhmedia.com
Abaris ........................................................................................................... 23
AZTEC Bolting Services Inc. .............................................................COVER, 18
Boker’s, Inc. .................................................................................................. 22 Dexmet Corporation ....................................................................................... 9 EDF .............................................................................................................. 27 HELUKABEL USA ........................................................................................... 13 Megger ...................................................................................................... IBC
Norbar Torque Tools ....................................................................................... 1 NTC Wind ..................................................................................................... 29 RAD Torque .................................................................................................. 11 SparkCognition ............................................................................................. 17
Vaisala ........................................................................................................ IFC
WECS ............................................................................................................ 12 Yuken ........................................................................................................... BC
LEADERSHIP 2022 Abaris ........................................................................................................... 34
ALA Industries .............................................................................................. 35 AZTEC Bolting .............................................................................................. 36 Boker’s .......................................................................................................... 37 Dexmet Corporation ..................................................................................... 38 EDF .............................................................................................................. 39 HELUKABEL USA .......................................................................................... 40 Megger ........................................................................................................ 41
Norbar Torque Tools ..................................................................................... 42 NTC .............................................................................................................. 43
RAD Torque .................................................................................................. 44 SparkCognition ............................................................................................. 45
Vaisala .......................................................................................................... 46
WECS ........................................................................................................... 47
CONNECT WITH US Follow the whole team on twitter @Windpower_Eng Looking for more ways to connect? 48
WINDPOWER ENGINEERING & DEVELOPMENT
www.windpowerengineering.com
FEBRUARY 2022
Testing lightning protection on wind turbines?
Megger has the right tools for you! The DLRO2 handheld 2 Amp low resistance ohmmeter, coupled with the new KC-C series test leads, is perfect for testing wind turbines. The DLRO2 measures the resistance between the turbine’s blade tip to the ground connection using the KC-C long test leads. With a combined weight of less than 20 pounds, the DLRO2 and KC-C leads are the perfect tools when testing at heights. Lightweight tools are a necessity for the safety and comfort of wind technicians. What better way to test resistance than with Megger’s quality instruments? We make testing safe, accurate, and easy. KC-C long test leads
For a FREE VoltclawTM non-conductive tool visit us.megger.com/getbook Reference Code: DLRO2_WP_FEB Visit our website: US.MEGGER.COM
Yuken is the most trusted name in the US Wind industry for pitch control valves. Since 2014: • Over 4,000 valves installed • No warranty claims or returns since 2014 • 3 year warranty guarantee
ALA Industries Limited 3410 Delta Dr • Portage, IN 46368 Tel: 877-419-8536 Fax: 219-762-2066 www.alaindustrieslimited.com