News Archive May 2016

Global: VBMS installs 1,000th inter array cable

VBMS has reached a major milestone by installing its 1,000th inter array cable during its works for Vattenfall’s Sandbank Offshore Wind Farm this week.

Norway: New contract for Olympic Delta

Olympic Shipping have contracted Olympic Delta to an international client.

The Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE) has decided to give its Annual Award 2016 to Dr. Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), for its work to place renewable energies in general and wind energy in particular in the centre of discussions on global energy.

US: Duke Energy accelerates renewable energy growth goal by 33%

Company plans to own or purchase 8,000 megawatts of capacity by 2020 / More company data and goals spelled out in new Sustainability Report

ULSTEIN introduces the LX109 design, a high capacity, highly efficient cable lay vessel with compact dimensions. The completely new, patent pending, ULSTEIN Cable Arch system in combination with open top vessel design results in an unprecedented total of 12,500 t of power cable that can be laid as one single piece.

Investments to reduce hospital's energy consumption by a third / Siemens experts identify savings potential / Heat consumption to drop by 41 percent

Commissions 900 MW in FY16 compared to 442 MW installed in FY15; 520 MW commissioned in Q4 FY16 / Installations in Telangana mark the debut of the State in wind energy / Market share in India grows to 27% in FY16 from 19% in FY15

SWT-3.3-130 direct drive wind turbine certified / Certification allows innovative machine to be used in upcoming projects / First German prototype to be installed near Husum

Ellevio has implemented a tender for its future needs for power cables in their distribution networks and has assigned nkt cables a contract for 3 + 1 years. The agreement includes low-voltage and medium-voltage cable and Universal Cables.

Germany: HAWE Hydraulik SE now offers proportional directional spool valvetype PSV (F) with CAN-BUS interface in four sizes

Up to 800 l/min plus CAN-Bus onboard in a proportional directional spool valve

Scotland: Whitelee Windfarm Welcomes 500,000th Visitor

UK’s biggest onshore windfarm celebrates visitor milestone

The independent service provider Deutsche Windtechnik Ltd. has received two contracts from leading British wind farm project developer ScottishPower Plc.

Because of world-class resources and decades of experience siting wind farms in the most productive locations, the U.S. generated more electricity from wind than any other country in 2015. Despite this, there’s been some recent confusion because growth in wind energy generation, while still positive, was smaller from 2014 to 2015 in comparison with other years. So let’s take a look at the facts.

The wind turbines in the Plauerhagen wind farm, which were sold to the Dortmund-based DEW21 company at the end of 2015, are now under construction. The erection of the six eno 114 wind turbines is scheduled to be completed there in the second quarter of 2016.

Denmark: Survey reveals high Danish climate aspirations

A survey by MEGAFON reveals Danes' attitudes to the green transformation*, and their aspirations are high.

Italy: Enel Green Power and PLT Energia sign accord for the sale of two wind farms in Calabria

Enel Green Power acquires the 40% of Maicor Wind held by PLT energia

Gearbox specialist Moventas is proud to announce Extra Life for Siemens 2.3. It is a suite of after sales services designed to address the failures of Winergy gearboxes in the Siemens 2.3 fleet in both Europe and North America, encompassing upgrades, replacements, up-tower service and spares.

China: Envision Energy to Acquire BazeField

Leading Energy Multinational Acquires Cutting Edge Norwegian Digital Energy Company

US: Vestas receives 178 MW order in Kansas

First Vestas V117-3.3 MW turbines in Kansas, underlining the 3 MW-platform’s versatility.

After its successful completion of the offshore wind farm Butendiek off the island of Sylt, the company wpd AG is continuing its work in the German North Sea. Yesterday evening the first monopile deep foundation of the nearshore wind farm Nordergründe was laid.

UK: Pinsent Masons advises DONG Energy on Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm

International law firm Pinsent Masons has been appointed to advise DONG Energy on the Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm.

The Service of Environmental Assessment has approved Mainstream’s 264MW Cerro Tigre wind farm located close to the town of Antofagasta in the north of Chile. The project, which consists of 80 wind turbines in an area of ??1,131 hectares, will involve an investment of approximately USD630 million and will be connected to the northern grid.

Boralex Inc., Gaz Métro Limited Partnership and Valener Inc. are pleased to announce the closing of a C$617.5 million non-recourse refinancing for Seigneurie de Beaupré Wind Farms 2 and 3 General Partnership, which operates two winds farms located 60 km northeast of Québec City on the private property of Séminaire de Québec.

EDP Renewables announced today that revenues for the first quarter amounted to €508 million (+22% on the same period last year). The increase in revenues benefitted mainly from the higher capacity in operation and the outstanding load factor.

While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) works to finalize plans to update its eagle take permit rule, there continues to be some confusion about the rule, why the rule exists, and who can apply for it.

Global: Nexans launching new low voltage WINDLINK® aluminum torsion-resistant loop cable solution for wind turbines

New flexible aluminum solution is lighter and more cost effective

UK: ABB to supply special transformers for the world’s most powerful wind turbines

Wind farm with 40 turbines will contribute to supply clean energy to thousands of households in England

Global market share up 2.6 percentage points with further progress by successful market entry in Chile and office opening in Japan / Q1 revenues at EUR 364 million, adjusted EBIT and adjusted EBITDA increase to EUR 14 million and EUR 27 million, respectively / Working Capital improves to negative 6.4 per cent, Free Cash Flow generation at EUR 20 million / Stable order book: net firm orders to EUR 1.8 billion

Substantial increase in production output and installations in the first quarter / New orders worth EUR 541 million secured / Order backlog stable at EUR 1,638 million

UK: A2SEA signs contract for Hornsea Offshore Wind Farm Project One

From spring 2019, A2SEA will play a key role in building the world’s largest ever offshore wind farm, Hornsea Project One for DONG Energy. Capacity will be 1.2GW.

Scotland: Statoil chooses Kongsberg EmPower for Hywind Demo

Statoil has been awarded a grant from ENOVA to test the condition monitoring capabilities of the Kongsberg EmPower system for the floating wind turbine Hywind Demo.

Siemens Wind Power AS has contracted offshore marine and engineering consultancy Aqualis Offshore to provide a series of assessments for wind turbine service operations to be performed by a jack-up vessel chartered by Siemens.

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has recently recognized U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, for his leadership in advancing wind energy in Iowa and around the country, at a factory that has played a key role.

With the assistance of consulting firm EY, the Company analysed the impact of its renewable energy business in Mexico and South Africa / The company’s wind power activity in Mexico represents a contribution to the country’s GDP of more than 1 billion euros, while the project developed in South Africa created 9,500 jobs between 2013 and 2015

Scotland: SSE awards £22m Bhlaraidh wind farm contract to Highland firm RJ McLeod

The 32 turbine project, which gained planning consent in 2014, is located on Glenmoriston estate, north of Invermoriston, in the Great Glen.

Enbridge Inc. today announced it has agreed to acquire a 50% interest in Éolien Maritime France SAS, a French offshore wind development company, for an investment of CAD$282 million inclusive of transaction costs and past and future pre-Final Investment Decision development costs.

Vysiion, the managed technology solutions provider, and specialists in wind farm infrastructure and communications delivery, has been awarded a contract to support a 108km fibre link installation for the Rampion Wind Farm development.

In 2015, Ulstein Group recorded revenues of NOK 2.3 billion and an operating loss of NOK -95 million. The business areas Design & Solutions and Power & Control both recorded profits.

James Fisher Marine Services (JFMS) is pleased to announce the successful contract win for the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of temporary pontoons at the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm Newhaven Port facility, during construction, to enable the safe and efficient transfer of personnel.

Europe: Taking SAITEC’s floating support structure to the next level

Spanish engineering company SAITEC is working on creating what they hope will be the most competitive floating solution in the offshore wind market.

The system combines four sources of power - solar, wind, diesel and batteries - with installed capacity of over 2 MW and enables the provision of cheaper and cleaner power to communities without a grid connection. Gamesa's entry into the offgrid segment falls under the scope of its 2015-2017 Business Plan, which contemplates analysis of businesses that complement the wind sector.

The significant investment benefits that onshore wind offers to the Northern Ireland economy and its local communities has been underlined in the acquisition of a Co. Antrim 18 MW wind farm, under construction by Larne-based developer RES, by Dublin based energy company NTR plc.

This facility will make blades for the G114-2.0 MW class S turbine and marks Gamesa's second blade factory in India, where it also has a nacelle manufacturing facility / The new blade factory is part of the company's plan for tapping the growth opportunity in India, where it is the number one OEM

Fred. Olsen Windcarrier has been awarded a transport and installation contract for installation of Siemens 7MW turbines at the Hornsea Project One Offshore Wind Farm, developed by DONG Energy Wind Power.

UK: Sembmarine SLP Ltd carry out UK first

Lowestoft based Sembmarine SLP Ltd (SLP) undertook a series of firsts at their Hamilton Road site this month.

The energy it takes to make MARS® bars, WHISKAS® cat food, EXTRA® gum and UNCLE BEN’S® rice in the U.K. is now provided by a new wind farm in Moy, Scotland.

115 meter concrete tower allows hub height to enhance annual energy production by up to an estimated 10 percent or more / On-site casting of tower segments eliminates transportation costs for off-site fabricated tower sections / Taller towers can allow efficient operation of wind farms in areas with low or moderate wind speeds

UK: Spaldington wind farm in England is in operation

After Wales and Scotland Falck Renewables completes its presence in the UK.

UK: 3sun Group Expands with Launch of Hull Base

Expansion to support key clients in the Humber region

ELA Container Offshore GmbH has announced to be the Platinum Sponsor of the Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference 2016. This exhibition will take place at the Rai Amsterdam Convention Centre in the Netherlands from October 25 – 26, 2016.

Adwen has obtained the Type Certificate of its AD 5-132 offshore wind turbine awarded by the independent certification body DNV GL. This milestone marks the culmination of the turbine's certification process and confirms the platform's technology, which in turn bolsters the commercialization and industrialization processes.

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) today hailed progress by American agencies in working with their Scandinavian counterparts to expedite the development of offshore wind in this country.

A floating wind farm to be located off Scotland’s east coast at Buchan Deep, some 25 kilometres from Peterhead, is one step closer to becoming reality following The Crown Estate granting a lease to Statoil that will enable construction to commence.

RenewableUK is highlighting the fact that, for the first time, wind generated more electricity than coal over the course of an entire month, for British homes, businesses and factories.

Jacket foundation weighing more than 1,400 tons successfully placed on sea bed / Substation topside is planned to follow this summer / Installation of inter-array cables to begin in June / Commissioning of the 332 megawatt wind farm anticipated in 2017

For the first time, two sister platforms in an offshore wind farm will be connected by means of a bridge system with the aid of a new, flexible high-voltage cable with a conductor cross section of 800 mm 2. This increases the guaranteed energy feed-in for the wind farm operator.

Lindahl, which is Enel’s first project in North Dakota, will have a total installed capacity of 150 MW and will be able to generate approximately 625 GWh each year Construction of the Lindahl wind project will require an investment of more than 220 million US dollars

Japanese Ministry of land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MILT) intends to promote offshore wind power development and modifies “Port and Harbor Law” modification.

Global: Dow Increases Clean Energy Targets Aligned to 2025 Sustainability Goals

Groundbreaking partnership with NRG Energy will provide increased renewable wind energy to power Dow Operations

Clinton will conduct a large geophysical scope of work for the Hornsea Project Three windfarm (as the company seeks to establish a more accurate geophysical baseline for the potential Project area). The area, is approximately 760 km² and is up to 150km offshore.

Goldwind Americas, a subsidiary of Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd., announced that it has signed an agreement with Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES) to acquire the 160 MW Rattlesnake Wind Project located in McCulloch County, Texas. Once operational, the project will become Goldwind's largest U.S. wind project to date.

Automated Precision Inc. has unveiled a revolutionary advancement in laser tracker technology – the world’s first completely wireless, controller-free laser tracker: the Omnitrac 2.

Australia: Infigen responds to media reporting

Infigen Energy notes reporting today in The Australian Financial Review concerning potential interest in Infigen.

UK: Historical new order for Bladt Industries and Semco Maritime

Bladt Industries and Semco Maritime awarded historical order for the world’s largest offshore wind farm, “Hornsea Project One”.

DNV GL has been awarded a contract by COSCO Shipping Company Limited (COSCO SHIPPING) of China for the installation engineering services for the BorWin gamma high voltage direct current (HVDC) converter platform.

Offshore wind power has developed into a real success in the recent past. Especially in Europe with its shallow coastlines, more and more wind farms use the constant breeze on the ocean to produce clean energy. However, conventional offshore turbines are anchored to the seabed. That's why worldwide still many regions are excluded from this type of energy production, as the sea floor drops steeply already close to the coast. For years, researchers have therefore been trying to develope floating turbines which are no longer tied to specific water depths. After many setbacks, the first offshore wind farm with floating turbines will be built.

8.2 Consulting AG is on the winners list of Germany´s best consulting companies for the third year in a row. The biggest market survey in Germany revealed that the company is one of the best consultants in the section Energy & Environment.

The Energy Department's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is awarding four subcontracts under the fourth round of funding through DOE's Distributed Wind Competitiveness Improvement Project (CIP).

Capstone Power Development will be relying on Pentalum Technologies' SpiDAR wind LiDAR to provide real-time wind speed measurements at four Ontario wind farms reaching commercial operation in 2016.

Nordex has obtained a new project order in France for 13 N100/2500 turbines. Nordex will supply and install the turbines for the wind farm “Eplessier” owned by one of the funds TTR Energy manages.

New turbine models selected for more than a gigawatt of U.S. capacity in the first quarter of 2016 / 2 MW machines are compatible with GE’s Digital Wind Farm technology, powered by the Predix* software platform / GE’s onshore wind installed base now stands at more than 50,000 MW of global capacity

HGC Engineering's Wind Energy Division has been awarded full ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation to conduct measurements of wind turbine noise emissions to the exacting methods set out in IEC-61400-11.

On 19 May 2016, A2SEA’s SEA CHALLENGER completed the installation of 97 Siemens 6MW turbines at DONG Energy’s Gode Wind 2+1 OWF in the German part of the North Sea.

Shelf seas comprise approximately 7% of the world’s oceans and are the focus of an enormous amount of economic activity; they hold around 20% of all life in the ocean, and sustain around 90% of the world’s fisheries.

Ten project developers are in the running for a permit to develop a wind farm off the coast of Zeeland. Two developers asked ECN to assess their designs in advance. Our wind report makes their business cases more solid and instils confidence in investors.

MPI Offshore is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract to install wind turbines on the Nordsee One Offshore Wind Farm. In a short ceremony held earlier this week in Hamburg, the contract was signed by representatives from Senvion and MPI.

Gamesa has closed its agreement with CAF and Tecnalia to invest in this technology player, a specialist in advanced data management for application in predictive maintenance, thereby becoming a core shareholder with a 50% interest

GCube, the leading underwriter for renewable energy initiatives, has responded to increasing demand from US wind project-financed wind operators, notably those refinancing or going through acquisitions, by strengthening its underwriting team and rolling out its unique Weather Risk Transfer mechanism across the North American market.

Europe: WindEnergy Hamburg 2016 – The world's leading expo for wind energy

All you need to know about WindEurope Summit and WindEnergy Expo this September, in Hamburg

UpWind Solutions, a fully-owned subsidiary of Vestas, expands multi-brand footprint with addition of 15 MidAmerican Energy and PacifiCorp sites throughout Iowa, Wyoming and Oregon.

Wind power plant with total capacity of 588 megawatts / Installation of the 7-MW turbines to begin in 2018 / First project equipped with new offshore grid access solution / Long-term service contract for 15 years

During last weeks Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) New Jersey Renewable Energy Task Force Meeting held in Trenton, DONG Energy announced that the company has taken over RES Americas Developments Inc.’s (RES) more than 1000MW development project rights off the coast of New Jersey.

New annual capacity in Asia Pacific excluding China (APeC) will more than double by 2025, compared with 2015 installations, driven by continued growth across most markets

RenewableUK is welcoming today’s £2.6 billion Final Investment Decision by SSE, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and SDIC Power of China, to build Beatrice offshore wind farm. It is one of the largest private investments ever made in Scottish infrastructure.

Following the successful completion of the first periodic inspections last year, 8.2 Consulting AG was awarded with a contract for another three years by operator WindMW GmbH (WindMW).

US: Siemens signs first balance of plant wind service agreement

Siemens to expand and extend service and maintenance operations for 15 years at Keenan II wind farm in Oklahoma

Mainstream Renewable Power, the global renewable energy developer, is proud to announce that its CEO, Eddie O'Connor has been appointed as the Global Wind Energy Council's (GWEC) new Global Ambassador.

Since December 2015, Blue Water USA has been providing hub logistics services to General Electric (GE) in the Port of Providence (Rhode Island) for the 30 MW Block Island Wind Farm which is the first offshore wind farm in the United States.

60 Hz versions of 3.4-130 and 3.4-137 expand GE’s North American wind portfolio / New turbines provide flexibility for land-constrained areas and regions with complicated terrain / Extends GE’s Digital Wind Farm capabilities to all 2 and 3 MW machines throughout North America.

Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, a 100% subsidiary of Tata Power, India’s largest integrated power company, has completed acquisition of 100% shareholding in Indo Rama Renewables Jath Limited, which is a 100% subsidiary of Indo Rama Renewables Limited. IRRJL has a 30 MW operating wind farm in Sangli District of Maharashtra.

Senvion, a leading global manufacturer of wind turbines, is launching its highest onshore yield turbine for the North American market. The Senvion 3.4M140 is equipped with a high-efficient and sound-optimized blade profile, managed by a new pitch control system to reduce turbine load.

Prysmian Group, world leader in the energy and telecom cable systems industry has reached two record-breaking milestones in the field of power transmission and today announces the successful development and testing of its new 700 kV MI-PPL (Mass Impregnated) and 600 kV extruded (XLPE) cable systems for high voltage direct current (HVDC) applications.

Five software applications built to enhance annual energy production and improve wind farm profitability / Industrial wind apps include Energy Forecasting for business strategy optimization, Wind PowerUp Services and Digital Plan of the Day to streamline site operations, and Diagnostics & Prognostics for turbine-level asset performance management

REETEC GmbH successfully tested a new internal blade inspection system and method on an offshore blade over 60 metres lengths, producing a safe solution to inspect almost 100% of the interior area of blades for wind turbines.

On 18-19 May, WindEurope participated as a rapporteur for the European Commission during the European Maritime Day 2016. The forum is the annual meeting point for Europe’s maritime community to network, discuss, and forge joint action for the Blue Economy.

US: American wind power sets sights on doubling in five years

Cost cuts, innovation will drive industry to 10% U.S. electricity by 2020, say industry leaders

The Scots are currently working more vigorously than ever to implement their COP21 plans: Earlier this week saw the start of building the next large offshore wind project, the Beatrice wind farm. Whether future EU funds will flow into the UK for such projects is of course dependent on the whereabouts of the British in the EU.

For the last 24 years this journal has been acknowledging the creativity and imagination of firms which manage to set trends and defend their competitiveness in the marketplace.

Using pioneering mapping approaches, the RSPB has assessed whether the UK’s 2050 climate targets can be achieved using high levels of renewable energy whilst avoiding sensitive species and habitats / This new research shows that the UK has the potential to deliver up to four times the UK’s current energy consumption from renewable sources with low risk to wildlife

Renewable electricity generation in Germany increased to 194 billion kilowatthours (kWh) in 2015, representing 31% of the country's gross electricity generation. The renewables electricity growth in 2015 was the largest in both percentage and absolute terms (19% and 32 billion kWh, respectively) in at least a decade.

Scotland: Planning approval unanimously given for Crossdykes Wind Farm

Planning approval has been given for Crossdykes Wind Farm by Dumfries and Galloway councillors, subject to the completion of legal agreements.

Blades offshore need to withstand rain, wind and whatever weather conditions come their way. Recently, three of our colleagues experienced some of those elements firsthand, when they boarded a boat in Denmark to film a new video as part of the Windtrust project.

AWEA is always glad to hear about support for renewable energy, like this statement today from candidate Donald Trump, in a press conference and a speech on energy policy to an oil industry group in Bismarck, North Dakota: “So we can pursue all forms of energy. This includes renewable energies and the technologies of the future.”

Global: Renewable Energy Employs 8.1 Million People Worldwide, Says New IRENA Report

Renewable energy jobs continue to rise even as employment in the broader energy sector falls

Senvion, a leading global manufacturer of wind turbines, has signed a conditional contract for the first Senvion 3.4M140 wind turbine. This turbine will be the third prototype that Senvion is planning with e-wyn GmbH & Co. KG for the site and is likely to enter operation in summer 2017. The installation is planned for the Janneby site.

Germany: WindEnergy Hamburg - International Manufacturers to Present New Developments for The Onshore Market at Leading Trade Fair for Wind Energy

WindEnergy Hamburg 2016 – 27 to 30 September at the Hamburg Messe fair ground

Australia: Off-grid energy solution coming to mainland Australia

Tasmanian renewable innovation is set to power one of Australia’s most isolated communities.

The wind power market in Latin America increased to 4.2GW in 2015, representing a slight 2% gain compared to the previous year. MAKE expects modest expansion of 8% in terms of new commissioned capacity in 2016.

For all those who haven’t watched the film about the advantages of the mobile road sensor MARWIS yet, it’s now time for it: A few days ago, two international awards went to the creators of the MARWIS film.

Senvion, a leading global manufacturer of wind turbines, has closed a long-term support and cooperation framework agreement for four wind farms in Germany with PROKON for a total capacity of 100 megawatts (MW).

Significant investments in transmission capacity and interconnectors are necessary to ensure Europe can fully exploit its wind resources, said WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson at an event organised by the European Commission.

US: WINDPOWER’s 7,200 attendees are clear on what’s to come: greater consumer savings, cleaner air, more wind jobs

Honorees awarded for excellence in transmission advocacy