Renewable Revolution

Energy => Renewables => Topic started by: AGelbert on October 11, 2013, 01:23:19 am


Title: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 11, 2013, 01:23:19 am
A New York Times article dated Nov. 22, 1936, quotes from a lecture titled “Discoveries and Inventions” Lincoln gave in 1860, before he became president. Here’s the relevant part:

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“Of all the forces of nature, I should think the wind contains the largest amount of motive power … Take any given space of the earth’s surface, for instance, Illinois, and all the power exerted by all the men, beasts, running water and steam over and upon it shall not equal the 100th part of what is exerted by the blowing of the wind over and upon the same place.

And yet it has not, so far in the world’s history, become properly valued as motive power. It is applied extensively and advantageously to sail vessels in navigation. Add to this a few windmills and pumps and you have about all. As yet the wind is an untamed, unharnessed force, and quite possibly one of the greatest discoveries hereafter to be made will be the taming and harnessing of it.”
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 11, 2013, 01:42:29 am
Securing the World’s Largest Wind Turbine

Jim Bell, Managing Director, FoundOcean

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At 7 megawatts   (MW), Samsung Heavy Industries' S7.0-171 is the world's largest offshore wind turbine. The 196-metre tall structure is being installed 20 metres offshore in Fife, Scotland, with a connecting walkway to enable visitors to get up close to the structure.

(https://theartonlinegallery.com/wp-content/uploads/crail_cropped-702x560.jpg)
Fife, Scotland

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/10/securing-the-worlds-largest-wind-turbine?cmpid=WindNL-Thursday-October3-2013
Title: Watch Renewable Wind Energy being Harvested At Online kWs Counter!
Post by: AGelbert on October 16, 2013, 11:23:41 pm
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http://www.ecotricity.co.uk/our-green-energy/our-green-electricity/from-the-wind/real-time-wind-energy-production (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F170fs799081.gif&hash=ec7f929a28b215e9c00ec270a26b830d596920b2)


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Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 18, 2013, 01:27:48 am
GE Wants To "Power Up" Older Wind Turbines

Bringing the "brilliant" abilities of GE's newer wind turbines to its existing fleet means more output and profitability per turbine. Here's how.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/10/ge-wants-to-power-up-older-wind-turbines?cmpid=WindNL-Thursday-October17-2013
Title: Vestas wins 108 MW order for one of the largest wind power plants in Romania
Post by: AGelbert on October 19, 2013, 04:10:39 pm
Vestas wins 108 MW order for one of the largest wind power plants in Romania   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F8.gif&hash=c1d98e606d7f558df4040f88e7997b3e11e9448c)
 

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36 V112-3.0 MW turbines ordered for the Crucea North wind project ;D

With reference to Vestas Wind Systems A/S company announcement No. 44 of 10 October 2013, Vestas is pleased to announce a firm and unconditional order for 108 MW from S.C. Crucea Wind Farm S.R.L. / STEAG GmbH for the wind power plant Crucea North, located in the Constanta county in the province of Dobrogea.

The order includes supply, installation and commissioning of the turbines, along with a VestasOnline® Business SCADA solution as well as a 10-year full-scope service agreement (AOM 4000). Delivery is planned to start in April 2014 and commissioning is expected to be completed by December 2014.

The Crucea North wind power plant is one of the largest in Romania and represents a step forward in the development of Vestas’ relationship with one of the key players in wind energy in Europe.

”The negotiations with Vestas for one of STEAG’s biggest projects in wind energy have been efficient and focused,” states Dr. Ralf Gilgen, member of the Board of Management of STEAG GmbH. “We expect this to be the starting point for a successful strategic partnership in the development and realisation of international wind energy projects.”

“We are pleased to receive the Crucea North order from our valued customer Crucea Wind Farm S.R.L. / STEAG GmbH. This wind energy project marks another important milestone in further developing the Romanian wind market, and we are happy to support our customer’s business case with our 30 years of wind energy experience and efficient wind energy solutions,” says Thomas Richterich, President of Vestas Central Europe. “With this order Vestas reinforces its market leading position in the Romanian market having the strongest local presence and the largest operational fleet.”

The wind project totalling 108 MW will be a key contributor to Romania’s ambitious targets as detailed in its National Renewable Energy Action Plan. The 36 V112.3.0 MW wind turbines will produce more than 300 GWh per year, which corresponds to an annual saving of almost 124,000 tons of CO2 emissions. Furthermore, it will provide enough electricity to cover the residential electricity consumption of more than 550,000 persons in Romania.

As of 30 June 2013, Vestas has delivered 654 V112-3.0 MW turbines worldwide representing a total capacity of more than 1.9 GW, and has received more than 4.5 GW of firm orders for this model.

About Vestas

Every single day, Vestas wind turbines deliver clean energy that supports the global fight against climate change. Wind power from Vestas’ almost 50,000 wind turbines currently reduces carbon emissions by over 60 million tons of CO2 every year, while at the same time building energy security and independence. Today, Vestas has installed turbines in 73 countries, providing jobs for around 17,000 passionate people at our service and project sites, research facilities, factories and offices all over the world. With 62 per cent more megawatts installed than our closest competitor and more than 57 GW of cumulative installed capacity worldwide, Vestas is the world leader in wind energy.

The headquarters of Vestas Central Europe is located in Hamburg, Germany. The business unit is responsible for the sales and marketing of wind power systems as well as for the installation and operation of  wind power plants in Germany, Benelux, Austria, Russia, Eastern Europe and Southern and Eastern Africa.

Vestas entered the Romanian market in 2008 and is now the market leader here, with headquarters in Bucharest as well as several working sites in the field for construction and service activities. The local economy benefits greatly from wind energy’s ability to drive economic growth; skilled jobs are created also in remote areas and around 60 per cent of the revenues generated through the lifetime of a modern 3 MW wind power plant go to local construction companies, suppliers, service providers and communities.

Contact details
Christina Buttler, Communications Partner
Tel: +49 40 46778 5153/Mobile: +49 (0) 160 90141736
Email: chbut@vestas.com

http://www.vestas.com/en/media/news/news-display.aspx?action=3&NewsID=3370
Title: The "Windy" City
Post by: AGelbert on October 20, 2013, 08:03:02 pm
I looked up the average wind speed at Chicago  (I'm certain it is much higher a hundred stories up in any of their many skyscrapers that could easily be fitted with wind turbines).

It turns out that, over a century ago, Chicago earned that nickname, not because of high wind speeds, but because:

Chicago has been called the “windy” city, the term being used metaphorically to make out that Chicagoans were braggarts.  ;D

While Chicago is widely known as the "Windy City", it is not the windiest city in the United States: Milton, Massachusetts is.[2] Chicago is not significantly windier than any other U.S. city. For example, the average annual wind speed of

Chicago is: 10.3 mph (16.6 km/h);
Milton is: 15.4 mph (24.8 km/h);
Boston: 12.4 mph (20.0 km/h);
New York City, Central Park: 9.3 mph (15.0 km/h); and
Los Angeles: 7.5 mph (12.1 km/h).[3]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_of_the_name_%22Windy_City%22
 
Many cities have higher average wind speeds BUT Chicago has skyscrapers. I have always wondered why they haven't started putting wind turbines on top of them. Yes, a structural engineering firm would have to do some beefing up of the building to handle the extra stresses and load but it would be worth it. If the average wind speeds are 20 mph or better a skyscraper height, you have a 24/7 continuous city power source built in to a metropolitan area (a high energy use area).

!(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs15.rimg.info%2Fdcda0e08e538cb37431314e6bd49279b.gif&hash=4e8b4ba5ce94991ab2f42c4c663e9f6991bbf4f4)Let's harvest that free energy(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Ftuzki-bunnys%2Ftuzki-bunny-emoticon-022.gif&hash=3b60da70b71b7109fe66036056cb1dedc1affb43)

Top 101 cities with the highest average wind speeds (population 50,000+)
 
1. Brockton, MA (housing, pop. 94,191): 14.3 mph

2. Framingham, MA (housing, pop. 66,910): 13.6 mph

3. Amarillo, TX (housing, pop. 185,525): 13.3 mph

4. Weymouth, MA (housing, pop. 53,988): 13.2 mph

5. Fort Collins, CO (housing, pop. 129,467): 12.8 mph

6. Newton, MA (housing, pop. 82,819): 12.7 mph

7. Waltham, MA (housing, pop. 59,352): 12.6 mph

8. Loveland, CO (housing, pop. 61,122): 12.6 mph

9. Quincy, MA (housing, pop. 91,058): 12.5 mph

10. Greeley, CO (housing, pop. 89,046): 12.5 mph

11. Rochester, MN (housing, pop. 96,975): 12.5 mph

For the rest go here:

http://www.city-data.com/top2/c467.html
Title: Spain’s First Offshore Wind Turbine Inaugurated
Post by: AGelbert on October 23, 2013, 02:37:29 pm
Spain’s First Offshore Wind Turbine Inaugurated

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Gamesa G97 Model Wind Turbine

The first offshore wind turbine for wind energy company Gamesa and for the host-country Spain was inaugurated on Monday, in in Arinaga Quay (Gran Canary Island). The ceremony was attended by the President of the Canary Islands regional government, Paulino Rivero, the Minister for Industry, Energy and Tourism, José Manuel Soria, and the Chairman of Gamesa, Ignacio Martín.

The 5 MW 154 meter-tall turbine has a rotor diameter of 128 meters, sporting 62.5 meter-long blades, all combining to produce enough energy to supply 7,500 Canary Island homes with clean energy.

Gamesa is noticeably excited about their entrance into the offshore wind market, proclaiming that “Gamesa’s platform is set to become a benchmark in the sector thanks to the low cost of energy it offers customers.”

They were equally proud of the fact that the turbine parts were all made in Spain, noting however that “teams from all over the world participated in the product’s design and development phases”, including:

•The blades, each of which measures 62.5m long and weighs 15 tonnes, making them the longest ever produced and transported in Spain and among the longest in Europe, were made at the factory in Aoiz (Navarre)

•The nacelle, which measures over 12.5m long, 4m tall and 4m wide and weighs 72 tonnes, was made in Tauste (Zaragoza)

•The tower, which stretches nearly 90m high, was made by Windar (a joint venture between Gamesa and Daniel Alonso)

•The electric parts were made in Lerma (power train), Benissano (electric control cabinets), Coslada (converters) and Reinosa (generator)

Spain is one of the world’s largest wind energy producers in the world, and leveraging their extended coastline to further their dominant role in the industry will see enormous benefits for country and industry alike.

http://cleantechnica.com/2013/10/23/spains-first-offshore-wind-turbine-inaugurated/#jl04gKOJ0pumbj8W.99
Title: Wind Power Awesomeness (VIDEO)
Post by: AGelbert on October 31, 2013, 07:28:35 pm
https://youtu.be/8_ay9aSfhd0

Siemens*, or at least the company it has commissioned to make the video above, knows how to make a wind power advertisement.  

One of the key takeaway impressions people seem to have after visiting a wind turbine up close (or even going to the top of one) is how entirely awesome and majestic these giant machines are. They’re staggering in their height and power.

And I’m sure offshore wind turbines are even more impressive, especially the 6-megawatt ones and 7-megawatt ones.

In this new Siemens video, all of this is excellently portrayed in cinematic style — not your typical “green” or cleantech advertisement.

Since Siemens is the company behind this excellent contribution to cleantech messaging and wind turbine branding, I thought I’d share more about what it has been up to in this space. Here are a few of the company’s recent wind power highlights:

1.Siemens To Fullfil 267 MW Wind Order In Washington

2.Largest Federal Wind Farm In US Contract Awarded To Siemens

3.Siemens Opens World’s Largest R&D Test Center For Wind Turbine Technology

4.Siemens To Provide 80 Wind Turbines For Giant German Offshore Wind Power Plant

5.Siemens CEO: Cleantech Is A “Vital Part Of Our Business” (VIDEO)

6.World’s Largest Wind Turbine Rotor Goes Online


Together with other wind power leaders, it should be noted that the cost of wind power has come down tremendously in recent years, from over 30¢/kWh 10 years ago to as low as 4¢/kWh today.  :o Notably, this cost dropped has largely been brought on by making wind turbines larger and larger, more and more majestic.

wind turbines are getting bigger and bigger

While the cost optimization from making onshore wind turbines larger and larger seems to be hitting a limit, larger offshore wind turbines may provide useful benefits for the quite different offshore wind environment. Hence the 6- and 7-MW wind turbines. Simply look above at how a 7-MW wind turbine compares to an Airbus A380 with a wingspan of 80 meters to get an idea of how humungous these machines are.

*Full Disclosure: This post was supported by Siemens through Be On media. That said, I wouldn’t have covered it if I didn’t think it was worth covering, and nobody from Siemens or Be On had any influence over what I wrote above.

About the Author:
Zachary Shahan is the director of CleanTechnica, the most popular cleantech-focused website in the world, and Planetsave, a world-leading green and science news site. He has been covering green news of various sorts since 2008, and he has been especially focused on solar energy, electric vehicles, and wind energy for the past four years or so. Aside from his work on CleanTechnica and Planetsave, he's the Network Manager for their parent organization – Important Media – and he's the Owner/Founder of Solar Love, EV Obsession, and Bikocity. To connect with Zach on some of your favorite social networks, go to ZacharyShahan.com and click on the relevant buttons.


http://cleantechnica.com/2013/10/11/wind-power-awesomeness/#H9rCY8HX0DBMWMck.99

I, A. G. Gelbert, am convinced Zachary Shahan is a trustworty man of high integrity.

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 01, 2013, 02:03:08 pm

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c) Ashegoda Wind Farm — Largest Wind Farm In Africa —>  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-object-106.gif&hash=f996659d18df7f3b445e6135e884397ac91f25b1)Now Online  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fballoons.gif&hash=a64bb5ff3e76c3e11999996c460fa02de1ee10f7)


The 120 MW Ashegoda wind farm in Ethiopia, now the largest wind farm in the whole of Africa, officially went online last weekend. As it stands, Ashegoda has actually already transferred around 90 million kWh of electricity to the grid. Now that its fully online it’s expected to produce around 400 million kWh a year. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F8%2Ff%2F8%2F11949865511933397169thumbs_up_nathan_eady_01.svg.hi.png&hash=599691109af22b33f1d59dd61eb97448a9427020)


The project, which was announced in 2008, was constructed over the last few years in a series of stages. When the first stage went online, it was the first of its kind in Ethiopia.

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Image credit: EEPCo



Ashegoda is located about 18 kilometers outside of the city of Mekelle in Ethiopia. The Adama I and Adama II wind farms were also recently completed, boasting 51 MW of capacity each. They are located just south of the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. The Ashegoda project was funded by the French bank BNP Paribas, the French Development Agency (ADF), and the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) — EEPCo will also manage the site.

Business Green provides some background on renewable energy development in Ethiopia:

Ethiopia has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, averaging growth of between 8% and 10% for each of the last 10 years. Last year UK Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker led a clean tech trade delegation to the country as part of a wider mission to East Africa to help UK firms tap into what he called a ‘huge’ opportunity for green energy.

Ethiopia has an estimated 45 GW of hydroelectricity capacity potential, 10 GW of potential wind capacity, and 5 GW of geothermal potential. While the government’s current five year development plan envisages increasing the country’s current power generation capacity to 10 GW by 2015, to date it has only tapped around 2 GW of its green energy capacity.


With regard to the wider development environment in Africa, renewable energy development there has been largely centered around off-grid solar, but larger projects have been becoming somewhat more common in recent years. For example, see:

1.Google Makes First Renewable Energy Investment In Africa

2.South Africa Approves $5.4 Billion In New Renewable Energy Projects

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http://cleantechnica.com/2013/11/01/ashegoda-wind-farm-largest-wind-farm-africa-now-online/#0s62TQtYkh7CtbB3.99
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 09, 2013, 03:54:50 pm

UK Offshore Wind Capacity Rises 80 Percent in One Year

Kelvin Ross, Deputy Editor, Power Engineering International

November 08, 2013


LONDON -- The installed capacity of the UK’s offshore wind sector has risen by 79 percent in a year. In the period from July 2012 to June 2013, capacity increased from 1,858 MW to 3,321 MW, boosted by four huge wind farms becoming operational – Greater Gabbard, Gunfleet Sands III, Sheringham Shoal, and London Array, which at 630 MW is currently the biggest offshore wind farm in the world  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F8%2Ff%2F8%2F11949865511933397169thumbs_up_nathan_eady_01.svg.hi.png&hash=599691109af22b33f1d59dd61eb97448a9427020)
.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greenvitals.net%2Fstorage%2FScroby%2520Sands%2520wind%2520farm.jpg%3F__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION%3D1274052469415&hash=7eaaae95b6a6afb6c5ef7ec39cf5b8e9c73ce9f2)

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The increase is revealed in a new report, Wind Energy in the UK, compiled by trade group RenewableUK, and it marks the first time in a 12-month period that installed offshore capacity has outstripped onshore, which stood at 1258 MW.

Nevertheless, onshore also saw an increase of new capacity by 25 per cent, bringing its total capacity to 6,389 MW.

Onshore and offshore, a total of 2,721 MW were installed between July 2012 and June 2013, taking the UK’s total wind capacity up from 6,856 to 9,710 MW — a 40 percent increase.  ;D

RenewableUK says that onshore, project sizes are declining overall, “due partly to the growth of the vibrant sub-5-MW market under the feed-in tariff, with projects at this scale now making up two-thirds of new onshore submissions. Other factors include a reduction in the availability of larger sites, and developers’ responses to changes in the planning system.”

However, the report notes that there are concerns within the wind industry about levels of political support and the government’s ambition for the sector, leading to a decline in confidence.
But it points out that despite this, “there is a substantial pipeline of projects under construction, approved but not yet built, and in planning”.

RenewableUK’s chief executive Maria McCaffery said: “We’ve smashed another record in the past year with more offshore wind installed than ever before — the 79 percent increase in capacity within 12 months is a terrific achievement. With onshore expanding by 25 percent, the wind industry as a whole has proved that it has the tenacity to achieve substantial growth.”


Anumakonda Jagadeesh

November 8, 2013

Yes. UK is leader of Offshore wind energy in the world. Though India is 5th in the world in Wind not even a KW Offshore wind turbine is erected! It is indeed a pity. In almost every field, we follow west. The time has come we should be INNOVATORS rather than remain as IMITATORS.I have been advocating Offshore Wind Farms for over a decade in India.


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Also Wind Farm Co-operatives on the lines of those in Denmark, Germany etc. in India. A Wind Fund can be created and contributions to it can be exempted by Government of India under Section 80C. This way there will be mass participation in Wind Sector. Hitherto incentives are provided to big wind farm owners like Depreciation. When Private participation in the Renewables is given a big push, India can be a leading country in the Renewables especially WIND.

What is needed are sound policies and political will to push this clean energy. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F301.gif&hash=0291ed4abf2d80e420d1aa00d4eb3c5dd6bbfb53) A Good R &D Effort in the Private Industry will help to improve the quality of the Wind Turbines and also accurate micro siting. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b)

In this connection DEWI Micrositing Experience and Research activities have helped to get maximum output at Wind Farms in Germany and elsewhere.

Reliable predictions of the energy yield of wind farms are only possible on the basis of accurate near-site wind speed measurements. The critical aspects are selection of where the tower is to be placed, selection and calibration of anemometers, the height of the met mast and the installation of the sensors on the met mast. DEWI has been specialised in this area for many years and also offers additional services such as site calibration or long-term wind measurements for wind farm monitoring.

Apart from the general economic conditions of a planned project, an accurate measurement of the wind speed is the decisive factor in determining the economic efficiency of a wind farm. An error of 3% in the wind speed measurement can lead to a discrepancy of about 10% in annual energy production. It is therefore absolutely necessary to calibrate an anemometer individually before a measurement campaign; this is offered by DEWI as an accredited service.

DEWI’s Micrositing Department, with its longstanding experience in services and research activities, offers investors, developers and owners a high-quality, reliable data basis for planning wind farm projects worldwide. DEWI offers the whole range of services, from site inspection and analysis of existing wind measurement data to calculation of energy yield and wind farm efficiency and creation and optimisation of the wind farm configuration taking into account all important parameters specific to the site. On request, DEWI experts can also assist in the installation of meteorological measuring equipment and the analysis and checking of existing measurements.

For the simulation of wind and turbulence conditions in complex terrain, DEWI Micrositing offers special 3D CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) calculations, which are becoming increasingly important in international projects. This complex, cutting-edge calculation method allows investors, developers and owners to obtain the best possible prediction of the real turbulence conditions at the site.Similar methods can be adopted in India as well and Private Wind Industry should take lead in adopting best technology.

Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore(AP),India
Wind Energy Expert
E-mail: anumakonda.jagadeesh Nellore(AP),India

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/11/uk-offshore-wind-capacity-rises-80-percent-in-one-year?cmpid=rss

Agelbert NOTE: It appears India is getting on board with the wind band wagon.  ;D



Will India Install Wind Farms off Their Shoreline? (http://1sun4all.com/wind-offshore-wind/government-of-india-assessing-wind-power-potential/)
Title: Snowtown II: Wind Power At A Cut-Throat Price!
Post by: AGelbert on November 10, 2013, 02:31:01 pm
Snowtown II: Wind Power At A Cut-Throat Price! (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcarrieamedford.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fmoney-emoticon.gif.jpg&hash=8801eae79b64a6a1830531510a8a592e41e93254)


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Windenergieanlagen für das Projekt "Snowtown II" / Wind turbines for Snowtown II wind farmSnowtown is a small rural community which is famous throughout Australia on account of how it once snowed there. Or possibly the place was simply named after a man called Thomas Snow. Either one. Land nearby is already the location of the imaginatively named wind farm Snowtown I, and is now the construction site for a brand new wind farm for which they’ve really gone out on a creative limb for and named Snowtown II. When completed towards the end of 2014 it will be Australia’s second largest wind farm and South Australia’s largest. One very exciting thing about this wind farm sequel is it looks set to provide some of the cheapest grid electricity in Australia. But more on that later. Now it’s time for me to give some bodacious details about this development.

Ninety Siemens wind turbines of three megawatts capacity will be erected on 80 meter high steel pylons for a total of 270 megawatts. The blades on 80 turbines will be 53 meters long while the remaining 10 will have 49 meter blades. Local farmers will receive $2.4 million a year for the use of their land and the expected lifespan of the wind farm is 25 years. Enough electricity will be produced to meet the demand of 90,000 Australians or 173,000 Italians. The total cost will be $439 million Australian which is $413 million US at current exchange rates.

The turbines are a gearless direct drive design. Not having a gearbox cuts the number of moving parts almost in half and saves money by reducing maintenance requirements by about 20% while having the disadvantage of increased weight. An interesting thing about this design is it rotates the generator around a shaft which is the opposite of how it’s usually done. Another interesting thing is that 10 of the turbines will have blades 4 meters shorter than the others meaning they will catch about 14% less wind. While this may seem a waste as it will make them less efficient in slow to moderate winds, they will be able to keep operating at very high wind speeds that can force longer bladed turbines to shut down and so makes the output of the wind farm more constant.

One thing I should probably tell you about Snowtown is the place really blows.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78)
It blows so much that the existing wind farm has an excellent capacity factor of about 42%. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3) This is one of the reasons why the new development will provide electricity at very low cost. Just what the exact cost will be depends on a variety of factors, but since air is currently free this means wind power has no fuel cost and so the capital cost of borrowing money is the largest component.

Using a 5% discount rate and a 25 year lifespan gives a capital cost of 3.1 cents per kilowatt-hour produced.  ;D This may actually be a little high as the current parlous state of the world economy means it might be possible to borrow money for less than 5%, but it would be almost correct for Australia and as these sorts of calculations often use a 5% figure there are benefits in being consistent. Note that in places such as Europe, Japan, China, and the USA it is possible to borrow money at a considerably lower rate which significantly decreases the capital cost of wind power for them.

In addition to the capital cost there are payments to farmers for using their land. While less than 1% of the land will be removed from use by the wind turbines and they will improve the land by reducing wind speeds, the payments do add up and increase the cost of electricity to 3.4 cents per kilowatt-hour produced. Then there’s the cost of maintenance, integrating wind power into the grid, and other miscellaneous costs. Just exactly what they will add up to for the latest direct drive wind turbines I’m not sure, but a very rough rule of thumb for modern wind farms is 2% of the total capital cost per year which gives a total amount of 4.3 cents per kilowatt-hour.

But are my estimates correct? To check that I’m not merely tilting at windmills of the mind, I looked up the costs of running a wind farm given by the United States’ National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Adding the latest figures from 2012 for the fixed and variable costs for wind power to the capital cost give a result very close to my own of around 4.4 cents a kilowatt-hour or about 4.1 American pennies. Given that the average cost of Australia’s mostly fossil fuel generated electricity is about 5.6 cents a kilowatt-hour that’s quite a bargain. And the cost may actually be lower because, generally speaking, the more modern a wind farm is the lower the maintenance costs.

Some people mistakenly believe that electricity from wind farms isn’t as useful as that from coal power because wind is variable in its output, but when it comes to selling electricity to customers, wind and coal power are basically equal. In Australia our electricity market is divided into two parts.

The main part is selling electricity to consumers and over the time scale that electricity is sold we can very accurately predict the output of wind farms making wind and coal power almost the same for this purpose.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Ftuzki-bunnys%2Ftuzki-bunny-emoticon-005.gif&hash=c0f70cc821100c434469eae24e0fa6131745ab51) The other much smaller part of the electricity market involves stabilizing the grid and making sure it can deal with sudden increases in demand or falls in the supply of electricity.

In Australia we call this ancillary services. And when it comes to ancillary services wind power truly sucks. It sucks because the wind does not blow on command. But the solution to this is simple. Don’t use wind power for ancillary services. It’s a really stupid thing to do. While it’s not hard to find people on the internet complaining that wind is not suited for providing grid stabilization, it makes about as much sense as complaining that steel wool is not good for polishing your car. It’s not supposed to be! (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Ftuzki-bunnys%2Ftuzki-bunny-emoticon-005.gif&hash=c0f70cc821100c434469eae24e0fa6131745ab51)
 

The low cost of electricity from Snowtown II combined with other developments such as the decreasing cost of solar power means that Australia will never build another coal power plant. This is something I’m very excited about. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c)Renewable energy schemes like Snowtown II will leave coal for dead in Australia and that’s something you can take all the way to the bank.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b)


Local residents are also very excited about the wind farm and in fact it is the most interesting thing that has ever happened to Snowtown.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-animal-067.gif&hash=c769cd7be04378bcd8d09efe2dc163c3f3395ab9) If you don’t believe me, ring up the town and ask them. I dare you.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imgion.com%2Fimages%2F01%2FAngry-animated-smiley.jpg&hash=84657bd1a63cad676e3551587daeb4b39411a289) 

About the Author

Ronald Brakels Ronald Brakels lives in Adelaide, South Australia. Now that his secret identity has been revealed he is free to admit he first became interested in renewable energy after environmental mismanagement destroyed his home planet of Krypton. He is keenly interested in solar energy and at completely random intervals will start talking to himself about, "The vast power of earth's yellow sun."

http://cleantechnica.com/2013/11/10/snowtown-ii-wind-power-cut-throat-price/#B6eGdRSDo5DrkXEA.99

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 14, 2013, 04:21:29 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jrcompton.com%2Fphotos%2FThe_Birds%2FJ%2FFeb-12%2FForsters_Tern_Looking_Down-DSC_5644.jpg&hash=1fe0e7baefdc8cb104ad6a2bf24582788ec77168)

Efforts to Protect Raptors from Colliding With Wind Turbines Make Progress


SustainableBusiness.com News

 
Wind developers have long struggled with how to prevent birds - especially eagles and hawks - from crashing into turbines, and a solution may be at hand thanks to efforts at Montana's largest wind farm.

 126 wind turbines comprise the 189 megawatt Rim Rock Wind Facility that's spread across 21,000 acres. By today's standards, the turbines are small at 1.5 megawatts each.

 When NaturEner USA developed the project, which at peak production supplies 60,000 homes, it worked with the local Audubon group to site turbines as far as possible from raptor nesting sites.

Wind Farm RimRock Montana

 But it's been a combination of human observers and radar tracking cameras that "provides the best kind of protections that have been deployed anywhere in the US," Greg Copeland, vice president of wind energy development told Associated Press.

Protecting raptors is being put to the test because the wind farm is near sandstone cliffs - prime habitat, where eagles and hawks nest in rocky outcroppings.

 Since Rim Rock started operating late last year, only two raptors have died - a tiny number compared to typical wind farms.

How They Do It

Human observers - trained avian biologists - scan the skies from three locations throughout the day using high resolution spotting scopes.  

 Combined with radar tracking cameras, they can detect raptor flight patterns as far as 1200 miles away. When a likely collision is identified, they alert the San Francisco operations center to shut down turbines, which can be done in as little as 30 seconds.

That isn't a problem for power output because the wind farm is divided into zones, each with 4-8 turbines. When a shut down order is given, it applies to a particular zone, allowing the majority to keep operating. And shut down times range from 3- 30 minutes. 

Rim Rock has had much more success using radar because it places the detection system outside the wind farm instead of in the interior, as most other developers do (which causes interference). 

 If raptors somehow get past the radar and human "biomonitors," there's a last line of defense - cameras mounted on turbines. The cameras have software that visually tracks raptors and if a bird flies within 200 meters of a turbine, it  triggers a high frequency noise and flash of light that drives them away.

 Finally, during times of year when wind patterns tend to push birds toward certain turbines, the company proactively shuts them down ahead of time and keeps them that way until the wind shifts.

 Copeland calls this a "layered approach" and credits it as the key to successfully avoiding bird collisions.  Through all this monitoring they have found that raptors are on the wind farm's footprint only about 10% of the time.

Copeland estimates the cost for buying and maintaining the radar units at about $750,000 over 5-10 years. That may seem like a lot of money, but it's worth it, he says, because they are a green company that cares about wildlife. And it also keeps potential regulation at bay.

 Wind turbines generally kill fewer birds these days than older versions of the technology because blades are much larger and move more slowly. Still, at their tips they can turn at 200 miles per hour. Raptors are looking down for food, they don't expect a huge airborne object to strike them, Steve Hoffman, Executive Director of Montana Audubon told Great Falls Tribune. 

More Difficult for Bats

 Because bats are so small and fly at night, it's much harder to protect them from collisions - which happen at just about all wind farms.

 In addition to colliding with turbine blades, they can be traumatized by changes in air pressure created as they turn.

 Well over 600,000 bats are killed by turbines every year, according to research by Mark Hayes at University of Colorado, Denver. Other researchers believe it's as high as 880,000 deaths. Bat deaths are highest in the Appalachian region, says Hayes.

He believes a solution will be found for bats. Research is underway on sounds that may deter bats from turbines; another solution could be closing down turbines during times when bats are found to be most active.

Both raptors and bats are of particular concern because of their low fertility rates, giving birth to just one offspring a year. And bats are being further decimated by white nose syndrome.  

 The Bats and Wind Energy Cooperative has been working on ways to help bats for years. The alliance consists of Bat Conservation International, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and  National Renewable Energy Lab.

Studies are also underway to track the flight patterns of marine birds that could collide with offshore wind turbines.

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/25349?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SBGeneralNews+%28SustainableBusiness.com+General+News%29
Title: Alstom Completes World’s Largest Offshore Wind Turbine
Post by: AGelbert on November 23, 2013, 01:29:03 am
Alstom Completes World’s Largest Offshore Wind Turbine

French engineering company Alstom have announced the completion of their at-sea installation of its new-generation offshore wind turbine, the 6-MW Haliade 150, located off Ostend Harbour at the Belwind site in Belgium.

The turbine, the largest offshore wind turbine ever installed in sea waters, boasts a 78 metre tower, a nacelle that stands 100 metres above the waves, blades over 73 metres in length, and pillars sunk over 60 metres into the seabed to support the mammoth construction.

As a result of its impressive specifications, the Haliade sports a yield 15% better than existing offshore turbines, allowing it to power approximately 5,000 households on its own.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi0.wp.com%2Fcleantechnica.com%2Ffiles%2F2013%2F11%2FInstallation-Haliade-offshore-windturbine.jpg&hash=dafc8bce2e57d7868d41371a56f94426f5b2d99c)

“This project with Belwind asserts our technological leadership and our innovative abilities,” said Alstom Wind Senior Vice-President Alfonso Faubel. ”The installation of our turbine which is simple, robust and efficient thus contributing in boosting the competitiveness of offshore wind energy.”

The Haliade operates without a gearbox,   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F8%2Ff%2F8%2F11949865511933397169thumbs_up_nathan_eady_01.svg.hi.png&hash=599691109af22b33f1d59dd61eb97448a9427020) instead working with direct drive, and due to a permanent-magnet generator there are fewer mechanical parts inside the device, which not only makes it more reliable but also helps to minimise operating and maintenance costs faced by traditional offshore wind turbines.

Given the specific expertise necessary to not only maintain a wind turbine, but one located offshore in likely-stormy waters, reducing operating and maintenance costs is a necessity many companies are striving towards. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fearthhug.gif&hash=3abcf70466f34337f2d702ebd9e02c650d5c4c20)


“Belwind’s tried and tested expertise in completing offshore projects and setting up wind farms has helped Alstom to perform the installation work in sea waters under the best possible conditions,” said Belwind chairman Wim Biesemans. “We are convinced that Alstom’s innovative wind energy technology will contribute in providing one of the future solutions to ensure clean, reliable and efficient energy.”

 http://cleantechnica.com/2013/11/22/alstom-completes-worlds-largest-offshore-wind-turbine/#ZJLqim4eOsYMsxsg.99

My Comment:

Five thousand households from just ONE wind turbine.

Outstanding!

The fossil nukers out there will, once again, be forced to lower their ridiculous hyperbole about "how many" of this, that or the other Renewable Energy devices from PV to wind turbine numbers it would take to replace fossil fuel centralized dirty energy.
                                  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Flooksmiley.gif&hash=2fa679c2bf50092b12a1301928cb338275c3ba54)

Title: Latin America Report: Wind Sweeps Brazil's A-3 Power Auctions
Post by: AGelbert on November 25, 2013, 12:56:18 am
Latin America Report: Wind Sweeps Brazil's A-3 Power Auctions


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Brazil Wind energy resources Map

Renewable Energy World Editors 

November 21, 2013

New Hampshire, USA -- Brazil's latest A-3 auction, matching up developers and power purchasers to prepare renewable energy projects to meet the nation's electricity demand by 2016, was a landslide win for wind energy -- but a shutout for solar, which was included in the process for the first time.


More than 58 million MWh were sold for a total of U.S. $7.2 billion, according to the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL). An extra feature of the A-3 auction: developers are responsible for hooking their projects to the grid. The pool of qualified participants had included 429 projects exceeding 10.4 GW, the vast majority of which were wind (381 projects totaling over 9.1 GW) but also some solar PV (31 projects, 813 MW capacity) and some small hydro and biomass.

The overwhelming winners were wind energy developers, who saw 39 wind projects approved totaling 867 MW of capacity, nearly half of them in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. Two-thirds of those purchases were backed by Electrobras subsidiaries Electrosul and Furnas. By the end of this year, Brazil could end up auctioning a record 3 GW of wind.

On the downside, no bids were offered for any solar PV projects,  :(
which had been included for the first time. The low pricing (average 124.43 Brazilian reais/MWh, just under the ceiling price of R 126/MWh) had been roundly expected to be too low for solar projects which currently cost more than R 200/MWh. Two solar-friendlier alternatives reportedly are being explored: reducing the price of power on the market, or conduct solar-only auctions with a more applicable pricing structure.

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IN THE NEWS

Chilean Solar Plant Updates: SunEdison has closed $100.4 million in debt financing for its proposed 50.7 MWp; San Andres solar plant in Chile, said to become the largest merchant solar plant in Latin America when it comes online in early 2014. Lenders include the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC, $62.9 million), the IFC ($37.5 million), and Rabobank via a Chilean Peso VAT facility equivalent to $25.6 million. Also getting financing help from IFC and others is Saferay to help expand its solar PV plant in La Huayca, Northern Chile from current 1.4 MW to 30 MW. Meanwhile, solar project proposals filed for Chile's Atacama desert include SunEdison's proposed $160 million 80-MW Javiera solar project and a pair of 90-100 MW plants proposed by AustrianSolar totaling $380 million in investments.

IFC Mulling Support for Enel's Big Brazil Wind Plans: At its December 12 board meeting, the International Finance Corp. (IFC) will examine whether to provide up to $200 million in loans, plus possibly arrange another $220 million in bank financing, for Enel Green Power's proposed $600 million plans for 12 wind projects totaling 342 MW in Brazil: roughly 206 MW in Bahia state, 80 MW in Pernambuco, and 56 MW in Rio Grande do Norte.

Canada's Brookfield Investing in South America: Brookfield Asset Management's $7 billion Brookfield Infrastructure Fund II program, which closed at the end of October with over 60 investors (and $2.8 billion of the company's own money), is roughly 40 percent committed to projects in North America, but some of those funds will head to hydro and wind projects in South America. "We like the investment attributes" there, and Brazil's renewable energy industry is "one we know well and in which we can make future investments," Sam Pollock, CEO of Brookfield's infrastructure group, told Bloomberg.

ERB, Dow Team for Brazilian Sugarcane Biomass: Energias Renovaveis do Brasil and Dow Chemical are partnering for a 46-MW, R237 million sugarcane biomass plant at a Dow ethanol facility in Minas Gerais, expected to begin operations next year. The two previously teamed up for a R$210 million cogeneration project in the Bahia state.

IDB Backs Uruguayan Wind Project: The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $132 million loan to partly finance construction of the Carapé I and II wind farms in in the Sierra de Carapé, north of San Carlos in the Maldonado region. The combined 90-MW project using 31 Vestas turbines would generate approximately 364,700 MWh/year, and incorporate a 40-km 150-kV transmission line.

"White Gold" from Brazil's Yellow Sun: Energy Team Brasil plans to build a 40-MW rooftop solar PV array at a dairy farm in Rio Grande do Sul, online by the end of next year, said to be the region's first such agricultural application for solar PV. About three-quarters of available rooftop space will be used for the "Noa Ouro Branco" deployment; 30 MW is promised to be sent to the grid another 10 MW will be off-grid for on-site use.

Solar Partnership in Puerto Rico: Schneider Electric and Fonroche have agreed to develop a 40-MW solar field in Humacao, promised to be the Commonwealth's largest plant upon completion.

70-MW Solar PV Plant Coming to Argentina: Schmid and M+W, with state energy supplier Energia Provincial Sociedad del Estrado (EPSE), have committed to design and build a 70-MW solar PV production facility in San Juan to produce monocrystalline silicon ingots through glass/foil modules starting in mid-2015, targeting use in the region's gold and copper mines and irrigation systems. A second phase will expand into upstream polysilicon manufacturing.

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A DEEPER LOOK

The Untapped Potential of South American Geothermal: South America holds great potential for geothermal energy, but barriers to development have kept it largely unrealized. However some private investors and development banks are on the cusp of unlocking the abundant energy source. Our own Meg Cichon takes a closer look at this "open frontier" for geothermal energy development here on this lower end of the Ring of Fire horseshoe.

Tracking Latin America's Clean Energy Investment Climate: Latin America and the Caribbean captured six percent of the total $268 billion invested worldwide in clean energy in 2012, slightly more than the year before, thanks to strengthened government policy support and expanding supply chains, according to Climatescope 2013, a report from the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) and Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). Their interactive deep-dive and infographics illustrate where each nation stands in four key areas: enabling framework, clean energy investment and climate financing, low-carbon business and clean energy value chains, and greenhouse gas management activities. Among the study's encouraging data points: retail power prices remain generally high across the region which makes deployment of renewables more attractive, and nearly all of identified "value chain" links are filled. There are 927 carbon offset projects across the region, more than half of which are for power generation. And eight countries now have net metering laws.

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ON THE HORIZON

Latin American Wind Capacity Doubling in a Decade: Latin America is the hottest growth market for wind energy, and installed capacity will roughly double by 2022 to 4.3 GW, according to a report from Navigant Consulting. Policy and macroeconomic challenges are slowing wind energy adoption in other regions, but Latin America will account for nearly 6 percent of global new wind power installations this year alone, and will "exhibit double-digit compound annual growth rates through the next 10 years," according to research director Feng Zhao. Brazil's latest wind power auctions led to 1.5 GW of new wind capacity and helped stabilize higher prices, he noted, and will provide the foundation for wind energy growth in the entire region.

Pricing Hydro Bids for Brazil's A-5 Auction: The second A-5 auction to be held Dec. 13 has been approved, contracting for renewable energy projects coming online in mid-2018. They include several hydropower projects bigger than 50 MW and priced at around $107-$139/MWh, with smaller ones priced at R 144/MWh.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/11/latin-america-report-wind-sweeps-brazils-a-3-power-auctions-whither-solar?cmpid=rss
Title: Vestas Supplies Refurbished Wind Turbines to Developing World
Post by: AGelbert on November 26, 2013, 08:20:08 pm
11/25/2013 12:11 PM            

Vestas Supplies Refurbished Wind Turbines to Developing World

SustainableBusiness.com News

To help the developing world stop relying on dirty diesel generators and switch to clean energy, wind turbine manufacturer Vestas and Masdar's renewable energy arm are bringing hybrid wind to rural communities that are off the grid.

Their collaboration, "Wind for Prosperity", plans to bring wind energy to one million people in 100 communities in the next three years. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-object-081.gif&hash=5981b917cdd5e334cd69d00213b2d119acbfb380)

"This is one of the biggest corporate initiatives to combat energy poverty and deploy green technology in developing countries. It's a triple win - generating growth, reducing pollution, and doing both profitably," says Morten Albæk, Group Senior Vice President for Vestas.

Communities will receive factory-refurbished wind turbines that are easy to transport, erect and maintain, combined with advanced diesel for backup.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2Ffiles%2F2012%2F12%2FWind-turbine1.jpg&hash=a281bf6369b87aca775fb0105709f1a2831b88d1)

Using Vestas's weather data processing capabilities, the partners are identifying parts of the world that desperately need energy and where there's lots of wind.
Masdar will serve as project developer and Vestas will focus on project design and sourcing and refurbishing wind turbines.

About 13 communities in Kenya - where about 200,000 people live - will be the first project sites starting in mid-2014, in partnership with investment group Frontier Investment Management. Other countries that are on their short list: Ethiopia, Tanzania, Yemen, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Nicaragua.

"We expect this to be a successful investment commercially -adding to the bottom line in the near term and helping to open new markets to wind energy further down the line," says Albæk.

"There was a time when corporate executives like me would throw money at solving these problems, ignoring our business savvy, our models, our metrics, in the spirit of aid. But we arguably did more harm than good -- and we certainly haven't solved the problem of poverty. So I believe it's time for a new vision.

It's time for partnerships that promote collaboration, not dependency. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F47b20s0.gif&hash=cc48c9af9d29b8836023c7db21103e52d1ed439e) It's time for investment, not charity. It's time to deploy the world-class knowledge and technology we have, putting it to use for profit -- in multiple senses of that word. It's time for an initiative like Wind for Prosperity," says Albæk.

"We can help bring the many benefits of electrification -- improved health care, brighter educational prospects, easier access to water, better tools for agriculture, some new jobs, a big boost to business. We can lower the cost of electricity generation by at least 30 percent. We can take fuel trucks off the road and provide an alternative to the dirty diesel that, if even available, is often the only power-generating option. And we can make money doing it. It's a win-win-win-win scenario. Who could or would say no?"  ;D

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/25363?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SBGeneralNews+%28SustainableBusiness.com+General+News%29
Title: U.K. Wind Turbines Generate Record Power as Gas Plants Halt
Post by: AGelbert on December 02, 2013, 09:23:45 pm
U.K. Wind Turbines Generate Record Power as Gas Plants Halt

Rachel Morison, Bloomberg

December 02, 2013

LONDON -- Wind power in the U.K. rose to a record, leading operators from RWE AG to SSE Plc to halt more expensive gas-fired power generation plants.

Wind output rose to as much as 6,053 megawatts at 2:10 p.m. London time today, beating a previous record on Sept. 15 and accounting for 14 percent of total supply, according to National Grid Plc data on Bloomberg. Generators halted 7,872 megawatts of gas-fired plants since yesterday, grid data show.

The U.K. plans to almost triple the amount of wind capacity by 2020 as it seeks to meet a target to get 15 percent of power demand from renewable energy sources. Wind and solar have no fuel costs, generally making them cheaper than coal or gas.

“As well as the higher wind power, demand is down by about 2 gigawatts from yesterday as well so it has given the chance for less efficient gas-burn facilities to drop output,” Gary Hornby, energy markets analyst at Inenco Group Ltd., said by e- mail today.

Wind may generate an average of 5,301 megawatts for the rest of today, 5 percent more than yesterday, according to Bloomberg’s wind model at 16:55 a.m.

Power demand is forecast to peak at 49,902 megawatts at 5 p.m. today, 6 percent less than yesterday’s maximum of 52,815 megawatts, according to National Grid data. Gas was generating 14,064 megawatts of power at 5 p.m., compared with 21,803 megawatts at the same time yesterday, grid data show.

Low Pressure

“Wind will peak today, before slumping considerably overnight,” Byron Drew, lead forecaster at MetraWeather said in an e-mailed report. “It will then increase considerably toward the end of next week and next weekend as low pressure becomes influential.”

Wind generation is forecast to average 2,103 megawatts next week and is set to peak at 4,844 megawatts at 6 p.m. on Dec. 5, according to Bloomberg’s wind model. The U.K. got 8.2 percent or 1,952 gigawatt-hours of its power from wind in October, up from 5.8 percent the previous month, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Industries.

Power for today settled at 52.55 pounds a megawatt-hour, down 5 pounds from the previous day, in an auction on the U.K.’s N2EX exchange yesterday.

The U.K. seeks to install a total of 18 gigawatts of offshore wind farms and 13 gigawatts of onshore turbines by 2020. Current combined capacity is about 10.4 gigawatts, according to RenewableUK, a lobby group.

“We’re generating from a home-grown source which gives us a secure supply of power at cost we can control,  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F47b20s0.gif&hash=cc48c9af9d29b8836023c7db21103e52d1ed439e)rather than leaving ourselves exposed to the global fluctuation in fossil fuel prices which have driven bills up,” Jennifer Webber, a RenewableUK spokeswoman, said by e-mail. “Wind energy is consistently setting new records.”

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/12/u-k-wind-turbines-generate-record-power-as-gas-plants-halt?cmpid=rss


Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 06, 2013, 06:45:57 pm

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c)Two Facilities, One Goal: Advancing America’s Wind Industry (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fmaniac.gif&hash=9ecf389a7da25db958f3f63461cbb45a4b316c4e)

November 27, 2013 - 1:35pm

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-061213182049.jpeg&hash=36633ccf481af6b21a14eb194d058d7d4bf2c0ec)
Energy Deputy Secretary Daniel Poneman speaks at the Clemson University Wind Turbine Drivetrain Testing Facility dedication in South Carolina. | Photo courtesy of Clemson University 


Jim Ahlgrimm

Wind Testing Infrastructure Manager

Two state-of-the-art wind turbine drivetrain test facilities are now open for business: the Clemson University Wind Turbine Drivetrain Testing Facility in South Carolina and a National Renewable Energy Laboratory dynamometer at the National Wind Technology Center in Colorado. The two test facilities will be used to evaluate in a controlled environment the mechanical systems that convert the aerodynamic forces of wind turbine blades into electricity from a generator. Funded in part by the Energy Department (DOE) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the new facilities will help accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation technologies for both offshore and land-based wind energy systems.

Former Military Base Now Home to Advanced Wind Facility

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-061213181316.png&hash=be241883fcd875267b2d21eeae31b80a6820cbd6)

Located on the site of a former Navy base with easy access to both rail and deepwater transport, the Clemson facility in North Charleston is ideal for testing the large, commercial scale turbines being developed by manufacturers for offshore wind farms. This facility, which opened last week, is equipped with 7.5-megawatt (MW) and 15-MW dynamometers that will enable the wind industry and testing agencies to verify the performance and reliability of drivetrain prototypes and commercial machines by simulating operating field conditions in a laboratory environment. Verifying a wind system's performance before it is commercially deployed reduces risk for both the manufacturer and system operator, and facilities like Clemson’s can simulate as much as 20 years’ worth of wear and tear on drivetrains in a few months.


In addition to testing the performance of the drivetrains, Clemson is using the facility's electrical infrastructure to build a 15-MW hardware-in-the-loop grid simulator. The grid simulator will mimic real-world circumstances, such as wide-area power disruptions, frequency fluctuations, voltage drops, cascading accidents, and cyber or physical attacks, to determine the effects of wind turbines on utility grids and grids on wind turbines.

Gaining Insight through Expertise

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-061213181658.jpeg&hash=6dbfc5cc7af7038e1a1c4ec3634e23920f4d61db)

DOE's second new test facility at NREL’s National Wind Technology Center near Boulder, which also opened last week, offers industry the capability to perform accelerated tests on wind turbine drivetrains with capacity ratings of up to 5-MW. In addition, industry partners that use the facility gain access to on-site engineers with more than three decades of engineering experience.

NWTC now has two dynamometers that can be connected either directly to the grid or to a controllable grid interface (CGI). The dynamometer and CGI work in tandem to provide engineers with a better understanding of how wind turbines react to grid disturbances. With these additions, the NWTC is one of the only facilities in the world that can use these capabilities alongside operating multi-megawatt wind turbines in the field at the NWTC and energy storage devices undergoing testing there.

Watch the video above to find out how the dynamometer and the CGI work. Read this factsheet (at link below) for more information about the new NREL facility.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHeI351B22k&feature=player_embedded

The two facilities are part of DOE’s overall strategy to increase the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind, reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Learn more about DOE’s work to advance the wind industry and how wind energy works.

http://energy.gov/eere/articles/two-facilities-one-goal-advancing-america-s-wind-industry

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 08, 2013, 02:39:14 pm
Record German Wind Power Lifts Renewable Share Over ’20 Goal  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fballoons.gif&hash=a64bb5ff3e76c3e11999996c460fa02de1ee10f7)

Rachel Morison, Bloomberg

December 06, 2013

BERLIN -- Record output from wind farms lifted Germany’s share of renewable electricity production above its 2020 target of 35 percent today as a storm from Scandinavia battered the nation’s northern coast.

A low pressure system dubbed Xaver, with hurricane-force winds of more than 140 kilometers (87 miles) an hour, hit the northern coastline of Germany today, according to the country’s weather service. Electricity produced by sun and wind supplied 27.2 gigawatts, or 36 percent, of Germany’s power at 1 p.m. Berlin time, according to the European Energy Exchange AG.

Germany is already Europe’s biggest producer of electricity from wind and sun and its newly formed coalition government agreed last month to get as much as 45 percent of electricity from renewables by 2025. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Ftuzki-bunnys%2Ftuzki-bunny-emoticon-036.gif&hash=8ec7abacc074bac7984d9b80fbca377b3afb119d) The share of power from wind and solar rose to 49 percent on Nov. 9, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The average share of renewables in Germany across the whole of last year was 22 percent.(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fearthhug.gif&hash=3abcf70466f34337f2d702ebd9e02c650d5c4c20)

“Germany might already be meeting its 2020 target for some hours, but it would need a lot more installed capacity to average 35 percent over a year,” Gary Keane, principal consultant at Poeyry Oyj, an adviser to governments and utilities, said by phone from Oxford, England.
Wind output in Germany hit a record of 25.2 gigawatts at 1:45 p.m. and will account for 39 percent of supply at 11 p.m., according to EEX data.

Forced Shutdown

The strength of the storm forced turbines to shut down in some parts of Germany.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78) The 48-megawatt Baltic 1 offshore wind farm operated by Karlsruhe-based EnBW Energie Baden-Wuerttemberg AG automatically halted operations at 1 p.m. when winds became too strong, Friederike Eckstein, a spokeswoman, said by phone.

“Wind turbines can start to cut out when wind goes above 60 miles an hour, so with a storm there is an increased risk of that happening,” said Keane.

German power for tomorrow declined 10.3 percent to 30.79 euros ($42.05) a megawatt hour on the Epex Spot exchange in Paris at 5:22 p.m. That’s 38.63 euros lower than the same contract in neighboring France which settled at 69.42 euros a megawatt hour, the data show.

Wind and solar power are given priority access to the grid in Germany, meaning peaks in production can force coal and gas- fed plants to reduce their output. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F47b20s0.gif&hash=cc48c9af9d29b8836023c7db21103e52d1ed439e) The proportion of power produced from conventional plants is expected to fall to 61 percent at 11 p.m., compared with 79 percent at 7 a.m. today, according to EEX data.

“The storm will also bring heavy gusts of wind to the Netherlands, Denmark and Poland until tomorrow afternoon,” Andreas Gassner, meteorologist at MMInternational, said by e-mail from Appenzell, Switzerland. “Denmark and Poland could see as much as 15 gigawatts of wind until early on Monday.” (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-object-081.gif&hash=5981b917cdd5e334cd69d00213b2d119acbfb380)

Copyright 2013 Bloomberg

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/12/record-german-wind-power-lifts-renewable-share-over-20-goal?cmpid=rss

And let us NOT forget the INVOLUNTARY "contribution" of the fossil nukers to more storms.  Next thing ya know, MKing will want us to PAY for "all these freebies" for Renewable energy. LOL!

January 1, 2009:

Quote
Global Warming Causes Severe Storms
Research Meteorologists See More Severe Storms Ahead: The Culprit -- Global Warming
January 1, 2009 — Research Meteorologists found that the temperature changes brought on by global warming are significant enough to cause an increase in the occurrence of severe storms.

Severe storms are those that cause flooding, have damaging winds, hail and could cause tornados. Their study revealed that by the end of this century, the number of days that favor severe storms could more than double certain locations, such as Atlanta and New York. Researchers also found that this increase would occur during typical stormy seasons and not during dry seasons when it may be beneficial.

Full Article published BEFORE IRENE  :o here:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2009/0109-global_warming_causes_severe_storms.htm

But always remember the WISE, CONSCIENTIOUS AND PRUDENT words of our pet GW Denier Fossil Nukers who are ONLY INTERESTED IN OUR BENEFIT... (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-051113192052.png&hash=93c42ef9f18fc5d9da50fd91fc19f70009f95f85)  1) WE JUST DON'T, DON'T, AIN'T SURE AND AIN'T CERTAIN KNOW!  2) WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER...  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imgion.com%2Fimages%2F01%2FAngry-animated-smiley.jpg&hash=84657bd1a63cad676e3551587daeb4b39411a289) 

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_2932.gif&hash=0eaec4791a5825821998245e7fcd7744b56557fe)




Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 09, 2013, 03:51:17 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-object-106.gif&hash=f996659d18df7f3b445e6135e884397ac91f25b1)Fact Check: IER Finds it Hard to Kick Habit of Attacking Wind Power

Elizabeth Salerno, AWEA

December 09, 2013

Like a chain smoker, the fossil fuel-funded Institute for Energy Research (IER) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F2rzukw3.gif&hash=f0487b8f0d488ab1126ce5e031b11ea3d74b1cc2) seems addicted to spreading misinformation  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.u.arizona.edu%2F%7Epatricia%2Fcute-collection%2Fsmileys%2Flying-smiley.gif&hash=a34c2f7344d5f54f7009a4e684bb6c7310cdda03) about wind power.

In IER’s latest report, the fossil-fueled group claims that some states are benefitting more than their fair share from the tax relief encouraging wind power’s growth. As others have pointed out already (including the Union for Concerned Scientists and ThinkProgress), IER fails yet again.

The reality is that the wind industry provides clear economic and environmental benefits for all 50 states. Its incentive, the federal wind energy Production Tax Credit (PTC), is far smaller than the cumulative incentives provided to other energy sources, and has been so successful at driving private investment that it more than pays for itself by creating additional tax revenue.
Here’s the truth about wind power and the PTC:


1) Using tax policy to spur growth in energy sectors is nothing new


It’s important to understand that there is no comprehensive energy policy in the U.S. The reality is that much of what the U.S. has relied on to spur domestic energy growth is a collection federal, state, and local public policy techniques, including the tax code.

A new report out earlier this year, “Energy tax policy: Issues in the 113th congress” by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) makes this point clear:

“Energy tax policy involves the use of one of the government’s main fiscal instruments, taxes (both as an incentive and as a disincentive) to alter the allocation or configuration of energy resources and their use. In theory, energy taxes and subsidies, like tax policy instruments in general, are intended either to correct a problem or distortion in the energy markets or to achieve some economic (efficiency, equity, or macroeconomic) objective.”

The truth is, tax incentives for the energy sector began in 1913, when intangible drilling costs were given to the oil industry and dozens have been added since then, most of which support fossil fuels. In fact, the Nuclear Energy Institute’s own tally concludes that federal subsidies to fossil and nuclear energy sources totaled more than $650 billion from 1950 to 2010. Despite their remarkably long life spans, such incentives are mostly ignored  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-311013201314.png&hash=0715eb72631014310634eb56176ff860c6d542f6) in the current energy debate.

Had the study looked at the more than $650 billion in federal support for fossil and nuclear energy over the last 60 years, it would have found the benefits and costs of that to be very unevenly distributed because only a few states produce the majority of those fuels, while all other states get the triple whammy of having to pay for the subsidy, having to send money to those states to buy the fuel, and then getting stuck with the pollution in their states.

And while other industries continue to receive tax incentives carrying an expensive price tag, the PTC more than pays for itself in local, state, and federal taxes over the life of wind power projects according to a NextEra Energy analysis.


2) All 50 states benefit from wind power equipped with the PTC


IER’s report strategically ignores the NextEra analysis demonstrating that the PTC more than pays for itself in addition to the sizable economic benefits wind power has produced in all 50 states.

Wind power generated $25 billion in private investment, paying millions to landowners and local communities. Every state in the union, including 70 percent of all U.S. congressional districts, has an operating wind project, manufacturing plant, or wind-related jobs.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fecowatch.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F12%2Ffeech1.jpeg&hash=1140dae16d1001f423d3a0426c92d87eed0c866b)
All online wind energy related manufacturing facilities and wind energy projects, by Congressional Districts.
 
Wind energy is one of the most broadly dispersed energy industries, with manufacturing currently in 44 states and turbines installed in 39 states plus Puerto Rico.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-pGV0j0H3DFY%2FT4WD9cwCHbI%2FAAAAAAAAwMc%2FS--w1uaUfcU%2Fs400%2F1south.jpg&hash=80e4396dd5dbc4b4506d2a82e2a87e1beaafbe54)
U.S. Wind energy Capacity Installed by State

(https://fbexternal-a.akamaihd.net/safe_image.php?d=AQBRDXmfR_US7uKl&w=377&h=197&url=http%3A%2F%2Fecowatch.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F12%2FScreen-Shot-2013-12-04-at-8.53.47-AM.png&cfs=1)

In fact, “Made in the USA” is now a label American wind power can proudly display on a majority (over 70 percent) of its parts and supplies. ;D


American wind power supports 80,000 full-time jobs and according to a Department of Energy analysis, with the right policies in place, wind power could support 500,000 full-time domestic jobs by 2030.

Wind energy brings taxes and other revenues to rural communities, benefiting county and local services, schools, and health care and public safety facilities. Plus, land lease payments to rural landowners, farmers, and ranchers hosting America’s new drought-resistant cash crop often total millions of dollars in states across the country.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Faweablog.org%2Fuploads%2Fimages%2FSlide03.jpg&hash=1b16f9e88f10068f2ee6a43cbec4ddb36cbea237)
WIND leases are FOREVER;(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185701.png&hash=615e3c1aa9c374cb1eab5bfc1e9494f2cb05e9f7)
 Fracking LEASES are temporary and pollute your LAND!(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_1593.gif&hash=628238f2fc26695937f6e97b91b050976065743b)



3) Wind energy is reducing electricity prices across the country


More than a dozen studies by grid operators and state governments have confirmed that wind energy reduces electricity prices by displacing more expensive sources of energy. That includes a recent report by Synapse Energy Economics that found that doubling the use of wind energy in the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lake states would save consumers $6.9 billion per year on net, after accounting for both wind and transmission costs.


Because the electric power system is a highly integrated network, many of these electricity price reduction benefits accrue to states that have little to no wind energy. For example, the Synapse study found that the $6.9 billion in benefits of wind energy would be broadly spread across the 13 Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes states, even to states without wind energy, as wind plants allow fossil-fired power plants in other states to reduce their output and fuel use. These interstate consumer benefits of wind energy are even more clear when utilities buy wind energy from other states. For example, Southern Company’s Georgia and Alabama utilities have made three large purchases of wind energy from Oklahoma and Kansas, explaining that those purchases reduce its customers’ electric bills. (April 22, 2013 press release)

4) Environmental benefits from wind power are also spread across all 50 states

Another goal of the PTC was to establish better U.S. energy security and address concerns about the environment. As the 2013 CRS report notes:

“The U.S energy tax policy as it presently stands aims to address concerns regarding the environment as well as those surrounding national security. Incentives promoting renewable energy production, energy efficiency and conservation, and alternative technology vehicles address both environmental and national security concerns. Tax incentives for the domestic production of fossil fuels also promote energy security by attempting to reduce the nation’s reliance on imported energy sources.”

Adding wind power displaces the most expensive, least efficient power source on the utility system — usually an older fossil fuel plant. The total wind power installed today now allows us to avoid the equivalent of 100 million metric tons of CO2 annually — the equivalent of taking over 17 million cars off the road.

Wind power uses no water to generate electricity, while most other types of power plants use substantial quantities.Installing over 60 GW of wind power has resulted in saving the equivalent of 37 billion gallons of water annually. That’s 130 gallons of water per person.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-object-103.gif&hash=abb9273d26cc854e790a671a16e9bdb987404066)



Wind energy does not emit particulate matter, which is associated with heart and lung disease, and it also does not emit mercury or other heavy metals, which collect in the food chain and are harmful to human and animal health.


In fact, according to a report completed for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), wind power has the lowest impact on wildlife and the environment of any of several technologies studied — including coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, and hydropower.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-object-060.gif&hash=563ab221a2224107262ffa09357fe39aee4d3b1e) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frobservations.ca%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F02%2Fhappy-cat1.jpg&hash=468b07d248f880b63fdda22e22561c5ce8d3ae29)

The bipartisan support that the PTC has historically received has been a reflection of Congress understanding that the majority of American people want more wind energy. With all these economic and environmental benefits, it’s easy to understand why that overwhelming support exists.
IER’s best (worst) efforts will not change these facts.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_0293.gif&hash=b1af4868ed8f18c30e637f8cbcb79002f6f71039)

This article was originally published on AWEA Into the Wind blog and was republished with permission.
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/12/fact-check-ier-finds-it-hard-to-kick-habit-of-attacking-wind-power?cmpid=rss


Agelbert NOTE: The following is me just piling on!  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154)
 


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.treehugger.com%2Fassets%2Fimages%2F2011%2F10%2Finstalled20wind20capacity20by20state.jpg.492x0_q85_crop-smart.jpg&hash=d831a3cb1367d31de55398dcaceb71b2544dc7e2)
The FUTURE SUCKS for Fossil Fuels and Nukes TOO!     (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Ftuzki-bunnys%2Ftuzki-bunny-emoticon-022.gif&hash=3b60da70b71b7109fe66036056cb1dedc1affb43)



Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 10, 2013, 02:47:40 pm
Offshore Wind Turbine Vendors Unveil Next-Generation Wind Power Machines
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c)At the recent EWEA Offshore 2013 conference and expo, turbine vendors displayed their latest and greatest turbines. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fballoons.gif&hash=a64bb5ff3e76c3e11999996c460fa02de1ee10f7)

Eize de Vries, Wind Technology Correspondent

December 10, 2013

FRANKFURT -- EWEA’s biannual offshore wind conference and exhibition took place between 19 – 21 November in Frankfurt, Germany. International exhibitors and visitors could be clearly subdivided into typical marine and wind-industry related and additional companies and organizations offering specific products and dedicated offshore wind services such as a supersize HVAC submarine cable and several new foundation solutions.

ThyssenKrupp Mannex of Germany for instance presented a clever and innovative jacket foundation called Hexabase, described as the first industrial solution for offshore wind. The large-diameter open lightweight structure consists of so-called bionic elements, standardized pipes and pre-cast nodes, all of which mean a high automation level.

Here's a look at some new turbine product developments.

Integrated

Samsung of Korea had a prominent display at the show with a large booth dedicated to the 7-MW S7.0-171 offshore turbine, a prototype of which was recently installed in the UK. The behemoth is designed for 25-year operating life and features the world’s longest 83.5-metre blades offering a record 171.2-metre rotor diameter. The compact medium-speed drivetrain comprises a two-stage planetary gearbox designed and built by UK firm David Brown. A rather unusual design feature is that the gearbox has been integrated inside the large-diameter hollow main shaft, which in turn is supported by two rotor bearings.

The medium-voltage permanent magnet generator (PMG) operates at 3.3kV, and all power electronics including power cabinets, power-electronic converter, MV-transformer and switchgear are located in the tower base. According a Samsung spokesperson the turbine can achieve 73 percent capacity factor at high-wind sites. The S7.0-171 under such conditions generates at 63 percent of the time measured over the year over 80 percent of its rated power, qualifying it as a “true power plant.” The company expects to receive certification in 2014.

High-speed PMG

Power engineering specialist ABB introduced a new 7-MW high-speed permanent magnet generator in Frankfurt. The generators come available in low voltage (690V) and medium-voltage (3.3kV, and either water or air-cooled. All ABB high-speed generators for wind turbines (DFIG, PMG and induction-type) are based on a standard modular platform principle and feature an adaptable turbine interface. The modularity also allows changing from DFIG to PMG and vice versa depending upon customer preferences. Developing a new high-speed generator in the 7-MW high-end capacity range could come a bit as a surprise, because most new super-class geared turbine developments now seem to focus at medium-speed solutions.

Successor


 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-101213141336.png&hash=d8063027c55e33db3b5f2b9fd021833ba1915c5f)

REpower of Germany introduced the long-awaited successor to its 6.15-MW 6M (2009) flagship model, a product platform history that commenced in 2004 with a pioneering 5-MW 5M turbine, both with 126-metre rotor diameter. The new offshore model technologically builds on the 6M (now renamed 6.2M126, pictured above) and comes with unchanged power rating. New main features include the switch to a load-optimized cast main chassis and an enlarged 152-metre rotor diameter. This offers 46 percent more rotor swept area and, according Repower, a 20 percent higher yield at 9.5 percent average wind speed sites. The new slender blades are a dedicated REpower in-house product development. The 6.2M152 incorporates again a high-speed geared drivetrain with DFIG and 6.6kV stator voltage. 66kV transformer output voltage is now optional and is expected to become a new offshore wind standard for intra-array wind farm cabling.

Two-bladed and Downwind

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-101213142151.png&hash=46ed3d0a9c6a18dc4a4e86c72e417f22091553c4)

German engineering consultancy aerodyn based in Frankfurt introduced an innovative two-bladed 8-MW SCD 8.0 down-wind offshore turbine with 168-metre rotor diameter. (SCD stands for Super Compact Drive.) The SCD 8.0 incorporates a medium-speed drivetrain with a single rotor bearing flanged to an in-house developed planetary gearbox plus PMG. These main components in turn are flanged directly to a cast main carrier, and there is no separate nacelle cover.

One special product feature of the SCD 8.0 is a helicopter-landing platform integrated in the nacelle upper part, whereby actual landings are enabled only after locking the rotor in horizontal position. (See image, left, for an example of the 3-, 6-, and 8-MW products.)

Two-bladed turbines are new in the offshore market, but do offer specific advantages including easier deck stowage of fully assembled turbine heads (nacelle + rotor) plus time and cost-saving single-hoist installation. The SCD 8.0 is aimed at the European offshore market, and aerodyn owner/director Sönke Siegfriedsen firmly believes that a favorable 395-tonne head mass makes the turbine well-suited for both seabed-fixed and floating foundations solutions.

Optimization


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-101213141919.png&hash=26079a3ea672c1bbc5efed557f1a85fd08dae25d)

SCD 8.0 is a further development and optimization of the 6-MW SCD 6.0, an IEC class IIB turbine featuring 140-metre rotor diameter. Aerodyn’s Chinese partner and licensee Ming Yang is currently testing the SCD 6.0 prototype, with installation planned for early 2014. The SCD 6.0 was specifically developed for the hurricane-prone coastal stretch between Shanghai and Hong Kong, which, according aerodyne, is one of the world’s largest future offshore wind markets. Ming Yang already operates several 3-MW two-bladed onshore upwind SCD 3.0 turbines with 110-metre rotor diameter for IEC class IIIA locations. (See image, right, for an example of an onshore two-bladed turbine.)

SCD was first presented at the 2007 Husum wind industry fair and was one of the world’s first medium-speed turbine designs.

SCD technology is built upon aerodyn’s (design) experiences with its patented 5-MW hybrid-type offshore turbine called Multibrid M5000. This groundbreaking turbine was developed and patented during 1996/7 and is comprised of a single rotor bearing and a highly compact fully enclosed cast chassis that incorporates a single-stage planetary gearbox and permanent magnet generator.

AREVA Wind commercialized the M5000-116, and an optimized 5-MW M5000-135 prototype with enlarged 135-metre rotor was installed this autumn.

Reducing CoE

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-101213142334.png&hash=0e93a22ffb6bc8b811bba2557129c84ba8e30297)

Siemens Energy finally presented its new 4-MW and 6-MW offshore turbines in Frankfurt, including a new 4-MW SWT-4.0-120 model version with 120-metre rotor diameter. The company said that it wants to reduce lifecycle-based cost of energy (CoE, which equals turbine cost/kWh/20-25y) for both the 6-MW direct drive and 4-MW geared turbine models by up to 40 percent compared to today’s levels.

Substantially reducing CoE remains the offshore wind industry’s main overall challenge for the future of offshore wind power, and is a huge task ahead for all parties involved. Achieving this goal requires sustained combined efforts from project developers to wind turbine and submarine cable installation vessel designers/suppliers, foundation designers/manufacturers, advanced transport-logistics, installation contractors, and wind farm upkeep specialists.


Eize de Vries was from 2001 to March 2010 Wind Technology Correspondent for Renewable Energy World magazine. He currently works as a Technology Writer and Technology Advisor for Windpower Monthly, and is since 1997 Contributing Editor for...

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/12/offshore-wind-turbines-are-getting-bigger-all-the-time?cmpid=rss
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 13, 2013, 10:50:52 pm
Fossil fuelers are handicapped by hydrocarbon tunnel vision. But most people no longer see things their way. Moreover, since more and more people are making a LIVING off of RENEWABLE ENERGY and less and less people are making a living from fossil fuels, the dirty energy will get pushed out.

Fossil Fuels should have been pushed out in the 1980s. This time they will be.  8)
 

Here's some more reaiity based community information fossil fuelers refuse to acknowledge.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F301.gif&hash=0291ed4abf2d80e420d1aa00d4eb3c5dd6bbfb53)
 



Major Shipyard Now building MORE Renewable Energy machines than ships!

Imagine how quickly we could transition if the over 400 OIL TANKERS the Oil Industry builds EACH YEAR, were NOT BUILT and WIND TURBINES were built instead! That's a LOT of wind turbines and tidal or ocean current turbines! (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185701.png&hash=615e3c1aa9c374cb1eab5bfc1e9494f2cb05e9f7)
Oil Tanker costs:

DWT= DEAD WEIGHT TONNAGE CAPACITY

LR2 (Large Range 2),  Suezmax class,120,000–200,000 DWT,  $60.7M

VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier), VLCC class,  200,000–320,000 DWT, $120M

ULCC (Ultra Large Crude Carrier), Ultra Large Crude Carrier class,  320,000–550,000 DWT, $120M PLUS

Now suppose you wanted to build 100 of those pigs at an average price of $100M or so (they're cheaper by the dozen!).

$100,000,000 X 100 =  $10B

How many wind turbines can we buy with that $10B INSTEAD OF TANKER PIGS?

Here's a nice wind turbine outfit that is ALREADY kicking fossil fuel ass! Maybe we can do business with them. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154)


As of 2011, Vestas wind turbines generate enough electricity to provide for 21 million people. In January 2011, Vestas won the $1.5m (£940,000) Zayed Future Energy Prize in Abu Dhabi.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F8%2Ff%2F8%2F11949865511933397169thumbs_up_nathan_eady_01.svg.hi.png&hash=599691109af22b33f1d59dd61eb97448a9427020) ;D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestas

[embed=640,380]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rjzsjqmqws#[/embed]
Nice video! Too bad they didn't have to turbines spearing oil tankers as they surfaced! (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b)  ;D 

Using the information at the link below, you can get a bunch of the top of the line Vestas 8MW (formerly the 7M just two years ago but has been tweaked up) for around $8M if we order more than 300 MW worth of turbines (Yes, those are cheaper by the dozen TOO!  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-animal-042.gif&hash=948c6a3290ff23118007cc45e013732f8fe92370)).

That means we can buy about ONE THOUSAND turbines for the price of 100 oil pig tankers.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F8%2Ff%2F8%2F11949865511933397169thumbs_up_nathan_eady_01.svg.hi.png&hash=599691109af22b33f1d59dd61eb97448a9427020)
Those 1,000 turbines will generate 8 GW of power near  continuously because they will be placed offshore, to MKing's chagrin.  ;D  But don't worry, they have maintenance and some slack wind periods from time to time so you fossil fuelers can claim they are "discontinuous, unreliable and no good for baseload".  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fugly004.gif&hash=c56db4280057389afd154a1cb4057410151579c8)

http://emp.lbl.gov/sites/all/files/lbnl-5119e-ppt.pdf

But let's not stop there. The fossil fuel industry has enough capital to build 400 tankers in a single year so they technically have enough capital to build 4000 wind turbines producing 32 GW EACH YEAR. :o Consider, for a moment, what adding 32GW of renewable energy would DO to the energy picture of this planet.    (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.123rf.com%2F400wm%2F400%2F400%2Fyayayoy%2Fyayayoy1106%2Fyayayoy110600019%2F9735563-smiling-sun-showing-thumb-up.jpg&hash=09b45642ec6d7943d30b5b87548676e3ee7dbe3d)

Now consider that world governments have even more capital. Consider that adding ten times that much (320 GW each year) from various renewable energy technologies is feasible simply because there are several large wind turbine and ocean current and tide turbine manufacturers just as capable as Vestas of pumping out 4,000 8MW turbines a year (GE can make even more than Vestas).

And then there is solar PV and power towers and geothermal along with all sorts of energy storage technologies that, unlike oil tankers, don't spill their guts into the oceans on a regular basis and will provide 24/7 smooth power access to customers, regardless of what the nasty, negative, naysayers among us that will mendaciously claim otherwise as long as their portfolio has dirty energy stocks in them.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-scared002.gif&hash=764898cfbf07ef2c41ffddc5e93fa0e1bed41bae)


Within a couple of decades we could stop burning fossil fuels completely as long as we stuck to the current 18TW annual human civilization energy demand. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fballoons.gif&hash=a64bb5ff3e76c3e11999996c460fa02de1ee10f7)

No more strip mining for coal or drilling for oil or fracking for oil and gas messing up our biosphere.

Consider what having 34% LESS ocean traffic and NO oil tankers or oil rigs would do for the health of the oceans.

Dear readers, always remember to remind the fossil fuelers a little item they ALWAYS seem to forget. And that is, that they DO NOT have an ESTABLISHED industry and a "going concern proven business model" as they claim because

A) They are massively subsidized

B) They are CONSTANTLY replacing equipment that lasts, at most, a couple of decades.
At any moment they can decide to buy the renewable energy machines instead of fossil fuel transport and drilling equipment on the same schedule of replacement that they use to replace oil rigs, tankers, etc. BUT THEY REFUSE TO DO SO. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-311013201314.png&hash=0715eb72631014310634eb56176ff860c6d542f6)

Can you say, Mens Rea? >:(

At any rate, the shipyards are catching on that building Renewable Energy Machines provides more and better jobs than building polluting tanker pigs. GOOD!
 
Harland & Wolff Heavy Industries is a Northern Irish heavy industrial company, specialising in shipbuilding and offshore construction, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The shipyard has built many ships; among the more famous are the White Star trio RMS Olympic, RMS Titanic and Britannic, the Royal Navy's HMS Belfast, Royal Mail Line's Andes, Shaw Savill's Southern Cross and P&O's SS Canberra. The company's official history, Shipbuilders to the World, was published in 1986.

As of 2011, the expanding offshore wind power industry has taken centre stage and 75% of the company's work is based on offshore renewable energy.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harland_and_Wolff


... the United Kingdom planned to build 7,500 new offshore wind turbines between 2008 and 2020, creating great demand for heavy assembly work.

Unlike land-based wind turbines, where assembly occurs on site, offshore wind turbines have part of their assembly done in a shipyard,
and then construction barges transport the tower sections, rotors, and nacelles to the site for final **** and assembly. As a result of this, in late 2007, the 'Goliath' gantry crane was re-commissioned, having been moth-balled in 2003 due to the lack of heavy-lifting work at the yard.

In June 2008, assembly work at the Belfast yard was underway on 60 Vestas V90-3MW wind turbines for the Robin Rigg Wind Farm.[6] This was the second offshore wind farm assembled by the company for Vestas having completed the logistics for the Barrow

Offshore Wind Farm in 2006. In August 2011 Harland and Wolff completed the logistics for the Ormonde Wind Farm which consisted of 30 REpower 5MW turbines.

In March 2008, the construction of the world's first commercial tidal stream turbine, for Marine Current Turbines, was completed at the Belfast yard. The installation of the 1.2MW SeaGen Tidal System was begun in Strangford Lough in April 2008.[7]

In July 2010, Harland & Wolff secured a contract to make a prototype tidal energy turbine for Scotrenewables Ltd.[8] Manufacture of the SR250 device was completed in May 2011 and has been undergoing testing in Orkney since.

As of April 2012, the booming offshore wind power industry has taken centre stage. Harland & Wolff are currently working on three innovative meteorological mast foundations for the Dogger Bank and Firth of Forth offshore wind farms, as well as putting the finishing touches to two Siemens substations for the Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm. Seventy-five per cent of the company's work is based on offshore renewable energy.

Harland & Wolff is one of many UK and international companies profiting from the emergence of UK wind- and marine-generated electricity, which is attracting significant inward investment. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-object-062.gif&hash=88ceb4a34a12b2bea2fd9edd887da26d73308257)




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harland_and_Wolff

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 14, 2013, 01:12:39 am
Wind energy becoming cheaper than natural gas   :o

By John Upton

In the blustery Midwest, wind energy is now coming in even cheaper than natural gas. From Greentech Media:

“In the Midwest, we’re now seeing power agreements being signed with wind farms at as low as $25 per megawatt-hour,” said Stephen Byrd, Morgan Stanley’s Head of North

American Equity Research for Power & Utilities and Clean Energy, at the Columbia Energy Symposium in late November. “Compare that to the variable cost of a gas plant at $30 per megawatt-hour. …”

Byrd acknowledged that wind does receive a subsidy in the form of a production tax credit for ten years at $22 per megawatt-hour after tax. “But even without that subsidy, some of these wind projects have a lower all-in cost than gas,” Byrd said.

And the gas industry certainly gets plenty of its own subsidies.  >:(

Wind is also breathing down the neck of the coal industry in the region:   ;D

Wind is even going head-to-head with Powder River Basin coal. “In the Midwest, those wind plants are, many times of the day, competing against efficient nuclear plants and efficient PRB coal plants,” Byrd said.

Oh yeah, nuclear. As we reported earlier this year, wind is threatening nuclear too.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F47b20s0.gif&hash=cc48c9af9d29b8836023c7db21103e52d1ed439e)
 

While wind and solar farms can be expensive to build, Byrd points out that the fuel for them is free, giving them an edge in the country’s competitive electricity markets. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b)
 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_0293.gif&hash=b1af4868ed8f18c30e637f8cbcb79002f6f71039)

 


Source

Midwest Wind Cost-Competitive with Gas and Coal, Greentech Media

John Upton is a science fan and green news boffin who tweets, posts articles to Facebook, and blogs about ecology. He welcomes reader questions, tips, and incoherent rants: johnupton@gmail.com.

http://grist.org/news/wind-energy-becoming-cheaper-than-natural-gas/ (http://grist.org/news/wind-energy-becoming-cheaper-than-natural-gas/)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 16, 2013, 06:00:41 pm
With a wind PTC expiration potentially days away, expect more deals like this one to get projects qualified under the gun.


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcsmres.co.uk%2Fcs.public.upd%2Farticle-images%2FWind_turbine_smiley_shutterstock_28691215.gif&hash=0a210b133b92defae808e4e4e8473ef789dd36b5)


 James Montgomery, Associate Editor, RenewableEnergyWorld.com 
 December 16, 2013

New Hampshire, USA -- We're just days away from the end of calendar 2013, which means a number of annual rituals: holiday parties, lists of top-everything-whatever -- and angst over the expiring production tax credit (PTC) that has been key to the U.S. wind industry's growth. ??? >:(

Last year's PTC was ultimately extended at the 11th hour, and its language tweaked this spring changing the requirements that a power plant must be online to requiring that a plant be "under construction" either through physical work being done or the developer having incurred 5 percent of the total cost. With the PTC's expiration looming one again, look for some last-minute announcements as wind developers try to get some projects nailed down.

And now we have Exhibit A:  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c)MidAmerican has ordered 1 GW of turbines from Siemens AG for its five planned new wind farms in Iowa scheduled to come online in 2015, spanning sizes of 44 MW up to 500 MW, adding to the roughly 2.3 GW the company already operates in the state. The blades will be built in Siemens' Fort Madison, Iowa plant and the nacelles and hubs will be assembled in Hutchinson, Kansas. With these turbine investments, those projects officially qualify for the PTC as it currently exists, according to Adam Wright, VP of wind generation at MidAmerican.

About half of that collective 1 GW of new Iowa wind capacity is expected to be installed by the end of 2014, with the "civil work" completed for the remaining 500 MW, which will add turbines and come into service in 2015, Wright explained. But in a surprise, he also revealed that the 44-MW Vienna II expansion originally slated to be completed in the fall of 2014 has already begun commercial operations -- it came online on December 4, to take advantage of the current PTC's bonus depreciation.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-051113192052.png&hash=93c42ef9f18fc5d9da50fd91fc19f70009f95f85) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.websmileys.com%2Fsm%2Fviolent%2Fsterb029.gif&hash=7a43a0c106eab798f7ba6133dc5cc550647a03d2)



MidAmerican and Siemens will broadcast all this news live at 1 pm Central Time today; watch it here or on AWEA's home page.

Iowa is one of the leading U.S. state adopters of wind energy, getting nearly a quarter of its total power generation from wind in 2012. It ranked third in the nation for MW installed (5.1 GW) and number of wind turbines (3,200). The Iowa Wind Energy Association projects 10 GW of installed capacity in the state by 2017, with a statewide potential of 570 GW.
                                                         (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Flooksmiley.gif&hash=2fa679c2bf50092b12a1301928cb338275c3ba54)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/12/midamerican-siemens-secure-1-gw-turbine-pact-for-iowa-wind-farms?cmpid=rss
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 18, 2013, 06:35:24 pm
UK Approves 450 Million Pound Offshore Wind Port Project Plan

 Alex Morales, Bloomberg 
 December 18, 2013

LONDON -- The U.K. approved a 450-million pound ($736 million) project to build manufacturing and port facilities for the offshore wind industry in northeast England, expanding the country’s drive to develop the technology.  ;D


Able U.K. Ltd. was given the go-ahead for the project after satisfying a government request for more detail on how it will accommodate for seabirds and a railway line affected by the plan, the Department of Transport said today in an e-mailed statement. Parliament must now consider compulsory purchase powers to acquire some of the land needed, it said.


Britain has more installed offshore wind power than the rest of the world combined, and ministers have identified the technology as key to U.K. efforts to slash carbon and boost renewables. Deployment of 10 gigawatts, almost triple current installations, is possible by 2020  ;D, according to the government, which has shied away from setting an official goal.

The approval is “testament to a continuing sense of long- term confidence in the offshore wind sector, which is at the very heart of our green energy future,” Maf Smith, deputy chief executive officer of the RenewableUK lobby group said in a statement. “Offshore wind, and the supply chain it is building, could create tens of thousands of green-collar jobs to coastline communities in areas where they’re needed most.”

The project on the banks of the Humber River in northeast England includes about 1,300 meters (4,300 feet) of deep-water docks and 906 acres (367 hectares) of land for offices and factories, according to its website. Able says the project may create 4,000 jobs.

Timeline

It’s designed to be used by offshore wind project developers that need to deploy large components such as foundations and wind turbine towers and nacelles to their sites at sea. The intention is for the first dock to be available for use in 2016.

“It provides the opportunity, not available at any other U.K. location, to create a critical mass of activity,” Able Executive Chairman Peter Stephenson said today in a statement. “The Humber is ideally placed in close proximity to the world’s largest proposed offshore wind farms.”

Able Marine Energy Park on Dec. 9 signed a memorandum of understanding with Strabag SE’s Stuttgart, Germany-based offshore wind unit identifying it as the company’s preferred location to build a factory for the mass production of foundations for offshore wind turbines, with the potential to create up to 500 jobs.

Copyright 2013 Bloomberg

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/12/uk-approves-450-million-pound-offshore-wind-port-project-plan



Agelbert NOTE: The above is more evidence of the lack of foresight of a certain energy expert that moved from the UK to Canada BECAUSE the UK was running out of "cheap" fossil fuels AND

Renewable Energy could "NEVER" fill the gap because

1) It is TOO EXPENSIVE AND HAS TOO LOW AN EROI. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.u.arizona.edu%2F%7Epatricia%2Fcute-collection%2Fsmileys%2Flying-smiley.gif&hash=a34c2f7344d5f54f7009a4e684bb6c7310cdda03)

2) It can't provide baseload power due to "intermittence". (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-241013183046.jpeg&hash=51c9c4f17e747698c76c65c7c1814eff4f32c400)

3) Forced lessening of total energy use will impair the economy drastically because GDP ALWAYS tracks total energy use!

4) Renewable Energy cannot be deployed quick enough to avoid a collapse.(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-scared003.gif&hash=d92208ad6a7118de03c11a1656d0ce1759802703)


WELL, both "1)" and "2)" have been proven FALSE.

As to "3)" we have already proved that is false in the last 13 years.
HOW DID WE DO THAT? According to Amory Lovins of the RMI, US GDP is 25% higher than in the year 2000 and we use MUCH LESS TOTAL ENERGY!

BUT, ya never know... Item "4)" may still happen,,,  8)

I say that IF IT DOES HAPPEN, it will have NOTHING to do with energy and be solely climate catastrophe caused.  :P

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 25, 2013, 03:11:56 pm
6 Reasons Why Nuke Fan Is Dead Wrong About Wind Energy

American Wind Energy Association | December 7, 2013 11:45 am


By Michael Goggin

The Energy Collective blog recently carried a column, Limitations of Unreliable Energy Sources, aka ‘Renewables,’ by Rod Adams, a longtime nuclear power advocate and critic of competing energy sources. In his column, Adams repeats a number of false statements about wind power.

nukewind

When corrected, his claims actually highlight a number of ways in which wind energy’s efficiency is superior to that of other energy sources.

Wind energy significantly reduces carbon emissions and does not noticeably reduce the efficiency of fossil-fired power plants on the utility system.

Recent analysis of the impact of wind on the efficiency of fossil-fired power plants found that with renewable energy supplying 33 percent of the electricity, wind produces 99.8 percent of the expected fuel use and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions savings after accounting for all cycling impacts, or savings of 1,190 pounds of CO2 per megawatt hour (MWh) of wind. This analysis is based on real-world hourly emissions data for all fossil-fired power plants in the Western U.S, and puts to rest the fossil fuel industry myth that wind energy’s emissions savings are lower than expected.

Transmission pays for itself through economic and reliability benefits.

Numerous studies show that grid upgrades more than pay for themselves through the reliability and economic benefits they provide to consumers. The claim that a significant amount of wind energy is lost in transmission to consumers is false, as almost all line losses occur on low-voltage distribution lines, and thus apply to all energy sources evenly (page 30).

Wind energy has a lower integration cost than large conventional power plants.


Every wind integration study has found that there is more than enough flexibility on the power system today to accommodate very high levels of wind energy. In contrast, the need for reserves to accommodate the sudden failure of conventional power plants is far larger and many times more costly than for wind (see calculations in footnotes 6 and 7). Adding wind energy to the grid does not cause any need for new power plant capacity, and actually significantly reduces the total need for power plants.

Wind energy curtailment has only occurred due to localized transmission constraints (that are being eliminated), and never because the amount of wind output exceeded total demand on the power system.

Even the curtailment caused by localized transmission congestion is being eliminated as long-needed grid upgrades catch up with wind energy’s rapid growth, with curtailment cut in half from 2011 to 2012. (see page 44) Further declines are occurring in 2013, with curtailment on the ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) system now approaching zero.

Onsite energy use is far higher at conventional power plants, on the order of 7 to 15 percent of power plant energy production.

In contrast, the figure for wind plants is typically far less than 1 percent. A comprehensive literature review of all peer-reviewed studies on the lifecycle carbon emissions impacts of all energy sources demonstrates that wind’s impact is a fraction of all conventional energy sources, and is also much lower than most other renewable energy sources.

Energy storage is not needed for wind energy.

The U.S. has added 60 gigawatts (GW) of wind, and Europe even more, with zero need to add energy storage. As explained above, there is plenty of flexibility on the existing power system. Interestingly, nearly all of the 22 GW of pumped hydro energy storage in the U.S. was added to help accommodate the inflexibility and additional reserve needs imposed by large nuclear power plants.

Finally, it seems strange to talk about the efficiency of different energy sources without discussing the fact that most fossil and nuclear power plants immediately waste 2/3 of the energy in their fuel as waste heat at the power plant, while most modern wind turbines capture around 50 percent of the energy available in their fuel. The U.S. Department of Energy’s data on the average efficiency of different types of power plants is here:

•Coal: 32.7 percent efficiency
•Gas: 41.9 percent efficiency
•Nuclear: 32.6 percent efficiency


http://ecowatch.com/2013/12/07/nuke-fan-dead-wrong-wind-energy/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 25, 2013, 05:02:08 pm
Siemens to Supply Turbines for $2.6 Billion  :o Cape Wind Project

 Ehren Goossens, Bloomberg 
 December 24, 2013  |  2 Comments 


NEW YORK CITY -- Siemens AG, Europe’s biggest engineering company, agreed to supply turbines to the $2.6 billion Cape Wind project, the first offshore wind farm planned in the U.S.



Siemens will install 130 of its 3.6-megawatt turbines at the facility that’s now seeking finance for construction in Massachusetts waters, the Munich-based company said today in a statement. Financial details of the agreement weren’t disclosed.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.energy.siemens.com%2Fhq%2Fpool%2Fhq%2Fpower-generation%2Fwind-power%2FSWT-36-107-nacelle.jpg&hash=4cb41deb1aff2d85dc1592efdc2c6dc519b0d24d)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldoil.com%2Fuploadedimages%2FIssues%2FArticles%2FApr-2011%2F0411-Gas-Kennedy-Fig-06.jpg&hash=0637792a8f6284a1fe54ea333ae076bfcca7922c)

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The deal along with a proposal from Siemens to take a $100 million equity stake in the project raises the chances that the project will move forward. Residents including the family of former President John F. Kennedy have sued to stop the project, ???  >:( saying it will spoil a uniquely beautiful area.

“Siemens will most likely be an investor in the project,” Randy Zwirn, chief executive officer of SiemensEnergy Inc., said in an interview.

Siemens, the largest supplier of offshore wind turbines, said the deal is subject to final negotiations. Its 3.6 megawatt turbine is the most installed offshore turbine in the world, Jim Gordon, founder and owner of Boston-based Energy Management Inc., the parent of Cape Wind, said in an interview.

“Because it’s the first offshore wind farm in America, it was very important for us to pick the workhorse of the offshore wind industry,” Gordon said.

Siemens said last week that Cape Wind is likely to qualify for a tax credit that expires at the end of this year. It has faced delays due to lawsuits opposing it.

Legal Outlook

“The process was careful and deliberate, and we fully expect our permit will be upheld,” Gordon said. “We fully anticipate the legal decision our way simply because this has been one of the most comprehensively reviewed energy projects in decades in the United States. They’ve been using these avenues as a delaying factor.”

The Interior Department has said about 1,000 gigawatts of potential wind energy exists off the U.S. Atlantic coast, though no projects have been completed. Several, including the Block Island project are moving forward as well.

The U.S. awarded a lease to Cape Wind Associates LLC in 2010 for an area 5 miles (8 kilometers) off mainland Cape Cod. It’s spread over 25 square miles known as Horseshoe Shoal and would generate on average enough electricity to power 200,000 homes, according to the Energy Department.

“This is really the first offshore wind project of any significance anywhere in the U.S.,” Zwirn said. “As the leading supplier of offshore wind turbines in the world, we obviously have an interest to see that market potential to be developed.”

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. unit MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. awarded Siemens, whose largest business is energy, on Dec. 16 with a more than $1 billion contract, the largest ever, for 448 turbines for wind farms in Iowa.

Copyright 2013 Bloomberg



http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/12/siemens-to-supply-turbines-for-2-6-billion-cape-wind-project?cmpid=WNL-Friday-December27-2013
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 27, 2013, 06:24:13 pm
Subsea Cables Bring Offshore Wind Power to the People

Cables are increasingly recognized as a crucial aspect of wind farm construction and operation. Here, we offer a glimpse of a Norwegian subsea cable manufacturing facility and review the challenges of this evolving market.

Tildy Bayar, Contributing Editor
December 19, 2013 

LONDON -- It might be surprising to learn that Norway’s tallest building is Nexans’ 120-metre extrusion tower at the company’s submarine high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable factory in Halden. Nexans makes subsea cables that connect offshore wind farms to the grid, transports them around the world and installs them underwater so that the cables can bring clean power from offshore wind farms to onshore substations and from there to our homes.

Several different types of cable are used in offshore wind projects. Low (up to 1 kV) and medium-voltage loop cables transmit the electricity produced in the turbine’s generator to the transformer, usually located at the tower’s base. Then array cables connect the turbines on a wind farm to each other and export cables carry their power to the grid. Finally, underground and overhead line (OHL) cables that make it all work on land.

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Offshore wind export and inter array cable types. Credit: Nexans.

On a recent tour of the factory, sponsored by Nexans, guides explained that the high tower at the Nexans factory houses the vertical extrusion machinery that begins the cable-making process. From “clean rooms” at the top of the tower, superclean polyethylene and cross-linkable, super-smooth “semicon” are fed through a closed system of huge tubes back down to an extruder at ground level, where the conductive material and insulation are spit out simultaneously from multiple extruders that feed into a single head. The tower can produce 15 km of cable in one week before the workers have to stop the process to change the enormous receiving baskets.

The height of the tower is important because all of the heat must be removed from the materials before they enter the tube. Curing and cooling takes place in a dry atmosphere of pressurized nitrogen in the building before the materials are fed from the tower to various stations in other buildings through “cable ways” which are little wheeled tracks running across and between buildings.
Using copper, aluminum, lead and wire, the materials are formed into cable lengths weighing up to 400-500 kg. At the end of the process the lengths are combined using proprietary joints to make 60-70 km cables.

After several more processes involving insulation and strengthening of the cables, they are tested for resilience and torsion. As a wind turbine’s nacelle rotates, the cables are severely twisted, so they must be extremely resistant to both torque and vibration. The torsion tests on cables simulate 20 years of use in a wind installation. Nexans said the exact test applied to a given cable depends on the customer’s specifications.

A Challenging Market

The wind industry’s move to deeper waters is challenging, according to Nexans, because transport vessels can only hold so much cable. Nexans’ flagship transport and laying boat, the Skagerrak, holds 50 tons of cable on its built-in turntable. The Skagerrak can accommodate 65 workers and has travelled all over the world. Not many vessels can hold its capacity, according to the company, and there are just one or two others in the world including the Giulio Verne, belonging to Nexans’ main competitor Prysmian.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.renewableenergyworld.com%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Fstory%2F2013%2F12%2F3%2Fbody-0-1386110282754.jpg&hash=241abc13c1ba2e960a99d65295bb6bc6b2860e49)
The Nexans "Capject" can dig trenches in soft or hard sediments, according to the comany, and is able to operate in depths of up to 1,000 meters. Credit: Nexans.

With wind farms moving further offshore, said Vincent Dessale, chief operating officer of the submarine high voltage business line, Nexans’ customers are seeking increasingly higher transmission capacity, which means producing larger and longer cables. The Halden plant ran into problems in 2012, with an invoice delay in submarine cables leading to a drop in Nexans stock and an eventual restructuring of the business. The company has learned some lessons, it said, including that “feeding in more machines and manpower to match market demand is not sufficient” and that “coping with growing complexity and increasing timeline uncertainty requires highly structured organization, robust processes and the right mindset,” said Dessale.

Another challenge is that cables are becoming increasingly important in risk management. “One of the key differences between offshore and onshore wind farms, at the concept and design phase is the need to consider cable failure when designing the electrical architecture,” said David McNaught, senior engineer at consultancy Frazer-Nash. “If a submarine cable fails in service the consequences for the operability and profitability of the wind farm could be dire; especially if there are delays in securing a suitable repair vessel or if weather conditions are severe, likely during the winter months.

“It is essential that the electrical cable systems of wind farms have high reliability – that the system has the ability to withstand unforeseen circumstances,” McNaught continued. Cable risk is a relatively new aspect of wind project financial analyses, he said, but it is increasingly being considered – to the point where new guidelines from GL Renewables Certification, published in January, include on-site and power export cables. To address this growing concern, Nexans said it has scaled up risk analysis at the tendering stage and the company is working to develop and implement risk mitigation before beginning production.

Another challenge is transport for larger and longer cables. The current Skagerrak, the third in its line and 130 km, was built in 1993; the Skagerrak 4, which is expected to be complete in 2014, will be 140 km.

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Coils of cable at the base of the Nexans' 120-meter extrusion tower at the company's submarine high voltage direct-current (HVDC) cable factory in Halden, Norway. Credit: Nexans.

The market is growing in complexity, too, said Dirk Steinbrink, executive vice president for high voltage and underwater cables. The project scope of Nexans’ work has expanded to offer not just cables but turnkey interconnection solutions, he said.

On the Northwind project, which is expected to be completed before the end of 2013, Nexans is contracted to supply cables to connect the Belwind 2 offshore wind farm to Northwind, and Northwind to the shore. The project’s scope includes cable design, testing, supply, jointing termination work and on-site testing (called cable witnessing). The company said that it would use the largest cable ever manufactured at the project site, a 1-meter wide, 30-kg behemoth.

Offshore wind farm developers must also consider the social impact of the installation process. “The acceptance level from people living [near a site] is quite low,”   ??? >:( Steinbrink said. “They like green energy but don’t want to see us doing the work. So we do micro-tunneling, especially in places with tourism.” (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F8%2Ff%2F8%2F11949865511933397169thumbs_up_nathan_eady_01.svg.hi.png&hash=599691109af22b33f1d59dd61eb97448a9427020)   ;D

Frédéric Michelland, senior executive vice president for high voltage and underwater cables, North and South America, does not expect the market for wind turbine cables to evolve dramatically over time. Today, he said, Nexans covers 80 percent of the European market, while “tomorrow that will move to North America and China – but we expect our market to remain largely European.” In Europe there are “still plenty of projects where most of the action will take place,” he said.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/12/subsea-cables-bring-offshore-wind-power-to-the-people
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 28, 2013, 05:22:44 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-object-106.gif&hash=f996659d18df7f3b445e6135e884397ac91f25b1)How Wind Met All of Denmark’s Electricity Needs for 90 Hours(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fballoons.gif&hash=a64bb5ff3e76c3e11999996c460fa02de1ee10f7)

American Wind Energy Association | December 13, 2013 4:09 pm

By Bentham Paulos

Renewable electricity records are being broken every day. In early October, Germany hit a 59 percent renewable peak, Colorado utility Xcel Energy peaked at 60 percent wind at the beginning of the year and Spain got its top power supply from wind for three months leading into 2013.


But that’s chump change compared with Denmark. According to data from Energinet, the national grid operator, wind power has produced 30 percent of gross power consumption to date in 2013. This includes more than 90 hours where wind produced more than all of Denmark’s electricity needs, peaking at 122 percent on Oct. 28, at 2 a.m. 


And Denmark has plans to get to 50 percent more wind by 2020, creating even bigger hourly peaks. Energinet predicts the country may hit as many as 1,000 hours per year of power surplus.


To champions of renewables, this is validation that a clean energy future is possible and that the transition is already underway. These regions also give insight into what is to come in the U.S., and what needs to change to keep a reliable and affordable power system as clean energy grows.

Postcards from the future


As part of America’s Power Plan, we have developed a series of “postcards from the future,” describing places like Denmark that are already grappling with a high-renewables future.

Studies and real-world experience are underscoring that there are many tactics available to deal with the variability of wind and solar, and that these tactics are largely substitutes for each other.

While energy storage comes to mind first for many people, the truth is that the grid has functioned just fine with very little storage. Power system operators have to deal with variability all the time, with or without renewables. Demand fluctuates with the weather, time of day, social activities, and industrial operations. And supply varies unexpectedly too, such as when a power plant breaks down. The fluctuations of wind and solar, especially at moderate levels, are just one more variable—one that may or may not add to overall variability, depending on the system and timing.

Power system engineers use a whole suite of tools to match supply and demand, both minute-to-minute and over longer time frames. The most obvious example is a dispatchable power plant, like a gas turbine. But they also benefit from bigger balancing areas (trading power with neighbors), more transmission connections to reduce congestion, faster-acting fossil power plants, direct load control and demand response, targeted energy efficiency, and curtailment of wind and solar plants.

Hydro power and even fossil fuels are the traditional forms of energy storage, but many more are emerging, such as using power to heat district heating systems, compressed air, batteries and flywheels, and charging electric cars during the renewable peak.

It is increasingly common to treat wind power as a controllable generator, rather than just letting it go full out. System operators in New York, Texas and the Midwest direct wind farm owners to submit five-minute forecasts of output, and ramp up and down if necessary to meet system demands, just like conventional generators. The Midwest ISO enforces this with a “dispatchable intermittent tariff.”

Making it work: Easy Solutions First


So how can Denmark be 122 percent wind-powered? Where does the extra power go?

Denmark is part of an integrated regional grid with the Scandinavian countries and parts of Germany. They have a constant trade with utilities in the region, especially hydro plants in Norway.



As renewables grow and as Denmark attempts to phase out fossil fuels altogether by 2050, the country is aggressively adopting smart grid technologies, leading Europe in research and demonstration projects on a per-capita basis. The island of Bornholm will be a test bed, with extensive smart grid and renewable energy deployment. Demand response is beginning to grow, though in a different form than in the U.S. Denmark also has big goals for electric cars, and has exempted them from the 180 percent sales tax applied to gas and diesel vehicles.

But conventional solutions will be the first solution through better grid links between countries. As Germany’s Agora Energiewende has put it in its 12 Insights report, “Grids are cheaper than storage facilities.” More grid connections allow surplus power to be shipped off rather than curtailed or stored. Larger balancing areas reduce the variability of wind and solar across a wider geographic area. Agora thinks storage will only be necessary when renewables constitute 70 percent of total supply.

As in the U.S., European regulators are grappling with policies to integrate large amounts of renewables. While technical issues remain, they are not really new, only of a larger scale. Most of the integration tools are known; they just need to be bigger and more capable to deal with bigger variations.

Less known are the policy issues. How big should control areas be? How much should be invested in transmission lines, and who should pay for them? What is the relative value of energy payments, versus capacity payments or ancillary services? Most of all, how should we pay for the services we need to keep the lights on?

In America’s Power Plan, Mike Hogan of the Regulatory Assistance Project calls for aligning power markets with clean energy goals, giving proper incentives for market flexibility.

With 2020 just around the corner, it will be instructive to see how Denmark deals with getting half its electricity from the wind. What will the country do with a 200 percent wind day? ;) ;D

Bentham Paulos is the project manager for America’s Power Plan.

Author’s note: A number of system operators have put their real-time data online and in iPhone apps, so you can track hourly progress on renewables.

Energinet (Denmark): Real time map and historical data

National Grid’s NETA (England): Data sources

California ISO: Daily demand graph and iPhone app

ISO New England: Guest dashboard

Midwest ISO: Contour pricing map

Visit EcoWatch’s RENEWABLES page for more related news on this topic.


http://ecowatch.com/2013/12/13/wind-denmark-electricity-needs/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 09, 2014, 03:01:44 pm
Wind Energy Helps Ward Off Power Outages

Michael Goggin, AWEA

January 08, 2014 | 6 Comments

Over the last 48 hours, wind energy played a critical role in keeping homeowners warm as grid operators across the Eastern and Central U.S. worked overtime to keep up with record-breaking winter demand.

Most importantly, wind energy provided massive quantities of extremely valuable electricity when grid operators needed it most to meet demand from electric heaters and furnace fans. In several cases, wind energy’s output provided the critical difference that allowed grid operators to keep supply and demand in balance and the lights on. Wind energy also helped by offsetting natural gas consumption at gas-fired power plants, keeping natural gas prices in check by making more natural gas available for building heat.

The last two days serve as a powerful reminder that wind energy plays a critical role in diversifying our energy mix, improving energy reliability and reducing energy costs for homes and businesses. Diversity inherently makes the power system more reliable by protecting against the unexpected failures that afflict all energy sources from time to time.

While wind energy output does change with the wind speed, such changes occur far more slowly than the unexpected outages that frequently occur at large conventional power plants. Moreover, changes in wind energy output are predictable using weather forecasting, while conventional power plant failures are not, making them far more difficult and costly for grid operators to accommodate.

Diversifying our energy mix with wind energy also protects consumers from energy price fluctuations. By providing consumers with more choice, wind energy reduces the price of both electricity and fossil fuels and hedges against price volatility, both during times of crisis and over the longer-term.

As the winter storm moved from west to east over the last two days, wind energy repeatedly proved its reliability and value:

As the cold and high winds first rolled into the Upper Midwest, the MISO grid operator saw very high wind energy output of around 8,000 MW, enough to supply 6 million average homes under typical conditions.

Then in Texas, the more than 2,000 MW of wind output on Monday morning was the critical difference keeping heaters running as the grid operator struggled with numerous outages at conventional power plants. More than 13,000 MW of conventional power plants were down for maintenance, while another 2,000 MW of conventional power plants experienced unplanned outages, forcing the grid operator to resort to emergency procedures. In a similar incident two years ago, wind energy earned accolades from the grid operator for helping to keep the lights on as dozens of conventional power plants failed in another cold snap.


More cold air reached the East Coast Monday evening. The grid operator for the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes states, PJM, saw very high wind energy output when it needed it most. Wind output was above 3,000 MW when the grid operator faced extreme challenges due to the unexpected failure of numerous fossil-fired power plants as well as two large nuclear power plants in Pennsylvania and Illinois.

Finally, on Tuesday afternoon, very high electricity prices and natural gas prices across New England are being reduced by high wind output across the region’s wind plants.

Wind energy diversifies our energy mix, providing consumers with more reliable and lower cost electricity during both extreme weather and normal conditions.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/01/wind-energy-helps-ward-off-power-outages

Agelbert Comment on the comments:  ;D

January 9, 2014

Thank you Brian Ross and Jeff Green for providing truth and logical discourse to the comments.

When the tsunami hit the East coast of Japan, wind turbines directly in its path did not fail and continued to provide electricity vitally needed after the disaster. They were the unsung heroes of that tsunami. But not ONE SINGLE newspaper article was written in the USA about these marvels of renewable energy technology.

Also, anyone with absolutely any knowledge about how transmission lines are affected by high winds and loads from freezing rain and/or branches falling on them knows that wind, particularly in the winter, is a huge challenge to grid stability. Centralized power plants WEAKEN the grid by reducing redundancy along the transmission lines that DON'T fail. Multiple redundant power sources like wind turbines are providing a high amount of power exactly when the wind is highest and transmission lines are most subject to outage by wind damage.

Wind turbines are further proof that distributed renewable energy is the only viable future for energy on this planet has. But, of course, the defenders of centralized power utilities will continue to fight it with hyperbole, exaggerations and mendacity while they are silent as tombs about the massive subsidies all these dirty energy providers are sucking out of us in order to remain "competitive". LOL!

I live in Vermont and Green Mountain Power is extremely pleased with wind turbine performance during the recent high winds and freezing rain providing power to thousands of homes with space heaters, not furnaces, for heat.

Yes, New Englanders mostly heat with furnaces but those furnaces require electricity to maintain the combustion spark AND a yearly inspection running over $150 along with skyrocketing heating oil costs. People are pretty tired of that game.

I switched to electric heat and have saved thousands of dollars in heating costs in the last 8 years. For those that use wood pellet stoves, no outside electricity is needed but those still pollute the air MORE than wind turbine electricity heat. We do not need to keep destroying forests to heat our homes! If you can make the pellets from biofuels then go for it as long as you don't contribute to destroying old growth forests; that's just wrong because it hampers biosphere diversity and a livable biome for thousands of species.

Here's my latest blog right here at Renewable Energy World picturing a viable energy future:

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2014/01/a-g-gelbert-outrageously-positive-renewable-energy-growth-prediction

http://thehalloffame.wikidot.com/agelbert

Title: Earth Wind Map showcases real-time data on global wind conditions!
Post by: AGelbert on January 11, 2014, 08:20:08 pm
Interactive Global wind pattern real-time data :o on global wind conditions in the form of snaking neon lines.
http://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/isobaric/1000hPa/orthographic=-39.01,24.31,333 (http://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/isobaric/1000hPa/orthographic=-39.01,24.31,333)

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See wind patterns any place on the planet. Use your mouse to move the planet and zoom in or out.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.123rf.com%2F400wm%2F400%2F400%2Fyayayoy%2Fyayayoy1106%2Fyayayoy110600019%2F9735563-smiling-sun-showing-thumb-up.jpg&hash=09b45642ec6d7943d30b5b87548676e3ee7dbe3d)
Quote

This mesmerizing Earth Wind Map showcases real-time data on global wind conditions in the form of snaking neon lines. Breezes are represented by thin strands of green lines, strong winds with long streaks of yellow, while the most violent currents are shown in red.

The Earth Wind Map gathers weather data from the Global Forecast System at the National Center for Environmental Prediction, a NOAA initiative. The script then translates the data into a user friendly interactive animation.

Interactive maps seem to be one of the best ways of bringing environmental data to the general public – in the past we’ve also featured Google’s high-res global deforestation map, and a map showing major U.S. fires in the last 11 years. This fascinating new tool goes above and beyond by providing specific data on the position, date and conditions of wind measurements. The map is not exactly real-time, but it comes pretty close: the data is updated every three hours and it can be set to show wind conditions on any day in recent history.

http://inhabitat.com/beautiful-animated-map-of-earth-shows-real-time-global-wind-patterns/ (http://inhabitat.com/beautiful-animated-map-of-earth-shows-real-time-global-wind-patterns/)



http://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/isobaric/1000hPa/orthographic=-39.01,24.31,333 (http://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/isobaric/1000hPa/orthographic=-39.01,24.31,333)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 28, 2014, 10:43:54 pm
Some news about WIND POWER that Gail Tverberg may have missed...  ;)

Quote
This is certainly an interesting initiative, and I’m happy we had the chance to dig into it in more detail than we did when the initiative was unveiled in November.

It does help bring electricity to people without electricity or who are using dirty, expensive, health-damaging fossil fuels for electricity generation — 50 million such people is the target.

It also provides revenue to Vestas and other initiative partners. In other words, it helps the environment, it helps individuals financially, it helps individuals to improve their quality of life a great deal, and it brings revenue to Vestas. Win-win-win-win.

http://cleantechnica.com/2014/01/26/wind-prosperity-charity-pr-campaign-business/#29kJyi2ruKHhK0Yz.99


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIsZmoz6LHY&feature=player_embedded


CHEAP renewable energy for up to 1.3 BILLION people by taking old turbines being replaced by new, bigger turbines in Europe, refurbishing them and them putting them in proven high wind areas in third world areas in cooperation with governments providing incentives GIVES INVESTORS over 50% LOW RISK RETURN ON INVESTMENT! As the speaker says, "You don't get any better than THAT for a business venture. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F47b20s0.gif&hash=cc48c9af9d29b8836023c7db21103e52d1ed439e)
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nhclc.org%2Ffiles%2Fnhclc%2Fu38%2Ffl-church-translators-20120622-001.jpg&hash=479e003d75f4bc849273287ad61c9b1742b1e6e7)


So WHY doesn't Gail Tverberg recognize this and support it? Why does she spend time poo pooing wind power? You KNOW why. She is  biased for fossil fuels, period. She is urging people to throw away a tremendous opportunity for clean, environmentally friendly profits that actually help third world countries, unlike dirty polluting energy, in order to safeguard fossil fuel corporation interests.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fgen152.gif&hash=d5b10968fe56c4cb95fae17cee3cb420a5f4e2da)
This is anathema to what an objective actuarial energy expert should be doing for the business community. She is giving bad investment advice, PERIOD.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113183729.png&hash=d898195c8ae0a55e2e6d84fc47b9d06f8ba13f03)

Several more short videos and story at link:  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F8%2Ff%2F8%2F11949865511933397169thumbs_up_nathan_eady_01.svg.hi.png&hash=599691109af22b33f1d59dd61eb97448a9427020)


Wind For Prosperity Is No Charity Or PR Campaign — This Is About Business (Exclusive Videos)

http://cleantechnica.com/2014/01/26/wind-prosperity-charity-pr-campaign-business/
Title: Japan's Fukushima Commits to 100% Renewable Energy
Post by: AGelbert on February 07, 2014, 03:05:35 am
02/05/2014 12:39 PM     

Japan's Fukushima Commits to 100% Renewable Energy


SustainableBusiness.com News

by Rona Fried

Three years after Japan's nuclear meltdown, Fukushima Prefecture announced it will transition to 100% renewable energy by 2040.

The region, which has a population of about two million people, doesn't want to return to nuclear power even as the national government remains committed to getting the reactors back online. A recent survey shows that 53% of Japan's citizens want nuclear power phased out and 23% want it shut down now.

Currently, Fukushima gets 22% of its energy from renewable sources. One of Japan's biggest solar projects could be located there, but residents also want to bring back small farming communities.

 Called "Solar Sharing," farmers are growing crops underneath solar panels. They are growing crops like canola - which absorbs radiation - in an effort to decontaminate their farmland and their abandoned livelihoods. Solar panels are designed on a pergola-type structure that lets in enough sun to grow crops below.

 They are also planning 1 GW of offshore wind off Fukushima's coast by 2020, where a $226 million floating offshore wind farm project is already in motion. 

Nagano, the Japanese prefecture which hosted the Winter Olympics in 1998, has pledged to switch to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

The nuclear disaster has changed the way people think about energy, Tetsunari Iida, director of the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies in Japan, told Responding to Climate Change (RTCC).  On the other hand, community power development offers a sense of "local ownership and participation." 

In Germany, 74 regions and municipalities have already reached 100% renewable energy, according to the newly established Global 100% Renewable Energy Campaign.

At the Warsaw Climate Summit last November, delegates were stunned when the Japanese national government rolled back its long-held target of cutting emissions 25% below 1990 levels by 2020. The new target is 3.8% below 2005 levels by 2020.

Japan's Growing Pains

After implementing the world's most generous feed-in tariff two years ago, Japan is now the world's second-largest solar PV market, installing 7 gigawatts in 2013 (the country has 10.5 GW installed in total). Developers turned more to solar than wind or geothermal because it's cheaper and quicker to develop.   

The government target for solar is 28 GW by 2020 - and 40% renewable energy by 2030 - and corporations from Softbank to First Solar have been rushing to fulfill it, with 22.4 GW already approved.


Japan Solar

 But developers are running into a raft of barriers, most notably limits to grid capacity, but also finding available land, waiting lists for components and a shortage of qualified technicians.

 For example, Softbank's 180-plus GW solar project - three large projects on the  island of Hokkaido - has been put on hold because the utility hasn't decided which projects will be able to connect to the grid.

 About a quarter of all solar projects are being built on Hokkaido, Japan's second largest island, because it's one of few areas with  relatively large pieces of inexpensive land. But the grid can't handle all those projects. About 20% are being denied access to the grid altogether and 37% have been told they will have limited access, according to survey by the Japan Renewable Energy Foundation.

 To deal with that, the government is building the world's largest battery bank in Hokkaido (the northern part of Japan) and another, much smaller, 2 MW bank in Okinawa (the southern part) to stabilize the flow of solar energy. It will invest $33 billion on grid modernization and development over the next 10 years, particularly to spur growth of wind energy.

 Meanwhile, Panasonic's work around to the situation is to focus on small rooftop solar. "Rooftops don't require the purchase of land, and there are transmission lines already available nearby. "Rooftops are going to be more popular," Kazuhiro Yoshida, who heads the solar division, told Bloomberg.

Kyocera is supplying solar panels for installations that spread across 80 farms in Japan.

Learn more about the Global 100% Renewable Energy Campaign:

 
Website: www.go100re.net


http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/25496
Title: Denmark: 99% Wind on 25th Jan
Post by: AGelbert on February 07, 2014, 03:28:35 am
Denmark: 99% Wind on 25th Jan


by Anna
 January 29, 2014


Category: 
News
 


Denmark is not only the birthplace of the modern wind industry and the original FIT policy concept, but also the pioneer of a bold national target to achieve 100% RE by 2050 in the power, heating, and transportation sectors. And they are well on their way. The screenshot shows that the country is well on its way. On 25th Jan, 99% electricity in Denmark came from wind turbines: 4.112 MW wind production and 4.156 MW electricity consumption. 

As one can see from this website of current power production (http://energinet.dk/Flash/Forside/UK/index.html), the Danes publish a real-time overview of their power sector broken down into the categories of central power stations, cogeneration (local CHP), and wind turbines. Add those three together and subtract electricity consumption, and you get the net power exchange.
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 05, 2014, 02:15:57 pm
US Senate Committee Votes to Extend Tax Breaks for Wind Farms (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fearthhug.gif&hash=3abcf70466f34337f2d702ebd9e02c650d5c4c20)


 Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press 
 April 04, 2014  |  2 Comments 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. wind farms would keep their treasured tax breaks as part of an $85 billion package of temporary tax cuts passed by a key Senate committee Thursday.



Some U.S. firms with foreign income would be winners too after Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., backed off plans to significantly trim the package.

Congress routinely passes the package of more than 50 temporary tax breaks for businesses and individuals, but they were allowed to expire at the start of the year. The Senate Finance Committee voted Thursday to extend all but two of them through 2015.

The bill passed on a voice vote, with support from both Democrats and Republicans.

Congress is expected to pass the tax package by the end of the year, so businesses and individuals can continue to claim the tax breaks when they file their 2014 taxes next year.

Wyden acknowledged that periodically extending temporary tax breaks makes it difficult for businesses and families to plan. He said he hopes to work on a comprehensive overhaul of the tax system, making some of the tax breaks permanent while eliminating others.

"Many of these extenders are well-intentioned and ought to be permanent," Wyden said. "Their stop-and-go nature obviously contributes to the lack of certainty."

But Wyden's inability to scale back the package shows how difficult it can be to cut cherished tax breaks.

"The challenge on taxes is to always try to find the common ground where you can move ahead," Wyden said after the vote.

Wyden's initial draft of the bill would have eliminated a generous tax credit for using wind farms and other renewable energy sources to produce electricity. But the credit was restored, at a cost of $13.3 billion.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, claimed credit for saving it.

"Renewable energy supports thousands of jobs and generates billions of dollars in investment across the country," Grassley said. "It's good news for the economy and for energy diversity to restore these provisions."

Democratic leaders haven’t scheduled the measure for consideration by the full Senate. In the Republican-led House of Representatives, (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fpirates5B15D_th.gif&hash=32438e1ed2c4d1823d4ed2a193286525c840a605)  lawmakers are focused on making some provisions permanent and repealing others.

2 Comments

Add Your Comment
  ANONYMOUS   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.u.arizona.edu%2F%7Epatricia%2Fcute-collection%2Fsmileys%2Flying-smiley.gif&hash=a34c2f7344d5f54f7009a4e684bb6c7310cdda03)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-241013183046.jpeg&hash=51c9c4f17e747698c76c65c7c1814eff4f32c400)
 April 5, 2014 



After 20 years of tax breaks for wind that have cost a 100 billion dollars we have an industry that is dependent upon the taxpayers as much as any Pentagon contractor. About half the cost of any wind turbine is paid for with federal subsidies. On top of this there are state mandates and various backdoor subsidies to expand the grid at other people's expense rather than the wind farm paying for this like other power generators. At the same time the wind quality at new sites is decreasing that implies we have used up most of the really good sites when considering both wind conditions and transmission costs. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smileyvault.com%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F12962%2Fnoway.gif&hash=6aaed48c4cb7571f75233f6a34dac66e392c16d5)


This raises questions. Should the taxpayer rather than the ratepayer pay for electricity bills in the U.S. That is what this level of subsidy implies. Should the political establishment make technology choices? It is a fundamental policy shift in the U.S. Historically the role of government has included R&D and subsidies to help commercialize new technologies. That is to address risks considered too large for the private sector to bear. However, today it is a subsidy program so large that it would make American agriculture blink in disbelief. It is state planning that matches the old Soviet Union--with every indication that it is working about as well. This experiment as been done in Germany where it has managed to double electricity costs within a decade and increase carbon dioxide emissions while only producing 24% of the total electricity demand.(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F2rzukw3.gif&hash=f0487b8f0d488ab1126ce5e031b11ea3d74b1cc2)




 A. G. Gelbert   
 April 5, 2014 



Dear ANONYMOUS Koch Brothers/Big Oil Shill/Liar/Mens Rea/Actus Reus (you get the idea....):



After 100 years of forced subsidies for fossil fuels including contrived shocks, cheap land and ocean use rights compliments of we-the-people, wars for MORE fossil fuel profits, wars for protection of Big Oil resources, not U.S. national security (It's always been about Big Oil greed security but the PR is ALWAYS flag waving scare mongering), I praise your amazing ability to totally ignore truth, ethics, mathematics, reality and the laws of thermodynamics in your never ending quest to get more profit over planet. Mephistopheles is proud of you. You are a walking, talking example of an ethics free human. Have a nice day.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imgion.com%2Fimages%2F01%2FAngry-animated-smiley.jpg&hash=84657bd1a63cad676e3551587daeb4b39411a289) 



For those, unlike the above ANONYMOUS(E) (as in "hidden rat") master of mendacity who holds a doctorate in doubletalk, who want read about how the U.S. was PREVENTED from transitioning to 100% renewable energy by the year 2000, go here.



http://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/fossil-fuel-folly/fossil-fuel-subsidies-in-the-u-s/


Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 05, 2014, 02:33:41 pm
US Wind Energy Output Breaks Records  ;D

 Michael Goggin, AWEA 
 April 04, 2014 

Wind energy is breaking records across the U.S., thanks to long-needed transmission upgrades that are relieving congestion on the power grid and allowing more clean energy to reach consumers.



Last week, a new record was set on the main Texas grid, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), reaching over 10,000 MW of wind. This was the most ever for a U.S. power system, the equivalent of powering more than five million average Texas homes. In two previously unreported records, wind energy supplied a record 39.7 percent of total ERCOT electricity demand this past Monday, March 31, and two weeks ago the Southwest Power Pool region just to the north of Texas set a new wind record with 7,202 MW of wind production.

Full story here:
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/04/us-wind-energy-output-breaks-records
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 19, 2014, 01:59:10 am
Siemens Inks $2.1 Billion Deal for 600-MW Dutch Offshore Wind Project (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860)



The O&M contract was an important part of sealing the deal for project Gemini, which should begin generating wind power in early 2017.

 Alex Webb, Bloomberg 
 May 15, 2014
The O&M contract was an important part of sealing the deal for project Gemini, which should begin generating wind power in early 2017.

 Alex Webb, Bloomberg 
 May 15, 2014

MUNICH and LONDON --  Siemens AG won a 1.5 billion-euro ($2.1 billion) contract for a Dutch offshore wind park that will also give Europe’s largest engineering company its biggest-ever energy service contract.

The order for the Gemini wind park, 85 kilometers (53 miles) offshore from Groningen, Netherlands, comprises 150 wind turbines with a capacity of four megawatts apiece, the Munich-based company said today in an e-mailed statement.

“We have considerably improved our service approach for this wind park,” Markus Tacke, the head of the wind-power division at Siemens, said in a telephone interview. The provision of equipment accounts for about half of the contract’s value, he said.

Siemens has tempered its willingness to bid for big-ticket work since Joe Kaeser became chief executive officer in August. Delays to projects connecting offshore wind farms to the grid have led to charges topping 1.1 billion euros since 2011, prompting Kaeser to promise investors that the company would be more circumspect in future contract tenders.

Lenient Conditions

The company signed a power transmission contract last month with TenneT Holding BV under more lenient conditions, intended to avoid a repeat of such charges, which have also burdened earnings at Zurich-based competitor ABB Ltd.

Siemens is also building a 160 million-pound ($268 million) wind turbine factory in northern England to improve its ability to serve the North Sea offshore wind market. Britain’s 3,689 megawatts of installed offshore wind capacity represent more than half of the 6,930-megawatts global total, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. A thousand megawatts is almost as much as a nuclear reactor produces.

Tacke expects Siemens wind power operations as a whole -- including onshore turbines -- to increase revenue by 5 percent to 6 percent annually in the next two to three years. Siemens has set the division, with sales of 5.2 billion euros last year, a profit margin target of 5 percent to 8 percent of revenue. That compares with a 6 percent margin last year, when charges for faulty onshore turbines held back profitability.

Still, offshore wind projects have been canceled as developers better understand the costs of the projects. Utilities have negated as much as 5,760 megawatts of planned capacity since Nov. 26, when RWE AG dropped its 1,200-megawatt Atlantic Array.

German Costs

German offshore wind costs may fall as much as 39 percent by 2023, the Stiftung Offshore-Windenergie lobby group estimated in August. The cost at that time was 0.13 euros to 0.14 euros per kilowatt-hour.

The service element of the Siemens deal will last 15 years and includes a dedicated ship and helicopter.

“Service is an important element of the offshore wind industry’s commitment to bring costs below 0.10 euros per kilowatt-hour by 2020,” Tacke said.

The Gemini wind park is due to start operations in early 2017. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.cdn2.123rf.com%2F168nwm%2Flenm%2Flenm1201%2Flenm120100200%2F12107060-illustration-of-a-smiley-giving-a-thumbs-up.jpg&hash=2046bc6d662e09d3014a2c404a2af6ba17f8217c)


“Overall, it will almost triple the Dutch wind energy output that is currently there,” Gemini Chief Executive Officer Matthias Haag told reporters in Amsterdam today.

Stake Share

Investment in the Dutch offshore wind farm, in which Siemens’s financing arm holds a 20 percent stake, will total almost 3 billion euros. Canada’s Northland Power Inc. owns 60 percent of the group, with Dutch offshore engineering specialist Van Oord NV holding 10 percent and Dutch public authorities the remaining shares.

About 70 percent of the project’s funds were provided in the form of secured construction and term-debt financing from 12 banks, three export-credit agencies and the European Investment Bank, according to a statement yesterday from Northland. The debt has been hedged to give an effective interest rate of about 4.75 percent, it said.

The lenders include ABN AMRO Bank NV, BNP Paribas SA, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd., Deutsche Bank AG, Export Development Canada, Natixis, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten, Banco Santander SA and CaixaBank SA, Northland said.

The three export credit insurers are Denmark’s Eksport Kredit Fonden, Germany’s Euler Hermes SA and Ducroire-Delcredere SA from Belgium.

This article was written with assistance from Fred Pals in Amsterdam and Alex Morales in London.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/05/siemens-inks-2-1-billion-deal-for-600-mw-dutch-offshore-wind-project
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 21, 2014, 04:13:46 pm
DEFINITIONS: AWT = AXIS WIND TURBUNE
HAWT = HORIZONTAL AWT
VAWT = VERTICAL AWT



Digging Deeper Into The UGE



Earlier this month, UGE launched its latest vertical axis wind turbine – VisionAIR3. Tina Casey’s coverage on Clean Technica sparked some lively discussion about the small wind industry, both in the comments on the article and in a separate article by Mike Barnard.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.wp.com%2Fcleantechnica.com%2Ffiles%2F2014%2F04%2FScreen-Shot-2014-04-23-at-2.12.38-PM.png&hash=11282f6b4dd1980d47490380e44139a2e3d359c2)

Barnard and UGE CEO Nick Blitterswyk recently engaged in a point/counterpoint on some of these areas of contention, and I was Cc’d on all of that. We decided that it would be worthwhile to publish this for a broader audience. An edited version of their conversation appears below.

Nick: First off, Mike, thank you for your article and for the opportunity to have this discussion. Your article provided a good analysis of where the technology is at, and you have every right to be skeptical given the industry’s past.

We’ve tried to be very honest over the years, even when it’s been difficult in an industry that has had a lot of unsubstantiated hype. Like any company, we’ve of course tried to draw interest to our products, but always try to stay within the bounds of reality. We appreciate you keeping things in check.

Mike: I’m glad you reached out.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.wp.com%2Fcleantechnica.com%2Ffiles%2F2014%2F04%2FVIsionAIR5-micro-wind-turbine.jpg&hash=4344a41a4dc7faf24096470da730c65b04ec5370)
VIsionAIR5 micro wind turbine.


Nick: One thing you mentioned in your article is the rated sound level. To clarify, 38dBA is the number that Intertek certified the VisionAIR5 unit at, which is the lowest that we know of for any wind turbine. Given the logarithmic nature of the measure, this is significantly less than one rated at 42dBA. To make two other points, first, our units’ RPM decreases as the unit size increases, and this does result in a lower sound level (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F8%2Ff%2F8%2F11949865511933397169thumbs_up_nathan_eady_01.svg.hi.png&hash=599691109af22b33f1d59dd61eb97448a9427020)  , so the UGE-9M measure of 38dBA we note is correct (as is the higher measure for our smaller VisionAIR3 unit). And second, I thought I would draw attention to the fact that in the certification process Intertek could not discern any measurable volume of noise below 8 m/s, something we also found impressive. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F8.gif&hash=c1d98e606d7f558df4040f88e7997b3e11e9448c)


Mike: On the noise issue, please understand that I have read virtually every acoustics study related to wind turbines, as well as all the health studies, and interact with acousticians such as Dr. Geoff Leventh all globally every week in my efforts around dismissing the noise and health myths related to utility-scale wind turbines. I write on acoustics regularly and am even occasionally asked to peer review studies in the space. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F34y5mvr.gif&hash=835b3a3f26d5d1b7f0acc379ad8ebd3fe9eea488)

The difference of noise is certainly there but is a fairly irrelevant differentiation unless the device is positioned right on top of people’s bedrooms. You can certainly highlight it as a marketing differentiator but from an empirical perspective it’s a trivial amount of noise easily mitigated. In industrial settings it’s even less relevant. And highlighting it as a marketing differentiation for VAWTS tends to tick me off because it feeds a certain class of anti-wind hysteria  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-scared002.gif&hash=764898cfbf07ef2c41ffddc5e93fa0e1bed41bae) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-051113192052.png&hash=93c42ef9f18fc5d9da50fd91fc19f70009f95f85)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_0293.gif&hash=b1af4868ed8f18c30e637f8cbcb79002f6f71039) which impacts utility-scale wind deployments.

Thanks for pointing out the slower revolutions resulting in less noise. I look forward to certified results on that as well.

Nick: Understanding where you come from on the noise issue helps me understand your point; it’s not one we’d want to muddle for sure. Like you said in your article, there is a class of customer to which this point is important, though, and that is primarily who we are targeting when we mention it is quiet. We meant no harm to the industry; our intent was not to state that a typical HAWT is loud, per se.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1.wp.com%2Fcleantechnica.com%2Ffiles%2F2014%2F04%2F605_uge1k1s_1274802346.jpg&hash=966eb7e42c3cf4eeb701af15f4cc7222e3e6f0d6)

Mike: People have overly heightened concerns regarding noise.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b) As my assessment of acoustic attenuation pointed out, any sensible siting will mean virtually no difference between the UGE VAWT and an equivalent HAWT. And outside of a tiny niche of acoustically sensitive commercial sites, once again there will be no appreciable noise from either device. I understand that it’s useful marketing, and that the UGE VAWT is quieter, but it’s going from really quiet to really really quiet, or to put it another way from an irrelevant level of noise to an irrelevant level of noise, for the majority of your customers. But this is a place where people are irrational, and noise is a deeply complex space that’s poorly understood and poorly explained. I’d undoubtedly be using it as a differentiator in your shoes as well.

Nick: Thanks for the clarification. On to the naming issue you raised — the “5″ in VisionAIR5 is named with respect to the height (roughly 5 meters). This is in line with what utility-scale wind turbines most commonly use. Within distributed wind, Southwest for years sold the Skystream 3.7, where 3.7 was the diameter in meters of its rotor. By no means are we trying to confuse anyone into thinking it is rated at 5kW.

Mike: There isn’t a standard per se, just some observable patterns and some potential for confusion. Regarding the number 5 and the impression it leaves, I have looked at specs on a lot of wind generation devices and the majority have output as a numerical qualifier on the name, especially in utility-scale wind. It might be different in the small wind category, especially historically, but that’s more the observed reality that I see. Point taken that it’s not intended to imply output, but I trust you see why it could be misconstrued as well.

Nick: Interestingly enough, when we used to use the kW rating it actually caused a lot more confusion, as 1) people just didn’t understand what it meant, and 2) you’d find companies using any range of rated wind speeds to, in essence, cheat the system. When speaking with our customers we stress the kWh output according to the SWCC certification, which we find a much more useful measure for both ourselves and our customers.

Mike: Fair point. I’m working up more material on real innovation in the wind industry. I’m interested in more information on the levelized energy agreement and your focus on developing nations. Can you share more on that?

Nick: We launched our Levelized Energy Agreement Program last August. Similar to the United Wind model you referenced in your article, it involves project financing, though our fund is dedicated to the telecoms industry in developing countries. The problems of course are well known — expensive, variable, and unreliable diesel, without really any good alternative. What we do is look at the operator’s current costs and lock in the same rate for a 10-year contract. We then upgrade the power equipment on the site (including RE), thereby lowering its OPEX and benefiting over the project lifetime. Because we’re making the primary energy source, diesel, the back-up, and adding RE and batteries, it’s clearly a more resilient solution as well, addressing another key concern.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi0.wp.com%2Fcleantechnica.com%2Ffiles%2F2013%2F12%2Fwhole-foods-brooklyn-cleantech.jpg&hash=9f05480cd95be429e0048d9df286328c4050d1d2)
Whole Foods Brooklyn

Mike: The part that appeals to me is the business model innovation of going after developing countries as a market. It will be interesting to see how that plays out as many countries have small wind generation manufacturing shops of their own, with folks reverse engineering the common designs to create adequate, local and usually very cheap offerings. As adequate eggbeater VAWT blades can be made with pretty much aluminum siding and some wire, it will be interesting to see how that plays out.

Nick: Part of how we’ve been able to raise financing for this market is to separate the country risk as much as we can by targeting large telecom operators with a safe parent, often one based outside of the country our project is in. I’m sure you’ve looked at this too, but the economic returns of DRE projects in developing countries is often very strong, so it’s a nut we’ve at least partially ****, for one (sizeable but somewhat niche) market.

Mike: Once again, I continue to like UGE as a business and wish you every success. Given your model of multiple technologies as a system, it’s unclear why you wouldn’t offer a horizontal axis device as a component to people who want more output for less footprint as well as your vertical-axis device but I’m sure that’s a debate you’ve had internally many times. At least right now UGE is differentiated in part by offering the VAWT, but I suggest to you that business model and channel differentiation are now more important to your future than adherence to a singular wind generation technology.

Nick: We understand that the Cp of our vertical axis wind turbines is currently lower than that of leading horizontal axis wind turbines, though we have been making significant progress over our company’s history to increasing the efficiency and very firmly believe we have the most efficient VAWTs available, with further improvements in the works. Like you said in your article, we benefit from aesthetic and noise considerations despite the lower efficiency; we believe there are durability advantages as well, though admit that is still being proven. This is where the industry is at, and we’re happy to be able to lay the facts bare.

You mentioned in your article that we imply someone could or should place a wind turbine on top of a home. If we say this anywhere I apologize, though I don’t believe we do and would be embarrassed if so. The picture you show in the article was from a very temporary exhibition in Spain, circa 2010, that displayed the unit not unlike one would install a wind turbine indoors at a trade show.

Regarding offering a HAWT, we’ve considered it many times, and we actually offer a 10kW unit in limited volumes. We continue to consider making it a mainstay of our product offering, but for two factors. First, we wouldn’t want to design and manufacture one ourselves unless we felt very confident we could clearly differentiate ourselves in that market. Maybe we could, but it would take years and millions of funding, and we don’t think the pay-off would be there. Which leads me to the second point — unfortunately, very few of our customers are asking for it. The way the solar market is going, we are growing very fast on the solar side, but get very little interest for a horizontal axis wind turbine. We wish that wasn’t the case, but unfortunately it is. Most of our customers wouldn’t consider installing a Bergey-like wind turbine (as solid of a product as it is), but quite enjoy using our VAWTs, so we continue to focus on making that technology as strong as possible for those customers, while also investing additional R&D resources on the rest of the DRE solution, including our SeamlessGrid line of power electronics, battery storage, and site optimization software. So while not married to the VAWT technology, we are happy with how our business model is evolving, but remain open to considering other technologies down the road.

Mike: My external response to people not approaching you asking for HAWTs is that right now your brand is fairly tightly tied to the helical VAWTs. It’s in practically every picture published, it’s visually distinctive and the tiniest bit of Googling leads people to the supposed advantages of VAWTs over HAWTs (and to Gipe’s and my material on the two as well). Good marketing, but not necessarily what’s best for all of your customers. I would bet that if you replaced your graphics stock with 50:50 VAWT and HAWT instead of 100% VAWT, you would get a lot more people asking for HAWTs, or about them. After all, your real innovation isn’t the technology, although you are strongly identified with it right now. UGE really is a small renewables solutions firm whose sole wind component happens to be a VAWT. There’s a chicken-vs-egg thing here, and I think you are ignoring a big part of your potential market, but I’m also sure you’ve had these debates a million times.

To your point on solar, while I’m the wind guy, I recommend solar before wind (and efficiency before either) for most people and small businesses. Solar does extremely well distributed virtually everywhere, while wind is much more constrained in terms of useful wind resources.

To your point about building vs OEMing, I get asked fairly often about how to become a manufacturer of small wind turbines, and I invariably answer, “Don’t.” OEM them and build your own distribution and installation firm, or become part of the distribution channel of an existing company. Designing a new small wind turbine in the USA for manufacturing is a route to bankruptcy, not riches. The products are stable, refined and mostly commodotized. It’s the business model that differentiates these days. There are good choices out there. Given your success, I wouldn’t be surprised to see an outright acquisition strategy at some point.

Nick: Completely agree. On issues like noise, selling a HAWT, etc., it’s clear you know the industry extremely well  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154) as you touch on many of the same points we have mulled (and continue to) over the years. In terms of what the future may hold, I look forward to discussing further and keeping you updated! Thanks again for the opportunity to discuss.

Read more at http://cleantechnica.com/2014/05/21/draft-discussion-article/#LhTrqaQxV0LWJcIk.99

 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F245.gif&hash=67462ab647fbd65cb336e77c93c2601e477da0a9)

Agelbert NOTE: A HUGE part of the Renewable Energy ANSWER is BLOWIN' IN THE WIND. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fearthhug.gif&hash=3abcf70466f34337f2d702ebd9e02c650d5c4c20)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 21, 2014, 08:52:04 pm
Quote
ERCOT’s initial studies showed that there was upwards of 100 GW of potentially viable wind resources in Texas — more than enough to meet the 68-GW need in the state. CREZ has been successful in greatly expanding the reach of the wind resource in West Texas.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.broadstarwindsystems.com%2Fimages%2Ftexas%2520average%2520wind%2520speed%2520map.jpg&hash=b39f9c677e1690186d48a96de85d00c6e7a735ae)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/05/texas-wind-boosted-with-improved-public-planning

 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcsmres.co.uk%2Fcs.public.upd%2Farticle-images%2FWind_turbine_smiley_shutterstock_28691215.gif&hash=0a210b133b92defae808e4e4e8473ef789dd36b5)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 22, 2014, 02:54:13 pm
China Boosts Offshore Wind Power Development  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c)
 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-object-081.gif&hash=5981b917cdd5e334cd69d00213b2d119acbfb380)

 Liu Yuanyuan, International Correspondent 
 May 22, 2014  |  1 Comments 

BEIJING -- China has taken steps to accelerate the development of its offshore wind power industry in a bid to increase the installed capacity beyond its 428.6 MW installed at the end of 2013.


Some industry analysts expressed pessimism concerning the offshore wind power sector in China as the industry has experienced slow progress with only 39 MW in installed capacity added last year, a year-on-year decline of 69 percent. However, the China National Renewable Energy Centre (CNREC) said that a number of new offshore wind farms are scheduled to kick off within this year, including the 100-MW Phase II expansion project of Don ghai Bridge in Shanghai and China Lon gyuan Power Group’ (Lon gyuan) Nanri Island project already under construction in Fujian province. Two projects are also under contruction in Jiangsu province: China General Nuclear Power Group's new offshore project in Rud ong on track to start construction in the second half of this year and Lon gyuan's windmill project in Dafeng.

In early 2014, the National Energy Administration (NEA) issued a Notice on Developing Offshore Wind Power Projects selecting Shanghai as well as Fujian and Zhejiang provinces as the locations for the country’s key pilot construction projects for offshore wind power. The Shanghai government announced in early May new initiatives to boost support for its new and renewable energy sectors, providing subsidies of 0.1 yuan per kWh for onshore wind power projects and 0.2 yuan per kWh for offshore wind farms. However, some industry analysts expressed concerns about the impact of regional subsidies on the nationwide feed-in tariff for offshore wind projects.

The rapid growth of the Chinese offshore wind power sector requires a rational and clear tariff structure, allowing offshore wind farm developers to have realistic expectations of what the return on their offshore wind power investments should be and in turn, boost the development of the whole sector, according to analysts. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_0293.gif&hash=b1af4868ed8f18c30e637f8cbcb79002f6f71039)

The NEA and the pricing department of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) have been in ongoing discussions concerning the tariff rates for offshore wind farms and expect to issue the rates within this year.

An industry expert at NDRC indicated that the combined capacity of approved offshore wind farms in China, including intertidal projects, has exceeded 4,000 MW. The combined capacity of offshore wind projects scheduled to start construction by 2015 will exceed 300 MW, according to data from CNREC.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said in early May that it will allocate up to $141 million to three pioneering offshore wind demonstration projects over the next four years to help speed up the deployment of more efficient offshore wind power technologies. Benefiting from the support for offshore wind projects in the U.S., Fishermen's Energy's 25MW offshore windmill backed by Xiangtan Electric Manufacturing, a China-based electrical equipment manufacturer, won a US$4 million grant from the DOE, subject to regulatory approvals.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/05/china-boosts-development-of-offshore-wind-power

1 Comment

Add Your Comment
 
 A. G. Gelbert   
 May 22, 2014 

The rapid growth of the Chinese offshore wind power sector requires a rational and clear tariff structure, something the Chinese are serious and methodical about because they are clear eyed about what the future holds if they do not make sure ALL renewable energy technologies achieve the goal, and achieve it SOON, of total demand destruction for fossil fuels. That's what the USA can't seem to understand.

This is NOT about replacing an inferior technology for harvesting energy with a superior and cheaper technology; this is about Homo sapiens survival. The Chinese understand this. If only the USA did. We have, in the USA, the stupidest, most suicidal energy policy on the planet.

I hope the Chinese pull the plug on the building of coal power plants, decommission built ones and embrace Amory Lovins' accurate assessment of industrial civilization that with efficiency increases in the energy production technology from power source to consumer, over 90% of the wasted energy can be eliminated and we can power ALL the needs of present industrial civilization with only 10% of what we now use. It's called NEGAWATTS and it is REAL. Why? Because a 5 to 10% efficiency increase (easily achievable with modern technology) in the transmission and/or generation of power has a multiplicative effect when it reaches the consumer. A 5% efficiency increase at the generation source EQUALS over 70% energy saving at the consumer. That is why the consumer savings, so far, have had such a small effect on fossil fuel demand. That HAS to change. Amory Lovins knows how to do that and has been doing it for several years.

I think China gets it. Our US (s)elected (by the fossil fuel oligarchy) "representatives" don't.  >:(
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 29, 2014, 11:18:36 pm
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Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 31, 2014, 01:44:52 pm
Offshore wind power to grow six-fold, boosting turbine makers, HSBC says   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860)   :o  ;D


Offshore wind power is set to grow six-fold by 2020, benefiting turbine makers including Vestas Wind Systems (VWDRY, VWSYF) and Gamesa Tecnologica (GCTAF), HSBC says.

Total global installed capacity of wind turbines at sea is forecast to rise to 43 gw by 2020 from 6.5 gw at the end of 2013, with the U.K., China and Germany the biggest offshore wind markets, according to HSBC.

The opportunity for manufacturers justifies a strategic long-term focus on the offshore segment, the firm advises; after 2015, “the rapid growth in offshore installations becomes a key to driving growth in wind technology."

http://seekingalpha.com/news/1720763-offshore-wind-power-to-grow-six-fold-boosting-turbine-makers-hsbc-says
Title: This wind turbine will power your apartment without keeping you up at night
Post by: AGelbert on June 03, 2014, 02:12:15 am
This wind turbine will power your apartment without keeping you up at night   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F8.gif&hash=c1d98e606d7f558df4040f88e7997b3e11e9448c) face (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154)


By Holly Richmond

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrist.files.wordpress.com%2F2014%2F05%2Fnautilus-shaped-wind-turbine.png%3Fw%3D470%26amp%3Bh%3D265%26amp%3Bcrop%3D1&hash=8eed374a84f62233755a87b7300be2cffc606bb0)

nautilus-shaped-wind-turbine   

The nautilus shell took time off from fitness-namesake duty to inspire The Liam F1 Urban Wind Turbine, which we are renaming The Not-So-Little Turbine That Could. Dutch firm The Archimedes designed the swirl-shaped windmill to be way quieter and more efficient than others (plus, it’s blue!). The firm says the turbine can generate 80 percent of the maximum possible energy yield, a big jump from the typical 25 to 50 percent. Hot damn.

PSFK thinks it’ll be great for your apartment, but at five feet wide, it might not exactly fit on your Brooklyn fire escape. At least the noise won’t wake you up in the middle of the night, which is one of the big drawbacks of most residential wind turbines/randy apartment neighbors.

Here are the Liam’s specs:

The Liam F1 generates an average of 1,500 kilowatt-hours of energy [per year] at a wind-speed of 5 m/s [16.4 ft/s], which resembles half of the power consumption of a common household.

If you feel like spending 8 minutes looking at wind turbines (bonus: set to the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song!), there’s also this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6QyBdPGbFE&feature=player_embedded

So get out $5,450 in pennies — the Liam goes on sale July 1!  ;)

http://grist.org/list/this-wind-turbine-will-power-your-apartment-without-keeping-you-up-at-night/


Agelbert NOTE: Amory Lovins has been talking about this for years in pump technology. Now the wind people are finally getting in it.   ;D why is this a big deal? Because it flips Reynolds numbers and turbulent flow and laminar aerodynamics theories on their heads as to efficiency and power output.
The Fibonacci pattern of wind vanes completely blows away the competition in wind to power output from other types of wind generators.

This is the kind of doubling and tripling of efficiency type breakthrough that will make mincemeat of dirty fossil fuel internal combustion machine energy.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fballoons.gif&hash=a64bb5ff3e76c3e11999996c460fa02de1ee10f7)  ;D
Title: JAPAN WIND SETS ITS TARGET 50% HIGHER
Post by: AGelbert on June 06, 2014, 11:07:26 pm
Friday, June 06, 2014

JAPAN WIND SETS ITS TARGET 50% HIGHER


Japan Wind Lobby Boosts Wind Capacity Target by Half   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c)

Chisaki Watanabe, May 30, 2014 (Bloomberg News)

“…[As the country expands its use of clean energy, The Japan Wind Power Association revised the target for wind power capacity by half to 75 gigawatts by fiscal 2050] from a previous goal of 50 gigawatts…Under the new target, Japan’s onshore wind capacity should increase to 38 gigawatts by fiscal 2050…Offshore wind will make up the rest from bottom-fixed turbines as well as from floating turbines…Japan is gearing up to increase renewables, starting an incentive program in July 2012 that pays above-market rates for clean-energy producers. So far, solar makes up most of the added capacity since the program began…In fiscal 2010, the country had about 2.5 gigawatts of wind capacity, mostly onshore…”

http://newenergynews.blogspot.com/2014/06/japan-wind-sets-its-target-50-higher.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 13, 2014, 12:12:49 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a32jk2Q28Mg&feature=player_embedded

 Sierra Club Ad Campaign Targets Legislators Who Let Wind PTC Blow Away  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2FLaie_28.gif&hash=cc2f2c34e2eeda4d23ece2f504a2ad2a86525028)
(http://ecowatch.com/2014/06/12/sierra-club-wind-ptc/)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 16, 2014, 01:50:41 am
Global Wind Energy Day
 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcsmres.co.uk%2Fcs.public.upd%2Farticle-images%2FWind_turbine_smiley_shutterstock_28691215.gif&hash=0a210b133b92defae808e4e4e8473ef789dd36b5)

By Mary Coday Edwards
Colorado Voices

Updated:   06/14/2014 11:09:24 PM MDT

NEXTera Energy wind farm, pictured (at link) in 2013, has 250 wind turbines that dot the landscape north of Limon. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)

June 15 is Global Wind Energy Day. As Colorado is a world leader in wind energy production, it is not only fitting to tout our success, but to encourage its further production.

Colorado's installed capacity of 1,530 turbines produces 2,332 megawatts of electricity, or 13.8 percent of the state's electricity, and powers the equivalent of more than 870,000 average Colorado homes. But according to the American Wind Energy Association, the state has the 13th best wind resource in the nation, and this wind power has the potential of meeting more than 24 times the state's current electricity needs.

With 19 manufacturing facilities, Colorado's wind industry provides employment for about 5,000 workers.  ;D This is set to increase when NextEra Energy Resources completes its wind farm 28 miles east of Colorado Springs. That facility is scheduled to come on line by late 2015.

What's holding Colorado back from developing this renewable energy resource to its full potential? At least two things: the untruth that only renewables are subsidized; and that damages incurred to the natural environment in energy production are borne by society — not the energy producers and its consumers.

The Production Tax Credit for wind farms expired at the end of 2013, and Colorado Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennet are asking for a 10-year extension of the program. A bill that would have provided about $13 billion for wind energy stalled in the Senate on May 15, amid cries of "corporate welfare" from its opponents.

Nick Loris with the conservative Heritage Foundation told the Washington Free Beacon that "taxpayers shouldn't be footing the bill to help it [wind energy] remain economically viable." He said the subsidy is equal to "shifting labor and capital around to 'politically preferred sectors of the economy.' "

However, the Free Beacon avoided anymention of the $4 billion in annual tax breaks — otherwise known as subsidies — to the fossil fuel industry. Nor did it include reports on the cumulative dollar amounts, over the lifetimes of their respective subsidies, at about $630 billion in the U.S. for oil, coal, gas and nuclear industries, while the renewable energy sector (wind, solar and biofuels) received roughly $70 billion.

In other words, let's end that $4 billion in annual subsidies for the fossil fuel sector. After all, if the sector's viable, it can stand alone.

However, Bloomberg New Energy Finance reports that even without the subsidy, the cost of wind energy has declined by 42 percent over the past four years as technology has improved.  ;D

Our society doesn't put a price on our water supplies or our clean air. Nuclear and fossil fuel producers pollute and consume these resources to nonsustainable levels, and then these damages are externalized and borne by society at large.

Thermoelectric power plants fueled by coal, natural gas, oil and nuclear fission all boil water to produce steam, which then turns a turbine that generates the electricity. This water comes from our streams, lakes and rivers, with the power plants also drawing in and killing millions of fish per year. After the water passes through the turbine, more water is needed to cool the steam back into water for reuse. Nationwide, electricity production is the largest user of water.

Coloradans deserve an honest discussion of the state's wind power potential as well as its benefits to society and to our natural environment. Let's not be hijacked by those with vested interests in the fossil fuel industry.

Mary Coday Edwards is a former newspaper editor and member of the 2014 Colorado Voices panel.

http://www.denverpost.com/voices/ci_25958285/global-wind-energy-day
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 04, 2014, 08:21:55 pm
Distributed Wind Energy: The New Cash Crop(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860)

Russell Tencer, CEO, United Wind 
 July 02, 2014 

With so many day-to-day concerns vying for attention, many farmers may not have the time to stop and research alternative ways to address their energy needs and rising utility costs. While having heard that renewable energies, such as solar or wind energy, are becoming increasingly popular, there does not seem to be a way for them to reap the benefits without a significant amount of capital available. However, due to advancements in technology and market availability due to new leasing models, distributed generation is changing the way farmers gain access to and manage their cost of power.

While many people are familiar with distributed solar energy (such as installing solar panels on your rooftop), distributed wind is becoming a new option for property owners. Unlike a traditional utility-scale wind farm, distributed wind is the use of smaller, on-site wind turbines for a home or business owner’s personal power supply. Established wind companies are now bringing distributed wind to the masses by providing a turbine leasing solution to farmers looking to benefit from predictable and affordable energy.

So how exactly can farmers take advantage of this new “cash crop?”

The Answer is Blowing in the Wind  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78)

Innovations in wind turbine technology have helped fuel growth in the industry for many years. According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the average price of U.S. wind power has declined by 43 percent since 2009. As a result, distributed wind is just beginning to take off as a viable alternative for farmers, small businesses, and residents in more rural areas. This recent uptick is due in large part to new leasing models becoming available to businesses and property owners — negating the historical need for the sizeable capital investment that comes with owning a turbine.

Distributed wind companies are beginning to serve this previously overlooked customer base by offering farmers and agricultural businesses stability and predictability when it comes to their utility bills. With the knowledge that their utility bills will be predictable every month, farmers now have a hedge against inflation and the flexibility to direct more money back into their business, spurring organic growth rather than just keeping the lights on.

Historically, if farmers were interested in switching to wind energy, an initial capital investment of tens of thousands of dollars was needed for the outright purchase of a turbine. With new long-term leasing options now available and eliminating those high upfront costs, distributed wind is becoming a realistic alternative energy option for farmers nationwide.


Prior Concerns Are Disappearing into Thin Air  ;D

Along with guaranteeing predictable energy production, distributed wind companies are taking the hassle out of wind project development, including taking care of the paperwork and permitting process, which has been a deterrent for potential owners up until this point. Farmers can now keep focused on day-to-day operational matters with the comfort of knowing that their energy supplier is handling these tedious and time-consuming processes.

Distributed wind providers are also working with local contractors and government entities to ensure the installation of turbines runs smoothly and efficiently, with minimal disruption to a farm’s operations. Some wind companies are even offering ongoing maintenance services to monitor performance and safety of the wind turbines, and customers are guaranteed these services throughout a 20-year lease period.

The Process

United Wind's leasing process begins with an evaluation in which the customer shares a brief history of their utility bill in order to realize how much they will save by going with distributed wind. The customer then receives a custom WindQuote which includes a full wind analysis and personalized leasing options. Lastly, the installation process begins.

As for pricing, customers are able to score a $0 down lease in New York State due to strong incentives from NYSERDA. A few other states also fall into this category, as well. The customer can opt to prepay a portion or the entirety of their lease for even greater savings over time. We find that even with the $0 down option, many clients have opted to prepay in order to reap these additional benefits. 

Assuming the customer did not full prepay their lease, a monthly lease payment can vary greatly, but generally runs between $100-$1,000 depending on turbine selection, amount prepaid (if any), and their wind resource. Fully prepaying a lease would be a fraction of the cost of an outright purchase of a machine. Not to mention that a fully prepaid lease can come with a 20-year production guarantee, warranty, maintenance, and insurance. 

In order to stand behind the machines with a production guarantee, warranty, insurance, and maintenance for 20 years, we work with only the best products in the industry, for example Bergey Wind Power's Excel 10-kW turbine and Endurance Wind Power's E-3120 50-kW turbine. Similarly, the company chooses to work with only the top local installers in the areas where the turbines are being erected, such as CEC (Casenovia Equipment Company) Energy and SED  (Sustainable Energy Developments).

Wind-Win Situation

In addition to changes in financing options, technology has evolved over the last few years to address and dispel former logistical concerns, namely:
•Access to wind: Wind is an unlimited resource. While we all have access to it, research has found that an average wind speed of just 10 MPH provides a great starting point for wind energy collection.
•Access to land: While land is not always readily available, it does not take a lot to accommodate smaller wind turbines, with a general recommendation of three acres or more for proper siting, installation, and unobstructed wind flow.

Bottom line, distributed wind energy is becoming more accessible, more desirable, and more financially viable than ever before, particularly for the agricultural market. With barriers to adoption blowing away, ;D  this efficient and cost effective means of powering our nation’s farms has a bright future.(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_0293.gif&hash=b1af4868ed8f18c30e637f8cbcb79002f6f71039)


http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/07/distributed-wind-energy-the-new-cash-crop?cmpid=WNL-Friday-July4-2014
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 10, 2014, 10:38:34 am
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-100714103519.gif&hash=c6ea59750a010dd7a3e524640af0cc89caf41a55)
What’s New In Wind Technology? (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78)


A range of leading wind turbine and main components suppliers, specialized service providers, inventors and others came together for Windpower 2014. Our technology correspondent summarizes some of his personal impressions and highlights.

 Eize de Vries, Contributing Editor 
 July 10, 2014


 Great, informative and educational article here (http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/07/whats-new-in-wind-technology)

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 22, 2014, 03:46:22 pm
Wind Turbine Manufacturer Hiring 800 People In Colorado As Orders Pile Up  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)


http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/07/21/3462155/wind-power-hiring-colorado-vestas/
Title: What's Inside a Wind Turbine?
Post by: AGelbert on August 04, 2014, 11:48:08 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNXTm7aHvWc
&feature=player_embedded
What's Inside a Wind Turbine?
Title: Delivery and Assembly of a Wind turbine
Post by: AGelbert on August 04, 2014, 11:50:51 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0DZUDQyw_0&feature=player_embedded
Delivery and Assembly of a Wind turbine
Title: US installs 835MW in 1H 2014
Post by: AGelbert on August 06, 2014, 07:46:04 pm
US installs 835MW in 1H 2014    (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)


5 August 2014 by David Weston , Be the first to comment

UNITED STATES: Figures from the AWEA reveal the US installed a capacity of 835MW in the first half of 2014, compared to just 1.6MW in the same period of 2013.

Last year's low figure was as a result of uncertainty in the sector due to the delayed extension of the production tax credit (PTC).

Texas saw the greatest increase in capacity, with 400MW installed followed by Nebraska (201MW) and Michigan (136MW).

The southern US state was helped by the 218.3MW Panhandle 1 project being commissioned in the second quarter.

According to AWEA, the US now has an installed capacity of 61.9GW from 46,300 turbines.

Texas is set to continue leading the way with capacity, as over 8GW in projects are currently under construction in the state. In total, the US has 14.6GW of wind under construction across 106 projects in 21 states.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smile-day.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F12%2FSmiley-Thumbs-Up2.jpg&hash=4c6cf4d5dab0f54b88dfa0c9247ae699eff03821)

http://www.windpowermonthly.com/article/1306687/us-installs-835mw-1h-2014
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on August 19, 2014, 10:18:17 pm
Wind Energy Innovation: Vortex Generators
Jesse Broehl
July 24, 2014
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2014/07/wind-energy-innovation-vortex-generators?cmpid=WindNL-Thursday-August7-2014
Title: New Cable Technology Can Carry Twice as Much Power from Offshore Wind Farms
Post by: AGelbert on August 21, 2014, 01:42:26 pm
New Cable Technology Can Carry Twice as Much Power from Offshore Wind Farms   ;D


Patrick Winters, Bloomberg 
 August 21, 2014 

SNIPPET:
ABB Ltd. said a power-cable technology that allows offshore wind farms to transmit more than twice the energy of current set-ups will boost orders at the company’s power systems division in coming years.

“It’s on the list of ABB’s most important breakthroughs in the last five years,” Chief Technology Officer Claes Rytoft said in an interview, adding that rival technologies are at least some years behind. “We know about projects that have not moved forward because they are missing this.”

The technology will spur the construction of even bigger offshore wind farms by doubling the power capacity of cable connections to about 2,600 megawatts from 1,000 megawatts today, making it the most powerful subsea connection system in the world, Rytoft said. It includes high-voltage power cables, joints and terminations.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/08/new-cable-technology-can-carry-twice-as-much-power-from-offshore-wind-farms#comment-134547

My Comment:

 

 A. G. Gelbert   
 August 21, 2014 



Excellent! Ocean currents are THE greatest source of untapped 24/7 base load quality Renewable Energy there is. AND those currents (that will never stop as long as the earth continues to rotate) are close to over 90% of the major concentrations of human population known as COASTAL CITIES.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-191213230928.jpeg&hash=d76a319c0b9a42ba6423ae74e1ad1bd37c1d3c12)

Within a 130 km of every major coastal city in the world is enough undersea current to power them many times over, at base load quality 24/7, immune to ocean surface storms, and with very low transmission losses due to the short distance from the harvesting point to the user.

Masdar Engage Contest Entry Submitted December 20, 2013


Water, Energy and Waste Sustainable Development in Large Cities


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpublic.wsu.edu%2F%7Emreed%2F380American%2520Consumption_files%2Fimage002.jpg&hash=7fabb4509d0360d5510bb06fbd819732886ab6f0)

There is no doubt that humans in general, and those concentrated in cities in particular, are responsible for much of the massive demand for potable of water and energy. There is also agreement that this demand is, at present not healthy for the biosphere in general and humans in particular. There is too much waste, inefficient energy use, lack of renewable energy infrastructure, pollution from fossil fuels and inefficient water use as well.

In summary, there is a consensus among knowledgeable and observant people in the reality based community that our present trajectory in the above issues is unsustainable.

The solution requires the phasing out of all fossil fuels and nuclear fission power plants and replace them with Renewable energy. This energy needs to be harvested within 100 miles or less from the highest energy users on the planet, the large cities, in order to have lower transmission and infrastructure costs.

The energy must be baseload quality 24 hours a day with wind and solar to supplement demand spikes along with pumped water storage energy, fuel cell or battery storage technologies.

The renewable energy source that is best suited on a global scale because it is constant, powerful and close to the major cities is the energy from ocean currents.

Observe the two maps below. 
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-H6e11TQ_hvE%2FUO5qL-oVmSI%2FAAAAAAABN90%2Fag5rEdPU6p8%2Fs1600%2Fyoutube_logo.gif&hash=f2f43fb678402f2e924aadfcba9dd095430092f8)
World population concentration

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.miamisci.org%2Fecolinks%2Fimg%2Fmaphydrospheremed.jpg&hash=26da4d2d506c8ef0ac61c38f7e6c544672e425ad)
Hydrosphere

Now look at the one below where I merged the two.


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-191213230928.jpeg&hash=d76a319c0b9a42ba6423ae74e1ad1bd37c1d3c12)

The energy is renewable, does not disturb the biosphere or hydrosphere and can completely replace the polluting energy we now suffer from. The densely populated areas have this powerful source nearby. 

Ocean currents have far more energy potential than ocean tides. The tides alone are estimated to have a potential tidal stream energy capacity of over 120GW globally. Using both plus wind and PV would make a 100% Renewable Energy transition to the 18TW the planet required feasible with technology we now have.

Just in the UK alone, the marine power resource is estimated to be more than 10GW, representing about 50% of Europe’s tidal energy capacity.

In the USA a project is now in the works to provide wind turbine power to the East Coast for up to 1.9 million households. When built out, the Atlantic Wind Connection (AWC) backbone will stretch 350 miles off the coast from New Jersey to Virginia and will be able to connect 6,000MW of offshore wind turbines.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_7ZYqYi4xigk%2FTLPB6bft9VI%2FAAAAAAAAG5o%2FlnS4tAR8QT0%2Fs1600%2Ftransmission.png&hash=8265de2dae584fc158b48cf21b368e01b51b9f84)

Now look at where those wind turbines will be and realize that undersea turbines can be placed close by and save on cabling the energy to the shore. Much more energy can be harvested 24 hours a day from the ocean current. Sharing energy transmission cables from wind and ocean current turbines will save millions of dollars and hasten the transition to 100% clean energy. 

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmarinebio.org%2Fi%2Fcurrents%2FOcean_currents_1943.jpg&hash=faea49861f5403044c1e7f77a5aceefdf5aa1107)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ddmcdn.com%2Fgif%2Fstorymaker-five-ocean-power-plants-1112010-515x388.jpg&hash=5ccf2777982dda09c80ecdad222aa9bdda2621de)


As the new, clean energy replaces dirty energy, full electrification of the economies to eliminate the internal combustion engine for power plants, vehicles and factories will clean the air in large cities.

With plenty of renewable energy to electrify the planet and eliminate the internal combustion engine pollution, the worldwide potable water problem can be solved anywhere on the planet that the relative humidity is above 23% (any place it is not a desert climate) by extracting water from the ambient air.

The waste water can, given all the ocean current energy, be processed for agricultural fertilizer (eliminating petrochemical fertilizers).

In this way, we will imitate the biosphere in turning our waste into a nutrient that benefits all life on earth, not just humans.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEe1bVjORN4&feature=player_embedded

A. G. Gelbert

http://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/renewables/masdar-engage-contest-entry-by-a-g-gelbert/





Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on August 23, 2014, 03:55:56 pm
Wind Technologies Market Report

 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcsmres.co.uk%2Fcs.public.upd%2Farticle-images%2FWind_turbine_smiley_shutterstock_28691215.gif&hash=0a210b133b92defae808e4e4e8473ef789dd36b5)

After modest growth in 2013, total installed wind power capacity in the United States now stands at 61 gigawatts (GW), which meets nearly 4.5 percent of electricity demand in an average year, according to the 2013 Wind Technologies Market Report, released today by the Energy Department and its Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.  The report also found that wind energy prices – particularly in the Interior region of the United States–are at an all-time low, with utilities selecting wind as a cost-saving option.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)


With utility-scale turbines installed in more than 39 states and territories, the success of the U.S. wind industry has had a ripple effect on the American economy, spurring more than $500 million in exports and supporting jobs related to development, siting, manufacturing, transportation and other industries.

http://energy.gov/articles/energy-department-reports-highlight-strength-us-wind-energy-industry
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 21, 2014, 08:27:51 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F2psC9Ipc4&feature=player_embedded

How to Build a Wind Turbine From Scratch   ;D

Thanks to filmmaker Jake Beed and the Action4Climate video competition, you can have a first-hand look at what it’s like to build a wind turbine from scratch. In If You Build It, watch a group of young Canadians strive for a more sustainable way of life by figuring out how to generate their own power via a homemade wind turbine.

With little to no prior knowledge or experience, the group finds help in the surrounding community’s skill sets that all come together to create a moment that will last for as long as the wind blows. This film is inspiring. It shows how you can build a community by building a wind turbine and that passion is the key ingredient to getting things done.

Renewable energy deployment is key to solving global energy issues. Especially in energy poor countries, it’s vital that communities embrace clean energy and work on strategies to keep the power generation locally owned.

One great example is in the Dharnai village in Bihar, one of India’s poorest states. The community is now lit-up by a community-owned solar-powered micro-grid. Dharnai is the first village in India where all aspects of life are powered by solar. The 100 kilowatt (kW) system powers the 450 homes of the 2,400 residents, 50 commercial operations, two schools, a training center and a health care facility. A battery backup ensures power around the clock.

“If we are to end extreme poverty, we must tackle energy poverty,” said World Bank Senior Director for Energy & Extractives Anita Marangoly George. “With 1.2 billion people still living without electricity across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, it’s clear where our work will be focused for the foreseeable future. Our priority is to find the cleanest energy solutions to meet local needs in the smartest ways possible.”

The Action4Climate video competition received more than 230 entries from 70 countries from students inspired to share their climate change stories. To watch other Action4Climate videos, click here.
http://ecowatch.com/2014/09/20/build-wind-turbine-scratch/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 20, 2014, 07:23:11 pm
New Software Modeling Tool a Boon for Wind Industry    (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.cdn2.123rf.com%2F168nwm%2Flenm%2Flenm1201%2Flenm120100200%2F12107060-illustration-of-a-smiley-giving-a-thumbs-up.jpg&hash=2046bc6d662e09d3014a2c404a2af6ba17f8217c)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hpcwire.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F10%2Flillgrund_down_row_3.png&hash=caf64ea4a828c2965e480e22e4643056f79e749c)

SNIPPET:

Wind energy is blowing away skeptics — it's so close to achieving cost parity with fossil fuels that just a little extra efficiency is all that is likely needed to push it into the mainstream and past the Energy Department's goal of 20 percent wind energy by 2030.



Wind energy is blowing away skeptics — it's so close to achieving cost parity with fossil fuels that just a little extra efficiency is all that is likely needed to push it into the mainstream and past the Energy Department's goal of 20 percent wind energy by 2030.

That extra efficiency may be realized with the help of a software tool built by the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). It's called Simulator for Wind Farm Applications (SOWFA), and it can calculate how undulating ground, whipping blades, surface temperatures, and other variables alter the air flow and energy production at wind farms.

Full article at link:  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Freading.gif&hash=63e3e644b39258d4c4eedbcdaf322315b1856723)


http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/10/new-software-modeling-tool-a-boon-for-wind-industry#comment-136180
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 31, 2014, 03:54:40 pm
This Wind Turbine Is Bringing Clean Energy to New Heights

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdingo.care2.com%2Fpictures%2Fcauses%2F3120%2F3119120.large.jpg&hash=aecf48166c02445f723da2c9876444047cbcbfe1)

by NationSwell
October 29, 2014
Written by Lorraine Chow

Wind turbines are found on land and sea, but now there’s a new type on the horizon that can tap energy thousands of feet in the air.

As the video below explains, the helium-filled Buoyant Airborne Turbine (BAT) is capable of producing twice the amount of energy of an ordinary turbine because it feeds off the stronger, faster and more consistent winds of higher altitudes. Cables tethered to the machine then send the generated wind energy back to a base station.

Created by MIT startup Altaeros Energies, the tube-shaped BAT can be inflated, set up within a day and transported anywhere by a truck, which significantly reduces the installation costs of a typical tower-mounted wind turbines. This is in sharp contrast to other land-based turbines, which require giant support platforms and lots of material, and offshore ones that need a platform strong enough to withstand punishing ocean waves, which is tremendously expensive to anchor to the seafloor.

Another potential of the BAT is that it can cheaply and efficiently power remote and off-grid communities (as well as areas struck by disaster). As Popular Science reports, one such off-grid locale has already been piqued by this new technology.

Thanks to a $740,000 grant from the Alaska Energy Authority, Altaeros will be testing out the first commercial BAT near the city of Fairbanks starting next year. The 30-kilowatt system is poised to provide power and even WiFi to a dozen families living off the power grid. If the 18-month trial is a success, it could reduce the area’s diesel consumption by 11,000 gallons annually.

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a wind turbine!  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-object-081.gif&hash=5981b917cdd5e334cd69d00213b2d119acbfb380)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kldA4nWANA8&feature=player_embedded

http://www.care2.com/causes/this-wind-turbine-is-bringing-clean-energy-to-new-heights.html#ixzz3HkjZlaus

Agelbert NOTE: This technology is aerostat technology. The technology of mounting heavy machinery on them is is over 30 years old. It has been used for at least that long to mount radar to catch drug smugglers and other unauthorized flights. It is robust. The savings on siting and mast infrastructure is HUGE.

During storm conditions they can be brought near the ground where they will be more safely tethered while still getting plenty of wind power during the storm. This is another giant nail in fossil fuel and nuclear power DIRTY energy's coffin! GOOD! ;D
Renewable Energy = (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-301014181553.gif&hash=c09667beb656b25086c168adcdaddcba59abf858)                  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Facigar.gif&hash=dc9dccf92c6c88c99611b06c86d92629d69f2978) = Fossil Fuelers

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-forum%2Fpopcorn.gif&hash=f4c8fc573041a73e34bfb823e0611fbfe8617d67)




Title: Making the Blade Photoessay: How and Where Wind Turbines Get Their Swoosh
Post by: AGelbert on October 31, 2014, 07:48:57 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-301014182234.gif&hash=bf6d91c9f6bd3e01a951d725e8b0b5c62c68c519)
Making the Blade Photoessay: How and Where Wind Turbines Get Their Swoosh
Joan Sullivan, Contributor
October 28, 2014

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-291014195537.png&hash=7ff08a9586d14cef3196bffd4cd7cde18dc073d1)

An industrial wind turbine is a complex machine made up of hundreds of moving parts, but it takes just three of them to make the magic possible: the blades.

Wind turbine blades harvest energy from currents of air, but they don’t come off an assembly line like widgets. Indeed, it’s difficult to appreciate just how much effort and care goes into crafting them until you see the process up close.

That’s why I was recently honoured to be the first professional photographer to lens the shop floor at PowerBlades Industries in Welland, Ontario. The company is a Canadian subsidiary of German wind turbine manufacturer Senvion.

PowerBlades opened last year to support the growth in renewable energy in Ontario spurred in turn by the province’s Green Energy Act. As of this week, the company will have fabricated 78 fiberglass blades, each 45 meters long and up to three meters wide, for dozens of 2.05-MW Senvion turbines.

Birth of a Blade

Inside PowerBlades, overhead cranes move girders and blades from one part of the building to the next. Here, 136 production workers, machine operators, and office staff work on various stages of blade production, including lay-up, lamination, curing, sanding, painting, inspection, repair, finishing, loading, and transport.

Blades begin their lives in the plant’s Main Shell Area, where workers lay sheets of fiberglass mat and resin into a pair of side-by-side proprietary molds each about 50 meters long and four meters wide. Each blade is built up in two halves, split down the long axis like a pea pod.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-291014195715.png&hash=89fcdfd89e302c5fa7f653e95cbe13b7af9498e6)
Full size pictures at link to 25 page photo essay

Once the resin cures, workers carefully glue the two halves together. Eight to 10 workers then physically climb into the blade to scrape out excess glue from the inside. They then apply heat to finish the curing and gluing process.

Going Over the Wall

Crane operators then gingerly lift the blade to the first of several finishing stations in a delicate process known as “going over the wall.” Over the course of several weeks, operators will lift and shift each blade to a variety of finishing stations for trimming, laminations, adding minor hardware (such as receptors and the pointed tip), sanding, painting, and “root end close out,” which involves installing a plywood attachment that seals off the base of the blade.

Like sculptors, workers swarm over every inch of the blade with palm sanders, painstakingly and meticulously smoothing out bumps and imperfections, before the cranes again hoist the blades to the painting section.

Buckets and Rollers

The final phase of finishing is refreshingly low-tech — four painters, two on each side, attack each blade with rollers. Each takes two coats of paint, about 15-20 gallons in total. On average, it takes a couple of days for the team to finish its work.
Gantry operators then lift the finished blades one final time into shipping crates and convey them out of the building into the storage yard. From there, Senvion’s clients truck them to installation sites.

The crew at PowerBlades take great pride in their work, knowing that they are not only making a good living, but also slowly-but-surely reducing their province’s dependence on natural gas and nuclear energy.

“We’re so proud to be working here,” explained Adam Chevalier, a 28-year-old production worker. “To have a job, first. And then to have a job that is doing something good for the environment, renewable energy, it’s great!”  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b)


Click HERE (http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/10/making-the-blade-how-and-where-wind-turbines-get-their-swoosh?page=2) to see the step-by-step process.
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 05, 2014, 06:22:15 pm
 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-280914173454.gif&hash=4e75877e9cceee4340ec50e1483cb75db100974d)

Scotland Produced Enough Wind Energy To Power Every Home In October   ;D

According to new numbers published by WWF Scotland this week, wind turbines generated enough electricity in October to power 3,045,000 homes in the U.K.   :o   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.cdn2.123rf.com%2F168nwm%2Flenm%2Flenm1201%2Flenm120100200%2F12107060-illustration-of-a-smiley-giving-a-thumbs-up.jpg&hash=2046bc6d662e09d3014a2c404a2af6ba17f8217c)  — more than enough for all the homes in Scotland.

Referring to it as a “bumper month” for renewable energy, WWF Scotland’s director Lang Banks said in a statement that “while nuclear power plants were being forced to shut because of cracks, Scotland’s wind and sunshine were quietly and cleanly helping to keep the lights on in homes across the country.”  
 
Based on figures provided by WeatherEnergy, part of the European EnergizAIR project, the data also showed that for those homes fitted with solar panels, there was enough sunshine to meet around 40 percent of the electricity needs of an average home. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.123rf.com%2F400wm%2F400%2F400%2Fyayayoy%2Fyayayoy1106%2Fyayayoy110600019%2F9735563-smiling-sun-showing-thumb-up.jpg&hash=09b45642ec6d7943d30b5b87548676e3ee7dbe3d)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78)  ;D Wind energy has been thriving in the U.K. in recent months. In August the U.K set a new record for wind power generation, with wind accounting for seventeen percent of national demand. This came around the time that EDF Energy announced it was temporarily shutting down four of its U.K. reactors, or around a quarter of its total nuclear generating capacity, due to longevity issues. The four EDF reactors under investigation were commissioned in 1983 and are officially scheduled to be taken out of service in 2019. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F47b20s0.gif&hash=cc48c9af9d29b8836023c7db21103e52d1ed439e)

Even for the U.K., Scotland is a green energy leader. As of September, the country got 29.8 percent of its electricity from renewables, 34.4 percent from nuclear, and only 34.4 percent from fossil fuels. Scotland hopes to generate the equivalent of 100 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2020 and to export non-renewable production  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-object-070.gif&hash=93009ff65ce639d8cd1cdf1ed3e8c37e93940a2c) from conventional power plants to countries like England.

In the first quarter of this year, Scotland generated a record 6,678 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity, according to government figures, an increase of 55.9 percent from a year before. Wind generation in the first quarter of 2014 was also at a record high level of 4,214 GWh, up 4 percent year over year.

According to the government, as of March of this year Scotland had 6.8 gigawatts of installed renewable electricity generation capacity, with an additional 6.5 gigawatts of capacity either under construction or consented, the majority of which is expected to come from onshore wind generation. Including projects in the planning stages, this figure totals 20.5 gigawatts.

Scotland’s largest wind farm is also the U.K.’s largest. Whitelee Windfarm near Glasgow has a 539 megawatt capacity, and generates enough electricity to power just under 300,000 homes.


http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/11/05/3589525/bumper-month-for-wind-in-scotland/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 05, 2014, 07:06:59 pm
(https://www.ecn.nl/fileadmin/ecn/corp/Nieuwsbrief_NL/2006/Illustraties/Siemens_03.jpg)
Fossil Fueler STRANDED ASSET!  ;D
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zeroco2.no%2Fcapture%2Fsources-of-co2%2Fcombined-cycle-power-plant%2Fgasskraftverk.jpg&hash=afa42465f5972ce6382f495293dd9e527b11247f)
Natural Gas Combined Cycle Power Plants ARE GOING BYE BYE!  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-object-070.gif&hash=93009ff65ce639d8cd1cdf1ed3e8c37e93940a2c)


Energy Storage Will Soon Replace Simple Cycle Combustion Turbine Peaker Plants   8)

Chet Lyons, Principal, Energy Strategies Group 
November 05, 2014 

Power grids need extra generating capacity to work properly. For example, about 20 percent of New York State’s generation fleet runs less than 250 hours a year.  :o Because they don’t run much, “peaker plants” are by design the cheapest and least efficient fossil generators. When they do run they cost a lot to operate and produce more air pollution than other types of fossil generation. Wouldn’t it be great if we had a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable substitute for dirty fossil-based peakers?    (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-051113192052.png&hash=93c42ef9f18fc5d9da50fd91fc19f70009f95f85)


As has happened with solar PV, the costs for multi-hour energy storage are about to undergo a steep decline over the next 2 to 3 years. This cost trend will disrupt the economic rationale for gas-fired simple cycle combustion turbines (CTs) in favor of flexible zero emissions energy storage. This will be especially true for storage assets owned and operated by vertical utilities and distributed near utility substations.

Simple cycle gas-fired CTs have been a workhorse utility asset for adding new peaker capacity for decades. But times and technologies change, and the power grid’s long love affair with gas-fired CTs is about to be challenged by multi-hour energy storage. Flow batteries that utilize a liquid electrolyte are especially cost-effective because the energy they store can be easily and inexpensively increased just by adding more electrolyte.

CTs cost from $670 per installed kilowatt to more than twice that much for CT’s located in urban areas. But the economics of peaking capacity must also reflect the benefits side of the cost/benefit equation. Distributed storage assets can deliver both regional (transmission) and local (distribution) level energy balancing services using the same storage asset. This means the locational value and capacity use factor for distributed storage can be significantly higher compared to CTs operated on a central station basis.

These points are discussed in Energy Strategies Group’s white paper, “Guide to Procurement of Flexible Peaking Capacity: Energy Storage of Combustion Turbines.” As noted in the paper, Capex for a 4-hour storage peaker is projected to be $1,390 by 2017, or $348 per (installed) kilowatt-hour of capacity. Factoring in the added value of locating storage on the distribution grid and ownership and operation by a vertical utility, 4-hour energy storage will win over CTs at the high end of the CT cost range by 2017.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860)

By 2018 the cost of ViZn Energy’s 4-hour storage solution, which was selected by Energy Strategies Group as a proxy for the lowest cost multi-hour storage solutions currently being commercialized, is projected to be $974 per kW, nearly identical to that of a conventional simple cycle peaker. For a 4-hour storage resource – that translates to $244 per (installed) kilowatt-hour of capacity. Given the added benefits of installing storage in the distribution network, by 2018 storage will be a winner against the mid-range cost for a simple cycle CT and clearly disruptive compared to higher cost simple cycle CTs.


The disruptive potential of energy storage as a substitute for simple cycle CTs has been recognized. For example, Arizona Public Service (APS) and the Residential Utility Consumer Office (RUCO) recently filed a proposed settlement which, if approved, would require that at least 10% of any new peaker capacity now being planned as simple cycle combustion turbines would instead need to be energy storage — as long as the storage meets the cost effectiveness and reliability criteria of any CTs being proposed.

When selecting new peaking capacity, utility planners can choose between assets that better fit the emerging distributed grid architecture or the older and disappearing centralized approach to grid design. The choices we make today should be consistent with current and long-term cost-performance trends in fossil-based generation, solar PV and energy storage.

Lower cost solar PV and its rising penetration in all market segments will have a profoundly disruptive effect on utility operations and the utility cost-of-service business model. This has already started to happen. Storage offers a way for utilities to replace lost revenues premised on margins from kilowatt-hour energy sales by placing energy storage into the rate based and earning low-risk regulated returns

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/11/energy-storage-will-soon-replace-simple-cycle-combustion-turbine-peaker-plants


Renewable energy= (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-301014181553.gif&hash=c09667beb656b25086c168adcdaddcba59abf858)                                (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-scared002.gif&hash=764898cfbf07ef2c41ffddc5e93fa0e1bed41bae)=Fossil Fuelers

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-forum%2Fpopcorn.gif&hash=f4c8fc573041a73e34bfb823e0611fbfe8617d67)

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 08, 2014, 03:22:43 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.telegraph.co.uk%2Fmultimedia%2Farchive%2F02374%2FoffshoreWind_2374471b.jpg&hash=6377d6d9621b83e7a38ad9f610928fff36915eb5)
UK Approves 750-Megawatt Offshore Wind Project    (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fballoons.gif&hash=a64bb5ff3e76c3e11999996c460fa02de1ee10f7)

 Alex Morales, Bloomberg 
 November 07, 2014 

LONDON -- The U.K. approved construction of one of the biggest offshore wind farms as the country chases a European Union target to get 15 percent of all energy from renewables by 2020.

The consent allows Dong Energy A/S to install up to 750 megawatts of turbines at the Walney Extension project in the Irish Sea off northwest England’s Cumbria, the Planning Inspectorate said today in an e-mailed statement. Denmark’s Dong said it expects to put in about 660 megawatts of turbines, enough to power as many as a half-million homes.

“This decision to grant development consent now clears the way for the company to make a final investment decision on the project,” Benj Sykes, vice president of U.K. wind for Dong, said in an e-mailed statement.

The U.K. already has more than half of the world’s installed offshore wind-generating capacity, and is pushing the technology to help meet its renewable energy targets.

Dong expects to use 6- to 8-megawatt turbines, it said. The utility owns 50.1 percent of the project, SSE Plc owns 25.1 percent and a joint venture between Dutch pension administrator PGGM and Ampere Equity Fund own the remainder. The project was awarded guaranteed power contracts by the government in April.

It’s the second approval in less than two months for a U.K. project by Dong, the biggest offshore wind developer. Its 250- megawatt Burbo Bank Extension project in Liverpool Bay was granted approval on Sept. 26. That’s next to an existing 90- megawatt farm, and the Walney extension is adjacent to the existing 367-megawatts of Walney 1 and 2 wind farms.

The U.K. currently has 22 operational offshore wind farms totaling 3,653 megawatts of capacity, according to the RenewableUK lobby group. The biggest is the 630-megawatt London Array, a collaboration between four companies, including Dong and EON SE. While no bigger project is currently under construction, today’s approval is the fifth of 750 megawatts or greater to receive consent, according to the data.

Copyright 2014 Bloomberg
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/11/uk-approves-750-megawatt-offshore-wind-project
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 17, 2014, 03:17:56 pm
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Texas Wind Powers 3.3 Million Homes

Anastasia Pantsios | November 17, 2014 1:36 pm | Comments

When you think of “energy” and “Texas,” you probably think “oil.” But those wide-open spaces sitting on those lucrative oil fields also make it a prime location for another form of energy generation: wind.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860)    (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2FBanane21.gif&hash=ea8aefd6edec2a8f8e52b83aa2874cd9f97fe9ae)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-FOwuY6qiGqw%2FT3vQtimJlvI%2FAAAAAAAADiE%2FVLkbocVFVf0%2Fs1600%2FImage12.jpg&hash=0498dade9bf416846ba68b42f00e0ba0ab3ee3a0)
The Roscoe Wind Farm in Texas has an operational capacity of 781 megawatts. The wind farm started operations in 2009 and has 627 turbines installed.

Texas’ own top power source by far is gas (50 percent), followed by coal (32 percent) and nuclear (9 percent). But it is also the nation’s leading producer of wind energy—and growing. While the state is home to the 3rd and 5th dirtiest power plants in the U.S., it also produces nearly a quarter of the country’s total wind power. It has created the second largest number of green jobs after California. Currently, wind is the power source for 3.3 million Texas homes, driven by private investment, a deregulated and competitive electricity market, federal incentives and Texas’ own clean energy goals to reach 10 GW of renewable energy generation by 2025, according to research done by the Pew Charitable Trusts, released at a webinar today.

“Pew’s research demonstrates that a reliable electricity grid requires both a diversified mix of affordable generation sources such as wind and government policy to foster deployment,” said Jeff Clark, executive director of the Wind Coalition. “Texas consumers are benefiting because the state has capitalized on the federal production tax credit to build its wind industry, which provides more than 177,000 jobs.”

Sunny Texas is also rapidly increasing its solar energy capacity. It ranked 8th in new installed capacity last year, providing more than 4,000 jobs statewide. Progressive cities like Austin and San Antonio took the lead with their own aggressive renewable energy goals that encourage such new projects and investment.

“Texas illustrates how state and federal policy can complement one another to spur deployment of clean energy and attract private investment,” said Tom Swanson, manager of Pew’s clean energy initiative. “The outcomes include job creation across the state, energy and cost savings for businesses, and reliable, affordable energy for residential customers.”

According to the Pew report, Texas is also the leader in industrial energy efficiency technologies which produced heat and power from a single source or capture wasted heat to generate electricity. “These technologies can help manufacturers reduce energy consumption, costs, and water use—all of which are critical in Texas given the state’s high electricity prices and chronic droughts,” said the Pew report.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fecowatch.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F11%2FClean-Energy-Wind-TX-Ranking.jpg&hash=cd2febb68b3678870bfb8e3ebe7ae38384cd4553)
Texas is leading the nation in installed wind capacity and is coming up rapidly in solar generation as well. Image credit: Pew Charitable Trusts

“Texas has emerged as a clean energy leader, with its unparalleled wind and solar resources and a large manufacturing industry ideal for exploiting industrial energy efficiency,” Pew asserted. “With further policy support, the state can continue to tap into this potential and use it for economic growth.”

But further policy support is the big question mark. While Texas surpassed its renewable energy goal for 2025 in 2010, there are signs of possible retrenchment.  :P

According to an interactive tool released last week by Earthworks, “A bill is pending that would eliminate the renewable portfolio standard and strip the Public Utilities Commission of its authority to regulate trading of renewable energy credits.” That’s part of a coordinated nationwide push by heavily fossil fuel-funded groups like the Heartland Institute, Americans for Prosperity and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Similar legislation has been introduced in about two dozen states with only one scalp so far: Ohio froze its clean energy standards in July and its legislature is currently considering repealing them entirely. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-devil19.gif&hash=6eeb0dbc471743691793f5130640fdcbd1f77b5c)

http://ecowatch.com/2014/11/17/texas-wind-power/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 26, 2014, 06:24:24 pm
11/26/2014 01:44 PM     
 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-object-106.gif&hash=f996659d18df7f3b445e6135e884397ac91f25b1)
Finally, US Gets An Offshore Wind Farm, Deepwater Starts Construction Next Spring

SustainableBusiness.com News

After too many years of delays to count, the US is finally about to get our first offshore wind farm.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Ftuzki-bunnys%2Ftuzki-bunny-emoticon-052.gif&hash=1baf29ffd25f73a53f1b3129069a22b306c03ac8)
 


Deepwater Wind will start construction this spring now that it's received final state and federal permits. Don't get too excited - it's just five turbines near Block Island, considered part of Rhode Island.

 To give you an idea of what these permits are: one is a submerged lands lease with Rhode Island. Deepwater will pay  $150,000 a year for the right to anchor its turbines to the ocean floor. The other permit is federal - giving Deepwater the right of way for the transmission cable that carries the electricity to the grid on land.

The area is prime habitat for migrating right whales, which are extremely endangered, and Deepwater - in concert with environmental groups - came up with a way to make sure they are protected: 

•a traffic-light system of red (no construction allowed in early spring) yellow and green is based on when whales are likely to be in the area.

•ships will be slowed to 10-knots from Nov. 1 through May 15 to prevent collisions

•noise-reduction and attenuation technologies developed in Europe will be used

•better surveillance measures will spot right whales - expert ship-based observers; restricted work at night and when visibility is low; and aerial surveillance.  


In August, the Department of Interior held its third auction for offshore wind leases, this time offering 80,000 acres off the coast of Maryland, an area which could power 300,000 homes (850-1450 megawatts).

 It took 19 rounds of bidding for US Wind (subsidiary of Italy's Renexia) to win the entire lease for $8.7 million against two competitors, Green Sail Energy and SCS Maryland Energy.

 Notably, the winning bid is much higher than the first two auctions, where winners bid just $1.6 million near Virginia and $3.8 million off the coast of Massachusetts.

The competition was more intense and resulted in much higher bids because Governor O'Malley got the first legislation passed in the US that subsidizes offshore wind. It offers developers up to $1.7 billion for a 200 megawatt (MW) project and higher prices for electricity once it starts producing.

Here's how ocean leasing works:

The winner has a year to submit a Site Assessment Plan for approval, which describes how it will measure wind resources in the lease area. If that's approved by BOEM, the lease has 4.5 years to submit a Construction and Operations Plan, which details the wind project. BOEM then conduct an environmental review of the project, which includes public input, and if it's approved, the lessee gets a term of 25 years.

 Including this latest Maryland auction, 357,000 acres in the Atlantic Ocean have been leased for about $14 million. Last week, New Jersey regulators rejected Fishermen's tiny 5 MW wind project for the second time.

Leases awarded to date:
•Cape Wind - Massachusetts
•Deepwater Wind - Rhode Island/ Mass.
•NRG Bluewater Wind - Delaware
•Dominion Virginia Power - Virginia


On January 29, 742,000 acres off the Massachusetts coast will be auctioned in the largest lease sale to date.

New UK Projects


Danish utility Dong Energy has been cleared to build a 700 MW offshore wind farm off the coast of England, to start operations in 2023. One of the countries biggest, it will power 500,000 homes.

This year, five offshore projects have been approved in the UK, which together will produce 4% of the country's electricity - powering 3 million homes - while creating 8500 jobs. The UK has 22 operational offshore projects with a capacity of  3.7 gigawatts, according to RenewableUK.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Faweablog.org%2Fuploads%2Fimages%2F131024%2520-%2520OS%2520-%2520Siemens2.jpg&hash=eadb23690e92688d8711fd58d457f7eabca8f9b2)
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Ftuzki-bunnys%2Ftuzki-bunny-emoticon-013.gif&hash=67c881f5cbeaeb689faa72f76545db455b347ce4)

Read our article, DOE Announces Three Offshore Demo Wind Projects, Shooting For 35% of US Energy by 2050.
http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/26028
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 04, 2014, 07:39:32 pm
12/02/2014 03:53 PM     
Innovative Wind Turbine Designs From Australia


SustainableBusiness.com News

In the past five years, bigger, more advanced wind turbines have greatly improved performance and lowered the price of wind energy, but that's nothing compared to what scientists in Australia are working on. 

 A team at the University of Wollongong is in the final stages of developing offshore wind turbines that are 1000 times more efficient at one-third of today's price. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fza4.gif&hash=2db0a6001703f4089cb64dc38159bb3d467e1bff) They hope to see the turbines installed along Australia's wind-blown coast within the next five years.

 The key seems to be the use of superconductors and elimination of the gear box. While gearless turbines have been around for years, replacing it with a superconducting coil captures wind and converts it to electricity without any power loss.

"In our design there is no gear box, which right away reduces the size and weight by 40%," explains lead researcher Shahriar Hossain. "We are developing a magnesium diboride superconducting coil to replace the gear box. This will capture the wind energy and convert it into electricity without any power loss, and will reduce manufacturing and maintenance costs by two thirds."

That cuts the cost of turbines to $3-5 million each, down from $15 million today  ;D, and they would be much easier to transport without the heavy gear box, they say.


 Researchers are making superconducting coil from magnesium and boron, which is inexpensive, durable and easy to make. Since the materials don't generate electrical resistance, they can store electricity without losing any energy, and they can circulate the current indefinitely. 

"With industry support, we could install superconducting offshore wind turbines off the coast of Australia in five years, no problem," says Hossain.

Power WINDows   ;D

Another innovative wind design from the same university is Power WINDows, invented by Professor Farzad Safaei  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3).  You can see it placed between two city buildings:

(https://travelknots.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/kl_petronas_twin_towers.jpg)
WITHOUT Power WINDows wind electricity generators

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-041214201759.png&hash=abb0708b74d1519c7fe695f6f43bbb332d723573)
WITH Power WINDows wind electricity generators (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.runemasterstudios.com%2Fgraemlins%2Fimages%2F2thumbs.gif&hash=98130be1edf2bed4a80ac8f134b0126673bd469e)

Wind Turbine Australia [/b]

"My primary aim was to overcome some of the key shortcomings of current wind turbine technology, in particular, enable modular manufacturing, transportation and installation, reduce noise, land usage footprint, and better integration with living environments."

 To do that, he developed a modular design that looks like a large window and can be deployed in metropolitan areas as well as wind farms. Panels inside the window rotate slowly with the wind,  replacing spinning blades. This quiets the turbine and creates less turbulence around it, greatly decreasing its overall footprint. It also makes it cheaper and easier to manufacture, install and operate. Need more energy? Just add more panels.  ;D

 A prototype is under development.

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/26033

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiiwYXmCDXs&feature=player_embedded
Quote
Petronas Twin Towers - Wind Tunnel Analysis
Published on Jan 22, 2013

This video presents an external aerodynamic analysis of the Petronas Twin Towers at real scale. The simulation features the adaptive wake refinement scheme available in XFlow to refine progressively the wake as it develops, and ended with a maximum of 315 million elements.

Agelbert NOTE: Let's USE THAT WIND on our skycrapers to generate electricity!

The new and vastly more efficient wind generator technology orders of magnitude greater than we have so far achieved is further proof that Fossil fuels are a DEAD MAN WALKING.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)

Renewable energy= (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-301014181553.gif&hash=c09667beb656b25086c168adcdaddcba59abf858)                                (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-scared002.gif&hash=764898cfbf07ef2c41ffddc5e93fa0e1bed41bae)=Fossil Fuelers
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-forum%2Fpopcorn.gif&hash=f4c8fc573041a73e34bfb823e0611fbfe8617d67)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 11, 2014, 06:49:48 pm
MUST READ article on wind power and it's history in the USA!

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Energy Innovation Doesn't Just Happen: How Government Policies Destroyed and Regenerated the U.S. Wind Turbine Industry, Twice

Posted December 8, 2014

By Nathaniel Horner  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3)and Inês Azevedo  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3)


After a decade of annual near-death experiences, the production tax credit (PTC)—a tax benefit for generating electricity from certain renewable sources like wind—was allowed to expire at the end of last year. Like other policies such as investment tax credits and renewable portfolio standards (RPSs), the PTC was designed primarily to help shift the country’s energy supply towards more renewable sources. The response to these policies has largely come from wind generation, which now contributes over 4% of U.S. electricity supply.  A different set of policies in various European countries has enabled wind to meet over 7% of E.U. demand.

There are generally two ways to increase electricity generation from wind: we can construct more wind plants, or we can make the wind plants we build more productive. Arguments for the PTC tend to focus on the former: counting new project starts and added capacity, and noting ancillary benefits like jobs and economic stimulus. This makes sense, since it’s easy to count wind turbines cropping up over the landscape, and the relationship between the presence of incentives and the pace of construction can be readily seen.

The second means of increasing production is through technology innovation, and, in contrast to construction projects, it can be difficult to measure—innovations are not as easily countable as turbine towers, and the response time between implementation of an innovation policy and the appearance of any resulting technological advances in the commercial market is not immediate. Furthermore, when considering incentives for innovation, policymakers face difficulties of determining the counterfactual, i.e., would the advance occur even without the incentive? Nonetheless, innovation has been an immensely important part of the wind electricity success story: turbines today are larger and have higher capacity factors than their predecessors, reducing the cost of wind electricity to levels more or less competitive with conventional generation. If advances in technology had not happened, then wind projects would likely always need subsidies to be economically viable. Thus, it’s worth looking beyond building wind plants to think about how government policies incentivize technology innovation as well.

Innovation policy design


There are two general theories of innovation policy. Under technology-push policies, governments aim to reduce the costs of investing in innovation by providing direct subsidies—most often, R&D funds. Under demand-pull mechanisms, policymakers hope to increase the payoffs of investing in innovation by enhancing the market for the technology. The PTC and RPSs fall under this category—they create a demand for wind capacity, thereby (perhaps) inducing wind turbine suppliers to invest in creating better technology. Within each of these categories, policies can either be market interventions, like the PTC, that give one technology preferred treatment in the market, or command-and-control regulations, like the RPSs, in which a certain standard must be met. We often think of these respective options colloquially as carrots and sticks.

Command-and-control policies can be particularly effective at promoting innovation when they are stringent enough to be technology-forcing, that is, when meeting them is difficult using current technology. Notable examples of technology-forcing regulations in the U.S. occurred with emissions control technologies for power plants and automobiles.

Incentivizing the wind

So which policies, if any, have been successful in the U.S. at not only incentivizing construction, but also inducing innovation? The history of wind technology development in the United States[1] provides a clear example of how important the policy environment can be for innovation.

Many of us think of serious wind development in the U.S. beginning in the 1970s, but the first wind buildup actually occurred in the early half of the twentieth century. Enterprising rural farmers connected parts from water-pumping windmills, generators, and batteries to provide household electricity, and by the 1930s mass-produced “windchargers” could be purchased (via the Sears catalog, among other outlets). Hundreds of thousands of these small turbines soon dotted the American Midwest, but the establishment of the Rural Electrification Administration in 1935 and its subsequent aggressive push to connect these isolated farms to the electric grid essentially killed this industry by the 1950s.

The promise of atomic energy and cheap fossil fuels in the post-WWII era meant little interest in wind. By the latter half of the 1970s, however, stubbornly high nuclear plant costs and the oil embargo sowed the seeds for the first wind renaissance. The U.S. government took two significant policy actions to encourage wind technology. First, the Large Wind Turbine (LWT) R&D program administered by DOE and NASA attempted to develop commercial, utility-scale (multi-megawatt) wind turbines (Figure 1).[2] Second, the government issued what amounted to a 25% investment tax credit on wind turbine construction. Combined with state-level policies, the tax credit in California totaled 50%, and the wind rush was on. Instead of investing in large, complex machines, the order of the day was to build small and build fast. By 1985, 13,000 150-250 kW plants were constructed (Figure 2).

Boeing MOD 2, Goodnoe Hills
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Figure 1: Boeing MOD 2 turbines at Goodnoe Hills, Washington, developed as part of the Large Wind Turbine research program. Erected 1980, dismantled 1986. Photo: US Government/Public Domain.

Were these policies successful? The LWT program failed to produce a turbine that made it to commercial production. The large plants proved technically complex and generally unreliable, and while some prototypes met with limited success, many met the fate of the Boeing MOD 2 turbine at Medicine Bow, Wyoming, which was dynamited and sold as scrap for $13,000 just five years after being built at a cost of $6 million.

In California, the tax credit incentivized construction of the turbines, but there was no incentive for those to then produce electricity. As a result, many plants were unreliable: the worst wind farms had capacity factors of less than 10%, and a not insignificant portion were later removed. The most successful turbines were of an older, simple, Danish design.

Altamont Pass Turbines, CA
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Figure 2: Old turbines installed at Altamont Pass, CA. Photo: David J. Laporte / CC-BY-2.0

By some accounts, these two policies were high-profile failures that set the industry back a decade as people became disillusioned with wind. To be fair, though, these programs at least established a foothold for wind generation in the U.S. A DOE report found that the R&D program laid the technological foundation for later growth, while in California, the state retained enough working turbines in 1990 to produce over 2.5 TWh of electricity annually.

A second wind renaissance began just before the turn of the millennium. Coincident with the PTC (enacted in 1992) and state-level RPS policies—which mandate a certain proportion of electricity generation come from renewable sources—established beginning in the late 90s, the U.S. has seen dramatic growth in wind production over the past fifteen years.

Measuring innovation

We have mentioned four main policies involved in the history of U.S. wind generation: the level of federal R&D spending, the investment tax credits of the 1980s, the PTC, and the state-level RPSs—one technology-push policy and three demand-pull policies. It seems reasonable to conclude that the investment tax credits were not “technology-forcing,” and thus unlikely to have spurred innovation. But how do we assess policy effectiveness? First, we need to a way to measure innovation.

Economists use patent counts as one possible proxy for innovation, for reasons mainly related to data availability. Notwithstanding the well-documented limitations of this metric, it is not an unreasonable way to get a rough idea of the relative level of innovation activity within a particular technology area over time.

You can see a chart of patent counts juxtaposed with these policy variables in Figure 3 and can probably make a few reasonable hypotheses about the relationship between each policy and patenting activity. If we can also represent these policy variables (and additional “control” factors) quantitatively, we can set up a regression equation to determine which policies are most correlated with innovation. This is exactly what we do in a recent paper, to which we refer you for all the modeling details.[3]

Wind patenting and policies

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-111214233451.png&hash=2851ddd99ad63838a8694cdb8f5063e262c6666d)
Figure 3: Wind patenting rate over time (blue) juxtaposed with various wind policies: level of federal wind turbine R&D funding (top, green); counts of state-level renewable portfolio standards (bottom; red); and periods during which various tax credits were in place (bottom, shaded).  Image from our paper (Horner et al 2013 Environ. Res. Lett. 8 044032).

Our results support the conclusion that the investment tax credits had no effect on innovation. Federal R&D had a significant, but small correlation, supporting the idea that these investments have been marginally effective. Perhaps the most interesting finding is that the state-level RPS policies, and not the PTC, are most correlated with patenting activity.

These results make sense for several reasons. First, of these policies, the RPS is the only command-and-control mechanism[4] and is thus most likely to be technology-forcing. Wind farm operators desire to meet renewable generation mandates as efficiently as possible. Some of the costs of building and operating a wind farm, such as land acquisition and tower construction, would be expected to scale on a per-turbine basis. Larger turbines also utilize better quality wind at a higher altitude. Therefore, larger turbines likely achieve lower per-MWh costs. The experience of the federal R&D program indicated the need for technological advances to achieve reliability in these larger sizes, and thus there was an incentive to invest in innovation.

Second, the lack of an effect from the PTC in spurring innovation may have had a lot to do with how the credit was implemented. Beginning in 2000, the credit was renewed for periods of only one or two years and was allowed to expire briefly three times. Because there is a lag between innovation investment and delivery to the market, this short renewal period did not inspire confidence in suppliers that a payoff for investment would still exist in the future. RPSs, in contrast, provided a stable, long-term signal that there would be a market for better turbine technology.

The history of wind turbine technology is quite fascinating, and there’s much more that can be said about how policies have affected its development. However, we’d like to end with two takeaways.  First, transformative innovations often need government support to transition from the high-risk early period to a state where industry can take over.  The fact that wind turbine technology has needed policy intervention to achieve its current level of success should not be seen as an indictment of it.  After all, the IT and aerospace industries are full of technologies now providing huge societal benefit but that needed government support early on.

Second, the manner of this support—policy design—is critically important.  Successful policies balance between rolling out existing technology and incentivizing investment in the next generation of technologies.  The investment tax credits of the 1980s were mis-targeted, and a careful survey of the technology landscape could perhaps have provided a more fruitful direction for the LWT program. One important policy attribute is time horizon: when dealing with innovative technology areas, often a longer-term view is warranted. The lack of predictability in the PTC renewal schedule likely hindered its effectiveness in inducing innovation (though it clearly led to turbine construction), and an expiration date further in the future would perhaps have made it a more effective driver of technological progress.

Policy decisions arguably killed wind in the U.S. in the 1930s and 1980s, and policy decisions brought it back both times. While it doesn’t look like wind is headed for a third death in the near future, the talk of rolling back RPS policies in some states does threaten to bring the same sort of instability that plagued the PTC.  In any case, the lessons learned from the history of wind policy should be useful as we look to incentivize development of other energy technologies.

[1] For an excellent history of U.S. wind energy through the early 1990s, see Robert Righter’s Wind Energy in America: A History (University of Oklahoma Press, 1996).

[2] Only one multi-megawatt turbine had ever been built—forty years previous! The 1.25 MW Smith-Putnam turbine successfully fed electricity into Vermont’s electricity grid in 1941, but suffered two equipment failures, and interest faded in the postwar environment.

[3] Horner NC, Azevedo IL, & Hounshell DA (2013). Effects of Government Incentives on Wind Innovation in the United States. Environmental Research Letters 8 044032.


[4] Admittedly, this is a simplistic characterization of how RPSs are deployed in practice.  RPSs vary drastically from state-to-state; many allow for at least some of the mandate to be fulfilled via purchase of renewable energy credits and have cost-effectiveness requirements.  These attributes can make RPSs less stringent than typical command-and-control policies, and thus less effective technology-forcers.  For a detailed look at how each state’s RPS is set up, see dsireusa.org.


The Authors

Nathaniel Horner is a doctoral student in the Department of Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University, where his research includes innovation policy, energy systems, and energy use in the information technology sector.

Inês Azevedo as an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University, where she also serves as Co-Director for the Climate and Energy Decision Making (CEDM) Center.


http://theenergycollective.com/nathaniel-horner/2167751/energy-innovation-doesn-t-just-happen-how-government-policies-destroyed-and
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 19, 2014, 06:51:23 pm
Transforming the Grid with Clean Energy — Reliably — Every Day  ;D

John Moore, Senior Attorney, The Sustainable FERC Project 
 December 19, 2014 

Despite years of successful experience, dozens of studies, and increasing utility support for clean energy, urban myth holds that electricity from renewable energy is unreliable. Yet over 75,000 megawatts (MW) of wind and solar power have been integrated, reliably, into the nation’s electric grid to date. That’s enough electricity to supply 17.9 million homes.

And, as a new NRDC fact sheet published today illustrates, the electric grid can handle much higher levels of zero-carbon wind and solar power, far more than what’s necessary to achieve the relatively modest carbon emission reductions in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to limit pollution from existing power plants. But first, a little background on how our nation’s electric system works.

Grid Basics

The nation’s high-power transmission system is made up of three largely separate grids: one on either side of the Continental Divide (roughly) and the third in Texas. The two largest grids are further subdivided into regions managed by different regional and local utility grid operators.

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Source: MJ Bradley & Associates using Ventyx Velocity

Grid operators are the air traffic controllers of the power system, managing the flow of electrons from power plants to customers across thousands of miles of transmission lines. They operate the grid under extremely detailed procedures and standards.

Planning for the Next 5 Minutes and the Next 10 Years


To ensure a reliable transmission system, grid operators think in several time frames. In the immediate seconds to hours, they run the grid according to a detailed set of economic and electrical engineering rules embedded in sophisticated computer programs. These programs dispatch power plants with the lowest operating costs first, subject to important constraints to preserve the grid’s stability and avoid blackouts.

Grid operators also plan years into the future to ensure reliability. In the same way that one would not set out to drive across the desert on a half-tank of gas, they want to ensure enough power exists and can be delivered to meet consumer demand years ahead. To do so, they identify factors that could either increase or decrease the need for more power and power lines, and then plan accordingly.

Wind and Solar Power Hit the Big Leagues

There is more renewable energy flowing through the power grid than ever before. At times, wind has supplied more than 60 percent of the total demand on some utility systems, without reliability problems. And solar power now routinely contributes 10 to 15 percent of midday electricity demand in California, which has more solar panel installations than anywhere in the country.

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Source: American Wind Energy Association independent analysis based on real time data publicly available by ISOs and utilities

Accurate Forecasts and Advanced Technologies Matter

Due to more precise weather forecasts and sophisticated technologies, grid operators increasingly can predict--and control--wind and solar generation levels. Accurate predictions of wind speed and solar conditions help grid operators efficiently schedule renewable energy into the system. Using advanced and often-automatic control systems, grid operators can both increase and decrease the power output into the grid, which helps to stabilize the grid’s electrical frequency and maintain reliability.

Wind and Solar Need Less Backup Power than Coal, Gas and Nuclear

Every power plant on the grid needs “backup” power in case something happens to prevent it from generating as much electricity as planned. PJM, in charge of most of the grid from New Jersey to Illinois, currently holds 3,350 MW of expensive, fast-acting contingency reserves 24/7 to ensure that it can keep the lights on in case a large fossil or nuclear power plant unexpectedly breaks down. In contrast, MISO – the grid operator for the middle part of the country with the most wind power in the nation – needs almost no additional fast-acting power reserves to back up its 10,000-plus MW of wind power on the system.

Why is so little backup power needed for wind and solar? In contrast to the large, abrupt, and often unpredictable changes in electricity output from coal and nuclear power plants, wind output changes tend to be gradual and predictable, especially when wind turbines are spread over larger areas. The fact that a wind farm is a collection of many smaller turbines also helps, since the failure of one has little impact on the farm’s total output.

Our Grid Is Successfully Integrating Clean Energy Now and Will Continue

The power grid has always adapted to changing state and national energy trends and needs, thanks to regular operations and planning frameworks. Forty years ago grid operators learned to accommodate the sudden losses of generation that can come from integrating very large nuclear power plants into the system.

Now, as utility-scale wind and solar power rapidly expand, grid operators are successfully integrating these new resources into the grid while retiring many outdated, costly, and polluting coal plants. And they’re doing it without most Americans even noticing. Maybe that’s the best proof that wind and solar power are not just ready for the big leagues, they’re already there.

This article was originally pubished on NRDC and was republished with permission.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/12/transforming-the-grid-with-clean-energy-reliably-every-day
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 21, 2014, 04:00:54 pm
WSJ's $21 Billion Subsidy Hypocrisy (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183543.bmp&hash=0dd31f89969b231b56a05560331875860bb55e56)


by
ClimateDenierRoundupFollow
for
Climate Action Hub.
 
The Wall Street Journal — continuing its tradition of providing free advertising for fossil fuels in the form of opinion pieces — published an oped by Tim Phillips arguing that we should end the wind power Production Tax Credit (PTC), a 22-year-old subsidy for wind power. It just so happens, however, that Phillips is none other than the president of Americans for Prosperity, the oil-loving, Koch-funded right-wing "free market" advocacy group.

Full truth filled article:


http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/12/02/1348794/-WSJ-s-21-Billion-Subsidy-Hypocrisy

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.ucsusa.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F02%2FPTC-Graph.jpg&hash=c5228e43b3b87e763373ce04a55ff8e164348cf9)
Agelbert NOTE: This is not hard. Wind is eating fossil fuel profits even though it receives a PITTANCE in subsidy compared with fossil fuels. Consequently the fossil fuel fascists are DOING what they HAVE ALWAYS DONE to make it go away. Free market, MY ASS! 
 
The "Welfare" of Society is ALWAYS the alibi of Tyrants

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 24, 2014, 03:42:23 pm
The Fossil Fuel Funded Profit Over People and Planet PROPAGANDA   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183404.bmp&hash=dc40a133c761f80036b08ef0f6c0427aaa7e9f4b)
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwindtoons.com%2Fimages%2FWind-power-dollars-Leaving-Town-150.gif&hash=734cef0ba0afab96e85ce5bcaf995a51f468e613) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-300714025456.bmp&hash=f4e4a260bd60d3f34ca86fed93c47d5fb4117cfd)
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.u.arizona.edu%2F%7Epatricia%2Fcute-collection%2Fsmileys%2Flying-smiley.gif&hash=a34c2f7344d5f54f7009a4e684bb6c7310cdda03)                 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fmocantina.gif&hash=d013c741bcf9a78776eec19c2c3aac449c35d75c)               (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Facigar.gif&hash=dc9dccf92c6c88c99611b06c86d92629d69f2978)




The REALITY:

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The Project: Manzana Wind Power Project Creates Renewable Energy and Local Jobs

Project profile of the Manzana Wind Farm


 Renewable Energy World Editors 
 December 24, 2014 

In the wind-rich Tehachapi area near the town of Rosamond, California the 189-MW Manazana Wind Power Project, developed by Iberdrola Renewbles, generates electricity and sells it to San Diego Gas and Electric under a 20-year PPA. The project came online in 2012 and boasts 126 GE turbines.

At the height of construction, when these photos were taken, the wind farm created 290 construction jobs. Minnesota-based Blattner Energy managed construction, with the majority of the work sub-contracted to local California companies. Today, there are twelve permanent Iberdrola Renewables operations and maintenance staff who run the facility and eight or nine additional contractors work for the facility while it is still under warranty.

Click through to see a slideshow presentation of the project.
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/12/the-project-manzana-wind-power-project-creates-renewable-energy-and-local-jobs#comment-138675
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(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcleantechnica.com%2Ffiles%2F2012%2F02%2Fwashing_rotor_assembly_Manzana.jpg&hash=7de4a470ae418a3cde96c53559a17c293b2f1692)
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Manzana Sunlight Hills


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-BMO83zHKF7U%2FT2aECjTF1OI%2FAAAAAAAAvz4%2F-b4EI5FgQ0g%2Fs1600%2F11-309g.png&hash=45b5367e99666fd1ba755e34c62228ff42f53f75)
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl10.glitter-graphics.net%2Fpub%2F2491%2F2491210ovie015m90.gif&hash=c2edc7e32994c57779427e0df75cabac786a12bf) = 111%
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Fight for the truth. Destroy the lies and deliberate misperceptions pushed by the fossil fuelers so they can continue to degrade our biosphere AND what's left of our Democracy. Pass it on. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F176.gif&hash=121533221905789c6b8d57a9603883266d349266)


We need fossil fuels like a HOLE IN THE HEAD!  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fcustom%2Fimage%2Ftongue%255E_%255Earial%255E_%255E0%255E_%255E0%255E_%255EBurning+Fossil+Fuels+IS+SUICIDE%255E_%255E.gif&hash=dddc6d85ffcc21075f53bda643372d2383013562)



Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 29, 2014, 07:17:13 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz9kuJFyAoE&feature=player_embedded
The above video is from the  Department of Energy (DOE). It is WAY too conservative in its projections of wind power growth.

In fact, they admit that their 2008 study projection, prepared by 100's of scientists from 70 plus organizations (like the one NOW they are about to publish), of 48 GW of wind power by 2013 was A BIT OFF.  ;D

By 2013 the USA had 61 GW of installed wind power. The REALITY was 127% of the projection! That's why the Koch brothers and friends have gone nuts trying to kill "big wind". That's why recently, not one, not two, but THREE stalking horses for fossil fuel foot dragging have wormed their way into the DOE.

The video talks about all the REAL cost savings from increasing percentages of wind power in our grid. The FACT that wind power saves HUGE amounts of WATER is mentioned as well.
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcleantechnica.com%2Ffiles%2F2011%2F09%2Fpower-plant-water-use.png&hash=46a445f4f9e4e1b23c3d57f815392b8647cb65da)

What it fails to mention is that we DO NOT NEED to wait until 2050 to get a lousy 35% or so. We CAN get that by 2020! That is why the friends of dirty energy in Congress want to kill any benefit, no matter how small, compared with dirty energy subsidies, to slow down the wind renewable energy juggernaut.

The WAR is RAGING!  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.websmileys.com%2Fsm%2Fviolent%2Fsterb029.gif&hash=7a43a0c106eab798f7ba6133dc5cc550647a03d2) Watch the video. Keep in mind that the DOE has an "all the above" policy DICTATED by our fossil fuel government. But at least they are not lying about the Social Costs of dirty energy pollutants. They are REAL costs and we-the-people are sick and tired of paying them.   >:(
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 29, 2014, 09:29:23 pm
Report finds Iowa’s wind jobs come out on top  ;D


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Faweablog.org%2Fuploads%2Fimages%2F5288518999_8121ddde17_z.jpg&hash=4a3a236ffc53dd16d24894f74e954a852308b5a7)
Photo from AWEA's Flickr, all rights reserved

A new report on advanced energy employment in Iowa shows that the wind industry employs an impressive 3,600-plus workers in the Hawkeye State.

The report by the Advanced Energy Economic Institute found that wind energy “dominates” among jobs supported by advanced electricity generation industries in Iowa,, with 68 percent of workers in that segment working in wind. The report is consistent with research by the American Wind Energy Association.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Faweablog.org%2Fuploads%2Fimages%2Fwindiowa.png&hash=9e74755a6258825c4635a70b8f2c76bd3956930f)

The state numbers are impressive, but what may be most telling in the report is its meaning beyond Iowa’s borders. The report, for instance, notes the correlation between jobs and a commitment to renewable energy. Iowa has a long history of providing a conducive policy environment for tapping its renewable resources. In the 1980s, Iowa became the first state to institute a renewable portfolio standard.

“It’s easy to see why Iowa has a sizable workforce,” the report notes. “The state is a national wind energy powerhouse, as these [2013 American Wind Energy Association] statistics demonstrate: first in the nation in the percentage of electricity generated by wind (27 percent), third in megawatts installed, and third in the number of utility scale wind turbines.”

The report also notes how the growth of wind power has contributed to Iowa economic development beyond the industry itself, citing as examples the decisions by both Google and Facebook to locate data centers in the state—in part because of the availability of clean, affordable wind energy.

Another takeaway that’s applicable elsewhere: Those states most familiar with wind energy seem to like it the most. From the Iowa report: “Iowans overwhelmingly support the growth of the wind energy segment. Fully 85 percent of people in the state view wind energy more favorably than any other energy source, providing political support for pro-wind policies.”

However, the report also found that wind energy employment in the state has declined compared to 2013. The report states that “[t]his decline occurred during a sharp downturn in the U.S. wind industry associated with the expiration, followed by renewal, of the federal production tax credit (PTC), which resulted in the 90 percent drop in wind industry revenue in 2013.”  :evil4:

To avert more of the all-to-familiar boom-bust cycle, Congress must implement long-term policies to promote wind --  states like Iowa depend on it.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emofaces.com%2Fpng%2F200%2Femoticons%2Ffingerscrossed.png&hash=d56f8009d18b55f4cea7be68284c0521be92fc5d)

http://aweablog.org/blog/post/report-finds-iowas-wind-jobs-come-out-on-top (http://aweablog.org/blog/post/report-finds-iowas-wind-jobs-come-out-on-top)


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-0BwHkvYAh-Y%2FVDku9RQBULI%2FAAAAAAABGEk%2FjsA6jUsSf5k%2Fs1600%2F10-14-2014a.png&hash=fcc500d4abbc87be79088d43f82807db7e1b7123)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-yWPjNiMBZDI%2FVDku9v53SfI%2FAAAAAAABGEo%2F06popuQaqNc%2Fs1600%2F10-14-2014b.png&hash=28b7f65a94f370897546805aa3a313d065a79093)

Agelbert NOTE in regard to the relation between our survival and the autotrophic biomass health: Already, Negative effects on MIDDLE TROPHIC levels of climate change are being documented.

Quote
Climate change enhances the negative effects of predation risk on an intermediate consumer.

We found that both predation risk and increased air and sea temperatures suppressed the foraging of prey in the middle trophic level, suggesting that warming may further enhance the top-down control of predators on communities. Prey growth efficiency, which measures the efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels, became negative when prey were subjected to predation risk and warming.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24947942 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24947942)

The proof that the autotrophs (phototrophic - algae, phytoplankton, grass, trees - photosynthetic life forms and the prokaryotes, the cyanobacteria, the lithotrophs and the methanogens) are affected by higher temperatures to the point of endangering Homo SAP survival has already been documented.

I will provide more info on the growing awareness of the scientific community about our UNSUSTAINABLE path BECAUSE of the danger to autotrophs as well as the middle trophic levels.


Quote
Autotrophs, being the primary producers, are always at the bottom of the food chain. They are responsible for converting CO2 to a form required by the heterotrophs.

They have not been able to make FIRM conclusions because of the complexity of life form interactions but they are getting there.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Freading.gif&hash=63e3e644b39258d4c4eedbcdaf322315b1856723)

Quote
Research has already found that due to global warming, bacteria and fungi reproduce more rapidly (Agren, 2013). At the same time, they even use a larger share of the available carbon for their own respiration, bringing more CO2 into the atmosphere which stimulates atmospheric warming even more (Agren, 2013). This is how micro-organisms are believed to contribute to global climate change. Both in the carbon and nitrogen cycles there are certain levels of complex metabolic activities which are influenced by inorganic nutrients (Six et al ., 2006).

These activities are quite vigorous and fluent but will tend to alter if there is change within the surrounding environment. This may result in vehement effects and impacts on global climatic phenomena leading to change in its natural occurrences.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-310714182509.png&hash=7a8191a3d5ff15c51ad36a342a0cd50a90b956bd)

http://www.academia.edu/7609928/Role_of_micro-organisms_in_climate_change (http://www.academia.edu/7609928/Role_of_micro-organisms_in_climate_change)

Save the autotrophic biomass from climate change so your ass won't be grass. Demand 100%  transition to Renewable energy PLUS (for sequestering of carbon and bioremediation of planet polluting poisons) NOW!
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 06, 2015, 09:10:07 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opP13e-TvHM&feature=player_embedded
Excellent info on wind turbines for the home. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c)


Many golden tidbits of essential information including wiring efficiency differences between AC and DC, why AC turbines are a better deal with a rectifier located where your juice does the work or goes into a battery bank, why odd numbered blade turbines are better  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b), a good discussion of blade materials, angles and designs and also a discussion of turbine towers.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.runemasterstudios.com%2Fgraemlins%2Fimages%2F2thumbs.gif&hash=98130be1edf2bed4a80ac8f134b0126673bd469e) 

The sun will weaken PVC blades and high speed winds will DESTROY them.  :P Do NOT buy PVC blades. 

In fact, ANY plastic is TOAST under daily sunlight after a while. I suppose fiberglass would work but they would be much heavier than metal ones. Heavier blades mean higher wind speeds to get them moving. So, if you are in a low wind area, fiberglass is out too.  8).

I learned a lot from this video. The discussion of the charge controller, inverter and how EXACTLY they are connected was great. Also, the "dump load" feature to keep a wind turbine from wind milling was particularly enlightening.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F47b20s0.gif&hash=cc48c9af9d29b8836023c7db21103e52d1ed439e)

Renewable energy= (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-301014181553.gif&hash=c09667beb656b25086c168adcdaddcba59abf858)                                (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-scared002.gif&hash=764898cfbf07ef2c41ffddc5e93fa0e1bed41bae)=Fossil Fuelers
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-forum%2Fpopcorn.gif&hash=f4c8fc573041a73e34bfb823e0611fbfe8617d67)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 10, 2015, 08:04:13 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3SEmD7_Cb4&feature=player_embedded
The WIND TREES are coming!  ;D

Quote
What a strange sight! It's like a tree with little plastic spinning leaves. What on earth is it for?

 It's for producing energy!
The Wind Tree is made up of a steel trunk and mini turbines. It's designed to harness energy from even the slightest of breezes, so it's producing energy even on days with very low wind.

 From the French start up "New Wind", these silent and powerful windmills should appeal to those who oppose the size and noise of traditional turbines.

 They stand 11 meters tall, and are designed to fit into the urban environment.

 One will be placed in Paris, right on the Champs- Elysees!

 --Bibi Farber

This video was produced by Reuters - See more at: http://www.nextworldtv.com/videos/energy/-wind-tree-turbine-perfect-for-cities.html#sthash.4wBsuvaD.dpuf
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 22, 2015, 06:09:02 pm
(https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/4060108544/h02E25C97/.jpg) 
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fthumbs.dreamstime.com%2Fz%2Fchinese-emoticon-22648577.jpg&hash=e5f417f773692d246a108dcc451657cb8b2c6e05)

01/22/2015 02:56 PM     
China Leads World On Wind Additions Again; Offshore Wind Creates Double the Jobs As Drilling

SustainableBusiness.com News

The results are in for wind industry growth in 2014, with the US and China continuing their leadership positions.


Developers in the both countries (and Germany) rushed to get projects in the ground before incentives declined or expired -leading to 4.7 gigawatts (GW) added in the US and an impressive 20.7 GW in China, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF).

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-280914173454.gif&hash=4e75877e9cceee4340ec50e1483cb75db100974d)

In the US, projects had to be started by the end of 2014 - which means a good year ahead (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.runemasterstudios.com%2Fgraemlins%2Fimages%2F2thumbs.gif&hash=98130be1edf2bed4a80ac8f134b0126673bd469e)  - and in China, the feed-in tariff will soon be cut.  :P

Last year, capacity grew 38% in China, where a total of 96 GW of wind is now installed, says BNEF. After leading the world with 16 GW installed in 2013, China's government raised the target to 200 GW by 2020. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fmaniac.gif&hash=9ecf389a7da25db958f3f63461cbb45a4b316c4e)  ;D

Even though China leads on capacity, the US pumps out more wind energy.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78)    (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)

The other top countries for wind additions are Germany (3.2 GW), Brazil (2.7 GW) and India (2.3 GW).

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Finsideclimatenews.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fimagecache%2Fhome_page_slideshow%2Ftehachapi-pass-wind-farm-collage.jpg&hash=47ba7ef7246b6033e159248da7e93b54d1cf8076)

The 947 MW Alta Wind Energy Center in California. it is the biggest wind farm in the world so far.


Jobs From Offshore Wind

Just as the US is about to get its first - if tiny - offshore wind farm and Republicans get ready to push for extensive offshore oil drilling in the Atlantic, another report shows the advantages of offshore wind.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860)

Offshore wind would create double the jobs and double the energy as offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean, reports Oceana, while drilling would actually threaten the 1.4 million jobs in fishing, tourism and recreation. And the threats begin with oil exploration - where seismic airguns blast the ocean floor from Delaware to Florida, harming millions of fish, dolphins and whales.


"Unlike offshore drilling, offshore wind provides power directly to coastal communities where we need energy the most, without the risk of oil spills or carbon pollution,"
says Andrew Menaquale, author of the report and energy analyst at Oceana. "It's time for the US to use the lessons learned from more than 20 years of offshore wind development internationally and apply them to generating clean, renewable energy off our coasts."

Findings include:
  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Freading.gif&hash=63e3e644b39258d4c4eedbcdaf322315b1856723)

•In 13 years, offshore wind could generate more energy than all economically recoverable offshore oil and gas resources.

•Gradual offshore wind development for the next 20 years, would supply electricity to over 115 million households.

•Extracting all recoverable oil would meet 5 months of demand, and 10 months of gas demand at current consumption rates.

•The Atlantic Ocean contains less than 4% of US oil reserves and less than 3% of gas reserves.

A previous study shows offshore wind could power the entire Atlantic coast, while creating 300,000 jobs, and would also protect the coast from devastating hurricanes.
   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2FBanane21.gif&hash=ea8aefd6edec2a8f8e52b83aa2874cd9f97fe9ae)


Read Oceana's report, Offshore Energy By the Numbers:
 
Website: http://usa.oceana.org/reports/offshore-energy-numbers

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/26114
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 23, 2015, 03:15:42 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-301014182234.gif&hash=bf6d91c9f6bd3e01a951d725e8b0b5c62c68c519)

Photoessay: A Day in the Life of a Wind Farm Operator

Christine Duval, First Wind
 January 23, 2015

Have you ever wondered what it takes to run a wind farm? You’ve seen all the amazing photos taken from the tops of turbines, but do you know what the technician is actually doing up there?

A photographer followed around the crew at the Bull Hill Wind farm in Maine. Here’s a glimpse into their daily lives on the job. (http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2015/01/photoessay-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-wind-farm-operator?) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Freading.gif&hash=63e3e644b39258d4c4eedbcdaf322315b1856723)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-ts=1421914688&x-yt-cl=84503534&v=-dymM8K5EQQ&feature=player_detailpage
Bull Hill Wind Farm Video

Bull Hill Wind is composed of 19 wind turbines and powers about 16,000 homes annually.


Agelbert posted comment:
 

 A. G. Gelbert   
 January 23, 2015 

Thank you, Christine Duval. I love to see people making a decent living working on behalf of future generations on jobs that will never be outsourced.

I predict that, in the near future, both the ten minute climb and the ten minute descent will be eliminated by a one man electric winch elevator.

These "winches" are old technology used by scaffolding workers that wash skyscraper windows. It is simply a drill that attaches to a fitting on the scaffolding frame and cables (you need two men running a drill on both ends to raise the scaffolding evenly - a tricky process if one drill is running faster than the other - not for the feint of heart).

I'm certain a better version for wind turbines will be developed to enable quicker access. Time is money.
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 23, 2015, 03:36:37 pm
Wind power to create 4,200 Maine jobs this year, boosts state economy   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)


by John Lamontagne

in Bingham · Bull Hill · Development · Economy · Hanc ock · Maine · Mars Hill · Oakfield · Rollins · Stetson · The Future of Wind
— 6 Jan, 2015



A new economic report predicts that the wind energy industry could create as many as 4,200 jobs in the state of Maine alone in 2015.

In addition, the report demonstrates that the industry has already invested nearly $550 million into the Maine economy since 2006 and will invest another $750 million in the next few years.

The analysis of wind energy in Maine released today shows that the industry has made a significant positive impact on the state’s economy, not only in terms of investment, but also in terms of creating jobs.  The study states that the industry has been employing more than 1,500 people per year and helping to open new markets for Maine companies.

Conducted by Charles Colgan, Ph.D., and the Maine Center for Business & Economic Research at the University of Maine in conjunction with Wind for Maine and the Maine Renewable Energy Association (MREA), the report’s major findings include:

◾New investment of nearly $1.28 billion between 2006-2018;

◾$1.14 billion in employee earnings over the same period;

◾Creation of 1,560 jobs per year, peaking in 2015 at 4,200; and

◾Development of new markets for 23 Maine-based companies that led to nearly $89.6 million in sales in 2011-2013 and 390 jobs in Maine
.


Wind for Maine and MREA announced the results of the report at a press conference today and in a press release.

read more: http://www.firstwindblog.com/wind-power-to-create-4200-maine-jobs-this-year-boosts-state-economy/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 19, 2015, 03:16:47 pm
Wind Intermittency Is a Myth, says AWEA  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F47b20s0.gif&hash=cc48c9af9d29b8836023c7db21103e52d1ed439e)


SustainableBusiness.com News

The Achilles Heal for wind energy is intermittency, or that's what we have been told.

 We need coal, nuclear and gas for reliable, baseload power, is the common refrain, but that's a myth, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

Instead, wind contributes to the stability of the grid, they say, and can be more reliable than conventional energy sources. Fluctuating supply and demand is fundamental to the grid - with or without wind power.

Fluctuations from any given power source are not what's important to grid operators, they care about the total supply and demand at any given moment. Variations in wind energy happen slowly and can be easily smoothed out - they are actually less problematic than fluctuations in conventional energy sources because they can be predicted in advance. And the more wind energy that's added to the grid, the less variable the resource as a whole becomes.

 When conventional energy sources go down, they tend to drop suddenly and by a lot.

This means less - not more - reserve capacity is needed as a backup for intermittent wind. In Texas, grid operator ERCOT, for example, shows back-up for wind adds four cents to utility bills, compared to 76 cents for hedges against power plant outages, according to AWEA.

Out of 10 gigawatts of capacity, only 50 megawatts of fast-acting reserves must be ready to compensate for wind variations, says ERCOT. MISO, the grid operator in the Midwest, needs "little to no" fast-acting reserves. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Ftuzki-bunnys%2Ftuzki-bunny-emoticon-005.gif&hash=c0f70cc821100c434469eae24e0fa6131745ab51)

AWEA notes that wind variability does increase the need for more slower-acting reserves, but those are less expensive sources of power. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Ftuzki-bunnys%2Ftuzki-bunny-emoticon-005.gif&hash=c0f70cc821100c434469eae24e0fa6131745ab51)

"Conventional power-plant failures most often happen in a fraction of a second with no warning; the variability of wind is both gradual and predictable," Michael Goggin, AWEA's Research Director told Midwest Energy News. "Gradual changes in wind output are relatively easy for grid operators to accommodate. On the other hand, rapid changes in electricity supply caused by traditional power plant failures require very fast-acting reserve generation. 24/7, you don't know when a traditional power plant will go down. With wind you can do forecasting, you know tomorrow between 2 or 3 p.m. there will be a reduction."   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Ftuzki-bunnys%2Ftuzki-bunny-emoticon-005.gif&hash=c0f70cc821100c434469eae24e0fa6131745ab51)

Therefore, AWEA says the focus on the need for large amounts of "baseload" power is misleading, as is the need for lots of energy storage. The combination of power sources on the grid serves that function.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_0293.gif&hash=b1af4868ed8f18c30e637f8cbcb79002f6f71039)

 In fact, this is an argument for a diverse, balanced grid that runs on many energy sources. Wind energy helps build a more reliable and balanced electricity portfolio. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Ftuzki-bunnys%2Ftuzki-bunny-emoticon-005.gif&hash=c0f70cc821100c434469eae24e0fa6131745ab51)

More than a dozen studies by US grid operators and the Department of Energy show that wind energy can reliably supply at least 20-30% of our electricity, and some say, 40%.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F47b20s0.gif&hash=cc48c9af9d29b8836023c7db21103e52d1ed439e)

Read our article,  Wind Energy Rescues Much of US During Polar Vortex. (http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/25434)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Ftuzki-bunnys%2Ftuzki-bunny-emoticon-005.gif&hash=c0f70cc821100c434469eae24e0fa6131745ab51)

Read AWEA's report, Wind Energy Helps Build a More Reliable and Balanced Electricity Portfolio:

 
Website: http://awea.files.cms-plus.com/AWEA%20Reliability%20White%20Paper%20-%202-12-15.pdf

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/26155
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 28, 2015, 10:41:29 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6QyBdPGbFE&feature=player_embedded
The Archimedes F1 is small but extremely efficient.
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on March 03, 2015, 06:04:43 pm
03/03/2015 02:02 PM     

World Wind Industry Grows 44% in 2014  ;D

SustainableBusiness.com News


2014 was a record-breaking year for the wind industry as it grew 44% worldwide, says the Global Wind Energy Council.

The industry added 51.5 gigawatts (GW) bringing the world cumulative total to 369.6 GW.

China, still the leader, set its own record by installing 23.4 GW - almost half the world's new capacity, and more than any country has added in one year. China has 115 GW of wind farms.

 Europe added 12.8 GW, and Germany installed almost half of that with 5.3 GW of new wind, growing 58% from 2013. Germany now has 38 GW of onshore wind and 2.4 GW of offshore wind. Renewable energy currently supplies 25.8% of the country's electricity.

European countries are now connected to nearly 2,500 turbines as part of 74 different offshore wind farms, reports the European Wind Energy Association. Total installed capacity there reached 8,045.3 MW in 2014.

Other notable additions:
•US added 4.9 GW
•Latin America added 3.7 GW, mostly in Brazil (2.8 GW) - the significant newcomer
•India added 2.3 GW


Denmark had a watershed year, with wind producing 39% of its electricity, as did Scotland at 32%, and the UK, Spain, Portugal, and Germany get at least 10% from wind.


 Wind energy now accounts for about 5% of global electricity demand.
http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/26180

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Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on March 19, 2015, 03:03:18 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7k-ayGWfh4&feature=player_embedded
High Tech wind power
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 28, 2015, 11:29:44 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RT5qQDZjnQ&feature=player_embedded
Wind is every bit as reliable as coal and gas!
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 30, 2015, 02:25:30 pm
Palloy said,
Quote
I think he meant the reliability systems are every bit as good as those used for coal and gas, not that wind was a reliable source of energy.

I think you are totally mistaken. Wind ENERGY IS AT LEAST as reliable as coal and gas.

Believe whatever you wish. I know I won't convince you. :emthdown:  But if you really are serious about knowing the TRUTH, just go to Cleantechnica and they will calmly, and with LOSTS of mathematics and hard data, explain AND PROVE to you that wind IS MORE reliable than coal and gas.  I get just a little tired of people like you assuming I post stuff here without GOBS of background and research to back up what I say BEFORE I say it.  :emthdown:


October 28th, 2014
 Wind Power Is Cheaper, More Reliable, Than Natural Gas (http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/28/wind-power-cheaper-reliable-natural-gas/)

The above is just ONE of many articles and nuts and bolts take downs of the MYTH that Coal (which is LESS RELIABLE THAN gas, by the way) and gas are more reliable than wind ENERGY. Amory Lovins has published peer reviewed articles in regard to wind energy reliability above and beyond coal, gas and nuclear.

Coal and gas are not cheaper than Wind energy either. And THAT is BEFORE any of the ENERGY costs of cleaning up the environment are Subtracted from COAL AND GAS EROEI.   

Don't bother to apologize. I know that isn't your thing.  ;)

Interesting quote from the article, which is essentially about wind in Oz:
Quote
“The whole point of putting renewables in, is to replace fossil fuel generation,” he said. “And obviously, the more generation you put into the system, more supply, always leads to lower cost of supply.”

In the case of South Australia, the added wind capacity has actually meant less reliance on back-up generation, demonstrating that grid volatility is not really increased when more renewables are added to the mix.

Needless to say, all this seems to be lost on the wind turbine hating Abbott government, and its mainstream media supporters.

Have been going up to Pennsylvania much lately, as my mother is not well. On the way I've often seen a billboard helpfully supplied by the local coal bund:
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fglobalriskinsights.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F10%2FCoal-commercial-US-midterms.jpg&hash=66128210baa9240a38761be7b28dd11d458efca0)

Part of the criticism of wind seems to be that it's intermittent. Whereas the point of the article is the contrast between models: a small amount of large generators as opposed to a large number of small generators. The article makes the point that the latter is more resilient.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_0293.gif&hash=b1af4868ed8f18c30e637f8cbcb79002f6f71039) The fossil fuel crowd hates this, of course.

Thank you Surly and Eddie for showing objectivity (that Palloy REFUSES to show) in this issue of Wind Energy Reliability. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.runemasterstudios.com%2Fgraemlins%2Fimages%2F2thumbs.gif&hash=98130be1edf2bed4a80ac8f134b0126673bd469e)

On another thread today you said you agreed with me 100%, and I agree with you 100% sometimes too.  I have no problem with you being a Christian.  I disagree with your ideas on evolution, and tried to discover some common ground on that, however small, but you didn't want to pursue that.

This seems to cover what Lovins says:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MsgrahFln0s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MsgrahFln0s)
He is talking about:
1.  making changes to the overall demand, to lower it by about 44% at peak
2.  making changes to the sub-daily variation in demand, to smooth it out by about 66%
3.  using wind, solar and dispatchable geothermal, hydro and feedlot biogas
4.  storing excess in high-storage air-conditioning and EV batteries
5. "unobtrusively flexible demand" for load matching

The unreliability of coal is deemed to be that "they break sometimes".  (And wind turbines don't?)  ::)

The changes he talks about as being so easy are massively complicated to achieve in practice.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_2932.gif&hash=0eaec4791a5825821998245e7fcd7744b56557fe)

You have boiled all that down to "wind is more reliable than coal", which is why the statement in isolation looks so odd.

I think you ought to take stock of why you are so hostile to anyone who questions the things you say, when those things are so obviously wrong - the pent up aggression will give you a heart attack in the end.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_2932.gif&hash=0eaec4791a5825821998245e7fcd7744b56557fe)  :evil4:


Thank you for posting some of Amory's points. I agree with all of them. NO, he is NOT saying that the unreliability of fossil fuel power plants is strictly a function of an occasional breakdown. That is a deliberate misinterpretation of the data on your part. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_6869.gif&hash=f94938471d343a09155d1f60eefacdb2ceab2457)

Oh, yes, the "You are too sensitive" accusation.  ::) I'm "hostile" to incorrect interpretations, sloppy biosphere math and biased defenses of dirty energy because they are not objective.

YOU are the one who wouldn't let it go when I said I disagreed with you. You could have, but you didn't. I heard you the first time you said you disagreed with my "interpretation" of the video. But you had to push it. when somebody pushes me, I roll over if I'm wrong. But if I'm right, I pack a sandwich and dive into the fray. I'm right, so just like Uncle Sam, I say, KNOCK KNOCK, HERE I AM! (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F2mo5pow.gif&hash=995f9f6c08dcd54f18425f2bfbe138901cf052b1) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fswear1.gif&hash=87347674f9297191f3f8a447208170617da4caf6)

ALL of your arguments, when you aren't going for psychological manipulation or snark ad hominem, are based on a cherry picked type of math that factors out ENERGY costs not directly involved in the operation of a power source BEFORE it is built, WHILE it is being built and AFTER the damage it has done to the environment MUST be dealt with in decommissioning and health care costs. I don't think you are being mathematically myopic because you don't know any better.

IF you were an ignoramus, I would not come at you like a freight train when you play these games. But you are a smart man and you influence people to believe status quo EROEI myths (see Charles Hall and fossil fuel friends  :evil4:). I had the same problem with Roamer. You guys are SUCKERED into the BIG POWERFUL INTERNAL COMBUSTION CONCENTRALIZED ENERGY BULLSHIT. It was taught to you in schools. You are biased. You are wrong. Your "view" of energy CFS is helping DESTROY LIFE ON EARTH. That is, to put it mildly, something I resent.

Your snarky rejoinder to Amory, "And wind turbines don't? (break down as often as fossil fuel power plants) CONVENIENTLY ignores the MASSIVE redundancy factor (ABSENT FROM LARGE CENTRALIZED FOSSIL FUEL POWER PLANTS) inherent in having MULTIPLE wind turbines with 24/7 VARYING wind loads that TRANSLATE, using modern technology, to MORE RELIABLITY. Now it's my turn for snark! Mathematicans really should learn to count power plants! FOR EXAMPLE ONLY, 10,000 or more wind turbines, with 50 breaking down per year, versus 2 or three fossil fuel power plants, with one breaking down per year. DO THE RELIABILITY MATH, MATHEMATICIAN.  8)

Palloy, I, unlike you, will jump out there and say I agree with you 100% when I applaud what you write. Much of what you write is good stuff.  :emthup: Don't pretend you didn't WALK AWAY form the DNA degraded wolf = dog debate that YOU asked me to engage in, SPECIFICALLY because you thought you could trounce me with your knowledge of dog breeding  ;). I consider walking away from a debate, where one party has posted irrefutable research to defend his position  ;D, behavior typical of a sore loser.  :emthdown:

You consider that the behavior of someone who plays to win and leaves the game before the score is "settled". Maybe that's okay for someone who's religion is the "apex predators are all sneaky = highly evolved status" CHURCH OF EVOLUTION DOGMA. But that is a questionable moral calculus, Mr. Mathematician.

But thanks anyway, for admitting that you DO agree with me sometimes, even if it was for the specific purpose of defending your biased view that wind energy is less reliable than fossil and nuclear piggery.  ;) Any port in the storm and all that. :emthup:

Now for today's Renewable Energy News:
04/28/2015 03:54 PM       

Stanford Leads With Massive Renewable Energy System


SustainableBusiness.com News

Stanford University announced a massive upgrade to its energy system that makes it a world leader among universities, while saving $420 million on energy costs over the next 35 years.

There are two components - an extremely efficient combined heat and power system (CHP) and lots of solar energy.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.123rf.com%2F400wm%2F400%2F400%2Fyayayoy%2Fyayayoy1106%2Fyayayoy110600019%2F9735563-smiling-sun-showing-thumb-up.jpg&hash=09b45642ec6d7943d30b5b87548676e3ee7dbe3d)

SunPower is installing 5 megawatts (MW) of rooftop solar on campus and a 68 MW project on 300 acres of land - a commitment only exceeded by University of California.  Combined with purchases of renewable energy from the grid, the projects will generate 65% of Stanford's electricity. 

On the efficiency side, Stanford will cut emissions 68% and conserve 15% of potable water through its CHP plant, Stanford Energy Systems Innovations (SESI). An amazing 90% of campus heat will be supplied by recovering waste heat from the system that chills water on campus.

 22 miles of underground pipes had to be replaced and 155 buildings were retrofitted to convert from the old steam cogeneration system that ran on natural gas. Stanford essentially created a District Energy system, common in Europe, but rare in North America.

 Construction started in 2012 and the $438 million project began operating in March.

Stanford patented the software that optimizes the system. It continuously monitors plant equipment, predicts campus energy loads and grid electricity prices, and steers the system to using energy at the most economical times. It also continuously reviews its own performance.

 Stanford says:

"SESI is designed to take advantage of Northern California's temperate climate, although the system is adaptable to nearly any environment. As with most modern large commercial facilities, university buildings are being cooled and heated at the same time throughout the year to supply different room-temperature requirements.

"In other words, the cooling process can be seen as a collection of unwanted heat. Some modern facilities take advantage of this heat overlap on a stand-alone building basis. SESI, however, takes this approach to an entirely new scale, encompassing a 15-million-square-foot campus with a population of more than 30,000.

"By significantly reducing natural gas usage and electrifying the campus heating and cooling system, we enabled the university's energy supply to be substantially transitioned from fossil fuels with volatile and unpredictable long-term prices to clean renewable electricity sources with affordable costs fixed for a very long time," says Joseph Stagner, executive director of Sustainability and Energy Management at Stanford.
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knocking

Under Stanford's ongoing Energy and Climate Action Plan, new buildings must be 30% more efficient than state code - which already leads the nation. Existing buildings are getting major retrofits and campus programs teach students, faculty and staff how to cut back on their energy use.

Last year, Stanford announced it would divest from coal, the first major university to do so.   ;D

For another innovative use of waste heat, read our article, London Homes Heated By Subway Waste Heat.

Learn more about Stanford's system:

 
Website: http://sustainable.stanford.edu/campus-action/stanford-energy-system-innovations-sesi (http://sustainable.stanford.edu/campus-action/stanford-energy-system-innovations-sesi)

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/26268 (http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/26268)

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Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 20, 2015, 08:22:21 pm

The Future of Wind Turbines? No Blades (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coh2.org%2Fimages%2FSmileys%2Fhuhsign.gif&hash=3732d0427be65896527fc3805c5be54a33cffd3b)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.powerengineeringint.com%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Fpei%2Fonline-articles%2F2015%2FMay%2FVortex-Bladeless-Wind-Turbine-537x416.jpg&hash=ab6fcf199dc481b4e97b1cd4ba7c7f8d82603a89)
Caption:  The company designing the machine says its turbine is cheaper to manufacture, silent and doesn't pose a thread to birds. Vortex Bladeless   

It’s no longer surprising to encounter 100-foot pinwheels spinning in the breeze as you drive down the highway. But don’t get too comfortable with that view. A Spanish company called Vortex Bladeless is proposing a radical new way to generate wind energy that will once again upend what you see outside your car window.

Their idea is the Vortex, a bladeless wind turbine that looks like a giant rolled joint shooting into the sky. The Vortex has the same goals as conventional wind turbines: To turn breezes into kinetic energy that can be used as electricity. But it goes about it in an entirely different way.

Instead of capturing energy via the circular motion of a propeller, the Vortex takes advantage of what’s known as vorticity, an aerodynamic effect that produces a pattern of spinning vortices. Vorticity has long been considered the enemy of architects and engineers, who actively try to design their way around these whirlpools of wind. And for good reason: With enough wind, vorticity can lead to an oscillating motion in structures, which, in some cases, like the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, can cause their eventual collapse.

Where designers see danger, Vortex Bladeless’s founders—David Suriol, David Yáñez, and Raul Martín—sees opportunity. “We said, ‘Why don’t we try to use this energy, not avoid it,’” Suriol says. The team started Vortex Bladeless in 2010 as a way to turn this vibrating energy into something productive.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.gizmag.com%2Fgallery_lrg%2Fvortex-bladeless-wind-turbine-1.jpg&hash=e73a67520f6de76918fae9189085bd0e2144373d)
A prototype of the Vortex. Vortex Bladeless

The Vortex’s shape was developed computationally to ensure the spinning wind (vortices) occurs synchronously along the entirety of the mast. “The swirls have to work together to achieve good performance,” Villarreal explains. In its current prototype, the elongated cone is made from a composite of fiberglass and carbon fiber, which allows the mast to vibrate as much as possible (an increase in mass reduces natural frequency). At the base of the cone are two rings of repelling magnets, which act as a sort of nonelectrical motor. When the cone oscillates one way, the repelling magnets pull it in the other direction, like a slight nudge to boost the mast’s movement regardless of wind speed. This kinetic energy is then converted into electricity via an alternator that multiplies the frequency of the mast’s oscillation to improve the energy-gathering efficiency.

Its makers boast the fact that there are no gears, bolts, or mechanically moving parts, which they say makes the Vortex cheaper to manufacture and maintain. The founders claim their Vortex Mini, which stands at around 41 feet tall, can capture up to 40 percent of the wind’s power during ideal conditions (this is when the wind is blowing at around 26 miles per hour). Based on field testing, the Mini ultimately captures 30 percent less than conventional wind turbines, but that shortcoming is compensated by the fact that you can put double the Vortex turbines into the same space as a propeller turbine.

The Vortex team says there are some clear advantages to their model: It’s less expensive to manufacture, totally silent, and safer for birds since there are no blades to fly into. Vortex Bladeless says its turbine would cost around 51 percent less than a traditional turbine whose major costs come from the blades and support system. Plus, Suriol says, it’s pretty cool-looking. “It looks like asparagus,” he says. “It’s much more natural.”

The company has already raised $1 million from private capital and government funding in Spain, and they have plans to close a round in the United States soon. There’s enough interest, Suriol says, that he fields upward of 200 emails a day from people inquiring about the turbine. Of course, the technology still has a ways to go. They’re hoping to have their first product, a 9-foot, 100-watt turbine that will be used in developing countries, ready before the end of the year. The Mini, it’s 41-foot counterpart, will be ready in a year.

For the time being, you’ll continue seeing pinwheels dotting the landscape, which Suriol is actually happy about. “We can’t say anything bad about conventional wind turbines; they’re great machines,” he says. “We’re just proposing a new way, a different way.”


http://www.wired.com/2015/05/future-wind-turbines-no-blades/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 22, 2015, 03:50:28 pm
MAP: Energy Dept. finds there can be wind energy in every state
Carl Levesque
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-220515152908.jpeg&hash=4cf4c9ae37a4137f21f8b4905621347d235f8e36)

The U.S. wind industry can virtually rewrite America’s wind resource map with its advancing technology so that wind energy development eventually comes to every state in the nation.

That was the news delivered directly to WINDPOWER attendees by U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and detailed in a report titled “Enabling Wind Power Nationwide” that featured several new wind potential maps. This follow-up report to the Department of Energy’s Wind Vision was released in conjunction with the WINDPOWER 2015 Conference & Exhibition.

“By producing the next generation of larger and more efficient wind turbines, we can create thousands of new jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as we fully unlock wind power as a critical national resource,” Moniz said in a statement upon release of the report.

In his WINDPOWER General Session address, Moniz expressed the need for investment in high-voltage transmission development, which he pointed out is achievable as it “is in no way out of bounds with current investment levels.” He pointed out DOE is also involved in aiding with industry-specific challenges—for example, the logistics of moving ever-larger wind components to project sites.

He pointed out DOE is also involved in aiding with industry-specific challenges—for example, the logistics of moving ever-larger wind components to project sites.

He stated that international climate commitments align with the numbers the wind industry can contribute as detailed in the Wind Vision, which outlines how America can double its wind energy penetration to 10 percent by 2020, double it again to 20 percent by 2030, and then reach 35 percent by 2050.

“If you do that arithmetic, you can see how this fits into the [Wind Vision] in terms of robust deployment of wind to 2020,” he said. “But, because those targets we laid out actually call for doubling the pace of carbon reductions beyond 2020, that idea of wind deployments for example, upping the ante after 2020 just fits hand in glove with those kinds of targets that we laid out.”

Moniz spoke both near- and long term, urging extension of the federal Production Tax Credit and setting sights on wind energy contributing 1 trillion kilowatt-hours a year, which he called “a nice target—a nice, round number” to pursue, even though it may take a decade or more to get there.

AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan spoke earlier in the session about the Wind Vision, likening pursuit of its benchmarks to the challenges and ultimate success of the 1990 Clean Air Act, which he worked on under the George H.W. Bush administration. Kiernan initiated what became a theme of the General Session—a clear call to action for members of the industry to let their voices be heard at a decibel level matching the size and importance of the industry. He urged the men and women working in wind energy to join AWEA (membership@awea.org), join powerofwind.com, speak publicly on behalf of the industry by becoming a Wind Ambassador, and donate to a wind-related political action committee.

“The future of our industry, I believe the future of America, is dependent upon what we do now,” said Kiernan.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_0293.gif&hash=b1af4868ed8f18c30e637f8cbcb79002f6f71039)

Wind’s contribution to America was evident across the entire General Session. Lisa Davis of Siemens AG shared the contribution of veterans in Siemens’ wind operations all around the country, from its North American headquarters in Orlando to its facilities in Hutchinson, Kan., Ft. Madison, Iowa and elsewhere. She also highlighted wind’s arrival as a mainstream energy source that’s making a difference in so many ways.

“Ladies and gentlemen, wind power is now in the United States,” she said.

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The General Session got down to business with an industry panel that built off of the news coming from Moniz and DOE as well as other speakers. Providing the DOE perspective to the otherwise all-industry panel was Jose Zayas, the Director for Wind & Water Power Technologies Office who has been at the center of the Wind Vision initiative. Echoing Moniz on a few issues, such as transmission infrastructure, Zayas reiterated the latest report’s finding, saying, “I hope one day we can sit here and talk about having wind in every state.”

Paul Gaynor, the Executive Vice President at SunEdison who helped grow a wind energy company based largely on a strategy of developing high-value projects near load, appropriately spoke to the notion of the expanding geographic potential for wind highlighted by the DOE report. “To me, it’s an opportunity to think about the country a little bit differently,” he said.

Panelists also touched on the broader wind energy market going forward and the impact of various factors such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s pending Clean Power Plan to cut carbon emissions in the electric sector. Karen Conover, Vice President at DNV GL, observed that wind is “most economic” in many of the places where carbon reductions may be most needed.

RES Americas President Susan Reilly addressed the advocacy dimension of the Clean Power Plan as the implementation details get worked out. She urged that the industry convey how “wind energy can be a very competitive compliance measure” for meeting the Clean Power Plan requirements.

Technology advancement was a major topic of the General Session, and the comments of Anne McEntee, Vice President for Renewables at GE Power & Water, epitomized the theme. “We are right now, through the industrial internet, going through a massive transformation,” said McEntee. She discussed GE’s “Digital Wind Farm,” announced today, which maximizes turbine efficiency at a project site by using the power of big data and real-time information to change hub heights and perform other measures.

Doug Greenholz, President of IKEA Property Inc., closed out the session with some firsthand information from the ever-growing number of companies buying wind. “Wind is limitless, renewable, and free, and it helps keep costs down,” he said.

And, Greenholz said, wind energy is in sync with the company’s core value of having a positive impact on people’s lives—in this case by incorporating sustainable practices.

IKEA’s plan is to produce more renewable energy than it uses in its operations by 2020, according to Greenholz.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)

http://www.aweablog.org/map-energy-dept-finds-there-can-be-wind-energy-in-every-state/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 23, 2015, 10:21:51 pm
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What makes owls deadly could make wind turbines silent

By Suzanne Jacobs  on 22 Jun 2015 

Owls — those whimsical and deadly hunting machines that crafty people love and Harry Potter characters employ as postal workers — have the unusual ability to fly in (virtual) silence.  That’s bad news if you’re a delicious-looking rodent minding your own business, but it’s good news if you’re a scientist looking for a way to silence noisy wind turbines.

Nigel Peake, a professor of applied mathematics and theoretical physics at the University of Cambridge, happens to be one of those scientists. And by using a 3D-printed material meant to mimic the surface of owl wings, he and his colleagues were able to lower the noise level of a wind turbine blade by about 10 decibels. (For comparison: The typical wind turbine a few hundred yards from a house will come in around 40 decibels, about as loud as the in-house refrigerator, according to GE.)

Here’s more from a press release out of the University of Cambridge:

Peake and his collaborators at Virginia Tech, Lehigh and Florida Atlantic Universities used high resolution microscopy to examine owl feathers in fine detail. They observed that the flight feathers on an owl’s wing have a downy covering, which resembles a forest canopy when viewed from above. In addition to this fluffy canopy, owl wings also have a flexible comb of evenly-spaced bristles along their leading edge, and a porous and elastic fringe on the trailing edge.

“No other bird has this sort of intricate wing structure,” said Peake. “Much of the noise caused by a wing – whether it’s attached to a bird, a plane or a fan – originates at the trailing edge where the air passing over the wing surface is turbulent. The structure of an owl’s wing serves to reduce noise by smoothing the passage of air as it passes over the wing – scattering the sound so their prey can’t hear them coming.”

Peake and his collaborators first experimented with a wedding veil-like material, which they found could reduce the noise level of a turbine blade by up to 30 decibels. But that material wasn’t practical for real-world applications, so they turned to 3D-printed plastic:


Early tests of the material, which mimics the intricate structure of an owl’s wing, have demonstrated that it could significantly reduce the amount of noise produced by wind turbines and other types of fan blades, such as those in computers or planes. Since wind turbines are heavily braked in order to minimize noise, the addition of this new surface would mean that they could be run at much higher speeds – producing more energy while making less noise. For an average-sized wind farm, this could mean several additional megawatts worth of electricity.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)

The silence of owl flight (good movie title?) is not a revelation, but how owls manage it is. And if you don’t believe that they do, just check out this PBS video  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3), where Kensa the owl squares off against Smudge the “urban opportunist” pigeon and Moses the “king of speed” peregrine in a quiet fly-off:

Owl, pigeon and falcon flight sounds compare Video at link;

http://grist.org/news/what-makes-owls-deadly-could-make-wind-turbines-silent/

Agelbert NOTE: For those concerned that more birds will be killed if the wind turbine blades make less noise, I think you are right. I also think that putting self wind powered led lights along the leading edge of the blades at reasonable intervals (every ten feet or so) will PERMANENTLY drop bird deaths day and night to near zero. The led lights, WITHOUT any batteries whatsoever for low maintenance costs and high longevity, would NOT light up when the wind is dead. They would get brighter as the velocity of the wind over the blades increased. The birds would quickly learn to interpret the brightness as a danger signal. Eyesight is the most developed sense in a bird. We should help them use it to avoid danger.

Self powered tiny wind generators are old technology. I flew planes that you could pop out a six inch diameter propeller for emergency electricity for onboard systems in the event of electrical failure. It's child's play to put really cheap versions of these things (all they have run is their LED!) on wind turbines cheaply!   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191456.bmp&hash=a239c2fd76d20d142f1c54b961e22ebd0d2a4808)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 07, 2015, 11:22:20 pm
Wind Power In Scotland Continues To Astound
Published on July 7th, 2015 | by Joshua S Hill
14 comments
Scotland’s wind energy industry continues to astound observers, with the most recent figures from June showing that wind generated more than double the outputs, compared to a year earlier. According to data provided and analysed by WeatherEnergy, ... Read More →
http://cleantechnica.com/2015/07/07/wind-power-scotland-continues-astound/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 07, 2015, 11:24:11 pm
Billionaire On Way To Building Largest Wind Farm In North America… And It’s Not Warren Buffett
Published on July 7th, 2015 | by Tina Casey
27 comments
If you guessed Warren Buffett you're wrong -- another US billionaire is building the largest wind farm in North America, partly on his own property... Read More →
http://cleantechnica.com/2015/07/07/billionaire-way-building-largest-wind-farm-north-america-not-warren-buffett/ (http://cleantechnica.com/2015/07/07/billionaire-way-building-largest-wind-farm-north-america-not-warren-buffett/)

Quote
Bob_Wallace Top Commenter  • 12 hours ago 

There's an interesting back story to this...

"In 2006, Bill Miller was about to sell his boss’ cattle ranch, a 500-square-mile high-desert expanse in south-central Wyoming. A buyer was prepared to pay roughly $50 million for it. But something was gnawing at Miller. Every time he visited the place, called the Overland Trail Ranch, the wind there blew so fiercely he had to brace against it just to stay upright.

Miller’s boss, Philip Anschutz, had become one of the richest men in America—with a fortune of nearly $12 billion—by figuring out an abundance of ways to churn wealth out of real estate, from oil wells and railroads to sports arenas and cattle ranches.

One morning in 2006, as Miller stood on the barren bluffs of the Overland Trail Ranch, thinking about the sale of the property, he sensed an opportunity.

....

Miller was soon sitting in Anschutz’s 24th-floor office, which has a sweeping view of Denver, the high desert, and the Rocky Mountains beyond. The two of them knew that the market for wind energy was growing, and that other oil and gas companies had been poking around Wyoming’s windy corners. “I know we’re trying to sell this ranch,” Miller told his boss, “but we may have something here. So why don’t we peel this orange and see what we get?”

Anschutz, who reads widely about energy markets, seized on the idea at once. Though the pair didn’t realize it at the time, they were about to hatch plans for the largest single onshore wind farm in the world.

....

The winds of West Texas, home to some of the nation’s largest wind farms, are Class 4. Most wind power in these places is generated at night, when the winds blow the hardest; that’s the time, of course, when people need it the least.

But along the ridges of the Overland Trail Ranch are some of the only Class 7 winds in the nation. What’s more, the wind on the ranch starts up in the morning and gains force throughout the day, just when people are firing up their air conditioners and dishwashers. “We looked at the data and said, ‘I’ll be damned,’” Miller recalls. The property was like the Saudi Arabia of wind." (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78)   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)
http://www.psmag.com/nature-an... (http://www.psmag.com/nature-an...)

Might want to give this piece a read and learn more about the two main players. Both far from being concerned about climate change. This is purely profits at work.
--

eta: Tip of the banged up straw hat to ven for bringing attention to this massive project.
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 07, 2015, 11:38:52 pm
Siemens Awarded Possible $1.2 Billion Wind Turbine Order
Published on July 7th, 2015 | by Joshua S Hill
2 comments
Siemens has been awarded a wind turbine order for 580 MW by DONG Energy for the Race Bank wind power plant which could be worth up to $1.2 billion. Siemens will provide 91 of its 6 ... Read More →
http://cleantechnica.com/2015/07/07/siemens-awarded-possible-1-2-billion-wind-turbine-order/
Title: Re: Wind Power - CONTINUOUS wind energy output 24/7!
Post by: AGelbert on July 08, 2015, 12:25:59 am
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fkpho.images.worldnow.com%2Fimages%2F26135572_SA.jpg&hash=077772a8c18d07c30ebaad22917717720bc940b2)

Solar Wind Energy Tower, Inc. Provides Update on Mexico Tower Project

Published: July 7, 2015 8:30 a.m. ET

Tower Development and Water Permits Formally Extended to June 30, 2016

ANNAPOLIS, MD , Jul 7, 2015 (Marketwired via COMTEX) -- Solar Wind Energy Tower, Inc. (otcqb:SWET) (the "Company"), the inventor of large Solar Wind Downdraft Tower structures capable of producing abundant, inexpensive electricity, today announced that its operating subsidiary, Solar Wind Energy, Inc. has executed an extension of its right to purchase a site in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico, which will support up to two energy Towers. The Mexico site is located approximately 6 miles from the Tower site in San Luis, Arizona and experiences identical climate conditions allowing both to use the same development plans and equipment.

In order for the Tower(s) to be developed in Mexico, the national utility "Comision Federal de Electricidad" must sign a long term Power Purchase Agreement with the Company. Solar Wind Energy formally introduced the project to the commission and presented preliminary project data and specifications to the commission earlier this year. The seller of the land, anticipating an upcoming meeting to discuss the specifics of the project, offered a free contract extension through June 30, 2016 to close on the sale.

On June 30, 2015, the City of San Luis Rio Colorado supplied a support letter that extended their previous approvals to permit the project and supply the necessary water to the project for 50 years. The previous approvals were set to expire June 30, 2015 and have now been formally extended to June 30, 2016.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.arizonagreenpower.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F03%2FTower-Site-View-3-copy.jpg&hash=68b428e8ab3df6ce3e5fe6a95125044039607309)

Ron Pickett, CEO of Solar Wind Energy Tower, commented, "On June 24th I personally met with the government liaison for the San Luis Rio Colorado project. In our meeting I was provided with a thorough project status update and an explanation that recent delays were unavoidably related to new energy policies and elections. After that meeting, it was clear that the Tower project remains viable in San Luis Rio Colorado. We're pleased to continue to move forward after receiving formal extensions from the property owner and local government. The date set for ground breaking if the utility decides to move forward is now June 30, 2016. We are encouraged by the cooperation of all concerned parties and look forward to securing the PPA needed to support the financing of this project."

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/solar-wind-energy-tower-inc-provides-update-on-mexico-tower-project-2015-07-07 (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/solar-wind-energy-tower-inc-provides-update-on-mexico-tower-project-2015-07-07)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctbuh.org%2FPortals%2F0%2FMedia%2FNewsArchive%2F2014%2FApr%2F28-30%2FSolarWind2.jpg&hash=d7eb77612c0b7db05f0feaeb6acf53f7b4f9292c)
Renewable energy= (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-301014181553.gif&hash=c09667beb656b25086c168adcdaddcba59abf858)                                (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-scared002.gif&hash=764898cfbf07ef2c41ffddc5e93fa0e1bed41bae)=Fossil Fuelers
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-forum%2Fpopcorn.gif&hash=f4c8fc573041a73e34bfb823e0611fbfe8617d67)

Agelbert NOTE: For those who will wail, moan and knash their teeth over the "wasteful use of water" by this Renewable Energy Giant, I suggest you study the technology a bit before you insert your water scarcity crocodile tears into the discussion. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_6869.gif&hash=f94938471d343a09155d1f60eefacdb2ceab2457)

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 09, 2015, 07:44:02 pm
  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-280914174315.gif&hash=3976afb1d0894e1eabfb042845832f57692597d6)

Siemens Plans To Construct a New Wind Turbine Assembly Plant in Germany
   

June 30, 2015

By Alex Webb, Bloomberg

Siemens AG’s plan to build a wind turbine assembly plant in Germany means that Europe’s largest engineering company will have expanded headcount at its wind and renewables division by as much as a third since 2013.

Siemens will pick a location for the 1,000-employee factory by the end of September, spokesman Philipp Encz said by telephone. Earlier announcements of new capacity in Egypt, England and Serbia will bring the total new employees to 3,539, according to Bloomberg News calculations.

“If they’re expanding for offshore, it does imply they have a view of a strong pipeline in future, which is good for the industry, because there’s a lot of uncertainty post-2020,” said Tom Harries, a London-based Bloomberg New Energy Finance analyst.

Given the Munich-based company said its wind division had 10,900 employees in November 2013, it will have added a further 32 percent to that worker base by the time all the new facilities are completed. While the expansion is part of Chief Executive Officer Joe Kaeser’s move to bring production closer to customers, some employees at existing sites will not be replaced should they leave or retire, Encz said.

Orders at the wind business jumped by 57 percent between September 2012 and September 2014 to 7.7 billion euros ($8.6 billion).

The new capacity comes as Kaeser slashes 13,100 jobs elsewhere, with the power and gas division, which makes gas turbines, bearing the brunt of the manufacturing cuts.

Siemens currently has seven production sites making onshore and offshore wind turbines, stretching from Shanghai to Iowa via Denmark and Canada. Kaeser first announced plans for the German plant in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper.

©2015 Bloomberg News
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/news/2015/06/siemens-plans-to-construct-a-new-wind-turbine-assembly-plant-in-germany.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 14, 2015, 12:48:42 am

Fri Jul 10, 2015 at 01:32 PM PDT.

Denmark's wind power just exceeded their energy demand (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fza4.gif&hash=2db0a6001703f4089cb64dc38159bb3d467e1bff)

by Walter Einenke for weinenkel.
 
Yesterday, Denmark's wind farms were able to produce 116% of the nation's electricity needs.

By 3am on Friday, when electricity demand dropped, that figure had risen to 140%.
Interconnectors allowed 80% of the power surplus to be shared equally between Germany and Norway, which can store it in hydropower systems for use later. Sweden took the remaining fifth of excess power.

“It shows that a world powered 100% by renewable energy is no fantasy,” said Oliver Joy, a spokesman for trade body the European Wind Energy Association. “Wind energy and renewables can be a solution to decarbonisation – and also security of supply at times of high demand.”

Wow. Very cool. Very windy.
  ;D

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/10/1401167/-Denmark-s-wind-power-just-exceeded-their-energy-demand
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 16, 2015, 12:43:17 am
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.spiegel.de%2Fimages%2Fimage-229650-galleryV9-aogf.jpg&hash=b4860419d3728a608715fc5a0c29cf80ab54e0e7)
Heilgoland


The Tiny Islands at the Heart of Germany's Offshore Wind Boom (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860) 

   

July 10, 2015

By Nicholas Brautlecht and Tino Andresen

An industrial revolution is sweeping over Heligoland, a tiny German North Sea archipelago once annexed by the British, and a haven for bird watchers until the wind farmers moved in two years ago.

Units of Blackstone Group LP, EON SE and RWE AG have opened offices and warehouses at the main island’s southern port, taking 25-year leases as they start feeding electricity from three new farms into Germany’s growing reservoir of renewable energy.

“Offshore is a blessing for our island,” said Peter Singer, the 51-year-old head of Heligoland’s port project company. “Commercial tax revenue has risen by 50 percent in the last two years.”

Singer, whose roots on the island go back to the 19th century, led a team that spent a year clearing the harbor of 1,300 bombs, grenades and bullets, remnants of two world wars. That has helped transform Heligoland, dependent on daytrippers seeking tax-free liquor and tobacco, into an offshore service hub for the wind turbines that now pepper the horizon.

About 100 wind farmers have joined the 1,400 population, recognizable in their bright red overalls. Managers in business attire, once as rare as the black-browed albatross that sporadically visits its distinctive red cliffs, have also become a regular feature.

EON is racing to complete construction of the 288-megawatt Amrumbank West wind farm  35 kilometers (22 miles) to the north before winter. Crews of 12 will then set out every morning to carry out maintenance and repairs on the 80 Siemens AG wind turbines rotating in the often inclement waters.

Proximity to Heligoland saves EON’s staff the 44-mile daily shuttle from the coast and means they don’t have to sleep aboard hotel vessels common at other wind farms, says Sven Utermoehlen, the head of the company’s global offshore business.

As Germany makes headway with its goal to generate as much as 45 percent of its power from renewables by 2025, EON and its competitors are installing a total of 208 turbines, each spending about 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) on the endeavor.

Some 170 wind mills are rotating, with undersea grid cables spanning a distance of about 90 kilometers that connect the generators to the mainland, producing enough power to serve 900,000 households for as long as 25 years.    (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)

“Heligoland is a very convenient accommodation platform for us, little more than an hour away by ship from the wind farm,” said Hans Buenting, the head of RWE Innogy, whose 295-megawatt Nordsee Ost farm operates turbines supplied by Senvion SE.

Exposed to battering waves and salt water, wind power plants typically need five days a year for maintenance, excluding unforeseen repair work.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)


Singer estimates the boom will bring in more than 100 new jobs. While most of the recruits will come from the mainland as tasks at sea demand specially trained staff, some islanders are gaining employment.

“Some are finding positions as captains or nautical officers, others can do refueling and mooring tasks,” he said.

 Still, emigration is a drain on the local economy. Young islanders leave to pursue education and apprenticeships further afield.

Except for a short-lived boom after the fall of the Berlin Wall, when East Germans flocked to the islands, tourism has slumped. Last year, it counted just 316,000 guests, a far cry from 830,000 in its heyday in the 1970s.

“We can’t compete against low-cost flights to Mallorca for 80 euros or 90 euros,” said Singer. Prices for a return ferry ticket from Hamburg to Heligoland range from 69 euros to 145 euros.

His gold-rush spirit hasn’t yet spread to all the islanders.

“Many still view the offshore-story as alien,” said Werner Feuerhake, a 63-year-old technician. “In the past, people caught fish, now they catch the wind. That’s positive, but we need to sharpen people’s awareness of that.”

©2015 Bloomberg News
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/news/2015/07/the-tiny-islands-at-the-heart-of-germany-s-offshore-wind-boom.html?eid=291054632&bid=1122771

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 29, 2015, 08:03:56 pm
100-MW Kenyan Wind Farm Will Help Power Africa  ;D
   
With a $233 million grant from U.S. Development Finance Institution, OPIC will support a 100-MW, grid-connected wind energy facility south of Nairobi.

July 27, 2015

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2015/07/100-mw-kenyan-wind-farm-will-help-power-africa.html


Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 31, 2015, 09:10:46 pm

Quote

I have been out on the North Sea, and know the hazards and problems involved in offshore maintenance.  There are very few independent maintenance companies in the European offshore industry.  And the big customers for European offshore wind parks, are usually semi-state owned, state-owned and municipally owned utilities that are not necessarily dependent upon a double digit ROI. 

Another comment by the author I disagree with was that merely extending blade length increased turbine capacities.  I have watched German large turbine capacities jump from 100 kw in 1982 with the German "Growian" grow to over 8 gw with the German Enercon, or 6 gw offshore with the Siemens SWT 6.  

Those increases were due to massive improvements in magnet  technology- which boosted generator efficiencies, improvements n blade configuration, increases in tower height,  reinforcing the increased height towers to accommodate the weight and forces on top of the tower, plus the increasing blade lengths and new blade configuration.

Let us name names. Siemens and Vestas are the top 2 in offshore wind turbine - wind park construction.  Their long term O.E.M. construction and maintenance contracts with the semi-state owned, state-owned, and municipally owned utilities have the advantage of low prices through volume, economies of scale,  that smaller independent service and maintenance companies cannot achieve.  The men and women who work for Vestas and Siemens Wind maintenance departments are top professionals with an eye to both quality work and safety, and are under no pressure "from executives" to deliver "double digit" profits.

Smaller companies competing in the offshore wind maintenance sector do not have economies of scale, and would have to cut corners in safely and quality. Actually, for the semi-state owned and state owned utilities that are the ones that are the project owners of European offshore- the 15 year "photocopy " O.E.M. maintenance and service contracts are the most cost effective option.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_0293.gif&hash=b1af4868ed8f18c30e637f8cbcb79002f6f71039)


How Wind Turbines are Becoming Photocopiers – and the Cost to Investors


http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2015/07/how-wind-turbines-are-becoming-photocopiers-and-the-cost-to-investors.html (http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2015/07/how-wind-turbines-are-becoming-photocopiers-and-the-cost-to-investors.html)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on August 03, 2015, 09:56:05 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.instructables.com%2FFF2%2FZTQ1%2FFL5RA2EO%2FFF2ZTQ1FL5RA2EO.LARGE.jpg&hash=6c3b6fe1a77f493703210e7d310202a605c4f77a)


How I built an electricity producing wind turbine

 by mdavis19

Agelbert NOTE: Very Educational!   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)


http://www.instructables.com/id/How-I-built-an-electricity-producing-wind-turbine/?ALLSTEPS
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on August 19, 2015, 03:21:45 pm
Energy Department Reports Highlight Trends of Growing U.S. Wind Energy Industry

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT
•(202) 586-4940
•DOENews@hq.doe.gov

August 10, 2015 - 1:18pm

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-190815151050.jpeg&hash=2500e35b9016f52aa62e1ee641814e934d387eae)

In 2014, U.S. turbines in distributed applications reached a cumulative installed capacity of more than 906 megawatts, enough to power more than 168,000 average American homes. | Photo courtesy of Aegis Renewable Energy; Waitsfield, Vermont    (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca) 
.

New Installations Usher in Lowest Wind Energy Prices to Date (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Ftuzki-bunnys%2Ftuzki-bunny-emoticon-022.gif&hash=3b60da70b71b7109fe66036056cb1dedc1affb43)

Washington, D.C. -- According to two reports released today by the Energy Department, the U.S. wind energy industry continued growing at an impressive rate in 2014, further solidifying America’s position as a global leader in wind energy. Wind power is a key component of the President’s all-of-the-above energy strategy and Clean Power Plan to reduce climate-changing carbon pollution, diversify our energy economy, and boost America’s economic competitiveness by bringing innovative technologies online. With rapidly increasing wind energy generation, fast-growing demand, and steadily decreasing wind energy prices—the lowest ever seen in the United States— the U.S. wind energy market remains strong.

“With declining costs and continued technological development, these reports demonstrate that wind power is a reliable source of clean, renewable energy for American homes and businesses,” said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. “Through continued investments and the help of stable policies, we’re confident that wind power will keep playing a major role in creating jobs and shaping America’s clean energy future.”

WIND TECHNOLOGIES MARKET REPORT


According to the 2014 Wind Technologies Market Report released today by the Energy Department and its Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, total installed wind power capacity in the United States grew at a rate of eight percent in 2014 and now stands at nearly 66 gigawatts (GW), which ranks second in the world and meets 4.9 percent of end-use electricity demand in an average year. The United States was the global leader in total wind energy production in 2014.  The report also finds that wind energy prices are at an all-time low and are competitive with wholesale power prices and traditional power sources across many areas of the United States.

A new trend identified by the report shows utility-scale turbines with larger rotors designed for lower wind speeds have been increasingly deployed across the country in 2014. The findings also suggest that the success of the U.S. wind industry has had a ripple effect on the American economy, supporting 73,000 jobs related to development, siting, manufacturing, transportation, and other industries—an increase of 22,500 jobs from 2013 to 2014.

DISTRIBUTED WIND MARKET REPORT

In total, U.S. turbines in distributed applications reached a cumulative installed capacity of more than 906 megawatts (MW)–enough to power more than 168,000 average American homes–according to the 2014 Distributed Wind Market Report, also released today by the Energy Department and its Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. This capacity comes from roughly 74,000 turbines installed across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Compared with traditional, centralized power plants, distributed wind energy installations supply power directly to the local grid near homes, farms, businesses, and communities. Turbines used in these applications can range in size from a few hundred watts to multi-megawatts, and can help power remote, off-grid homes and farms, as well as local schools and manufacturing facilities.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smile-day.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F12%2FSmiley-Thumbs-Up2.jpg&hash=4c6cf4d5dab0f54b88dfa0c9247ae699eff03821)


As shown in the report, America's distributed wind energy industry supports a growing domestic industrial base. U.S.-based small wind turbine manufacturers claimed another strong year of exports to countries across the globe, accounting for nearly 80 percent of U.S.-based manufacturers’ sales.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860)  ;D

For more information on these two new reports—including infographics and blogs—visit www.energy.gov/windreport. Join us this Tuesday, August 11 at 1:30 EDT for a webinar about key findings from the reports, and learn how wind turbines capture energy in this Energy 101 video.

http://energy.gov/articles/energy-department-reports-highlight-trends-growing-us-wind-energy-industry

Agelbert NOTE: Since I know a thing or two about "how it works" in Puerto Rico, let me say that wind power was destroyed there when NASA put up a successful giant two bladed turbine on an outlying island municipality called Culebra (see quoted yours truly post from 2013 after this post).

It worked great but the fossil fuel government owned utility Fuentes Fluviales, EXCLUSIVELY powered by fossil fuels, REFUSED to take the turbine given to it FREE by NASA because, uh, uhm, of "maintenance" costs...  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-TzWpwHzCvCI%2FT_sBEnhCCpI%2FAAAAAAAAME8%2FIsLpuU8HYxc%2Fs1600%2Fnooo-way-smiley.gif&hash=b8545bd420b1e2f2c7b9f665d2093523e4ad2251)

Some of you may have heard about the trade winds. Down in Puerto Rico they are known as the "Vientos Alicios" (Prevailing Easterlies). They are NOT intermittent. They NEVER stop. The Earth needs to stop rotating for them to stop. IOW its CFS for the ALL the Caribbean Islands to use WIND power 24/7 along with solar from the HUGE insolation factor they get on top  of that. But it was not done BECAUSE of fossil fuel industry influence.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191329.bmp&hash=4764bfbe6bb0e11ca61102efa97a932a824f47e0)

It's almost forty years late, but finally, wind power and solar is taking hold in the Caribbean. Better late than never, I always say.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-object-062.gif&hash=88ceb4a34a12b2bea2fd9edd887da26d73308257)

For those who labor under the view that the reversal of fortunes for Renewable Energy in the early 1980s was just ignorance, supply and demand and big oil wasn't INSTRUMENTAL in bringing it about.

Oh, and about NON-HYDRO renewable energy being THROTTLED shortly after the technology was proven competitive with fossil fuels. You mean you DIDN"T KNOW there was SIGNIFICANT PROMISING  RENEWABLE ENERGY NON-HYDRO COST COMPETITIVE TECHNOLOGY BEFORE 1980? ???

I understand that the media BURIED the FACT that IT HAPPENED TO WIND TURBINE TECHNOLOGY shortly after 1980 when Carter left office!
It was SHELVED -DEEP SIXED - LEFT TO DIE UNTIL RESURRECTED in the mid to late 1990s BUT NOT BY THE USA!


The GREATEST PENETRATION OF PURE HYDRO renewable energy in the USA was in 1940.
Quote
Over 1500 hydroelectric facilities produce about one third of the United States' electrical energy.

http://www.usbr.gov/power/edu/history.html (http://www.usbr.gov/power/edu/history.html)

It was ALL DOWN HILL FOR HYDRO AS A PERCENTAGE of electrical energy generated FROM THEN ON.

The NEW CSP, wind turbine and, to a lesser but still important extent PV technologies, were being assiduously developed during the late 1970s.

Power companies closed ranks AGAINST that technology. Even places WITHOUT electricity like a Navajo Reservation in New Mexico triggered angry letters from the utility to NASA to STOP putting solar panels for water pumping there because it COULD "force electrical rates DOWN IN THE FUTURE".  NASA STOPPED but Carter kept pushing until 1980.          GET IT?

NO?

Check THIS out:

 
[smg id=1843][smg id=1844] [smg id=1845]

Westinghouse uprated version, the Mod-0A. Four Mod-0A protototypes were installed (Puerto Rico, New Mexico, Hawaii & Rhode Island).

When do you think the above pictures were taken, dear Diners? Would you believe THIRTY FIVE YEARS AGO!!?

Wind Energy Comes of Age

By Paul Gipe

Pag 103

Quote
After the moon landings, the space program began winding down, and with it the space agency.

NASA was scrambling to redefine itself, to find new "missions," when opportunity struck in the form of the oil embargo.

What began as mere tinkering by researchers at the agency's Lewis research center near Sandusky, Ohio quickly evolved into the most costly wind energy R&D program in the world.

NASA began translating all known documents on wind energy worldwide.
They consulted with Hutter and Putnam and studied the operation of Juul's machine at Gedser. In the end they started down a path blazed years before by Putnam. The result, the Mod-0, resembled neither Hutter's lightweight, flexible, downwind design nor Juul's rigid thee bladed upwind design. NASA's Mod-0 incorproated none of the lessons of Europe, while abandoning Putnam's most significant design element, his hinged blades.

Westinghouse, the contractor on the Mod-0, was subsequently hired to build an uprated version, the Mod-0A, for extended field tests. Four Mod-0A prototypes were installed (Puerto Rico, New Mexico, Hawaii & Rhode Island).

All were sc****d when none of the host utilities wanted to assume maintenance of the turbines.

http://www.worldbooksonline.info/Wind-Energy-Comes-of-Age-9780471109242 (http://www.worldbooksonline.info/Wind-Energy-Comes-of-Age-9780471109242)

The book goes on to explain, in detail, how various R&D goals of a high MTBF "couldn't seem to be achieved" in order for these machines to be considered "reliable". (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191329.bmp&hash=4764bfbe6bb0e11ca61102efa97a932a824f47e0)

They could build rockets to the moon, supersonic aircraft, high speed jet turbines with micrometer tolerances but making gears, housings and transmissions for a glacially slow giant propeller to generate electricity was just "too hard".


If you believe that, I have time shares in a black hole at the core of the milky way to sell you cheap. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fsnapoutofit.gif&hash=911b14b142101df534f739771fb2d3836a807d19)


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.huffpost.com%2Fgen%2F1075312%2Fthumbs%2Fo-FALL-BLACK-HOLE-facebook.jpg&hash=08e1dcb9506ad5ea40e35801869468421c42c7fa)
Call 1-800-BIG OIL for your time share reservations. :LolLolLolLol:

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 04, 2015, 07:14:40 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.offshorewind.biz%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F07%2FWind-Generates-Third-of-Scotlands-Electricity-Demand-in-June.jpg&hash=c15e25a20f953bfbcc6b993d30961f79dbbda33e)
Image: scottish-enterprise
Wind Generates Third of Scotland’s Electricity Demand in June

In June, wind power generated a third of Scotland’s electricity need, said WWF Scotland.

The environmental group’s analysis based on data provided by WeatherEnergy found that for the month of June wind turbines in Scotland alone provided an 620,144MWh of electricity to the National Grid, while the total consumption was 1,891,536MWh.

This represents an increase of 120%  ;D compared to that of June 2014, when wind energy provided 281,735MWh.


WWF Scotland’s director Lang Banks said: “While much of the attention may have been focused on the welcome summer sunshine, June also turned out to be an astonishing month for wind power in Scotland. Thanks to a combination of increased capacity and stronger winds, output from turbines more than doubled compared to the same period last year – supplying power equivalent to the electrical needs of 1.7 million homes.

“These figures show just how much wind power has gone from strength to strength. However, wind power in Scotland could and should be playing an even bigger role in helping to reducing climate emissions from the power sector. We therefore hope that the forthcoming Government onshore wind summit can find ways forward to help ensure this clean energy source can meet its true potential.”

Karen Robinson of WeatherEnergy said: “While good for generating power from the sun, the summer months often see a dip in the output from wind turbines. And, while output was certainly lower than the month of May, this June saw a massive jump in output when compared to last year. While the data confirms Scotland is knocking out of the park on wind power, it also confirms it’s no slouch when it comes to solar power too.”
  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.123rf.com%2F400wm%2F400%2F400%2Fyayayoy%2Fyayayoy1106%2Fyayayoy110600019%2F9735563-smiling-sun-showing-thumb-up.jpg&hash=09b45642ec6d7943d30b5b87548676e3ee7dbe3d)


http://www.offshorewind.biz/2015/07/06/wind-generates-third-of-scotlands-electricity-demand-in-june/

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 01, 2015, 02:10:03 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-y4LV1935lEg%2FUDfSv3mIafI%2FAAAAAAAAJqw%2Fr5txIDxKFSw%2Fs1600%2FCape-wind-power-farm-b1.jpg&hash=4a87840ae41f12553352753d0a0c33d7510771e1)
US Offshore Wind Grows Behind the Scenes
SustainableBusiness.com News

While it seems offshore wind in the US is barely budging, there's a lot happening behind the scenes.  ;D

Besides the tiny project under construction in the Northeast, offshore wind projects in the pipeline total 15.7 gigawatts (GW)! 13 that are in advanced planning stages total 6 GW - enough power for 1.8 million homes - and 12 projects (over 3 GW) plan to be operating by 2020.

Quote
Offshore projects are moving ahead off the coasts of nine states. With 80% of US electricity demand coming from coastal states, offshore wind can play a crucial role in meeting our energy needs.

Deepwater's 30 MW project is the first to be under construction in the US:
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fswitchboard.nrdc.org%2Fblogs%2Fkkennedy%2FDeepwater%2520ONE%2520map.jpg&hash=cce317ed50886fc8a4935a432d36af5e72f01d57)

Globally, there's now 9 GW of operating offshore wind farms, with another 4 GW coming online next year. In fact, offshore wind is expected to drive much of the industry's growth going forward.

Turbines are getting bigger and bigger, with the largest ones at 6 MW and 8 MW (typical turbines on land are 1.9 MW). To give you an idea of how large they are, the average offshore turbine at 3.4 MW is 279-feet tall and the blades are 377-feet in diameter.

Siemens, which leads on manufacturing offshore turbines, recently received a $1.2 billion order for 91 of its 6 MW turbines for Race Bank farm in the UK, and another order for 67 turbines for the Veja Mate Offshore Project in the German North Sea. The company is the favored supplier for a $2.9 billion order (171, 7 MW turbines) if the Hornsea Project One - the largest in the world - goes forward. Dong Energy is the developer for all these projects.

Offshore wind is expected to reach 30 GW in Europe by 2020 - 45% compound annual growth, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The has 8 GW installed right now (http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/26180EU).

Read our article, Offshore Wind: Cheaper Than Gas By 2020. (http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/26385)

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/26420
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 21, 2015, 02:06:13 am
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c)

https://youtu.be/WQrzkku_Emo
Check out this time lapse video. Watching the clouds go by is as much fun as watching the people!


Quote
Early this morning, thousands of knee-high pinwheels creating the outline of a wind turbine popped up on the National Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol!

The pinwheels were a celebration of an exciting announcement – that Procter & Ga mble has bought enough wind energy to make some of the best-known consumer products in America with 100% wind power.

An EDF Renewable Energy wind project in Muenster, Texas will generate as much electricity as used by the company’s factories in Ohio, Missouri, Louisiana, Kansas, and Ontario  to produce Tide, Downey, Dawn, Cascade, and Febreze.

Those products sold nationwide will now carry the words “made with 100% wind power,” helping us get the word out that the clean energy revolution is here, and it’s being made in America.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F8.gif&hash=c1d98e606d7f558df4040f88e7997b3e11e9448c)

http://powerofwind.org/pinwheels


Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 28, 2015, 06:54:40 pm
  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcsmres.co.uk%2Fcs.public.upd%2Farticle-images%2FWind_turbine_smiley_shutterstock_28691215.gif&hash=0a210b133b92defae808e4e4e8473ef789dd36b5)

Vermont Developer details plans for what would be state’s largest wind farm

Oct. 27, 2015, 4:58 pm by Mike Faher

GRAFTON – A developer is proposing Vermont’s largest, most-powerful wind turbine site – 28 turbines churning out nearly 97 megawatts – on a ridge in the towns of Windham and Grafton, according to new plans released Monday.

With that scale would come sizable economic benefits, as developer Iberdrola Renewables estimates $285,000 in annual tax revenue for Grafton and $715,000 for Windham – more than than that town’s entire budget. Also, the project might pump another $700,000 into the state education fund each year.

Those numbers could change, as could the proposed project’s final layout: An Iberdrola administrator expects that residents in both towns might vote on a final proposal in late 2016.

“It’s important for us to win a successful vote in Grafton and Windham in order to move forward,” Iberdrola spokesman Paul Copleman said, adding, “that’s what we will do here – honor the vote.”

But after Copleman and other executives faced many questions at a packed meeting at Grafton Elementary on Monday night, it’s not clear how those votes will go.

“There was a disconnect between what Iberdrola wanted us to know about benefits to the towns and what the very real concerns of the towns are,” said Mary Boyer, Windham Selectboard chairwoman.

Administrators at Iberdrola and New Hampshire-based Meadowsend Timberlands Ltd. first disclosed in 2012 that they were interested in studying wind resources at Stiles Brook Forest, a 5,000-acre tract that lies mostly in Windham and Grafton. Meadowsend owns and works that land, and the company has put forth environmental and economic reasons for pursuing wind turbines.

On a website set up to promote the project – www.stilesbrookforest.com – company administrators say Windham County’s first commercial turbine development “would help support (Meadowsend’s) ownership objectives for this piece of land by providing some stability to help keep it as working forestland in this time of climate change and volatile economics.”

Opponents are concerned about the project’s aesthetic and environmental impacts: In Grafton, a nonprofit called Grafton Woodlands Group has set up a Main Street storefront in opposition to large-scale wind turbines.

The project also has spurred consistent objections from Windham, where the town plan bans such turbines. Windham officials have traveled to Montpelier to testify about wind-siting and permitting issues.

Though Windham officials opposed installation of meteorological-testing towers at Stiles Brook, the state Public Service Board OK’d them, and the towers began functioning in April 2013. In September, the Public Service Board granted Iberdrola’s request to continue using those towers for another two years.

Iberdrola’s schedule still calls for turbine construction in 2019 “if favorable permitting decisions are obtained.” The biggest hurdle will be a state certificate of public good, and Iberdrola – doing business for this project as Atlantic Wind LLC – has not yet filed that application.

“We are still in the early stages of development,” said Jenny Briot, a senior business developer with Iberdrola.

The company is far enough along, though, to show for the first time a preliminary, proposed layout for the Stiles Brook turbines. They would sprawl across the parcel, with some clustered around an existing power-line right of way and others standing farther out, near the borders of Meadowsend property.

At their closest, the turbines would stand within about a mile of residences, Iberdrola estimates. But the company could not yet say how many people would be living that close.

Plans call for 20 turbines in Windham and another eight in Grafton. Each would be a 3.45 megawatt turbine standing 287 feet from the base to the top of the tower; with a blade extended in a straight-upright position, its tip would reach 492 feet above the ground.


The Stiles Brook wind development would be, by far, the biggest in Vermont. Among facilities already in operation, the next-biggest is Kingdom Community Wind in Lowell, with 21 turbines capable of producing 63 megawatts of power.

Stiles Brook’s turbines also would be, individually, the most-powerful in Vermont. Copleman said that’s a function of evolving design. “As turbines have gotten more efficient and cost-effective, they’ve been able to take advantage of more wind,” he said.

In addition to unveiling their first official design on Monday, Iberdrola administrators also estimated that the company would pay a total of $1 million in annual property taxes to the two towns. This number, after it is set in the form of a final offer, would not fluctuate from year to year, Briot said.

“It’s not based on production,” she said. “It’s based on installed megawatts.”

State education taxes are calculated differently for wind installations: The state reaps $0.003 per kilowatt hour of energy produced. Iberdrola officials estimate that the state could collect $700,000 per year from Stiles Brook, “and likely more.”

That would no doubt be welcome revenue for the cash-strapped state, but it’s not going to drive down anyone’s property taxes noticeably. A state Department of Taxes official on hand Monday night said that, in the context of the state’s education fund, the impact of Stiles Brook “would not be measurable in any significant way.”

Local concerns

There were roughly 150 people at Monday’s meeting. And, while some residents asked about Iberdrola’s financial figures, others reiterated concerns about impacts on health, property values and aesthetics.

Michael Clayton, a permitting manager for Iberdrola Renewables, displayed early tests showing that visibility of the Stiles Brook turbines would be “limited” in much of Grafton. Several of those in attendance questioned that conclusion, including Liisa Kissel, a Grafton Woodlands Group director.

“I was very disappointed in the visual simulations,” Kissel said after the meeting. “All of the photos were taken from low-lying places. Most of us live a little higher.” Added Boyer: “Our simulations don’t look like theirs.”

Clayton said Iberdrola is working on more such simulations and will disclose those at meetings planned for early 2016.

Kissel also was not impressed by Iberdrola’s tax-revenue projections. She believes that, even if tax rates decline, “that’s then counteracted by the loss of property value.”

Other issues raised at Monday’s forum included:

• In response to concerns about flooding, Iberdrola officials said the project will introduce a relatively small amount of new, impervious surfaces to Stiles Brook. “Very typically, it’s two acres or less per turbine,” Copleman said.

• When Kissel mentioned recent reports showing a lack of appetite among Vermont utilities for more wind-generated power, Copleman said the market could be different in 2019. “We think that, broadly, there’s an interest in renewable energy here in Vermont,” he said.

• Briot said the life expectancy of a wind turbine is 25 years. If Iberdrola builds at Stiles Brook, the company will have to create a state-regulated decommissioning fund to cover eventual dismantlement of the project, she added.

• There were several questions about noise, light and possible health impacts from turbines. Both during and after the meeting, Copleman responded by citing Vermont’s permitting process and Iberdrola’s track record.

“We can point to thousands of landowners that we lease land from and many more neighbors at our projects across the country where there is no problem,” Copleman said. “The scientific evidence does not link turbines to human health (problems).”

Iberdrola planned to hold another community meeting on the Stiles Brook project Tuesday at Windham Meeting House.

Beyond that, Briot pledged to continue to communicate with local residents. “As we have information and results from our studies, we will share them with you,” she said.

http://vtdigger.org/2015/10/27/developer-details-plans-for-what-would-be-states-largest-wind-farm/

Agelbert NOTE:
Many NIMBY whiners weighed in. One of the best comments to address the lack of logic among the whiners is the following one. Unfortunately, the idiots claimed, incredibly, that there is "no evidence" that wind turbines help reduce climate change impact. HELLO? What part of burning LESS fossil fuels means LESS climate change damage do these biosphere math challenged morons not understand?    (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fgen152.gif&hash=d5b10968fe56c4cb95fae17cee3cb420a5f4e2da)

At any rate, it's nice to know there are some Vermonters that get it.  8)
   
Quote
Dan Cmejla    
   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)

October 28, 2015 at 10:08 am
 
With all due respect to the commenters, I’m appalled by some of the gaps in rhetoric, employed by anti-winders, surrounding wind energy. Have we forgotten about climate change? This year it is projected that the world will lose another 15% of its coral reefs. Have already lost 30%. Meanwhile, entire mountain tops are being removed for coal mining.

The United States is so far behind on climate change, as is the world. If Vermont can’t be seen to support renewables how do we have a chance at all? I want to pass this planet on to my children in a state that is not mired in the chaos caused by unabated climate change. Others don’t want to have to look at a wind turbine.

I ask these people what will be more difficult. Looking at a wind turbine by now. Or looking into the eyes of the future generations and telling them that your obstructionism helped prevent Vermont from leaving the country against the impending global calamity that could reck most all ecology as we know it and irrevocably alter the way we live in Vermont and throughout the world . All energy comes from somewhere, it’s a sad state of affairs when people suddenly start caring about energy issues only when the effects of them appear in their backyard.

Energy issues affect us all and wind is an effective renewable that can lead us away from a path of unknown chaos, death and destruction. Climate change is the biggest threat facing our planet today. We need to act before it’s too late and remember that our homes are but a small part in a global world under threat. Don’t forget climate change. It’s real and it needs to be addressed now.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F47b20s0.gif&hash=cc48c9af9d29b8836023c7db21103e52d1ed439e) 
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 29, 2015, 01:31:41 am
Mexico Planning $46 Billion Coast-to-Coast Wind Energy Push   :o  ;D
   

October 21, 2015

By  Vanessa Dezem Adam Williams, Bloomberg

Mexico is planning to quadruple its wind power capacity as part of President Enrique Pena Nieto’s effort to transform the country’s energy industry.

The country expects to have about 10 GW of turbines in operation within three years spread across almost every region, up from 2.5 GW in 2014, part of a government plan to add 20 GW of clean energy by 2030, according to Mexico’s Wind Energy Association.

A total of 22 GW of wind power will be added over the next 25 years, requiring $46 billion in investment. The
wind push is due to two converging trends: Mexico’s historic shift from a state-controlled energy monopoly, and its efforts to transform a grid that relies on fossil fuels for three-fourths of the nation’s electricity.

"We’re already a new country," Alejandro Peraza, general director of the energy regulator CRE, said in an interview in Mexico City. "Mexico is getting cleaner."

Mexico is Latin America’s largest crude producer and the world’s No. 10 producer of greenhouse-gas emissions. It was the first developing country to submit its plan to reduce carbon emissions before a United Nations conference in Paris in December, where almost 200 countries are expected to sign a deal to fight global warming.

Mexico pledged to reduce 22 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Wider use of renewable energy will reduce fossil-fuel based power generation to 45 percent.

"There is a clear national policy on climate change taking place,” Peraza said. “We are going in the direction of a low carbon economy."

Mexico’s economy will expand 2.4 percent this year, according to a Bloomberg News survey. The government expects energy demand to increase 4 percent annually over the next decade.

That growth will be fueled by the shift toward renewables, which will jump to 51 percent of total installed capacity by 2040, from 14 percent now, according to New Energy Finance. Most of that will come from wind, in part because import taxes drive up costs for solar power.

"Investors are starting to line up their horses,"  Lilian Alves, a New Energy Finance analyst in Sao Paulo, said.

To facilitate that transition, the government plans to hold annual energy auctions, with the first set for March. Power producers will receive certificates for every MWh of clean energy they generate, and will sell 20-year certificates through the auctions to large electricity users.

Large consumers must get 5 percent of their power from clean sources by 2018. The government also set a mandate in 2012 to get 35 percent of the country’s energy from non-fossil fuel sources by 2024, up from 21 percent now.

Those who don’t meet the mandate may be fined as much as $200 per MWh used, according to Peraza. Large industrial users may be required to buy clean-power certificates on the spot market.

Power companies are keen to jump into Mexico’s clean-energy market as soon as new rules for the auctions and certificates are finalized, according to Adrian Escofet, president of Mexico’s Wind Energy Association. Those policies are expected to be issued this month.

Gauss Energia, a Mexico City-based company that owns Mexico’s largest solar farm, is planning to register 100 MW of power projects for the March auction.

"I am optimistic," Chief Executive Officer Hector Olea said. "The certificates can’t be included in project finance papers now, as we don’t know their prices."

New government policies may not be enough to stimulate renewable energy in the short term, according to Luis Alberto Salomon Arguedas, clean energy specialist at International Finance Corp.

"Developers are waiting for more benefits, such as possible tax cuts for renewable energy or different ceiling prices for each energy source," Arguedas said. "If the game rules don’t change a lot, I think the government’s target is going to be difficult to be reached."

“This is an important moment to prompt wind-energy development,” in Mexico, said Angelica Ruiz Celis, Vestas Wind Systems A/S’s general manager for the country, where the biggest turbine supplier has 1 GW of capacity installed or under construction. "Mexico is a key market for Vestas."

©2015 Bloomberg News
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2015/10/mexico-planning-46-billion-coast-to-coast-wind-energy-push.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 29, 2015, 01:39:25 am
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Wind Power Now Cheaper Than Natural Gas for Xcel, CEO Says   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fza4.gif&hash=2db0a6001703f4089cb64dc38159bb3d467e1bff)

October 27, 2015

By Alex Nussbaum and Chris Martin, Bloomberg

Xcel Energy Inc., the biggest U.S. provider of wind power, expects long-term contracts for the technology to beat the cost of natural gas, another sign of the rapid transformation of the power market.

 Xcel, the Minneapolis-based utility that serves eight states, is receiving bids for 20-year power purchase agreements at about $25 a MWh for wind energy, Chief Executive Officer Ben Fowke said in an interview Friday at Bloomberg News headquarters in New York.

 While gas prices are close to historic lows, he doesn’t see them remaining there forever, and Xcel expects prices for electricity from the fossil fuel to be closer to $32 a MWh over the same period.

“When we’re buying wind at $25, it’s a hedge against natural gas," Fowke said. On some of the windiest days, the company’s farms supply as much as 60 percent of the utility’s power. “Wind is becoming pretty close to parity.”

Fowke has plans to add 1,600 MW of wind energy over the next 15 years or so, partly to replace output from two coal-fired units that are being retired at Excel’s Becker, Minnesota, plant. He also expects to exceed requirements in its largest states, Minnesota and Colorado, to get 30 percent of Xcel’s power from renewable resources.

“We have a plan to add significant amounts of wind to our system,” Fowke said, including about 800 MW by 2020. “We’re going to be able to retire coal plants earlier than we expected. It’s going to help us reduce our carbon footprint 60 percent by 2030” in the upper Midwest.

 Xcel fell 1.9 percent to $36.44 at the close in New York on Oct. 23. The shares have gained 11 percent in the past year.

©2015 Bloomberg News

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2015/10/wind-power-now-cheaper-than-natural-gas-for-xcel-ceo-says.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 12, 2015, 11:10:04 pm
Nov 11, 2015

Author Kaitlyn Bunker, Ph.D. Sr. Associate

Renewables at the South Pole

Powering Mawson Station, Antarctica, with Wind

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Mawson Station, located on an isolated outcrop of rock at the edge of the Antarctic plateau, is the oldest surviving, continuously operated research station south of the Antarctic Circle. It’s also the most remote of the three main Antarctic stations operated by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). Ongoing scientific research at the station includes middle and upper atmosphere physics, cosmic ray physics, geomagnetism, seismology, biology, meteorology, climate change studies, medicine, and automated upper atmospheric sciences. Two unique features make this station an ideal place to incorporate renewables for electricity generation. First, its remote location makes reliable delivery of diesel fuel difficult. Second, the wind resource in and around Mawson is outstanding. In 2002 and 2003, the AAD built two wind turbines at Mawson station, serving on average twenty researchers. Before installation began, the AAD completed an environmental impact assessment to ensure that the benefits of adding wind turbines outweighed potential negative ramifications including impacts on wildlife and the viewshed.

Mawson’s remote location and cold climate led to several challenges while preparing for and installing the two Enercon 300 kW wind turbines. The installation required a 100-ton crane, which called for the provision of a larger than typical icebreaking ship. Once the turbine components reached Antarctica, bridges at the station had to be strengthened to bear the weight of the vehicles transporting the turbines. Mawson station’s current electricity system includes 550 kW of diesel generator capacity, along with the 600 kW of total installed wind capacity. These resources are used to meet a load that peaks at 450 kW. Over the course of one year, approximately half of the electricity used at Mawson station comes from the wind turbines. The AAD website provides additional information about how this hybrid wind-diesel system is operated.

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Overcoming Challenges

Interestingly, Mawson station’s electrical loads go beyond thermal comfort, lighting, and plug-loads. The station also includes some luxuries for residents, such as a spa and a sauna, which require relatively large amounts of electricity compared to other day-to-day uses. In order to maximize fuel savings, the AAD worked to educate people about using these amenities only when wind energy is readily available, rather than at times of low wind when the diesel generators provide the majority of the electricity.

The wind turbines created an additional impact on Mawson’s heating supply that’s of note for other remote microgrids with large heating requirements. Before adding wind to the system, two diesel generators powered the Mawson station and extra heat from these generators heated many of the station’s buildings. With the addition of wind, just one diesel generator runs for most of the year. This slashes the diesel requirement, but it also removes the extra heat source from the now rarely used second generator. In response, the AAD added an electric boiler to the system in tandem with the wind turbines. With any extra power available from the wind turbines, the electric boiler pre-heats water to heat buildings. The boiler is also connected to Mawson’s system with a smart inverter, which provides voltage and frequency support to the microgrid. The result is similar to having additional spinning reserves, since the boiler can ramp its output up or down quickly when there is a shift in available wind.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)

In 2014 alone, the wind turbines generated enough electricity to reduce Mawson’s diesel consumption by 288,000 liters, directly saving the AAD $263,000 in fuel costs  ;D.

 The AAD also gained greater flexibility in scheduling resupply ships; instead of requiring a shipment of diesel fuel at least once per year to meet the station’s needs, the AAD can now send a refueling shipment every other year (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F8.gif&hash=c1d98e606d7f558df4040f88e7997b3e11e9448c).

The success seen at Mawson Station is already spreading, and other nations with operations in Antarctica have incorporated renewable resources for electricity generation. Furthermore, the now 10-year old wind turbines are still operating at high levels of efficiencyeven in the tough winter climate.


For more on the electricity system at Mawson Station, and nine other renewable microgrids from around the world, download Renewable Microgrids: Profiles from Islands and Remote Communities Across the Globe.

http://blog.rmi.org/blog_2015_11_11_renewables_at_the_south_pole
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 15, 2015, 02:57:12 pm
Texas Wind Farms Generate So Much Power Utilities Are Giving Electricity Away for Free  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)
Lorraine Chow | November 10, 2015 12:38 pm

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Wind makes up 10 percent of the electricity used in Texas. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Did you know that Texas, a state known for its lucrative oil and gas industry, is actually the largest wind power producer in the country? It now appears that wind farms are cranking out so much excess energy, that utilities are giving this renewable energy source to customers for free.

The New York Times reports that thousands of customers in the state are paying zero for their electricity needs between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., saving $40 or $50 a month during the peak summer season.

The Times writes:
Quote
“TXU’s free overnight plan, which is coupled with slightly higher daytime rates, is one of dozens that have been offered by more than 50 retail electricity companies in Texas over the last three years with a simple goal: for customers to turn down the dials when wholesale prices are highest and turn them back up when prices are lowest.”

The newspaper describes, for instance, that Dallas residents are waiting until after 9 p.m. to run the washing machine and dishwasher so it costs them nothing  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcliparts.co%2Fcliparts%2FBig%2FEgq%2FBigEgqBMT.png&hash=e7eec62f009cdd686ce795fad0a53c6befe748e9). One resident even unplugs her appliances when she goes to work in the morning then plugs them back in at 9 p.m.       (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)  ;D

Here’s a commercial from utility company boasting its free electricity at night.  ;D

https://youtu.be/o-jeo-UmRMU

It might seem that this set-up is rife for wasting energy (such as cranking up the thermostat past 9 p.m.), but as the Times reports, the scheme actually saves the utility company money in the long term, since shifting use from peak hours means lower wholesale prices, and possibly avoiding the costs of building more power plants.

“That is a proverbial win-win for the utility and the customer,” Omar Siddiqui, director of energy efficiency at the Electric Power Research Institute, told the publication.

EcoWatch mentioned previously that the Lone Star state’s top power source is gas (50 percent) followed by coal (32 percent). However, in 2014, wind shot up to 10 percent of the electricity used in the grid, up from 6.2 percent in 2009. Wind powers approximately 3.3 million Texas homes.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), “the growth in wind generation is a result of new wind plants coming online and grid expansions that have allowed more wind power to flow through the system to consumers.”

Texas also has the largest deregulated electricity market in the country, making it easier for energy companies to create new incentives and offer more economical choices for customers.

As Scott Burns, senior director for innovation at Reliant Energy, told the Times: “You can be green and make green.”

http://ecowatch.com/2015/11/10/texas-wind-farms-free-electricity/ (http://ecowatch.com/2015/11/10/texas-wind-farms-free-electricity/)

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Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 24, 2015, 04:07:19 pm


WInd energy output is setting new records.

Wind records fall again in November as race to the top continues
 
Greg Alvarez 
November 19, 2015
   
And we thought October was impressive; turns out things have been even better this month.  ;D

Grid operators in Texas (ERCOT) and the Midwest (MISO) continued jockeying for the wind output record in November, with ERCOT coming out in front this time. It hit a record high of 12,641 megawatts (MW) on November 16, which bested MISO’s 12,383 MW from October 28, for the highest output on a U.S. power system.

Other grid operators hit high water-marks in recent weeks as well.

PJM, which operates the power system for the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes states, reached a record output of 5,648 MW on November 1, while the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) cleared 9,000 MW on November 15.

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Wind has reliably contributed a large share of total electricity supply across the U.S. in recent weeks:

•Just this morning, MISO set a new hourly wind output record, reaching an hourly average of 12,295 MW, exceeding the previous mark of 12,194 MW set on October 28. While minute-by-minute wind output data from MISO is not yet available, it is possible that at some point this morning MISO wind energy output exceeded its previous instantaneous record of 12,383 MW.

•For a combined nine hours on November 10 and 11, wind was the number one electricity generation source in SPP, averaging about 35 percent of the total energy mix. Impressively, the output averaged over this period neared SPP’s instantaneous output record of 36.8 percent, further proof that wind can contribute a significant amount to the electricity mix for a sustained period of time.

•PJM, one of the largest power systems in the world, obtained more than 9 percent of its electricity from wind when it set its wind record on November 1.

•Earlier this year, ERCOT obtained more than 40 percent of its electricity from wind
•The main Colorado power system has previously gone higher than 60 percent.

As we previously explained, these record outputs provide concrete evidence that wind can reliably constitute a significant portion of our electricity mix. As Robbie Searcy of ERCOT notes, “We’ve really gotten very effective at integrating a large amount of wind into the power grid.”

The record outputs we’ve seen throughout the fall are the result of a broader “wind rush.” New wind project development, technological advances, and long-needed grid upgrades are making low-cost wind energy available to new customers across the country, resulting in a more reliable, affordable, and balanced energy mix.

This is a trend we expect to continue in the coming years, and it will help businesses and consumers keep their lights on and extra money in their pockets.

http://www.aweablog.org/wind-records-fall-again-in-november-as-race-to-the-top-continues/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 25, 2015, 07:08:47 pm
Wärtsilä Ship Design to supply design for offshore vessel conversion

» Maritime News
» Vessels
» Wärtsilä Ship Design to supply design for offshore vessel conversion 

By John Stansfield,  November 25, 2015,  Vessels   
 
 
Dutch ship owner C-Bed has contracted Wärtsilä Ship Design to supply the design for rebuilding its Seismic Survey Vessel, the ‘Viking II’, for use as a hotel vessel. When completed, the rebuilt ship will be used to accommodate and transfer service personnel working on offshore wind farms. The rebuild project is being carried out at the Fayard AS shipyard in Denmark and is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2016. The contract with Wärtsilä was signed in September.

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Wärtsilä Ship Design to supply design for offshore vessel conversion

Wärtsilä provided the original designs for the ‘Viking II’ earlier known as ‘Veritas Viking II’, which was delivered in 1999 to the original owners, Eidesvik of Norway.

After the conversion, the vessel will have accommodation and hotel facilities for 125 people and will feature a heave compensated gangway. The converted vessel will fulfil the requirements for Special Purpose Ships and will in the future be named ‘Wind Innovation’.


“This is a fast delivery project and it was essential that our naval architects could respond to the owner’s needs quickly. This we are able to achieve and our design will result in a vessel capable of operating efficiently in challenging sea and weather conditions with a high level of passenger comfort,” says Ove H. Wilhelmsen, Managing Director of Wärtsilä Ship Design Norway.

Wärtsilä has considerable experience in producing designs for the offshore wind turbine market, both for service vessels as well as for installation applications. Conversion projects are becoming of increasing interest for owners since there is a current over-supply of ships in many of the offshore application markets.

Source: wartsila.com

https://www.vesselfinder.com/news/4811-Wrtsil-Ship-Design-to-supply-design-for-offshore-vessel-conversion
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 18, 2015, 02:44:11 pm
12/17/2015 05:58 PM     
Philips Buys Wind Energy For All North American Operations
SustainableBusiness.com News

Philips, the inventor of the compact flourescent bulb, and a long-time leader on sustainable business practices, will power all North America operations with wind by the end of 2016.   ;D

It is buying the output from Hidalgo Wind Farm in McCook, Texas over 15 years to power 133 locations. The 250 megawatt project is under construction by EDF Renewables. 

"Our power purchase agreement will allow a brand new wind farm to be built in Texas. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca) Moreover, by offsetting our North American operations with renewable energy, we will reduce Philips' global carbon footprint by 8.6%, support the local economy and positively impact our bottom line, demonstrating the private sector can benefit from and help drive clean energy," says Brent Shafer, CEO of Philips North America.

Philips' goal is to be carbon neutral by 2020. It's a founding member of RE100, an effort to convince 100 of the world's largest businesses to run completely on renewable energy by 2020. Worldwide, Philips gets 55% of electricity from renewables, growing from just 8% six years ago. 

Last year, Philips introduced "lighting as a service" with Washington DC as its first customer. It ranks at the top of all companies for sustainable practices by CDP and in the top 10 electronics companies by Greenpeace.

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/26506
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 18, 2015, 07:02:37 pm
Trump loses UK lawsuit!  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fza4.gif&hash=2db0a6001703f4089cb64dc38159bb3d467e1bff)    100 megawatt offshore wind farm will now go forward.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)

12/17/2015 04:50 PM

SustainableBusiness.com News

Climate denier Donald Trump (who said he wouldn't bother attending the Paris Climate Summit) may be leading in Republican polls, but he's not doing so well across the Atlantic Ocean.

Since 2013, he's been trying to block an offshore wind farm in Scotland - because he doesn't like the view from his new golf course and resort located there.

After multiple appeals, he failed to block the wind farm in Scotland courts so he took it to the UK Supreme Court ... and now, they too (unanimously  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fballoons.gif&hash=a64bb5ff3e76c3e11999996c460fa02de1ee10f7)) rejected his argument.

The 100 megawatt offshore wind farm will now go forward placing 11 wind turbines two miles off the coast, and powering 86,000 homes - half the population of Aberdeen.

Also planned is the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, an offshore wind-testing center where developers can test technologies before deploying them, cutting capital costs and risks. It would establish Scotland as a hub for offshore development in Europe.

"History will judge those involved unfavorably and the outcome demonstrates the foolish, small-minded and parochial mentality which dominates the current Scottish government's dangerous experiment with wind energy," says the Trump Organization in a statement. Trump "will evaluate the court's decision and continue to fight this proposal on every possible front."

The golf course should never have been built in the first place - it destroyed Scotland's ancient dunes and wildlife habitat, while permanently disrupting the lives of the people who live there. Trump strong-armed the government and local communities to get it through as described in the compelling documentary, You've Been Trumped.

This would be the view: (at link below)

Scotland offshore wind

He also fiercely fought an offshore wind farm off the coast of Ireland, which ended up being cancelled because of endangered species concerns.

And he's really up in arms because two massive offshore wind farms are also planned for the area, powering over 1 million homes, and helping the country meet its goal for 100% renewable electricity by 2020. 

Trump says, "We will spend whatever monies are necessary to see to it that these huge and unsightly industrial wind turbines are never constructed."  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-devil19.gif&hash=6eeb0dbc471743691793f5130640fdcbd1f77b5c)

Trump is a member of the "climate change is a hoax" camp, often pointing out that there's cold weather and snow.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fp8.gif&hash=34db9228a959b3b83fc65b38a1aa92a40d56f976) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F126fs2277341.gif&hash=1a8375f11d76a653bcb48e30eaa7b652175f029d)


http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/26505
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 10, 2016, 08:14:46 pm
TDI New England approved for $1.2 billion transmission project

Jan. 6, 2016, 3:34 pm by Mike Polhamus

The Public Service Board on Tuesday approved a $1.2 billion utility transmission project from Canada to Ludlow.

TDI New England plans to build a 1,000-megawatt transmission line under Lake Champlain that will feed the southern New England power grid.

The board said it issued a certificate of public good to TDI because the project diversifies energy sources, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, creates new jobs, generates tax revenue and potentially supplies cheaper energy.

The Montpelier-based Conservation Law Foundation agreed last year not to oppose the project after it was able to negotiate large payments from the utility for Lake Champlain cleanup.

“TDI New England did a good job of showing that large energy projects can meet high environmental standards,” said CLF Senior Attorney Sandra Levine. “There are a number of transmission projects in the region being evaluated and considered; this isn’t an endorsement of this project, it’s just a recognition that they did a lot of things right, and I think they have set in some ways a model for other projects.”

An instructive comparison can be made between this project and the Vermont Gas Systems natural gas pipeline proposed for Addison County, Levine said.

The pipeline has met steady opposition from AARP and landowners, she said, because Vermont Gas has done a poor job of evaluating the pipeline’s impacts and hasn’t been transparent enough with ratepayers and the board about costs.

“When you look at the two side by side, Vermont Gas is still facing problems with permitting, and the TDI project has received its permits,” she said.

The firm merely followed sound business practices, said TDI New England’s CEO Donald Jessome.

The project is being built not out of necessity, as is the case with some power projects, but rather for economic reasons, and as such “there’s no question we have a higher burden to the states we’re traversing to demonstrate public good,” Jessome said.

Early in the project’s development, the firm reached out to stakeholders, including environmental organizations, state regulatory bodies and others, Jessome said.

“We totally understand that in the development world we have to listen to all the stakeholders,” he said.

TDI plans to pay hundreds of millions of dollars toward environmental cleanup efforts over the project’s lifespan, and Jessome said “we see that as a cost of doing business.” Large portions of those monies were secured through negotiations with the Conservation Law Foundation.

The cable will run from the Canadian border to Ludlow, sunken for most of that length beneath Lake Champlain.

The so-called New England Clean Power Link is being built in response to renewable energy needs in New England states. Like Vermont, these states have aggressive renewable energy goals.


The cable will carry 1,000 megawatts, roughly the amount of power consumed by the entire state of Vermont. If it is constructed, Vermont will host the cable, and most of the electricity will be transmitted to southern New England. Vermont will have the option to purchase up to 200 megawatts from the cable.

The cable is expected to carry power from dams and wind turbines.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3)

TDI has agreed to pay a minimum of $283.5 million over the 40-year lifespan of the project for Lake Champlain phosphorus cleanup, habitat restoration and recreational improvements — $121.5 million more than was originally proposed. Some of that money would also go to the state’s Clean Energy Fund.

TDI has also agreed to pay the state’s transmission utility, Vermont Electric Power Co. (VELCO), $136 million or $2.5 million annually over 40 years. That money is expected to be used to reduce electric rates, according to state officials.

TDI New England is a subsidiary of financial firm Blackstone Group, which manages more than $200 billion in assets. The firm anticipates permitting will take until mid-2016, with major construction beginning in 2018. If the New England Clean Energy Link moves forward, then the 1,000-megawatt transmission line is anticipated to be carrying power by 2019.

http://vtdigger.org/2016/01/06/tdi-new-england-approved-for-1-2-billion-transmission-project/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 11, 2016, 05:56:26 pm
Agelbert NOTE: Roamer (a mechanical engineer that has worked in the fossil fuel industry), if you can handle working in high places, OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING!   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860)   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)

Ohio Energy Inc. 
Wind turbine jobs expected to double, leading the U.S. in growth Dec 15, 2015, 12:57pm EST

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/ohio-energy-inc/2015/12/wind-turbine-jobs-expected-to-double-leading-the-u.html

12/15/2015 America's Fastest Growing Occupation Tied to Wind Turbines
http://www.pddnet.com/news/2015/12/americas-fastest-growing-occupation-tied-wind-turbines

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.trade-schools.net%2Fstatic%2Fgraphics%2Fwind-energy.jpg&hash=b4fc4f54cb56e4a09d2a3735f2937b3d44b80933)
Join us and be part of the energy solution!   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fballoons.gif&hash=a64bb5ff3e76c3e11999996c460fa02de1ee10f7)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 28, 2016, 08:47:11 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-280914173454.gif&hash=4e75877e9cceee4340ec50e1483cb75db100974d)


Salesforce Signs Second Major Renewable Energy Deal In As Many Months

Jan 27, 2016

David Labrador Writer / Editor

Last year set a record for renewable energy purchases by corporations with 3.44 GW, nearly tripling 2014’s total, and this year is already off to a fast start. The first out of the gate is cloud-computing company Salesforce, which announced a 12-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) for 24 MW of wind power from a Texas wind farm on January 14. The Bay Area heavyweight is a founding corporate member of RMI’s Business Renewables Center (BRC).

The deal, concluded with BRC sponsor EDF Renewable Energy, is for a portion of the electricity generated by the 200-MW Salt Fork Wind Project in the Texas Panhandle. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)  Salesforce has operations in the region, and electricity from the wind farm will feed into the region’s grid, though not to Salesforce’s facilities directly. This is the essence of a VPPA, much like a subscription to a community solar garden in which a homeowner is credited for the electricity generated at a solar array elsewhere in the community. Salesforce’s Salt Fork deal is expected to provide 102,000 megawatt-hours of wind energy per year once it comes online in December 2016.

A Repeat Performance

When Salesforce announced its VPPA for 40 MW of wind power from a West Virginia wind farm in December, it entered the off-site renewable energy market for the first time. First-time entrants in fact proved a significant driving force for 2015’s record corporate numbers. Now Salesforce is back for more, which is exactly what the BRC works to achieve—to streamline and accelerate corporate renewable energy purchasing, including seeing more companies becoming first-time and repeat buyers. Stephen Abbott, a senior associate at RMI, says, “Salesforce committing to a second PPA after signing their first contract last December is an excellent example of how new companies can join the renewables club and build momentum quickly.”

Patrick Flynn, director of sustainability at Salesforce, says, “Having that experience with these two successful projects completed gives familiarity and confidence to all the parties involved,” including internal stakeholders. PPAs and, especially, VPPAs are complex deals that many corporations are not yet familiar with, which is why new entrants are important. Salesforce completed the deals with the help of transaction service provider Renewable Choice Energy, a founding sponsor of the BRC.

The BRC formed in 2014 and hit the ground running in early 2015 to accelerate corporate renewable energy procurement with the goal of adding 60 GW of off-site wind and solar capacity in 10–20 years. When the BRC publicly launched in early 2015, just a handful of companies had done deals and the goal seemed far off. Salesforce and others have totally changed the dynamic. Lily Donge, a principal with RMI’s electricity practice and leader of the BRC, says, “Salesforce has gone from zero to 60 with two rounds of PPAs in two months. This is exactly what the market needs to see—companies entering the market for the first time, and following up with yet an additional deal in two months.”

Towards 100-Percent Renewable Energy(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-260116191529.png&hash=cbc70d3107f019cfbef88dc573223aefa7732476)


Salesforce’s Flynn says, “This is a doubling down on our renewable energy commitment.” The combined output of the VPPAs Salesforce signed for West Virginia and Texas power is expected to be 227,000 megawatt-hours per year, which is more electricity than Salesforce used during its 2015 fiscal year. This is important because Salesforce is not just a member of the BRC; it is also a member of the RE100, a forum where corporations make a pledge to transform to 100-percent renewable energy.

However, Salesforce can’t rest on its laurels just yet. Flynn explains, “By the time these projects come online and have been operating for a full year, we will have grown beyond that fiscal year 2015 footprint. We think we’re still going to have to look for more great projects—like both of these—and other ways to keep moving forward towards our RE100 goal.”

Making a Cleaner Cloud


More than 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies have clean energy or climate targets and the aim of BRC members like Salesforce is to help them move as quickly as they are. “Hopefully we can keep doing the sorts of projects that not only bring about additional renewable energy, but bring it about in a way, like this VPPA, that we can clear a path or provide a blueprint for other companies to follow,” says Flynn.

More than 1 GW of 2015’s corporate power purchases were by cloud-computing companies like Salesforce and other companies with huge data centers, such as Amazon. This trend makes sense to Flynn, who says, “Salesforce understands that it has an opportunity to define a cleaner cloud. Data centers power the Internet, and they consume a lot of electricity, so I think it’s a natural fit that cloud companies like ours try to find ways to innovate and bring about positive change.”

Bringing Everyone Into the Renewable Energy Space


And as BRC members, Salesforce, EDF Renewable Energy, and Renewable Choice Energy are truly helping others to create that cleaner cloud by sharing their hard-won knowledge. “The industry’s moving quickly,” says Flynn. “When we see other news come out, we’re excited about it. Regardless of what company did it, every step forward counts.”

Salesforce has an RE100 commitment to switch to 100-percent renewable energy and has pledged to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and it is moving aggressively towards those goals. “If you can do that in a way that also provides a learning opportunity both for yourself and others, that’s something to feel really good about,” Flynn says, and it’s also the essence of the BRC. Flynn says, “Looking forward, we’ll want to share our thought process, what led us to the VPPA, why it was a great fit for us, and best practices that we’ve identified for getting deals like these accomplished with the other members of the BRC.”

http://blog.rmi.org/blog_2016_01_27_salesforce_signs_second_major_renewable_energy_deal_in_as_many_months
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 05, 2016, 08:56:54 pm
World's first 1+GW offshore wind farm confirmed

Sami Grover (@samigrover)
Energy / Renewable Energy
 February 4, 2016

When I moved from the United Kingdom to the United States in 2006, offshore wind just wasn't a thing in Britain. Now, the UK has more offshore wind capacity than all other countries combined.

That capacity is going to grow some more too.

Business Green reports that DONG Energy has announced it's moving ahead with Hornsea Project One, a project that's slated to be the largest offshore windfarm in the world, and the first with over 1GW of nameplate capacity. But that's not all. While Project One will be online by 2020, DONG also has rights to develop the imaginatively titled Project Two and Project Three at Hornsea, which together will bring an additional 3GW of capacity online.

Offshore wind is truly going mainstream, and this is using existing 7MW wind turbines. Some researchers are speculating, however, that we may soon have gigantic offshore turbines with up to 50MW of capacity each.

Something tells me that Hornsea Project One won't be the biggest farm for long. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_0293.gif&hash=b1af4868ed8f18c30e637f8cbcb79002f6f71039)


http://www.treehugger.com/renewable-energy/worlds-first-1gw-offshore-wind-farm-confirmed.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 12, 2016, 10:58:02 pm
Dong Energy to Acquire Lease for Wind Project Off New Jersey Coast
February 10, 2016 by Bloomberg

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.telegraph.co.uk%2Fmultimedia%2Farchive%2F02758%2Fwind-farm_2758881b.jpg&hash=a933c0129e632e934f57769260defedfc1e682e8)

By Joe Ryan

(Bloomberg) — Dong Energy A/S, the world’s largest offshore-wind developer, agreed to acquire a lease for a site off the coast of New Jersey with more than 1,000 megawatts of potential capacity, marking the company’s second push into U.S. waters.

Dong plans to take over the 160,480-acre lease from RES Americas Development Inc., the Fredericia, Denmark-based company said in a statement Tuesday. RES Americas won the lease in a November auction held by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, which must approve the transfer.

Dong is moving into an area where offshore wind has languished. The state’s Board of Public Utilities has rejected Fishermen’s Energy LLC’s proposal for a 25-megawatt pilot project, saying the power would be too expensive for consumers. Building a bigger facility and paying for construction itself will address that, according to Thomas Brostrom, Dong’s general manager of North America.
Quote

“We are looking at a large-scale project here,” he said in an interview Tuesday. “You have a lot of benefits from that.”
 


    Familiar Terrain

The New Jersey lease area is 10 nautical miles off shore, south of Atlantic City, with water depths of about 80 feet (24 meters). The conditions are similar to those Dong currently works with in North-Western Europe, the company said.

Last year Dong acquired a site south of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, in another deal with RES. Both projects would require state and federal permits. It will be at least four years before construction can begin, and it’s too early to estimate the cost of either project, Brostrom said.

Dong, which pioneered the world’s first offshore wind farm in 1991, has projects with more than 2,000 megawatts of capacity in operation and another 1,000 megawatts under construction. The company opened its first U.S. office last year in Boston and is scouting the East Coast for other locations to build, Brostrom said.
Quote

“To build an industry you need volume,” he said. “We see a lot of potential in the American market.”  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Femoticon-object-062.gif&hash=88ceb4a34a12b2bea2fd9edd887da26d73308257)
©2016 Bloomberg News

https://gcaptain.com/dong-energy-to-acquire-lease-for-wind-project-off-new-jersey-coast/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 13, 2016, 04:25:32 pm

Offshore Slump Has Norway’s Eidesvik Turning to Wind  ;D
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F6%2F7%2F1%2F12065737551968208283energie_positive_Wind_Turbine_Green.svg.hi.png&hash=be3acd38adc44e524d4d3f94fda9837047a92d3c)

February 12, 2016 by gCaptain

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgcaptain.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F02%2FAcergy-Viking.jpg&hash=80c000fdda80a1c6fd575824a10ffc1af5d20e89)
Eidesvik offshore service specialists ship

The prolonged slump in the offshore Offshore Slump Has Norway’s Eidesvik Turning to Windmarket has Norwegian offshore service specialists Eidesvik turning to offshore wind for work.

Eidesvik Offshore announced this week that it has entered into a service and support vessel with Siemens Wind Power, its first contract within offshore wind sector.


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcleantechnica.com%2Ffiles%2F2013%2F10%2Fsiemens-offshore-wind-turbine.png&hash=a8d2d1ec643ac812a5d34ff9a3357421df1683f5)
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Flooksmiley.gif&hash=2fa679c2bf50092b12a1301928cb338275c3ba54)


Under the agreement, Eidesvik’s vessel Acergy Viking has been chartered to Siemens for nine months as an accommodation and service vessel in German sector of the North Sea.

Eidesvik said for some time it has looked into offshore wind as a strategic business segment and now has secured the first contract in this segment.

The vessel will undertake a short mobilization, which includes installing an offshore gangway system, prior to the contract commencement in August.

“I am pleased with our organizations ability to adapt to a new marked and that we now will enter a new business segment with one of our existing Subsea vessels. The Acergy Viking has been in lay-up for a short period and we are glad that she will be out in operation again,” Eidesvik CEO Jan Fredrik Meling said in a statement.

https://gcaptain.com/offshore-slump-has-norways-eidesvik-turning-to-offshore-wind/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 21, 2016, 04:01:12 pm
Agelbert NOTE: Norsea makes a smart move.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clipartbest.com%2Fcliparts%2Fxig%2Fojx%2Fxigojx6KT.png&hash=6706182c9f1427099a77e10d1758e61d9cadb701) It is refreshing to see that not all Oil and Gas Majors are as biosphere math challenged as those in Texas.


NorSea Wins World’s First Floating Wind Farm Contract   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)

Published at 10:11AM - 19/02/16

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-210216155502.jpeg&hash=a88f65e3d323929df2e29ce6fab4dcad6a7a3a31)

NorSea wins world’s first floating wind farm contract from Statoil, as the Norwegian oil and gas major moves closer to yet another first.

The contract is for work on Statoil’s Hywind project, an offshore wind farm in UK waters that will be the world’s first to utilise floating turbines rather than fixed sub structures.

The method being pioneered by Statoil is hoped to reduce both the cost and construction time of offshore wind considerably.


NorSea Wins World’s First Floating Wind Farm Contract

NorSea’s contract covers the use of their Stordbase yard, located between Stavanger and Bergen. Statoil aims to utilise the yard as a pre-assembly point for the turbines before transportation to the British sector.

With a value of between US$ 6 – 8 million (NOK 50 – 70m), the contract is set to start at the beginning of March 2016.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.statoil.com%2Fno%2FNewsAndMedia%2FNews%2F2015%2FPublishingImages%2F03Nov_Hywind_468a.jpg&hash=1f87414082d12e3d5eae3161a4705e459aa7b87b)
Statoil Hywind Wind Farm UK

NorSea Group CEO, ohn E. Stangeland said: ”NSG is very grateful and proud to have been awarded this crucial contract from Statoil.”

“We want to be a preferred supplier of integrated services to the supplier industry and wind farm owners in the offshore wind market. This contract will therefore be a key step in our strategy of offering cost-effective solutions to the renewable energy market,”
Statoil Hywind

The 30 Mega Watt Hywind project, is an offshore wind farm, located approximately 16 miles (25km) offshore Peterhead, UK, and operated by Statoil.

Being hailed as a pilot project its main purpose is to test and demonstrate the effectiveness of new technologies, Statoil is developing within the offshore wind sector, most notably floating turbines.

Construction is set to take place during 2016 through 2017, with final commissioning taking place in 2017.

https://youtu.be/PpMOP5ogWWA

http://www.offshorepost.com/norsea-wins-worlds-first-floating-wind-farm-contract/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 25, 2016, 10:35:28 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk%2Fpolopoly_fs%2F1.1695692%21%2Fimage%2F2410385682.jpg_gen%2Fderivatives%2Flandscape_490%2F2410385682.jpg&hash=c8a7b3487692830d7c9fe742a9eb8215217f7db9)

WATCH: Brave Tern Full Height Test   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)

February 24, 2016 by Mike Schuler


https://youtu.be/96yEQYn1blw
The offshore wind turbine installation vessel Brave Tern conducts a “full-height jacket test” at the port of Rotterdam. During the test the jack-up reached a height of 70 meters using the vessel’s 5,300 ton capacity legs.

(https://koopvaardijinbeeld.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/ff61022web.jpg)
Brave Tern

The Brave Tern is one of two identical jack-ups built by Gusto MSC with customizations for owner Fred. Olsen Windcarrier. The vessels are self-elevating and self-propelled with large open deck space, an 800 ton “wrap around leg crane”, DP2-class dynamic positioning, and fitted with a Voith Schneider propulsion system. The installation vessels also have accommodations for up to 80 persons in 56 cabins, as well as a heli-deck to facilitate transfers during offshore wind farm installations.

Brave Tern Characteristics
•LENGTH: 132m
•HULL BREADTH MID: 39m
•PROPULSION: Transit speed of 12 knots, DP2
•WATER DEPTH RANGE: 7.5 – 45m
•CRANE: 800 tonnes at 24m outreach, 102m over deck
•TYPICAL PAYLOAD: 6600 tonnes

https://gcaptain.com/watch-brave-tern-full-height-test/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 25, 2016, 11:00:38 pm
https://youtu.be/scy5XFoFLx0
A VERY comfortable work environment  ;D
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 25, 2016, 11:20:48 pm
https://youtu.be/_K1IuRgBoLE
Offshore wind turbine Installation, work schedule and meals  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Ftuzki-bunnys%2Ftuzki-bunny-emoticon-022.gif&hash=3b60da70b71b7109fe66036056cb1dedc1affb43) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)

https://youtu.be/vZUOvIoUbNM
Longer and more informative video of offshore wind turbine installation (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Femoticons%2Ftuzki-bunnys%2Ftuzki-bunny-emoticon-036.gif&hash=8ec7abacc074bac7984d9b80fbca377b3afb119d) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 26, 2016, 09:10:07 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-280914173454.gif&hash=4e75877e9cceee4340ec50e1483cb75db100974d)


Gamesa Reports Mammoth 85% Increase In Net Profits   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fza4.gif&hash=2db0a6001703f4089cb64dc38159bb3d467e1bff)

February 26th, 2016 by Joshua S Hill

SNIPPET:

Spanish wind energy giant Gamesa ended 2015 with a mammoth €170 million net profit, 85% more than in 2014  ;D, thanks to sustained revenue growth and profitability.

http://cleantechnica.com/2016/02/26/gamesa-reports-mammoth-85-increase-net-profits/


Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on March 09, 2016, 08:58:57 pm
(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/527210744178167809/z6CbCdS5.jpeg)

(https://www.edf.org/cdn/farfuture/x4S3L8gc2zJwulOnO11XEJ96WiGIiS09pyxpthjz_lE/mtime:1407764885/sites/default/files/windmillscopenhagen_378x235_4.jpg) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos1.blogger.com%2Fx%2Fblogger%2F7114%2F258%2F400%2F451223%2Fdanish_windfarm.jpg&hash=039e0dd11971b4cde5d6ee8298ee8ff671400c23)

Mar 2, 2016 Authors Laurie Guevara-​Stone Writer / Editor

A Small Country Goes Big with Renewables: Denmark’s goal to be fossil fuel free

The small country of Denmark (pop. 5.6 million) is making a big commitment to renewables. In the early 1970s imported oil supplied 92 percent of Denmark’s energy. Today Denmark’s electric grid is over 40 percent renewably powered, and the country is aiming to reach 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035 and 100 percent renewable energy in all sectors by 2050. Denmark also plans to reduce its domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2020 relative to 1990 levels–without the use of carbon credits—ten years ahead of the proposed EU target.

A Wind Power Pioneer

Denmark is fortunate to have extremely good wind speeds—averaging 7.6 meters per second (California’s Altamont Pass wind farm sees 5.3 to 7.1 m/s, and power output rises as the cube of windspeed). The country has a goal for windpower to supply 50 percent of electricity consumption by 2020, and it is well on its way. In 2015, wind power supplied 42 percent of domestic electricity consumption.

Denmark was the first country in the world to build massive offshore wind farms, installing a 5 MW wind farm two kilometers from the coastline in 1991. Since then the country has installed four other offshore wind farms bringing offshore wind capacity to 1,271 MW.

 The country also has over 300 onshore wind turbines bringing total wind capacity as of January 1, 2016 to 5,070 MW. To reach its goal of 50 percent wind power by 2020, the country has an initiative to deploy an additional 1,000 MW of offshore and 500 more MW of nearshore wind turbines, as well as to replace old onshore wind turbines with new higher-capacity ones.

In order to avoid any potential local opposition to the onshore wind farm, the Danish government implemented various regulations to help with public acceptance. For example, residents are compensated if a property loses value due to wind turbines, the local community receives a payment per megawatt-hour of power generated, and at least 20 percent of the shares in a wind farm must be offered to local residents.

Energy Efficiency

Denmark is also a great example of how energy consumption can be decoupled from economic growth. Over the past 30 years, the country’s energy consumption has remained relatively stable, while gross domestic product has doubled. “Our continued efforts on energy conservation have greatly reduced our electricity demand,”  ;D according to Henning Parbo, Chief Economist for Energinet, the country’s electric and gas transmission system operator. “And Denmark is not characterized by high energy-intensive industry.”

In fact, Denmark is one of the most energy-efficient countries in the EU and the OECD, partly because many Danish companies have optimized their industrial processes, facilities, and equipment. Denmark’s goal is to reduce its final energy consumption by 7 percent in 2020 compared to 2010. The different energy sectors in Denmark—oil, electricity, natural gas, and district heating—are each assigned a share of energy savings to reach depending on their market share. The trade associations for those sectors then delegate responsibility for those savings to its member companies, also based on market share. The country also quadrupled new buildings’ thermal efficiency from 1977, and forbade oil- and gas-fired heating of new buildings from 2013.

Combined Heat and Power

Denmark is also a leader in combined heat and power (CHP). Twelve percent of all power in Denmark is generated from biomass and organic waste in CHP plants, and more than 80 percent of Danish district heating is cogenerated with electricity. Today, there are 670 decentralized CHP plants around the country. Most of the biomass being used in Denmark today is from straw and biodegradable waste, and 30 percent is imported from Eastern European countries and Canada in the form of wood pellets and wood chips. Biomass proponents claim that burning wood pellets is a carbon-neutral form of energy because the plants that are the source of biomass capture as much CO2 when growing as they emit when burned. However, many others believe harvesting wood for biomass is anything but carbon-neutral and threatens many diverse ecosystems throughout the world.

In December 2014, the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Building announced that only sustainably produced biomass would be purchased. The agreement includes requirements for the entire biomass supply chain and requires that forests that supply biomass for energy production be replanted. However, the debate continues, as some argue that planting is no guarantee of healthy maturation—about as much biomass belowground must also be protected in its volume and biodiversity, and although the biomass may be sustainably produced, the magnitude of the biomass material harvested may be unsustainable.

Denmark’s CHP plants, in combination with the wind turbines, make Denmark one of the countries with the highest percentage of distributed generation in the world. In 1990, the country had 15 central power plants. It now has 20 central power stations (4,200 MW), 45 electric boilers (550 MW), 5,300 wind turbines (5,070 MW), and 94,000 solar PV panels (785 MW), in addition to the 670 local combined heat and power plants (2,300 MW).

Grid Stability

While the variability of wind power can be challenging, one advantage Denmark has is its proximity to other countries to which it can export wind power. When Denmark has an excess of wind power, as happened last July when the country’s wind turbines produced 140 percent of the electricity demand, it exports electricity to Sweden, Norway, and Germany. Sweden and Norway import the electricity to save water in their hydro reservoirs, and use their hydropower during periods of low wind. Germany uses German windpower to save coal, though Germany’s own renewables are so robust that with their legal (and economically rational) dispatch priority, they often limit Denmark’s ability to export to Germany. Denmark is also looking into establishing new connections to farther countries such as Holland and England.

Denmark is hoping to build a smart grid, and embarked on a full-scale smart grid pilot project in 2005, by reorganizing its grid in a cellular architecture. The Cell Controller Pilot Project (CCPP), which lasted for seven years, used advanced computers to jointly control wind turbines, CHP plants, and other distributed generation sources in a 1,000 square kilometer region, making them operate as a single integrated virtual power plant that can intelligently ramp production up or down depending on wind conditions and power consumption. This not only helps with grid reliability, but also provides ancillary services such as power balancing, import and export of power, and voltage control. A study conducted by Energinet showed that implementing a smart grid would provide gross socioeconomic benefits of $1.2 billion.

Most importantly, Danish grid operators, who 15 years ago would have considered it impossible to run the grid stably with three-fifths renewable supply, now achieve this routinely. They have become among the world’s most adept at integrating diverse, distributed, often variable, renewable resources. As a result, Danish electricity supply is the most reliable in Europe, slightly ahead of Germany’s, and about ten times more reliable than U.S. electricity supply.  ;D

Transportation

Being fossil fuel free by 2050 means a big change in transportation. Yet Denmark has already made great strides. To discourage gasoline consumption, Denmark has a 180 percent tax on new cars, waived if one buys an electric car; a 95 percent surtax on cars weighing over two tonnes; and an annual tax on cars’ inefficiency. There is also free parking for EVs in all cities. It is estimated there are more than 4 million bicycles in Denmark and more than 10,000 kilometers of separated bike paths and bike lanes. And one-third of all commutes to work and school are done by bicycle.

A Fossil-Fuel-Free Future   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-260116192120.png&hash=daf2cd0aaafd9f8140e406ffd5a927e52d036aaf)

In its 2014 report, the Danish Energy Agency laid out four scenarios on how to be fossil fuel free by 2050:

Wind scenario: primarily wind, solar PV, and CHP deployment, including massive electrification of the heat and transport sectors

Biomass scenario: CHP for electricity and district heating.

Bio+ scenario:
Replacing coal, oil, and natural gas with bioenergy. Wind energy remains at 2020 level (50 percent of electricity).

Hydrogen scenario: Highest wind deployment of any scenario along with hydrogen production.

The country does face challenges ahead. “The continued governmental support around Europe to renewable energy with zero marginal costs drives conventional units out of the market and will make the pricing of electricity a strange business,” Parbo told RMI. “This also means that the ability to supply enough electricity in periods with no wind and no solar production will become the main future challenge.”

But the main conclusion of the Danish Energy Agency’s report is that it is technically feasible for the Danish energy system to be 100 percent fossil fuel free. And it’s well on its way.
 

http://blog.rmi.org/blog_2016_03_02_a_small_country_goes_big_with_renewables
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on March 17, 2016, 08:44:55 pm
U.S. Offshore Wind Cost May Drop 55% as Builders Gain Experience

March 15, 2016 by Bloomberg

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-160316204933.jpeg&hash=4b57fbbf8a56efa5e1f40116aaac8b267030f00f)
Photo credit: Shutterstock/v.schlichting

By Joe Ryan

(Bloomberg) — The cost of building wind farms off the U.S. coast may decline as much as 55 percent within 13 years, letting developers offer clean power at rates competitive with market prices, according to a study released Tuesday by the University of Delaware.

If developers commit to a series of large projects, installing about 2,000 megawatts of capacity between 2020 and 2030 off the Massachusetts coast, they will gradually drive down costs as they gain experience, install transmission lines, upgrade infrastructure and utilize increasingly efficient components, the study found.

While offshore wind has thrived in Europe, the high costs of erecting turbines at sea has sunk most U.S. projects  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183312.bmp&hash=02dafef2fe739676600fdc9bd56271f0f5ab3723). Developers previously proposed wind farms off the East Coast with rates as high as 24 cents a kilowatt hour, more than double the market rate. The University of Delaware found that they could cut those costs to 12.8 cents a kilowatt-hour by 2026, and to 10.8 cents by 2029, when the industry may have installed as much as 2,000 megawatts.

The key to making offshore wind economical “is making a firm commitment to scale so the market can do its work,” Willett Kempton, a professor in the University of Delaware’s School of Marine Science and an author of the study, said in a statement.

The study, funded by the university’s Wind Power Program, used data from offshore wind developers that are looking at potential sites along the East Coast.

The study comes as Deepwater Wind LLC is building the first wind farm in the U.S., off the coast of Rhode Island. It’s scheduled to begin operations by the end of the year, and National Grid Plc has agreed to pay as much as 24.4 cents a kilowatts hour for the power.

Massachusetts lawmakers are considering legislation to encourage developers to build additional projects in the Atlantic near Martha’s Vineyard. Three developers — Deepwater, Dong Energy A/S and Offshore MW LLC — have leases from the federal government to build in the area.

© 2016 Bloomberg L.P
https://gcaptain.com/us-offshore-wind-cost-may-drop-55-as-builders-gain-experience/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 16, 2016, 08:07:06 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78)      (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fza4.gif&hash=2db0a6001703f4089cb64dc38159bb3d467e1bff)


U.S. Wind Energy Blew Away Records in 2015
Climate Nexus | April 14, 2016 9:50 am

U.S. wind energy output hit record levels last year, producing nearly 5 percent of the nation’s electricity, according to a new report from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

Employment in the sector also rose 20 percent in 2015, with 88,000 workers now employed in wind energy across the U.S. More than 8,500 megawatts of wind capacity was installed last year, almost doubling the total from the year before

Texas continues to lead the nation in wind power, but other states are closing the gap with large projects in the works.

AWEA expects more than 14,000 megawatts of new wind capacity this year, with support from incentives like federal tax credits and pollution cutting regulations.

http://ecowatch.com/2016/04/14/wind-energy-records-2015/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 16, 2016, 09:26:53 pm
Denver Post

Colorado wind power rising; 1,880 turbines and Xcel, Vestas plan more

Colorado set national records with 54 percent of Xcel's electricity over two 24-hour periods generated by wind.

By Bruce Finley
Posted: 04/12/2016 10:17:33 AM MDT
(https://thumbnail.newsinc.com/30615186.sf.jpg)
Wind power can produce as much as 67% of electricity in Colorado

BRIGHTON — Colorado wind power is rising with 1,880 huge turbines erected across the prairie, twisting white blades as long as soccer fields, a cleaner source of energy replacing fossil fuels.

It has reached the point where the wind turbines generated 67 percent of Xcel Energy's Colorado-made electricity one morning in November and 54 percent for two 24-hour periods in October — feats unmatched around the nation, industry officials said Tuesday.

Falling costs, a state mandate, a federal subsidy and sheer momentum are driving the shift to renewable energy.
The proliferation of turbines here — doubling the number in 2009 — reflects a takeoff of wind power nationally that has cut carbon dioxide emissions by 132 million tons, American Wind Energy Association research director Michael Goggin said.

(Picture at link)
Governor Hickenlooper hails rise of wind power at Vestas plant on April 12, 2016. (Bruce Finley, The Denver Post)

Quote

"That's the equivalent of taking 28 million cars off the road    [img with=50]http://www.clipartbest.com/cliparts/xig/ojx/xigojx6KT.png[/img]
, and this is going to help Colorado comply with the Clean Power Plan," Goggin said.[/size][/b][/color]

Shifting from coal and gas to wind power "will help bring the United States into compliance with international climate change commitments. It will show that the U.S. can be a leader," he said.

Politicians and investors are embracing the shift. Long a backer of oil and gas extraction along the Front Range, Gov. John Hickenlooper on Tuesday opened a national industry forum at a Vestas Americas turbine factory in Brighton — one of four Vestas plants in the state that employ 3,700 workers.

"This is a state issue for us. We view it as one of our highest priorities," Hickenlooper said.

Colorado initially looked to natural gas as a bridge away from coal-fired electricity, but "wind is going to take an increasingly large share of that as well," he said.

Quote

Today, "wind turbine technician" ranks as the fastest-growing occupation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Utility giant Xcel Energy is playing a key role, purchasing electricity from 21 Colorado wind farms.

"We've cultivated wind as our most cost-effective renewable energy option because we recognize that this source of energy is not only a benefit to the environment but also a major economic driver for the state," Xcel's Colorado operations president David Eves said. "Our plan is to expand our wind offerings to provide hundreds of new jobs for Coloradans, make a billion dollars in new investments, keep energy costs low for our customers and improve the environment."

On Tuesday, Eves and Vestas Americas chief Chris Brown revealed a plan to build Colorado's largest wind farm on the Eastern Plains. If the Public Utilities Commission approves, this project would add 300 more wind turbines and produce 600 megawatts of electricity.

(Picture at link)
Workers at Vestas put the finishing touches on a nacelle, a wind turbine generator, Tuesday at the Brighton plant. The state set a national record over several days last fall for the amount of electricity generated by wind turbines. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)

Industry analysts said wind's role will continue to expand.

And Vestas CEO Brown said the massive fiberglass blades made in Brighton may expand, too.

While installation of more transmission lines will be essential, shifting to clean energy in the future will hinge on "capturing more wind" with blades, he said.

Quote
Even a 1-meter lengthening of blades that now stretch 100 meters from tip-to-tip could more than double  :o   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca) the amount of electricity produced, he said.

Quote
"We want to have taller towers and bigger blades."   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b)

Bruce Finley: 303-954-1700, bfinley@denverpost.com or @finleybruce
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_29756225/study-wind-power-increasingly-overshadows-fossil-fuels-colorado
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 28, 2016, 07:48:23 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F--_EpXMBOiMA%2FTah7qyfxvPI%2FAAAAAAAALGY%2F31WQyxY9ZEM%2Fs1600%2Fwind20mwb.png&hash=8ae5c1be772724af3a98010df2de6c1cf0d684f5)

World's Biggest Windmills Now Make Jumbo Jets Look Tiny   ;D

SNIPPET:


Quote
Even the plunge in crude prices since  2014 has failed to derail industry growth.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clipartbest.com%2Fcliparts%2Fxig%2Fojx%2Fxigojx6KT.png&hash=6706182c9f1427099a77e10d1758e61d9cadb701)

“The doubling of turbine size this decade will allow wind farms in 2020 to use half the number of turbines compared to 2010,” said Tom Harries, an industry analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance. “This means fewer foundations, less cabling and simpler installation -- all key in slashing costs for the industry.”

The average turbine installed in Europe was 4.1 megawatts last year, 28 percent larger than in 2010, according to the London-based researcher, which expects 6.8 megawatts to be the norm by 2020. Harries said Siemens has hinted it’s working on a 10 megawatt turbine.  :o  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)


Excellent article with great pictures! (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Freading.gif&hash=63e3e644b39258d4c4eedbcdaf322315b1856723)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2016-04-28/world-s-biggest-windmills-now-make-jumbo-jets-look-tiny

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimage.b4in.net%2Fresources%2F2013%2F09%2F18%2F1379530215-WindTurbineMan.jpg&hash=f4b41e28830400c9de73af587443944c4fe5a01b)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 29, 2016, 07:46:55 pm
Ulstein Launches First X-Stern   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-260116192120.png&hash=daf2cd0aaafd9f8140e406ffd5a927e52d036aaf)

April 28, 2016 by gCaptain

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-290416193920.png&hash=cf26bf2176741b13764fd38eef3a9a6ec77a06eb)
Freshly-painted-and-getting-ready-to-perform-wind-power-service Credit: Ulstein Group

Norwegian shipbuilder Ulstein has launched the first vessel featuring the new X-Stern hull design at their Ulstein Verft shipyard in Ulsteinvik, Norway.

The service operation vessel for the offshore wind industry is one of two being constructed for Bernhard Schulte Offshore, and will be working for Siemens.

The vessel is actually the first built by Ulstein Group for work in the renewable energy segment  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca) , in this case offshore wind supporting wind farm operations and maintenance, technician accommodation and transport, and safe reliable access to offshore installations.

https://youtu.be/1qoVTYXl780

The X-STERN was first introduced in 2014 as the successor to Ulstein’s popular X-BOW hull. The X-STERN is designed so that a vessel can be positioned with the stern faced towards the weather instead of the bow, leading to improved weather resistance, greater operability and reduced power and fuel consumption while on DP mode.

Both vessels for Bernhard Schulte are based on the SX175 design measuring 88 meters in length, a breadth of 18 meters, speed of 13.5 knots, and accommodation for 60 people.

Ulstein received the order for the vessels in January 2015 by Germany-based Bernhard Schulte through its offshore wind affiliate WINDEA Offshore, marking the first order for the X-STERN hull.

https://gcaptain.com/photos-ulstein-launches-first-x-stern/

📢 There is NO STOPPING the worldwide RENEWABLE ENERGY REVOLUTION!

Renewable energy= (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-130418195803.png&hash=2ff05bac59ce8d16643fd4159b563943ac729a6f) -> Fossil Fuelers
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-250718210826.gif&hash=092e58b7487d71e472330a34e06beba130367805)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 10, 2016, 11:07:19 pm
DONG Energy Declares Option for Second Wind Farm Service Vessel  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.cdn2.123rf.com%2F168nwm%2Flenm%2Flenm1201%2Flenm120100200%2F12107060-illustration-of-a-smiley-giving-a-thumbs-up.jpg&hash=2046bc6d662e09d3014a2c404a2af6ba17f8217c)

May 9, 2016 by gCaptain 

DONG Energy has declared option for a second wind turbine Service Operation Vessel with Norwegian-based shipping company Østensjø Rederi requiring the construction of a newbuild vessel.

The newbuild will be sister vessel to the SOV awarded by Dong Energy last year and will function as a mother ship for wind turbine technicians servicing the Hornsea Project One wind farm located approximately 75 miles off England’s Yorkshire coast.

The 81.1-meter-long vessel will be a DP2 Service Operation Vessel with high station keeping capabilities, with 60 single cabins and accommodation for up to 40 wind turbine technicians and a crew of 20. The vessel will featured a motion compensated gangway system with an adjustable pedestal for safe operations and uptime. The vessel is also expected to be equipped with a helideck deck.

Delivery is anticipated for Q3 2018 from the shipbuilder Astilleros Gondan in Spain.

The Service Operation Vessels are designed by Rolls Royce in close cooperation with Østensjø Rederi. This will be the thirteenth vessel Østensjø Rederi builds at Astilleros Gondan, including three tugs and the one SOV already under construction.

“The new award is a further recognition of Østensjø efforts to expand our business into the renewable energy sector, following the strategy to diversify our operations. We are therefore very pleased that DONG Energy again has awarded us an exciting and important opportunity, says Kenneth Walland, CEO of Østensjø Rederi AS.

The contract with DONG Energy spans a firm period of five years with option for five more years.

The first SOV is scheduled for delivery in September 2017 and will service the Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm located in the North Sea about about 17 miles from the North Norfolk coast.

https://gcaptain.com/dong-energy-declares-option-for-second-wind-farm-service-operation-vessel/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 31, 2016, 10:31:02 pm
Galapagos Islands getting major renewable energy expansion

Megan Treacy (@mtreacy)
Energy / Renewable Energy
 May 30, 2016
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalelectricity.org%2Fupload%2FImage%2FProjects%2FIMG_0553.jpg&hash=841252df9e5e478c8f26ae9e4daf0025e4dfb3de)
Galapagos wind © EOLICSA

The Galapagos Islands are most famous for the unique animal species studied by Charles Darwin and it's those species that have been the driving force behind the archipelago's quest to derive all of its energy from renewable sources instead of imported diesel fuel which still meets the majority of its energy needs.

Back in 2001, a fuel tanker bringing diesel fuel to San Cristóbal, the provincial capital, struck a reef and spilled about 570,000 liters of diesel oil which threatened the plants, birds and marine life that only call the Galapagos home. After that event, an international group created the $10 million San Cristóbal Wind Project which saw the installation of three 51-meter-tall wind turbines and two sets of solar panels in 2007.

That project, operated by the energy company EOLICSA, has managed to cover 30 percent of the electricity needs of San Cristóbal, the second largest island in size and population, and replaced the use of 8.7 million liters of diesel fuel since it began operation.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi0.wp.com%2Fwww.siasat.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F05%2Fwindturbines.jpg%3Fresize%3D600%252C330&hash=507f271bf0cad31feea9d13fe86e8f7fd5101cf7)
By helping its population avoid many tanker loads worth of risky diesel fuel imports since 2007, (http://www.siasat.com/news/wind-turbines-powering-galapagos-islands-2007-964390/) a global renewable energy project  on the Galapagos Islands has offered hope that human population can ward off a catastrophic climate change and usher in an energy revolution.

 A new planned expansion would boost renewable energy to covering 70 percent of the island's electricity needs on the way to hitting 100 percent. The new project would also serve as a blueprint for how to get the rest of the island chain to catch up. Currently, renewable energy only supplies 20 percent of energy demand for the other 18 islands, most of which are uninhabited.

The wind power project on San Cristóbal is notable not just because of how it has slashed fossil fuel usage, but because it has actually helped boost the health and numbers of the endangered species there. The project included an Environmental Management Plan when it was created that outlined ways to protect the unique bird populations, especially the Galapagos Petrel which is critically endangered.

The turbines are located on a hill far away from Petrel nesting sites and where there is little of the endangered Galapagos Miconia plant. Three kilometers of transmission lines were buried to avoid interfering with Petrel flights between their nests and the sea. The group has also carried out programs to reduce invasive species like feral cats, rats and plants that threaten the endangered species.

All the work has paid off. No Petrels have been harmed in the wind project's lifetime and the efforts to control pest species have led to an increased hatching success rate from 85 to 96 percent and the Petrel population seems to be growing. The environmental management portion of this project has shown that bird populations can be protected alongside wind turbines if the right precautions are taken.

The next stage of the project will see another wind turbine added, more solar power installed and an energy storage system to make the renewable energy more consistent and reliable.

http://www.treehugger.com/renewable-energy/galapagos-islands-getting-major-wind-energy-expansion.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 04, 2016, 02:36:44 pm
New York Has a Plan to Make Long Island Offshore Wind Cheaper  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcliparts.co%2Fcliparts%2FBig%2FEgq%2FBigEgqBMT.png&hash=e7eec62f009cdd686ce795fad0a53c6befe748e9)

June 3, 2016 by Bloomberg

By Joe Ryan

(Bloomberg) — New York State is mounting a broad effort to reduce the cost of building a wind farm off the coast of Long Island, an ambitious push to generate clean power in U.S. waters.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3)

The state’s Energy Research and Development Authority plans to bid for a federal lease to develop a 81,000-acre (127-square-mile) site in the Atlantic Ocean. If it wins, New York would undertake initial site studies and pursue an agreement to sell the electricity. The state would then hold an auction of its own, selling development rights to the highest bidder.
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.northjersey.com%2Fpolopoly_fs%2F1.1529358.1458224820%21%2FfileImage%2FhttpImage%2Fimage.jpg_gen%2Fderivatives%2Flandscape_300%2Fwindfarm-map.jpg&hash=9c860eed7cefe9dbc65d83d711feb4ad2050a1bc)
81,000-acre (127-square-mile) site in the Atlantic Ocean

New York officials see offshore wind as critical for meeting the state’s goal to get half its power from renewable sources by 2030. By doing the initial planning and guaranteeing a buyer for the power, the state intends to make the project appealing to developers, driving down costs and making it more likely the wind farm will be built.

“This is a resource that has to be, and will be, developed,” John B. Rhodes, president and chief executive of the New York State authority, said in an interview Friday. “It is our job to do it as surefootedly and cost efficiently as possible.”

Lower Risk

Offshore wind is among the most expensive sources of power in the world. While it has thrived in Europe, the technology has languished in the U.S. as utilities balked at the price. If New York succeeds in lining up a buyer, the state would remove much of the risk for developers, and ultimately make the power cheaper for consumers, said Willett Kempton, a professor at the University of Delaware who studies offshore wind.
Quote

This is New York telling the country that offshore wind is going to happen, ”
Kempton said in an interview. “No other state has done this before.”

The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management plans to auction off the lease for the site by the end of the year. The area, about 11 miles (18 kilometers) south of the city of Long Beach, is large enough to accommodate turbines capable of generating 900 megawatts, rivaling a nuclear power plant.

The first wind farm in U.S. waters, a 30-megawatt project off Rhode Island, is being built by Deepwater Wind LLC and scheduled to be operational by the end of the year. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clipartbest.com%2Fcliparts%2Fxig%2Fojx%2Fxigojx6KT.png&hash=6706182c9f1427099a77e10d1758e61d9cadb701)



© 2016 Bloomberg L.P
https://gcaptain.com/new-york-has-a-plan-to-make-long-island-offshore-wind-cheaper/
Renewable energy= (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-301014181553.gif&hash=c09667beb656b25086c168adcdaddcba59abf858)                                  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Facigar.gif&hash=dc9dccf92c6c88c99611b06c86d92629d69f2978) =Fossil Fuelers


The REAL carbon cost of fossil fuels
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-240216160018.png&hash=6be26c9256c76685e93e1ec7dc7b646c3e41bc41)

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 05, 2016, 07:18:00 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-100714103519.gif&hash=c6ea59750a010dd7a3e524640af0cc89caf41a55)

06/03/2016 01:33 PM   
Iowa Will Soon Run on 40% Wind Energy

SustainableBusiness.com News

In April, Warren Buffet's MidAmerican Energy utility made a big announcement:

It will build the largest wind project in the US in Iowa (if approved by the state). The 2 gigawatt (GW) Wind XI will have 1000 turbines and could be producing electricity by 2018.

The utility's goal is to provide 100% renewable energy to Iowa customers and this $3.6 billion investment will get it to 85%. It would be the largest wind farm MidAmerican has built.

"We have a bold vision for our energy future. We don't know of another U.S. energy provider that has staked out this 100% position. Our customers want more renewable energy, and we couldn't agree more," says Bill Fehrman, MidAmerican Energy CEO.

And it will push Iowa's renewable electricity to over 40%, up from 31% now  :o (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191456.bmp&hash=a239c2fd76d20d142f1c54b961e22ebd0d2a4808)- the most of any state, and where electricity rates are among the lowest in the US.

So, who says we can't get to 100% renewables fast?!    (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)


 "Just over a decade ago, Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign cut its teeth organizing against three proposed coal plants in Iowa. After years of work by a handful of organizations that stopped several proposed coal plants and secured the retirement of other existing coal plants in the state, MidAmerican is now moving Iowa in a decidedly different direction," says Bruce Nilles, Senior Director of Beyond Coal.

Berkshire Hathaway Energy is one of 13 corporations to sign President Obama's latest effort on climate change, the American Business Act on Climate pledge.

 The pledge: By the end of 2017, MidAmerican Energy will double renewable energy investments to $30 billion, bringing its portfolio to over 4 GW of wind - 57% of its retail energy load, and Pacificorp will buy over 1 GW of solar and wind, bringing its portfolio to over 4.5 GW - about 22% of its retail generating load. 75% of its coal-fired power plants will close in Nevada by 2019. 

In Colorado, Xcel Energy is proposing the biggest wind farm in the state, the 600 megawatt Rush Creek Wind Project with 300 turbines. Similarly sized wind farms are also moving along in Texas.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-050616185838.png&hash=0c9c54ea948831d9dc93ad0b39804498627c961b)
All this is indicative of the US wind boom  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fmaniac.gif&hash=9ecf389a7da25db958f3f63461cbb45a4b316c4e)

Wind supplies close to 5% of US electricity and is expected to reach 10% by 2020 and 20% by 2030.

The industry employs 88,000 people, up 20% over the past year, and will grow to 380,000 jobs by 2030, according to the American Wind Energy Association's (AWEA) Annual Market Report.

"The challenge is to make renewable technology so cheap that it's the obvious choice," says Chris Brown, President of Vestas America and chair of AWEA.

Wind projects or wind-related manufacturing facilities (there are 500 in the US) are in all 50 states and over 70% of Congressional districts.

While China leads on sheer wind capacity, the US produces the most wind energy, enough for 17.5 million American homes.

Worldwide, wind led new power generation in 2015 and will nearly double over the next five years, says the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) Annual Market report.

 Read our article,  2015: Another Banner Year for Renewable Energy Worldwide. (http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/26543)

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/26638
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 06, 2016, 06:19:49 pm
Cleveland Soon to Be Home to the Nation’s First Offshore Wind Farm in Fresh Water

Lorraine Chow | June 6, 2016 2:49 pm

North America’s first offshore freshwater wind project has received a $40 million boost from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

In somewhat of a surprise decision, the funding was awarded to Lake Erie Energy Development Co (LEEDCo) for its “Icebreaker” project, which consists of six 3.45-megawatt turbines located 8-10 miles off the coast of Cleveland.

The local wind power firm was chosen over Dominion Resources, which had proposed a two-turbine, 12-megawatt project off Virginia, and Principle Power, which had proposed a five-turbine, 30-megawatt project off Oregon. LEEDCo was previously considered one of the “alternate” projects.

According to Cleveland.com, “LEEDCo’s decision to adopt the European-designed Mono Bucket’ foundation, which eliminates pile driving in the bedrock below the lake bed, may have been crucial to the DOE’s decision to fully fund the project.”

A DOE analysis stated that the “innovative Mono Bucket foundation will reduce installation time, costs, and environmental impacts compared to traditional foundations that require pile driving. The Mono Bucket not only is a solution for the Great Lakes, but also has broader national applicability for offshore wind installations off the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.”

Lorry Wagner, LEEDCo’s president, told EcoWatch via email the team is “thrilled” to receive the federal award. “We always knew our project was a great one and over the last two years our progress demonstrated that,” he said.

Offshore wind power generation is a resource begging to be tapped. The U.S., however, lags behind other countries in utilizing this clean, renewable form of energy. In the U.S., offshore wind has a projected 4,223 gigawatts of electric generating potential, with Lake Erie’s waters alone accounting for more than 50 gigawatts of that power, as LEEDCo explained in an article.

According to Wagner, one reason why the U.S. has been slow in adopting offshore wind projects is due to political roadblocks  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-311013200859.png&hash=a7aaaa9f04c1e3e2c948723b5f8c13fe814dacd4).

“It always comes down to policy and we have not had much for offshore wind,” he said. “It is also true that onshore has been so successful, that offshore tends to get lost in the big picture. It will take a combination of policy and successful projects that will enable the industry to take hold.”

LEEDCo’s Icebreaker is currently the only freshwater wind project in development in the U.S.

Wagner explained that freshwater is ideal for a wind farm since the turbines are not exposed to elements such as salt water corrosion, hurricanes or the associated large waves in oceanic waters.

He also noted that Lake Erie is ideal for the Icebreaker project because it has uniformly shallow waters and has plenty of wind.

“There are over 2 gigawatts of available interconnect along the Ohio shore and we have an incredible manufacturing base that can industrialize the industry,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) announced the DOE’s $40 million grant to LEEDCo late last month at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, with remarks from LEEDCo senior officials, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Bodish and other Cleveland officials.

“Lake Erie is the Saudi Arabia of wind, and today’s award should be a gusher for northern Ohio,” said Kaptur, who serves as the Ranking Member of the U.S. House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. “This wind power project will begin to unleash Lake Erie’s full renewable power potential and contribute to creating a more competitive energy marketplace.”

“This announcement today seems perfectly suited to Cleveland, the first city in America where the electric wind turbine was invented. With this announcement today, Cleveland carries American innovation forward in this new millennium,” Kaptur said.

This is the fourth such award for LEEDCo. With the latest funding round, the non-profit will eventually receive nearly $51 million in federal support. The award money will go towards the design, manufacturing and construction phases of the Icebreaker as long as it continues to meet the DOE’s requirements. The project’s finish line is expected by the end of 2018.

LEEDCo has a 50-year lease from Ohio for its offshore project and is working to complete the remaining permits it needs from federal and state agencies. LEEDCo has secured a power purchase agreement for 65 percent of future output.

“The strength of the Icebreaker project, as opposed to its competitors, lies in LEEDCo’s commitment to leverage offshore wind energy with local Ohio-based jobs in the steel, construction and transportation industries,” Kaptur said. “This means local job possibilities beyond wind generation are on the horizon.”

Wagner told Cleveland.com that LEEDCo already has 15 local companies involved in the project and hopes to attract more, adding that fabrication and construction will create 500 jobs.

“Ultimately, we want to become the technology leader in the U.S. industry for offshore wind and environmental monitoring,” Wagner told EcoWatch.

The DOE also awarded another $40 million to the University of Maine’s New England Aqua Ventus I, a floating, 12-megawatt wind project off Maine’s shores.

http://ecowatch.com/2016/06/06/cleveland-offshore-wind-lake-erie/

Agelbert NOTE: Excellent. There is quite a bit of wind in the great lakes. It is fairly constant as well. It's high time we used that endless renewable energy resource.

For the naysayers that will poop poo wind turbines because of the risk to birds, I recommend they adopt some real world perspective and do an apples to apples comparison of the energy sources we now use.

Fossil-fueled facilities are 17-34 times more dangerous to birds on a per GWh basis than wind power. Heliostats, less dangerous than wind power to birds, have caused the deaths of hundreds of birds and wind turbines may have killed about 7000 birds, but fossil-fueled stations killed 14.5 million and nuclear 327,000.

Birds have excellent vision. Tiny wind powered LEDs on the turbine blades would prevent killing birds at night, when most of them are killed by moving blades.
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 24, 2016, 09:52:11 pm
Ulstein Delivers First X-Stern Wind Farm Service Vessel   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3)
June 23, 2016 by Mike Schuler

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgcaptain.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FFreshly-painted-and-getting-ready-to-perform-wind-power-service.jpg&hash=8245b14e35d5cb03b3b56d0e54cc85c96e02ab77)

Norwegian shipbuilder Ulstein has delivered the first of two new offshore wind farm Service Operation Vessels to Bernhard Schulte Offshore.

The vessel is the first to feature the new X-Stern designed by Ulstein. Its name will be revealed during a ceremony on June 30.

(https://ulstein.com/images/_bannerWide/3247/Windea_b%c3%a5t.png)

The vessel is based on Ulstein’s SX175 design, developed to meet the demands of servicing and maintenance of offshore wind installations. Its primary task will be to provide transport and accommodation services for technicians to the Gemini Offshore Wind Park, located approximately 53 miles north of Groningen, Netherlands.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dutchwatersector.com%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F05%2Fdws-van-oord-gemini-prinses-amalia-farm-770px.jpg&hash=a2bd53753cb35ba0178c3eb6ada1773909777cdd)
Gemini Offshore Wind Park

The X-STERN was first introduced in 2014 as the successor to Ulstein’s popular X-BOW hull. The X-STERN is designed so that a vessel can be positioned with the stern faced towards the weather instead of the bow, leading to improved weather resistance, greater operability and reduced power and fuel consumption while on DP mode, making it ideal for

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shipefficiencyreview.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FWindea_SX175_0003.png&hash=5b8b09093ec93dc8457bdd26841f3f98bebd765b)

Ulstein received the order for the vessels in January 2015 by Germany-based Bernhard Schulte through its offshore wind affiliate WINDEA Offshore, marking the first order for the X-STERN hull.

(https://ulstein.com/images/_bannerLarge/Hull-arrival-yno-309-Roy-Lindset-QC3A2822.jpg)

The hull of the vessel arrived at the Ulstein Verft shipyard in Ulsteinvik, Norway in January 2016 after arriving from Poland, where the two hulls were constructed.

Quote

The 600 megawatt Gemini wind farm is operated by SIEMENS Wind Power Service. Once operational in 2017, the wind farm will be able to produce enough renewable energy to power about 780,000 Dutch households. ;D

Vessel Particulars:
•Vessel type: Service Operation Vessel (SOV) for offshore wind turbines
•Design type: ULSTEIN SX175
•Construction yard: Ulstein Verft AS
•Design company: Ulstein Design & Solutions AS
•Length: 88 m
•Beam: 18 m
•Deadweight: 3,150 t
•Draught (max): 6.4 m
•Speed: 13.9 knots (bow first), 12.1 knots (stern first)
•Accommodation: 60 persons Cargo deck area: 380 m2
•Dynamic positioning: IMO Class II (DYNPOS AUTR)
•Main propulsion system: Two azimuth thrusters, each driven by a frequency controlled variable speed electric motor.
•Additional thrusters: One retractable azimuth thruster, two side thrusters forward


https://gcaptain.com/photos-ulstein-delivers-first-x-stern/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 07, 2016, 11:11:40 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.energybusinesseurope.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F02%2FDong-energy-2015-results.jpg&hash=9690ec8cbd2e0751aed42293beb7cf78f95f4a4a)

Dong Energy to Develop World’s Cheapest Offshore Wind

July 6, 2016 by Bloomberg

By Celeste Perri

(Bloomberg) — The Danish utility Dong Energy A/S won a contract to develop two wind farms off the coast of the Netherlands that the Dutch government deemed the cheapest in the world.

Dong, the world largest offshore wind developer, offered to develop the projects for 7.27 euro cents a kilowatt-hour (8 U.S. cents), excluding connection fees for TenneT of 1.4 cents a kilowatt-hour, the Dutch economic affairs ministry said in a statement on its website Tuesday. The government said the move will allow it to spend 2.7 billion euros less than it had anticipated over the 15 years it will subsidize the project.

Map_borssele-UK_comIf completed, the projects will accomplish a goal Dong set four years ago to bring wind farm development costs under 100 euros per megawatt by 2020, the company said in a statement.

“This demonstrates the great potential of offshore wind,” Samuel Leupold, executive vice president and head of wind power for Dong, said in the statement. Dutch economic affairs minister Henk Kamp said Dong’s bid represents a “major breakthrough in the transition to sustainable energy.”


Better Turbines

Dong will build the Borssele 1 and 2 wind farms about 22 kilometers (13.7 miles) off the Dutch province of Zeeland. The company plans to complete the projects by July 2020.
Quote
They will have a combined capacity of 700 megawatts, enough to power about one million Dutch households, Dong said.    (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.cdn2.123rf.com%2F168nwm%2Flenm%2Flenm1201%2Flenm120100200%2F12107060-illustration-of-a-smiley-giving-a-thumbs-up.jpg&hash=2046bc6d662e09d3014a2c404a2af6ba17f8217c)   
Offshore wind remains one of the most expensive ways to generate power. Dong, along with other developers, has cut costs dramatically in recent years with techniques that include making more efficient wind turbines and blades, improving foundation designs and boosting transmission-cable capacity.

The Netherlands is planing five new wind farms in the coming years to produce energy for more than 5 million households, the government said.

–With assistance from Joe Ryan.

© 2016 Bloomberg L.P

https://gcaptain.com/dong-energy-to-develop-worlds-cheapest-offshore-wind/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 10, 2016, 04:33:54 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-301014182902.gif&hash=1dec33f3f6c520ffeac0082b58f46ffa3ed7cedb) Risky choices paying off for UMaine’s wind project
Using unconventional materials and real-world testing, a university-led consortium is poised to become a global leader in offshore turbines.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)


By Tux Turkel Staff Writer

tturkel@pressherald.com | @TuxTurkel | 207-791-6462


 
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-100716151507.jpeg&hash=c724df245151eafbad2a4df87d262778b1b2b1bd)

Waves crashing over a 1:8 scale model of the VolturnUS floating wind turbine during a storm on Nov. 1, 2013, would be the equivalent of a 70-foot high surge, if the project was full size, University of Maine researchers have calculated. Their experience with the scale model off Castine has given confidence to predictions that full-scale floating wind turbines could survive a 100-year storm in the Gulf of Maine. Courtesy of the University of Maine

Gale-force winds and heavy rain lashed the Maine coast on Nov. 1, 2013. Power went out in parts of Hancock and Washington counties.

Quote
It was a perfect day to stay indoors  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78), and watch history being made in ocean energy.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3)

At their computers, University of Maine researchers and their partners were monitoring data streams coming from 60 sensors on the VolturnUS wind turbine, their experimental, floating platform anchored off Castine. On a shoreside video feed, they could see waves nearly 9 feet high washing over the concrete platform, which was one-eighth the size of a full-scale unit. That was the equivalent of a full-size platform bearing the brunt of a 70-foot wave, bigger than any that could be expected in the Gulf of Maine every 100 years. *

But what they saw next was even more amazing: The turbine spinning 40 feet above the ocean had a pitch angle of only 5.9 percent, meaning that it was staying nearly vertical, despite the churning sea. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.cdn2.123rf.com%2F168nwm%2Flenm%2Flenm1201%2Flenm120100200%2F12107060-illustration-of-a-smiley-giving-a-thumbs-up.jpg&hash=2046bc6d662e09d3014a2c404a2af6ba17f8217c)    That motion measurement mirrored the team’s computer models, vindication that they could predict how the platform would perform far offshore.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fcomputer3.gif&hash=cd6007945e9cbaabf029ebaef6ad36b8505bc341)


“That was the ah-ha moment,” said Habib Dagher, director of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center and the lead researcher on the project.

Dagher and his team made calculated gambles on several innovative strategies – from the unconventional materials used to make the platform and tower, the unusually large scale of the test platform, and the sheltered-yet-stormy location chosen to test them. Those calculations now are paying off.


MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

Three years later, the university-led consortium known as New England Aqua Ventus has the most advanced floating technology being developed in the United States.

Last month, the project was the only floating technology to win a $40 million federal grant, critical to building two full-size platforms for testing off Monhegan Island in 2018. Those platforms would hold 6-megawatt turbines, each with the capacity to power 3,000 average homes.

“Right now, it’s fair to say that the Maine project will be the first floating wind turbine in the United States,” said Walter Musial, manager of the offshore energy program at the federal government’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado.

The government estimates that 60 percent of America’s offshore wind energy potential is in water too deep for steel towers to be buried in the seabed, as is common in Europe. Aqua Ventus offers the promise of tapping that power at a cost that can compete with fossil fuels, by mass-producing dozens of giant platforms and anchoring them far offshore, out of sight but close enough to bring a new, clean energy source to coastal cities. It also could create a new industry to build and service the platforms in Maine.

“The platform has to hold 400 tons 395 feet above the water and float in 70-foot waves during a hurricane,” Dagher said. “That’s what we’re trying to achieve.”

INSPIRED BY CONCRETE

Virtually all of the world’s ocean wind projects are made of steel. But Maine lacks steel mills and iron ore mines. What it does have is limestone deposits and New England’s only cement manufacturer, Dragon Products Co. in Thomaston. It also has a world-class composites center at UMaine that has years of experience developing breakthrough concrete and composite designs, from affordable, quick-build bridges to boat hulls that can handle high-speed stress. That’s where the Aqua Ventus team went for inspiration.

Their design – now being refined for a full-scale model – resembles three, upside-down concrete bridge columns that each will be 120 feet tall. They will be partly submerged and connected by 150-foot-long horizontal beams. The rotor of each wind turbine will spin 395 feet above the sea, turning blades 500 feet in diameter.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-100716160618.jpeg&hash=c8cb776f89b819a047d4fc8e6a0da60cf82cb8ba)
Platform of VolturnUS floating wind turbine

The platform will be built and assembled on land and towed to sea, just as the Castine prototype was. Once anchored on site, the hollow beams will be filled with seawater. These and other features pull down the platform’s center of gravity, making it more resistant to wind and wave motion.

“The design is simple to build,” Dagher said. “Bridge contractors can do this, and it can be produced locally. That drives costs down significantly.”  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felqahera-trading.com%2Fhome%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Fdollar-sign-thumbnail1.jpg&hash=e1962ecaa694d312d50a9984ee058a45aed1e860)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)

This approach is meant to solve challenges that make offshore wind energy costly to develop.

Steel is more expensive per pound than concrete and has less mass. Steel towers assembled offshore also need special “jack-up” vessels and cranes to lift them. Steel corrodes, unlike concrete. And steel is heavy, compared to the composite fiberglass tower holding the VolturnUS turbine. It’s half the weight of a comparable steel tower.

“Concrete was perceived to have a higher risk initially,” Musial said. “But a lot of those risks have been mitigated by the 1:8 scale project.”

The merits of concrete and composites caught the eye of DCNS Group, a French defense company that has been expanding in marine energy technology and has ocean energy projects in France and Nova Scotia. It has become a partner in the venture.

“From the design viewpoint,” said Frederic Le Lidec, DCNS’s marine renewable energy director, “we have conducted our own extensive due diligence on the VolturnUS hull technology, and reached a very positive conclusion about the quality of the UMaine design work, and potential commercial benefits of the technology.”

SEARCHING FOR BEST SITE

Offshore wind has borrowed a technique  ;D from the oil and gas industry to test miniature versions of new structures in wave basins, essentially big swimming pools that simulate ocean conditions. The models typically are built to a 1:50 scale. VolturnUS had a similar 1:50 test, but Aqua Ventus then chose to build an intermediate-scale model and set it out in the real world. No other floating wind project has done that.

“The VolturnUS 1:8 scale experiment off Castine provided very important data to validate the modeling tools and the performance of the design both in operational and extreme storm environments,” Le Lidec said.

Full-size pilot projects rarely experience 100-year weather events, so it’s hard to predict their performance in the worst conditions. The data collected by the 1:8 scale platform, Le Lidec said, can assure investors that the platform will perform at a commercial scale in the nastiest weather.

To find the best site for VolturnUS, researchers used wind- and wave-measuring buoys to study locations along the Maine coast. After a year of data collecting, they settled on a spot off Dice Head in Castine that had a high probability of seeing the desired 1:8 scale waves and wind.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.marinas.com%2Fmed_res_id%2F6285&hash=0d353b94fa756e0d5bf702c08ee52d4d37113e4a)
Dice Head Lighthouse

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffitzhenrylaneonline.org%2Fsupplemental_files%2Fimages%2Fwalking%2520map%2520of%2520Castine009.jpg&hash=3ec0fc7f1b0400b180176422738bdb775c63ef49)
Castine (Dice Head on the left)

The $1 million prototype was built by Cianbro Corp., an Aqua Ventus partner, and towed out in June 2013. The prototype remained in the water for 18 months, during which time the platform and turbine experienced 40 storms with intensities that could be expected within 50 and 500 years. It was a good move to test off Castine, Musial said, instead of the open water off Monhegan.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skypic.com%2Fimages%2F10-4889.jpg&hash=b4ef0c45632c601bd4a809275b2b86c5bdd17f8b)
NOTE: Dice Head is closest to your view

“They were able to demonstrate a lot more at the site,” he said. “Penobscot Bay was sheltered enough that it didn’t wipe the whole machine out. The design would have been exceeded at Monhegan.”

‘NO ONE TALKED ABOUT CONCRETE’

The Aqua Ventus team now is finalizing the full-scale design package and is on track to gain formal commitments from unnamed investors next year. At the same time, it’s collecting data at the proposed Monhegan test site using a laser technology that can clock wind speeds 395 feet in the air, the hub height of the wind turbines.  8)

While the Aqua Ventus technology has won support from the U.S. government, other floating designs are competing for global attention and investment.

UMaine’s chief rival in the Department of Energy grant competition, Principle Power, failed to win a power contract with a utility in Oregon and was cut from consideration. But the company recently concluded testing a 2-megawatt steel platform called WindFloat off Portugal, and is planning multi-unit floating farms in Europe and Japan.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)

Statoil, the Norwegian energy company that pulled the plug on a proposed test project in Maine in 2013, is building a 30-megawatt steel wind farm off Scotland.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)

And recently, floating-wind researchers are developing an interest in concrete. Testing has begun on a hybrid concrete-steel platform in Japan; a concrete design is being built in France and another is proposed in Spain. In a news release last month, the Spanish developers of Windcrete noted that it could be built in dry dock, towed to sea and partially flooded with seawater, avoiding the expense of floating cranes.

These benefits sound familiar to the Aqua Ventus team.  ;)  ;D

“No one talked about concrete until we put ours in the water,” Dagher said.

Tux Turkel can be contacted at 791-6462 or at:

tturkel@pressherald.com

Twitter: TuxTurkel


http://www.pressherald.com/2016/07/10/umaine-offshore-wind-project-poised-to-take-off/

* Agelbert NOTE: Giant wave activity will be far more frequent due to global warming, so a floating platform capable of handling violent seas is a prudent innovation for our baked in violent climate future. For more information on what scientists expect within 25 years, feel free to copy, paste, save, read at your leisure and pass on the following three part article, in whole or in part, with or without attribution.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Freading.gif&hash=63e3e644b39258d4c4eedbcdaf322315b1856723)

Climate Change, Blue Water Cargo Shipping and Predicted Ocean Wave Activity (http://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/climate-change/global-warming-is-with-us/msg4045/#msg4045)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 12, 2016, 04:11:59 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-280914173454.gif&hash=4e75877e9cceee4340ec50e1483cb75db100974d)


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs15.rimg.info%2Fdcda0e08e538cb37431314e6bd49279b.gif&hash=4e8b4ba5ce94991ab2f42c4c663e9f6991bbf4f4) Wild Weather Powers South Australia’s Wind Farms to Milestone (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fmaniac.gif&hash=9ecf389a7da25db958f3f63461cbb45a4b316c4e)

Bloomberg News 

July 12, 2016 — 2:48 AM EDT
 
Two thirds of state’s power needs come from wind over weekend

More than 40% of power derived from renewable energy in 2015  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78)



Wind farms supplied more than two thirds of South Australia’s electricity at the weekend, with an even bigger contribution on Monday in a sign of the state’s growing embrace of clean energy.

Wind provided 83 percent of the state’s power needs in the 24 hours to 4 p.m. on Monday when turbines helped turn the wild weather whipping the state into renewable energy, Australia’s Clean Energy Council said in an e-mailed statement on Tuesday.

South Australia got more than 40 percent of its power needs from renewable energy last year, the council said, adding that the state’s 683 turbines have generated more than $6 billion of investment.

Wind energy is helping many nations, including Australia, to cut emissions from the power sector. Other mainland states could follow South Australia to use more renewable energy, according to the council.

Quote
Wind-power capacity in Australia may surge almost 56 percent by 2018 from 2015 levels, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance forecasts.

“New technologies such as battery storage are falling in price, and will act as a perfect complement to smooth out the supply of renewable energy in the future," Alicia Webb, the Clean Energy Council’s policy manager, said in the statement.

— With assistance by Feifei Shen

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-12/wild-weather-powers-south-australia-s-wind-farms-to-milestone

Agelbert NOTE: As the scientific consensus has argued for several years, and I have posted about for about 4 years, global warming increases average wind speeds all over the planet. Consequently, every wind turbine out there will return a greater amount of energy than the fossil fuel industry shills like Charles Hall have claimed, as well as being less intermittent and more reliable with more wind AND larger and cheaper battery storage technology.

But even Charles Hall gave wind turbines an ERoEI of 18:1 in 2012 AND added that the bigger they are (they have gotten a LOT bigger since then), the higher (above 18:1) their ERoEI gets.  ;D

In the light of these wind increase facts, I would not put it past the fossil fuel industry to claim that, since burning their hydrocarbon product is DIRECTLY responsible for the increased wind ENERGY those turbines are getting from climate change caused increased wind speeds, they should get a cut of the energy profits from wind turbine Renewable energy.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-220216203149.gif&hash=bd184b6edccce4045e246847a0c84e89bd5a18b6) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fugly004.gif&hash=c56db4280057389afd154a1cb4057410151579c8)

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 27, 2016, 10:46:37 pm
(https://www.cleanenergywire.org/sites/default/files/styles/lightbox_image/public/images/news-digest-entries/26072016-ecoliner-fairtransport-eu.jpg?itok=VFpr6k52)
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Die Welt

“Mega sailing ship to take German cars across the sea”  :o  ;D

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A giant sailing vessel could become a new means of transport for car exports from Germany to America and Asia, reports Birger Nicolai in Die Welt.

VW, Daimler and BMW are all looking into the possibility to get a contract for the 180 m long “Ecoliner” (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154)
 which will have four masts with 20 sails. VW’s plans are the most advanced and could become part of the companies sustainability offensive regarding its shipping logistics, the author writes.

German car manufacturers are annually shipping some three million new cars abroad, using ships powered with the most polluting bunker fuels.
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 28, 2016, 08:19:28 pm
27. July 2016
Expansion of onshore wind energy in Germany in the first half of 2016

Strong expansion before the switch to tendering

With a net capacity of 1,892 megawatts in the first six months of the year, 2016 looks like being a good year for land-based wind energy expansion. This strong expansion is being driven by the allocation of suitable sites and priority areas in many federal states. There has also been a surge of permits in order to secure the option of installing turbines with legally fixed EEG remuneration rates. In Germany the wind industry is working hard to develop innovation and production bases further. It also aims to use its leading technology to further expand its strong position in what are generally stable markets abroad.

Berlin, 28 July 2016 – Onshore wind energy in Germany was extended by a net capacity of 1,892 megawatts in the first half of 2016, representing a growth of 73 per cent over the same period the previous year (1,093 megawatts). Factoring in the number of dismantled turbines and the 161 megawatts of repowered turbine capacity in the first six months, this gives a gross capacity increase of 2,053 megawatts. This means a third strong year in a row for reasonably priced onshore wind energy. Taking projects that have already been granted planning permission into consideration, the industry associations VDMA Power Systems and German Wind Energy Association BWE predict a net volume of between 4,000 and 4,400 megawatts for the whole year.


Stronger expansion in 2016 due to increased wind zoning

The strong extension in the first half of 2016 has been driven by the allocation of suitable sites and priority areas. The zone allocations made in the federal states last year continue to have an effect, even though some have been revoked as a result of political decisions in Bavaria or judicial decisions in Schleswig-Holstein. The availability of space also explains some of the significant regional variations. “The German market is concentrating less on the coastal states, and developing in an increasingly balanced manner. This is underlined by the healthy development in the typically landlocked states. Federal government must re-evaluate the restriction of expansion in regions with grid bottlenecks as early as 2018 so that this can be reversed if and where necessary”, says Hermann Albers, president of the BWE.


Forecast for 2017 dependent on existing approvals

The industry expects a similar level of growth for 2017 as in this year. By the end of May projects have been approved with a total volume of around 3,200 megawatts. A large proportion of these will have been realised by the end of this year. Operators and official agencies are expecting a further surge of approvals by then. Whoever secures approval before the end of the year and erects their turbines in 2017 or 2018, will still get the legally fixed rates of remuneration for the power they produce. The extraordinary degression starting in March 2017, and particularly the intensified degression from October of the same year render expansion clearly less attractive. “Although we will see a significant decline in new builds over the year, it will probably have virtually no impact on the overall capacity that will be installed in 2017. This is because higher turbine yields will to a certain extent compensate for the drop in remuneration”, says Matthias Zelinger, managing director of VDMA Power Systems. It can be assumed that in 2018, the second transition year, there will be significantly less expansion, he adds. “We expect that most of the projects approved by the end of 2016 will be realised in 2017, and will not be involved in tendering. The extension in 2018 will primarily consist of the tenders awarded in 2017.”


Working harder to develop business bases

While there is still uncertainty amongst developers, manufacturers are in principle taking a positive view of controlling quantity through tendering, as long as it secures continuous expansion, fosters greater competition and contributes to market proximity. Production and product development will have to be adjusted to a market volume of initially 2,800 megawatts a year. Attention should however be paid to ensure that the legally fixed tender quantities do not lead to the stagnation of what has up to now been a positive development of the wind industry in Germany. Projects that are not realised, despite winning a tender, must not be allowed to curtail the volume of expansion in the long term. These quantities must be taken into consideration in later tenders, because in the long term an ambitious expansion and a lively market, also with regard to quantity, is necessary if the manufacturers are to maintain their technological leadership and their production capacities in Germany. Up to now the manufacturers have owed their strong position, also in the global market, to the fact that the technology was being further improved in the German domestic market. “This didn’t just happen by itself. Innovative strength has always required hard work in this industry, and now it needs even harder work.” states Zelinger.


World market at the same high level

The demand for leading turbine technology Made in Germany in international markets has remained at the same high level. VDMA Power Systems forecasts a global market for onshore wind turbines in an order of magnitude of 55,000 megawatts in 2016, which will continue the same in the following years. Due to their current strong role in the worldwide consolidation process, German companies have the chance to expand their position in growing markets. The largely closed Chinese market on the other hand remains a problem. Strict demands regarding the local share of value creation hamper competition in other markets. This is where the federal government should be working harder for fair market opportunities of the German wind industry.


The energy system’s cheaper key player

In Germany, onshore wind production is still a cost-effective key player in the shift to renewable energy use. The nationwide strong expansion makes sense as far as energy production is concerned. “Nowadays wind forecasts are very precise. The actual amount that is fed into the grid hardly deviates from what is forecast. Wind turbines provide important system services, such as maintaining voltage stability. It would make sense to integrate the turbines into the redispatch system. There are also alternatives to reducing production in the event of grid bottlenecks. We welcome the opportunity provided by EEG 2017 to use this electricity before it reaches the grid junction point. This has created the first interfaces for sector coupling. Producers can develop their own markets by means of business-to-business solutions. This is fully in keeping with market integration and makes a serious contribution to system transformation. It also supports the achievement of the federal government’s climate protection goals”, says Hermann Albers.

Figures at a glance:


Status of onshore wind energy expansion Capacity in MW Nos. turbines
 
Net expansion in the first six months               1,892.2              579
 
Gross expansion in the first six months            2,053.4              726
 
Amount repowered                                        308.2                 106
 
Reduction in the first half of 2016                   161.21               147

Accumulated turbines on 30.6.2016                43,543.7            26,561
 
Factsheet: Status of Land-Based Wind Energy Development in Germany -1st Half of 2016

Press contacts:

VDMA Power Systems
Catherine Diethelm
+49 160 97910687
catherine.diethelm@vdma.org

Bundesverband WindEnergie e.V.
Wolfram Axthelm
+49 172 3991304
w.axthelm@wind-energie.de

https://www.wind-energie.de/en/press/press-releases/2016/expansion-onshore-wind-energy-germany-first-half-2016

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Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on August 11, 2016, 09:20:24 pm
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Wind turbines in the German North Sea

Press release | 2016-08-10 | 15:00 PM

Vattenfall acquires German wind development project

Vattenfall has acquired a wind development project consisting of up to 79 turbines in the German North Sea. The acquisition is in line with Vattenfall’s growth strategy to extensively expand its renewable energy production in the coming years.

The Global Tech II wind project is located in the German North Sea some 85 kilometres north of the island of Borkum. The project is currently under development with up to 79 wind turbines in an area of 47 square kilometres.

“The acquisition underlines once more that our growth ambitions in wind are under full steam. As a company we are on a good way to reshape our generation portfolio towards more renewable energies in all our markets”, says Gunnar Groebler, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Wind at Vattenfall.

The Global Tech II project is owned by Northern Energy Global Tech II, which Vattenfall has acquired as of 5 August. The seller is Erste Nordsee-Offshore-Holding, a joint subsidiary of Austrian STRABAG SE and indirecly Etanax GmbH. The parties have agreed to not disclose the purchase price.

“With Global Tech II we also send a signal that we strongly believe in the German market. In particular we consider the new German tender system beneficial to the development of wind as it is more cost efficient, which will also lead to further acceptance of this effective and renewable power generation.”, says Gunnar Groebler.

 The realization of the project depends on obtaining a capacity contract in the tendering process whth the first auction in March 2017 and the second auction in March 2018.


 
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Vattenfall_Wind_Power.jpg)
Vattenfall wind power

Vattenfall operates over 1,000 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 2,000 megawatts (MW). In 2015 Vattenfall’s wind power production amounted to more than 6 TWh. By 2020 Vattenfall expects to double its wind capacity to 4,000 MW and invest more than SEK 50 billion, (approximately EUR 5 billion euros) in wind.

For more information:
Vattenfall’s Press Office, telephone: +46-8-739 50 10, e-mail: press@vattenfall.com
Johan Sahlqvist, Head of Investor Relations, telephone: +46 8 739 72 51

https://corporate.vattenfall.com/press-and-media/press-releases/2016/vattenfall-acquires-german-wind-development-project/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on August 20, 2016, 04:10:25 pm
 (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d1/National_Wildlife_Federation_logo.svg/937px-National_Wildlife_Federation_logo.svg.png)
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MA Makes Nation’s Largest Offshore Wind Power Commitment!

Amber Hewett    |     August 1, 2016 

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One of many United Kingdom offshore wind farms.

I’m so proud to say that the Bay State, my home state, just made history. Late last night, in the final moments of the Massachusetts legislative session, leaders on Beacon Hill passed an energy bill equipped to finally launch America’s offshore wind industry!

This is great news for wildlife, and for all of us counting on our leaders to take swift, bold action to confront climate change. Massachusetts has stepped up to demonstrate just how offshore wind power can play a key role in addressing the massive energy and environmental challenges of our time.

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Loggerhead sea turtles will benefit from responsibly developed clean energy sources like offshore wind power. Photo donated by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Cindy Messinger.

Legislation passed last night commits the Commonwealth to bringing 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind power online.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3)

That’s enough clean, local energy to power more than half a million homes while creating thousands of long-term, high quality jobs.

Massachusetts will be on track toward a truly clean energy future – one where our energy portfolio reflects the need to protect our communities and wildlife from the dangers of climate change. The MA legislation’s commitment shows a prioritization of public health, clean air, and clean water – all while buffering ratepayers from the volatile fossil fuel market.

“The Massachusetts Legislature hit a home run tonight. All eyes are now on Governor Baker to sign the bill and make this pivotal commitment to offshore wind power a reality.”

– Catherine Bowes, National Wildlife Federation

Join us in calling on Governor Baker to sign the bill! (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcliparts.co%2Fcliparts%2FBig%2FEgq%2FBigEgqBMT.png&hash=e7eec62f009cdd686ce795fad0a53c6befe748e9)

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Installation of the final turbine in the London Array, the world’s largest offshore wind power project to date. Photo by London Array Limited

This milestone has been a long time coming in Massachusetts. We have a world-class wind resource off our shores, ready to serve as the foundation for a new clean energy economy in the Commonwealth. While our neighbors across the Atlantic have been growing offshore wind power into a booming global industry for 25 years, we have yet to get a single turbine into U.S. waters (though that is changing this summer with the Block Island Wind Farm!).

Massachusetts’ leadership here is pivotal. With America’s first offshore wind project finally under construction, bold policy commitments from state leaders are precisely what’s needed to ensure this is truly the beginning of a new energy chapter. Among all of the lasting benefits listed above, what arguably makes this bill most significant is the example it will set.

Quote
Over the next decade and beyond, offshore wind power will replace retiring nuclear and coal-fired power plants in New England and show state leaders up and down the coast that we can power our homes and businesses with local, clean energy. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_0293.gif&hash=b1af4868ed8f18c30e637f8cbcb79002f6f71039)

The Massachusetts legislature just turned the tide in a way that will unleash the nation’s largest untapped clean energy opportunity! It’s a new day, and a turning point in our endlessly important pursuit of a responsible energy future. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bativert.ma%2Fimages%2Fimage3.jpg&hash=7c7c27d838504cb1d5c5a4c1efac44e790a39265)

Of course, there is a long road ahead to get these turbines up and running, and the next step is getting this historic bill signed by Governor Charlie Baker. Please sign the petition below and share it with your friends in Massachusetts – let’s keep up this momentum! (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b)


Take Action: Urge Governor Baker to launch offshore wind power for the Commonwealth! (http://www.maoffshorewindpowernow.org/) : (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-300614160245.gif&hash=26cf0af4ea082bdb608bb7b2656d54ec7199969b)

http://blog.nwf.org/2016/08/ma-makes-nations-largest-offshore-wind-power-commitment/

Agelbert NOTE: Fossil Fuel Industry (Polluter Welfare Queens 'R' US) PUBLIC reaction to the above:
 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fbc3.gif&hash=e80a574cef1f1cd31dc58d76fe36b5ffb7fe7d5b)        (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_6961.gif&hash=df13f27d25fd180bcc904f19809e2b35dc3309cf)


Fossil Fuel Industry (Polluter Welfare Queens 'R' US) NOT FOR PUBLIC reaction:
 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fwww_MyEmoticons_com__smokelots.gif&hash=094f88de6782c1cd03ed5321b387792046eb3cdd) FOLLOWED by their usual bag of corruption laced tricks:

The Governor of Massachusetts will be getting a lot of visits from fossil fuel defending 'lobbyists' carrying an 'offer' (SEE BELOW).
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And, OF COURSE, if that doesn't work, every influential member of the Massachusetts legislature will be 'urged' to TAX wind power in order to keep those poor, innocent, loyal servant fossil fuel power plants 'competitive'. We mustn't let 'big wind' get in the way of, uh, 'cheap', 'high energy density' fossil fuels. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fmocantina.gif&hash=d013c741bcf9a78776eec19c2c3aac449c35d75c)   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Facigar.gif&hash=dc9dccf92c6c88c99611b06c86d92629d69f2978) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-311013200859.png&hash=a7aaaa9f04c1e3e2c948723b5f8c13fe814dacd4)

The Fossil Fuelers   DID THE Climate Trashing, human health depleteing CRIME,   but since they have ALWAYS BEEN liars and conscience free crooks, they are trying to AVOID  DOING THE TIME   or   PAYING THE FINE!     Don't let them get away with it!   Pass it on!  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F176.gif&hash=121533221905789c6b8d57a9603883266d349266)

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Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on August 21, 2016, 03:41:32 pm
Could Offshore Wind Replace Nuclear Power? (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_1730.gif&hash=cdaf50326d98ff7b051a9c49e83d51c7bb687407)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_1402.gif&hash=704ddbc7a892750ad55e7a7bea92270b1df3ecba)


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SNIPPET:

August 16, 2016 by Bloomberg

by Jessica Shankleman (Bloomberg) Britain could scrap the 18 billion-pound ($23 billion) nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point and get the same amount of electricity from offshore wind turbines for roughly the same investment.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)

That’s the assessment of Bloomberg New Energy Finance following Prime Minister Theresa May’s decision to review whether to proceed with the first new atomic plant in more than three decades.

For the same capital costs, the U.K. could install about 830 new turbines at sea, which would generate 25 terawatt hours a year the same amount of power the Hinkley reactors would produce, according to the London-based researcher.

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Aglebert NOTE: Not to mention the FACT that sea side wind turbines in Japan were unscathed by the giant tsunami when all the nuclear reactors were put out of commission or melted down to pollute every living thing around them.

Not to mention the FACT that we-the-people have to bear the cost (i.e. nuclear welfare queen subsidy THEFT) of insuring nuclear power plants because, although private insurers will gladly insure offshore wind turbines, they will NOT insure nuclear power plants.

Not to mention the FACT that Nuclear power plant capital costs CONTINUE after being built BECAUSE they need more fuel rods from polluting mining and manufacturing operations.

Not to mention the FACT that Wind turbine maintenance is much less hazardous, while maintenance  costs are much lower than that of a nuclear power plant. Yes, you need more people (i.e. MORE JOBS!  ;D) to maintain a lot of wind turbines. But the elimination of the COSTS to we-the-people of insuring nuclear power plants, providing sweetheart financing and guaranteed energy price rates more than offsets the cost to employ all these people.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.windpowerninja.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F04%2Fuk-offshore-wind-farm.jpg&hash=4ece1a79602422c4ae3cd97810fe54022983506e)

Wind power is a win win for biosphere AND the economy. Nuclear power is the exact opposite.



Full article including energy cost bold faced lies (i. e. nuclear power is 'cheaper' than wind power), doubletalk (i. e. claiming that the wind 'only blows half the time' in order to assert that wind power generating capacity needs to be DOUBLE - wind power is reliable over 80% of the time over the UK ocean.), and whining  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F165fs373950.gif&hash=ad797fcc08a061d3ae50ee49ccd9f3d517fb7496) about renewable 'schemes' by a spokesman (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_9HT4xZyDmh4%2FTOHhxzA0wLI%2FAAAAAAAAEUk%2FoeHDS2cfxWQ%2Fs200%2FSmiley_Angel_Wings_Halo.jpg&hash=13281f1944b60773bf12b29387b70be77cc1fe16) for the EDF nuke pukes:  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Freading.gif&hash=63e3e644b39258d4c4eedbcdaf322315b1856723)

http://gcaptain.com/could-offshore-wind-replace-nuclear-power/


Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on August 23, 2016, 03:40:08 pm
America’s First Offshore Wind Power Project is COMPLETE! (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fza4.gif&hash=2db0a6001703f4089cb64dc38159bb3d467e1bff)

Amber Hewett    |     August 19, 2016

 
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.nwf.org%2Fwp-content%2Fblogs.dir%2F11%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F08%2F14046010_10154133550359998_7699025882784212909_n.jpg&hash=01336ad9995c5a23c17a05980f2154688881c34d)
Finishing touches on turbine #5! Photo by Deepwater Wind[/color][/b]

The fifth and final turbine has been installed at the Block Island Wind Farm – and with that, the nation’s first offshore wind power project is now just weeks away from generating clean, local, wildlife-friendly energy.



From earning unanimous approval from state officials in 2014, to achieving full financing in 2015, to putting hundreds of Rhode Islanders to work on the project – including building the first U.S.-flagged offshore wind power crew transfer vessel – to finally putting steel in the water in 2015 to kick off a new energy chapter in America, Deepwater Wind has blazed the trail and created a shining national model for offshore wind development in America. With strong measures in place to protect wildlife including the endangered North Atlantic right whale every step of the way, the Block Island Wind Farm demonstrates that offshore wind development can be compatible with ocean conservation. The National Wildlife Federation proudly points to the success of the Block Island Wind Farm as clear evidence that a truly responsible energy future is possible.

It’s a new day! Photo by Deepwater Wind (at article link)

With a new energy policy on the books in Massachusetts equipped to finally launch a robust offshore wind power industry, there is no doubt that the Block Island Wind Farm can be the start of something big. We are witnessing America reach for the incredible clean energy potential off our shores, and now we can begin to catch up with other countries around the world that are 25 years ahead of us in tapping into this booming global industry.

http://blog.nwf.org/2016/08/americas-first-offshore-wind-power-project-is-complete/

Agelbert NOTE: Below, please find, the REASON the USA is 25 years behind the Renewable Energy power curve:

 
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080816210252.png&hash=df18a10f244f38e0ac15f99a9fcf13e98527dc30)
It's TIME to level the ENERGY playing field so that fossil fuels and their horrendously polluting infrastructure and welfare queen THEFT can go the way of the Dodo Bird.

  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-281014151757.png&hash=1be52df5a308d583e41527f4d215eb9a81d72676)
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgraysondemocrats.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F05%2Fend-oil.jpg&hash=a5cf685d87ceb0f3f17eab91155ebb790707cf10)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 12, 2016, 03:18:36 pm
DONG Energy Installs World’s Largest Wind Turbine

September 12th, 2016 by Joshua S Hill

SNIPPET:


Danish wind energy giant DONG Energy has completed the installation of the world’s largest wind turbines at the Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm in England.

DONG Energy announced last week that it had successfully completed the installation of the first of thirty-two 8 MW wind turbines at the Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm which it is developing, currently under construction in Liverpool Bay, off the west coast of England.

 
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mhivestasoffshore.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F06%2FV164.jpg&hash=be7011e60072aa91f5757723ecda47b7bf5e795c)
The 8 MW wind turbines, built by Vestas, are the largest in the world, standing at 195 meters — in excess of two Big Bens.

This is the first time Vestas’ V164-8.0 MW wind turbines will be used in an offshore wind farm, though certainly not the last, as the number of extra-large-scale offshore wind farms continue to grow. Upon completion, the Burbo Bank Extension will have a final capacity of 258 MW, and generate enough electricity to supply approximately 230,000 UK homes with clean electricity.

“The installation of this world-first technology shows that DONG Energy is leading the way in offshore wind energy,” said Claus Bøjle Møller, Project Director at DONG Energy. “By using bigger turbines, we’re able to bring down the cost of providing clean, renewable energy to homes around the UK. This first turbine is a significant achievement for the project, and we’re looking forward to producing the first green energy later this year.”

https://cleantechnica.com/2016/09/12/dong-energy-installs-worlds-largest-wind-turbine/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 15, 2016, 05:27:15 pm
Yet another record low price for offshore wind energy  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F8.gif&hash=c1d98e606d7f558df4040f88e7997b3e11e9448c)

Sami Grover (@samigrover)
Energy / Renewable Energy
 September 13, 2016
 
Offshore wind has a lot of things going for it. Whether it's less intermittency, a lack of NIMBY neighbors, or the sheer room to scale, we have good reason to believe that it will play an increasingly important role in electricity production around the world. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b)   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_0293.gif&hash=b1af4868ed8f18c30e637f8cbcb79002f6f71039)


Until recently, however, there was one major drawback: price.

Here too, however, there's been progress. Just earlier this summer, for example, there was considerable excitement when DONG Energy delivered a tender for a Dutch wind farm with a strike price of €72.70/MWh, beating the industry's 2020 goal of €100/MWh by several years and more than €27. And now it looks like that particular bid wasn't an outlier, either.

In fact, Bloomberg is reporting that Vattenfall AB just delivered a tender to build two offshore wind farms, with a total capacity of 350 megawatts at €60/MWh—in other words 20% lower than the lowest ever bid set earlier this year! It'll be interesting to see if prices like these are the new normal. If so, we can fully expect the offshore wind industry, in Europe at least, to take off at a pretty rapid pace.

Meanwhile, the US is about to usher in its first commercial scale offshore wind farm. And while the 30 megawatt capacity pales into insignificance compared to the huge farms already operating elsewhere in the world, there's good reason to believe that it's a sign of bigger, better and cheaper things to come for this promising industry.

http://www.treehugger.com/renewable-energy/yet-another-record-low-price-offshore-wind-energy.html (http://www.treehugger.com/renewable-energy/yet-another-record-low-price-offshore-wind-energy.html)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 20, 2016, 08:22:14 pm
https://youtu.be/RArXUMcU3Aw

Signs That Wind Power Is Gaining Strength in the U.S. 
Posted on Sep 19, 2016

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/here_are_5_signs_wind_power_suddenly_going_massive_us_20160919
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 24, 2016, 03:46:16 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marinelink.com%2Fimages%2Fmaritime%2FOffshoreWindTurbinescrEWEAcopy-18399.jpg&hash=1f87bb9b9fa3e07e77b607d6eced92eff43a5b06)

Europe’s Offshore Wind Industry Eyeing Atlantic Crossing

September 23, 2016 by Reuters

By Christoph Steitz

FRANKFURT, Sept 23 (Reuters) – Yield-hungry investors in the offshore wind market are switching their sights to the United States as future support for the industry in Europe remains uncertain, leaving billions of euros looking for a new home.

The shift in focus comes as three states on the U.S. east coast — Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York — are auctioning leases on hundreds of thousands of acres for offshore wind farms, drawing interest from leading European companies.

Europe has led the way in developing offshore — the most expensive form of renewable energy — but few of the continent’s cash-strapped governments have given firm plans for support beyond 2020 for a sector still dependent on subsidies.

Putting turbines that stretch 200 metres into the sky in waters 50 metres deep, miles out in stormy seas, is a costly business. New farms take years to plan and build but European governments want to wean developers off subsidies to try to drive down prices.

Despite the cost and complications, American states are tapping into a clean and plentiful source of energy sitting on their doorstep.

A growing U.S. sector would prove another market for investors and equipment makers such as DONG Energy, Germany’s Siemens and Denmark’s Vestas.

In need of at least 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) of investments each, offshore farms are bigger, benefit from stronger winds and raise fewer environmental protests than those located on land.

They can also generate low double-digit returns for the owners who are prepared to take the initial risk of funding them, according to renewable finance specialist Green Giraffe.

“Many players have cast an eye on the U.S. market,” said Udo Schneider, director at Green Giraffe, which helped to fund more than 35 offshore farms worldwide, including Block Island off Rhode Island, the first such site in the United States.

“Investors are looking for an alternative to Europe.”


EUROPE SETS THE PACE

Having developed a global edge in technology and supply chain management, Europe’s offshore wind industry has attracted 60 billion euros since 2010, lifting capacity to 11.5 gigawatts (GW), more than 90 percent of the world’s total.

One gigawatt is roughly the capacity of a nuclear plant.

A further 12 GW, including the huge Hornsea project off the coast of northern England, is expected to be added by 2020 but uncertainty over how the sector will be supported beyond that is already hitting investment.

After raking in a record 14 billion euros in the first half of 2016 alone, industry group WindEurope expects spending to drop to just 5.2 billion by July 2017.

Major players are already expanding outside Europe, with asset manager Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) buying a 675-square-km offshore lease south of Massachusetts last month, where it expects to build a 400 megawatt (MW) site.

In Europe, CIP holds stakes in biomass plants and wind assets in Britain, a converter station that connects offshore parks in the North Sea with the mainland, as well as wind projects off the coasts of Scotland and Germany.

“It’s natural to look for growth outside Europe. I think the U.S. east coast is very interesting. It has a high population and strong winds, which is crucial to offshore,” said Christina Grumstrup Sorensen, senior partner at CIP.

An energy bill passed in Massachusetts last month meant investors now had a good reason to enter the market, she added, declining to say how much CIP had paid for the lease.

Under the law, utilities are required to take 1.6 GW of offshore wind power by 2027, the biggest commitment made so far to the industry in the United States.

“Overall there is potential for more than 5 GW in Massachusetts,” said Martin Neubert, chief strategy officer of wind power at Denmark’s DONG Energy, which has built more than a quarter of the world’s offshore wind farms and holds a 1 GW lease in the U.S. state.

DONG also this year bought a lease to build 1 GW of capacity off New Jersey.

It is still pondering whether to bid for a lease in New York to be auctioned later this year, which could hold up to 700 MW of offshore capacity and has caught the eye of rival investors, including French utility EDF.

BUILDING BLADES

The industry argues it needs substantial volumes to bring down the costs for offshore from around 125 euros per megawatt hour (MWh).

It is unclear whether Europe will commit to the 4-7 GW per year the industry says is needed from 2021 to bring average costs below 80 euros per MWh — a level where it can compete with conventional energy sources, such as coal.

Recent tenders in the Netherlands and Denmark, won by DONG and Sweden’s Vattenfall, suggest that the industry is capable of cutting costs to such levels, but the projects feature unique conditions and do not include costly network connections.

Based on current commitments — including those from Britain and Germany, the two largest offshore wind markets — European demand is expected to grow by only about 2 GW annually during the next decade.

Sam Arie, who leads European utilities research at UBS, said the U.S. offshore market could contribute 1-2 GW of capacity in the medium term, adding existing industry players would be best placed to benefit from this.

“In the first phase we would expect DONG and its partners to play at least some kind of role – you wouldn’t expect the U.S. to be re-inventing the supply chain from scratch,” he said.
Quote

This would also benefit Siemens and MHI Vestas — a joint venture between Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Vestas — which together hold more than 80 percent of the global offshore wind turbine market.

Siemens, by far the market leader with more than 7 GW of installed offshore wind turbine capacity, expects large scale projects to materialise in the next decade and “stands ready” to support the U.S. sector, it said in emailed comments.

There is a catch and a cost.


Since most of the production is still based in Europe, the likes of Vestas, Siemens and General Electric would need to set up production of sea-bound turbines along the east coast.

Even though they have a strong presence in the country’s onshore market, offshore turbines are much bigger and more difficult to transport, Macquarie analyst Gurpreet Gujral said.

“I don’t see them shipping blades over the Atlantic.” ($1 = 0.8973 euros)

(Additional reporting by Nichola Groom in Los Angeles and Scott DiSavino in New York; Editing by Keith Weir)

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016.

https://gcaptain.com/europes-offshore-wind-industry-eyeing-atlantic-crossing/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 30, 2016, 12:32:34 pm
New wind turbine that harnesses the energy of typhoons could power Japan for 50 years  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)

By Rob Thubron on September 30, 2016, 6:15 AM
 
 
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-300916121803.jpeg&hash=82429fe89c06c1f7510d8ec68b9b84feba57bf96)

Japan feels the devastating effects of typhoons several times per year – in 2016 alone there have already been six. They can cause a trail of destruction, along with many dead and injured civilians who get caught in their path. But an engineer from the country has designed a new type of wind turbine that can harness this immense energy and use it for good.

Atsushi Shimizu claims that a series of his prototype devices could collect enough energy from a single typhoon to power the whole of Japan for 50 years.

The unique, egg beater-shaped turbine’s omnidirectional vertical axis can withstand an intense storm’s powerful winds and rain. Moreover, the speed of the blades are adjustable, meaning they won’t spin wildly out of control – a big problem with super typhoon speeds reaching up to 150 mph.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-300916121855.jpeg&hash=de7e3b17baa6fa7258fb2ffbb03b2e82f5f73660)

The Fukushima disaster * saw Japan turn away from nuclear power. It now imports 84 percent of its energy requirements. "Our generation reaped the benefit of nuclear power - we never experience a power blackout because of it," Shimizu says. "Now we are responsible for changing the future."

* Agelbert NOTE: The Wind Turbines along the coast were unscathed by the tsunami and gave power when all other power plants were down after the tsunami  ;D. Of course a vertical axis type turbine would handle high winds better, but the current ones can already handle tsunamis.

CNN reports that while Japan has tried to use wind energy in the past, the attempts have largely proved unsuccessful.

"For decades, Japan has brought in European-style wind turbines, not designed for typhoon zones, and installed them with no careful consideration - they've broken almost entirely," added Shimizu.

Modern, propeller-based turbines generally achieve a 40 percent efficiency rate. While Shimizu’s turbines hit 30 percent efficiency, their advantage is that they can work during a typhoon.

Shimizu’s company, Challenergy, installed one of the prototypes in Okinawa earlier this year. He now wants another to be located either on the Tokyo tower or at the new National Stadium. A method of storing 50 years of power would also be helpful.

https://youtu.be/e630zg3QEAw
http://www.techspot.com/news/66514-new-wind-turbine-harnesses-energy-typhoons-could-power.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 29, 2016, 10:00:58 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-100714103519.gif&hash=c6ea59750a010dd7a3e524640af0cc89caf41a55)

Wind Sector Soars

A record 20 gigawatts (GW) of wind capacity is currently under construction in the US, joining the existing 75 GW fleet, the American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) quarterly report shows.

Iowa also became the first state to generate more than one-third of its electricity from wind power.

Though new wind installations fell in the third quarter of this year compared to 2015, continued investment in renewables is driving new construction. The recent five-year extension of the tax credit for wind projects has considerably lowered the deadline pressure for developers.

http://www.reuters.com/article/usa-windpower-idUSL1N1CW2BA
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 09, 2016, 07:05:36 pm
Agelbert NOTE: The new Vermont NIMBY stupidity     (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fgen152.gif&hash=d5b10968fe56c4cb95fae17cee3cb420a5f4e2da) begins.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183337.bmp&hash=fd5a6df63c32bd65dda7b6d93e788647ca3829df) NONE of these people have EVER complained about the sound levels of cars and trucks on the highways in front of their homes. THOSE sound levels are FAR above anything the wind turbines make. But these stubborn, hide bound, fossil fuel worshipping NIMBY fools in Grafton and Windham prefer being slowly poisoned by exhaust emissions from cars and trucks along with the noise pollution of internal combustion engines (never mind the 24/7 CO2 pollution they emit  :P)  than clean energy from wind turbines.   :(

Voters renounce Stiles Brook Wind plan
Nov. 8, 2016, 11:15 pm by Mike Faher

WINDHAM – Voters in Grafton and Windham on Tuesday resoundingly rejected a 24-turbine wind project proposed for a ridgeline separating the two towns.

In Grafton, residents voted 235 against and 158 in favor of the Stiles Brook Wind Project, according to town officials. In Windham, the vote was 181 against and 101 in favor.

Developer Iberdrola Renewables will honor those votes and “cease development of the Stiles Brook Wind Project unless the communities reconsider their decision,” spokesman Paul Copleman said.

Copleman also said the company was “disappointed by the unfortunate outcome” of the balloting. But opponents of the project immediately celebrated.

“I really did think it would be like this,” said Windham Selectboard Chairman Frank Seawright. “Living here in New England, I think there’s a lot of people who do have respect for democracy and local government.”

In Grafton, opposition groups issued a statement saying they will “fight to the end to preserve our ridgelines in Vermont. We will seek energy solutions that make less of a footprint while respecting Grafton’s own unique environment and character.”

Prior to Tuesday’s vote, Iberdrola spent years developing the Stiles Brook proposal. Initial plans called for 28 turbines to be built in Stiles Brook Forest, but the company downsized that by four turbines in early October.

That move was designed to lessen the project’s visual and noise impacts, Iberdrola said at the time.

Simultaneously, the company increased the “community benefit” package for the two towns from $1 million to $1.5 million annually. That included “partnership payments” totaling $565,000 annually to residents of Windham and Grafton if the wind project was constructed.

At the time, critics said the payment offer amounted to bribery or undue influence on the pending votes. The state attorney general’s office disagreed, though Secretary of State Jim Condos eventually spoke out against any payments offered to registered voters.

That was just one example in a long line of disputes over the Stiles Brook proposal. Critics, including several Windham officials, vehemently argued that the turbines could have negative impacts on aesthetics, property values, the environment and even human health.

Two grass-roots opposition organizations – Grafton Woodlands Group and Friends of Windham – sprang up to oppose the project.

But Iberdrola and Stiles Brook property owner Meadowsend Timberlands Ltd. defended the plan, saying the Stiles Brook turbines would be an important source of renewable energy and would combat the effects of climate change.

Iberdrola said turbines would not harm neighbors’ health and accused opponents of spreading false information.

An energy project like Stiles Brook requires a state certificate of public good, and towns don’t have veto power. But Iberdrola administrators repeatedly said they would abide by the results of Australian Ballot votes by residents of Windham and Grafton.

Both towns also conducted surveys of nonresident property owners after there was an outcry by second-homeowners, who cannot participate in a town election. Those surveys are supposed to be tallied in both towns on Wednesday.

But those nonresident results won’t have any effect on Iberdrola’s decision to suspend the project.

“We are grateful for our supporters’ efforts and for the significant portion of the local community that supported the project,” Copleman said Tuesday night. “We are confident that the project would be a valuable and significant benefit to the local communities of Grafton and Windham, while also making an impact towards energy independence and climate change.”

http://vtdigger.org/2016/11/08/voters-renounce-stiles-brook-wind-plan/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 15, 2016, 01:32:09 pm
Energy| Nov. 14, 2016 02:24PM EST

World's Cheapest Offshore Wind Farm to Power 600,000 Homes

Lorraine Chow

 http://www.ecowatch.com/offshore-wind-farm-denmark-2093251761.html 
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 24, 2016, 07:42:31 pm
(https://www.cleanenergywire.org/sites/all/themes/clew/logo.png)
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xQl4ybE9IeU/mqdefault.jpg)

Trump rages against German wind power

US president elect Donald Trump’s negative comments on wind power in a recent interview with the New York Times present a concern for both the domestic and international wind sector, writes Franz Hubik in Handelsblatt. “Trump made clear that climate protection and renewable energies are not a priority for him.

The conditions for wind turbine manufacturers could significantly worsen in the United States under Trump (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183337.bmp&hash=fd5a6df63c32bd65dda7b6d93e788647ca3829df),” Sven Diermeier, analyst at Independent Research, told Handelsblatt. German companies like Siemens and Nordex could suffer.

Hermann Albers, president of German Wind Energy Association (BWE), is more optimistic: “Renewables are domestic forms of energy that actually support his goal to strengthen the US economy and employment. We should debate this with the Americans.”

http://www.handelsblatt.com/impressum/nutzungshinweise/

Agelbert NOTE: Hermann Albers would do well to temper his optimism. If the infrastructure for energy isn't fossil fuel based, Fossil Fuel Polluter Defender Trump will NOT support it.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-120716190938.png&hash=01feab1c7345a4e98764e0f9d24b2d69171b93c2)

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 08, 2016, 06:44:54 pm
https://youtu.be/_r_jG4u5CXs

CAISO chief Steve Berberich: We can go beyond 50% renewable (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F47b20s0.gif&hash=cc48c9af9d29b8836023c7db21103e52d1ed439e)

Head of California ISO (CAISO), Steve Berberich, speaks to the General Session of the American Wind Energy Association's WINDPOWER 2016 Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans, May 24, 2016.
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 17, 2016, 06:11:40 pm
Van Oord Hired to Build Belgium’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)

December 16, 2016 by gCaptain   

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vanoord.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Foffshore_installation_vessel_aeolus_installing_the_first_wind_turbine.jpg&hash=8427ffc9a8146d05b014e8078b4d2bff76e94e51)
Van Oord’s offshore installation vessel Aeolus. Photo credit: Van Oord

Dutch marine contractor Van Oord has been hired to build Belgium’s largest offshore wind farm project located approximately 23 kilometers off the Zeebrugge coast in Belgium.

Van Oord announced Friday it has signed a contract with developer Norther to provide Balance of Plant works for the Norther Offshore Wind Farm. With capacity to generate 370 MW, the wind farm will be Belgium’s largest and will deliver renewable energy to approximately 400,000 households.

The Van Oord services will include the engineering, procurement, supply and installation of the 44 WTG foundations, the Offshore High Voltage Station and the inter-array and export cables, and the installation of the turbines. For the transport and installation of the foundations and turbines Van Oord says it intends to deploy its offshore installation vessel Aeolus and cable-laying vessel Nexus.

With the use of wind energy increasing, specifically in places like northwest Europe, Van Oord says it is positioned at the forefront of truly sustainable project.

“As one of the leading marine contractors we have completed several prominent offshore wind projects in the past fifteen years,” said Van Oord CEO, Peter van Oord. “We have also made large investments by adding the world’s most advanced offshore wind equipment, such as installation vessel Aeolus and cable laying vessel Nexus, to our fleet. Thanks to our dedicated people, innovative solutions and specialised equipment we can contribute in making offshore wind a common form of sustainable energy.”

Construction on the Norther Offshore Wind Farm is expected to start in 2018.

The project is expected to contribute significantly to Belgium meeting its target of generating 13% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020.

Dennis Sanou, Norther Project Director, commented: “Project Norther and its shareholders Elicio, Eneco and Mitsubishi Corporation are proud to conclude that after a long period of intense preparation and thanks to all parties involved we have been able to achieve financial close. We are sure that the construction and commissioning of Norther in 2018 and 2019 will be a successful endeavour with reliable and experienced partners as Van Oord.” (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_0293.gif&hash=b1af4868ed8f18c30e637f8cbcb79002f6f71039)

 
https://gcaptain.com/van-oord-to-build-belgiums-largest-offshore-wind-farm/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 17, 2016, 06:17:57 pm
Statoil :D Wins U.S. Offshore Wind Lease Off New York

December 16, 2016 by gCaptain

Norwegian energy giant Statoil has been declared the provisional winner of the U.S. government’s wind lease sale of 79,350 acres offshore New York.

The win will allow Statoil the opportunity to explore the potential development of an offshore wind farm to provide New York City and Long Island with a significant, long-term source of renewable electricity.

Statoil submitted a winning bid of $42,469,725 during the online offshore wind auction concluded Friday by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

“We are excited to have submitted the most competitive bid in a highly attractive project, Statoil’s first offshore wind lease in the United States. We now look forward to working with New York’s state agencies and contribute to New York meeting its future energy needs by applying our offshore experience and engineering expertise,” says Irene Rummelhoff, Statoil´s executive vice president for New Energy Solutions.

The lease comprises an area that could potentially accommodate more than 1 GW of offshore wind, with a phased development expected to start with 400-600 MW. The New York Wind Energy Area is located 14-30 miles (30-60 km) offshore, spans 79,350 acres (321 km2), and covers water depths between 65 and 131 feet (20-40 meters).

Next Statoil will conduct studies to better understand the seabed conditions, the grid connection options and wind resources involved in the lease site.

“We will work closely with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) on these studies and throughout the permitting process, and in connection with power offtake options,” says Rummelhoff.

The State of New York projects that offshore wind will be a significant part of the renewable energy generation needed to meet its Clean Energy Standard in 2030.

The United States’ first offshore wind farm, the Block Island Wind Farm, went live on December 12 and is expected to hit full power next month.

“The US is a key emerging market for offshore wind – both bottom-fixed and floating – with significant potential along both the east and west coasts. As today’s announcement shows, Statoil is well positioned to take part in what could be a significant build out of offshore wind in New York and other states over the next decade. This effort is in line with the company’s strategy to gradually complement our oil and gas portfolio with viable renewable energy and other low-carbon solutions,” says Rummelhoff.

In Europe, Statoil is developing an offshore wind portfolio with the capacity of providing over 1 million homes with renewable energy. Statoil currently holds a 40% share in the Sheringham Shoal wind farm in the UK, which has been in production since 2012. The Dudgeon offshore wind farm, also located offshore Norfolk in the UK – and the world’s first floating offshore wind farm, Hywind Scotland – will come in production in 2017. Earlier this year, Statoil acquired 50% of the Arkona offshore wind farm in Germany, which will come in production in 2019.

https://gcaptain.com/statoil-wins-u-s-offshore-wind-lease-off-new-york/

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emofaces.com%2Fpng%2F200%2Femoticons%2Ffingerscrossed.png&hash=d56f8009d18b55f4cea7be68284c0521be92fc5d)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 28, 2016, 01:35:02 pm
Amazon to Flip the Switch on Massive Wind Project in North Carolina

Natural Resources Defense Council

By Robynne Boyd

Before the ball drops on New Year's Eve, 104 wind turbines scattered across 22,000 acres of farmland near Elizabeth City, North Carolina, will begin churning out electricity.

It will be the South's first large-scale wind farm. At 208 megawatts, Avangrid's facility has the capacity to capture enough of the sky's kinetic energy to power 61,000 homes. But instead of homes, this electricity will run data centers for Amazon Web Services, a subsidiary of Amazon.com.

Wind generates about 5 percent of U.S. electricity, but that figure is steadily rising. In fact, at 41 percent, wind power was the largest source of new electricity production in 2015. None of that, however, came out of the Southeast. The region imports 3.8 gigawatts of wind energy from the Midwest (enough to power 10 million homes for as little as 1.8 cents per kilowatt-hour), but wind farms themselves, similar to solar, have almost no penetration here.

"Wind is so new in the Southeast; I think there has been a fear of the unknown," said Katharine Kollins, president of Southeastern Wind Coalition. "Having the Avangrid project up and running will be important for people to see wind farms firsthand and up close."


Except for the occasional hurricane, the South isn't known to be particularly windy—at least not compared with Plains states like Iowa, where the wind accounts for nearly a third of total electricity generation. But great potential exists in this void and with new turbine technology, some southern states are getting ready to tap into it.

"The biggest change in the industry has been turbine advancements," said Simon Mahan, director of the Southern Wind Energy Association, an industry organization. Taller turbines, like those at Avangrid's Amazon Wind Farm, can reach higher, stronger winds, and longer blades are able to harness gentler breezes. "This is opening the South as the next frontier for wind energy," Mahan noted.

Indeed, wind turbines have gone through a growth spurt. Since the 1990s, hub height has risen from 45 to 300 feet, which is as tall as the Statue of Liberty. And blades now extend more than 180 feet in length.

In addition to technology, improvements in energy policy, such as renewable energy standards and the federal Production Tax Credit, have enabled wind's price tag to plummet 90 percent over the past 25 years, making it more alluring in the competitive energy market.

According to a 2015 report by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Southeast could become the Most Improved Player in coming years, particularly as the national energy mix continues to change. "If I'm thinking realistic numbers, the Southeast could easily support a few gigawatts of wind," Kollins said.

Over the next 12 years, 46 coal power plants around the country (including 19 in the Southeast) are due to retire, despite the incoming Trump administration's promises to bring back the coal industry by removing regulations that protect clean air and water. Improved energy efficiency will help, but those retired plants' electricity contribution, about 15,600 megawatts, will need to be replaced with something. And that something will likely be a combo of cheap natural gas and renewables, which together provided 45 percent of the country's electricity last year.

"A company or utility looking to decrease its costs needs to be looking to buy wind and solar right now," Mahan said. "At the end of the day, if it's cheaper to do, why not?"  ;D

http://www.ecowatch.com/wind-farm-amazon-2168453431.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 30, 2016, 08:06:36 pm
WATCH: Subsea Cable Installation at Nordsee One Offshore Wind Farm

December 29, 2016 by gCaptain

https://youtu.be/3NJQZmHWQSo

Check out this video by Siem Offshore explaining wind farm inner array grid cable installation at the Nordsee One OWF project in the German North Sea. The subsea cable installation work began in summer 2016 using cable laying vessel Siem Aimery and installation support vessel Siem Moxie.

https://gcaptain.com/subsea-cable-installation-at-nordsee-one-offshore-wind-farm/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 07, 2017, 02:58:11 pm
Solstad Construction Vessels Find Offshore Wind Work
January 6, 2017 by gCaptain

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marinteknikk.no%2Fmt-design%2Fscv%2Fmt-6022-c37332l511%2FInstallations%2Ffwk%2Fthumbs%2F122638_thumb.jpg%3F1408622259&hash=455ae12412ce1d51a80c35c37fdbf107fe2893fd)
Rem Installer

Norwegian supply vessel company Solstad Offshore has entered into a contract with Dutch energy company Dong Energy Wind Power for charter of Soltad’s multipurpose construction vessel (CSV) Rem Installer and a second CSV down the road.

Solstad Offshore announced Friday that the contract for the Rem Installer covers a firm period of 23 months with a six-month options. A second CSV will be selected at a later stage for a firm period of 7 months with an 8-month option, the company said.

The contracts will commence in February 2017 for the Rem Installer, which will be renamed Normand Jarl. The contract for the second vessel will commence April 1, 2017.

Solstad Offshore said in its announcement that the contract is strategically important for the company’s contintued commitment to the renewable energy segments. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)

https://gcaptain.com/solstad-construction-vessels-land-offshore-wind-work/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 16, 2017, 07:51:32 pm
This startup's wind generator flaps its wings like a hummingbird   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coh2.org%2Fimages%2FSmileys%2Fhuhsign.gif&hash=3732d0427be65896527fc3805c5be54a33cffd3b)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b)

https://youtu.be/wINRqO_idGE

http://www.treehugger.com/wind-technology/startups-wind-generator-flaps-its-wings-hummingbird.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 26, 2017, 07:04:50 pm
 (https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/545693884664119297/mCDJfUgm.jpeg)

It's Windy in Long Island (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)

The Long Island Power Authority approved plans for a 90 megawatt, 15-turbine wind farm off the shore of Long Island, the nation's largest project to date.

The $740 million project will begin construction in 2020, powering 50,000 homes upon completion and moving New York closer to Gov. Cuomo's goal of developing 2,400 MW of offshore wind power by 2030. At 256 square miles, the farm is large enough for the developer, Deepwater Wind, to build as many as 200 turbines in years to come.

The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has awarded 11 sites for offshore wind farms, including along the coasts of Massachusetts, Delaware, and Virginia.

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WIND_ENERGY

Agelbert  NOTE: Trump hates wind turbines with his typical lack of objective reasons for this animosity. For example, he talks about bird deaths from wind "mills" (he can't seem to call them by their proper name  ;)) but TOTALLY ignores the gargantuan bird deaths from OIL Refineries, Chemical Manufacturing Plants, fossil fuel power plants AND nuclear power plants. I wonder how this PUPPET of the fossil fuel industry will try to sabotage this wind project. Make no mistake, he will definitely try to sabotage it. Logic is not his thing. He is a man on a profit for the polluters mission.

Keith Olbermann thinks Trump is nuts. I think he is a megalomaniac, but I don't think he is off his rocker. That said, I agree with Olbermann that Trump's actions lately certainly have not been rational. The video aside, it is fascinating to watch the right wingers try to imagine Trump's actions as "reflecting a reasoned approach."  ::) The straw grasping attempts by the right wingers to give legitimacy to that POS POTUS are pathetic. But I'm sure the "greed is good" crowd will keep trying celebrate their megalomaniac leader.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fbudo.gif&hash=677248a20d98332a6b04ab5797696b4b96cbed38)   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F245.gif&hash=67462ab647fbd65cb336e77c93c2601e477da0a9)

A Plea to Trump Fans: This Man Is Dangerous (http://video.gq.com/watch/the-closer-with-keith-olbermann-a-plea-to-trump-fans-this-man-is-dangerous)

Oh, and I hate to brag, but I DID accurately predict that it would RAIN on Trump at the Inauguration.  ;D

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-160117173343.jpeg&hash=d4e03859d9e4bedbb73985235bfa0016ef5b5fbf)

Washington, D.C. presidential inauguration weather history

By Justin Grieser

January 16, 2013

Agelbert NOTE: This article is informative, as well as being educational (before 1937 inaugurals were held in March - BUT the weather was actually COLDER than the average of January 20th inaugurals!  :o). Anyone who reads this article objectively (i.e. someone who isn't a climate denier propagandized fool or a propagandist liar working for the fossil fuel industry) and then looks at the forecast for January 20, 2017 will not fail to notice the accelerating trend of Global Warming.

SNIPPET:

What are typical weather conditions on Inauguration Day in the nation’s capital? And which years had the warmest, coldest, wettest or snowiest ceremonies?


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-160117173726.png&hash=aafd45f09504dd9f2c9fcb0bf4ef8b9a347341b3)


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-160117174333.png&hash=329d5460fa0b4cedeefe45b63aee84d27f18131a)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/post/washington-dc-presidential-inauguration-weather-history/2013/01/16/5def1200-5ff3-11e2-b05a-605528f6b712_blog.html?utm_term=.7fa26d2f09b1
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 27, 2017, 07:36:48 pm
European Offshore Wind Forecast to Add 3.5GW Capacity in 2017

January 26, 2017 by Bloomberg

SNIPPET:

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-280117135940.png&hash=20c88d43fc309d3f189cacc8c8c55261bb479fe5)

“We’re set to reach 25 gigawatts total capacity by 2020 – double today’s level,” WindEurope Chief Executive Officer Giles Dickson said.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Freading.gif&hash=63e3e644b39258d4c4eedbcdaf322315b1856723)

http://gcaptain.com/european-offshore-wind-forecast-add-3-5gw-capacity-2017/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 31, 2017, 06:51:49 pm
(https://www.cleanenergywire.org/sites/all/themes/clew/logo.png)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-301014182234.gif&hash=bf6d91c9f6bd3e01a951d725e8b0b5c62c68c519)

Wind Turbines Pose No Significant Threat To Human Health  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcliparts.co%2Fcliparts%2FBig%2FEgq%2FBigEgqBMT.png&hash=e7eec62f009cdd686ce795fad0a53c6befe748e9)
 

There are no significant adverse effects to human health stemming from wind turbines, according to a study by Germany’s Federal Environment Agency (UBA).

Scientists analysed the health risks wind turbines might pose due to noise emissions (including subsonic noise), ice throw, light emissions and shadows, as well as disturbances based on subjective perception of turbines.

If turbines are operated correctly, “the health risk potential is very marginal,” the study said. Technological progress had considerably reduced detrimental impacts of turbines, making them less dangerous for human health than CO2-emitting coal plants, the UBA said.

However, it added there often were “fears and reservations among residents concerning potential health risks, in spite of clear scientific indications” that would be best countered by closely involving the public in the planning and construction of wind turbines near their homes from the start.

For more information, read the CLEW dossier The People’s Energiewende.

https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/new-data-show-2015-emissions-dip-protests-against-transmission-line


Greens criticise Schulz’s omission of climate protection statement

The German Green Party has criticised the Social Democrat candidate for chancellor, Martin Schulz, for not having taken a clear stance on climate protection yet, news agency dpa reports. The Green’s parliamentary group chairman Anton Hofreiter told dpa that in the current grand coalition government with Angela Merkel’s conservative CDU party, Schulz’s SPD party had slowed down the Energiewende and ignored climate protection. “I haven’t seen Schulz setting a course on this matter yet,” Hofreiter told the news wire. However, he said he regarded pro-European Schulz as an “interesting candidate” whose nomination by the SPD could “only benefit” the election battle if it motivated people to take an interest in politics.

 
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

“Changed land use causes more CO2 than expected”


Forest clearance and other changes to the landscape are responsible for more CO2-emissions than previously thought, researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have found. “Forests, grasslands and fields contribute considerably to climate protection” by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, KIT said in a press release. Comparing the absorbance patterns of natural and transformed landscape now suggested that vegetation’s capacity to store CO2 was even “greater than expected. [...] In any case, our results support efforts to prevent further large-scale forest clearance in order to protect the climate,” KIT added. 

 
tageszeitung (taz)

“Driving a car is not a fundamental right”


Driving cars might be very dear to large parts of the German population, but it is not a fundamental right and can be harmful to health and environment, writes Svenja Bergt in an opinion piece in tageszeitung (taz). Instead of half-hearted diesel bans, she proposes private car bans for inner cities. “Delivery transport, street cleaners and ambulances fill up on green power. Bicycle rentals on every other street corner. Public transport every three minutes. Parks instead of parking. Then residents in towns in valley basins could breathe freely even at times of thermal inversions,” Bergt writes.

All texts created by the Clean Energy Wire are available under a “Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0)”. They can be copied, shared and made publicly accessible by users so long as they give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.

Clean Energy Wire CLEW
Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2
10178 Berlin, Germany

info@cleanenergywire.org
+49 30 700 1435 212
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 10, 2017, 02:31:37 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-100714103519.gif&hash=c6ea59750a010dd7a3e524640af0cc89caf41a55)

Wind Power Becomes America's Largest Renewable Resource

SNIPPET:

"American wind power is now the number one source of renewable capacity, thanks to more than 100,000 wind workers across all 50 states," said Tom Kiernan, AWEA CEO.

http://www.ecowatch.com/wind-power-awea-2252630618.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 10, 2017, 07:18:21 pm
(https://dqbasmyouzti2.cloudfront.net/assets/content/cache/made/content/images/articles/offshore-wind-XL_410_282_c1.jpg)
Wind Overtakes Coal Power in Europe as Turbines Head Offshore

February 9, 2017 by Bloomberg

File photo shows the Gode Wind 2 offshore wind farm. Photo credit: Dong Energy (at article link)

By Jessica Shankleman

(Bloomberg) — Wind farm developers installed more power than any other form of energy last year in Europe, helping turbines to overtake coal in terms of capacity, industry figures show.

European wind power grew 8 percent, to 153.7 gigawatts, comprising 16.7 percent of installed capacity and overtaking coal as the continent’s second-biggest potential source of energy, according to figures published Thursday by the WindEurope trade group. Gas-fired generation retained the largest share of installed capacity.

With countries seeking to curb greenhouse gas emissions that causes climate change by replacing fossil fuel plants with new forms of renewable energy, investment in wind grew to a record 27.5 billion euros ($29.3 billion) in 2016, WindEurope’s annual European Statistics report showed.

“Wind and coal are on two ends of the spectrum,” said Oliver Joy, a spokesman for WindEurope, in an e-mail. “Wind is steadily adding new capacity while coal is decommissioning far more than any technology in Europe.”

The group underscored that wind, which only produces power intermittently, hasn’t yet overtaken coal share in total power generation.

European wind investment increased 5 percent in 2016 from a year earlier driven by the offshore segment that attracted 18.2 billion euros, the report said. That offset a 29 percent investment decline in the onshore market.

© 2017 Bloomberg L.P

http://gcaptain.com/wind-overtakes-coal-power-in-europe-as-turbines-head-offshore/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 17, 2017, 06:38:10 pm
Global Energy News | Tue Feb 14, 2017 | 11:35am EST

Wind power (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78) briefly sets record as source for electricity in U.S.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca) 

By Scott DiSavino

Wind briefly powered more than 50 percent of electric demand on Sunday  :o  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf) , the 14-state Southwest Power Pool (SPP) said, for the first time on any North American power grid.

SPP coordinates the flow of electricity on the high voltage power lines from Montana and North Dakota to New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana.

Wind power in the SPP region has grown significantly to over 16,000 MW currently from less than 400 megawatts in the early 2000s and is expected to continue growing. One megawatt can power about 1,000 homes.

"Ten years ago, we thought hitting even a 25 percent wind-penetration level would be extremely challenging, and any more than that would pose serious threats to reliability," SPP Vice President of Operations Bruce Rew said in a statement.
 
"Now we have the ability to reliably manage greater than 50 percent wind penetration. It's not even our ceiling," Rew said.

Wind power briefly reached 52.1 percent at 4:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, SPP said on Monday, beating the previous penetration milestone of 49.2 percent. Wind penetration is a measure of the amount of total load served by wind at a given time.
 
Currently, wind is the third biggest source of generation in the SPP region, making up about 15 percent of capacity in 2016 behind natural gas and coal. This is the first time that wind was even briefly more than 50 percent of the source of electric power at any U.S. grid, according to SPP.

"With a (generation) footprint as broad as ours, even if the wind stops blowing in the upper Great Plains, we can deploy resources waiting in the Midwest and Southwest to make up any sudden deficits," Rew said.
 
Of the 11 states that received more than 10 percent of their power from wind in 2015, the top five are Iowa at 31 percent, South Dakota at 25 percent, Kansas at 24 percent, Oklahoma at 18 percent and North Dakota at 18 percent, all at least partially located in the SPP grid, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Some of the biggest wind farms in the grid are operated by units of Sempra Energy, BP Plc, EDP Energias de Portugal SA, Southern Co and NextEra Energy Inc.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-southwestpowerpool-wind-idUSKBN15T269
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 23, 2017, 07:52:18 pm
Shell   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coh2.org%2Fimages%2FSmileys%2Fhuhsign.gif&hash=3732d0427be65896527fc3805c5be54a33cffd3b)  ;D Looks Beyond Dutch Waters for Offshore Wind Investments

February 22, 2017 by Bloomberg

By Jessica Shankleman

(Bloomberg) — Royal Dutch Shell Plc may contract to build offshore wind farms in the U.K. and across Europe, after winning a bid to build one of the cheapest projects on record last year, Shell U.K. chair Sinead Lynch, said in an interview.

Europe’s biggest oil supplier is exploring opportunities across Europe for offshore wind, Lynch said at a press event on Wednesday at a Shell service station outside London, where she was opening the company’s first U.K. hydrogen refueling station.

Shell in December won a bid with Eneco Holding NV, Van Oord NV and a unit of Mitsubishi Corp. to build the Borssele III and IV wind farms with a combined capacity of 680 megawatts near the Dutch port city Zeeland. The power-purchase contracts to supply electricity at 5.45 euro cents (5.7 U.S. cents) a kilowatt-hour were the second-cheapest ever worldwide and slightly higher than the 4.99 euro cents a kilowatt-hour contract that Vattenfall won in September to build Denmark’s Kriegers Flak offshore wind farm.

Quote
“We are looking long and hard at how we might build a business in offshore wind,’’ she said.

Offshore wind meets Shell’s criteria for new technology investments of having scale, and being an area where it can compete “and win,’’ she said. Its experience in complex offshore project management naturally lends itself to the emerging renewable technology.

“It’s also about marketing energy so once you produce your wind you need to market the power,’’ she said.

© 2017 Bloomberg L.P

http://gcaptain.com/shell-looks-beyond-dutch-waters-offshore-wind-investments/

Agelbert NOTE: If this means SHELL is moving into Renewable Energy for real, and this is not just a marketing ploy like BP's "Beyond Petroleum" head fake into solar panels, then good for them. We shall see. At any rate, anything that gives Rex Tillerson and Trump (both mortal enemies of ANY Renewable Energy)  the Wind Power finger makes my day.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F4fvfcja.gif&hash=34a9a570347d39a0a892bc1f376c5e8b88add6b5) 
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on March 05, 2017, 11:24:39 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dodgecityhasjobs.com%2Fdchj%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2009%2F01%2Fwind-farm-11.jpg&hash=0a8d6d04ea1f8b8339917ff06338195ae1d6755a)
Western Plains Wind Farm near Dodge City

March 2, 2017 10:57 AM
 
Kansas wind helps power company set new milestone  ;D

By Dan Voorhis

dvoorhis@wichitaeagle.com

SNIPPET:

Westar Energy said that with the start of operations this week at its Western Plains Wind Farm near Dodge City, it can now meet a third of its electrical needs with wind energy.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3)

Westar owns the 280-megawatt Western Plains wind farm in Ford County. It was developed by Infinity Wind and built by Mortenson Construction. The housings of the Siemens turbines at the wind farm were made in Hutchinson.

http://www.kansas.com/news/business/article135966223.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on March 06, 2017, 10:33:04 pm
Denmark just ran a day entirely on wind energy — again  ;D

Mihai Andrei March 3, 2017
 
SNIPPET:

The transition is fully underway. If we are looking for cheap, competitive and reliable, I don’t see much alternative to wind’ says Wind Europe spokesman.

Denmark was a pioneer in developing commercial wind power during the 1970s, and today a substantial share of the wind turbines around the world are produced by Danish manufacturers. They’ve maintained that motivation through the years, as Denmark’s recent history clearly shows the country’s commitment towards renewable energy. In 2015, 42% of Denmark’s energy came from wind, and they’ve had several days in which their energy came entirely from wind — even one in which Denmark produced 140% of its energy needs from wind. Yes, they’ve recently had another one of those days.

The Scandinavian nation generated 97 gigawatt-hours (GWh) on 22nd February, and it was a great day for renewables all around the continent. That day, 18.8 per cent of the European Union’s electricity demand came from wind. Wind Europe spokesman Oliver Joy said this was yet another testament to the resilience of renewables.

“It’s very impressive but what it demonstrates is that renewable can truly be a solution to Europe’s needs,” said Mr Joy, speaking to The Independent. The trend is also spreading to other European countries. “Denmark is just the latest example that we have seen in the latest months. In 2016 we saw the UK was powered without coal for 12 and a half hours, Germany went some days on renewable, and Portugal went four straight days on renewable. It shows energy transition is underway in Europe and arguably further ahead than anywhere else in the world.”  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-260116191529.png&hash=cbc70d3107f019cfbef88dc573223aefa7732476)

http://www.zmescience.com/ecology/renewable-energy-ecology/denmark-wind-energy-03032017/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on March 22, 2017, 01:34:05 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200317134631.png&hash=3ec83ab2cb9a9acaf485fff7312df6381c25c2fd)


Researchers create mesmerizing tornado simulation :o algorithm [with video]

https://youtu.be/uLkghfvE0Rk

Article:

http://www.zmescience.com/science/math/tornado-simulation-algorithm-20032017/ (http://www.zmescience.com/science/math/tornado-simulation-algorithm-20032017/)

That was absolutely fascinating AG!  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)    (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191456.bmp&hash=a239c2fd76d20d142f1c54b961e22ebd0d2a4808)

RE


 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fthankyou.gif&hash=dddf44270b9e7683ff5cbcca041427744de34fe5) Glad to be of service.       (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191456.bmp&hash=a239c2fd76d20d142f1c54b961e22ebd0d2a4808)

Those tornados will get stronger and stronger, thanks to all the free energy the trapped IR heat in our atmosphere is generating from the burning of fossil fuels. The only upside to such a turbulent atmosphere is that average wind speeds will increase all over the planet (bull market for VERY STRONGLY BUILT wind turbines  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)  - and underground houses  :D ). But seriously, some ships (bulk carriers and even TANKERS!  :o are installing vertical roller wind turbine cylinders to save on fuel. With a lot of wind around those cylinders are a good deal in the sea AND on land where HIGH winds are the norm.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.westsystem.com%2Fss%2Fassets%2FProjects-Upgraded-2%2Fdemonstration-day.jpg&hash=d27ff4c1b304dde30586273411da7567a1471f6c)
Rotor Sails under testing - they make them MUCH BIGGER than that for large ships like bulk carriers and tankers (see below).

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fg.diena.lt%2F03%2F12%2F296b89.jpg&hash=e5342569db5765af50adc77b019894ed08c23f2a)
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F4fvfcja.gif&hash=34a9a570347d39a0a892bc1f376c5e8b88add6b5)


Here's a new data point I just learned in our march toward Catastrophic climate Change:

The Oceans Are Heating Faster

https://youtu.be/kNwiHHo6Scc

Big Picture Fact Of the Day...

For more information on the stories we've covered visit our websites at thomhartmann.com - freespeech.org - and RT.com. You can also watch tonight's show on Hulu - at Hulu.com/THE BIG PICTURE and over at The Big Picture YouTube page. And - be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter!
Thom Hartmann
Mar. 20, 2017 5:57 pm
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on March 24, 2017, 05:48:18 pm
Oil Majors Plunge Into Industry That May Hurt Fossil Fuel (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emofaces.com%2Fpng%2F200%2Femoticons%2Ffingerscrossed.png&hash=d56f8009d18b55f4cea7be68284c0521be92fc5d)

March 23, 2017 by Bloomberg

SNIPPET:

By Jessica Shankleman

(Bloomberg) — Big oil is starting to challenge the biggest utilities in the race to erect wind turbines at sea.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Statoil ASA and Eni SpA are moving into multi-billion-dollar offshore wind farms in the North Sea and beyond. They’re starting to score victories against leading power suppliers including Dong Energy A/S and Vattenfall AB in competitive auctions for power purchase contracts, which have developed a specialty in anchoring massive turbines on the seabed.

The oil companies have many reasons to move into the industry. They’ve spent decades building oil projects offshore, and that business is winding down in some areas where older fields have drained. Returns from wind farms are predictable and underpinned by government-regulated electricity prices. And fossil fuel executives want to get a piece of the clean-energy business as forecasts emerge that renewables will eat into their market.

“It is certainly an area of interest for us because there are obvious synergies with the traditional oil and gas business,” said Luca Cosentino, the vice president of energy solution at the Italian oil producer Eni, which is working with General Electric Co. on renewables. “As the oil and gas industry we know, we cannot get stuck where we are and wait for someone else to take this leap.”

Even as oil production declined in the North Sea over the last 15 years, economic activity has been buoyed by offshore windmills. The notorious winds that menaced generations of roughnecks working on oil platforms have become a boon for a new era of workers asked to install and maintain turbines anchored deep into the seabed. About $99 billion will be invested in North Sea wind projects from 2000 to 2017, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. A decade ago, the industry had projects only a fraction of that size.

While crude still supplies almost a third of the world’s energy, oil executives are starting to adjust to demands for cleaner fuels. Even so, emerging fossil-fuel alternatives including wind and solar power are starting to limit growth in oil demand.

Those technologies and electric cars may displace as much as 13 million barrels of oil a day from global demand by 2040, more than is currently being produced by Saudi Arabia, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

Shell’s Interest (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Freading.gif&hash=63e3e644b39258d4c4eedbcdaf322315b1856723)

http://gcaptain.com/oil-majors-plunge-into-industry-that-may-hurt-fossil-fuel/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 03, 2017, 05:32:52 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl2.glitter-graphics.net%2Fpub%2F1087%2F1087832pmq26zqtt4.gif&hash=b78c8a77d04e8ff6af5d8c7e5a02871cc061e275)

Wind Power Smashes Records Worldwide 

Wind power is skyrocketing across the globe.

In Scotland, wind turbines provided more than 1.2 million megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity to the National Grid in March, according to an analysis of WeatherEnergy data by WWF Scotland. To translate, that's enough renewable electricity to power 136 percent of Scottish households, or 3.3 million homes.

The figures represent an increase of 81 percent compared to the same time last year, when wind energy during March 2016 generated 684,632 MWh of electricity, The National noted.

Quote
"Given this March wasn't as windy as it has been in some previous years, this year's record output shows the importance of continuing [to] increase capacity by building new wind farms," said Lang Banks, director of WWF Scotland. "As well as helping to power our homes and businesses, wind power supports thousands of jobs and continues to play an important role in Scotland's efforts to address global climate change by avoiding millions of tonnes of carbon emissions every year."

Scotland's total electricity consumption (for homes, business and industry) for March was about 2.1 MWh, meaning that wind power provided about 58 percent of the county's electricity needs for the month.
Scotland   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fearthhug.gif&hash=3abcf70466f34337f2d702ebd9e02c650d5c4c20) is a wind power all star, with wind turbines occasionally generating more electricity than is actually needed. This past March 17 and 19, wind turbines provided an output equivalent of 102 percent and 130 percent of each day's demand, respectively.

India is also celebrating a major wind energy milestone. According to India's ministry of new and renewable energy, the country added a record wind power capacity of 5,400 megawatts (MW) in 2016-17, vastly exceeding its initial target of 4,000 MW for the year. The previous best was 3,423 MW in 2015-16.

Of the new capacity, around 3,026 MW was added in March 2017 alone (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fcomputer3.gif&hash=cd6007945e9cbaabf029ebaef6ad36b8505bc341), the Economic Times reported.

India's total wind capacity currently stands at around 32,177 MW.

http://www.ecowatch.com/wind-power-breaks-records-2342600001.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 11, 2017, 02:53:23 pm
PJM study quantifies wind’s value for building a reliable, resilient power system
   
 
Michael Goggin 
April 4, 2017
 
The largest grid operator in the US just released an innovative study that quantifies the reliability of possible future energy mixes. It found that portfolios with very large amounts of wind energy, dozens of times greater than the current mix, scored among the highest for reliability and resilience.

PJM, which operates the power system across all or part of 13 Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic states as well as the District of Columbia, has previously found large amounts of renewable energy can be reliably integrated. For example, its 2014 study found no reliability problems from obtaining 30 percent of the region’s electricity from renewable energy. That finding has been confirmed by many other studies, as well as grid operating experience in the U.S. and around the world.

PJM’s latest study shows that even more renewable energy can be reliably integrated. In many of the scenarios PJM evaluated, wind and solar energy reliably provided the majority of electricity.

It should be noted that many readers may be initially confused by the way PJM’s results are presented.

Due to the way PJM’s study accounts for capacity, wind should be multiplied by around five and solar by around 1.2 to convert the PJM scenarios into the share of energy that would be provided by those resources in a particular generation mix (see footnote 68 of the Appendix). For example, when the report discusses solar providing 20 percent of “unforced capacity,” that actually corresponds to solar providing around a quarter of all electricity generated on the PJM system.

Wind was able to go much higher, reliably providing the vast majority of PJM’s electricity in some scenarios. In fact, PJM found no maximum on the amount of wind it could accommodate, as noted on page 34 in appendix. As shown on page 28 of the report, scenarios in which wind provided nearly all of the generation on PJM’s system (15-25 percent of unforced capacity) maintain reliability at levels comparable to those on today’s power system.

Wind makes the power system more resilient

Perhaps the most innovative aspect of PJM’s study was testing the resilience of future energy mixes to extreme events like the 2014 polar vortex. As we’ve explained previously, wind performed quite well during that event, while many conventional power plants failed due to the cold weather.

Only around one-third of the reliable energy portfolios PJM analyzed passed the resiliency test. Portfolios with a large amount of wind energy tended to be more resilient because, as PJM noted, wind energy possesses the unique benefit that “unavailability rates for wind are likely to decrease” under a polar vortex event.

Said another way, wind energy output tends to be above average when extreme weather causes output from nearly all other energy sources to fall below expectations. That type of negative correlation with the availability of other energy sources is the key to using portfolio diversity to make the power system more resilient.

Interestingly, PJM’s results show wind energy contributing to resilience in a way that is comparable to the contributions of coal and nuclear power plants. PJM found wind energy played a large role in almost all of the scenarios that maintained resilience while retiring many coal and nuclear power plants. As seen in the following chart showing the portfolios that passed the resiliency test, wind steps in in almost perfect lock-step when coal and nuclear are not available. For the two-thirds of scenarios that did not pass the resiliency test (those that appear in Figure 16 of the Appendix but not below), many had much lower amounts of wind energy.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aweablog.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F04%2FPolar-Vortex-chart.png&hash=b4a28efb3e3e4a717c92c032be6bea5ebaf119df)

PJM’s report discusses other extreme weather events that have affected a large share of generation, but does not quantitatively analyze resilience to them. Examples include droughts that have limited conventional power plants’ access to cooling water. Droughts and sustained high temperatures in various parts of the U.S. have forced fossil and nuclear plants to operate at reduced output or even go offline, while the recent drought in California greatly reduced the state’s hydroelectric output. Wind energy and solar photovoltaics continued to generate as expected during these events, as they require no water to operate.

Wind provides grid reliability services

The report notes that technological advances enable wind energy to provide many of the reliability services that conventional power plants provide today.

In fact, in many cases wind plants exceed the ability of conventional resources to provide these reliability services. As a result, in the high renewable scenario, PJM found wind could grow to provide 25.5 percent of PJM’s flexibility needs, up from 1.3 percent today. Partially as a result, PJM found a high renewable power system was about 50 percent more flexible than today’s power system (Appendix, page 29).

However, there appear to be some flaws in PJM‘s quantification of energy sources’ reliability services contributions. (See pages 17-20 of PJM’s report for the definitions of the following reliability services) As one example, because PJM’s calculation of reactive power contribution is based on historical data, it does not account for the increased reactive capability required of new wind and solar plants under a 2016 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission order.

PJM also incorrectly de-rated wind’s reactive power capability by 87 percent, due to the capacity accounting methods discussed above, while solar’s was reduced by 62 percent. While this derating of reactive capability makes sense for conventional generators, it is inappropriate for wind and solar plants that use power electronics to provide reactive power when they are operating at partial, or even zero, real power output. As a result, new wind plants are capable of providing fast and accurate voltage and reactive power control the vast majority of the time.

Similarly, PJM’s assumptions regarding the provision of frequency regulation service are based on current operating procedures, even though those will change as the resource mix changes. For example, Xcel Energy already uses wind plants to provide frequency regulation service, and has found wind provides frequency regulation that is faster and more accurate than that provided by conventional power plants. In the Appendix PJM acknowledges that at higher penetrations wind is likely to provide the same primary frequency response contribution as conventional power plants, but the same logic would apply to frequency regulation.

In fact, wind plants will likely be better than conventional power plants at providing primary frequency response and regulation. Wind plants typically respond to frequency regulation signals an order of magnitude faster than conventional power plants can, while the North American Electric Reliability Corporation has found that around 90 percent of conventional power plants fail to provide sustained primary frequency response. PJM’s report does note that nuclear plants do not provide frequency response.

Regardless, PJM’s report found that reactive power capability in the high renewable future was essentially unchanged from today’s levels, and frequency response capability only declined by a few percent. Given that the frequency response capability of the current power system greatly exceeds the need, such a small decline is not cause for concern.

PJM’s report did not analyze resources’ ability to ride through voltage and frequency disturbances on the grid. This is a critical reliability service, as the failure of conventional generators to ride through disturbances has been implicated in many recent grid reliability events. Had PJM examined this, it would have found that wind plants, again thanks to their power electronics, far exceed the capability of conventional power plants to remain online following a disturbance.

Availability of on-site fuel was the other category in which PJM projected a power system with large amounts of renewable and natural gas generation may differ from the current power system. However, it should be noted that again PJM assumed current operating practices, even though other grid operators have already required gas generators to have dual-fuel capability and store liquid fuel onsite. PJM’s report also does not account for the potential growth of innovative resources that can provide these services, like energy storage and demand response.

It should also be noted that, while PJM runs a sensitivity to examine resilience to a polar vortex event, for the reliability analysis that underlies the report’s main conclusions it does not quantify the risk that a common mode failure will take out a significant share of conventional generation. Rather, PJM uses the industry standard but invalid assumption that conventional power plant failures are random events, with no correlation between the failure of one conventional power plant and another. As real-world reliability events like the polar vortex have shown, that assumption overstates the reliability of conventional resources by ignoring the risk that many of them will be forced offline simultaneously by correlated, common mode failures. Wind and solar resources are held to a higher standard, as the impact of weather and other correlated events on their output profile is taken into account in this and other analysis.

Regardless, electricity markets will ensure that the power system continues to have enough capacity to operate reliably. The fact that prices in PJM’s capacity market are a fraction of the cost of building a new power plant indicates that there is no need for new capacity on its system. Existing power plants are almost always the cheapest form of capacity, and there is minimal impact on emissions from maintaining existing power plants that only operate during a small number of hours to maintain system reliability. If it becomes economic to replace those existing generators with new resources like demand response, energy storage, or gas generators, the market will provide the price signal to do so.

PJM’s study did examine the geographic diversity of wind and solar resources across PJM, which helps to increase the contribution of those resources to meeting capacity needs because if renewable energy is unavailable in one area it is typically available somewhere else on the power system. PJM’s study also captured the synergy between wind and solar output profiles, which makes their combined capacity contribution greater than the sum of its parts.

PJM’s report makes important contributions to understanding power system reliability and resilience, and confirms that very high levels of renewable energy can be reliably integrated. However, at times the report falls into the common misconception that conventional power plants provide essential reliability services while renewable resources do not. In reality, wind plants exceed the reliability contributions of conventional power plants in many cases.

http://www.aweablog.org/pjm-study-quantifies-winds-value-building-reliable-resilient-power-system/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 11, 2017, 05:21:23 pm
And for those who think that wind power requires high-tech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3qqifEdqf5g

 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F8.gif&hash=c1d98e606d7f558df4040f88e7997b3e11e9448c)

JD,
if you haven't read the true history of how the windmills all over the Midwest were deliberately NOT allowed to be used for generating electricity, I suggest you check it out. Farmers used them to mill grains, of course. They used them to pump water and to run lathes and other rotary tool devices to make furniture and wagon parts.

I refuse to believe these resourceful folks didn't try to run a generator from a windmill. The power people just didn't want distributed renewable energy out there competing with their centralized electrical juice business model, so they did what they could to prevent that. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183312.bmp&hash=02dafef2fe739676600fdc9bd56271f0f5ab3723)

Windmills never really went away in some places in the Midwest. They use them for pond aeration too!

3 Legged Underwater Aeration Windmill System

$2,999.99

$2,703.99 Starting price

Description

The Deluxe 20 ft. 3 Legged Underwater Aeration Windmill System is everything you need to aerate a pond using an innovative design and the power of the wind. This windmill offers an outstanding air output of 4.5 CFM rated at 30 psi. and includes extra supplies for two aeration systems. It features a new BalCam technology that minimizes bearing fatigue, 18-gauge galvanized steel construction, self governing head, and a large check valve to protect the unit in the wind. Available in Black, Blue, Bronze, Forest Green, Galvanized Steel, Green, Red, White, and Yellow color options. (OUS021-9)
•New BalCam technology minimizes bearing fatigue
•Patent pending new design
•Fast & easy assembly
•High quality 18 gauge galvanized steel
•Redesigned blades and front dome assembly for better air flow

Specifications

Assembly Assembly Required
Color Galvanized Steel
Fuel Type Wind
Hose Length 100 ft.
Material Metal


Deluxe 20 ft. 3 Legged Underwater Aeration Windmill System
 by Outdoor Water Solutions

https://jet.com/product/detail/c1d7eb1fdd6c4de2a2121e668493d620
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 18, 2017, 07:46:35 pm
An interesting idea.  8)

A DIY Wind Power Generator That You Can Build

https://youtu.be/8ydsU1CAsZg

Published on Sep 26, 2016

Crushing the air into a smaller channel will increase the speed.
With an increase in velocity, power increases as the cube of the difference; Double means 8 times as much energy!
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 19, 2017, 01:11:59 pm
A divide (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F3ztzsjm.gif&hash=8e015ba6a93bc1ec93ebde8fd6b2daa19e537306) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca) emerges among North Carolina Republicans on wind energy

Written By Elizabeth Ouzts
April 18, 2017


A small band of North Carolina GOP legislators has made its antipathy toward wind power clear in recent months – urging the Trump administration to shut down the state’s first major wind farm and introducing two different bills to severely restrict future projects.

But this week a set of state House Republicans will push legislation designed to help wind power rather than hurt it.

“The only thing my bill has in common with the other two, is that it does deal with wind energy,” said Rep. John Szoka (R-Cumberland), the lead sponsor of House Bill 574 along with Reps. Holly Grange (R-New Hanover) and Sam Watford (R-Davidson). “The similarities probably stop there.”

The legislation streamlines the state’s permitting process, but allows the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to reject any new wind farm proposal – a response to concerns that wind turbines could threaten eastern North Carolina’s military bases.

“I’m not trying to put more restrictions on wind developers,” said Szoka, a retired U.S. Army officer whose Fayetteville district includes Fort Bragg. “I’m trying to put to rest some of the fears.”

Cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 18 representatives, the proposal will get a hearing Wednesday in the House energy committee, which Szoka chairs.

Quote
Backers of the bill are optimistic it will carry more support than the anti-wind proposals, which they say come from a small but vocal minority.

“In our experience, most lawmakers are looking for ways to have the right balance,” said Greg Andeck of Audubon North Carolina. “They care deeply about the military, they care deeply about our wildlife and natural resources, and they’re looking for the right way to grow the [wind] industry.”

‘Muddying the waters for wind energy projects’

The zeal of some lawmakers  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-311013200859.png&hash=a7aaaa9f04c1e3e2c948723b5f8c13fe814dacd4) to ban wind power has distracted from what many say are burdens of the state’s existing rules, enacted in 2013 after Republicans swept the governor’s office and the legislature.

No wind farm has been authorized yet under the standards, which were adopted after Amazon Wind Farm U.S. East, the 104-turbine project near Elizabeth City, had already won key approvals.

Critics say the permitting criteria are redundant, and vague enough to allow any wind project to be rejected or delayed by the state’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

The new law “had the effect of muddying the water for wind energy projects,” said Craig Poff of Avangrid Renewables, the Amazon wind farm’s developer, at a recent Chapel Hill conference. Though several wind power companies were eyeing the state prior to 2013, he said, “many of those big developers soon took their business elsewhere.”  :P (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183312.bmp&hash=02dafef2fe739676600fdc9bd56271f0f5ab3723)

House Bill 574 is an attempt to woo that business back.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcliparts.co%2Fcliparts%2FBig%2FEgq%2FBigEgqBMT.png&hash=e7eec62f009cdd686ce795fad0a53c6befe748e9) It strikes several conditions already covered in typical county ordinances, including requirements about noise, light, and the notification of project neighbors.

The legislation removes seemingly subjective criteria, such as wind farms not creating a “significant adverse impact”  ;)  on views from public and some private lands, while retaining standards for the protection of ecologically sensitive areas and wildlife.

Though DEQ Secretary Michael Regan under Gov. Roy Cooper is more sympathetic to wind power than his predecessor, advocates remain concerned about a provision of the law that could allow regulators to stall a permit application indefinitely. House Bill 574 removes that loophole.

“It’s less risky than what we have now,” Katharine Kollins, president of the Southeastern Wind Coalition, said of the proposal. “Right now, it’s all in the hands of DEQ under very uncertain criteria. This firms up the criteria.”

“It keeps a lot of the same protections for natural resources and wildlife,” said Audubon’s Andeck, “and at the same time, provides [wind developers] with even greater clarity on the steps and the timetable they have to follow if they want to secure project approval.”

The ‘right way’ to transition to clean energy

Audubon’s support for the bill is not insignificant. While numerous studies show that buildings and house cats cause more bird deaths than wind power, “bird blenders”  ::) remains a common insult for wind turbines among skeptics (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-311013200859.png&hash=a7aaaa9f04c1e3e2c948723b5f8c13fe814dacd4) in the legislature.

But Audubon, which opened a North Carolina office in 1902, views advancing renewable energy to slow climate change as essential to its mission. Decades worth of data collected by his organization, Andeck says, shows North Carolina birds such as the brown pelican, wild turkey, and osprey already being impacted by a warming planet.

Quote
“A transition to clean energy is really critical to protect birds from the worst effects of climate pollution,” said Andeck. “That transition can be done in a right way.”
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.giphy.com%2Fmedia%2FHjPbLbmep2aJO%2Fgiphy.gif&hash=3c7f7703f00cb341d3e9bdba607208d4204a294c)

For Audubon, that means situating wind farms to avoid migratory pathways and other important bird areas rather than banning them altogether.

“Audubon has and will continue to oppose wind projects that we believe are poorly planned or sited in the state,” said Andeck. “It’s far more appropriate to look at projects on a case by case basis, rather than make broad claims about the impacts of a technology on wildlife.”

‘Trying to find a happy medium’

Much louder than their complaints about wildlife, however, are protests from some lawmakers about wind power’s impact on the military – a $66 billion economic engine concentrated in eastern North Carolina.

Critics claim the Amazon wind farm will interfere with a Navy radar in Virginia. They say base commanders and others have been bullied into agreeing to nearby wind farms. And they argue the U.S. Department of Defense could easily choose to relocate military bases to other states if wind farms became an imposition.

“If you want to decimate a state, you pull out the military,” said Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne), the House majority leader and cosponsor of a bill to place a moratorium on new wind farms until 2020.

Szoka doesn’t see wind farms and military as incompatible. He visited the Navy radar site said to be threatened by the Amazon wind farm. “I’m thoroughly convinced that it’s just fine,” he said.

But his bill tries to address his colleagues’ concerns by involving the state’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs from the beginning, and requiring any new wind farm to receive a letter of approval from the department’s secretary.

That additional power is no small concession for wind power developers, who have long maintained that the current system for military approval works well, and involves local base commanders up front.

“There have been precisely zero projects that were built over the objection of military personnel,” said Dave Belote, a former military official who now consults with wind developer Apex Energy.

Belote created the federal process by which the military approves wind power projects. “As a former base commander, I ensured that the base commander has the ultimate say,” he said.

Charlottesville, Virginia-based Apex has approval from Chowan County for its 105-turbine Timbermill Wind project, and is appealing a denial from Perquimans County. It will apply for state approval once the county process runs its course.

The company, whose project would be just eight miles from the Amazon Wind farm and could become the state’s largest, has so far remained mum on House Bill 574.

But backers of the bill, which must clear a second committee and the full House by April 27 to meet a key legislative deadline, say it should satisfy concerns from both wind proponents and critics.

“Politics are the art of compromise. We were trying to find a happy medium here,” said Szoka. “My job isn’t to protect any particular industry, it’s to look out for the betterment of the state overall. I think that this bill does that.”


Elizabeth Ouzts, a former director of communications for Environment America, is a freelance writer based in Raleigh, North Carolina.


http://southeastenergynews.com/2017/04/18/a-divide-emerges-among-north-carolina-republicans-on-wind-energy/
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Yeah, we hunt and eat birds. So what!? More birds are killed from hitting glass windows on BUILDINGS than from our natural predatory habits. And furthermore, gas and coal power plants kill a LOT MORE birds than wind turbines ever will. So there! PFFFFT!
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Just wait till that fossil fueler tries to pet me after blaming me, my pals and wind turbines for all those dead birds his polluting power plants, cars and stupid buildings kill.
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 19, 2017, 04:45:22 pm
Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands Want to Build an Island Hub to Support 100GW of Offshore Wind  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)
 

The island could also become a crucial provider of renewable-power-to-gas for Europe.


by Jason Deign 
 March 22, 2017

SNIPPET:

A group of European countries is looking to build a giant island in the North Sea in order to support up to 100 gigawatts of offshore wind projects.

If built, the island would be sited on the Dogger Bank, a large North Sea sandbank where the water depth ranges from 15 to 36 meters.

It is intended to act as a staging post for turbine operations and maintenance crews, as well as to provide a central connection for planned far-shore wind farms and host direct current lines acting as interconnectors between Denmark, Germany, Holland, Norway and the U.K.

“The cooperation will spend the coming years investigating feasibility and develop a model before deciding whether to go forward,” said Jesper Nørskov Rasmussen, press officer at Energinet.dk, the Danish transmission system operator (TSO).

The island might feature power-to-gas as a storage technique to utilize high volumes of wind generation, said Rasmussen. The North Sea is home to a sophisticated network of gas pipelines, which could help bring wind-generated gas to countries around Europe.

https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/This-island-hub-could-support-100-gigawatts-of-offshore-wind
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 27, 2017, 06:32:10 pm
Denmark to End All Renewable Energy Subsidies (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fza4.gif&hash=2db0a6001703f4089cb64dc38159bb3d467e1bff) 

April 27, 2017

By Peter Levring, Bloomberg    renewable energy

After more than four decades of relying on subsidies, Denmark’s renewable energy industry is ready to survive on its own much sooner than anyone expected. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)

The Danish energy minister, Lars Christian Lilleholt, says that “in just a few years,” renewable energy providers won’t need state support anymore. He says it’s a development he couldn’t have imagined as recently as last year.

“We’re now very close to arriving,” he said in an interview in Copenhagen on Monday, after receiving a set of recommendations from a government-appointed panel on Denmark’s energy future.

The development marks a milestone. But it also comes at a time when the direction of global energy policies is in doubt, with U.S. President Donald Trump questioning the science behind global warming. He’s promised to revive America’s coal industry, and made clear he’s an enemy of wind power.

Lilleholt says the experience in Denmark — home to Vestas Wind Systems A/S (the world’s biggest wind-turbine maker) and Dong Energy A/S (the world’s biggest offshore wind park operator) — demonstrates that coal is no longer cheaper to produce than renewable energy.

What’s more, the development is set to become more pronounced, Lilleholt says. “Everything suggests that technology will help make renewable energy more and more competitive,” he said. And as green energy becomes more efficient, the minister warns that “already today, it’s impossible to build a new coal power plant without support.”
 
Denmark is on target to have all its energy needs covered by renewables by 2050, with half that goal set to be achieved in 2030, the panel said. Much of the new capacity will be built without subsidies, according to the panel. It recommended all energy consumption, including heating and transportation, be shifted to electricity generated by renewable energy.

Industry members are also surprised at the pace of the shift. Niels B. Christiansen, the outgoing chief executive officer of Danfoss A/S (an engineering firm that provides heaters and coolers) says he expects the cost of producing renewable energy to drop below market electricity prices at some point between 2020 and 2030.

Quote
“A year ago, it was debatable whether renewable energy costs could drop so low,” he said in an interview. “But everyone’s now thinking that it will probably happen sooner.”

©2017 Bloomberg News

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2017/04/denmark-to-end-all-renewable-energy-subsidies.html

Agelbert NOTE: The Renewable Energy Tiger is UNSTOPPABLE! (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-301014181553.gif&hash=c09667beb656b25086c168adcdaddcba59abf858) 
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 03, 2017, 10:01:41 pm
Iowa's Largest Utility Eyes 100% Renewable Energy Goal

By Lorraine Chow

02 May
 
Iowa is already a wind energy superstar, and now, the state's largest utility is looking to completely transition to renewable energy sources. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.cdn2.123rf.com%2F168nwm%2Flenm%2Flenm1201%2Flenm120100200%2F12107060-illustration-of-a-smiley-giving-a-thumbs-up.jpg&hash=2046bc6d662e09d3014a2c404a2af6ba17f8217c)

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Des Moines-based MidAmerican Energy, owned by Berkshire Hathaway's Warren Buffett, recently invested $3.6 billion for its 2,000 megawatt Wind XI project, that's hailed as "the largest economic development project in Iowa's history" as well as the nation's largest wind energy project.

The Des Moines Register reports that MidAmerican will install 1,000 wind turbines over the next few years on top of the 2,020 turbines the company has already built around the state.

The feat would bring the utility's share of energy from renewable sources from 55 percent to 89 percent.

"We will be able to virtually serve 89 percent of our customers' needs with an energy resource that requires no fuel," MidAmerican CEO Bill Fehrman told the publication.

The initiative would involve no rate increases for customers—MidAmerican has agreed to freeze rates until at least 2029, and "a lot of that is because of the wind investment," Fehrman said.

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"The beauty of wind is there's no fuel costs,"(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fmaniac.gif&hash=9ecf389a7da25db958f3f63461cbb45a4b316c4e)  he said. 

MidAmerican's rates have increased only once since 1998 and are the ninth-lowest nationally, Fehrman said. "There's not another utility in the country—gas, water, cable, electric—that's held rates steady for 12, 13 years."

According to Fehrman, the company's goal is to eventually reach 100 percent renewables, which would require at least another $2 billion and 550 turbines.

"It would set a new precedent for the U.S.," Daniel Shurey, an analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance, told the Register. "It will require a company that really knows what it's doing."


"It will be challenging for them to provide security of supply, and that's not something MidAmerican will take lightly," Shurey said.

The Wind XI project, which the Iowa Utilities Board approved in August, is expected to power 800,000 homes once completed by the end of 2019.

Iowa, one of the top U.S. states in wind power generation, already runs on more than one-third wind energy.

http://www.ecowatch.com/iowa-midamerican-energy-wind-2387877147.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 05, 2017, 01:10:42 pm
A New York Times article dated Nov. 22, 1936, quotes from a lecture titled “Discoveries and Inventions” Lincoln gave in 1860, before he became president. Here’s the relevant part:

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.historyplace.com%2Flincoln%2Flincpix%2Ftadbook2.jpg&hash=666744d82bfc414cc6059454295c9cc5116ea65c)

“Of all the forces of nature, I should think the wind contains the largest amount of motive power … Take any given space of the earth’s surface, for instance, Illinois, and all the power exerted by all the men, beasts, running water and steam over and upon it shall not equal the 100th part of what is exerted by the blowing of the wind over and upon the same place.

And yet it has not, so far in the world’s history, become properly valued as motive power. It is applied extensively and advantageously to sail vessels in navigation. Add to this a few windmills and pumps and you have about all. As yet the wind is an untamed, unharnessed force, and quite possibly one of the greatest discoveries hereafter to be made will be the taming and harnessing of it.”
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 07, 2017, 01:35:44 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgeothermalexpo.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F06%2FREW-logo-new.jpg&hash=7d8fc0fe077063b22ad6ea5565b7366c128b757b)

Drone Service Provider Secures First License Agreement for Wind Turbine Blade Inspection in Brazil  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)
   
May 5, 2017

By Renewable Energy World Editors 

Portugal-based Pro-Drone, S.A., a provider of automated drones for wind turbine blade surveys, recently signed its first licensing agreement with Brazilian wind energy company Arth-Wind to provide inspections of wind blades to the Brazilian market.

“Seeing the Pro-Drone system working at location, blew away all our expectations on the search for a technology that would bring speed, safety and confidence on the information retrieved during a survey of a wind turbine’s blades,” Armando Costa Rego, founder of Arth-Wind, said in a statement.

Pro-Drone said it will provide the required payload and control systems, customized web platform, training and assistance, while Arth-Wind will address the customized reporting commercial development and field surveys to Brazilian customers.

André Moura, founder of Pro-Drone, said that “the Brazilian wind turbine market can now enjoy a fast, reliable and cost-effective process to survey the wind turbine’s blades  ;D, and with the expertise of the Arth-Wind team those surveys will result in better inspection reports, leading to increases in productivity and lower operating costs of wind turbines.”

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2017/05/drone-service-provider-secures-first-license-agreement-for-wind-turbine-blade-inspection-in-brazil.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 07, 2017, 06:44:57 pm
Wind Industry Just Chalked Up Strongest First Quarter in 8 Years (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fza4.gif&hash=2db0a6001703f4089cb64dc38159bb3d467e1bff) 

America's wind power workforce installed 908 utility-scale turbines in the first quarter of 2017, totaling 2,000 megawatts (MW) of capacity. This is the wind industry's strongest start in eight years, according to a new report released Tuesday by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

"We switched on more megawatts in the first quarter than in the first three quarters of last year combined," said Tom Kiernan, CEO of AWEA, in releasing the U.S. Wind Industry First Quarter 2017 Market Report. "Each new modern wind turbine supports 44 years of full-time employment over its lifespan, so the turbines we installed in just these three months represent nearly 40,000 job years for American workers."

The early burst of activity reflects how 500 factories in America's wind power supply chain and more than 100,000 wind workers are putting stable, multi-year federal policy to work. The industry is now in year three of a five-year phase-down of the Production Tax Credit, and Navigant Consulting recently forecast a strong 2017 for wind power, similar to 2015 and 2016.

New wind turbine installations in the first quarter spanned the U.S. from Rhode Island and North Carolina to Oregon and Hawaii. Great Plains states Texas (724 MW) and Kansas (481 MW) led the pack.

Texas continues as the overall national leader for wind power capacity, with 21,000 MW installed, enough to power more than five million average homes. North Carolina became the 41st state to harness wind power, bringing online the first wind farm to be built in the Southeast in 12 years.

Horace Pritchard, one of nearly 60 landowners associated with the North Carolina project, explained what it means to him and his neighbors: "Farms have been growing corn, soybeans and wheat for a long time here, and the wind farm revenue means a lot of families are protected from pricing swings, floods or droughts going forward. We're just adding another locally-grown crop to our fields, with very little ground taken out of production, and the improved roads really help with access. So it's a great fit here."

Expanding wind farms continue to benefit rural America, since more than 99 percent of wind farms are built in rural communities. According to AWEA's recently released 2016 Annual Market Report, wind now pays more than $245 million per year in land-lease payments to local landowners, many of them farmers and ranchers.

Along with rural benefits, American wind manufacturing facilities remain busy in the first quarter as projects continue to be built. With 4,466 MW in new construction and advanced development announcements recorded in the first quarter, the near-term pipeline has reached 20,977 MW of wind capacity. That's about as much as the entire Texas wind fleet's existing capacity.

Demand remained strong in the first quarter. There were 1,781 MW signed in long-term contracts for wind energy, the most in a first quarter since 2013. Utilities and Fortune 500 brands frequently use these long-term contracts, called Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), to purchase wind energy. Home Depot and Intuit, maker of TurboTax, both signed up for wind power this quarter, joining a host of Fortune 500 companies like GM, Walmart, and Microsoft that are buying wind energy for its low, stable cost.

In addition to leading brands, low-cost wind power reliably supplies a growing number of cities, universities, and other organizations—including the Department of Defense. This quarter, a Texas wind farm came online to supply a PPA with the U.S. Army. Powering a military facility demonstrates that wind power is ready to reliably serve our most vital electricity needs, boosting American energy security in more ways than one.

http://www.ecowatch.com/wind-installations-awea-2392335409.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 08, 2017, 05:36:07 pm
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REPORT: Part 1: Limits to Scale in Wind

May 8th, 2017 by John Farrell   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3)

Full report available at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance:  https://ilsr.org

SNIPPET 1:

For nearly a century, it’s been considered conventional wisdom that larger-scale power generation means lower-cost electricity. This wisdom is built on two basic theories of economies of scale.

Below is part one of our Is Bigger Best Report, a report released in September 2016. Conventional wisdom suggests the biggest wind and solar power plants will be cheapest, but where they deliver power, and who will own them, matters more. Be sure to read parts two and three in the next week.

First, there’s the simple fact that larger volume components of power plants provide more usable space than the related materials costs. This simple illustration explains. The box on the left has a volume of 1x1x1 = 1 cubic foot. To assemble the box, you need 6 square pieces of material, each with an area of 1, for a total of 6 square feet. The box on the right has a volume of 2x2x2 = 8 cubic feet. The larger box can be assembled of 6 square pieces, each with an area of 2×2 = 4 square feet, for a total of 24 square feet. We’ve increased the volume of our container 8-fold, with only a 4-fold increase in material costs.

As power plants became bigger in the first half of the 20th century, they captured this economy of scale in materials.

The second basic theory is that the average cost of a product decreases the more you make of it. This takes into account the scale economies in material costs (in building the factories), but also the notion that some overhead costs (such as annual registration fees, insurance, etc) are fixed or grow more slowly than the total output of a business.

Both of these theories were well supported by data in the early years of electricity generation in the 1900s, with coal, oil, and then nuclear power plants producing lower cost power from larger sized plants. The advantage to size also lent credence to the conventional wisdom of monopoly utilities. Big power plants required large amounts of capital, and capital markets offered lower interest rates to companies that did not have the risk of competition for their ever­-larger power plants.

But after decades of success, the “bigger-is­-better” mantra stopped generating returns on investment, nearly 50 years ago. In super­-large fossil fuel power plants, specialized equipment required excessively high temperatures and special materials that were more expensive than the marginal gains in efficiency. This graphic, from a book called Power Loss, illustrates the plateauing of power plant efficiency in the mid­-1960s, as challenges in operating giant power plants offset their economies of scale.

The plateau in plant efficiency from technical challenges was accompanied by a leveling off in the cost reductions of building bigger. Bigger power plants, evidence suggested, incurred higher indirect costs, such as much longer construction time. In the 1970s in particular, high inflation and other factors made up as much as 60% of a power plant’s cost, and made delay costly.

Despite the evidence about limits to scale economies, the conventional wisdom that bigger is better has persisted into the renewable energy power industry. It’s particularly ironic, since the costly ever­-bigger power plants of the 1970s led Congress to pass the 1978 Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA), the federal law that opened the door to renewable energy alternatives to conventional power plants. This lesson seems lost on many observers of the renewable energy industry.

Renewable Energy Economies of Scale

The economies of scale of renewable energy take three forms, slightly different than those for fossil fuels:

1.The first is similar, that larger solar or wind power plants will produce less costly power than smaller ones, given a similar level of sunshine or wind.

2.The second suggests that renewable electricity is best produced in areas of the highest resource quality, and then transmitted long-distance to users.

3.The third is an assertion that the road to the most renewable energy the most quickly is via the largest power plants.

Full article with several eye opening charts and explanatory graphics: (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Freading.gif&hash=63e3e644b39258d4c4eedbcdaf322315b1856723) 

https://cleantechnica.com/2017/05/08/bigger-best-report-part-1-limits-scale-wind/


John Farrell is the Director of Democratic Energy at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and widely known as the guru of distributed energy.

John is best known for his vivid illustrations of the economic and environmental benefits of local ownership of decentralized renewable energy.

He’s the author of Energy Self-Reliant States, a state-by-state atlas of renewable energy potential highlighted in the New York Times,  showing that most states don’t need to look outside their borders to meet their electricity needs.  He’s also written extensively on the economic advantages of Democratizing the Electricity System, published a rich interactive map on solar grid parity, and polished the policies (like Minnesota’s solar energy standard) necessary to support locally owned renewable energy development.


https://ilsr.org/about-the-institute-for-local-self-reliance/staff-and-board/john-farrell/

Agelbert NOTE: John makes a valid case for SMALL Renewable Energy projects by showing the increased transmission cost limitations of large Renewable Energy projects. That is, when you are harvesting a huge amount of energy, it has to be sent hither and yon to reach everybody that wants it. Yes, the transmission costs increase with distance. However, that is because the infrastructure for moving massive amounts of energy over high voltage transmission corridors specifically designed to do just that has not been built up yet. They haven't built that greased lightning grid simply because the fossil fuel industry did not need it with their polluting pigs scattered all over the country (the same with nuclear power pigs too!).

But really, even with the present increased costs of sending energy over wires at greater distances, there is NO WAY sending energy in liquid form on gasoline tankers or coal trains is anywhere near as efficient AND cheap as sending energy through wires.

Consequently, both small and large Renewable Energy projects will continue to outcompete polluting fossil fuels and nuclear power even before our advanced national high voltage transmission grid infrastructure is built.

The polluters no longer have absolutely any reason for claiming they have a "competitive" energy product. The only way polluters can "compete" now is by getting Trump to declare the Orwellian Mindfork that "Renewable Energy threatens National polluter profit Security" and making it "illegal" for the grid AND the transportation sector to have more than 50% (or whatever percentage the polluters need to limit clean energy growth) Renewable Energy Penetration. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-311013200859.png&hash=a7aaaa9f04c1e3e2c948723b5f8c13fe814dacd4)

We need polluters like a dog needs to be covered with ticks slowly killing it. Either we get rid of polluters or perish from pollution.
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Quote
Jens Stubbe  • 6 hours ago   

The graph over the catastrophic low efficiency in the thermal power plant is really scary. In Denmark the average external efficiency is 45% electric and nearly 40% thermal and the flue gases are cleansed and used or asphalt and cement and a good proportion of the CO2 is used for gypsum production. Even so we out phase coal and will be done by 2023.

As for the size limitations for wind power there is a square cube rule that defines that every time you double capacity you square cube the weight. So far clever engineering has defied this rule. A 9MW nacelle is very close in weight to a 2,3MW nacelle.

The roadmap for continued weight drop looks really good and we could potentially see several times bigger turbines that weigh less than several times smaller simply due to ingenuity.

Currently 17% of the global coal fiber production is consumed by the wind power industry but this is expected to increase to 65% by 2020.

Wind power is already the largest purchaser of several raw materials and is the driving force behind technology development that benefit aerospace, aviation, formula 1, automotive and so on. So apart from being an important contributor to a sustainable future wind power is also cross fertilizing advances in other fields of engineering.

The next big threshold for RE in general and wind power in particular is the P2G cost point. For solar the threshold will demand about 50% cost decrease and for offshore wind about 66%.

Once those thresholds have been met the size of wind power plants and solar power plants will suddenly go up to a level never seen before. Innogy sees Methanol as the energy carrier of the future whereas other sees a plethora of alternative synthetic carriers.

In the North Sea the offshore wind potential is sufficient to power the European continent including electrifying the entire transport sector.

Both MHI Vestas and Siemens Wind power are far advanced with the next generation larger turbines. Siemens Wind power have the capacity to build a 8MW turbine every day and MHI Vestas is catching up rapidly.

At sea the most important gains with scale is the reduced service and maintenance as well as lower cost of installation.

As for the ownership structure we are heading straight towards ever bigger project that leaves no room for smaller projects. Part of this trend is a deliberate strategy where subsidies was only available for large consortia. On the positive side Shell, Statoil and several large utilities are now active in the business.

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 17, 2017, 02:23:26 pm
Scottish Offshore Wind May Get $13BN Lift From Bird Ruling  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-040716230142.jpeg&hash=e3e3e3018263d5b26d55382ceaec3f28aac961b9)

May 17, 2017

By Jess Shankleman, Bloomberg 
 
Scottish judges paved the way for as much as 10 billion pounds (US$13 billion) to be invested in offshore wind power by overturning a ruling that said projects may kill too many birds.

Planning permission should move forward at four wind farms being developed by SSE Plc, Mainstream Renewable Power Ltd., Fluor Corp. and SDIC Power Holdings Co., according to the ruling by three judges at the Inner House at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Tuesday.

They said a judge in the Outer Court was wrong to revoke consent in July for the wind farms, that may create as much as 2.3 GW of new capacity off Scotland’s east coast. The earlier ruling asserted that Scottish ministers didn’t properly assess how the projects would threaten migratory seabirds, such as the puffin.

The earlier decision “strayed well beyond the limits of testing the legality of the process,” according to the ruling." (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_0293.gif&hash=b1af4868ed8f18c30e637f8cbcb79002f6f71039)“Matters of scientific fact and methodology which, whatever the judge’s own particular skills may be, are not within the proper province of a court of review.”

Scotland’s government welcomed the decision by saying it “remains strongly committed to the development of offshore wind energy,”  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3)  according to an email from Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy Paul Wheelhouse. Offshore wind “has a key role to play in our fight against the threat posed by climate change to both our society and our natural environment,” he said.

Mainstream said it would now seek to develop the 2 billion pound Neart Na Goithe offshore wind farm as quickly as possible, according to a separate statement. The project has a contract with the U.K. government for a subsidy of 114 pounds/MWh.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which brought the original case against the wind farms, said the projects could be among the deadliest wind farms for birds anywhere in the world.

“RSPB Scotland is, of course, hugely disappointed by today’s Inner House judgment,” said Stuart Housden, director RSPB Scotland, in an email. “Combined, these four huge projects threaten to kill thousands of Scotland’s internationally protected seabirds every year, including thousands of puffins, gannets and kittiwakes.”

The decision will boost investor confidence in the U.K.’s emerging offshore wind industry, as the country hosts its latest subsidy auction, said Tom Harries, Bloomberg New Energy Finance analyst. “Developing an offshore wind site in the U.K. is risky and costly enough already, without the added threat of retroactively losing an environmental permit.”

Edward Black, a spokesman for SSE, said the company was “delighted” with the outcome of the appeal and will now consider the best options for the two Seagreen wind farms affected. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)

©2017 Bloomber News

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2017/05/scottish-offshore-wind-may-get-13bn-lift-from-bird-ruling.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 24, 2017, 01:29:42 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgeothermalexpo.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F06%2FREW-logo-new.jpg&hash=7d8fc0fe077063b22ad6ea5565b7366c128b757b)
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-301014182234.gif&hash=bf6d91c9f6bd3e01a951d725e8b0b5c62c68c519)

First quarter highlights: We’re about to build a Texas-sized amount of wind power

Greg Alvarez 
May 23, 2017 This column originally appeared in the WINDPOWER show daily.


American wind power is in the midst of a Texas-sized boom to start 2017. The industry just posted its best first quarter in eight years, and put up a new turbine every two hours and 24 minutes over the year’s first three months.(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3)


So what top trends are emerging?


Strongest first quarter since 2009

During the year’s first three months, 2,000 megawatts (MW) of new capacity came online, more than the first three quarters of 2016 combined. The U.S. now has enough installed wind capacity to power 25 million American homes.

U.S. workers built 908 turbines during the first quarter, and that means a lot of business. Each turbine supports 44 years of full-time employment over its lifespan, so American wind power just supported nearly 40,000 years of full-time employment.

We’re about to build a Texas-sized amount of new wind power

Nearly 21,000 MW of new wind capacity is currently under construction or in advanced development, about the same amount online in Texas today.

As the country’s wind leader, Texas already has enough installed wind capacity to power over five million American homes, and wind jobs in the state top 22,000.

So the amount of new wind in the pipeline is a big deal.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_0293.gif&hash=b1af4868ed8f18c30e637f8cbcb79002f6f71039)


North Carolina joins the party

North Carolina became the 41st state with a utility-scale wind project when Avangrid Renewables’ Amazon Wind Farm US East started generating electricity earlier this year. The project was the first built in the Southeast in 12 years, and offers clear evidence that improved turbine technology can help bring low-cost wind energy to more parts of the U.S.

Texas stays at the head of the pack (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fcowboypistol.gif&hash=2dc97f743dffca22404e6e4e0822765e60b33f38)

Although wind power grew from coast-to-coast during the first quarter, Texas kept its tight grip on the leader spot with 724 MW coming online.

The corporate buyer trend continued facing front and center in the Lone Star State too, with Home Depot buying enough output from a Texas wind farm to power 100 stores. Other deals included names like 7/11, T-Mobile and Facebook.

Kansas finished behind only Texas in new wind installations during the quarter. Nearly 500 MW of new in-state capacity came online, and the state will soon top 5,000 MW.

Grid operators continue to reliably integrate more wind power

The Southwest Power Pool (SPP), grid operator for 14 states across the Midwest, set a new high water mark by surpassing 50 percent wind penetration.  :o (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)

SPP’s new record offers further proof that wind power helps keep the lights on for America’s families and businesses.

Growth is expected to remain strong in the months and years ahead— according to the U.S. Department of Energy 10 percent of U.S. electricity could come from wind by 2020.

http://www.aweablog.org/first-quarter-highlights-build-texas-sized-amount-wind-power/

Agelbert NOTE: More wind power means LESS USE of WATER! This means more resilience for communities when drought conditions are present. Water needs to be available for people, animals and plants instead of being squandered by thermal power plants.

This is just one more reason (among MANY reasons) why fossil fuel powered thermal power plants are TOO ENVIRONMENTALLY & MONETARILY COSTLY for ANY of the above mentioned states.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcleantechnica.com%2Ffiles%2F2011%2F09%2Fpower-plant-water-use.png&hash=46a445f4f9e4e1b23c3d57f815392b8647cb65da)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 26, 2017, 02:17:19 pm
Grid reliability, security and diversity: Another way wind works for America (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F47b20s0.gif&hash=cc48c9af9d29b8836023c7db21103e52d1ed439e)

GREG ALVAREZ MAY 25, 2017

“What happens when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine?”

That’s a common question from those wanting to understand how grid operators integrate renewable energy.

Fortunately, the experts who keep the lights on every day find they can reliably handle large amounts of wind and solar energy.

Grid operators have always balanced major shifts in supply and demand. Factories, air conditioners and appliances turn on and off in waves, varying by time of day and season. Major spikes occur from events as simple as halftime during a football game, when millions of refrigerator doors open.

Large coal, gas, and nuclear power plants can also break down unexpectedly, suddenly removing significant amounts of electricity from the system.

Meanwhile, spread across 41 states, the output of America’s 53,000 utility-scale wind turbines stays relatively constant. Changes are slow and predictable based on weather forecasting, and are mostly canceled out by far greater variations in demand and other supply.

It’s generally more expensive for grid operators to accommodate the abrupt loss of a large conventional generator, because that requires keeping fast-acting backup resources “spinning” 24/7.

A prime example occurred during 2014’s Polar Vortex weather event. The bitter cold and loss of gas supply forced many conventional power plants to shut down abruptly. At the same time, high demand for home heating sent natural gas prices and electricity prices skyrocketing. However, wind turbines kept reliably generating electricity, saving Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic consumers over $1 billion in two days.

The U.S. has enough installed wind power to supply the equivalent of 25 million homes. So utilities and grid operators have already had ample opportunity to figure out how to integrate wind energy.

Xcel Energy’s Colorado Balancing Authority already runs on 20 percent renewable energy. ERCOT in Texas got 15 percent of its electricity from wind in 2016. The Southwest Power Pool (SPP), grid manager across parts of 14 states, is nearing 20 percent wind year-round — and just peaked at 54 percent wind earlier this year. PJM, the country’s largest grid operator, recently found it could handle over 75 percent wind power reliably.

http://www.awea.org/1Q2017MarketReportRelease

“Ten years ago we thought hitting even a 25 percent wind-penetration level would be extremely challenging, and any more than that would pose serious threats to reliability,” said Bruce Rew, SPP’s vice president of operations. “Now we have the ability to reliably manage greater than 50 percent. It’s not even our ceiling.”

Wind power remains on track to supply 10 percent of U.S. electricity by 2020, adding diversity, security and reliability to our electric grid. The men and women keeping our lights on already know wind works, and by helping ensure the country’s grid stays secure, wind works for all Americans.

http://www.aweablog.org/grid-reliability-security-diversity-another-way-wind-works-america/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 02, 2017, 06:35:10 pm
Bringing the birthplace of wind power into the 21st century

JUNE 2, 2017

I remember when my dad got his first “car phone.” It was bulky, required an antenna on the window and only worked once in a while. The iPhones we carry in our pockets today, made with three decades of product development, seem otherworldly by comparison.

There’s a similar technology comparison playing out across California.

American wind power was born in the Golden State, where the first large-scale wind farms were built in the 1980’s. Many still generate electricity today, more than 30 years later. But through a process known as repowering, companies are starting to replace vintage turbines with modern equipment.

The transition is akin to moving from a “car phone” to an iPhone.

NextEra Energy and Sonoma Clean Power just broke ground on a full repowering at the Golden Hills North wind farm, replacing 283 turbines from the 80’s with just 20 modern ones capable of generating significantly more electricity.

“[This] allows us to breathe new life into an old project, reduce the impact on the environment, and provide good jobs and meaningful economic benefits for the local economy,” said Daryl Hart, director of development for NextEra Energy Resources.

https://youtu.be/3N_jJZCaBME

ther companies are repowering old California projects too. EDF Renewable Energy recently upgraded the Shiloh IV wind farm, originally built in 1989. Just 50 new turbines replaced 235 old machines while quadrupling the project’s capacity to generate electricity.

Elsewhere in California, 21 modern turbines replaced 145 vintage machines at the San Gorgonio project in Riverside County in 2015.

American innovation is on full display at these projects. Decades ago, wind power pioneers figured out a way to generate electricity out of thin air. Through research, entrepreneurship and hard work, today’s turbines are more cost-effective, more reliable, and generate vastly more electricity— 22 times more electricity than an average turbine installed in 1990.

Keep track of all of the latest repowering news in our Quarterly Market Reports.

http://www.aweablog.org/bringing-birthplace-wind-power-21st-century/

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 02, 2017, 07:27:07 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl7.glitter-graphics.net%2Fpub%2F2046%2F2046807qoer9uc27q.gif&hash=b4545bdf1fbc3161b81887e3f6eef473e6b4d549)


Reaching New Heights - Wind Power  :o (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-020617175335.png&hash=4a5c251d405bf9d4b949b9b72f14a0afffb47df7)

https://youtu.be/DNfadvU2Y8g

Published on May 23, 2016

Reaching new heights with the construction of the Siemens concrete wind turbine tower technology.

Agelbert NOTE: Please spare me any wailing and moaning about fossil fuels used to make concrete and trucks and cranes that run on fossil fuels. Those Washington Monument high towers will last AT LEAST as long as the Washington monument itself. It's a ONE SHOT deal and then the Renewable Energy harvest just goes on and on.(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bativert.ma%2Fimages%2Fimage3.jpg&hash=7c7c27d838504cb1d5c5a4c1efac44e790a39265)  The high towers are part of the TRANSITION to 100% Renewable Energy, whether you fossil fuelers like it or not! (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fswear1.gif&hash=87347674f9297191f3f8a447208170617da4caf6)  :D
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 03, 2017, 07:11:14 pm
GE Floating $1.7 Billion Platform in Germany Shows Power of Wind

June 2, 2017 by Bloomberg


The platform is a key part of the DolWin3 offshore project and will help transmit wind power generated in the North Sea. Photo: TenneT TSO (at article link)

By Brian Parkin (Bloomberg) — General Electric Co. said it’s ready to ship a 1.5 billion euro ($1.7 billion) offshore wind platform destined for the North Sea, underscoring the industrial giant’s commitment to clean power.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Faemstatic-ww2.azureedge.net%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2FPennenergy%2Fonline-articles%2F2013%2FFebruary%2Fdolwin3-pr-banner.jpg&hash=e8d79d134fc74a29e80debb8d960d1337de099af)
DolWin3 offshore project

The platform is a key part of the DolWin3 offshore project and will help transmit wind power generated in the North Sea, according to Alf Henryk Wulf, who heads GE’s power unit in Germany, which led construction of the unit. Wulf didn’t want to discuss U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fwww_MyEmoticons_com__burp.gif&hash=8ff3ef6c016d8baf5f61ed5e8db58f069b64da00)  to quit the Paris accord during an interview at a port in Rostock, Germany where the 900-megawatt high-voltage converter was built.


(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BuhJk8xIgAApvJQ.jpg)

Commissioned by grid builder Tennet Holding BV, Dolwin3 is undergoing final dry-dock tests before being floated around Denmark and into the North Sea.The platform will bundle power from three wind farms next year, transmitting high-voltage direct current onshore, where it can then be reconverted to alternating currents for use in homes.

“As offshore prices fall, the North Sea’s potential for offshore is shining even brighter (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-020617175335.png&hash=4a5c251d405bf9d4b949b9b72f14a0afffb47df7),” Wulf said. “We all owe it to consumers to engage that potential.”

GE is competing to design and construct another 900 megawatt connector for Tennet in the German North Sea called Dolwin6, Wulf said. That platform is due to go into operation in 2023. GE has built about 10 converter platforms in the North Sea and Baltic, competing with companies including Siemens AG.

Trump’s decision to pull the plug on the Paris treaty places GE at odds with his administration. Chief executives from some of the U.S.’ biggest companies implored the president not to remain in the Paris accord before Trump took his decision.

“Disappointed with today’s decision on the Paris Agreement,” GE Chief Executive Officer Jeff Immelt wrote via Twitter. “Climate change is real. Industry must now lead and not depend on government.”

Wulf stressed that GE and Siemens are well placed to harness the offshore boom (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca), where driving down costs are the key to profitability, because they are the only two companies that make converter platforms and turbines.

Germany, which holds the rotating presidency of the Group of Twenty nations, has sought to keep the U.S. on board the Paris treaty, wooing Trump with projections that a global shift from fossil fuel would create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

Just 1 percent of the North Sea’s offshore potential has been exploited, and billions of euros in future investment will be needed to tap the rest, Siemens said last month. Dong Energy SA and Energie Baden-Wuerrtemberg AG won Germany’s maiden auction of 1.49 gigawatts of offshore power in April offering to build parks free of subsidies.

Germany set a target of 6.5 gigawatts of offshore capacity by 2020 and 15 gigawatts by 2030, up from 4.1 gigawatts installed last year.

© 2017 Bloomberg L.P

http://gcaptain.com/ge-floating-1-7-billion-platform-germany-shows-power-wind/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 03, 2017, 08:14:41 pm
New York takes a big first step toward 50 percent renewable energy

NEWS JUNE 2, 2017

As one of the country’s largest economies and most populous states, it was a big deal when New York state passed a 50 percent by 2030 clean energy standard last year.

Today, the Empire State took the first meaningful steps toward meeting that goal: it announced a renewable energy solicitation aimed at making progress on the 50 percent target.

Under the solicitation, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the New York Power Authority will purchase enough renewable energy credits for 2.5 million megawatt hours of electricity—the state’s largest renewable solicitation to date and enough to power 230,000 homes a year.

“Clearly Governor Cuomo is serious about bringing investment in clean energy to New York State, and creating new jobs in wind and solar power,” said Anne Reynold, Executive Director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York. “This is the kind of action that will get new wind turbines spinning and new grid-scale solar projects generating clean power across the state in the coming years.”

And these new projects will create jobs and spur economic development in communities across the state. Here’s a look at the types of benefits wind has already brought to towns throughout New York:

https://youtu.be/cFxNocifHQU

http://www.aweablog.org/new-york-takes-big-first-step-toward-50-percent-renewable-energy/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 05, 2017, 04:32:52 pm
Energy Dept. Pulls The Rug Out From Under Its Own Coal-Friendly Grid Study With Pitch For Wind, Solar   :o ;D

June 5th, 2017 by Tina Casey

(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2017/06/energy-wind-solar-grid-study.png)

full article:

https://cleantechnica.com/2017/06/05/energy-dept-pulls-rug-coal-friendly-grid-study-pitch-wind-solar
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 06, 2017, 01:26:21 pm
Wind Power Evolution Dec. 2016
https://youtu.be/bx73_mPwn04
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 06, 2017, 09:23:40 pm
Will Maryland Pioneer Offshore Wind Farming in America?

Despite a climate-denying federal government, two new offshore wind farms could bring thousands of clean jobs to Maryland's Sparrow's Point.

https://youtu.be/EGKalna5Xe0
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 08, 2017, 02:40:03 pm
MHI Vestas Offshore Unveils 9.5 Megawatt  :o Wind Turbine (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)

June 8th, 2017 by Joshua S Hill

https://cleantechnica.com/2017/06/08/mhi-vestas-offshore-unveils-9-5-mw-wind-turbine/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 13, 2017, 08:23:58 pm
Typhoon turbine: Japanese engineer develops wind turbine to harness power from typhoon (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs15.rimg.info%2Fdcda0e08e538cb37431314e6bd49279b.gif&hash=4e8b4ba5ce94991ab2f42c4c663e9f6991bbf4f4)
 

https://youtu.be/fmC_jRqPFlE

TomoNews

Published on Nov 14, 2016
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 16, 2017, 05:08:37 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-301014182234.gif&hash=bf6d91c9f6bd3e01a951d725e8b0b5c62c68c519)

Global Wind Day 2017: Photo contest winners       (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fballoons.gif&hash=a64bb5ff3e76c3e11999996c460fa02de1ee10f7)

In celebration of Global Wind Day, the Global Wind Energy Council announced the winners of its photo contest earlier today. The winners took some seriously impressive shots.

Here are the photos that came out on top, along with a description of their subjects: (at article link)
Quote

“A unique, first of its kind 73.2 MW wind farm on a small and uninhabited Greek island called Agios Georgios. Agios Georgios is the only onshore wind farm with offshore characteristics to be ever built across the globe. 25 nautical miles of submarine cables were needed in order to connect the wind park to Athens’ electrical grid. In the middle of the vast Aegean Sea, Agios Georgios wind farm produces clean energy for the increasingly demanding Attica region.”

Quote
“October 1, 2016- 15 foot waves, during a squall, are dwarfed by 600 ft. (180m) turbines at the first commercial offshore wind farm in the United States, located 3.8 miles from Block Island, Rhode Island in the Atlantic Ocean. Five Halide 6MW turbines, installed by Deepwater Wind (were currently under commissioning) are now producing 30 MWs of power and is the pilot project for the development of an offshore wind potential of 10,800 gigawatts (GW) in the United States.”

Quote
“Mechanic inspecting the blades of the windmill before fitting on the rotor to ensure perfect working of the windmill.”

Congratulations to the winners!  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154)

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EVENTJUNE 15, 2017

http://www.aweablog.org/global-wind-day-2017-photo-contest-winners/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 21, 2017, 07:21:27 pm
New report: Adding renewables keeps the lights on and money in America’s pockets  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desismileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fdesismileys_0293.gif&hash=b1af4868ed8f18c30e637f8cbcb79002f6f71039)

Yesterday, a new report from Analysis Group reconfirmed an important point: adding renewable energy to America’s electricity grid strengthens reliability and saves consumers money.

AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan penned a column in the Huffington Post explaining some of Analysis Group’s findings. Here are a few highlights:

Although some commentators have raised concerns that the declining financial viability of certain conventional power plant technologies…may be jeopardizing electric system reliability, there is no evidence supporting that conclusion.

Many advanced energy technologies can and do provide reliability benefits by increasing the diversity of the system. The addition of newer, more technologically advanced and more efficient natural gas and renewable technologies is rendering the power systems in this country more, rather than less, diverse.

“By replacing a portion of the higher-cost fuel we used to burn in our plants, we have been able to add renewables and invest in making the power grid even more reliable, all while keeping electricity affordable,” said Ben Fowke, CEO of Xcel Energy, in the past week.

Why does adding wind and solar make the system more reliable? They’re now widespread, they change slowly and predictably, they can be flexibly managed, and a diverse system is the most reliable system. That way, if one generation source fails, others can pick up the slack.

In February 2011, when many coal plants broke down due to extreme cold, wind output remained high throughout that event, earning accolades from the grid operator for helping to keep the lights on. Because all energy sources, whether coal, natural gas, wind, or nuclear, are subject to interruptions, diversity makes the power system reliable.

Fundamental market forces – the addition of highly efficient new gas-fired resources, low natural gas prices, and flat demand for electricity – are primarily responsible for altering the profitability of many older merchant generating assets in the parts of the country.

A simple glance at where coal and nuclear plants are being retired offers evidence: It’s mostly in the Northeast and Southeast, areas with comparatively few wind turbines. Meanwhile, there have been few coal and nuclear retirements across the Wind Belt, where states like Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas and the Dakotas are all now generating more than 20 percent of their electricity using wind.

Analysis Group researchers find “the ongoing diversification of generation supply has lowered wholesale electricity costs in most parts of the U.S. and has contributed to recent declines in consumers’ overall cost of living.”

Check out this video for more information about how wind keeps the lights on for American families and businesses: (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-020617175335.png&hash=4a5c251d405bf9d4b949b9b72f14a0afffb47df7)

https://youtu.be/W-bnoEJZGmk

http://www.aweablog.org/new-report-adding-renewables-keeps-lights-money-americas-pockets/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 21, 2017, 10:01:29 pm
Record one-year capacity increase in India

7 April 2017 by Suuhas Tenddulkar,
 financial year, finishing on 31 March 2017, according to the ministry of renewable energy.

INDIA: A total of 5,400MW of new wind capacity was installed in India over the last financial year, finishing on 31 March 2017, according to the ministry of renewable energy.

It beat the country’s previous one-year record of 3,423MW, set in 2015-16, by over 57%. Cumulative capacity across India now stands at 31,117MW.

Nearly two-fifths of the year’s new capacity was added in March alone as developers rushed to avail themselves of the generation-based incentive (GBI) benefits, which were in force until the end of the month.

Andhra Pradesh, a relatively late entrant to wind power, installed 2,190MW, followed by Gujurat with 1,275MW, and Karnataka with 882MW.

Other states adding wind power were: Madhya Pradesh (357MW), Rajasthan (288MW), Tamil Nadu (262MW), Maharashtra (118MW), Telangana (23MW), and Kerala (8MW).

Despite the expiry of the GBI scheme, installations for the current financial year are expected to exceed 5GW, considering the size of the pipeline and the additional 1GW of capacity that was awarded through auctions in March.

Another encouraging sign for wind development in India is that states such as Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh have taken concrete steps to set-up their first projects.

http://www.windpowermonthly.com/article/1429951/record-one-year-capacity-increase-india
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 27, 2017, 01:11:30 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcleantechnica.com%2Ffiles%2F2012%2F08%2Firelandwindfarm-e1344897832758-270x202.png&hash=b9491dda21f46981b7f8e63b953548a0136fa5eb)
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.4smileys.com%2Fsmileys%2Fseasons-smileys%2Fstorm.gif&hash=50a9d315d4303958228c6e6a3dad1a23e1f87c78)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)

Onshore Wind Generates Nearly A Quarter Of Northern Ireland’s Electricity

June 27th, 2017 by Joshua S Hill

SNIPPET:

While obviously, Northern Ireland is a smaller country — it is only 17% the size of Scotland, for example — the UK as a whole only sources 6% of its electricity from onshore wind, so Northern Ireland is definitely doing well.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F128fs318181.gif&hash=eff6d5f3831782966c2ff2081f07bf7fc5b22a6b)

(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2017/06/NIRIG-1.jpg)

“Crossing this 1 GW threshold shows just how much of a success story onshore wind is in Northern Ireland,” explained Rachel Anderson, Chair of NIRIG. “Onshore wind remains one of the vital growth areas to our modern low-carbon economy, so we need to ensure that politicians here join us in securing a bright future for this technology.”  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcliparts.co%2Fcliparts%2FBig%2FEgq%2FBigEgqBMT.png&hash=e7eec62f009cdd686ce795fad0a53c6befe748e9)


Renewable electricity is making a massive contribution to Northern Ireland, creating jobs, bringing inward investment and enabling local regeneration,” added RenewableUK’s Executive Director, Emma Pinchbeck. “Northern Ireland is making the most of its great onshore wind resources, embracing a mature technology which is now the cheapest way to generate electricity bar none, helping to keep consumers’ bills down.”

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Freading.gif&hash=63e3e644b39258d4c4eedbcdaf322315b1856723)

https://cleantechnica.com/2017/06/27/onshore-wind-generates-nearly-a-quarter-of-northern-irelands-electricity/


Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 29, 2017, 02:42:15 pm
World's Largest Wind Turbine Will Be Taller Than Empire State Building  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)

https://www.ecowatch.com/worlds-largest-wind-turbine-2449212399.html (https://www.ecowatch.com/worlds-largest-wind-turbine-2449212399.html)

Agelbert NOTE: Unlike onshore wind turbines, Offshore wind turbines are not limited in size and diameter by highway overpass heights and highway widths. So, these new giants will be far more efficient, AND RELIABLE, than any fossil fuel or nuclear power plant that has EVER been built. Therefore, expect Trump and friends to go to great lengths to keep these Renewable Energy Marvels from going up in our oceans and the great lakes. The Fossil Fuelers have NEVER been about a level ERoEI (energy return on energy invested) playing field. And as to the claim of these crooks and liars that they provided, and still provide, a polluting product because we-the-people "wanted" them to, as government subisies of polluting fuels for a century attest, just throw the following quote at them: ;D
Quote
"There is a nice legal concept called estoppel. If you argue that you didn't kill the Major in the library with the Ming vase because you were in bed with his wife, you are estopped from pleading self-defence. In the same way, polluters are estopped from arguing that they were only complying with public policy as laid down in the law, because they spent tens of millions shaping those policies and laws to their advantage." James Wimberley

The fossil fuel industry is hell bent to trash the beauty and life that is left on our biosphere. Don't let them get away with it! (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F301.gif&hash=0291ed4abf2d80e420d1aa00d4eb3c5dd6bbfb53)



(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unesco.org%2Fnew%2Ffileadmin%2FMULTIMEDIA%2FHQ%2FERI%2Fimages%2F630x300%2Fmab2012_russia_infocus.jpg&hash=a0fd9b4d581e7f64870a4669000090fc2b6a8ba1)
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/multimedia/photos/mab-2012/


11 Stunning Photos of the World's Newest Biosphere Reserves  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fearthhug.gif&hash=3abcf70466f34337f2d702ebd9e02c650d5c4c20)

https://www.ecowatch.com/un-biosphere-reserves-2449056861.html (https://www.ecowatch.com/un-biosphere-reserves-2449056861.html)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 30, 2017, 07:03:36 pm
Agelbert NOTE: Oh the irony!    (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F4fvfcja.gif&hash=34a9a570347d39a0a892bc1f376c5e8b88add6b5)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgeothermalexpo.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F06%2FREW-logo-new.jpg&hash=7d8fc0fe077063b22ad6ea5565b7366c128b757b)

First US Offshore Wind Installation Vessel to be Built with Oil and Gas Expertise  :o  ;D

Expected delivery of the Jone-Act-compliant vessel is late 2018.

June 30, 2017

By Jennifer Runyon Chief Editor

SNIPPET:

The vessel will be based on a US-built barge. Zentech plans to install four truss legs with spud cans, a proven oil and gas design, and integrate them into a newly built hull.

In late 2016, the first U.S. offshore wind farm was commissioned off the coast of Rhode Island. In constructing the Block Island Wind Farm, developer Deepwater Wind had to use a wind turbine installation vessel —Fred Olsen Windcarrier’s Brave Tern — from Europe because no boat big enough to install the vessels existed yet in the United States. Because of U.S. regulations in the Jones Act, Brave Tern was not permitted to touch the shore (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183312.bmp&hash=02dafef2fe739676600fdc9bd56271f0f5ab3723) , meaning that other U.S.-flagged vessels had to transport equipment from the U.S. coast to the installation site, adding additional cost to the installation of the project.  >:(

The Zentech and RRI vessel will solve that logistical headache. The company said that the vessel will also act as an oil and gas crane jack-up for decommissioning (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf) in 300-ft water depths when not in service for installing and/or maintaining wind turbines.

Design of the Jones Act vessel should allow it to navigate the New Bedford Hurricane Barrier, the company said. It will be able to carry and install components for at least three complete turbines, up to 9-MW capacity  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3), according to the company. The vessel’s jacking system will be rated at a capacity of 16,000 tons, extending the unit’s service life.

The company said that the vessel may one day be able to install four 8-MW fully assembled wind turbines and will be ready for anticipated 10-MW capacity machines in the future.

“With larger scale offshore wind projects following Block Island, the U.S. market requires forward-looking marine logistics,” said Andy Geissbuehler, Managing Partner of Renewable Resource International.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2017/06/first-jones-act-compliant-us-offshore-wind-jack-up-installation-vessel-to-be-built-with-oil-and-gas-expertise.html
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Flooksmiley.gif&hash=2fa679c2bf50092b12a1301928cb338275c3ba54)

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 21, 2017, 12:09:18 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aweablog.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F11%2FStoney-Creek-Ashley-21-min-1000x600.jpg&hash=4d47e5720ff5781f28d68bdabbe27b99a3d8eefd)

Video spotlight: How to build and maintain wind farms  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fcomputer3.gif&hash=cd6007945e9cbaabf029ebaef6ad36b8505bc341)

We’re right at summer’s midpoint, and news this time of year can be a little slow. But these warm weather months don’t mean a slow down for the men and women building and maintaining wind farms.

The long days and clear skies have them forging ahead with new construction and routine upkeep. Here’s a trio of videos providing some insight into what they’re up to:

Xcel Energy shows us the steps that go into building a wind farm:


https://youtu.be/Bnc4M6vZTFY

E.ON takes a look at how you keep wind turbine blades in tip top shape once a project is up and running:

https://youtu.be/SrYeOPvIUak

Finally, Acciona explains how these construction and maintenance procedures let us generate electricity out of thin air:  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)

https://youtu.be/DILJJwsFl3w




Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 23, 2017, 11:07:05 pm
Why do wind turbines have 3 blades? ???

Hint: Cost of blades and centrifugal force considerations.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F34y5mvr.gif&hash=835b3a3f26d5d1b7f0acc379ad8ebd3fe9eea488)   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coh2.org%2Fimages%2FSmileys%2Fhuhsign.gif&hash=3732d0427be65896527fc3805c5be54a33cffd3b)

https://youtu.be/RNPIRfxUTQ4
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 25, 2017, 12:12:01 pm
Vattenfall & Stadtwerke München Inaugurate 288 MW Sandbank Offshore Wind Farm (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fza4.gif&hash=2db0a6001703f4089cb64dc38159bb3d467e1bff)

July 25th, 2017 by Joshua S Hill

SNIPPET:

(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2017/07/Sandbank-2.jpg)

The Sandbank project is made up of 72 wind turbines, and is expected to provide renewable electricity equivalent to what is used by 400,000 German households, avoiding 700,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

“It is our ambition to power climate smarter living and to become CO2 free in one generation,”   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcliparts.co%2Fcliparts%2FBig%2FEgq%2FBigEgqBMT.png&hash=e7eec62f009cdd686ce795fad0a53c6befe748e9) said Gunnar Groebler, Senior Vice President of Vattenfall and Head of Business Area Wind. “I think the start of Sandbank is a further proof to Vattenfall’s strategy of continuing to push the transformation of our production portfolio towards renewable energies.”

Full article with great pictures: (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)

https://cleantechnica.com/2017/07/25/vattenfall-stadtwerke-munchen-inaugurate-288-mw-sandbank-offshore-wind-farm/

Agelbert NOTE: It is a joy to know that the Fossil fuel Fascist Industry gets major heartburn from this massive progress towards a viable biosphere free from dirty energy:  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fwww_MyEmoticons_com__smokelots.gif&hash=094f88de6782c1cd03ed5321b387792046eb3cdd)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F245.gif&hash=67462ab647fbd65cb336e77c93c2601e477da0a9)

The main reason the fossil fuelers get so upset about this type of news is that every single ton of CO2 emissions that is avoided is a LOSS of Profit over people and planet for the Fossil Fuel Fascsists. You see, those dirty energy crooks and liars can't buy our politicians without those ill gotten profits.

GOOD!

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpm1.narvii.com%2F5869%2F6a64193d6770c3afd17406c78686c0eda32ded1c_hq.jpg&hash=fedf26e48d67cdd1e932380c7336ac18486d3fee)

 



Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 27, 2017, 02:45:23 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgeothermalexpo.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F06%2FREW-logo-new.jpg&hash=7d8fc0fe077063b22ad6ea5565b7366c128b757b)


Floating (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3) Turbines  for Hywind Scotland Offshore Wind Farm in Transit

July 20, 2017

By Renewable Energy World Editors
 offshore wind


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-270717143350.png&hash=59e87cb841442fdce0d5eaf84c30c3dde3d98429)
         
Five floating turbines for the Hywind offshore wind farm this week began their journey from Stord, Norway, to Buchan Deep, 25 km east of Peterhead in Scotland, according to Abu Dhabi-based Masdar, a co-owner of the project.

The 6-MW turbines, which are placed on top of ballasted steel cylinders, were assembled outside Stord this summer and now are being individually towed to Scottish waters, the company said. Each turbine’s journey takes four days of sailing across the North Sea. Final installation procedures will take two to three days per turbine, with installation scheduled to be finished by the end of August.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)

In addition, the loadout of the cables for the project will begin in Halden, Norway, the company said. An installation vessel will go to Kristiansand, Norway, to pick up vertical anchors and buoyancy modules before heading to Peterhead for pull-in of the export cable. The cable will then be laid out in Buchan Deep with the second end connected to one of the floating wind turbines. After installing the export cable, the remaining four infield cables will be installed by the end of September.

Earlier this year, Masdar acquired a stake in the Hywind project, which is majority owned by Statoil :o  ;D.

Lead image credit: Masdar

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2017/07/floating-turbines-for-hywind-scotland-offshore-wind-farm-in-transit.html

Agelbert NOTE: It's nice to see that a Fossil Fuel Corporation (i.e. Statoil, NOT the U.S. Big Oil IDIOTS) can see the Renewable Energy writing on the wall and has begun the transition.  ;D May any Fossil Fuel Corporation that doesn't transition away from fossil fuels to Clean Energy GO BANKRUPT SOON!   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcliparts.co%2Fcliparts%2FBig%2FEgq%2FBigEgqBMT.png&hash=e7eec62f009cdd686ce795fad0a53c6befe748e9)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 28, 2017, 06:47:53 pm
USA’s Largest & World’s Second-Largest Onshore Wind Farm (2 Gigawatt Farm) To Be Built In Oklahoma

July 27th, 2017 by Joshua S Hill

SNIPPET:

North America’s largest independent renewable energy company, Invenergy, has announced that it is partnering with GE Renewable Energy to build the 2 GW Wind Catcher onshore wind farm, which will be the world’s second largest and the United States’ largest wind farm once completed.

Announced on Wednesday, Invenergy and GE Renewable Energy revealed that they would be teaming up to build the 2 gigawatt (GW) Wind Catcher onshore wind farm, currently under construction in the Oklahoma panhandle. The 2,000 megawatt (MW) wind farm will consist of 800 GE 2.5 MW wind turbines — GE’s latest wind turbine model, which is specifically designed for siting efficiency, allowing for higher energy production.
Quote

“GE is delighted to be a part of the groundbreaking Wind Catcher project with Invenergy and American Electric Power,” said Pete McCabe, President and CEO of GE’s Onshore Wind business. “We look forward to putting our teams to work in these communities as we continue to move toward our goal of ensuring that no one has to choose between sustainable, reliable and affordable energy.”

The Wind Catcher onshore wind is part of the larger, $4.5 billion Wind Catcher Energy Connection that will also see the construction of approximately 350 miles of dedicated, extra-high-voltage power lines. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clipartbest.com%2Fcliparts%2Fxig%2Fojx%2Fxigojx6KT.png&hash=6706182c9f1427099a77e10d1758e61d9cadb701)

Full article:

https://cleantechnica.com/2017/07/27/invenergy-ge-team-2-gw-worlds-second-largest-us-largest-onshore-wind-farm/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on August 08, 2017, 07:38:59 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgeothermalexpo.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F06%2FREW-logo-new.jpg&hash=7d8fc0fe077063b22ad6ea5565b7366c128b757b)

Utilities Shifting Away from Wind, Solar PPAs

August 8, 2017

By Chris Martin, Jim Polson and Mark Chediak, Bloomberg

utilities
         
There’s a new model emerging for growth-starved utilities looking to profit from America’s solar and wind power boom.

American Electric Power Co. is using it for a $4.5 billion deal that’ll land the U.S. utility owner a massive wind farm in Oklahoma and a high-voltage transmission line to deliver the power. NextEra Energy Inc.’s Florida unit is using it to build solar farms. And in April, the chief executive officer of Xcel Energy Inc. said he’d use it to help add 3.4 GW of new wind energy over the next five years.

Here’s how it works: Some utilities that for years contracted to buy electricity from wind and solar farm owners are now shifting away from these so-called power purchase agreements, or PPAs. They’re instead seeking approval from state regulators to buy the assets outright and recover the costs from customers through rates. While the takeovers are being branded as a cheaper way of securing power, saving ratepayers millions in the end, they also guarantee profits for utilities.

“We keep wondering why utilities are always signing PPAs that pass the cost through to customers,” said Amy Grace, an analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance. “If you put it in your rate base, you can get a guaranteed return on it. There’s a big upside to ownership.”
With the cost of building solar and wind farms sliding and electricity demand weakening, owning renewables is a more attractive proposition than ever for utilities.

“The price of wind has come down enough that it’s going to be competitive with anything else  ;D you’re probably going to propose to build out there,”
Kit Konolige, a New York-based utility analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence, said by phone Wednesday.


Biggest Hurdle

The catch, of course, is regulatory buy-in. AEP will need approval from Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and federal regulators to purchase the 2,000-MW Wind Catcher farm from developer Invenergy LLC, build a 350-mile (563-kilometer) transmission line and bake the costs into customer rates. The planned to file these plans with regulators on July 31.

American Electric wants regulatory approvals by April, Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Akins said on the company’s second-quarter earnings call Thursday. Central to the project are $2.7 billion of U.S. tax credits for wind production. No rate increase will be needed, he said.

Full article:


http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2017/08/utilities-shifting-away-from-wind-solar-ppas.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on August 10, 2017, 07:22:04 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aweablog.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F12%2FMilford-Ashley-29-min.jpg-cropped-1000x600.jpg&hash=5fa83d1eb0ae852148eb5610793056aa03524c23)


National lab: Wind power has become historically low-cost (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bativert.ma%2Fimages%2Fimage3.jpg&hash=7c7c27d838504cb1d5c5a4c1efac44e790a39265)

August 8, 2017

by Hannah Hunt: Senior Research Analyst with AWEA focused on wind industry data and analysis, with applied GIS experience.

Talk about good timing: Building on our first-ever American Wind Week, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) released its annual Wind Technologies Market Report today.

LBNL’s findings confirm that U.S. wind energy costs continue to fall, technology continues to advance and performance continues to improve. This has helped the wind industry sell energy at historically low prices to electricity customers, increasing demand from utilities and corporate purchasers alike. As a result, the outlook for the industry is strong.

All of this activity drives job creation– new wind jobs are up 32 percent since 2015 and now top 100,000.

Let’s look at the report’s highlights:

Wind energy has become historically cheap

LBNL examined wind power purchase agreement (PPA) prices across the country, finding that the average levelized PPA price fell to about $20/megawatt hour (MWh) last year. That is a 66 percent price reduction since 2009. PPA prices have fallen across the country, varying by region, with the lowest prices found in the interior.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aweablog.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F08%2Flbnl-1.png&hash=59621e2f8e3c0759a76f3edaf5568a736f084429)

The low prices reported by LBNL confirm similar recent reports. For example, late last year Wall Street management firm Lazard reported a two-thirds reduction in the unsubsidized levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for wind since 2009.

As those other analysts have noted, wind energy is now the lowest-cost option among all energy sources. PPAs not only provide cost-competitive pricing today, they also allow utilities and corporate purchasers to secure price stability over periods of 10, 20, or even 30 years, providing a hedge against future fuel price increases.

It has gotten much cheaper to build new wind turbines

LBNL reported that it now costs 33 percent less, on average, to install a new wind turbine than the peak reported in 2009 and 2010. Similar to PPA price data, installed costs were lowest in the interior states. Installed costs include all expenses before a wind project comes online, including turbine purchases, balance of plant, and interconnection costs. As turbine purchases are considered the most expensive component of a wind project’s installed costs, decreases in turbine prices were cited by LBNL as the primary factor in cost decreases.


Technology advancements increased wind project performance


Cost reductions continued in 2016 even as wind turbines grew larger, which is a remarkable accomplishment. For turbines installed in 2016, LBNL reported a 13 percent increase in average rotor diameter length over the previous 5-year average, as well as an 11 percent increase in average rated turbine capacity. These technology improvements enable wind turbines to optimize their performance and produce more electricity by reaching stronger, steadier winds. Increased rotor diameters in particular helped to boost new wind turbine performance, with wind projects built in 2014 and 2015 reporting a 42.5 percent average capacity factor in 2016, compared to a 32.1 percent capacity factor for projects built between 2004-2011.

A new finding from the report also reveals how increased performance is being pursued through site customization. That means different turbine models throughout the same wind farm are used to ensure projects reach peak performance. Nearly 25 percent of all wind projects installed in 2016 used multiple turbine configurations from the same turbine manufacturer.

The report supports AWEA data that wind power is now the leading source of renewable energy capacity in the country

The wind industry deployed 8,203 megawatts (MW) in 2016, for a total of 82,143 MW of installed capacity at the end of the year—enough to power 25 million average American homes. That strong installation activity pushed wind power past conventional hydropower to become the largest renewable energy capacity source in America. AWEA’s 2017 second quarter market report confirms strong continued activity, with new wind farm development up 40 percent over this time last year.

The outlook for the wind industry is strong

While the LBNL report notes strong growth is expected to continue through 2020, the report does conclude with a balanced discussion of factors affecting the outlook for the U.S. wind industry in the 2020s.

It lists many positive factors, including “the potential for continued technological advancements and cost reductions enhance the prospects for longer-term growth, as does burgeoning corporate demand for wind energy and continued state (renewable portfolio standard) requirements. Moreover, new transmission in some regions is expected to open up high-quality wind resources to development.”

Some have focused on the report’s discussion of potential economic challenges for the industry, including competition from natural gas and solar. However, it should be noted that those challenges are nothing new and have in fact been listed in every version of the report this decade. Thanks to the innovation and productivity of American workers, the wind industry has been able overcome those challenges by greatly exceeding cost reduction expectations, and we expect that successful track record to continue. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F47b20s0.gif&hash=cc48c9af9d29b8836023c7db21103e52d1ed439e)

LBNL’s full report provides valuable insights on wind industry market and technology trends. We’re excited to see that wind energy is more cost-competitive than ever, with momentum in place to supply 10 percent of the country’s electricity by 2020, while adding another 50,000 jobs to our 100,000-strong wind energy workforce over the same time frame.

http://www.aweablog.org/national-lab-wind-power-become-historically-low-cost/


Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on August 11, 2017, 01:08:26 pm
Explore every American wind farm and wind factory on our new interactive map
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-100717174505.gif&hash=1f615551589f3486485241107776ae5ae719fbab)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)

MANUFACTURING AUGUST 10, 2017

by Hannah Hunt

Our first-ever American Wind Week is in full swing, delivering exciting updates on the falling costs of wind, progress in the offshore wind market, and overwhelming public support for wind across the country.

But we’re not stopping there.

Today we’ve released a new interactive map that allows anyone to easily view the location of every utility-scale wind project and wind-related manufacturing facility in the United States, visualizing the growth of America’s largest source of renewable energy capacity over time.

Why did we build this map? We know that wind power is providing economic benefits to all 50 states, creating jobs and deploying wind projects in rural communities each year. This map helps to visualize, for the first time, the footprint of the U.S. wind industry, and in more detail than ever before.

The default map view shows all online utility-scale wind projects. However, there’s also a time-lapse feature built in to show the progress of wind power capacity built over time. The time-lapse feature begins in 1981, when the first modern projects were built in California. It then continues through 2017, where wind project development is now strongest in heartland states like Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

Beyond the time lapse, users can zoom in and click on individual symbols to find more details about each online wind project, including the name of the project, when it came online, the size of the project, the number of wind turbines, and its congressional district.

The map also includes the locations of the more than 500 active U.S. wind-related manufacturing facilities. When users click on each factory, they’ll discover the name of the company and the type of wind component they produce.

AWEA’s new map uses only a small percentage of the full wind project and manufacturing data available to AWEA members through Market Database Pro, a comprehensive, interactive database of all online, under construction, and advanced development wind projects, and all active wind-related manufacturing facilities. Over 50 data points are provided at both the project and turbine level, with advanced interactive mapping services including filtered search capabilities, summary maps, and political boundaries.


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aweablog.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F08%2Finteractive-wind-map.png&hash=4619b587a8d135edd4ef04aedb291dc63c79b1ad)

Click on the map to access our new interactive tool (at link below).

The wind industry currently supports over 100,000 U.S. jobs across all 50 states, with nearly 85,000 MW of installed capacity at the end of the second quarter of 2017. That’s enough to power 25 million American homes. Take time to explore our new map to discover where these economic benefits are being delivered. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clipartbest.com%2Fcliparts%2Fxig%2Fojx%2Fxigojx6KT.png&hash=6706182c9f1427099a77e10d1758e61d9cadb701)

http://www.aweablog.org/explore-every-american-wind-farm-factory-new-interactive-map/

Agelbert NOTE: Fossil fuelers, EAT YOUR HEART OUT! (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F5yjbztv.gif&hash=d3dc6c69f3fc5ad39c44fb5466265476f34e5a76)



Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on August 11, 2017, 05:40:22 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aweablog.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F11%2FStoney-Creek-Ashley-21-min-1000x600.jpg&hash=4d47e5720ff5781f28d68bdabbe27b99a3d8eefd)

#AmericanWindWeek highlights: An outpouring of support   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3)

AUGUST 10, 2017

By Greg Alavarez, the Writer and Content Manager for AWEA. He is the head editor and writer for Into the Wind, and oversees AWEA's online content and opinion writing. Greg holds a Master's degree in Global Environmental Policy from American University's School of International Service. He also holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and Journalism from Lehigh University.

SNIPPET:

We still have three days to go in the first-ever #AmericanWindWeek, but it’s time to check in and see what people are saying. Simply put, the response so far has been amazing.

Thousands of everyday Americans, advocacy groups, lawmakers and businesses from across the country have shared the reasons that U.S. wind power is important in their lives. Let’s get right to the highlights!

Great pictures and heartwarming comments about people who obtained stable, Renewable Energy based, employment:(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Ftreeswing.gif&hash=03d29d18183a2924176defc1df7861676abb0960)

http://www.aweablog.org/americanwindweek-highlights-outpouring-support/

https://youtu.be/xUt4f0JV1Qk


Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 01, 2017, 07:38:33 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgeothermalexpo.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F06%2FREW-logo-new.jpg&hash=7d8fc0fe077063b22ad6ea5565b7366c128b757b)

Vestas Joins With Tesla to Combine Wind Turbines With Batteries  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)

September 1, 2017

By Anna Hirtenstein, Bloomberg

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2017/09/vestas-joins-with-tesla-to-combine-wind-turbines-with-batteries.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 08, 2017, 05:37:53 pm
Agelbert NOTE: Unlike a nuclear power plant, with pollution and cleanup costs for centuries (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emofaces.com%2Fen%2Femoticons%2Fn%2Fnuclear-emoticon.gif&hash=e4e4a2a7087fe69ad666bbc193626b4bf13857a8)(https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1sLBdIXXXXXX1XXXXq6xXFXXXp/Free-Shipping-3-PiecesToxic-Nuclear-Toilet-Paper-Novelty-Printed-Zone-Radioactive-Napkin-Paper-Home-Toilet-Tissue.jpg_640x640.jpg), a wind farm can be safely and quickly decommisioned after the turbines become obsolete or wear out.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcliparts.co%2Fcliparts%2FBig%2FEgq%2FBigEgqBMT.png&hash=e7eec62f009cdd686ce795fad0a53c6befe748e9)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgeothermalexpo.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F06%2FREW-logo-new.jpg&hash=7d8fc0fe077063b22ad6ea5565b7366c128b757b)

World’s First Offshore Wind Facility Completely Dismantled

Sep 8, 2017

By Power Engineering Editors
         
DONG Energy announced its Vindeby Offshore Wind Farm, the first offshore wind farm in the world, has been dismantled.

The company established Vindeby as a demonstration project to prove offshore energy generation was possible. However, after 25 years the company determined the 11 wind turbines were worn down.

Blades, nacelle and the towers were dismantled individually by a mobile crane and placed on board a jack-up vessel. The concrete foundations were broken down with hydraulic demolition shears, a hydraulic hammer and milling tools.

"This is the first time we're dismantling an offshore wind farm, but luckily, we've been able to draw on our vast experience from constructing offshore wind farms and working offshore," said Leif Winther, Senior Lead Business Developer in DONG Energy. "In cooperation with the winning contractors, we developed the dismantling method and entered a long process with the authorities to obtain all necessary permits."  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.cdn2.123rf.com%2F168nwm%2Flenm%2Flenm1201%2Flenm120100200%2F12107060-illustration-of-a-smiley-giving-a-thumbs-up.jpg&hash=2046bc6d662e09d3014a2c404a2af6ba17f8217c)

Many of the components will be reused as spare parts for other wind turbines, while the blades will be reused in a noise barrier concept and a research project at DTU Risø. One turbine will become part of the exhibition at the Danish Museum of Energy.

Over its lifetime, Vindeby generated 243 GWh of power from its 11 turbines.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F8%2Ff%2F8%2F11949865511933397169thumbs_up_nathan_eady_01.svg.hi.png&hash=599691109af22b33f1d59dd61eb97448a9427020) Each of the turbines had a capacity of 0.45 MW, and had a blade length of 17 meters and a hub height of 37.5 meters.

https://youtu.be/QEJHB8V4hEE

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2017/09/video-world-s-first-offshore-wind-facility-completely-dismantled.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 08, 2017, 07:20:42 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgeothermalexpo.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F06%2FREW-logo-new.jpg&hash=7d8fc0fe077063b22ad6ea5565b7366c128b757b)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Faemstatic-ww1.azureedge.net%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Frew%2Fonlinearticles%2F2017%2F08%2FREW_HowToCutTheCost3.jpg&hash=e04a38f84def9260005de69dfa957ba6587d7bf5)

How to Cut the Cost of Wind Energy in Half (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca) — A National Lab Report

August 31, 2017

By Liz Hartman

SNIPPET:

New energy science and technological breakthroughs could cut the cost of wind energy in half by 2030—making it fully competitive with the fuel cost of natural gas.

This new finding is outlined in a report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that examines the future of wind power plants—backed by the supercomputing power of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) national laboratories.

It’s part of DOE’s Atmosphere to Electrons initiative, which focuses on maximizing efficiencies at the plant level (i.e., how wind turbines interact with one another and the atmosphere) rather than treating each wind turbine as an individual unit. The next step is for DOE to apply high-performance computing to this grand challenge of better understanding the complex physics that control electricity generation by wind plants.

The Wind Plant of the Future

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-060914180936.jpeg&hash=5e39d70fafe4e7190a6eebce34b740c58721de3f)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2017/08/how-to-cut-the-cost-of-wind-energy-in-half-a-national-lab-report.html



Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 09, 2017, 10:23:23 pm
 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftherealnews.com%2Ft2%2Ftemplates%2Fgk_twn%2Fimages%2Flogo3.png&hash=4b5cf976827a8d50b9a86730b78230c107b3cf62)

 April 27, 2017

Will Maryland Pioneer Offshore Wind Farming in America? (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-250817121424.gif&hash=384c17a4d2be4831084933b91808f8a60f73f7f5)

Despite a climate-denying federal government, two new offshore wind farms could bring thousands of clean jobs to Maryland's Sparrow's Point

https://youtu.be/EGKalna5Xe0

http://therealnews.com/t2/story:18941:Will-Maryland-Pioneer-Offshore-Wind-Farming-in-America%3F
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 14, 2017, 02:36:42 pm
 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200317134631.png&hash=3ec83ab2cb9a9acaf485fff7312df6381c25c2fd)

New record: on Monday, 20% of Europe’s energy came from wind ;D

LAST UPDATED ON SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2017 AT 3:55 PM BY MIHAI ANDREI


SNIPPET:

These are the countries with the highest shares of wind in their electricity production:

1. Denmark: 83% = 74 GWh
2. Ireland: 54% = 51 GWh
3. Germany: 42% = 576 GWh
4. Portugal: 29% = 39 GWh
5. United Kingdom: 29% = 210 GWh
6. Netherlands: 25% = 72 GWh
7. Spain: 24% = 160 GWh
8. Belgium: 19% = 40 GWh
9. France: 15% = 166 GWh
10. Italy: 12% = 101 GWh

Full article:

http://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/wind-solar-energy-14092017/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 14, 2017, 03:43:54 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3kbo302xo3lg2i1rj8450xje.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F09%2FVOS-Stone.jpg&hash=3098d11b7f9b095088a2703f1da8e152dd8ef1d5)
Vroon’s new walk-to-work vessel VOS Stone. Photo: Vroon

Newbuild Walk-to-Work Vessel VOS Stone Finds Work at German Offshore Wind Farm (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clipartbest.com%2Fcliparts%2Fxig%2Fojx%2Fxigojx6KT.png&hash=6706182c9f1427099a77e10d1758e61d9cadb701)

September 13, 2017 by gCaptain

SNIPPET:

The state-of-the-art vessel is a subsea-support walk-to-work vessel. Its sister vessel VOS Start is currently employed at the Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm in the Irish Sea. Both vessels have been purpose-built to support operations in the renewable energy industry and walk-to-work projects in the oil and gas industry.

Like with the VOS Start, VOS Stone will be fitted with motion-compensated offshore gangway and a 50T active-heave-compensated crane. The vessel can provide accommodation for up to 60 personnel, not including crew.

Full article:

http://gcaptain.com/newbuild-walk-work-vessel-vos-stone-finds-work-german-offshore-wind-farm



Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 16, 2017, 06:21:04 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgeothermalexpo.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F06%2FREW-logo-new.jpg&hash=7d8fc0fe077063b22ad6ea5565b7366c128b757b)

GE Targets Low-to-Medium Wind Speed With Newest 4.8-MW Wind Turbine

September 12, 2017

By Renewable Energy World Editors

         
GE Renewable Energy this week unveiled its new 4.8–158 onshore wind turbine, the company’s largest high efficiency turbine to date.

The wind turbine is equipped with a 158-meter rotor and a range of tip heights up to 240 meters. The combination of a larger rotor and tall towers enables the turbine to take advantage of higher wind speeds and produce more energy, said the company.

According to GE the turbine’s 77-meter high-tech carbon blades, improved loads and controls, and taller, more cost-effective towers were developed thanks to close partnerships with LM Wind Power, Blade Dynamics and GE’s Global Research Center. The blades also feature one of the industry’s smallest Bolt Circle Diameters, keeping manufacturing and logistical costs to a minimum, said GE.

The company said that it took input from more than 30 customers around the world and also leveraged the intelligence gathered from across the company’s 30,000+ fleet of wind turbines to create this new generation asset.

Pete McCabe, President & CEO of GE’s Onshore Wind Business said, “The 4.8–158 design…is well suited for low-to-medium wind speed regions worldwide — examples include Germany, Turkey and Australia — as well as for mechanisms like auctions, as countries around the world are putting an increased emphasis on lowering the cost of energy.”


http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2017/09/ge-targets-low-to-medium-wind-speed-with-newest-4-8-mw-wind-turbine.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 19, 2017, 07:35:49 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3kbo302xo3lg2i1rj8450xje.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F09%2FMHI-Vestas.jpg&hash=37bf767d7dc5e9729cdb1f14d185a1672b22d955)
File Photo: MHI Vestas

World’s Largest Wind Turbines to Be Installed in UK North Sea

September 18, 2017 by Reuters

SNIPPET:

The 9.5 MW turbine  :o  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad), made by a joint venture between Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Denmark’s Vestas , has the world’s largest capacity, designed to challenge an 8.0 megawatt turbine by Siemens Gamesa, the market leader in the growing offshore market.

http://gcaptain.com/worlds-largest-wind-turbines-to-be-installed-in-uk-north-sea/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 22, 2017, 04:48:04 pm
Agelbert NOTE: If the following news meant that automobile manufacturers where going make more EVs with 100% renewable energy electricity, I would consider it progress. Unfortunately, these brain dead car executives (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fgen152.gif&hash=d5b10968fe56c4cb95fae17cee3cb420a5f4e2da) will use the wind power mostly to make more polluting gas guzzlers. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183312.bmp&hash=02dafef2fe739676600fdc9bd56271f0f5ab3723)  Go figure.   ::)

GM to run Ohio, Indiana factories with 100 percent wind power

SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 by  GREG ALVAREZ

SNIPPET:

Last week I predicted it wouldn’t be long before we had more news on Fortune 500 wind power purchases. Well, a whole seven days passed before there were new deals to report.  ;D

WIND POWERS THE OPEN ROAD FOR GM

GM just announced wind power purchase agreements with projects in Ohio and Illinois. The automaker is buying enough wind-generated electricity to power the Ohio and Indiana factories that build the Chevrolet Cruze and Silverado, and the GMC Sierra.

“Technology is driving solutions for mobility and safety in our vehicles, as well as the new energy solutions that build them,” said Gerald Johnson, GMNA vice president of Manufacturing and Labor. “This is the way we do business: offering vehicles that serve our customers’ lifestyle needs while providing sustainable solutions that improve our communities.”

GM already has plans to soon power 100 percent of its Arlington, Texas, plant using wind, where over 100,000 SUV’s are made every year. Wind’s low cost, down 66 percent since 2009, has made it an attractive option for GM as it works toward meeting its 100 percent renewable goal.

OTHER BUYERS JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON

GM isn’t alone in the headlines this week, however. Kimberly-Clark, maker of products like Kleenex and Huggies, also announced a new wind deal in recent days. The company will soon source about 33 percent of its electricity needs from wind farms in Oklahoma and Texas.

“It’s a powerful demonstration of sustainability initiatives having both great environmental and business benefits,” said Lisa Morden, Kimberly-Clark’s global head of sustainability.

full article:

http://www.aweablog.org/gm-power-ohio-indiana-factories-100-percent-wind/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 27, 2017, 10:23:40 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aweablog.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F05%2FDSC0639-min-1.jpg-cropped-1000x600.jpg&hash=ea20b603887770f63010f4521451117de00e3dff)
New study: Offshore wind creates new homes for fish (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fearthhug.gif&hash=3abcf70466f34337f2d702ebd9e02c650d5c4c20)

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Author: Greg Alvarez

A new study should excite ocean anglers as well as fans of ocean energy: Offshore wind farms act as artificial reefs, scientists say, creating new habitats and food sources for fish.

Researchers studied the offshore wind farms appearing with increasing regularity in Europe. As MIT Technology Review just reported: (https://www.technologyreview.com/s/608930/first-evidence-that-offshore-wind-farms-are-changing-the-oceans/)

Naturally, these (offshore wind turbine bases) become home to complex ecosystems. In the North Sea, where most of the European farms are being built, these ecosystems are dominated by blue mussels. These feed by filtering phytoplankton from the water. Mussels are also a food source for other marine animals, such as fish and crabs, and this has the potential to significantly alter the food web.

Quote
The research team concluded that a typical offshore turbine can support up to four metric tons of shellfish.  :o  ;D

“Once all the planned wind farms are in operation, they will provide habitat for mussels that are equal to 20 percent of the current stock from natural mussel beds along the coast,” the study finds. It was published by Kaela Slavik at the Helmholtz Centre for Materials and Coastal Research in Germany.

That’s a lot of food that attracts schools of fish to offshore wind projects. As MIT reported:

Mussels are also food for larger species such as crabs and certain fish, which are themselves prey for seals. So it’s no surprise that seals have already begun to migrate to off shore wind farms off the coast of Denmark.

Anecdotally, fisherman are already finding this to be true at America’s first offshore wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island.

“People who are fisherman totally understand it’s an artificial reef,” said Captain Hank Hewitt, a local Rhode Island fisherman, in the below video. “It’s going to build life. Now we actually know where the fish are going to be.”

It’s exciting that this new ocean energy resource also has such positive environmental benefits. Because as Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said this morning at a National Clean Energy Week event in Washington, D.C., “offshore wind has enormous potential.”  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcliparts.co%2Fcliparts%2FBig%2FEgq%2FBigEgqBMT.png&hash=e7eec62f009cdd686ce795fad0a53c6befe748e9)

https://youtu.be/Z-MZjeBWilQ

http://www.aweablog.org/new-study-offshore-wind-creates-new-homes-fish/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 08, 2017, 05:01:11 pm
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New Delhi: India's wind power tariff fell to a record low of Rs2.64 per unit in an auction conducted by state-run Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI) for 1 gigawatt (GW) of wind power contracts that ended in the wee hours of Thursday morning. While ReNew Power Ventures Pvt.

Wind Energy Selling for 4 Cents per kWh in India(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-040817183318.gif&hash=85dbde0ecc986da6385d09f4df76d45028b7062d)

October 5, 2017

By Utpal Bhaskar, LiveMint with Comment by Jennifer Runyon Chief Editor

SNIPPET:

In an auction on October 5, 2017 in India, developers said they could build a 250-MW capacity wind farm and sell the power for Rs2.64 [US $0.041] per kWh.

That’s lower than the cost of coal-fired power in the country  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154) , which sells for Rs3.20 [US $0.049] per kWh. The government, which was seeking up to 1000-MW of capacity received bids for 2,892 MW of capacity, almost three times what it sought. Winning bidders are ReNew Power Ventures, Orange Sironj Wind Power Pvt., Inox Wind Infrastructure Services, Sembcorp Industries Ltd’s Green Infra Wind Energy Ltd and Adani Genergy Energy (MP) Ltd.

India seeks 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022. Solar (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-020617175335.png&hash=4a5c251d405bf9d4b949b9b72f14a0afffb47df7) in India is also reaching record-low pricing. Some question whether projects can actually be built at these low prices.  — JR

Read more at LiveMint

http://www.livemint.com/Industry/sMC62YoWv4LybaPZnKivMM/Indias-wind-power-tariff-falls-to-a-record-low-of-Rs264-pe.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 09, 2017, 02:34:28 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgeothermalexpo.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F06%2FREW-logo-new.jpg&hash=7d8fc0fe077063b22ad6ea5565b7366c128b757b)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Faemstatic-ww1.azureedge.net%2Fcontent%2Frew%2Fen%2Farticles%2F2017%2F10%2Fthe-truth-about-ge-s-latest-wind-tech-patent-lawsuit%2F_jcr_content%2Fleftcolumn%2Farticle%2Fheaderimage.scale.large.jpg%2F1507555641497.jpg&hash=40b5830988ddf12c2503014909017a04a43e93d5)

The Truth About GE's Latest Wind Tech Patent Lawsuit

October 9, 2017

By Attorney at Law Josué A. Villalta
   
Which way is the wind blowing? If you are a wind energy manufacturer or a developer looking to implement or expand wind energy farm operations, this is a question you must be asking yourself when it comes to the potential effects recent litigation between major manufacturers will have on the wind power industry.

On July 31, 2017, GE sued Vestas Wind Systems A/S and its U.S. subsidiary for patent infringement   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F3ztzsjm.gif&hash=8e015ba6a93bc1ec93ebde8fd6b2daa19e537306), pitting the number one and number two wind turbine manufacturers in the United States according to the American Wind Energy Association. GE accused Vestas of infringing GE’s U.S. Patent No. 7,629,705 with several of its wind turbine products. The patent covers a method of controlling the operation of a wind turbine generator so that it remains connected to the power grid during and subsequent to a low voltage dip, which may be caused, for example, by large electrical loads, lighting strikes or short circuits.

This is the second time GE has sued a competitor for infringing this patent. In 2010, GE sued Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the fifth largest wind turbine manufacturer, for infringement of the ’705 patent in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The court awarded GE approximately $170 million in damages and a permanent injunction. However, GE and Mitsubishi later settled the lawsuit in 2013. Though the terms of the settlement were not disclosed, it likely included a cross-license of intellectual property between the parties.

GE has not indicated the amount of damages it seeks from Vestas in the present lawsuit. However, GE alleges that Vestas has willfully infringed its patent, noting that GE subpoenaed Vestas’ US subsidiary and one of its electrical engineers during the Mitsubishi litigation, and that Vestas would therefore have been aware of GE’s ’705 patent. A finding of willful infringement would entitle GE up to treble damages.

Vestas has indicated it believes GE’s lawsuit is without merit and that it intends to challenge it. Given its size, Vestas has leverage it can exert to push back against GE in the litigation. For one, Vestas has approximately 560 U.S. patents, which its attorneys are no doubt reviewing to identify possible counterclaims against GE for infringement of Vestas’ patents. Vestas will also likely look to the details of the Mitsubishi litigation for additional arguments it can make to challenge GE’s patent. However, GE’s patent has already survived several validity challenges at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nevertheless, as with the Mitsubishi case, the litigation between GE and Vestas will likely result in a settlement, likely including a cross-license of intellectual property, and the settlement terms will depend on the relative leverage the parties are able to apply.

Vestas will be under pressure to resolve the lawsuit as soon as possible to avoid the uncertainty of litigation affecting existing or new agreements with developers for the supply of wind turbines. The longer the litigation continues, the greater the level of uncertainty such developers may feel, possibly causing them to opt for another wind turbine supplier. Vestas’ potential counterclaims against GE may have the same detrimental effect on GE. Therefore, a prolonged legal battle between the parties is likely to do more harm than good to both parties, as well as the U.S. wind power industry as a whole.  :(

GE’s lawsuit against Vestas, following on the heels of GE’s lawsuit against Mitsubishi, will no doubt cause other wind energy manufacturers to more closely evaluate the potential risk that the ’705 patent poses to their wind turbine businesses. Given that GE has now asserted the ’705 patent against both Mitsubishi and Vestas, and that the patent has survived several validity challenges, GE may continue to vigorously assert its patent against wind energy competitors.

Wind energy manufacturers may also want to ensure they have an adequate program for identifying and mitigating potential intellectual property risks. For example, a program for periodically monitoring and reviewing newly issued competitor patents can identify patents that pose a potential barrier to commercialization of the company’s products, allowing companies time to develop strategies for mitigating infringement risk.

Further, companies should seek to grow their intellectual property portfolios and continue to pursue patent protection for their innovations. Not only can patents allow a company to protect its investment in innovation by allowing it to exclude others from practicing its inventions without permission, but patent assets may be useful negotiating tools when faced with a lawsuit from a competitor.

As the U.S. wind energy market continues to grow, competition(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F2mo5pow.gif&hash=995f9f6c08dcd54f18425f2bfbe138901cf052b1)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fswear1.gif&hash=87347674f9297191f3f8a447208170617da4caf6) is likely to increase between wind energy manufacturers. Companies will no doubt continue to seek ways to leverage any advantage they may have to maintain or grow their market share, including using intellectual property assets on their technology, if necessary via lawsuits, to do so.

Lead image credit: GE

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2017/10/the-truth-about-ge-s-latest-wind-tech-patent-lawsuit.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 19, 2017, 02:46:03 pm
World’s First Floating Wind Farm Opens Up Off Scotland
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October 18, 2017 by Mike Schuler

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Photo credit: Øyvind Gravås / Woldcam / Statoil

The first offshore wind farm to use floating wind turbines has started producing power for the Scottish energy grid in what could be the start of offshore wind’s push into deeper and more favorable waters for renewable energy production.

Hywind Scotland, the first floating wind farm in the world, was officially opened Wednesday by the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, officially opens the wind farm. The project is operated by Statoil in partnership with Masdar,

The 30MW pilot wind farm is located in the North Sea about 25 kilometers offshore Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and will power approximately 20,000 households. The park, made up of five Siemens 6MW wind turbines, covers an area of about 4 square kilometers, and is located in water depth ranging from 95-120 meters. The area sees an average wind speed of about 10 meters per second.

“Hywind can be used for water depths up to 800 meters, thus opening up areas that so far have been inaccessible for offshore wind. The learnings from Hywind Scotland will pave the way for new global market opportunities for floating offshore wind energy. Through their government’s support to develop the Hywind Scotland project, the UK and Scotland are now at the forefront of the development of this exciting new technology. Statoil looks forward to exploring the next steps for floating offshore wind,” says Irene Rummelhoff, executive vice president of the New Energy Solutions business area in Statoil.

The onshore operations and maintenance base for the project is located in Peterhead, Scotland, while the operations center is located in Great Yarmouth. The project feature a 1MWh Lithium battery storage solution for offshore wind energy, dubbed ‘Batwind’. Battery storage has the potential to mitigate power intermittency and optimize output.

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An illustration showing the floating wind turbines used in the Hywind Scotland project. Credit: Statoil

“It’s fantastic to see Hywind Scotland up and running. The project is a great success for the teams at Statoil and Masdar and for Scotland, where floating wind could really flourish due to our accessible deeper waters,” said Sian Wilson of Crown Estate Scotland, which leases seabed acreage to developers on behalf of the Scottish Government. “We are committed to continuing our work to encourage floating offshore wind projects, which will in turn drive down costs, benefitting the whole sector—as well as the climate and consumers.”

According to Rummelhoff, Statoil is looking to reduce the costs of energy from the Hywind project to € 40-60 €/MWh by 2030. “Knowing that up to 80% of the offshore wind resources are in deep waters (+60 meters) where traditional bottom fixed installations are not suitable, floating offshore wind is expected to play a significant role in the growth of offshore wind going forward,” she said.

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Floating turbine tow-out. Photo credit: Øyvind Gravås / Statoil

The Hywind project is also adding to Statoil presence in the UK. In Aberdeen over 1,500 are employees in the final phase of commissioning the Mariner oil field, one of the largest upstream UKCS developments in the last ten years. The field us due to come on-stream in 2018. Statoil also operates the Sheringham Shoal wind farm in the UK, which has been in production since 2012. The Dudgeon offshore wind farm in the UK, also operated by Statoil has now been completed and is also in production. In 2016 Statoil also acquired 50% of the Arkona offshore wind farm in Germany, which will deliver power in 2019.

Here’s some video of the project:

https://youtu.be/PUlfvXaISvc

http://gcaptain.com/hywind-sctoland-worlds-first-floating-wind-farm-opens-up-off-scotland/

Agelbert NOTE: Getting Statoil to smell the Renewable Energy Coffee is like herding fossil fueler cats. But, thanks to some very good cat herders in Scotland AND Norway (photo of one below  ;D), Statoil is well on the way to abandoning their profit over planet 'business model' for a Renewable Energy based real world business model. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F47b20s0.gif&hash=cc48c9af9d29b8836023c7db21103e52d1ed439e)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-191017143841.jpeg&hash=21f142befe4ed82f10ef0bdba11c22bbd3051289)
"Statoil knows I mean RE BUSINESS!"
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 23, 2017, 06:44:50 pm
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(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Faemstatic-ww2.azureedge.net%2Fcontent%2Frew%2Fen%2Farticles%2F2017%2F10%2Feverything-you-need-to-know-about-wind-turbine-technicians%2F_jcr_content%2Fleftcolumn%2Farticle%2Fheaderimage.img.png%2F1508785999193.png&hash=12aabe2c27c1ba931ce25d7916415212e319c419)
Quote
If you have a fear of heights or small spaces, this might not be the job for you.

Everything You Need to Know about Wind Turbine Technicians

October 23, 2017

By Michele Capots

Want to hover hundreds of feet in the air on an average work day? Then being a wind technician may be just for you.

It’s the fastest growing occupation of the decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and employment numbers are expected to more than double over the next 10 years.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-100714103519.gif&hash=c6ea59750a010dd7a3e524640af0cc89caf41a55)

So, what exactly is a wind turbine technician? How do you become one? What skills and training do you need?

We did a deep dive into the field to answer those questions. This should help you get started.
What is a Wind Turbine Technician?

A wind turbine technician, also known as a windtech, installs, inspects, maintains, operates, and repairs wind turbines. They are able to diagnose and fix any problem that could cause the turbine to shut down unexpectedly.

The median annual wage of a windtech is $52,260. Salaries range from $36,000 to more than $76,000, based on experience and training.

A few of the job duties include: inspecting the exterior of the towers; climbing the towers to inspect, troubleshoot, or repair equipment; collecting turbine data for testing and analysis; performing routine maintenance; testing electrical components, systems, and mechanical and hydraulic systems; and replacing worn out or malfunctioning components.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-280914174315.gif&hash=3976afb1d0894e1eabfb042845832f57692597d6)


Work Environment

If you have a fear of heights or small spaces, this might not be the job for you.

Technicians do most of their work in the nacelle, where sensitive electronics are housed. Since they are built compactly, technicians must be comfortable working in confined spaces. In addition, they also work on top of the nacelles, where they might have to replace instruments that measure wind speed and direction or work with large cranes. To do this, they are standing literally hundreds of feet in the air. To protect them, they wear fall protection, full body harnesses that are attached to the nacelle.

Job Skills


Windtechs must be able to use mechanical skills and be capable of climbing ladder systems, often 260 feet high, to heights of the turbine nacelle. During this climb, they bring tools and equipment that weigh more than 45 pounds, and in most cases, use climb assist equipment to get up the turbine quicker. They must always exercise good judgement and be able to document their findings.

Education

Most windtechs learn their trade by attending technical schools. Associate’s degree programs for wind turbine technicians usually take two years and are offered at technical schools and community colleges.

Internships and Apprenticeships

Windtechs receive more than 12 months of on-the-job-training, in addition to coursework. Part of this may be an internship with a wind turbine servicing contractor.

Apprenticeships are another option offered by unions and individual contractors. For each year of the program, apprentices must have at least 144 hours of related technical instruction and 2,200 hours of paid on-the-job-training, according to Department of Labor apprenticeship program standards. These apprenticeships focus on safety, first aid, CPR training, electrical, hydraulic and mechanical system maintenance, and more.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-301014182234.gif&hash=bf6d91c9f6bd3e01a951d725e8b0b5c62c68c519)

To enter an apprenticeship program, workers must be at least 18 years of age; have earned a high school diploma; be physically and mentally able; and have one year of high school or equivalent algebra with at least a C average.

Now, are you ready to join the fastest growing job in the country?   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3)

This article was originally published by the U.S. Department of Energy in the public domain.
Lead image credit: NREL


http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2017/10/everything-you-need-to-know-about-wind-turbine-technicians.html

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 27, 2017, 05:32:45 pm
"... arrangement enables the site owner to get the turbine installed on site without any up-front costs.  :o  ;D The whole thing is paid off through charges for the electricity." (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcliparts.co%2Fcliparts%2FBig%2FEgq%2FBigEgqBMT.png&hash=e7eec62f009cdd686ce795fad0a53c6befe748e9)

(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2017/10/WIND-e-20.png)
   
WIND e-20 vertical axis wind turbine from the Michigan-based company CGE Energy(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frobservations.ca%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F02%2Fhappy-cat1.jpg&hash=468b07d248f880b63fdda22e22561c5ce8d3ae29)


Return Of The Vertical Axis Wind Turbine: The Force Awakens (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F129fs238648.gif&hash=bbf8ad9cbaff9e7d3097c40c21a931e6649a237f)

October 26th, 2017 by Tina Casey

SNIPPET:

The micro wind market has taken its share of lumps in the past, but the industry has developed new standards in recent years with an assist from the US Energy Department and other stakeholders. With that in mind let’s take a look at the WIND e-20 vertical axis wind turbine from the Michigan-based company CGE Energy, which just got a nice shoutout from Wind Power Engineering magazine.

Full article:

https://cleantechnica.com/2017/10/26/return-vertical-axis-wind-turbine-force-awakens/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 27, 2017, 07:02:30 pm
Iberdrola Completes Installation Of Wind Turbines At 350 Megawatt Wikinger Offshore Wind Farm

October 27th, 2017 by Joshua S Hill

Spanish utility Iberdrola has this week completed the installation of 70 wind turbines at the 350 megawatt Wikinger offshore wind farm in the German area of the Baltic Sea.

(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2017/10/WIKINGER-2017-001.jpg)

The Wikinger offshore wind farm is a flagship offshore wind project for Iberdrola, which committed €1.4 billion to the 350 megawatt (MW) projected located off the northeastern coast of the German island of Rügen. Iberdrola, working alongside turbine manufacturer Adwen and subcontractor Fred. Olsen Windcarrier, completed installation of all 70 AD 5-135 wind turbines, which will generate enough electricity to supply approximately 350,000 German households, representing 20% of the energy demand in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and avoiding 600,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

The first wind turbine installation was completed in February of this year, with construction being conducted by Fred Olsen’s vessel Brave Tern (see below) one of two self-elevating, self-propelled jack-up vessels dedicated to installing offshore wind turbines.

https://youtu.be/scy5XFoFLx0

“I am very proud of our team for their hard work on this project,” said Fred. Olsen Windcarrier’s project manager Alexandra Koefoed. “We have worked closely with our client Adwen and park operator Iberdrola to safely and efficiently complete installation. Our experience working on the Adwen 5MW turbines on Global Tech I was invaluable.”

(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2017/10/A-FOUD2971.jpg)

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https://cleantechnica.com/2017/10/27/iberdrola-completes-installation-350-mw-wind-turbines-wikinger-offshore-wind-farm/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 12, 2017, 12:54:17 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgeothermalexpo.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F06%2FREW-logo-new.jpg&hash=7d8fc0fe077063b22ad6ea5565b7366c128b757b)

New Democratic Governor in New Jersey Could Ignite State’s Offshore Wind Sector (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-250817121424.gif&hash=384c17a4d2be4831084933b91808f8a60f73f7f5)

November 8, 2017

By Jennifer Delony Associate Editor

Control of the governor’s seat in New Jersey is moving to a Democrat — a shift that could be a big win for wind power in the state’s waters.

Phil Murphy won the New Jersey gubernatorial election yesterday (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)over Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.

Despite having legislation in place since 2010 calling for mechanisms to support offshore wind development, including authorization of offshore wind energy credits, New Jersey never achieved any progress on that front.  :P  >:(

Speaking to Renewable Energy World in September, Shiva Polefka, associate director, ocean policy, for the Center for American Progress, said that if Murphy won the race for governor, “New Jersey could very quickly spring to life as a major new market for offshore wind development.”

As part of his campaign platform, Murphy in April, called for a plan to establish a New Jersey offshore wind target of 3,500 MW by 2030.

Ocean Wind LLC, an Ørsted company, and US Wind Inc. hold leases for offshore wind development in New Jersey waters. Earlier this year, both companies requested that BOEM extend the term for the commercial leases from March 2017 to March 2018. BOEM approved the requests, and site assessment plans for the lease areas are due in March 2018.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2017/11/new-democratic-governor-in-new-jersey-could-ignite-state-s-offshore-wind-sector.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 23, 2017, 06:03:43 pm
Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm Powers Up in the UK (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F8%2Ff%2F8%2F11949865511933397169thumbs_up_nathan_eady_01.svg.hi.png&hash=599691109af22b33f1d59dd61eb97448a9427020)

November 22, 2017 by gCaptain

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Statoil’s 402MW Dudgeon offshore wind farm near Great Yarmouth, England. Photo: Statoil

SNIPPET:

The Dudgeon offshore wind farm has started delivering electricity to the UK power grid, providing renewable energy to around 410,000 homes.

Statoil and its partners Masdar and Statkraft officially opened the Dudgeon wind farm on Wednesday in Great Yarmouth, England.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3kbo302xo3lg2i1rj8450xje.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F11%2F2017-11-22T152816Z_1423417931_RC16C6BB3FB0_RTRMADP_3_BRITAIN-ENVIRONMENT.jpg&hash=7e2063836b7604fdfd78e2eb1c6dc1a74333c15b)
A view of Statoil’s Dudgeon offshore wind farm near Great Yarmouth, Britain November 22, 2017. REUTERS/Darren Staples

Full article:

http://gcaptain.com/dudgeon-offshore-wind-farm-powers-up-in-the-uk/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 26, 2017, 04:34:31 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-071117175342.jpeg&hash=ac6ea3788a581a5a6111d7143ed677cfdf6c2c5b)
But the Polluters  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-241013183046.jpeg&hash=51c9c4f17e747698c76c65c7c1814eff4f32c400) Continue to Peddle Bold Faced LIES to SCAM we-the-people into being FORCED to PAY a PREMIUM for THEIR Polluting Product! They want we-the-people to PAY for THEIR CRIME AGAINST THE ENVIRONMENT!  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fgaah.gif&hash=e43fa6be4258ba495007b2bbb3e7dd2f60288fcd)


Fact Check: What critics (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-311013200859.png&hash=a7aaaa9f04c1e3e2c948723b5f8c13fe814dacd4)  are getting wrong about wind power during the tax reform debate

NOVEMBER 21, 2017

SNIPPET:

AWEA's Deputy Director of External Communications: The spread of false information continues. Here’s a roundup of a few egregious examples, followed by a dose of reality.

Wall Street Journal editorial board (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Facigar.gif&hash=dc9dccf92c6c88c99611b06c86d92629d69f2978):  “Tax reform is a chance to tell the wind racket  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coh2.org%2Fimages%2FSmileys%2Fhuhsign.gif&hash=3732d0427be65896527fc3805c5be54a33cffd3b) to get off the dole but it isn’t clear Republicans are up to the task.” (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-250817122018.gif&hash=74d86c1f35e2f61ea38c9bfa392f84a92631b96e)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-251117175426.jpeg&hash=d2d4d8b53b67cebd54e23a0b5b51b5d86cbe12c1)


Reality: The Journal’s editorial board is asking for something that already happened two years ago—the PTC is phasing down, and will be gone after 2019.

And what they’re calling a “racket” happens to employ over 100,000 Americans across all 50 states, and keeps more than 500 U.S. factories busy churning out wind-related parts. It generates more than 30 percent of the electricity in Iowa and Kansas, and more than 10 percent in a dozen other states. There is now enough installed wind capacity in the U.S. to power 25 million homes, making it an indispensable part of our electric grid.

Merrill Matthews  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-311013201314.png&hash=0715eb72631014310634eb56176ff860c6d542f6), The Hill: “Scaling back or ending renewable energy and electric vehicle tax breaks, as the House Republican plan does, would come closer to putting renewable energy on a level playing field with fossil fuels, while saving the government money.”
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-251117175700.png&hash=00439d30db6e35817ea0d1fbcba614f1f971448e)

Reality: Virtually all sources of energy have incentives in the tax code, and most of the fossil fuel incentives are likely to continue even as wind voluntarily gives up its main incentive.
  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-281014151757.png&hash=1be52df5a308d583e41527f4d215eb9a81d72676)
(https://dqbasmyouzti2.cloudfront.net/assets/content/cache/made/content/images/articles/Pfund-subsidies_618_275.jpg)

Wind, coal, nuclear, gas and solar plants all cost a lot of money up front to build. That means developers need access to capital from investors. Each uses various tax and regulatory structures to gain access to the funds they need to break ground.

Coal and gas can use a Master Limited Partnership, an investment vehicle that does not have to pay corporate taxes and can attract a large number of investors. That gets them access to capital at low interest rates, which helps build more power plants.

Nuclear plants for 60 years have relied on a form of public insurance under the Price-Anderson Act. Investor-owned utilities, the most common owners of nuclear plants, cannot get insurance on the private market that would cover a meltdown. The Price-Anderson Act caps a nuclear plant owner’s liability in the event of a disaster, with the federal government covering the rest of the exposure. That makes such plants more attractive to investors.

For wind and solar projects, the Production Tax Credit or alternative Investment Tax Credit have boosted their attractiveness to investors as a low-risk revenue stream, so they can accumulate the capital to start building. Yet wind has received less than three percent of all energy incentives since 1950.
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aweablog.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F11%2FEnergy-Incentives-2.jpg&hash=d9f8569260d752378ee6750fd02fc6a75a87de14)

Sen. Lamar Alexander (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-250817135149.gif&hash=b4a8748d7cf56a31dd0a6aae5828ed2c1ac2815c): “Wind blows only 35 percent of the time… so until there’s some way to store large amounts of wind power, a utility still needs to operate nuclear, gas, or coal plants to cover when the wind doesn’t blow.” (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-030815183114.gif&hash=2bf1553e87e8605311feb874231953d5fb88ee9c)

Reality: The average wind turbine generates useful amounts of electricity 90 percent of the time. Grid operators have always balanced changes in supply and demand, and balancing wind is no different. Changes in wind output are gradual and can be predicted up to 24 hours in advance, whereas conventional plants can unexpectedly go offline, creating far more complicated and costly problems for grid operators.

Sen. Alexander is confusing wind generation with what is called the “capacity factor,” which means what percentage a plant operates year-round of its theoretical maximum capacity. New wind farms average capacity factors over 40 percent, roughly the same as conventional plants, which don’t run flat-out 24 hours a day, 365 days a year either. But that doesn’t mean they only generate electricity 40 percent of the time. Rather, some days they’re generating right at the max, other days somewhere in between, but rarely are they standing still.

Think of it like driving on the highway. Even though the speed limit may be 65 MPH, your car won’t hit that maximum speed at all times due to traffic and other factors. But that also doesn’t mean your car is standing still when you’re not hitting 65—you’re still moving (hopefully).

Eduardo Porter (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whydidyouwearthat.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F01%2Ftumblr_l7j9nik8Wf1qaxxwjo1_5001.jpeg&hash=1ddbeb4da161820b2cf932e6f5f740e80f5bada6), New York Times: “The Wind Catcher farm in Oklahoma occupies 2,400 times as much land as Diablo Canyon but produces half as much energy.”
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-250817121829.png&hash=035f25ddb6d065f1533ce03c1c07f5fddcbbc83c)


Reality: This is an apples-to-oranges comparison of different energy sources. Mining and waste storage add to a conventional power plant’s footprint, and a nuclear power plant fully occupies the land it sits on. Meanwhile, land used for wind farms is multi-purpose.

The average wind project leaves 98 percent of land left undisturbed (https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy09osti/45834.pdf), making it free for other uses like farming and ranching. The proposed Wind Catcher project will use just a tiny portion of the land area its turbines are installed across, with overwhelming majority still free for farming or ranching.

Robert Bryce (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-311013201314.png&hash=0715eb72631014310634eb56176ff860c6d542f6), New York Post:  “Multibillion-dollar subsidies for Big Wind are also fueling widespread destruction of American wildlife.”
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-191017140758.jpeg&hash=8c0a35a928dcda3c1a8714ab03f4924a1a775851)

Reality: Wind energy has a legacy of care for the environment to uphold, and does far more to safeguard nearby wildlife than virtually any other industry. Wind turbines have the lowest impacts on wildlife and their habitats of any utility-scale power plant, according to the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority. A typical wind turbine is struck by fewer than one bird per month, which compares favorably to a tall building; overall, wind energy is responsible for less than a hundredth of one percent of human-related bird deaths.

Bryce has a long history of spreading false and misleading information about wind, even after he has been corrected, and he has ties to anti-renewable special interests. More than 50 journalists and educators once submitted a letter to the New York Times urging its public editor to do a better job disclosing conflicts of interest from op-ed writers like Bryce.

There’s more to a thriving business environment than lower taxes. Businesses also need stability to confidently invest and hire workers. By pulling the rug out from under the wind industry, the House bill would upend the stability created by the 2015 phase-out. The Senate version, on the other hand, does right by U.S. wind workers and all the rural Americans who are counting on this new cash crop to revitalize their communities. Contact your representatives today to let them know you support American wind workers.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F19.gif&hash=3f9f2fc2285bc756137e21463bc2a4c420b15ac3) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F301.gif&hash=0291ed4abf2d80e420d1aa00d4eb3c5dd6bbfb53)

Full article:

http://www.aweablog.org/critics-getting-wrong-wind-power-tax-reform-debate/


The Fossil Fuelers DID THE Clean Energy  Inventions suppressing, Climate Trashing, human health depleting CRIME,   but since they have ALWAYS BEEN liars and conscience free crooks, they are trying to AVOID   DOING THE TIME or     PAYING THE FINE!     Don't let them get away with it! Pass it on!    (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F176.gif&hash=121533221905789c6b8d57a9603883266d349266)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 29, 2017, 05:44:13 pm
Wind power surpassed coal as the second largest power source in Texas (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-311017193926.png&hash=135a7bcd2093b679e425bbd2086adb8ddfd2e7b5)

A 155 megawatt wind farm that came online this month brought the state’s total wind capacity to 20,000 megawatts, just over coal’s 19,800 megawatts. Additional planned coal plant closures will further increase wind power’s share over coal. Wind now generates 15 percent of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas’ power, compared to 2 percent 10 years ago. By 2019 wind power generation -- which is different than capacity -- is expected to overtake coal. Houston Chronicle (http://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Wind-power-blows-past-coat-in-Texas-12386751.php)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 30, 2017, 01:11:32 pm
(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2017/11/Rampion-3.jpg)

First Power Generated At 400 Megawatt Rampion Offshore Wind Farm In England  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154)


November 30th, 2017 by Joshua S Hill

SNIPPET:

Located 13 kilometers off the Sussex coast of England, when completed and fully operational next year the 400 MW project will generate electricity enough to supply the equivalent of 347,000 homes each year. The Rampion Offshore Wind Farm is jointly owned by E.ON, the Green Investment Group (formerly the UK’s Green Investment Bank), and Canadian multinational Enbridge, which announced its investment in the project in November of 2015.


Full article with more pictures:     (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191456.bmp&hash=a239c2fd76d20d142f1c54b961e22ebd0d2a4808)

https://cleantechnica.com/2017/11/30/first-power-generated-400-mw-rampion-offshore-wind-farm-england/

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-251117174013.png&hash=becada624c6a736a55155bb99b89433cee875e58)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 11, 2017, 11:57:59 pm
(https://www.cleanenergywire.org/sites/all/themes/clew/logo.png)

dpa / Foundation Offshore Wind Energy / Fraunhofer IWES

Offshore wind farms deliver power on 363 days a year

Offshore wind farms produce electricity more reliably than previously thought, a study by research institute Fraunhofer IWES has shown. Wind turbines in the German North- and Baltic Sea produce power on 363 days a year, while older data from 2013 had seen generation on 340 days. Germany has a capacity of five gigawatts of offshore wind power installed. Industry organisation Foundation Offshore Wind Energy says that the new figures show how offshore wind power can provide electricity in a more constant and predictable way, compared to onshore wind and solar power.

Read the article in German here.

https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/vw-diesel-surprise-offshore-power-year-round/offshore-wind-farms-deliver-power-363-days-year (https://www.offshore-stiftung.de/neue-studie-windanlagen-auf-see-liefern-jeden-tag-strom-dr-ursula-prall-st%C3%A4rkerer-ausbau-der)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 14, 2017, 02:03:19 pm
November Another Strong Month For Scottish Renewables

December 14th, 2017 by Joshua S Hill

SNIPPET:

“Over the course of the month Scotland’s windfarms generated the equivalent of 77% of our total electricity demand.  If we are to build on this success the UK Government must set out a route to market that encourages continued investment in onshore wind.

“Successive Scottish governments have set out a vision for renewables that has enabled the sector to flourish, drive down costs, create jobs and cut greenhouse gas emissions.  The forthcoming energy strategy needs to build on this strong foundation and set out the ambitious vision and steps we need to take to heat our homes and make the transition to electric vehicles.”

Full article:

https://cleantechnica.com/2017/12/14/november-another-strong-month-scottish-renewables/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 15, 2017, 04:34:29 pm
(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2017/12/Asian-Hercules-III-2.jpg)
Asian Hercules III Floating Crane   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fmuscular.gif&hash=1ebeafc0e4589b9d38ab66d37aa940d757e830e9)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)

Asian Hercules III Floating Crane Arrives To Construct European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre

December 15th, 2017 by Joshua S Hill

SNIPPET 1:

One of the world’s largest floating cranes, the Asian Hercules III, has arrived in Scotland to participate in the construction of Swedish power company Vattenfall’s pioneering European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre.

Today is my last working day of the year, and to celebrate I get to tell you all about the massive Asian Hercules III floating crane which arrived in Peterhead Port, Aberdeen, Scotland, on Thursday to participate in Vattenfall’s European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC).

SNIPPET 2:

The Asian Hercules III has a lifting capacity of 5,000 tonnes :o and a hook height of at least 120 meters. The crane will be used to transport the wind turbine jacket structures from Peterhead Port to the eventual location of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre in Aberdeen Bay.

(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2017/12/Asian-Hercules-III-1.jpg)

read more:

https://cleantechnica.com/2017/12/15/asian-hercules-iii-floating-crane-arrives-to-construct-european-offshore-wind-deployment-centre/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 16, 2017, 06:19:32 pm
Slanted GateHouse Media story omits most people’s experience of life near wind farms

December 16, 2017

Author: Greg Alvarez

If all you knew about the beach was what you saw in the movie “Jaws,” you’d never go. Yet 58 million Americans a year go to the shore.

Context matters. And that’s exactly what is lacking in a recent report by GateHouse Media that amplifies the complaints of a small number of the millions of Americans living near wind farms, while downplaying the vast majority who welcome the benefits of a new cash crop for rural America.

GateHouse appears to have set out to write a negative story about wind energy. First their reporter probed the idea that foreign companies were buying up American cropland. (They aren’t. Farmers keep their land and get lease income.) GateHouse then was fed anecdotal reports by opponents of wind farms online, while declining multiple offers to interview people satisfied with their local wind farm.

For nearly six months, both AWEA and wind developers responded to pointed questions and offered much-needed context to the GateHouse reporters. When offered positive accounts of wind farms in rural America, however, we were told they wouldn’t be included because the story of positive experiences had already been written.

The result, according to a watchdog group’s in-depth look at the origins of the GateHouse project: Its “anti-wind article leans almost entirely on anecdotal evidence” that “flies in the face of actual science.”

It paints a deeply inaccurate picture of wind power in America, based on a cherry-picked sampling of unhappy individuals. And it perpetuates baseless claims, in most cases without offering any evidence, which is as bad or worse of a journalistic practice than selectivity.

Vast majority of wind neighbors report positive experiences

As with other large-scale infrastructure projects, residents living near wind farms will have a variety of experiences. Undoubtedly, there are some people who do not like living near wind turbines. We are sympathetic to those individuals. AWEA and its member companies strive to ensure that wind farms are good neighbors, while leaseholders and communities around wind projects have the best possible experience.

But the context is that the vast majority of people living near wind farms report positive experiences. In the U.S., 20 million people live in counties with wind turbines. Around the world, tens of millions more live near wind turbines without issue. Once wind farms are built, as shown by polls taken recently in states such as Texas and Iowa where wind turbines have been widely adopted, concerns tend to diminish and support for building more of them has increased to 85%, 90% or even higher.

However, GateHouse refused to speak with people willing to tell their positive stories about living near wind farms.

For example, we recommended that their reporters connect with Paul Jackson, Director of Economic Development for Benton County, Indiana. Benton County is home to nearly 600 wind turbines, and the community is overwhelmingly supportive, yet Gatehouse declined to speak with Paul. Here’s a sample of what they would have heard about living with wind had they made the call:

https://youtu.be/jrYgtBIuJDI


Communities across the country echo Benton County, as in upstate New York:

https://youtu.be/cFxNocifHQU


And in Texas:

https://youtu.be/3-8eg_3Fn1M


Or Colorado:

https://youtu.be/jF7LYcUlBNE


Health concerns

A variety of recent research shows that wind energy saves lives and improves health. By cutting air pollution, wind and solar power helped avoid up to 12,200 premature deaths, 2007-2015, and wind avoided $7.4 billion in health costs in 2016 alone, according to an AWEA analysis of data from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Over 20 peer-reviewed scientific studies have considered whether proximity to wind turbines causes physical harm and concluded it does not. Credible research from MIT, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Wisconsin Department of Public Health, and Canada’s equivalent of the Department of Health and Human Services bears this out.

New research into the “nocebo effect” (the opposite of the well-known placebo effect) shows that the perception of effects from wind farms can actually be caused by the spread of misinformation.

The development process

Developers spend years planning wind farms prior to construction, informed by advances in modeling and siting and over 35 years of experience operating the now over 52,000 wind turbines in America. Issues such as sound and shadows are considered and addressed in state or local permitting processes. In case after case, wind developers bend over backwards to address local concerns.

It is unfortunate that someone may be unhappy with the outcome of a permitting process, but that is true of any type of development. The reality is that no human activity garners a 100 percent approval rating -- from roads to cell towers to farming operations.

Communities are the lifeblood of wind energy

The U.S. wind industry will continue working hard to ensure that farmers and ranchers who obtain turbine lease, and communities that host the resulting wind farms, have the best possible experience. We’re proud of the good jobs and economic opportunities our projects create for rural America, and we want to get as close as possible to 100 percent approval. By choosing to completely ignore the overwhelming number of positive experiences with wind energy, GateHouse’s reporters have done their readers a disservice and may be causing the nocebo effect themselves.

For another look at the GateHouse report, see this in-depth analysis (https://www.desmogblog.com/2017/12/13/shadow-honest-journalism-gatehouse-media-publishes-atrocious-anti-wind-farm-propaganda).

 Read more. (http://www.aweablog.org/gatehouse-media-got-wrong-report-life-near-wind-farms/)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 22, 2017, 01:42:42 pm
December 22nd, 2017 by Tina Casey

SNIPPET:

So, Is President* Trump A Renewable Energy Hero?  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coh2.org%2Fimages%2FSmileys%2Fhuhsign.gif&hash=3732d0427be65896527fc3805c5be54a33cffd3b)
 

A-hahahahhahahahahahahah. No. The peculiar nature of the US Electoral College enabled a chronic liar,  accused ripoff artist, admitted sexual predator, and climate change denier to park himself behind the desk in the Oval Office, despite losing the popular vote by a wider margin than any other US president in recent history.

Nevertheless, renewable energy development has continued its inexorable march to the future under Trump’s watch.

That’s partly because Energy Secretary Rick Perry has steadfastly promoted his agency’s renewable energy initiatives. It’s a weird contrast with his consistent cheerleading for Trump — ok, so let’s call it outright trolling — but there you have it (as for Perry’s record legacy on women’s health as Governor of Texas from 2000 to 2015, don’t get me started).

A case in point is the Northern Pass hydropower transmission project for New England. The project had been delayed during the Obama administration due to environmental concerns along its route, but just last month President* Trump’s Energy Department enabled it to take a step forward.

Full article;

Under Trump’s Nose, US Offshore Wind Energy “Revolution” Stirs Like A Mighty Beast (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-301014181553.gif&hash=c09667beb656b25086c168adcdaddcba59abf858)  (https://cleantechnica.com/2017/12/22/trumps-nose-us-offshore-wind-energy-revolution-stirs-like-mighty-beast/)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-040417131033.jpeg&hash=c3c9e3cced8af544267cb6a5b9ee696a653e31a7)
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Flooksmiley.gif&hash=2fa679c2bf50092b12a1301928cb338275c3ba54)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 06, 2018, 11:19:14 pm
44% Wind — Denmark Set New Wind Energy Record In 2017

January 6th, 2018 by Jesper Berggreen

SNIPPET 1:

Numbers have just come out this week from danskenergi.dk, the Danish energy organization whose members support companies in delivering steady green power to the Danes, with an impressive uptime of 99.99% at competitive prices.



SNIPPET 2:

Lars Aagaard, CEO of Dansk Energi, emphasizes that it is very important we utilize the combination of this amazing wind resource and the ability to supply incredibly stable power supply. “Electricity must replace gasoline, oil and gas,” he says.

Fewer & Better Turbines

Although wind turbines deliver a steadily increasing share of the Danish electricity supply, that does not mean that the number of turbines increases. On the contrary, today there are about 20% fewer wind turbines in Denmark than in 2001
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714191258.bmp&hash=e4ed21caaca822f7445ccafd39f49a9f84be90ca)
, when the number of wind turbines peaked. In 2017, about 6,100 wind turbines were in service according to the Danish Energy Authority.

The turbines have become bigger and more efficient. In addition, the majority of Denmark’s offshore wind turbines have been installed since 2001. Overall, capacity in Denmark has more than doubled since 2001, with today’s 5.3 GW wind capacity installed on land and water.

full article:


https://cleantechnica.com/2018/01/06/44-wind-denmark-smashed-already-huge-wind-energy-records-2017/

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 15, 2018, 11:06:22 pm
(https://www.cleanenergywire.org/sites/all/themes/clew/logo.png)

North Sea wind power up 47% higher than in 2016 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2Fza4.gif&hash=2db0a6001703f4089cb64dc38159bb3d467e1bff)

15 Jan 2018 | Julian Wettengel

Quote
... a record of 15.97 terawatt hours (TWh)  :o ;D, North Sea wind made up a total of 15.9 percent of all …

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-060914180936.jpeg&hash=5e39d70fafe4e7190a6eebce34b740c58721de3f)

https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/north-sea-wind-power-47-record-renewables-support-expenses

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 01, 2018, 02:04:58 pm
Vortex Generators 🌟 on a wind turbine
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fm.energy.siemens.com%2Fco%2Fpool%2Fhq%2Fpower-generation%2Frenewables%2Fwind-power%2Fpictures%2Ftechnology%2Fblades%2FVortex%2520Generator_800x600px.jpg&hash=740799ce6bc970bd5148179b0dd4fdaefe1317e9)


VGs Increase ⚡ AEP up to 3% ✨

(https://www.windpowerengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/1.-The-blades-of-large-pitch-regulated-3M-EDF.jpg)

Quote

EDF Renewable Services and 3M are providing owners the opportunity to increase AEP by installing maximum performing, highly reliable and quick-to-install 3M™ Wind Vortex Generators.

Vortex generator installation is tailored to each specific blade type and operating environment, improving blade performance by energizing the flow around the surface. This reduces flow separation and increases the performance of the entire turbine in terms of power, load and service life.

Vortex generators can increase AEP up to 3% and installation can pay for itself in about 1-2 years!  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.cdn2.123rf.com%2F168nwm%2Flenm%2Flenm1201%2Flenm120100200%2F12107060-illustration-of-a-smiley-giving-a-thumbs-up.jpg&hash=2046bc6d662e09d3014a2c404a2af6ba17f8217c)

Wind Power Engineering & Development on Behalf of EDF <newsletters@e.windpowerengineering.com>

 

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Turbulators_on_wind_turbine_blade_top_surface.jpg)

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 01, 2018, 02:26:37 pm
Tool manufacturing for wind applications
 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pic4ever.com%2Fimages%2F8.gif&hash=c1d98e606d7f558df4040f88e7997b3e11e9448c)

https://youtu.be/q4sKyWGb_MA

https://www.windpowerengineering.com/featured-wind-power-videos/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 07, 2018, 12:28:49 pm
British Offshore Wind Project Draws Investment Heavyweights

February 6, 2018 by Reuters

SNIPPET:

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3kbo302xo3lg2i1rj8450xje.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F09%2Fshutterstock_130551395.jpg&hash=5ca2a7d3b5420e930be4788e7289b7c6cf7ef085)
Photo: Shutterstock/Teun van den Dries

reuters logoBy Nina Chestney and Christoph Steitz LONDON/FRANKFURT, Feb 6 (Reuters) – British offshore wind project Triton Knoll has attracted the interest of several large investment funds, according to three sources familiar with the matter, in a sign of the growing competition for assets in the fast-changing sector.

German energy group Innogy , owner and developer of the planned 2-billion-pound ($2.8 billion) farm off the coast of eastern England, is looking for partners to get it off the ground.

The project has drawn interest from a number of infrastructure and pension funds, including Australia’s Macquarie , Switzerland’s Partners Group and Denmark’s PFA Pension, the three sources told Reuters.

Innogy, Macquarie, Partners Group and PFA all declined to comment on Triton Knoll. Offshore projects of this size typically have more than one investor alongside the developer.

The demand for the 860-megawatt (MW) Triton Knoll is indicative of the wider interest in offshore wind projects among funds. The returns on offer – typically 6-9 percent – outstrip interest rates, while competition has been heated up by the fact the number of profitable new projects becoming available is declining because fewer can secure government subsidies.

New data from industry group WindEurope, provided to Reuters ahead of its publication, reflects this rising institutional investor interest, as well as the decline in the building of offshore farms.

Infrastructure funds, pension funds and asset managers accounted for 35 percent of offshore M&A activity in Europe in 2017, up from 27 percent in the previous year, according to the data. At the same time, spending on new offshore capacity in Europe declined by 60 percent to 7.5 billion euros ($9.3 billion) last year, the first annual fall since 2012.

“There is definitely competition. The larger the project, the larger the investors which look at them,” said Oldrik Verloop, head of client advisory services for real assets at Aquila Capital, which manages 3.6 billion euros of renewable assets.

MEGATURBINES  :o (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)
The wind sector is undergoing structural change that is altering the calculus for investors.

While returns on offer beat interest rates by a wide margin, they are still lower than the double-digit percentage returns projects yielded before governments across Europe started to cut the generous subsidies that have cradled the wind power sector since its inception in the early 1990s.

Last year, auction systems were introduced which involved lower government handouts and drove down margins for projects.

The reason investment funds remain interested lies in the long-term revenues and stable cash flows wind farms generate, much like other infrastructure projects, plus the fact that technological advances are bringing down costs.

In the last decade, turbines have grown larger, with some now standing taller than the giant London Eye Ferris wheel which graces the skyline of the British capital – and even larger “megaturbines” are in the works. Bigger turbines sweep a larger area and harness more wind, cutting costs per megawatt.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.cdn2.123rf.com%2F168nwm%2Flenm%2Flenm1201%2Flenm120100200%2F12107060-illustration-of-a-smiley-giving-a-thumbs-up.jpg&hash=2046bc6d662e09d3014a2c404a2af6ba17f8217c)

Full article:

http://gcaptain.com/british-offshore-wind-project-draws-investment-heavyweights/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 07, 2018, 12:43:38 pm
France Set to Become a European Offshore Wind Powerhouse 💫 by 2022
February 6, 2018 by Bloomberg

SNIPPET:

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3kbo302xo3lg2i1rj8450xje.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F11%2Fshutterstock_578916262.jpg&hash=32518c71268430b7108f519630334c57e69943de)
offshore wind turbines rendering By Rost9 / Shutterstock

By Jeremy Hodges and Jessica Shankleman (Bloomberg) — Europe’s wind-power industry expects new French offshore turbine installations to overtake the U.K. and Germany by 2022, boosting President Emmanuel Macron’s pledge to increase renewable energy.

Construction off the French coast is expected to ramp up from 2020 and turn the country in the fourth-biggest offshore wind generator with about 4.3 gigawatts capacity by 2030, according to the Brussels-based WindEurope industry group.

Macron has repeatedly promised to turn France into a green energy leader 🌟 and reduce the country’s reliance on nuclear power. He’s trying to cut through bureaucratic red tape that has delayed offshore wind projects tendered in 2012. His government said in November that it aims to trim offshore project development to less than seven years from more than a decade.

Full article:

http://gcaptain.com/france-set-become-european-offshore-wind-powerhouse-2022/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 16, 2018, 04:18:55 pm
Hywind Scotland, World’s First Floating Wind Farm, Performing Better Than Expected
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.cdn2.123rf.com%2F168nwm%2Flenm%2Flenm1201%2Flenm120100200%2F12107060-illustration-of-a-smiley-giving-a-thumbs-up.jpg&hash=2046bc6d662e09d3014a2c404a2af6ba17f8217c)

February 16th, 2018 by Joshua S Hill

The world’s first floating wind farm, the 30 megawatt Hywind Scotland, is outperforming expectations and operating at levels consistently above that of its seabound offshore brethren, according to project developer Statoil.

First approved by the Scottish Government back in late 2015, the 30 megawatt (MW) Hywind Scotland floating offshore wind farm is made up of five 6 MW wind turbines floating 25 kilometers off the coast of Peterhead, in Scotland. The project began generating electricity in October of last year.

(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2017/10/Hywind-Scotland-1.jpg)

According to project developer Statoil, a Norwegian multinational oil and gas company, Hywind Scotland isn’t just generating electricity, it’s been doing so at a level that surpasses expectations through its first three full months of production and beating out the average accomplished by bottom fixed offshore wind farms.

It’s important at this point to remember that a wind turbine doesn’t generate 100% of its potential electricity capacity 24 hours, 7 days a week — to do that would require very disturbing wind conditions that pretty much don’t exist anywhere on earth. According to Statoil, wind farms that are affixed to the seafloor generally generate at around 45 to 60% — in other words, they are generating 100% of their potential electricity capacity around 45 to 60% of the time.

Conversely, according to Statoil, during November, December, and January, Hywind Scotland generated at an average of 65% — and has encountered hurricane Ophelia in October, Storm Caroline in early December, and waves in excess of 8.2 meters. Storm Caroline did force the farm to shut down during the worst of the winds for safety reasons, but the turbines automatically resumed operation afterwards.

(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2018/02/Hywind-Scotland-2.jpg)

“We have tested the Hywind technology in harsh weather conditions for many years and we know it works,” said Beate Myking, senior vice president of offshore wind operations in Statoil. “But putting the world’s first floating wind farm into production comes with some excitement. Therefore, it is very encouraging to see how well the turbines have performed so far.

“Hywind Scotland’s high availability has ensured that the volume of electricity generated is substantially higher than expected. In addition, it has delivered without any HSE incidents.”

The importance of these results is more than just representative of the success of Hywind Scotland.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcliparts.co%2Fcliparts%2FBig%2FEgq%2FBigEgqBMT.png&hash=e7eec62f009cdd686ce795fad0a53c6befe748e9)

“Knowing that up to 80% of the offshore wind resources globally are in deep waters (+60 meters) where traditional bottom fixed installations are not suitable, we see great potential for floating offshore wind, in Asia, on the west coast of North America and in Europe,” explained Irene Rummelhoff, executive vice president for New Energy Solutions in Statoil. “We are actively looking for new opportunities for the Hywind technology.”

https://cleantechnica.com/2018/02/16/hywind-scotland-worlds-first-floating-wind-farm-performing-better-expected/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 16, 2018, 09:30:37 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgeothermalexpo.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F06%2FREW-logo-new.jpg&hash=7d8fc0fe077063b22ad6ea5565b7366c128b757b)

AWEA Releases Underwater Footage of Block Island Wind Farm’s Artificial Reef

Recreational fishing industry becomes unlikely supporter of offshore wind in New England.  ;D

February 14, 2018

By Jennifer Runyon Chief Editor

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Faemstatic-ww2.azureedge.net%2Fcontent%2Frew%2Fen%2Farticles%2F2018%2F02%2Fawea-releases-underwater-footage-of-block-island-wind-farm-s-artificial-reef%2F_jcr_content%2Fleftcolumn%2Farticle%2Fheaderimage.img.png%2F1518629998790.png&hash=6d4a3669c523c7e3fc149cc420ef8ec42931b3e5)
         
When the Block Island Wind Farm (BIWF) foundations were put in place in 2015, many fishermen were worried. How would these giant metal formations set into the ocean change the game for commercial and recreational fisherman? Would they restrict fishing, causing these small business-owners to lose money and their livelihood?

After 6 months, their worries were starting to be alleviated and after just one year, they were completely gone. According to Chris Hobe, who has been fishing on the island since 1979, “within six months you had seed mussels,” he said in a webcast announcing the release of the footage. After one year those seed mussels had turned into a deep, thick coating of mature mussels, on which smaller fish feed, attracting the fish that feed on them and on and on up the food chain. Hobe added that a hammerhead shark was hunting in the region last summer for more than a week.

Another added bonus according to Hobe was the increased tourism that the turbines attracted. On a whim, his company offered to take the general public on tours around the turbines so they could see them up close. He never imagined the interest that would draw. By the end of the the 2017 summer season, Hobe said his company had stopped offering fishing excursions and was just doing sightseeing tours.

Engaging with all stakeholders is one of the most important aspects of building an offshore wind farm. Case in point is the now failed Cape Wind project, with its deep-pocketed opposition that killed the project after more than 10 years of lawsuits. In that case opponents were mainly concerned with views.

But if the underwater footage of the Block Island Wind Farm is any indication, fisherman, at the very least, should have no concerns with planned offshore wind farms near them. 

“We’re in the process of unlocking an entirely new American ocean energy resource with offshore wind. As the industry scales up in the U.S., communities up and down our coasts, especially in the Northeast, will want to know what offshore wind means for them,” said Stephanie McClellan, Director for the Special Initiative on Offshore Wind (SIOW), which was a partner on the project.

“When it comes to fishing, the science is convincing, but ultimately seeing is believing. That’s why we took an underwater videographer to Block Island to see for ourselves.” 

Play the video below to see for yourself.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-250817121424.gif&hash=384c17a4d2be4831084933b91808f8a60f73f7f5)

https://youtu.be/9BFa84LION0

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2018/02/awea-releases-underwater-footage-of-block-island-wind-farm-s-artificial-reef.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 21, 2018, 01:34:21 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-210218134759.png&hash=4058f3cb0e0bf6b839dded64d732dc0815f00089)

Recent Windpower Articles
֍ EU doubling renewables by 2030
֍ Siemens Gamesa secures 36-MW order for Bosnia wind farm
֍ Rocky Mountain Power selects four new projects for major wind & transmission expansion

֍ TransAlta acquires two construction-ready wind projects in U.S. Northeast
֍ Risky Business: Mitigating threats to onshore wind projects & portfolios
February 2018 Issue: Leadership 💫 in Wind Energy 💨 (https://www.windpowerengineering.com/digital-issues/february-2018-issue-leadership-wind-energy/?spMailingID=12943260&spUserID=MjI1NDc3MTY5NTgwS0&spJobID=1341417042&spReportId=MTM0MTQxNzA0MgS2)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on March 02, 2018, 11:14:13 pm
GE Unveils the World’s Most Powerful Wind Turbine  :o  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154)

March 1, 2018 by Bloomberg

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3kbo302xo3lg2i1rj8450xje.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F03%2FGE_RE_Offshore_Haliade_X_SOCIAL_02262018a.00_01_05_00.Still003.jpg&hash=223175b4598b86007efa5524c1816c25b0e0f990)
GE says the Haliade-X offshore wind turbine will feature an industry-leading 12 MW direct drive generator, enough to power up to 16,000 households annually. Image credit: GE

By Jeremy Hodges (Bloomberg) — GE Renewable Resources said it’ll spend as much as $400 million over the next few years to build an offshore wind turbine almost 100 meters taller than the Washington Monument.

The new turbine, dubbed Haliade-X, will measure 260 meters (853 feet) tall, the company said. The blades, manufactured by LM Wind Power, will be longer than a soccer field.

One 12-megawatt turbine will generate as much as 67 gigawatt hours a year, which is enough to power 5,000 households, GE said. Bigger turbines need fewer foundations and less complex grid connections than smaller units. That means a wind farm’s layout can be made more efficient, and fewer machines means less maintenance.

GE said it’ll supply the first nacelle for a demonstration in 2019 and ship the first turbines in 2021.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3kbo302xo3lg2i1rj8450xje.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F03%2Fge-infographic-1-haliade-x.jpg&hash=af0b282dc2740dbaf80b7ca65552362ae5f08c6e)

“The renewables industry took more than 20 years to install the first 17 gigawatt of offshore wind,” said Jerome Pecresse, president and chief executive officer of GE Renewable Energy. “Today, the industry forecasts that it will install more than 90 gigawatts over the next 12 years. This is being driven by lower cost of electricity from scale and technology.”

The costs of building and producing offshore wind farms have fallen dramatically in recent years making subsidy-free projects a reality. In 2017, the German and Dutch electricity regulators approved bids to build what will be the first offshore wind farms that depend entirely on market prices instead of government support and subsidy.

“It is important to be mindful of the challenges that come with bringing a 12-megawatt turbine to market,” said Keegan Kruger, a London-based Bloomberg New Energy Finance analyst.

Foundation manufacturers and installation vessel suppliers will need to adapt to the shift toward bigger turbines, while investors must learn to finance gigawatt-scale projects operating machines that have never been used, he said.

© 2018 Bloomberg L.P

http://gcaptain.com/ge-unveils-the-worlds-most-powerful-wind-turbine/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on March 14, 2018, 04:59:57 pm
(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/545693884664119297/mCDJfUgm.jpeg)

March 14, 2018

Insufficient transmission capacity continues to hold the US wind industry back from realizing its full potential


A Missouri judge recently ruled that the state’s utility commission “erred” in not approving the Grain Belt Express. The transmission line would transport wind from Kansas to Indiana, passing through Missouri on the way. The fate of the line now rests in the hands of the state Supreme Court. The demand for transmission to transport wind power is high -- when the Grain Belt Express was first announced, it received 4.5 times the line’s capacity in service requests from wind generators.

https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/an-argument-as-old-as-wind-the-transmission-conundrum
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on March 15, 2018, 06:02:16 pm
Agelbert NOTE: In addition to providing higher energy harvesting, the BTC wind turbine blade, pictured below, promises to reduce or eliminate damage from hurricane force (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs15.rimg.info%2Fdcda0e08e538cb37431314e6bd49279b.gif&hash=4e8b4ba5ce94991ab2f42c4c663e9f6991bbf4f4) winds due its ability to twist without structural failure. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)


Turbine blades that bend & twist can improve their power ⚡ output

March 9, 2018 Paul Dvorak

This article comes from the Fraunhofer Research News / 1.3.2018

The share of the overall electricity market made up by wind energy continues to grow year after year. The giant rotor blades are one central part of a turbine. In the “SmartBlades” project, the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES and its partners developed a rotor blade, which, thanks to an innovative bend-twist coupling, is able to make more efficient use of large fluctuations in wind strength. In the follow-up project “SmartBlades2”, the concept will undergo experimental tests using a demonstrator.

(https://www.fraunhofer.de/en/press/research-news/2018/March/intelligent-rotor-blade-optimizes-wind-energy-utilization/_jcr_content/contentPar/sectioncomponent/sectionParsys/textwithinlinedimage/imageComponent1/image.img.large.jpg/1519651391853_fk03-2018-IWES-IntelligentRotorBladeOptimizesWindEnergyUtilizati.jpg)
The BTC blade in the extreme load test: The loads are applied via three hydraulic cylinders.

More than 28,000 wind turbines with a total output of 50 gigawatts are currently in operation in Germany: This equates to a 12.3% share of the total electricity production in Germany in 2016. This figure places the German wind energy sector at the top of the European league table, as confirmed by the German Wind Energy Association’s data. The current focus of research is now on developing this technology even further. And the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES, based in Bremerhaven, is leading the way here. Within the framework of the joint “SmartBlades2” project, researchers have turned their attention to the bend-twist coupling (BTC) concept for rotor blades. The passive working coupling adapts continuously to the wind forces acting on the rotor blade. When the wind loads become too high, the bend-twists reduces the forces affecting the structure.

The rotor blades of conventional wind turbines react to changing wind strengths very slowly. A rotor blade measuring up to 85-meters long describes a circular area of 22,670 m², that’s the equivalent of four soccer pitches  :o. The wind strengths within this area can vary greatly. The pressure acting upon the blade pointing upward, for example, can be very different from the pressure on the lower blade. Conventional rotor blades cannot compensate for a single gust of wind as they are too rigid to twist. This means if there is a gust when the wind is already strong, the turbine operators turn the rotor blades completely away from the wind. This results in long downtimes during which no electricity is produced. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183312.bmp&hash=02dafef2fe739676600fdc9bd56271f0f5ab3723)

“The demonstrator BTC blade developed as part of this project is swept back whilst the blade tip is offset slightly to the rear in the direction of rotation. The 20-meter-long rotor blade is therefore able to rotate slightly around its own axis should strong gusts occur in order to mitigate the wind pressure to a certain degree,” explained the IWES technology coordinator for BTC blades, Dr. Elia Daniele. This reduces the forces acting upon the blade and, ultimately, the entire turbine. By using BTC blades on a newly planned wind turbine, the overall turbine weight can be reduced as the structure is subjected to lower loads. In case of existing turbines, the retrofitting of BTC blades allows the rotor diameter to be increased without having to adapt the other turbine components. This results in an increase in revenue thanks to a greater wind yield.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clker.com%2Fcliparts%2Fc%2F8%2Ff%2F8%2F11949865511933397169thumbs_up_nathan_eady_01.svg.hi.png&hash=599691109af22b33f1d59dd61eb97448a9427020)

Testing under realistic conditions

For the rest of the article: https://goo.gl/TgYfnb
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on March 23, 2018, 07:25:24 pm
Poland, One of Europe’s Biggest Polluters, Is Turning Toward Offshore Wind Power  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)

March 21, 2018 by Bloomberg

SNIPPET:

By Ewa Krukowska and Maciej Martewicz (Bloomberg) — After decades of prompting coal as the guarantor of national energy security, Europe’s fourth-biggest greenhouse-gas polluter is shifting to embrace wind power.

PGE SA, which is Poland’s largest utility, wants to turn to turbines to harness the breezes in the Baltic Sea and eventually supply 2.5 gigawatts from the technology by 2030. It is considering teaming up with one of the top European players in the project and is also working to speed up investments in generation plants fired by gas and those that use combined heat and power technology, according to Monika Morawiecka, the company’s director of strategy.

The moves reflect a plunge in the cost of wind turbines and rising costs for emissions permits. With the European Union determined to clamp down on climate-damaging fossil fuels, even the most polluting utilities are starting to look at how to clean up their industries.

Full article:

http://gcaptain.com/poland-one-of-europes-biggest-polluters-is-turning-toward-offshore-wind-power/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 03, 2018, 02:53:35 pm
Wind Power ⚡ Keeps Breaking Records In Central U.S  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183515.bmp&hash=4a3ad9d0a78a7e161f53ddd84f568082a5b0d2ad)

By BRIAN GRIMMETT • MAR 26, 2018

Early on the morning of March 16, wind provided 60 percent of the region’s electric needs. That number set a record 🌟, breaking an earlier one set only a week and a half earlier.

Wind power also recently set records for highest peak generation at 15,690 MW and continuously sustained generation of more than 13,000 MW for three days.

The Southwest Power Pool (SPP) oversees the region’s power grid, covering part or all of 14 states from as far south as Texas all the way to North Dakota. SPP COO Carl Monroe said his biggest concern with continued wind growth is its unpredictability. Sometimes it produces a lot electricity, and sometimes very little.

“The holy grail in a lot of people’s minds is storage and does storage get to a cost where it’s competitive to where you can use it to offset the intermittency of the wind,” Monroe said.

In 2017, wind provided a little more than 22 percent of all electricity in the region, second only to coal.

SPP Wind Records

Wind Penetration ✨

Jan. 27, 2017 - 49.17%
Feb. 12, 2017 - 52.08%
Mar. 5, 2017 - 52.11%
Mar. 6, 2017 - 52.65%
Mar. 19, 2017 - 54.45%
Apr. 24, 2017 -  54.47%
Dec. 4, 2017 - 56.25%
Feb. 19, 2018 - 56.88%
Mar. 3, 2018 - 57.87%
Mar. 5, 2018 - 58.07%
Mar. 11, 2018 - 58.49%
Mar. 16 2018 - 60.56%
Wind Peak

Mar. 21, 2016 -  10,782 MW
Mar. 28, 2016 - 10,808 MW
Apr. 23, 2016 - 10,988 MW
Nov. 17, 2016 - 11,305 MW
Dec. 28, 2016 - 11,384 MW
Dec. 29, 2016 - 11,559 MW
Dec. 30, 2016 - 12,335 MW
Feb. 9, 2017 - 13,342 MW
Dec. 4, 2017 - 14,150 MW
Dec. 15, 2017 - 15,690 MW
--

Brian Grimmett, based at KMUW in Wichita, is a reporter focusing on the environment and energy for the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KMUW, Kansas Public Radio, KCUR and High Plains Public Radio covering health, education and politics. Follow him on Twitter @briangrimmett. Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished at no cost with proper attribution and a link back to the original post.
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To contact KMUW News or to send in a news tip, reach us at news@kmuw.org.


http://kmuw.org/post/wind-power-keeps-breaking-records-central-us

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 11, 2018, 04:34:03 pm
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A jack-up vessel installs a wind turbine foundation at Deepwater Wind’s Block Island Wind Farm project in 2015. Photo: Deepwater Wind

The Biggest Problem for Offshore Wind in the United States Might Be the Ports

April 9, 2018 by Bloomberg

By Jim Efstathiou Jr. (Bloomberg) — U.S. offshore wind developers have a space problem.

SNIPPET:

Massachusetts has solicited bids for as much as 800 megawatts of offshore wind.

Finding locations big enough to assemble the huge towers and turbines and handle ships that can deliver the hardware to offshore farms is the biggest hurdle for companies eyeing a slice of the emerging market, according to Jeff Grybowski, chief executive officer of Deepwater Wind LLC, which developed the first U.S. offshore project.

“Our real challenge is finding enough port space to fit these projects,’’ Grybowski said Monday in an interview at the BNEF Future of Energy Summit in New York. Deepwater Wind used four ports to build the five-turbine, 30-megawatt Block Island wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island, he said.

read more:

http://gcaptain.com/the-biggest-problem-for-offshore-wind-in-the-united-states-might-be-the-ports/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 11, 2018, 06:32:55 pm
(https://www.afsc.org/sites/afsc.civicactions.net/files/u1752/Truthout%20logo.jpg)

Wednesday, 11 April 2018 07:46

Record-Breaking Wind 💨 Power Output  ⚡ in Scotland Sufficient for 5 Million Homes

By LORRAINE CHOW OF ECOWATCH ON BUZZFLASH AT TRUTHOUT

SNIPPET:

Scotland, which is fast on track to get 100 percent of its electricity via renewable energy by 2020  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154)  , has broken another wind power record.

The country's onshore wind turbines provided more than 5.3 million megawatt hours of electricity to the National Grid during the first three months of 2018, an impressive 44 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to an analysis of WWF Scotland wind power data by WeatherEnergy.

Over that first quarter, enough wind power was generated to supply the equivalent of five million homes with low-carbon electricity. The best day was on March 1, when 110,000 megawatt-hours of wind power could have supplied 173 percent of the nation's entire electricity demand.

Last year, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced plans to end the sale of new gas and diesel-powered cars by 2032, eight years ahead of the UK government target  ;D. And unlike England, fracking was permanently banned in Scotland last year and has technically been under halt since 2015.

read more:

http://buzzflash.com/commentary/scotland-s-record-breaking-wind-output-enough-to-power-5-million-homes
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 13, 2018, 06:18:58 pm
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Harnessing the Wind: ‘Viking Grace’ Becomes First Passenger Ship to Use a Rotor Sail for Wind-Assisted 💨 Proplusion

April 11, 2018 by Mike Schuler

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Norsepower’s rotor sail is installed aboard MS Viking Grace. Photo: Norsepower

One of the world’s most eco-friendly passenger vessels is about to get a whole lot more eco-friendly.
Finnish shipping line Viking Line has equipped its LNG-fueled Viking Grace with a rotor sail to help reduce the vessel’s environmental impact even more by harnessing the power of the wind.

The 57,565 GT Viking Grace, which has been in operation since 2013, is already considered one of the most eco-friendly cruise ferries in the world, but the addition of a rotor sail will help the vessel cut fuel consumption and reduce emissions even further when its begins wind-assisted voyages in the Baltic Sea between Turku, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden beginning on Thursday.

Developed by the Finnish company Norsepower Oy Ltd, the Rotor Sail Solution installed on the Viking Grace is a modernized version of the Flettner rotor; a spinning cylinder that uses the Magnus effect to harness wind power to propel a ship. The company first announced the project to install one of its devices aboard Viking Grace in January 2017.

While rotor sails have been in use on commercial ships before, the Viking Grace will be the first passenger ship in the world to be equipped with the technology.

The cylindrical rotor sail installed on the vessel 24 meters in height by 4 meters in diameter. As the rotor is spinning, the passing air will flow with a lower pressure on one side, creating a pressure difference that will propel the vessel forward.

Norsepower’s Rotor Sail Solution is already in commercial use on board the Bore’s MV Estraden, a 9,700 DWT Ro-Ro carrier, which has achieved a 6.1% reduction in fuel consumption through use of the rotor sails, according to Norsepower. The technology is fully automated, sensing whenever the wind is strong enough to deliver fuel savings, at which point the rotors start automatically.

Aboard the MS Viking Grace, the rotor sail will reduce the vessel’s carbon dioxide emissions by up to 900 tonnes per year, depending on the wind conditions, Viking Line says.

“For Norsepower, it’s an honour to be able to make the M/S Viking Grace even more environmentally-friendly by means of our novel rotor sail technology. The last traditional windjammers in the world were owned and operated by shipping companies based in Åland, so it’s fitting that Åland-based Viking Line should be a forerunner in launching modern auxiliary sail technology,” says Tuomas Riski, CEO of Norsepower.

In addition to the Viking Grace, Viking Line has also announced it will also utilize wind propulsion in the company’s new vessel, which is due for delivery 2020. Built in China, the passenger ship will be equipped with two mechanical rotor sails supplied by Norsepower.

http://gcaptain.com/viking-grace-becomes-first-passenger-ship-to-use-rotor-sail/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 26, 2018, 01:56:22 pm
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Siemens Gamesa To Repower 508 Megawatts ⚡ Of US Wind 💨 💫

April 26th, 2018 by Joshua S Hill

Spanish wind energy giant Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy has been awarded the contract to repower three wind farms in the United States for a total of 508 megawatts (MW), extending the lifespan and reliability of projects which would otherwise have reached their life’s end.

Siemens Gamesa announced on Wednesday that it had been awarded two separate contracts with US utility NextEra Energy Resources to repower three wind farms across Texas for a total capacity of 508 MW. The deal confirms the company as one of the world’s leading wind energy operations and maintenance (O&M) companies, a market which will only continue to evolve and grow in importance over the next decades. In total, Siemens Gamesa has 55 gigawatts (GW) under service around the world.

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Indian Mesa Wind Energy Center

The first of the new contracts signed between Siemens Gamesa and NextEra is for the repowering of 362 of Vestas’ V47 wind turbines at the Indian Mesa and Woodward wind farms in Texas for a total capacity of 240 MW.

Siemens Gamesa will overhaul the V47 turbines to upgrade hardware and control systems and resulting in an increased output of 710 kilowatts (kW), up from the previous 660 kW, as well as extending the life of the turbines for another 10 years with an increased availability. The company will upgrade the electrical and electronic components of the wind turbines, subsequently improving performance and increasing its lifetime energy production. The overhaul is expected to be completed by the end of the year and the turbines will remain operational during the process.

“We highly value our continued partnership with NextEra Energy Resources,” said Mark Albenze, CEO of Siemens Gamesa’s Service Business Unit. “As a multi-brand service provider, we can enhance the performance of V47 turbines with our cutting-edge solutions by delivering maximum performance and optimal energy output, allowing NextEra Energy Resources to achieve the best possible return on their investment.”

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King Mountain Wind Energy Center

The second agreement signed between Siemens Gamesa and NextEra is for the repowering of 210 units of the legacy Bonus 1.3 MW wind turbine at the King Mountain Wind Energy Center in Texas, making it the first time a 1.3 MW turbine has ever been repowered.

“Repowering the Bonus units demonstrates Siemens Gamesa’s commitment to maximizing value for our customers throughout an asset’s lifecycle,” added Mark Albenze. “The upgrades will improve the reliability of these units by modernizing the turbines to reduce maintenance requirements and sustain overall site availability.”

https://cleantechnica.com/2018/04/26/siemens-gamesa-to-repower-508-megawatts-of-us-wind/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 26, 2018, 09:51:22 pm
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World’s Most Powerful Wind Turbines to Be Installed Offshore Belgium

April 25, 2018 by gCaptain

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world's largest wind turbine File Photo: MHI Vestas

MHI Vestas has been awarded a contract to install the world’s most powerful offshore wind turbines off the coast of Belgium.

The installation of the record-setting 9.5 MW turbines is planned for late 2019 at the Northwester 2 offshore wind farm in the North Sea.

The 224 MW Northwester 2 project is the fourth collaboration between Parkwind and MHI Vestas. The wind farm will comprise 23 turbines and provide enough clean energy to power 220,000 Belgian homes.

“The Northwester 2 timing and general schedule is very challenging in the light of the timing wanted by the Belgian government. This challenging timeline has played an important role in the choice for MHI Vestas as turbine supplier having the capability of delivering the V164-9.5 MW. Parkwind is very delighted to have MHI Vestas for the fourth time as a partner,” commented the co-CEO’s of Parkwind, Eric Antoons & François Van Leeuw.

The conditional order announcement, which includes a service agreement, comes as the government has recently announced it will double offshore wind capacity in Belgian territorial waters, up to 4 GW by 2025.

The V164-9.5 MW from MHI Vestas Offshore Wind is the most powerful and commercially available wind turbine in the world. With blades that are 80 m in length, one turbine can power 9,500 Belgian homes.

Parkwind today operates 552MW in the Belgian territorial waters and has a pipeline of another 554MW offshore in Belgium and Ireland.

http://gcaptain.com/worlds-most-powerful-wind-turbines-to-be-installed-offshore-belgium/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 04, 2018, 09:32:29 pm
US Wind Development Surges As Pipeline Exceeds 30 Gigawatts (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-311017193926.png&hash=135a7bcd2093b679e425bbd2086adb8ddfd2e7b5)

May 4th, 2018 by Joshua S Hill

SNIPPET:

The demand for US wind energy surged through the first quarter of 2018, pushing the country’s wind development pipeline to over 33 gigawatts (GW), according to the American Wind Energy Association, which tracked new announcements of over 5,500 megawatts (MW).

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) published its US Wind Industry First Quarter 2018 Market Report this week, highlighting the continued demand for “affordable, reliable” wind energy across the United States. Specifically, AWEA tracked 3,560 MW worth of signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) by utility and non-utility customers — the strongest quarter for PPAs AWEA has seen since it began tracking them in 2013. AWEA also tracked new project announcements worth 5,523 MW for the first quarter, pushing the amount of wind power capacity in various stages of development and construction to a total of 33,449 MW — a 40% year-over-year increase and the highest level AWEA has seen since it has been tracking both categories in 2016.

“Word is out that wind power is an excellent source of affordable, reliable and clean energy,” said Tom Kiernan, CEO of AWEA. “Our industry is consistently growing the wind project pipeline as leading companies, including utilities and brands like AT&T and Nestle, keep placing orders. Strong demand for wind power is fueling an economic engine supporting a record 105,500 U.S. wind jobs in farm and factory towns across the nation.”

However, it is also worth looking at the country’s cumulative and quarterly additions, which shows that the last few years have actually seen a decline in yearly wind capacity additions, and fluctuating quarterly figures as well.

US Annual and Cumulative Wind Power Capacity Growth

(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2018/05/AWEA-19.jpg)

Full article with more graphics:


https://cleantechnica.com/2018/05/04/us-wind-development-surges-as-pipeline-exceeds-30-gigawatts/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 17, 2018, 02:11:02 pm
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Time-Lapse: World’s Most Powerful ⚡ Offshore Wind Turbine Installed Off Scotland

May 16, 2018 by gCaptain

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Photo: Vattenfall

A time-lapse video has been posted online showing last months installation of the world’s most power wind turbine at Vattenfall’s European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre located just off the north-east coast of Scotland in Aberdeen Bay.

The turbine is the first of 11 to be deployed at the “ground-breaking” facility and one of two turbines at the wind farm that have been modified to generate 8.8MW of clean energy from the less powerful but still impressive 8.4MW versions.

Vattenfall says the installation, which took place on April 9, marks the first time an 8.8MW model has been deployed commercially in the offshore wind industry.

Together with the nine 8.4MW turbines, the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centres (EOWDC) will have an output to 93.2MW, equivalent to 70% of Aberdeen’s domestic electricity demand or approximately 134,128 tonnes of CO2 per year.

MHI Vestas has specially designed the V164-8.4 MW and V164-8.8 MW turbines which all have a tip height of 191 meters. Each blade is 80m long and the 164m rotor has a circumference larger than that of the London Eye’s.

EOWDC project director at Vattenfall, Adam Ezzamel, said: “The first turbine installation is a significant achievement and credit to the diligence and engineering know-how of the project team and contractors. For it to be one of the 8.8MW models makes it an even more momentous moment because it further endorses the EOWDC as a world-class hub of offshore wind innovation.”

The turbines were transported from Esbjerg to Aberdeen by Swire Blue Ocean’s wind farm installation vessel, the Pacific Orca, which lifted the turbines into position on the previously-installed foundations.

Check out the time-lapse below:

https://youtu.be/KjIVUzyhiXU

http://gcaptain.com/time-lapse-worlds-most-powerful-offshore-wind-turbine-installed-off-scotland/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 24, 2018, 07:01:57 pm
Agelbert NOTE: This article answers the question that has ALWAYS been in the category of "Do wild bears poop in the woods". (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-130418202709.png&hash=7503265ec59e4c28d735afb762bc39f4674bd838)

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Can we get 100% of our energy from renewable sources? 

By Michelle Froese | May 18, 2018

This article comes from Science Daily, with materials provided by Lappeenranta University of Technology.


Scientists have demonstrated that there are no roadblocks on the way to a 100% renewable future.


֍ Is there enough space for all the wind turbines and solar panels to provide all our energy needs? (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-250817121424.gif&hash=384c17a4d2be4831084933b91808f8a60f73f7f5)

֍ What happens when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow? 🤔

֍ Won’t renewables destabilize the grid and cause blackouts?    (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-130418202548.png&hash=e826b35fcbeed154112b9cac6fdded08f76ee8e3)

In a review paper last year in the high-ranking journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Master of Science Benjamin Heard 🐉 and colleagues 🦕 🦖 presented their case  against 100% renewable electricity systems. They doubted the feasibility of many of the recent scenarios for high shares of renewable energy, questioning everything from whether renewables-based systems can survive extreme weather events with low sun and low wind, to the ability to keep the grid stable with so much variable generation.

Now scientists have hit back with their response to the points raised by Heard and colleagues. The researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Delft University of Technology and Aalborg University have analysed hundreds of studies from across the scientific literature to answer each of the apparent issues.

They demonstrate that there are no roadblocks on the way to a 100% renewable future. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-250817121649.png&hash=4554f7e59701d12857946aece16bceb973c997b3)

“While several of the issues raised by the Heard paper are important, you have to realise that there are technical solutions to all the points they raised, using today’s technology,” says the lead author of the response, Dr. Tom Brown of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.

Quote
“Furthermore, these solutions are absolutely affordable, especially given the sinking costs of wind and solar power,” adds Professor Christian Breyer of Lappeenranta University of Technology, who co-authored the response.

Brown cites the worst-case solution of hydrogen or synthetic gas produced with renewable electricity for times when imports, hydroelectricity, batteries, and other storage fail to bridge the gap during low wind and solar periods during the winter. For maintaining stability there is a series of technical solutions, from rotating grid stabilisers to newer electronics-based solutions. The scientists have collected examples of best practice by grid operators from across the world, from Denmark to Tasmania.

Furthermore, these solutions are absolutely affordable, especially given the sinking costs of wind and solar power.

The response by the scientists (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-210614221847.gif&hash=54129e3b65760aaddc6f2d7f42b34a7d839d2f27)has now appeared in the same journal as the original article by Heard and colleagues.

There are some persistent myths that 100% renewable systems are not possible,” says Professor Brian Vad Mathiesen of Aalborg University, who is a co-author of the response. “Our contribution deals with these myths one-by-one, using all the latest research. Now let’s get back to the business of modeling low-cost scenarios to eliminate fossil fuels from our energy system, so we can tackle the climate and health challenges they pose.”   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcliparts.co%2Fcliparts%2FBig%2FEgq%2FBigEgqBMT.png&hash=e7eec62f009cdd686ce795fad0a53c6befe748e9)


https://www.windpowerengineering.com/business-news-projects/can-we-get-100-of-our-energy-from-renewable-sources/

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Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 30, 2018, 10:48:07 pm
`Dawn’ of Asia’s Offshore Wind Boom 🌟 Lures Japanese Trading Houses

May 29, 2018 by Bloomberg

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Photo: Tilman Ehrcke / Shutterstock

SNIPPET:

“Asia is at the dawn of development of its offshore wind market,” Yoshio Kometani, chief operating officer of Mitsui’s infrastructure projects business unit, said in an email. “Taiwan is especially promising as it has favorable natural conditions and the government is taking initiative to improve investment and development opportunities.”

Buffeted by strong breezes in the Taiwan Strait, the island has emerged as a hot spot for clean power projects as President Tsai Ing-Wen works to phase out nuclear energy while adding 25 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2025. The island is seeking to boost offshore wind capacity to 5.5 gigawatts over the same timeframe, from just 8 megawatts.

In Japan, the government is working on legislation that standardizes offshore wind development guidelines and streamline the approval process for new projects. In March, the country’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry updated its offshore wind map with more data on conditions and the agency is accelerating the environmental impact assessment process.

Globally, there are about 18 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity and Europe accounts for more than 80 percent of that, with the rest mostly in Asia, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Asia will add 3.5 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity in 2030, more than double the 1.5 gigawatts to be added in Europe the same year, according to estimates in a December report from BNEF.

To be sure, most of Asia’s offshore wind development is occurring in China, a place where historically Japanese companies have a small footprint. The world’s largest energy user is ranked third globally for offshore wind capacity with about 2.8 gigawatts as of last year, after the U.K. and Germany, according to BNEF.

Japanese trading houses have been making moves into offshore wind in overseas markets for years, gaining experience to participate the coming Asia boom. Marubeni owns a stake in a project in the U.K. and Sumitomo Corp. owns parts of two Belgium and two other U.K. offshore wind farms.

Mitsubishi, which will start construction of a 950-megawatt wind project off the U.K. coast with partners this year, aims to double its renewable output so that it accounts for about 20 percent of its total power production by 2030. Offshore wind will play an important role in that expansion, according to Yusuke Takeuchi, who heads a power business development team at Mitsubishi.

Full article:

http://gcaptain.com/dawn-of-asias-offshore-wind-boom-lures-japanese-trading-houses/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on May 31, 2018, 05:59:28 pm
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Van Oord 💫 Wins Offshore Wind 💨 Contract in Taiwan


May 30, 2018 by gCaptain

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Map shows the location of the Yunlin offshore wind farm.

Dutch marine contractor Van Oord announced on Wednesday that it has been selected as the preferred contractor for a large 640 MW offshore wind project in Taiwan.

The Yunlin offshore wind project is being developed by German wind developer wpd.

Van Oord is responsible for the design, manufacturing and installation of the wind farm’s eighty foundations, which will be constructed eight kilometers off the coast of Taiwan’s Yunlin prefecture. Work is expected to start immediately.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.cdn2.123rf.com%2F168nwm%2Flenm%2Flenm1201%2Flenm120100200%2F12107060-illustration-of-a-smiley-giving-a-thumbs-up.jpg&hash=2046bc6d662e09d3014a2c404a2af6ba17f8217c)

Taiwan Emerging as Battleground to Expand Offshore Wind in Asia (https://gcaptain.com/taiwan-emerging-as-battleground-to-expand-offshore-wind-in-asia/)

Van Oord says the contract has a value of approximately EUR 500 million.

The Taiwanese government aims to install 5.5 GW of offshore wind projects by 2025.

The installation of the first foundations for the Yunlin project are expected to start in early 2020.

Dawn of Asia’s Offshore Wind Boom Lures Japanese Trading Houses (http://gcaptain.com/dawn-of-asias-offshore-wind-boom-lures-japanese-trading-houses/)

For Van Oord, the Yunlin project represents its first offshore wind project in Taiwan, as well as its first outside of Europe.

In Asia, and especially in Taiwan, large investments are being made in offshore wind. The Yunlin project is a great opportunity for Van Oord to show our expertise outside Europe. We look forward to working with our local partners to enable the energy transition of Taiwan,” commented CEO Pieter van Oord.

http://gcaptain.com/van-oord-wins-offshore-wind-contract-in-taiwan/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 01, 2018, 09:23:33 pm
EcoWatch

Lorraine Chow

May. 30, 2018 07:38AM EST

11 Turbines Successfully Installed at Wind Farm Trump 🦀 Tried to Block  ;D

SNIPPET:

The world's most powerful wind turbines have been successfully installed at the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) off Aberdeen Bay in Scotland's North Sea. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.doomsteaddiner.net%2Fforum%2FSmileys%2Fdd1%2Fmultiplespotting.gif&hash=0a0698acaa7fe5323c8e712091175cc607d7e828)

The final turbine was installed on Saturday just nine weeks after the first foundation for the 11-turbine offshore wind farm was deployed, according to the developers Vattenfall.

Incidentally, the project was at the center of a contentious legal battle waged—and lost—by Donald Trump, before he became U.S. president. Trump felt the "ugly" wind turbines would ruin the view of his Menie golf resort.

"I am not thrilled," Trump said in 2006, as quoted by BBC News. "I want to see the ocean, I do not want to see windmills."

But in 2015, the UK Supreme Court unanimously rejected Trump's years-long appeal against the wind farm, which now stands 1.2 miles from his luxury golf course.

read more:

https://www.ecowatch.com/wind-turbines-scotland-trump-2573562151.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 14, 2018, 05:05:10 pm
CleanTechnica
Support CleanTechnica’s work via donations on Patreon or PayPal!

Or just go buy a cool t-shirt, cup, baby outfit, bag, or hoodie. (https://cleantechnica.com/shop/#!/)

Ørsted Officially Opens 573 Megawatt Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.doomsteaddiner.net%2Fforum%2FSmileys%2Fdd1%2Fmultiplespotting.gif&hash=0a0698acaa7fe5323c8e712091175cc607d7e828)

June 14th, 2018 by Joshua S Hill

Danish offshore wind energy developer Ørsted officially opened the 573 megawatt (MW) Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm Wednesday, which will provide over half a million UK homes with clean electricity. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcliparts.co%2Fcliparts%2FBig%2FEgq%2FBigEgqBMT.png&hash=e7eec62f009cdd686ce795fad0a53c6befe748e9)

https://youtu.be/hQbol643tZs

The Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm has had something of a long history, and was only pulled out of trouble in late 2013 when DONG Energy (now known as Ørsted) acquired 100% ownership in the project from British multinational energy and services company Centrica.

“Race Bank fits very well into our existing pipeline of offshore wind projects and will contribute to the achievement of our strategic target of constructing 6,500 MW by 2020,” said Samuel Leupold, Executive Vice President of DONG Energy Wind Power, at the time. “The addition of up to 580 MW to our UK project portfolio underlines our commitment to the UK market in general, and to the UK offshore wind sector in particular.”

(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2018/06/Race-Bank-2.png)

A year and a half later, DONG Energy awarded a wind turbine order to Siemens (now Siemens Gamesa) to provide 91 of its 6 MW wind turbines for the project. Located 32 kilometers off the British eastern coast, Race Bank was one of the big projects announced through the early part of this decade, but has since been eclipsed by much larger projects with much bigger wind turbines.

At the end of 2016, DONG Energy divested 50% ownership in the project to the Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 5 and Macquarie Capital, the principal investment arm of Macquarie Group in a deal that was worth £1.6 billion ($1.2 billion).

And finally, at the beginning of February this year, Ørsted announced that Race Bank had reached full power output across all of its 91 wind turbines and had already generated 1 terawatt-hour (TWh) of power 👀 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154) since construction had begun.

video at article link of Race Bank Inauguration  8)
 
The project was therefore officially opened at a ceremony in Grimsby on Wednesday, home to Ørsted’s East Coast Hub, the UK’s largest offshore wind Operations and Maintenance (O&M) base. The project, beyond being a massive provider of clean electricity, also makes use of a new way of carrying out offshore maintenance, using a Service Operation Vessel that remains offshore with technicians working 14 days and 14 days off.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)

(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2018/02/Race-Bank-Offshore-Wind-Farm-Siemens-Orsted-1.jpg)

“Race Bank is a fantastic infrastructure project and underlines Ørsted’s contribution to the UK’s energy transition. It’s also another clear signal of our firm commitment to Grimsby and the Humber, and the UK supply chain for offshore wind,” said Matthew Wright, Managing Director at Ørsted UK. “Race Bank is a hugely significant and innovative project, featuring the first-ever turbine blades to be made in Hull and becoming our first wind farm in the UK to be operated using a new Service Operation Vessel. It’s also one of the fastest projects we have ever built, with a fantastic safety record, and this is testament to the hard work of the project team and the great relationship we have with our partners.

“Powering over half a million homes every year, Race Bank is another positive step towards delivering the UK’s decarbonised energy system of the future.”

https://cleantechnica.com/2018/06/14/orsted-officially-opens-573-megawatt-race-bank-offshore-wind-farm/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 17, 2018, 03:28:42 pm
Agelbert NOTE: This article is 5 years old, but worth your attention. Perhaps it has not gained much attention, simply because the units are not for huge wind turbines that get all the news. Nevertheless, they are doing a great service for smaller installations like homes and farms (see video at the end of this article and 2017 press release).
Shifting Gears on Wind Turbines

Tom Lombardo posted on October 13, 2013 | 2 Comments | 16387 views

To gear or not to gear?

Most wind turbines have gearbox transmissions that connect the slowly spinning turbine with the speed-hungry generator. But gearboxes have disadvantages: they’re noisy, complex, and prone to failure. Gearboxes need regular maintenance and lubrication, increasing their total cost of ownership. Some manufacturers have opted for gearless direct-drive turbines, but there’s a trade-off: because the shaft spins slowly, they require much larger permanent-magnet generators, increasing the weight and initial cost of the turbines. A new technology may capture the best of both designs.

Windtech has partnered with Future Force LLC to build a turbine based on the Zero Contact TransmissionTM (ZCT) patented by Future Force. The technology uses a transmission of sorts, but instead of mechanical gears, belts, or chains, the ZCT uses neodymium permanent magnets to make the generator in the turbine spin five times faster than the rotor. Lab tests conducted at the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) have shown the ZCT to be 98% efficient at transferring energy from its input to its output.

(https://www.engineering.com/Portals/0/BlogFiles/tlombardo/ZCT.JPG)

As shown above, the rotor drives the main shaft, which is magnetically coupled (via the ZCT) to five independent generators, each spinning five times faster than the rotor. (The picture only shows four generators, but their documentation says five. There must be one in the middle.) This provides  redundancy; the turbine could withstand the failure of one or two generators and still produce some power. The turbine is capable of generating substantial energy at low wind speeds; its peak power occurs when the wind speed is 8.1 m/s (18 mph), where comparable turbines require speeds in excess of 12 m/s (27 mph) to achieve peak output. Its startup speed is a meager 2.2 m/s (5.0 mph). It’s designed for locations with average wind speeds of 4 m/s (8.8 mph), which makes wind power viable in 50% more places.


Windtech is currently testing a prototype of its 100E 10 kW turbine (pictured below) in Glencoe MN. They plan to sell the 100E at a price that’s competitive with other units of similar size, making it more likely that customers will take this turbine out for a spin.


(https://www.engineering.com/Portals/0/BlogFiles/tlombardo/ZCTPhoto.JPG)

https://www.engineering.com/ElectronicsDesign/ElectronicsDesignArticles/ArticleID/6466/Shifting-Gears-on-Wind-Turbines.aspx

Agelbert NOTE:  The following video shows WINDTECH 8 KW VAWT AND 14 KW HAWT WIND TURBINE for small sites and homes ( 📢 Eddie, check this out!) and the BREAK THROUGH TECHNOLOGY of their patented Zero Contact Transmission (ZCT), a unique system that eliminates contact friction:  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)

 
https://youtu.be/xy_Mgblb7Cw



Zero-Contact Transmission logs 15,000 hours of operation 👀   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154)

June 19, 2017

Future Force Zero Contact Transmission (ZCT) hits 15,000 hour milestone. The ZCT designed and built for WindTech, Inc. just surpassed 15,000 hours of operation with NO lubrication.   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185441.png&hash=26743778f1a536d8268441c8736c8a6b4cec217b)

The ZCT utilizes magnetic propulsion so there is no friction or need for lubricants. Mike Tkadlec, founder of Future Force and inventor of the Zero Contact Transmission said, “to deploy a ZCT in a wind turbine is perfect for proving the viability of a high torque magnetic propulsion transmission whichoperates at 35% greater efficiency  than a standard oil-encased gearbox. This is a major breakthrough in advancing to the next size ZCT for mW generators without lubrication.”

Future Force, LLC is a privately-owned company offering licensing to it’s patented magnetic propulsion technologies. More information can be found at www.futureforcellc.com

http://futureforcellc.com/futureforce/2017/06/19/zero-contact-transmission-logs-15000-hours-operation/

I have the two turbines I bought from Mike after I took my turbine building course. I built one like my little one, and I helped build one like my bigger one, but I had Mike build the ones I bought. Experience is worth something. His simple designs have been proven. Nothing fancy, but plenty of them in service.

For wind, its a relatively easy job to build a turbine from commonly available stuff, if you can get magnets. I went for simple rather than high efficiency.

Sourcing and erecting a tower is a much bigger job, imho, than building a turbine. And with 9mph wind, it's more of a novelty here. But on some days in winter it would no doubt be nice to have a turbine spinning, even here. I have not ever gotten a tower up. Expensive, complicated job, usually requiring a crane. I've been shopping for a good tower deal forever.

I have a low wind Mallard LW built from a repurposed Delco car alternator, and a bigger Mallard SP80.


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mikeswindmillshop.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F01%2FLW-in-air-A-300x225.jpg&hash=a8c30c823b13af06e911ffe644eccbe9f9a6e1de)
http://www.mikeswindmillshop.com/product/low-wind-mallard-lw (http://www.mikeswindmillshop.com/product/low-wind-mallard-lw)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.cdn2.123rf.com%2F168nwm%2Flenm%2Flenm1201%2Flenm120100200%2F12107060-illustration-of-a-smiley-giving-a-thumbs-up.jpg&hash=2046bc6d662e09d3014a2c404a2af6ba17f8217c)

Nice! micro wind has been mostly destroyed by low cost solar. as mentioned the tower costs and maintenance make them non competitive except on the best wind sites. ...

True. As you said, the advantage a wind turbine could have over photovoltaic is strictly in places where there is a lot of pretty constant wind, particularly at night, I might add. 


Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 17, 2018, 05:20:05 pm
I have the two turbines I bought from Mike after I took my turbine building course. I built one like my little one, and I helped build one like my bigger one, but I had Mike build the ones I bought. Experience is worth something. His simple designs have been proven. Nothing fancy, but plenty of them in service.

For wind, its a relatively easy job to build a turbine from commonly available stuff, if you can get magnets. I went for simple rather than high efficiency.

Sourcing and erecting a tower is a much bigger job, imho, than building a turbine. And with 9mph wind, it's more of a novelty here. But on some days in winter it would no doubt be nice to have a turbine spinning, even here. I have not ever gotten a tower up. Expensive, complicated job, usually requiring a crane. I've been shopping for a good tower deal forever.

I have a low wind Mallard LW built from a repurposed Delco car alternator, and a bigger Mallard SP80.


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mikeswindmillshop.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F01%2FLW-in-air-A-300x225.jpg&hash=a8c30c823b13af06e911ffe644eccbe9f9a6e1de)
http://www.mikeswindmillshop.com/product/low-wind-mallard-lw (http://www.mikeswindmillshop.com/product/low-wind-mallard-lw)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fus.cdn2.123rf.com%2F168nwm%2Flenm%2Flenm1201%2Flenm120100200%2F12107060-illustration-of-a-smiley-giving-a-thumbs-up.jpg&hash=2046bc6d662e09d3014a2c404a2af6ba17f8217c)

Nice! micro wind has been mostly destroyed by low cost solar. as mentioned the tower costs and maintenance make them non competitive except on the best wind sites. ...

True. As you said, the advantage a wind turbine could have over photovoltaic is strictly in places where there is a lot of pretty constant wind, particularly at night, I might add.


Great for boats.  Boat mounted turbines max out their performance when you're actually under sail, so its a little different than a land based turbine.

Wind generators really produce power when sailing on a reach. The wind coming off the main sail gets directed back to the wind generator at a higher wind speed causing the wind generator to produce power.

The coast here is windy enough to make them work at anchorage, but that isn't a given everywhere.


(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-250817121649.png&hash=4554f7e59701d12857946aece16bceb973c997b3)

I had a hairbrained idea at one time that you could set up a vertical axis wind turbine on a boat that would be speed regulated by a "governor" (sort of like those steam engine governors that slow down or speed up with the centrifugal force of weights) type rotor assemply that would reduce wind exposure when the wind got too strong and increase it to max when the wind was weak. I fancied that the mast of this wind turbine would have to be REALLY strongly attached to the frame of the boat, simply because the gyroscopic effect would be fighting the rocking of the boat in normal seas, trying to tear it loose, all the time.

It was probably a bad idea but I enjoy those types of thought exercises, even if they never come to a hill of beans.  8)

Way back in the early years of the 20th Century an ocean liner owner got the bright idea to use giant gyroscopes bolted to the bottom inside base of the ocean liner so the ship would not rock in high seas. When the ship got into some rough seas, the huge and weighty gyroscopes (there were around four of them placed equidistantly along the bottom inside), each as tall as three humans, tore the bolts off. Those dadgum giant gyroscopes just did not wanna go where the ship was going. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-220216203149.gif&hash=bd184b6edccce4045e246847a0c84e89bd5a18b6)

Of course, that was the end of that idea.

I had a flight student that was an ocean liner officer. He invited me on board and showed me the bridge. Since he was learning to fly and knew the ship controls would interest me, he showed me how the "wings" of the ocean liner worked. The vanes under the water line are used to generate hydrodynamic "lift" up or down, like ailerons on an aircraft (vanes on the port side work opposite the vanes on the starboard side). He explained those vanes keep the liner from rocking much in rough seas. Let me tell you, they are not that small, even though they are much smaller relative to the ship body than aircraft wings are to a fuselage. Those vanes are very tough as well. If water/wave pressure from a surprise sea can tear off a ship's rudder, those hydrodynamic vanes need to be super strongly attached.

I guess that's the way they finally went when the gyroscope idea didn't work out. That was way back in 1970. I don't know if they still use "wings" under water to stabilize ocean liners.   
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 17, 2018, 07:11:19 pm
David B.:
Quote
I saw a documentary on cousteau on the Alcyone. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbosail
And I remember reading about rotor ships.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotor_ship

Yes, that magnus effect is a very real way of harvesting wind for propulsion quite efficiently.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-130418194321.png&hash=8173da4a30c1a38649fa5c27606f4df81f102148)


There are some ships now being fitted with rotor sails to harness wind as a supplement to the engines:

SNIPPET:

Types

Several types of rotor ships can be distinguished. Rotor sail-only ships exist, as do rotor sail-assist (hybrid) ships.[citation needed] Wind Ship Development Corporation has two types of sail-assist designs, for use with different sizes of ships.[2] In practice, most rotor ships have a system with an electric motor that allows the initial start and eventual stop of the rotor by crew.[citation needed] Rotor's rotational speed (i.e., RPM) and direction of spin can also be controlled.[citation needed]

Uses today

Rotor ship E-Ship 1, from German wind-turbine manufacturer Enercon

https://youtu.be/HvXDVapHUkQ

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Points_of_sail_for_rotorships.svg)
File:Points of sail for rotorships.svg

In 2014 Norsepower, a Finnish clean technology and engineering company pioneering the generation of renewable wind energy for the global maritime industry, announced that it will bring to the market the "Norsepower Rotor Sail Solution"[21] which is a completely modernized version of the Flettner rotor. Later in 2014 Norsepower installed the first Norsepower Rotor Sail on Finnish shipping company Bore's RoRo vessel M/V Estraden, and in the end of 2015 Norsepower installed a second similar unit on the same ship. In the beginning of 2016 it was released by Norsepower, that based on the successful sea trials on board M/V Estraden, the technology has potential for fuel savings of up to 20% for vessels with multiple, large rotors traveling on favourable wind routes.[22]

After Norsepower's success with the new design, also Viking Line returned with the rotor concept for their next planned newbuilding. The first image of a new 63,000 GT vessel shows large Flettner rotors which could help the ship to reduce fuel consumption with up to 15%. Letter of intent was signed for the ship in November 2016, awaiting final agreements signing in early 2017.[23] According to a Finnish newspaper, the rotor concept of Viking Line is based on Norsepower Rotor Sails.[24] The latest news from Norsepower is that they have agreed with world's biggest shipping company, Maersk, to start testing the rotor concept in Maersk ships starting beginning of 2018. The managing director of Norsepower, Tuomas Riski, promises their innovation to cut 7–10% of fuel cost leading up to 300000€ savings in big tankers.

In 2018, the MS Viking Grace was retrofitted with a rotor for further testing.[25]

Agelbert NOTE: The rotor is installed near the middle of the short video:

https://youtu.be/GVdC2xHdFgE

Read more:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotor_ship
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 22, 2018, 07:05:50 pm
(https://www.cleanenergywire.org/sites/all/themes/clew/logo.png)

June 22, 2018

#Business & Jobs #International #Wind

Handelsblatt

General Electric to ramp up wind power investments in Germany

US company General Electric (GE) will ramp up its investment in wind power in Germany in a bid to revive its ailing business, Axel Höpner and Kathrin Witsch write in the Handelsblatt.

The veteran US manufacturer, which has recently got booted from the Dow Jones Industrial Average 30-stock index and is grappling with a waning gas turbine business, wants to increase the number of its employees in Germany and to also boost its investment in the renewable energy branch, the authors write. “We want to grow our wind power business in Germany and in Europe and increase our market share,” GE Germany head Wolfgang Dierker said.

GE, which has an estimated annual revenue of 3.5 billion euros in Germany, has already announced an attack on rival Siemens’s home market in the past, the article says. Its share in new wind power installations now more than doubles that of Siemens and new products, such as the planned 12 GW offshore turbine ‘Haliade-X’, could help GE boost its share further in the next years, it adds.

https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/industrie/industrie-ikone-in-der-krise-ge-forciert-geschaeft-in-deutschland-windkraft-soll-geschaeft-ankurbeln/22719292.html
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 22, 2018, 09:35:04 pm
CGE Energy obtains U.S. patent for installation process of its WIND-e20 turbine
By Michelle Froese | June 20, 2018

CGE Energy, Inc. announces that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued U.S. Patent No. 9,970,410 to the company, entitled, “Installation and erec tion assembly for an elongated structure.” This patent covers the proprietary equipment used for the easy delivery and crane-less installation of CGE Energy’s WIND•e20 vertical-axis wind turbine.

(https://3ohkdk3zdzcq1dul50oqjvvf-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Wind-turbine-installation-process-500x233.jpg)
CGE Energy says its WIND•e20 is the world’s only turbine that can be installed, maintained, and removed without a single crane.(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-311017193926.png&hash=135a7bcd2093b679e425bbd2086adb8ddfd2e7b5) The turbine can be delivered on the back of a standard flatbed truck, self-erects, and be installed within days.

CGE’s newly issued patent covers a hydraulic installation frame, devised to support their WIND•e20 turbine (or other wind turbines or elongated structures) in a folded arrangement for transportation on a trailer, and to support assembly and erec tion of the turbine. This transport frame enables the turbine to be delivered on a flatbed truck and can lie flat for maintenance without the need of a crane. This diverges from the way traditional horizontal wind turbines are assembled after delivery, which typically require costly cranes for installation and repair.

“This unique patented technology offers easy turbine transportation using a single truck and trailer,” said Bryan Zaplitny, President and CEO of CGE Energy, as well as, one of the solution’s inventors. “The expansion of our intellectual property portfolio is an integral aspect of CGE Energy’s turbine development and commercialization strategy aimed at positioning the WIND•e20 as a first-in-class onsite energy generator.”

This patent adds to the list of other key patents that are owned by CGE, including having a fluid driven turbine that generates power from wind blowing from any direction, its generator and primary components located in the base of the turbine, and hydraulic locking joints within the turbine’s segmented blades, which allow them to collapse flat against the rotor.

CGE Energy’s strategic manufacturing partner for WIND•e20 is Roush, headquartered in Livonia, Michigan. CGE Energy is also working with Roush’s team to patent innovations that will make WIND•e20 an integral part of the community, bringing positive impact to communications, life safety, homeland security and emergency response.

(https://3ohkdk3zdzcq1dul50oqjvvf-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/G1_WIND-e20_looking_up.jpg)
The WIND•e20 uses three segmented blades to produce power from 20 to 100 kW, depending on generator size. The spinning blades appear solid to birds so they fly 🦅 around the working turbine.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)

https://www.windpowerengineering.com/business-news-projects/cge-energy-issues-u-s-patent-for-installation-process-of-its-wind-e20-turbine/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 22, 2018, 10:00:38 pm
Liftra’s Blade Way 💫 brings down turbine blades without a crane

By Paul Dvorak | June 15, 2018

Wind turbine service company Liftra launched the Blade Way 💫 in 2017 and introduced it at AWEA’s recent Windpower 2018 conference, as a way to remove and replace wind turbine blades without the time and cost expense of a high-reach crane. Blade Way has a rated capacity of 14.6 tons, and it can work at peak wind speeds of 12 m/s.



These are the main components of a Liftra Blade Way 💫 blade-removal system.
(https://3ohkdk3zdzcq1dul50oqjvvf-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blade-way-its-main-components.png)

A few of its advantages include:

Reduced mobilization costs that come from its transport in just two standard 40-foot containers. It boasts of universal compatibility thanks to a system that is configurable for all major turbine brands. Its proven wire system and controls are based on the company’s self-hoisting crane. Also, proven blade yokes are based on the last seven years of development in vertical blade installation technology.

The system is comprised of two blade yokes, one for the root end of the blade and one for the tip end, and a hub sling and hoist block.

The components of the Blade Way include:

֍ Blade Way wire system at the turbine hub.

֍ A dual light-weight crane with two arms for hoisting the hub sling and hoist block.

֍ A steel A-frame that attaches to the container for gaining wire height, and the

֍ Wire system that runs from a winch in the container through the A-Frame and both blade yokes up to the hub sling.

Blade Way 💫 brings down a blade for repair.

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The Blade Way 💫 sets up at a turbine and removes a blade this way:

1. Workers position the blade to be replaced by turning the rotor to position the faulty blade vertically.

2. The dual light-weight crane is hoisted with the internal turbine crane and mounted inside the nacelle.

3. With the light-weight crane, the hub sling system is hoisted and hooked around the two ‘bunny-ear’ blades.

4. The root yoke and tip yoke are threaded and hoisted along the wires to each end of the vertical blade.

5. The root yoke clamps the root end of the blade, and the tip yoke clamps the tip end, both at precisely defined positions.

6. The blade is lowered to the ground, either with or without the blade bearing.

Once on the ground, the blade or bearing is changed, and the blade can be hoisted back up and reattached to the hub.

https://www.windpowerengineering.com/operations-maintenance/liftras-blade-way-brings-down-turbine-blades-without-a-crane/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 29, 2018, 03:04:34 pm
CleanTechnica
Support CleanTechnica’s work via donations on Patreon or PayPal!

Or just go buy a cool t-shirt, cup, baby outfit, bag, or hoodie. (https://cleantechnica.com/shop/#!/)

World’s Largest Wind Turbine Passes Final Hurdle (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.doomsteaddiner.net%2Fforum%2FSmileys%2Fdd1%2Fmultiplespotting.gif&hash=0a0698acaa7fe5323c8e712091175cc607d7e828)

June 29th, 2018 by Joshua S Hill

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Offshore wind turbine manufacturer and developer MHI Vestas announced on Wednesday that its flagship V164 9.5 megawatt (MW) offshore wind turbine, the world’s most powerful wind turbine, has been awarded an S class type certificate, paving the way for installations to begin in late 2019.

The race to produce the world’s largest and most powerful wind turbine has been an ongoing battle and currently, the next landmark will see MHI Vestas replace its own record. MHI Vestas earlier this year supplied two of its 8.4 MW wind turbines, fine-tuned to 8.8 MW, to the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) in Aberdeen Bay, Scotland. Additionally, MHI Vestas’ uprated 8 MW turbine can sometimes reach 9 MW, but only when specific site conditions are met.

The company will continue to out-do itself in the short-term, announcing this week that its 9.5 MW flagship V164 wind turbine has passed final certification and will now move towards installation at sites in late 2019. The certification was awarded a year after the company announced its 9.5 MW turbines which are larger than the mammoth London Eye Ferris wheel.

“This is the culmination of years of hard work and is something we are extremely proud of,” said MHI Vestas Chief Technology Officer, Torben Larsen. “The type certificate provides our customers with the certainty and assurance that the 9.5 MW turbine will deliver on its promise.”

“Announcing the world’s most powerful turbine and then receiving final certification one year later is no small achievement,
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcliparts.co%2Fcliparts%2FBig%2FEgq%2FBigEgqBMT.png&hash=e7eec62f009cdd686ce795fad0a53c6befe748e9) added Head of Product Management, Henrik Baek Jorgensen. “This is a very important chapter in the growing legacy of the V164.”

However, MHI Vestas’ competitors are already nipping at its heels, including GE Renewable Energy, which in March of this year unveiled its monster 12 MW Haliade-X, which measures in at 260 meters to the tip compared to a ‘measly’ 187 meters tall for MHI Vestas’ V164-9.5 MW. Capable of powering up to 16,000 European households per wind turbine, the Haliade-X is the long-awaited move into double-digit figures and towards the necessary power to economically and efficiently make offshore wind a necessary dominant force in the world’s energy mix.
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.giphy.com%2Fmedia%2FHjPbLbmep2aJO%2Fgiphy.gif&hash=3c7f7703f00cb341d3e9bdba607208d4204a294c)

https://cleantechnica.com/2018/06/29/worlds-largest-wind-turbine-passes-final-hurdle/ (https://cleantechnica.com/2018/06/29/worlds-largest-wind-turbine-passes-final-hurdle/)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 07, 2018, 09:00:19 pm
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Ulstein to Build Advanced, DP3 Cable Layer for Nexen

July 6, 2018 by Mike Schuler

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The ST-297 CLV (cable laying vessel) is designed by Skipsteknisk, Ålesund

Norwegian shipbuilder Ulstein has secured a contract from French cable company Nexans to construct a large, DP3 cable laying vessel to support the growing demand for clean energy. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185701.png&hash=615e3c1aa9c374cb1eab5bfc1e9494f2cb05e9f7)


The advanced cable layer, designed by Norwegian ship designer Skipsteknisk, will be outfitted for power cable laying, including bundle laying, cable jointing and repair and cable system protection and drenching. DP3 will offer high maneuverability and station keeping capabilities even in rough weather.

Nexans says the newbuild is part of a company initiative to reinforce its manufacturing and installation capacities to meet the growing demand for HV cabling systems, particularly as it relates to interconnectors and offshore wind projects worldwide.
 
The vessel will feature a turntable with a large cable capacity of 10,000 tonnes, and the fiber optic basket holds 450 tonnes. The vessel is 31 m wide, 149.9 m long, with a deadweight of 17,000 tonnes, and she can accommodate 90 people.

“We are very pleased that Nexans, a solid and important player, chooses Ulstein to construct their new flagship,” said Ulstein Group CEO Gunvor Ulstein. “We have a strong organization with long experience in delivering advanced vessels. The contract was won in tough, international competition. We look forward to a constructive and fruitful cooperation with Nexans in the years to come.”

The vessel will be constructed at the Ulstein Verft shipyard in Norway with delivery expected by Q3 2020.

“We are experienced in constructing large and complex vessels and we look forward to commencing the work on the cable laying vessel for Nexans”, says Kristian Sætre, managing director at Ulstein Verft.

“The construction of this new cable-laying vessel is a fundamental milestone in our commitment to cleaner energy,“ said Arnaud Poupart-Lafarge, Nexans CEO. “For many decades, Nexans has been acting for energy transition and sustainable development. In this next exciting chapter of our capacity to meet customer expectations, the cutting-edge technology of the new ship will enable Nexans to support countries in their development of the unlimited potential of renewable power generation.”
 
Filed Under: Maritime News
Tagged With: Cable Laying, Offshore Wind, ulstein


http://gcaptain.com/ulstein-to-build-advanced-dp3-cable-layer-for-nexen/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 20, 2018, 09:27:41 pm
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Offshore Heavy Transport to Enter Wind Market with Innovative Heavy Lift Installation Vessel

July 19, 2018 by gCaptain

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ULSTEIN Alfa Lift design

Norway-based Offshore Heavy Transport is set to enter the offshore renewables market with a state-of-the-art heavy lift transport and installation vessel that combines semi-submersible capability with high-capacity crane operations.

The ULSTEIN Alfa Lift design is developed by Dutch design company Ulstein Design & Solutions BV (UDSBV) in close cooperation with OHT.

The patent-pending design combines the benefits of semi-submersible transport with a large, 3,000 mt lifting capacity main crane from Liebherr.

A unique feature of the dynamically-positioned, 48,000 DWT vessel will be its ability to perform heavy lift crane operations with the main deck submerged.

The vessel is purpose-built to transport and install up to ten 1,500 metric ton wind turbine jacket foundations or eleven 2,000t monopiles, plus transition pieces, supporting the installation of the world’s largest wind turbines.

The first vessel will be constructed by China Merchant Heavy Industry (CMHI) and available for construction and installation activities from early 2021. OHT has options for up to 3 additional units.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3kbo302xo3lg2i1rj8450xje.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F07%2F4A338B7E-F21F-4FE4-B452-A48B8D00D11C.jpeg&hash=61252313c64255963fd8b4ad20eea8998828d44e)
ULSTEIN Alfa Lift design

“We started the development of the ULSTEIN Alfa Lift idea back in 2015 with the driver to increase the safety of submerged operations and at the same time increasing the operability window for subsea installations using a crane,” says Edwin van Leeuwen, managing director at Ulstein Design & Solutions BV.

“It is great to work with such capable people. When we approached Ulstein with our intended strategy to enter the offshore renewables market and the idea of adding crane capacity to a semi-submersible heavy lift transport vessel, UDSBV presented their Alfa Lift solution on the spot,” comments Torgeir E. Ramstad, CEO at OHT. ‘That was a direct ‘hit’, as it allows us to enter the installation market, at the same time expanding on our capabilities in OHT’s core market.”

OHT’s fleet currently consists of five traditional semi-submersible heavy lift vessels.

http://gcaptain.com/offshore-heavy-transport-to-enter-wind-market-with-innovative-heavy-lift-installation-vessel/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 09, 2018, 12:08:12 pm
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World’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm Opens in Irish Sea… And It’s HUGE 👀 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154)

September 6, 2018 by Bloomberg

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The 659MW Walney Extension offshore wind farm has 87 wind turbines capable of generating enough green energy to power almost 600,000 UK homes. walney extension world's largest offshore wind farm Photo: Orsted

By Jeremy Hodges (Bloomberg) — Orsted A/S unveiled the world’s largest offshore wind farm, an 87-turbine complex in the Irish Sea covering an area more than double the size of Manhattan.

SNIPPET:

The Walney Extension off the coast of northwest England has a generating capacity of 659 megawatts and is capable of powering 590,000 homes, according to Danish company Orsted, the world’s biggest developer of offshore wind farms.

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind A/S and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA provided the turbines for the project that began construction in August 2015. The Vestas 8-megawatt turbines stand 195 meters tall while the 7-megawatt version by Siemens is 154 meters from sea level to blade tip.

Full article:

https://gcaptain.com/worlds-largest-offshore-wind-farm-opens-in-irish-sea-and-its-huge/

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 27, 2018, 12:58:37 pm
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MHI Vestas Launches Record-Breaking 10MW Wind Turbine (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-210818163125-16762116.gif&hash=dcf93619f3c0ebb651977b3dae2d1398f7705823)

September 26, 2018 by Mike Schuler
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Photo: MHI Vestas Offshore Wind

Denmark-based offshore wind turbine maker MHI Vestas says it has broken the industry’s double-digit power barrier with the release of the world’s first turbine to achieve a power rating of 10 MW.

The record-breaking turbine, called the V164-10.0 MW, builds on the company’ popular V164 platform, with more than 100 V164 turbines already installed in the UK and Germany.

With the 10 MW rating, the V164-10.0 MW model is now the most powerful commercially-available wind turbine in the world – onshore or off.

“What was unreachable before has become the new benchmark,” said MHI Vestas CEO, Philippe Kavafyan. “In launching the V164-10.0 MW today, MHI Vestas is proud to contribute this major milestone to the offshore wind industry. And it gives us the opportunity to pay tribute to all the wind industry pioneers who have led us to this historic, double-digit nominal capacity.”

With an approximate tip height of 187 meters, the V164-10.0 MW model is fitted with 80-meter blades for a rotor diameter of 164 meters. The also model incorporates a stronger gearbox, some minor mechanical upgrades, and a small design change that enhances airflow and increases cooling in the converter. According to MHI Vestas, these upgrades mean the V164-10.0 MW can run at full power at a site with wind speeds of 10 meters per second for 25 years.

“At MHI Vestas, we are focused not on what others are doing, but being the best at what we do,” said MHI Vestas Chief Technology Officer, Torben Hvid Larsen. “The V164-10.0 MW turbine is the best proof point yet that we do not accept the limitations of conventional thinking and that we think beyond ourselves. We have embraced the challenge of transforming what is possible in our field.”

The V164-10.0 MW is available for sale now and can be delivered for commercial installation beginning in 2021.

https://gcaptain.com/mhi-vestas-launches-record-breaking-10mw-wind-turbine/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 27, 2018, 01:08:24 pm
Chartwell Marine launches new vessel for U.S. offshore wind

By Michelle Froese | September 25, 2018

Chartwell Marine, a pioneer in next-generation vessel design, has announced the launch of the Chartwell 24, a brand-new crew-transfer vessel (CTV) design for the international offshore wind markets. The catamaran design has been developed in conjunction with CTV operators, wind-farm owners and turbine manufacturers, responding directly to lessons learned in the construction and long-term operations & maintenance (O&M) phases of European projects.


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Chartwell 24 transfer vessel

The Chartwell 24 transfer vessel is capable of carrying a crew of 24 workers. It has been built with a focus on ergonomics and safety, with features such as extra handrails and safety sliding rails. View its specs here (http://www.chartwellmarine.com/library/files/ch-eq-122-11-002_chartwell_24_specification_document.pdf).

While the optimum composition of an offshore wind fleet remains a topic of debate, CTVs continue to play a critical role throughout development and operations. This role has evolved in line with the increasing demands of supporting large-scale deep-water wind farms, encompassing not only the safe, comfortable, and expedient transfer of technicians to and from the turbines, but also a wide range of essential logistical support activities that keep a project running on schedule.

In this context, CTVs and their operators must offer considerable versatility, while maintaining the highest possible standards of safety and technical availability. As the industry looks to balance these objectives, vessel designs are becoming increasingly standardized – but there is still room to refine this formula. In turn, operators in new markets such as the USA and Taiwan have the opportunity to start on the front foot by taking advantage of the most advanced vessel technology available.

The Chartwell 24, developed off the back of 10 years of data and experience in offshore wind vessel design, aims to hit a ‘sweet spot’ in vessel size and capability that has been achieved by the most effective vessels currently operating in the European market. It aims to build on those proven capabilities, while responding to new requirements emerging as the offshore wind industry expands worldwide.

Specifically, the vessel, which is capable of carrying 24 industrial personnel alongside 3 to 6 crew, also boasts the largest CTV foredeck in the market, enhancing its cargo capacity. With four engines – and options for hybrid propulsion – the Chartwell 24 enables power sharing, enhancing efficiency and adding redundancy that maximizes vessel reliability and availability. As scrutiny grows on vessel emissions worldwide, this also means that the vessel is well-placed to meet international requirements, such as EPA Tier 4 and IMO Tier 3.

“With the Chartwell 24, we’re responding directly to tried and tested vessel support approaches adopted throughout Europe, taking and building upon the best of proven designs and equipping international operators and wind-farm owners with a boat that is built for purpose, and meets their needs from day one,” said Andy Page, Managing Director, Chartwell Marine.

Crucially, the Chartwell 24 introduces a number of safety related innovations, including a step-free deck that almost entirely eliminates trip hazards, and purpose designed walkways with handrails and sliding safety rails positioned for safe, effective and repeatable crew transfer. From an operational perspective, skippers benefit from full all-round visibility, uncompromized by deck cargo.

“For crews and wind farm technicians, that will translate into a high degree of safety, comfort and operational familiarity. For CTV operators and project owners, that will result in incremental gains in efficiency, availability and reliability that ultimately improve the way offshore wind farms are constructed and operated.”

https://www.windpowerengineering.com/business-news-projects/chartwell-marine-launches-new-vessel-for-u-s-offshore-wind/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 16, 2018, 02:09:52 pm
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Watch: 18,000-Tonne BorWin Gamma ⚡ Platform Installed in North Sea

October 15, 2018 by Mike Schuler

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Photo: Ulrich Wirrwa / WiWiPhoto.de

The 18,000 tonne topside of the BorWin gamma High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) platform has been installed on its jacket foundation in the German sector of the North Sea, where will soon be used to supply green power to more than one million German households. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-210818163125-16762116.gif&hash=dcf93619f3c0ebb651977b3dae2d1398f7705823)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-111018132401-1689625.gif&hash=31d44a761d963df1354e5ef55b63387c72033709)

The giant converter arrived on board the heavy lift vessel Xiang He Kou which was used in the float-over installation of the platform at the installation site a little over 80 miles off the coast of Germany.

The heavy lift vessel Xiang He Kou arrived on site earlier this month after completing its voyage from Drydocks World’s Dubai Shipyard, where construction of the BorWin gamma has been underway since 2014.

A video showing the installation is below:

https://youtu.be/HoxGV0hS_00

Construction of the platform involved approximately 13.5 million man-hours and used 10,500 tonnes of steel, more than the weight of the Eiffel Tower. Inside the platform is nearly 550 miles of cable.

Scheduled to go online in 2019, the 900MW BorWin gamma platform houses an HVDC converter station that will convert alternating current produced by offshore wind farms to direct current before transmitting it onshore to the German grid.

TenneT ordered the HVDC link BorWin Gamma from a consortium comprising Petrofac and Siemens.

“I am delighted that the topside has been safely installed at its home in the North Sea. This is a major accomplishment (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818185040-1659929.gif&hash=0a9ca0c1f083655b821cbf024422e55e009a6d8d) and something that the various parties involved should be very proud of, specifically our client TenneT and consortium partner Siemens,” said PetroFac project manager, Roberto Cecchini. “The focus remains on safe and efficient delivery to complete the project in 2019.”

https://gcaptain.com/watch-18000-tonne-borwin-gamma-platform-installation-in-north-sea/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on October 18, 2018, 08:31:14 pm
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Aeolus Energy Planning Jones Act-Compliant Fleet of Offshore Wind Vessels

October 17, 2018 by Mike Schuler


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Orlando-based Aeolus Energy has signed an agreement with Norwegian shipbuilding group Ulstein to design the first Jones Act compliant service vessel for the budding U.S. offshore wind market.

Aeolus says the purpose-built vessel, known in the industry as a Service Operations Vessel (SOV), will be the first among a fleet of vessels to support the full scope of offshore wind farm operations from installation through decommissioning. Additional plans for the fleet include cable ships, crew transfer vessels and hotel ships.

As a Jones Act compliant vessels, they will all be built at a U.S. shipyard and crewed by Americans.

“The design and ultimate construction of these vessels will result in significant job creation and is a demonstration of confidence in the American shipbuilding industry,” said Elia Golfin, CEO of Aeolus Energy Inc. “We are excited to be working with Ulstein, an established market leader in vessel design for offshore wind. We look forward to pushing the envelope in the offshore wind industry where Jones Act-compliant vessels are concerned.”

For the design, Aeolus has contracted with Ulstein Design & Solutions, B.V. for its SX195 design SOV, which will be fully customized to Aeolus’s specifications and U.S. Coast Guard requirements. “The project starts with customizing the SX195 design, to optimize the new walk-to-work vessel for operations in US offshore wind farms, including featuring the X-BOW and X-STERN hull shape,” Ulstein said in a press release.

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Ulstein Aeolus offshore wind vessel 2 Credit: Ulstein

The contract marks Ulstein’s entry into the U.S. offshore wind market as well, after having introduced the first dedicated offshore wind support vessel in the European market back in 2013. This year, however, Ulstein says it has already received five contracts in the offshore wind market, including two SOVs, a cable lay vessel and a large foundation installation vessel.

“Ulstein is proud to have been selected as design partner by Aeolus for developing the United States’ first purpose-built SOV vessel,” said Tore Ulstein, deputy CEO of Ulstein. “With our track record in SOV designs and supporting yards worldwide in building our innovative designs, we are committed to support Aeolus and its chosen US shipyards in realizing Aeolus’ new fleet development and jointly set the standard for excellent, Jones Act-compliant offshore wind vessels.”

Aeolus’ plans for the fleet come as more and more U.S. states, such as Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York, move closer having wind farms off their coasts. The Trump Administration has also signaled an eagerness to boost development in the U.S. offshore wind industry through streamlining the permitting process and by offering more offshore acreage available for leasing, part of the Administration’s policy to boost domestic energy production.

The first U.S. offshore farm, the 30MW Block Island Wind Farm, opened in 2016 off the coast of Rhode Island. Earlier this month, the project’s developer, Deepwater Wind, was acquired by Danish power company Ørsted, thereby creating the leading U.S. offshore wind company with a total capacity of nearly 9GW already in the pipeline.

https://gcaptain.com/aeolus-energy-planning-jones-act-compliant-fleet-of-offshore-wind-vessels/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 13, 2018, 09:17:15 pm
Scottish ⚡ Wind Delivers Equivalent Of 98% Of Country’s October Electricity Demand 👀 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818184311-16361805.gif&hash=06cada4f5692796721e0ef8a72f092fd6b4f4940)

November 13th, 2018 by Joshua S Hill

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818184310-1635923.gif&hash=5e2530db4748ed6c7163e1d478fdfa3cd1108668)

https://cleantechnica.com/2018/11/13/scottish-wind-delivers-equivalent-of-98-of-countrys-october-electricity-demand/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on December 24, 2018, 08:19:57 pm
Quote
It is partnering with Neoline to build two experimental roll-on/roll-off car carriers powered by sails. Each will be 446 feet long and carry more than 45,000 square feet of sails.

Renault Will Use Sails To Cut Emissions On Trans-Atlantic Routes

December 24th, 2018 by Steve Hanley

https://youtu.be/jITcTtCfkO0

article with the above video:

https://cleantechnica.com/2018/12/24/renault-will-use-sails-to-cut-emissions-on-trans-atlantic-routes/

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 02, 2019, 04:49:15 pm
CleanTechnica
Support CleanTechnica’s work via donations on Patreon or PayPal!

Or just go buy a cool t-shirt, cup, baby outfit, bag, or hoodie. (https://cleantechnica.com/shop/#!/)


 
(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2019/01/vestasfire_feat.jpg)
Image credit: Vagn Gejl Donskov


Vestas Turbine Catches Fire 🔥 😲 In Danish New Year Storm  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs15.rimg.info%2Fdcda0e08e538cb37431314e6bd49279b.gif&hash=4e8b4ba5ce94991ab2f42c4c663e9f6991bbf4f4)

January 2nd, 2019 by Jesper Berggreen

Since New Years Eve, it’s been quite windy in Denmark, and of the +6000 wind turbines in the country one of them apparently had to succumb to the pressure after many years of service. TV2 TVMV.dk reports (with video) that the turbine caught fire on Tuesday afternoon, and that the fire subsequently spread to a farm below. Nobody lives on the farm, but it is still in use for livestock and between 30 and 40 bull calves were in the buildings.

“The turbine stands where just below there is a two-sided farm with these bull calves. The wings have fallen into the building, and the barn has caught fire, which we have tried to control,” says Lars Stensbjerg, who is the leader of Fire and Rescue MidtVest.

Lucky for the bull calves 🐂 the wind had a direction keeping them out of harm’s way. They are all being rescued.  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-111018132400-16842321.gif&hash=e2590f92501c5dd6149626bb0ab180ce9e1d5bd3)


 
(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2019/01/vestasfire.jpg)
Image credit: Line Flatau, TV2 TV MIDTVEST TVMV.dk

According to Vestas press officer Anders Riis, it’s an old turbine. “When the fire has stopped, we will initiate a study of what may be the cause of the fire,” he said to TV2 TVMV.dk.

With the address given I found according to thewindpower.net, this must be the turbine in question: “Commissioning: 1993/03 by Vestas. Hub height: 30 m. Total nominal power: 300 kW. Dismantled (2010/05).” That last bit of information is puzzling. Maybe at was decommissioned and replaced or maybe it was just standing there and the brakes wore out and made it spin again causing the fire? While accidents with wind turbines are indeed spectacular, let’s also keep in mind that they are very rare.

One year ago we reported that Denmark had a record wind energy year in 2017 and it will be interesting to see 🧐 if 2018 will beat that. Also, as turbines get larger, they get lower in numbers. In fact, if the current +6000 turbines in Denmark keep getting updated, it could easily mean a doubling of nameplate capacity with a third of turbines, and many new turbines are going to be off-shore in the future. So, accidents will probably be even more rare. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-250817121649.png&hash=4554f7e59701d12857946aece16bceb973c997b3)


 
(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2019/01/windenergymeasure.jpg)
Wind profile from energinet.dk. Light green is wind peaking at 4 GW. Yellow icing is solar, and dark greens are conventional power plants.
 
https://cleantechnica.com/2019/01/02/vestas-turbine-catches-fire-in-danish-new-year-storm/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 09, 2019, 01:29:02 pm
CleanTechnica
Support CleanTechnica’s work via donations on Patreon or PayPal!

Or just go buy a cool t-shirt, cup, baby outfit, bag, or hoodie. (https://cleantechnica.com/shop/#!/)


Vestas Becomes First Company To Install Over 100 Gigawatts Of Wind Turbines (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818185037-16412296.gif&hash=c8a4038d309a0f49ca4a7a464f30f9a340049cac)

January 9th, 2019 by Joshua S Hill

Danish wind turbine manufacturing giant Vestas Wind Systems A/S announced today that, with the installation of a V110-2.0 megawatt (MW) turbine at MidAmerican Energy’s Wind XI project in late 2018, the company has become the first to install 100 gigawatts (GW) of wind turbines.

Vestas Wind Systems has kept itself in the news over the past two months with consistent announcements — including news in early December that it had surpassed 10 GW worth of orders taken during 2018. This, then, and unsurprisingly, continued through the rest of the month and, earlier this week I reported that Vestas finished 2018 with orders taken worth close to 13 GW — well in excess of its previous records.

In fact, in December of 2018 alone, Vestas took in confirmed wind turbine orders of 2,859 GW.

Not willing to fade from the news, Vestas Wind Systems announced today that, with the installation in late 2018 of a V110-2.0 MW wind turbine at the multi-site 2 GW Wind XI project being built across Iowa by MidAmerican Energy, the company became the first to install 100 GW of wind turbines.

The first wind turbine Vestas installed was a V10-30 kilowatt (kW) turbine in 1979. Since then, the company has installed over 66,000 wind turbines :o (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154) in approximately 80 countries around the world on six continents. A long way from a 30 kW wind turbine, Vestas’ largest onshore wind turbine is the V150-4.2 MW turbine.

“We have pioneered wind energy across the globe for 40 years, and to install 100 GW together with our customers and partners is something we are extremely proud of as it underlines how far Vestas and wind energy have come,” Anders Runevad, Vestas President and CEO. “It’s also a pleasure to celebrate this milestone with a key customer like MidAmerican Energy. Reaching this milestone has required continuous innovation, strong commitment and great execution from all Vestas’ employees, and the 100 GW, therefore, represents a key part of the foundation that enables us to develop the sustainable energy solutions of the future.”

Vestas’ 100 GW of wind turbines have helped to remove 129 million tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere equaling CO2 emissions from:

► 141 billion pounds of burned coal

► 298 million barrels of oil

► 22.54 million US homes yearly electricity use

► 33 coal-fired power plants

► Carbon sequestered from 152 million acres of forest


“With 100 GW of installed wind turbines, Vestas has installed around 10% of all wind and solar capacity in the world,” explained Anders Riis, Director of Communications for Vestas, who spoke via email, “but as the next 1000 GW are expected to be installed by 2023, Vestas remains focused on executing our commitments and priorities in the short term. By doing so, we sustain and strengthen the foundation that enables us to develop the sustainable energy solutions our customers and stakeholders need in the future.”

https://cleantechnica.com/2019/01/09/vestas-becomes-first-company-to-install-over-100-gigawatts-of-wind-turbines/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on February 20, 2019, 02:21:30 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-170218174357.png&hash=296cf589ab13b3bca649d79db1953fa2289b1563)

First Turbine Installed at World’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-250718204746.gif&hash=ef3006b22f07724d45868cab1dae91b1dff31327)

February 19, 2019 by Mike Schuler

(https://3kbo302xo3lg2i1rj8450xje-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Hornsea-One-Turbine.jpg)
Hornsea 1 turbine Photo: Orsted

The first turbine at the soon-to-be world’s biggest offshore wind farm has been installed and is now producing electricity off of England’s coast.

When fully operational, the 1,218-megawatt Hornsea 1 offshore wind farm will be nearly double the size of the current world’s largest offshore wind farm, Walney Extension, and capable of powering well over one million homes in the UK with renewable electricity.

The project is located 120km off the Yorkshire Coast and will consist of 174 Siemens 7MW turbines. The majority of wind farm’s blades are manufactured in Hull, from where they are shipped to the Hornsea zone.

To date, 172 out of 174 monopile foundations have been installed at the site, and turbine installation is expected to continue until late summer 2019.

The wind farm is a joint venture between Ørsted, a global leader in offshore wind, and Global Infrastructure Partners.

Ørsted began offshore construction and little over a year ago and expects the project to be completed by Q1 2020.

The electricity generated by the turbines will pass via undersea cables through one of three massive offshore substations, and the world’s first offshore reactive compensation station, all fully installed, before reaching shore at Horseshoe Point, Lincolnshire. The electricity is then transported via underground cables to the onshore substation in North Killingholme, where it will connect to the UK grid.

“Hornsea 1 is the first of a new generation of offshore power plants that now rival the capacity of traditional fossil fuel power stations,” said Matthew Wright, UK Managing Director at Ørsted. “The ability to generate clean electricity offshore at this scale is a globally significant milestone, at a time when urgent action needs to be taken to tackle climate change.”

“Ten years ago, the thought of a project of this size was just a dream, but thanks to continued innovation, a determined effort from both the industry and supply chain to drive down costs, and the natural geographical benefits that surround us, the UK has positioned itself as a world-leader in offshore wind,” (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818185037-16412296.gif&hash=c8a4038d309a0f49ca4a7a464f30f9a340049cac) Wright added.

https://gcaptain.com/first-turbine-installed-at-worlds-largest-offshore-wind-farm/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on March 06, 2019, 05:04:38 pm
Agelbert NOTE: Oh the irony; a TANKER  powered partially by (wind) Renewable Energy. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-111018132401-16872027.gif&hash=bba6aaee2cf1cdc8a213cd8f2d2c6a9bcd8c3f3a) 

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-170218174357.png&hash=296cf589ab13b3bca649d79db1953fa2289b1563)

Norsepower Rotor Sails Issued First-Ever Design Type Approval for Onboard Wind Propulsion

March 5, 2019 by gCaptain

 
(https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/lxhMa48aADLudtAeSC9txh7YgCjkb4qOEkbOw8rUgSlyFxp37ZRkvBLGn9CKSaJTT-qUECPQp0JojnE_iEyXVdZTX5qnW_xcHUpyQW1CAo_rvUXS3xsFuOSBQjQfU-TENna9RQ=s0-d-e1-ft#http://gcaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Rotor-Sails-installation-final.jpg)
Maersk Pelican with Norsepower Rotor Sails installed. Image via Marsk Tankers

Finnish clean technology group Norsepower announced Tuesday that its innovative Rotor Sail Solution has received the first-ever type approval design certificate granted to an auxiliary wind propulsion system onboard a commercial ship.

The type approval from leading ship classification society DNV GL was issued in February 2019 after a design assessment of Norsepower’s 30-meter by 5-meter Rotor Sail, two of which have been installed onboard the Maersk Pelican LR2 tanker.

Norsepower says the landmark certification means that vessels operating its Rotor Sail technology are technically capable of safely navigating “all operational and environmental situations”.

The company’s Rotor Sail Solution is a modernized version of the Flettner rotor; a spinning cylinder that uses the Magnus effect to harness wind power to propel a ship and enhance fuel-saving.

Rotor Sails have already been installed on three vessels and has achieved over 35,000 hours in operation, saving more than 4,500 tonnes of CO2, according to Norsepower. The solution has also been independently verified to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%.

Commenting on the type approval, Norsepower CEO Tuomas Riski said: “We are very proud to be the first company to have type approval granted to an auxiliary wind propulsion system onboard a commercial ship. Having a type approval design certificate is very important to us. Clearly, it provides shipowners, operators, and charterers with a level of assurance when investing in the Rotor Sail Solution, but in the long term, it removes yet another hurdle to the realization of renewable wind energy propulsion systems at a scale that supports shipping’s transformation to a low carbon transport sector.”

Last month, Norsepower was crowned the winner of the 2018 International Quality Innovation Award in recognition of its Rotor Sail Solution technology’s ability to demonstrate positive environmental contributions.

“To help reduce shipping’s environmental impact we will need many different fuel and technology options, which is why we were very pleased that Norsepower asked us to be part of this innovative wind propulsion project,” said Geir Dugstad, Director of Ship Classification and Technical Director at DNV GL.

https://gcaptain.com/norsepower-rotor-sails-issued-design-type-approval/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on March 20, 2019, 09:16:56 pm
EcoWatch

By Olivia Rosane Mar. 19, 2019 02:17PM EST

(https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/PfUGJkxpl32wO9AkNno2Bj46HjNpBvk4uJKiGe-SN5afK2U5fteRSvTvTOJqEE9cvvMl0aBCj2lZzqRky7KyjjEhvpv-nCfJYJ254sax8L8neCb_l7SjNdzZ48OeD6AGVQBAr4zk9k-Mn4yCTdBQDjmly5tvyj9wbZI=s0-d-e1-ft#https://gallery.mailchimp.com/214ab5fbb3f6015d74ffab4ec/images/ca4f8d7b-5d97-4bc8-9688-ee4fce4eeb6f.jpg)

Study: Americans Are Happy to Let Wind Turbines Be Their Neighbors (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154)

Americans like wind turbines as neighbors, at least when compared with the alternatives.

That's the conclusion of a University of Delaware (UD) study published in Nature Energy Monday. UD Prof. Jeremy Firestone and undergraduate Hannah Kirk looked at data from a survey of people who lived within eight kilometers (approximately five miles) of a wind turbine. They found that around 90 percent of them preferred the wind turbine over an alternative plant located at a similar distance, whether it was fueled by coal, natural gas or uranium.

Firestone said the study offered a more realistic gauge of American's energy preferences.

"We've looked at social acceptance of wind projects examining factors such as effect of landscape change, sound and place attachment. In those studies, the ultimate question is whether a community member supports or opposes a local project — that is, wind power or nothing," he explained in a UD press release. "But that's not the societal choice, which is instead, among wind power, solar, coal or natural gas. Even when residents might have less than positive attitudes toward a local project, the majority appear to conclude that their local wind power project is better than the alternatives."

1. Here are some of the key findings, reported by the press release and additional comments by Firestone in Behavioral and Social Sciences at Nature:

2. Of the two-thirds who had a preference between living near a wind turbine or a commercial solar installation, three to one preferred wind.

3. The preference for wind held across states despite economic or geographic differences. For example, 86 percent of people in coal-mining states preferred to live near a wind turbine, while only around eight percent would have preferred to live near a coal plant.


The preference also held whether the state was considered 'Red' (voted Republican for president in 2012 and 2016), 'Purple' (switched between the two years) or 'Blue' (voted Democrat both years.)

"{P} references for wind power are bipartisan, (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-250817121424.gif&hash=384c17a4d2be4831084933b91808f8a60f73f7f5)" Kirk said in the press release.

The data set Kirk and Firestone used for their research was collected and made public by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Firestone, who also helped compile the original data, explained in Nature how it was done:

Quote
First, we subdivided the population. For example, the 8 km distance was broken into four groups to ensure that sufficient individuals were included who lived very nearby a wind turbine given their potential greater ability to hear operating wind turbines and to be affected by changes to the landscape. Second, we used three modes to contact individuals to take the survey: telephone, online, and on paper. To account for the complexity and to address the fact that not everyone contacted responds, the sample was weighted to match it to the population based on gender, age and education.

Firestone said that the wide support for wind projects by those who lived near them, even in coal states, was a positive sign for how the public might react to a shift away from fossil fuels.

"This suggests the energy transition that is underway (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-111018132401-1686487.gif&hash=9c799f9f5ab2dfe2070b755850d7253683a6b1c0) in the United States may be embraced widely," he said in the press release.

https://www.ecowatch.com/wind-turbines-americans-2632137785.html

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcsmres.co.uk%2Fcs.public.upd%2Farticle-images%2FWind_turbine_smiley_shutterstock_28691215.gif&hash=0a210b133b92defae808e4e4e8473ef789dd36b5)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 15, 2019, 03:15:44 pm
Aril 15, 2019 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818184310-1635923.gif&hash=5e2530db4748ed6c7163e1d478fdfa3cd1108668)

Siemens Gamesa 10 Megawatt Wind Turbine Set For World’s 1st Zero-Subsidy Offshore Wind Farm (https://cleantechnica.com/2019/04/15/siemens-gamesa-10-megawatt-turbine-set-for-worlds-first-zero-subsidy-offshore-wind-farm/)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 16, 2019, 01:07:21 pm
(https://www.cleanenergywire.org/sites/all/themes/cleanenergywire/logo.png)

16 Apr 2019, 14:41 Benjamin Wehrmann #Renewables    #Wind    #Government

Merkel opens Baltic’s largest offshore wind farm as industry warns against slow-down

 
(https://www.cleanenergywire.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_image/public/merkel_arkona_eon.jpg?itok=vp3Y4uay)
Merkel (back row in centre with red blazer) inaugurates the wind farm together with a group of local children. Photo: E.ON.

The opening of a new offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea gives Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel an opportunity to show her climate policy credentials and welcome the German-Norwegian project as a milestone for the energy transition and international cooperation.

But the opening comes at a time when the chancellor faces increasing pressure at home to come up with policies that help bring down Germany's emissions in line with its international climate action obligations. Moreover, the national wind power industry increasingly warns that local resistance and restrictive regulation could well mean that the country's renewables expansion targets are difficult to meet.

Ten years after Germany opened its first offshore wind farm in the North Sea, Chancellor Angela Merkel has opened the country’s newest offshore power station, demonstrating that early doubts about the technology were largely unfounded. In her weekly video podcast, Merkel said she was opening the project to make clear “how important the expansion of renewable energy is for us.”

The Arkona wind farm, named after a nearby cape on the island of Rügen, where Merkel’s constituency is located, was built over the course of three years and is the Baltic’s largest. With a capacity of 385 megawatts, the park built 35 kilometres off the coast could theoretically supply about 400,000 German homes with electricity, according to Equinor. It is operated by energy companies E.ON from Germany and Equinor from Norway, which is why Merkel was accompanied by Norwegian energy minister Kjell-Borge Freiberg at the ceremony.

Merkel said the Arkona wind farm was setting a new standard for the transformation of Germany’s energy system in the Energiewende. “But only changing the way we produce energy won’t be enough,” the Chancellor said, adding that changes in the heating and in the transport sector were also forthcoming.

The wind farm, operated by the utility E.ON, comes at a time when the German government is under pressure to formulate a clear climate policy. German students have been staging weekly “Fridays for Future” school strikes, demanding more action on climate change, and some lawmakers have worried aloud that many future voters could turn their back on the governing parties if Merkel’s government does not act.

At the same time, lawmakers run the risk of alienating voters in mining regions as they strive to implement the seminal agreement from the nation’s coal exit commission, announced this winter. The commission recommended ending coal-fired power generation by 2038 at the latest, and some voters fear their jobs are being sacrificed to fulfill national climate targets.

But there are also signs of progress. Merkel’s inauguration of the wind farm comes just days after Germany’s environmental agency, UBA, announced that the country’s carbon emissions had declined substantially for the first time in years. 👍

It was the steepest emissions drop in ten years (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818185037-16412296.gif&hash=c8a4038d309a0f49ca4a7a464f30f9a340049cac) - and it was made possible, in part, by the growth of offshore wind. “There used to be a great deal of scepticism at the beginning of the offshore era,” Jörg Buddenberg of energy company EWE told news agency dpa in an article carried by newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. Buddenberg said early critics argued that the previously unexplored technology would never work. While offshore wind had to surmount several technical difficulties in its initial stage, Germany now has more than 1,300 operational turbines at sea with a combined capacity of 6.4 gigawatts (GW). Offshore wind farms produced nearly 19 Terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity in 2018. That's about twice the average output per installation of their onshore counterparts, adding up to nearly one fifth of the country’s total wind power generation.

But the wind industry says the technology’s potential still is not fully appreciated, calling for the government to raise the country’s offshore wind expansion target from 15 to 20 GW by 2030 and to 30 GW by 2035. Offshore wind lobby group BWO argues that without the higher targets the government goal of 65 percent renewable power consumption cannot be achieved. According to research institute Fraunhofer IWES, Germany could potentially install up to 54 GW of offshore wind power and generate nearly 260 TWh of electricity at sea. An expansion of that magnitude has drawn skepticism from environmentalists, who worry that turning large swathes of Germany’s territorial waters into industrial zones could have grave consequences for already strained ecosystems in the North and Baltic Seas.

The wind lobby’s calls for greater expansion have been supported by a substantial decrease in the cost of offshore wind power, with the average generation costs per kilowatt hour (kWh) dropping from over 14 cents in 2013 to a little more than 8 cents in 2018. Several zero-support bids in Germany’s first offshore wind power auctions have further supported the conviction that the technology has vast potential for a cost-efficient energy transition.

(https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/KwpMLgIwcbj2yJ2AI3wh-xxsR_VYdZKEpgvGm_R9MBF0SLvj1-m1MR262Tu7B2fdX5rd7CIxHjcJEgdGHtCFXu8qVUJIH5bgS7eeknBwWvrFRz3vcU_SRvHIsAhlqT2fKltWufgwelwVSAHwvuag5LIBXzeJIVotfPfNdI0LKfGippGEeSQB0K6jAHoRtUH8GfTe7f0URKDROJlS1mbiriVr9v6AX_rLucyTLUgxnm2p=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www.cleanenergywire.org/sites/default/files/styles/newsletter_image/public/paragraphs/images/arkona-windpower-offshore-wind-equinor.jpg?itok=eBJY2XMI)
The new Arkona farm could power up to 400,000 average homes in Germany. Photo - Equinor

But wind power companies and lobby group BWE have complained about the cost pressure created by the auction scheme. In what had been one of the biggest setbacks for a German wind company, turbine producer Senvion filed for insolvency in April. While the company’s demise was seen as partly due to managerial mistakes, news agency Reuters noted that cost pressure meant it could no longer compete with companies that have greater pricing power, such as German-Spanish Siemens Gamesa or Danish Vestas. Newspaper WirtschaftsWoche said despite growing wind power capacity around the world, small and middle-sized companies like Senvion or its fellow German turbinemakers Nordex and Enercon could increasingly face insurmountable difficulties – especially with Chinese companies hoping to make an entry into the German wind power market similar to China's takeover in the solar industry.

Wind power lobby group BWE says international market pressure is not the only obstacle, arguing thatnational regulation also poses an increasing challenge. Rising local resistance to new onshore projects is compounded by uncertainties following the switch to Germany’s renewables auction system. That means that reaching the climate and renewables expansion targets becomes increasingly uncertain, BWE says. In Bavaria, the BWE argues, a strict implementation of the so-called 10H-rule, which stipulates that turbines have to maintain a distance of ten times their height to the next residential area, means that the expansion in the state “has been throttled down to almost zero.” (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-200714183404.bmp&hash=dc40a133c761f80036b08ef0f6c0427aaa7e9f4b)

The 10H-rule established in Bavaria has also been mulled by other state governments in a bid to ease resistance against wind power projects. Germany's environment agency UBA warned that a limit of only 1,000 metres, which would not even be enough for many of the new powerful but also very high turbines,  would reduce the land available for turbines by 20 to 50 percent. This would render a sufficient expansion of wind power to meet Germany's climate targets “almost impossible”. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-130418202709.png&hash=7503265ec59e4c28d735afb762bc39f4674bd838)

All texts created by the Clean Energy Wire are available under a “Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0)” . They can be copied, shared and made publicly accessible by users so long as they give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.

https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/merkel-opens-baltics-largest-offshore-wind-farm-industry-warns-against-slow-down


Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 30, 2019, 12:39:11 pm
CleanTechnica
Support CleanTechnica’s work via donations on Patreon or PayPal!

Or just go buy a cool t-shirt, cup, baby outfit, bag, or hoodie. (https://cleantechnica.com/shop/#!/)

April 30th, 2019 by Joshua S Hill

(https://cleantechnica.com/files/2019/04/MHI-Vestas-Norther-Offshore-Wind-Farm-1-570x428.jpg)

 
MHI Vestas Completes 370 Megawatt Norther Offshore Wind Farm In Record Time (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-210818163125-16762116.gif&hash=dcf93619f3c0ebb651977b3dae2d1398f7705823) (https://cleantechnica.com/2019/04/30/mhi-vestas-completes-370-megawatt-norther-offshore-wind-farm-in-record-time/)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 26, 2019, 06:10:22 pm
CleanTechnica
Support CleanTechnica’s work via donations on Patreon or PayPal!

Or just go buy a cool t-shirt, cup, baby outfit, bag, or hoodie. (https://cleantechnica.com/shop/#!/)

June 26th, 2019 by Joshua S Hill  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-130418200416.png&hash=15d789b29124aa5a1f1ea397ce630913734b20a4)
(https://cleantechnica.com/files/2019/06/RenewableUK-gow_2019_project_intelligenc.jpg)
Image Credit: RenewableUK

Global Offshore Wind Market Grew 16% In Last 12 Months (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-040817183318.gif&hash=85dbde0ecc986da6385d09f4df76d45028b7062d) (https://cleantechnica.com/2019/06/26/global-offshore-wind-market-grew-16-in-last-12-months/)

Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on July 09, 2019, 12:13:36 pm
Quote
Jens Stubbe • 17 hours ago
CIP is already building the first real offshore project in USA and is growing fast with also the largest HVDC project in USA this millennium.

Offshore is in many ways the only way to save the globe (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-250817121649.png&hash=4554f7e59701d12857946aece16bceb973c997b3) and grew 31% last year while dropping cost 24% per produced kWh. 👍👍👍

This is just an extension of a long standing trend with 29% average annual growth since 2012 and 20% annual cost drop.

The future looks explosive as the two majors in the +8MW segment will be joined by GE Haliade 12MW and 14MW with astonishing capacity factors and yet again better than the square cube rule performance.

The latest market report was from GWEC and their first attempt ever on a prognosis for offshore wind. Even though GWEC lifted the 2030 target by BNEF a few month prior by 52% they still envision this strange collapse that also BNEF came up with.

We will know more when the results from a few ongoing zero subsidy projects roll in and also when the bids for the first offshore in India rolls in.

Jan Veselý > Jens Stubbe • 7 hours ago
Hi Jens,
do you have some info about real world tests of the new breed of wind turbines where they reached 60+% capacity factors? Even on test sites. Thanks.

Jens Stubbe > Jan Veselý • 5 hours ago
The GE Haliade 12MW and Siemens Gamesa 10MW are still in preparation.
https://www.4coffshore.com/news/ge-preps-for-12mw-test-turbine-nid12512.html

Interestingly the development costs disclosed where only slightly higher than for the MHI Vestas 8MW so also on development cost the industry are setting new standards.
https://www.offshorewind.biz/2018/05/18/siemens-gamesa-to-test-10mw-systems-in-spain/...

John  > Jens Stubbe • 17 hours ago
I still can't believe Hornsea One is already halfway built. That is going up fast. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818180835-1626482.gif&hash=068d5ba96cc9a0d9b824d58bf6e532eeee05b706)

Jens Stubbe > John • 11 hours ago
Since the first project with MHI Vestas turbines went up three years ago the average construction time has been cut to just a third and this speeding up of operations is one of the cost drivers that will definitively continue unabated. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818185039-1655102.gif&hash=1a13ffad2c8451cba6f45b04a1249447d50c3e73)

Especially the likely shift to floating fundaments will mean that turbines will be completed in the harbour and towed to position.

The same goes with the shift to PTX onboard where you do not use HVDC but simpler and cheaper pipelines for the PTX

Associated Article:  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818184310-1635923.gif&hash=5e2530db4748ed6c7163e1d478fdfa3cd1108668)

July 8th, 2019 by Joshua S Hill

(https://cleantechnica.com/files/2019/07/proposed-location-star-of-the-south-570x529.jpg)
Star of the South location. Map courtesy Star of the South Wind Farm Pty Ltd.

 
Australian 2.2 Gigawatt Offshore Wind Farm Takes Crucial Next Step (https://cleantechnica.com/2019/07/08/australian-2-2-gigawatt-offshore-wind-farm-takes-crucial-next-step/)



Title: New York Selects Winning Bidders in Nation’s Largest Offshore Wind Agreement
Post by: AGelbert on July 19, 2019, 06:02:14 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-170218174357.png&hash=296cf589ab13b3bca649d79db1953fa2289b1563)

New York Selects Winning Bidders in Nation’s Largest Offshore Wind Agreement (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-020818221610-1607296.jpeg&hash=372bed297059a182447c4cb001615d5e8346adcc)

By gCaptain on Jul 18, 2019 03:41 pm

(https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/N_zZ9xjP-GivAAXxxhN4sNAPKCklXu6cMs7ZkMnrhqaqUKe0a1VPzDJ6ejFPnXNul-GX3h3oVbbQssBCwffyF78lCnbC85MBOVoI=s0-d-e1-ft#http://gcaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/image.jpg)

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has executed the United States’ largest offshore wind agreement, announcing the winners bidders in New York’s first large-scale comprehensive offshore wind solicitation that will generate a combined 1,700 Megawatts of renewable for the state. Winning bidders were Equinor US Holdings, Inc. and Bay State Wind LLC, a joint venture […]  Read full story... (https://gcaptain.com/new-york-selects-winning-bidders-in-nations-largest-offshore-wind-agreement/)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on August 01, 2019, 01:36:07 pm
Painted Canvas Over Plywood, Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

By Drewrt in Workshop > Energy

https://youtu.be/EPAC1zZ9AOw

Full 'How To' Instructions: 🧐🌞

https://www.instructables.com/id/Painted-Canvas-Over-Plywood-Vertical-Axis-Wind-Tur/
Title: Iberdrola SA selling a stake in U.K. offshore wind farm to Macquarie Group Ltd. for $1.96 billion
Post by: AGelbert on August 13, 2019, 06:12:08 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-170218174357.png&hash=296cf589ab13b3bca649d79db1953fa2289b1563)

August 12, 2019 by Reuters

(https://3kbo302xo3lg2i1rj8450xje-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/shutterstock_130551413.jpg)
Photo: Teun van den Dries / Shutterstock

UK Offshore Wind Deal Highlights Appeal of Renewables   (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-060518153110.png&hash=39d587c31b7f7e66b30d7e59bb560e2ad0662eee) (https://gcaptain.com/uk-offshore-wind-deal-highlights-appeal-of-renewables/)
Title: Norway Approves Funding for Floating Wind Farm at North Sea Oil Fields
Post by: AGelbert on August 24, 2019, 12:19:23 am
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-170218174357.png&hash=296cf589ab13b3bca649d79db1953fa2289b1563)

August 22, 2019 by Mike Schuler

Norway Approves Funding for Floating Wind Farm at North Sea 🦕 Oil Fields (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-210818163123-16601910.gif&hash=36722ff3a7234165f97ec96e71c28afb6c8bcc91)

(https://3kbo302xo3lg2i1rj8450xje-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/image-1.jpg)
Illustration courtesy Equinor

Norwegian government-run Enova has approved funding of up to NOK 2.3 billion (US$256 million) to support a project that would develop the world’s first floating offshore wind farm to power offshore oil and gas installations in the northern North Sea.

The Hywind Tampen project proposes supplying electricity from a floating offshore wind farm to the Equinor-operated Gullfaks and Snorre fields. By tapping renewable energy resources, it is estimated that CO2 emissions would be reduced by more than 200,000 tonnes per year, equivalent to emissions from 100,000 private cars.

The offshore wind farm will consist of 11 floating wind turbines with a total capacity of 88 MW, enough to meet around 35% of the annual electricity needed fo the five existing oil and gas platforms at the Gullfaks and Snorre fields. During periods of high winds, the percentage could even be much higher.

(https://3kbo302xo3lg2i1rj8450xje-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/image.jpg)
Illustration courtesy Equinor

“The support that the licences have received for the Hywind Tampen project demonstrates the will of Norwegian authorities to invest in and develop floating offshore wind farms and renewable energy supplies. With this support we have taken an important step forward in realising the project. Now it is up to the licences to further mature the project towards a final investment decision this autumn,” says Pål Eitrheim, executive vice president for New Energy Solutions in Equinor.

Earlier, the Business Sector’s NOx Fund decided to support the Hywind Tampen project by an investment grant of up to NOK 566 million.

“The Hywind Tampen project will contribute to further developing floating offshore wind technology and reducing the costs of future floating offshore wind farms, offering new industrial opportunities for Norway, the licences and Norwegian supplier industry in a growing global offshore wind market,” says Olav-Bernt Haga, project director for Hywind Tampen.

The seven partners in the Snorre and Gullfaks licences will potentially to make an investment decision for the Hywind Tampen project this fall.

Parnters in the Gullfaks license include Equinor Energy AS (51%), Petoro AS (30%), and OMV (Norge) AS (19%). Snorre license partners include Equinor Energy AS (33.3%), Petoro AS (30%), ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Norway AS (17.5%), Idemitsu Petroleum Norge AS (9.6%), DEA Norge AS (8.6%), and Vår Energi AS (1.1%)
https://gcaptain.com/norway-approves-funding-for-floating-wind-farm-at-north-sea-oil-fields/
Title: very small turbines contributing increasingly larger % of both total # (99%) and capacity (47%)
Post by: AGelbert on August 26, 2019, 04:41:42 pm
CleanTechnica
Support CleanTechnica’s work via donations on Patreon or PayPal!

Or just go buy a cool t-shirt, cup, baby outfit, bag, or hoodie.[/url


 (https://cleantechnica.com/shop/#!/)
(https://cleantechnica.com/files/2019/08/wind-power-USA.png)
2018 Wind Technologies Market Report (screenshot via US DOE Wind power in the USA).

August 24th, 2019 by Tina Casey (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-130418200416.png&hash=15d789b29124aa5a1f1ea397ce630913734b20a4)

Way To Dump All The Good News ✨ About Wind Power On A Friday Afternoon, 🦕 DOE (https://cleantechnica.com/2019/08/24/way-to-dump-all-the-good-news-about-wind-power-on-a-friday-afternoon-doe/)
Title: SUNY Maritime College To Host Wind Energy Conference In New York City
Post by: AGelbert on September 14, 2019, 07:08:41 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-170218174357.png&hash=296cf589ab13b3bca649d79db1953fa2289b1563)

(https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/vv50iXB4SIk9RquUBgS2fg9ek33h6ixGTEIIT27dID70vKaRE1pIsJHRD_exbwM_I1m8rZXRa5kuyEH_EE71OL4c-XZuH0M4Gc27CZEThrNcq7_7_wN_aSc=s0-d-e1-ft#http://gcaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pinwheel-50512_1280.jpg)

SUNY Maritime College To Host Wind Energy Conference In New York City

By John Konrad on Sep 13, 2019 09:16 am

Wind TurbineThe State University of New York Maritime College and the Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler, proudly announce the Ocean Wind Energy Conference in New York City on Thursday, September 26, 2019. This conference comes just months after New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo executed the United States’ largest offshore wind agreement, announcing the winning […]  Read full story... (https://gcaptain.com/new-york-city-offshore-wind-event/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gcaptain+%28gCaptain.com%29&goal=0_f50174ef03-0878c2879d-169600093&mc_cid=0878c2879d&mc_eid=1855a0727e)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 20, 2019, 09:13:09 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-170218174357.png&hash=296cf589ab13b3bca649d79db1953fa2289b1563)

World’s Largest Offshore Wind Turbines Coming to U.S. Waters

(https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/xumf6nQHsEfNzBJESP5ATMHhEHkGhcnitC4B-3smGCL80lSTn8VPXOA6DyIzYm9s3r0Yc0cNDfOycKr0CPPKY4OrkSSe0mhhXtLxzQpMRvO0UhKI=s0-d-e1-ft#http://gcaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ge_haliade-x_3.jpg)
An illustration of GE’s Haliade-X 12 MW wind turbine. Image courtesy GE

By gCaptain on Sep 19, 2019 11:33 am

Haliade-X 12 MW wind turbinesBy Christopher Martin (Bloomberg) –The tallest, most powerful wind turbines ever made are coming to U.S. waters care of General Electric Co. Denmark-based Orsted A/S plans to use 12-megawatt turbines made by GE for projects off the coast of Maryland and New Jersey, according to a statement from the companies Thursday. The 853-foot (260-meter) turbines […]  Read full story... (https://gcaptain.com/worlds-largest-offshore-wind-turbines-coming-to-u-s-waters/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gcaptain+%28gCaptain.com%29&goal=0_f50174ef03-a795fdf76c-169600093&mc_cid=a795fdf76c&mc_eid=1855a0727e)
Title: Rotor Sails! 🌞
Post by: AGelbert on October 15, 2019, 09:48:57 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-170218174357.png&hash=296cf589ab13b3bca649d79db1953fa2289b1563)

There is a rapid rise in demand for modern wind propulsion in shipping, Norsepower Rotor Sails. 👍

(https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/uDBkx71LF0oQFS_6aOIW3_cUgsJVzIlGK6WPahBAEaBAM5CIwGxOvxlqBjN7wchiC51uM3Qb1HV5YMk2xm4tDDm9n3B9XzFnOZ9EEix8LmGSCL_wRSsqQIJ5Yx8=s0-d-e1-ft#http://gcaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/norsepower-rotor-sails.jpg)

Wärtsilä, Norsepower Team Up on Rotor Sails 🌞

By Mike Schuler on Oct 14, 2019 03:58 pm

Finnish technology group Wärtsilä has teamed up with Finnish rotor sail propulsion specialist Norsepower to pursue energy-saving rotor sail projects in the commercial maritime industry. The service cooperation agreement expands the global wind propulsion service network by allow Norsepower to order service work from Wärtsilä, while Wärtsilä can pursue and sell Norsepower Rotor Sail systems with […]  Read full story... (https://gcaptain.com/wartsila-norsepower-team-up-on-rotor-sails/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gcaptain+%28gCaptain.com%29&goal=0_f50174ef03-c5cf839b65-169600093&mc_cid=c5cf839b65&mc_eid=1855a0727e)
Title: Norsepower Confirms 💨 Rotor Sails Fuel Savings
Post by: AGelbert on November 02, 2019, 11:29:21 am
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-170218174357.png&hash=296cf589ab13b3bca649d79db1953fa2289b1563)

Norsepower Confirms 💨 Rotor Sails Fuel Savings (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/gallery/renewablerevolution/2/3-300919160022-2281531.png)
October 24, 2019 by Mike Schuler

(https://3kbo302xo3lg2i1rj8450xje-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/cea95e_518bc14eb380406995ba5753697c1551mv2_d_4418_2945_s_4_2.jpg)
Maersk Pelican with two 30-meter Norsepower Rotor Sails installed. Photo courtesy Norsepower

Finnish technology company Norsepower has confirmed fuel savings of more than 8 percent from a trial of its Rotor Sails onboard the Maersk Tankers product tanker, Maersk Pelican.

The company’s 🌬 Rotor Sails are a modern version of a Flettner Rotor, a type of spinning cylinder that uses the Magnus effect to harness wind power to help propel a ship and enhance fuel savings.

In August 2018, two 30-meter tall Rotor Sails were installed onboard Maersk Pelican, which trades in a wide range of conditions in Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia.

According to Norsepower, during a year-long trial from September 2018 to September 2019, the aggregated total fuel saved was 8.2 percent, equivalent to approximately 1,400 tonnes of CO2.

Performance data from the trial was analyzed and validated by Lloyd’s Register’s (LR’s) Ship Performance Group.

Because of the success of the trial, Maersk says it has opted to keep the Rotor Sails installed on the Pelican.

“During the one-year trial period on Maersk Pelican, crew and operators have reported positively on the usability, safety and performance of the Rotor Sails in all conditions,” says Tommy Thomassen, Chief Technical Officer at Maersk Tankers.

“We see wind technology as one of the technologies that can give us a real breakthrough in reducing CO2 and help us achieve our emission-reduction target of 30% by 2021,” Thomassen said.

Norsepower’s Rotor Sails are currently installed on three vessels, including the M/V Estraden, a Bore vessel offering a Ro-Ro and General Cargo service between the UK and the Belgium; the Viking Grace, a LNG-powered Viking Line cruise ferry operating between Finland and Sweden; as well as the Maersk Pelican, a 109,647 DWT Long Range 2 (LR2) product tanker.

Norsepower simulation models show that in optimal conditions, its Rotor Sails have the ability to save around 12 percent on fuel and emissions.

“With the Maersk Pelican, there are three vessels in daily commercial operation using Norsepower’s Rotor Sails,” said Tuomas Riski, CEO at Norsepower. “Each of these cases represents a very different vessel type and operational profile, demonstrating the widespread opportunity to harness the wind through Rotors Sails across the maritime industry.”

Earlier this year, Rotor Sails were issued the first-ever type approval design certificate granted to an auxiliary wind propulsion system onboard a commercial ship from DNV GL. The certification confirms that vessels using the technology are technically capable of safely navigating “all operational and environmental situations.”

Earlier this week, Norsepower and the Finnish group Wärtsilä announced a service cooperation agreement to pursue Rotor Sail projects in the commercial maritime industry.

https://gcaptain.com/norsepower-confirms-rotor-sails-fuel-savings/

Agelbert NOTE: I found this video that explains how a rotor Sail works: 8)

Rotor Sail explained
32,789 views•Sep 23, 2018

https://youtu.be/FUCShEXkpL8

Norsepower Ltd
184 subscribers
Animation demonstrates how Rotor Sails (Flettner rotor) work and can help to reduce the fuel consumption of a ship.
Category
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Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Licensed to YouTube by
UMG (on behalf of PANORAMA); LatinAutor, Warner Chappell, EMI Music Publishing, LatinAutor - Warner Chappell, Public Domain Compositions, and 9 Music Rights Societies

Here's an older (2015) video but with excellent animation graphics 👍:

https://youtu.be/aQXp75Qt99M
Title: New Jersey Doubling Down on Offshore Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on November 20, 2019, 01:53:46 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-170218174357.png&hash=296cf589ab13b3bca649d79db1953fa2289b1563)

By Bloomberg on Nov 19, 2019 02:56 pm

New Jersey Doubling Down on Offshore Wind Power

(https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/qW9U36QkMxeiMez5uyk5vKWOirDD3R6Zbu_yCpn7zqHC6qDskQHH4XzQZUOhY89A4_xhD72mgz3lMQzr3Wcn51K87Au0wqlymQHAJxRuFy9pqcEyu_SNIOteZeM=s0-d-e1-ft#http://gcaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/shutterstock_130551395.jpg)

offshore wind turbineBy Christopher Martin (Bloomberg) –New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is doubling his state’s offshore wind power goal as he competes with New York and elsewhere to jump start an industry expected to create thousands of jobs. New Jersey plans to install 7.5 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035, up from a previous target of 3.5 […] 
Read full story... (https://gcaptain.com/new-jersey-doubling-down-on-offshore-wind-power/) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818184310-1635923.gif&hash=5e2530db4748ed6c7163e1d478fdfa3cd1108668)
Title: Offshore Wind Megaprojects to Get EU Support in Push for Green Power
Post by: AGelbert on January 29, 2020, 02:30:11 pm
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Offshore Wind Megaprojects to Get EU Support in Push for Green Power
January 28, 2020 by Bloomberg

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FILE PHOTO: A support vessel is seen next to a wind turbine at the Walney Extension offshore wind farm operated by Orsted off the coast of Blackpool, Britain September 5, 2018. REUTERS/Phil Noble

By Reed Landberg and Ewa Krukowska – (Bloomberg) –Developers for some of the world’s biggest wind farms are poised to get a boost from the European Union under a new strategy aimed at ensuring the industry makes a larger contribution to low-carbon power supplies.

Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said officials in Brussels are working on a package of measures that will help stimulate the offshore wind industry. It’s part of the Green Deal package, a far-reaching plan to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of the century.

The program would help unlock the potential for wind farms sited in water, where more reliable breezes make the technology an increasingly cheap way to generate clean electricity. While politicians like turbines sited far from the eye of voters who object to wind farms on land, the industry has been hobbled by bureaucratic hurdles and competition for deals, which makes each project less profitable to build.

“We will have a strategy for offshore wind so that joint projects for big parks can be finalized,” Simson said in an interview in Brussels on Tuesday. “From our side it means the solutions how we can support investments into grids, because offshore wind parks will be built in the regions where we don’t have any grid connections yet.”


Monumental Turbines

In the coming months, the energy and environment departments of the European Commission, the EU regulatory arm, will jointly work to draft the strategy. It will focus on the maritime aspects such as how the wind farms can co-exist with shipping and fisheries. It will also look at spatial planning and financing for grid expansions needed to support the projects.

The effort would go some way to remove issues holding up developments. Competition between utilities such as Orsted A/S, Vattenfall AB and EnBW AG to build offshore wind farms has produced projects so cheap that they work without subsidy, raising questions whether the companies will make money from them.

The industry also is waiting for governments to put into law goals they have set for expanding offshore wind power, which would give some assurance about investments planned to give the industry scale and reduce costs further.

“Political risks are now larger than market snares,” said Stefan Thimm, managing director of Gemany’s BWO offshore industry lobby, in a Jan. 23 interview. “We need to hedge against that risk and that questions whether zero bids are going to be repeated anytime soon.”

Europe wants to lead the global fight against climate change and attract investors in clean technologies under the Green Deal. Commissioner Simson acknowledged that may require tighter targets for renewable energy for 2030. The current goal is to get 32% of energy from renewables by the end of this decade.

One key point of the strategy for offshore would “consider how different member states will fulfill their energy targets by cooperating on one site where the grid connection goes to a certain spot in the mainland,” Simson said.

Offshore wind is a focus because of its enormous potential to generate clean electricity. The International Energy Agency estimates the industry is growing 2.2% a year and will draw in $840 billion over the next two decades — but that pace must double to reach climate targets.

BloombergNEF estimates new installations worldwide rose to 7.7 gigawatts last year, up from less than 2 gigawatts at the start of the decade. It expects about 9 gigawatts of additions in each of the next five years, growing to an annual pace of 19 gigawatts by the end of the decade, with new markets emerging in Spain, Italy, Greece and Lithuania.


Hydrogen’s Future Brightens

Hydrogen also will get a boost from the commission’s Green Deal. Simson said she saw the fuel as interesting solution to decarbonize the sectors where a shift to electricity is not an option. Those include steel, cement and chemicals, where the industrial process requires heat of more than 1,000 degrees Celsius.

“It is a solution for how to phase out fossil fuels,” Simson said. “Right now we need to support pilot projects, which are not yet market-compatible. We have certain funds, for example the Innovation Fund, which can help industrial sites that are testing such innovative solutions. It might also be a possible solution for storage. It will definitely play a role in our sector integration strategy.”

Liquefied natural gas also is a focus for the commissioner. She said that “most probably” the volume of LNG used in Europe will rise as a way to ensure energy security.

“LNG played a very significant role for our energy security aspect. In the past years it was one of the priorities to secure different routes. We had to have diverse providers of gas. A good network of LNG terminals has provided us a diversified gas market. We have a certain capacity of LNG terminals. There’s a lot of projects in the pipeline: in Poland, in Croatia, in Greece, and in Germany.”

“We are using right now 70% of the capacities that we do have already, and the capacities are growing. The U.S. is now providing 16% of our LNG and as such it is the third-biggest source of imports. The share of U.S. LNG has grown rapidly, even if we are comparing numbers from the last three months these are several times higher than a year ago. So the reason must be that the price has come down and it’s competitive.”

The commission is monitoring how member states apply a revised gas market law to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

The still-unfinished natural gas project will bring Russian flows to Germany through a route under the Baltic Sea. U.S. sanctions have halted work for now. Another key issue is how the project is treated under a new EU law, which require the owner and shipper of gas to be different legal entities.

Nord Stream 2 asked German authorities for an exemption from the EU pipeline rules, arguing it was eligible for the derogation because the project was completed by May 23, 2019. Germany has until May 24 to decide how to interpret the project’s completion.

“Every member state has the right to decide what their energy mix is.” Simson said. “We have to monitor that all respective state agencies apply the law. We are monitoring this process and there are certain criteria that the German agency has to consider.”

–With assistance from Brian Parkin.

© 2019 Bloomberg L.P

https://gcaptain.com/offshore-wind-megaprojects-to-get-eu-support-in-push-for-green-power/
Title: Storm 'Ciara' blows German wind power production to new record 🌟
Post by: AGelbert on February 11, 2020, 09:30:40 pm
(https://www.cleanenergywire.org/sites/all/themes/cleanenergywire/logo.png)

BRIEFING

Tuesday, 11 Feb 2020

Storm 'Ciara' blows German wind power production to new record 🌟
#Renewables    #Wind   

dpa / Deutschlandfunk / Clean Energy Wire

The storm dubbed "Ciara" has pushed wind power production to a new record in Germany, temporarily boosting feed-in into the grid to nearly 43.7 gigawatts (GW), grid operator TenneT told news agency dpa in an article carried by public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk. The previous record stood at 43.4 GW. According to energy think tank Agora Energiewende*, renewables covered about three quarters of Germany's power consumption on 9 and 10 February, with onshore and offshore wind turbines contributing the lion's share. However, the storm also caused troubles for grid operators, since the record feed-in happened intermittently and even caused some turbines to be shut down for safety reasons, the article says.

According to the website energy-charts (https://www.energy-charts.de/energy_pie.htm?year=2%0D%20020&month=2&day=10) by research institute Fraunhofer ISE, wind power alone covered nearly 60 percent of net power production (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154) on 10 February, dwarfing coal-fired power production, which stood at about 11 percent on that day.

Wind, solar and other renewable sources supplied almost 43 percent of gross German power consumption in 2019, up from 38.2 percent in 2018. This marked a new annual record that already exceeds the government’s 2020 target of 35 percent, but the unprecedented output level is overshadowed by a near halt in onshore wind development. The number of new wind turbines recently fell to unprecedentedly low levels and the country is veering off track in reaching its 2030 target of a 65 percent renewables share
 

*Like the Clean Energy Wire, Agora Energiewende is a project funded by Stiftung Mercator and the European Climate Foundation.

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https://www.cleanenergywire.org/newsletter/storm-ciara-blows-german-wind-power-production-new-record
Title: China Offshore Wind Farms could supply 5.4 times more electricity than the current coastal demand
Post by: AGelbert on February 25, 2020, 02:43:04 pm
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China Could Use Offshore Wind to Power Entire Coast (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818180835-1626482.gif&hash=068d5ba96cc9a0d9b824d58bf6e532eeee05b706), Study Finds  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-141113185047.png&hash=384024358ff8d5e7133d19b6e6638da4584a8154)

By Bloomberg on Feb 24, 2020 12:33 pm

offshore windBy Bloomberg News (Bloomberg) — The gusts of wind cascading across China’s seas have the potential to power its populous coastal provinces many times over, a study from Harvard University shows. Wind farms along the coast could potentially supply 5.4 times more electricity than the current coastal demand, researchers said in a report. Falling costs for […]  Read full story... (https://gcaptain.com/138776-2/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gcaptain+%28gCaptain.com%29&goal=0_f50174ef03-fc364951e3-169600093&mc_cid=fc364951e3&mc_eid=1855a0727e)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on April 12, 2020, 02:13:06 pm
Agelbert NOTE: This article is from June 5th, 2017, but it is still 💯% valid. When it comes to the TRUE costs of energy from Clean versus Dirty sources, Clean Renewable Energy is ALWAYS THE BEST CHOICE.

At present, the COSTS of all that particulate matter from fossil fuel burning sources (http://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/advances-in-health-care/new-pandemic/msg16287/#msg16287), by exacerbating the (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/gallery/renewablerevolution/2/3-220320175618.png) COVID-19 caused economic shutdown from the threat of contagion, are ASTRONOMICAL compared with Renewable Energy sources that would have PREVENTED much of those casualties who have become sick, surviving with lung damage caused diminshed work prospects for life or died from COVID-19.
🦕🦖 Fossil fuels, the MURDEROUS 🏴☠️ "GIFT" THAT KEEPS ON GIVIN' IT TO US GOOD AND HARD!
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-140415130805.png&hash=23d2e6dc6311a26c399bf0cb60868bcff2781a58)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-040718162656-14241872.gif&hash=6c39a3206e2b2a3d652adee626b5eee8ab5b15bf) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-130418193910.gif&hash=633dd399cd6006279afd7efb5ef953673b96bd78)


Wnd solar Energy Grid Study 
                                                                       

(https://c1cleantechnicacom-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/files/2017/06/energy-wind-solar-grid-study.png)

Energy Dept. Pulls The Rug Out From Under Its Own 😈 Coal-Friendly Grid Study With Pitch For Wind, Solar (https://cleantechnica.com/2017/06/05/energy-dept-pulls-rug-coal-friendly-grid-study-pitch-wind-solar) ;D (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818184310-1635923.gif&hash=5e2530db4748ed6c7163e1d478fdfa3cd1108668)

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Title: The AWEA report says the US wind energy industry has created 120,000 American jobs. 26,000 have foun
Post by: AGelbert on April 19, 2020, 05:00:24 pm
CleanTechnica
Support CleanTechnica’s work via donations on Patreon or PayPal!

Or just go buy a cool t-shirt, cup, baby outfit, bag, or hoodie. (https://cleantechnica.com/shop/#!/)


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April 18th, 2020 by Steve Hanley 

Wind = 1st Choice For New Power Capacity In America (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818184310-1635923.gif&hash=5e2530db4748ed6c7163e1d478fdfa3cd1108668) (https://cleantechnica.com/2020/04/18/wind-first-choice-for-new-energy-in-america/)
Title: Modvion 👉 Swedish company specializes in structures made with cross laminated timber.
Post by: AGelbert on May 03, 2020, 01:37:15 pm
CleanTechnica
Support CleanTechnica’s work via donations on Patreon or PayPal!

Or just go buy a cool t-shirt, cup, baby outfit, bag, or hoodie. (https://cleantechnica.com/shop/#!/)

May 2nd, 2020 by Steve Hanley

(https://cleantechnica.com/files/2020/05/Modvion-CLT-tower-on-ferry-1536x1024.jpeg)(https://cleantechnica.com/files/2020/05/Modvion-CLT-tower-1536x1151.jpeg)
Images credit: Modvion

Modvion Completes First Wind Turbine Tower In Sweden (https://cleantechnica.com/2020/05/02/modvion-completes-first-wind-turbine-tower-in-sweden/) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818184310-1635923.gif&hash=5e2530db4748ed6c7163e1d478fdfa3cd1108668)
Title: Video 👉 GIANT Crane for installing offshore turbines collapses during testing. 😲
Post by: AGelbert on May 04, 2020, 09:51:51 pm
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DEME’s ‘Game-Changing’ Offshore Installation Vessel Suffers 11th-Hour Crane Collapse – Incident Video

May 4, 2020 by Mike Schuler

(https://3kbo302xo3lg2i1rj8450xje-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Liebherr_Orion_25112019_2_0-800x411.jpg)
Orion 1 undergoes crane installation at Liebherr Rostock in Germany. Image credit: DEME

A newbuild offshore installation vessel due for delivery later this month suffered a major accident over the weekend when its crane collapsed during testing.

Belgian marine services company DEME reports that the under construction offshore installation vessel Orion 1 was undergoing load testing at Liebherr shipyard in Rostock, Germany when the crane collapsed on Saturday, May 2.

A few people suffered minor injuries, the company said.

Footage of the incident leaked online: 😬

https://youtu.be/7AlI1myzpK4

The Orion 1 is under construction and currently owned by COSCO (QIDONG) Offshore.  It was due for delivery to DEME later this month.

The 216.5-meter Orion 1 has been described as a “game changing” DP3 offshore installation vessel with a massive 5,000-tonne lifting crane featuring 30 meters of outreach and a lifting height of 180 meters.

The vessel arrived at the Liebherr construction yard last November for installation of the crane – the final phase in the construction process.

“The crane has suffered significant damage, while damage to the crane and the vessel will be investigated in the upcoming days and weeks,” DEME said in a statement.

The Orion 1 was planned to install 103 jackets at the Moray East offshore wind farm in Scotland immediately upon delivery.

Commissioned by the Scottish Government in 2014, the 950MW capacity Moray East project is being developed by EDP Renewables and ENGIE. Since May 2019, DEME’s jack-up vessel Apollo has been working to install piles as part of an initial two-year campaign to construct the foundation systems for the MHI Vestas V164-9.5MW turbines and the three offshore substations. The Orion was then scheduled the work of installing the 103 ‘jackets’ for the foundation.

https://gcaptain.com/demes-game-changing-offshore-installation-vessel-suffers-11th-hour-crane-collapse-incident-video/
Title: New Frontier for Offshore Wind
Post by: AGelbert on June 09, 2021, 03:58:08 pm
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(https://gcaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Deepwater-Wind-LLC-1.jpg)
Opened in 2016, Deepwater Wind LLC's 30MW Block Island Wind Farm is the first and currently only offshore wind farm in the United States. Photo: Deepwater Wind LLC

U.S. Turns to Gulf of Mexico as Potential New Frontier for Offshore Wind
Mike Schuler

June 8, 2021

SNIPPET:

The U.S. Department of the Interior is moving to explore the potential of offshore wind in the Gulf of Mexico, home to the nation’s vast offshore oil and gas industry.

To date, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has leased approximately 1.7 million acres for offshore wind development and issued 17 commercial leases off the Atlantic seaboard from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras, but so far no such plans have existed for the Gulf of Mexico. Now with the Biden Administration’s goal of 30MW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, the government is starting to look beyond the Atlantic for opportunities. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/gallery/renewablerevolution/2/3-300919160019-22741031.png) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-080515182559.png&hash=d4dfa952fa0f817bf30a8059a4c88d6fb05ee1bf)

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is now set to publish a Request for Interest (RFI) in the Federal Register this Friday, June 11, to assess interest in potential offshore wind development in the Western and Central Planning Areas of the Gulf of Mexico offshore the states of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Full article:
https://gcaptain.com/u-s-turns-to-gulf-of-mexico-as-potential-new-frontier-for-offshore-wind/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on June 12, 2021, 11:20:57 pm
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Biden Administration Proposes Offshore Wind Lease Sale for Waters Off New York and New Jersey

Mike Schuler

June 11, 2021

The U.S. Department of the Interior is taking steps to hold an offshore wind lease sale off the coast of New York and New Jersey.


The DOI’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today proposed the Biden Administration’s first competitive offshore wind lease sale for the New York Bight, a shallow water area between Long Island and the New Jersey. The proposed lease areas is advertised to have over 7 gigawatts of offshore ⚡ wind potential, enough to power more than 2.6 million homes and support the creation of thousands of new jobs. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-111018132401-1689625.gif&hash=31d44a761d963df1354e5ef55b63387c72033709)

The proposed sale will offer eight lease areas in the New York Bight that could be auctioned for commercial wind energy development. A Proposed Sale Notice (PSN) in the Federal Register, published today, opens a 60-day public comment period and provides detailed information about potential areas that could be available for leasing, proposed lease provisions and conditions, auction details.

“The New York Bight is a prime example of how regional cooperation, partnerships, and stakeholder feedback can come together to identify areas suitable for offshore wind development,” said BOEM Director Amanda Lefton. “Today’s announcement demonstrates that fighting climate change and creating union jobs can go hand in hand.”

To date, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has held 8 competitive lease sales and issued 17 active commercial offshore wind leases on the Atlantic from Massachusetts to North Carolina.

The proposed lease sale comes as the Biden Administration pursues a goal of 30 gigawatts of installed offshore wind power by 2030. Its announcement follows other recent milestones in the administration’s plans for more offshore wind development, such as approving the first large scale project in federal waters, advancing offshore wind areas off the coast of California, and even beginning to explore the Gulf of Mexico for its potential.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/gallery/renewablerevolution/2/3-160619140243.png) (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/gallery/renewablerevolution/2/3-251218182412-2045476.jpeg) “Climate change poses an existential threat — not just to our environment, but to our health, our communities, and our economic well-being.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fstyles%2Frenewablerevolution%2Ffiles%2F3898_2%2520degree%2520C%2520danger%2520Hansen.png&hash=13b39d7cc11c2394e33fa65e843f95135b99fd25)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fstyles%2Frenewablerevolution%2Ffiles%2F3897_2%2520degree%2520C%2520danger%2520Bows.png&hash=89517b90afe1f9477098eb35ec57c61093acbbab)

The Biden-Harris administration recognizes the urgency of this moment, and the development of renewable energy resources is an important piece of addressing this reality,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “Today’s announcement of new proposed lease stipulations puts a priority on creating and sustaining good-paying union jobs as we build a clean energy economy.”

https://gcaptain.com/biden-administration-proposes-offshore-wind-lease-sale-for-waters-off-new-york-and-new-jersey/

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F2%2F3-251218182428-20521886.png&hash=a6d1d539ccec2a50cff2904948b626d13dab6b37)
Title: NEW Sail-Powered Cargo Ship to be built
Post by: AGelbert on June 17, 2021, 02:42:48 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-170218174357.png&hash=296cf589ab13b3bca649d79db1953fa2289b1563)

June 16, 2021

(https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/6HQtpKRhHz9Kyhr_hz8GeSnCRvko3GGg6zzeFZWQSdqVw9SvSc9cI5kiqWNoLFUe3f5x1tPvf-tOA2IOYBOcPBh0Djuj71x9mAIGPV5cI9IEsuzfKCpo=s0-d-e1-ft#https://gcaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/neoline_michelin.jpg)
Image courtesy Michelin/Neoline

French Shipping Company Selects Shipyard for Sail-Powered Cargo Ship

By Mike Schuler

SNIPPET:

he LOI with Neopolia Mobility covers the construction of the first vessel, a 136-meter-long sailing cargo ship capacity of 500 cars and 280 containers. Commissioning is planned for the first half of 2024 with construction beginning as early as this summer, subject to obtaining the needed financing.

Earlier this year, tire manufacturer Michelin agreed to ship a portion of its tires using Neoline’s vessels. Under the agreement, tires will be loaded in containers and shipped from Michelin’s facilities in Halifax, Nova Scotia to Saint-Nazaire, France as soon as the Neoline’s first ship enters service.

With 4,200 square meters of sail area and engine assist, Neoline believes the vessels can achieve a speed of at least 11 knots to keep a biweekly service schedule while also achieving verified bunker fuel savings.

Full article: (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818184310-1635923.gif&hash=5e2530db4748ed6c7163e1d478fdfa3cd1108668)
https://gcaptain.com/french-shipping-company-selects-shipyard-for-sail-powered-cargo-ship/
Title: No More Blades⁉️
Post by: AGelbert on July 04, 2021, 12:07:57 am
May 18, 2021

2,480,264 views (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818180835-1626482.gif&hash=068d5ba96cc9a0d9b824d58bf6e532eeee05b706)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818185039-1655102.gif&hash=1a13ffad2c8451cba6f45b04a1249447d50c3e73)


https://youtu.be/nNp21zTeCDc

Undecided with Matt Ferrell

506K subscribers

The Future of Solid State Wind Energy - No More Blades. Wind power is one of the fastest-growing renewable sources that works well at scale, but it isn't perfect. What if we could scale down wind turbine power to something that could fit on your roof? And be self-contained with smaller moving parts ... or maybe no blades or moving parts at all? Let's look at some future alternatives for harnessing wind power.

Go to http://brilliant.org/Undecided to sign up for free. And also, the first 200 people will get 20% off their annual premium membership.
Title: NIMBY Rich Beach Community Stupidity
Post by: AGelbert on July 23, 2021, 04:22:19 pm
Agelbert NOTE: The article, accidentally on purpose, I suspect, attempts to invert reality by falsely equating action against fossil fuel industry planet polluting mayhem with action by the rich against offshore wind power renewable energy infrastructure. It is disingenuous to claim these rich bastards are just "worried about the view", while "forgetting" (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-051113192052.png&hash=93c42ef9f18fc5d9da50fd91fc19f70009f95f85)  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-311013201314.png&hash=0715eb72631014310634eb56176ff860c6d542f6) to mention the (SEE: TRUE MOTIVATION for legal action against Renewable Energy Infrastructure) FACT that the rich have a GIANT conflict of interest against renewable energy BECAUSE they ALL OWN a HUGE amount stock in 🦕 fossil fuel 😈 corporations. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/gallery/renewablerevolution/3-120716190938.png)
 
Other than that, the article is important reading for people who still don't realize what a danger to human society the greedy rich, who continue to defend the 🦕 fossil fuel based biosphere degrading status quo, are.

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-170218174357.png&hash=296cf589ab13b3bca649d79db1953fa2289b1563)

July 22, 2021

New Jersey Amps Up Fight (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-250718204530.gif&hash=2e7c5022efc700a555c2e328644b7448b6dda789) Against 🎩😈🦕 Beachside Towns Opposed to Offshore Wind

SNIPPETS:

“We’re not going to let NIMBYism shut this down,” said state Senator Stephen Sweeney, a sponsor of the legislation and New Jersey’s highest-ranking lawmaker. He added that some 🦕 residents of Ocean City, a hotbed of opposition in the state, told him (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-130418203402.gif&hash=b2691028ba683a0039a5811f5775c68d7ccae01c) they could kill offshore wind. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818180835-16181943.gif&hash=0b93e71ee5e24bbe02555e0d648a1283e0e9651d) “Ocean City doesn’t get to make the decision for the entire state of New Jersey on a policy initiative. 🎩🦕 They just don’t.” (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-111018132421-16902.gif&hash=deba9f0f91ecd7d65bbdeb78786bef4a98cb1a7e)
 
Orsted, the world’s biggest developer of offshore wind power, plans to build the Ocean Wind 1 project between 15 and 27 miles off Atlantic City and connect it to the electrical grid through buried power lines in both Ocean City and Island Beach State Park.

“The majority of the people are against the wind mills," (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-TzWpwHzCvCI%2FT_sBEnhCCpI%2FAAAAAAAAME8%2FIsLpuU8HYxc%2Fs1600%2Fnooo-way-smiley.gif&hash=b8545bd420b1e2f2c7b9f665d2093523e4ad2251) said Ocean City  councilman (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F2%2F3-080419191019.png&hash=a449294ee6fe2dfdea44c1c501f4439b9ac69c26) Keith Hartzell. “Everybody thought it would be up to us to decide whether the transmission lines came through Ocean City. (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/gallery/renewablerevolution/2/3-230721144125.png)" ... ...
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmemecrunch.com%2Fmeme%2F5L3XX%2Fspiderman-bullshit-detector%2Fimage.jpg%3Fw%3D544%26amp%3Bc%3D1&hash=4825835b92337d62f61a3d37d282105e97ac3ee3)

Local  (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-130418193910.gif&hash=633dd399cd6006279afd7efb5ef953673b96bd78) residents in the 🎩😈🦖 well-off  Hamptons town of Wainscott, New York, have targeted another Orsted development called South Fork Wind, filing a lawsuit in February against the project and the town board over a high-voltage cable that would land at the town beach and then run underneath town streets to a new substation. And the Block Island Wind Farm off the coast of Rhode Island, developed by General Electric Co. and Alstom SA, also faced opposition because of power cables running through the town of Narragansett.

Full article:
https://gcaptain.com/new-jersey-amps-up-fight-with-beachside-towns-opposed-to-offshore-wind/

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F2%2F3-090520201754.png&hash=39762b1fe42787454fec1ca3baff6ad08632cc82)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fstyles%2Frenewablerevolution%2Ffiles%2F3076_Independence%2520from%2520Fossil%2520Fuels.png&hash=f0d4b7b582dbd6cc2137bda1e27e46464e1ef0d2)
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on August 11, 2021, 02:12:08 pm
(https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/2_IN1MJGf4OkBesWZi77BP6Ylt6SRUMuCuRFL1jFtxyy4DlB1c6NRaAujgNNfEHFM2QayBJ0hPzksQrR3nr7kATqsmYlrsMXjsmJnS1l62I=s0-d-e1-ft#http://media.pennnet.com/designimages/REW-0262_Energy_375.jpg)

By John Engel - 8.9.2021

(https://images.renewableenergyworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/wind-turbine-2819382_640.jpg)

Saudi Arabia’s first wind farm is now connected to the ⚡ grid (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818185037-16412296.gif&hash=c8a4038d309a0f49ca4a7a464f30f9a340049cac)

The 400-megawatt Dumat al-Jandal wind farm – developed by EDF Renewables and Masdar – is made up of 99 (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818180835-1626482.gif&hash=068d5ba96cc9a0d9b824d58bf6e532eeee05b706) wind turbines, the reports said.

Read more (https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/wind-power/saudi-arabias-first-wind-farm-is-now-connected-to-the-grid/?utm_source=rew_weekly_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2021-08-11)(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818184310-1635923.gif&hash=5e2530db4748ed6c7163e1d478fdfa3cd1108668)
Title: Three of the most promising wind power options
Post by: AGelbert on August 15, 2021, 02:26:23 pm
Is wind power the future of freight shipping? (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-221017161839.png&hash=7d34712243960aa20883775dad728bc2115ed6fe)

https://youtu.be/HgceI3Gx89k

128,965 views Aug 8, 2021

Just Have a Think 303K subscribers

Wind power for boats has mostly been confined to niche sports and leisure activities these days, but new technologies are bringing a fresh perspective to the role that the wind can play in reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions in the global freight shipping industry. That industry currently accounts for nearly 3% of all GHG emissions, so freight operators are on a quest to reach net zero by 2050. Here's three of the most promising wind power options that could help them get there.

Video Transcripts available at our website
http://www.justhaveathink.com

Help support this channels independence at
http://www.patreon.com/justhaveathink
Title: New GIANT Wind turbine 😀
Post by: AGelbert on August 26, 2021, 01:08:04 pm
(https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/2_IN1MJGf4OkBesWZi77BP6Ylt6SRUMuCuRFL1jFtxyy4DlB1c6NRaAujgNNfEHFM2QayBJ0hPzksQrR3nr7kATqsmYlrsMXjsmJnS1l62I=s0-d-e1-ft#http://media.pennnet.com/designimages/REW-0262_Energy_375.jpg)

August 24, 2021 By John Engel

(https://images.renewableenergyworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/mingyang-1536x864.jpg)
Chinese manufacturer MingYang Smart Energy has unveiled a 264-meter tall, 16-megawatt capacity offshore wind turbine. (Courtesy: MingYang Smart Energy)

This 264-meter tall offshore wind turbine is now the largest :o of its kind (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818185039-1655102.gif&hash=1a13ffad2c8451cba6f45b04a1249447d50c3e73)

Chinese manufacturer MingYang Smart Energy has unveiled a 264-meter tall, 16-megawatt capacity offshore wind turbine.

The MySE 16.0-242 becomes the world’s largest hybrid drive wind turbine with a 242-meter diameter rotor, 118-meter long blades, and 4,600 m2 swept area. The model is capable of generating 80,000 MWh of electricity every year, enough to power more than 20,000 households.

“In response to demand for anti-typhoon wind turbines in coastal Guangdong, MingYang systematically develops high-quality products by collaborating with global supply chain partners and integrating cutting-edge technologies from industries such as aerospace, materials, and big data,” said Qiying Zhang, president and CTO of Ming Yang Smart Energy. “Over the years, we have gained over 10GW cumulative track record and iteration experience with Hybrid-Drive technology. These enable us to have a rapid learning curve in product R&D and position us well to become an offshore wind leader.”

The MySE 16.0-242 produces 45% more energy than the company’s previous turbine model and can eliminate more than 1.6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over the course of its 25-year lifespan when compared to coal-fired power generation.

MySE 16.0-242 is scheduled for commercial production in the first half of 2024.
https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/wind-power/this-264-meter-tall-offshore-wind-turbine-is-now-the-largest-of-its-kind/
Title: “The time to tackle climate emergency is now, and we need to do it in a holistic way.
Post by: AGelbert on September 08, 2021, 12:46:49 pm
(https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/2_IN1MJGf4OkBesWZi77BP6Ylt6SRUMuCuRFL1jFtxyy4DlB1c6NRaAujgNNfEHFM2QayBJ0hPzksQrR3nr7kATqsmYlrsMXjsmJnS1l62I=s0-d-e1-ft#http://media.pennnet.com/designimages/REW-0262_Energy_375.jpg)

September 8, 2021

The world's first recyclable wind turbine blade is ready for commercial use(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-111018132401-1689625.gif&hash=31d44a761d963df1354e5ef55b63387c72033709)

(https://images.renewableenergyworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Siemens-14-MW-blade.png)
Recyclable Wind Turbine Blade

The first six of Siemens Gamesa's 81-meter RecyclableBlades were produced at the company's plant in Denmark.

Read more: (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818184310-1635923.gif&hash=5e2530db4748ed6c7163e1d478fdfa3cd1108668)
https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/wind-power/the-worlds-first-recyclable-wind-turbine-blade-is-ready-for-commercial-use/
Title: Re: Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 21, 2021, 01:31:04 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-170218174357.png&hash=296cf589ab13b3bca649d79db1953fa2289b1563)

September 20, 2021 By Mike Shuler

(https://gcaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/shutterstock_89871079.jpg)

Vineyard Wind Makes Offshore Wind Bids in Massachusetts (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-111018132401-1686487.gif&hash=9c799f9f5ab2dfe2070b755850d7253683a6b1c0)

SNIPPET:

The developer of the first large-scale offshore wind farm in the United States is moving forward with plans for two additional projects the coast of Massachusetts.

Vineyard Wind, a joint venture between Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and Avangrid Renewables, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), announced Monday it has submitted two proposals in response to the state’s Request for Proposals.

Vineyard Wind currently has 1,604 MW of offshore wind energy capacity under development for Massachusetts and Connecticut with its Vineyard Wind 1 and Park City Wind projects.

The two “Commonwealth Wind” proposals would offer options of approximately 800 megawatts (MW) and 1,200 MW.

Full article: (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-060914180936.jpeg&hash=5e39d70fafe4e7190a6eebce34b740c58721de3f)

https://gcaptain.com/vineyard-wind-makes-offshore-wind-bids-in-massachusetts/
Title: Wooden Wind Power
Post by: AGelbert on September 26, 2021, 08:30:39 pm
27,727 views Sep 26, 2021

Wooden(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-210818163125-16722324.gif&hash=fd301340fefe90d81ed8826dfa0568be12a1c0d8) wind turbines. Are they really a sustainable alternative? 🤔

https://youtu.be/lJsznA1ug1w

Just Have a Think 333K subscribers

Wooden windmills are surely a relic from our pre industrial history aren't they? Well, that was certainly true until recently. Now though, a Swedish company has harnessed the inherent qualities of timber to produce a turbine tower that is not only lighter than its steel equivalent, but also stronger (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/gallery/renewablerevolution/2/3-300919160022-2281531.png) and more environmentally friendly 🌼 too 🌞. Could this be the least likely technological revolution so far?

Video Transcripts available at our website
http://www.justhaveathink.com

Interested in mastering and remembering the concepts that I present in my videos? Check out the FREE Dive Deeper mini-courses offered by the Center for Behavior and Climate (https://climatechange.behaviordevelopmentsolutions.com/just-have-a-think-jhat). These mini-courses teach the main concepts in select JHAT videos and go beyond to help you learn additional scientific or conservation concepts. The courses are great for teachers to use or for individual learning.

Research links

Modvion

https://www.modvion.com/

https://www.modvion.com/wp-content/up...

Vestas Investment

https://renewablesnow.com/news/vestas...

Carbon sequestration in timber buildings

https://www.trada.co.uk/news/is-carbo...

Siemens Recyclable Blade

https://www.fastcompany.com/90674645/...

Wind speed vs wind power

https://www.windynation.com/jzv/inf/h...

Vestas zero waste pledge

https://www.vestas.com/en/media/blog/...

Global Fibreglass Solutions

https://www.globalfiberglassinc.com/i...
Title: 🍾 World’s LARGEST floating offshore wind farm begins operation 🌞
Post by: AGelbert on September 29, 2021, 01:40:29 pm
(https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/2_IN1MJGf4OkBesWZi77BP6Ylt6SRUMuCuRFL1jFtxyy4DlB1c6NRaAujgNNfEHFM2QayBJ0hPzksQrR3nr7kATqsmYlrsMXjsmJnS1l62I=s0-d-e1-ft#http://media.pennnet.com/designimages/REW-0262_Energy_375.jpg)

By John Engel -9.22.2021

World’s largest floating offshore wind farm begins operation (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-210818163125-16762116.gif&hash=dcf93619f3c0ebb651977b3dae2d1398f7705823)

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F2%2F3-290921133754.png&hash=74d52dc3fc588c0314fbdad5fbd2ff9ad05d226b)
Kincardine Offshore Wind (Courtesy: Cobra Group)

SNIPPET:

Statkraft, a renewable energy generator owned by the Norwegian state, will buy the entire electrical output of the 48 MW Kincardine Offshore Wind Farm through a power purchase agreement that extends until 2029.

The Kincardine Offshore Wind Farm is expected to generate up to 218 GWh :o of clean electricity each year, enough to power 55,000 households. The project is comprised of a 2MW Vestas turbine in addition to five 9.5 MW Vestas turbines.

Full article: (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818184310-1635923.gif&hash=5e2530db4748ed6c7163e1d478fdfa3cd1108668)
https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/wind-power/worlds-largest-floating-offshore-wind-farm-begins-operation/
Title: Crowley Wind Services will purchase the 42 acres surrounding Salem Harbor Station
Post by: AGelbert on October 01, 2021, 03:30:23 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-170218174357.png&hash=296cf589ab13b3bca649d79db1953fa2289b1563)

September 30, 2021 by Mike Schuler

(https://gcaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/salem-offshore-wind-port.jpg)
An illustration of the offsfhore wind port in Salem, Massachusetts. Credit: Vineyard Wind

Vineyard Wind and Crowley to Turn Historic New England Harbor Into Offshore Wind Port

SNIPPET:

Salem Harbor was a major internationally-known trading port in the early days of the United States, but today is mostly used for recreational purposes and ferry service to Boston.

Vineyard Wind estimates that the project, which is still contingent on approval by the state of Massachusetts, would create up to an estimated 400 full-time equivalent yearly jobs during the revitalization of the port and up to another 500 full-time jobs over the first five years for construction and staging and also day-to-day port operations, for a total of 900 full-time equivalent jobs.

Full article: (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-060914180936.jpeg&hash=5e39d70fafe4e7190a6eebce34b740c58721de3f)

https://gcaptain.com/vineyard-wind-and-crowley-to-develop-offshore-wind-port-at-historic-new-england-harbor/
Title: 800MW capacity project 15 miles from Martha’s Vineyard will produce energy for over 400,000 homes + businesses
Post by: AGelbert on October 13, 2021, 02:48:55 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-170218174357.png&hash=296cf589ab13b3bca649d79db1953fa2289b1563)

October 12, 2021 By Mike Schuler

(https://gcaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ge_haliade-x_sept21_2_1-1536x1024.jpg)
GE's Haliade-X offshore wind turbine. Credit: GE Renewable Energy

First Full-Scale Offshore Wind Farm in US Places Order for World’s Most Powerful Wind Turbines(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-210818163125-16762116.gif&hash=dcf93619f3c0ebb651977b3dae2d1398f7705823)

US-based offshore wind developer Vineyard Wind has placed an order for sixty-two (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/gallery/renewablerevolution/2/3-020821163331.png) 13MW wind turbines ... (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818184310-1635923.gif&hash=5e2530db4748ed6c7163e1d478fdfa3cd1108668)
https://gcaptain.com/first-full-scale-offshore-wind-farm-in-us-places-order-for-worlds-most-powerful-wind-turbines/
Title: HeluWIND Wind Turbine Cabling
Post by: AGelbert on December 20, 2021, 05:01:15 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/gallery/renewablerevolution/3/3-201221165613.png)
Wind Turbine Technology Section of the 2022 RE Handbook: (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818184310-1635923.gif&hash=5e2530db4748ed6c7163e1d478fdfa3cd1108668)
Solar Power World 2022 Renewable Energy Handbook (https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/12/december-2021-special-edition-2022-renewable-energy-handbook/)
Title: US Wind approved for 1,100 MW of offshore wind for Maryland
Post by: AGelbert on January 13, 2022, 04:47:16 pm
(https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/xKuVXolm_gU22UYi5EhM4cjtph7qNetR_zym1eDYVUoVGGaaGSgbNouFn9J2jCgo40dUW9nQaYNxo81sFqHhOQH2FvJZPYoSlGYdAvnWOqhtsM-b9poYcR3E1SSTUguwA-4IyUjHpR3Kl2gDFmCH=s0-d-e1-ft#https://images.designworldonline.com/newsletters/images/b4235efc8f5232d92c203d68e991f1cd.png)

January 13, 2022

US Wind approved for 1,100 MW of offshore wind for Maryland

SNIPPET:

The State of Maryland has awarded US Wind 808.5 MW in Offshore Renewable Energy Credits (ORECs) for Momentum Wind, a new offshore wind project slated to come online in 2026.

Read more: (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F3-060914180936.jpeg&hash=5e39d70fafe4e7190a6eebce34b740c58721de3f)

https://www.windpowerengineering.com/us-wind-approved-for-1100-mw-of-offshore-wind-for-maryland/
Title: China is the world’s biggest market for wind farms
Post by: AGelbert on January 30, 2022, 05:02:46 pm
January 28, 2022

(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/gallery/renewablerevolution/3/3-300122170021.png)
Chinese Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frenewablerevolution.createaforum.com%2Fgallery%2Frenewablerevolution%2F1%2F3-120818185038-16442135.gif&hash=52927992b43007fa5c5eb6ffcb453ae29948c356)

In the last year alone, China added 16.9 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity, cementing its position as the world’s biggest market for wind farms at sea (https://content-static.cctvnews.cctv.com/snow-book/index.html?&toc_style_id=feeds_default&share_to=wechat&item_id=4454105915228117018&track_id=B8B09125-4F88-412D-98F1-5FAC7A3BCCC6_664776444709&fbclid=IwAR26lMl2KXuH3ceTL2CtcVZWauU5RhIc2OgRuZP2iSef-4L5EMTFlgzAs6o). The second-biggest market, the U.K., generates about 10 gigawatts of wind  total.
Title: Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York would be investing $500 million in offshore wind.
Post by: AGelbert on March 10, 2022, 08:51:48 pm
(https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/gallery/renewablerevolution/3-170218174357.png)

March 9, 2022

The Rapidly Growing Offshore Wind Industry’s Impact on Worker Safety

SNIPPET:

15 projects reached the permitting phase, and 8 states set offshore wind energy production goals totaling 39,298 by 2040. On a global scale, the offshore wind energy pipeline more than tripled, reaching 25,529 megawatts. To put these numbers into perspective, 1 megawatt of capacity will produce about as much energy as is used by about 400 to 900 modern homes annually. It is also important to note that offshore wind pipelines are not likely to generate a completely consistent amount of power throughout the year, as wind speeds will vary, so the megawatts listed above are estimated averages.

30 Gigawatts of Offshore Wind Power by 2030

American Clean Power has touted offshore wind as “America’s next major energy source,” and for good reason. In December 2021, President Biden signed an executive order for the Federal Government to “achieve a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050.” This includes generating 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030. Offshore wind power sources are expected to be built and expand into the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and even the Great Lakes.

Read more: (https://renewablerevolution.createaforum.com/gallery/renewablerevolution/3-130418200416.png)
https://gcaptain.com/the-rapidly-growing-offshore-wind-industrys-impact-on-worker-safety/