News Archive July 2016

"The ones who lubricates well, drives well” – This German proverb describes the growing importance of lubricating oils for gearboxes of wind turbines pretty accurate. Increasing scientific knowledge about tribology (= friction), increased performance expectations, exposure to harsh climatic conditions and the not to be underestimated cost pressures are changing the requirements of the oil steadily and lead to further innovation.

Near to the port of Blyth in Northumberland in the UK, an offshore wind farm will be developed by EDF Energy Renewables. MHI Vestas have been asked to deliver five of the largest wind turbines ever manufactured in the world (V164-8.0 MW) turbines, and these will be installed using the by Jan De Nul Group Installation Vessel.

Germany: Venko awarded offshore wind farm contract

Venko, specialist provider of industrial coatings has recently been awarded a significant renewable energy contract based in German waters.

Turkey: Vestas secures 26 MW order in Turkey

The project will be located in Balikesir province and consist of eight V126-3.3 MW wind turbines, which are well-suited for the region’s low- to mid-speed wind conditions.

ACCIONA Energía CEO Rafael Mateo expressed a positive opinion on the effects of the energy reform in Mexico during the prize-giving ceremony of the Spanish Wind Power Sector Association (AEE) which held its congress in Madrid this week.

Nexans is pioneering a step-change in the renewables industry as wind farm operators switch to higher voltage inter-array networks that boost their output capacity while utilising cost-effective, robust and easy to install cable systems. the new 72.5 kv accessories complement the previous development of nexans’ high-voltage inter-array cables.

US: Pattern Energy Commits to Acquire 324 MW Broadview Wind Power Facility in New Mexico for $269 Million

Project expected to provide approximately $28 million in annual cash available for distribution

Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis) has concluded the acquisition of offshore-related activities from VolkerWessels. The transaction strengthens Boskalis' position in the attractive, growing offshore wind energy market.

Germany: Service operation vessel for Dutch Gemini project christened in Hamburg

Third tailor-made service operation vessel for Siemens

A new report released last week on the margins of the G20 Energy Ministers meeting in Beijing provides policy makers, financial institutions and project developers with a range of options to help scale up investment in renewable energy.

Germany: WKN wind farm Westerengel handed over to the investor on schedule

Wind project has already been put into operation

Germany: 162 percent increase in installations in Germany for Nordex

Reliable deliveries and product range the key to success

Germany: 18 national pavilions at WindEnergy Hamburg

Trade visitors and delegations expected from all parts of the world

Norway: Siemens to supply wind turbines for onshore project in Norway

50 wind turbines for one of the largest onshore wind power plants in Norway / Power sold to Google data centers across Europe

New offshore SWT-8.0-154 turbine with up to 10% higher AEP based on existing offshore direct drive platform / Direct drive SWT-3.3-130 onshore wind turbine passes type certificate from DNV GL

The Netherlands’ Minister of Economic Affairs has awarded DONG Energy the concession to build The Netherlands’ offshore wind farms Borssele 1 and 2. DONG Energy won the concessions with an average bid strike price, excluding transmission costs of 72.70 EUR per MWh during the first 15 years of the contract. After that, the wind farms will receive the market price.

MENCK GmbH has recently mobilised to a UK offshore wind project with sister company Core Grouting. For installing monopiles, MENCK will be providing their large hydraulic pile hammer MHU 3500S with Core undertaking the grouting scope.

Responding to analysis from National Grid which shows the UK is almost certain to miss its European 2020 renewable energy targets, and recommends a massive growth in green electricity, heat and transport

FWT to supply 20 2.5 MW turbines to Wind project in the Russian Federation: 20 wind turbines for Kalmykia Wind Farm / Commercial operation scheduled for 2017 / First private investment wind farm in Russian Federation of such scale

The world's longest wind turbine blade, at 88.4 meters, has successfully completed its first journey – perhaps as the largest cargo ever transported on Danish roads.

The Government of Victoria will purchase green energy certificates linked to 66MW of renewable energy produced at Mt Gellibrand wind farm / Mt Gellibrand will generate enough renewable energy to power around 60,000 households when it enters into service in 2018

As a future-oriented step, SAERTEX CEO Bruno Lammers is passing the management of the world market leader in non-crimp fabrics and fiber-reinforced composites – a medium-sized family-owned business – on to his sons Klaus and Simon Lammers on July 1, 2016.

Deutsche Windtechnik Ltd. passed the certification audit performed by independent international auditor DNV GL in June. For a whole week the auditors examined quality, industrial safety and environmental management at company headquarters in Edinburgh and two complete wind farms. The certificates attest that the British subsidiary of Deutsche Windtechnik AG fulfils all the quality, health, safety and environmental protection (QHSE) requirements.

Dalby’s barge “ASV Pioneer” has recently supported the successful completion of an export cable repair on the Riffgat Wind Farm off Borkum Island in Northern Germany

Finland: Extension for Kivivaara wind farm - Nordex raises capacity to 57 MW

Finnish customer orders six more Delta turbines

Vattenfall has placed an order for 49 V164-8.0 MW turbines for the 406 MW Horns Rev 3 project off the west coast of Denmark, which when completed, will provide clean energy for 400,000 houses and set a new milestone for affordable offshore wind power.

The spotlight in offshore wind energy was on the Netherlands this week. On the one hand, DONG Energy was reported to have won the tenders for offshore wind farms Borssele 1 and 2, on the other hand, the Dutch government has already announced new plans for tenders in the North Sea. Both were supported by grid operator TenneT which wants to place high investments in the grids of the country to ensure the power supply of the future.

During the world’s largest industrial fair, the project members IFS Design UG, Citec Engineering and Information GmbH and SAERTEX GmbH & Co. KG met in Hanover on 26 April 2016 to celebrate the successful completion of DIN SPEC 91326 – fire retardant, multiaxial reinforced composite parts, manufactured in vacuum process technologies for railway vehicle applications.

Broadview Wind project with a combined capacity of 324 megawatts / Siemens Financial Services Division to provide loans for the project / Project expected to supply about 180,000 average U.S. homes

Brexit: what it might mean for the wind industry

Read WindEurope's initial assessment of possible implications

The company will install 142 of its G114-2.1 MW wind turbines at the El Cabo wind farm being built in the state of New Mexico / It is one of the largest orders ever won by Gamesa

Less than a month after the official launch of Ideol’s first demonstrator (Floatgen), Hitachi Zosen and Ideol have signed a contract launching the construction phase of their 2 floating offshore wind turbines. This second contract follows the achievement of the design & engineering phase which started a year ago.

Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. announces that it has completed its fleet rationalization study announced earlier this year. The study was initiated in light of deteriorating market conditions and an expected prolonged period of low energy and commodity prices.

Germany: DONG Energy Awards ABS Group Project Certification Contract for BKR02 Wind Farm

Borkum Riffgrund 2 will be one of the largest offshore wind farms in German waters.

StormGeo, the global provider of decision support for weather sensitive operations, has announced the launch of its Cable Lay Service, the newest addition to its suite of weather forecasting services.

Germany: EEG reform a mixed bag for wind energy

Germany: HBM Test and Measurement (HBM) presents its range of products and services at “Hamburg Wind 2016”

HBM presents its range of products and services with a focus on the offshore market at “Hamburg Wind 2016”.

China: Gamesa lands a new order for the supply of 48 MW

The company has been contracted to install 24 G97-2.0 MW turbines (48 MW) for Chinese utility, Datang

Global Maritime Consultancy & Engineering, a provider of marine warranty, dynamic positioning and engineering services to the offshore sector, has signed a contract with leading offshore wind developer Deepwater Wind to provide marine warranty services for the Block Island Wind Farm, America’s first offshore wind farm.

Leading manufacturer and industrial trainer, Advanced Industrial Solutions has formed a strategic partnership with drone provider, RectrixAS, to bring a range of new services to the oil and gas, wind and construction industries.

GE Renewable Energy is shipping its first offshore wind turbines, produced in its Saint-Nazaire plant, to the first offshore wind farm in the United States / The GE plant in Saint-Nazaire is getting ready to produce 66 Haliade turbines for Germany and 238 turbines for French wind farms

The Carbon Trust revealed details of a new European phase of its world-leading collaborative research, development and demonstration (RD&D) programme - the Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) yesterday. The programme is designed to impact the levelised cost of energy (LCoE) from offshore wind by reducing costs, improving efficiency and availability of existing and future offshore wind farms.

Gamesa secures type certification for the G132-5.0 MW, its most powerful turbine

This turbine's first prototype, installed in Alaiz (Navarra) last year, generates enough power to supply 5,000 households for one year

The EDF Group ramps up development in renewables energies and announces his first project in the chinese wind energy sector. EDF Energies Nouvelles, its subsidiary dedicated to renewable energy, has acquired a majority stake in UPC Asia Wind Management (AWM) which develops and builds wind projects in China.

Noupoort Wind plant has achieved its Commercial Operations Date (COD) on schedule and on budget, making it the first wind plant to successfully achieve operation as part of the third round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).

BlackRock Closes on the Purchase of 50 Percent Interest in Texas Wind Project

BlackRock Real Assets has entered into an agreement to purchase GE Energy Financial Services’ 50% interest in the Grandview wind project

Resurgence in Greece: Nordex receives two orders totalling more than 30 MW

Terna Energy SA orders a total of ten strong-wind turbines

EDF Renewable Energy (EDF RE) has announced that a consortium led by Axium Infrastructure has executed a purchase and sale agreement to acquire a 50% ownership interest in the Slate Creek Wind Project. The transaction is subject to customary conditions precedent.

For years Australia's renewable energy industry was caught in a deep slumber. But now the market starts to awaken slowly. The federal government should not boast about initial successes though, because local decision-makers are responsible for the country’s move into the focus of wind industry.

WindEnergy Hamburg to Highlight Future Energy Solutions Utilising Smart Networks and Energy Storage Technology

From 27 to 30 September 2016 at the Hamburg Fair site

Khobab Wind Farm has announced the completion of its first foundation pour on 30 June 2016. The foundations are designed using an 89% replacement of cement, one of the world’s lowest carbon wind farm foundation footprints, making use of the same formulation that its sister farm, Loeriesfontein Wind Farm, successfully used in the completion of its foundations. “We are currently testing an even higher cement replacement formulation and hope to achieve the desired strength test results soon,” explained Kevin Foster, Project Manager for Khobab Wind Farm.

15.07.2016 The partners behind the pioneering European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC), also known as Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm, have revealed the first of the key suppliers for the project, representing a major step forward for the 11-turbine scheme off Aberdeen Bay.

Once again the Nordex Group has sold a new project in France via its "Nordex Development" distribution channel. The manufacturer will be supplying five N100/2500 turbines with a total capacity of 12.5 MW for the "Mont d’Erny" wind farm.

Hamburg/Montreal: Senvion, a leading global manufacturer of wind turbines, installed its first 3 megawatt (MW) machine in North America, the Senvion 3.2M114. The turbine has a rated output of 3.2 MW, hub height of 100 metres, and a rotor diameter of 114 metres.

Vestas has received a firm and unconditional order for 131 MW of PTC qualifying turbine components. The order includes qualifying components compatible with a variety of turbines across the 2 MW and 3 MW platforms.

A boost from Ireland

Nordex to supply turbines to 47.5MW wind farm in County Londonderry

The performance of wind energy plants (WEP) is constantly increasing. The requirements for the tools used in production, construction, connection and maintenance of the systems are therefore also growing. At specialist trade fair WindEnergy 2016, HOLGER CLASEN GmbH & Co. KG presents a broad range of tools tailored to the requirements of WEP manufacturers and WEP service providers. On stand 326 (on the ground floor) of hall B2, interested trade fair visitors can form their own impressions of high-performance, precise cutting and pressing tools as well as the corresponding mobile hydraulic pumps.

Wind energy still accounts for an extremely small share of all federal energy incentives, according to the most comprehensive review of energy incentives to date. AWEA’s compilation of all available data from government and other sources shows that for every dollar spent on federal energy incentives, wind energy received less than 3 cents.

Hamburg/Paris: Senvion, a leading global manufacturer of wind turbines, has especially adapted its 6.2M152 wind turbine to the floating offshore foundation developed by the EolMed consortium, led by Quadran. The French environment and energy management Agency (ADEME) has awarded EolMed for the construction of three to four Senvion 6.2M152 in the French Mediterranean Sea, for the first floating pilot wind farm in France which is intended to be installed and commissioned in 2020.

Among the challenges that have been faced by the nascent U.S. offshore wind industry are a siloed ocean management regime, a complex stakeholder environment, and a lack of easily accessible data and information on existing ocean resources and uses. However, the U.S. recently took a major step towards addressing these issues.

Siemens secures follow-up onshore wind project in Australia

• 32 SWT-3.2-113 Direct Drive wind turbines for Hornsdale Stage 2 • Clean renewable energy for more than 70,000 households • Long-term service contract included

Australia's renewable energy branch is about to wake up from its slumber with fresh ideas. To make large-scale solar farms more reliable and a lot cheaper they will be combined with already existing wind farms.

Nordex secures 243 MW order for U.S. wind farm

Manufacturer will supply 81 AW125/3000 turbines in Texas

Wind power investment grows during the second quarter, delivering what voters want

U.S. wind industry activity approached record levels in the second quarter as utilities and other purchasers locked in record low wind costs.

To finalize the acquisition approve of the Bundeskartellamt (German competition authority) will be needed though. Bilfinger Marine & Offshore Systems, a German engineering company, announced its offshore and marine units for sale in early 2015 because... “business no longer complies with Bilfinger’s risk profile.”