Third-Party Blade Replacements, Vestas in Financial Trouble, and Sensors that Make Sense
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Wind Energy News
The world’s first wind-powered electric ship charging station, developed by Parkwind and MJR Power and Automation, launched in the Belgian North Sea. The station - connected to the Noble Wind Farm, 29 miles offshore - can deliver up to 8 MW of power to service vehicles, allowing them to operate effectively in choppy seas.
China’s central bank extended its low-carbon lending program to the end of 2027, providing financial institutions with low-cost loans to support corporate carbon reduction efforts. China plans to promote battery-powered vehicles, energy-efficient appliances, and eco-friendly building materials in an effort to increase non-fossil energy consumption to about 25 percent by 2030.
In Germany, three North Sea sites were awarded in the country’s 5.5 GW offshore wind auction. Two were awarded to RDE partnering with Total Energy, and one was awarded to Luxkara. Wind farms on those sites are expected to be operational by 2031.
On the US east coast, Vineyard Wind has resumed some construction activities following a turbine blade incident on July 13th. Blade installation and power generation remain suspended. GE Vernova attributes the blade failure to a manufacturing deviation of an adhesive bond line; the project is developing a new algorithm designed to detect issues quicker.
Vestas: Second Quarter wasn’t Stellar
In reporting its second quarter results for 2024, Vestas posted a net loss of 156 million euros, significantly worse than its loss in the same period last year. Order intake grew, driven by onshore projects in Europe and Asia Pacific, but warranty claims may be an ongoing drag on profits. What is the effect is of the IRA bill on Vestas and its price increases?
Joel, Allen, Rosemary and Phil review the call, reading between the lines and considering the company’s performance, particularly compared to Siemens Gamesa and in light of other factors affecting the industry. Listen in and send us your thoughts!
Sensors that Make Sense
In the field, on trade show floors, and everywhere, we’re asked about whether there’s a low-cost lightning sensor that requires no wiring and no maintenance, and now we have it. Produced by EOLOGIX-PING , it’s small, magnetizes to the turbine, and from all the applications we’ve seen the last year or so, it has been 100 percent effective. We’re so convinced that wind operations need this sensor, we’re including it with new StrikeTape sales. Questions? Call Joel at (832) 593-2782.
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What if Third Party Blade Replacements Were Available?
Whether operators are repowering, repairing, or replacing blades for other reasons, there’s a decided interest in a third-party option for blades and other wind turbine subcomponents. Is there enough demand to support production, either by a major OEM or by a startup or smaller manufacturer? While Philip Totaro and Joel Saxum say there’s a clear market opportunity, Rosemary Barnes is quick to identify a few maddening details, like the cost of reverse engineering the blades that would be replaced, and what would the certification process look like?
Where there’s a problem and an unclear solution, there’s always a good discussion.
Wind Farm of the Week
Scout Clean Energy’s Ranchero Wind Farm in Crockett County, Texas, was completed in 2019. There are 120 GE 2.5 MW wind turbines on the wind farm, which sprawls over 32,000 acres of ranch land. It is expected to contribute $57 million in tax revenue to the local hospital and independent school district over the life of the project, and $165M in lifetime community benefits through lease payments, wages paid, and property and other taxes.
AMI Wind Turbine Blades Event: Boston
Have you booked your trip to Boston for the AMI Wind Turbine Blades Event, to be held on October 2-3? Like the European event, the North American version will examine new developments in the materials, design, manufacturing and performance of wind turbine blades, as well as testing, maintenance, and lifecycle management of finished products. On Thursday, Allen Hall will host a panel on blade operation and maintenance with guests from ENGIE North America Inc. , Nordex Group and EDF Renewables. See the full agenda here.
All this and more in the latest Uptime Wind Energy Podcast!
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