All articles by Blatha
Blatha
Strong easterly wind
While offshore wind remains mostly a European affair, this picture is beginning to change, with ambitious installations planed across Asia. Abi Millar speaks to Feng Zhao, a Copenhagen-based senior director at FTI Consulting, about what is to come.
Back in the UK?
In 2015, David Cameron effectively called time on onshore wind by cutting subsidies for new projects. However, ministers have recently said they see onshore wind in the future energy mix. So which way is the wind blowing for new onshore wind farms? Heidi Vella talks to Energy UK policy manager Joshua Atkins to find out more.
Shock to the system
As the wind energy sector grows, so does the number of workplace accidents. Safety is a pressing issue, and the keys to managing a hazardous work environment are communication and education. Jim Banks speaks to safety expert Robert Milligan, of Pattern Energy Group, about how the industry is stepping up to the mark.
Wind’s new direction
The wind sector has gone from strength to strength, but how might recent policy changes affect the market? Experts from GWEC and WindEurope, which recently released their 2017 market statistics, discuss what lies ahead.
Out of your elements
Dirty to mine and expensive to buy, elements like neodymium and dysprosium have battered turbines’ green credentials. New technology is making rare earths cleaner and cheaper to extract, however, but modern turbines are becoming less reliant on these materials. Andrea Valentino talks to Alex King, director of the Critical Materials Institute, about pioneering changes, and how the turbine industry can finally escape its reliance on rare earths.
New power generation
The Canadian Wind Energy Association held an operations and maintenance summit in January. In this article, the organisation’s president, Robert Hornung, and programme director Phil McKay reflect on how improving turbine efficiency is the key to competitiveness.
Power to the people
The US wind sector is performing well, despite President Trump’s low regard for renewables, but its existing transmission system isn’t fit for purpose. Abi Millar talks to Sarah Bray from Clean Line Energy Partners – one of the companies attempting to distribute energy from windy regions to areas of high demand.
Written on the wind
As part of its ambitious carbon-reduction goals, New York State is aiming for 2.4GW of offshore wind by 2030. Following the release of a master plan that provides a roadmap for the years ahead, we ask what meeting this target would entail.
On the safety side
The cost of energy is continuing to fall as the wind turbine industry grows. As margins contract, it is likely that worker safety will play an increasingly important role in the wind industry’s continued success. Neil Thompson speaks with Jakob Lau Holst, CEO of the Global Wind Organisation, about how it is working to make better, safer and more homogenised training standards a reality across the international wind power sector.
Roll up for ro-ro
Siemens Gamesa has introduced a state-of-the-art offshore logistics concept at its new factory in Cuxhaven, Germany to provide a valuable model for the industry. Jim Banks speaks to the company’s head of logistics execution, Thomas Mortensen, about the idea shortly after its launch to find out how it lowers generation costs and benefits the local community.