All articles by jim findlay
jim findlay
Viking gets the go-ahead, again
The Viking wind farm will proceed on the Shetland islands after the Supreme Court dismissed a legal objection from a local campaign group.
A panel of justices on 9 February rejected Sustainable Shetland’s contention that the project, which is expected to use 3.6MW turbines, failed to comply with an EU directive protecting indigenous birdlife.
Isle of Man set for 6MW turbines
Dong Energy will use turbines rated at 6MW or higher for its proposed installation off the Isle of Man in the UK. With construction scheduled to begin in 2021 and commissioning anticipated two years later, the Danish developer is about to investigate the soil conditions at a site in 15-25m water depths in the Irish Sea.
Wind now China’s third largest power source
China’s wind energy capacity has increased by 30% since 2014, which means that it now generates more of the country’s electricity than nuclear. The increase to 18.81GW means that it now trails only coal and hydropower as an energy source for the Asian nation.
Scrap UK wind power subsidies, says Tory MP
An end to subsidies for offshore wind projects is being debated in the UK Parliament.
A private members’ bill submitted by the Conservative MP for Christchurch in Dorset, Christopher Chope, calls for “tax-payer funded payments in excess of the prevailing wholesale price” to be stopped for new schemes.
Vital support – GlobalData analyses advances in offshore foundation technology
As wind turbine farms venture further offshore into deeper waters, structural demands become ever more extreme and costs mount accordingly. GlobalData analyses the latest leaps forward in foundation technology and considers how to address potentially critical design flaws in existing sites.
Glassy performance –lighter blades for low-wind-speed turbines
Medium and light wind turbines are evolving, with Gamesa’s new G114 recently setting a new record for the industry’s lowest specific power rating. Jack Wittels speaks to product development director Antonio de la Torre Quiralte about the decision to switch to glass fibre, and where low-wind-speed turbines will go from here.
A new spin – next-generation renewable energy technology
World Wind Technology looks at some of the next- generation technologies under development in the renewables sector.
American wind energy – AWEA analysis of economic benefits
Wind energy is now an attractive source of power and is already delivering numerous economic benefits in the US. AWEA’s Carl Levesque reveals how it is poised to play a key role in meeting the nation’s future needs for clean, affordable energy.
Offshore: united for the future – EWEA OFFSHORE 2015
Europe is at a vital juncture – it is finally realising the need to pursue energy generation from renewable sources, but the offshore wind sector is facing cost pressures. A united, integrated and politically backed approach is required to overcome the challenges the sector faces. EWEA OFFSHORE 2015 brings together key stakeholders in the industry for what should prove to be a turning point.
The wind in Europe’s sales – buying patterns, divestment and the rise of the YieldCo
With European utilities looking to sell operational assets, it’s been a busy year for mergers and acquisitions. Jack Wittels looks at what’s driving the sales, including new buying patterns among OEMs and pension funds, the burgeoning fossil-fuel divestment movement and the rise of the YieldCo.