All articles by julian turner
julian turner
Vestas receives 21MW order for Costa Rica
Vestas has signed an order for seven V90-3.0MW wind turbines for the Tilawind wind power plant in Costa Rica.
German wind industry looks to the skies for inspiration
With demand for renewable energy increasing in Germany, the country’s wind sector is under pressure to generate higher levels of power than ever before, but current designs simply aren’t up to the task. Could the aerospace sector provide the solution? Elly Earls meets Birgit Wieland at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) to find out.
Gear up for growth: the global wind energy market
Despite a global recession, the wind energy market has grown exponentially over recent years. GlobalData looks at the facts and figures behind the growth, with a particular focus on gearbox and direct drive systems.
From outline to output: the East Anglia ONE project
Developing a new offshore wind farm is a huge undertaking and the complexity of each project means a great deal of care and consideration is needed to move successfully from planning to execution. Jason Martin, who is coordinating the development of the East Anglia ONE Offshore Windfarm, talks to Jim Banks about the many challenges involved.
Healthy competition for specialised offshore vessels
Demand for operation and maintenance vessels is set to surge as the global offshore wind, and oil and gas industries compete for specialised resources. GlobalData reports.
Managing wind risk: the future of weather forecasting
For the wind industry, understanding wind variability is critical for business planning and investment decisions. Rob Harrison, head of renewables at the Met Office, looks at the tools that are enabling ever-more accurate forecasting and assessment.
SPRINT OR SCRIMP? Rotor blade innovations
The demand for bigger, better, more efficient wind turbines has led to innovations such as the manufacture of rotor blades using different combinations of composite materials. GlobalData describes the five main processes used in the manufacture of rotor blades for wind turbines.
A sea change in wind power: new turbine technology
As offshore wind farms move to deeper waters, the industry faces a series of technological and operational challenges. Jean Huby, CEO of Areva Wind, talks to Philip Kleinfeld about designing machines in harsh conditions and the new M5000 turbine.
Building tomorrow’s workforce: the wind industry employment boom
More than half a million people will be working in the wind industry by 2020, but are there enough skilled workers to fill the growing number of vacancies? Sarah Blackman asks recruiters, engineers and academics what qualities industry professionals look for in potential employees, and where and how candidates can best learn their trade.
Shore up support for wind: EWEA looks to the future
By 2020, offshore will make up 28% of the annual wind energy market, providing at least 4% of the EU’s electricity consumption. But 2020 is just a few short years away, and the European Wind Energy Association is calling for a new, longer-term target along with more stable support schemes, writes communications director Julian Scola.