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Glimmer of hope for Grain Belt with Missouri U-turn
In an unexpected U-turn, Missouri regulators have unanimously approved the stalled $2.3 billion HVDC Grain Belt Express transmission line.
Editor's Picks
Vestas unveils drone technology partnership to aid blade installation
Vestas has launched a research project with local supplier Hvide Sande Shipyard to look develop a new product using drone technology to support blade installation.
WindTech: Master classes in offshore turbine design
Students on a wind engineering master's course worked together to develop an impressive 12.5MW offshore turbine. Eize de Vries spoke to them and one of the professors about what makes their design different from current offerings.
Commission to scrutinise Butendiek over bird protection claims
NABU, a German environment association, said "massive environmental damage" is being done by the Butendiek project, located within the national Östliche Deutsche Bucht bird protection area and the Sylter Aussenriff Flora-Fauna Habitat protection area in the North Sea.
UK oil and gas body eyeing renewables links
The UK's Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) is exploring the potential for forging closer links with offshore renewable developers.
WindEconomics: Wind and PV beat coal and gas in Australia
A report by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) of Australia compares the generating costs of all electricity-generating technologies currently in use, plus nuclear, not currently utilised in the country. The work was carried out in conjunction with the Australian Energy Market Operator.
Senvion to 'withdraw from about 30 markets'
Senvion will likely withdraw from 'about 30 markets' and reduce the number of turbine variants it offers, according to an internal Q&A with CEO Yves Rannou.
Funds for Ireland's first floating demonstrator
An oil and gas contractor has designed a submersible platform to form the basis of Ireland's first floating wind demonstration project.
Boralex signals 'competitive' Dunkirk exit
Boralex will sell its stake in a consortium bidding for the 750MW project off Dunkirk, France, should it be successful in the forthcoming tender, because of the increased competition in the auction.
In Depth
Exclusive: Enercon steps up product strategy with E-138 EP3 prototype
Installation of Enercon's low- and medium-wind 3.5MW E-138 EP3 prototype was completed in late February. Eize de Vries watched the single-blade mounting progress and outlines the new platform's progress.
Battle over US dominance heats up as GE retakes crown
GE inched ahead of Vestas for annual installations in 2018, but the Danish manufacturer supplied the single most-installed turbine in the US.
Why structural stability is key to life extension
When wind turbines approach the end of their design life, an assessment for lifetime extension determines whether a turbine is suitable for continued operation. Christian Schumacher and Florian Weber of certification body TÜV SÜD outline the process and how operators can prepare.
Snapshot: Shipping blades from China
This may look like an offshore sector picture, but it illustrates the global nature of the onshore suply chain: a German firm shipping Chinese made components to Spain on behalf of a Danish OEM.
Europe's dismal year drags down global installation figures
The shift to competitive tendering in several of the main wind markets continues to have a negative effect on new installations, with Europe in particular feeling the squeeze last year. Windpower Monthly sifts through the provisional global figures for new build in 2018.
Windpower Monthly Events
March 2019
Opinion
Viewpoint: How developers can prepare for UK onshore lifeline
Following a UK government announcement that wind farms on remote islands will become eligible for support, onshore wind could be set for a comeback in the country. Mike Tavern explores the steps developers can take to maximise profitability
UK offshore wind 'on the right course'
Today, more than ever, the UK needs to develop modern industries which can create thousands of skilled jobs and attract billions of pounds worth of infrastructure investment in the decades ahead, writes Benj Sykes, co-chair of the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC).
Viewpoint: Are we ready for the future of onshore wind?
As the first wave of turbine models to truly prove themselves on a global scale begin to hit the sad inevitability that is the end of their design life, now is a good time to reflect on what we have learned over the past 25 years or so and consider what we need to take into the next 25 years.
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