Windpower Offshore 2013 - the most popular stories

WORLDWIDE: The end of 2013 is upon us and, to mark its passing, here are the most popular offshore stories of the past 12 months.

Areva announcement of an 8MW turbine was Windpower Offshore's most read story of the year
Areva announcement of an 8MW turbine was Windpower Offshore's most read story of the year

Unsurprisingly, in a sector that is still in its relative infancy, technology has featured prominently in this year's list.

There have been turbine launches and new developments in 2013 from Areva, Aerodyn, Samsung and Vestas. Although the Vestas' V164 will launch early next year, there has been a lot of interest in the updates put out about the machine's development.

There has also been a lot of interest in the safety issues surrounding offshore wind. Although health and safety in the wind sector has been improving in recent years (per MW installed), offshore it still seems to be an issue.

The stories

1. Areva launch 8MW turbine
Areva launches 8MW turbine with plans for the prototype to be installed in 2015 and serial production to begin in 2018.

2. Picture gallery: V164 turbine completed
The nacelle for Vestas' 8MW has been completed at Lindø Industrial Park and shown on its way to being installed at Denmark's national test centre in Østerild.

3. Divers Association calls for justice
Three diver deaths at German offshore wind sites in the last three years have not been adequately investigated, according to the Divers Association, an organisation fighting for safe diving practices throughout the world.

4. Samsung prototype gets ready for testing
Construction is completed on the prototype of Samsung Heavy Industry's 7MW offshore turbine at Energy Park Fife in Scotland.

5. Why RWE cancelled Atlantic Array
RWE kills off its involvement in the 1.2GW Atlantic Array offshore wind farm in the Bristol Channel, western England, on 26 November after spending five years and an estimated £13 million (EUR 15.6 million) on the project.

6. Optimistic outlook for German wind

German offshore wind is set to progress in 2013, with capacity possibly reaching as much as 1.3GW by the end of the year. But as 2012 has shown, while the forecast growth looks impressive, it is from a low base level.

7. Close-up. Aerodyns 6MW turbine
As Ming Yang finalises the construction of its first Aerodyn-designed 6MW offshore turbine, Windpower Monthly technology correspondent Eize de Vries talks to Aerodyn managing director Sönke Siegfriedsen about the machine.

8. Safety investigation after Siemens tower incident
Northern Ireland's Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the independent work-related health and safety regulator, investigates incident involving a Siemens turbine tower at the company's site in Belfast harbour.

9. Statoil plans floating wind farm off Aberdeen

Statoil is planning to install five 6MW floating turbines at a test site 20 kilometres off the coast of Peterhead, north-east Scotland, as part of its Hywind project.

10. UK boosts offshore support
The UK government has revealed plans to boost subsidies to offshore wind while cutting support for both onshore wind and solar.


Have you registered with us yet?

Register now to enjoy more articles
and free email bulletins.

Sign up now
Already registered?
Sign in