AWEA Windpower 2018

Windpower Monthly's coverage from the American Wind Energy Association's (AWEA) Windpower 2018 conference and exhibition (7-10 May 2018) in Chicago, IL.

Check back to see the latest news, views and interviews from the industry's leading names.

Latest from the show

Senvion 'all in' on new 4.2MW in North America

By David Weston, 18 June 2018

UNITED STATES: Senvion's North American chief said the business unit is going "all in" on its new 4.2MW turbine in a bid to get ahead of the curve.

AWEA 2018: Siemens Gamesa outlines US strategy

By Ros Davidson, 11 May 2018

UNITED STATES: Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) has cut 10% of its salaried workforce in the US this year, confirmed the company's onshore Americas CEO José Antonio Miranda, speaking on the sidelines of Windpower 2018 in Chicago.

AWEA 2018: Goldwind weighs up US options

By Ros Davidson, 11 May 2018

UNITED STATES: Localised manufacturing in North America is being considered by Chinese manufacturer Goldwind, according to David Sale, CEO of its subsidiary Goldwind Americas.

AWEA 2018: Blockchain finance firm targets wind power

By Ros Davidson, 10 May 2018

UNITED STATES: A new company has been launched at Windpower 2018 that its founders say will disrupt conventional financing, development and operation of wind projects globally and bring renewable energy to the masses.

AWEA 2018: DNV GL certifies Acciona battery project

By Craig Richard, 10 May 2018

UNITED STATES: Acciona has received the first prototype certificate for grid-energy storage by certification body DNV GL.

AWEA 2018: Offshore hubs to spring up on Atlantic coast

By Ros Davidson, 9 May 2018

UNITED STATES: The US offshore wind industry will be centred around two or three ports on the east coast, predicted Paul Vigeant, managing director of the New Bedford Wind Energy Centre.

AWEA 2018: MidAmerican 'hustling' ahead of PTC phase-out

By David Weston, 9 May 2018

UNITED STATES: The new CEO of developer-utility MidAmerican Energy, Adam Wright, told delegates at Windpower 2018 in Chicago (7-10 May) the firm is trying to capture as many projects it can before the Production Tax Credit is phased out.

AWEA 2018: Storage is 'like bacon'

By David Weston, 9 May 2018

UNITED STATES: At Day Two of the American Wind Energy Association's (AWEA) Windpower 2018 conference and exhibition in Chicago (7-10 May), the CEO of the Energy Storage Association (ESA) said storage applications are central to sustainable grid.

AWEA 2018: Turbine makers respond to tariff threat

By Ros Davidson, 9 May 2018

UNITED STATES: President Donald Trump's potential tariffs of 25% on imported steel would clearly be a factor for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), said Josh Irwin, vice-president sales Vestas North America.

AWEA 2018: Co-location of US wind and solar is not the answer

By David Weston, 8 May 2018

UNITED STATES: Outgoing American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) chairman Tristan Grimbert believes co-location of wind and solar projects "does not make a lot of sense" in the US.

AWEA 2018: Increase in cyber security attacks 'inevitable', expert warns

By Ros Davidson, 8 May 2018

UNITED STATES: Cyber security attacks on wind projects will increase in frequency, according to Bruce Bailey, senior technical advisor for energy and power at UL.

AWEA 2018: Post-PTC period to usher in 'valley of death', analysts predict

By Ros Davidson, 8 May 2018

UNITED STATES: The US wind industry will encounter a "valley of death" after the production tax credit (PTC) is phased out in 2021, analysts believe.

AWEA 2018: Gearbox swaps cost more in larger turbines

By David Weston, 8 May 2018

UNITED STATES: Replacing the gearboxes in larger 4-5MW turbines in the US could cost up to 70% higher per turbine, DNV GL director of asset management and operating services, Kevin Smith told delegates at AWEA Windpower 2018 (7-10 May).

Siemens Gamesa wins 200MW deal in Texas

By Staff, 8 May 2018

UNITED STATES: Engie North America has specified Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) SWT-2.625-120 turbines for its 199.5MW Live Oak project in Schleicher County, Texas, the company announced at Windpower 2018 in Chicago.

GE celebrates 40GW milestone with Iowan orders

By Staff, 8 May 2018

UNITED STATES: GE Renewable Energy announced 470MW of orders for two projects in Iowa at the opening day of the Windpower 2018 conference in Chicago.

Goldwind sets new US turbine height record

By Staff, 8 May 2018

UNITED STATES: Goldwind Americas has completed the installation of what it claims is now the tallest wind turbine in the US.

AWEA 2018: Carbon is still king

By David Weston, 8 May 2018

UNITED STATES: At the American Wind Energy Association's (AWEA) Windpower 2018 conference in Chicago (7-10 May), outgoing chair and EDF Renewables CEO Tristan Grimbert said carbon policy remains king.

AWEA 2018: US wind power industry facing a 'tumultuous time'

By Ros Davidson, 8 May 2018

UNITED STATES: The growth in installed onshore and offshore wind capacity in the US will be some 39GW by 2021, according to Make Consulting.

Senvion unveils 4.2MW turbines

By Staff, 8 May 2018

UNITED STATES: Senvion is targeting the US onshore market with two new 4.2MW models, unveiled at Windpower 2018 in Chicago.

Siemens Gamesa to refurbish Vestas gearboxes

By Craig Richard, 8 May 2018

UNITED STATES: Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) will refurbish the gearboxes of the 60 Vestas turbines at the 120MW Princess Amalia project in the Netherlands as it extends its service business for multi-brand offshore wind turbines.

Record-high US power deals in Q1 2018

By Craig Richard, 3 May 2018

UNITED STATES: Power purchase agreements (PPAs) were signed for more than 3.5GW of wind power in Q1 2018 -- the highest volume of deals in any quarter since the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) started tracking them.

Wind subsidies fall 80% in three years

By David Weston, 2 May 2018

UNITED STATES: Wind projects in the US received $1.27 billion in subsidies and support in 2016, down from $6.19 billion in 2013, the latest figures from the country's Energy Information Administration (EIA) show.

Apex Clean Energy review could lead to sale

By Ros Davidson, 26 April 2018

UNITED STATES: Apex Clean Energy, one of the US's largest wind developers, is currently undergoing a strategic review that could lead to a sale of the company.