technology
RSS feedNews & in-depth analysis of wind energy technology, including wind turbines, turbine blades, drive trains, electricity transmission, smart grids and energy storage.
Google parent drops kite-power pioneer Makani
Google parent company Alphabet has dropped kite-based wind-power systems developer Makani from its new technology investment platform X, explaining it was too slow and risky to reach commercialisation.
Hornsea Two green hydrogen plans tested
The world’s largest offshore wind farm may produce green hydrogen that will power an oil and gas refinery in the north-east of England as part of an industrial-scale trial of the technology.
Open-source 15MW digital turbine launched
Researchers have launched a 15MW reference wind turbine to help manufacturers assess performance and costs ahead of developing a prototype.
News and analysis
European electrification ‘would boost need for renewables’
The electrification of transport, buildings and industrial sectors in Europe could help to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Europe by 60% between 2020 and 2050.
Enercon widens climbing crane reach
Enercon has adapted its innovative climbing crane solution in order to install its EP3 and EP5 platforms with higher weights and longer blades.
Sharpening-up blade recycling
The wind power industry has spent decades working on the design and manufacture of turbine rotor blades, refining its production processes to handle complex composite materials at ever-growing size and volumes.
Ideol pilot doubles power yield and is 'ready for deployment'
A floating demonstration project using an Ideol platform and currently being tested off Le Croisic on France's Atlantic coast, more than doubled its power production in the second half of 2019, exceeding expectations for production and availability, the company has reported.
German-Dutch hydrogen feasibility study launched
The governments of the Netherlands and Germany have signed up to conduct a study looking at the potential of hydrogen production in the region.
In depth
Windtech: GE's offshore giant combines proven technology with new solutions
At the official inauguration of GE's Haliade-X 12MW direct-drive prototype in Rotterdam on 17 December, Eize de Vries discussed main features, technology choices and challenges with offshore CTO Vincent Schellings.
Snapshot: SGRE installs 'flexed' 11MW offshore prototype
The prototype for Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy's SG 11.0-193 DD offshore wind turbine is being installed at the Østerild test site in Denmark. When commissioned, it will join GE's Haliade-X in the exclusive club of double-digit megawatt machines.
Turbine of the Year 2019 - 3.5MW+: Vestas EnVentus
Vestas' V150-5.6MW turbine, part of its new EnVentus platform, has won Windpower Monthly's turbine of the year award in the 3.5MW+ category. Editor Shaun Campbell and David Weston discuss why.
Turbines of the year 2019: Onshore turbines up to 3.4MW
Still a high-volume sector, but one that western OEMs are eschewing in favour of higher-rated machines and the offshore sector, leaving China's turbine makers to dominate.
Turbines of the year 2019: Innovations
Installation solutions for onshore and offshore applications lead the way.
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