Operations

Wind turbine towers are mostly built out of steel, making them burdensome to transport. The heavy mass is not the only downside of these massive constructions. Although intended to generate renewable power, their manufacturing process is not as environmentally friendly as one might hope. But there is a solution: Swapping steel with wood.

Wind turbines operate in a multitude of conditions — from the scorching heat of deserts to icy polar terrains. Each environment poses unique challenges for their bearings. In this article, we explore the hurdles turbine bearings face and highlight the innovative solutions the industry is adopting to counter them.

As our planet faces an escalating water crisis due to population growth, climate change, pollution, and overconsumption, it is important to seek out long-term, effective solutions. Could combining wind power with water desalination present a promising answer?

Wind energy is generally considered an environmentally friendly energy source. However, the practice of discarding retired wind turbine blades in landfills casts a shadow on its green credentials. The good news is that energy companies have found and continue to seek more sustainable options.

Nestled on the outskirts of Schweinfurt, Germany, the Sven Wingquist Test Center – the winner of an International Architecture Award 2018 – is a sight to behold. But what distinguishes it in terms of its contributions to the wind industry?

Wind turbines rely on pitch and yaw systems for optimized energy capture and durability. In this article, we explore the two critical systems, focusing on how they adjust turbine alignment and blade angles in response to wind conditions.

Kinetic energy conversion lies at the heart of wind energy production, with the generator playing the pivotal role. This article ventures into the world of wind turbine generators, exploring how they work, analyzing potential malfunctions and their causes, and offering preventive solutions.

Semiconductors are integral to microchip technology, powering everything from Apple products to wind turbines. The pandemic caused a massive spike in demand, and with major disruptions in the supply chains, the semiconductor industry has experienced an ongoing shortage. Situation normal is slowly returning, but what can be done about future disruptions?

The role of ports in offshore wind farming cannot be underestimated. As we transition from the use of hydrocarbons to renewable energy, the wind industry seeks to maximize optimization of portside facilities. It will achieve this by continuing to identify favorable portside locations and lobbying for change at TENT-T.

What exactly are e-fuels? What role will they play in the greening of the economy? In this article, we’ll get a glimpse of how and where e-fuels are produced, wind farming’s role in their production, and how they can be deployed to make Europe — and the world — more sustainable.