Inspecto-drones – How can drones support turbine maintenance?
Drones are fast, agile, and make light work of reaching high altitudes. But that doesn't necessarily mean they will revolutionize wind turbine maintenance overnight. Incidentally, we are still waiting for the big drone breakthrough in the industry. When is it going to happen?
Looking to the skies – New test center for airborne wind energy in Ireland
The wind industry is well established on ground and is gradually going the same way offshore. But there is another option in development – airborne. At high altitude, there are wind velocities even offshore wind turbines could not handle, and energy producers are desperate to harness it.
Sealing solutions for solidity – How seals can improve turbine robustness
When it comes to operational reliability and service life of wind turbines, the smallest components can have a big impact. Therefore, it is most important to opt for engineering solutions which can withstand the tough conditions that wind farms operate in.
High output. Low weight. – Wind energy’s superconducting future
In Denmark, the world's first wind turbine with a high-temperature superconducting material generator was tested as part of the EU-funded EcoSwing project. The new technology promises cost savings and higher performance potential compared to conventional wind turbines thanks to its low weight. Could this be the future of wind energy?
It’s getting windy! – The offshore industry is gaining ground
As economies grow, so does pollution. Before 2020, this was a commonly accepted fact. Not anymore, though. During the COVID-19 pandemic, global CO2 emissions dropped seven percent – paving the way for a new concept of growth relying on renewable energies. Offshore wind is facing a worldwide boom.
To efficiency and beyond – How NASA could revolutionize offshore wind
Originally developed to absorb vibration in rockets, NASA’s Fluid Structure Coupling technology could provide added stability to floating wind turbines in the future. This would lead to more efficient power generation and cost savings – potentially putting the offshore industry at a competitive advantage.
Next-generation jack-up vessels – A Norwegian collaboration to satisfy offshore demand
As a general rule: a taller turbine catches more wind and generates more power. That said, transporting such vast structures to offshore locations is no mean feat, especially given a lack of vessels to carry out the job. This is a joint-sector issue that, until now, remained unsolved.
Reaching record heights – 3D printing in the wind industry
3D printing is well established in many industries. It provides prosthetics and implants for medical use, is revolutionizing lightweight construction in the aerospace industry, and is used in mechanical engineering. Now, a new development shows how the wind industry could soon benefit from additive manufacturing as well.
