Wind power Features for February 2011

Wind power Features Archive

Wind turbine blade manufacturers face a balancing act Wind turbine blade manufacturers face a balancing act

Designing wind turbine blades is about balancing aerodynamic performance and structural integrity, but design and analysis is often disconnected from the blade manufacturing process. Dr Olivier Guillermin, Director of Product and Market Strategy, VISTAGY Inc, discusses the current situtation.

Laser projectors benefit turbine blade manufacture Laser projectors benefit turbine blade manufacture

Using the experience it has gained from the aviation industry, LAP GmbH Laser Applikationen is now helping wind turbine blade manufacturers to improve accuracy and reduce costs. Axel Rieckmann, sales manager industry at LAP, explains the use of the company’s laser projection equipment, which Germanischer Lloyd has certified for use in the production of turbine blades.

New methods for measuring the wind New methods for measuring the wind

Although computer models of wind flow over terrain have improved dramatically in the past few years, there is still no substitute for data recorded at the site.

What is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)? What is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)?

Planning permission and consents can be the death of many a renewable energy project. Which is why it remains vital to properly assess the environmental impacts of development.

Wind power: from conception to reality – an overview Wind power: from conception to reality – an overview

In the first of a special Renewable Energy Focus series looking at the key stages and processes involved in taking a wind project from A to Z, Gail Rajgor gives some rules of thumb that are vital from the offset, and takes a closer look at the all important issue of choosing the right site for your wind farm.

The future of blade repair The future of blade repair

Damage to wind turbine blades can significantly lower the turbine’s performance. On site repair of wind turbine blades has traditionally been time consuming and of variable quality. David Cripps, Global Account Manager, Gurit Wind Energy, describes a new blade repair system which is clean, fast and can be used in a wider temperature range.