Author: Francesco Miceli
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Cryptocurrencies from wind energy
In the first half of 2017 cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin, Ether, etc.) experimented an incredible growth – considered a bubble by some and as a proof that times are changing by others. What is interesting (at least to someone working in the renewables like me) is this link between cryptocurrencies and renewables. Cryptocurrencies are created with…
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Envision business model
Internet is evolving very fast – now it’s possible to find a free and fast connection almost everywhere. So, during a VERY long bus trip, I was able to get online and keep investigating on one of the fact that puzzle me more in the wind industry: the fact the Chinese WTG manufacturers are not…
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Alternative counterweights: an unusual use of the auxiliary crane
If you are familiar with the huge cranes used in wind farm construction, you will know that a lot of time is consumed rigging and derigging the main crane. Part of the effort is in the manipulation of the ballast (the counterweight needed to operate safely). The cranes use a modular ballast concept – different…
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Wind farm testing and commissioning
This is a short (and incomplete) summary of the main test which are usually performed in a wind farm. Test can be divided in 3 categories: factory tests, site tests and performance tests. Some test are performed before the start of the construction works, others during construction and commissioning and others when the wind farm…
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Wind turbines manufacturers business model
Today I’ve been asked by a reader about the business model of wind turbines manufacturers (also called OEM, Original Equipment Manufacturer). As I think it’s interesting question, I decided to write a post about it. In a nutshell, wind turbine manufacturers are selling a product. This product is assembled pretty much like a car –…
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Going Glocal: how to create local content
It is not unusual for public tenders in the renewable energy industry to request for a certain percentage on “local content requirements” (LCR). This requirements exist (and are usually very demanding) in the majority of countries in South America (Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina) and in several other emerging countries (Morocco, Russia, etc.). The required percentage can…
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Type of towers – stiff, soft or soft soft?
In the last month I spent a lot of time discussing about “soft soft” towers. But what does it exactly means? Steel tower for wind turbine are classified as stiff, soft, or soft soft based on the relative natural frequencies of tower, rotor and blades. You obviously want to avoid that your tower is excited…
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Sell a service, not a product: the Indian way to wind energy
India is becoming a very big market for wind energy. After the decline of many European markets (Spain in primis) India is now fighting with Germany to be the third bigger nation in terms of yearly installed megawatts (somewhere around 3600 MW). You can see the other in the graphic above, that I’ve stolen from…
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Top 5 owners of wind turbines
Ever asked yourself who is buying wind turbines? There are quite a lot of customers profiles – from tiny companies (or even a couple of farmers joining their strengths and lands in a renewable energy project) to professional developers, factories interested in using the energy produced all the way up in the ladder to the…
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Most beautiful wind farm picture in 2017
The picture above is the winning entry for the Global Wind Day photo contest. It’s a wind farm in Greece (Agios Georgios, 73 MW: 9x V90-3.0 MW and 14x V112-3). Even if it’s not an EPC I had the pleasure of having a look at the project several years ago and yes, the topography was…