Author: Francesco Miceli
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Wind sector management – how to put more wind turbines in the same area
In many project my colleagues from the wind and site department (the people who calculate the best wind turbine model and the optimal layout in a wind farm) are forced to put quite a lot of wind turbines in a reduced space. Each of these wind turbines generate a “wake effect” – basically, they create…
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Dynamic loads on wind turbines
I discussed in another post the relevance of resonance analysis in the design of steel tower for wind turbines and the different technical solutions currently in the market. But what are the loads that could induce resonance in the wind turbine? There are several different type of dynamic loads: Unbalanced rotor. This basically means that…
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What is wind turbine certification?
Wind turbine type certification is the accreditation, done by a reputable third party (“Certification Body”), that a manufacturer is selling a wind turbine that meet relevant standards and codes. TUV, DNV-GL, Bureau Veritas (among others) are examples of Certification Body. The scope of certification, according to the industry standard IEC 61400-22, can be: Prototype certification:…
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Wind farms: top 5 of myths & urban legends
A curious consequence of writing a blog about wind farms is that every now and then I’m contacted by someone hating wind energy. In the majority of the cases, the writer also ask for help to stop or boycott a wind farm somewhere in the word, apparently ignoring the fact that wind turbines help me…
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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…