Author: Francesco Miceli
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WindPro and WAsP
WindPro and WAsP are two software tools used in the wind energy sector. They help developers, investors and wind turbines manufacturers in wind resource assessment. Wind resource assessment is the detailed study of the wind characteristics of the area. It is needed to define which is the most appropriate turbine model to use and what…
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Self-erecting turbines: the Elisa / Elican project
The Elisa / Elican Project is a multimillion, full-scale prototype of a self-erecting offshore concrete tower. The tower is coupled with a buoyant foundation – it floats and can be transported to the installation site where it is ballasted and sunken to the final position. Once in place the tower self-erection can start, saving money…
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Do we really need towers and foundations? Airborne wind farms
Airborne wind energy is a generic name that describe various technologies that have different levels of development. They have in common the idea of using unmanned vehicles such as planes, kites, balloons or similar solutions to produce energy from the wind. These vehicles are generally “tethered” (that is, connected to the ground). Their main promise…
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Modifications to wind farm access roads: a step-by-step guide
One of the problems that occurs frequently to engineers working on wind farms is how to modify existing access roads to allow the transit of special vehicles. I was contacted by several readers of the blog who had this issue – the last one was Egil from Norway who led me to write this article….
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Blade mover – a flexible dual transport system
One of the many problems posed by the huge wind turbine blades currently in the market is how to move them quickly and safely. In some situations (like in the factories, or when blades are temporarily stored before installation) space can be extremely limited and there is the risk of damages. Additionally manipulating and moving…
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BoP vs. BoS – similarities and differences
As the world continues its transition towards renewable energy sources, wind farms and photovoltaic (PV) solar plants have become essential players in the quest for sustainability. These two technologies harness the power of nature to generate clean electricity, and while they may seem quite distinct, they share common elements in their infrastructure. Lately I have…
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Nabrawind Transition Foundation
Some days ago I have been contacted by Miguel, Sales And Marketing Manager at Nabrawind. Nabrawind is a Spanish company working at several interesting breakthrough concepts – including a modular blade that I will try to describe in another article in the future, a self erecting tower and the innovative “Transition Foundation”. Miguel asked me if…
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Lift me up: the braced foundation
The braced foundation is a partially precast foundation that lift the wind turbine some additional meters above the ground. Developed and patented by Esteyco (a Spanish engineering firm) is a technical solution validated, certified and used in several wind farms worldwide. This solution increase the hub height up to 5 meters, which usually results in…
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Medium voltage power cables in wind farms: an introduction
This post is an extension of the previous short article I wrote some years ago on the characteristics of wind farms medium voltage system. I wrote it with the help of my friend and colleague Kamran, who spent more than an hour answering my questions on the subject. Thank you Kamran! The medium voltage network…
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Crane hardstands for installation of wind turbines: a handbook
Due to the pandemic this year we have been forced to go on vacation by car – the majority of flights from Germany to southern Italy have been cancelled, so we are making a 2000+ Km car trip with our three kids. While my wife was driving I searched something to read and I have…