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Technology
Wind Energy's Shadow: Turbines Drag Down Power Potential
May 16, 2013 by David LaGesse in National Geographic
May 16, 2013 by David LaGesse in National Geographic
In several recent published studies, Adams and other researchers have explored the issue of turbines stealing energy from the wind, creating drag or a "wind shadow" of air slowed by the spinning blades. Each turbine added to a particular landscape captures less energy. "You reach a point that if you add any more turbines, you get no more energy," Adams said.
Also filed under [
USA]
Each row of turbines dramatically effects the turbulence in the wind stream downwind ...Complicating the modeling is the fact that wind isn't all that predictable even without the turbines there. Wind can blow steadily or change its speed and direction constantly, and predicting the interactions of such a variable entity with turbines is beyond the grasp of even the most sophisticated computer models at presewnt.
Claims that there is no upper bound for wind power, that it is scalable because gusts and breezes don't seem likely to "run out" on a global scale, are not based on reality. And neither are claims that the generating capacity of large-scale wind farms is unlimited. The generating capacity of very large wind power installations ...may peak at between 0.5 and 1 watts per square meter. Previous estimates put that figure at between 2 and 7 watts per square meter.
Also filed under [
USA]
After the September 2011 battery fire in Japan, NGK halted production of the batteries and advised customers, including Xcel and 19 other customers in North America, to stop using them. NGK later determined that a faulty cell had leaked molten material, triggering a short circuit and fire.
Also filed under [
Minnesota]
Wind farm turbines wear sooner than expected, says study
December 30, 2012 by Robert Mendick in The Telegraph
December 30, 2012 by Robert Mendick in The Telegraph
The decline in the output of offshore wind farms, based on a study of Danish wind farms, appears even more dramatic. The load factor for turbines built on platforms in the sea is reduced from 39 per cent to 15 per cent after 10 years. ...Overall performance of wind farms in the UK has deteriorated markedly since the beginning of the century.
Also filed under [
UK]
The analysis, penned by academics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, expounds by saying that the toxic materials employed to build such cars exceeds traditional ones. Furthermore, fuels used to create the electricity are also important considerations, noting that if is coal then it may not be worth the environmental and economic costs.
Northern Nevada wind power pioneers hit snag; vertical turbines not delivering savings as promised
September 22, 2012 by Brian Duggan in Reno Gazette-Journal
September 22, 2012 by Brian Duggan in Reno Gazette-Journal
Advocates of small-scale wind energy production say stories like the Sousas' experience at their high-desert home highlight the challenge early adopters face when investing in a nascent industry.
That includes sorting through unsubstantiated claims made by some manufacturers of wind turbines meant for backyards or city parks as well as maintaining a realistic set of expectations for the technology.
Also filed under [
Nevada]
How to extend the lifespan of your gearbox
July 18, 2012 by Brian Hastings in North American Windpower
July 18, 2012 by Brian Hastings in North American Windpower
We believe the life-span of a given population of gearboxes at a site will likely be distributed in a bell curve. In other words, a wind farm with 100 turbines may see a handful of gearbox failures the first few years of operation, with the failure rate increasing over time. ...Based on the gearboxes that have come through our facility, the majority of lifespan distribution for wind turbine gearboxes will fall between seven and 10 years.
Monopile worries mount: Grouted joint doubts linger
April 10, 2012 by Jason Deign in Wind Energy Update
April 10, 2012 by Jason Deign in Wind Energy Update
Not everyone believes the project is using the best possible offshore engineering principles. In particular, there are lingering concerns over the use of grout-based joints to connect turbine monopiles with transition pieces.
Wind energy industry significantly vulnerable to hurricanes
February 16, 2012 by Andrei Evbuoma in Environmental News Examiner
February 16, 2012 by Andrei Evbuoma in Environmental News Examiner
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study was led by engineer Stephen Rose, who said turbines can currently withstand a top wind speed of 111mph about 300ft above the ground.
This is only equal to a strong Category 2 hurricane.
Also filed under [
USA]
The grid battery system is designed to hold 1 megawatt in reserve at the Wailea substation at a transformer for Maui Electric Co. for an hour during top power usage.
Also filed under [
Hawaii]
Extreme weather causes floating wind turbine prototype to sink
December 2, 2011 in North American Windpower
December 2, 2011 in North American Windpower
This extreme wave height, combined with a storm surge, caused water to enter into the tower through the inlet pipe for the power cable (the J-tube), causing the tower to fill with water, SWAY explains.
Also filed under [
USA]
The deal, which is still subject to final approval, will see Vestas take control of the rights to OCAS's system to prevent aerial collisions.
The system is approved by aviation authorities in countries including Sweden, the US, Norway and Canada.
"I think we have other Solyndras out there," said Representative Cliff Stearns, a Florida Republican and chairman of the oversight and investigations committee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which held the hearing on Solyndra.
"The government should not be picking winners and losers - that's what they're doing with Nissan, Tesla and Fisker," he said in an interview.
Also filed under [
USA]
American Superconductor sues Sinovel for IP theft; Shares off
September 15, 2011 by Eric Savitz in Forbes Magazine
September 15, 2011 by Eric Savitz in Forbes Magazine
"AMSC believes that Sinovel illegally obtained and used AMSC's intellectual property to upgrade its 1.5 megawatt wind turbines in the field to meet proposed Chinese grid codes and to potentially allow for the use of core electrical components from other manufacturers."
Acciona to introduce concrete towers for wind turbines
August 18, 2011 by David DeWitte in The Gazette
August 18, 2011 by David DeWitte in The Gazette
Iindustry publication Recharge in May reported on the height advantage of the 120-meter all-concrete towers Acciona plans to offer. It said the higher tower height and an enormous 116-meter rotor would extend the reach of Acciona's new turbine.
The flurry of development work is a result of the increasing number of manufacturers, which are looking for ways to differentiate themselves. Also, many of the best wind sites have already been claimed, and that has forced developers to build in places that are not quite so windy - making innovation all the more crucial for cost-effectiveness.
"It's not new blades," said Baker. "They're applying these serrations to the trailing edge of the blades. They look like sharks teeth. We're going to have the meanest looking turbines on the East Coast."
Baker said the Vinalhaven installation is only the third application of the LNTE system, worldwide.
"The wind industry's central tenet now is that bigger is better," said John O. Dabiri, an aeronautics professor who runs Caltech's Center for Bioinspired Engineering. "It certainly goes against conventional wisdom, but we're taking the opposite perspective."
Also filed under [
USA|
California]
Residential windmills may prove too idealistic for some
July 29, 2011 by Dale Rodebaugh in Durango Herald
July 29, 2011 by Dale Rodebaugh in Durango Herald
The use of windmills to offset home power costs - and perhaps even spin the meter backward - has produced mixed results in La Plata County.
"I'm disappointed in the production I'm getting," said Brad Blake, who installed a windmill 18 months ago on Florida Mesa. "It hasn't produced the power I expected."
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