“Caught by the Wind”: The Henk Lagerweij Story- So Far!

“Caught by the Wind”: The Henk Lagerweij Story- So Far!
Introduction While the world of wind power may have its fair share of  superb businessmen, entrepreneurs, innovators and “movers & shakers” there can be few whose career in wind has been as interesting as Henk Lagerweij (seen on the right in the pictire above receiving certification for the L82 turbine). He is the Dutch whizz-kid and… Read the rest

Belwind-Belgium: World’s Biggest Offsore Turbine is Erected

Belwind-Belgium: World’s Biggest Offsore Turbine is Erected
In a follow-up to our previous story (Ostend offshore wind farm) about the world’s largest offshore wind turbine near to the port of Ostend, in Belgium, the French engineering giant Alstom yesterday announced it has successfully completed the installation of the turbine. The company reported that the installation of its 6-MW Haliade 150 turbine made it… Read the rest

It’s not just a Clever Turbine… It’s Brilliant!

It’s not just a Clever Turbine… It’s Brilliant!
Wind turbines have evolved considerably since the first shaky steps were taken to produce electricity from wind. Not just in size and power potantial, but also from blade design, tower height, and gear box innovations. This year saw the unveiling and testing of a new line of turbines from GE that can generate almost a quarter… Read the rest

World’s Largest Wind Turbine About to be Tested in Scotland

World’s Largest Wind Turbine About to be Tested in Scotland
It’s an interesting and exciting time in Scotland for the wind business: The world’s largest and most powerful installed wind turbine will be ready for testing in Fife, Scotland before the end of October 2013. The 196 metre tall turbine will be handed over to Korean firm Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) by the principal contractor, Graham… Read the rest

Belwind: Belgium’s Finest- Invisible from Land

Belwind: Belgium’s Finest- Invisible from Land
Alstom and Belgian developer, Belwind, have signed an agreement of cooperation to install, connect to the grid, operate and maintain one Haliade 150 6MW wind turbine at the Belwind wind farm, which  will comprise 55 wind turbines. It is  the furthest offshore wind farm in the North Sea (45km off the coast at Ostend) and has… Read the rest

KidWind

KidWind
It has long been said that to win over the hearts of minds of  adults  in the future you need to educate the children now. Today, 18 June,sees the commencement of  four days of free training for teachers at Waterford, Ireland, at KidWind workshops.  KidWind workshops introduce teachers to the science behind wind energy while giving… Read the rest

Brighton Builds Biggest Blade

Brighton Builds Biggest Blade
The longest wind turbine blade ever made in the United States has been made at Vestas Wind Systems’ blades factory in Brighton, Denver, United States. The first few prototypes, each just a few feet short of 200 feet, are leaving the factory, bound for Houston. There they will be loaded onto ships to take them to… Read the rest

Google Acquire Wind Power Company

Google Acquire Wind Power Company
You may recall that search engine supremo Google has invested in some novel innovations and technologies.  The self-driving car and the wearable computing device being a couple of the wackier ones. But there’s nothing wacky about wind power and that’s where Google have invested in the past. But they’ve gone a step further now, by acquiring… Read the rest

New Windpower Cheaper Than Coal

New Windpower Cheaper Than Coal
Did you know that windpower energy is cheaper than coal in some countries? Consequently when countries are choosing their next generation of power stations, weighing up risk and environmental issues as well as costs, many should be contemplating wind turbines. Due to investment in research and development  into better designs, building wind farms can now be… Read the rest

Sailing Close to the Wind?

Sailing Close to the Wind?
Wind turbines are springing up all across the globe as Governments harvest one of the cleanest renewable energies, the wind. The majority of wind turbines are the traditional three-bladed turbines,  and while they may be getting larger, and more efficient, there’s a limit to the efficiency achievable with a bladed wind turbine.  It’s known as Betz’… Read the rest