North American Windpower: Issue Archive

June 2013

Close Window – June 2013

Project Profile: Lameque Wind Farm

Local Cooperative Instrumental To Building New Brunswick Project

By Mark Del Franco

If not for the involvement of the Cooperative d’energie renouvelable de Lameque Ltee, the Lameque wind farm might not have ever been built.

Renewable Portfolio Standards

On The Front Lines: Advocates Prevail In State RPS Fight

By Alan Claus Anderson, J. Britton Gibson & Luke A. Hagedorn

An up-close examination of how Kansas’ RPS survived recent attacks yields some important lessons for the wind industry.

Spotlight: The Maritimes

Nova Scotia Paves Path For Growth Of Maritimes

By Shawna Eason

While Canadian provinces such as Ontario and Quebec garner most of the headlines, the provinces comprising Atlantic Canada continue to develop wind energy at a deliberate pace.

Industry At Large: Community Wind

Can The Community Wind Sector Meet Its Challenges?

By Mark Del Franco

Before the segment can claim a larger slice of wind generation, advocates must address the sector’s laundry list of hurdles.

Industry At Large: Gearboxes

How To Minimize Axial Cracking Failures

By Rob Budny & Robert Errichello

Although the root cause of axial cracking failures in gearboxes is not well understood, there are several possible prevention methods.

Marketplace: Obstruction Lighting

Navigating North American Obstruction Lighting Standards

By Pete Bruce

As member states of the International Civil Aviation Organization, the U.S., Canada and Mexico have similar obstruction lighting regulations. However, each country has its differences.

New & Noteworthy

DOE To Recast Landmark 20% Wind Energy Report

Policy Watch

Senators Introduce STORAGE Act

Products & Technology

How Wind Can Play With Energy Storage

Projects & Contracts

Cherokee Nation Develops Project

May 2013

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Industry At Large: Federal Policy

Wind Developers Receive Clarity On PTC Requirements

By Mark Del Franco

The Internal Revenue Service has defined what it means for a wind project to have started construction.

Project Profile: Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility

Ocotillo Underscores Challenges Of Developing On Public Lands

By Mark Del Franco

Pattern Energy is among the first developers to build a project on lands owned by the government. However, the scrutiny almost proved too great to overcome.

Spotlight: California

California Wind Forecast: Marketplace Uncertain

By Nancy Rader & Clark Morrison

With several key proposals important to the wind sector under review, the importance of regulatory decision-making has never loomed larger for the future of wind energy in California.

Industry At Large: Commissioning

How Commissioning Impacts Turbine Supply Agreements

By Edward Zaelke

Even though a series of standard operational tests is all that stands in the way of turbine certification, the process to stamp the machines as reliable can be problematic.

Industry At Large: Wind Resource Assessment

Wind Modeling Advances Unlock Big Project Savings

By James Bleeg

Extensive validation shows that modeling atmospheric stability provides the key to more accurate wind flow predictions and lower revenue uncertainty.

Marketplace: Capital Markets

Navigating Capital Markets Amid Turbulent Waters

By Allan T. Marks

After 2012’s record-breaking levels of installed capacity, where and when will wind developers seek capital for projects this year?

Marketplace: Condition Monitoring

Factoring In Condition Monitoring’s Real Costs

By Brogan Morton

While most owners and operators consider a condition monitoring system’s initial price tag, many do not realize that the annual analysis costs can also be significant.

New & Noteworthy

IRS: PTC Will Be Worth Slightly More In 2013

Policy Watch

Proposal Includes Permanent PTC

Products & Technology

Vestas Optimizes 3 MW Platform

Projects & Contracts

CAW’s Wind Turbine Now Operational

April 2013

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Industry At Large

Big-Name Firms Signal ‘Industrial’ Revolution For Wind

By Mark Del Franco

Major corporations, such as Google and Walmart, are beginning to seek wind energy’s economic and environmental benefits.

Project Profile: Shady Oaks Wind Farm

With Illinois Project, Goldwind Signals Its Intentions

By Mark Del Franco

Goldwind USA used the Shady Oaks wind farm as a platform to demonstrate the effectiveness of its permanent-magnet direct-drive technology in the U.S.

Spotlight: Illinois

A Plan To Fix Illinois’ Renewable Portfolio Standard

By Kevin Borgia

Legislative changes are needed to close the loopholes that now exist in the mandate in order to ensure Illinois’ RPS works as intended.

Industry At Large: Levelized Cost Of Energy

LCOE Gains Can Offset Potential Policy Pitfalls

By Dan Shreve

Despite the macroeconomic challenges in today’s power market, wind energy has achieved grid parity in several North American markets.

Industry At Large: Project Finance

How Fixing REIT Rules Would Help Wind Projects

By John Marciano III & Kelly Kogan

As access to cheap capital becomes increasingly scarce, REITs could offer debt and equity at lower costs than other sources.

Viewpoint: Project Finance

Master Limited Partnerships: Setting The Expectation

By Gregory F. Jenner

Is the growing chorus trumpeting MLPs as an investment vehicle for wind energy justified or does more work need to be done?

Marketplace: Wind Assessment

Navigating The Complexities Of Wake Losses

By Katy Briggs

The wind industry should be careful not to put too much trust in wake-loss models, as several factors can affect their accuracy.

New & Noteworthy

Cape Wind Secures Financing

Policy Watch

Grassley Seeks Fairness For Wind

Products & Technology

Siemens Machine Receives Certification

Projects & Contracts

DOI Approves Searchlight Project

March 2013

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Industry At Large: Operations and Maintenance

The Real Truth About Wind Farm O&M Costs

By Craig Houston

Data shows rising operations and maintenance costs as U.S. operators adapt to more out-of-warranty turbines.

Industry At Large: Siting

Aboriginal Involvement Key To Wind Project Acceptance

By Matthew Sherrard

Developers are well advised to engage potentially affected Aboriginal communities early on in the project development process.

Industry At Large: Turbine Supply Agreements

How To Avoid Pressure Points In Turbine Supply Agreements

By Edward Zaelke

Receiving wind turbines from the manufacturer may seem simplistic. However, pre-delivery negotiations can actually be quite complex.

Industry At Large: Wind Farm Operations & Maintenance

Big Data Means Big Insight For Wind Farm Operations

By Graham Dudgeon

The management of risk associated with degraded wind farm performance is critical to achieving desired production and revenue goals.

Marketplace: Construction & Engineering

Virtual Design: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

By Sera Maloney

Wind developers are beginning to see the significant benefits provided by virtual design and construction.

Project Profile: Lac Alfred

Planning, Logistics Lift Lac Alfred Project

By Mark Del Franco

EDF EN Canada’s Quebec wind farms underscore why planning and patience are crucial to successful wind project development.

Spotlight: Quebec

Quebec Wind Market Remains Vibrant - For Now

By Mark Del Franco

Although the near-term outlook for the Quebec wind market remains bright, the provincial government needs to finalize an RFP that will serve as a bridge to its future.

New & Noteworthy

PTC Deadline Propels U.S. To New Record

Policy Watch

Does Senator’s Plan Support Wind?

Products & Technology

Siemens Launches 4 MW Offshore Unit

Projects & Contracts

EDF Energizes Repowered Project

February 2013

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Industry At Large: Federal Policy

Can PTC Extension Lift Wind Industry Over Time?

By Mark Del Franco

The wind energy production tax credit has been extended, but has the damage already been done?

Spotlight: Latin America

Selling Abroad Requires Careful Tax Planning

By Kelly Kogan

Expansion into new markets must be planned, with a focus on identifying and managing the potential costs of such an initiative.

Spotlight: Mexico

After Years Of Showing Promise, Mexico Is Set To Deliver

By Allan T. Marks & Hernando Becerra

Mexico’s enormous wind power potential and favorable energy policy present an outstanding opportunity for project investment for years to come.

Profile: Bii Nee Stipa Wind Farm

EGP Invests Heavily South Of The Border

By Mark Del Franco

Enel Green Power sees plenty of development potential in Mexico, thanks to the country’s abundant wind resource and appetite for energy.

Industry At Large: Wind Integration

How Alberta Plans To Tackle Wind Integration

By Jacques Duchesne

The Alberta Electric System Operator is studying ways to more efficiently bring wind energy onto its system.

Industry At Large: Project Finance

In Canada, They Trust: Looking North For Financing

By Jeffrey Scheine, Michael Smith & Madeleine Tan

Canadian trusts for U.S. assets are proving to be a path to liquidity that should be considered by U.S. sponsors, especially in light of ongoing financing challenges in the U.S.

Marketplace: Safety Equipment

Do Clearances Inside Towers Comply With OSHA Standards?

By Mark Del Franco

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is close to ruling on whether clearance widths inside wind towers meet its standards.

New & Noteworthy

WTO: Ontario’s Domestic-Content Rules Breach Trade Law

Policy Watch

N.M. Increases Wind Requirement

Products & Technology

System Protects Endangered Birds

Projects & Contracts

BP, Sempra Bring Projects Online

January 2013

Close Window – January 2013

Profile: Sheffield Wind Project

Opposition And Permitting Delays Unable To Deter Vermont Project

By Mark Del Franco

It took First Wind nearly a decade to complete the 40 MW Sheffield Wind Project, located in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.

Industry At Large: Siting

Visual And Shadow Flicker Impacts Pose Double Threat

By John W. Guariglia

Shadow flicker and visual impacts are among the most common siting concerns raised in communities. So, how can they be mitigated?

Spotlight: Vermont

Green Mountain Pushback: Sentiment Shifts In Vermont

By Adam Gravel & Kristen Watrous

Several factors, such as changing attitudes toward wind project development, have made Vermont an increasingly rigorous environment in which to permit and build wind projects.

Marketplace: Tools

Wind Turbine Tools Step Up In Class

By Mark Del Franco

Modern tool technology makes wind farm maintenance and operations simpler, safer, and more efficient.

Industry At Large: Turbine Technology

Turbine Advances Fuel Rise In Capacity Factors

By Mark Del Franco

From taller towers to more intuitive controller software, several technological breakthroughs have boosted wind turbine capacity factors.

Industry At Large: Wind Assessment

Why Atmospheric Stability Matters In Wind Assessment

By Somnath Baidya Roy & Justin Sharp

Understanding atmospheric stability can help wind farm owners and operators improve predictions of wind speed, power production and the load on rotors and drivetrains.

New & Noteworthy

DPU Approves Cape Wind’s PPA With NSTAR

Policy Watch

Regulators Approve Utilities’ RE Plans

Products & Technology

Hempel Gets Patent For Coating System

Projects & Contracts

Project Features Energy Storage