Page 43 - North American Clean Energy July/August 2020 Issue

The wind energy industry has matured. So has its technology.
Leosphere’s WindCube series is the most recognized and trusted suite of lidar technologies on the market. With several lidar types available, WindCube assists companies around the world in all phases and types of wind farm projects.
They are leading with lidar.
• Improve bankability and project success
• Streamline power performance testing and other crucial tasks
• Move offshore with confidence — and better data
Photo: University of Oldenburg_For Wind_J. Schneemann
vaisala.com/leadwithlidar
U.S. still catching up
On the other side of the pond, the economics are less favorable. The infrastructure- related risks of venturing into deeper waters are considerable. But they are not the only obstacles; levelized costs of energy (LCOE) remain significantly higher for offshore than for competing renewables technologies, and lack of a track-record means operations and maintenance (O&M) costs remain significantly higher
than they do in Europe.
Yet investor interest in U.S. offshore has grown. Certainly, the aggregate pipeline
of more than 26 GW in offshore wind capacity in federal lease areas has given impetus to investors, with a boost from the potential for further cost declines. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global average overnight capital costs (including transmission) are projected to decline to US$2,500/kW by 2030, from US$4,350/kW in 2018. Roughly half of the savings will come from efficiency gains achieved through fewer and larger turbines. Efficiency gains are contributing to offshore wind’s claim to being more reliable than other renewable sources. Offshore wind already enjoys higher capacity factors than its onshore equivalent, and more stable hourly variability when compared to solar power.
There are overlaps, too, between existing onshore and offshore infrastructure that have the potential to drive costs down. As such, it’s unsurprising that some oil majors are also offshore wind developers. The IEA estimates that about 40 percent of full lifetime costs of an offshore wind project have synergies with the oil and gas sector.
Offshore wind is making waves on both sides of the Atlantic. Although the U.S. is clearly lagging behind its European counterpart, the challenges facing global power markets – whether from the pandemic or from volatile prices – could very well
give added impetus to the energy transition. While Europe looks to make offshore wind a key component of its energy mix, it’s still unknown whether the U.S. can surmount the considerable challenges that currently render offshore uneconomical against alternative sources.
Aneesh Prabhu is Senior Director, Infrastructure North America for S&P Global Ratings, a credit rating agency that publishes financial research and analysis on stocks, bonds, and commodities.
S&P Global Ratings
/// www.spglobal.com
Secure large diameter bolted joints
Heico-Lock’s Heico-Tec’s internal design elements vastly improves the elasticity of
a bolted joint, lowering impacts of dynamic stress and resulting in an application’s longer life span. Designed to ISO 898-2 standards, the Heico-Tec tension nut replaces any comparably sized hex nut from the same strength class. Also, due to the attainment of highly accurate preloads, design engineers can use Heico-Tec tension nuts to reduce the size and number of bolted joints in an assembly, potentially lowering both cost and weight. Both on the factory floor and in field conditions, technicians only need a handheld torque wrench and standard sockets to safely
and quickly achieve accurate bolted joint tightening. Users can avoid heavy, costly, and time-intensive measures found in traditional electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic tightening methods. Heico-Tec tension nuts are also suitable for areas where workspace is restricted. If a technician can get a handheld torque wrench into a tight space then they can correctly tighten the bolted joint.
Heico-Lock /// www.heico-lock.us
Updated harness line
The VOLT harness line is designed to provide fall protection and comfortable work positioning for those working on towers or inside wind turbines. Both models, the VOLT and VOLT WIND are easy to put on and take off with FAST LT automatic buckles on the waist belt and leg loops. The lightweight and breathable material on the wide, semi-rigid waist belt and leg loops maximizes air flow while also providing support. Storage systems on each shoulder strap for the fall arrest lanyards keeps the connectors stored away and, in the event of a fall, will release so the absorbers can deploy. The VOLT model, designed for work on towers and antennas, is constructed with equipment loops along the waist belt for easy tool organization. The VOLT WIND model, designed for work inside wind turbine towers, has a dorsal wear protector to reduce wear along the straps. In addition to the harnesses, the seat for VOLT harnesses was also updated to provide more comfort while working in suspension.
Petzl /// www.petzl.com
North American Clean Energy
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