"Clean" Natural Gas, Skills-Based Hiring, $128M Delaware Offshore Deal
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Before diving in to wind-specific matters in this week’s Uptime Wind Energy Podcast, Allen, Phil, Joel and Rosemary discussed skills-based hiring, and why we need a government program to encourage it. (The conversation is less snarky than you might think - tune in!)
Is Skills-based Hiring Always a Good Idea?
Your favorite engineers-turned-podcasters aren’t about to argue against a common sense idea, but now that fewer than 18% of job posts require a college degree, it’s becoming more important to understand a candidate’s actual experience and qualifications. The US Department of Labor’s Skills First Hiring Starter Kit for employers aims to normalize hiring people who can prove they can do a job vs. hiring based on degrees. While it doesn’t mention certifications - which can be pretty important - generally, we like the idea. But why does something called ‘skills-based hiring’ need to be backed by a government program? Tell us what you think.
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If you haven’t registered yet, it’s time - space is limited at this unique two-day technical conference. Unlike a massive conference in a giant expo center, at Wind Energy O&M Australia, you’ll have excellent networking opportunities and enjoy candid, productive conversations with experts in the field.
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The US is Full of It - and it’s Not Really Clean
In a brilliant marketing move, we/the energy industry decided that “Clean Natural Gas” sounded better than “methane from fossils.” Fast forward to today’s renewables scene, and things are messy: things like economics, politics, climate change, and most importantly to this podcast, how costs are calculated for new energy projects.
We take on the cleanliness argument, the spark gap, and why consumers just keep bearing the brunt of bad economic policies. Also, spoiler alert: you’re going to be seeing more Clean Natural Gas marketing.
Outlandish Offshore Deal?
Meanwhile, after a year of negotiations, Delaware and US Wind signed $128M agreement to develop two offshore wind projects and send the power to Maryland energy consumers. US Wind agreed to pay the state $12M to lease the land and to provide $40 million in “community benefits, including coastal dredging, clean energy workforce training, scholarships and improvements to state parks, along with another $200 million to upgrade the state’s electrical grid.”
Call us argumentative, but most other those “benefits” sound like costs associated with developing the project. Why won’t Delaware residents benefit directly, like, say, residents of Alaska who see direct dividends from that state’s pipeline? And what lessons will other states draw from this East Coast deal?
Chinese Turbines and (More) Cybersecurity Risks
When western developers consider using Chinese manufacturers, it’s usually because they’re attracted by lower prices. But a Dutch government report has inconveniently pointed out that when using Chinese OEMs, cybersecurity issues significantly increase the total cost of ownership. Not to brag, but the team made it through the whole conversation without saying TikTok.
Wind Farm of the Week: It’s a Big One!
Nextera Energy did something big when it created the Eight Point Wind Energy Center in Steuben County, New York. The center consists of 25 GE 5.5kW, 158-meter rotor turbines that start generating power when the wind hits a mere 3 mph.
Approved in 2019, the project now powers more than 46,000 New York homes, and is expected to provide more than $40M in revenue to local governments to support schools, infrastructure, and vital services, such as fire departments.
Learn more about the project in this week’s Uptime podcast!
Foreshadowing … Trouble?
Following last week’s discussion on the 500 documented attacks on undersea energy in Europe, there are new developments, which we’ll cover in some depth next week.
The Uptime Wind Energy Podcast is brought to you by Weather Guard Lightning Tech and BuildTurbines.com. Listen now, read previous issues of the newsletter here, and whatever you do, DON’T MISS an episode.
⚡️ NEWS FLASH 1/20/25:
↗️ POWER-UP 1/15/25:
🔆SPOTLIGHT 1/16/25:
Interesting Finds From Around the Web
Grave warning from ex-UK spy chief on dependence on China’s wind turbines
Skills-First Hiring Starter Kit: A guide for hiring better, faster
From Russia with Love? The Current Russian Oil Tanker Disaster
Researchers give futuristic wind turbine a whirl south of Adelaide
Brazil president signs law authorizing offshore wind development
North Plains Connector: 420 miles long, up to 525 HVDC transmission line
Why Berkshire Hathaway Joined Grid United, ALLETE on the project
Wind Farm of the Week: Eight Point Wind Energy Center
Wind Energy Stock Watch
Vestas (VWDRY) $4.51 USD
GE (GE) $188.28 USD
Siemens Energy AG (SMNEY) $54.08 USD
Goldwind (XJNGF) $.83USD
Iberdrola (IBE.MC) €13.33 EUR
Nordex (NRDXF) $13.20 USD
Stock prices as of Tuesday January 21, 2025. Note some stocks use OTC Delayed Price.
Stay informed: Uptime Tech News delivers wind energy news and insights on the latest technology, fresh from experts around the world. If you learned something, please forward to a friend. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, subscribe now.
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Download specs, rain erosion test results, aerodynamic assessment, and other test results here.
BuildTurbines.com
Wind energy jobs offer outstanding opportunities and excellent earning potential. Find the training you need to be successful at BuildTurbines.com
Have a great week and thanks for listening! - Allen, Rosie, Joel, Phil & everyone from the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast
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