LiftOff Uptower Crane Success and TPI Composites Growth Plans
Highlights from EP 244 + exclusive content
⏱️ 4 minute read ⏱️
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In this week’s podcast, Allen Hall, Joel Saxum, and Philip Totaro talk about promising new technology, interesting business moves, layoffs in the wind sector, and other (not-so-surprising) events as we careen toward the end of 2024.
If you’re still recovering from last week’s Thanksgiving holiday, we understand.
Remember, you can always watch the Uptime podcast while you’re on the treadmill or catch up with previous issues of this newsletter here.
No Jackup Needed with New Offshore Technology
What if you didn’t need a jackup vessel to do maintenance on offshore turbines? What if there was no need to transport the blade back to shore for certain jobs? What if you didn’t need a jackup vessel to perform maintenance on a floating wind turbine?
It would be a game-changer, and that’s what LiftOff, based in the Netherlands, is doing.
An offshoot of LiftWerx, the company has completed some successful testing of maintenance on offshore and floating offshore platforms, working on turbines with capacity of up to 9.5W - all without using jackup vessels.
If crane technologies like this could save you time, money, or headaches, you’ll want to learn more about LiftOff in the latest issue of PES Wind. (PES is free; get it here)
Is TPI Re-domesticating Blade Manufacturing?
One of the few remaining independent blade manufacturers, TPI, has reopened a plant in Iowa that will primarily produce blades for GE’s 2 MW platform. The manufacturer is also in the process of acquiring another US plant. Industry speculation suggests that plant could be used for GE or might produce blades for a different OEM.
So why would TPI move production back to the US? The quick and easy answer is to avoid pending/returning tariffs on imported products. But why hasn’t the market looked more favorably at TPI as it has steadily moved to reduce losses and - it seems apparent - move into a stronger position?
As with all things wind, there are a lot of factors at work here.
What’s going on with the Turkish market is one of the things that will influence TPI’s mid- to long-term plans. And the 45x, advanced manufacturing production tax credit is another factor. (See links below if you need to brush up on that.)
While this alone doesn’t signal a move to re-domesticate manufacturing in the renewables world, TPI’s unique position makes it worth watching.
For more on what we see as TPI’s most probable next steps, listen to this week’s episode.
It’s Layoff Time
After Equinor announced that it would eliminate 250 positions (mostly offshore) it may seem logical to blame US election results, given the incoming administration’s lack of support for renewables in general and wind in particular.
But Phil says, not so fast.
He says the ongoing struggle of reaching PPA agreements that support development while being at least somewhat palatable to energy consumers and the politicians who need their votes is part of the problem, but there’s much more to the picture.
In this week’s episode, we discuss the why behind layoff announcements, and also focus on the how: that is, how will the industry continue to develop the necessary technologies when engineering departments are being decimated?
No easy answers here, but we’ll give you some advice. Stay current with the industry and keep networking; it will serve you well.
What Do You Do at Work?
Really, we’d like to know. Mostly, we’re curious - is it Instagrammable? Spoiler alert: this could be the icebreaker topic during cocktail hour at Wind Energy O&M Australia.
What cocktail hour? Glad you asked. You don’t want to miss it…
More Reasons to Attend Wind Energy O&M Australia
We’re excited to host Wind Energy O&M Australia! And not just because there’s a cocktail hour 😉 In addition to excellent networking opportunities, the two-day technical conference will include:
Candid discussions with experts about operations, maintenance and budgeting
Preventative measures and practical takeaways to reduce blade repair costs
Ways to determine which O&M best practices are best for your operation
Useful knowledge regarding the repair, refurbishment, and asset performance of gearboxes
Productive tips on how to work collaboratively with an OEM
Book your travel and accommodations and let us know you’re coming!
Want to discuss sponsorship options or plan to meet up at the show? Contact us.
Watch this page for the up-to-date schedule.
The Uptime Wind Energy Podcast is brought to you by Weather Guard Lightning Tech.
⚡️ NEWS FLASH 12/2/24:
🎤 New Interview:
Interesting Finds From Around the Web
Equinor slashes 20% of renewables staff amid offshore wind downturn
The Crown Estate Backs Offshore Wind, Marine Research with GBP 7.3 Million
Return and Verified Announce First 100% Wind-Powered Direct Air Capture Hub
Startup program: Iberdrola Launches Challenge to Innovate Wind Measurement
Iberdrola invests in RTS startup to develop innovative materials for offshore
Understanding more about Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credits
POWER-UP: GE Cypress Blade Tip Swap-out, Vestas Load Probability Control
Wind Energy Stock Watch
Vestas (VWDRY) $5.03 USD
GE (GE) $180.72 USD
Siemens Energy AG (SMNEY) $53.86 USD
Goldwind (XJNGF) $.80 USD
Iberdrola (IBE.MC) €13.53 EUR
Nordex (NRDXF) $14.23 USD
Stock prices as of close Tuesday Dec 3, 2024. Note some stocks use OTC Delayed Price.
Stay informed: Each week we highlight wind energy news and the latest technology with insight from experts from around the world. If you learned something, please forward to a friend. If this newsletter was forwarded to you, subscribe now.
StrikeTape Ships with No-Maintenance Lightning Sensors
Wind operators need low-cost, maintenance lightning sensors because data from those sensors help in day-to-day operations, plus it’s useful when it’s time to file a claim. But sensors don’t protect your blades. Installing sensors and lightning protection is the best way to ensure your production now and over time.
That’s why we started shipping the EOLOGIX-PING sensor with StrikeTape. Because the sensor magnetizes to the turbine, it’s quick and easy to install - and in our tests, protection has been 100% effective. Here’s how it works.
Order StrikeTape with the sensor now: Contact Joel.saxum@wglightning.com
Download StrikeTape specs, rain erosion test results, aerodynamic assessment, and other test results here.
Field Notes: Your Input is Needed
Have you worked on a project that deserves a shout-out as a Wind Farm of the Week? Let us know! See some of the other wind farms we’ve featured in 2024 here.
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