Installation details on a 36-turbine Wisconsin wind farm

Bulter Ridge Wind Farm in Mayville, Wisconsin is adding to the 1,100 MW of new wind-power capacity installed in the first quarter of 2011.  Wisconsin-based electrical and specialty systems contractor, Faith Technologies, has provided the in-tower wiring and installed turbine foundation conduits and ground grid for all of the 36 1.5-MW wind turbines on 80-m towers. 

Project Manager Rick Vander Heiden of Faith Technologies shares the development and progress of the wind project in a recent article featured by Windpower Engineering & Development Magazine.  Read the full article to learn more...>

Fidelity Analyst on Wind's Sunny Future as an Energy Solution-OnWallStreet.com

A recent article featured in OnWallStreet.com provides an overview of the perceived competitiveness of wind energy in energy markets compared to other energy solutions.  Recent developments in natural gas continue to make natural gas a low cost alternative, considering recent "fracking" technologies. But, as denoted in the article, wind energy's advantages are significant, and with continued standardization and efficient modular designs, capital costs and dollar per KW for windpower will decrease, making wind an even more viable answer tfor energy solutions.  Siemens and Gamesa are leading the area in these designs, with new advancements consistently developed. 

Read the full article below:  

By Dave Lindorff

July 6, 2011

The wind is at the back of alternative energy and it has a sunny future that investors should prepare to capitalize on. That’s the word from Anna Davydova, portfolio manager of Fidelity Select Environment and Alternative Energy.

Davydova says she is bullish long-term about the alternative energy sector, which she says is reaching an “economic tipping point” where solar, wind and biofuels become truly competitive with traditional energy.”  

She bases her optimism on three factors:

One is a string of recent disasters, such as the BP well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, and the earthquake and tsunami-induced meltdowns of the nuclear plants at Fukushima, which she said have raised questions about “reliance on traditional energy sources, including fossil fuels like oil and nuclear energy.”

Another is the huge and growing demand for energy in emerging markets, with their massive populations.

The third driver she sees is rapidly developing technologies and “more compelling energy solutions,” which she said will provide “particularly compelling investment opportunities.”

Davydova said rising oil prices have provided “a positive as a backdrop” for alternative energy, with the most immediate beneficiary being biofuels, though solar and wind have also benefited, at least indirectly.

She said wind power is becoming "truly competitive" in a high natural gas price environment (such as 2007-08) or in countries where natural gas prices are high and that solar is "three to five years away," while biofuels are "closing the gap" to become competitive with oil.

Asked about a trend, particularly in the cash-strapped U.S., of declining federal and state government subsidies for alternative fuels, especially solar and wind, she said, “The renewable energy industry is transitioning from subsidy dependent markets towards large-scale, cost-competitive” adoption.

She added that ending subsidies is not necessarily bad for alternative energy, noting that in Germany, where such subsidies for solar power have been getting reduced every year for some time, “solar installations have increased six-fold over the past three years.” 

Meanwhile, she said, “Overall, declining global policy support has contributed to lower wind turbine and solar module prices,” with wind turbines down 15-20% in cost, and solar modules down in price by 60%.

Biofuels, meanwhile, which are also seeing subsidies cut, have been growing at a 30% compound annual rate over the past four years.

In the near term, Davydova sees the best opportunity for investors in the biofuels market, while longer term, she says, she sees “attractive long-term investment opportunities” for solar and wind, “particularly among the lowest cost manufacturers.”

"Wind Turbine Component Suppliers Experience Slow Growth In The U.S." Article by GLWN Executive Director Ed Weston

Executive Director of Great Lakes Wind Network, Ed Weston, shares the latest experiences of a slow supply chain growth for suppliers in Wind in his recent article featured on North American Windpower.  

Weston provides an action-orientated response to suppliers, with the opportunity to participate in conversations with supply chain leaders and policy experts in wind energy at GLWN's upcoming 2011 Wind Summit "Making it Here" in Cleveland, Ohio on July 13th-14th. 

Read the article and register for the convention to find out more.  

Mike Manna, General Manager of Milwaukee Machine Works, shares his views on alternative energy

                                

At the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) WINDPOWER 2011 Show in Anaheim, CA, Mike Manna, General Manager of Milwaukee Machine Works shared with Today's Energy Solutions (TES) some thoughts on alternative energy. 

Milwaukee Machine Works has been an Alliance member of Wisconsin Wind Works since 2010.  Find out more about Milwaukee Machine Works, a division of Cleveland Gear, Inc. on their directory listing at the Wisconsin Wind Works Supply Chain Directory. 

Freshwater Wind 2011: Sponsored by Alliance Member Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

Alliance Member Michael Best & Friedrich LLP sponsors the 2nd Annual Freshwater Wind 2011 Conference on Offshore Wind Development in the Great Lakes in Detroit, Michigan on July 18-19th.

Agenda to include a keynote address from Jim Lanard, President of the OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION on Offshore Wind Project Status & Update. Agenda also features panel discussions on 'After the 2010 Elections—Impacts on Energy
Policies and the Role of Freshwater Wind in Economic Development in the Great Lakes Region', 'Progress in Assessing the Environmental Impact of Offshore Wind Development in the Great Lakes' and 'Siting and Permitting in the Great Lakes Region'.  

Conference also will host international and national leaders in offshore wind.  See the full agenda for details.  Register today for this great event sponsored by one of Wisconsin Wind Works' premier Alliance members, Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP.

Wisconsin Wind Works Welcomes New Alliance Member: Orchid Monroe LLC

Orchid Monroe, LLC is the newest member of the Wisconsin Wind Works Alliance, now totaling 23 premier suppliers and manufacturers to Wind Energy in Wisconsin and beyond.  Orchid Monroe LLC, located in Monroe, Wisconsin, specializes in the manufacturing of high quality generator, motor and transformer electrical steel laminations and sub assemblies.

Orchid Monroe, a division of Orchid International, maintains a customer focused plant that drives value into our customer’s products through efficient manufacturing methods and engineering partnerships.

See more on Orchid Monroe on their web site at www.orchidinternational.com/. And, learn more about Orchid on their Wisconsin Wind Works directory listing. 

Keep up to date on all Alliance members on the Wisconsin Wind Works web site and the Wisconsin Wind Works LinkedIn Group.  

Offshore Wind has no significant effect on tourism levels, study shows

A Grand State University study group in West Michigan has researched the proposed effects of offshore wind on tourism only to report no relatively significant effect in the minds of visitors to locations with offshore wind. 

Using existing European offshore wind locations and studying tourism perceptions and change in tourism rates, no significant level of harm or help to tourism was reported. 

This study contradicts expected assumptions of some that offshore wind could cause decreases in tourism within states bordering offshore wind farms, particularly affecting the Great Lakes States which rely heavily on tourism for investment throughout year.  Despite the study, it is believed offshore wind will take years to be realized within the Great Lakes.

Read the full article here.