North American Clean Energy - September October 2010

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 5

Connecting Renewable Energy to the Electric Transmission GridHVDC Technology

Geophysics & Geothermal Exploration

Getting the Highest Solar Module Quality& PerformanceHow and why PTC Ratings work

Optimizing Wind Turbine Controls

PLUS Show in Print features:• Solar Power International• CanWEA 2010• 2010 Geothermal Energy Expo

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NACE September October 2010 Digital.indd 3 9/13/10 2:06 PM

4 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010 nacleanenergy.com

contents

Solar energy 10

Wind energy 33

Show in Print: Solar PowerInternational 52

Investing in clean energy 96

Show-in-Print:CanWEA 2010 98

Geothermal energy 112

Geothermal EnergyExpo 2010 115

BioPower 122

Hydro and Marineenergy 126

Events calendar 129

departments

06 NACE News

08 Treasury Publishes New Q&A as Year-end Deadline Approaches

10 What You Should Know About Financing a Solar Project in Today’s Market

12 A Turning Point for the Concentrated Solar Power Industry: Delivering bankable energy solutions

14 Solar Racking, IBC & Taking the Time to Protect Yourself

15 Solar products

18 The Key to Getting the Highest Solar Module Quality & Performance

20 Thermostats vs. Hygrostats: Condensation control in electronic enclosures

22 Smarter Management of Solar Power

26 Key Benefits of Roll Form Technology

28 Connecting Renewable Energy to the Electric Transmission Grid

33 The Future of Wind Energy

34 Optimizing Wind Turbine Controls: Isn’t it time to do it?

36 Benefits of Type Certification for Wind Turbines: Three steps to get started

38 Case Study: Historic Transmission Project

40 Choosing the Right Wind Turbine Lubricant to Optimize Production

42 Critical Surface Preparation for Clean Energy Applications

46 Offshore Wind and the Canadian Market

48 Wind products

96 Government Recapture Rights under ARRA’s Renewable Energy Grant Program

112 Geothermal Exploration: Using geophysics to reduce risk

113 Geothermal Heat Pumps Thrive in Today’s Environment

122 Biomass Heat is Not Coal

123 BioPower products

124 Maintaining a Competitive Edge in the Biomass Industry: Flexible material handling solutions

126 Small Hydropower: A renewable resource that could sweep the nation

128 Hydro and Marine products

On the cover: Canadian Solar announced this

1.12 MW solar installation at the Mineta San José

International Airport in May 2010.

Cover photo courtesy of Canadian Solar

www.canadiansolar.com

September / October 2010Volume 4, Number 5

EDITOR

Michelle [email protected]

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VOLUME 4 ISSUE 5

Connecting Renewable Energy to the Electric Transmission GridHVDC TechnologyHVDC Technology

Optimizing Wind Turbine ControlsTurbine Controls

Geophysics & Geothermal Exploration

Connecting Renewable

Getting the Highest Solar Module Quality& PerformanceHow and why PTC Ratings work

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 5

PLUS Show in Print features:• Solar Power International• CanWEA 2010• Geothermal Energy Expo 2010 Conference & Expo

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editor's note

news bites

You’ve likely heard the expression ‘making some-thing out of nothing.’ Well, it seems new research is attempting to do just that. In the ongoing search for renewable energy sources, scientists are trying to harness and harvest electricity out of mid air. Although air would appear to consist of a whole lot of nothing, turns out it is actually full of electrical charges. Presented in a report at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) earlier this year, Fernando Galembeck (a PhD from the University of Campinas in Sao Paolo, Brazil) and his team not only debunked the myth that water

droplets in the atmosphere are electrically neutral, even after touching charged dust particles or other liquid droplets, but they also found that water in the atmosphere picks up charges. They proved this by measuring the charge of silica and aluminum phosphate, two common airborne substances. When the air is humid, silica turns negative and the aluminum phosphate gets a more positive charge—knowledge that one day may even be used to solve and control lightening strikes.

Moreover, this research of “harnessing hygroelectricity” could eventually be devel-oped into an alternative source of energy. Much like rooftop solar panels, imagine a ceiling of hygroelectricity collectors at home or in the offi ce. “Our research could pave the way for turning electricity from the atmosphere into an alternative energy source for the future,” said lead scientist, Galembeck. “Just as solar energy could free some households from paying electric bills, this promising new energy source could have a similar effect.” (source: www.sciencedaily.com)

At a time when the economy is still recovering (or reeling, depending on how you look at it), affecting jobs and project fi nancing, and oil spills continue to hit the news (with yet another, smaller rig exploding into in the Gulf of Mexico at the beginning of

September), it’s nice to imagine a future where something as signifi cant as energy could be made, seemingly, out of nothing.

This issue, we focus on many positives including the bankable energy solutions solar power and, especially, the Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) industry are now begin-ning to offer; the future of wind energy, including the world’s largest wind energy project or contract ever signed by a US utility, the Alta Wind Energy Center (AWEC) in California, which will have the capacity to generate 1,550 megawatts of renewable energy; and, the promise of geothermal exploration.

We also look at legislation, from the ARRA cash grants to the recently proposed rules for the reduction of boiler emissions by the US Environmental Protection Agency, which, at fi rst sound quite environmentally progressive. However, they do not differentiate the growing biomass heat industry or biomass-fueled heating systems (be sure to check out page 122).

As I imagine a near-perfect future, I leave you with a letter from one of our readers. I realize I’m circling back to the BP oil spill (discussed at length in my note last issue), but building the future takes time, and all of us:

I enjoyed reading your editor’s note from the July/August 2010 edition of NACE. It’s amazing to me, but I do feel many people aren’t (in spite of all the coverage) really taking in just how destructive an event this oil spill is. Your numbers show it, and, more importantly, your note tells us all how to get involved. I think that last point is sorely lacking from all the talk that comes from Washington, BP, and the President himself. Time to write a letter to my congressman, or check out www.matteroftrust.org. ~ Bill P.

There’s a quote that goes, “When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.” ~John M. Richardson, Jr.

Remember to get involved. Michelle Froese

Facts about wind energy’semissions savingsIn an attempt to set the record straight in the battle between facts about wind energy and fossil fuels, the American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) recent data and analysis have demonstrated that the emissions savings from adding wind energy to the grid are even larger than had been commonly thought. In addition to each kWh of wind energy directly offsetting a kWh that would have been produced by a fossil-fi red power plant, new analysis show that wind plants further reduce emissions by forcing the most polluting and infl exible power plants offl ine and causing them to be replaced by more effi cient and fl exible types of generation.

Read more at www.awea.org/newsroom/pdf/08-27-10-Wind_and_emissions_response.pdf.

AWEA | www.awea.org

DOE funds algal biofuels researchThe US Department of Energy (DOE) announced the investment of up to $24 mil-lion this past summer for three research groups to tackle key hurdles in the commer-cialization of algae-based biofuels. The selections will support the development of a clean, sustainable transportation sector—a goal of the Department’s continued effort to spur the creation of the domestic bio-industry while creating jobs. Developing cost-effective renewable transportation fuels is a key component of the Administra-tion’s strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions and move the nation toward energy independence.

“The United States must fi nd effective ways to hasten the development of technol-ogies for advanced biofuels made from algae and other renewable resources to reduce our need for foreign sources of oil,” said Assistant Secretary for Energy Effi ciency and Renewable Energy Cathy Zoi.

The three consortia selected for funding are: • Sustainable Algal Biofuels Consortium (Mesa, Arizona);• Consortium for Algal Biofuels Commercialization (San Diego, California); and• Cellana, LLC Consortium (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii).

Department of Energy (DOE) | www1.eere.energy.gov

Tool to connect the solar supply chainThe International PV Equipment Association (IPVEA), an independent, non-profi t organization of manufacturers and suppliers of photovoltaic fabrication equipment and related raw materials, introduces the PV Matrix, an innovative new solar supply chain tool. The IPVEA Matrix illustrates and links the complete PV Value Chain. Located online, the tool is designed to provide a central source of information to connect the solar industry.

The PV Matrix separates solar technology into four main segments: silicon, or-ganic, R&D, and installation and power generation. Each segment expands to show categories within that technology. For example, silicon expands to raw material to wafer, wafer to cell, and cell to modules. From there, each subsection further breaks down. This is benefi cial because it simplifi es technology and allows visitors to fi nd specifi c information and locate key suppliers. Visitors and suppliers can both work and interact with other companies. Companies listed on the PV Matrix can also im-prove their networks, as well as company sales, profi le, and exposure to the PV in-dustry. Additionally, the Matrix provides customizable microsites where visitors can view image libraries, data sheets, white papers, product brochures, videos, and more.

Check it out at www.matrix.ipvea.org.

International Photovoltaic Equipment Association (IPVEA) | www.ipvea.org

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Treasury Publishes New Q&A as Year-end Deadline ApproachesBy Leah S Karlov & Joanna Grossman

The year-end deadline is quickly approaching for new renewable energy projects to start construction to qualify for the federal cash grant in lieu of the 30%

investment tax credit. Because renewable energy projects receiving cash grants must reach certain development milestones (including site control, procurement arrange-ments, locking in funding, and environmental reviews) before breaking ground, a great deal of attention is focused on what it means to start construction for purposes of meeting the year-end deadline. In addition to earlier guidance, on June 24th, 2010, the US Treasury published a series of questions and answers (the “Q&As”) clarifying what it means to start construction for purposes of the cash grant.

BackgroundSection 1603 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides cash grants to owners (and, in some cases, lessees) of solar, wind, and certain other renewable energy projects, the construction of which begins by December 31st, 2010. Construction is treated as having begun when either: 1) physical work of a signifi cant nature has begun; or 2) costs have been paid or incurred that satisfy a 5% safe harbor.

Physical work of a signifi cant natureProbably the most important news in the Q&As is a warning that “Treasury will closely scrutinize any construction activity that does not involve a continuous pro-gram of construction or a contractual obligation to undertake and complete within a reasonable time, a continuous program of construction.” Treasury provided this warning in the context of acknowledging that laying the foundation for a single wind turbine generator will satisfy the requirement construction has commenced for a 50-turbine project. The warning is equally applicable to solar and other re-newable energy projects. Consequently, project sponsors and investors may be more inclined to rely on the 5% safe harbor to avoid the risk construction delays could preclude cash grant eligibility.

The Q&As provide additional examples of what constitutes physical work of a signifi cant nature while, at the same time, clarifying the boundary between eligible electrical generation equipment and ineligible transmission assets. For example, the Q&As clarify that physical work on a transformer that steps up the voltage of electricity produced at a facility is considered physical work of a signifi cant nature because such equipment is specifi ed energy property. In contrast, work on a trans-mission tower does not count as physical work of a signifi cant nature because trans-mission equipment is not specifi ed energy property.

Another example addresses roads built on the construction site. Roads integral to the qualifi ed facility (e.g. onsite roads that move materials to be processed and roads to operate or maintain the facility) are specifi ed energy property. Starting construc-tion on these integral roads will satisfy the commencement of construction standard. However, roads that provide access to the site and roads used solely for employee and visitor vehicles do not constitute specifi ed energy property and, consequently, commencing construction of those roads cannot be counted as beginning construc-tion. Similarly, clearing land or erecting fences does not qualify as physical work of a signifi cant nature; nor does dismantling an existing facility to build a new one.

Work carried out pursuant to a binding contract with a third-party contractor or component vendor may count if the work commences after the contract is entered into. Work performed on inventory of a supplier produced or manufactured before the contract was entered into cannot be counted as physical work of a signifi cant nature. If a binding written contract is entered into with a supplier that produces the same goods for multiple customers, the contractor must be able to demonstrate when the work began with respect to the particular property that will be delivered to the applicant. For this purpose, the supplier may use any reasonable and consist-ent method to allocate work between customers.

Five percent safe harborUnder the 5% safe harbor, commencement of construction is deemed to oc-cur when more than fi ve percent of the eligible property costs have been paid or incurred. Without elaboration, the Q&As states that the 5% safe harbor will be satisfi ed when fi ve percent or more of the total cost of eligible property is paid or incurred. Costs incurred for ineligible property such as perimeter fencing, transmis-sion and interconnection, buildings, employee parking, and other ineligible prop-erty will not count.

In general, costs are not treated as incurred for purposes of the 5% safe harbor until purchased property or services are delivered or title to the property passes to the applicant (the so-called “economic performance” rules). When relying on the work of a contractor to satisfy the 5% safe harbor, the applicant may treat costs as paid or incurred when costs are paid or incurred by the contractor. Applicants may also include costs paid or incurred by a supplier that is manufacturing property or components for the applicant pursuant to a binding written contract. As with the physical work of a signifi cant nature standard, costs must be incurred after the binding written contract is entered into, and must be reasonably allocated to the specifi ed energy property of the applicant. The ability to treat costs incurred by a supplier as if they were incurred by the applicant only applies to those contracting directly with the applicant. Consequently, costs incurred by a component supplier to a contractor will not be treated as incurred until the components are provided to the contractor (not as the costs are paid or incurred by the supplier). Treasury has also clarifi ed that the cost of components will be treated as having been incurred when title to the components is transferred to the applicant, even though compo-nents may be stored at the manufacturer’s premises.

Additionally, the Q&As reiterate it is not suffi cient to show an applicant reasonably expected costs incurred by December 31st, 2011 to exceed fi ve percent of the project costs. Rather, the costs incurred must be equal to or greater than fi ve percent of the actual total cost of the specifi ed energy property. If a project includes multiple units of specifi ed energy property (e.g., multiple wind turbine generators) and less than fi ve percent of the cost of the eligible property in the entire project has been incurred before year’s-end, an applicant can elect to treat the project as including less than all the units of property and apply for a cash grant on that lesser number.

What’s next?At this point, developers and lenders are rushing to get construction of their pro-jects started to meet the December 31st, 2010 deadline. As for alternatives, legisla-tion has been introduced in Congress to provide a refundable 30% tax credit with respect to qualifi ed projects the construction of which commences before Janu-ary 1st, 2013, and which are placed in service before specifi ed termination dates. Though, in some respects, the refundable credit would provide greater fl exibility than the cash grant program, a signifi cant drawback is the tax refund could be de-layed. Instead of being paid within 60 days following submission of a completed ap-plication, as is currently the practice with the cash grant, the tax refund would not be paid until some time after the due date of the applicant’s tax return for the tax year in which the property is placed in service. At this point, we are assuming that for purposes of applying the commencement of construction requirement of the proposed legislation, the existing guidance and Q&As would remain applicable.

Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP | www.milbank.com

Joanna Grossman is an associate in the Tax Department of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP.

Leah S. Karlov is Of Counsel in the Tax Department of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP.

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A quiet, yet critical, evolution is taking place within the fi nancial landscape for solar projects. During the

last year, fi nancing conditions improved as more investors and banks stood ready to bankroll solar photovoltaic (PV) projects. On the other hand, this positive effect was somewhat dampened by incentive levels dropping faster than anticipated or, in some cases, those incentives being suspended or even eliminated altogether. One thing is clear: expect to see a fl urry of activity in the last quarter of 2010, as everybody tries to get the maximum amount of megawatts in the ground ahead of the federal grant expiration.

Despite this uncertainty, securing the fi nancing for these PV projects might not be as diffi cult as it was one to two years ago. There are several reasons why investors and banks have fallen in love (albeit not passionately) again with solar PV. First and foremost, photovoltaics truly are a proven technology. The fi rst solar installations implemented decades ago are still functioning and producing ahead of budget. Secondly, this proven technology also happens to generate very stable, predictable, and transparent cash fl ows—a critical characteristic that every investor appreciates and values. Lastly, and perhaps in response to the subprime credit excesses of the recent past, the fi nancial community values the concept of deploying capital in projects that return a tangible benefi t to society.

Nevertheless, there are obvious downsides to investing in solar PV, specifi cally in the United States where no Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) exists. Having made the decision to explore renewable energy, most customers do not buy a PV

installation on a balance sheet, but rather opt for a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) under which a specialized company will buy and fi nance the installation for them, and sell the electricity output back at a pre-agreed price. Compared with a typical solar PV project in Germany, or in the Canadian province of Ontario (or any other region with a FiT in place), there are two considerable downsides to this approach when it comes to fi nancing the installation.

First, and most obviously, we are no longer talking about government-backed cash fl ows with a little bit of production risk. PPA-fi nancings are non-recourse loans exposed to corporate credit risk. Secondly, and probably more importantly, there is no such thing as a standard PPA. Combined with the plethora of state and local incentives out there, this means that any serious investor will have to go through a lengthy due diligence process before committing a single cent to a project. Given the comparatively small amounts of money involved in solar PV fi nancings (e.g., a 500 kWp installation requires around $2 to $2.5 million), this means investing a huge amount of intellectual capital on a per dollar basis.

This complexity is frequently underestimated by people new to the industry (or new to the US market). Inexperienced project developers or integrators all too often bring “unfi nanceable” PV projects to investors. In reaction, during the last year, investors have been channeling more and more of their dollars toward the “institutional” developers, seeking a sense of security in these companies because of their size, proven track-record, and strong balance sheets.

What You Should Know About Financing a Solar Project in Today’s MarketBy Wim Goethals

Pioneer Union Elementary School District’s solar farms qualifi ed for an estimated $2.8 million in accelerated depreciation and federal tax incentives, and another $1.4 million in cash rebates through the California Solar Initiative (CSI) program.

Going on the Offensive: Understand what impacts fi nancing decisionsGoing on the offensive should not, however, discourage new entrants or small developers. As the old sports adage goes: sometimes the best defense is a good offense. Such an approach begins by understanding the top drivers that impact how—or if—a solar project gets fi nanced.

Doing so means asking some tough questions. For example:

Does the project actually “pencil out?”When fi nancing a solar PV project, investors will assume corporate credit risk, energy production risk, project documentation risk, and tax risk. They will expect to earn a little bit more than just the Treasury rate (or a corporate bond for that matter). It is important to be realistic.

Is the PPA a fi nanceable contract? This is the tricky one. Since a signifi cant part of the value of the incentives is tax-driven, care has to be given that these tax benefi ts end up with the party that can use them. Retain legal counsel to make sure the PPA respects all the rules and regulations regarding pricing of these contracts, buyout options, and other service components.

Is the customer fi nanceable? In essence, through a PPA, you’re fi nancing the customer. In general, the customer will need to be investment-grade or better.

How fi nanceable is the EPC contractor and technology? The partner actually installing the PV system and guaranteeing the successful function and performance over the contract’s lifetime must have a proven track record of success and a strong balance sheet. Experienced developers put their contractors through a rigorous partner screening process using criteria such as:• Has the company implemented this

type of project before?• Are the company’s projects still

operating as they should?• Does the company have the fi nancial

strength and wherewithal to see the project through to the end?

• Does the company share the same values and business strategies?

With any one of the above components missing or out of synch, it would be diffi cult to obtain fi nancing for a solar project in today’s market.

Yet, the evolution continues. Any realistic developer or investor knows that there are no federally mandated, nationwide incentives on the horizon. With that knowledge, the solar energy landscape in the US will belong to

those individuals and companies willing to embrace the complexities of solar fi nancing on a state-by-state basis—in each case performing the relentless, but wholly necessary due diligence so that the resulting solar PV projects deliver solid fi nancial benefi ts and, arguably, more importantly, establish a base of clean, renewable energy.

Wim Goethals serves as Head of Finance Americas for Enfi nity America Corporation. Enfi nity fi nances, develops, builds, operates, and maintains commercial solar energy systems.

Enfinity America Corporationwww.enfinitycorp.com


solar energy

The potential for the concentrated solar power (CSP) industry to generate elec-tricity has been discussed for years, but the ability to deliver on that potential

has never been as good as it is today. The International Energy Agency reported in May 2010 that CSP could provide 11.3% of global electricity by 2050. Mean-while, the market for CSP plants is expected to grow by 20% annually over the next decade, reaching an estimated installed capacity of more than 20 gigawatts by 2020. States like California and nations like Australia, India, and South Africa are establishing bold renewable energy goals that can only be met with signifi cant input from CSP technologies. Clearly, there is a vast global market for CSP.

However, the industry is at a turning point. Many large projects have been an-nounced and power purchase agreements (PPAs) have been signed, yet there have been numerous delays and cancellations, and diffi culties in obtaining project fi nanc-ing are creating roadblocks. The key to capitalizing on the market opportunity lies in the ability to get projects fi nanced, and that requires CSP companies to deliver on price and performance promises. Essentially, from a lender’s perspective, the key questions relate to reliability, cost, and performance as follows…

How reliable is the technology?Demonstrating the reliability of CSP technology is essential. Actual operating plants with historical performance data are the best proof point. Certifi cations by credible and independent entities are essential to reinforce the claims made by technology players. For example, AREVA Solar has used its Kimberlina plant to demonstrate the reliability of its Compact Linear Fresnel Refl ector (CLFR) technology, resulting in the company becoming the fi rst solar steam boiler manufacturer to receive the “S” Stamp Certifi cation from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Getting this kind of third-party certifi cation would have been impossible without having a fi eld installation producing electricity daily. Other CSP fi rms like eSolar and BrightSource have also built demonstration plants to prove their technology.

A prudent approach to reducing risk is to build progressively larger plants so magnifying their scale is not as daunting. The success of these relatively smaller projects reassures traditionally risk-averse utilities that a technology is ready to provide reliable service in today’s market. For example, the successful implementa-tion of solar steam augmentation at the Liddell Power Station in Australia gave the Australian government enough confi dence in the technology to commit funding to-ward a 44 MW booster project at the coal-fi red Kogan Creek Power Station. Prov-ing reliability greatly increases the chance that such projects will be funded.

Does the price provide a good return?Numerous large projects have been announced in the past several years, but they haven’t always come to fruition. Many projects secure PPAs at prices that make the returns on the project marginal, so any unforeseen cost increases make the project unviable. This industry problem is what Greentech Media Research analyst Brett Prior pointed to in his recent posting, “A signed PPA isn’t enough. Why? Economics.”

Prior states: “Many of these PPAs have prices that won't allow for a reasonable return for the equity investor (8% to 9% unlevered, or 13% to 16% levered) and, as such, they likely won't be able to attract the funds required to build the project.”

Companies need to be realistic about their pricing outlook and build in con-tingencies for cost and schedule overruns. PPAs are important, but success as an industry will be measured by an ability to provide high-performance installations at

a competitive price. Put sim-ply, can we deliver?

The answer: yes. We’ve seen the photovoltaic sector

lower costs as technologies have advanced and the supply chain has been stream-lined. The same trend is expected in CSP as more plants get built and large indus-trial players bring their supply chain and scale effi ciencies to these projects. This will allow fi rms to provide market-competitive pricing with assured returns for the investor.

Who is guaranteeing delivery and performance?Unsteady fi nancial markets and uncertain tax policies have led to a situation where many projects, even when they get private fi nancing, are structured in such a man-ner that the room for error and the chances for a safe return are slim. To put this in perspective, since 2002 slightly more than 50% of renewable projects have either been delayed or cancelled, according to the California Public Utilities Commission. After ‘transmission,’ ‘fi nancing’ was cited as the top barrier to development.

Since there are market and technology risks that could jeopardize returns, CSP companies need to be able to offer customers credible schedule and performance guarantees. Because many CSP companies are start-ups, they do not have the strong balance sheet needed to provide credible guarantees that would enable them to secure project fi nancing.

That is why some CSP companies are seeking to pair their technology with the fi nancial backing of large, industrial players. In March, AREVA purchased the CSP start-up Ausra to form AREVA Solar. Similarly, Siemens purchased Israel’s Solel in October 2009, and Alstom recently announced a minority stake in BrightSource. The fi nancial backing of these major players is needed to signal to power customers that CSP projects can provide safe returns on an investment.

In the end, credibility based on execution and fi nancial strength will likely be the critical factor for success in the industry. As project fi nancing shakes out, it’s antici-pated the market will be dominated by a few strong players that can successfully answer investors’ make-or-break questions.

Jayesh Goyal is the VP of North American Sales for Mountain View, California-based AREVA Solar, Inc.

AREVA Solar, Inc. | www.areva.com

A Turning Point for the

Concentrated Solar Power

Industry Delivering bankable

energy solutionsBy Jayesh Goyal

The Kimberlina Solar Thermal Power Plant in Bakersfi eld, California is the fi rst new CSP plant to come online in California in nearly 20 years, and the fi rst in the US to utilize Compact Linear Fresnel Refl ector (CLFR) technology.

This 9 MW solar steam system boosts power at the coal-fi red Liddell Power Station in New South Wales, Australia, making it the world’s fi rst solar/coal-fi red augmentation facility in the world.

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Modular Solar Racking for Ground and Roof Mounts

The US market, once the leader in solar energy manufacturing and

development around the world, has recently lost its lead. However, energy experts in Europe predict the US will likely surpass Japan and Germany in solar power market share in years to come, making it the largest photovol-taic (PV) market on the globe. In fact, despite a rocky economy in 2009, the US PV industry still managed to ex-pand by 38% in installed capacity while total installed cost of solar systems dropped by 10%.

The design of mounting systems for solar installations of all types should follow the lat-est building codes to provide owners, investors, insurance companies, and municipalities with security that the systems will be safe over the lifetime of the structure. Unfortunately, the codes have not been able to keep up with the rapid development within the industry; thereby, leaving designers with a lot of room for interpretation and uncertainty. Rigorous structural analysis of the racking systems cannot only ensure stakeholders of the integrity of a system, but also yield signifi cant potential for optimization, as well as cost savings.

In the United States, the governing body for all structural design pertaining to build-ings is the International Building Code (IBC). At the moment, the 2006 Edition is still widely used in the building industry while the 2009 Edition was recently issued. With spe-cifi c regard to minimum design loads for buildings and other structures, the IBC refers to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Standard 7. This standard addresses the calculations of design loads for dead, wind, and snow loads, which are generally the most common for solar power installations in the majority of states within the US.

In order to perform the design in accordance with IBC, the following questions have to be answered fi rst:

In which state is the system located and in what municipality or zip code will it be constructed? These questions are very important as wind and snow conditions vary signifi cantly throughout the United States.

Is the system roof- or ground-mounted? For roof-mounted structures, the PV system is generally considered a component of an existing building; whereas, for ground-mounted structures, the PV installation is consid-

ered a building itself. The way wind infl uences the system and, hence, the design forces are very different in either case. The building code clearly prohibits the designer from assuming a component to be designed as a building itself unless it is over 700 ft2, which is generally never the case for a roof-mounted solar installation.

Next on the list of information needed are the surroundings of the project site.

Is the site located on the seashore, on open fi elds with scattered obstructions, or in a forest or a city center? Depending whether or not the approaching wind will encounter obstructions before meeting with the structure has a big infl uence on forces exerted on the system, and even snow accumulation around solar panels.

Once all questions are answered, the design work can begin. The wind speed can now be converted into a wind pressure and factors for wind direction, gust effect, structure height, exposure, terrain, and structural importance have to be applied. The magnitude of these coeffi cients also depends on the size of the installation. ASCE 7 provides charts and tables to aid in the design, but the decision of which graph to use is in part left to the designer.

After the wind loads are determined, they have to be combined with the snow and dead loads using load factors provided by the IBC. Each member has to be designed separately taking into account its geometry, location within the system, and material properties. The structural analysis will then yield forces that have to be transferred to the underlying building structure in case of roof-mounted installations, or to the soil for ground-mounted arrays. In the latter case, soil tests, including tests for corrosion po-tential, need to be performed to ensure a safe and economical design that can endure a design life of 20 to 30 years.

The building code also allows for the use of wind tunnel tests to assess the wind loads on structures such as PV systems on roofs. Seeing that solar power systems on roofs have become popular only in recent years, wind tunnel tests can be very useful to assess loads on the systems if they are performed correctly. While the code provides requirements how they should be performed, it is often hard for a building or for permit offi cials to determine whether or not the assumptions made are appropriate. For wind tunnel tests to be adequate and code compliant, they have to be performed using a boundary layer model, which accounts for variations in wind speed with height and models turbulent wind conditions as found around building structures correctly.

The most common wind tunnel tests used in the car industry employ only laminar fl ow regimens, which are not representative of conditions around buildings and generally yield lower design forces. Building offi cials need to be aware of the various tests available to make an educated decision about structural design calculations provided by designers.

Solar PV installations represent a large investment for developers and owners of systems. Rigorous structural analysis in support of the design of these systems in accordance with the local building codes provides stakeholders of PV systems with the necessary security that the system will be safe over its entire lifetime.

It is very important for owners of sys-tems and building offi cials to request de-tailed structural analysis to ensure a safe design over the lifetime of the structure, so the potential for failures of systems during extreme weather events, as well as the im-pact to life and property can be minimized. Offi cials, developers, and owners should not hesitate to ask the racking manufac-turer for detailed calculations in addition to standard verbiage letters stating that the codes were followed. After all, any failure of a system will not only result in potential loss of property, investment, and human life, but will inevitably also taint a still young but fast growing industry as a whole.

Wolfgang Fritz, Ph.D., P.E. is the vice president of engineering for Schletter Inc.

Schletter Inc. | www.schletter.us

Solar Racking, IBC & Taking the Time to Protect YourselfBy Wolfgang Fritz

solar energy

Solar converter step-up transformerPacifi c Crest Transformers offers the SPSU photovoltaic solar converter step-up transformer, ideal for con-necting solar farms to the electricity grid at large-scale solar power instal-lations. Reliable and effi cient, the SPSU is uniquely designed for the additional loading associated with non-sinusoidal harmonic frequen-cies often found in inverter-driven transformers. An innovative system of multiple windings reduces trans-former costs and minimizes trans-former footprint by combining the step-up function to fewer transform-ers than other systems. The SPSU model features circular windings that spread the radial forces evenly over their circumference and have cooling ducts throughout the coils, eliminat-ing hot spots that lead to premature breakdown and transformer failure. Coil end blocking with heavy duty three-gauge steel bracing and pro-prietary pressure plates contains the axial forces exerted during a fault condition. These forces can cause telescoping of the coils, shorten-ing transformer life. Designed and constructed to meet and exceed earthquake standards, the SPSU PV solar converter step-up transformer also incorporates a variety of fl uids, including less fl ammable fl uids re-quired for enclosed applications. Pacific Crest Transformerswww.pacificcresttrans.com

Solar thermal solutionsSolar Skies Mfg. is now offering a full line of stainless steel, high-performance storage and drain back tanks and components. The tanks are: SRCC OG300 certifi ed; easy to install and maintain; available with or without heat exchangers; made of a durable outer shell for rust and impact resistance; environmentally safe and CFC-free; and, offer water blown insulation. Solar Skies Mfg., LLC manufactures solar thermal collectors and distributes solar tanks and components for both residential and commercial use. The SRCC-rated collec-tors and solar tanks are offered in a multiple of series and a wide range of sizes. To ensure they continue to offer valued services and products to customers, Solar Skies has relocated to a 40,000-square-foot facility, designed to support lean manufacturing principles, which ultimately deliver greater value and turn-around time.Solar Skies | www.solarskies.com


solar energy

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© 2010. RSA is a registered trade name of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada.“RSA” and the RSA logo are trademarks used under license from RSA Insurance Group plc.

PV coating technology & vacuum solutions Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum presents the UNIVEX research and experimental coating system, along with their new DRYVAC pump systems. The full-line vacuum portfolio supports all manufacturing processes within PV applications in the rough, medium, high, and ultra-high vacuum regime. Pumping technologies, systems, and services include components, standardized systems, and fully customized vacuum solutions. The product range comprises oil sealed rotary vane and piston pumps, dry compressing and oil-free pumps, vacuum boosters, turbomolecular, oil diffusion and cryogenic vacuum pumps, as well as standard and customized research coating systems. From the research stages of PV and nano technologies, Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum offers customers op-timized vacuum solutions, driving down cost of ownership and enhancing production reliability and profi tability. Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum www.oerlikon.com/leybold | www.leyboldchampion.com

Micro-inverter for monocrystalline & polycrystalline PV modulesDirect Grid Technologies, LLC has announced a new series of OEM grid-tie micro-inverters that mate to a variety of monocrystalline and polycrystalline type modules. The DGM-S250 offers a power output of 250 watts, and the DGM-S460 offers an unprecedented 460 watts. Similar to its predecessor, the DGA Series, the DGM Series units use Direct Grid’s unique closed-loop MOSFET planar architecture, which offers high power and excellent thermal management—resulting in unparal-leled effi ciency and reliability. The DGM-S250 is designed to mate with a single 60 cell 210-240 watt module while the DGM-S460 is suited to mate with a two 60 cell 210-240 watt modules. For original equipment manufacturers, power tracking voltage inputs can be modifi ed to suit custom maximum power point ranges. The SMART DGM Series also includes Echelon communication that permits each micro-inverter in the network to communicate with a remote ac-cess node. Power data, temperature, diagnostics, and unique identifi cation code are routinely collected from each micro-inverter, and this network com-munication provides theft deterrence. The resulting data can be graphically presented to end-users for easy system monitoring. Certifi cations targeted for the DGM Series will include UL1741/IEEE1547, VDE 0126, FCC Part15, and CE. Direct Grid Technologies, LLCwww.directgrid.com

17North American Clean Energy

Will your module last?Put it to the test.

Combining the advancements in environmental chamber and xenonsolar simulation technology, the XR360 comes in three models withcapacity to test more than 90% of current PV modules.

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Introducing the new Atlas XR360 PV Module Weather Durability Testing System

Your company may be a market leader, but are yourproducts ready for the long haul? One sure way to know isto employ Atlas testing products and services designedspecifically for the solar energy market. With our proprietaryAtlas 25PLUS Comprehensive Test Program, we can determinehow PV modules will stand up to UV, salt spray corrosion,moisture, heat, freezing temperatures and extreme outdoorconditions. Put the elements to work for you and gain areputation for reliability and durability.

Visit www.solardurability.com today to request a freewhite paper on the Atlas 25PLUS program.

Encapsulation for semiconductor & solar applicationsGreene, Tweed is continuing to en-able the next generation of semicon-ductor and solar technology, expand-ing their ProTechna encapsulation capability to provide the ultimate level of protection in critical applica-tions. ProTechna safeguards sensitive components, eliminating direct ex-posure to damaging conditions such as temperature, plasma, chemical, and abrasion. This enhanced protec-tion minimizes harmful particulation, extends operational service life, and maximizes production capabilities.

As part of the company’s portfolio of OpTegra integrated solutions, Greene, Tweed’s ProTechna capabil-ity offers custom solutions that solve critical environmental challenges to maximize production. Their engi-neers evaluate each customer applica-tion, providing technical expertise to select the material and design a solution with the ultimate level of protection and performance for criti-cal components. From process doors to chamber lids and gates, ProTechna shields components from aggres-sive chemical and thermal attack in semiconductor and solar production. ProTechna also enables multiple components to be integrated into a single-part solution. This part count reduction simplifi es installation, as well as reduces inventory and mainte-nance costs.Greene, Tweed | www.gtweed.com

Solar combiner confi guratorBentek Solar offers manufacturing and engineering solutions for complex electro-mechanical and power distribution systems for the semiconductor and solar industries. The company recently launched the Bentek Solar Confi gure-To-Order (CTO) Solar Combiner Confi gurator. The Bentek Solar CTO confi gurator simplifi es the confi guration and quoting of custom CTO solar combiners. This tool has been designed to meet the needs of the marketplace for fast, accurate response to system de-signs and costs for complex components, and provides quotes to customers within 24 hours or less. Bentek Solar | www.benteksolar.com


solar energy

The Standard Testing Conditions (STC) ratings provided by solar module man-ufacturers have long been the solar industry’s de facto method of identifying a

given module’s anticipated electrical output. However, the test that most accurately refl ects the electrical output of a given module is that performed under PVUSA Testing Conditions, known as PTC ratings.

In California, PTC ratings are required for modules to be eligible to receive California Energy Commission (CEC) incentive funds through the California Solar Initiative, and can be a factor in determining the amount of rebates a system owner receives. PVUSA Test Conditions measure a solar photovoltaic (PV) module’s power output at atmospheric conditions that more closely resemble true solar and climatic variable conditions than those simulated by Standard Testing Conditions. A higher PTC rating indicates higher actual on-site solar energy production per-watt installed, which leads to faster return on investment.

In the 1990s, a group of public and private corporations collaborated with the US government to create a national cooperative research project called Photovoltaics for Utility Scale Applications (PVUSA), whose purpose was to assess the viability of utility scale PV electric systems and new PV technology. PVUSA developed a rating methodology for PV module performance evaluation and performed its fi rst tests at a University of California, Davis solar farm that was con-structed by PG&E in 1986 and sold to the California Energy Commission in 1997.

The test objectives were: 1. Evaluate the performance, reliability, and cost of promising PV modules and

balance-of-system (BOS) components side-by-side at a single location; assess PV system operation and maintenance in a utility setting;

2. Compare US utilities’ hands-on experience in designing, procuring, and operat-ing PV systems; and,

3. Document and disseminate knowledge gained from the project.

Although initially designed for utility scale installations, the PVUSA rating method has become a PV rating standard for solar modules in a variety of applications (in-cluding residential and commercial), and is now required to enter the California Energy Commission’s rebate program.

PVUSA’s Testing Conditions collect data on a module’s power output for a desig-nated period of time under conditions of 1,000 Watts per square meter solar irradi-ance, 20° Celsius air temperature, and a wind speed of one meter per second at 10 meters above ground level. The solar industry considers these test conditions to be more refl ective of real-world solar and climatic conditions than the Standard Test

Conditions that manufacturers report and, therefore, more indicative of the real amount of solar energy a module will generate. There is a growing perception that, because of the STC test’s highly controlled environment, STC ratings over-report and under-deliver electricity output. This inaccuracy concerns solar module pur-chasers and project designers who want to invest in modules that deliver the maxi-mum amount of energy and fastest ROI. PTC ratings are typically approximately fi ve percent lower than STC ratings, and are increasingly used by project develop-ers to model the expected power output of systems.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Energy Commission (CEC) began administering the California Solar Incentive (CSI) program in 2007. The CEC created a performance-based system of incentives to determine the amount of rebates to which a given installation is entitled. CEC

rebates are awarded based on the expected performance of the specifi c installation to ensure that California proportionally rewards PV systems that provide maximum solar generation. Per CSI requirements, solar generating equipment and modules must be PTC-rated and listed by the CEC and, at least, have a 10-year warranty to be eligible for incentive payments. California has been a leader in the solar industry and is currently the only state to which PTC ratings are directly pegged to incentives.

The California Energy Commission’s decision to reward top-performing systems (as measured by their PTC ratings) has benefi ted California’s solar industry because it ensures that system owners get the greatest energy production per rate-payer dollar. Higher-quality solar installations deliver better power performance in the fi eld, which directly translates to higher rebates in California that help end-users manage costs.

Alan King is the vice president of sales for the United States Division of Canadian Solar, Inc.

Canadian Solar | www.canadian-solar.com

The Key to Getting the Highest Solar Module Quality & Performance How and why PTC Ratings workBy Alan King

To learn more about PTC ratings,

visit: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1995pgec.rept......

To learn more about PTC ratings for companies and modules, visit:

www.energy.ca.gov/2008publications/CEC-300-2008-007/CEC-300-2008-007-CMF.PDF

For a list of modules that qualify for CSI rebates, go to:

http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/equipment/pvmodule.html

High efficiency by 3-Level Topology650V 3-Level-Modules with PressFIT-Technology

Infineon‘s new family of 3-Level Inverter modules offers significant advantages for designing highly efficient UPS and solar inverters.

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solar energy

Condensation: An overlooked cause of failureCondensation causes electrical and elec-tronic components housed in enclosures to fail prematurely. At up to 65% relative humidity, the probability that condensa-tion will form remains low. Condensation can be eliminated, however, by keeping the environment inside an enclosure at a temperature of as little as 9° F (5° C) higher than that of the ambient air.

The warmer the air, the more water vapor it can contain. When air cools it can no longer hold the water vapor it con-tains, and reaches what is called the “dew point”—where condensation occurs.

Outdoor equipment in renewable ener-gy applications such as grid-tie matching inverters, pitch and yaw control controls for wind turbine applications, and tracking

control systems for solar applications are particularly at risk as condensation occurs with the shift between daytime warming and nighttime cooling. Even indoor sys-tems can be susceptible to the formation of condensation through humidity and temperature variations.

Enclosure heaters and controlsHeaters are typically applied to enclosures that house electronics for two reasons: 1. To keep the electronics above a safe

minimum operating temperature, typi-cally 32° F or 0° C; and,

2. To control condensation from form-ing on electronic components. Heaters should be operated by control devices such as thermostats, hygrostats, or a combination device called a hygrotherm.

Thermostats vs hygrostats The following focuses on condensa-tion control while comparing the use of thermostats and hygrostats to determine which control device is best for control-ling condensation.

Heating requirements of a typical applicationOne representative application is solar tracking controls. Typically, a NEMA 4 enclosure houses the tracker control sys-tem. Enclosure sizes vary, but a common size is 36" H x 24" W x 10" D. Engineers wanting to develop one product solution that can be applied throughout North America must design the thermal manage-ment system to handle ambient tempera-tures as low as -40° F (-40° C), and dew points in the high 70° F range.

Common practice is to keep the interior of the enclosure at or about 40° F (4° C). To maintain the enclosure interior at or above 40° F (4° C), in this example, a heater with at least 700 watts of heating power would be required. This same heater also has enough capacity to control condensation. To isolate the condensation control aspect of the ther-mal management system, it is necessary to focus on the operation of the heater only at temperatures above the minimum safe oper-ating temperature of 40° F (4° C).

Controlling condensation using a thermostat To use a thermostat to control condensation, it would have to be set at the high 70° F

range. For this example, a temperature of 77° F (25° C) has been chosen. The heat-ing power required to raise the interior temperature of the enclosure, from the base heating level of 40° F (4° C) to 77° F (25° C), is approximately 335 watts. Only when the dew point is actually at 77° F is the 335 watts of heat really needed. Since the heater will be energized at all temper-atures up to and including 77° F, the en-ergy and heater life are being wasted at all times when the dew point is below 77° F.

Assuming the heater runs 50% of the time, the basis to determine how much energy is used and the cost of that energy can be established. This correlates to a total of 4380 hours of an 8760-hour year the heater will be operating—due to the thermostat being set at 77° F (25° C) versus 40° F (4° C). Using the required 335W of heat and the current average cost of energy in the US, which is about nine cents per kilowatt hour, approximately 1467 kilowatt hours of electricity is used per year to eliminate condensation inci-dents at a total annual cost of about $132 per tracking system controller.

Controlling condensation using a hygrostatA hygrostat switches a contact energizing the heater based on a relative humidity set point. If a hygrostat is

set to 65% R.H., the heater will only have to raise the interior of the enclosure 9° F (5° C) to prevent a condensation event. Again, assuming the heater is running 50% of the time, relative humidity will be above 65%* and the heating power required to raise the temperature by 9° F (5° C) is only 81 watts. Using the same numbers from the above example (4,380 hours x 81 watts = 355 kilowatt hours), at the same nine cents per kilowatt hour, means the cost of controlling condensation using a hygrostat would be about $32 per year. Compared to the $132 per year using a thermostat, this yields a cost savings of about $100 per year. Although the hygrostat is about four times the cost of a thermostat, the increased cost is made up very quickly from the energy savings.

Cold winters & humid summersIn many geographic areas of North America, the temper-ature gets colder than the electronics minimum safe operating temperature, and

opposite season dew points above 65% are common. In these areas, a dual-function hygrotherm is the optimum control de-vice.

A hygrotherm combines the functions of a thermostat and a hygrostat, so that the same heater will be energized either when heat is required due to low ambient temperatures or when the relative humidity is high enough to cause a condensation event.

ConclusionHygrostats are a much more energy ef-fi cient control device for ensuring control system enclosures remain condensation free.

*Assuming relative humidity will be above 65% half of the time is a very conservative estimate. Assuming relative humidity was above 65% for a lesser percentage of the time, which is more realistic, would result in the cost savings associated with using a hygrostat being even greater as the heater would be energized less than 50% of the time.

STEGO, Inc. | www.stegousa.com

Thermostats vs. Hygrostats: Condensation Control in Electronic EnclosuresEnergy savings alone are enough to justify the decision By Gary Silk

Second-generation micro-inverter In 2010, Delta Energy Systems started development of the next-generation micro-inverter known as the SOLIVIA .25 M. The SOLIVIA .25 M micro-invert-er, expected to ship in Q2 2011, is an exciting addition to the existing SOLIVIA line that includes four new high-effi ciency grid-tie inverters for the North American market. Several key benefi ts become apparent for the SOLIVIA .25 M: they are very compact and easily installed directly within a solar module frame; each unit serves to convert a single solar module’s DC power to grid compliant AC power eliminating the need for expensive DC disconnects and com-biner boxes; and, each unit offers per-module Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), which leads to greater effi ciency and greater energy harvest from the complete solar array. The SOLIVIA .25 M will have a nominal output power of 250 watts and be oriented to 250 watt poly- and mono-crystalline modules. The micro-inverter is targeted to have a high CEC effi ciency of 95.5% and a target MPPT effi ciency of 99.9%. The micro-inverter will feature an enclosure protection class of NEMA 6/IP67, and operate in a wide temperature range of -25° C to +85° C, making it ideal for installation in protected outside areas. Delta Energy Systems (Germany) GmbH | www.solar-inverter.com

Ultrasonic reciprocating coating system Sono-Tek Corporation is currently highlighting their ultrasonic coating equipment, including a high-speed ultrasonic reciprocating coating system, HyperSonic. The HyperSonic system is designed to coat large area solar glass (up to 122cm) with uniform, thin-fi lm anti-refl ective coatings. Sono-Tek’s ultrasonic coating technology applies an optimum anti-refl ective layer, maximizing the light available for conversion and increasing transmission over the sun’s incident angles. Traditional CVD and PVD for solar glass coatings are expensive, slow batch manufacturing processes. Pressure nozzles are capable of spraying anti-refl ective suspensions; however, they have critical process limitations. Signifi cant overspray and clogging, along with poor deposition control and inconsistent uniformity are major drawbacks to pressure nozzle technology.

Sono-Tek’s ultrasonic nozzles are able to overcome these limitations with minimal bounceback and overspray, non-clogging performance, and uniform thin-fi lm coatings. The benefi ts of ultrasonic coating include the ability to control thickness of deposition, drop size control (by varying nozzle frequency), and tight drop distribution resulting in precise, uniform deposition. Ultrasonic nozzles are ideal for spraying nanosuspensions, commonly used in anti-refl ection coatings, as the continuous ultrasonic vibration of the nozzle deagglomerates particles and keeps them evenly suspended in solution.Sono-Tek | www.sono-tek.com


solar energy

The sun is not always shining. On a second-by-second basis the sun is more dif-fi cult to predict than the wind. A passing cloud can take a one-megawatt solar

array from 100% down to 10% capacity in a couple of seconds, whereas blowing wind tends to drop off more gradually. Fortunately, the sun is also predictable. It will rise in the morning and reach its peak intensity close to when the electric grid is struggling the most—hot summer days in the late afternoon and evening.

Although many believe grid-tied photovoltaics are already a cost-effective invest-ment for society and society’s electrical needs, it would certainly be better if those pesky solar problems of unpredictability and intermittency could be solved. Though doing so will take effort by all industry stakeholders, there are already some ways to in-tegrate a commercial-scale solar array with buildings and the electric grid to the benefi t of the system owner and the grid as a whole.

Integration with on-site generatorsWhen the grid goes down, a solar array shuts off. Many sites, particularly agricultural, have diesel generators that will turn on to provide backup power, but the array will

sit idle. This type of installation, which covers almost every commercial-scale installation, adds intermittency to the solar equation—the electric grid reliability itself. It is possible to integrate arrays with on-site generators, allowing the array to continue operating when the grid goes down, but many customers aren’t aware that this is an option. Integrating solar with on-site generators can save fuel and money while increasing a cus-tomer’s positive perception of their solar system, all at a nominal cost.

Load curtailment | Peak shavingTrimming backloads during a grid’s peak usage times provides clear benefi ts to the electric grid and, as time-of-use pricing becomes prevalent, provides economic benefi ts to the user. Non-critical loads can be shut off at peak times, or heating and cooling loads can be shifted earlier or later to minimize energy consumption during certain times of day. Load curtailment does not have to be simply “on or off.” Imagine a variable speed motor drive that dynamically controls the speed of a pump or fan to reduce its energy use when there is less power coming from the ar-ray. By combining these two functions, the load profi le of the motor can be completely fl attened, saving money and supporting the electric grid.

Energy storageIntegrating an energy storage system, such as batteries, with the solar array provides a broad range of additional possibilities. With proper controls and communications, the solar resource can be viewed by the grid operator as truly pre-dictable and reliable, responding to price signals, time-of-use needs, and providing grid support functions in real-time.

MicrogridsWhen multiple loads, storage, and generation sources are managed effectively, the value, reliability, and security of an energy system are maximized, and this is the basis of the idea behind microgrids. From the user perspective, all available resources are being utilized to their maximum effi ciency and effectiveness, based on the price signals and environmental signals available. For the grid operator, an end-user microgrid provides a redundant method for ensuring the safety and security of the grid.

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Industrial motor/generator system


Lightweight density micro-inverter SPARQ Systems Inc. has launched its fi rst product, a reliable, high-effi ciency compact micro-inverter for use with solar photovoltaic panels. A powerful energy harvester, SPARQ’s micro-inverter systems are 30% more effi cient than conventional string inverter technology, operating even under very low light conditions, or under partial shading or snow—turning on earlier in the morning and working later in the evening. And, because SPARQ micro-inverters allow each PV panel to oper-ate independently, they eliminate the “Christmas tree” effect of conventional string inverter systems, where the shading or failure of one unit affects nearby panels. This makes the SPARQ micro-inverter uniquely suited to urban areas, where light conditions are highly variable. The SPARQ product also features an industry fi rst: a 25-year lifespan, which exceeds that of solar panels. SPARQ Systems Inc. | www.sparqsys.com

Other distributed generationThe same opportunities and advan-tages of combining existing generators, load control, communications, and storage apply not only to solar, but also many other forms of distributed gen-eration. Wind energy, wave and tidal power, and other alternative energy sources could benefi t from integrating more closely with the electric grid and the user’s facility.

Integrating with the electric gridMost of these options are cost-effec-tive for the commercial solar array owner, whether it is the host site or a separate entity through a power pur-chase agreement. However, things like large-scale energy storage provides benefi ts to the electric grid that are not easily monetized by the installer of the storage. For this reason, groups in-cluding the US Department of Energy (DOE) are incentivizing the develop-ment of new technologies that will help the industry climb down the cost curve much faster.

The DOE’s Solar Energy Grid In-tegration Systems (SEGIS) program emphasizes the development of ad-vanced inverters, controllers, and other balance-of-system components for PV distributed power applications that are “behind the meter.” Not only will this accelerate the adoption of higher-value solar arrays that include load control, communications, and energy storage, it is necessary to have these technolo-gies available once the penetration levels of “intermittent generation re-sources” like solar and wind reach high enough levels.

ConclusionFor marginal or no cost, solar systems can be made to integrate better with existing customer and electric grid infrastructure in ways that are cost-ef-fective for all stakeholders. These solu-tions exist today, but are rarely used as they are seen as only adding complex-ity to an otherwise simple grid-tied solar array. The industry will be doing customers a service, however, by an-ticipating the longer-term issues that occur with high-penetration levels of solar and other alternative resources, while learning about the solutions that are available.

Darren Hammell is the co-founder of Princeton Power Systems, and currently serves as the company’s executive VP of Business Development.

Princeton Power Systems www.princetonpower.com

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All-purpose modulesClearPower CS5T, designed for skylights, carports, greenhouse roofi ng, facades, and applications requir-ing light transmission, is a robust solar standardized module with a tempered glass front, transparent back-sheet, and anodized black (or silver) aluminium frame. ClearPower’s junction box is specially designed and positioned behind a solar cell for a more aesthetic ap-pearance. Canadian Solar also offers MaxPower CS6X, a robust solar module with 72 solar cells. Applications include utility commercial/industrial roof-tops, rural area applications, and other on-grid and off-grid ap-plications. The company’s meticulous design and pro-duction techniques ensure a high-yield, as well as long-term performance for every module produced. Their rigorous quality control and in-house testing facilities guarantee Canadian Solar’s modules meet the highest quality standards. Canadian Solar | www.canadiansolar.com

Securing PV cellsBryce Fastener, Inc. presents a high-tech security nut called the “Penta Nut” that is simple, fool-proof, and inexpensive. Specifi cally designed to repel all security bit tips and vice grips, the Penta Nut is perfect for securing PV cells and related assets at a solar installation from theft. Made from high-strength 316 stainless steel, the Penta Nut is both highly durable and corrosion resistant. Today’s renewable energy solutions such as solar panels and wind turbines require a signifi cant investment. Equally signifi cant security measures need to be taken to protect those investments. Bryce Fastener has spent years of research and development to make one of the most secure fas-tener locking systems available.Bryce Fastener, Inc. | www.brycefastener.com

Planning of PV systems & multiple PV arraysPV*SOL Expert, the dynamic simulation pro-gram with 3D visualization and detailed shading analysis of PV systems from Valentin Software, is now available in Version 4.5 with Photo Plan—the integrated photo dimensioning pro-gram. Using a digital photo of the installation site, the roof, and the planned PV system can be presented photorealistically, and all essential roof dimensions analyzed. In addition to pho-torealistic presentation, the 3D visualization in PV*SOL Expert 4.5 offers many new design objects. In the terrain view menu, there is now a universal object in cylinder form and a bay window, and the building view menu now has an air outlet pipe, saw tooth roof, fi re wall, project-ing roof, satellite dish, parapet, and maintenance path. Also new, the multiple coverage feature, which allows several buildings or dormers to be covered with PV modules, as can bay windows, walls, saw tooth roofs, and projecting roofs. PV*SOL Expert offers an excellent new side menu with a tree structure showing inverter confi guration and associated functions. By click-ing on an element in the structure, the selected system part with inverter confi guration is high-lighted and the camera zooms in on it. The side menu can be hidden as required.Valentin Software | www.valentin-software.com


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Slide-in system for thin-fi lm solar installation Bosch Rexroth offers an innovative slide-in system for installing frameless thin-fi lm solar modules made by Bosch Solar Energy AG. The ideally matched combination between support and PV module enables solar modules to be in-stalled twice as fast as they would with conventional mounting systems. Speed is assured due to the reliable, easy to use slide-in technology, which relies on tracks instead of the usual clamps. The PV modules are simply inserted into the guide pieces and fastened in-stantly. The system cuts installation time in half to 15 seconds per module, meaning nearly twice as many modules can be installed using Rexroth slide-in technology as they would using a con-ventional, four-point clamping system in the same amount of time. As installa-tion brackets and clamps are no longer required, material costs are also reduced by about 40%. The system is built on a base frame, which features variable table lengths, bracket spacing, and insert depth. Together with the slide-in track, the frame forms a complete unit, which securely encloses solar modules on a permanent basis. With their hardened front glass, Bosch Solar Energy’s mi-cromorph thin-fi lm solar modules can withstand mechanical loads up to 2,400 Pascal in this mounting system. This corresponds to 350 kilograms of weight acting on the module.Bosch Rexrothwww.boschrexroth-us.com

Solar tracking drives for CSP power generation systemsCone Drive Gearing Solutions has developed a precision solar tracking drive design scalable to any mirror surface area. The key to the design is Cone Drive’s true double enveloping worm gear technology, which provides greater durability and preci-sion. The overall tracking drive gear ratio can be 100,000:1 or larger to provide extremely high-resolution mirror movements. The tracking drive accuracy is maintained through the power generation system lifetime. The custom design of the tracking drive focuses on providing the lowest cost solution that exceeds the application performance specifi cations.Cone Drive Operations Inc. | www.conedrive.com/solar


solar energy

The solar industry is a rapidly growing and expanding market. This is primar-ily due to the cost of energy, which has dropped signifi cantly in the past few

years. This decrease is attributed to the intense price competition among cell and module manufacturers. However, cost reductions are also available in the mounting and racking system. With this continued growth and need for low-cost mounting and racking systems, the benefi ts of roll forming can be used to an advantage.

Roll Forming and how it worksThe processes most commonly used in today’s metal forming industry are extru-sion, press brake, and stamping. Despite its long history as a highly effective, proven process, roll forming is still widely misunderstood and underutilized. Roll forming excels in applications that require products with high volumes, tight tolerances, and consistent complex cross sections.

Roll forming is, in essence, a simple process: a continuous forming operation in which a long strip of metal (typically coiled steel) is passed through consecutive sets of rolls, or stands, at room temperature. Each set of rolls or stands perform incre-mental parts of the bend until the desired cross-section (profi le) is obtained. Techni-cally, the process of roll forming pertains only to the bending of metal; however, its inherent benefi ts extend far beyond. Many competing production methods require secondary operations such as welding, stamping, embossing, painting, and contour-ing. Roll forming technology can combine many of these operations into a fully integrated process. This in-line integration eliminates unnecessary part handling and secondary operations; thereby, reducing operational set-up and capital costs.

Quality advantagesRoll forming offers many distinct advantages when compared to alternative metal forming methods. Most of these come from its ability to accurately process a variety of raw materials, fl exibility in the production of multiple lengths having the same

profi le, and high-volume productivity. Roll forming typically creates product runs with superior surface fi nishes, meeting extremely tight dimensional tolerances, and consistent part uniformity.

Material options are extensive and roll forming is able to utilize materials regard-less of the type of coating, thickness, or width. Typical roll forming mills can accom-modate material gauges ranging from .010" to 1.000" thick. The bend radii will differ based on the profi le and application, but one material thickness is the normal inside radius using mild steel and, then, two to three times that in higher strength materials.

Comparing other metal forming processes to roll formingExtrusionGenerally speaking, the consistency of extrusions compares well to that of roll-

formed products and carries relatively inexpensive tooling costs. Extrusions can run unlimited lengths of product and multiple cross-sections with the same tooling, at the same time. How-ever, when an overall comparison to roll forming is made, the drawbacks of extrusions become evident.

The majority of extruded metal is aluminum. In addition to this lack of variety, the average cost of aluminum is substantially higher than that of steel. Extrusions are also capable of creating complex design features, but if any holes are required, they need to be added in a secondary operation. Roll forming can incorporate punching, embossing, and contouring in-line to add value and sig-nifi cantly reduce operating costs. The extrusion process is limited in regards to the minimum material thickness it can form. The wider a section is, the heavier the wall thickness needs to be for proper extruding. The extrusion process also has diffi culty holding fl atness and straight-ness tolerances with thin-walled sections.

Press brakingComparatively speaking, press brake processing has an advantage over roll

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forming in small run quantities. In fact, many roll form sections begin as press brake products. Press brake processing’s main benefi t is low tooling costs, but that benefi t is limited on long lengths and the trade-off of slower production time. Roll forming can produce the exact same sec-tions as press braking at higher rates with better tolerances and fewer visual tooling marks. Because the material enters the mill as a continuous coil, the process cre-ates an exceptionally repeatable section that can be cut to any desired length.

StampingIn common practice, stamping and roll forming processes rarely compete. Many stamping products are unique in their cross-sectional forms. These parts usually have many profi le changes through the length of the part including changes in material thickness. Stamp-ing can produce all of these features in a progressive stamping die by allowing the part to travel from station to sta-tion—adding features and forming the product at each stop to produce a fi n-ished part. The larger or longer the fi n-ished part, the bigger the stamping press required to handle the tonnage required in production. The cost of these dies, especially when compared to roll form tooling, is excessive and usually requires a large capital investment.

Advantages that increase with steel strengthRoll forming further separates itself from other metal forming processes when it comes to processing higher strength steels. The same strength requirements can be achieved with less weight by using thinner gauge steel. This weight savings is critical in many industries.

The common disadvantage of high-strength metal is less ductility. To create acceptable parts using high-strength steel, stamping, and brake presses need to hit it harder and bend it farther to make it spring back to a desired shape. This one-time hit can cause non-pliable materials to break or tear. During the roll forming process, the material is formed at a gradual, continuous pace. This slower rate helps prevent breakage and tearing. The roll form tooling is more cost-effective than the comparable addition of stamping die sets, and can hold tighter tolerances.

Flexible technology for advanced applicationsWhether designing a new custom shape or redesigning a part that has been in use for years, experience and the latest technology can help to maximize the roll forming process to create exactly what’s needed for a given application. Depending on the application requirements, a good roll form engineer and tooling designer

might even be able to combine two or more shapes into one effi cient, complex shape.

Additionally, simulation software, including FEA (Finite El-ement Analysis), allows roll designers to accurately model the process to fi nd potential issues before roll tooling is produced and the critical tryout phase begins.

Forming innovationRoll formed designs are an integral part of many industries, and have been for centuries. From agriculture to aerospace,

appliances to alternative energy, and practically everything in between, roll forming has helped shape the world we live in. Because of its fl exible design capabilities, production effi cien-cy, quality output, and cost-effectiveness, roll forming contin-ues to provide a unique tactical advantage to manufacturers and design engineers working to create innovative solutions using optimized production process technology.

RFC | www.frcorp.com

R

Bright Thinking in Solar

solar energy

Developers of grids to serve large-scale solar and wind installations are now considering modern High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) as an appealing business model due to

the potential cost savings and environmental advantages for long-haul, point-to-point trans-mission systems. HVDC systems have unique characteristics that make them smart options for certain electric transmission problems and, from an environmental permitting viewpoint, may

have signifi cant advantages given their re-duced footprint over long distances, the pos-sibility to effi ciently deliver power through existing energy corridors, and the reduced risk of agency and community controversy.

Renewables developers recognize HVDC’s economic value proposition Although several of the fi rst successful HVDC projects in the US have avoided sig-nifi cant land impacts by using subsea routes, several long-haul HVDC lines are currently proposed to move green power from the rich wind resources in Wyoming and the Plains states to hungry load centers in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and the East Coast. Although AC systems work well for interconnecting power to the grid locally, when transport-ing higher voltages over greater distances, developers can realize economic savings with HVDC. For example, compared to HVAC, construction costs for installing HVDC lines are reduced because fewer sets of conductors are required, overhead clearance require-ments are reduced, and intermediate stops to deliver power locally (with their added per-mitting and materials costs) are not required. Additionally, HVDC is more effi cient because less energy is lost in transport and can be more controllable in accommodating the load variability typical of renewable resources.

Environmental Advantages of HVDC: Reduced footprint saves time & money HVDC systems can also have environ-mental advantages that translate into cost and permitting schedule savings. When compared to AC systems of similar capac-ity, a major advantage of HVDC systems is the reduced footprint resulting from nar-rower permanent rights-of-way (ROWs) and the smaller amount of land required to build and operate the converter stations at each end of the line, as opposed to multiple intermediate facilities. Additionally, while converter stations may have associated visual, cultural, noise, or land use impacts, a reduced footprint can equate to diminished biological and cultural survey require-ments—both time consuming, limiting fac-tors for permitting schedules—and fewer impacts on land use and wildlife habitat. This is particularly important where ROW grants are expensive to procure or threat-ened or endangered (T&E) species habitat is present, as T&E species mitigation can be a signifi cant expense in and of itself.

The reduced ROW requirements for HVDC are also benefi cial for existing con-gested corridors because replacing existing

Connecting Renewable Energy to the Electric Transmission Grid Trending Toward Innovative HVDC Technology By Jennifer Rouda & Silvia Yanez

The Neptune RTS undersea cable transmits 500 kVs over 65 miles between Hempstead, New York and Sayreville, New Jersey without the intermediary facilities or energy losses associated with long-haul AC systems.


AC lines with DC can increase the power transmission capacity in the same avail-able space. AC and DC lines can also coexist within the same already approved, dedicated corridors, assuming reliability requirements are met. According to ARE-VA, a HVDC solutions supplier, the same tower body, foundation design, and ROW width can support a 220kV AC line or a 380kV DC line that could deliver 300% more power. This signifi cant reduction of materials and land use requirements translates into valuable potential environ-mental benefi ts—not only in terms of the permitting process, but also in terms of the use of or effect on resources.

Additional HVDC environmental ad-vantages include reduced visual impacts from shorter towers and fewer structures, reduced electric and magnetic fi elds (EMF), and lower corona effects and radio interference, which may be key commu-nity and agency concerns.

State renewable performance standards are ratcheting up across the nation with 10% to 40% renewable energy required by most states by between 2015 and 2025. To meet these mandates, the industry must implement creative solutions for deliver-ing solar and wind power from remote locations to city users. According to the Western Wind Solar Integration Study re-leased by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory last May, the Western US en-ergy grid could accommodate up to 35% renewable energy by 2017—assuming sig-nifi cant grid upgrades are completed.

HVDC Success on Two Coasts: The San Francisco Trans Bay Cable & the Neptune RTS ProjectsA unique, offshore HVDC success story is the San Francisco Trans Bay Cable (TBC) project. The 53-mile-long 400 MW HVDC submarine electric trans-mission line was installed to transfer energy from an existing Pacifi c Gas and Electric transmission substation in Pitts-burg, California to the San Francisco peninsula. HVDC was selected since un-dersea AC cables incur more line losses, DC power is easier to control, and a DC system could reliably deliver 400 MWs of power to San Francisco. Due to proactive issue identifi cation and active stakeholder engagement, the public/pri-vate partnership project completed envi-ronmental permitting on schedule and is expected to be operational by late 2010.

Another successful HVDC project is the Neptune Regional Transmission System (Neptune RTS). The 65-mile-long, 500-kV subsea HVDC transmission network con-nects Hempstead, Long Island to Sayreville, New Jersey with 660 MW of transmission capacity. More than 50 miles of the route is undersea in the outer New York Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean, with a small por-tion of onshore underground line built in an existing ROW. The environmental per-mitting process included state and federal

Strong. Durable. Cost-effective. These are the characteristics you need in solar panel mounting systems — and Roll Forming Corporation can deliver like no one else in the industry. As part of the world’s largest custom roll forming group, with 11 affiliate companies in 10 countries, we leverage the very latest technologies and innovations from around the world to transform your unique vision into reality.

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R O L L F O R M I N G C O R P O R AT I O N

applications for the converter station sites and onshore and offshore transmission line corridors. This process involved early participation of environmental, technical, and legal teams to develop a permitting strategy, meetings, and negotiation with regulatory agencies, and an early focused public involvement process. With this successful strategy, the project was completed ahead of schedule and within budget and constructed in an environmentally sound manner, avoiding major fi sh-ery and other environmental and cultural sensitive locations. The pro-ject was fully permitted in 2006 and became operational in June 2007.

For unique projects like the Trans Bay Cable and Neptune RTS, the cost of installing converters to connect DC segments to the ex-

isting AC grid is often warranted, even for relatively short distances. Considering the reduced environmental impacts and faster permit-ting schedules, HVDC is a cost-effective strategy, particularly for developers of long-haul transmission projects.

Jennifer Rouda is a principal transmission planner, and Silvia Yanez is an environmental engineer with Ecology and Environment, Inc. (E & E). E & E is a global consulting fi rm currently completing the environmental permitting for several long-haul HVDC projects.

Ecology and Environment, Inc. | www.ene.com


solar energy

Encapsulant fi lms for PV modulesThe Dow Chemical Company (Dow) is introduc-ing ENLIGHT Polyolefi n Encapsulant Films, which can enhance effi ciencies in PV module pro-duction and lead to lower conversion costs. The fi lms also can provide greater module stability and improved electrical performance versus traditional encapsulants (such as EVA-based products), which improves the reliability and extends the service life of PV modules. The new encapsulant fi lms are suit-able for C-Si and thin-fi lm modules. Based on fully integrated polyolefi n technology, these encapsulant fi lms: provide Water Vapor Transmission Rates (WVTR) that can range from 10 to 20 times high-er than EVA materials; allow excellent adhesion to glass under various lamination conditions; show no creep in use; offer a better matched refractive index to glass compared to EVA; and are listed with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) as “Recognized Components.”The Dow Chemical Companywww.dow.com

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Solar metering pumpLarox Flowsys is setting a new industry standard for peristaltic pump technology with their meter-ing pump, the LPP-M. Larox metering pumps are infi ltrating the solar sector with applications like solar panel manufacturing, which require pumping chemicals such as silicon, titanium dioxide, and lime. LPP-Ms are ideal for pumping diverse slurries and ac-curately metering a wide range of media while uphold-ing excellent chemical resistance. The tube technology that is made from thermoplastic materials is designed for the chemical industry to ensure secure operating conditions for both the environment and operators. The LPP-M provides superior accuracy for processes because the fl ow rate is not affected by variation of the discharge pressure condition. Positive displacement of the tube bore with zero-slip provides same output volume on every cycle. Larox Flowsys Inc. | www.larox.us

High-performance fuse & fuseholder combo for PV systemsAdded to Schurter’s portfolio of products for the solar industry are the new ASO series fuse and FSO series fuseholder, designed to protect DC applications from the potentially devastating effects of low short circuits and overvoltage conditions in systems upwards of 1000 VDC. The new fuse and fuseholder are intended for use in grid or off-grid solar strings, inverters, battery charges, and combiner boxes. The ASO fuse has a quick-acting characteristic according to UL 248-14. It is a standard midget size 10.3x38mm size. Current ratings range from 1A to 30A with a breaking capacity of 20 kA, and operating temperature is -40°C to +85°C. The fuse-holder mounts in a standard 35 mm DIN Rail. A pres-sure plate connection accepts 8-14 AWG stranded wires or 10-14 AWG solid wires. Units can be ordered in 1-, 2-, or 3-poles. Both ASO and FSO are cURus agency approved, RoHs compliant and halogen-free.Schurter Inc.www.schurterinc.com/new_fuses


Concentration solar powerWith over 39 years of experience in glass bending and tempering technology, Glasstech introduces the CRB-S 1900 for the Concentration Solar Power market. The CRB-S 1900, capable of producing trough refl ector glass shapes up to 1.9 meters in width, is the newest addition to the breakthrough Glasstech CRB-S technology for solar parabolic trough glass shaping and strengthening. The CRB-S technology precisely shapes 4mm low-iron glass up to a width of 1.9 meters, while fully tempering the part. The system consumes less energy than traditional forming methods, as well. All of these advantages, along with fl exibility, productivity, and quality, go into a Glasstech system.Glasstech | www.glasstech.com

Maintenance-free cycling AGM batteries for renewable energy Trojan’s high-quality line of cycling absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries for renewable energy applications pro-vide optimum performance without the need for maintenance. Featuring advanced design elements like a ro-bust plate structure and a grid-design optimized for high-power density, Trojan’s cycling AGM batteries are low-temperature tolerant, shock and vibration resistant, and have a low in-ternal resistance for higher discharge current and higher charging effi ciency. Due to their higher discharge current capacity, AGM batteries are often used for backup power supply or grid-tie with battery backup systems in which the batteries are not cycling on a daily basis. Most commonly used in standby applications, many AGM batteries are not designed for true deep cycle appli-cations. Trojan’s cycling AGM batter-ies are unique in that they have been designed for true deep cycling applica-tions, combining the convenience of maintenance-free AGM technology with the cycle life needed for demand-ing renewable energy and backup power applications. Trojan’s durable and long-lasting 12 Volt cycling AGM batteries are available in Group 24, Group 27, or Group 31 sizes. Trojan Battery Companywww.trojanbattery.com/Products/

RenewableEnergy.aspx

ICC-certifi ed composition & shake roof mountsQuick Mount PV’s composition and shake roof mounts are now ICC-certifi ed for strength, quality, and waterproofi ng. With patented technology, these mounts use all-aluminum fl ashing and standoff block, plus stainless steel hardware to ensure a 50-year life. Quick Mounts install faster than any fl ashed mounting, saving time and money.Quick Mount PVwww.quickmountpv.com


Solar hot water systemsPremium Solar LLC is a master distributor for Ezinc’s thermosiphon solar hot water systems. Available in 46-gallon (KG-170) and 80-gal-lon (KG-300) units, they are certifi ed by the SRCC, FSEC, and Energy Star. The units feature high effi ciency, have no moving parts, and require very little maintenance. Hot water is obtainable in all four seasons of the year by capturing the UV light, which means that four hours of partial sunlight per day is all the Ezinc Thermosiphon solar heaters need to produce hot water. The closed-loop, passive system uses glycol to heat the water and does not require a pump or control unit, making it very dependable and great for residential and commercial applications. The Ezinc closed-loop system primarily works by glycol circulation, assisted by gravity. Premium Solar also provides Ezinc SRCC OG 100 certifi ed Solar Thermal Collectors (4 x 8 and 4 x 6.5), and Ezinc 4 x 10 thermal collector is in the process of being certifi ed. Ezinc will also apply for an-other fi ve different SRCC OG 300 certifi cations for indirect solar water heating systems by combining Ezinc Collectors made in Turkey and so-lar tanks made in the US.Premium Solar LLC | www.presolarnet.com

Water tank vision & welding machineSK Brazing Company introduces a Water Tank Vision and Welding Machine to compliment their full production line for hot water solar panel manufacturing. This new machine welds end caps of water storage tanks to water tank bodies using TIG, MIG, plasma, CO2 or laser welding. Water tank production capacity can be increased with high-quality through tight dimensional control, minimal heat distor-tion, and uniform welding. Assemblies are loaded with or without the end caps spot welded onto the main tank body. If necessary, the machine will start by rotating the assemblies on lathe style fi xturing to spot weld, which is critical to minimize heat deformation during fi nal welding.

The visioning process then rotates the assemblies to verify tolerancing of the joint circumference between the end caps and tank body, using laser sensors to check the height variation and vision sensors to check the width variation with all measure-ments displayed on the machine’s Vision Scanning Monitor. If visioning confi rms all tolerances are within 5mm, fi nal welding commences. The machine will not weld if the tolerances exceed 5mm. Vision and welding cycle times are typically two to three minutes for tanks between 280mm and 350mm. The machine design is fl exible to weld multiple water tank sizes and materials, including stainless steel and aluminum.SK Brazing Company | www.skbrazing.com

Laser technology for CIGS metal coil inspectionCIGS production on metal substrates critically depends upon pristine coil quality. Scratches, inclusions, bumps, and dents in the coil translate into effi ciency loss due to shunts and shorts. The strip surface must be blemish-free and smooth. Traditional vision systems usually fail at detecting coil defects at the level required (2μm to 10μm) as missed defects and false hits result. Dark Field Technologies has modifi ed its proven, patent-pending laser technology for the in-line inspection of shiny metal coils. This system utilizes proprietary dark fi eld optics and high-speed scan cameras to easily detect scratches and other defects. The systems are 100% solid state, self-aligning, maintenance-free, and are simple to install. NxtGen Refl ecXun systems deliver what the cur-rent vision systems cannot—high-resolution, reliable, consistent, 100% metrology of shiny steel and aluminum coils for all visual defects. De-fect maps, alarms, defect clusters, repeating defects, and other capabili-ties ensure the quality of the coil, on-line, in real-time. Dark Field Technologies | www.darkfield.com

Flip-up racking for roof-mounted systemsAP Alternatives is a manufacture of modular solar racking systems for commercial and utility scale, fi eld and roof-mount projects. Their newest product, the Solar Ray, is designed for framed modules to be mounted at an angle on a fl at roof. The Solar Ray has a unique fl ip-up feature for easy panel wiring and maintenance. The system requires no penetration to the roof and has low ballast requirements along with a protective seismic rubber padding on all roof interface surfaces. The Solar Ray is a complete interlocking system that requires no pre-layout marking and no measuring when installing. The system can be ordered with the preferred tilt angle and optimal isle spacing between panels for desired access. The Solar Ray is com-pletely prefabricated in-house and requires no drilling or fabrication in the fi eld. Being the manufacture of all of their products, AP Alternatives has designed each racking system to be installer friendly and cost-effi cient. AP Alternatives | www.apalternatives.com

solar energy


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Branches: 215 Water Street, Suite 810 10 Lynds Avenue, 4250 Autoroute Chomedey, 208, 53016 Hwy 60, Fort MacKay Industrial Park, 158-21300 Gordon Way St. John’s, NL A1C 6C9 Moncton, NB E1H 3K2 Laval, QC H7R 6E9 Acheson, AB T7X 5A7 Fort MacKay, AB T0P 1B0 Richmond, BC V6W 1J8Phone: 709-748-7829 506-854-2920 450-963-7174 780-962-6088 780-791-2967 604-270-3266 877-444-2920 800-387-3922 888-962-6088 888-271-3266 Fax: 709-368-6494 506-854-2940 450-963-4833 780-962-6799 780-791-6622 604-270-3254

Events throughout 2010 have reminded the world of the crucial role that en-ergy plays in our daily lives and in the health of the global economy. With the

world’s population expected to reach eight billion by 2030 and the worldwide en-ergy demand expected to grow about 40%, the energy industry will be challenged to provide more reliable, clean, and affordable options than ever before.

Without doubt, wind power has caught the nation’s attention as an important part of the energy solution. The US Department of Energy has set a goal of generating 20% of electricity from wind by 2030, and more than half of the states in the US already have utility scale wind farms feeding electricity into local grids. The next 15 years or so will be especially exciting, as new breakthroughs and legislation propel wind energy into the mainstream.

For wind power to progress as desired, however, many chips will need to fall into place. Related companies and wind industry leaders must fl ood the market with in-novation, hard work, cooperation, and fi nancial investment. Meanwhile, US legisla-tion must send a long-term signal that the wind power industry needs to invest and grow in a steady, sustained fashion.

Increasing the performance of windIn the private sector, increasing the performance of wind turbines is an effort that is already underway and will continue to be funded. Wind companies will strive to achieve greater dependability of turbine components, increase effi ciencies, and build on recent technological advances. The renewable energy sector will continue to push the limits of today’s technologies and solutions, making the next generation of equipment even better.

Improvements across the boardMany experts in the fi eld agree that reaching the Department of Energy’s 20% goal by 2030 will require progress in areas across the board, such as:

• Increasing the lifecycles of wind turbines by manufacturing more simple and reli-able internal parts;

• Developing a national super-grid capable of storing wind energy and delivering it effi ciently from the sparsely populated areas where it is gathered to more densely populated areas where it is most needed;

• Helping energy regulators, legislators, and energy delivery companies create an atmosphere of cooperation that rewards new and innovative ways to deliver larger amounts of wind-generated energy into the system;

• Mass-producing turbines to reduce their cost below the current price, which are currently at $3 million each;

• Establishing the harnessing of wind energy as an international priority in which corporations, researchers, and individuals build on each other’s successes;

• Protecting wind power’s position as an environmentally preferable energy option by seizing all opportunities for improvement, and;

• Finding ways to extract more energy from the wind beyond the 80% of the theo-retical maximum that most current designs currently obtain.

Changes in the industryThe systems of today are not the same systems as ten years, or even fi ve years ago. Inverters are more complex and offer better optimization. Systems that once utilized worm gearboxes have now installed planetary gearboxes or swing gearboxes in larger units. Wind turbines, once weighing in at 3,800 kg, have become lighter—and the trend is expected to continue as blades become more effi cient and lightweight.

Technology isn’t the only aspect of the wind power industry that has changed in past years; the players have changed, too. There are only a handful of companies who have consistently been under the same management. Even the largest of ma-jor manufacturers have experienced changes. For example, in 1997, Enron Wind Systems, part of the Enron group, acquired Zond Corporation of California. At the time, Zond was the United States’ largest developer of wind power. In 2002, Enron Wind was acquired by General Electric, now a global wind turbine supplier. Or, consider Vestas, which sold and installed the fi rst successful wind turbine in 1971.

In 2004, Vestas and NEG Micon, a Danish wind turbine manufacturer, merged to become a major player in modern wind energy.

In a fi eld in which the only constant is change, the world can expect to see simi-lar events in the coming years. As investors become more interested, legislation is passed, and the demand for wind power grows, today’s companies will continue to be nimble in their offerings and company structure. With research and additional technological advances, these companies will be the driving force behind wind pow-er and its transition as an energy source that’s on par with fossil fuels.

Greg Schulte is president and CEO of Bonfi glioli USA, a designer and manufacturer of gear motors, drive systems, and planetary gearboxes. The company also develops systems that integrate electronic, hydraulic, and mechanical engineering.

Bonfiglioli USA | www.bonfiglioliusa.com

The Future ofWind EnergyBy Greg Schulte

wind energy


wind energy

Discussed below is a vision for moving from where the industry

is today to the progressive improve-ments now attainable for future wind turbine control. Given that wind turbines have to operate through the dynamics of uncertain and imperfect airfl ow, sensors and controls can make a major contribution to performance and profi tability. The existence of nacelle-mounted look-ahead laser wind sensors, capable of not only high data rates, but also various schemes to map the infl ow, leads to the developmental path discussed below (also illustrated in the diagram). Incremental improvements

in turbine effi ciency and stress control are expected at each stage leading to an optimized control/sensor suite.

Why is it needed?Collecting wind data at the rear of the wind turbine nacelle results in several signifi cant compromises. First, both the effect of the bluff body of the nacelle itself and the blade blockage effects on the airfl ow have to be corrected using wind speed dependent transfer functions. These empirical correction factors do not account for any fl ow regimes other than perfect yaw alignment, so in periods of even the slightest misalignment to the wind, the transfer function no longer accurately corrects the measurement. Secondly, the fl ow encountered at the rear of the nacelle is heavily affected by the wash or wake of the pass-ing blades. Current practice is to use long (up to 10 minutes), rolling or binned averages to smooth out the wake impulses. Not only is this imprecise, but it also disguises actual fl uctuations in the wind and drastically affects the response time of the control system.

Thirdly, the information measured at the rear of the turbine is obtained after the air mass has passed the turbine. There is, therefore, no possible way to have proactive, anticipa-tory, or feed-forward control using this data.

Installation of strain measurement into the blades, towers, shafting, or other compo-nents gives an indication of operating conditions. These stresses and strains can be linked to a feedback control loop. While this provides one direct measurement of the turbine’s interaction with the wind, it only generates a sensed control trigger after the mechanisms have already experienced excess stress and strain. Stress and vibration data is diffi cult to use for discerning whether a yaw or blade pitch correction is needed. Using strain feed-back, the duration of this undesirable condition can be reduced, but events still use up the fi nite fatigue life of the components prematurely. This approach also increases the cost of the blades and other instrumented components.

Improving yaw control brings big gainsThe addition of a forward measuring laser wind sensor provides the control system ac-curate wind direction information in the undisturbed fl ow as it approaches the wind tur-bine. Tests using just this more accurate wind direction information have demonstrated both signifi cant increased power output and reduced stresses from better alignment to the wind. A forward-looking laser not only provides a more accurate fl ow direction, but the absence of blade wake effects allows this information to be fed to the control system without long averaging periods. Less averaging informs the control system of the actual fl ow dynamics as they occur. By virtue of the laser wind sensor measuring wind at vari-ous ranges in front of the wind turbine, control actions gain anticipatory data for feed-forward controlling. This can be implemented as merely a timing advantage to reduce lag in yaw corrections, as well as the ability to track wind changes and gusts to determine not only their predicted time of arrival at the wind turbine, but also to inform the control logic with information on the “depth” or duration of an approaching gust.

Intelligent blade pitch adds more benefi tA laser wind sensor looking ahead in the infl ow can also provide the blade pitch control logic with wind speed changes and wind speed gusts before they arrive at the blades. This information can also allow estimation of the precise arrival timing to correlate with the reaction times of the pitch control mechanism. The result is a reduction of time spent at a suboptimal blade angle to the fl ow and experiencing unexpected loads or stress.

Laser wind sensors can be designed to provide multiple measurement points simul-taneously at known locations in the infl ow to provide spatial fl ow mapping at multiple ranges. With this spatial wind speed and direction information, the shear and veer of the fl ow in the infl ow can be determined in real time. The pitch control of each blade can then be timed to the sweep angle so it is optimized based on the spatial wind conditions it is actually passing through. While laser wind direction data can greatly improve the alignment with the wind over time, the relatively slow yaw response of the large nacelle mass compared to the rates of wind direction change results in transients of misalign-ment, which can be addressed with individual blade pitch adjustments to minimize the vibration caused by the leading/following blade effects. This is similar in concept to the blade pitch adjustments made on helicopters to compensate for the relative airspeed of leading/following blades in forward fl ight.

What does the future hold?Though current turbine designs are based on unitary blades that account for the span-wise (radially) differences of fl ow and moment with taper and twist, those designs are based on the assumption of a uniform fl ow fi eld perfectly normal to the plane of the blade rotation. In fact, as a result of spatial and temporal wind speed and direction varia-tions, the fl ow fi eld at any point in time is not truly uniform in the radial direction. Even informed individual blade pitch control has to select a best compromise angle of attack for the entire blade length and does not have the ability to handle span-wise fl ow dif-ferences. With real-time spatial wind speed and direction data from a laser sensor, high response rate aerodynamic devices along the blade span could be actuated to correspond to local relative wind. This could be implemented using various fl aps, jets, or tabs as de-veloped for aircraft wings or rigid sails. Combined with the other control advances, this stage represents an optimization of active controls.

Ever increasing sophistication is projected for wind turbine sensors and controls with resultant step-wise increases in effi ciency and reductions of undesirable stresses. Wind turbine control practice can begin to catch up to university research and aerospace now that forward-looking laser wind sensors can provide the needed wind accuracy, timeli-ness, data rates, and spatial mapping. It is time for the wind energy industry to start gain-ing the power performance and stress reduction advantages.

Fred Belen is the senior technical advisor for Catch the Wind, Inc.

Catch the Wind, Inc. | www.catchthewindinc.com

wind energy

Optimizing WindTurbine Controls

Isn’t it time to do it?By Fred Belen

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wind energy

Wind power is becoming increasingly im-portant as a source of clean, renewable en-

ergy. Despite many other innovative technologies, all parties agree on one thing: the power of wind must be harnessed. But, how does an organization get started? How does it stay profi table? Most im-portantly, how does it ensure quality and safety?

In a technical review, the overall plans of the wind turbine are assessed to verify their compli-ance with the applicable requirements and relevant national or international standards. Approval cov-ers all aspects of the plant. Even though in some countries, such as Europe, type certifi cation is not mandatory, it should be a requirement for the op-erator, their safety, and their fi nancial departments.

The following outlines the three basic steps of the type certifi cation process…

Step One: Design approval—type testing To begin, the design of the turbine must be ap-proved and certifi ed. Type testing is an integral part of the design and certifi cation process to vali-date the design calculations, to optimize control, performance, and noise behavior, and to verify the performance of the safety and control systems.

Results of the type testing tell the operator how well the turbine handles extreme loads and pro-vides assurance that the turbine reaches its calcu-lated lifetime, and keeps the calculated effi ciency factor up. The safety confi guration and the opera-tional assumption are also evaluated. After these initial steps are completed, the product certifi ca-tion and the manufacturing inspections take place. These include the inspection and the approval of materials and components, as well as the produc-tion supervision for the blades, the machinery components, the tower, and the foundation.

The evaluation of the manufacturer’s quality management system covers the whole range of ac-tivities necessary to assure the quality of the wind turbine. The certifi cation of the manufacturer’s quality management system according to ISO 9001, including the design evaluation, covers a large part of these requirements. In general, the QM system is certifi ed by an accredited certifi cation body. How-ever, the link between quality management and product quality needs to be specifi cally named.

Benefi ts of certifi cation and approval of the design include:

• Verifi cation of fatigue and extreme loads;• Assessment of safety and control system;• Safety confi guration and operational assumptions;• Design assessment by detailed parallel computation: - rotor blades and machinery components, - tower and foundations, - electrical components and control system; and,• Review of operating and maintenance instructions.

Step Two: Product certifi cationAfter both the design and the product certifi cation have been approved, the turbine itself is tested. During this test run, an experienced testing, inspection, and certifi cation partner performs functional and safety tests. If the turbine passes these important tests, the fi nal inspection of commissioning will be supervised. Once everything is deemed to work properly, the expert writes a type-test conformity statement. This ensures the wind energy systems function reliably. Additionally, type certifi cation provides verifi cation to the purchaser of a wind turbine that a particular wind turbine model has been approved by a certifi ed wind energy certifi cation body. In a technical review, the overall plans of the wind turbine are assessed to verify their compliance with the applicable requirements and relevant national or international standards.

Benefi ts of product certifi cation and manufactur-ing inspections include:

• Inspection and approval of materials and com-ponents;

• Review of material and quality assurance re-cords; and,

• Production supervision for blades, machinery components, tower, and foundation.

Step Three: Type certifi cationType certifi cation assists in risk management by helping reduce the likelihood of accident occur-rences and their impact, resulting in lower insur-ance rates. All in all, type certifi cation helps assure the safe and long-term operation of the turbine so the calculated profi tability can be attained; thereby, ensuring the investment remains a wise and safe one.

Benefi ts of type certifi cation include:

• Function and safety tests; • Inspection of commissioning; • Acoustic noise measurements;• Type-test conformity statement.

Thore Lapp is the business development manager for TÜV SÜD America Industry Services.

From planning wind farms to designing wind turbines, TÜV SÜD’s Wind Certifi cation Services portfolio offers comprehensive, customized consultancy, and service throughout all stages of a company’s project.

TÜV SÜD | www.tuvam.com

Benefi ts of Type Certifi cation for Wind

TurbinesThree steps to get started

By Thore Lapp

Schunk Graphite Technology and associated members of the global Schunk Group manufacture a complete line of products used in the production and maintenance of Wind Turbines.

These include carbon brushes, brush holders, brush rockers, lightning protection systems, shaft grounding assemblies, flexible current connectors, and slip rings.

Our newest additions are signal brush holder assemblies that can be used with VESTAS®

turbines (see photos below), and a signal brush holder assembly that can be used with GE® 1.5 MW turbines.*

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*Vestas is a registered trademark of Vestas Wind Systems A/S. GE is a registered trademark of General Electric Company.

Lincoln Electric’s advanced Power Wave® equipment platform, combined with our complete lineof submerged arc wire and flux, delivers superior welding performance on typical wind towerapplications, such as longitudinal and circumferential seams, flanges, door frames and more.

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July 27th of this year marks the groundbreaking of the world’s largest wind en-ergy project, the Alta Wind Energy Center (AWEC), located near Tehachapi,

California. Once complete, AWEC will have the capacity to generate 1,550 mega-watts of clean renewable energy—nearly double the capacity of the largest existing project. It shouldn’t come as any surprise this happened in Tehachapi, long consid-ered the birthplace of wind in North America. It’s been 30 years since the fi rst wind turbines were installed in the Tehachapi-Mojave Wind Resource Area, considered one of the windiest places in the world.

The area is enjoying new life thanks to a new transmission line and a 20-year contract with Southern California Edison (SCE) and Terra-Gen Power for the Alta Wind Energy Center, 1,550 megawatts (MW) of wind energy development. It represents the largest wind energy contract ever signed by a US utility, and it means

Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project is setting a new standard for

long-distance transmission in AmericaBy Nikki Cummings

wind energy

wind developers now have better access to the California grid with an ability to sell to multiple utilities. It has proved to be a catalyst for multiple projects including Coram Ridge, Windstar, and Alta I-V.

According to Randy Hoyle, vice presi-dent and head of Wind Development for Terra-Gen Power, LLC, “The 720 MW fi rst phase of the project will increase California’s installed wind capacity by nearly 25%, and contribute substantially to the state’s renewable energy needs.”

After overcoming numerous regula-tory hurdles, SCE offi cially began con-struction of its Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP). The fi rst phase cost $1.8 billion and will result in a high-voltage transmission system ca-pable of delivering 4,500 MW. Executed power purchase agreements to date will allow up to1,500 megawatts or more of power generated from new projects. TRTP transmission project is nearly 100% a Network Facility, meaning it expands and improves the general existing transmis-sion grid in the area served as opposed to being an extension cord reaching out to an isolated area. In Network Transmission, if any one line breaks, there is an alter-nate path so power can shift directions to maintain the reliability of the Network.

No Easy Task: transmission funding & approvalFunding for major Network Transmission facilities is a big issue. TRTP funding crossed two major and critical hurdles. The fi rst required an answer to the follow-ing: are the new transmission facilities Network, and if they are, do they suffi ciently benefi t the transmission system to be rolled into transmission rates paid for by all users of the transmission system in the state? TRTP passed that hurdle by the confi guration of the system, and the massive amount of clean, renewable energy it would bring to the state, helping meet the RPS goals.

Then, there was a second question: who would ‘Up Front Fund’ this two-billion-dollar transmission project? Once the Network hurdle is crossed, it triggers repay-ment over a fi ve-year period for any such line in California that is completed and successfully operates. But, who fronts the initial costs? In this case, the CPUC or-dered SCE to Up Front Fund. SCE objected, fi led an appeal, and the Appeal Court sided with SCE, stating it was their choice as to who would be required to Up Front Fund—either SCE themselves, or the generators who would be connecting to the new lines. Fortunately, once the principle of free choice was decided, SCE informally elected to Up Front Fund as the process created certainty the facilities would, in fact, be Network, and that they would get repaid.

The approval of the TRTP is a notable exception to the diffi culties with long-distance transmission in America. In fact, it’s the fi rst major transmission project in California being built specifi cally to access renewable generators in a remote, wind-rich resource area.

“Prior to that system coming, we weren’t growing and we weren’t going to. We couldn’t take one more watt,” says Linda Parker, executive director of the Kern Wind Energy Association. “The construction of the transmission line is a major ac-complishment that many people have worked tirelessly on. It gives the wind indus-

Case Study: Historic Transmission

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try options and the ability to contract with other electric utility companies.”

Scaling transmissionNumerous entities played a role in the conception, planning, development, and approval process for TRTP, which has involved a number of precedent-setting decisions, both regulatory and in the courts. It demonstrates and sets an example for other badly needed transmission infrastructure projects in this country.

Hal Romanowitz, president and COO, Oak Creek Energy Systems, said it is important transmission ex-pansion facilities be well-planned and scaled to serve the large regional needs if they are to succeed. “Getting the transmission expansion scaled to the proper level, and getting the costs rolled into rates paid by users of the system is extremely critical. This is one of the biggest problems blocking transmission expansion success across the country. To be proper, such user funded expansion needs to be part of a regional transmission planning process, so that the expansion is prop-erly scaled, and will best serve broad needs. One issue is that in some states, users are strongly objecting to pay for transmission used to transport new renewable energy across their state to others in remote locations.”

But fi rst, it is important to under-stand how vital major transmission expansion is to bringing renewable energy to the forefront. There are early costs, but there are also huge economies that can result from creat-ing larger balancing areas.

“This is critically vital to our coun-try, as well as to our state,” explained Romanowitz. “Very commonly, the reason most opposition exists to major transmission expansion is to prevent these expansions, which create new competition to entrenched economic interests, but this is a travesty that needs to be corrected.” For example, one high-cost utility with high-cost generation will fi nd its generation is no longer competitive when new transmission brings in lower cost, remote generation. A low-cost gen-eration utility will object because it wants to keep its low-cost generation to itself, and not let its neighbors get access to those low-cost benefi ts.

With that in mind, TRTP rep-resents the fi rst construction of a “public” transmission line that car-ries electricity generated at the park straight to the grid. This state initia-tive to upgrade the transmission out of Tehachapi began in 2008, and is expected to be completed by 2012. Offi cials estimate that it will eventu-ally provide 4,500 megawatts of elec-tricity, which could make it the largest wind project in the nation. The new

wind farms are eventually expected to comprise 1,750 to 2,000 turbines. Not only does this triple the size of any exist-ing US wind project, but it is also expected to out-perform the world’s current largest wind farm. Phase 1 of the TRTP, which includes segments 1 through 3, out of 11 planned seg-ment improvements, is expected to be complete this year.

Nikki Cummings is the co-owner and president of World Wind Services and a Tehachapi native. She is currently serving as president on the Board of Directors for The Wind Energy Center, and Board Member of the San Diego Chapter to Women of Wind Energy.

World Wind Services | www.worldwindservices.com


wind energy

To ensure that newer and older wind turbines operate reliably and are able to produce the maximum amount

of electricity, it is imperative companies utilize proper lubri-cants. The design of a well-balanced wind turbine lubricant is complex and can be confusing when trying to differentiate products on the market. The following information outlines the performance characteristics that maintenance profession-als need to consider when selecting a wind turbine lubricant for the main gearbox. By evaluating these product attributes, maintenance professionals can make a more informed deci-sion when it comes to selecting the right lubricant.

The heart of the turbineThe main gearbox is the heart of most wind turbines as it drives the generator. With their advanced designs and their overall importance to system performance, it is of little sur-prise they can be very costly. For example, when factoring in all expenses, replacing a gearbox for a 1.5 MW turbine can cost a company more than $250,000, which includes the price of a new gearbox, the crane rental, and the lost revenue from downtime and manpower.

Typically, gearboxes come from the factory fi lled with synthetic lubricant that is designed for the tur-bine to operate for approximately three years. How-ever, the standard length of the warranty now for most gearboxes is only one year. Once the gearbox is no longer under warranty, maintenance professionals will be responsible for choosing the replacement lubricant, often called the second fi ll or service fi ll.

When considering the potential challenges and costs associated with maintaining a wind turbine gearbox, it is recommended that maintenance professionals utilize a well-balanced gearbox lubricant that can deliver exceptional pro-tection over the long haul.

Performance characteristicsMicropitting protectionThe drive to minimize up-tower weight has resulted in compact gearbox designs that include the use of case hard-ening of the gear surfaces. Case-hardened gears exposed to unpredictable winds and loads found in wind turbines (carburized, nitride, induction, and fl ame hardened) are susceptible to micropitting and require a gear lubricant that protects against this type of wear. Micropitting is a surface fatigue phenomenon, primarily observed in gears and roll-ing element bearings. Starting within the fi rst few hours of operation, micropitting can cause numerous surface cracks. The cracks propagate at a shallow incline angle to the sur-face (usually <30°), forming extremely small micropits with a magnitude typically < 10 microns (μ). The micropits ag-gregate to produce a continuous fractured surface. Individual micropits have a size of 5μ to 20μ, and depth up to 10μ, mak-ing them invisible to the unaided eye. The width of a human hair is about 40μ, so while the size of the micropits may seem small, these pits can reduce gear tooth accuracy and even lead to gear breakage.

To minimize the chance of unscheduled downtime and gear replacement, maintenance professionals can use an oil,

which has been formulated to prevent micropitting. The micropitting protection of a gear lubricant is measured using the FVA 54 Micropitting Test. All major gear manufacturers recommend that maintenance professionals use an oil with a rating of at least ‘=10 high.’

It is important to note that micropitting protection of a second fi ll lubricant will not fi x gears that have already started to develop micropits. However, the performance feature should be addressed after gears have been replaced to help promote effi cient production and prolong the life of new gears.

Anti-scuffing & bearing protection Scuffi ng, characterized by material transfer between slid-ing tooth surfaces, occurs when there is inadequate fi lm thickness of the gear oil and creates metal-to-metal contact between gears. If scuffi ng persists, gears will need to be re-placed prematurely. The FZG Scuffi ng Test (DIN 51354-2 mod) measures the scuffi ng resistance and anti-wear perfor-mance using standardized gear-sets under various tempera-tures and speeds. Lubricants are rated based on their Fail Stage (FLS). Maintenance professionals should employ an oil with ‘FLS>14.’

One of the most common areas of gearbox downtime is related to bearing failure due to poor lubricant quality and application. The FAG FE8 Four-Stage Test for Wind Turbine Gear Oils measures a lubricant’s performance on a bearing under varying load, speed, and temperature condi-tions. The four stages of the test are wear test, mixed fric-tion, life test, and sludge. Based on the collective results of the four stages, lubricants are rated on a scale of ‘1’ to ‘5.’ A score of ‘1’ indicates that the lubricant provides superior bearing protection.

ViscometricsViscometrics refers to a lubricant’s ability to maintain its viscosity over a range of cold and hot temperatures. From day to night and summer to winter, turbines can operate at temperatures as cold as -45°C and as hot as 80°C. To de-termine if a lubricant can withstand temperature changes, maintenance professionals can evaluate a product’s viscosity index. The viscosity index is tested by using ASTM D2270 and indicates a lubricant’s resistance to change viscosity with temperature. Maintenance professionals should look for products with a score of ‘160’ or higher.

Synthetics offer signifi cant viscometric advantages over their mineral-oil based counterparts and provide excellent lubricity over a wide range of temperatures. For this reason, synthetic-based products are more prevalent for gearbox oils. For example, Mobilgear SHC XMP 320, a PAO-based gear oil endorsed or approved by a large percentage of wind tur-bine, gearbox, and bearing manufacturers worldwide delivers a VI of ‘164.’

FilterabilityAGMA guidelines have set forth some very stringent re-quirements for gear oil cleanliness in main gearboxes. Reason being, maintaining a clean oil will increase compo-

nent life dramatically. An oil’s fi lterability, its ability to pass through fi lters and not clog them under actual fi eld operat-ing conditions, is often times overlooked. Standard fi lter-ability tests typically only evaluate new dry oil, which may or may not be indicative of what the conditions are like while in operation. It has been documented at large wind farms that the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) expense to replace fi lters, even as little as twice as often as recommended by an OEM, can run well over $275,000 annually.

It is also important to understand how an oil’s additive package impacts its fi lterability. Filterability is generally talked about in terms of micron (μ) rating. Often times, 2μ kidney loop fi lters and 5μ main fi lters are used to clean the oil and protect wind turbine gearbox components. Care must be taken that micron rating and fi lter material is properly understood and treated. Sometimes additives can be fi ltered out or have the tendency to drop out of an oil, especially if the oil holds water. Filterability varies in an oil depending if it is wet or dry. To understand this relationship, it is impera-tive to consult a lubricant manufacturer and fi lter suppliers to fi nd the oil that works best with the fi lters in a system.

Water toleranceOil and water in a gearbox should not mix. However, keep-ing oil completely separate from water in a wind turbine is practically impossible due to the inherent nature of how tur-bines operate. While the blades are turning, gearboxes oper-ate at temperatures as hot as 203° F (95° C). Then, when the blades stop turning, the gearbox cools down and draws in the moisture or humidity from the air. So, as it breathes, water enters the gearbox.

Employing an oil with poor water tolerance can result in residue formation and oil breakdown. To prevent these water-related issues from occurring, it is important to fi nd a gear oil that does not have a tendency to retain water, but still provides adequate equipment protection in the presence of small amounts of water. An oil’s water tolerance character-istics are evaluated by ASTM D1401, measuring an oil’s abil-ity to shed water. This measurement is given in terms of time (minutes), and maintenance professionals should look for an oil with a score of ‘15 minutes’ or less.

Making the right decisionWind turbine gearbox oil is in one of the most challenging industrial lubricant applications in the modern industrial world and requires cutting-edge technology. By evaluating the performance characteristics outlined in this article, main-tenance professionals will gain valuable insights needed in selecting the wind turbine gearbox oils that will help increase productivity, minimize downtime, and reduce maintenance and component costs.

Fred Mitchell is the equipment builder engineer for Mobil Industrial Lubricants.

Mobil Industrial Lubricants ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialties Companywww.mobilindustrial.com

Choosing the Right Wind Turbine

Lubricant to Optimize Production

Performance characteristics provide valuable insight to the

renewable energy marketBy Fred Mitchell

MORE POWER & LESS STRESS = MORE PROFIT

REVOLUTIONARY TECHNOLOGY PROVEN TO: Significantly Increase Wind Turbine Power Output Dramatically Reduce Stress Loading on Main Shaft Bearing

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wind energy

Surface preparation and clean energy…the relationship between these two seemingly unrelated topics is not immediately apparent. In fact, unless vic-

timized by the unfortunate situation of component failure due to corrosion, the signifi cance of surface preparation will likely remain elusive. So, what’s their rela-tionship exactly?

In the metal fabrication industry, whether the focus is on assembling wind towers to harness wind power or on manufacturing sluice gates to control water fl ow, sur-face preparation of these metal components plays a key role in the life of coatings. Given harsh fi eld conditions, all steel components used in the manufacture of such components go through a surface preparation process prior to assembly.

The following discussion will be restricted to the mechanical pre-treatment tech-nique of blast cleaning.

Steel surface basicsThe Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) identifi es fi ve initial rust conditions before surface preparation. This covers the range from plain mill scale to rust and pitted conditions. These are identifi ed as Conditions A, B, C, D, and G (note: re-lated images available in the SSPC Publication 02-12). The commonly encountered conditions are A, B, and C. Condition A – steel surface is completely covered with adherent mill scale and little or no rust visible.Condition B – steel surface covered with both mill scale and rust.Condition C – steel surface completely covered with rust; little or no pitting visible.

The resultant expectation of surface fi nish is traditionally SSPC-SP-10 / Sa 2-1/2 / NACE 2 or Near-White Blast Cleaning.

This is defined by SSPC and NACE as:Removal of nearly all mill scale, rust, rust scale, paint, or foreign matter by the use of abrasives propelled through nozzles or by centrifugal wheels, to the degree hereafter specifi ed. A Near-White Blast Cleaned Surface Finish is defi ned as one from which all oil, grease, dirt, mill scale, rust, corrosion products, oxides, paint, or other foreign matter have been completely removed from the surface except for very light shadows, very slight streaks, or slight discolorations caused by rust stain, mill scale oxides, or light, tight residues of paint, or coating that may remain. At least 95% of each square-inch of surface area shall be free of all visible residues, and the remainder shall be limited to the light discoloration mentioned above.

Blast cleaning basicsMechanical pre-treatment of steel can be carried out using blast nozzles or centrifu-gal blast wheels. All other factors being stable, productivity of the cleaning opera-tion is directly proportional to the amount of abrasive being propelled on the part being cleaned. Airblast nozzles (3/8" diameter at 60 psi) propelling metallic abrasive typically discharge 10% of the blast media propelled by a centrifugal blast wheel (15" diameter wheel, 20 HP motor). Blast nozzles are typically used when the appli-cation requires cleaning with non-ferrous media.

Centrifugal blast wheels are either direct-driven or belt-driven through a bearing system. The resulting line speed of the associated blast machine is directly propor-tional to the total connected wheel horsepower.

The production process & surface preparationConsider the wind power industry as an example (ship-building follows a similar sequence of activities). Raw stock consists of plate steel in a thickness range of 1/2"

to 2". Such plates are pre-blasted in a multiple blast wheel plate cleaning machine, which cleans plate from four feet up to 15 feet wide, at line speeds starting at fi ve feet per minute and increasing based on wheel HP. Blast wheels are located at strategic locations to clean both sides of the plate, simul-taneously.

Such machines have replaced acid pickling lines and offer an envi-ronmentally friendly alternative to chemical stripping. A clean part offers better bonding—whether it is paint, adhesives, or any other coating when compared to a part that has not been blasted. The savings in paint, etc., are signifi cant, especially in high-volume environments. Preservation lines, com-monly found in shipyards and large

Critical Surface Preparation for

Clean Energy Applications

By Kumar Balan

Continued on page 44.

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metal processing facilities, consist of a pre-heater and blast machine upstream to the paint booth. Plates and profi les are treated through the blast machine and cleaned to a near-white or white metal fi nish to ensure uniform paint adhesion and consistent dry fi lm thickness (DFT).

Continuing with the production process in the wind power industry, the blasted plates are rolled into sections referred to as ‘cans.’ These cans vary in diameter and length depending on their location in the wind tower assembly. These cans are welded together along their seams to form the assembly. Upon completion of weld-ing, they are manually blasted as an assembly to clean the welded seams and other discolorations generated by the production process.

wind energy

Such airblast booths can be up to 100 feet long and can accommodate up to eight operators, manually blasting the inside and outside of the part by indexing it on roll-ers to access the entire inside surface. A typical turnaround time for a 60' section, using six to eight operators, is about six hours for manually blasting and removing abrasive from the inside.

Blast machines & ventilationBlasting processes, whether with ferrous or non-ferrous media generate a lot of dust. Sources of dust include: a) breakdown of blast media; and b) scale or other contaminants dislodged from the component being blasted. By design, blast ma-chines have to be ventilated and the dust fi ltered in order to avoid contamination of ambient air.

Collectors are available in two types: dry and wet. Dry collectors with cartridge-style fi lters and bag houses with bag (sock) style fi lters are more commonly used. Wet collectors are required when fi ltering ventilation air that contains certain haz-ardous material with a propensity for fi re or explosion. Ventilation system designs will normally comply with universally accepted standards, such as ACGIH (Ameri-can Conference of Industrial Hygienists).

SummarySurface preparation has evolved over the years from blasting with sand to utilizing recyclable ferrous media such as shot and grit and some specialized non-ferrous media such as ceramic. Machines are now built with sophisticated controls including PLCs and computer controlled operator interfaces. Such features provide remote monitoring of equipment and repeatability of machine performance.

With the evolution of this industry, surface preparation has become a key factor in longevity of equipment and reliability of the entire operation. Therefore, it is im-portant for designers in this sector to take the time to understand the signifi cance of this process.

Wheelabrator | www.wheelabratorgroup.com

…continued from page 42.Critical Surface Preparation for Clean Energy Applications


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Wind project design & assessment toolAWS Truepower, LLC recently announced a new version of their wind prospecting and resource analysis application. windNavigator 2.2 sets a new industry benchmark for on-demand, high-resolution wind data, allowing wind project developers to expedite all aspects of project design and assessment. windNavigator 2.2 supports wind project siting, re-source assessment, and now project design and automated business processes with fast, convenient access to high-quality wind project design data. Users can easily conduct initial project design work including preliminary turbine layouts, initial energy estimates, meteorological tower siting, and more when combining windNavigator data sets and wind farm design software to capture a true picture of a site or project area’s potential for wind development.

The windNavigator application programming interface (API) gives subscribers the ability to “plug in” to windNavi-gator’s wind resource database to target, automate, and expedite marketing and sales processes. windNavigator 2.2 also includes hourly resource information for small wind application load assessments and high-quality modeled data for Measure-Correlate-Predict (MCP) analysis. AWS Truepower, LLC | www.awstruepower.com

Lubricant for wind turbine gearboxesA more effi cient wind turbine that can generate even more wind driven electricity is now possible with the introduction of the new Dow UCON GL-320 lubricant. Dow UCON GL-320 lubricant was developed to better lubricate the gearboxes of wind turbines, though the same lubricant can be used effectively for other types of gearboxes. Power producers may produce and sell more power with this lubricant for three reasons. First, in cold weather, turbines can shut down due to fi lter failures caused by high-lubricant viscosity. The higher inherent viscosity index of UCON GL-320 lubricant addresses this issue without the need for additional VI improvers. Second, when turbine output is at the maximum, high-gear oil temperatures can lead to shutdowns. UCON GL-320 lubricant has a higher heat capacity than hydrocarbon oils, which allows it to move more heat, reducing these shutdowns. Lastly, UCON GL-320 lubricant has better lubricity at ambient conditions meaning that it has the potential to shift the power versus wind speed curve to the left, leading to greater power output when the production is less than the maximum design output. UCON GL-320 lubricant is available in bulk, drums, or 20L containers. DOW | www.dow.com/ucon


wind energy

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Incentives were provided and a development process put in place, followed by announcements of signifi cant projects and investment in the jurisdiction. Then,

without warning and after resources had been allocated, an about-face was made by a government facing external and internal pressure. Several of the most signifi cant projects became incapable of being built, creating a crisis of confi dence within the fi nance community in regard to a renewable energy sub-sector.

Haven’t we seen this movie before?Despite the constant refrain of the business community regarding the necessity of maintaining consistency in government programs and incentives in order to not chase investment out of the sector, the government of the Canadian province of Ontario and its power purchasing body, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), have made several changes in regard to its programs and requirements for the renewable energy sector within the last several months that have angered project developers and raised doubts within the fi nance community.

The amendment of the very popular Feed-in-Tariff program to provide a sig-nifi cantly lower tariff for small ground-mount solar projects was based on an over-whelming response and the perception that developers were taking advantage of an unintended quirk in the pricing model. However, the proposed rule restricting off-shore wind developments to areas greater than fi ve kilometres from shore appears to have been a response to criticism by environmental groups about the effects of the largest offshore turbines being situated near human and wildlife populations.

When the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources announced in January of 2008 that it would be taking new applications for offshore wind projects, the Liberal government declared that the previous moratorium period involved completing signifi cant study of offshore wind development potential, the establishment of key partnerships and an in-depth analysis of certain “social and ecological values.” Fur-ther support for this sub-sector was provided with the $0.19/kWh price for offshore wind included in the FIT program pricing model when publicized in the summer of 2009, raising the interest of some signifi cant players in the global wind industry, as

Offshore Wind and the Canadian Market Push & pull in the new economyBy Aaron Atcheson

Aaron Atcheson is National CleanTech Practice Group leader at Miller Thomson LLP.


Our welding andcutting solutions will blow you away.

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What’s the most efficient way to produce your wind tower? Turn to ESAB for a complete

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well as groups like the local utility in Toronto, Ontario—Toronto Hydro.

Less than a year later, and less than eight months after the MNR issued approval to Toronto Hydro to build an anemometer to test the near-shore wind resource in Lake Ontario, the industry is reeling from the announce-ment of a proposed requirement that no turbines be permitted within fi ve kilometres from shore, effectively wip-ing out the Toronto Hydro project, amongst others, and making its recent investment in testing equipment re-dundant. The government has issued a discussion paper, posted the require-ments for public comment, and prom-ised consultation sessions this fall.

Part of the justifi cation of this geographic restriction is that certain Great Lakes states are considering similar restrictions, yet the US gov-ernment granted the industry a major victory this spring with the approval of the Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound at the same time as Ontario was reversing course under pressure from environmentalists. Granted, the mix of federal and state control over offshore wind projects in the US con-stitutes a signifi cant drag on develop-ment in this area, with the Cape Wind approval, the Obama administration has signalled that it is serious about encouraging offshore production of electricity.

So, why the reversal in Ontario? The change in tack appears to be a manifestation of the tension within the larger environmental movement between those seeking to replace the most polluting of the existing electric-ity sources with cleaner, renewable energy facilities, and more stringent environmentalists that are suspicious of the large industrial wind develop-ments being proposed on- and off-shore in Ontario. The Liberal govern-ment would like both of these groups to support them in the 2011 election. They also want to avoid driving the reactionary NIMBY (“Not in My Back Yard”) crowd, that rises to meet many new wind projects, into the arms of the Progressive Conservatives.

The Ontario discussion paper on the proposed restrictions states that the “fi ve-kilometre shoreline exclusion zone” is a result of the Ontario gov-ernment being committed to protect-ing inland water bodies and ensuring safe beaches, drinking water, food and fi sh, as well as the province’s natural and cultural heritage. Project propo-nents are asking why this commitment did not come into play earlier, allow-ing them to plan projects to avoid the now restricted near-shore areas. Oth-ers note that although the restriction is clear that no wind development will occur within fi ve kilometres of shore,

the documentation explains that site-specifi c factors may require a project to be located even further than the fi ve-kilometre limit, resulting in greater uncertainty among those considering a project.

When the Ontario government introduced its Green Energy Act, intended to expand renewable energy pro-duction, encourage energy conservation, and create green jobs, along with the much-lauded FIT program, much was made of the possibility that Ontario would increase

employment in new green sectors as a way of emerging from the global recession and manufacturing slump. It appears that Ontario’s early lead in the pursuit of offshore wind energy opportunities in the Great Lakes may be challenged by the many US states now actively encourag-ing development.

Miller Thomson LLP | www.millerthomson.com


wind energy

Hoist snag load prevention Drivecon has introduced LoadLock, a free feature now available on all Drivecon closed-loop hoist inverters. LoadLock is the industry’s fi rst snag load prevention feature that proactively minimizes the effects of operator induced shock loading. In any hoisting application the operator is tasked with slowly raising a load off of the ground. Given this is dependent on the individual operator, it can frequently cause shock loading, and can result in cumulative fatigue on the crane’s mechanical and structural components. By activating the Load-Lock feature, the inverter will constantly monitor for a rapid increase in torque (snag load) and, if sensed, LoadLock will automatically decrease the hoist speed until the torque stabilizes and/or load is off of the ground. Once stabilized the speed will resume to the original speed requested by the operator. The end result is optimized cycle time and minimized impact to the crane's traditional wear items. This feature can be especially helpful with cranes used in delicate lifting applications and process duty environments.Drivecon | www.drivecon.com

PCL understands the complexities of wind,solar, hydropower, and bioenergy productionand works with our partners to provide EPCand BOP construction services that surpass

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For more information contact Terry Olynyk at:

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Positive displacement rotary pumps OLAER USA screw pumps offer a high-quality, reliable solution for the effi cient movement of fl uids within a system or application. Applications include lube services such as for wind turbines and gearboxes. They are positive displacement rotary pumps with an axial fl ow design that has only three moving parts. The power rotor is the only driven part that extends outside of the case. The idler screws actually act as sealing parts and are turned hydraulically by the fl uid being pumped. There is only a rolling action between the drive screw and the idler screw. This rolling action elim-inates noise and vibration, ensuring a long life. The advantages are: constant fl ow, even in the presence of varying system backpressures; low noise and vibration levels, minimizing foundation requirements; high-effi ciency, independent of viscosity or temperature variations; non-pulsating fl ow, without the need for pulsation dampeners; and, reliable performance and long-lasting life.Olaer USA Inc. | www.olaerusa.com

High lift craneWind Composite Service Group (WindCom) is now offering rope composite services, which allows for fast deployment of composite techni-cians. It is particularly geared toward advanced inspections and light cos-metic composite work. WindCom rope techs are all experienced com-posite technicians and are trained under the demanding IRATA stand-ard. As of October, WindCom will also be the fi rst company in North America to deploy a 100m High Lift crane for the performance of quality composite services in turbines. The WindCom High Lift crane service offers the most competitive solution for the execution of serial cosmetic and mid-level structural repairs on turbines rated up to 3 MW.Wind Composite Service Groupwww.windcomservices.com

North American Clean Energy is published 6

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wind energy

Yaw & pitch drives Bonfi glioli’s 700T series planetary speed reducer is the industry standard for “smart” yaw and pitch control for wind turbines. Used to control such signifi cant functions as rotor positioning and tur-bine power output control, the 700T se-ries can be found worldwide in the latest, state-of-the-art wind turbines. Advanced technical features ensure the product can withstand even the most rugged and heavy-duty applications. Features in-clude: fl ange mounted; modular product offering, which provides fl exibility to meet customer requirements; integrated electric or hydraulic motor options; output shaft—splined or with integral pinion; rugged and reliable construction; high-torque capacity; output shafts sup-ported by heavy duty capacity bearings; and, environmental protective coatings for the harshest conditions. Bonfiglioli | www.bonfiglioliusa.com

Deep Foundation Systems* for wind turbines

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Surge protectionThe new ‘Surge Protection’ line from Thomas & Betts (T&B) provides premium protection for alternative energy sources from the damaging effects of electrical power surges. In fact, lightning damage is the single largest cause of unplanned downtime in wind turbines. The Thomas & Betts line provides complete surge protection, from individual components to an entire plant. T&B Surge Protection products are available with optional EMI and RFI fi lters to protect sensitive control systems from interference caused by variable frequency equipment. The T&B line includes individually fused MOVs to provide protection from extended surge events. Available surge ratings are 400kA, 240kA, 160kA, and 100kA per phase. DIN rail mounting is also available with these devices. By combining two or more T&B Surge Protection units in an electrical system, the product warranty is extended from 10 to 15 years. Thomas & Betts Corporation www.tnb.com

Split-ring/Epoxy mounting kit To simplify the protection of bearings in VFD-driven motors, Electro Static Technology has introduced the Split-Ring AEGIS Bearing Protection Ring with Conductive Epoxy Mounting. Developed for fast, easy fi eld installation without detaching coupled equipment, the new Split-Ring kit offers the most effective long-term protection of AC motor bearings from electrical damage, providing a path of least resistance and safely channeling VFD-induced bearing currents to ground. The unit has a 360° circumferential inner ring of conductive microfi bers permanently secured in place by the patented AEGIS FiberLock channel. The unique FiberLock channel design not only prevents the microfi ber brushes from loosening or falling out, but also protects them from breakage. When used by HVAC service contractors, motor repair shops, and plant maintenance departments, the conductive-epoxy-mounted Split-Ring AEGIS Bearing Protection Ring prevents bearing noise, downtime, and costly motor repairs/replacements.

In addition to the ring, the kit contains engineered silver-fi lled conductive epoxy. After removing the paint from the installation area of the motor end bell, the installer mixes the epoxy resin and activator, applies the adhesive to the back side of the ring, centers the ring halves around the motor shaft, and holds them in place to allow the adhesive to set. The entire procedure, including cleaning the end bell, takes about 10 minutes. Electro Static Technology | www.est-aegis.com

Portable laser alignment toolFixturlaser is the fi rst laser alignment specialist to introduce a tool for shaft alignment that is ultra-portable—the Fixturlaser UPAD. Once in the nacelle, lack of space is the major concern. A technician is only able to access the machines from one side. To help, the Fixturlaser UPAD tool is attached to the technician’s arm allowing complete freedom and mobility during the entire measurement and alignment process.Services Techniques Claude Drouin Inc.www.stcd.ca


Missing A Piece?Challenge HYDAC and put our experience to the test. We can solve your puzzle!HYDAC products and solutions can be found in thousands of wind energy systems worldwide. From complete systems, including cooling systems for gear boxes and generators, to fi ltration and diagnostic concepts for lubrication and hydraulics, the answer is HYDAC.

Complete Package Solutions Global Presence Local Competence

Your Leader and Technical Solution Partner for Wind Power.

November 1–3Booth #807

See us at:

H2O

H2O

HYD1007-1266

ACCUMULATOR TECHNOLOGYThree distinct accumulator designs are available, bladder, diaphragm, and piston, ensuring the accumulator fi ts the application rather than forcing the application to fi t the accumulator. Available up to 15,000 psi working pressure, HYDAC has the most complete range of accumulators, worldwide.

ELECTRONIC & DIAGNOSTIC TECHNOLOGYOur product range extends from simple pressure transmitters to the intelligent multiple pressure switches with customized software. In the fi eld of sensors, we employ different techniques, enabling us to offer solutions to a customer’s specifi c application.

FILTRATION TECHNOLOGYComponents and systems for fi ltering solid, liquid, and gaseous contamination. HYDAC fi ltration products are also used for extracting water from hydraulic, lubricating, non-fl ammable and biological operating fl uids.

COOLING SYSTEMSHYDAC offers a modular series of components and systems in the area of fl uid cooling technology. Our cooling technology is designed for engineered applications for wind technology, mobile equipment and industrial machines.

Power distribution block connectorsILSCO is pleased to announce its expanded offering of Power Distribution Block (PDBs) connectors with a High Short-Cir-cuit Current Rating (SCCR). All of the PDBs are either UL listed or UL recognized, and CSA approved to 600 Volts and up to 760 Amps. All PDBs are RoHS compliant and have a maximum SCCR with fuse protection up to 100,000 SYM Amps. All PDBs are manufactured from tin plated, high-strength aluminum alloy and are suitable for use with solid, stranded, or extra-fl exible aluminum or copper conductors. For those PDBs that are not designed with a cover there is an optional cover avail-able. All PDBs are 90° C with the exception of the PDE and PDL series which are 75° C.ILSCO | www.ilsco.com

Jib for windpower unit assembly & service workThe 300-metric-ton LR 1300 SX is one of Liebherr’s most successful crawler crane models. The new LR 1300 SX version of this crane has a main boom that permits worthwhile increases in main boom and jib lifting capacities. In addition, the LR 1300 SX has a newly developed heavy duty jib for assembly and maintenance work on wind power installations. For this area of application, the crane is equipped with a narrow telescopic undercarriage for cost-effective travel movements when space on the ground is limited. The standard travel width of the LR 1300 SX is 8m, but the undercarriage can be closed up until its width is only 4.8m. The track width adjustment permits crane travel movements with all equipment installed.

The new heavy duty jib is 8m long and rated for a maximum lifting ca-pacity of 117t. Its full performance potential is revealed when it is used in conjunction with long booms and derrick equipment. The maximum possible combination of 113m main boom and 8m heavy duty jib results in a sheave height of 123m. Even this maximum confi guration can handle loads of up to 42t. With the more customary confi guration of 80m main boom and jib, the LR 1300 is able to lift more than 80t, with a sheave height of almost 90m.Liebherr | www.liebherr.com


Solar Power InternationalOctober 12th to 14th, 2010 • Los Angeles Convention Center—LA, California www.solarpowerinternational.comSolar Power International is the largest solar conference and expo in North America. In 2009, the event broke all records: attendance by industry professionals soared to 24,000-plus, and the number of exhibitors topped 930. Given the surge in the solar energy market, the 2010 event will certainly set the bar even higher.

All proceeds from Solar Power International help grow the US market through the efforts of non-profi t organizers, Solar Energy In-dustries Association and Solar Electric Power Association.

Show in PrintFeatures just some of the companies and technologies attendees will see at this year’s show.

Dry pump for solar crystal puller & laminator applicationsEdwards recently introduced a new GXS dry pump designed to support pumping requirements for silicon ingot manufacturing and laminator applications in the solar industry. The GXS provides the optimized thermal control and dust handling capability needed to meet

the pumping challenges encountered in these processes. The high atmospheric pumping speed capability of the GXS also enables faster chamber pump down, reducing cycle times and improving throughput. GXS uses a tapered variable pitch screw profi le (patent pending) that allows for tight clearances without the need for rotor coatings. It also enables compression variations along the rotor axis for improved thermal stability and better thermal control, making it an op-timal pump to handle the high fl ows of argon gas used in crystal pulling applica-tions, as well as the dust generated during the manufacturing process. The GXS dry pump can operate on as little as 3.9 kW of input power (depending on the pump version) and uses 57% less energy than competing piston pumps. Edwards | www.edwardsvacuum.com

Booth 520

Thermal solar water heating systemsStiebel Eltron SOLKITS 2 and 3 thermal solar systems are Energy Star Rated and have SRCC OG300 system certifi cation. Each solar closed-loop system includes SOL 25 PLUS fl at plate collector panel(s) and mounting hardware, SB/SBB storage tank with heat exchanger(s), pump station with expansion tank, temperature/pressure gauges, pressure relief and check valves, and controller unit with corresponding sensors. There is a 10-year warranty on Stiebel Eltron solar panels and tanks.Stiebel Eltronwww.stiebel-eltron-usa.com

Booth 4412

Deep cycle batteriesSun Xtender pioneered renewable energy storage batteries for off-grid and grid-tied systems. This is a deep cycle VRLA-AGM valve regulated lead acid battery with absorbent glass mat manufactured by Concorde Bat-tery Corporation—the same design that has been proven and adopted by worldwide commercial and military users. The sealed, maintenance-free design means no spilling or spewing, no watering, and the option to oper-ate upright, on its side or on its end. Deep cycle unique, high-density plate and grid technology with PolyGuard protection provides superior reliabili-ty, power, and extended cycle life. Sun Xtender features a low-impedance design, including Copper alloy, cor-rosion-free terminals that allow for maximum conductivity. There is no current limit with controlled voltage charging, and complete recharge is accomplished in a minimum of time. Sun Xtender | www.sunxtender.com

Booth 1227

High-effi ciency solar inverter product family Eltek Valere introduces the Theia HE-T product line, which offers the industry’s highest power conversion effi ciency for isolated inverters—maximizing the usable energy from solar power plants in commercial and residential applications. Solar inverters are the power electronics that convert the energy from the solar panel to AC power that can be fed into the electricity grid. The new product line from Eltek Valere sets a high-power conversion effi ciency standard for isolated string inverters. The Theia family consists of string inverters that can be used in small applications such as residential, com-mercial buildings, or smaller stand-alone installations.Eltek Valere | www.eltekvalere.com

Booth 6035

Direct-fl ow vacuum tube seriesSuitable for a wide range of applica-tions, the Vitosol 200-T direct-fl ow vacuum tube series is ideal for do-mestic hot water heating systems in northern climates. Plus, with versa-tile installations on roofs, walls, or freestanding, the 200-T can be easily incorporated into any architectural design.Viessmann Manufacturing Company Inc.www.viessmann.com

www.viessmann.ca

Booth 4729

Components for Solar Applications

13300 Van Camp Road P.O. Box 468 Bowling Green, Ohio 43402Phone: (419) 352-8441 Fax: (419) 352-0875 [email protected]

Visit our booth # 1320 at Solar Power International 2010

®



PV mounting system for commercial fl at rooftopsCooper B-Line recently announced its new, highly fl exible ARISTA Mounting System for solar photovoltaic commer-cial rooftop applications. The versatile ARISTA system is Cooper B-Line’s fi rst available stocked solar PV mounting system, designed to meet budgetary and installation requirements. Unlike other PV mounting systems, the fi eld adjust-able ARISTA system’s pre-assembled fi ttings and clamps make installation quick and easy, resulting in a reduced cost per watt that lowers total installa-tion costs. The system’s ultimate advan-tage is its high degree of labor savings. The adaptable ARISTA system can be used to support virtually any solar PV panel type or size, and can be landscape or portrait mounted. Ballasted and pos-itively tied options provide added fl ex-ibility, while the system’s hinged design allows for rooftop maintenance without disconnecting panels. Constructed of standard, pre-assembled electrical com-ponents, the ARISTA system’s light-weight frames provide durable support for solar PV panels, effectively angling panels from 5° to 35° at 5° increments for maximum performance. Cooper B-Line www.cooperblinesolar.com

Booth 1120

Transformerless inverters The KACO transformerless (TL) blueplanet inverters are on their way to the US. KACO already successfully supplies reliable and cost-effective transformerless inverters throughout Europe. Now KACO will offer the US industry innovative TL products. These products offer enhanced CEC effi ciency numbers and they help PV systems produce more kWhs than ever before, which makes solar more affordable than ever. KACO new energy, Inc.www.kaco-newenergy.com

Booth 1501

solar power international show in print

Powering change for RES AmericasDaniel Menahem - Senior Manager,Development – Emerging Renewables

powering change® Visit us at

Booth #2122

South Hall

Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. is a leader in the

energy industry, with over 4,800 MW constructed/under

construction of renewable energy projects across

North and South America.

Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. 11101 W. 120th Ave. Suite 400 Broomfield, CO 80021 303.439.4200 res-americas.com

Develops | Constructs | Owns | Operates

Next-generation solar moduleCanadian Solar’s NewEdge, the next-generation module is a rail-less PV module designed for multiple types of mounting systems. It offers customers lower installation costs, aesthetic seamless appearance, auto grounding, and theft resistance. The all-black CS5A-MX is a robust all-purpose 72-cell solar module incor-porating the Zep compatible frame. The specially designed frame allows for rail-free fast installation with the industry’s most reliable grounding system. The module uses high-effi ciency monocrystalline silicon cells, laminated with a black back sheet and framed with black anodized aluminum. The all-black CS5A-MX is rated among the top for PTC effi ciency and is an ideal choice for customers who are looking for a high-quality, aesthetic module with the lower system costs. Applications include: on-grid and off-grid residential rooftops, as well as commercial/industrial rooftops, rural area applications, and solar power stations.Canadian Solar | www.canadian-solar.com/en

Booth 3437

because...

www.kaco-newenergy.com • 866 522 6765

Tell us why you PV at www.iheartpv.com

Win a trip for two to Germany!See website for contest rules.

it’s... Free. Fuel. Forever.Liz Merry,

Verve Solar Consulting

it is quiet, powerful, peaceful and smartZara Scharf,

Midwest Renewable Energy Association

...seriously? Who wouldn’t want their

house powered by sunshine? Andrew Wood,

Solar San Antonio

watching people’s jaw drop when they see my meter spin

backwards is pricelessDeep Patel,

GoGreenSolar.com

it has provided my home with clean energy since 2007

Marc Fontana, GRID Alternatives Volunteer

it makes the world a better placeJan Kappes,

Solar Enthusiast & Homeowner

our future depends on itVan Hausman,

Sungevity

Brought to you by

it’s the most elegant energy solution we have -

turning the sun directly into electricity is practically magic

Lucas Johnson, SUN (re)construction

when you own a system,you own the energy

Kelly Provence, Solairgen

solar does not spill,it doesn’t destroy mountain tops and it does not create radioactive waste

Ryan Schaub, Lumos Solar


Riverside County is geographically located in one of the premier solar insolation regions in the world with a large population that will create demand for clean energy.

■ A GROWING GREEN ASSET INVENTORY

■ DESIRABLE LOCATION FOR INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

■ OPEN LAND FOR LARGER SOLAR PROJECTS

WWW.RIVCOEDA.ORG

S O U T H E R N C A L I F O R N I A

www.cityoftemecula.org

www.cityofperris.org

THIS IS WHERE IT BEGINS!

RENEWABLE ENERGY

www.cityofhemet.org

www.murrieta.org

www.ci.san-jacinto.ca.us

Fully integrated solar carportBaja Construction introduces a new concept in PV systems for the commercial market—a fully integrated solar carport that utilizes Baja’s Solar Support System to carry PV modules, producing clean energy to power America’s businesses and the emerging electric vehicle market. Baja’s solar carport is a specifi cally engi-neered shade structure built right on a customer’s parking lot. It can be used as the sole PV solution or as a supplement to a rooftop PV solution. It differentiates itself from rooftop solar installations in that it has the secondary benefi t of shaded parking, which may be a recognizable revenue source. Baja Construction | www.bajacarports.com

Booth 3252

Extended AH battery ratingsRolls Battery is pleased to offer two additional 2V models to their Renew-able Energy line-up: 2V S-1590 & S-1725. Similar to the popular 2V S-1380 and standard L-16 size, the S-1590 & S-1725 models include the four-post confi guration, two posts per terminal, used to support the poten-tial loads of 1,200 AH (S-1590) and 1,300 AH (S-1725) per cell on a 20 Hr rate.Rolls Battery | www.rollsbattery.com

Booth 1715


Single-axis tracking system with low heightThe SunCarrier 120 is a single-axis tracking system that permanently aligns the module surface with the current sun position via a vertical-axis. This ensures an ideal angle of inci-dence for the sunlight and provides an additional yield of 30% compared to fi xed installations available on the market. Depending on the module type, an output of up to 24 kWp can be installed on the module surface of around 120 square metres. The SunCarrier 120 ideally complements the SunCarrier series portfolio with its product specifi cations. Due to its reduced height of only 4.3 metres, the system can be implemented easily in countries with installation height restrictions. The low height also re-sults in a reduced wind load, enabling an increased focus on lightweight construction during the development stage and a signifi cant weight reduc-tion of the steel beam construction. Depending on the local requirements and the soil condition, customers can choose between concrete and screw-in foundations. The system is especially suited for a deployment between the 25th and 55th northern and southern latitude, and can be installed individu-ally or in large-scale solar parks.SunCarrier LLC | www.af.net

Booth 4259

Solar panel supports made simple.

Cablofil engineers have created a truly unique support system for ground-mounted solar installations – CFS. Every component of the CFS System is designed to reduce installation time and keep overall costs to a minimum. Pre-assembled grid tables eliminate labor-intensive “stick built” construction methods to reduce field installation costs and are engineered to withstand extreme static and wind loads. Plus, all hardware is RoHS compliant so the entire system qualifies for LEED points. Look to Legrand/Cablofil to show you the future.

See us at Solar Power International - Booth 235.

designed to be better.

www.legrand.us/cablofil800-658-4641

8319 State Route 4Mascoutah, IL 62258 USA



4035 Owl Creek Drive l Madison, WI 53718-4405 l 608.222.9000 l isthmuseng.com

= a successful partnership

Visit us in BOOTH 533 at Solar Power International in Los Angeles.

Our expertise + your expertise

Isthmus is a worker-owned cooperative.

Custom Automation Solutions for Green Industries

Permitting & operating solar energy generationEcology and Environment, Inc. (E & E) offers the professional envi-ronmental support required to site, permit, and operate solar energy gen-eration and transmission facilities. E & E covers all the bases from water supply, wetland considerations, and ecological impact studies to land use, socioeconomic analysis, and commu-nity outreach. They recently helped a developer quickly obtain permits for a 39 MW photovoltaic project, one of the nation’s largest, which begins con-struction in California this fall. Oper-ating from 31 locations from coast to coast, E & E is supporting the develop-ment of over 800 MW of PV capacity. Ecology and Environment, Inc. www.ene.com/service/energy/solar.aspx

Booth 965

Square-shaped monocrystalline cells & modulesWith its latest ‘Quad Max’ technol-ogy, Trina Solar is launching a new product: high-effi ciency, square-shaped monocrystalline cells and modules. Built into modules, Quad Max cells will boost module power output from 5% to 8% when compared to conventional monocrystalline modules. Trina Solar developed the Quad Max using innova-tive manufacturing processes and a pro-prietary, state-of-the-art metallization and passivation technique, in addition to two extra high-temperature thermal processes, as well as additional printing. These complex technological processes allow Trina Solar’s Quad Max to yield enhanced conversion effi ciencies of 18.2% on average and up to 18.8%. The Quad Max’s square shape allows the cell to harvest more sunlight, avoiding the loss of surface area typical of conven-tional octagonally shaped monocrystal-line cells. In module-form, the cells gain 5% more surface area than ordinary monocrystalline modules.Trina Solar | www.trinasolar.com

Booth 3211

Inspection system for wafers & cellsANTARES is a new and reliable microcrack inspection system for wafers and cells. The concept is contact-free and generates images of cells that are suitable for automatic error detection (which has not been an easy task for EL and PL imaging). The concept is robust and reliable; it is not disturbed by metallization or the natural grain structure. The inspection system is available as an inline tool or as stand-alone system, and includes the ability to sort-out of defective cells from stacks. The ANTARES inspection system can inspect mono- and po-ly-crystalline cells of 156 × 156mm2 (thickness from 150 μm up to 300 μm) and has a cycle time of two seconds per cell (one second per wafer), allowing use of standard automated production lines. Microcracks down to a length of 1mm can be detected reliably.Intego GmbH | www.intego.de

Booth 3019; German Pavilion

to check on your PV Powered inverter?

PVP260kW Commercial Inverter

97% CEC Efficiency

20-year Warranty

Maximum Uptime

Customizable

Shortest lead time

Made in America

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

PV Powered inverters are so reliable they’re covered by the industry’s first standard 10-year nationwide warranty and our unrivaled optional 20-

year extended warranty. The simplicity of our patented design, using fewer components, gives PV Powered’s inverters the reliability to deliver

maximum uptime, even in North America’s extreme climates. Best in class CEC efficiency, front access and features for faster, easier installation

and maintenance keep energy production up and cost of ownership down. It all adds up to a significantly higher return on your investment

and reduced levelized cost of energy (LCOE) by cutting ¢/kWh today, tomorrow, and well into the future. For more information on PV Powered

reliability, email [email protected], visit pvpowered.com, or call 1-541-312-3832 Bend, Oregon.

PVP 1MW PowerVault PVP260kW PVP100kW PVP75kW PVP50kW PVP35kW PVP30kW

COMMERCIAL INVERTERS

AN COMPANY


Self-locking pinPivot Point Incorporated has invented a new quick-locking pin, the SLIC Pin. The pin functions as a pin and cotter all in one, and is particularly well-suited to solar frame and panel assembly. SLIC is an acronym for ‘Self-Locking Implanted Cotter’ and, as the name implies, the pin is secure and self-lock-ing through the use of an implanted plunger (locking detent) that effectively functions as a self-contained cotter pin. The pin features a solid, spring-loaded “wedge-shaped plung-er” that combines ease-of-use with secure fastening. The wedge-shaped plunger easily and automatically retracts when the pin is inserted into a hole. The angled, ramp-like face of the wedge ensures smooth insertion. Once fully inserted, the plunger springs back up, locking the pin into the application. The vertical face at the rear of the plunger pre-vents the pin from backing out. The SLIC Pin is intended for use as a semi-permanent quick-locking pin and can be used in a mul-titude of applications. Pivot Point Incorporatedwww.pivotpins.com

Booth 2928

Solar hot water insulation systemK-Flex USA delivers long-lasting cost and energy savings with K-Flex Solar Twin System – ST, a quick and safe solution for insulating heat transport piping on new or retrofi t solar hot water systems. According to industry reports, solar water heating is the most cost effective and environmentally friendly way to heat water for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. So-lar hot water systems collect thermal energy from the sun and use it to heat water in place of using electricity or natural gas. A key ele-ment of this type of system is insulating the heat transport piping. Designed to minimize heat loss and simplify installation of fl uid re-circulation lines connecting solar panels and the water storage tank, K-Flex Solar Twin System – ST includes fl exible stainless steel tubing covered with high-temperature rated insulation, a UV- and mechanical-resistant jacket, embedded temperature sensor wires, a complete range of fi ttings, and mounting accessories.K-Flex USA | www.kflexusa.com

Booth 4523

Pluggable surge protection for PV systemsPhoenix Contact’s VALVETRAB MS surge arresters protect photovoltaic systems up to 1000 V. The VAL-MS 1000DC/2+V-FM protects two-posi-tion DC voltage systems up to 1,000 volts. VALVETRAB MS is also avail-able for other voltages commonly used in small-scale PV systems and power systems (12 V to 600 V DC). The rail-mountable arresters protect both in-sulated and solidly grounded systems. The protective circuit is thermally and dynamically monitored. In the event of damage, it disconnects the arrester from the generator. The VAL-MS surge arresters are available with or without remote indication contact. Phoenix Contactwww.phoenixcontact.com/usa_home.htm

Booth 4121


Green application notes on solar & fuel cell testing In addition to the solar inverter testing applications, customers can learn how Agilent Technolo-gies can help measure the power and heat produced by their de-sign and, therefore, impact on the environment. Topics include correlating temperature to vari-ous electrical measurements and quantifying the power used by FPGA’s. To download per topic, visit the company website.Agilent Technologieswww.agilent.com/find/

powerconservation

Booth 5545

With over 100MW of tracking systems contracted worldwide, at SOLON we don’t simply compete in the fi eld of solar energy: we lead the way. Our preconfi gured solar clusters are driving the development of utility-scale solar fi elds, enabling fast construction, low energy costs, and an excellent, predictable return on investment. Better for the environment, better for utilities, better for communities. What can we do for you?

What’s next?

We’ve Already Developed the World’s First Preconfi gured, Modular Solar Power Plant.

www.solon.com



Utility scale PV inverter lineSMA America LLC, the US-based subsidiary of SMA Solar Technology AG, has expanded its US line of utility products with the Sunny Central High Effi ciency (HE) line of solar inverters. The new 500 and 630 kilowatt inverters provide integrators, project developers, and EPCs with a utility scale 1000VDC solution that features the industry’s best effi ciency in the medium-voltage inter-connection category. The Sunny Central 500HE features a maximum output of 550 kVA, while the 630HE produces 700 kVA. Both provide full AC-rated active power while maintaining a 0.9 lagging/leading power factor range, and while operating continuously at 50° Celsius. By connecting to an external medium-voltage transformer to accom-modate long-distance power feeds to distribution substations, the HE line is ideal for utility installations and industry leading maximum and weighted effi cien-cies of 98.6% and 98.4% result in an outstanding energy yield.SMA America LLCwww.sma-america.com

Booth 3827

Solar bonding lugs The ERITECH brand of solar bonding lugs from ERICO is designed to bond the frames and mounting structures of solar photovoltaic systems in accordance with NEC requirements. These lugs are corrosion-resistant and galvanically compatible with copper grounding conductors and aluminum PV module frames. The solar bonding lugs are supplied with the required mounting hardware and are easy to install. The stamped lug has a lay-in feature that allows the po-sitioning of the grounding conductor along multiple frames prior to securing the wire. In addition, the same hex head power driver can be used to install the lug to the frame and secure the wire into the lug. Stainless steel serrated washers provide a superior bond to anodized aluminum and a lay-in feature is ideal for installation underneath module frames. The lugs can accommodate #14 solid to #6 stranded AWG copper grounding conductors. They are also UL 467 listed.ERICO | www.erico.com

Booth 4119


Circuit protection for solar applications Littelfuse has been working with engineers to develop and provide circuit protection for solar applica-tions around the world. More than four million fuses have been installed to protect solar PV strings, invert-ers, and arrays. Littelfuse solar fuses and circuit protection products were designed specifi cally for solar PV ap-plications. With product offerings such as the SPR and SPFR 1000VDC products, Littelfuse offers overcurrent protection up to 400 Amps. Littelfuse provides fuses and holders designed to meet the global requirements unique to solar applications, as well as ground fault and over-voltage protection de-vices for solar applications. Littelfuse, Incwww.littelfuse.com/green

Booth 5523


Solar has never been more popular

Official Sponsor of

As the world’s most prestigious sport, F1 embodies the pursuit of excellence through technological expertise and innovation. At Trina Solar, it’s because of this shared passion for innovation that we’ve teamed up with the Renault F1 Team, one of Formula One’s most advanced teams. As solar accelerates on the track to grid parity, we think it’s time to bring solar to an even larger audience – the world. For more information, visit us at www.trinasolar.com

Visit us at

Booth 3211

Solar Power International

Solar inverters SOLIVIA stands for “Solar inverters for versatile and intelligent applications,” and the compa-ny is offering four new models: SOLIVIA 2.5, 3.3, 4.4, and 5.0 NA G3. Each offers a nominal output power ranging from 2.5 to 5.0 kW, which complements SOLIVA’s already available Eu-ropean solar inverter product line from Delta. The high-frequency grid-connected SOLIVIA solar inverters from Delta are suitable for all commonly used solar modules (also for thin-fi lm and rear-side contact PV modules) due to the implemented galvanic isolation and the integrat-ed DC wiring box that accommodates either positive or negative DC grounding. All models incorporate an integrated lockable DC disconnect, which is mandatory for many local authori-ties, leading to reduced installation efforts and expenses as it eliminates the need for an external 600 Vdc disconnect switch. The high-frequency grid-connected solar inverters for the North American market operate within a wide temperature range, up to 50° C with full power output (without derating). This ensures high yields even for installations in warmer climates. Delta Energy Systems (Germany) GmbH | www.solar-inverter.com

Booth 1609


Improved silicon pyranometerKipp & Zonen’s silicon pyranometer is now even more user-friendly. The SP Lite2, designed for all-weather measurement of solar radiation, has an integrated bubble level and adjustment screws for convenient installation. The successful SP Lite2 is widely used to measure solar radiation in entry level weather stations, particularly for agri-culture and hydrology, and is supplied by well-known system integrators. SP Lite2 is also popular for routine moni-toring of photovoltaic solar energy installations and in building control systems for lighting and environmental control. SP Lite2 can be directly con-nected to voltmeter or data logger. Direct readout in Watts per square meter (W/m2) can be derived from the measured voltage divided by the cali-bration coeffi cient. It is also fi tted with the Kipp & Zonen high-quality yellow cable. Kipp & Zonen USA Inc.www.kippzonen.com

Booth 2129

Turn-key solar power solutionsWith more than three-billion dollars of solar projects under asset management, and 200 MW installed worldwide, Enfi nity provides turn-key solar power solutions for commercial, municipal, and utility customers. The company’s services include initial economic pro-ject analysis and project development; engineering and design through to the project fi nancing; engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) coordination; and, asset management. The company has proven expertise in renewable energy systems, solid project credentials, and close relations with a wide range of investors. Enfi nity is active in 21 countries across the globe and has been selected to build some of the largest projects in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacifi c. Enfinity | www.enfinitycorp.com

Booth 4207

© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2010

“ I need to replicate the unpredictable variables of the sun.”

Here’s the power to make them predictable.Designing solar arrays, fuel cells, inverters and other green technologies

requires the ability to emulate real-world conditions. Agilent N3300 and

6060 eLoads, and B1505 SMU tools, help you gauge performance across

widely varied energy loads. And Agilent E4360 Series Solar Array Simulators

let you replicate the variable energy of the sun right from your bench top,

making the unpredictable, predictable.

Create a greener tomorrow with Agilent’s application briefs

Characterizing the I-V Curve of Solar Cells and Modules

Designing and Developing Terrestrial Inverters Using Solar Array Simulators

Measuring Fuel Cell AC Impedance

Get your FREE “SAS, Testing/Energy Storage” and “Power Consumption Reduction” application briefs www.agilent.com/find/gogreen

u.s. 1-800-829-4444 canada: 1-877-894-4414


Condensation controlSTEGO Inc. has introduced two new Hygrostats that when connected to an enclosure heater will prevent condensation from ever happening. The EFR 012 Hygrostats sense relative humid-ity (RH) in control enclosures and, whenever the RH rises to a level where condensation could form, they energize a heater, expanding the air and causing RH to fall to a safe level. The EFR 012 Hygrostats provide simple and effective condensation control. Units are available either with a 40% to 90% RH adjustment range, or a 65% RH tamperproof fi xed point setting. STEGO Inc. | www.stegousa.com

Booth 871


• IEEE 1547 compliant

• Over 97% effi cient at rated power

• 1MW system rating

- Shelter enclosure option

- Optional MV transformer and switchgear

• Optional utility grid support features

- Adjustable lead / lag power factor for VAR support

- Low voltage ride through (LVRT)

• Optional PV string isolation switch with visible disconnect (Ontario code compliant)

• Optional utility-grade power meter

• Ask about Magnetek’s patent-pending technology enabling energy harvesting in low-light conditions

Magnetek’s modular grid-tied E-Force Inverters turn DC

power produced by photovoltaic systems into clean, utility-

grade, distributed AC power. The E-Force’s compact,

fi eld-proven design increases the power harvested from

renewable sources, reduces the time and cost of installation

and assures a long service life. Magnetek’s 20 years of

renewable energy experience assures you of the most

advanced, proven power control technology available.

Harvest More Green with Magnetek.

m a g n e t e k r e n e w a b l e e n e r g y. c o mr e i n f o @ m a g n e t e k . c o m 8 6 6 . 3 8 1 . 2 0 3 5

Low

Light

Super-

A NIGHT & DAY DIFFERENCE The difference between Magnetek’s E-Force® Solar Inverter and the competition is night and day.

String checkerSolarBOS is pleased to announce its String Checker installation tool, now available for sale in North America. The String Checker gives system in-stallers a way to check both the Open Circuit Voltage and Short Circuit Current with a purpose-built multi-meter that clips into a SolarBOS com-biner box. Installers no longer have to wait until system commissioning to check all the string currents—they can be measured at any time during construction. The String Checkers are rated for up to 600 VDC and 20 ADC, and are built within a rugged, weath-erproof case. Test leads, battery, and battery charger are included. SolarBOS www.solarbos.com/products.php

Booth 1221

Customized solar mounting systemsSchletter has been developing, design-ing, and manufacturing racking systems for PV power installations for over 18 years. As one of the largest manufactur-ers in the industry, they have produced over 5 GW of installed module capacity on roofs and ground-mounted systems worldwide. All of the systems are modu-lar and can accommodate any tilt angle and layout to give clients the most free-dom during the design phase. Schletter employs state-of-the-art commercial engineering design tools as well as in-house programs to allow for maximum material utilization of every member in each system; thereby, reducing material and the system cost. The most impor-tant aspect of the design is system qual-ity in strict accordance with local build-ing codes to ensure owners, investors, insurance companies, and municipalities that the system will be safe over the lifetime of the structure. Schletter con-tinues to focus development on reduced installation time and a high degree of preassembly to reduce system cost.Schletter Inc. | www.schletter.us

Booth 843

WE INVITE YOU TO COMPARE.

NVITEYOU TO CO

With design and installation capabilities across the country, ProtekPark Solar works with elite solar developers and integrators to provide value engineered and customized structural solutions. Our durable, functional, attractive and economical structures are designed to outperform the competition in any environment.

To learn more, visit us at SPI – Booth 1031

protekparksolar.com 513-618-8364

The Richard Stockton College, New Jersey

William Patterson University, New Jersey


Funding for renewable energy projectsPNCEF Energy Capital LLC (PNC) offers a source of funding to the re-newable energy industry. PNC has the intellectual capital, fi nancial capacity, and industry expertise to provide stra-tegic solutions for client’s renewable energy needs. For example, PNC can provide tax equity and/or debt through a number of structures including PPA and direct lease models, operating or capital leases, and partnership fl ips. With clients including developers, end-users, and panel manufacturers, PNC has a history of successful execu-tion nationwide. While PNCs focus to date has been on solar and energy effi ciency deals, the bank is committed to renewable energy in all sectors. PNCEF Energy Capital LLC www.pnc.com

Booth 2912

Integrated base power station for multiple inverters More for less is the advantage that EPCs recognize in the one- to two-megawatt PowerStation solutions for utility scale, multi-megawatt PV projects. More points of effi ciency for nearly half the current, size, and weight of alternate solutions. Solaron invert-ers already provide maximum energy harvests with 97.5% CEC and 98.5% peak effi ciencies—at half the current of competing units. Integrated in the PowerStation conversion system, the inverters are connected in parallel to a single-winding, high-effi ciency, medium-voltage transformer that costs far less than custom, dual-winding transformers. All necessary AC switch gear and electronics are included in the compact base station for easy, lower-cost shipment, and installation.Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.www.aesolaron.com

Booth 3313


Industrial embedded computing solutions Used in renewable energy applications around the world, Moxa’s embedded computers and remote monitoring solu-tions are energy effi cient, and their small form factor makes them cost-effective and easy to install. Moxa, a member of SunSpec Alliance, offers industrial sys-tem solutions for the solar community. Moxa’s Wireless W406 and UC-7112 embedded computers are commonly used as front-end communications com-puters that connect to the PV inverter, AI and counter input module, and solar power meter. They can also be used for remote monitoring, data acquisition, datalogging, and protocol conversion. Moxa’s ioLogik E1240 Ethernet I/O de-vice with Active OPC Server proactively updates event messages to the control center with real-time stamps over the network, for effective integration with a real-time SCADA/HMI system. Moxa | www.moxa.com

Booth 1650

Molded vacuum interrupter The new Thomas & Betts Elastimold Molded Vacuum Interrupter (MVI) is maintenance-free and environ-mentally friendly, containing no gas or oil, and is available for subsurface, vault, tower, padmount, or riser-pole applications. The 38kV/25kA MVI incorporates Elastimold’s proven com-bination of EPDM molded insulation with a vacuum interrupter. This lat-est addition to their solid-dielectric family of switchgear features a 25kA symmetrical fault interrupting vacuum bottle and a magnetic actuator mecha-nism. The MVI will work with a broad line of control options, ranging from our Elastimold 80MAX Control to a variety of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories controls.T&B Elastimold www.utility.tnb.com

Booth 157


High-performance crimping toolsBURNDY announces the introduction of their new high-performance PATRIOT PATMD6-14V series crimping tools. These new tools continue to utilize 14.4 volt Ni-MH batter-ies, but are 50% faster than other brands us-ing lithium-ion batteries and are 80% faster than previous models. The BURNDY high-performance PATMD6-14V tools complete a crimp on a 4/0 copper splice in approximately two seconds. The PATMD6-14V series of tools incorporate the latest engineering technol-ogy with a refi ned hydraulic system for ultra-performance, speed, and reliability even in the harshest work environments. The PATRIOT IN-LINE tools can be used in virtually any position due to their 350º rotatable jaws and audible “pop-off” crimp indicator. Plus, the ergonomically balanced design eases operation, even when wearing gloves. All PATRIOT tools feature the BURNDY INFINITY DRIVE transmission, which has a lifetime warranty.BURNDY | www.burndy.com

Booth 1427

Energy monitoring & management Powerhouse Dynamics uniquely delivers Home Energy Intelligence for everyone with the eMonitor, a solution designed to monitor and manage all uses—and sources—of energy in the home and provide ongoing analysis, diagnostics, and alerts, as well as thermostat and device control. The eMonitor uniquely monitors at the circuit level, integrating energy effi ciency and solar production, delivering the level of granularity and actionable intelligence required for effective energy management, cost savings, and home safety.Powerhouse Dynamicswww.powerhousedynamics.com

Booth 6009

PV testing & certifi cation servicesTÜV SÜD America offers photovoltaics testing and certifi cation services for crys-talline silicon and thin-fi lm technologies. Along with their partner lab, Renewable En-ergy Test Center, TÜV SÜD provides a full suite of testing and certifi cation for PV prod-ucts under both international and US standards. They are able to complete most safety projects in less than six weeks to give organizations an expe-dient and cost-effective test-ing strategy. TÜV SÜD Americawww.tuvamerica.com

Booth 3874

Surge protection for grid-tie solar power systemsCITEL, Inc. has expanded its surge protector line to include models DS60PV and DS50PV, two wire and ground DC power surge protec-tors for applications up to 1000 Vdc. Designed for the most severe applications, DS60PV is a Heavy Duty DC surge protector, rated to withstand a direct lightning strike (10/350us waveform) as defi ned by ANSI/IEEE C62.41-2002 and IEC 61643-11. It is typically installed at the DC input to the inverter of a solar power system. For more general duty applications, DS50PV is surge rated at 40kA 8/20us, and engineered to protect against indirect lightning, AC utility grid surges, and internally generated switching transients and faults. These din rail mount devices can be integrated into a PV com-biner box or standalone enclosure. CITEL is also pleased to announce model DS50PV as the fi rst UL recognized DC Surge Protector with replaceable modules. CITEL, Inc. | www.citel.us

Booth 1425


Slew drives & larger solar trackersIMO presents the new slew drive WD – LB 0140, which was especially developed to meet the require-ments of solar thermal applications. The newly devel-oped—and so far smallest—IMO slew drive stands out due to its extremely low-maintenance effort. It also has a high stiffness, which amongst other things is intensi-fi ed by the elaborated slewing ring of the integrated IMO slew drive. A gearing with little axial clearance bears high demand on the precision of the position and the repetition when correcting the refl ection mirrors. Appropriate heat treatment methods and coating pro-cesses, combined with the suitable lubricant and a new drive structure assure IMO, even under extreme envi-ronment conditions, offers an extremely long life span. With a compact design with a generously dimensioned output shaft for easy execution of supply lines, as well as individual adaptation of the drive motor and the pro-vider system to customer specifi cation, WD-LB 0140 can be integrated into almost every encoder system. Additionally, the environmental technology specialists will exhibit solar street lighting and solar home systems. IMO USA Corp. | www.goimo.com

Booth 1743


Controller for solar tracking applicationsYokogawa Electric Corporation recently released their HXS10 controller, which controls the actua-tion systems that move heliostats (refl ectors) and PV panels. The HXS10 helps maximize power gen-erating effi ciency by controlling the angles of helio-stats and solar panels so they stay pointed at the sun as it moves across the sky. Compared to general-purpose controllers, such as PLCs, the HXS10 has lower initial costs and requires less engineering time. Built of environmentally resistant and durable components, it can withstand temperatures ranging from –20° C to +70° C, meaning HXS10 is optimal for the control of solar power generating facilities installed in deserts and other harsh locations. It also offers a communication function that allows it to be monitored by a host system in a central control room. Moreover, to eliminate communication traf-fi c overload and create a more secure and stable communication environment, each HXS10’s com-munications can be routed to the host system via another HXS10 unit.Yokogawa Corporation | www.yokogawa.com/us

Booth 2807

Solutions for automated productionThe Energy Division of KUKA Systems North Amer-ica offers engineering services, automated production modules, and complete turn-key production lines for the PV, solar thermal, and wind energy sectors. It is part of the KUKA Systems Group, a global supplier of fl exible automation systems for the automotive, aero-space, energy, and industrial solutions sectors. KUKA Systems provides standardized solutions, which can be easily modifi ed to suit customer-specifi c automation and working space requirements. KUKA Systems of-fers North American solar manufacturers two business-es in one: a global supplier of advanced solar produc-tion technologies, as well as a US-based integrator with demonstrated expertise in adapting those technologies for local use. KUKA Systems’ alternative energy prod-uct line-up covers almost every aspect of PV manufac-turing—from the most sophisticated wire saw machines for slicing ingots into wafers to robotic work stations and full production lines to perform every task associ-ated with assembling and testing PV modules. KUKA Systems Corp. of North Americawww.kukanao.com

Booth 109


High-density Li-Ion energy storageInternational Battery’s large-format pris-matic rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are an ideal choice for solar applications requiring high-energy density in a scala-ble modular architecture. Offering robust thermal and cycling performance, as well as easy system expandability and com-prehensive Battery Management Systems (BMS), International Battery’s lithium-ion batteries are easily scalable from kil-owatt-hours to megawatt hours. Made in the US and ideal for Smart Grid, utility energy storage, diurnal energy storage, industrial, military, and land/sea trans-portation applications, these lithium-ion cells offer quick charge times, small footprint, lighter weight, and excellent cycle life at high C rates, along with a low service maintenance and low capacity loss at high rates of discharge. Employing a unique environmentally friendly, water-based manufacturing process, International Battery’s Li-ion batter-ies meet a wide array of energy storage needs and offer several models that are UN Transport certifi ed for shipments globally. International Battery www.internationalbattery.com

Booth 1653

Electrical construction servicesProviding electrical construction ser-vices since 1891, MYR Group Inc. is a holding company of specialty con-struction service providers. With rapid growth in renewable energy, the skills of MYR companies are in demand to connect alternative energy sources to the US power grid. For nearly a dec-ade, MYR companies have constructed substations, transmission lines, and col-lector systems for solar and wind farms nationwide. MYR’s Renewables division has the expertise needed for the success of these unique projects and provides clients with a single-point of contact throughout the duration of a project. MYR Group Inc. | www.myrgroup.com

Booth 2131

Renewable Energy battery lineUS Battery is proud to release their all-new Renewable Energy battery, designed from the ground up. They have made improvements, which include their outside positive plates, OSP design, Diamond Plate Technology, and the all new Defender Moss Shield, making their new “RE L16 XC” battery line an ideal choice for renewable energy storage.US Battery | www.usbattery.com

Booth 324


Larger model residential invertersSolectria Renewables introduces the PVI6500 and PVI7500, ex-panding their residential inverter line to meet customers’ needs for larger model residential inverters. Solectria Renewables now offers eight residential inverter models ranging from 1.8kW to 7.5kW. The new PVI6500 and PVI7500 feature a wide operating voltage window, 96% CEC effi ciency, a detachable wiring box, standard 10-year war-ranty, RS485/MODBUS RTU com-munication, and options for web-based monitoring and integrated panel assemblies.Solectria Renewableswww.solren.com

Booth 3337

solar power international show in printS2

3

BETAflam® Solar – clean cables for clean energy

BETAflam® 125 Solar is a label of our Solar- & Windpower business unit. BETAflam® cable are

halogen free, flame retardant and electron-beam cross-linked. With TÜV/08.2007 approval and UL listing

as „PV wire“ and „USE-2“, the cables are worldwide applicable.

Solar- & Windpower business unit · www.leoni-solar-windpower.com

The Quality Connection

Solar PowerLos Angeles

12 - 14 October 2010 Stand 2222

Supply & Return lines for solar thermal water systemsOmegaFlex introduces Solar-Trac fl exible supply and return lines for solar thermal water systems. This new system provides the highest level of quality for tomorrow’s energy. Solar-Trac is available in both insulated and un-insulated versions, adaptable to most solar thermal installation con-fi gurations. Solar-Trac Piping ben-efi ts include: T316L Stainless Steel; available sizes from 3/8" to 2"; tubing bends by hand; routes easily around obstacles; cuts using standard tub-ing cutter; special lengths available; Solar Flare fi ttings benefi ts include: self-fl aring; no special tools; reliable metal-to-metal sealing surface; and, no gaskets or rubber washers. Solar-Trac by OmegaFlexwww.solar-trac.net

Booth 4222

Laser welding machineKIOTO Clear Energy, an OEM producer of solar thermal collectors and ab-sorbers, presents its new laser welding machine: the 1,5 Mio. USD invest of-fers KIOTO the ability to produce Al/Cu or Cu/Cu absorbers in high-selective coated with full surface—now available in typical US sizes including 4" x 10" and 4" x 8". KIOTO Clear Energy S.A. de C.V. | www.kioto.com

Booth 4826

Solar-resource assessment & PV performance monitoring systemsCampbell Scientifi c now offers pre-wired packages for solar-resource assessment and PV performance monitoring ap-plications. These systems accurately and reliably measure on-site meteorological parameters, power generated, power consumed, and PV module temperature. Couple this meas-urement capacity with the ability to poll inverters and power meters to provide a single access point for all site data. Use Campbell Scientifi c’s LoggerNet 4.0 and LoggerNet Data Base software packages to automate data collection and data base archival from multiple sites. Alternatively integrate these packages into an existing SCADA or PLC infrastructure via ModBus or DNP3.0. Campbell Scientifi c designs and manufactures measurement and control instruments in the US, specializing in programmable, fi eld-based dataloggers for environmental and industrial applications. With 35 years of experience and more than 150,000 units sold worldwide, Campbell dataloggers are well-known for quality measure-ments, versatility, and reliable performance—even in harsh, remote environments. Campbell Scientific Inc.www.campbellsci.com/renewable-energy

Booth 2424


Hybrid lighting systemThe EverLast PVW Hybrid Induction Lighting System is a solar- and wind-powered area light system that utilizes a wind turbine, two solar panels, and a battery to store energy—mak-ing it a completely sustainable lighting system. Energy effi cient, sensor-controlled EverLast induction lamps make this green technology possible. The EverLast PVW is compact in size, free-standing, and completely off the grid, allowing municipalities to reduce spending by re-ducing the energy and maintenance costs associated with other lighting systems. EverLast Induction Lighting (a product of Full Spectrum Solutions, Inc.) | www.everlastlight.com

Booth 2120

100 MW inverter systemsAlencon Systems, Inc. announced the release of a new series of grid-tied in-verter systems engineered specifi cally to address every major aspect of large, utility scale renewable energy genera-tion in the range from 4 MW to 100 MW. Their regulated current source technology provides impressive ben-efi ts: reliability backed by a best in class warranty/service package 99.1% CEC effi ciency; active/reactive power con-trol with cos(φ) +/- .9; robustness that allows low/zero voltage ride through; modularity with “hot,” swappable 2.5 MW Grid Inverter Package (GrIPTM) modules; and, 100% nominal output in all ambient temperatures. Coupled with a 2500V DC distributed harvesting net-work and a Virtual Reality 3D SCADA system, Alencon systems deliver up to 12% more energy into the grid. Alencon Systems, Inc. www.alenconsystems.com

Booth 1709

Azimuth & elevation absolute encoderUS Digital’s latest release is the HBA4 absolute, blind hollow bore shaft en-coder. HBA4 absolute encoders are used as azimuth and elevation position sensors in two-axis tracking systems, commonly used in solar applications. The single turn encoder provides 16-bits of resolution over 360° of shaft ro-tation and is available with a 12mm or 0.500" diameter bore size, with either a ball bearing or sleeve bushing bear-ing assembly. The HBA4 slips over a shaft and is locked in place with a non-marring clamp mount. A fl exible anti-rotation tether provides single-point mounting for bolt circles ranging from 2.50" up to 5.00" in diameter and com-pensates for shaft run out. The HBA4 communicates serially to a host via the industry standard RS485 bus and is sealed to an IP66 rating. US Digital | www.usdigital.com

Booth 2815

DESIGNED andMANUFACTURED

in the USA

www.basler.com/solarCorporate HeadquartersHighland, IL, 62249 USA

Tel 618 654 2341 [email protected]

The PCS-250 Grid-tied PV inverter is designed, manufactured andassembled in the U.S.A. Basler also designs and manufacturesthe bridges, enclosures, transformers and electronics, providingin-house control over all critical parts. Integrated Protection andHigh-Speed Ethernet Communications include IEC 61850, DNP 3and Modbus protocols. High efficiency ratings provide maximum power.Assembled in NEMA-4/3R Weather-proof enclosures suitable forsevere outdoor applications.

Basler’s reputation for quality and reliability are evident in all aspectsof the new Inverter product line, which is available with a 10 year warranty.

Since 1942, providing solutions in power conversion,control and protection, Basler proudly announces

THE NEW PCS-250

PV INVERTERAvailable in June 2011


Ground-mount systemsPatriot Solar Group, engineer and manufacturer of solar tracking systems, announces its new ground-mount sys-tems. Patriot’s ground-mount system is a cost-effective solution to using solar energy. Made out of a three-piece, pounded post design, the system costs less than competi-tors. They are ideal for large commercial and utility scale installations, and are modular with quick assembly. With a rugged, weather-resistant design, the ground-mount system is backed by a 10-year warranty against mechanical failure of the frame construction. The systems are ideal for megawatt and multi-megawatt systems, and include mill-fi nished rails designed for exact panel fi t. The systems start at 1 kW and go up to utility size. Ground mounts can be custom fi t to customer’s needs.Patriot Solar Group | www.patriotsolargroup.com

Booth 5719

PV weather products & servicesQ-Lab Corporation produces quality, affordable weathering products and services for the PV industry. Conducting accel-erated weathering tests allows customers to make informed decisions about a product’s durability in a reasonable amount of time. Q-Lab’s easy to use line of weathering test chambers includes the QUV Accelerated Weathering Tester, the world’s most widely used weathering tester, which provides the best simulation of short-wave sunlight and moisture for accelerat-ed physical property testing. The Q-Sun Xenon Test Cham-ber is a weathering and light stability tester that realistically reproduces and accelerates damage caused by full-spectrum sunlight. Additional features, such as water spray, expand the number of unique environments that can be simulated.Q-Lab Corporation | www.q-lab.com

Booth 3477


®

Why choose a system where you have to replace the caulk

every few years? You can have Zilla® for a lifetime!

See a demonstration of the Zilla® Electrical & Thermal

Flashing Assembly and check out all Zilla® products

at Solar Power International, BOOTH 1064, this October.

Zilla®, a universal mounting and racking system, has just come out with new, never

before seen, Electrical & Thermal Flashing Assembly. It is simply THE BEST on the

market. The Zilla® Electrical & Thermal Flashing Assembly features a water-tight seal which doesn’t require caulk or rubber boots.

PLUMBING HVAC/R COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL MARINE OIL&GAS SOLAR

KFAD-0086-0810

products are a quick and easy solution for insu-lating fluid recirculation lines in solar hot water systems. Designed to minimize heat loss, K-Flex Solar™ delivers a cost effective and environmentally responsible way to heat water for residential and commercial needs. For more information, contact K-Flex USA to-day and receive your free sample of K-Flex Solar™.

MEET US AT THE SOLAR POWERINTERNATIONALTRADE SHOW

BOOTH #4523

Solar panel foundationCHANCE (Hubbell Power Systems) power-installed steel foundations can be used to support solar panels, small turbines, and a variety of equipment associated with clean energy. They are proven in the electric utility and telecommunications industry in a variety of applications, including steel transmission towers, substation, and equipment support applications. CHANCE also manufacturers a full line of power-installed earth anchors and foundations for tieback, residential, and soil nail applications, as well as micropiles used for supporting large buildings. CHANCE | www.a.b.chance.com

Booth 543


Solar electric solutions for installersSunWize Technologies is a distributor of PV systems and components (including modules, inverters, and BOS) to installers serving the on-grid residential/commercial, off-grid residential, and industrial markets. In addition to wholesale distribution, Sun-Wize also installs residential and commercial PV systems, offers solar franchises, de-signs and integrates off-grid industrial systems and manufactures specialty modules for unique end-use applications. SunWize is backed by the reputation and stability of their parent, Mitsui & Co. Ltd, one of the world’s largest and oldest trading companies.SunWize Technologies | http://sunwize.com

Booth 3911

Concentrator PV systemsSolFocus will showcase its Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) systems, currently producing clean energy in California, Arizona, Mexico, Australia, and other high solar resource regions around the globe. The company’s CPV design uti-lizes high-effi ciency multi-junction solar cells in combination with an advanced, refl ective optical system to concentrate sunlight 650 times. The SolFocus sys-tem achieves high power production levels using durable, low-cost materi-als like glass and aluminum—materials that contribute to the system being over 97% recyclable. The dual-axis track-ing system provides a broad shoulder of energy production from sunrise to sunset with a perfect match to peak de-mand. With high effi ciency and volume manufacturing capacity, SolFocus CPV systems are scalable from one to 100+ MW installations. SolFocus, Inc. | www.solfocus.com

Booth 2305

USA and Canada:Toll free 1866 HUBER SUHNER (1-866-482-3778) Fax 1 802-878-9880

HUBER+SUHNER AGTumbelenstrasse 20 8330 Pfäffikon Switzerland [email protected] hubersuhner.com

«Renewable energy – an excellent idea deserves excellent connections»Solar energy

Connect with holistic RADOX® SOLAR connectivity solutions. Use our quality to secure your solar power.

Wind energy

Fiber optic, copper and wireless solutions for the nacelle and control system, and between towers in the windpark.

MASTERLINE pre-terminated fiber optic cable system for safe, quick and easy installation

RADOX® Solar cables, connectors and junction boxes for high performance modules

Solar bypass solutionMicrosemi Corporation’s new LX2400 integrated circuit solution for the solar bypass function is designed to set a new standard in performance and cool opera-tion. Its patented CoolRUN technology provides minimum heat generation—less than 100° C rise at 10 amps, setting the stage for higher current modules. Its 40-year high-reliability design provides extreme environment survivability to further support long-life warranties. The LX2400 Bypass is fully functional from -650° C to +1650° C, while pass-ing 1.4 Joule lightning tests. Its typi-cal forward voltage is rated at 50mV, 10A@850° C and its reverse current is rated at 100uA leakage@ 850° C. Its sig-nifi cant improvements in reliability over conventional bypass diodes can result in substantial reductions in warranty costs, increasing system profi tability. Microsemi Corporation www.microsemi.com

Booth 2949


Alternative energy credentialing programsFor over 32 years, ETA has met industry’s emerging tech-nologies demands. Recently released, ETA International’s comprehensive Alternative Energy credentialing program is unlike any other green certifi cation provider. The pro-gram currently offers Photovoltaic Installer (as well as Small Wind Installer and Commercial Wind Maintainer) “Hands-On” certifi cations. Each focus includes a three-tier career track for individuals to expand their knowl-edge within alternative energy fi elds. The certifi cation programs are accepted by many in the industry including all branches of the US Military, Motorola, Corning, and others. ETA is a member of the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA), Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), and Continental Automated Buildings Associa-tion (CABA). The association is comprised of over 5,000 members, 700 subject matter experts who serve on various industry advisory committees, and 1,000 exam/certifi ca-tion administrators. Electronics Technicians Association (ETA), International www.certifymegreen.org

Booth 2229

ETL certifi ed panel mount DC solar connectorsWieland’s PST 40i1 DC solar connectors now include ETL certifi cation for their panel mount (bulkhead) connectors and fi eld assembled units. ETL certifi cation assures users that Wieland PST 40i1 panel mount connectors have been tested by an independent testing laboratory and conform to applicable performance and safety standards. Rated to 40A DC, use the panel mount connectors for enclosure applications including DC-DC convert-ers, combiner boxes, and transition boxes. External installation of panel mount connectors allows an enclosure device to be tested off-site and shipped ready to install in the fi eld. The contact’s wire size ranges from 2.5mm2 (14 AWG) through 10mm2 (8 AWG), allowing for higher gauge wire to mitigate voltage drops. Connector resistance, typically be-low one milliohm, minimizes power losses. NEC code requires a tool to disconnect the PV con-nection. Wieland PST 40i1 connectors provide a low-cost solution using a safety clip, which can be removed with a standard screw driver.Wieland Electric Inc. | www.wielandinc.com

Booth 1400


Cable protection systems PMA is pleased to announce the launch of XSOL three-layer co-extrusion technology conduits. These conduits have an outer layer of modifi ed Polyamide 12, a thin layer of a special bonding compound in the middle, and an inner layer of modifi ed Polyamide 6. This combina-tion of materials offers many outstanding char-acteristics. Above all, the conduits have excel-lent resistance to UV and weathering provided by the outer layer of PA12. They are highly fl exible and resistant to continuous bending cy-cles but, at the same time, have very high com-pression strength and impact resistance even at low temperatures. Additionally, they possess good fi re safety characteristics and are free of cadmium and halogen. The XSOL conduits be-long to the PMAFLEX product range and are a medium duty conduit. They offer an extremely long life in external, dynamic, and static en-vironments, as well as excellent resistance to compression and impact forces.PMA USA, Inc. | www.pma-usa.org

Booth 6210

Pre-engineered racking systemsUnistrut Energy Solutions now offers pre-engineered racking systems demon-strating a cost-effective support struc-ture for photovoltaic panels in a wide variety of solar applications including rooftop, ground, and ballast-mounted installations. These systems provide labor and material savings to the mar-ketplace. Four new designs will meet the wind load, snow load, dead load, and seismic requirements of approximately 75% to 80% of all commercial solar applications. With minor modifi cations the system can be customized to meet more specifi c requirements. The designs are fl exible and effi cient to optimize the use of product and affordable materials. These systems utilize a limited number of pieces for simple connections, and lengthened spans to minimize roof or ground penetrations. This makes the system easy to install resulting in a cost reduction of 30% to 35% over custom racking systems.Unistrut Energy Solutionswww.unistrutenergy.com

Booth 1515


EXCELLENCEBY DESIGN®

CALL 1 (888) 878-8750 TO FIND OUT MORE, OR GO ONLINEHeliodyne, Inc. • 4910 Seaport Avenue • Richmond, CA 94804

T: 1.888.878.8750 or 510.237.9614 • F: 510.237.7018Information & Support: [email protected]

Sales Inquiries: [email protected]

Flat roof-mounting solutionEngineered for fl at roof-mounting applications, ISYS Roof Mount is a non-penetrating solution that can be installed at a rate of 2kW to 3kW per man hour, making it one of the fastest, easiest, and most cost-effective solutions on the market today. The confi gurable design accommodates 0° to 30° module tilt and best of all, requires no ballast blocks or concrete in 90mph to 120mph basic wind zones.The patented ISYS beams are designed to work with a vari-ety of standoffs and fl ashings when at-tachments are necessary for seismic and high wind zones requirements. Accom-panied by Unirac’s personalized Custom Solutions Division, a team devoted to supplying a complete suite of services including structural design services, on-site installer training, delivery logistics, and fi eld support, are all personalized to ensure accurate installation.Unirac | www.unirac.com

Monocrystalline cell technologyMAGE POWERTEC PLUS modules utilize a monocrystalline cell technol-ogy with an electrical effi ciency of up to 17.3%. With allowable tolerances of up to +5 watts, maximum power is guaranteed without any compromise and nominal power is obtained or even exceeded. MAGE’s competitive 10-year product warranty far surpasses legal requirements and the added guarantee of 90% nominal power for 12 years and 80% for 30 years, providing customers with three full decades of reassurance. Due to their engineered hollow section frame and 3.22mm special solar glass, MAGE POWERTEC Plus models meet maximum demands with regards to stability and corrosion resistance. The high-quality EVA foil allows ideal embedding of the solar cells, while the weatherproof foil backing of the mod-ules protects against humidity. In addi-tion, these robust modules resist a maxi-mum pressure of 5,400 Pa/113 psf.MAGE SOLAR Projects, Inc. www.magesolar.com

Booth 2653

Automated solar installationsAP Alternatives is a manufacture of modular solar racking systems for commercial and utility scale projects. They have created and patented the Solar Paver System, an automated installation system for utility scale ground-mount solar arrays, which greatly reduce the installation time, labor, and cost. By us-ing factory production automation, they produce process/quality controlled modular racking with solar modules pre-loaded into the racking and delivered to the fi eld pre-wired. With no fasteners required, the Solar Paver System is capable of array construction at a rate of 10 MW in 22 days with a fi eld crew of 12; with the panel-to-panel wiring and cable management complete, ready for simple home run wir-ing in integrated wire management trays. AP Alternatives also offers a modular fl at roof racking system, the Flat-Rac with the zero-fastener feature that can be confi gured project specifi c for high-density roof mount arrays. AP Alternatives, home of the angle roof mount Solar Ray, manufactures all of their own products effi ciently, providing installers extremely competitive pricing for large solar projects. AP Alternatives | www.apalternatives.com

Booth 1625


Velocity MW solar power plants SOLON Corporation offers a unique combination of PV module manufacturing and power plant exper-tise to the NA market—providing complete turn-key PV systems solutions from design and construction to fi nancing and operation. SOLON’s modular Velocity MW solar power plants are designed to maximize kWh with the fastest realization of grid-connected solar electricity. Features include large SOLON mod-ules; single-axis tracking; modular 1 MW blocks; centralized power conversion box; advanced SCADA system for remote monitoring and maximizing uptime; streamlined installation and reduced permitting time; and, scalable to 100 MW+. All Velocity solar power plants combine high-effi ciency components with proven design and construction to reduce energy costs. Innovative fi nancing through SOLON’s power purchase agreements provides the immediate benefi t of lower electricity rates with no upfront invest-ment—just a monthly solar electricity fee with predictable rates over the life of the contract. SOLON | www.solon.com

Booth 4637

CSP & PV construction Mortenson Construction, a renewable energy contractor in North America, is widely recognized for their exper-tise in collection systems, substations, transmission lines, interconnect ar-rangements, and their rapidly growing CSP and PV construction experience. Mortenson has installed more than 9,100 megawatts of renewable wind power facilities and utility scale solar power systems over the past 15 years. Mortenson Constructionwww.mortenson.com

Booth 2119

Kipp & Zonen USA Inc.

125 Wilbur Place

Bohemia NY 11716

USA

T: +1 (0) 631 589 2065 ext. 338

F:

www.kippzonen.com

+1 (0) 631 589 2068

+1 (0) 631 786 1558

[email protected]

SALES OFFICE

Rodney Esposito

M:

Accurately Monitoringthe Performance of yourSolar Energy System

To maximize the effectiveness of your solar energy system, you need to know how it is performing. A Kipp & Zonen pyranometer accurately measures the solar radiation available to your system in real time. Comparing this with the power generated allows you to calculate the efficiency of the system. A drop in efficiency indicates the need for cleaning, ageing or a fault, allowing you to schedule preventive maintenance and to monitor your return on investment.

Make that difference and contact Kipp & Zonen for the solutions available.

Visit us at booth 2129 at Solar Power International 2010, Los Angeles, CA

Custom aluminum extrusions for solar application Sapa Extrusions is a key supplier of alu-minum profi les for the solar industry. Sapa’s Renewable Energy Organization provides solutions to all solar market seg-ments including: PV mounting systems; module frames and components; CSP collectors; inverter housings and compo-nents; and, heat sinks for inverters. Sapa’s North American Technical Center works with clients to establish fi nished designs for innovative custom features and im-proved end-use applications. Sapa’s re-sources include custom extrusion design, fi nishing, and fabricating. Sapa Renewable Energy www.sapagroup.com/solar

Booth 5746

Silicon PV modulesSolaria Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets silicon PV modules to solar sys-tem integrators, project developers, and elec-tric utilities. Based on its patented low-cost technology, Solaria’s modules provide reliable performance while matching form, fi t, and performance of conventional PV modules. Solaria modules are designed specifi cally for ground-mounted tracking systems and certi-fi ed to UL1703 and IEC61215 standards. Solaria Corporation | www.solaria.com

Booth 4837


Sealing, adhering & installation technologiesADCO’s proactive development focus is on edge sealants, attachment adhesives, primers, J-Box adhesives and pottants, frame adhesives, and rail bonding. Their total systems approach to material, equip-ment, reliability, and installation brings all the pieces together. Their innovative chemistries, which include polyisobu-tylene (PIB), acrylic, MS polymer, and polyurethane, among others, have proven track records of performance. “Best-in-class” moisture barrier with PIB makes it the perfect solution for UL certifi cation. ADCO’s equipment alliances ensure their systems approach provides a material/equipment integrated solution, with equipment expertise. Built around a cen-tury of glass-to-glass bonding, ADCO is a global provider for sealing insulated glass with in-fi eld expertise with ‘peel & stick’ commercial roofi ng installation—areas that directly relate to solar PV module assembly and installation.ADCO Products, Inc. | www.adcocorp.com

Booth 732

Accelerated UV weathering systemEYE Lighting International, a subsidiary of Iwasaki Electric Co., announced the introduction of a new super acceleration UV durability/weathering system provid-ing the fastest acceleration rate in the industry. UV/weather durability testing is a necessity for any product that must endure the harsh treatment of Mother Nature. As PV module life expectancy ex-tends beyond 30 years, faster accelerated life testing is critical for improved quality and profi tability. EYE’s SUV-W151 sys-tem provides acceleration factors 10 times typical Xenon chambers. With more than 30 times natural sunlight UV energy, this system can simulate three years of out-door exposure in only nine days of test-ing. Spectral fi ltering cuts UV irradiation below 295nm to replicate natural sunlight and correlated acceleration factors up to 100 times natural solar UV irradiation provide proven, extended outdoor expo-sure evaluation testing. All weathering parameters and cycle functions are fully programmable, including rainfall.EYE Lighting International www.eyesolarlux.com

Booth 320

ONE�MEAN�BATTERY

CAUTION

Superior Cycling | Dual-Container Construction | Widest Range of Specs

Largest Liquid Reserves | Easiest to Install | Longest Life Span | Premium Warranties

T. 1.800.681.9914 E. [email protected] www.rollsbattery.com

Available in 20 countries on 6 continents worldwide,Rolls offers the broadest product line of deep cycle, low maintenance and maintenance

free batteries for the Renewable Energy market. From large-scale storage to small

village electrification, our flooded or AGM storage batteries deliver the power you

need every time. Each is backed by our industry leading warranty, solid reputation

and 97% recyclable at end of life. Green just got a whole lot meaner.

Higher effi ciency monocrystalline cellsFollowing the trends in the PV industry, which always tend to propose higher power output, Upsolar is now extending its power range for their monocrystalline series. Standard 72 cells (UP-MM series) are available from 165Wp to 195Wp, thanks to the production of larger ingots (diameter 165mm). Usolar’s Black Series will also increase its output range from 160Wp to 190Wp. As a result of the company’s new Research Center, Upsolar is now conducting a series of tests to select the best components—several of

the leading brands of junction boxes, TPT, EVA, glass, silicone, and frames are assembled and tested at their Shanghai laboratory. According to the results of these tests (in climatic chambers, outdoors, in the water etc.), Upsolar is able to choose the best for their clients. At the same time, cells are thoroughly checked at the production platforms to optimize the output of the products.Upsolar Co., Ltd. | www.upsolar.com

Booth 3953


DC fi lter for PV systemsSchurter’s new DC fi lter, series FMER SOL is designed for use on the DC side of the inverter in photovoltaic systems and other DC systems. EMC standards impose strict limits on the noise generated from solar panel lines downstream from the grid. Using FMER SOL fi lter on the DC side of the inverter ensures EMC compliance. The FMER SOL is rated 25 A to 1500 A at 55° C ambient temperature, at voltages up to 1200 VDC. The fi lters also carry cURus and ENEC approvals up to 75° C ambient temperature, with corresponding reduced rated currents. Offered in both standard and medical M5 versions, the fi lters are equipped with screw clamps for types up to 150 A and copper bars for types upwards of 250 A. Schurter Inc. | www.schurterinc.com/pdf/english/typ_fmer_sol.pdf

Booth 3242

8



PV modules Phono Solar announces another breakthrough in PV modules with the release of the PS240M-AC module. The PS240M-AC features a built in micro-inverter designed to simplify the installation pro-cess and increase the productivity of PV arrays. The Phono Solar PS240M-AC panel eliminates DC wiring, reduces costs, line losses, and shock hazard. Beginning in Q4 2010, the Phono Solar AC module will offer plug-and-play capabilities for PV system design throughout the US and the world. Phono Solar | www.phonosolarusa.com

Booth 4489

Solar system integration & installationSolex Energies is a solar system inte-gration and installation company. At the root of their enterprise is a solid foundation in PV design, procurement, and construction (EPC), which allows them to continually strive to make solar a more viable alternative energy re-source. Solex Energies staff and industry partners offer a full-service solution for solar design, contracting, procurement, installation, and system support. Solex Energies attributes are their leveraged purchasing power and superior apti-tude for managing public, private, and government projects. They are author-ized dealers and service technicians for quality warranted products that meet UL and CEC standards for safety and performance. Solex Energieswww.solexenergies.com

Booth 3557

Power transformer design & constructionVirginia Transformer is at the forefront of engineering creative, cost-effective solutions for the alternative energy in-dustry. With nearly a 40-year history in custom-design and construction of power transformers, VT has fi rmly established itself as a US transformer manufacturer. Their three state-of-the-art North Ameri-can facilities produce power transformers for every conceivable application—GSU, drive duty, autotransformers, voltage regu-lator, power distribution, just to name a few—and their product line runs all the way from 300 KVA up to 300 MVA, both oil and dry type. They pride themselves on superior quality, customer service, the shortest lead times in the industry, and on an expert engineering staff that works from the 10,000+ designs they have ar-chived to assist in designing the perfect transformer to meet customers’ specifi c needs. VT supplies transformers for utility, industrial, transit, commercial, alternative energy, and specialty markets worldwide.Virginia Transformerwww.vatransformer.com

Booth 136


Batteries for renewable energy applicationsMK Battery is proud to offer the DEKA UNIGY II Line for Renewable Energy applications. Designed with a modular approach to creating customized bat-tery banks to meet most any voltage and capacity requirement, the multi-cell, modular design includes all racking, series connections, and terminals specifi ed for a system. Comprised of two-volt AGM cells ranging in capacity from 107ah to 2,367ah, the Deka Unigy II Line is available either as single cell, two-volt cans that can be hand-carried and are stackable, or in multi-cell module confi gurations. MK Battery | www.mkbattery.com

Booth 1420


Electrical & thermal fl ashing systemsNewly released Electrical and Thermal Flashing Systems by Zilla are engineered to integrate with any system size and standard industry com-ponents. Both fl ashing systems provide strong, secure, simple installa-tion for combiner and junction boxes, thermal systems, and much more. Leaving no parts exposed to degradation and requiring no caulk, these systems can be implemented on the roof or wall, require fewer penetra-tions than any other system (no need to fi nd studs), and are leak-free with proper installation. Next Generation Energy | www.ngeus.com | www.zillarac.com

Booth 1064


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i AG

Project fi nance, leasing & acquisitionGreenpower Capital has partnerships with several institutional investors that represent a combined $30 billion in funds earmarked for solar and wind renewable energy projects. Their Early-stage Developer Buyout Pro-gram can pay a 3% to 6% developer fee upfront, depending on the project economics—the developer can stay in the project or opt out. Project should have site control and executed PPA. Greenpower’s Leasing Program pro-vides fl exible lease terms for smaller systems of 100Kw and up. Green-power’s Equity and Debt Finance Programs can provide a developer with equity investment or debt fi -nancing. The Full Project Acquisition Programs are designed to purchase completed projects—the investor will contract for purchase prior or after construction. For pre-construction commitments, 100% of construction funds can be advanced in most cases, with fi nal take-out purchase at COD. Project should be shovel-ready with requirements similar to the Early-stage Buyout, as well as interconnect agreement, system design, EPC con-tract, and the necessary approvals. Greenpower Capital www.greenpowercap.com

Booth 967

PV design & installationAt Legrand/Cablofi l, staff engineers are available to recommend the most effi cient structure for installing a solar farm. Maximizing pier spacing and size can reduce costs and installation time. Their engineering staff can also spe-cifi cally design a system to withstand PV wind and snow loads from sup-plied specifi cations. Before ordering, a complete report will be available that describes all components needed for the installation with supporting data and drawings. Legrand/Cablofi l’s goal is a well-designed, easy to install, long-lasting installation.Legrand/Cablofilwww.legrand.us/cablofil

Booth 235

Cable interconnect solutionsC&M Corporation is a vertically integrated manufacturer of bulk cable, coil cords, and cable as-semblies, both molded and mechanical. The company produces a wide range of cable interconnect solutions for the industrial, renewable energy, military, data collection, datacom/telecom market-places, and more. C&M provides engineered interconnect solutions through reliable customer service, quality systems, and a wide breadth of manufacturing capabilities that include bulk cable production, internal mold tool fabrication, and innovative assembly constructions. Within the renewable energy marketplace, C&M has created interconnect solutions found in solar collector, solar concentrator, solar inverter, and wind turbine product platforms. C&M Corporation | www.cmcorporation.com

Booth 2409


Solar hot water control units Heliodyne offers Delta-T con-trollers, its line of advanced solar hot water control units. The Pro Lite, which will be a new version of the Delta-T controller, is scheduled to be released this fall. They also offer a new iPhone/iPad app for the Delta-T Pro and Pro Lite controllers. The mobile app allows users to monitor and adjust their solar thermal system from the convenience of their smart phone. Heliodynewww.heliodyne.com

Booth 4301

Steel galvanizingAZZ Galvanizing Services, a divi-sion of AZZ, Inc., is the largest steel galvanizer in the US, own-ing and operating 33 hot-dip galvanizing plants strategically located nationwide. AZZ oper-ates kettles ranging from 25' to 62' in length. With the company’s network of plants, it is able to ac-commodate the largest projects with customized turnaround time at a competitive price. “GalvX-tra,” its unique nickel-zinc alloy process, helps meet the highest quality standards that are neces-sary in the vastly competitive after-fabrication steel market. AZZ Galvanizing Serviceswww.azzgalvanizing.com

Booth 5834

We put all the pieces of solar technology together.

ADCO, a world leader in adhesives,

sealants and primers, provides

custom solutions designed to exceed

the demanding specifications for

the assembly and installation of

photovoltaic modules.w w w . a d c o c o r p . c o m

ADHERING

SEALING

SURFACE PREP

INSTALLATION

Black frame & black back sheet modulesThe availability of a whole new fl eet of black frame and black back sheet crystalline solar modules of ET Solar is mainly for the North American market, including both the US and Canada. The black modules signifi cantly en-hance the aesthetics for both residential and commercial projects, and the new fl eet includes mono-crystalline and multi-crystalline modules. The black mono-crystalline ET-M572 series modules are made with black anodized aluminum frames and black triple-layer black back sheet. The ET-M572 175w to 185w series modules are encap-sulated with 72 fi ve-inch, high-effi cient mono-crystalline solar cells with effi ciency up to 14.1%. These sleek new modules are perfect for residential installations. The black multi-crystalline ET-P654, ET-P660, and ET-P672 series modules are made with black anodized frames only. They are encapsulated with 54, 60, and 72 six-inch multi-crys-talline cells. The black framed multi-crystalline modules allow for a 200w to 280w power range, with effi ciency up to 14.4%. The ET-M572 and ET-P660 series are a great match with micro-inverters that are often used in the US. ET Solar | www.etsolar.us

Booth 3328


Solar PV modules The proprietary Day4 Electrode technology is the new standard for photovoltaic modules that virtually eliminates the power losses due to cell interconnections traditionally experienced in legacy solar mod-ules. With over 2,100 independent electrical contacts on each cell, the Day4 Electrode is a high-quality power collection system. Leveraging the fl exible cell layout feature of the Day4 Electrode, the recently developed Guardian Technology creates a large number of independently operating seg-ments within the module—up to three times more than standard modules—that are able to produce electricity even if one or more seg-ments are shaded. Day4 Energy www.day4energy.com

Booth 2937

Sputtering targets for thin film solar cells

Powerful thin films needed?

Go for our sputtering targets

made of molybdenum and its alloys,

tungsten, and chromium.

Perfect quality for more efficiency

in CIS/CIGS, CdTe, and CSP.

Come and check us out:

glasstec, Düsseldorf

Solar Power, Los Angeles

www.plansee.com

Custom automation solutionsIsthmus Engineering & Manufacturing has been providing custom automation solutions to industry since 1980. Isthmus provides the solar industry with manufacturing solutions not otherwise avail-able in the marketplace, resulting in higher effi ciency, improved quality control, and lower manu-facturing costs for solar products. Isthmus’ automation solutions apply the company’s expertise in a range of technologies including robotic integration, machine vision, custom material handling, system integration, custom packaging, web handling, and various other custom processes. Isthmus’ recent applications include integration of the Adept Quattro robot with vision guidance.Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing | www.isthmuseng.com

Booth 533Renewable energy law fi rmBest Best & Krieger is the California connection for renewable energy pro-jects, and are the go-to law fi rm for environmental compliance, water rights, land use permitting, energy contracts, and fi nancing. Public entities and private ventures rely on Best Best & Krieger to strategically navigate projects through any regulatory hurdle or legal challenge. Their attorneys have successfully coun-seled clients regarding the development of solar PV, solar thermal, geothermal, wind, biofuel, and cogeneration facili-ties. Unique to BB&K is their nationally recognized expertise in water law and the high volume of projects they have worked on under the California Solar Initiative rebate program: BB&K Part-ner Sophie Akins has handled 15% of California’s public agency solar projects. With 200 attorneys and eight offi ces, Best Best & Krieger knows the laws that govern renewable energy projects and the agencies that enforce them.Best Best & Krieger | www.bbklaw.com

Booth 2615

Custom-design structures M Bar C Construction is the solution for general contractors, corporate divi-sions, and government entities that desire large- and small-scale projects. Using light and heavy structural steel, they in-corporate solar effi ciency to parking lot canopies and carports, fi xed and tracker system parking structure canopies, and ground-mounted units. M Bar C Con-struction provides cost-effi cient solutions to customer’s design specifi cations, or they can provide a design build featuring the economical pre-fab industrial look, to aesthetically pleasing and award-winning custom structures. M Bar C Construction is licensed and compliant with Cal/OSHA safety programs, state prevailing wage law, and project labor agreements. They have also acquired a Division of the State Ar-chitect (DSA) pre-check approval number for their photovoltaic canopy design. M Bar C Constructionwww.mbarconline.com

Booth 3353


Stainless steel ballast racking systemApplied Energy Technologies (AET) offers their Rayport-series racking systems for the commercial fl at-roof PV mount market. Installers across the US and Canada have noted the ease of installation and adaptability of the Rayport. Currently in use on small private buildings and large com-mercial rooftops, the Rayport has become the go-to fl at roof solution. The Rayport system is now available in tilt angles of 0° to 30°, making it even more adaptable for projects with panel-output specifi c incentives. Ray-port is completely made in the US, and soon will also be made in Canada.Applied Energy Technologieswww.aetenergy.com

Booth 974

Solar water heatingGLE Solar Energy has launched an in-novative solar thermal product for the North American market. Their design is based on a technology utilized in Germany and China that has been in production for over four years. The new product offers a unique approach for solar water heating by offering a design that does not require being mounted on the roof and offers a mini-mum footprint. With the units mount-ed in a vertical position, the collector tubes offer 360° solar absorption. The collector technology and heat transfer design offer a longer collection time per day and reduce heat loss improving overall hot water production. The new products can be integrated into existing systems or as part of a new construc-tion projects. With this unique design, it can be utilized as a fence, handrail, barrier, or simply as a standalone unit. Providing as much as 92,000 Btu’s per panel per day, these units can be used in residential, as well as commercial ap-plications. Existing system applications are radiant fl oor heating, pool heating, spa heating, domestic hot water heat-ing, and industrial evaporation systems. GLE Solar Energywww.glesolar.com

Booth 4727

Waterproof solar installationQuick Mount PV makes code compliant, fl ashed mounting systems that attach solar racking and panels to composition, wood shake, and tile roofs. Quick Mount PV maintains the life of new and existing roof warranties by meeting all building codes and protecting the structure with proper waterproofi ng. The all-aluminum fl ashing and standoff block combined with stainless steel hardware give the product a 50-year life. No roof cutting is required, keeping the roof and its warranty safe. Designed by installers for installers, Quick Mount PV easily works with all leading racks. Patented proprietary technology creates a water impermeable bond between fl ashing and mount. Composition and shake mounts are ICC certifi ed for strength, quality, and waterproofi ng. Quick Mount PV | www.quickmountpv.com

Booth 1426

BOOTH #2928 ATSOLAR POWER INTERNATIONAL 2010

AT



Solar system design & installationPermaCity Solar specializes in energy solutions, ensuring its clients minimize their carbon footprint and maintain a long-term, competitive advantage by installing solar power systems engineered to signifi cantly reduce energy costs. The company has demonstrated particular expertise in designing and installing its systems atop large commercial buildings, government institutions, and homes. PermaCity Solar believes that on-site, clean energy generation can be achieved through the implementation of solar systems that utilize environmentally friendly and energy effi cient building materials in a cost-effective manner. PermaCity Solar | www.permacity.com

Booth 1333

Deep cycle lead acid batteries Trojan Battery Company will present its full portfolio of high-quality deep cycle lead acid batteries for energy storage so-lutions in renewable energy applications and backup power systems. With over 85 years of experience in lead acid tech-nology, Trojan Battery's advanced deep cycle fl ooded, GEL, and AGM bat-teries deliver reliable and long-lasting performance in demanding renewable energy applications. Trojan’s RE Series is also a line of advanced deep cycle fl ooded lead acid batteries optimized for renewable energy applications. Tro-jan’s energy storage products receive international recognition for delivering consistent, reliable power at the lowest life cycle system cost. The combina-tion of innovative features like Trojan’s DuraGrid, MaxGuard XL separator, and Alpha Plus Paste with T2 technolo-gies contributes to this line of batteries providing superior performance, rugged durability, and long life. Trojan Battery Company www.trojanbattery.com

Booth 1521

Metal roll forming & assemblyA metal roll forming and assembly com-pany, Pyramid Mouldings supplies the structural frames for supporting solar panels, whether for PV or a concentrat-ing system. They can handle any type of metal—from aluminum and steel to gal-vanized and stainless—and can roll form up to about 22" wide coils and 3/16" thick. With multiple facilities, Pyramid Mouldings has strategic sourcing ar-rangements with metal suppliers and is pursuing joint ventures to locate equip-ment in metal service centers to elimi-nate intermediate freight costs. Their goal is to simplify the supply chain and use lean manufacturing techniques, thereby, minimizing costs. Pyramid Mouldingswww.pyramidmouldings.com

Booth 429

and We’re Not 93 Million Miles Away

There are Only Two Sources You Can Depend on...

Any solar simulation system is only as good as its light source.

Only EYE Lighting/Iwasaki Electric designs and manufactures

the light source and optics system in addition to complete

solar simulation equipment. This unique integrated approach

ensures that your simulator is designed from inception around

the proper lighting system for your particular application

requirements.

And, with local engineering, manufacturing, and support,

there is no reason to look any further.

Call today or visit www.eyesolarlux.com to find a solution

to your solar simulation needs.

Solar Simulation Systems by EYE

EYE LIGHTING INTERNATIONAL

www.eyesolarlux.com Mentor, OH 44060 | (888) 665-2677

EYE Lighting International of North America, Inc., a division of Iwasaki Electric of Japan


Roll formingOver 60 years of expertise in the de-sign and production of roll-formed steel section, Roll Forming Corpo-ration (RFC) has the capabilities to deliver custom roll formed and welded shapes, from simple to complex, to fi t customer’s exact specifi cations. RFC is in the business of roll forming solu-tions for its customers’ real needs and concerns by utilizing design consulta-tion to develop new solutions or by improving existing shapes using FEA (Finite Element Analysis). Materials range from HRPO, CR, HSLA, alu-minum, pre-galvanized, post-dipped galvanized, and powder coated steel. As part of the world’s largest custom roll forming group, RFC offers the latest technologies and innovations from around the world to transform any unique vision into reality.Roll Forming Corporationwww.rfcorp.com

Booth 832

Complete line of grid-tied solar invertersAdvanced Energy is a power and con-trol technologies company for high-growth, thin-fi lm manufacturing and solar-power generation. The company recently acquired PV Powered, a man-ufacturer of grid-tied PV inverters that have set new industry standards in reliability and effi ciency. AE Solaron and PV Powered inverters provide the industry with the broadest portfolio of inverters covering power ranges from 1100W to 500kW for residen-tial and commercial applications, as well as factory integrated 1 MW to 2 MW size solutions for utility scale ap-plications. The AE and PV Powered commercial inverter portfolio is now combined under AE’s global service offerings—including our 99% inverter uptime. Advanced Energy’s complete line of inverters is compliant with the Buy American Act and is eligible for use in government projects funded by the federal stimulus package.PV Powered | www.pvpowered.com

Booth 1201

Experience You Can Count OnOver 20 Years Experience Designing for the Utility-Scale Solar Industry

Hub City began designing and manufacturing custom gear

drives for the utility-scale solar industry in the 1980s with

Solar One, the world’s first solar power plant located

in the Mojave desert.

Today, engineers put these rugged Hub City

drives in parabolic trough tracking systems

as well as Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector

(CLFR) systems.

When you need single or dual axis tracker drives

for collector troughs or units for other types of

mounting and tracking systems for solar panels, you can

count on Hub City to provide expert application support.

Solar 10 MWe Solar Thermal One Central Receiver Pilot Plant

Parabolic Trough Solar Panels

Solar Dish Technology

HUB CITY

Turn-key solar solutionsSchneider Electric introduces a new single-phase grid-tie inverter family designed for the residential PV mar-ket. These transformer-based invert-ers range from 2.8 to 5 kW and offer high-effi ciency, simple installation, and meet Schneider Electric’s rigor-ous design and quality standards. Sch-neider Electric is also launching a new three-phase PV inverter, the GT500 480 is a 500 kW central inverter de-signed to interface at 480 VAC. The inverter is developed for rooftop and ground-mount installations either as a stand-alone unit or as part of our turn-key solutions. Schneider Electric is also introducing an innovative high-voltage solar Charge Controller for XW battery-based inverter systems. The MPPT 80 Amp charges 24V and 48V DC battery banks from PV arrays up to 600 volts, signifi cantly reducing DC wiring and conduit costs and in-creasing installation fl exibility.Schneider Electricwww.schneider-electric.com

Booth 1211


Sectional terminal blocksMarathon Special Products has re-leased a new addition to their Sec-tional Terminal Block offering. The new 7/16" Sectional Terminal Blocks have been tested and comply with UL and CSA standards. This includes versatile capabilities such as use with multiple wires and with fl exible stranded wire classes. These small profi le blocks accommodate lugged or bare wires up to 40 amps, and are mountable on standard DIN rails. The new series has a robust design that allows it to withstand abuse that tends to break or distort existing sec-tional blocks. These blocks are ideal for elevator systems and industrial control panels where fl exibility of cir-cuit design is necessary. Marathon Special Productswww.marathonsp.com

Booth 1320


Grid-tied PV inverterBasler Electric introduces the fi rst in a line of grid-tied PV inverters. The New PCS-250 is a 250kW inverter with integrated protection and high-speed Ethernet communications. Protocols available include IEC61850, DNP 3.0, and Modbus, plus high-effi ciency ratings provide the maximum power output. Since 1942, Basler has manufactured equipment for power conversion, control, and protection for power generation, industrial, and utility markets with experience in all forms of generation including renewables. The PCS-250 is designed, manufactured, and assembled at their corporate headquarters, and Basler also designs and manufactures the bridges, enclosures, transformers and electronics, providing in-house control over all critical parts of the inverter. Utility grade construction and NEMA 4/3R weatherproof enclosures make the PCS-250 suitable for the most severe outdoor applications. Basler’s reputa-tion for quality and reliability is evident in this new product line, which is backed by a standard 10-year warranty. Basler Electric | www.basler.com

Booth 1621

What is the SunWize difference?

©2010 SunWize • 800.817.6527 • www.sunwize.com

3.6 kW grid-tie awning application at Sunrise Solar and Wind, Norfolk, VA.

“They have the customer service and the product line I need. Steve Naccarato always responds to me quickly; my orders are shipped accurately and completely. And I love the simplicity and documentation of their Grid-Tie System packages.”

Richard HahnOwner, SunRise Solar and Wind

“With SunWize I know that I am not on my own.”

Visit www.sunwize.com/difference or call us at 800.817.6527 and find out how the SunWize difference can help your business be successful.

Utility ready PV inverter solution Satcon Technology Corporation, a pro-vider of utility scale power solutions for the renewable energy market, introduced its next generation utility ready solar PV inverter solution, Satcon Equinox. With its unparalleled system wide intelligence, Edge MPPT performance optimiza-tion, and industrial-grade engineering, Satcon’s Equinox solutions deliver a best-in-class effi ciency of 98.5% and offer the highest levels of system wide performance, uptime, and reliability. The Equinox solution comes complete with a NEMA 3R/IP54 enclosure and is avail-able in three separate climate packages, enabling the industry’s widest thermal operating range. Building upon Satcon’s PowerGate inverter family, the world’s most widely deployed large-scale solu-tions, Equinox improves system-wide energy harvest and solar plant yield, ena-bling the large-scale solar industry’s low-est Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE). Satcon Technology Corporationwww.satcon.com/pv_inverters/equinox.html

Booth 909

Solar thermal systems sesign & simulation Announcing the release of Version 5.0 of T*SOL Pro. T*SOL, a program for the design and simulation of solar thermal systems, from Valentin Software. With T*SOL Pro 5.0, us-ers will be able to select a US localized version of the software with solar thermal systems and domestic hot water tanks, as well as SRCC certifi ed collectors. The localized version will have US measurement units as standard. Ver-sion 5.0 will also have a brand new program screen design and new graphics. And, for the fi rst time, the software will include air collec-tor systems and there will be a number of new tank systems with integrated auxiliary heating. T*SOL’s component database contains de-tailed data on tanks, heat exchangers, boilers, and over 2,000 fl at-plate, evacuated and air collectors, as well as 375 SRCC certifi ed col-lectors. The climate database contains over 1000 US locations and thousand’s of addi-tional international locations. The new Inter-net update tool automatically checks whether additional collector data and new releases are available for download free of charge. Valentin Software www.valentin-software.com

Booth 4021


PV racking system fastenersDura-Con Fastening Systems are available exclusively through Mudge Fasteners, Inc., and have transformed the solar power industry. Tested and proven for use in PV racking sys-tems, Dura-Con fasteners reduce acquisition and installation costs up to 40%. Equal to stainless steel in resistance to environmental corro-sion, Dura-Con fasteners overcome many of the problems associated with stainless steel. Galvanic corro-sion in aluminum is eliminated, there is no galling during assembly, and predictable torque-tension results in more reliable clamp loads. Addition-ally, Dura-Con fasteners feature the added strength of alloy steel.Mudge Fasteners, Inc.www.mudgefasteners.com

www.duraconfastening.com

Booth 1538

Rooftop PV attachment kitIn the solar industry, the challenge has been in how to attach PV mod-ules to standing seam metal roof sys-tems without jeopardizing roof mate-rial and warranties. S-5! has created a solution that fi ts the majority of solar panels and metal roofs on the market including exposed-fastened and cor-rugated profi les. The S-5-PV Kit is specifi cally designed to capitalize upon the benefi ts of 100% recyclable, lifetime maintenance-free metal roof-ing systems, while protecting the roof panels from penetration, leaks, and subsequent degradation. The S-5-PV Kit allows for a 30-year clean energy source to be combined with a 30-year green roof, and the S-5! zero-pene-tration technology creates the most sustainable roof system available, all without compromising the roof’s war-ranty. The S-5-PV Kit is one of the newest products in the line of S-5! clamps and attachment solutions, which have been installed on over a million roofs around the globe.S-5! | www.S-5.com

Booth 3642

ERICO: Your Source for Solar Grounding SolutionsERICO is a recognized leader for providing high-quality, reliable facility electrical protection products for a wide variety of industries. Backed by extensive research and years of experience, our ERITECH® brand of grounding products deliver proven performance for your demanding solar applications.

ERITECH® brand of Solar Bonding Lugs offer:

Unique lay-in feature: Pre-mount the lug before the wire

Easy installation; all necessary hardware provided including serrated washers for superior bond to anodized aluminum

Accepts #14 solid to #6 stranded AWG copper grounding conductors

Versatility: The same hex head power driver can be used to install the lug to the frame and secure the wire into the lug

UL® 467 ListedFor more information on how ERICO can meet your solar product needs, call 1-800-677-9089.cULus is a registered trademark of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

Site evaluation just got easier. The new SunEye 210.One-handed operation makes your shade measurements a snap. Preview mode shows the sun path overlay adjusted to the device’s orientation. Pitch and azimuth measurements are built-in.

Expert Tools. Better Solar.Watch an introductory video at www.solmetric.com

When it comes to mounting framed PV modules directly to standing seam metal roofs there reallyis only one way!

THERE IS A REASON WHY THE INDUSTRY INNOVATOR IS ALSO THE MARKET LEADER!

*To learn how visit www.S-5-solar.com/nace or call 1-888-825-3432.

The quickest way!The easiest way!The right way!

Rail or DirectAttached™

S-5!® mounting solutions result in dramatically reduced costs.

Mounting hardware aslow as $.06 per watt*.

See us atSolar Power Intl.Booth #3642

S 5 l / ll 1 888 825 3432

!ay!y!

Attached™

lutions reduced costs.

re aswatt*.

ntl.42



ASO FSO

Solar Fuse and Fuseholder Combo

Provides low short circuit current and overvoltage protection up to 1000 VDC in solar strings, inverters, battery charges and

combiner boxes.

– Standard midget size 10.3 x 38 mm

– Quick-acting according to UL 248-14

– Current rating ranges from 1 to 30 A

– Breaking capacity 20kA

– Touch-safe fuseholder mounts on DIN rail,

or accepts 8-14 AWG standard wire; 1-, 2-,

or 3 poles available

www.schurterinc.com/new_fuses

Sputtering targets for solar industryThin-fi lms deposited by PLANSEE coat-ing materials are highly refl ective, very conductive, and are able to signifi cantly increase the effectiveness of solar cells. In addition to sputtering targets made of pure molybdenum and tungsten, PLAN-SEE also offers molybdenum alloys, chro-mium, and materials for absorber layers. More than 120 scientists, experienced technicians, and modern facilities make the most out of the thin-fi lm materials. The advantage for the users: long lifetime because of an optimum layer adhesion on the substrate; high deposition rates through maximum density and a homoge-neous microstructure; high effi ciency due to good electrical conductivity and high purity; and, homogenous deposition rates through an optimized microstructure. PLANSEE has a fully integrated produc-tion chain from the processing of raw ma-terials to the fi nal product—research and development included.PLANSEE | www.plansee.com

Booth 3747

Solar solutionsPetra Solar presents the SunWave UP Series system that combines solar gen-eration, smart grid communications, and grid reliability functions in one powerful platform. The SunWave systems scale from a single panel to multi-megawatts providing cost-effective and intelligent solar solutions for utility, commercial, and residential installations. The utility grade pole- and streetlight-mounted solar PV system, along with a smart en-ergy module offers a solar energy source tie directly to the secondary line of the distribution grid. A panel-level inverter with a real-time two-way communica-tions system and a scalable smart-grid network management solution offers a 3-in-1 integrated platform with ease of installation, transmission, and distri-bution benefi ts. SunWave systems are suitable for commercial and residential installations. The modular architecture of the SunWave system with its interac-tive communication and monitoring platform provides signifi cant benefi ts to residential and commercial clients. Petra Solar | www.petrasolar.com

Booth 4201

Grid-tied solar invertersThe latest innovations presented by Ingeteam include grid-tied solar inverters, developed for the North American market. These new inverters to be exhibited include the single phase Ingecon Sun Lite 5 kw (with transformer and transformer-less), the three phase inverters Ingecon Sun Smart 15 & 25, and Ingecon Sun Power 100 KW. Ingeteam Energy designs and manufactures grid-connected and stand-alone inverters offering customers solutions for the equipment of PV plants, adapted to suit their specifi c control and generating requirements.Ingeteam | www.ingeteam.com

Booth 943


renewable.idaho.gov

+ Innovative Business Climate: #3 America’s Best States for Alternative Energy

+ Lower Energy Costs: #2 Lowest Energy Costs

Move Your Business to Idaho for:

Here, the winds of change are actually the winds of opportunity

Single axis trackerThompson Technology Industries (TTi) has developed a new generation of the Sunseeker Single Axis tracker. This new generation allows for increased height of the system and mounting on uneven surfaces while saving 10% to 15% on installation and main-tenance costs. This tracker breaks TTi’s previous standards in the industry with the ability to drive even more panels in a slightly increased “footprint” over the previous generation. Output is increased without sacrifi cing energy production. With even fewer mo-tors, operations, and maintenance is lower and the tracker does not require fi eld welding for installation. Savings are realized by the option to pile drive the support posts, which is less expensive and quicker to install. The tracker now has the advantage that allows it to increase the height to 78" and still meet a windspeed of 90 mph with the panels at 45°. The tracker delivers faster installation than traditional cement foundations, and I-beams now come standard with purchase and priced into the tracker system cost. Thompson Technology Industries (TTI) | www.ttisolar.com

Booth 921

PV wiring kitSmart installers can save money and do neater work by fabricating PV cable to length. The Rennsteig Solar Crimp Kit is specially designed for PV-specifi c cables and terminals. It handles cutting, strip-ping, and crimping, so installs go quickly with no material wastage, and gives dura-ble, standards-compliant connections. The Rennsteig Solar Crimp Kit is designed and crafted in Germany and comes with cutter, stripper, and crimper. Build quality and precision are absolutely top-drawer throughout. Crimp dies are available for terminals by all major manufacturers. Rennsteig Tools, Inc. | www.solar-tools.us

Booth 434

Valentin Software, Inc. providing industry leading design, simulation and sales tools for over 20 year to solar professionals in over 70 countries.

888.786.9455 – [email protected]

Solar Design Made EasyPowerful, accurate, easy-to-use Design, simulation, financial analysisResidential, commercial & utility-scale

PV & Thermal Design Software

Download your FREEdemo software atwww.valentin-software.com Booth 4021


NEW! KUKA AWSM 3800 / 4800Advanced Wire Saw Machine

SOLAR POWER INTERNATIONAL 2010October 12-14 2010Los Angeles, CABooth: 109

CUSTOMIZED TURNKEY SOLUTIONS · HIGHLY AUTOMATED BRICK AND WAFER LINES · AUTOMATED MODULE MANUFACTURING · PROCESS EQUIPMENT FOR WAFER AND

MODULE MANUFACTURING · THERMAL COLLECTOR SOLUTIONS · PLANNING AND

ENGINEERING · GENERAL CONTRACTOR

WORLDWIDE | BENELUX | BRAZIL | CHINA | CZECH REPUBLIC |

FRANCE | GERMANY | INDIA | MEXICO | RUSSIA | SLOVAKIA | UK | USA |

www.kuka-systems.com

UL listed dedicated PV fuses Mersen (formerly Ferraz Shawmut) is proud to announce the release of the industry’s fi rst UL 2579 listed range of dedicated photovoltaic fuses. Within the Helio Protection brand, Mersen in-troduces three new fuse lines: HP6M, HP10M, and HP6J. Designed to pro-vide superior overcurrent protection at the combiner box and inverter levels, the new series covers applications ranging from 1 to 400A, 600VDC, and 1000VDC. The enhanced fuse con-struction of the Helio Protection series makes it ideal for continuous tempera-ture and current cycling withstand add-ing to system longevity. Low minimum breaking capacity capabilities of 1.35 times the fuse-rated current value al-lows for safe circuit interruption under typical low-fault current conditions produced by PV arrays. Protect off-grid or grid-tied PV system from un-expected ground faults and line faults using the Helio Protection fuse line.Mersen | www.mersen.com

Booth 836


Solar power engineering & constructionWhite Construction offers a complete range of services to clients for solar power projects ranging from ground-mounted photovoltaic to solar thermal projects. As an established self-performing contractor, White Construction can handle solar project from engineer-ing and procurement to completed construction. This turn-key approach has proven its value in over 4000 MW of wind power construction and over 5000 MW of gas turbine construction across the US and Canada. From this experience White Construction has the expertise, equipment, and management to ensure a solar power investment is com-pleted safely, as scheduled, and within budget. White Construction | www.whiteconstruction.com

Booth 4118

FinanceLeasing

AcquisitionGreenpower Capital offers early-stage buyout, leasing, equity, project finance, and acquisition with 100% construction advance. We have experience in project development, so we understand how to help a developer achieve its goals.

We can move quickly to approve and fund your project. Call or e-mail us today to find out how we can assist you.

[email protected]

(818) 623-4200

Highest level of quality for tomorrow’s energy

proudly introducesSolar-Trac®

Flexible supply and return lines for solar heated water systems.

Solar-Trac Piping Benefits:• T316L Stainless Steel• Available sizes from 3/8” thru 2”• Tubing bends by hand• Routes easily around obstacles• Cuts using standard tubing cutter• Special lengths available

Solar-Flare Fitting Benefits:• Self-flaring• No special tools• Reliable metal-to-metal

sealing surface• No gaskets or rubber washers

© Copyright Omega Flex 2010

Omega Flex, Inc.451 Creamery Way • Exton, PA 19341ISO 9001 Registered Company800.355.1039

www.omegaflex.comSLT-006 Rev 7/10

Please visit us during Solar Power International at booth #2592

Design, measurement & control applicationsNational Instruments announced LabVIEW 2010, the latest version of the graphical programming environment for design, test, measurement, and control ap-plications. LabVIEW 2010 delivers time savings with new features such as off-the-shelf compiler technologies that execute code an average of 20% faster and a comprehensive marketplace for evaluating and purchasing add-on toolkits for eas-ily integrating custom functionality into the platform. For fi eld-programmable gate array (FPGA) users, LabVIEW 2010 delivers a new IP Integration Node that makes it possible to integrate any third-party FPGA IP into LabVIEW applica-tions and is compatible with the Xilinx CORE Generator. National Instruments also implemented more than a dozen new features suggested by lead users through the LabVIEW Idea Exchange, an online feedback forum that marks a signifi cant new level of collaboration between NI R&D and customers. National Instruments | www.ni.com

Booth 538

Structural solar canopiesProtekPark Solar is a supplier of struc-tural solar canopies to institutional and commercial markets in the US. With structural design and installation capa-bility in every state across the country, ProtekPark Solar works with elite so-lar developers and integrators to pro-vide value engineered and customized structural solutions for each installa-tion. Their principles are clear: struc-tures need to be durable, functional, attractive, and economical. ProtekPark Solar’s trussed and cantilevered solar canopies are manufactured as tubular steel assemblies and coated with an in-dustrial/marine-grade fi nish to create a long lasting, low- or no-maintenance structure that bolts up in the fi eld. An aluminum racking system is integrated into the design and results in a “mod-ule ready” structural solar canopy de-livered on time and within budget. ProtekPark Solar www.protekparksolar.com

Booth 1031

Solar cables LEONI Studer’s double-insulated, electron-beam, cross-linked cables meet the highest requirements for solar cables in the most important photovoltaic markets in Europe and the US. These cross-linked cables can be used unrestrictedly as a module or as a connecting cable. LEONI’s products have both TÜV approval for the European market and UL approval ac-cording to the latest NEC specifi cations (National Electric Code 2008 / UL Outline 4703).LEONI Studer AG | www.leoni-studer.ch

Both 2222

Renewable energy business Idaho offers a diverse economy with a skilled and edu-cated workforce, state-of-the-art facilities, and next-gen-eration technologies. First in patents per capita, lowest energy costs nationally, most new companies, Idaho is a great place for business to thrive. Idaho Department of Commercewww.commerce.idaho.gov

Booth 2813


INTRODUCING THE ACCELERA© 300 HEAT PUMP WATER HEATER:ACCELERATE YOUR SAVINGS!

The new Accelera® 300 can extract up to 80% of its energy requirements from the air around it. Heat pumps have been around for decades, but a heat pump water heater is a brand new concept. The Accelera® 300 works like an air conditioner - but instead of dumping the heat outdoors, it puts it into the water.

Energy from nature.

The Accelera’s compressor and fan consume only 1 kWh of electricity to generate the heat equivalent of 3 – 5 kWh. The efficiency of the unit goes up with increasing ambient air temperatures. This ground breaking efficiency redefines what a water heater is capable of, and what savings can really mean !

TOLL FREE 800.582.8423 www.stiebel-eltron-usa.com

Simply the Best

SAVEENERGYWATERMONEY

New!

REDUCES HOT WATER COSTS BY UP TO 80 %

COOLS AND DEHUMIDIFIES THE AIR AROUND IT

LOW STAND-BY LOSSES THROUGH GOOD INSULATION

FEDERAL TAX CREDIT:SAVE 30% UP TO $1,500

OF THE TOTAL SYSTEM COST!

Global solar irradiance measurementThe new Huksefl ux SR11-SE Pyranometer is the only laboratory validated COTS First Class pyranometer, which meets and exceeds the ISO-9060 Pyranometer Standard, spe-cifi c to ‘Solar Energy Test’ applications. The directional response of each SR11-SE is validated upon manufacture and document-ed in writing to ensure the highest possible measurement certainty on the measured solar radiation resource. Each SR11-SE is equipped standard with a Pt100 platinum RTD temperature sensor, enabling in-situ process correction of even the slightest temperature dependence bias (via dynamic slope correction algorithm), regardless of operating temperature. Available SR11-SE options include a factory calibrated built in 4 – 20 mA current transmitter with gal-vanic isolation, permitting extended sensor signal cable lengths without the possibility of signal degradation, or EMI noise-related effect. For cost-effective, high-accuracy so-lar irradiance measurement, the Huksefl ux SR11-SE First Class Pyranometer is deal.Hukseflux USA | www.huksefluxusa.com

Booth 2422


AluTec fl at roof-mounting system The clampless mounting system AluTec is now available for fl at roofs. This cost-effective, space-effi cient insertion rail system evenly distributes load and eliminates the need for clamps; thereby, reducing instal-lation time and creating a uniform, single plane appearance. AluTec works with most framed modules and mounting attachments (including L Feet, QuickMount, Tilt Legs, and Roof Hooks), and is fully compli-ant with national building codes. The system was invented in 1998 by SolarMarkt AG for the European industry, and has been in the US since 2008. AluTec offers a good price, versatility, and an elegant look. Session Solar | www.sessionsolar.com

Booth 1350

Littelfuse® Solar FusesProtecting Photovoltaic Applications Around the World

Visit us at Booth #5523 at Solar Power International or

at www.littelfuse.com/green

Solar test & measurement equipmentSolmetric Corporation delivers solar test and measurement equipment. Solmetric will be featuring the PVA-600 PV Ana-lyzer, SunEye 210, and a recently updated PV Designer. The PVA-600 PV Analyzer has just been released and is an instrument to verify performance of a PV module or string. PV Analyzer is used to verify system performance during installation and annual maintenance and allows users to compare to models and identify issues during trou-bleshooting. The SunEye 210 is a handheld electronic device that allows users to assess total potential solar energy given the shad-ing of a particular site. The SunEye 210 now has an extension kit, which enables measurements 20 feet from the ground. The latest version of PV Designer offers convenient layout features and enables us-ers to lay out solar PV modules on a roof surface and calculate the energy production for your system with greater fl exibility. Solmetric Corporationwww.solmetric.com

Booth 2321


Calibrated spectrometersStellarNet announces a new line of DU-AL-DSR spectrometer systems specifi -cally designed for a wide range of light measurements. These fi ber optically coupled instruments provide absolute measurements in Watts/m2, Lumens/m2, Radiant/Luminous Flux, and more across the 200nm to 1700nm range. The fl exibility of these systems lends them-selves to a multitude of applications such as solar monitoring, solar simulator classifi cation, crop refl ectometry, and more. The SpectraWiz software suite includes a solar match application that can be used to characterize solar simula-tors. The application panel calculates spectral irradiance and compares the re-sults to the ideal percent for each range per IEC/JIS/ASTM. The proximity of the measured data to the ideal values results in classifi cation of the solar simu-lator from A-D. A high-speed USB2 in-terface ensures rapid data transfer while the fi ber optic input allows various sam-pling accessories including cosine recep-tors and integrating spheres, allowing them to be SpectroRadiometrically cali-brated using NIST-traceable standards.StellarNet | www.stellarnet.us

Booth 5209

NICE CLIMATE.

PERFECTLY PACKAGED.

When your packaged electronics application

demands the best environmental protection

possible, STEGO can help you with a wide range

of innovative Thermal Management Products

as well as other Enclosure Accessories, designed

to exceed your requirements.

• Enclosure Heaters

• Climate Controls

• Filter Fans

• Lights

• Enclosure Accessories

www.stegousa.com1-888-783-4611

tel 770-984-0858 fax 770-984-0615

High performance polyamide conduit and fi tting systems for the mechanical protection of cables and wires.

Leading the world in cable protection

systems

PMA cable protection products are easy to install and offer all the characteristics impor-tant for demanding installations in the solar industry. With a range of over 6500 products PMA has built an unrivalled reputation for polyamide cable protection throughout the world. For more information about PMA products and services please contact us.

“I used to be a solar installer. When I founded Session Solar it was my goal to build a wholesale company that supports solar installers—from quality products and fair pricing to design support. Our priority is our clients, whether they are solar veterans or new to the business, we are here to help.”

Elmar NiewerthCEO SolarMarkt US / dba Session Solar

Contact Us:[email protected] or 831-438-9000

Session Solar is a national distributor for installers, contractors and developers. We understand the varied needs of solar professionals and support our clients with:

• Name brand products

• Competitive pricing

• Free design support

• Same day quotes

• Superior client service

• Project development

Renewable energy installation One-hundred percent employee owned, Rosendin Electric is the largest privately held electrical contractor in the US. To date, Rosendin Electric has constructed a multitude of renewable energy projects, totaling over 6,000 MW of generated solar and wind power. Rosendin Electric brings the expertise and capacity to service their customers’ needs for any mix of rooftop, ground-mount, and/or canopy based PV system installations. Rosendin Electric’s core mission continues to be providing un-paralleled service, safety, and value, which is the reason over 90% of their work is with repeat customers. Rosendin Electric | www.rosendin.com

Booth 1251

Tracker for high wind loadsThe DEGERtraker 6000NT is designed for a module area of up to 53 square meters and can be used as standard, even under strong wind conditions, thanks to its sturdy construction. Tracking takes place on the basis of MLD (Maximum Light Detection) technology developed by DEGER-energie using the patented DEGERconecter control module. This technology has been proven to produce up to 46% more yield in comparison to fi xed PV installations. The new twin-axle model is designed for installation on buildings and in open spaces. Depending on module type, the yield for systems using the DEGERtraker 6000NT lies between 4 kWp and 7 kWp. The system can be con-fi gured for a maximum wind load of up to 190mph. DEGERenergie | www.degerenergie.com

Booth 951


investing in clean energy

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”) represented a signifi cant legislative step toward encouraging the development of renewable

and alternative energy projects in the United States. Responding to the challenged tax equity market, ARRA contains a provision making tax credits convertible into an equivalent non-taxable cash payment from the Department of the Treasury. This federal money is available to all qualifying energy projects that are either placed in service during 2009 or 2010, or placed in service after 2010 if construction for such projects began during 2009 or 2010 (www.ustreas.gov/recovery/1603.shtml). If a project qualifi es, the owner is entitled to a grant, which equates to 30% of the total eligible project cost basis, in most cases.

Once money is dispersed, there remains a modicum of government oversight regarding the continued operation of the facility as a qualifying renewable energy source and the owner, thereof, as a qualifying owner. Specifi cally, Section 1603(f) of ARRA provides for recapture of the payment if “the project is disposed of, or

otherwise ceases to be a specifi ed energy property” within the fi ve-year recapture period following receipt of the grant money. Recapture would mean over this fi ve-year span, a portion of the payment received must be repaid to the Treasury.

Lenders providing long-term debt to projects receiving cash grants have had to consider whether a foreclosure on the project during the “vesting period” would trigger recapture of the grant, as well as the effect such recapture might have on a lenders’ collateral package (over which project fi nance lenders typically hold fi rst liens). A related concern is a change in ownership during the vesting period prompted by the borrower, its sponsor, or other equity participants in the project. Over time, lenders have become more comfortable with the grant application and disbursement process, and have been able to include loan covenants and other protections against borrower action, which might result in a disqualifying event. Similarly, lenders are also careful to ensure no disqualifying event occurs as a result of a lender foreclosure upon borrower equity or upon the occurrence of a borrower event of default. (For example, lenders may require holders of the debt and their transferees to confi rm they’re not “disqualifi ed persons” under ARRA, and have developed innovative structures such as voting trusts and so-called “blocker companies” to insulate the entity, which is the grant recipient, from be-ing “contaminated” by a disqualifi ed person.) However, the question remains as to what risk, if any, the recapture right presents in a typical project fi nancing.

Signifi cantly, applicants are not required to post a bond as a condition of receiv-ing grant proceeds and the government does not require a lien on project assets as a condition to disbursing grant money. Instead, any recapture li-ability is considered “debt owed to the United States,” subject to the enforcement and collection by the US Department of Justice through “all available means,” and against “any assets” of the applicant entity. Although this may appear to be a meaningful remedy, in cases where the applicant is a special purpose entity, created solely to hold the assets and debts of the project being developed, this entity may well be insulated from any parent companies that might have assets suffi cient to satisfy any recapture liability.

Moreover, any recapture debt arising under ARRA rules are not considered tax liabilities. This implies the government will be an unsecured creditor without enhanced security rights in a bank-ruptcy proceeding of the project owner. Taken together, these subtleties seem to imply the government’s recapture claim is only at the project owner level and, in a bankruptcy of the project com-pany, the government would line-up behind all secured creditors—most notably the project fi nance lenders—to claim its share of the project company’s estate. A judgment lien obtained by the government against the project company for the recapture liability would also be subordinate to prior perfected secured liens of the lenders.

What does this all mean for project lenders and the government in the event a recipient of the cash grant suffers a disqualifying event that triggers recapture? As secured parties, the lenders would, presumably, have the prior rights to project as-sets—whether in a foreclosure scenario or as secured creditors in a project bank-ruptcy. In a foreclosure scenario, the project company could be left stripped of all meaningful assets, and the government would be required to enforce its claim

Government Recapture RightsUnder ARRA’s Renewable Energy

Grant ProgramBy Sosi Biricik & Scott Morris

The requirement for commencement of construction in 2010 means construction fi nancings will likely be active as developers seek to meet this deadline.


against an “empty shell.” On the oth-er hand, an equity foreclosure by the lenders may not be as attractive if the recapture right has vested in as much as the government’s claim against the project company would remain, not-withstanding, the upstream change of control.

There is little, if any, guidance as to how the government would address the issue of lack of meaningful rem-edies to enforce its recapture claim. The government retains a mandate to recapture grant funds “by any means available,” and one theory is that the recaptured amount could somehow be traced back to the ultimate re-cipient of the cash grant (the secured project fi nance lenders, for example). Is it possible the government could pursue lenders who have used the proceeds of the cash grant to repay debt on a restitution theory, predi-cated on an equitable injustice in al-lowing the project company to simply “shelter” the payment with the lend-er? Many industry participants might understandably assert the risk of such a creative approach is relatively small, especially given the chilling effect it would have on project development and fi nancing that the cash grant was intended to stimulate.

One avenue to potentially reduce perceived lender risk would be to require a creditworthy parent com-pany indemnity or guarantee of any recapture liabilities that may arise within the fi ve-year recapture period. Of course, a project company’s parent may be unwilling to provide such an indemnity, especially if the recapture event arose from actions it did not cause such as assignment of project company equity to disqualifi ed per-sons by other equity participants. A sponsor may also be unwilling to provide indemnity in the event of a recapture liability stemming from an exercise of remedies by lenders.

Affi liates of the disqualifi ed project might have more cause for concern than the project lenders. If a liable project company does not repay its grant upon a disqualifying event, the government might well seek repay-ment from one or more parent or affi liate companies, either through a claim of substantive consolidation in a bankruptcy scenario or by piercing the corporate veil. Substantive con-solidation is a rather unpredictably used equitable doctrine that treats separate legal entities as if they were merged into a single survivor with all the cumulative assets and liabili-ties. The result is claims of creditors against separate subsidiary debtors become claims against the consoli-dated survivor; effectively exposing

Dickstein Shapiro works with renewable energy leaders like Competitive Power Ventures to make their business vision a reality. Our cross-practice team gives focused, competitive guidance on every aspect of a renewable power project, from fundamental corporate structuring to mastering the complex rules of today’s power markets. Whether your company is developing, fi nancing, operating, buying, or selling a renewable energy project, we will help you advance and realize your strategic business goals.

“In wind energy-related project development, transactional, and regulatory work, Dickstein Shapiro is our go-to fi rm for our most complex legal needs.”

Sean FinnertySenior Vice President of Renewable Development

Competitive Power Ventures

WASHINGTON, DC | NEW YORK | LOS ANGELES | IRVINE

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. 1825 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC 20006© 2010 Dickstein Shapiro LLP. All Rights Reserved. (202) 420-2200 | dicksteinshapiro.com

Larry Eisenstat, Energy Practice Leader

(202) 420-2224 I [email protected]

Innovative Energy. Innovative Strategy.

assets of affi liate companies to repayment of the government’s missing funds. Piercing the corporate veil is a legal remedy used to reach beyond the corporate barrier to attach liabili-ties when corporate formalities are not followed. Again, these theories are as of yet untested in the ARRA recapture context.

In sum, ARRA Section 1603 has largely succeeded as a stimulus for new renewables projects. The requirement for commencement of construction in 2010 means construction fi nancings will likely be active as developers seek to meet this

deadline. However, participants in this program should keep in mind the government’s recapture rights and ensure steps are taken to avoid a potential disqualifi cation.

Sosi Biricik is a fi nance partner and Scott Morris an associate in the San Diego, California offi ce of Latham & Watkins.

LATHAM & WATKINS LLP | www.lw.com


CANWEANovember 1st to 3rd, 2010 • Palais des congrès de Montréal —Montréal, Quebec www.canwea.ca/eventsGathering issues and individuals from around the world, CanWEA 2010 offers an opportunity to network and remain informed. Draw-ing more than 2,300 attendees, 230 exhibitors, and more than 100 speakers, CanWEA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition continues to be Canada’s largest wind energy event.


Renewable energy consultancy GL Garrad Hassan is the world’s largest ded-icated renewable energy consultancy and a recognized technical authority on the subject. It offers independent technical and engineer-ing services, products, and training courses to the onshore and offshore wind, wave, tidal, and solar sectors. Although the GL Garrad Hassan name is new, the company has a rich heritage. It is borne of the integration of specialist companies that, united, form the re-newable energy consulting division of the GL Group. GL Garrad Hassan is a consulting company; it has no equity stake in any device or project. This rule of operation is central to its philosophy, something which sets it apart from many of its competitors.GL Garrad Hassan | www.gl-garradhassan.com

Cargo shipowning & charteringFednav International Ltd. (FIL) is the freight arm of privately owned Fednav Limited, the largest dry-bulk and general cargo shipowning and char-tering group in Canada. Incorporated in 1944, the Group’s primary activity is ocean freighting of bulk, breakbulk, and project cargoes. Each year, the Fednav fl eet of approximately 85 vessels per-forms over 700 voyages, and transports more than 23 million tonnes. FALLine is a regular Fednav service specialized in the transport of steel prod-ucts and general, and project cargoes including windmill equipment from the European continent to St. Lawrence and Great Lakes ports. FMT, a subsidiary of Fednav, operates ten breakbulk, bulk, and general cargo terminals.Fednav International Ltd. | www.fednav.com

Direct drive vertical-axis wind turbineVbine energy has developed the world’s fi rst direct drive vertical-axis wind turbine. Vbine’s turbine uses patented technology to deliver 5kw of power while providing unmatched durabil-ity and performance in lower wind applications. With a patented blade design that truly starts on its own with just a breeze and still draws the maximum horsepower from the wind. Vbine has built a 5kw generator with unmatched durability and low maintenance. Ideally suited for applica-tions that require the utmost safety, Vbine’s low tip speed and stealth quite operation make it a perfect choice for urban settings with either a grid tie application or battery charge controller for remote installations. An industry fi rst, the direct drive technology and low rotation speed lends itself perfectly to inline installations on communication towers.Vbine Energy | www.vbine.com

Custom products for commercial wind turbines Schunk Graphite Technology, and associated members of the global Schunk Group, man-ufacture a complete line of brushes, holders, slip rings, rocker assemblies, and custom products that are compatible with almost all commercial wind turbines. Schunk products have been approved by many wind turbine OEMs worldwide and offer them increased uptime, as well as longer intervals between service shutdowns. Schunk Graphite Tech-nology supports a broad offering of products with sales, customer service, and technical experts across North America. Schunk Graphite Technology, LLC www.schunkgraphite.com


Renewable Energy Systems Canada Inc. is a fully-integrated energy companythat brings RES’ 27 years and over 4,800 MW of wind experience to Canada.

RES Canada is an industry leader and your partner for construction and development.

300 Léo-Pariseau, Suite 2516 │ Montréal, Québec, H2X 4B3, Canada

514.525.2113 │ www.res-americas.com

Visit us at CanWEA 2010 Conference - Booth #505

Develops

Constructs

Owns

Operates

powering change®

Turbines for distributed power applications Endurance Wind Power is a manu-facturer of advanced wind turbines designed specifi cally for distributed wind power applications. Their line of modern, induction-based wind tur-bines brings effi cient, reliable, safe, and quiet renewable energy within reach of homeowners, businesses, and institu-tions. These turbines combine the use of induction-based generators and the largest swept area available in their class to provide optimal energy capture and conversion. There are 5 kW, 35kW, and 50kW model sizes available to best suit customer needs. Endurance Wind Powerwww.endurancewindpower.com

Manufacturing and R&D for wind industry Sarnia-Lambton, Ontario, Canada, is a growing global sustainable energy centre and a logical choice for manufacturing and R&D for the wind industry. Signifi cant investment is taking place, with over 500 MW of wind power recently announced. As a global petrochemical and refi ning centre, Sarnia-Lambton offers an established industrial infrastructure including a comprehensive en-ergy system. Sarnia-Lambton has skilled metal fabrication and engineering sectors, specializing in instrumentation and large-scale fabrication. Lambton College’s three-year Alternative Energy Engineering Technology program provides graduates trained in cur-rent and emerging energy technologies. In the heart of the Great Lakes industrial corridor, transportation routes include highway, rail, and deep water St. Lawrence Seaway port. Plus, zoned manufacturing sites are available just minutes from the Ontario/Michi-gan Blue Water Bridge commercial border crossing. Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership | www.sarnialambton.on.ca

Wind project construction & operation Renewable Energy Systems Canada Inc. (RES Canada), an affi liate of RES Americas, is a fully integrated wind en-ergy company that develops, constructs, owns, and operates wind projects in Canada. They are part of the RES Group, which is a global builder of re-newable energy projects. Renewable Energy SystemsCanada Inc.www.res-americas.com


Troutman Sanders LLP announces its Portland, Oregon office that will focus on energy projects and issues specific to the western United States and the Pacific Northwest. Troutman Sanders has counseled energy industry clients since the 1920s. Since then, a dynamic renewable energy practice has developed to advise clients at every stage, from investment and tax structuring to development, construction and operation.

As your plans for solar, wind and renewable energy projects emerge, put the energy of our lawyers to work for you. For more information, contact:

Antoine P. Cobb - 503.290.2315 Matthew D. McVee - 503.290.2320 [email protected] [email protected]

Lara L. Skidmore - [email protected]

650 lawyers | 50 practice areas | troutmansanders.com/renewable_energy

Hello, Portland.

Wind energy construction & operationWind Prospect operates globally in all aspects of renewable energy develop-ment, construction, operation, and advisory services. They have developed and engineered wind energy projects around the world since building their fi rst wind farm in 1992. Wind Prospect offers a complete range of services to assess the suitability of a site and win a planning consent. Some provided services are: site fi nding and feasibil-ity studies; grid connections; wind resource assessment; environmental assessment; planning and consenting; health and safety; turbine selection; civil and electrical engineering; pro-curement and contracts; legal agree-ments; on-site monitoring; as well as, turbine inspection and commissioning.Wind Prospect, Inc. www.windprospect.com

On- and off-shore wind turbinesSiemens Energy is a global supplier of advanced-technology wind turbines and services for onshore and offshore wind farms. Currently, Siemens of-fers a 2.3-MW, 3.0-MW, and 3.6-MW product portfolio, which is designed for both onshore and offshore application. With decades of experience, Siemens has earned its unparalleled reputation for robust equipment by delivering excellence in performance and avail-ability. Recently announced, Siemens Wind Power offers its new SWT-3.0-101 direct drive wind turbine, featuring a compact system designed with 50% fewer parts. As a turbine equipment supplier, Siemens offers competitive pricing to include project management support, transportation, erection, com-missioning, and service for large wind farm development. Siemens Energy | www.siemens.com

EPC & BOP construction services The PCL family of companies is a group of independent construction companies that carry out diverse operations in the civil infrastructure, heavy industrial, and buildings markets. Together, these companies have an annual construction volume of more than $6 billion, making them the largest contracting organization in Canada and one of the largest in the US. PCL’s century long track record of adapting to market need to provide top-quality construction in a wide range of applications has posi-tioned them to take the lead in the rising field of renewable energy. PCL is capable of providing EPC and BOP construction services for custom-ers in wind, solar, hydropower, and bioenergy with the understanding that each renewable energy sector is different in technical nature, market maturity, and geographical location of the resource. PCL’s geographically diverse and flexible operations across North America afford the opportu-nity to serve clients in all renewable energy construction markets.PCL Constructors Canada Inc. | www.pcl.com

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Wind turbine monitoring systemsA German company, PRÜFTECHNIK’s core business areas are high-tech measur-ing systems for industrial maintenance and quality assurance. PRÜFTECH-NIK solutions increase the availability and profi tability of wind turbines and minimize the risk of downtime. The GL certifi ed online monitoring system VIBROWEB XP for all machine types and sizes serve to optimize system avail-ability and enable a high level of pro-ductivity. PRÜFTECHNIK also offers shaft alignment systems. Their award-winning alignment products have become standard equipment in many sectors of industry. They keep in close touch with customers by not only offering precision instruments, but a range of high-end maintenance services such as balancing of rotor blades, end-of warranty inspections, troubleshooting, and remote monitoring of wind turbines in their certifi ed moni-toring center.PRÜFTECHNIK Maintenance Technology Service Inc.www.pruftechnik.ca

Turbine light control technologyOCAS has introduced a new solution that greatly reduces the negative visual impact of wind farms. This proven, radar-based, on-demand light con-trol technology is mounted on select turbine towers and allows for wind turbine lights to remain OFF at all times—unless an aircraft is detected on an unsafe heading toward the wind farm. By keeping the constantly fl ashing strobe lights off, the visual impact (light pollution) is reduced and wind farm community accept-ance is increased. This will also help improve the permitting cycle for wind developers while increasing the re-sponsible siting practices of the wind energy industry by keeping skies safe and communities happy. The system is approved by Transport Canada and the FAA.OCAS | www.ocasinc.com


Meteorological tower installationRigarus Construction Inc. is an expe-rienced turn-key communications fa-cility with dedicated and highly qual-ifi ed personnel determined to meet all specifi c requirements. Rigarus Construction has built relationships in the wind power industry providing installation of meteorological towers. The company further offers: supply and installation guyed and guyless/self support; met towers; site layout; anemometer and instrumentation re-placement; wind turbine tower erec-tion; and, tower removals. Rigarus Construction also specializes in civil work providing foundation installa-tions and roads.Rigarus Construction Inc. www.rigarus.com

High-energy production in low- to medium-winds The old rules have been broken. Too often, low- and medium-wind loca-tions have been passed over in favor of high-wind zones. But the Vestas V112-3.0 MW, an innovative turbine with the largest wind-swept area in its class, opens new frontiers by deliver-ing high-energy production for low- and medium-wind locations. With its unique 54.6 meter blades, enhanced power effi ciency, and unsurpassed grid capability, the V112-3.0 MW represents massive advances in aero-dynamics and energy production. And, with 60% more interior working space, the V112 delivers on the Vestas ongoing commitment to safety while simultaneously improving mainte-nance effi ciency.Vestas | www.vestas.com

Wind turbine platformSafway Services provides safe, reliable, suspended access solutions and now offers the SafAscent Wind Turbine Platform for external wind tower access. Available for rental or sale, SafAscent is designed specifi cally for maintenance and inspection of wind turbines, enabling unrestricted ac-cess to the tower and blades. The 6'6" modular platform provides a safe, sim-ple, and fast way to travel up the tower. Hoists ensure quick access to the work site, with quick climbing speeds of 35 feet per minute. Three sets of pad-ded rollers protect the wind tower and blades. SafAscent exceeds OSHA, OH&S, and ANSI standards, and meets all UL & CSA requirements. Safway Serviceswww.safway.com

Gearbox assessment & monitoring GasTOPS provides products and services to the wind industry to monitor gearbox health using its fl agship MetalSCAN product. Met-alSCAN is an in-line, full-fl ow, oil debris sensor designed to provide condition assessment information necessary to effectively manage the risk associated with premature gear-box failures. MetalSCAN is avail-able for installation on new turbines installed by the OEM or retrofi tted in the fi eld, including a comprehen-sive monitoring services package. The output of the sensor can be integrated to interface to an existing wind turbine controller; SCADA or as a standalone MetalSCAN Alarm Module with optional wireless com-munications.GasTOPS | www.gastops.com


Gearbox fi lter lifetime extension kitOver the lifetime of a gearbox, fi ltration needs may change. When this happens, HYDAC has cost-effective solutions that allow for an ex-panded range of fi lter element options. Benefi ts include: longer service intervals; the ability to address oil-aging issues; improved oil cleanli-ness levels; two-stage fi ltration for protection during cold start and optimal use of available space; and, a simple design that keeps costs and installation diffi culty to a minimum. It is im-portant to always ensure the proper condition of turbine oil before attempting any changes to the fi ltration system. Ensure proper oil analysis has been completed using the oil manufacturers recommended test procedures.HYDAC Internationalwww.hydacusa.com

Turbine blade servicing & repairComposotech Structures is a multi-functional composite manufacturer servicing the wind energy the US and Canada. With over 15 years of experience, they offer service, repair, and inspection of wind turbine blades and a manu-facturer of fl ight and automotive simulators and tooling and moulds for wind turbine rotor blades and defense armaments. Rotor blade services include: a full-service blade repair facility; blade mould design & manufactur-ing; wind blade prototyping & manufacturing; leading/trailing edge repairs; pitch verifi cation; rotor balancing; annual cleaning/inspections; NDT inspections; UT scans; static blade testing; shearography; and, thermography. With a focus on safety, Composotech has also developed an in-house training and certifi ca-tion program for both plant and fi eld service technicians. Composotech has built a reputa-tion supplying high-quality, close tolerance composite structures and tooling for a variety of international customers.Composotech Structureswww.composotech.com

Wind energy projects in northern conditions The Wind Energy TechnoCentre is an independ-ent organization active in developing know-how in the wind power sector, particularly in northern settings and complex terrains. It owns an experi-mental northern wind energy site, the Site nor-dique expérimental en éolien CORUS (SNEEC), that features two REpower MM92 CCV wind tur-bines with a capacity of 2.05 MW each. SNEEC aims primarily to carry out research, development, and technology transfer projects involving north-ern conditions. Services offered include: technical assistance for businesses, technological showcase, assistance in obtaining certifi cation, product test-ing, applied research, and more.The Wind Energy TechnoCentrewww.eolien.qc.ca

Concrete wind tower base systemThe Atlas CTB Concrete Tower Base by Tin-dall is a revolutionary new hybrid concept that brings signifi cant performance improvements to the wind industry. Comprising the lower 32m of a tower, the Atlas CTB is ideal for rais-ing large turbines to heights of 100m to 130m. This fl ared-base, precast concrete lower section accommodates a conventional steel monotower upper section. The large-footprint base is com-posed of multiple precast staves that are erected and stabilized by a concrete transition. The com-ponents are easily transported by road and rail and are quickly erected on a simple ring founda-tion requiring 1/4 to 1/3 of the concrete found in conventional tower footings. The base also provides plenty of enclosed space for equipment/mechanical storage.Tindall | www.atlasctb.com


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Windmill transportationTransera International Logistics is a global project logistics company provid-ing support and multi-modal transport solutions to the wind power industry. In conjunction with their Danish partner, BaltShip A/S, BaltShip A/S, which offers transportation of windmill turbines worldwide, they coordinate North American wind power projects via ocean, truck, rail, barge, and air. Transera International Logistics Ltd.www.transera-intl.com


Wind farm construction & electrical designRenewable Construction Services (RCS), a limited partnership between Rosendin Electric and The State Group (State), was formed to pursue and construct wind and solar projects in Canada and is currently the electri-cal design/build contractor for the St Joseph’s Windfarm in Manitoba. The State Group is a large, well-known multi-trade contractor with over 40 years of industrial contracting experi-ence with specifi c expertise in power generation and substation projects. Rosendin Electric is currently the largest privately held electrical con-tractor in the US, completing more than 50 projects totaling over 6,000 MW. RCS brings the strengths of both partners to offer full EPC ser-vices for projects including electrical design and construction of collection systems, substations, transmission lines, and WTG wiring. RCS brings the experience, capacity, and resources needed to complete projects safely, on time, and with unparalleled reliability.Renewable Construction Serviceswww.renewableconstructionservices.com

SCADA & wind monitoringLook for a new company, in name only: CG Power Solutions (formerly MSE Power Systems). With its subsidiary CG Automa-tion, CG Power Solutions will demonstrate its new SCADA and wind monitoring sys-tems technology. Combining this SCADA technology with its vast expertise in utility automation, CG Power Solutions is now positioned to offer more robust, feature-rich interconnection systems that are essen-tial for maximum wind farm productivity. This new technology allows CG Power Solutions to expand its scope of services to cover the complete integration of renew-able generation into the utility grid, which offers tremendous benefi ts to its client. CG Power Solutions

Environmental consulting services Stantec provides professional consult-ing services in environmental approv-als, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, survey-ing, and project management for wind energy projects across North America. They have successfully assisted clients obtain permits, licenses, authoriza-tions, and certifi cates and has the in-ternal technical specialists to address bird, wildlife, fi sheries, vegetation, and terrain issues. They help clients man-age environmental issues profession-ally and proactively to ensure project success within the challenging regula-tory environment. Stantec’s project management, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) teams are fully supported by electri-cal, mechanical, and civil/structural engineering disciplines; including their specialized wind facility and transmission engineers. They have designed over 3,000 MW of wind projects and performed over 12,900 MW of interconnect support services with electrical utility system operators throughout the US and Canada. Stantec Consulting www.stantec.com

Wind energy project risk DNV provides comprehensive ser-vices to help understand and man-age wind energy project risk. Their experience includes both utility scale and small-scale applications of wind energy technologies for onshore and offshore projects around the world. Services include: asset risk man-agement; HSE risk management; marine-offshore advisory services; project certifi cation; project devel-opment assistance; project due dili-gence; testing and instrumentation; type certifi cation; wind resource as-sessment; wind turbine engineering; and, DNV standards and guidelines. DNVwww.dnv.com/windenergy

Hydraulic torque wrenches SPX Bolting Systems Group features the Predator line of hydraulic torque wrenches, pumps, bolt tensioners, and power packs designed with the wind en-ergy market in mind. Predator square-drive torque wrenches are constructed with durable, but lightweight steel bodies, which make them perfect for the rigors of wind tower construction and O&M applications. SPX Bolting Systems Group offers new products designed specifi cally for O&M applica-tions and construction, as well as global training and support. SPX Bolting Systems Groupwww.spx.com

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Vertical rail system for fall protectionWorkers ascending and descending fi xed ladders must be protected from falls at all times. Capital Safety has developed an optimal fall protection system for turbine ladder climbing: the Railok 90 vertical rail system. The rigid rail system maximizes freedom of movement by not restricting foot space on the ladder rungs. The shut-tle travels smoothly along the rail al-lowing the user to move up and down the ladder freely, and will not snag or resist the climber’s motion. In the event of a fall, the shuttle locks on the rail, arresting the fall while mini-mizing fall distances and load forces on the user. A unique metallic shock absorber integrated into the shuttle device further enhances safety and prolongs the life of the system. Capital Safetywww.capitalsafety.com


Wind resource assessment & performance monitoring NRG Systems will present their WIND-CUBE v2, WindLinx wireless service, and their complete wind measurement systems that have been an industry standard for over two decades. Used in resource assessment and wind farm per-formance monitoring, the WINDCUBE v2 is the lightest, most compact lidar remote sensor available. It collects ac-tual measurements at heights up to 200 meters, mapping the vertical wind com-ponent, wind speed and direction, turbu-lence, and wind shear. Newly introduced this year, WindLinx is a unifi ed wireless service that streamlines wireless account activation and overall management of met tower data transfer from multiple sites around the world. NRG Systems | www.nrgsystems.com

Wind power generatorsSherwood Electromotion Inc. (SEI) are experts in wind power generators. Backed by over 30 years of experience, SEI is able to offer services to wind power generator manufacturers, as well as to wind power generator operators. For generator manufacturers, SEI offers contract manufacturing opportunities, in addition to warranty period repair and overhaul services for wind power generators rated 1 MW to 6 MW. For operators, SEI provides services for the repair and overhaul of wind power generators rated 1 MW to 6 MW, in addition to the supply of sub-assemblies and components for wind power generators. Sherwood Electromotion Inc. | www.sherwoodelectromotion.com

Tandem twin welder ESAB’s new Tandem Twin submerged arc welding process increases metal deposi-tion rate and cuts arc time in half. Tandem Twin welding combines tandem welding with twin wire welding to achieve the high-est possible deposition rate. The twin wire welding process typically uses two relatively small diameter wires with a single power source and a single contact tip to increase deposition rates by 20% to 30% versus single wire DC SAW. Tandem welding uses two separate power supplies, two wire feed-ers, and two large diameter wires to achieve double the deposition rate as single wire SAW. The heart of ESAB’s Tandem Twin so-lution consists of two heads, each using twin wires, mounted on an ESAB Column and Boom. The heads are powered by one ESAB LAF DC power source and one ESAB TAF AC power source that deliver up to 1250 amp per head. ESAB is currently the only company offering this unique process.ESAB | www.esabna.com

Environmental assessmentsHemmera is a wind energy environ-mental assessment (EA) provider in Western Canada, having obtained the fi rst successful environmental certifi cation for a wind project in British Columbia. Their experi-ence has led them to support over 4,000 MW of proposed power on several distinct wind projects. From start to fi nish, Hemmera takes cli-ent projects through the federal and provincial EA processes. Their team is currently involved with en-vironmental assessments for several of the largest and most complex infrastructure projects underway in the province.Hemmera | www.hemmera.com

Renewable energy consulting fi rm ORTECH Power is a renewable en-ergy consulting fi rm that specializes in getting wind projects complet-ed—from project management to permitting to fi nancial analysis onto commissioning. ORTECH’s practi-cal experience provides its’ clients with sound advice during all phases of a project. ORTECH provides a variety of technical services such as due diligence, wind resource assess-ment, micrositing/layout, fi nancial analysis, engineering support, O&M budgeting/forecasting, M&A ser-vices, EPC RFP support, owners’ representative, and project manage-ment services. ORTECH Power | www.ortech.ca


KR Wind - the global partner foryour next wind energy project

KR Wind is a turn-key provider for wind farm developers, investors/owners and manufactures worldwide.We provide logis c solu ons, inclusive road transport, shipping, crane erec on, installa on and partnerships that allow us tosupport and offer “Balance of Plant” opera ons asneeded by our clients.

A safe working environment is our first priority and we strive to proac vely adapt our services to match the needs of our clients no ma er what the job entails – single service or turnkey solu on.

KR Wind Inc. | 1621 Simcoe Street South | Oshawa, Ontario | L1H 8J7 Canada | Tel. +1 (905) 723 9339KR Wind Inc. | 12001 North Central Expressway | Suite 325, Dallas | US-Texas 75243 | Tel.: +1 972 386 7272www.krwind.com | [email protected]

Castings for wind turbines Castech Metallurgy is a ferrous foundry producing castings from one pound to over 30,000 pounds of net weight. Since 2008, Castech has developed the expertise in the pro-duction of large casting required for wind turbines, such as the hub that meets all European specifi cations. In partnership with its sister company, Plessitech, Castech can offer fully machined castings or fabrications in-cluding painting and assembly. Their operations are accredited under the norms of ISO-9001:2008.Castech Metallurgy Inc. www.castechinc.com


EPC/BOP wind power contractorMortenson Canada Corporation is a full-service EPC/BOP wind power con-tractor in renewable energy construc-tion. Since 1995, Mortenson has been at the center of over 90 wind projects totaling more than 9,100 megawatts, with 850 megawatts in fi ve provinces. Mortenson will unveil its new Canadian headquarters, located in Toronto, in November 2010. Mortenson Canada Corporationwww.mortenson.com

Technical services to the wind turbine industry Canadian Space Services Ltd. (CSS) is a Cana-dian fi eld service company providing compre-hensive technical services to the wind turbine industry across Canada. They have recently diversifi ed their offering to include the blade, spinner, and nacelle inspection, as well as the documentation and repair during the pre-com-missioning phase of wind farm installations. CSS’s expertise in radome fi eld service pro-vides a solid foundation for rapid response to on-site repair, maintenance, and return-to-ser-vice warranty work. They listen to the urgency of each situation, then provide a timely quote based on the location of the wind farm and the specifi c type of technician team required. Once at the site, the CSS team will assess the situa-tion and communicate a work task plan outlin-ing the scope of work. Safe working practices dominate every work task as outlined in their safety manual and work procedures. Canadian Space Services Ltd.www.canspace.com

Gearing component supplierCarolina Gear & Components, or CGC, has spent years manufacturing large components for mining, metal processing, and heavy machine tool-ing applications, in addition to many others. The company not only subcon-tracts services such as heat treating, but they also oversee the entire operation, machining the blanks and handling the fi nish grinding themselves. They deal with large course-pitch pinions and gears up to eight meters for the mining and wind energy markets, all strictly according to AGMA, ISO, and DIN standards. The company also has a new addition under construction that will double their facility space to 50,000 square feet—once moved into the new quarters this fall, CGC will continue exploring new markets, in addition to those in which it is currently active, and will keep working to build its reputa-tion in the wind energy industry as a supplier of quality gearing components. CGC also plans to explore additional capabilities and services such as re-pair and retrofi tting of rotational type equipment, and testing and inspection, offering one stop supply shop for power transmission requirements.Carolina Gear & Componentswww.cgc-group.net

Turbine for low wind regimesThe German-based wind turbine sup-plier REpower Systems AG introduces a new 2 MW turbine, specifi cally designed for the North American market. After introducing the turbines MM82 and MM92 in previous years, REpower Systems now unveils its plans to introduce a new 2 MW turbine with 100m rotor diameter, called MM100, which addresses low wind regimes in the North American market. Based on the same design concept as its pre-decessors, the MM100 implements a performance-enhancing, reliable de-sign concept similar to the entire MM series and by that leverages the exten-sive experience of over 1.500 turbines already installed worldwide. After in-troducing the MM100, REpower plans to install fi rst prototypes of this turbine in the US for the end of 2011. REpower Systems AGwww.repower.de

Engineered transportation servicesEquipment Express was incorporated in 1950 and began as a transportation arm to two large US rigging compa-nies. The company quickly rose to gain national and continental prow-ess in transportation management industry. Equipment Express has been providing turn-key solutions for many different types of projects over the years. They believe that when one incorporates the offl oading services, as well as the transportation, this enables a project to share man-agement, thereby avoiding delays and additional costs to the customer. Equipment Express provides fully engineered transportation services, heavy lift cranes, and rigging. Equipment Expresswww.equipmentexpress.com

Data quality controlWindServer, a trusted source for data quality control, data access, asset management, and site report-ing for the wind energy sector, has a new look, feel, and enhanced reporting capabilities. The sleek and interactive digital dashboard provides users with the ability to view towers or sites at a glance. Not only will users be able to determine the health of sensors within seconds, but they will also be able to drill down to the smallest detail. Reports can be customized to include any number of chart types, and the improved data export provides easy access to raw data, validated data, and calculated values.GENIVAR | www.genivar.com | www.windserver.com


302 Main Street North, Acton, Ontario, Canada L7J 1W9Toll Free: 1-888-846-7858 Phone: 519-853-3216

www.geo-foundations.com

Specializing in design-build solutions for foundation support, ground improvement and ground treatment

Wind turbine repairIPS TRICO provides some of the most experienced and comprehensive capa-bilities in wind turbine repair, up-tower services, and replacement parts in North America. They repair all major brands of wind turbines in North America, and have developed and created repair pro-cedures for many OEM’s. IPS TRICO is authorized by most OEM’s for gen-erator repair and up-tower services, and now offer gearbox repair, as well. Their dedicated teams of up-tower wind service technicians are strategically lo-cated across the country to provide fast up-tower service. Their footprint of 16 regional service centers across the US, allows us to respond on a local, regional and national level. IPS TRICO also maintains a complete inventory of criti-cal spare parts (e.g. bearings, slip rings, couplings, encoders, brushes, etc.) in support of customers.IPS TRICO | www.tricotcwind.com

Renewable energy power generationWhite Construction specializes in renewable energy power generation projects by utilizing the strengths of their long-standing history of heavy industrial construction. White Con-struction was one of the pioneering companies in the early days of wind farm construction across North America. Their experience, combined with high-quality standards and safety practices, has gained them rec-ognition in the wind industry. Cur-rently, they have installed more than 4,000 MW in the US and Canada. White Construction is distinctive in their ability to provide the engineer-ing, procurement, and construction necessary to provide a turn-key ap-proach to renewable energy project. They have the knowledge, experi-ence, equipment, and management to ensure a project is on time, and within budget. HB White | www.whiteconstruction.com

Full-service rock anchor contractorGeo-Foundations Contractors Inc. is a provider of design-build geotechnical specialist contracting including drilled pile and rock anchor construction ser-vices for wind turbine foundation con-struction. They are a turn-key service provider performing—entirely with their own forces—all rock anchor relat-ed services including drilling, hydraulic conductivity testing, rock mass consoli-dation grouting, installation, grouting, and post-tensioning. Their large fl eet of drill rigs and specialty post-tensioning jacks and apparatus enables their crews to achieve the high rates of production necessary to support fast-tracked tur-bine base construction schedules. Geo-Foundations Contractors’ mobile teams of operators, laborers, and technicians perform work coast-to-coast in Canada, having so far installed over 25,000 lineal meters of rock anchors in seven differ-ent provinces in the past 13 years. Geo-Foundation Contractorswww.geo-foundations.com

Power engineering design & consulting Peak Power Engineering, Inc., a Uni-versalPegasus International company, provides power engineering design and consulting services to all segments of the electric power industry—rural electric cooperatives, municipalities, generation and transmission companies, investor-owned utilities, independent power producers, and alternative energy generation developers. Peak Power has performed hundreds of substation, transmission, and distribution projects from 25 kV to 345 kV, and has designed electrical interconnects for 60 wind farm projects totaling over 7,500 MW. Working with their sister fi rms in the UniversalPegasus family of companies, they offer power clients fully integrated packages of project services including surveying, environmental, GIS/map-ping, front-end engineering develop-ment, engineering design and specifi ca-tion, equipment/material procurement, construction management, and inspec-tion services. Peak Power Engineering (A UniversalPegasus International company)

www.universalpegasus.com

Wind power support services Intertek’s wind power services support manufactur-ers, owners, and operators in the wind power industry with a broad range of services, including: certifi cations, fi eld labeling, structural analysis and inspection, system certifi cation, preventative maintenance, independent verifi cation, and monitoring. Intertek’s open air test site for small wind turbines is the only wind testing facility in North America that is operated by an OSHA recognized Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory capable of providing small wind turbine system and electrical com-ponent certifi cations. As a recognized third-party testing company, Intertek increases sales opportunities for large and small wind manufacturers by providing verifi cation of compliance with national and international wind turbine effi ciency, performance, and safety requirements. Intertek | intertek.com/wind


Renewable energy projects and O&MEDF EN Canada – an EDF EN Company, entered the Canadian mar-ket in 2008 offering fi nancial strength and technical innovation with more than 3,000 MW of renewable energy projects in service or under construc-tion. enXco Service Corporation – an EDF EN Company, is a third-party operations and maintenance renew-able energy provider in North Amer-ica. For 23 years, eSC has ensured profi tability for wind project owners by providing experienced and reliable O&M services, with more than 5,200 turbines under contract representing over 4,100 MW of generation.EDF EN Canada | enXco Services Corporation www.enxco.com


Wire & cable solutionsElectrical Cable Supply Ltd. (ECS) is the largest independent supplier of wire and cable solutions coast to coast. Over the past 26 years, ECS has built a reputation for providing specialty cables for challenging ap-plications such as wind energy, two-hour fi re rated life safety systems, marine, oil and gas environments, and the mining industry. In addi-tion to technical engineering sup-port, they offer many value-added services such as inventory managed programs, project and logistic co-ordination, and 24/7 emergency services.Electrical Cable Supply Ltd. www.ecswire.com

Wind turbines & hydraulic towersReDriven Power’s 5, 10, 20, and 50kw tailless turbines provide an effec-tive and effi cient means of producing power. Hydraulic towers at 18, 24, 30, and 36 meters (60, 80, 100, and 120ft) lift and lower the systems, simplifying installation and maintenance. Perfectly suited for government, schools, farmers, business owners, or consumers, these systems cover the renewable energy production requirements for a large segment of needs. ReDriven Power’s systems feature the following attributes: eight levels of turbine safety, which in-cludes dual active brakes and a clutch yaw system; hydraulic tower for reduced cost of ownership; innovative active yaw up wind and tailless design; touch screen interface; low wind start-up for maximum utilization of available wind resources; secure online power produc-tion monitoring for dealers and custom-ers; real-time health monitoring on key metrics to ensure optimal performance; and, no crane required for installation or maintenance.ReDriven Power | www.redriven.net

Wind power solutionsModern power systems rely on sophisticated power equipment, where control and monitoring systems all work in harmony. ABB products, systems and services ensure reliable, high-quality power for wind power customers, from turbine manufacturers to grid owners. ABB provides support for its products and systems throughout their lifetime—from installation and commissioning services to preventive maintenance programs, upgrades, and replacement products. ABB delivers power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact.ABB Inc. www.abb.ca/windpower

Solutions for wind energyAmerican Superconductor (AMSC) offers a range of proven solutions for the wind industry. AMSC Windtec provides licenses and customized designs for multi-megawatt wind turbines. Customers receive unlim-ited service and support and can begin manufacturing wind turbines in as little as 12 months. AMSC Windtec is currently developing the SeaTitan wind turbine, designed to produce 10 MW or more of power per tower. Based on its PowerModule power converter, AMSC also provides wind turbine electrical systems and controls that enable reliable, high-performance wind turbine operation by managing power fl ows, regulating voltage, monitoring system perfor-mance, controlling the pitch of blades and the yaw of turbines to maximize effi ciency. The company further provides D-VAR systems, which are helping to stabilize voltage levels at more than 70 wind farms around the world to meet grid interconnection requirements. American Superconductor (AMSC)www.amsc.com

Cargo-handling servicesLogistec has over fi ve decades of experi-ence in cargo-handling services through a strong network of 23 strategic loca-tions in Canada and the US. Logistec has been present since the wind energy sector’s explosive growth, working hand-in-hand with the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturers, logistics experts, and key transportation stake-holders offering effi cient, cost-effective, and safe cargo-handling services that customers have come to expect. Lo-gistec provides customized solutions to the wind energy sector’s unique logistics requirements through their vast ex-pertise, strong market knowledge, and highly skilled and adaptable workforce. Whether it’s unloading or loading ships or barges, loading and securing complex components to truck or rail, or provid-ing assistance in determining the most competitive and effi cient cargo terminal in which to handle cargo, they handle cargo in the safest and most productive manner possible.Logistec Corporation www.logistec.com

Precision alignment for wind turbines Performing maintenance in the na-celle of a wind turbine puts both staff and maintenance equipment to the test. Available space and design of the gearbox and the generator varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. The laser based shaft alignment tool and fi xtures that are used need to be fl exible and adaptable to conform to the speci-fi cations of each wind turbine manufac-turer. Elos Fixturlaser AB has, over the years, acquired the expertise and trust required to develop and design both hardware and software unique to the major players in the wind turbine mar-ket. There are many factors to consider when performing wind turbine align-ment: safety protocols and routines; the design of the turbine; if the align-ment can be performed with or without coupled shafts; if the shaft is rotatable or not; etc. To overcome these factors, Elos Fixturlaser AB has different shaft alignment tools that can be used accord-ing to the wind mills needs: XA, GO, UPADXA, Shaft Hog (Dirigo). Services Techniques Claude Drouinwww.stcd.ca


Turn-key wind farm EBOP solutionsThe K-Line Group has constructed multiple wind farm projects across Canada, and has the experience and expertise necessary to assist in the development of any wind project. Specifi cally, the K-Line Group of Companies specializes in turn-key wind farm Electrical Balance of Plant (EBOP) solutions from 600 V to 230 kV. In-house capabilities include IESO and HONI submissions, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, distribution, transmission, and substa-tion construction, commissioning, and maintenance services, as well as 24/7 emergency response. With multiple offi ce locations and over 500 MW of Electrical BOP installed, they are able to service North American and Inter-national markets alike. K-Line Group | www.k-line.ca

Oil fi ltration systemsC.C.JENSEN, a trusted partner for providing clean oil for wind turbines, manufactures soil fi ltra-tion systems that remove harm-ful contaminants from gearboxes, bearings, and hydraulic systems. C.C.JENSEN Fine Filters system-atically remove particles, oil degra-dation products, and water from the oil, which means less maintenance and improved up-time. C.C.JENSEN | www.ccjensen.com

Wind turbine manufacturingFor more than 30 years, DMI Indus-tries has built a solid reputation in heavy steel manufacturing, and now in wind towers. Wind turbine manufac-turers rely on DMI for a best-in-class product built to their exact specifi ca-tions, delivered on time, every time. Strategically located factories are fully integrated to take every tower section through every stage of the production process all at the same location, and DMI begins every project with the raw materials and processes that offer a superior product.DMI Industrieswww.dmiindustries.com

Environmental & engineering solutionsGolder Associates has 50 years of technical expertise, offering timely and cost-effective solutions for en-vironmental and engineering needs. Golder’s services span the entire lifecycle of wind power projects—from resource assessment and siting, through licensing, to operational forecasting, environmental monitor-ing and decommissioning, as well as post-closure restoration. Innovative and technically driven, Golder engi-neers and scientists provide practical, solutions that meet the technical and business goals of clients. Their famili-arity with current and emerging wind technologies, as well as their North American regulatory knowledge, is a proven asset in working through the environmental requirements in any jurisdiction. Golder wind power ser-vices include meteorological studies, pre-development monitoring (avian and bat conditions), construction lo-gistics, viewsheds, impact assessment and permitting, construction compli-ance planning and monitoring, and operation compliance for on-shore as well as off-shore projects. Their services also include linear facilities such as transmission lines and access roadways.Golder Associates | www.golder.com

Turbine maintenance & repair services Skala provides quality inspection, main-tenance, and repair services for utility scale wind turbine blades and towers using rope access capabilities. Skala teams provide expedient, cost-effective service because they don’t rely upon lifts or cranes to complete most work. The work is completed safely, effi ciently, and economically with a focus on minimiz-ing downtime of the asset. Services include tower and blade inspection, con-struction support, cleaning, coating, and fi berglass repair. Skala certifi ed techni-cians are committed to professional-ism, quality, and exceptional customer service. Skala | www.teamskala.com

Wind farm collector substationsThe technology employed in develop-ing and commissioning a wind farm is unique. Once the turbines begin to spin, the focus turns to collecting, transmit-ting, and distributing the power created from the wind. Critical factors include understanding how much power is being created, and how to provide protection for the cables, equipment, and trans-formers as the power is moved up to the transmission lines. AZZ | Blenkhorn & Sawle solves these issues with custom engineered and manufactured collector substations for wind farm applications. From the collector bus switchgear, to the protective relay panels for cable and transformer protection, to the fully com-pleted, factory tested enclosure, AZZ | Blenkhorn & Sawle has the experience to complete the project on time and under budget. Complete factory assembled sys-tems allow the enclosure to arrive fully assembled, wired and tested, providing quicker installation, easier commission-ing, and earlier transmission to the grid. AZZ | Blenkhorn & Sawle www.azz-bsl.com

Wind turbine solutionsProviding fl exibility is a hallmark for Gamesa; the G5X 850kw, G8X 2.0MW, the new G9X 2.0MW, and the new G10X 4.5MW platforms ensure they provide the best wind turbine solution to match customer’s needs. Gamesa also introduces the new G97 2.0MW with an increased swept-area that optimizes energy capture and maximizes energy production and rev-enues. The new air-foil design reduces noise emissions to comply with local requirements. O&M is a critical com-ponent of keeping a fl eet running op-timally. Gamesa’s professional service team provides after-sales service and support, and can remotely verify the status, monitor, control, and diagnose a wind farm to ensure optimum per-formance. Having installed over 3,600 MW, Gamesa Energy further provides development, construction, and the sale of wind farms. Gamesa | www.gamesacorp.com


Tools, torque equipment & test/measurement instrumentsTranscat is a supplier of hydraulic torque equipment, industrial tools, and test/measurement instruments. Couple this with their accredited calibration service, Transcat is in a unique position to help reduce overall wind energy tool procurement costs and improve safety. Transcat has a proven track record in assisting wind energy clients with tool standardiza-tion and measuring tool performance. They accomplish this by analyzing tool requirements and by providing a good/better/best recommendation. In addition, their proprietary asset management system allows Transcat to provide feedback on “in fi eld” tool performance, which allows customers to make fact based tool decisions.Transcatwww.transcat.com/windenergy


Wind measurements & site assessmentsWhen looking for technical and strategic advice in all areas of wind energy utilization, WindGuard North America, Inc., offers the combination of over 20 years of extensive, practical experience, and scientifi c know-how to provide the highest standard of services. WindGuard offers site assessments, wind measure-ments, anemometer calibration, project due diligence, and technical inspec-tions, to name a few. Their reports are accredited and bankable, allowing cus-tomers to realize their wind projects effi ciently. Their calibrations are MEAS-NET accredited. As WindGuard owns four wind tunnels, turn-around times of just a few hours, in some cases, can be realized. They consistently carry-out research and development projects for private and government clients, having actively advised the German Government, for example.WindGuard North America, Inc. | www.windguard.de

Meteorological and wind turbine generator O&M PRESTIGE ENERGIS services the North American Wind energy industry. Their services include various installation capabilities for wind farm projects. They provide meteorological and wind turbine generator (WTG) tower equipment installations and maintenance. They also provide engineering, installa-tion, maintenance, and modifi cation of lattice towers, monopoles, wind power structures, and equipment. PRESTIGE ENERGIS www.energis.prestigetel.com

Heating system ENGRENAGE PROVINCIAL INC. offers their new HS 16: Heating system. The HS 16 is connected to external control unit/PLC, offers a 20-minute pre-heating of H1 and H2 with 700W, as well as H1 with 2*100W and H2 with 2*250W. After 10 seconds of operating, the pump reaches a pressure differen-tial of 1,5bar. Users can add H3 15kW (HS10 with 7.5kW), operate until 1.000cst (which are around 20cstH3 with maximum 2m/s), and there is no overheating.ENGRENAGE PROVINCIAL INC.www.engrenageprovincial.com

Specialty lubricants for turbine applicationsKlüber Lubrication has been provid-ing tribological solutions for over 80 years. As a worldwide manufacturer of specialty lubricants, one of their goals is to develop products and services that meet or exceed the extreme de-mands found in wind turbine applica-tions. Klüber’s innovative lubrication program for wind turbines is designed to protect equipment and help make life easier by improving reliability and reducing maintenance costs. Klüber Lubrication www.klueber.com

Emerging environmental technologies In Elgin, they recognize the importance of sustaining growth and driving new invest-ment for their communities. Innovative and forward-thinking interest from the public and private sector in the deploy-ment of emerging environmental technol-ogies, including wind, ethanol, waste treat-ment, and bio-energy, continues to grow. Elgin County is strategically located in the heart of southwestern Ontario, a province that has committed to renewable energy through the development of legislation with the Green Energy Act and the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program. Elgin is poised to benefi t from upgrades to the transmis-sion system with two 500 kV (proposed) core transmission projects slated to occur within the next fi ve to ten years. Running just north of Elgin, the transmission sys-tem moves power from the region into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Elgin County – Economic Developmentwww.progressivebynature.com

Exothermic ignition system BURNDY announces the BURNDY-Weld QIKLITE battery operated ignition system for exothermic connec-tions. This new system uses innovative technology combined with traditional features and benefi ts unmatched in the industry. The BURNDY QIKLITE unit is the only remote exothermic sys-tem that guarantees ignition 100% of the time. The self-contained unit offers a built-in battery life indicator, 6' ignit-er cord, and separate buttons for power and ignition. Also, no starting powder is used with this system so emissions are greatly reduced. QIKLITE works with standard molds and weld metal, so contractors and installers can continue to use the same quality BURNDYWeld products, and have the option of using a traditional fl int igniter or the new QIKLITE system. Another feature is the speed of ignition, with virtually no delay between depressing the “push to operate” button and ignition of the weld metal. This instant ignition feature offers quick reassurance to the installer, without the delay experienced with other options currently on the market. BURNDY | www.bundy.com

Consulting engineering fi rmBBA is a Canadian consulting engi-neering fi rm numbering more than 500 employees. It offers engineering services with a high level of expertise, notably in the energy sector, and the mines and metals sector. BBA stands out in the engineering industry by its unique integrated service offer includ-ing executive consulting, operational technical expertise, and commission-ing. BBA ranks among Canada’s “50 Best Managed Companies” according to a selection made by the fi rm De-loitte and CIBC. BBA | www.bba.ca


Fall protectionFor years, Tractel has been developing new technologies for fall protection in the wind industry. The evolution in emergency evacuation and rescue con-tinues as Tractel introduces its second generation Derope emergency evacu-ation/controlled descent device. User feedback, experience and new technol-ogy have driven the design of this new generation of Derope devices. With an increased descent speed and twin exit hubs designed into the casing, the Derope GEN-2 is more effi cient, but is also more durable. Additional new features include: dual descent control pig tails; external cooling fi ns; inte-grated rope locking cleat; and, com-pletely sealed brake housing, which allows the Derope to be one of the few units on the market to pass the ridge wet and cold testing procedures of the Canadian Standards Association.Tractel | www.tractel.com

High-power wind turbinesPioneer Wind is a manufacturer and mar-keter of advanced, high-power wind tur-bines and provider of related operations and maintenance services. Using proven technology, the company’s wind turbines deliver high performance and are ideally suited to North American climate condi-tions, wind regimes, and terrains. Pioneer Wind’s A-1650 and A-2000 wind turbines are three-blade, horizontal-axis designs with generation capacities of 1.65 MW and 2.0 MW, respectively. Each model features robust gearbox construction with an integrated rotor shaft, making the units more compact and silent. The com-bination of variable rotational speed and full span pitch control allows the turbines to operate at wind speeds from 3.0 to 3.5 m/s and reach rated output capacity start-ing at 12 m/s.Pioneer Wind Energy Systems, Inc.www.pioneerwindenergy.com

Hydraulic braking solutions Svendborg Brakes is a manufacturer of hydraulic braking solutions for heavy industry. Svendborg employs techno-logical expertise, market intelligence, along with highly competent person-nel to fulfi ll customer requirements for reliable and cost-effective braking solutions. Furthermore, the braking solutions are customized to precisely match a customer’s requirements and applications. They offer solutions in which hydraulics, electronics, and advanced brake engineering are com-bined, as brakes have to operate when other parts have failed. Svendborg can handle any task in braking solutions, no matter how extreme.Svendborg Brakes A/Swww.svendborg-brakes.com


Optical engineering design & LED technology The new L450 product range of red and red/white, medium-intensity LED obstacle lights incorporate one of the most advanced optical engineering de-sign and LED technology enabling the development of the most cost-effective solutions for the medium-intensity ob-struction light market. The new L450 products are focused on minimizing the visual impact that obstacle lights can have on the surrounding environ-ment, while at the same time further reducing power consumption. The L450’s “all-in-one” concept follows the designs successfully adopted over the past 10 years in the L350 product with the light having a built in power mod-ule, controller, and GPS synchronizer. This product design makes the lights simple to install, enables them to oper-ate reliably under the harshest condi-tions, and minimizes both the capital costs and cost of ownership. TWR Lighting Inc.www.twrlighting.com

EPC & environmental servicesThe AMEC Black & McDonald joint venture has served the wind energy in-dustry for over fi fteen years and has par-ticipated in more than forty completed wind farms, both on land and offshore. The joint venture provides a full range of environmental, engineering, procure-ment, and construction services. They provide these services on a design-build basis or through other contracting ar-rangements. AMEC Black & McDon-ald has the experience and resources to manage entire wind energy project developments from site assessment to design and installation to operational support. The joint venture’s EPC ex-perience, combined with its worldwide project and construction management experience, has established a history of delivering projects on time and within budget by designing innovative facilities and processes, effi ciently managing large and small industrial construction pro-jects, and developing and implementing an effective project control program.AMEC Black & McDonald www.amec.com/wind

Re-engineered brush holderMersen has re-designed the phase and ground brush holders for Hitachi gen-erators installed in the GE fl eet of 1.5 MW wind turbines. The new Mersen brush rigging assembly is a totally re-engineered system, designed to reduce wear, maintenance, and downtime in the long term. The new brush holders are plug-and-play. Up-tower instal-lation is fast, simple, and requires no modifi cations to the generator. The mass-produced holders, die-cast from bronze alloy, are sturdy and built to withstand rigorous fi eld use and tur-bine maintenance without sustaining damage. Mersen engineered radial-mounted brush holders to eradicate the previous reaction and trailing con-fi guration and improve load sharing and equal wear rates between brushes. The brush dimensions were changed to provide equal surface area for the same energy transmission.Mersen | www.mersen.com

Megawatt-class wind turbineExpanding the output range and op-erating performance of its mid-sized (megawatt-class) wind turbines, GE has developed the 1.6 wind turbine with a 100-meter rotor. An upgrade of the existing GE 1.6 wind turbine with an 82.5-meter rotor, the new machine offers a 47% increase in swept area, which results in an 18% increase in an-nual energy production. The 1.6-100 builds on the proven experience of GE’s 1.5-megawatt wind turbine, the work-horse of the global wind energy industry with more than 13,500 units installed. The 1.6-100 also draws from GE’s 2.5xl wind turbine technology by incorporat-ing proven, certifi ed component designs from that machine. More than 230 GE 2.5xl wind turbines are installed world-wide and have compiled more than 2.1 million operating hours. GE | www.ge.com

Wind resource assessmentMeteodyn is an expert in CFD wind en-ergy computation and assessment. Many major companies in the wind energy industry already use Meteodyn WT, the CFD software for accurate wind resource assessment—even on complex terrains. Meteodyn has developed two new options: the wind production fore-casting module (short-term wind fore-cast system), and the Lidar correction module (to optimize the Lidar meas-urement and gain in accuracy for wind resource estimation). For small wind projects, they’ve launched UrbaWind: the CFD software specially engineered for wind energy assessment in urban and industrial areas. Meteodyn also carries out all studies involving wind parameters. Meteodyn America Inc. www.meteodyn.com

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geothermal energy

Today, we are witnessing an energy demand that will continue to grow throughout this

century as a result of continuing population growth, annual demand growth of eight percent in developing countries, increasing transporta-tion demand, and other factors. Unfortunately, conventional sources of energy, such as oil and gas, may have already peaked in terms of produc-tion—leaving us with relatively little time to fi nd alternative energy sources to power our factories, homes, and vehicles.

Governments are increasingly looking to alter-native or non-conventional sources on which to base the economies and technologies of the future. These sources include wind, solar, tidal, and geothermal power. Geothermal exploration has also been a particular focus of the US government where, recently, the stimulus bill has provided Department of Energy (DOE) grants to developers.

Geothermal energy is a form of energy extracted from either hot, dry rocks or hot, wet rocks. A variety of methods including geology, geochemistry, and geophysics are used to characterize heat sources prior to development and exploitation. One major challenge confronting geothermal companies is how to effi ciently, economically, and effectively ex-plore for and determine the optimal site location for drillholes, which target heat sources directly, or fl uid reservoirs and conduits at depths of one to three kilometers or more. Dur-ing the exploration phase, one of the key methods is ground geophysics. Methods, such as magnetotellurics (MT), can map resistivity to signifi cant depths (up to 10km or more). MT delivers diagnostic information about geology, porosity, salinity, heat, geometry, and struc-ture. It is relatively easy to deploy and can signifi cantly reduce project risk.

Risk is inherent to geothermal exploration and development. Not only must a productive source be located, it must also be characterized to assess geothermal potential. MT is one

of the main methods currently employed to reduce risk as it is a highly penetrating and resolving method. Electric and electromagnetic surveys (ex. MT) are particularly sensi-tive to the presence of geothermal fl uids, especially relative to other ground geophysical methods such as seismic, gravity, and magnetics. Conventional wisdom says to start with gravity and MT programs as reconnaissance techniques, then to follow up with seismic as necessary to deliver more details on geometry during the fi nal stages of exploration.

A typical MT program will require acquisition, quality control, processing, and in-terpretation to deliver a fi nal, high-quality and interpretable result. Data are typically acquired on lines or semi-regular grids—depending on the property and the geologic ob-jectives. Grid surveying is most popular for three-dimensional targets such as reservoirs and heat sources. Typical site intervals are 500m and 1000m. Grid acquisition lends itself well to 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D interpretation analysis. Line-based acquisition is typical where targets are fault structures for fl uid conduits (basin and range faulting in the western US).

In practice, an MT sounding site is easily deployed because it is man-portable. The environmental footprint is modest, consisting of a few shallow holes dug by hand using a pick and shovel. Systems typically comprise three magnetometer coils for orthogonal measurement of magnetic fi elds and two grounded electrical antennae for orthogonal measurement of horizontal electric fi elds. Pairs of electric and magnetic measurements produce spectral Cagniard impedance soundings that are then mathematically inverted to produce a resistivity model of the subsurface under the survey area. When all fi ve mag-netic and electric sensors are used, the survey is known as tensor magnetotellurics and it provides the most complete set of MT information possible.

MT signal sources are typically natural occurring phenomenon such as lighting, sun-spots, and solar wind. Magnetospheric and ionospheric interactions result in a more or less continuous spectrum of periodic current fl ow in the earth. There are several named and common spectral measurement ranges, such as audio-magnetotellurics (AMT). For deep (500m and greater) geothermal surveys, the important spectral band lies in the range 1000 seconds to 250 Hz. For shallower studies, the common AMT bandwidth is 10 seconds to 10 kHz.

MT data undergo rigorous, non-trivial signal extraction and quality control procedures. A continuous time-series of information is collected by the MT logger. Culture, such as power-lines, industrial noise, local traffi c, and even movement of a small piece of metal near the sensors, are much stronger than MT signals. A remote reference site having low noise, or noise that is not coherent with the local site, is important. Sophisticated robust processing methods estimate the transfer functions that map MT signals to resistivity.

Processed MT results are input into geophysical modeling algorithms, powerful inver-sion programs that generate approximate geologic sections. Based on intrinsic geophysi-cal parameters, these sections are a key interpretational aid and can provide signifi cant insights into the nature of geothermal reservoirs to depth. Integration with surface geo-chemistry, drill samples, satellite imagery, geology, and other geophysical data, such as gravity and seismic, completes the targeting picture.

Geothermal exploration and development is an exciting fi eld, driven by the economic realities of peak oil, and the feasibility of powering cities, factories, and vehicles with clean and renewable energy from the ground. Now MT and other techniques deliver new tools to help extract this valuable resource.

Greg Hollyer is the manager for sales and market at Quantec Geoscience, and Roger Sharpe is a senior geophysicist based out of the company’s Reno offi ce.

Quantec Geoscience | www.quantecgeoscience.com

RT-130 Data Logger Ex & Ey field measurement Hx & Hy field measurement

X

Y

Ey

Ex

Hx

Hy

Hz

Site Array 1 Recording Unit (Data Logger)

1 GPS Synchronization clock

1 Ex and 1 Ey-Field Measurements

Electrodes: steel plates or rods

1 Hx, 1 Hy and 1 Hz Measurements

Magnetometers

Electrodes (steel plates or rods)

RT-130 Data

Logger

MT Site Remote

Reference

GeothermalExploration

Using geophysics to reduce riskBy Greg Hollyer & Roger Sharpe


Tested Toughness.■ 185,000 lbs hookload capacity

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■ Powered by Cat® C18 Engine 550 horsepower

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185K

Increasing awareness of the benefi ts of geothermal heating and cooling has driven impressive industry growth over the past several years. During a down

economy, the sales growth is even more remarkable. Most of the major geothermal manufacturers report seeing signifi cant year over year growth and predict that trend to continue over time.

From a residential application standpoint, geothermal awareness has never been higher. The primary benefi ts of a geothermal system including effi ciency, environmental consciousness, and low operational and lifespan costs combine to attract homeowners in today’s turbulent economic environment—add to that the greater social desires for green solutions and green living. Even as housing stats are depressed, residential geothermal sales have increased partly due to an increased understanding that geothermal systems are a viable and affordable option for existing homes.

Unprecedented incentives for geothermal systems have also elevated the technology to top of mind. In 2009, the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act instituted a 30% tax credit on the total installation cost of an Energy Star qualifi ed residential geothermal system. This incentive virtually eliminated the price premium that previously impeded the upfront cost comparison of geothermal systems against their conventional counterparts, and it remains in place through 2016. An increasing number of states and local utilities are also offering their own rebates or incentives for geothermal

heat pumps, adding to the technology’s awareness and accessibility. Individual provinces also provide incentives for installation in Canada.

How geothermal systems workExtremely high levels of effi ciency are possible because geothermal heat pumps simply use electricity to move heat, versus actually producing it. A geothermal

Geothermal Heat Pumps Thrivein Today’s Environment By Shawn Melton

Continued on page 114.


geothermal energy

One enormous outlet for clean renewable electricity.It’s in our power.™

Zero emissions. Endless potential. Our PureCycle® Power System and Turboden products harness hot liquids from sources including biomass, geothermal or oil & gas co-produced fl uids, reciprocating engines, gas turbines and industrial waste heat. Generating from 280 kW to more than 2 MW of clean, reliable electricity. Learn more at www.pw.utc.com.

Power Systems

unit typically supplies four to fi ve kilowatts of heat for every kilowatt of electricity used. In other words, geothermal units generate energy at a 400% to 500% effi ciency rate. Around 75% of these kilowatts of heat come directly from the earth itself and are free, clean, and entirely renewable.

In the purest sense, geothermal systems use solar energy. The earth absorbs an amazing 48% of the sun’s energy, leaving a fairly constant underground temperature between 45° F and 70° F. A water solution fl ows through pipes buried in the ground (ground loop system) absorbing heat from the earth in the winter and moving it to the geothermal system inside the house. Once there, the heat is condensed and transferred to the air that is circulated throughout the home, providing warmth when needed. In the summer, the process is reversed, absorbing heat from the air inside the home, similar to how a refrigerator extracts heat from food to make it cool, and transfers that heat into the ground through the same loop system.

The process and logistics of geothermal heating and cooling has led some to believe that it is only effective in certain climates or in very rural areas. However, the consistent ground temperature is true regardless of the climate, rebuffi ng the notion that geothermal solutions are only effective in specifi c regions. Several variations for ground loops exist to make geothermal heating and cooling available in virtually any geography, terrain, or residential lot size.

Geothermal benefi tsGeothermal heating and cooling provides many benefi ts, one of them environmental. The fact that the energy it uses comes from nature makes it very appealing from an economic, as well as an environmental perspective. Because it uses a renewable source that will never go out of supply, it incurs less operational costs compared to any other type of heating and cooling system on the market today. It also has no known negative impact on the environment. Geothermal systems emit no fumes because they do not burn fossil fuels. That means there are no greenhouse gasses impacting the ozone or the air quality.

Geothermal systems do much more than just provide comfortable heating. These heat pumps also take advantage of the relatively

constant mild ground temperature for extremely high-effi ciency cooling. Most systems also include a hot water generator, which diverts a portion of the supplied heat to a domestic water heater. This provides a substantial portion of a family’s hot water needs at a very low cost, maximizing their monthly savings. Perhaps this is why independent surveys have repeatedly shown geothermal systems to have the highest consumer satisfaction rates when compared to other heating and cooling systems.

Shawn Melton is the VP of sales for Enertech Manufacturing, producers of GeoComfort, Hydron Module, and TETCO geothermal systems.

Enertech Manufacturingwww.enertechmfg.com

…continued from page 113.

Geothermal Heat Pumps Thrivein Today’s Environment


2010 Geothermal Energy ExpoOctober 24th to 27th, 2010 • Sacramento Convention Center—Sacramento, Californiawww.geothermalenergy2010.comEvery year, the Geothermal Energy Expo hosts the world’s largest gathering of vendors providing support for geothermal resourceexploration, characterization, development, production, and management. The show offers a unique opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their projects, equipment, services, and technologies to the geothermal community.


Heat-to-power generation systemsElectraTherm, Inc. provides heat-to-power generation systems to industry worldwide. The company’s proven and patented Twin Screw Expander enables its line of recovered energy generating systems to make electricity from low- to mid-temperature heat that would otherwise go to waste. ElectraTherm’s fuel-free, emission-free and low-cost ‘Green Machines’ address the follow-ing markets: stationary engines, bio-mass, solar thermal, and geothermal.ElectraTherm, Inc.www.electratherm.com

Geothermal monitoring-and-control packagesCampbell Scientifi c is now offering geothermal monitoring-and-control packages. The company’s monitoring systems provide highly accurate and reliable data. Products include weather stations, ground-water monitoring sys-tems, and the tools needed for direct-use BTU measurement, well-casing monitoring, and turbine and pump per-formance analysis. Campbell Scientifi c designs and manufactures measurement and control instruments, specializing in programmable, fi eld-based dataloggers for environmental and industrial appli-cations. Backed by 35 years of experi-ence and more than 150,000 units sold worldwide, Campbell dataloggers are well-known for quality measurements, versatility, and reliable performance—even in harsh, remote environments.Campbell Scientificwww.campbellsci.com/renewable-energy

Design of geothermal & recovered energy generation power plantsOrmat Technologies, Inc. is a global geothermal power producer special-izing in the design and development of geothermal power plants and recov-ered energy generation plants for itself and third-party customers. Customers benefi t from a single point of respon-sibility for EPC, including: full control over delivery time, cost, performance, and completion; unsurpassed knowl-edge and fi eld-proven experience; proven lifecycle costs; and, tailor-made equipment to match any resource condition and project scale for optimal power production. With products and systems covered by 75 US patents, Ormat has engineered and built power plants totaling approximately 1300 MW of gross capacity worldwide.Ormat Technologies, Inc. www.ormat.com

Geothermal power generationTyco Flow Control has served the power industry for over 100 years with their portfolio of valves and controls. Whether a plant utilizes a fl ash steam, binary, or combined cy-cle system, they can provide solutions to optimize and control operations. The company continues to offer fl ex-ibility, experience, ongoing technical support, and the lowest cost of own-ership possible. Tyco Flow Controlwww.tycovalves.com

Heat-to-electricity generationPratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies (UTC) is committed to providing clean, effi cient, and reliable power within the renewable energy market. Pratt & Whitney Power Sys-tems’ (PWPS) Organic Rankin Cycle (ORC) products provide heat-to-elec-tricity generation for geothermal, bio-mass, heat recovery, and concentrated solar applications. ORC systems are ideal for utility scale distributed power plants installations from 1 MW to 10 MW and up in size. PWPS’ ORC products consist of substantial benefi ts such as 24/7/365 remote monitoring, 195° F to 660° F (90° C to 350° C) resource range, and standardized com-ponents and assembly process. PWPS further provides an around-the-clock customer assistance hotline.Pratt & Whitneywww.pw.utc.com

Electrical generator equipmentBRUSH Turbogenerators are an original equipment supplier of steam & gas turbine-driven electrical generator equipment for industrial, utility, and process applications on- and off-shore. Direct air—TEAAC (air-to-air) and TEWAC cooling is available in most powers. The range of products built is generally rated 10 MW to 800 MW, and include: salient pole generators for geared turbines 5 MW to 50 MW; turbo type di-rect coupled generators and motors rated 10 MW to 150 MW; water and hydrogen cooled turbogenerators rated 150 MW to 1000 MW; BRUSH excitation control products that provide state-of-the-art monitoring and protection of the genera-tor support system; and, BRUSH custom-ized new-build generators for geothermal applications. BRUSH Turbogenerators also provides aftermarket support services worldwide. BRUSH Turbogenerators www.brush.eu

Geothermal fi nancial partnerÍslandsbanki is an Icelandic bank focus-ing internationally on the global geo-thermal energy industry. The nature of geothermal projects demands a strong understanding of the underlying tech-nical issues and risks and, with their background and experience, they have a strong foundation for activities in this industry. With a dedicated geothermal energy team, the bank provides invest-ment banking services for the global geothermal energy sector and maintains a network of partnerships worldwide.Íslandsbanki www.islandsbanki.is/energy

www.islandsbanki.is/disclaimer

Technical project managementTBA Power’s technical project management capabilities optimize the risk mitigation process and help build a long-lasting investment—24/7 baseline power from a geothermal power plant. They manage the technical development of a resource from exploration to power plant construction. TBA Power is also well-positioned to take over a general contractor role to assist with complex sub-contracting and budgeting processes essential to a successful geothermal project. TBA Power | www.tbapower.com


Geothermal drill equipmentGEFCO (George E. Failing Co.) has been manufacturing high-quality drill equipment for over 75 years. With the broadest drill equipment line in the industry, they continue to develop and support all new technologies that introduce clean energy. GEFCO’s newest models, such as the 185 K and SS-1100 top head drills, are suited for both clean natural gas drilling and large geothermal projects; whereas, some of the smaller units available, such as the Quikdrill and SD-300, are well-suited for the heat-loop market. GEFCO | www.gefco.com

Low-temperature geothermal developmentRaser Technologies develops binary geothermal power plants. Newer tech-nologies allow developers to create ge-othermal power using water tempera-tures once considered not hot enough to economically produce electricity. These binary cycle technologies have opened the door to vast amounts of untapped, low-temperature resources in the western US that are waiting to be developed. With more than 275,000 acres, Raser Technologies has secured one of the largest low-temper-ature geothermal portfolios in the US with the intent of developing binary cycle geothermal power plants. Raser also employs a rapid deployment strat-egy. Instead of a three- to fi ve-year development time, Raser’s plants take approximately two years to develop. Raser’s fi rst geothermal power plant, located in southern Utah, took only six months to construct using modular generators. Raser Technologies www.rasertech.com

Geothermal vacuum equipmentGardner Denver Nash provides vacuum equipment for exhausting non-condensable gas (NCG) from the turbine condensers of geothermal fl ash type power plants. The vacuum equip-ment can consist of ejectors, liquid ring vacuum pumps, or hybrid systems containing both technologies. As part of Gardner Denver Nash’s continuous improvement process, the company has introduced the 905 series of stainless steel vacuum pumps, with improved performance over their time-tested 904 series. The NASH 905 series vacuum pumps and compressors still provide the same long life and reliable opera-tion customer’s have come to expect, but also provide the following benefi ts: the latest vari-port and gas scaveng-ing technology found in the current generation of Nash vacuum pumps; a wider operating range, with the use of a single cone design instead of three dis-crete cone designs for specifi c operat-ing ranges of comparable 904 models; lower seal water consumption (with reductions up to 50% over the 904 model); and, standard 316L Stainless Steel construction only.Gardner Denver Nashwww.gdnash.com

www.gdnash.com/2BE4-905.aspx

Advanced remote sensing solutionsSpecTIR specializes in advanced re-mote sensing solutions for a myriad of applications to include geothermal, mineral and oil/gas exploration. Utiliz-ing their ProspecTIR sensor suite, in conjunction with years of experience in advanced airborne remote sensing tech-nologies, SpecTIR’s data solutions can identify discrete epithermal mineraliza-tion, vector drilling programs, provide environmental baselining, and reduce the overall risk in the primary stages of geothermal exploration. SpecTIR’s data solutions work with client’s existing geo-physical data and GIS/LiDAR related databases. The foundation of the Spec-TIR’s data pedigree is optimized for data volume and data quality; therefore, allowing exploration teams to focus on the exploration project saving time and money. Through these advanced data fusion tools, SpecTIR’s aim is to in-crease customer probability of discovery while reducing unknown risk.SpecTIR | www.spectir.com

Geophysical servicesQuantec Geoscience is a geophysical services company performing geo-thermal exploration with numerous successes in defi ning and delineating these key resources. Quantec’s key ge-othermal technologies are the Titan 24 Deep Earth Imaging and the Spartan Magnetotelluric (MT) systems. Titan 24 is focused on shallower resources to 1500m; whereas, Spartan MT can record data to depths of fi ve kilometers or more. Geothermal projects com-pleted include a number of surveys in Australia and the US—two key juris-dictions for geothermal exploration. Quantec provides premium quality data acquisition and interpretation services for its exploration projects, ex-ecuting its surveys with safety in mind.Quantec Geosciencewww.quantecgeoscience.com

Turboexpanders & generator designsL.A. Turbine manufactures application-specifi c, highly engineered Turboex-panders that are utilized within geother-mal plants worldwide. Products include expander/integral gear/generator and expander/ high-speed generators. The engineering team at L.A. Turbine has been involved in the design and rede-sign of some of the largest geothermal turboexpander/generator machines in existence. Whether new equipment, repair, or spare parts are required, they can help—and fi eld service by some of the most experienced technicians in the industry is available 24/7. L.A. Turbine | www.laturbine.com

Field testing & instrument manufacturingThermochem, Inc. is an integrated con-sultancy, laboratory, fi eld testing, and in-strument manufacturing fi rm, which has been servicing the geothermal industry from the ground up for over 25 years. They provide green fi eld exploration services, well testing, laboratory analy-sis, computer modeling, and specialized instrumentation for geothermal energy projects worldwide. Their experienced team is actively involved in geothermal projects in over 20 countries, operating out of offi ces and laboratories in the US and Indonesia. Thermochem’s mission is to protect the resources and assets of clients by maximizing reservoir poten-tial, optimizing power cycle design, and preventing corrosion and scale damage to valuable equipment. Their expertise enables them to provide early warning for potential problems and solutions to wide-ranging, complex geothermal en-ergy challenges.Thermochem, Inc. | www.thermochem.com

Balance of Plant solutionsSiemens has the answers to mak-ing geothermal energy that is affordable. With the technology to provide complete electrical and process control systems for power plants, Siemens offers the most comprehensive Balance of Plant solutions. Focused on creat-ing energy effi cient equipment and systems that lower the cost of production, Siemens is ready to help customers keep their commitment to generate and sell clean energy at a price that people can afford. Siemens Industry, Inc.www.usa.siemens.com/geothermal

geothermal energy expo show in print


Integrated geothermal solutions Alstom provides components and full Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) geothermal solutions that range from the provision of a plant’s turbine island to the construction and servicing of a full geothermal plant. The group’s modular product and service geothermal offering incorporates Alstom’s latest technological advances in key power generation components such as steam turbines, turbogenera-tors, turbine control and Digital Control System (DCS), substation, hotwell pumps, civil works, project management, engineering, and site supervision. Alstom’s direct drive geothermal steam turbines feature improved blading and architecture that can cope with the highest steam parameters today’s machines can accommodate. The 20 MW to 30 MW single fl ow turbine and plant product range, with top exhaust confi guration, have been successfully installed and are operating in a number of locations in Mexico and in Indonesia. Alstom’s new 30 MW to 60 MW double-fl ow turbine and plant product range features a double-fl ow architecture that relies on proven last stage blade technology, and comes with a lateral exhaust option for im-proved performance and construction aspects.Alstom | www.power.alstom.com

High-power from low temperature wells Atlas Copco Gas and Process complete geothermal solutions offer unique high-power output from low-temperature geothermal wells. Utilizing the binary cycle and Atlas Copco custom engineered expander generators, up to 25 MW per unit power production can be achieved. The energy recovery systems can be the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). All technologies produce signifi cant power from high-, medium-, to low-temperature wells resources. In some regions, a low-temperature geothermal resource (as low as 100° C to 130° C) can be found at a depth of between 4,000 and 5,000 meters. The high-power radial infl ow turbines are capable of producing up to 25 MW per stage/unit. A true base-load renewable energy source, geothermal power represents a signifi cant resource for clean energy. Currently, the worldwide installed capacity is approximately 9 GW with estimated growth of 4% per year. Atlas Copco Mafi-Trench Company LLC (formerly Mafi-Trench Corporation) www.atlascopco-gap.com

Geothermal educationWhether it’s potential investors or any non-technical staff (especially new staff) that could use a breakdown on the basics of geothermal energy, the Geothermal Education Offi ce provides educational materials for everyone. They also offer their latest publication, the third edition of “Energy for Keeps: Creating Clean Electricity from Renewable Energy.” It’s an award-winning book about electricity from renewable energy, and it does a great job of explaining geothermal energy. Geothermal Education Officewww.geothermal.marin.org

Airborne geophysical surveysGeotech is an innovator in the design and application of detailed airborne geophysi-cal surveys. For nearly 30 years, Geotech has specialized in advanced digital heli-copter-borne electromagnetic (EM) sys-tems as exemplifi ed by its fl agship system, VTEM (Versatile Time¬ Domain Elec-troMagnetics). Together with the addition of ZTEM (Z-Tipper ElectroMagnetics), AirMt, VTEM35, Airborne Gravity and, soon to come, Fixed-Wing AirMt, Geo-tech offers some of the most advanced air-borne geophysical exploration platforms available in the market today.Geotech Ltd. | www.geotech.ca

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Liquid handling solutionsRain for Rent combines rental pumps, pipes, tanks, fi ltration, and contain-ment systems into creative solutions for temporary liquid handling prob-lems. They provide customers with services above and beyond simply dropping off equipment at a job site. Offering one-stop shopping for entire liquid handling problems, from engi-neering to on-site personnel, Rain for Rent is available all day, every day. Rain for Rentwww.rainforrent.com

Water & process chemical treatment servicesNalco offers water and process chemical treatment services, creat-ing value for customers through innovative, differentiated solutions that are fi nancially, technically, and environmentally sustainable. For the geothermal industry, Nalco pro-vides solutions for well-fi eld, pro-cess, and cooling system problems associated with deposits, corrosion, and emission problems.Nalco | www.nalco.com


Environmental consulting JBR Environmental Consultants, Inc. is a full-service environmental consulting fi rm with broad experience providing a wide range of services for all phases of geothermal projects. JBR’s strength is in its professionals who draw from their depth of experience and knowledge to provide the highest quality scientifi c studies, strategic planning, environmen-tal analysis, and compliance with regula-tory requirements. At JBR, their philos-ophy is to work closely with clients and provide long-term, effective solutions to the environmental challenges facing their projects. JBR Environmental Consultants, Inc. www.jbrenv.com

Geothermal testingCombining traditional oilfi eld re-sources with geothermal properties, RMOTC can help test and dem-onstrate advancements in low tem-perature and enhanced geothermal systems in a real-world environment. A US Department of Energy facility, RMOTC can support both traditional and renewable energy technology testing and demonstration. It has the infrastructure, personnel, and project coordination experience to work collaboratively with industry, government, and academia toward a balanced, secure energy future.RMOTC | www.rmotc.doe.gov

Polymer products for support & protectionMachine Support Technologies specializes in very high-quality epoxy polymer products used for the grouting of all types of rotating equipment. For more than 30 years, they’ve provided quality machine in-stallation designs utilizing the com-plete line of polymer grouting prod-ucts such as Chockfast, Escoweld, CWC, and Conspec. These products are specifi cally formulated to provide the ultimate in precision equip-ment alignment to help increase the MTBF (Mean Time Between Fail-ure) of operational equipment. Their main focus is to increase the machine owners profi tability, and they do this by providing skilled technicians familiar with the installation and operation of machinery in all types of applications including geothermal power generation, hydro-electric, industrial, petro-chemical refi ning, marine, wind, mining, natural gas transmission, and aerospace, just to name a few.Machine Support Technologies www.wedogrout.com

Engineering for geothermal power plantsFor over 20 years, POWER Engineers has provided engineering services for geothermal power plant projects all over the world. The collective experi-ence of POWER’s team totals more than 250 years and includes veteran project managers and engineers, as well as project-tested specialists in the civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, chemical, and instrumentation and controls disciplines. POWER Engineers, Inc.www.powereng.com

Cultural resource consultingWCRM, Inc. is a full-service cultural resource consulting fi rm. Since 1978, they have worked with businesses, agencies, and individuals on over 2,000 power, alternative power, oil and gas, mining, telecommunications, transportation, and water projects in 14 Western states. With multiple offi ces throughout the US, WCRM provides clients with cost-effective planning and cultural resource man-agement services including archaeol-ogy, history, NEPA/106 processes, and Native American issues.WCRM, Inc.www.wcrminc.com

Geothermal valves & wellheadsTIX-IKS Corporation is an experi-enced manufacturer of geothermal valves and wellheads. Incorporated in 1919, TIX-IKS has been con-tinuously producing geothermal equipment since 1962. TIX-IKS Corporationwww.tix.co.jp

Power, turbines & direct-use applicationsGeothermal Development Associates (GDA) is a privately held company with over 30 years of worldwide ex-perience in geothermal power and direct-use applications. Their staff of engineers, geologists, and geosci-entists has the capability to oversee projects during every stage, from resource exploration and well-testing to the design, supply, and commis-sioning of a new power plant or rehabilitation of an old one. Since the beginning in 1910, Elliott has been building effi cient and reliable turbomachinery including steam turbines, process expanders, and compressors. GDA has teamed with Elliott to offer packaged equipment that takes full advantage of Elliott’s high-quality turbomachinery. This strategic alliance has enabled specifi c modifi cations to Elliott’s MYR tur-bine, making it ideally suited for use in geothermal applications.Geothermal Development Associates (GDA)www.gdareno.com

Rig, lifting & handling equipmentNational Oilwell Varco is a single source for rig equipment, tubular inspection, internal tubular coat-ings, integrated systems, down-hole tools, lifting and handling equipment, and supply chain integration services. By constantly developing and acquiring new technologies and services to bet-ter serve future customer require-ments, National Oilwell Varco will continue to be a source for diversifi ed products and services worldwide.National Oilwell Varcowww.nov.com

Steam control solution providerCSE Engineering, Inc. specializes in providing upgrades and turn-key engi-neered projects for the modernization of gas and steam turbine controls. In addition, they provide auxiliary sys-tems including hydraulics, fuel systems and valves, protection equipment, and instrumentation. They are a Wood-ward Governor Company Recognized Turbine Retrofi tter (RTR). A turboma-chinery controls upgrade by CSE Engi-neering provides signifi cant economic benefi ts to customers by restoring full power output from the turbine, improv-ing overall process operations and en-suring lowest lifetime cost of ownership. All projects are custom engineered to make the retrofi t of the existing equip-ment painless. Many projects are com-pleted on a turn-key basis. A dedicated fi eld service staff and CSE Engineering’s remote diagnostic capabilities provides full support for customers.CSE Engineering, Inc. www.cse-eng-inc.com



Rotating machinery maintenanceWood Group Field Services focuses on assisting customers with their machinery maintenance by setting the industry standard in rotating machinery installation, maintenance, and overhaul—exceeding customers’ needs and providing an atmosphere for continuous improvement, cooperation, and mutual respect.Wood Group Field Services | www.woodgroup.com

December 14 – 16, 2010Orange County Convention Center

West Halls | Orlando, FLwww.power-gen.com

Flagship Media Sponsor:

Owned & Produced by:

Solutions for industrial cooling Marketing globally under the Indus-trial Cooling Solutions and ICS brand names, ICS is a worldwide manufac-turer of industrial cooling equipment. ICS is a multinational corporation and one of the world’s largest engineer-ing, procurement, construction, and aftermarket support fi rms involved in a wide range of high-technology cool-ing products. With facilities located worldwide, ICS offers some of the most comprehensive industrial cooling capabilities, and place great emphasis on engineering research and develop-ment, procurement, and construction management to meet the increasing demand for industrial cooling. Industrial Cooling Solutions, Inc www.h2ocooling.com

Geothermal education & resourcesThe Institute of Earth Science and En-gineering (IESE) is a research institute of The University of Auckland, New Zealand. The University of Auckland has specialized in geothermal resources for over 30 years. Its Geothermal Program ranges from research and services to pro-fessional degree qualifi cations and short courses—delivered in many of the world’s geothermal hot spots from New Zealand and Australia to Indonesia, Philippines, Kenya, United States, Chile, and Iceland. IESE provides a range of services, ap-plying cutting-edge research to create commercial solutions. Joint geophysi-cal imaging (JGI) technology developed by the Institute, along with its borehole seismology for energy reservoirs and mi-cro earthquake studies, assists companies to fi nd high-quality geothermal drilling targets, optimize the management of geo-thermal reservoirs, and track fracturing in the development of enhanced geothermal systems. Expertise at IESE includes geo-physics, geology and geochemistry, reser-voir engineering, subsurface mapping, and imaging. Its core services include geother-mal exploration and geological mapping, seismic monitoring, custom borehole in-strumentation, and reservoir modeling.The Institute of Earth Science and Engineering (IESE)www.iese.co.nz


Cooling solutions for geothermal power generation For most geothermal applications, maximizing power generation at a minimal cost is the primary concern. Drawing on years of experience in geothermal technology, SPX Heat Transfer Inc. with licensed technol-ogy from SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc. has brought Ecolaire condensers and Marley cooling towers into an optimized system. Ecolaire Advanced Direct Contact Condensers (ADCC) feature proven technology that im-proves thermal performance and helps to lower costs over other direct condensers, while maximizing power output. For some geothermal applica-tions, optimizing the cooling system may require surface condensers. Either because of the need to limit exposure of H2S, or the desire for district heat-ing or other waste heat processes, cooling systems with surface condens-ers separate the cooling loop from the geothermal steam. Whether the goal is maximize production, minimize life-time costs, or minimize upfront costs, they can provide the right solution for the customer’s need.SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc.www.spxcooling.com | www.spx.com

Highest levels of geothermal production The City of Reno, Nevada is home to the newly formed National Geother-mal Training Institute, a partnership between several top research institu-tions from around the country. The Institute’s location here makes sense as the Great Basin Center for Geo-thermal Energy, Desert Research In-stitute, and the corporate and/or US headquarters of several of the indus-try’s major companies are based in the region. Reno’s location at the border of two states with the nation’s high-est levels of geothermal production is conveniently situated near the center of the continent’s geothermal hot-spot. That’s one reason it is the only sizeable city in the US that produces enough geothermal energy to meet its entire residential load. City of Reno | www.reno.gov

Industrial tools & equipmentEnergy generation is one of the most de-manding industries on earth. From break-ing ground through operations and main-tenance, Snap-on tools are engineered to provide the highest levels of performance, comfort, and safety possible. Offering an unparalleled range of products, Snap-on has been solving problems since 1920. They can provide the basics such as hand tools, power tools, torque tools, tool stor-age cabinets, and hydraulic equipment. They can also surround them with an unrivaled array of productivity tools such as the unique Level 5 integrated tool control programs, stationary and mobile tool cribs and containers, custom and spe-cialty tools, and even credit and fi nancing programs to help choose the best way to maximize fi nancial opportunities. In ad-dition to the Blue Point Brand, Snap-on also owns Bahco and JH Williams Hand Tools, Sioux Air Tools, and CDI Torque Products.Snap-on Industrial www1.snapon.com/industrial

EPC servicesKiewit Power offers clients a “one-stop shop” for all integrated engineering, procurement, construction, and start-up service needs. TIC – The Industrial Company is a heavy industrial contractor providing construction expertise in the areas of power, mining/minerals processing, renewable energy, water and wastewater, marine, and more.Kiewit Power | www.kiewit.com

Propellant technologyPrecise Propellant Stimulation, LLC has announced a new propellant technology. This new propellant technology addresses the issues raised about random ignition, a predictable event, and compatibility with well bore fl uids. This new technology is unique in that the surface area ignited on the propellant can be varied to allow for the correct amount of gas to be released as needed per the formation characteristics. The developer and patent owner of the propellant technology worked on propellant treatments from the Gulf of Mexico to the North Slope of Alaska designing treatments. The knowledge gained over this time exposed several faults in the propellants used today, fl uids dissolving the propellant, fl uids causing the fl ame spread to be unpredictable, and random ignition without repeatability and predictability. The propel-lant and the confi guration addresses and eliminates these issues.Precise Propellant Stimulation, LLC

Welding & machining contractorWestinghouse subsidiary WEC Caro-lina Energy Solutions is a welding contractor for both manual and orbital welding. With a full inventory of orbital GTAW, FCAW, and GMAW equip-ment, they can handle any custom, orbital welding job. They have in-house procedures that cover the majority of welding processes normally seen in the installation of new components or the repair of existing systems. In addition, they offer a full complement of manual welding processes. WEC’s welders rou-tinely weld carbon and stainless steels, along with exotic materials including P91, P92, and specialty alloys such as 2507 Super Duplex. Count on WEC Carolina Energy Solutions, a mechani-cal service company specializing in the erection, fi tting, machining, welding, and PWHT of piping systems. WEC Carolina Energy Solutionswww.carolinaenergysolutions.com

Downhole geothermal pumpsITT Goulds pumps and the Frost Con-sulting Group have partnered to provide over 30 years of experience in downhole geothermal pumps. Frost Consulting Group is a pioneer in the industry and is the exclusive representative and designer of the ITT Goulds Pumps geothermal product line. The downhole geothermal pumps have a wide range of fl ow rates, deep settings, high temperatures, high horsepower, and long life. The ITT Goulds pumps Geothermal Center has new equipment, inventory, 24/7 repair, and replacement service. Frost Consult-ing Group also provides service, train-ing, and site consulting.ITT Goulds | www.gouldspumps.com


High-temperature wellbore measurements suiteTiger Energy Services continues to support its global energy partners through HALO (Hostile Acquisition Logging Options), one of the most advanced high-temperature wellbore measurements suite ever developed and specifi cally designed for geothermal. Deep in the earth, the geological en-vironment is inherently complex and hostile. High pressure and temperature are the objectives, yet also the obsta-cles that must be overcome to create a greater understanding of the asset. HALO provides geothermal develop-ers access to unrivaled technologies to optimize their investment and gener-ate more power. HALO, the suite of high-temperature geothermal wire line technologies from Tiger Energy Services employs the latest technology for open-hole acoustic imaging (AFIT), casing inspecting (XCIT), radial ce-ment bond logging (RBHT), pressure/temperature surveying (XPAS), and long-term monitoring (DTS+). Tiger Energy Serviceswww.tigerenergyservices.com


Cooling tower solutions EvapTech, Inc. is a cooling tower designer, manufacturer, and contractor providing innovative cooling solutions for the satisfaction of customers needs in the power generation, industrial, refrigeration, and HVAC evaporative cooling markets. EvapTech offers new and replacement fi eld erected cooling towers, parts for most tower models, and a variety of fi eld erected cooling tower after-market services. EvapTech products are the result of extensive research and thermal testing. As a result, EvapTech products deliver guaranteed performance to maximize system performance. EvapTech, Inc. | www.evaptech.com

Geothermal steam turbine maintenance & repairsFrom providing precision parts, component repairs, outage services, and detailed customized inspec-tions, Mitsubishi has the experience and knowledge to support geother-mal steam turbine maintenance needs. Since 1951, Mitsubishi has installed 100 geothermal turbines worldwide, with a total output of 3,006 MW. As the world’s number one supplier of geothermal steam turbines, Mitsubishi understands the unique challenges of the indus-try. Through Mitsubishi’s 59+ years of experience in manufacturing and servicing geothermal steam tur-bines, Mitsubishi has an extensive line-up of available rotor upgrades, rotor, and diaphragm refurbishment options, blade and diaphragm parts, and turbine overhaul capability. Mitsubishi | www.mpshq.com

Dataloggers for geothermalMadgeTech, Inc. designs and manu-factures dataloggers for the geother-mal and alternative energy industries. These rugged devices are built to withstand harsh environments, in-cluding the moist conditions of col-lecting water and steam pressure data. MadgeTech offers dataloggers to measure and record temperature, humidity, pressure, voltage, and more. The product lines include stand alone, LCD display, and wireless devices, providing a solution to most datalog-ging applications. MadgeTech’s stand-ard software is a free download. The software features digital calibration, graphical, tabular, and data views, as well as an export to Microsoft ExcelR Function.MadgeTech, Inc. www.madgetech.com

www.madgetechalternativeenergy.com

Advanced turboexpandersFor several decades Atlas Copco has helped customers around the world to unlock the vast potential of sustainable energy sources. Their experts have contributed to ground-breaking projects in the energy recovery fi eld, collecting invaluable experience in the process. Work-ing closely with customers, their engineers are developing highly ad-vanced, effi cient turboexpanders for a growing number of reference pro-jects. Atlas Copco expander genera-tors are typically used in binary cycle geothermal power plants. The large radial infl ow turbines are capable of producing from 1 MW to 25 MW per unit utilizing either the Organic Rankine or Kalina Cycles. In addi-tion to manufacturing expander gen-erators used to produce electricity from low-temperature geothermal wells, Atlas Copco is an industrial group with positions in compressors, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems. The Group delivers sustainable solu-tions for increased customer produc-tivity through innovative products and services. Atlas Copcowww.atlascopco-gap.com/geothermal.

Liquid ring vacuum pumpsVooner offers conical port 316 and 316L stainless steel vacuum pumps for removing non-condensable gases from geothermal condensers. The VG and V4 Series’ of single stage liquid ring vacuum pumps with capacities to 14,000 ACFM are available in stain-less steel construction for geothermal condenser service. Vooner pumps are bolt-in replacements for CL and 904 models. Every pump is performance tested to Heat Exchange Institute (HEI) standards. Their rigorous perfor-mance tests guarantee that each Vooner pump matches the capacity and power consumption shown on their curves. Vooner has a portfolio of successful ge-othermal installations, and their pumps are highly suitable for rigorous geother-mal environments through extensive performance and vibration testing that each unit must pass prior to shipment. Vooner | www.vooner.com

Materials & fabricated process equipmentTricor Metals offers titanium and corrosion-resistant materials, and is an experienced fabricator with the world’s largest, in-house inventory of titanium and premium corrosion-resistant alloys. They provide quick-ship stocks of materials and fabricat-ed process equipment built with the most advanced corrosion-resistant metals including titanium, nickel alloys, duplex stainless steels, zirco-nium, and tantalum. Trico Metals designs, builds, and repairs all types of equipment in their ASME code shops in Ohio and Texas, including: vessels, pipe spools, heat exchang-ers (shell & tube and plate & frame), custom weldments, and machined components. Trico Metals’ repair crews work at their facility, or at a customer’s plant to repair or weld specialty metals fabrications. Tricor Metalswww.tricormetals.com

Geothermal turbines TurboCare’s Magma 5000 geo-thermal steam turbine-generator has been developed to resist failure modes observed and corrected during three decades of repairs, upgrades, and rerates performed on other OEM designs. The rigors of the geothermal environment require resource-specifi c fl exible turbine designs and appropriate material selection to optimize oper-ating reliability and durability. The Magma 5000 can handle a wide range of inlet pressures and gener-ate from 30 MW to 85 MW in sin-gle or dual-fl ash confi gurations, 50 hertz or 60 hertz, with either up or down exhaust. TurboCare is avail-able for both new unit and service consultation.TurboCare | www.turbocare.com

Acquisition & management of geothermal dataThe National Geothermal Data System (NGDS) is a DOE-funded distributed network of databases and data sites that collectively form a system for the acquisition, management, and maintenance of geothermal and related data. Much of the risk of geothermal energy development is associated with exploring for, confi rming, and characterizing the available geothermal resources. The overriding purpose of the NGDS is to help mitigate this up-front risk by serving as a central repository for geothermal and relevant related data, as well as a link to distributed data sources. By helping with the process of assessing and categorizing the nation's geothermal resources, providing strategies and tools for fi nancial risk assessment, and by consolidating all geothermal data through a publicly accessible data system the NGDS will support research, stimulate public interest, promote market acceptance and investment, and in turn support the growth of the geothermal industry. National Geothermal Data System (NGDS) www.geothermaldata.org


biopower

Recent rules proposed by the US Environmental Protection Agency to reduce emissions from boilers

could have the unfortunate effect of killing the sustainable and rapidly growing industry of biomass heat.

Don’t get this wrong: it’s important to support reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particulates and mercury pol-lution from burning fossil fuels. But, by lumping biomass heating boilers—which do not emit mercury—together with large, coal-burning plants, the EPA has failed to distinguish the vast difference between electricity generation from coal and heat generation from waste wood via biomass boilers.

Widely used and promoted in Europe as a way to reduce reliance on coal and oil, biomass heating systems for com-mercial and institutional buildings are spawning a brand new and fast-growing industry in the US, one that we can ill afford to see regulated out of existence, especially in the Pacifi c Northwest.

Biomass fueled heating systems located in buildings and homes are carbon-neutral when waste wood is used. They are also clean—a boiler large enough to provide all the heat and hot water for a 25,000-square-foot building puts out fewer harmful emissions than the average EPA-certifi ed wood stove used to heat a small home.

What’s more, biomass heat boilers are 85% effi cient as op-posed to biomass electricity generation, which is only 25% to 30% effi cient at best. Stand-alone biomass electricity generation facilities are also frequently so large that they re-quire the sourcing of fuel from hundreds of miles away. Bio-mass boilers, on the other hand, can easily be installed into schools, airports, hospitals, and other buildings, and in areas like the Pacifi c Northwest, they can be located close to the source of waste wood, reducing the need to transport fuel.

In today’s economic climate, one of the biggest benefi ts of biomass heat is its job-creation potential. From build-ing a pellet mill that produces fuel for biomass boilers at a lumber company to installing a biomass boiler to heat a regional airport, these projects are real and have created dozens of construction jobs in one Oregon county alone. Long-term, biomass heat is estimated to be able to produce upwards of 4,500 new fulltime jobs in Oregon, and a similar

amount in neighboring states, if the industry is allowed to survive and thrive.

The proposed EPA rules could end all this progress. They are aimed at particulates and carbon monoxide in all boil-ers, and require stringent testing and advanced emissions control technology. All this makes sense for big coal plants, but not for small boilers heating schools, homes, and hospi-tals. Worse yet, many of these projects have received federal stimulus dollars designed to spur clean energy development and create jobs. Regulating the industry out of existence now would be a sad waste of taxpayer dollars.

It is time the EPA took a more nuanced view of biomass energy and recognized that commercial biomass boilers are not coal plants. They are the most effi cient, cost-effective, and sustainable heating source available. To kill the biomass heat industry now would be to turn our backs on thousands of jobs and to cut off money that can be pumped into local economies—money that would otherwise exit those econo-mies to pay for foreign oil, natural gas, and coal.

Let’s reduce emissions, but let’s reduce the right ones, and not throttle the effi cient, sustainable biomass heat industry before we’ve had a chance to show the good it can do.

Andrew Haden is vice president of A3 Energy Partners. He focuses on developing infrastructure in rural communities that increases economic self-reliance using local natural resources.

A3 Energy Partners | www.a3energypartners.com

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Arch Breaker Hopper with screw feederSodimate’s unique Arch Breaker features a vertical spindle fi tted with fl exible blades to ensure a thorough discharge of dry solid materials and bio-solids from silos, bins, or hoppers via precise mechanical agitation. This prevents the material from jamming, bridging, compacting, or rat-holing caused by vibration or fl uidization. The mechanical Arch Breaker not only discharges bulk products gently and effi -ciently, but integrates 1, 2, 3, and/or 4 volumetric screw feeders. Each screw feeder is completely independent and can feed up to 15,000lb/hr with different length and throughput variations. Lime, powder activated carbon, soda ash, grass, and wood-chips are among the products handled by Sodimate’s silo discharger. Sodimate Inc. | www.sodimate-inc.com

Biomass Heatis Not Coal

By Andrew Haden

The John Day Airbase is a new facility jointly operated by Grant County, Oregon and the US Forest Service-Malheur National Forest for General Aviation and Helibase operations.

The biomass boiler at the John Day Airbase was sold and installed by A3 Energy Partners. It will be fed with wood pellets from the Malheur Pellet Mill, an ARRA-funded project of the

USFS, located only fi ve miles from the Airbase.


SERIES 250SERIESS 250SERIESS 250SERIES

Wastewater byproduct monitoringEthanol and biodiesel producers have been attracting the attention of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as other government regulatory agencies, and coming under closer scrutiny to ensure their wastewater discharges comply with the Clean Water Act (CWA). Ethanol and biodiesel plants have been fi ned for wastewater discharges exceeding established permit levels for oil/grease levels and polluting nearby streams and waterways. Complying with operating permits means monitoring waste byproducts more closely prior to discharging, and measuring oil/grease concentration levels to ensure compliance.

The portable, easy to use InfraCal TOG/TPH Analyzers are based on fi eld-proven technology for oil/grease measurements. They enable on-site measure-ments in 10 to 15 minutes, eliminating the need to wait for off-site lab results. Measurement data obtained with the InfraCal Model HATR-T2 will correlate to EPA Method 1664, as well as with the InfraCal Model CVH to ASTM Method D 7066-04 and EPA Methods 413.2 and 418.1. With either InfraCal TOG/TPH Analyzer, biofuels plant operators can quickly and easily measure the oil/grease concentration level of waste byproducts, ensuring they are not discharging effl u-ent that is above the regulatory limit. Wilks Enterprise, Inc. | www.wilksir.com

Portable Fuel Feed System (PFFS) for burn testing of alternative fuelsThe Portable Feed System (PFFS) offered by Jeffrey Rader Corporation is specifi cally designed for on-site alternative fuel testing. The portability of these units offers the convenience of a testing system capable of being relo-cated as needed for testing at different locations and under different condi-tions. Used for testing boilers, kilns or other processes, this system allows the owner/operator the greatest fl exibility for verifying boiler performance with different materials. The portable design is able to be transported on a standard fl at bed truck for ease of mobility to other test locations.

Testing materials prior investing in a large material handling system for a boiler or kiln is an effective and economical way to ensure process perfor-mance and emission levels based on actual site conditions, fuel types, and feed rates, something that varies widely with each location and fuel used. The system is skid-mounted with a hopper system for storing and metering the material into the system. A twin screw can feed the material directly into a pneumatic system. When greater accuracy is required, the twin screw feeds to a weigh-belt feeder. This material is then metered into a special Jeffrey Rader rotary valve that feeds the pneumatic system, where it is pneumatically blown directly into a boiler/kiln through a port on the burner or into a pulverized fuel line prior to the burner. When direct pneumatic injection is not an option and a mechanical feed is used, the material is discharged through a cyclone before entering the mechanical feed system. Jeffrey Rader Corporation | www.jeffreyrader.com

Briquettes & fuel pucks Briquettes and fuel pucks are the intelligent alternative to pellets: less capital intensive, lower operational costs, higher densifi cation of the biomass. Di Più Srl offers 30 years of experience in the design and manu-facture of heavy duty mechanical bri-quetting presses. Highly dependable, these presses reach pressures up to 36,000 psi. Briquettes and fuel pucks can be made from wood and wood waste, paper, cardboard, agricultural and energy fi bers, nuts and grain shells, MSW, RDF, water treatment plants solids, coffee grinds, and many more. Briquetting, or compressing into pucks, make these materials ready for the energy markets. Sunomi LLC | www.sunomi-llc.com


biopower

Competition in the fast-paced renewable energy industry is heating up as both the public and private sectors are looking for more economical and greener

ways to generate electricity. Biomass operations are becoming an important player in alternative fuels by diverting materials that may otherwise be disposed of in land-fi lls or burned as slash and turning waste into wattage. Materials from forest thin-ning, urban wood waste, agricultural by-products, and even household garbage are now being fed to boiler systems for energy production.

An effi cient biomass plant needs effective fuel storage and metering processes. Moving fl oor systems are one solution as they can be integrated into transport, re-ceiving, storage, and metering, facilitating the delivery of material directly into the plant distribution system. A moving fl oor system is a powerful conveyor designed for low power requirements. Hydraulically powered fl oor slats carry the bulk load from trailer to storage bin and/or between storage locations. Systems also uniform-ly meter materials at the rate required by processing equipment.

Moving fl oor technology has emerged as a versatile solution to fuel handling. The foundation of the conveying system is a series of hydraulically actuated fl oor slats and a drive unit. The drive unit powers the slats through a four-phase cycle to convey the material. Metering bins containing a moving fl oor system automate the feeding process, delivering material in a consistent manner and storing it until needed. This results in decreased jams, virtually no bridging problems and reduced maintenance costs. Power requirements for moving fl oor systems are low and there is no additional energy needed for load start. Boiler pressure controls the conveying system, which meters the fuel mixture and feeds the boiler.

Durable moving fl oors help keep fuel fl ow moving because material can be un-loaded directly onto the system, even while it is in operation. Storage capacity is customized to each facility and can be engineered to hold long-term fuel supplies, eliminating the need for the constant monitoring of fuel resources. Systems are also uniquely suited to handle the most diffi cult alternative fuels, providing the ability to move solid materials of almost any size. With versatile equipment like a moving

fl oor, biomass facilities can feed a wide variety of materials. This can be especially valuable for plants that depend on using differing feedstock, based on supply avail-ability.

Moving fl oors can be adapted for use nearly anywhere in the material handling environment. Trailers with moving fl oor unloaders transport chips, pellets, and un-processed fuel stock. Automating the materials handling process at these and other locations can increase productivity and improve throughput, maximizing available resources. Semi-trailers outfi tted with moving fl oors maximize volume and weight capacity, work under low headroom conditions, discharge partial loads, and are not prone to tipping over on unstable ground or in windy conditions. Trailers can haul and discharge bulk loads one way and palletized or skid mounted materials loaded by lift trucks on the return trip.

Systems installed in trailers provide fl exibility to unload at a variety of sites dur-ing backhauling. Unlike dump trucks, which are limited by vertical height restric-tions, moving fl oors can be used to unload material near or inside buildings, as well as in residential areas where trees and overhead power lines pose hazards.

Moving fl oor receiving, storage, and metering bins reliably handle biomass, pellets, refuse-derived-fuels and other alternative fuels where other conveyors struggle. Sys-tems handle these diffi cult bulk materials at competitive costs and require minimal power and maintenance compared to conventional belt, chain, and screw systems. Be-cause systems are custom engineered, they are appropriate for use in both large- and small-scale facilities. Many small operations choose to put their trailer to dual duty. In addition to hauling feedstock to the plant location, the trailer is used as fuel storage and metering device to the boiler system. The trailer remains in this capacity until the fuel is depleted and a new load is required. In larger facilities, trailers or front end loaders unload into pit-mounted bins for receiving or loader charging where materi-als are uniformly metered at the rate required by processing equipment.

KEITH Mfg. Co. | www.keithwalkingfloor.com

Electric tub grinderThe 2009 Electric Tub Grinder is a stationary machine with electric motor drives that produce ground product at the same rate as its diesel counterparts. DuraTech’s 2009 Electric Tub Grinder has a 400 hp soft start main drive motor and a 75 hp motor to power the hydraulic system. Both motors are available in various voltages to fi t power grid specifi cations. The electric motors provide steady power with no emissions, low noise levels, and little required maintenance. The 2009 Electric also has a heavy duty hammermill for larger jobs and tilting tub with easy access for service and maintenance. A PT Tech Torque limiter protects the motor and hammermill from overloads, jams, and costly repairs. The units have a governor controlled tub speed and a hy-draulic folding stacking conveyor. The stationary machines are available as either a skid unit or movable pintle hitch. DuraTech Industries | www.duratechindustries.net

Maintaining a Competitive Edge inthe Biomass IndustryFlexible material handling solutionsBy Laura Crocker

Loader feeds fuel stock to pit-mounted moving fl oor system. Reciprocating fl oor slats move through a four-phase cycle to move materials.

Semi-trailer outfi tted with moving fl oor unloads biomass.


Biomass fi ber & biofuel feedstock processing systemsWest Salem Machinery (WSM) manufactures biomass fi ber and biofuel feedstock preparation machinery and systems. WSM’s complete line of grinding, screening, milling, and conveying equipment is the core of each fully engineered package and provides the best value for converting a wide range of feedstock materials into premium quality fi ber/fuel products. Raw biomass feed-stock is processed with WSM’s rugged horizontal grinders and screens. WSM’s Titan Horizontal Grinders process high volumes of diverse types of feedstock including stumps, land clearing, and urban wood waste into a high-quality biomass fuel. Secondaryprocessing is accomplished with WSM’s screens, vertical grinders, and hammermills, producing feedstocks with consistently sizedparticles. WSM’s mill duty machines process a diverse range of feedstock material and are utilized in a variety of applications such as bioenergy projects, composting, cellulosic ethanol, and densifi ed fuels (wood pellets). West Salem Machinery | www.westsalem.com

Whole tree chipperPeterson’s popular 5900 disc chipper has been further enhanced with key features that high-volume chipping operations demand. The new 5900EL (Extended Length) features an 11-foot (3.3 meter) feed deck, PT Tech hydraulic clutch, direct drive for the internal feed rolls, a totally enclosed CAT C18 engine, and is Tier 4 ready. The Peterson model 5900EL disc chipper is built to produce high-quality paper chips when paired with a Peterson model 4800 debarker or fuel chips as a stand-alone fuel wood chipper. The 5900EL has a large feed throat capable of accepting up to a 23-inch (563mm) diameter tree or multiple smaller diameter stems. The 5900EL is provided with a standard three-knife disc, and is also available with an optional four knife-disc. Peterson’s heavy duty 66-inch (1676mm) diameter 4.75-inch (121mm) thick chipper disc has a replaceable 0.5-inch (13mm) thick wear plate. Chipping production rates from 60 to 100 tons (55 to 90 tonnes) can be achieved depending on chip size. Peterson specializes in the development and sales of delivery and processing equipment that turns low-grade organic materials into high-value products. Peterson | www.petersoncorp.com

Burner solid fuel combustion systemWebb Burners are idea for generating large quantities of heat for industrial processes at substantially less cost per BTU than traditional oil- or gas-fi red systems. Jackson manufactures a complete line of Webb Burners available in sizes up through 60 million BTUs per hour. There is no smoke (except when the fi re is fi rst lit), and there are no carbon monoxide, VOC, SO-x, or NO-x emissions. Complete combustion oc-curs in semi-suspension within seconds, resulting in emissions rivaling those of natural gas burners. The extremely rapid combustion process allows quick response to changing process demands.

The Webb Burner by Jackson is lined with an excellent combination of refractories to assure best heat retention and long burner life. The stack and hot gas transfer duct are lined with a high-temperature, lightweight insulating refractory. All steel surfaces are painted with high-temperature, anti-oxidant paint. The complete Webb Burner control panel provides automatic modulation of fi ring rate based on process outlet temperature (or other appropriate process parameter), and monitors burner and process inlet tem-peratures for safety shutdown in case of temperature extremes. Controls are approved by all major insur-ance underwriters.Jackson Lumber Harvester Co., Inc. | www.jacksonlbrharvester.com

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Hydroelectric. Hydropower. Hydro. Whatever you call it, it’s all the same: a renewable, non-polluting, and reliable source of energy—an

ideal solution to our nation’s immediate demand for renewable energy sourc-es. Yes, hydropower could be the greatest power source available, in more ways than one. Unlike fossil fuels, it’s not rapidly depleting; unlike coal and nuclear energy, it doesn’t create hazardous byproducts; and, unlike solar and wind energy, it’s not dependent on weather conditions, so its supply can be increased or decreased according to demand.

Although only eight percent of the total United States electrical power was generated by hydroelectric power plants in 1999, the nation’s 2,000 hydro-power plants make hydroelectric power its largest renewable energy source, a remarkable 49% of all renewables. Add to this the nearly 78,000 existing dams and countless other water features (e.g. pipelines, streams, irrigation ditches) that have a potential for creating hydropower, and we have a formula for suc-cessful renewable energy: retrofi tting existing dams and other water features. According to the US Geological Survey, the likely trend for the future is to-ward small-scale hydroelectric power plants (or powerhouses) that can gener-ate electricity for single communities.

“The defi nition of small hydro varies, but typically these projects are 20 megawatts or less,” says Alden Robinson, president of Sunrise Engineer-ing. “And, since most of the viable projects out there today are less than fi ve megawatts, there’s a lot of potential for small hydro. We need to be forward-thinking in where hydro can be used. Why don’t we put hydro on existing reservoirs and pipelines?”

Thankfully, as more and more energy users expect affordable, renewable, clean power and, as our nation confronts an overwhelming need to produce our own energy sources, public works districts, public agency leaders, and facility owners are realizing that part of the solution is right in their own back yard—on existing water infrastructure. Many communities may need to turn a critical eye to their existing dams and infrastructure to recognize their own possibilities for small hydro. But how does a community recognize these op-portunities? And, how do they take an existing opportunity and turn it into reality?

Though the motivations for projects like this may differ, the process is formulaic: determine the feasibility, get the funding, obtain the license, and build the project. For the Town of Afton, Wyoming and the regional energy provider, Lower Valley Energy, the process of rehabilitating and retrofi tting the Swift Creek Dam began with the motivation of cleaning up a run-down eyesore, and with total support from the community. The Swift Creek Hydro-electric Project is located in Swift Creek Canyon, a popular tourist and local

hiking spot, partially within the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Afton, Wyoming. Originally licensed in 1942, the project includes two diversion dams, each with a powerhouse, and 2.5 miles of penstock. The project operated until 1968 when the penstock was damaged by an avalanche. Over the years, the two powerhouses were stripped and fell into disrepair. The facility became an eyesore in what was otherwise a picturesque canyon. With this dilapidation came increased liability—Swift Creek boasts a siphoning spring that attracts thousands of tourists each year.

In the early 90s, the project’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license expired. The Town of Afton successfully obtained a new license, which mandated that they either remove the remaining hydroelectric structures or get the project running again. After much debate and delibera-tion, the major players—the landowner, the Bridger National Forest Service; the license holder, the Town of Afton; and the regional utility provider, Lower Valley Energy (LVE)—agreed the project should be rehabilitated.

Afton and LVE created an equal partnership for the project. They brought on Symbiotics LLC and Sunrise Engineering for their expertise to design, reconstruct, upgrade, and restore the two historic powerhouses, the nearly 9,000 feet of penstock up to 48" in diameter, and the dam itself. The total project cost came to around seven-million dollars, according to Chad Jensen, LVE’s vice president, and it will generate an estimated 1.5 megawatts of power—enough to power 2,250 homes.

Penciling out the project’s feasibility and details is necessary to determine the project’s return on investment based on accurate forecasts of costs including debt service, site purchase, construction, li-censing, operations, and maintenance. It is essential to know ahead of time whether the power can be sold for more than what it costs to produce, whether the powerhouse can be operated to generate the power that is needed, and whether private investment or bonding will be needed—as well as if either of them is practical based on the specifi c project and situation.

“Small hydro powerhouses can last between 80 to 100 years, or indefi nitely with the proper main-tenance,” Robinson notes. “Once construction is complete and debt service is paid over 20 years, you have essentially free power for at least the next 60.”

Design is also a big component of this type of project’s success. Understanding the various meth-ods to prevent environmental impact, such as providing safe fi sh passage, is crucial. Because these projects are located on existing waterways, many of which are community attractions, it is important to minimize aesthetic and visual impacts.

In the end, the proper feasibility, funding, and design can all combine for a successful project that is suited to produce renewable energy for years. The Afton project is an ideal example in that they used feasibility, funding, and design to gain community support. Bill Spaulding, LVE’s project manager for the Swift Creek project, who worked on the neighboring Cottonwood Irrigation system hydropower project back in 1971, perhaps, says it best: “Cottonwood was only a two-year project that is still pro-ducing hydropower today, and working great. Hydropower is an untapped renewable resource and in the history of our nation, no matter what, hydro is still king.”

Sunrise Engineering | www.sunrise-eng.com

Small HydropowerA renewable resource

that could sweep the nation

By Beth Fillerup

hydro and marine energy

Beth Fillerup is a freelance writer with over 20 years of experience marketing

and writing for the A/E/C industry with particular focus and interest in sustainable communities, sustainable

building, and water quality.

AWEA’s Fall 2010 Events

AWEA Wind Resource & Project Energy Assessment Workshop

September 14 – 15, 2010 4 Oklahoma City, OKwww.awea.org/events

AWEA North American Offshore Wind Conference & Exhibition

October 5 – 7, 2010 4 Atlantic City, NJwww.offshorewindexpo.org

AWEA U.S. Wind Energy Investment Workshop

October 19 – 20, 2010 4 London, UKwww.awea.org/events

AWEA Wind Power Health & Safety Workshop

October 26 – 27, 2010 4 Austin, TXwww.awea.org/events

AWEA Wind Energy Fall SymposiumNovember 17 – 19, 2010 4 Phoenix, AZ

www.aweafallsymposium.org

AWEA Small and Community Wind Conference & Exhibition

December 7 – 9, 2010 4 Portland, ORwww.smallandcommunitywindexpo.org



Hydro trash rakeThe Ashland Trash Rake is a knuckle-style boom device designed to reach into the depths of the water—up to 50 feet—and engage the bottom of the trash rack bars. An articulating rake (with an opposing thumb attachment) at the end of the boom sweeps the rack bars of any debris on its upward stroke. The Trash Rake system can move

the length of the intake, by a 2wd or 4wd trolley system that runs on two 80# rails mounted onto the deck. This allows the operator to easily move the ma-chine along the intake to handle debris, or perform simple facility maintenance.

ASHLAND Hydro Trash Rakes are designed to remove a wide variety of debris from weeds to logs, as well as man-made debris. The rake head is equipped with an opposing thumb, allowing objects up to 25" in diameter to be handled. Ashland features two models: the TR3500 model works up to a depth of 35 feet, and the TR5000 model works between depths of 35 to 50 feet. Both models are rated to lift 4,000 pounds at the rack and 1,000 pounds with the arm extended 15 feet out from the rack. For purposes of determining debris disposal options, the machine can lift approximately 1,000 pounds to a height of about 26 feet above the deck. Ashland | http://hydrotrashrakes.com

hydro and marine energy

Lightweight inspection toolThe Predator M1 System is a micro-class ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) with an array of options. Built by ma-rine engineers with practical hands-on fi eld experience, the Predator is easy to deploy, use, and maintain with a modular design and sophisticated diagnostics generally found in more costly work-class ROV’s. The Predator M1 is constructed around four high-performance thrusters, which provide the system with movements in the forward, reverse, lateral, and vertical directions. The system utilizes the latest technologies available including fi bre optics for transmis-

sion of video and data, as well as the latest high-accuracy three-axis compass and LED technology.

As standard, the system is fi tted with dual simultaneous video channels, which can transmit video from a choice of up to four video channels. The Predator M1 is controlled via an intuitive hand controller designed to provide the pilot with all the necessary controls. The topside interface is a PC-based control system. The inter-face is designed to give the user all the required information needed to control the ROV. The Predator M1 is manufactured, brought, and supported by the ROV en-gineers and operators at Global Marine Systems, a worldwide provider of offshore marine engineering systems.Global Marine Systems | http://predator-rov.com

Tidal steam technologiesCambridge Consultants recently an-nounced that they have successfully sped up the path to market for tidal energy start-up, Green-Tide Tur-bines (G-TT). Current tidal stream technologies are still at an early stage of development and one of the main technical challenges developers are facing is how to best predict and plan

how the underwater turbines will interact and work with the varying depths, strengths, and directions of water fl ow. G-TT’s turbines use natural water movement to tap energy from the tidal stream, helping to bring more cost-effective renewable energy to the world. Cambridge Consultants has been contracted to carry out G-TT’s Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) analysis design—demonstrating its credentials at helping start-ups answer complex technical questions and offering vital support as they seek a route-to-market.

Full water column profi lerA current profi ler cannot measure the com-plete profi le from the bottom to the surface. Instead, it loses data close to the instrument and close to the far boundary. The boundary loess is due to sidelobe interference and no-body has found a way to solve this problem. The near-instrument loss comes from the combination of mounting height, the electro-

acoustic blanking and the offset of the fi rst measurement cell. In many applications this means that valuable and interesting information about the ocean current is lost.

In the new Aquadopp Z-Cell, Nortek has extended the profi ling range by intro-ducing a “Cell Zero”. This new data is generated by an extra set of horizontal trans-ducers. The transducers operate at a different frequency (2 MHz) and provide the 2D current velocity as the level of the instrument. This is to benefi t anyone who is interested in the detailed current velocity in the boundary layer.Nortek AS | www.nortek-as.com

By 2020 the UK Government has committed to 20% of its total energy requirements coming from renew-able sources. Of this, it is estimated that only 3% will be from a combi-nation of tidal and wave devices, but G-TT believe marine renewables have the potential of providing 15% to 20% of the UK’s energy needs if deployed correctly. Green-Tide’s turbine technology aims to achieve 30% capital cost savings relative to competing technologies by a means of an optimized innovative design that operates at a higher effi ciency and uses less material.Green-Tide Turbines Ltd. www.green-tide.org

Cambridge Consultantswww.cambridgeconsultants.com

26th European Photovoltaic Solar EnergyConference and Exhibition

CCH Congress Centre and International Fair Hamburg, Germany

Conference 5 - 9 September 2011 Exhibition 5 - 8 September 2011

[email protected] www.photovoltaic-conference.com

The most inspiring Platform for the global PV Solar Sector



eventscalendarNOVEMBER 20104-5 Wind Farm Design and Introduction to GH WindFarmer Montreal, Quebec

http://www.gl-garradhassan.com/assets/downloads/fl yer/1104BT555.pdf

10 Advanced Biofuels Market San Francisco, California—Stanford Court Hotel

www2.greenpowerconferences.co.uk

17-19 AWEA Wind Energy Fall Symposium Phoenix, Arizona—www.aweafallsymposium.org

17-19 EnerSolar+: A world of solar energy Milan, Italy—Milan Fair Centre

www.enersolarplus.com/en/index_esp.asp

30-01 The Midwest’s Premier Energy, Economic & Environmental Conference Saint Paul, Minnesota—Saint Paul River Centre; www.iree.umn.edu/e3

30-01 3rd Thin Film Solar Summit US San Francisco, California—Hilton San Francisco Financial District

www.thinfi lmtoday.com/us/

advertisers’websitedirectory

129 26th EU PVSEC and WCPEC www.photovoltaic-conference.com

84 ADCO www.adcocorp.com

9 Advanced Energy www.aesolaron.com/lcoe

22 Advanced Power Products www.advancedpowerproducts.com

46 Aevenia www.aevenia.com

65 Agilent Technologies www.agilent.com/find/gogreen

24 Alencon Systems www.alenconsystems.com

42 AL-PRO Wind Energy gms-alpro.com

14 AP Alternatives LLC www.apalternatives.com

76 Applied Energy Technologies www.aetenergy.com

17 Atlas Material Testing Solutions www.solardurability.com

127 AWEA www.awea.org

30 AZZ Galvanizing Services www.azzgalvanizing.com

5 Baja Construction www.bajacarports.com

73 Basler Electric www.basler.com/solar

103 Best Best & Krieger, LLP www.bbklaw.com

38 Burndy www.burndy.com

26 Campbell Scientific www.campbellsci.com/renewables

60 Canadian Solar www.canadiansolar.com

117 CanSIA 2010 www.cansia.ca

41 Catch the Wind www.catchthewindinc.com

39 CG Power Solutions www.cgpowersolutions.com

92 Citel www.citel.us

125 Clear Span Structures www.clearspan.com

98 Composotech Structures www.composotech.com

50 Con-tech Systems Ltd www.contechsystems.com

7 Cooper B-Line www.cooperblinesolar.com

63 Day4 Energy www.day4solarsystem.com

IBC DEGERenergie Tracking Systems www.DEGERenergie.com

97 Dickstein Shapiro LLP www.dicksteinshapiro.com

28 Dow Corning Corporation www.dowcorning.com/solarsealants

31 Ecology and Environment, Inc. www.ene.com

101 Equipment Express, Inc www.equipmentexpress.com

90 Erico www.erico.com

47 ESAB www.esabna.com

11 ET Solar www.etsolar.com

53 ETA International www.certifymegreen.org

111 European Clean Energy www.eucleanenergy.com

87 Eye Lighting International www.eyesolarlux.com

35 Fagen Inc www.fageninc.com

113 GEFCO www.gefco.com

106 Geo-Foundations Contractors Inc www.geo-foundations.com

10 GFC AntriebsSysteme GmbH www.gfc-antriebe.de

44 GL Garrad Hassan www.gl-garradhassan.com

93 Greenpower Capital www.greenpowercap.com

77 Heliodyne www.heliodyne.com

88 Hub City Inc www.hubcityinc.com

75 Huber + Suhner www.hubersuhner.com

80 HuksefluxUSA Inc www.huksefluxusa.com

123 Hurst Boiler www.hurstboiler.com

51 Hydac International www.hydacusa.com

49 Hytorc www.hytorc.com/wind3

92 Idaho Dept of Commerce renewable.idaho.gov

19 Infineon Technologies Industrial Power www.infineon.com/highpower

80 International Battery www.internationalbattery.com

128 IPPBC www.ippbc.com

58 Isthmus Engineering www.isthmuseng.com

55 Kaco New Energy Inc www.kaco-newenergy.com

74 K-Flex USA www.kflexusa.com

86 Kinematics Manufacturing Inc www.kinematicsmfg.com

78 Kipp & Zonen www.kippzonen.com

104 KR Wind www.krwind.com

92 Kuka Systems www.kuka-systems.com

57 Legrand Cablofil www.legrand.us/cablofil

72 LEONI www.leoni-solar-windpower.com

33 Liebherr www.liebherr.ca

37 Lincoln Electric www.lincolnelectric.com

94 Littelfuse Inc www.littelfuse.com/green

70 Mage Solar www.magesolar.com

66 Magnetek www.magnetek.com

52 Marathon Special Products www.marathonsp.com

102 Mersen www.mersen.com

96 Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy Llc www.milbank.com

15 MK Battery www.mkbattery.com

IFC Mortenson www.mortenson.com/wind

125 Next Energy West www.nextenergywest.com

74 Next Generation Energy www.zillarac.com

48 NRG Systems how.nrgsystems.com

93 Omega Flex Inc www.omegaflex.com

81 Panel Claw www.panelclaw.com

82 Patriot Solar Group www.patriotsolargroup.com

48 PCL www.pcl.com

122 Percival Scientific www.percival-scientific.com

91 Phono Solar www.phonosolarusa.com

86 Pivot Point www.pivotpins.com

85 Plansee USA LLC www.plansee.com

95 PMA USA Inc www.pma-usa.org

68 PNC Equipment Finance www.pnc.com/ef

OBC Polaris America LLC www.polarisamerica.com

119 PowerGen International www.power-gen.com

DECEMBER 20101-2 Conference: PV Power Plants 2010 Las Vegas, Nevada

www.solarpraxis.de/en/conferencias/pv-power-plants-2010-usa

6-7 Small Hydro Washington, DC—Marriott at Metro Center

www2.greenpowerconferences.com

7-9 Small & Community Wind Conference & Exhibition Portland, Oregon—www.smallandcommunitywindexpo.org

8-10 World Energy Engineering Congress Washington, DC—Washington Convention Centre

www.energycongress.com

8-12 GeoPower Europe 2010 Paris, France—Renaissance Hotel Paris la Defense

www2.greenpowerconferences.co.uk

JANUARY 201117-20 World Future Energy Summit 2011 Abu Dhabi; www.worldfutureenergysummit.com

24-26 Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer Austin, Texas—Hyatt Regency Austin

www.parksassociates.com

25-26 Solar Power Generation USA Las Vegas, Nevada—Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino

www2.greenpowerconferences.com

31-02 14th Annual EUEC 2011 Pheonix, Arizona—Phoenix Convention Center

www.euec.com

FEBRUARY 2011124-25 Solar Industry Conference Rome, Italy—www.solarpraxis.de

MARCH 20118-10 Renewable Energy World Conference and

Expo North America 2011 Tampa, Florida—Tampa Convention Centre

30-31 Globalcon Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—Pennsylvania Convention Center

www.globalconevent.com

114 Pratt & Whitney Power Systems www.pw.utc.com

67 Protekpark Solar www.protekpark.com

59 PV Powered www.pvpowered.com

23 Quick Mount www.quickmount.com

107 Renewable Construction Services www.renewableconstructionservices.com

99 RES Canada Inc www.res-americas.com

94 Rennsteig Tools Inc www.rennsteig.us

54 RES Americas Inc www.res-americas.com

21 RESOL www.resol.com

56 Riverside County EDA www.rivcoeda.org

29 Roll Forming Corporation www.rfcorp.com

79 Rolls Battery Engineering www.rollsbattery.com

90 Rosendin Electric www.rosendin.com

16 RSA Group www.rsagroup.ca

90 S-5 www.S-5-solar.com/nace

3 Satcon www.satcon.com/solstice

83 Schletter Inc www.schletter.us

69 Schneider Electric www.schneider-electric.com

36 Schunk Graphite Technology LLC www.schunkgraphite.com

91 Schurter Inc www.schurterinc.com/new_fuses

95 Session Solar www.sessionsolar.com

20 Solar Skies www.solarskies.com

71 Solectria Renewables LLC. www.solren.com

82 Solex Energies www.solexenergies.com

90 Solmetric www.solmetric.com

61 Solon www.solon.com

95 Stego Inc www.stegousa.com

94 Stiebel Eltron www.stiebel-eltron-usa.com

89 Sunwize www.sunwize.com

13 Thompson Technology Industries www.ttisolar.com

43 Tindall Corp. www.atlasctb.com

34 Titan Technologies International, Inc www.titanti.com

109 Trico TC Wind www.tricotcwind.com

64 Trina Solar www.trinasolar.com

100 Troutman Sanders www.troutmansanders.com/renewable_energy

112 TurboCare www.turbocare.com

105 TWR Lighting www.twrlighting.com

88 U.S. Battery www.usbattery.com

27 Unirac, Inc www.unirac.com

62 Upsolar www.upsolar.com

91 US Digital www.usdigital.com/solar

92 Valentin Software www.valentin-software.com

45 White Construction www.whiteconstruction.com

25 Wieland Electric www.wielandinc.com

46 Winston & Strawn www.winston.com

Page Company Website Page Company Website Page Company Website

Send us your clean energy show and event listings. Email information to the Editor at [email protected]

NACE September October 2010 Digital.indd 130 9/14/10 10:21 AM

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Intelligence designed by Nature. Solar tracking systems from DEGERenergie

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Documents

North American Clean Energy - September October 2010