We thought we’d take a moment to share a few favorites from the editors at Windpower Engineering & Development magazine.

Kymeta’s Steve Sybeldon talks with Windpower Engineering & Development Editor Paul Dvorak about mTenna technology at WINDPOWER 2018.

Never off the grid
Kymeta Corporation showcased its mTenna antenna, a new mobile satellite communications technology that is distributed by FMC GlobalSat for wind farms and other often-remote locations.

Kymeta’s mTenna antenna subsystem modules offer flexibility of integration and installation for a wide range of high-data-rate applications. The antenna modules feature metamaterials-based holographic beam forming and tracking (no moving parts) and Tx/Rx on one single aperture.

This is good news for industries that need access to easy-to-use, reliable mobile communications. Just ask Bill Gates – he’s one of the company’s original investors, said Kymeta’s Steve Sybeldon during the WINDPOWER 2018 show.

The GW 3MW(S) test turbine is installed at the UL Advanced Wind Turbine Test Facility at West Texas A&M University.

Unveiling a turbine prototype
Goldwind Americas held a press conference at the show to announce installation of its GW 3MW(S) Smart Wind turbine test unit at the UL Advanced Wind Turbine Test Facility located at West Texas A&M University. The scalable 3-MW test turbine works at a height of 130 m and has a blade tip height of 199.2 m, reportedly the highest-reach wind turbine in the United States.

The onshore turbine prototype features scalable rated capacity of up to 3.57 MW and a rotor diameter of 136 m. LM Wind Power supplied the blades and Broadwind Energy built the tower components.

Disposable urinal bags from Brief Relief can help wind technicians find relief when it’s least convenient.

A better bathroom break
One part of wind technicians’ work we don’t ordinarily think about involves restroom breaks. So what do employees do when nature calls 100 m up?

Brief Relief was on hand at WINDPOWER 2018 to showcase its line of portable lavatory supplies, including the company’s disposable urinal bag that turns liquid into gel and is trash container-safe. Brief Relief’s Lou Ortego said the company was receiving good response from attendees who stopped by their booth to view the portable restroom products. The company also sells solutions for solid waste and privacy.

Fleet Monitor is a hardware-brand-independent software platform for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance.

Advancing analytics
Predictive analytics partner ONYX InSight highlighted an advanced monitoring digital platform for U.S. wind-power producer BP Wind Energy. To date, 10 of BP’s wind farms in the United States (totaling 1.2GW) have incorporated ONYX InSight’s Fleet Monitor platform into their operations.

Fleet Monitor combines data streams from multiple drivetrain technologies, enabling project owners to detect developing component failures months before action is required. The monitoring platform also helps owners predict the remaining useful life of components and make informed decisions about where and when to send out inspection and repair teams.

The 4.2M140 is suited for low- and medium-wind conditions, while the 4.2M148 is designed for low-wind conditions.

Senvion’s low-wind 4.2-MW platform
Senvion showcased its 4.2-MW platform at the WINDPOWER 2018 conference. The 4.2M140 and 4.2M148, based on the company’s 3.XM series, are best suited for low- and medium-wind sites, according to company reports.

The 4.2M140 and 4.2M148 turbines feature lighter, longer, and more efficient rotor blades, and the company’s dynamic control technologies enable the new turbines to maximize energy production and adapt to specific regional requirements such as noise.

Kaeufer Blade Access Systems from Wind Access Engineering.

Sensible scaffolding
Wind Access Engineering displayed its impressive Kaeufer Blade Access Systems, versatile mobile platforms that facilitate the inspection, repair, and maintenance of wind turbine blades.

These platforms can be customized to fit any utility-scale wind energy towers, according to the company. Workers can control winches with precision, allowing for safe maneuvering close to the blade along its entire length.

The platforms are also easy to transport and can be assembled and erected on any surface. They are powered by electric winches and can climb to any heights.

The U.S. Department of Energy Collegiate Wind Competition challenges interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate students from a variety of programs to offer a unique solution to a complex wind energy project.

College competitors
It was exciting to see the California State University Maritime Academy beat out 11 other teams to claim top honors at the Department of Energy’s Collegiate Wind Competition held at WINDPOWER 2018. This competition is aimed at providing undergraduates with real-world skills needed to enter tomorrow’s renewable energy workforce. Teams designed, built, and tested a wind turbine, conducted market research, developed a business plan, and sited a wind farm. All products were judged by a panel of wind industry leaders.

Second-place winner was Pennsylvania State University. Learn more about all of this year’s competitors here.

Also on the show floor…
Aztec Bolting Services featured its new tool trade-in program at the show, which lets users turn in old competitors’ tools to receive up to a $750 discount on a new Enerpac product…

…and GE Renewable Energy entertained visitors with an amazing virtual reality experience, right at the company’s booth at WINDPOWER 2018.

All said, WINDPOWER 2018 featured the latest technologies that are powering the global wind energy industry. Be sure to attend WINDPOWER 2019, which will be held May 20 to 23, 2019, in Houston.

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Kymeta—the communications company making good on the promise of global mobile connectivity—today announced it has expanded its distribution network to include FMC GlobalSat. The new partnership will make efficient, and reliable satellite communications and internet connectivity to wind, solar, geothermal, and other renewable energy facilities.

Kymeta mTennau7 ASM is ready for integration to expand markets.  Kymeta mTenna technology provides for the integration and installation options and flexibility for a variety of applications. Kymeta mTennau7 Antenna Subsystem Module provides industry-leading flat panel performance, metamaterials-based holographic beam-forming and tracking, and Tx/Rx on a single aperture. In addition, there are no moving parts – Software steered

The renewable energy market has traditionally been limited to available connectivity options, like fiber optic cables and microwave point-to-point systems, which are very expensive, don’t work everywhere, and often do not provide reliable connectivity. This is problematic for renewable energy facilities, where power grids require consistent load balancing, monitoring, security, safety protocol management, and asset management.

“Renewable energy operations most often exist in remote locations far away from major metropolitan areas and have few or no options for connectivity,” said Steve Sybeldon, Vice President Business Development, Kymeta Corporation. “Kymeta solutions are reliable, utilize satellite communications that are available where terrestrial solutions are not, and are compatible with future LEO satellite constellations.”

“As the renewable energy sector continues to evolve and mature, leveraging site data and the ability to communicate that data quickly and securely is critical,” said Chris MacDonald, Chief Operating Officer at FMC GlobalSat. “Until now, the industry has been forced to choose between communication options with serious flaws. They were either outdated and unsecure, extremely cost prohibitive, or unreliable. The partnership between FMC GlobalSat and Kymeta allows us to bring to market a solution that cost-effectively and securely allows the industry not only to comply with regulators but also to empower renewable energy owners and operators to access the full volume of data that is available.”

Kymeta KyWay terminals provide easy, reliable access to a satellite-based network at a fraction of the cost of current connectivity alternatives for the renewable energy market. “Renewable energy operators can’t afford to have their power grid go offline, or to lose communication with their powerplant, even momentarily. When terrestrial networks go down in a storm or a natural disaster, it’s possible for connectivity to the grid to be lost. Kymeta satellite solutions curtail many of the limitations experienced with terrestrial networks,” said Sybeldon.

Kymeta’s flat panel, lightweight, beam-forming antennas have no moving parts, making them maintenance-free, easy to position, and easy to control. In addition, Kymeta connects to high-throughput satellite coverage, making high-speed connectivity available anywhere and at any time.

“The days of having to choose between security, function, and cost are over, and the challenges of dealing with multiple providers all over the world have been solved,” said MacDonald. “Our solutions enable customers to connect to SCADA systems, and manage and optimize assets on a global scale, in a way that has never been possible. We are excited to be bringing a complete and needed global connectivity solution to the industry.”

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