Departments - Power Players
Power Players
7/22/2010
The goings-on of people and companies leading the industry
GLWN Energizes U.S. Wind Market Online
A web-based WIND Energy Supply Chain Database and Mapping System has been launched by GLWN. It features an interactive geographical information system (GIS) map and a searchable wind supply chain database containing the profiles of more than 1,500 component manufacturers, service providers, and wind park construction project resources across North America who are actively serving or emerging in the wind industry. Designed to facilitate customer-supplier relationships, the system connects manufacturers and suppliers with OEMs, suppliers, project managers, economic development officials, and other wind power supply chain partners. maps.glwn.org/wind/
$6M Matching Grant from Michigan Strategic Fund
Astraeus Wind Energy Inc., working with MAG Industrial Automation Systems, Dowding Machining LLC, and Dow Chemical, has received a $6 million matching funds grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF). $5 million will go to MAG, with $1 million to be used by Dow Chemical, in cooperation with Oak Ridge National Laboratories (ORNL), to fund development of automated manufacturing technology for wind turbine blade spars, using a MAG advanced composite lay-up system, combined with a new lower-cost carbon fiber and resin from Dow Chemical. mag-ias.com
Skyline Solar Receives Accelerated Patent Approval
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued Skyline Solar a patent on fundamental technology for High Gain Solar Architecture only 10 weeks after applying for the patent under the Fast Track Program. The patent (#7,709,730) issuance makes Skyline Solar one of the first companies to receive patent approval under the USPTO’s Green Technology Pilot Program. skyline-solar.com
Timken Unveils UltraWind Bearings
The UltraWind series of bearings provide superior stiffness to manage motion of the main shaft and rotor. The bearing raceway profiles are designed to control maximum stress levels for enhanced durability and the cage is optimized for capacity and roller retention, including both steel and polymer configurations. timken.com
Aquamarine Power unveils Newly-Designed Oyster 2
The Oyster 2 wave energy convertor, by Aquamarine Power, will be built in Scotland this summer. The 800kW device will measure 26m x 16m, delivering 250% more power than the original Oyster 1 – successfully deployed at the European Marine Energy Center (EMEC) in Orkney last summer. Oyster 2 incorporates design improvements on Oyster 1, enabling it to produce more energy, be simpler to install, and easier to maintain. The company will begin deployment of three Oyster 2s at EMEC in summer 2011. All three devices will be linked to a single onshore 2.4MW hydro-electric turbine. A small farm of 20 Oyster 2 devices would provide enough energy for more than 12,000 homes. aquamarinepower.com/technologies/