North American Clean Energy November/December 2023 Issue

VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 6

2024

WIND BUYERS GUIDE

Pg. 39

Can Residential Customers Help Boost Energy Reliability?

Pg. 8

The Unsung Heroes of Solar Energy Pg. 20

How to Mitigate Temporary Overvoltages in PV Plants

Pg. 26

Battery Energy Storage System ROI 3 factors for profitability Pg. 76

BESS Asset Owners Must Prep for Cyber Threats

Pg. 84

Plus Show-in-Print Feature: • RE+ Midwest Pg. 36

See us at CES, Las Vegas, Booth 9645

SEE OUR AD ON PAGE 9

Pg. 12

Pg. 86

2023 Pack - 88 Pieces 05-372

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#05-323 - 2023 NEC 110.22(A)

#05-219 - 2023 NEC 690.13(B)

pvlabels.com

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#05-213 - 2023 NEC 705.82

WARNING

#02-316 - 2023 NEC 690.12(D)(2)

SINGLE 120-VOLT SUPPLY DO NOT CONNECT MULTIWIRE BRANCH CIRCUITS

#05-217 - 2023 NEC 690.31(E)

RAPID SHUTDOWN SWITCH FOR SOLAR PV SYSTEM

pvlabels.com

THE DISCONNECTION OF THE GROUNDED CONDUCTOR(S) MAY RESULT IN OVERVOLTAGE ON THE EQUIPMENT pvlabels.com

05-217

pvlabels.com

#05-803 - 2023 NEC 690.31(B)(2)

MAXIMUM VOLTAGE MAX CIRCUIT CURRENT

ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD DO NOT DISCONNECT UNDER LOAD

#05-327 - 2023 NEC 690.13(B)

DC JUNCTION BOX

PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SOURCE

05-806 05-806 05-806 05-806 05-806 05-805 05-805 05-805 05-805

#03-305 - 2023 NEC 706.15(C) ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM DISCONNECT #03-303 - 2023 NEC 690.7(D)

ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD DO NOT DISCONNECT UNDER LOAD pvlabels.com

03-327

pvlabels.com

05-208

pvlabels.com

05-234

#03-327 - 2023 NEC 690.13(B) PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM DISCONNECT

VDC AMPS

#05-322 - 2023 NEC 690.4(B)

MAXIMUM DC VOLTAGE

#05-406 - 2023 NEC 690.15(B)

05-232 05-406

Includes 2023 Placement Guide

NOT FOR CURRENT INTERRUPTING

#03-326 - 2023 NEC 690.15(B) DO NOT DISCONNECT UNDER LOAD

pvlabels.com

pvlabels.com

#03-396 - 2023 NEC 225.41(C) EMERGENCY DISCONNECT

pvlabels.com

MAXIMUM DC VOLTAGE OF VOLTS PV SYSTEM:

A 03-309

DIRECT CURRENT PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SOURCE

pvlabels.com

#05-234 - 2023 NEC 690.7(D) DC DISCONNECT

VA A

#05-208 - 2023 NEC 690.7(D)

DC JUNCTION BOX

05-232

Hz

MAXIMUM AC CURRENT

pvlabels.com

#05-232 - 2023 NEC 690.15(B)

PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SOURCE

V

MAXIMUM AC POWER

MAXIMUM OVERCURRENT DEVICE RATING FOR AC MODULE PROTECTION PER CIRCUIT

CAUTION SOLAR CIRCUIT

pvlabels.com

03-308

NOMINAL OPERATING AC VOLTAGE

#05-326 - 2023 NEC 690.15(B)

05-347

#03-309 - 2023 NEC 690.7(D) NOMINAL OPERATING AC FREQUENCY

DO NOT TOUCH TERMINALS TERMINALS ON BOTH THE LINE AND LOAD SIDES MAY BE ENERGIZED pvlabels.com IN THE OPEN POSITION 05-219

2023 NEC #05-347 #05-342 #05-345 #05-343 690.31(D)(2) 690.4(B)

#03-308 - 2023 NEC 690.7(D) & 690.8(A)(1)

ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD

05-326

05-307

MULTIPLE SOURCES OF POWER

AC JUNCTION BOX

pvlabels.com

05-307

MULTIPLE SOURCES OF POWER

03-396

#05-355 - 2023 NEC 690.4(B)

03-313

#05-307 - 2023 NEC 705.10(3)

pvlabels.com

SOURCES: UTILITY GRID AND PV SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEM

05-805

SOLAR PV DC CIRCUIT

pvlabels.com

#05-411 - 2023 NEC POPULAR ITEM

03-313

pvlabels.com

#05-346 - 2023 NEC POPULAR ITEM

05-346

#05-809 2023 NEC 690.13(B)

03-313

pvlabels.com

05-235

pvlabels.com

NEGATIVE

SOLAR PV DC CIRCUIT

#05-324 - 2023 NEC 110.22(A)

MAXIMUM DC VOLTAGE OF VOLTS PV SYSTEM: pvlabels.com

NEGATIVE

03-305

#05-235 - 2023 NEC 690.7(D) SOLAR INVERTER

NEGATIVE

SOLAR PV DC CIRCUIT

05-233

#05-216 - 2023 NEC 705.12(B)(2) POWER SOURCE OUTPUT CONNECTION DO NOT RELOCATE THIS OVERCURRENT DEVICE

05-330

NEGATIVE

pvlabels.com

OF PV SYSTEM

03-303

MAXIMUM DC VOLTAGE

03-326

05-108

pvlabels.com

05-213

THIS EQUIPMENT FED BY MULTIPLE SOURCES. TOTAL RATING OF ALL OVERCURRENT DEVICES, EXCLUDING MAIN SUPPLY OVERCURRENT DEVICE, SHALL NOT EXCEED AMPACITY OF BUSBAR.

05-330

02-316

MAXIMUM DC VOLTAGE OF VOLTS PV SYSTEM:

05-215

pvlabels.com

POSITIVE NEGATIVE

05-342

05-112

#05-233 - 2023 NEC 690.7(D) DC COMBINER BOX

#05-108 - 2023 NEC 705.12(B)(3)

pvlabels.com

THIS IS BUILDING IS SUPPLIED BY MULTIPLE SOURCES OF POWER WITH DISCONNECTS LOCATED AS SHOWN:

05-215

03-315

#03-313 - 2023 NEC 690.31(D)(2)

#05-330 - 2023 NEC POPULAR ITEM

pvlabels.com

CAUTION

03-306

pvlabels.com

pvlabels.com

pvlabels.com

PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SOURCE

VOLTS

INVERTER OUTPUT CIRCUIT

05-216

MADE IN USA

AMPS

pvlabels.com

ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD TERMINALS ON THE LINE AND LOAD SIDES MAY BE ENERGIZED IN THE OPEN POSITION

03-315

POSITIVE

pvlabels.com

Reflective

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POSITIVE

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Largest Selection

PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SOURCE

POSITIVE

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Metal Signs

RATED AC OUTPUT CURRENT NOMINAL OPERATING AC VOLTAGE

03-315

pvlabels.com

Code Compliance

pvlabels.com

PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM POWER SOURCE

pvlabels.com

#05-383 - 2023 NEC 690.31(B)(1)

ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD TERMINALS ON THE LINE AND LOAD SIDES MAY BE ENERGIZED IN THE OPEN POSITION

PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SOURCE

#03-306 - 2023 NEC 690.31(D)(2)(c) AC DISCONNECT

POSITIVE

pvlabels.com

#05-215 - 2023 NEC 690.13(B)

03-315

pvlabels.com

Vinyl Labels

#05-379 - 2023 NEC 690.31(B)(1)

pvlabels.com

05-341

pvlabels.com

05-109

pvlabels.com

pvlabels.com

ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD TERMINALS ON THE LINE AND LOAD SIDES MAY BE ENERGIZED IN THE OPEN POSITION

pvlabels.com

PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SOURCE

PV SYSTEM kWh METER

TURN RAPID SHUTDOWN SWITCH TO THE “OFF” POSITION TO SHUT DOWN PV SYSTEM AND REDUCE SHOCK HAZARD IN THE ARRAY

pvlabels.com

Same Day Service

#05-341 - 2023 NEC 690.4(B)

PV SYSTEM DISCONNECT

#05-805 & 05-806 2023 NEC 690.31(B)(2) pvlabels.com

Plastic Placards

TURN OFF PHOTOVOLTAIC AC DISCONNECT PRIOR TO WORKING INSIDE PANEL

#03-315 - 2023 NEC 690.31(D)(2) SOLAR ELECTRIC PV PANELS

05-109

pvlabels.com

Special Price

WARNING

05-347

pvlabels.com

$39.00

#05-372 - 2023 NEC 110.27(C)

pvlabels.com

UV Film Lamination

SOLAR PV SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH RAPID SHUTDOWN

ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD TERMINALS ON THE LINE AND LOAD SIDES MAY BE ENERGIZED IN THE OPEN POSITION

pvlabels.com

Custom Items

#05-112 - 2023 NEC 690.12(D)

SALE

pvlabels.com

#05-109 - 2023 NEC 690.13(B) PV SYSTEM DISCONNECT

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NEC 2023 PACKS NEC 2020 PACKS NEC 2017 PACKS NEC 2014 PACKS NEC 2011 PACKS IN STOCK - NOW

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OF PV SYSTEM

03-303

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CONTENTS Commercial Rooftops into 18 Turning Community Solar Resources

VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 6

VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 6

2023 NOVEMBER•DECEMBER

2024 WIND

BUYERS GUIDE Pg. 39

Can Residential Customers Help Boost Energy Reliability?

PUBLISHER

Ian Stuart istuart@nacleanenergy.com

Pg. 8

The Unsung Heroes of Solar Energy Pg. 20

How to Mitigate Temporary Overvoltages in PV Plants

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Pg. 26

Battery Energy Storage System ROI

Quinn Stuart quinn@nacleanenergy.com

3 factors for profitability Pg. 76

BESS Asset Owners Must Prep for Cyber Threats

Pg. 84

EDITORS

Plus Show-in-Print Feature: • RE+ Midwest Pg. 36

Pg. 12

spotlight: 34 Solar Maintenance

Pg. 86

NACE_NovDec2023-FINAL.indd 1

On our cover…

2023-10-30 8:17 PM

Jill Walters editor@nacleanenergy.com Meg Lugaric meg@nacleanenergy.com ART DIRECTOR

Harvesting of fields in upstate New York during the final construction activities at the Number Three Wind Energy Center. Developed and operated by Invenergy, the 103.9 MW wind farm was constructed by New York based EPC contractor, The Wesson Group.

Photo credit to Dennis Lee Photography.

Chris Van Boeyen production@nacleanenergy.com SALES

Quinn Stuart quinn@nacleanenergy.com

The Wesson Group /// www.twg.us.com

Don McIntosh dmcintosh@nacleanenergy.com

product: 31 Solar Panasonic

36 Show-in-print: RE+ Midwest

DEPARTMENTS

Keaton Spence keaton@nacleanenergy.com Ben Mitchell ben@nacleanenergy.com CIRCULATION MANAGER

8

Top story

10

Solar energy

34

Solar spotlight: Maintenance

36

Show-in-print: RE+ Midwest

39

2024 Wind Buyers Guide

72

Energy storage

88

Energy efficiency

90

Events calendar & advertisers list

8

Can Residential Customers Help Boost Energy Reliability?

10

Permitting's Effect on Achieving Notice to Proceed

12

Solar Lenders. Protect Thyselves

14

16

Steer Clear of IRA Risks and Costs How noncompliance endangers developers and investors Surviving the Solarcoaster The 4 strategies residential installers need

Kassidi Kirk circulation@nacleanenergy.com

Wind 52 2024 Buyers Guide NV5 Geospatial

ACCOUNTING

Alison Bell abell@nacleanenergy.com 255 NEWPORT DRIVE, SUITE 336 PORT MOODY, B.C. V3H 5H1

Phone: (604) 461-6223

Analytics 80 Battery Software Unlocks the Potential of Energy Storage

24

The Hidden Truth Solar assets demand maintenance to shine bright

26

How to Mitigate Temporary Overvoltages in PV Plants

28

How to Ensure Safety Under UL 3741 Understanding the risks and limitations of solutions without DC optimization

34 Solar spotlight: Maintenance

36

Show-in-Print: RE+ Midwest

76

Battery Energy Storage System ROI 3 factors for profitability

78

Project Completion Insurance Securing solar construction projects

80

Battery Analytics Software Unlocks the Potential of Energy Storage

82 Demand Response Program Management Outsourcing vs. in-house 84

BESS Asset Owners Must Prep for Cyber Threats

18

Turning Commercial Rooftops into Community Solar Resources

39

2024 Wind Buyers Guide

20

The Unsung Heroes of Solar Energy

22

U.S. Tube Mills Evolve to Meet the Quality and Product Demands of a Growing Solar Industry

72 High Voltage DC Relays are Indispensable to Green Energy Infrastructure

Domestic Supply Chain and Manufacturing are Critical for Long-Duration Energy Storage

88

The Future of Houses is Passive

74

Leveraging Multilevel Simulation and Testing to Minimize BESS Risk

86

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2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

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EDITOR'S NOTE

T

he production department helped me dig up the Wind Buyers Guide from 2009. Just for fun, I tried to go to several of the websites advertised. Some brands were still around and instantly recognizable, while others were either MIA, renamed or, more likely than not, gobbled up by their savvier competitors.

If it feels like you’ve been in this industry forever, you might be surprised to learn that the first AWEA conference happened 44 years ago in 1979, in a little motel in Massachusetts.1 Fewer than 50 people showed up to wander around a small room and chat. Nothing to see in terms of the exhibits we’re used to nowadays, but some of the attendees at least managed to get a soccer game going in the parking lot.

A similarly spectacular event that same year celebrated the debut of the world’s largest windmill: At 40 feet tall and with two blades spanning 200 feet across, the “world’s largest” was engineered by NASA to capture the allegedly consistent 25mph winds that blew through the area of Boone, North Carolina. In keeping with this promising achievement, July 1,1979 was newly christened “Windmill Day” and even featured “a downtown street festival that included craft vendors, music and performers.

According to news accounts, tourists jammed the downtown streets … unfortunately, winds were only at about 6 miles per hour that day, requiring manual rotation of the propeller blades.”2 Sadly,

this anemic performance was just the start of two disappointing years marked by structural problems and a disenchanted public whose support for the experiment waned with the proliferation of the self-identifying “Wooshies” (people so named for mocking the noise the turbine made whenever it managed to catch wind). In 1981, the site shut down.

The latest entry for world’s largest wind turbine came online in July of this year. At a height of nearly 500 feet and over 850 feet in diameter, the immensity of this offshore installation in the Taiwan Strait boggles the mind. To put it in perspective, each of the three blades equals the length of a baseball field, while the full diameter is like placing four Boeing 777s wing tip to wing tip (or the same as stacking 1020 pugs on top of each other, if you’re into that kind of thing). And, whereas its 1979 forebearer struggled to handle gusts beyond 25mph, this newest behemoth is built to withstand a steady breeze of over 175mph.3 Seeing those numbers, I thought for sure I’d find a huge uptick in wind industry players.

However, measuring the market growth through the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) became a bit trickier after it’s absorption by American Clean Power in 2021. The 2023 CLEANPOWER show hardly cleared things up, with more than 8300 attendees and some 500 exhibitors, with entries on wind and storage and solar and hydrogen and emerging technologies.

Keeping track of this overlap brings back memories of watching my sister’s high school collages gradually take shape. And, just as I couldn’t tell you who were her very best friends or her “sort of” best friends based on the photographs she chose to glue onto the poster board, I couldn’t tell you with certainty which clean energy organization will merge with whom, or who will overtake which competitor. Oddly, I didn’t find the big changes I was looking for — as it turns out, we featured almost as many wind companies in our 2009 Wind Buyers Guide as we do in this issue.

Luckily for me, my day-to-day assignment remains reporting on all the transitions and innovations. The rest of you can continue prognosticating. I am more than happy to remain a fascinated bystander whose biggest challenge will never change: navigating the ever-expanding footprint of the latest trade show.

“plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose” – Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr, 1849

Meg www.nrgsystems.com/blog/memories-of-awea-and-windpowerspast/ 2 www.ncpedia.org/worlds-largest-windmill-boone 3 hackaday.com/2023/07/26/this-months-worlds-largest-windturbine-goes-operational/ 1

NEWS BITES

Turning food waste into renewable energy

Sustainable next-generation keyboards

Making strong, long lasting bridges and roads with landfilled ash

Vanguard Renewables has announced that Danone North America has joined the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance. Vanguard Renewables partners with food and beverage manufacturers to recycle their inedible food waste via Farm Powered anaerobic digestion, which converts organic waste into renewable natural gas (RNG). This RNG is then used to generate electricity, heat, and transportation fuel, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. By diverting food waste from landfills and transforming it into clean energy, Vanguard Renewables is making a significant impact on the environment while also creating economic opportunities for farmers and local communities.

Ambient Photonics and Chicony announced their plans to develop a revolutionary battery-free, wireless keyboard that is powered by Ambient’s breakthrough low-light solar photovoltaic (PV) cells. The low-profile keyboard will achieve a small carbon footprint by eliminating disposable batteries and using recycled materials while offering the full range of features that consumers demand: high-precision keys with a mechanical feel, quiet typing, and a streamlined design.

Ambient Photonics and Chicony have successfully developed functional keyboard prototypes and are working to enable customers to bring this new product to market in early 2024. The keyboard will be powered

by Ambient’s cells, which generate endless power from the full spectrum of indoor light. The keyboard will also utilize a new type of scissor-style switch technology for an ultra-quiet, tactile and responsive typing experience.

Vanguard Renewables /// www.vanguardrenewables.com

Ambient Photonics /// ambientphotonics.com Chicony /// www.chicony.com

Eco Material Technologies has made an agreement with Georgia Power to harvest millions of tons of landfilled ash from Plant Branch, a coal-fired power plant that retired in 2015. Under the agreement, Eco Material will harvest approximately 600,000 tons of landfilled ash per year from the plant in Putnam County, GA. The effort will remove and beneficially use more than 8 million tons of fly ash, doubling the production of the two companies’ partnership, over a 15-year term. The ES EcoSystem Efficient Carbon Offloading technology is a solution that offers a low-cost and green process to reduce high carbon content in landfilled and ponded coal ash, bringing it up to required specification for use in concrete and other building materials. The ash from Plant Branch will be used in concrete blends to repair and construct bridges, roads, and buildings in Georgia and Florida and will reduce dependance on imported materials with a Made in the USA recycled product.

Once the Branch project is complete, Eco Material will have over 3 million tons per annum of novel, beneficiated SCMs to help decarbonize the North American concrete market.

6

2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

Eco Material Technologies /// www.ecomaterial.com

news bites

See how steel made from recycled materials is decarbonizing offshore wind production. nucor.com/madeforgood

North American Clean Energy

7

TOP STORY

Can Residential Customers Help Boost Energy Reliability?

by Dan Forman

On Christmas Eve 2022, a powerful winter storm in the United States delivered what were, in some places, the coldest temperatures in 40 years — in others, it was the coldest ever recorded. In the Midwest and North Atlantic, the footprint of the PJM grid operator serves 65 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia. During the Christmas Eve storm, wind gusted to 65 mph, while heavy snow tore down power lines and cut off power to tens of thousands of customers. What’s more, the demand for electricity so strained the grid that officials pleaded with customers to cut back usage: “Please turn down your thermostats and refrain from using major appliances such as washing machines.”

The potential for wide-scale rolling blackouts was happening not just in PJM’s footprint, but in many regions of the country.

The grid stayed online, thankfully. After the event, PJM’s spokesperson noted, “We called for conservation, we asked residents—even though it was a holiday weekend and even though it was cold—to conserve some energy,” and they did.

In fact, PJM credited both customers and their local utilities with conserving power, saying “They were super helpful.” This was especially important given that some of the power plants that routinely generate grid electricity were offline in the frigid conditions (for a variety of reasons, from frozen natural gas pipes to jammed coal pulverizers). The success of PJM’s efforts involved more than a bit of luck: PJM’s operators had no idea how many customers would respond, or to what extent it would help. Fortunately, it worked.

Nationally, the U.S. Energy Information Administration suggests that power outages are occurring more frequently and lasting longer, with average outage durations doubling between 2013 and 2021. In August alone, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) asked customers to voluntarily conserve energy for eight days in a two-week period to avoid rolling blackouts.

A grid strained by extraordinary weather and a corresponding industry response is nothing new. In some places, commercial

8

and industrial customers (including huge factories) have had standing contracts for years with their respective utilities to reduce their power draw (“load”) during periods of peak/ excessive demand. This correspondence is called “demand response.” In return, these corporate customers are compensated, in some cases significantly, for helping support grid stability and reliability. However, while these programs have shown promise and results, they’re typically based on fixed agreements and may not truly reflect the real-time value to the grid.

Many utilities have also been gradually expanding demand response programs on the residential side, often through the use of smart thermostats that can adjust temperature setpoints by a few degrees to reduce demand. These kinds of programs generally offer a $20-25 annual incentive for customers that participate in a minimum number of events, and have consistently proven to be a valuable resource for managing peak loads on the grid. It’s unclear, however, if this approach can scale quickly enough to meet emerging reliability concerns, particularly since roughly 80 percent of customers don’t currently have a smart thermostat installed.

To engage more customers and get deeper load reductions, a different approach may be needed. Instead of a fixed annual incentive for participation, one approach could be to explore dynamic incentives. Tied either to the real-time wholesale price of power or the estimated cost of power outages, this approach could provide larger total incentives and stronger economic signals. Higher incentive levels and a new approach that supports customer choice could make these kinds of programs more appealing to residential consumers, while opening the door to increased participation from low- and moderate-income customers and those in disadvantaged communities.

Supporting this kind of approach will require new and more dynamic frameworks from regulators and utilities, as well as better, near-real-time consumption data. Although new smart meters collect energy use data frequently, they often deliver it in bulk a day later to the utility, have delays in their communications networks that make real-time analysis difficult, and prioritize in-meter analysis over cloud-based approaches, limiting the sophistication of potential measurement and verification efforts for demand response. The good news is that some new technologies are now able to remotely access near-real-time data from existing meters — including both

2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

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smart meters and older drive-by AMR systems — and share it with utilities and customers while supporting timely data analysis through a streamlined cloud-based approach. That’s exactly what’s needed to support a new demand response paradigm.

America’s utilities can and should take advantage of the opportunity to improve grid reliability by providing better transparency and incentives to residential customers. The technology exists to support flexible, real-time load management, provide customer engagement and feedback, and compensate customers equitably. That’s truly the utility of the future, available today.

Dan Forman is CEO at Copper Labs.

Dan brings twenty years of experience as an entrepreneur and business development leader in venture-backed enterprise software companies. Copper Labs offers innovative technology solutions that remotely collect nearreal-time data from existing electric, gas, and water meters without extensive infrastructure overhauls.

Copper Labs /// www.copperlabs.com

North American Clean Energy

9

SOLAR ENERGY

Permitting’s Effect on Achieving Notice to Proceed

by James McWalter

Solar development faces significant challenges. Despite the incredible pace of successful projects, as it turns out, most projects fail to reach Notice to Proceed (NTP)—even if they have site control and an interconnection queue position. Due to its complexity, local permitting is often a critical factor in project failure, especially given how widely it varies across different counties, townships, and villages. Just in New York State, for example, there are thousands of jurisdictions, each with its own local permitting code.

Jurisdictions can influence the success of solar projects in three principal ways: 1. Code composition 2. Permitting timeline 3. Community considerations The potential complications don’t end there.

Code composition

Different jurisdictions adopt different zoning code styles.

Some codes offer minimal information, which can work to the advantage of solar developers by opening up a dialogue to develop the first solar-specific zoning code.

Conversely, some codes are exceedingly detailed, attempting to cover every possible scenario. These situations can be challenging for solar developers, as they are left with a limited number of potential sites due to the restrictive nature of the code.

Ideally, jurisdictions should adopt a balanced approach, having some criteria but allowing for flexibility to facilitate specific project acceptances.

Permitting timeline

The time it takes to obtain a permit can make or break many projects. Depending on the jurisdiction, permit approval can range from a few weeks to months, or even years. The timeline largely depends on the complexity of the local process. Jurisdictions with clear regulations and dedicated resources tend to approve permits faster.

The jurisdiction's resources also matter. Smaller towns often rely on volunteer staff for permitting and zoning, which may limit their ability to process applications. For such cases, open and frequent communication between the solar developer and the permitting office is essential.

Community considerations

Every community is unique. How the “host” community views any development will significantly influence a project’s planning and development, including large-scale solar projects. Locals care deeply about a project's impact on local amenities, infrastructure, and aesthetics. Concerns may include glare or visual impact from large solar arrays, increased construction traffic, and potential effects on local wildlife and habitats.

Property value impact is also a common concern.

Community objections often stem from misconceptions about solar energy or perceived negative impacts. To address these, developers need to communicate clearly and factually, demonstrating the benefits of solar energy, debunking myths, and showing their commitment to work with the community.

Real world example

Let's analyze the zoning code of Berne, a typical northeastern town in Albany County, New York. With an explicit solar zoning code, the town gives solar developers a clear understanding of what is possible. Using Berne’s zoning code, we'll examine three parts: allowable zones, setbacks, and lot coverage requirements.

• Solar Allowable Zones • Solar Setbacks • Solar Lot Coverage Requirements

10

2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

The first order of business is to check how many parcels are in Berne. Running analysis on a tax assessor and other records generates a list of 1,196 parcels in Berne, with an average parcel size of 21 acres.

According to the town code, large solar projects are “permitted only in the following zoning districts: RAF, MDR, I.” In our example, there are 910 parcels in these zones, for 83 percent coverage, which is a great start! Let's now check some of the other restrictions.

On the lot coverage requirements, the town code states that they “shall not exceed 30 acres' maximum lot coverage of the zoning districts permitted.” If we analyze the parcels in Berne, this leaves 302 parcels, or 25 percent remaining.

On the setback requirements, the town code states that “tier 3 solar energy systems shall comply with the setback requirements in the underlying zoning district or no less than 200 feet on all sides from any adjoining parcel not included in the solar energy system, whichever is greater (and) shall be set back no less than 100 feet from wetlands, streams, ponds, lakes and water wells.” Adding this to our analysis brings us down to 145 parcels, or 12 percent of the area.

Finally, we need to account for the parcels that are actually usable for ground mount solar development. Solar developers typically need 20 continuous, buildable acres within a quarter mile of a feeder line. Adding in these variables to completing this analysis leaves us with 28 suitable parcels for ground mount solar development in Berne, or 2.4 percent of total parcels.

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Conclusion

The most favorable jurisdictions for solar development offer streamlined permitting processes, fast approval times, lenient rules, high transparency, substantial support, and strong policy incentives. On the other hand, jurisdictions with slow and convoluted permitting procedures, restrictive rules, lack of clarity, limited support, and few policy incentives are less conducive to solar development.

The solar industry urges communities to reassess their codes to further streamline them for solar development.

If you’re a solar developer, remember to engage early and communicate often with communities to increase your project's chances of success.

James McWalter is CEO and founder of Paces. Using hundreds of data points and advanced modeling, Paces helps developers find and evaluate the sites most suitable for renewable development.

Paces /// www.paces.com

North American Clean Energy

11

SOLAR ENERGY

Solar Lenders, Protect Thyselves

by Suzie Neff

I

n 2022, the residential solar market attained its highest annual growth rate since 2015. Brighter days are ahead, too, with the residential solar market projected to grow steadily from 2025–2030 at an average annual rate of 8 percent. What’s more, the Solar Energy Industries Association forecasts 15 percent of U.S. homes will have a solar system installed by 2030.

Such rapid growth presents an opportunity for lenders, but also exposes them to risk. This article looks at the most common risks faced by solar lenders, and what steps they can take to protect their investments.

Risks to loan payoffs

The cost of a residential solar system has plummeted in the last decade, and an increased range of incentives and loan options has driven ownership to record heights.

Currently, the average amount of most solar loans is approximately $20,000.

Solar loans often have 20 or 30-year terms, and the probability of a property being sold during the life of the loan is high. Around 6 percent of single-family homes in the U.S. are sold every year; on average, any given home sells once every seven years.

The sale of a property with an unpaid solar loan poses a significant risk to lenders. An additional risk is a total loss of property caused by house fires or natural disasters.

A homeowner delinquent on the monthly payment presents another danger. There has been a rise in delinquency rates, coupled with a significant drop in solar loan prepayments, thanks to increases in interest rates and inflation.

While repossession of solar panels is possible in the event a homeowner defaults on a secured solar loan, it comes with its own unique challenges. First of all, removal of solar panels is expensive, and may damage the roof in the process. Second, the used equipment is difficult to re-sell and its tax credits are not transferable, making for an often-unviable repossession process.

How can solar lenders best protect their interests?

Lien on me

In order to secure their loan, a lender can file a lien on the solar system at the same time a homeowner obtains a loan. There are several lien options, and lenders should be aware of the differences between them.

A junior loan, also known as a second mortgage, may be available to most homeowners of varying income levels and credit scores, depending on the lending program criteria. While a junior loan is easy to maintain, it is more complex to initiate and release, and has a slower turnaround time. Lenders can automate this process.

A PACE tax lien is for low-income homeowners, paid via their tax statements, and is only available in certain jurisdictions. Lenders need to meet certain requirements to be able to file this lien.

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2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

A mechanic’s lien is for homeowners of varying income levels and credit scores. It enables the lender to initiate foreclosure on the property in case of a default by the debtor. This lien is very complex to initiate and requires jurisdictional expertise. It is viewed negatively by homeowners.

The Uniform Commercial Code Financing Statement, or UCC, is another lien type. This lien is the most common among solar lenders, and available for homeowners of all income levels and credit scores. A UCC is easy to initiate and release. It requires jurisdictional expertise and maintenance throughout the life of the loan, but lenders can opt to automate the process. A UCC is scalable to allow growth. Many lenders have determined that to fully protect a loan, a UCC lien should be filed with the secretary of state and at the county level. This helps to establish ownership of the equipment and mitigate the risk of a property being sold or refinanced without loan payoff. A UCC lien increases the likelihood of the lender being paid back. If a homeowner defaults or declares bankruptcy, this lien may enable the solar lender to have its claim prioritized over those of other creditors.

A sunny future?

A final element of risk is the booming nature of the market itself. Solar scales rapidly, so it’s not uncommon in today’s market for lenders to jump from 10 customers to as many as 200 new customers in a short timeframe. In addition, solar loan portfolio sales are quite common.

Lenders should consider solutions that enable scaling without taxing their internal operations, as well as secure the value of their portfolio in case of a sale.

Solar lenders face multiple pain points, such as risks that jeopardize loan payoffs, operational and scaling challenges, and the need for maintaining overall portfolio health for securitization or resale. To address these concerns, lenders should evaluate their short- and long-term goals to determine the best way to address their solar lending risks.

Suzie Neff is a Senior Enterprise Sales Executive with Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions. For more than 18 years, Neff has assisted solar companies with their lending programs and has helped lenders, financiers, and investors to secure, perfect, and protect their investments.

Wolters Kluwer /// www.wolterskluwer.com

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North American Clean Energy

13

SOLAR ENERGY

Steer Clear of IRA Risks and Costs How noncompliance endangers developers and investors

3490 Heyco_NA 3.5x10_Layout 1 7/31/23 12:51 PM Page 1

by Charles Dauber

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Maximizing the financial benefits of this game-changing program requires project developers and EPCs to meet complex IRS compliance measures, while protecting investors from the risks of a recapture audit.

Even as legal rules continue to evolve, taking advantage of the IRA presents substantial risks if not done carefully. Colossal losses could ensue from noncompliance penalties, litigation, and reputation damages. The following can help developers of utility- and community-scale PV and energy storage projects avoid trouble as they navigate incentives under the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and Production Tax Credit (PTC) programs.

Keeping a close eye on internal risks

1. Maximizing the financial benefit The primary and most severe risk of noncompliance would be to lose the ability to take advantage of incentives, which can be 30 percent or more of the value of the project capex based on tax incentive adder qualification.

Developers can’t fully maximize the value of the tax credits unless they reduce tax-equity investor risk of noncompliance.

In addition, penalties for non-compliance are severe. Failing an IRS audit of the Prevailing Wage requirement can result in penalties of $5,000 per employee (if there is proof of an attempt to comply with wage requirements) or $10,0000 per employee if no effort was made to meet wage provisions. Plus, failure to meet the required apprenticeship percentage entails an additional penalty of $5,000 per employee.

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2. Considering Legal Liability In addition to providing significant tax incentives, the IRA also authorized hiring 30,000 new IRS employees, many of whom will be focused on ensuring adherence to all federal requirements for clean energy projects to receive tax incentives.

With average legal fees exceeding $500 per hour, defending against an IRA audit can quickly result in significant expense. A robust compliance documentation and reporting program can significantly

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3. Insuring Against Losses Clean energy project insurance policies range between 2 and 3 percent of a project’s costs. However, insurance policies contain requirements that require developers to demonstrate how they will actively manage tax-insurance compliance and other risks as part of their underwriting policy before insurance can be provided. Just like a homeowner’s insurance policy requires smoke detectors and burglar alarms, tax equity insurance will require tax equity compliance management as well.

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shorten the defense and increase the likelihood of success.

A failed IRS tax-incentive audit can result in a cascading effect of not only lost time and cost, but potential litigation as well. The tax equity investor sues the developer and its insurance provider for the value of the lost credits plus penalties and legal fees. Subsequently, the developer and their insurance will pursue legal actions against its EPC for failing to comply with PWA compliance requirements as required.

The risk of Domestic Content noncompliance includes loss of the 10 percent adder tax credit. Because EPCs typically source steel and iron products, they can be held liable for domestic content noncompliance. However, “manufactured products” like inverters, modules, and batteries are often sourced directly by developers who would lose the value of the 10 percent adder if these are noncompliant.

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2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

Looking at Broader External Risks

While harder to quantify, external business risks associated with IRA noncompliance can derail a developer’s track record and threaten future deals.

Project investors forced to pursue legal action to recover tax losses likely won’t continue as partners in the future.

Developers spend an enormous amount of time and energy building relationships with the local communities where they operate. A failed incentive audit could cause those local officials and community groups to lose faith in a developer, threatening future projects.

The IRA offers a lucrative opportunity for American solar investors and developers.

Don’t let an audit erode your margins and damage your reputation. Take time to evaluate software platforms that actively manage incentives instead of putting all of your faith in project insurance.

Charles Dauber is the founder and CEO of Empact Technologies, which maximizes the impact of clean energy project tax incentives. Developers use Empact to secure construction financing, ensure regulatory compliance, and protect investors from IRS recapture audit risk.

Empact Technologies /// www.empacttechnologies.com

CASE STUDY 20-MW solar project = $20M CapEx 30% ITC energy tax credit = $6M 10% domestic content adder = $2M Total tax credit = $8M Cost of noncompliance: Tax credit loss: $8m Penalties: 20% of the incentive Legal Fees: $500/hour Total Loss: $9.6M + legal fees

Avoiding Problems from the Start

Risks can be easily managed with an IRA compliance program. Consider these best practices: 1. Form a dedicated internal team that is accountable and rewarded for meeting key performance measures.

2. Work with your attorneys and tax accountants to create program with policies for compliance.

3. Consult with your tax insurance advisor to understand what is needed to prove active compliance risk management.

4. Aggregate and manage compliance data across all projects, EPCs and programs. Options include building and hosting a custom internal system using tools like excel and sharepoint, or working with a dedicated third-party system.

5. Ensure EPCs and key suppliers provide data weekly; include contract language with partners specifying how often and in what form data will be shared.

6. Actively compile weekly employment records for all workers, review compliance to PWA requirements, identify issues and manage issue resolution, and generate reports for investors and insurance carriers during construction.

7. Provide a data repository to the tax equity investor, and maintain system records for five years (ITC), or ten years (PTC) to protect against IRS recapture audit risks.

buyawg.com • sales@buyawg.com • TF: 800.342.7215 • Tel: 945.455.3050 North American Clean Energy

15

SOLAR ENERGY

Surviving the Solarcoaster The 4 strategies residential installers need

by Scott Nguyen

B

efore 2023, one solar installer out of Texas was living the dream — in business over 12 years, he had grown his company almost entirely on referrals and inbound leads.

But then this year hit. Suddenly, this Texan installer saw other solar companies go bankrupt and their own steady stream of inbound leads slowed to a trickle. Instead of going under, however, he and his team pivoted, adopting new marketing and sales strategies that have allowed them to keep pre-2023 top line revenues — even in this tough economic climate.

Despite the big win of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), residential solar has been plagued by major challenges this year (including bad actors, anti-solar state policies, and high interest rates) that led to a 20 percent decline in installation volume in Q3 compared to the year before.

Of these challenges, high interest rates hit the industry the hardest.

Prior to this year, ultra-low interest loans fueled the massive growth in residential solar. In 2022, 75 percent of all residential solar was financed by loans. However, when interest rates started to rise, the financial calculus for consumers investing in solar changed.

Solar companies that relied on strong sales growth to finance their business soon saw a cash crunch, and folded.

But as any veteran solar professional will tell you, this is the solarcoaster nature of the market; it will rebound. It’s just a matter of when, and if your business will be around to make the most of it. To help you, here are 4 strategies installers have used to shore up their business despite the challenges of this year.

Strategy 1: Create a multi-step energy plan for your customer

Solar customers used to want the biggest solar + storage system they could pack into a low-interest loan. But now, homeowners are much more hesitant to go all-in on allencompassing home energy projects. It appears they’ve reverted to just dipping their toes into the world of solar.

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The number of orphaned systems is growing, but what many installers don’t realize is that all of these orphaned systems can be another revenue stream.

A conversation overheard at RE+ is emblematic of the new solar landscape: One solar homeowner reached out to an installer by saying, “Something’s not working, but the company that installed my solar isn’t around anymore. Also, do you install EV chargers?”

Many installers think of service as a cost center, but there is money to be made if your team is equipped to capitalize on orphaned and older systems. Plus, to these orphaned customers, you’re their solar hero, and they’re your best bet for 5-star google reviews and referrals.

Strategy 4: Embrace thirdparty financing options There are pros and cons to this new reality.

New sales may be smaller, but follow-on sales have accelerated. At least one solar installer has seen a clear rise in repeat customers within one calendar year, first installing solar and then adding batteries. What this means is that, rather than focusing on the initial transaction, sales should focus on customer lifetime value which can be several multiples of the initial sale.

To leverage this, your team needs to know how to build a home energy roadmap with their prospects, and approach the full selling process in stages. Your marketing team should also market around the multiple ways it’s possible to go solar. From a smaller initial system to an EV charger, not every person is going to choose the same gateway to solar.

Strategy 2: Partner with other players and vendors to scale your marketing

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Just because you’re a local or regional installer doesn’t mean you can’t leverage the marketing power of national vendors. By co-marketing, you can radically grow your available marketing dollars to reach prospects.

Proving the old adage that a rising tide lifts all boats, manufacturers and distributors are realizing the need to participate in market creation. Now more than ever, they’re willing to partner and share advertising spend with solar installers. The benefit? The installer’s brand is still front-and-center, but the campaign itself is subsidized by these larger vendors. Given that this is a common strategy in other industries, expect it to grow within solar.

You’ve probably noticed the resurrection of third-party financing options (TPO) like PPAs and leases. Though they had previously fallen out of favor, TPOs are becoming more financially attractive compared to loans for many customers.

Since these systems are not owned by the homeowners, they’re better options for customers with limited tax liability or those not wanting to be responsible for the O&M of the system.

In the coming years, organizations offering TPOs will also be the ones best able to leverage IRA adders — helping to keep down prices and fees.

More companies are offering TPOs. In order to make the most of this financing option, sales teams must learn how to sell TPOs, which are markedly different from loans, especially when it comes to the payments and homeowner responsibilities.

The current financing landscape has forced many solar companies to get creative or go out of business.

However, these strategies prove that it’s still possible to build a resilient and profitable business. By updating your playbook now, you can overcome high interest rates and come out stronger when the market rebounds.

Scott Nguyen is CEO at Bodhi, a design-focused software platform that helps residential solar installers deliver amazing customer experiences.

Bodhi /// www.bodhi.solar

North American Clean Energy

17

SOLAR ENERGY

Turning Commercial Rooftops into Community Solar Resources

by Shaun Keegan

Supply and demand for solar energy are both at unprecedented levels, which should give us all hope for our shared clean energy future. And North America’s commercial real estate owners – especially those who own buildings with large rooftops – are becoming a critical component in the supply of solar to American families.

2024 will be an inflection point for working toward our clean energy goals, especially for a new model of solar energy, community solar on commercial rooftops.

Community solar addresses an important part of the demand equation: how do we make our clean energy transition equitable and available to everyone?

For commercial real estate owners, installing community solar on commercial buildings empowers business leaders to connect with their communities more deeply and optimize an untapped resource: their rooftops.

The rise of community solar

Community solar is a large solar system that allows local residents or organizations to collectively benefit from solar power generation. It offers a solution to the barriers that have historically limited solar energy adoption for residents such as high upfront costs, limited roof space, and the need for property ownership.

In 2024, community solar will see exponential growth driven by several factors.

• Economic Viability — The innovative financial model of community solar has made it easier for commercial real estate to support and host community solar projects. The projects don’t require upfront capital investment and provide an additional revenue stream for commercial real estate owners.

• Environmental Concerns — With the pressing issue of climate change, more individuals and communities are looking for sustainable energy alternatives. Community solar offers an easy way for residents to participate in clean energy that reduces carbon emissions and mitigates climate impacts.

• Policy Support — Governments at the federal and state levels have recognized the potential of community solar to help achieve their renewable energy targets.

• Community Engagement — People are increasingly drawn to the idea of local, communitydriven initiatives. Community solar not only generates clean energy and reduces our reliance on polluting fossil fuels, but also fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility. Plus, since community solar expands access to renewable energy for low- and moderate-income households, there is an energy equity component to these projects which helps business leaders meet the “S” in addition to the “E” of their ESG goals.

Commercial real estate leaders have embraced community solar as a way to support environmental justice and consumer choice for residents (many of whom can be a business leader’s employees or customers) in powering their homes.

Economic benefits

As one of our most viable clean energy options, community solar projects provide a way to energize clean energy capacity quickly, without lengthy interconnection timelines or pricey transmission investments or upgrades. Beyond this, investments in community solar generate an expanded equitable green energy economy in several ways. Community solar projects have created thousands of jobs, boosting local economies. They also represent stimulating investment; by attracting private investments, community solar projects stimulate economic growth in regions where they are deployed.

This includes infrastructure development and revenue generation. Finally, by creating energy savings for residents, participants in community

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2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

solar programs enjoy reduced electricity costs, providing financial relief to households and businesses alike. These savings can be reinvested into the community, and signify another way that commercial real estate owners can be viewed as uplifting a local economy.

Impact on energy access

One of the most significant advantages of community solar is its potential to increase energy access for a broader demographic of Americans. In 2024, this impact will be even broader.

Low-Income Communities

Community solar projects are being developed in historically underserved neighborhoods, addressing disproportionate energy burdens and creating jobs. This enables low-income households to access affordable and clean energy, reducing their utility bills.

Renters and Multi-Family Dwellings

Renters and residents of multi-family buildings, who often cannot install solar panels on their homes, can now participate in community solar programs thanks to commercial rooftops. This ensures that more of the population can benefit from solar energy.

Small Businesses and Nonprofits

Organizations that lack the financial means or appropriate rooftops for solar installations can join community solar initiatives, lowering their operational costs. In some cases they can help promote nearby projects to their communities, creating benefits for both the organization and its neighbors.

The Future of Community Solar

The future of community solar in 2024 and beyond is bright.

Energy analysts Wood Mackenzie forecasts that “existing markets will grow by an annual average of 8% with nearly 14 gigawatts (GW) of cumulative capacity expected by 2028.” The market will continue to mature in 2024 through technological advancements like energy storage integration, community microgrids, and overall global expansion.

Community solar has emerged as a powerful force in the renewable energy landscape. As we move forward, it is essential to recognize the role that commercial business owners can play in enabling its ability to shape a greener and more inclusive energy infrastructure for generations to come.

Shaun Keegan is CEO and Co-Founder of Solar Landscape, an established U.S. rooftop commercial and industrial solar developer specializing in community solar.

Solar Landscape /// solarlandscape.com

North American Clean Energy

19

SOLAR ENERGY

The Unsung Heroes of Solar Energy

by Manuel Molina

A

s the global shift towards renewable energy sources gains momentum, solar power has taken center stage. The sight of solar panels, whether mounted to rooftops or sprawling in solar farms across the world, is a profound representation of our increasing reliance on boundless solar energy. Despite the rapid growth which makes such views commonplace, the success and sustainability of solar installations extend far beyond the surface.

Much of what ensures the efficiency and longevity of these installations is found in the capable hands of specialized mechanic services. In this article, we delve deeper into the world of these essential services and their often-overlooked role in safeguarding the resilience, longevity, and efficiency of solar projects.

Navigating the complex challenges of solar installations

Before we explore the critical role played by specialized mechanic services, it is essential to understand the formidable challenges that solar installations face. There are many diverse and multi-faceted challenges which underscore the need for expert mechanical support.

Any given solar installation project may contain a broad range of weak points that can bring the installation process to a halt. From driving the solar piles to maintenance of the pile drivers themselves, each aspect carries the potential for malfunction, which can have a cascading effect, causing disruptions in installation with costly financial setbacks. Without the assistance of specialized mechanic services, the risk of an equipment breakdown looms over every solar installation project.

The solar industry is characterized by rapid technological advancements. Integrating new solar technologies with existing setups can be a complex and intricate task. It necessitates seamless compatibility between old and new components, a process which often demands specialized mechanical expertise to ensure both efficiency and sustainability. Without this expertise, the process can be fraught with challenges and setbacks.

Environmental obstacles faced by solar installation projects are far more common than not, with exposure to diverse and often harsh environmental conditions often unavoidable. From extreme weather conditions to potential on-site disturbances, these factors can exact a toll on the performance and durability of installation equipment. Even though manufacturers strive to enhance product durability to reduce the Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) for installation equipment, the potential for mechanical breakdown remains, with adverse environmental effects hastening the process.

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The rise and relevance of specialized mechanic services

In response to these challenges, a new frontier is emerging within the solar industry in the form of specialized mechanic services. These services are gaining recognition and significance for several compelling reasons that PV operators have already begun to realize.

The timely response to malfunctions or issues in solar installations is of paramount importance. Delays in diagnosing and resolving problems can result in increased costs and extended downtimes. Specialized mechanic services that provide swift interventions can minimize disruptions and mitigate financial losses.

As solar installations become increasingly complex, expert diagnostics have become essential for effective solutions. Specialized mechanic services bring a wealth of expertise for accurate identification of issues and efficient

specialized mechanic services will continue to gain more and more prominence.

For all of these reasons, the success and sustainability of solar installations rely on more than the quality of panels and inverters. Specialized mechanic services are becoming the linchpin that ensures these systems operate efficiently, withstand environmental challenges, and seamlessly integrate new technologies.

As the solar industry continues to expand and evolve, the importance of these services will only grow, further shaping the way we harness the power of the sun. It is high time we acknowledge and appreciate the indispensable role of specialized mechanic services in our solar-powered journey towards a brighter world, and the realization of a sustainable future for all.

problem-solving, all without the need for extensive on-site visits. This expertise streamlines the process, reducing both time and cost.

On a recent job site in Maine, for example, extreme weather and soil conditions created a constant struggle when it came to maintaining more than 6 of the 10 working pile drivers on location.

Sub-zero temperatures, mud 2 to 4 feet deep, and large rocks and steep slopes kept damaging the machines; the resulting downtime hours heavily impacted the project schedule. Local mechanics hired for repairs lacked the expertise for this particular equipment, causing the project to fall even further behind. The solution involved hiring a full-time mechanic who stayed on site, while a specialized mechanic with expertise working on pile drivers walked him through items quickly and efficiently over the phone. As a result, going forward, no more than 2 machines were down at any given point.

Manuel Molina is COO of BuildRE, which provides solar equipment and mobile mechanic services for the renewables industry.

BuildRe /// webuildre.com

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Shaping the future of solar energy

As the world embraces solar energy to meet its burgeoning power demands and the pressing need for sustainable energy sources, the maintenance of operational efficiency in solar installations has become an imperative rather than a choice. Merely harnessing the sun's power is no longer sufficient. We must work toward tapping into this energy source with minimal disruptions and maximum efficiency. It is in this context that the role of specialized mechanic services becomes integral to successful installations.

Though these services may often remain behind the scenes, their impact on the solar landscape is profound.

Specialized mechanical service technicians are the unsung heroes who ensure that solar installation projects are performed optimally in order for them to deliver clean, renewable energy to homes and businesses worldwide. As solar projects increasingly shape our global energy landscape, the contribution of

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12:30:08 PM North American Clean10/12/2023 Energy 21

SOLAR ENERGY

U.S. Tube Mills Evolve to Meet the Quality and Product Demands of the Growing Solar Industry

by Mark Daril

The solar industry is the fastest growing resource for renewable energy in the world. The increase in affordability and demand during the past decade has positioned the industry on a trajectory for unprecedented growth in the years to come. Notably, states like Texas, Florida, New York, and California are at the forefront of this expansion.

While both residential and commercial solar power sectors are growing, commercial installations are seeing a more rapid increase. Presently, the average year-over-year growth for the solar industry in the United States exceeds 20 percent, requiring vital suppliers to adapt to meet quality, volume, and product demands.

Among those suppliers are America’s steel tube mills. Steel tubing is the preferred product for the framework of commercial solar panels because of its strength, tolerance, and lifespan. As tube mills refine their products and processes for other industries, the solar industry stands to benefit equally, creating a symbiotic partnership that will bolster both industries and the US economy.

In fact, 12 new tube mills have started up operations in the US in the past year.

Additionally, three big US tube mills have added capacity to keep up with demand.

The need for tube mill evolution has highlighted the difference in quality between domestic and international tube mills. Domestic tube mills consistently deliver tighter tube tolerances because they have higher tube standards. It is unusual that a manufacturing process in the US is more regulated than those of say Europe. However, past quality requirements in other industries, specifically tubing for Automotive and

All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) applications which have long been foundational pillars of American manufacturing, required extremely tight tolerances, unique lengths, tube strength, and weld integrity. These requirements catalyzed advancements in U.S. mills, resulting in processes and product upgrades.

Additionally, the surge in US e-commerce that occurred in 2020 (boasting a 43 percent year-over-year growth), spurred growth in the roller conveyor industry to meet shipping demand. Further adapting tube mill manufacturing to the nuanced standards and requirements of the roller conveyor industry have given US tube mills another recent competitive edge. These high-quality requirements create tube quality that far outpaces foreign mills from Asia, South America, Africa, and the EU, with the solar industry positioned to benefit most from domestic mill enhancements.

The continuous evolution within the steel industry to produce new grades through chemical composition (which are equally strong, yet lighter in weight and more cost efficient) is good news for solar companies. The advantages are broad, and include cost savings on material and freight, improved design, and enhanced durability. This process has created several additional products that were not available in years past, including longer, lighter tubes, and special shapes.

Tube mills are also altering product sizes to increase efficiency. For example, mills now produce longer tube lengths directly off the production line, requiring fewer connectors and resulting in faster installation. This is an intangible that is difficult to quantify when negotiating contracts, but undoubtedly saves solar companies money on labor and installation. Additionally, steel tube companies have become more strategic in their implementation of mills that can provide large diameter tubing; large diameter tubing holds the specifications the solar industry requires in terms of straightness, twist, length, and dimension tolerances. Such specialty mills used to be few and far between; however, a notable

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increase nationwide in the number and locations of these mills benefits customers with greater product offering, improved lead times, and reduced freight costs.

Continuous improvements in galvanized coatings to guard against white and red rust are another area in which tube mills are substantially increasing the lifespan of their products. Innovation in product development of new clearcoats is a key strategy for tube mills. Within the last decade, pre-galvanized coils (that result in steel tubes galvanized on both the inside and outside of the product) have been proven to provide even more extensive protection. Another area improvement coating durability - came from a surprising source: innovations in tube mill cleaning and clear coat application techniques.

Both mill cleaning and application of clear coats has gone through noticeable changes over the last several years, becoming more efficient, thus reducing downtime, and reducing the number of defects in coats.

However, the rapid growth has unearthed challenges, notably a skilled labor shortage. A tube mill operator is historically a highly skilled, fairly uncommon and specialized profession.

Training a new tube mill operator takes 2-5 years, creating a marked bottleneck in the production chain.

In essence, the flourishing solar industry has invigorated the historic steel sector, merging America’s manufacturing heritage with cutting-edge clean energy technology. This has created one of the most interesting symbiotic relationships of the 21st Century. As both industries continue to evolve, they set the benchmark for quality and innovation, symbolizing a promising future for renewable energy in the U.S.

Mark Daril is Product Manager at Lock Joint Tube, which manufactures mechanical and structural grade steel tubing for solar, automotive, fence, office furniture, health care, exercise, and more.

Lock Joint Tube /// www.ljtube.com

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North American Clean Energy

23

SOLAR ENERGY

The Hidden Truth Solar assets demand maintenance to shine bright

by Piper Foster Wilder

I

n the ever-expanding world of clean energy, solar power has emerged as a powerful contender. With millions of solar megawatts operational across North America, the industry has been primarily focused on financing, engineering, system design, and construction. What often gets overlooked, however, is the crucial chapter that unfolds after the ceremonial ribbon cutting: the world of solar maintenance.

Solar maintenance, an integral part of the operations and maintenance (O&M) sector, encompasses a suite of activities that range from preventative and corrective actions to conditional and predictive maintenance. It's the unsung hero that keeps solar assets performing optimally, efficiently resolves issues, and minimizes generation shortfalls. Let's delve into this vital aspect of the solar industry, and refute the notion that solar assets do not require maintenance.

Understanding solar maintenance

Solar maintenance goes beyond mere monitoring; it's about actively tending to the health of solar assets. It involves tracking critical spares, promptly addressing issues, and efficiently restoring underperforming or failed components. This process can range from simple work order management in an Excel spreadsheet to more sophisticated Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) software.

For instance, consider a municipal solar asset of several hundred kilowatts that stopped working for three weeks. Monitoring was in place to identify the problem, but the absence of efficient maintenance processes hindered a timely resolution. This is where maintenance steps in to bridge the gap.

The case for solar maintenance

Contrary to the belief that solar assets are maintenance-free, the data tells a different story. Based on research across more than 500 sites, two primary conclusions were reached.

1. Solar assets across the industry underperformed in 2021.

2. This underperformance is not limited to specific capacities, regions, or mount types; the past decade has shown that actual generation falls short of projections.

This shortfall can be attributed, in part, to immature maintenance activities. One key metric, Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR), measures how long it takes to fix underperforming or failed assets, and serves as a yardstick for assessing maintenance efficacy.

In solar, inverters often bear the brunt of failures, accounting for 73 percent of work orders. However, technicians are increasingly spending more time troubleshooting balance-of-system components. A whopping 78 percent of energy production losses are attributed to inverters, which has led to a 10 percent annual increase in property insurance rates over the last three years. Unnecessary truck rolls for site reconnaissance further erode project profitability, emphasizing the need for efficient maintenance processes.

Utility scale solar and storage maintenance

Utility-scale solar service companies have begun investing in sophisticated asset management teams and tools. With hundreds of field technicians required for servicing, the need to quickly onboard and train new service technicians is imperative.

Drawing from skilled workers in other energy sectors, such as electricians or those with experience in oil and gas operations, may be necessary to meet the growing demand.

Soiling mitigation, often overlooked, can significantly uncover overlooked generation capacity. Additionally, maintenance now involves calling in IT experts for tasks like firmware updates, changes in vendor APIs, and communication gateway failures, some of which can be addressed remotely.

Commercial and industrial solar and storage maintenance

Commercial and industrial solar assets are typically managed by a network of subcontractors and facility managers. This decentralized structure necessitates tools that enable visibility, historical documentation, standard operating procedures, and field inspection tools facilitated by mobile apps.

Surprisingly, cleaning rooftop arrays in urban areas can yield substantial generation increases. Air pollution buildup on modules in city centers, years after installation, has left customers astounded. Industrial

areas adjacent to solar installations can introduce corrosive elements that require frequent cleaning. Conduit flooding and extreme heat can also impact the lifespan of various components.

Residential solar maintenance

Residential installers often delay the establishment of a service division for maintenance until they've installed at least 500 homes. The cost of servicing, including truck rolls and hourly wages, can be prohibitive. However, savvy installers have begun to view each service interaction as a word-of-mouth marketing opportunity, effectively reducing the cost of customer acquisition.

The solar sector may have painted a picture of maintenance-free assets, but the reality is quite different.

Maintenance is intrinsic to any asset, and solar arrays are no exception. While the maintenance needs of solar assets are comparatively lower, they are far from non-existent. Savvy installers are increasingly recognizing the importance of maintenance, opening service divisions and transforming maintenance and service into a revenue center.

As the solar industry continues to grow, it's crucial that we dispel the notion that solar assets do not require maintenance. In doing so, we can ensure that the millions of operational solar megawatts across North America continue to shine brightly, generating clean power and mitigating fossil fuel demand. This maintenancefocused approach not only supports the growth of the clean energy sector, but also opens new pathways for job opportunities and a sustainable future.

Piper Foster Wilder is the founder and CEO of 60Hertz Energy, the first Computerized Maintenance Management System software to market focused on Distributed Energy Resources. Last year, more than 200,000 maintenance records were filed using 60Hertz’s app for field operations and maintenance scheduling.

60Hertz Energy /// 60hertzenergy.com

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2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

PRECISION AND EFFICIENCY

North American Clean Energy

25

SOLAR ENERGY

How to Mitigate Temporary Overvoltages in PV Plants

by Tuan Ngo, P.E. and Tuyen Vu, P.E.

It is mandatory that solar power plants remain connected to power grids for a certain period to support them during fault events. However, under certain circumstances, these ride-through functions may exhibit delayed response or even misoperation of inverter, leading to temporary overvoltages (TOV) problems and equipment damages [1], [2]. Major scenarios of these phenomena include load rejection and ground faults, each posing unique challenges.

Case study

One study considers the overvoltage issues resulting from the misoperation of inverters in a solar PV project (Fig. A). The project includes nine (9) 3.3-MW inverters. The surge arrester on the MV side is modeled by 29 kV-MCOV and 10 kJ/kV MCOV arrester. The project is modeled on PSCAD/EMTDC 5.0.

Figure A: Single-line diagram of the solar PV system • Short Circuit Faults: When a single-line-to-ground (SLG) fault occurs, power on the faulted phase drops to zero. Because a grid-tied inverter typically acts as current sources, it increases the current on two healthy phases to maintain overall power balance, resulting in TOV. • Load Rejection: When a part of power circuits with significant PV generation disconnects from the grid, it becomes an islanding system where solar output power exceeds the local loads, creating an imbalanced Generationto-Load Ratio (GLR). During the short interval before solar inverters recognize the disconnection, TOVs can arise. Predicting Load Rejection Overvoltages in practical scenarios is complex. Overvoltage level positively correlates with GLR, but also varies due to specific inverters [3].

• Solution to TOV: Grounding switches (GW) offer a promising solution to TOV issues during islanding events.

By providing an alternative path for fault currents, GW help discharge excess energy and force voltages to a desired level, therefore yielding benefits of fault current diversion, voltage regulation, and enhancing inverter performance.

In this study, three test cases were analyzed for TOV: load rejection, SLG, and 3LG fault scenarios. In SLG and 3LG fault cases, the faults are induced at 2.0s and the MV breaker opens after several cycles. In the load rejection case, the MV breaker opens at 2.0s.

1. Load Rejection Result Without the GW, the inverter experiences a significant voltage increase to nearly 1.9 pu, lasting for 0.4s. The energy from the feeder arrester exceeds the allowable value (290 kJ), posing a risk of equipment damage. Conversely, with the GW, the inverter experiences a brief overvoltage lasting only two cycles, quickly decreasing to nearly zero. The energy from the feeder arrester is less than 80 kJ (below the limit).

These demonstrate that the GW worked as expected. The inverter voltage and feeder arrester energy responses energy are depicted in Fig. B and Fig. C, respectively.

Figure B: Voltage of inverter in case of LRO without (top) and with (bottom) GW

2. Single-Line-to-Ground Fault Result Without the GW, the feeder arrester energy is around 170 kJ, below the limit.

However, considering potential circuit variations, the safety margin may not be sufficient. In contrast, with the GW, the energy from the feeder arrester is less than 4 kJ. This demonstrates the GW enhances the safety margin by more than an order of magnitude.

3. Three-Line-to-Ground Fault Result In this case, the GW enhances the safety margin by over two orders of magnitude.

The feeder arrester energy is less than 80kJ (< 290 kJ limit). Without a GW, the arrester energy is over 1000kJ exceeding its limit.

Analysis

In these case studies, the inverter trips according to the inverter protection setting (inverter trips if the voltage

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2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

REFERENCES [1] P. Barker, "Overvoltage considerations in applying distributed resources on power systems," 2002 IEEE Power Engineering Society Summer Meeting, 2002.

[2] M. Ropp, "Inverter grounding and overvoltages," IEEE PES General Meeting, 2014.

[3] A. H. S. C. J. C. T. W. B. Z. a. M. R. A. Nelson, "Experimental Evaluation of Load Rejection Over-Voltage from Grid-Tied Solar Inverters," IEEE Photovoltaics Specialists Conference (PVSC), 2015.

Figure C: Feeder’s arrester energy in case of LRO without (top) and with (bottom) GW magnitude is higher than 1.3 pu for 0.4s).

To examine the impact of the protection setting modification, an extra test case was conducted for the load rejection scenario in which the high voltage ride through (HVRT) modification is to have 1.3 pu for a shorter duration of 0.2s. The result shows that the overvoltage peaks at 1.9 pu for 0.2s. The feeder arrester energy exceeds 600 kJ, significantly higher than the permissible limit. This shows that, while the adjustable protection settings have no clear benefit, they could further impact the inverter’s ability to remain operational during the HVRT. Therefore, implementing a GW is an effective way to guarantee the safe operation of electrical equipment.

Conclusion

TOV of PV systems under faults can damage the PV system and interconnected electrical equipment. The dilemma is that the ride-through setting, which affects TOV incidents, needs to be set high enough to comply with the HVRT requirements. Also, modification of HVRT setting might not mitigate TOV, and can even worsen situations.

To eliminate the potential confusion arising from the delicate balance between riding through voltage fluctuations and tripping, a viable solution is to induce a drastic drop in collection feeder voltages. Implementation of GW will eliminate the confusion and help inverter manufacturers keep the HVRT wide enough to support power grid reliable operation under disturbances.

Tuan Ngo (Ph.D., P.E.) and Tuyen Vu (Ph.D., P.E.) are with Intelligent NRG Solutions (INS Engineering).

INS offers engineering solutions in system designs, modeling, and studies for power transmission, distribution, and renewable energy systems including solar, wind, and energy storage systems. contact@ins-engineering.com (941) 222-0155

Intelligent NRG Solutions LLC /// www.inrgx.com

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North American Clean Energy

27

SOLAR ENERGY

How to Ensure Safety Under UL 3741 Understanding the risks and limitations of solutions without DC optimization

by Jason Bobruck, Bill Brooks, and Kleber Fachini

DC-optimized systems allow for two panels to be connected in series, meaning that, upon rapid shutdown initiation, the maximum voltage within the array is 125VDC

T

he introduction of the UL 3741 Standard for Photovoltaic Hazard Control in 2020 was hailed as an important milestone in the solar industry’s continuing drive to improve solar system safety. Building on rapid shutdown best practice first introduced in NEC 2014, it was conceived to equip the solar industry with a broader array of rapid shutdown options in PV arrays, with the primary objective being to protect firefighters when dealing with fires in buildings with solar installations.

In this respect, UL 3741 has achieved notable success. However, concerns are arising regarding the safety of some of the PV hazard control solutions that have entered the market since the regulation’s introduction.

To mitigate this increased risk, UL 3741 states that solar arrays need to be made safe and not allow any exposure to dangerous voltages during firefighter interaction.

This means that every wire, module, or energized component in the array that can be accessed during firefighter operations must be protected from damage using robust wire protection measures i.e., sturdy guards and conduits, etc. Furthermore, regular inspections are required to ensure that all protective elements and wire management components must provide this level of protection throughout the project lifespan — in other words, whatever means of protection that is used in the beginning of the project will need to be maintained for up to 25 years.

Here is where some of these alternative solutions start to lose traction: not due Beyond compliance: The need for holistic safety approaches in to any flaws in the UL 3741 standard itself, but how it is being interpreted by some PV installations manufacturers and certification agencies.

Prior to the introduction of UL 3741, the solar industry relied on MLPE (Module Level The biggest concern is non-DC-optimized systems (without integrated rapid Power Electronics) technologies, including DC-optimization, to provide rapid shutdown. shutdown) in which exposed, accessible live wires with voltage levels up to 1000VDC DC-optimized systems allow for two panels to be connected in series, meaning that, upon are held in place by nothing more than plastic cable ties or plastic raceways. Despite rapid shutdown initiation, the maximum voltage within the array is 125VDC. As a result, clearly being not compliant with UL 3741, these solutions have somehow slipped these systems fall within Hazard Level 1 (or lower) inside the array boundary, eliminating through the certification process. From day one, those exposed live wires may pose the need for additional protective measures to comply with UL 3741. a significant risk to firefighters. And that risk will only increase as aging and normal UL 3741 opened the door to allow solutions that use few if any MLPE devices weathering, including sun exposure and wind, potentially cause the plastic ties and (including DC-optimization) to be code compliant. In these solutions, AC conductors raceways to deteriorate. Once this happens, more sections of conductors may become are de-energized using traditional string inverters. However, the DC array itself exposed, accelerating the shock hazard risk to firefighters. Furthermore, the likelihood maintains high voltage levels (1000VDC) even after a rapid shutdown is initiated, of arc-faults and ground faults developing into fires is increased as the array will be corresponding to Hazard Level 3. maintained at 1000VDC, even during array or inverter faults.

Not only does this put firefighters at risk, but operations & maintenance (O&M) and asset managers should be For most utility-scale solar facilities, the concerned that with some non-DCrising cost of vegetation management is optimized solutions, field crews will the top budget item. have to work around 1000VDC instead of Now there’s a solution to this growing Hazard Level 1 voltage levels. The hazards problem. The Renubot is designed by of an accidental short or broken module solar O&M professionals specifically can be exacerbated by the 1000VDC for vegetation management on these voltage level present in the array.

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2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

Assessing the true cost of compliance

There are several reasons why companies might choose to rely on a non-DCoptimized system without integrated rapid shutdown to perform this crucial function.

The first and most common is that they may not adequately consider the wear and

The initial cost savings from non-optimized systems can be outweighed by the added expense of ensuring safety and maintaining the system over time. tear of the components over the years. As the system ages, array faults are more likely, and inadequate mechanical barriers will become even more of a hazard.

Cost is another consideration. From a project economics standpoint, opting for a non-optimized solution might initially seem to make sense. Upon further analysis, however, this is not the case when metrics like Return on Investment (ROI) and Net Present Value (NPV) are considered.

To comply with UL 3741, non-DCoptimized systems require additional measures such as costly advanced mechanical protection, PV Rapid Shutdown Equipment (PVRSEs) for array subsections, and longer AC cable runs to position the inverter within one foot of the array. These additional costs quickly accumulate, significantly increasing upfront system costs.

Operational expenses (OPEX) also need to be factored in. For example, maintenance costs are typically higher for a non-DCoptimized system. DC optimization provides continuous and granular data which enables real-time monitoring of any potential issue at the DC array. In nonoptimized solutions that do not have this capability, a site visit may be required to investigate any issues. Additionally, due to the complexity and inherent risks involved in maintaining non-optimized solutions, more experienced technicians are often required, resulting in higher labor costs.

Organizations also need to seriously consider how their choice of solution will impact energy production. DC-optimized solutions provide the design flexibility required to accommodate rooftop equipment and obstructions and mitigate shading effects on the array. This increases the number of viable locations for module placement, and therefore system size, substantially increasing energy production and improving system ROI. Another consideration should be that, in order for non-DC-optimized solutions to meet the requirements of UL 3741, the inverter must be located no more than one foot away from the array to limit exposure to dangerous energized DC conductors.

This restricts inverter placement, increases voltage drop losses, and can make it challenging to avoid shading throughout the day, leading to further production losses.

Building a safer solar future

In conclusion, the solar industry has seen great progress in rooftop installations for safety, economics, and O&M aspects. However, if they are not applied correctly, some non-DC-optimized UL 3741 solutions threaten to diminish this progress. Unless steps are taken to address the issues outlined here – either driven by the industry itself or mandated by future amendments to codes – the fire service may question the use of these standards. This could adversely impact the PV industry and shine a negative light on genuinely compliant systems.

Additionally, designers, developers, EPCs and asset owners must consider that initial cost savings from non-optimized systems can be outweighed by the added expense of ensuring safety and maintaining the system over time. In other words, a thorough understanding of the risks and limitations of these solutions is essential before implementing them in projects.

Jason Bobruk is Director of Code Compliance, and Kleber Fachini is Director of Technical Marketing, Commercial & Utility at SolarEdge North America.

Jason is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience delivering successful business solutions and product lines for established companies and venture-backed startups. He plays a pivotal role in an executive team appealing to investors, board members, and customers while directing and motivating a team of engineers, programmers, and technicians to meet or exceed company goals. His expertise spans diverse domains, including strategic leadership, regulatory compliance, meticulous market analysis, and financial modeling. Jason actively engages in UL Standards Technical Panels, ensuring safe and effective PV systems for the United States.

Kleber has more than 15 years of experience in electrical engineering, applications, and product management in the renewables and utility equipment industry. He is responsible for conceiving, defining, and launching all related products across the continent. He also oversees the applications engineering team, which works directly with SolarEdge’s installer partners.

SolarEdge /// www.solaredge.com Bill Brooks, PE, is Principal of Brooks Engineering. He has over 30 years of experience designing, installing and evaluating grid-connected PV systems. He has written numerous technical manuals and articles for the PV industry that are widely used throughout the United States and beyond. He has trained over 15,000 contractors and code officials over the past 25 years.

Mr. Brooks is an active participant on many national and international codes and standards panels including UL1703 (PV Modules), UL1741 (Inverters), and UL2703 (Mounting Systems) Standards Technical Panels. He represents the Photovoltaic Industry Code Council on Code Making Panel 4 of the National Electrical Code (NEC).

MBA Energy & Industrial is an industrial construction firm that specializes in providing various new facilities for energy-related projects.

MBA has built over 100 buildings for the renewable industry and can provide complete coverage of your project. MBA’s current resume stretches across 22 states and includes O&M buildings, warehouses, large enclosures, battery storage, terminals, substation buildings, large offices, and many other facilities.

Most MBA buildings are design/build in nature, but the company is also capable of build-to-print projects.

The in-house team of architects and engineers helps clients through the design process and offers various options for their respective projects.

MBA also provides budgetary pricing and consultation on building planning.

Please don’t go through the design process alone; lean on our expertise.

Contact MBA today.

Brooks Engineering /// www.brookssolar.com

w w w. m b a - n r g . c o m North American Clean Energy

29

SOLAR ENERGY

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Advanced head protection for everyone - everywhere KASK introduces two new Primero versions, one compliant with the American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 and the other with the Canadian standard for Industrial Protective Headwear CSA Z94.1-15. Primero safety helmets are available in vented and closed shell and in a variety of colors, including Hi-Viz Fluo options. A High Density Polypropylene external shell decreases the helmet weight while increasing its protective abilities; impact resistance and high penetration protection. The High Density Expanded Polystyrene inner shell guarantees all-around high impact energy absorption and improved comfort. Primero is tested for rotational impact performance. Wearer comfort is provided by an inner padding made of a quick-drying fabric with moisture-wicking technology that accelerates the dispersion of sweat to the surface of the helmet padding for keeping workers cool and dry. It can be easily removed or replaced via a Click-In system. Primero is designed with 14 air intakes shaped to prevent debris entry and internal channels for enhanced breathability.

In addition, the Ergo Fit System allows for an easy and secure fit by turning the large diameter dial. The system moves up and down to adapt to a range of head shapes and the ergonomically shaped wings cradle the back of the neck for a secure fit. An advanced chinstrap in eco-leather with 5 adjustment points ensures a personalized fit and accommodates wider head sizes and adapts to earmuff use. The Primero features a number of additional design elements that enhance the wearer experience. It is designed with integrated slots for easy mounting of KASK eye, face, and hearing protection accessories and with front attachment point for advanced customization and easy integration of accessories such as badge holders and headlamps.

KASK /// kask-safety.com

Low-profile polycarbonate enclosures AttaBox Enclosures announced the availability of Heartland SL, tough, industrialstrength enclosures designed to solve application challenges with low-profile installation requirements. Heartland SL enclosures are suitable for tight spaces, and on exterior and interior building applications. They provide reliable protection of equipment in diverse, harsh, non-hazardous environments where installation space is at a premium. Heartland SL polycarbonate enclosures are available in seven sizes. The thick, durable side wall construction of Heartland SL enclosures eliminates side wall flexing. They are high-impact rated yet lightweight for ease-of-installation. Heartland SL enclosures accommodate existing panel designs, reduce unneeded depth and materials, optimize installations, and save space and cost. They can be configured with a non-metallic hinged/screw cover or a hinged/latched cover. Robust, smooth side walls maximize fitting mounting space and ensure easy alignment of conduit or cable. Molded-in mounting feet or flange with added mounting cross and holes, and added embosses in the back for DIN rail mounting, provide ease-of-installation and reduce the need for costly on-site modification. Heartland SL enclosures provide an ABS Back panel option to optimize wireless signal transmission, and multiple latch options available in fully non-metallic or stainless steel. They are available with either clear or opaque covers. The low-profile design of Heartland SL enclosures meets broad-ranging aesthetic demands in high-visibility mounting environments.

Heartland SL polycarbonate enclosures inhibitors provide effective protection from UV degradation. Performance specifications include an Operating Temperature Rating of -40°F to 248°F (-40°C to 120°C) and an Outdoor UV Exposure (UL 746C) (f1) rating. Resin has passed tests for UV exposure and water immersion. Additional ratings include cULus per file #E319779 Type 1, 3R, 4, 4X, 6P*, 12 as well as UL50, UL50e, UL508A and IEC 60529: UL Listed per file #E362920 IP66, IP68. Certifications and Compliance include: cULus, CE, REACH, and RoHS.

AttaBox Enclosures /// www.attabox.com

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2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

Simply monitor and manage DERs

Compact arc-flash relay for tight spaces Littelfuse, Inc.’s AF0025 series is a costeffective arc-flash protection solution in a compact package for OEM applications.

The arc-flash relay reduces arc-fault damage in ac and dc compartments by detecting the light from an arc-flash and rapidly providing a trip signal. With a depth of only 1.82'' (46.23mm), the compact design can be surface or DINrail mounted in small places. The use of one or two sensors makes the AF0025 series suitable for small or medium-size panels, with onboard or remote reset capability. Since no settings or computer are needed for setup, this arc-flash relay is quick and easy to install.

PXiSE Energy Solutions has launched its DER Management and Communication Platform which simplifies utilities’ ability to monitor and manage customer distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar PV and battery storage. Through its user-friendly interface, the cloud-native platform enables utilities to register, monitor, and organize customer DERs and schedule their dispatch via the IEEE 2030.5 standard communications protocol over the internet.

PXiSE Energy Solutions /// www.pxise.com

Littelfuse, Inc. /// littelfuse.com

Powerful panels, long-term warranty Debuted at RE+ 2023, the Panasonic EVERVOLT 430HK2 and 420HK2 Black Series modules are made with half-cut cells and heterojunction technology, making them the most powerful modules offered by Panasonic. Designed with performance accessibility, flexibility and pleasing aesthetics in mind, the 430HK2/420HK2 modules the 430HK2/420HK2 modules have efficiency ratings of 22.2% and 21.7%, respectively, allowing homeowners to enjoy maximum levels of power production while using less roof space. Homeowners can benefit from greater energy production throughout the day, including on hot days in warm climates, due to the modules' temperature coefficient of 0.24%/°C. With a low annual degradation rate, these Panasonic modules are expected to provide power output of at least 92% after 25 years. Panasonic’s new modules are protected by Panasonic's AllGuard and TripleGuard Warranty. When installed by an Authorized Panasonic Installer, these warranties cover EVERVOLT solar modules for performance, product, parts, and labor for 25 years.

Panasonic /// www.panasonic.com North American Clean Energy

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SOLAR ENERGY

Electrical conduit mount As seen at RE+ 2023, Smart Conduit Mount is EcoFasten’s newest and easiest solution for raising electrical conduits up and off the roof's surface. This mount installs quickly on composition shingle roofs and can be positioned in either N-S or E-W orientation, giving the installer maximum flexibility. The Smart Conduit Mount features their UltraGrip Technology.

A layer of foam cushioning helps embed the waterproofing sealant deep into the shingle's granules and is compatible with all conduit clamps.

EcoFasten /// ecofastensolar.com

Upgraded design QuickBOLT has added knurling to their new line of T-Bolts to provide extra grip and prevent bolts from damaging the rail.

These bolts are in stock and ready to ship.

QuickBOLT /// quickbolt.com

Comprehensive review of existing or planned installations

Trust Gatorshield for Your Solar Farm ®

Triple coated galvanized tube from Allied Tube & Conduit® has been manufactured with a unique combination of strength and advanced corrosion protection for over 40 years. Our tube can be easily fabricated including bending, swaging and flattening without damaging the triple layer of corrosion protection.

Clear Organic Coating (Qwick-Coat®)

Conversation Coating

Uniform Galvanized Zinc Coating

High-Strength Cold-Formed Steel 90% Zinc Organic Interior Coating

For more information about Gatorshield steel tubing or our secondary fabrication services please visit: atkore.com/market/solar

32

2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

Tigo Energy, Inc. has launched the Green Glove service program to provide a premium support experience for installers of commercial and industrial (C&I) systems. The Green Glove program includes a set of formalized support engagements for Tigo C&I installers before, during, and after the installation. After registering online, Green Glove support personnel work with the installer to determine the scope of the engagement, which can include service scheduling, technical training preconditions, and potential site visit requirements. Tigo customers can expect a no-cost design review prior to installation, on-call support from regional Tigo locations during installation, and a post-installation review and follow-up discussion to answer outstanding questions and gather feedback on the installation experience. Tigo-based C&I solar systems commissioned prior to March 2024 are eligible for the Green Glove program.

Systems based on non-Tigo MLPE devices may also be eligible for a fee-based service under Green Glove program. In support of the Green Glove program, training and continuing education designed to build and reinforce the commercial solar installer skill set are delivered via the Tigo Academy platform. The platform delivers an installer curriculum that connects solar and storage products to best practices during the design and installation phases. Successfully completed Tigo Academy learning modules are eligible for North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Continuing Education Credits (CEC).

Tigo Energy, Inc. /// tigoenergy.com

Extended lines of enclosures and cable glands Weidmuller USA has expanded the company’s family of Klippon TB stainless steel enclosures and also introduced a new line of NPT cable glands and accessories for North American (USA) customers. The Klippon TB Enclosure series has been expanded with 31 sizes and three depths, providing high quality and versatile enclosures. Features of the expanded line of enclosures include 316L stainless construction, corrosionresistant electric-polished surfaces, one-piece high temperature silicone gasketing, internal and external ground studs, and IP67/NEMA 4x protection class specifications. Weidmuller’s new North American NPT cable glands and accessories provide IP66 and IP68/Nema 4X water-tight connections and seals for usage in hazardous conditions. These products are certified to UL Class 1 Div 1, Div 2, Zone 1, Zone 2, 21 and 22, ATEX, IECEx, and they meet all applicable international standards.

Weidmüller Group /// www.weidmuller.com

Design & Manufacturing

100% Made In USA

Solar Mounts LLC Space saving switch and fuses combined Littelfuse, Inc. has launched its Class J Fuse Disconnect Switch. The compact device combines a switch and multiple fuses into a single product offering a simple way to manually open and close a circuit while safeguarding against overcurrent and short circuits. When the switch detects an overload or short circuit, the fuse blows automatically to open or break the circuit both upstream and downstream and shuts off the equipment. The 600V switch is available in 30, 60, 100, and 200A and protects many applications in various industries including HVAC/R, mining, solar, energy storage, and industrial. Other Class J Fuse Disconnect Switch features include a small footprint to save space and provide design flexibility; no-toolsrequired frontal direct handle for easy and quick installation; safe-to-touch transparent fuse covers that cannot be opened in the “ON” position for extra protection and offers visibility to fuses, without opening module, for added convenience; horizontal, vertical or 45° switch mounting options for installation adaptability; optional handles with front or side operation to accommodate system design; an optional lockout-tagout padlock that can be added when the device is in the “OFF” position to ensure equipment is properly shut off during maintenance or repair to prevent the release of hazardous energy safeguarding personnel and equipment; a “TEST” position on handle to permit control circuit auxiliary testing without switching the main contacts on for added safety.

One-Stop Shop

Commercial & Utility Scale Solar Racking • • • • • •

Mechanical Installation Services Registered Apprenticeship Program

Solar Carports in T, Y, L & A Frames Custom Long-Span options Available Minimal components for easy installation Over designed to resist high wind & snow loads Multiple foundation solutions Universal module mounting brackets

Learn more or Request a quote today 300 Woolley Drive, Marshall, Michigan 49068 sales@solarmounts.com | www.solarmounts.com | (844) SLR-RACK

GROUND SCReWS? HeliCAL ANCHORS? RefUSAL HOleS? Rock Drilling Attachments Get the Job Done.

Littelfuse, Inc. /// littelfuse.com Jan. 17-19, 2024 / San Diego Convention Center / San Diego, CA

BOOth #843

wordrockdrills.com | 1.336.584.6700 North American Clean Energy

33

SOLAR SPOTLIGHT: MAINTENANCE

Regular maintenance of solar farms and solar panels can dramatically improve energy output. It goes without saying, soiled solar panels can’t produce as much energy as clean ones and it is just as important to keep the land under the panels maintained as well. Developing a cleaning and maintenance schedule for your site will increase plant efficiency, here are some companies who can help in that endeavor.

Maintenance SEE AD ON PAGE 35

SEE AD ON PAGE 28 Monarch Vegetation Services, Inc.

Renu Robotics Service/Product: Vegetation management autonomous electric mower

Service/Product: Solar vegetation

Description: Renu Robotics’ Renubot is an electric autonomous vehicle designed specifically for precision vegetation management on utility-scale solar power plants and other energy facilities.

Description: Monarch Vegetation Service is a seeding installation company for the solar industry serving east of the Mississippi and along the eastern coast.

Industries served: Utility-site solar

Industries served: Utility-scale solar, other energy facilities

Key Features: •

Site decompaction;

•

Seeding (drill, broadcast, hydroseeding);

•

Straw mulching;

•

Vegetation maintenance and management;

•

Herbicide treatments.

Key Features:

monarchveg.com

•

Renubot can mow during the day or night;

•

Significantly cuts cost, time, and carbon emissions;

•

The Recharge Pod allows for recharging, updates, and shelter;

•

Mission Control continuously monitors, controls, and updates Renubots in the field.

www.renurobot.com

SEE AD ON PAGE 30 Premier Water Cleaning Systems

SolarCleano

FlightTurf, LLC

Service/Product: KSolara FK2+/FK3+

Service/Product: Solar panels cleaning robots

Service/Product: Underlying area protection for solar arrays

Description: SolarCleano is a robotics company headquartered in Luxembourg, focused on delivering innovative autonomous and semi-autonomous solutions for solar panel cleaning.

Description: FlightTurf sells grass seed to plant beneath solar arrays to eliminate the need for mowing, provide soil stabilization, and temperature moderation.

This saves money, makes the arrays operate more efficiently, and makes O&M budgets much more reasonable. Sold in the US and Canada.

Description: The KSolara FK2 and FK3 series solar panel cleaning units are designed to clean a wide range of ground mount solar farm installations. The FK2/ FK3 units use two counter rotating brushes to float on the panels and clean better than other solutions Industries served: Ground-mount, trackers

Industries served: Cleaning services companies www.solarcleano.com

Key Features: •

Fast cleaning up to 1000 panels per hour;

•

Low water usage;

•

Cleans multiple sizes of installations;

•

Cleans tracker systems;

•

Easy to operate.

www.premsc.com

Industries served: Solar www.flightturf.com

ERS - Electrical Reliability Services Service/Product: Electrical Power System Maintenance Description: ERS provides comprehensive electrical testing, maintenance, and engineering services. ERS’ nationwide network of NETA-certified service professionals apply their expertise to ensure the safety and compliance of every renewable energy project.

Industries served: Utilities, data centers, renewable energy, healthcare, industrial ers.vertiv.com

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2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

SOLAR SPOTLIGHT: MAINTENANCE

AerosUSA, Inc.

Chemitek

Service/Product: UL Listed Conduit and Fittings

Service/Product: Solar Wash Protect

Description: AerosUSA offers a product family of High-Performance Cable Protection to address environmental factors such as UV radiation, weathering, mechanical stress, and rodent protection.

Industries served: Solar

Description: A 2-in-1 solution for cleaning, antistatic, and antiadherent protection of PV panels. It is eco-friendly, mitigates soiling, and enhances performance. Certified by TÜV Sud. Efficiently removes organic soiling and the lasting antistatic and antiadherent protection makes the next cleaning easier. No voided warranties.

www.aerosusa.com

Industries served: Solar energy, solar panel maintenance and cleaning www.chemitek.pt/solarindustry

ReJoule Service/Product: Fast Battery Diagnostics and Second-life BESS solutions Description: ReJoule's diagnostic platform enables fast testing. Their system has tested >4MWh of used EV batteries.

They also designed solutions geared towards making it easier to leverage used batteries for second-life BESS that can be paired with solar.

Industries served: Solar + storage (C&I), BESS, Second-life batteries rejouleenergy.com

Stereos Machinery Service/Product: SCB 44 Solar Panel Cleaning Brush Description: STEREOS SCB Series, with Core-Smart-Genius option levels can clean a wide range of photovoltaic facilities. All models come with the direct connection to the appropriate tractor +/or mini-excavator.

Industries served: Utility-scale solar, EPC www.stereosmachinery.com

Mr. LongArm, Inc. Service/Product: Solar Panel Cleaning Tools Description: Mr. LongArm’s Solar Panel Cleaning Kit, Model #1005, contains the tools needed to easily clean difficult to access solar panels. The kit features both the ProCurve cleaning tools and HydraSoar water-fed pole and soft brush.

Quality since 1958.

Industries served: Solar panel cleaning, window cleaning www.mrlongarm.com

Contact Us : www.MonarchVeg.com Estimating@MonarchVeg.com - 814-337-197435 North American Clean Energy

RE+ MIDWEST November 14th-15th, 2023 Palmer House Hilton Chicago, IL

re-plus.events/midwest

SHOW IN PRINT

RE+ Midwest is a forum for professionals dedicated to the integration of solar, storage, and additional renewable energy assets like wind energy and electric vehicle infrastructure in the region. Join conversations with industry buyers, suppliers, distributors, consultants, and more to explore solutions, exchange ideas, and discover new technologies.

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

All-in-one: Built-in Inverter, Battery, EV Charging MANGO POWER M The Ultimate Whole-Home Backup System

High voltage smart energy storage solution

Solar racking for all applications

The Avalon High Voltage Energy Storage system is the newest innovation from Fortress Power, combining a high-voltage battery and hybrid inverter with a smart energy panel. The Avalon HV Energy Storage System can be AC or DC Coupled with 200A pass-through and is scalable up to 58.8kWh for both indoor and outdoor installations. The system offers comprehensive management capabilities through a smart, userfriendly mobile app, allowing users to oversee the entire system effortlessly. The Avalon HV ESS is truly an all-in-one, whole-home backup system.

Solar Mounts LLC is a one-stop-shop for all solar racking needs, including carports, ground mounts, and ballasted roof mounts. Carport racking consists of L, T, Y, and A-frames, as well as custom long span carports. Solar Mounts LLC has an adjustable bolt down ground mount, as well as a standard post-driven ground mount. Offering in-house design, manufacturing, and installation services, Solar Mounts LLC offers competitive prices with quick lead times. Over 100MW of solar racking manufactured and installed in 2022, and almost 800MW in total shipments. Solar Mounts offers services nationwide.

Fortress Power

Solar Mounts LLC

www.fortresspower.com

www.solarmounts.com

Blade structural health monitoring With BLADEcontrol, users can detect even the smallest damage to rotor blades, including blade tip damage caused by lightning strikes, trailing edge cracks, web separation, bonding defects, or blade bearing damage. This is achieved by measuring inside the blade, at the point where the damage occurs. BLADEcontrol can help users achieve a reduction of life cycle costs through reduction of repair and downtime costs and yield optimization through early detection of rotor blade misalignment.

Weidmuller

Making solar simple EZ Solar’s mission is to make solar simple with innovative products that are high-quality, installer-friendly, and cost-effective. They have products for every installation; asphalt/ composite shingles, tile roofs, and a universal rail-mounted box that works with any rail. Made from high quality materials, EZ Solar junction boxes are built to last for life, are NEMA 3R rated, tested to UL1741 standards, and come with a 25-year warranty.

EZ Solar www.ezsolarproducts.com

www.weidmuller.com

High-performance, dual-unit microinverter

Learn more at

nasales@mangopower.com 36

2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

The MAC-800 is a high-performance, dual-unit microinverter. Designed for optimal pairing with Aptos solar panels, the MAC-800 is compatible with 108, 120, and 144 cell PV panels and upgraded for streamlined integration.

The MAC-800 is equipped and ready for system monitoring and trend tracking through Aptos Solar Technology’s cloud based software.

Aptos Solar Technology www.aptossolar.com

Power security and grid independence

Racking with liberal slope tolerances APA’s TITAN Duo dual post system with ground screws was designed specifically for projects with glacial till, dense soils, and rock. The system features telescoping posts to adjust for topography and has liberal slope tolerances. Rock screws mitigate foundation risk and are designed to combat frost heave. Pre-drilling, if necessary, is done with standard equipment and can streamline the installation. The racking is a continuous row design to optimize every layout and owners will appreciate the aesthetics. It offers ease of stringing and has integrated wire management. APA provides turnkey mechanical installation with a large fleet of equipment. The TITAN hardware is also available with a single driven pile.

The Mango Power E uses the same, durable LFP battery cells as many EVs. These cells charge fast, last long, and are reliable. Even with up to five years' continuous use, charging, discharging, and recharging constantly, the Power E's battery cells will still perform as well as they did when brand new. By Integrating Mango Power ecosystem into a home’s circuit, homeowners are guaranteed power security and grid independence with a seamless, uninterrupted flow of electricity flow of electricity powering lights, refrigerators, computers, and any other essential devices.

Mango Power www.mangopower.com

APA Solar Racking (APA) www.apasolar.com

Whole home energy management solution FranklinWH provides a whole home energy management solution with storage to meet household needs. It integrates solar, grid, battery storage, and generators, and is compatible with all solar inverters. Within the system, the aGate is an intelligent power control panel while each aPower battery provides 13.6kWh storage with 5kW continuous power and 10kW peak power for 10 seconds. The aPower is AC-coupled and relies on LFP chemistry. Each aGate can manage up to 15 batteries for a totaling 204kWh of storage.

The FranklinWH system provides real-time monitoring, energy source management, and time-of-use load shifting to enhance the ROI of solar systems. Fifteen-minute commissioning. 12-year warranty.

FranklinWH

BLADEcontrol® Condition Monitoring for Wind Turbine Blades Higher availability, optimum efficiency and maximum profitability

BLADEcontrol® offers the benefit of early detection and monitoring of blade damage from cracks, web separation, bonding defects, pitch errors, load imbalances and weather events

• Increase turbine availability

• Extend service life of the rotor blades • Minimize unplanned downtime

• Optimize turbine efficiency and yield • Increase revenue

Learn more: www.weidmuller.com/bladecontrol

www.franklinwh.com

North American Clean Energy

37

JANUARY 10-11, 2024 SAN DIEGO, CA

Join conversations with industry buyers, suppliers, distributors, consultants, and more to explore solutions, exchange ideas, and discover new technologies within the industry.

REGISTER TODAY | RE-PLUS.EVENTS/COMMUNITYENERGY

38

2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

2024 WIND

BUYERS GUIDE

Image provided by Aspen Custom Trailer US, Inc.

Aspen Custom Trailer US, Inc. /// www.aspentrailer.com

DIRECTORY Adhesives, Sealants, & Surface Treatments

Data Acquisition

Fire Suppression

Rental Equipment

Anchor Bolts | Fastening Systems

Economic Wind Development Region

Gearbox Manufacturing, Services & Repairs

Rescue & Safety Training

Balance-of-Plant

Education | Training | Research Development

Generators | Maintenance & Repair Services

Restoration

Bearings

Electrical Equipment & Services | Power Generation

Inverters

Safety Equipment | Fall Protection

IT/OT Integrator

Safety Work Apparel

Laminates

Signs, Tags, & Markers

Lighting

Software Supplier

Load Monitoring

Steel Plate Supplier

Lubricants

Testing | Inspection Services

Met Towers

Tools

Microgrids

Tower Foundations

Operations and Maintenance (O&M)

Transportation | Logistics

Performance Monitoring

Wind Assessment | Forecasting

Power Transformers

Wind Turbine Mfg

Remote Monitoring

Yaw, Pitch & Blade Sensors

Blade | Tower Manufacturer & Repair Cable, Wire & Conduit Capacitors Component Supplier Condition Monitoring Construction Products & Services | EPC Contractor

Electrical Insulation Electrolysers Electronic Component | Service Repairs Electronics Contract Manufacturing Elevators Enclosures

Consulting Services

Energy Storage | Grid Connection

Contractors

Engineering

Cranes | Hydraulic Equipment | Aerial Devices

Erosion Control Filtration

North American Clean Energy

39

2024 WIND BUYERS GUIDE Adhesives, Sealants & Surface Treatment

Anchor Bolts | Fastening Systems

CMC Anchoring Systems

Hontek Corporation Hontek ReNew LEP rain/sand erosion protection coatings have been successfully field tested on dry onshore and wet offshore sites. Available as rollable and brushable, both have demonstrated rain erosion durability in high speed rain erosion tests.

Works well on platforms, via rope access, or on OEM production floors. The coatings excel in 12% to 99% relative humidity for a wide range of weather conditions, providing less downtime waiting for the weather to comply. This product has a long pot life and a forgiving application process. User friendly application minimizes human errors, resulting in high quality repairs, high energy production, and long lasting blade life.

AUGE Wind AUGE Wind is a fully integrated manufacturer of high ductility and high strength anchoring systems. Their diverse product range includes caps, flanges, tower bolts, anchor bolts, blade bolts, PVC protectors, spherical nuts, embedment rings, and comprehensive nacelle bolting kits. To ensure longevity and top-tier performance, their offerings are reinforced with coatings such as hot dip galvanizing, PTFE/Xylan, zinc electroplating, and zinc flake. Beyond product development, AUGE provides quality assurance, with services including mechanical testing, metallurgical analysis, and non-destructive examination. www.auge.com

ALEXIT products have been tested under real life conditions and have fulfilled the requirements of the wind industry.

Areas subjected to abrasion, such as leading edges and tips, are protected with high-tech coating materials. Durable ALEXIT BladeRep prolongs the life cycle of blades, avoiding the need for frequent costly blade replacements and extending the time between maintenance intervals, making it a cost effective choice. www.bladerep.com

www.cmc.com

Nord-Lock created wedge-locking technology that secures bolted joints, even when exposed to severe vibration and dynamic loads. Their products do not loosen unintentionally due to the wedge created underneath the bolt head and nut.

All of their washers are laser marked with the Nord-Lock brand name, control number, and a type code to ensure that their customers receive genuine Nord-Lock washers and enables full traceability down to the first assembly.

HEICO Fastening Systems

Sherex Fastening Solutions

Boltight wind industry equipment is tried and tested as a reliable tensioning solution for critical joints on offshore and onshore wind turbines and associated structures.

The quality of Boltight products ensures continued performance throughout high-cycle usage, without the need for frequent maintenance and repair. Engineered for many applications on OEM turbines, these tools are used around the world.

Sherex Fastening Solutions is a manufacturer of fasteners for a variety of different industries, including renewable energy. Sherex manufactures rivet nuts, clinch nuts, rivet nut studs, a wide range of threaded inserts, and wedge-locking washers and nuts through its Disc-Lock and TEC Series product lines. Both Disc-Lock and TEC Series wedge-locking products protect joints from loosening in high vibration and high load applications. Sherex's wedge-locking solutions include washers, nuts, and bolts, and are used in a variety of applications in the renewable energy industry.

www.nord-lock.com/boltight

www.sherex.com

www.heico-lock.us

Boltight, Inc.

MarkingPenDepot MarkingPenDepot sells UV resistant paint pens and torque sealant for visual inspection of fasteners and other fittings. MPDX paint markers dry in 30 seconds and have UV resistance for up 22 years. Other brands include Dykem, Markal, and The Pumper. www.markingpendepot.com

40

Nord-Lock, Inc.

www.nord-lock.com

HEICO-LOCK Wedge Lock Washers and HEICO-TEC mechanical tensioners are used throughout the wind energy category.

HEICO’s wedge lock washers ensure bolts maintain proper tension against intense loosening influences. The HEICO-TEC tensioning system is used for securing larger bolts and are safe, fast, and suitable for tight spaces. Additionally, HEICO-TEC tensioners improve bolt elasticity, lowering the impacts of dynamic stress, and contribute to the lifespan of any wind application.

www.hontek.com

Mankiewicz

EDSCO Fasteners, now a part of CMC, is a manufacturer of long length, large diameter WTG foundation anchor bolts (and associated hardware), T&D anchor cages, cell tower anchor cages, and flat steel plates with four manufacturing plants in the USA. Since 1985, EDSCO Fasteners has been serving the power generation market with high quality and consistent products, full lot traceability, and exceeding customer expectations. Processes include turning, thread rolling, welding, drilling, tapping, bending, plasma cutting, and internal hot dip galvanizing.

2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

Reliability When It Matters Most

Cutting-Edge Blade Monitoring Technology

Blade Data View

Site Data View

Fleet Data View

Edge-to-Edge Intelligence Introducing Sensoria™ – the new 24/7/365 blade monitor that helps you maximize blade performance and reliability.

REAL-TIME DAMAGE NOTIFICATIONS

DAMAGED BLADE IDENTIFICATION

INTUITIVE BLADE CONDITION REPORTS

DAMAGE TREND TRACKING

BLADE, SITE, AND FLEET DATA VIEWS

MOBILE DATA ACCESSIBILITY

Sensoria™ remotely detects, reports, and visualizes blade damages, giving you Edge-to-Edge Intelligence on your blade integrity anytime, anywhere.

SENSORIA.COM

SCHEDULE A TECH CHAT TODAY! SCAN THE QR CODE

Copyright © 2023 MISTRAS Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

North American Clean Energy

41

2024 WIND BUYERS GUIDE Bearings

Cable, Wire, & Conduit

Utility Composites, Inc. Raptor Fasteners are used in wind blade production globally. They hold core materials in blades, including balsa panels, in place during infusion process including VARTM and fiberglass layup. Raptor Fasteners can be left in the finished product, since it is a glass reinforced composite, and will not rust or cause delamination. Raptor Fasteners can be cut, sanded and shaped without damaging blades or abrasives, and they are easily "wetted out" by composite resins and reinforce a good interfacial bond is made with the matrix. Raptor Fasteners save time and ensure quality for wind blade production. www.raptornails.com

Balance of Plant

Exo With over 100 years of experience in structural inspection and remediation of T&D infrastructure, Exo offers asset management, inspection, and field repair services for utilities and renewable companies. Their engineering expertise and time-tested capabilities provide comprehensive in-facility inspections during manufacturing of towers, NDT field inspections for corrosion and welds on in service assets, and field repairs for coatings, welds and other structural issues. www.exoinc.com

FabricAir - BorealisWind

Midpoint Bearing Midpoint Bearing is a distributor of bearings and power transmission materials in the wind generation equipment repair industry. Midpoint helps lower the cost of energy by offering solutions designed to extend component life by analyzing failures in the field and utilizing manufacturer engineering capabilities to provide upgraded solutions for wind turbine main shaft bearings, gearbox bearings, generator bearings, pitch & yaw bearings, and drives. Their ceramic and hybrid-coated bearings decrease the probability of fluting and arching. With strategic manufacturer/distributor relationships, Midpoint empowers wind farm operators to maintain their equipment to ensure continued uptime. midpoint.eis-inc.com

Blade | Tower Manufacturer & Repair

Duromar, Inc. For over 50 years, Duromar has been a manufacturer of high performance polymeric coatings. Their wind energy product line includes a durable, easy to apply, leading edge protection system, as well as a full line of blade repair products. Their tower and blade coatings deliver robust protection, even in demanding offshore and coastal conditions.

The BorealisWind Ice Protection System (IPS) helps cold climate wind farms maximize energy production through their patented anti- and de-icing system. The system detects icing events before they start, then heats the blade from the inside to shed ice that has formed and prevent ice buildup. Their System as a Service model makes maintenance, service, and monitoring easy. And everything is included with no upfront capital investment for a flat annual fee. BorealisWind experts will install, monitor, maintain, and service the system 24/7 to maintain consistent productivity and peace of mind. www.borealiswind.com

AerosUSA AerosUSA is a wire and cable protection supplier to the wind industry among others.

Their global manufacturing capabilities provide a wide array of products that have been produced to adhere to high quality standards and offer peak performance and reliability.

Of particular importance to the wind industry would be their High-Performance Cable Protection System of flexible conduits and one-piece conduit fittings. Another important product family to consider are Cable Glands.

They have a wide range of cable glands available that are cost-effective and reliable. www.aerosusa.com

Janicki Industries Janicki Industries is a privately owned, full-service engineering and manufacturing company with facilities in Washington and Utah.

Janicki specializes in manufacturing composite molds for wind turbine blades made of advanced composite materials. Janicki can tackle largescale projects, utilizing high-precision five-axis mills, curing ovens, autoclave, and out-ofautoclave curing. Janicki has experience using many composite systems, such as: syntactic putty; fiberglass, 160°F machined putty; 250°F carbon/fiberglass hybrid molds, and 350°F carbon fiber molds. This 100% in-house capability for the total tooling solution enables a one-stop, shop for customers. www.janicki.com

www.duromar.com

American Wire Group (AWG) American Wire Group (AWG) offers a one-stop shopping for their customers.

AWG specializes in providing wire and cable solutions for use in wind, solar, and other renewable energy applications. The renewable energy sector relies on the wind and solar wire and cable products including communication cables, control cables, grounding conductor cables, medium voltage cables, photovoltaic cables, power cables, transmission cables, hardware and accessories, and pre-installed HDPE duct cables. They support projects through their full lifecycle, from initial conception and development through global sourcing, production, delivery, and ongoing maintenance and service. www.buyawg.com

Superior Wind Energy Superior Wind Energy performs cat 1 to cat 5 blade repairs, up-tower bolting, and interior and exterior turbine cleaning. Their team has combined experience of over 50 years and their goal is to simply provide quality service for a reasonable price.

HALUS POWER SYSTEMS 42

Midsize wind turbines.

Remanufactured Vestas 90, 108, 120, 225, 500 kW in stock.

www.superiorbladerepair.com

(510) 278-2212 www.halus.com

2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

Let the Port of Brownsville be your gateway to North America and beyond.

OUR ADVANTAGE • 80+ acres of purpose-built facilities to accommodate heavy point-load bearing cargo • Receiving and shipping wind energy components via vessel, barge, truck, and rail • Direct Access to USMCA Interstate Corridors • Class 1 Rail Service in U.S. and Mexico (UP, BNSF, CPKC) • More than 3 million sq. ft. of open storage • 13 general cargo docks • Channel Depth: 42 ft.; channel deepening to 52 ft. underway • Foreign Trade Zone No. 62

SCAN THE CODE TO WATCH VIDEO

CONTACT US 1000 Foust Road Brownsville, TX 78521 +1 (956) 831-4592 www.portofbrownsville.com North American Clean Energy

43

2024 WIND BUYERS GUIDE

Cameron Connect

HELUKABEL USA, Inc.

Cameron Connect provides LV, MV, and HV (Aluminum and Copper) wind tower, nacelle, and site cables. Cameron offers cost-effective pricing and high performance cables for all applications, and will customize the cable package, offering cut-to-length or bulk cables, accessories, labels, and lugs supplied in kits. They also offer inventory management and will warehouse planned goods at no charge, shipping the same day to satisfy tight job deadlines.

HELUKABEL offers cable solutions for on and offshore wind turbines from rotor tip to tower base, as well as for the infrastructure cabling of wind farms. Their product range includes low- and medium-voltage copper or aluminum cables, torsion-rated cables, data and network technology, pre-assembled fiber optic cables, individual connection and interconnection technology, and other accessories for the cable network within the tower.

HELUKABEL cables are rigorously tested to UL, CSA, and other international standards to ensure their durability to withstand a variety of harsh environmental factors, including humidity, vibration, extreme temperatures, oil exposure, electromagnetic interference, and more.

www.cameronconnect.com

www.helukabel.com

Concast, Inc. Concast provides product solutions and supplies their clients with precast concrete materials in a timely manner, while still upholding high quality standards. They have specialized in precast concrete products for the electrical industry since 1969. Their product line includes trench, pull boxes, handholes, vaults, box pads, and flat pads. www.concastinc.com

Marlow Ropes Marlow Ropes’ renewable energy and lifting ropes are suitable for a range of diverse applications in the wind energy industry. Marlow’s technical expertise in manufacturing high strength and light weight rope assemblies has been utilized across the energy industry with the development of wire-replacement solutions for towing, winching, mooring, and deep water lower and lift. Synthetic fiber ropes for crane hoists offer significant strength and anti-rotational properties over traditional wire products. Technical fibers such as Dyneema, Bio-based Dyneema, HMPE, and aramids deliver increased safety, handling, and performance characteristics.

Paige Renewable Energy

Richardson Electronics

Paige Renewable Energy has been a provider of wire and cable solutions for over 60 years.

Paige offers 35kV, 2kV, 600V PV, hybrid aluminum/wire cables, and more. With expertise in overmolding and redundant North American factories, Paige offers overmolded harnesses, string extenders, and jumpers. All orders can be custom labeled, prefabricated, kitted, and bundled with coordinated shipping and delivery, for a truly plug and play installation.

The Richardson Electronics, Ltd. ULTRA3000 Pitch Energy Module is an ultracapacitor based plug-and-play replacement for batteries within 20 and 30Nm pitch systems.

With over 35,000 in the field, the ULTRA3000 provides reliability in retrofitted electric pitch control systems. With over 1 million chargedischarge cycles, ultracapacitor pitch energy modules can provide 15 plus years of reliable operation without maintenance. www.rell.com

www.paigerenewableenergy.com

Capacitors

Component Supplier

Bal Seal Engineering

www.marlowropes.com/us

Cornell Dubilier Electronics Type ALH AC harmonic filter capacitors and type BLH DC-Link capacitors use advanced construction technology to meet the challenges of harsh environments. These series offer long life with designs that pass the rigors of automotive-grade electrical and mechanical testing. Applications Include: DC Link for solar, EV, and other inverters that are subjected to harsh environmental conditions, backup, UPS, portable power systems, motor drives, traction, and other transportation systems. www.cde.com

Bal Seal Engineering designs and produces sealing, connecting, conducting, and EMI shielding solutions that improve the performance and reliability of equipment used in wind, solar power, and other alternative energy production. Their solutions enable engineers to prolong service life, reduce maintenance, protect precision components, design more compact, efficient electrical connectors, and ensure consistent current/signal transmission. Their consultative engineering services streamline the design process, improving speed to market. Their products include the Bal Seal spring-energized seal, the Bal Spring canted coil spring, and the Bal Contact electrical contact. www.balseal.com

c3controls The c3controls product portfolio of 15 million+ configurations includes push buttons, pilot lights, miniature circuit breakers, relays, contactors, disconnect switches, and much more. UL 489 and UL 1077 MCBs carry a 277VAC / 60VDC rating all the way to 63A for B, C, and D curve ratings. c3controls provides the OEM with durable, well-designed components for all energy management applications including electric vehicle infrastructure, solar, and energy storage systems. c3controls also has a full UL 508A panel shop.

Vertically integrated and based in the USA, c3controls offers supply chain efficiency with a same-day shipping guarantee. All products carry a lifetime warranty. www.c3controls.com

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CASTROL TRIBOL GR SW 460-1 & GR SW 680-1 ®

®

OEM-APPROVED FOR WIND TURBINE MAIN BEARINGS ®

®

Castrol Tribol GR SW 460-1 & GR SW 680-1 are lithium complex based greases containing a synthetic base fluid working in combination with Castrol’s unique MicroFlux Trans – Plastic Deformation (MFT-PD) additive technology for use in tough industrial applications especially as encountered in Wind Turbine Main Bearings, Pitch and Yaw Bearings. They give outstanding bearing protection under high loads at low to ® moderate speeds and applications where fretting resistance is critical. Converting to Tribol GR SW 460-1 or GR SW 680-1 is easy, as both have been successfully tested for compatibility with all major greases.

• Withstands high/shock loads

WE HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN

• Shear stable with controlled bleed rate and

• Resists fretting, sliding, and rolling wear • Resists water ingress and corrosion • Outstanding mobility at low temps for easy start up • Low friction — improves energy efficiency and

prolongs component life oil separation

• Meets or exceeds OEM requirements

For more information call 888-CASTROL or visit www.castrol.com/wind-us

★★★

★★★

READY TO SHIP T O D AY !

North American Clean Energy

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2024 WIND BUYERS GUIDE

Morgan Advanced Materials

CEJN North America Quick coupling solutions for wind include UltraFlow couplings for effective liquid cooling of IGBT systems, and ultra high-pressure (UHP) solutions, up to up to 58000PSI/4000 bar/400MPa. CEJN’s safe and reliable UHP product solutions for manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and operation of wind turbines include high-pressure couplings, hoses, pumps, stainless steel needle valves, pressure gauges, and more. www.cejn.com

Continental Fan Manufacturing, Inc. Continental Fan provides fans and blowers for nacelle ventilation, GCU (generator control unit) cooling, and tower ventilation. Whether axial fans for high air volumes and low pressures, centrifugal blowers for higher-pressure applications, or TMK motorized impellers for ventilating electrical cabinets, Continental Fan has solutions for many applications. www.continentalfan.com

Ingeteam, Inc. Ingeteam is committed to providing high-quality power converters (DFIG and full power topologies, in low and medium voltage), Indar generators (DFIG, Asynchronous Squirrel Cage Induction Generator (SCIG), and Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMG) technology), control cabinets (customized control cabinets, design-based in both Build-to-Spec and Build-to-Print solutions), SCADA systems (asset monitoring solutions for renewable energy control centers), Ingeteam spare parts, repairs and technical support, and multibrand repair and refurbishment services for wind turbines up to 18MW for onshore and offshore applications.

Ingeteam is an independent generator and converter manufacturer, located in the US. www.ingeteam.com

Morgan Coolest Blue Bronze Slip Rings are cooler running slip rings which mean increased brush and slip ring life. Morgan’s open design, cooling holes, connection studs spread 180°, robust connections, and proprietary insulation and coatings all add up to cool slip rings weighing only 172lb.

KG Technologies

www.morganelectricalmaterials.com

KG Technologies, Inc. provides switching solutions for renewable energy and energy storage. With the cost of energy and energy usage increasing, more homeowners and businesses are turning to Distributed Generation (DG) to offset energy needs. KG Relays, Current Transformers (CTs), HVDC Contactors, and Smart Circuit Breakers enable switching, measurement, and protection of renewable energy and energy storage systems.

SAB North America SAB industrial flexible, continuous flex, and torsion cables are designed to withstand a variety of harsh environmental factors, including abrasion, humidity, vibration, extreme temperatures, oil exposure, and electromagnetic interference. SAB’s TR 600 is a WTTC rated, Oil Res I & II rated cable for use in the drip loop in the tower and nacelle of wind turbines. CC 600 is a flexible UL/CSA rated oil resistant control cable which can be used between the Yaw drives, cabinet, gear box, and generator in the nacelle. Their liquid tight, impact resistant cord grips can be used to secure and shield the cable connections. SAB can design a custom/hybrid cable to meet exact project requirements. www.sabcable.com

www.kgtechnologies.net

Southern States LLC NTC Wind Energy Littelfuse Littelfuse sensing, monitoring, and circuit protection products help keep turbines turning.

Their circuit protection products such as arc-flash relays, high-speed/semiconductor fuses, and surge protective devices keep wind turbines operating and improve safety by protecting them from arc-fault, overcurrent, and transient overvoltage damage. In addition, their sensing products enhance system efficiencies by monitoring temperature and identifying faults. By minimizing downtime, Littelfuse products reduce operating costs and maximize output.

NTC Wind Energy's signature product is the Ironclad Super Duty Universal foundation anchor bolt cap. Other products include rock anchor bolt caps, grout sleeves, CorrosionX grease, and grease application tools. NTC Wind Energy also provides bolt tensioning and bolt restoration services. Their goal is to simply provide the best quality products and services at a reasonable price.

The Southern States CapSwitcher high voltage capacitor switching device has been specifically developed to provide restrike free switching of capacitor banks. This reliable, long-life, special purpose SF6 capacitor switch utilizes closing resistors for mitigating voltage transients and current inrush. www.southernstatesllc.com

Condition Monitoring

ntcwind.com

www.littelfuse.com/renewableenergy

AP Sensing Mersen Mersen has made advances in the domain of generator slip-ring and carbon brush technology resulting in improved performance and reduced operating costs. The SR13-15 is an upgrade to one of the most common wind turbine generators in North America. Its robust and enhanced design accommodates high operating loads and boosts up the initial limitations of the turbine. It runs cool, improves brush life, and increases turbine availability in high winds. www.mersen.com

Oglaend System a group company of Hilti Hilti and its group company, Oglaend System develop, engineer, and manufacture cable management solutions for substations, foundations, and towers. Hilti and Oglaend System deliver products that help reduce time and cost of installation, as well as help increase quality and consistency of the cable management solution. The portfolio includes corrosion resistant cable trays, ladders, supports, cleats, and accessories. www.oglaend-system.com

AP Sensing delivers a holistic power cable condition monitoring solution that enables operation of the power grid at a high, safe ampacity level and leads to informed decisions, reduced outage times, and operational cost savings. Their Distributed Fiber Optic Temperature and Acoustic Sensing technologies (DTS and DAS) monitor the entire power cable infrastructure and enable network performance optimization.

System capabilities include hotspot and cable fault detection and location, operational status monitoring, condition assessments, Real Time Thermal Rating (RTTR/DCR), thermal profiling, depth of burial monitoring for subsea cables, and ThirdParty Interference monitoring. www.apsensing.com

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BUILDING A BETTER TOMORROW. We’ve installed a quarter of all renewables in America, making us the country’s leader in building renewable energy — a distinction made possible by the integrity, grit and expertise of our employees and clients.

Cleaner air, healthier lives and a brighter, greener future starts with us.

Wind | Solar | Energy Storage BlattnerCompany.com

The Blattner Family of Companies includes Blattner Company, Blattner Energy and D.H. Blattner & Sons.

North American Clean Energy

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2024 WIND BUYERS GUIDE

Fischer Block, Inc. Dynamic Ratings Dynamic Ratings provides condition based monitoring products and services to the renewables industry. They help utilities have better awareness of their high voltage electrical equipment through HV and LV transformer monitoring, partial discharge monitoring, circuit breaker monitoring, and more. www.dynamicratings.com

Eurofins TestOil Eurofins TestOil is an oil analysis laboratory that provides oil and grease analysis testing specific to the wind power industry. They have a robust report offering that includes ferrous wear concentration. Analytical ferrography is performed free of charge when an abnormal machine condition is detected. Their online reporting can tie into a CMMS system to provide remote visibility of critical sample data. Their ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certification ensures high quality testing. Results can be received the same day the samples arrive at their lab.

The waveiQ Predictive Analytics platform with integrated miniature field sensors comprises a wind turbine performance and health monitoring system. This design combines vibration, temperature, and high-resolution electrical signature analysis, in one compact system, providing a holistic approach to wind turbine asset management and performance/health monitoring. Monitoring performance of both mechanical and electrical subsystems enables earlier detection of pending faults, improving performance and reducing the occurrence of costly failures. The waveiQ system is completely designed and manufactured in the USA and is easy to install. Industry-standard data formats make it easy to integrate into 3rd party systems or used as a stand-alone platform.

Compatibility with 3rd party sensors also enables users to leverage existing sensor fleets, gaining all the benefits of the wave iQ Predictive Analytics platform, while preserving existing monitoring investments. fischerblock.com

www.testoil.com

KK Wind Solutions TCM is a condition monitoring solution that identifies emerging faults and damages in core wind turbine components, including the drive train, gearbox, generator, main bearing, and much more. By detecting high-precision vibrations, users can predict turbine health and improve operational decisions that help reduce turbine downtime and costly repairs. A core feature of TCM is its diagnostics tool that provides a powerful analysis engine, supporting the accuracy of monitoring and maintenance workflows.

With a cyber-secure setup, users can safely keep up-to-date on a turbine’s health anytime and anywhere. www.kkwindsolutions.com

ONYX Insight ONYX Insight’s Condition Monitoring Services provide users with regular advanced monitoring and diagnostics of drivetrains, towers, rotors, and generators using multiple data points (including vibration, SCADA, and oil to name a few).

Hardware agnostic and benchmarked against 16,000+ turbines, including 23 OEMs, it provides a clear view to avoid costly unexpected failures. Users receive detailed reports on potential faults, likely timeframes, and recommendations on how to manage them. If ONYX Insight’s team spots a rapidly developing fault, they will be in contact as soon as the defect is spotted with suggested next actionable steps. www.onyxinsight.com

LUDECAwind LUDECAwind systems are intended for installation and continuous maintenance work in the field. EASY-LASER systems are specially configured with functionality and hardware suited for wind turbines. No matter the manufacturer, coupling, or turbine type, they make generatorto-gearbox alignment inside any nacelle easy.

EASY-LASER E910/E915 is suitable for measuring flatness and parallelism on tower flanges regardless of diameter, as well as for solving flange deformation and blades problems. www.ludecawind.com

Poseidon Systems Poseidon’s Wear Debris Monitoring can implement a data-driven approach to save time and money. Poseidon Systems provides online condition monitoring to over 10,000 wind turbine gearboxes. Using a single sensor to monitor gearbox wear debris in real time, Poseidon can offer early bearing and gear fault detection to provide operators with the foresight to mitigate catastrophic failures and remedy smaller issues with up tower repairs. Poseidon’s DM4500 Debris Monitor offers sensing technology with the ability to detect metallic debris at 40μm Fe and 150μm Fe plus to identify faults before they lead to failures, reducing the need for visual inspections and the technicians’ exposure to rotating machinery while mitigating wind turbine downtime. www.poseidonsys.com

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INDUSTRY TRAINING FOR SAFER, SMARTER SUCCESS

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INDUSTRY-FOCUSED SAFETY TRAINING At RTC, we provide the knowledge, skills, and expertise you need to excel in the wind energy industry.

WIDE VARIETY OF COURSES - INCLUDING GWO Our courses cover everything from Basic Safety Training to Advanced rescue. check out our work at heights, nfpa 70E, first aid/cpr/aed & more.

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Learn from the best in the industry.

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Learn more at www.rtc-usa.com or call 1-641-832-8929 North American Clean Energy

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2024 WIND BUYERS GUIDE

Weidmuller Weidmuller’s new Twin Cap system for M30 Bolt nuts (modifiable for all sizes) is designed to detect and signal problems with blade bearing fasteners in wind turbines. The innovative early warning system uses sensors positioned over the nuts located on the outer ring of the blade bearing and connects them in a “daisy chain” serial pattern. If Twin Cap detects a cracked or broken nut, it creates an alert to initiate a controlled shutdown. Twin Cap can be retrofitted on any type of turbine to reduce maintenance and inspection costs, avoid downtime for repairs, and avert the potential for catastrophic blade failure. Installation is fast, easy, and backward compatible with legacy CMBB systems.

Blattner Company Blattner is a diversified renewable energy contractor delivering expertise and collaborative construction solutions nationwide. Building on more than a century of experience, Blattner provides complete engineering, procurement, and construction services for utility-scale solar, wind, and energy storage projects. Blattner Company is headquartered in Avon, Minnesota and is the parent company of Blattner Energy and D.H. Blattner & Sons, all of which are members of the Quanta Services family of companies. www.blattnercompany.com

www.weidmuller.com

MBA Energy & Industrial, LLC MBA Energy & Industrial is an industrial construction firm specializing in providing various new facilities for energy-related projects. MBA has built over 100 buildings for the renewable industry and can provide complete coverage of any project. MBA’s current resume stretches across 22 states and includes O&M buildings, warehouses, large enclosures, battery storage, terminals, substation buildings, large offices, and many other facilities. Most MBA buildings are design/build in nature, but the company is also capable of build-to-print projects. The in-house team of architects and engineers helps clients through the design process and offers various options for their respective projects. MBA also provides budgetary pricing and consultation on building planning.

The Wesson Group The Wesson Group, LLC is a full-service renewable energy company specializing in BOP and EPC project delivery in the Northeast US. Their renewable energy experience exceeds 2.0GW of capacity.

Their diverse project experience offers insight into unique issues in renewable energy projects (union participation, highly varied geotech, environmental compliance in highly regulated and wet states, multiple OEM’s onsite). They provide safe projects, economical construction budgets, and a schedule driven approach to constructability, ensuring the project milestones are met. www.twg.us.com

Consulting Services

www.mba-nrg.com

Construction Products & Services | EPC Contractor

Beta Engineering With over 45 years of experience, Beta Engineering can provide the high-voltage expertise and innovation needed to meet project goals. Beta designs and builds substations, switchyards, transmission lines, gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) projects, and flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS). Beta offers several solutions, including Agile by Beta, which leverages factory-built substations to fast-track construction and reduce cost.

GRT Genesis GRT Genesis is a Canadian-owned, supplier of a wide variety of hi-performance mechanical- and electrical-grade laminated sheets, tubes, rods, pultruded shapes, punched, and machined parts in numerous critical applications and market segments. GRT maintains high stock levels of popular electrical-grade materials. GRT is also a global provider of motor slot wedges, ripple-spring spacers, coil blocks and shims, panels, barriers, bus supports, rotor and armature Insulation, pole collars, and many other critical components. www.grtgenesis.com

www.betaengineering.com

Port Industries. Inc. Hydramaxx trenchers and plows are designed for one pass installation of electrical cable, conduit, ground wire, and caution tape. Whether plowing in cable, or requiring an open ditch, Port Industries has the equipment, guide arms, and lay boxes to meet any collection systems specific requirements. Port Industries works closely with their renewable energy customers. They design and build the guides and lay boxes based on each collection system’s unique requirements regarding cable spacing and backfill/compaction coverage.

They use internal designs and components to ensure cable installation will be achieved without cable damage. The Hydramaxx Chain Trencher is a solution for wind farm cable installation. www.portindustries.com

Samson For more than 140 years, Samson has been working with industry professionals to develop synthetic rope for energy operations. Samson has engineered products specific to the challenging conditions and demanding environments in energy applications. www.samsonrope.com

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Electrical Consultants, Inc. ECI provides comprehensive power interconnection services through 765kV to wind power developers across the United States. In operation since 1985, ECI offers extensive electrical design services to power wind projects, including substations and switchyards, transmission and distribution lines, and energy storage systems. Their in-house resources also provide ancillary services to make interconnection and storage projects the most efficient they can be, from right-ofway and land services, to environmental and regulatory permitting, communication and SCADA designs. www.eciusa.com

Connects worlds, unifies types The LR 1700-1.0 combines the transport advantages of the 660 USt crawler crane class with the performance of the 825 USt class. It has the latest innovations of the Liebherr crawler crane portfolio. The high performance level is based on the statically new base machine with up to 15 percent more load capacity.

The modern derrick system comes with V-frame, VarioTray and modular M-Wagon ballast trailer. Perfect for wind power, infrastructure and industry www.liebherr.com

LR 1700-1.0

North American Clean Energy

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2024 WIND BUYERS GUIDE Contractors Westlake Consultants, Inc.

NV5 Geospatial NV5’s broad spectrum of capabilities, from development through operations for both onshore and offshore, with specific expertise in the power and utilities industry, enables developers to collect many critical services under a single MSA, making for efficient contracting and bundled pricing opportunities. NV5 has its marine headquarters based in North Carolina and engineering offices throughout the Eastern seaboard, making opportunities for local content available in all offshore markets. With the latest edition of the 73’ R/V Shackleford to the fleet, NV5 provides offshore surveying technology in one vessel. nv5geospatial.com

For 20+ years Westlake has supported renewable energy by providing civil engineering, land surveying, and land use planning for solar, wind, and battery storage facilities. Their energy team works throughout the US offering due diligence/feasibility studies, drainage studies, transportation planning assistance, civil site design, surveying, and permitting assistance.

They offer a full array of survey services including field, ALTA/NSPS, and construction surveys. Their experience with difficult sites and knowledge of construction economics enables them to support clients throughout project development. www.westlakeconsultants.com

Berger Geosciences (B-geO) Berger Geosciences (B-geO) offers geotechnical engineering for offshore wind. Their expertise includes site investigations, advanced lab testing, data analysis, and foundation designs optimized for offshore site conditions. With over 16 years of assisting energy developers, they have the experience to facilitate offshore installations.

Their phased approach thoroughly characterizes the geology of the site and soil properties through surveys, drilling, testing, and analysis.

This allows detailed geotechnical analysis and recommendations to meet the needs of the project.

Fagen, Inc. Fagen, Inc. is a full service EPC contractor headquartered in Granite Falls, MN. Utilizing a database of over 10,000 direct-hire employees, Fagen, Inc. has constructed a variety of projects including biomass to power, wind power, renewable fuels, and other renewable process facilities. Specializing in providing full EPC wraps to its client base, the company self performs civil, structural, siding, insulation, millwright, piping, instrumentation, electrical, start-up, and commissioning services. www.fageninc.com

www.b-geo.com

Sentry Electrical Group, Inc.

windtest north-america, inc windtest north america, inc. provides precision measurement, testing, analysis, and validation for wind energy manufacturing, development, and operation. They work with OEMs, developers, wind farm owners/operators, investors/lenders, municipalities, grid operators, and colleges/universities. www.windtest-group.com

TerraPro Solutions TerraPro Solutions provides high-level expertise in the development and implementation of renewable energy projects including wind, solar, and energy storage. From inception to transaction closing, they use their real-world knowledge to continually assess and mitigate risk, to ensure all legal requirements and project milestones are met.

Caldwell Marine International, LLC Caldwell Marine International, LLC is a marine construction contractor specializing in submarine cable installation and heavy civil marine construction.

In operation for over 65 years, CMI has carried out the installation and repair of hundreds of submarine power and telecommunication cables worldwide.

CMI has successfully built and rehabilitated many piers and docks, as well as unique marine structures that required advanced installation techniques. With a wide range of specialized marine construction equipment, an Atlantic waterfront yard, and over 150 years of marine construction experience on staff. www.caldwellmarine.com

Sentry Electrical Group, Inc. constructs projects across the United States. They provide high and medium voltage construction of electrical infrastructure for private companies who require HV and MV solutions and electric utilities improving their electrical facilities. They also serve private companies in the growing renewable generation industry. Their offered services include engineering, procurement, or construction of HV and MV facilities. They offer complete turn-key solutions where all aspects of projects from planning to commissioning are required. www.sentryelec.com

Cranes | Hydraulic Equipment | Aerial Devices

www.terraprosolutions.com

Bishop Lifting Products, Inc. CNC Foundations CNC Foundations provides strategic solutions for geotechnical construction projects, including aggregate piers (vibratory stone columns) and rigid inclusions for ground improvement. CNC Foundations has experience designing and installing ground improvement systems and has completed over 20 wind farm projects and 300+ turbines across the United States.

CNC Foundations has the equipment and personnel to design, mobilize, and perform installation to meet project requirements. cncfoundations.com

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Bishop Lifting Products designs and fabricates below-the-hook lifting devices for wind energy components including universal nacelle lifting beams, J-hooks for lifting tower sections, counter balanced lifting beams, blade lifters and cradles, twin-path extra CoverMax slings, swivel hoist rings, and Crosby rigging hardware for wire rope and chain. www.lifting.com

Thread Thread addresses a fundamental need by being the link between data capture and data analytics. A fully automated pipeline into machine vision workflows. From inspections to insight at the press of a button. www.thread.one

Liebherr USA, Co. The LR 1700-1.0 combines the benefits of the low-cost transport of 600-ton class crawler cranes with the performance of 750-ton class lattice boom cranes. The LR 1700-1.0 was designed on the basis of the dimensions of the LR 1600/2, but with more lifting capacity. The LR 1700-1.0 static structure has been completely redesigned to deliver up to 15% more lifting capacity.

The structural steelwork for the crawler carriers has been made particularly robust and the size of the rollers increased to minimize wear when moving on the crawler travel gear. The 4-way drive for the travel gear is standard. The modern derrick system has V-frame, VarioTray, and the new “M-Wagon” modular ballast trailer. www.liebherr.com

GRIFFOLYN® DIVISION OF REEF INDUSTRIES, INC.

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APPLICATIONS TURBINE COVERS • GENERATOR COVERS TRANSFORMER BAGS • ON-SITE STORAGE • BLADE COVERS OUTDOOR TRANSPORTATION • WIND FARM CONSTRUCTION TRANSPORT CONTAINER COVERS

800.231.6074 • GRIFFOLYN.COM

DEWESoft DEWESoft creates tools for troubleshooting, commissioning, and R&D on both the mechanical and electrical side of wind generation. www.dewesoft.com

©2023 Reef Industries, Inc. Griffolyn® is a registered trademark of Reef Industries, Inc. 10/23.

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2024 WIND BUYERS GUIDE Economic Wind Development Region

Electrical Equipment & Services | Power Generation Louisiana Economic Development

Black & McDonald Black & McDonald Inc. is an integrated, multi-trade service provider that safely delivers high-quality construction, facilities management, and technical solutions. They are a family owned and operated company with over 5000 employees working out of more than 30 offices across North America. With more than 100 years of diverse market experience, Black & McDonald is a forward-thinking organization with a strong track record of delivering operational excellence and customerfocused solutions that stand the test of time.

Louisiana’s global energy leadership is rooted in their natural resources, logistical advantages, skilled workforce, all-of-the-above sector strategy, and Climate Action Plan. By supporting oil and gas interests while exploring hydrogen, solar, wind, alternative fuels, electric vehicle battery, and CO2 reduction opportunities, Louisiana is seeing a major economic boost that is employing thousands and attracting billions of dollars in private investment. www.opportunitylouisiana.gov

Education | Training | Research Development

www.blackandmcdonald.com

www.kansascommerce.gov

RTC RTC’s training hub in Iowa provides a strong focus on safety and excellence and offers a comprehensive suite of GWO and Tech Safety Lines accredited courses with their partners.

In addition offering their own Rescue Training, Working at Heights, First Aid/CPR, and more. Collaborating with Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, IA, and serving the Iowa area, RTC ensures training and certifications for professionals. RTC offers sessions at their two locations in Saint Ansgar, IA, and Estherville, IA, or onsite. www.rtc-usa.com

Kansas Department of Commerce Kansas is ranked No. 2 in clean power share of electricity generation and is among the top five states for operating wind farms, with over 7000MW currently in operation. Kansas wind energy is cost effective due to high capacity factors and attractive to corporate off-takers.

Centrally located in the heart of the wind corridor, Kansas offers access to the key regions for wind farm development and an advantageous operating environment for developers, component manufacturers, logistics, and other service providers. The Kansas Department of Commerce is the primary point of contact to assist companies in learning about the state’s wind industry and finding the ideal site for their operations.

BGB

www.bgbinnovation.com

Burndy Burndy Temporary Protective Ground Studs are single point ground connections for Temporary Ground Sets. The Burndy H-Rated Ground Studs are designed and tested to meet the requirements of ASTM F855 Table 2. The ball stud covers serve as animal mitigation and stud surface protectant. www.burndy.com

Abaris Training Resources, Inc. Abaris offers basic and advanced windblade repair courses that maximize student competency, enabling them to conduct structural repairs in the field. The two courses can be taken consecutively or separately depending upon the student’s schedule. The basic course addresses structural skin and core repairs as well as leading edge erosion.

The advanced course covers larger and more complex repairs to tips, spars, and trailing edges. They offer this training to individuals or groups at their Reno, NV facility, or can provide onsite training at the customer’s location for the field team.

BGB’s designed Siemens 2.3MW pitch slip ring, with zero maintenance and 100M revolutions, and durable GE 1X/2X pitch slip ring, with some units incorporating fiber optics for reliable communication and data transfer, help reduce the frequency of uptower climbs. In addition to offering repairs and original equipment, BGB also supplies numerous affordable aftermarket solutions.

Tech Wind Services Tech Wind Services Training Center is certified to offer GWO BST (Basic Safety Training) Classes.

This includes GWO training standards on modules of First Aid, Manual Handling, Fire Awareness, and Working at Heights. Having technicians efficiently trained can help ensure they work safely on every job to reduce risk of injury from common hazards when working on a wind turbine.

Doing so can increase reliability and efficiency when completing jobs in the wind field. www.techwindservices.com/en

www.abaris.com

EDE Electric Motor Testing

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The all-in-one MotorAnalyzer2 (MA2) with EDE ruggedized test leads offers comprehensive testing of generators and motors for up tower maintenance activities. The MA2 is suitable for on-site, predictive maintenance, machine health analysis, troubleshooting, and fault detection. Due to its size, weight, and battery operation, the MA2 is a solution for wind towers and many other applications requiring challenging access. It offers the ability to perform surge, high potential, DLRO resistance, impedance, inductance, Meg-ohm, and capacitance testing in a compact automated tester. Printcom-G2 software provides the ability to create, edit, and store maintenance reports in a database structure www.edeinst.com

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Electrical Insulation Electrical Reliability Services (ERS) ERS’ nationwide network of NETA certified engineers, technicians, and service professionals provide comprehensive electrical power system lifecycle services to a variety of industries including utilities, data centers, renewable energy, healthcare, and industrial. Services include maintenance testing, engineering services, building commissioning, acceptance testing, DC power services, and disaster preparedness planning. Additionally, ERS’ knowledgeable and experienced Training Services team teaches specialized coursework that addresses industrial compliance standards and provides the knowledge necessary to maintain safe, compliant, and productive workplaces. ers.vertiv.com

RESA Power RESA Power offers reliable power systems services. With NETA-certified technicians and a commitment to reliability and safety, RESA Power provides a range of services including ground grid resistance testing, transformer oil testing, energization support, troubleshooting, emergency transformer rentals, and more. RESA Power also offers testing and commissioning of substation equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation. They also provide essential substation NERC/FERC testing and reporting, ensuring regulatory compliance.

RESA Power has 40 offices in the U.S. and Canada offering critical power services. www.resapower.com

Pittsburgh Electrical Insulation Pittsburgh Electrical Insulation (PEI) is a manufacturer, converter, and distributor of electrical insulation materials focused on the OEM and service industries associated with motor, generator, and transformer production and repair. Celebrating over 75 years of continuous operation, PEI remains a cost-efficient, customer focused company, dedicated to the supply of electrical insulation materials, IEEE, and UL components, systems, and supplies for new power generation technology or for an unplanned outage on existing equipment. PEI maintains a brand name inventory of high-performance materials, both rigid and flexible, which can be converted to customer requirements with short lead times. www.peipittsburgh.com

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Contact us today.

Carisa Barrett cbarrett@eiwpf.org 410-701-2206 Vance Ayres vayres@iuec.org 540-490-0476

Schunk Carbon Technology For over 100 years Schunk has been making carbon brushes to enhance the performance of both generators and motors. Today they supply wind turbine generator brushes for both OEM and aftermarket DFIG systems, pitch motors, and generator grounding systems. Schunk also supplies brush holders, slip rings, flexible current connectors, and high frequency shaft grounding systems to support the wind industry. www.schunk-group.com

www.elevatorinfo.org North American Clean Energy

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2024 WIND BUYERS GUIDE Electrolysers

Electronic Component | Service Repairs

Electronics Contract Manufacturing

Enclosures

SigmaTron International

Nel Hydrogen

KK Wind Solutions

Nel Hydrogen manufacturers Alkaline and Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) water electrolysers, which when connected to a source of renewable energy, produce from 0.27 Nm3 to 500 Nm3 of Green Hydrogen per hour. Units can be grouped together into electrolyser plants for even larger production rates at the Megawatt and even the Gigawatt level. Electrolysers are used to store excess energy (electricity) from renewable resources in the H2 bond.

The hydrogen can then be sold to industry (converting curtailed power to cash), or burned in a turbine or run through a fuel cell to put the stored energy onto the grid during periods of low generation or peak demand. Due to their fast response times the PEM electrolysers are also used by renewable energy plants to balance the power put onto the grid.

KK Wind Solutions provides high-quality spare parts and expertise that extend the lifetime of wind turbines. They deliver services to help improve wind turbine performance and extend the lifetime of the fleet. As a global service company, their specialized service engineers and technicians are ready to provide support with retrofit and upgrades, spare parts and repairs, non-standard production, field services, training and support, and service agreements. www.kkwindsolutions.com

SigmaTron International is a global provider of electronics contract manufacturing services to companies wishing to outsource their electronics manufacturing requirements. This full service support can include engineering support, PCBA manufacturing, systemslevel manufacturing, fulfillment to end customers, and repair depot support for installed products. The company has experience in power management and control products, and can assist with design for manufacturability and test development. Manufacturing facilities are located in Illinois, California, Mexico, China, and Vietnam.

Nordic Fiberglass Inc. The ND-683054-MG-PA71-X-X is Nordic’s “Workhorse” for three phase 2, 3 and 4 pt. 35kV 600A deadbreak sectionalizing cabinets for wind farm collection systems.

Nordic can supply and install up three, 3 or 4 pt. 35kV 600A junctions from various manufacturers with U-straps if requested by the customer. Rust free fiberglass construction and stainless-steel hardware. PA71 mounting plate has six movable above parking stands to park standoffs or feed throughs. Nordic recommends the optional CSB-6830 cable support bracket system for holding cables in place and cable clamps. 18" or 36" high extensions available for cables requiring a greater cable bending radii.

SECURE CRITICAL BOLTED JOINTS HEICO-TEC® Tension Nuts

Wind, Solar, Energy Storage Tech—HEICO Fastening Systems has precise, proven and reliable solutions to ensure critical bolted joints stay secured under dynamic loads, thermal extremes, high vibration environments and tight spaces.

www.HEICO-LOCK.us • 888.822.5661 • Hickory, NC

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www.fiboxusa.com

Elevators

Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund

Wedge Lock Washers

Fibox provides UL listed, NEMA-rated non-metallic polycarbonate enclosures. Designed for the challenges of the renewable energy industry, Fibox enclosures are water-tight and UV resistant.

Lightweight rust-free polycarbonate offers high impact resistance. Sized from 2'' x 2'' x 2'' to 32'' x 24'' x 12'' in a variety of cover configurations and colors.

www.sigmatronintl.com

www.nelhydrogen.com

HEICO-LOCK®

Fibox Enclosures

2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

Mechanics from the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) keep wind tower elevator equipment running efficiently and safely. Their affiliated companies maintain offshore and land-based wind turbine elevators across North America. Their mechanics are able to work around elevators and wind technology equipment inside and out, including installation, modernization, retrofitting, maintenance, repair, and jurisdiction compliance inspection. The training they receive during their 4+ year USDOL-registered apprenticeship was developed with an intense focus on safety. IUEC mechanics sit on the ASME A17.8/CSA B44.8 code committees that write building codes for wind turbine tower elevators. www.elevatorinfo.org

www.nordicfiberglass.com

Trachte Trachte provides pre-assembled buildings to keep crucial equipment safe. Trachte buildings are available with extra security features like exterior wall ballistics protection, up to UL 752, Level-8). UL-rated bullet-resistant materials can be added to Trachte’s structural-steel framework while maintaining energy efficiency, thermal performance, and resistance to water intrusions.

Trachte also offers hurricane and tornado hardening, fire-resistant construction, and EMP resistance. www.trachteusa.com

Energy Storage | Grid Connection

Aggreko Aggreko’s fully integrated, plug-andplay battery storage solutions ensure maximum system effectiveness and efficiency. They have been optimized across every component to deliver system performance, minimize operating costs, and shrink a carbon footprint. Aggreko offers solutions to power a microgrid, add reliability to a hybrid system, and to optimize business cases through smart energy management. The Y.Cube is a ready-to-install energy storage system. www.aggreko.com

EnerSys

e-On Batteries, Inc. Crown Battery Crown Renewable Batteries are an innovative array of responsible battery energy storage products, including their popular 2CRP1200 model which has capacity up to 55.9kWh (48VDC) for best available performance and ROI, is flexible and easy to handle, configure, deployable for new or existing systems and resilient in extreme operating temperatures, and earthfriendly being 99% recyclable. Crown can supply grid-connected with back-up power, off-grid, or custom storage applications. www.crownbattery.com

e-On Batteries, a Fort Worth, TX area supplier with national scope, is a developer of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) based energy storage systems with a focus on product safety. The company’s UL 1973 listed and CEC approved and listed modules are engineered as scalable building blocks to enable larger systems, and its 19" rack-mounted modular systems are easily configured from 12.8kWh residential systems to 4.8MWh container-based systems and more. With over 20 million deployed calls and zero catastrophic failures, combined with cell-level BMS monitoring and control systems, expert engineering liaison and certified installers, e-On Batteries provides full value to their customers.

The NSB BLUE+ Battery applies carbon technology for high cycle life and Partial State of Charge (PSOC) performance. Thin plate technology delivers long life and high power output. In addition, the NSB BLUE+ Battery is a UL1989-recognized product and is flame-retardant to meet UL94VO. It is built in the United States, has a two-year shelf life, and offers fast, efficient recharge.

The NorthStar BLUE+ Battery features special plastic components for operation in a wide temperature range. Its product range is 40-210Ah. www.enersys.com

www.e-onbatteries.com

ultra3000@rell.com rellpower.com/ultra3000

Energy Storage and Power Delivery Solutions for Wind Turbine Pitch Systems

ULTRA3000®

ULTRAPEMTM (S88)

Over 40,000 units operating in the field

Discharge a full battery box in as little as 15 minutes

Available on GE* Marketplace

Allows for a safe working environment within the battery box

One module replaces 11 lead-acid batteries Drop-in replacement for Suzlon* Pitch Systems

ULTRADTMTM

Estimated lifetime of 15+ Years Drop-in replacement for batteries in pitch systems up to 500 VDC ULTRAPEMTM

REPLACEMENT SHUNT FOR PITCH APPLICATIONS

NOW IN STOCK! *All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of the trademarks is solely for identification purposes and does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by the trademark holders.

North American Clean Energy

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2024 WIND BUYERS GUIDE Engineering LEOCH Battery Corporation LEOCH 48V LFELI Series, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LIFEPO4) batteries offer exceptional cycling performance of 10,000 cycles @ 50% DOD, 3500 cycles @ 100% DOD, and can be put into parallel for 48VDC, 1600AH capacity. These batteries are equipped with a built-in Battery Management System (BMS) and optional LCD screen for hassle-free maintenance. leochamericas.com

Lithium Werks Lithium Werks manufactures lithium-ion cells and custom battery systems that can be arranged with cells at 3.3Vdc up to systems of 1000Vdc, from kWh to MWh. Lithium Werks’ Lithium Iron Nanophosphate (LiFePO4) chemistry delivers high power, extreme safety, fast-charging, wide temperature range, and is suitablefor energy storage and frequency regulation.

SIBA Fuses SIBA Fuses works with medium and high voltage fuses with ANSI/IEEE, E-rated, and standard European for protection of transformers, including submersibles, MCC fuses for motor control centers, medium and high voltage switchgear, compact substations, overhead fuses, mainline fusing, and high voltage capacitor filter and harmonic banks. SIBA’s SSK Fuses for switch disconnect, include a special thermal sensor specifically invented by SIBA for this application, and are offered in both dry type and under oil, with unique SIBA-patented technology. All of their HHD fuses can be used in standard switchgear to special wind and solar applications up to 40.5kV and have a high breaking capacity. www.siballc.net

Khatri International Electric Power Engineers Electric Power Engineers is a global power system engineering and consulting firm.

EPE's capabilities and services cover the full spectrum of transmission, distribution, generation, and technology needs from key client groups including wind developers and owners. EPE's engineers and consultants provide support from concept to commissioning to compliance. They tailor their service to ensure each project's success.

Khatri International Inc. is a structural engineer design firm that provides foundation design, wind tower analysis, MET tower design, and structural monitoring for new projects and RePower.

Dr. Khatri has been working in the wind energy industry and is a well published author for the past 23 years.

www.epeconsulting.com

www.lithiumwerks.com

Schaltbau North America Schaltbau North America is an international supplier of safety-relevant electromechanical components since 1929. Schaltbau develops and manufactures contactors, plugs, and switching systems with a focus on (DC) Technology. They work across industry applications, including high-voltage battery management systems for electric vehicles, charging stations, and battery test stands.

Their DC technology is embedded in their newest production facility, enabling significant contribution to energy savings.

Olsson

WAGO Corporation WAGO technology helps connect, monitor, and control in a safe, reliable, and high-performance manner. Their PCB connectors and rail-mounted terminal blocks continue to provide high reliability at higher current and voltage levels. The Generation 2 PFC200 controllers with fiber optic ports are beneficial to renewable energy generation where distance networking may play a factor. The 750-8211 XTR controller is suitable for work in harsh environments and can be used for SMARTGrid applications for energy and utility applications. www.wago.us

www.schaltbau.com/en

EMA Electromechanics, Inc. EMA is the designer and manufacturer of the outdoor Grounding Breaker aka VDH/ GSMI. This equipment is designed to switch and ground wind/solar/e-storage collection circuits. It provides safety, TOV mitigation, and cost savings on CAPEX and OPEX. It replaces other circuit breakers and the associated grounding transformers. EMA now offers the new AIGS grounding breaker in a switchgear, for indoor substations.

Shelter and PDC’s are also available. www.emaelectromechanics.com

Olsson is a nationally recognized engineering firm that crafts expert solutions and designs aimed at improving communities. They offer design and consulting services in planning and design, engineering, field services, environmental, and technology. www.olsson.com

Taney Engineering Taney Engineering provides site development services including zoning and entitlements feasibility studies, grading plans, street plans and profiles, hydrology studies, aerial mapping, ground support services, A.L.T.A. surveys, boundary and topographical surveys, and construction staking. Their drainage (hydrology/ hydraulic) services include hydrologic modeling, channel and storm drain design, storm drain hydraulic modeling, flood control, masterplanning, sedimentation and erosion modeling, stormwater detention/retention basin design, FEMA flood plain delineation, and letters of map revisions, conditional letters of map revisions, flood plain and open channel hydraulic modeling, as well as hydraulic design of bridges and culverts. www.taneycorp.com

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Erosion Control

Filtration

Fire Suppression

The Floating Wind Technology Co. The Floating Wind Technology Company provides engineering services and solutions for both onshore and offshore wind. From rotor and control design to coupled aero-hydro-servoelastic analyses, design and verification of support structures, and anchor design. floatingwindtech.com

Westwood Professional Services With 160GW+ of supported wind energy since 1997, Westwood has worked on challenging wind projects across the USA. Westwood is a full-service provider, including environmental, permitting, civil engineering, electrical engineering, energy storage, geotechnical and structural engineering, T&D engineering, substation engineering, land surveying, aerial mapping, and construction support. www.westwoodps.com

Stat-X Fire Suppression Profile Products Profile Products’ environmentally friendly Flexterra High Performance-Flexible Growth Medium is a hydraulically applied solution for erosion control and revegetation that saves users time, money, and ensures regulatory compliance. The engineered solution is field tested to provide 99.9% effective erosion control and deliver fast vegetation establishment. With 100% biodegradable interlocking fibers, users meet environmental requirements to ensure the valuable land and soil remains healthy and productive. www.profileevs.com

Hy-Pro Filtration Hy-Pro improves the reliability of hydraulic and lube oil assets with their filter elements and contamination solutions equipment.

Their products stop equipment failures and downtime, driving more efficient production, and eliminate the waste and environmental impact caused by contamination-related premature fluid disposal. More specifically, preventing gearbox and braking system failures in wind turbines. They aim to eliminate industrial fluid contamination and all difficulties related to it.

Stat-X aerosol fire suppression is a versatile and cost-effective solution for renewable energy fire protection. Each sealed, stainless steel generator contains a solid, stable, and specially formulated fire suppression compound. When a fire occurs, the Stat-X generator activates, producing and releasing an advanced aerosol fire suppression agent. Agent fills the protected enclosed space and chemically interrupts the combustion process. Fire is suppressed, and the micron-sized agent particles remain suspended to help prevent possible re-flash. www.statx.com/industries

www.hyprofiltration.com

North American Clean Energy

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2024 WIND BUYERS GUIDE Gearbox Manufacturing, Services & Repairs

Laminates

Zephyr Wind Services

Helwig Carbon Helwig Carbon offers an OEM-approved shaft grounding solution for main shaft bearings. This kit utilizes a proprietary silver graphite brush to instantly ground any damaging currents, static discharges, or lightning strikes. The innovative design and ready-made bracket provide easy installation in the field. Helwig engineers and tech team provide up-tower support and solutions. www.helwigcarbon.com/industries/wind

Zephyr Wind provides wind turbine generators, parts, and repower. 100% focused on renewable energy, Zephyr offers service by technicians who only work on wind generators. Their technicians are skilled, and their leadership has over 100 years of combined experience in wind.Their parts division offers made-to-order kits, obsolete and hard-to-find parts, 24/7 service, and nationwide shipping. Their customizable repower packages serve all platforms and feature 50% more parts replaced during repower, updated controls, increased performance, increased capacity factor, blade refurbishment, less production loss during construction, and competitive pricing. zwinds.com

Inverters Generators | Maintenance & Repair Services

Integrated Power Services IPS provides dedicated wind repair services, on-site support, and distribution across North America. They work with wind power OEMs, owners, and operators, using processes to increase reliability and minimize downtime. IPS maintains a consistent standard for safety, quality, service, and repair procedures in everything they do, from generator unit exchange to in-shop repair, to up-tower and balance of plant services. www.ips.us

We have your back

CE+T America Stabiliti 30C3 is a 3-port bidirectional (AC/DC/DC) converter which easily interconnects to various power sources to offer high performance. Stabiliti 30C3 allows users to configure for peak shaving, energy arbitrage, and microgrid. As PV and batteries are the most expensive part of a complete system installation, Stabiliti 30C3 lowers the total system cost with its internal high frequency galvanic isolation, and almost doubles the life of batteries and PVs by protecting them from grid transients.

For more than 65 years, Reef Industries has been manufacturing and fabricating reinforced film laminates and composites. Griffolyn, the original division of Reef Industries, has been manufacturing quality, internally reinforced polyethylene laminates designed for a wide range of applications. Griffolyn's patented, high-strength reinforcement provides superior puncture, tear and abrasion resistance. Use Griffolyn for corrosion protection, equipment storage/shipping covers, landfill covers, vapor and moisture barriers, dust and environmental partitions, contaminated soil covers, athletic field covers, greenhouses, boat tarps, crop protection, or many other possibilities. From outstanding weathering characteristics to custom features, such as fire retardancy, anti-static properties, corrosion inhibition, or heat shrinkability, Griffolyn products offer high performance. Griffolyn plastics can be customized to any size and shape, ensuring a customer’s exact requirements are met. Griffolyn is available in white, black, and clear.

Custom colors are also available upon request. www.reefindustries.com

Lighting

www.cet-america.com

IT | OT Integrator

from construction, maintenance and testing all the way to handling highly complex and technical jobs.

We make it happen.

DeTect, Inc.

Ganex, Inc. Ganex’s services as an integrator are tailored to the needs of asset owners, asset operators, construction contractors, and engineering firms. Their dedication and experience in this area allows them to provide fail-safe systems that increase productivity and give users peace of mind. www.ganex.com

LEARN HOW AT Takkion.com

TPANDL.COM • GSSWY.com • renewenergy.com • airwayservicesinc.com

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Reef Industries

2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

DeTect developed the HARRIER Aircraft Detection Lighting Systems (ADLS) for automatic lighting activation of aviation obstructions such as wind farm turbines, high voltage transmission lines, and communication towers. The HARRIER ADLS provides continuous 360° radar surveillance of the airspace, automatically issuing signals to activate obstruction lighting when aircraft are detected at a defined outer perimeter. The FAA Performance Assessment Report on HARRIER ADLS states that the system met the performance requirements identified in Chapter 14 of AC 70/7460-1M and is published on the FAA Website. HARRIER is also fully compatible with all SCADA systems and turbines and is a widely deployed system with installations the US, Canada, and Europe. www.detect-inc.com

DEUS ONE

Flash Technology Flash Technology’s FTS 350i-2 LED wind turbine light is an economical option for wind farm developers and maintenance crews. Designed to withstand the harsh environments encountered on wind farms, the FTS 350i-2 is small, light and easy to install. It meets L-864 specifications per FAA AC 150/5345-43J (infrared) and comes with a 5-year parts warranty. www.flashtechnology.com/wind

Load Monitoring

FULLY AUTOMATED PERSONAL EVACUATION DEVICE Castrol Tribol GR SW 680 -1 is the latest Castrol grease specifically formulated for the protection of wind turbine main bearings.

Tribol has significantly less micropitting and low friction coefficient, demonstrated bearing life extension, and low operating temperatures. It has been successfully tested for compatibility with most major greases, making conversion easy during maintenance and the normal purging of existing grease. Compatibility tests with existing grease are also available. Tribol GR SW 680-1 meets or exceeds OEM requirements and is available from Castrol’s local U.S. inventory, reducing cost and providing supply protection.

DEUS ONE is the world‘s first personal, fully automated evacuation device. The lightweight and compact set can be worn directly on the users body. Pre-assembled individual parts make DEUS ONE intuitive and ready-to-use.

• • • • •

Simple hands-free controlled descent Fire retardant 5.9 mm rope Ready-to-use "Clip & Go" design 15 year Seal Pac protection Descents up to 200 meters

www.castrol.com/wind-us

Valley Forge & Bolt Manufacturing Co. Valley Forge & Bolt Mfg. Co. has manufactured both standard and custom fasteners for 50 years. Their load-indicating fasteners offer high accuracy. The original SPC4 is accurate to within a ±5 percent of minimum yield, and ASTM F2482 compliant, now bolted joints can tell their exact percentage of load at any time. The SPC4 Load Indicating Compression Bolt (Pat. Pend.) is the latest addition to their load indicating family designed to address the problems associated with traditional yaw systems. Upgraded solutions to retrofit tower anchor bolts to transmit load for wind turbines launching in 2024.

FUCHS Lubricants Total Wind Turbine Lubricant available form Fuchs. Greases for bearings, oils for gear boxes and hydraulic systems. Cleaners for slip rings.

Plus, all other up tower or balance of plant needs.

Global OEM approvals. www.fuchs.com

Met Towers

vfbolts.com

Lubricants

AMSOIL Industrial AMSOIL Industrial Synthetic XDP 460 Grease uses a calcium sulfonate thickener for improved wear-protection properties, high mechanical stability, and corrosion protection. It is also compatible with other marketed products, reducing incompatibility and costly changeover concerns. It works well in large slow-speed bearings with high loads and in the moisture-laden environments that many industrial applications are subjected to. It is a suitable choice for pitch and yaw bearings and other industrial applications that call for an NLGI #1.5 consistency grade. www.amsoilindustrial.com

ColdSnap Towers

skylotec.com/eu_en/ deus-one/

ColdSnap provides premium fleetwide Met Tower maintenance. This involves instrument and cable replacements, FAA lighting, power supplies, communications, safety systems, lightning protection, and full retro-fits. Also the leasing of Lidars and Remote Power Supplies.

They provide thorough photo and written documentation, and are fully vetted with ISN. www.coldsnaptowers.com

SKYLOTEC North America LP - email: ordersna.skylotec.de - (303)544-2120 North American Clean Energy

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2024 WIND BUYERS GUIDE Microgrids CONSERTEK LM Group CONSERTEK provides complete EPC products and services in the renewable energy sector for all meteorological analysis projects, including engineering, procurement, construction, instrumentation, and commissioning of MET Towers throughout Canada. In addition, CONSERTEK provides inspection and maintenance services on any MET Towers as per TIA-222 standards. CONSERTEK manufactures support booms and accessories, and instrumentation cabinets for wind farms to their clients’ specific needs in North America.

The cabinets are designed and assembled by CONSERTEK’s technicians. The logger program is in-lab pre-tested. The supports booms are compliant with the latest edition of IEC 61400 www.consertek.com

Sustainable Power Systems

Tower Systems, Inc. Tower Systems, Inc. (TSI) has been providing products and services to capture meteorological data for nearly five decades. TSI manufactures the TS Elevator System that will raise or lower meteorological instrumentation on a permanent tower without the need for a climber. TSI does turnkey installation of all types of meteorological towers and has installed hundreds of towers throughout the United States and the world. Services include tower foundation installation, tower installation, tower lighting system supply, installation and repair, met boom supply and installation, met instrumentation supply and installation, tower inspections, modifications, and repairs.

Sustainable Power Systems’ Universal Microgrid Controller (UMC) is a drop-in control system designed to reduce the cost and complexity of microgrid deployment. It is engineered to meet the needs of a wide spectrum of microgrid configurations, grid-tied or off-grid, eliminating the need for solar project developers to do controls integration and custom programming.

The UMC incorporates a real time optimization engine, including load and renewable forecasting, to ensure a low cost of energy.

In Simulation Mode, the UMC monitors and controls a virtual version of each microgrid component, allowing for system validation and training prior to deployment. www.sustainablepowersystems.com

Operations & Maintenance (O&M)

BHI Energy BHI Energy is an independent service provider, offering wind turbine maintenance, inspection and repair to OEMs, utilities, wind developers, and independent power producers across North America. Their preventative, scheduled, and emergent maintenance services include blade repair, uptower work, warranty support, construction and commissioning, project management, and labor augmentation.

They meet customer demands for trained and skilled labor with access to a workforce of experienced craft, technical, and professional personnel. BHI has a comprehensive Wind Training Center and offers blade training and certification. www.bhienergy.com

www.towersystems.com

Correll Group Bachmann electronic GmbH Condition monitoring, SCADA, grid measurement, and data portals are crucial to bring down the cost of energy by 30%.

Bachmann’s smart automation not only increases turbine efficiency, but helps structure and connect the ever-increasing masses of data. This saves valuable time. The controller no longer just processes individual standardized signals for the operational management of the turbine but is becoming more of an intelligent control center.

Bachmann’s solutions can turn 100 monitoring variables into 20 with ISO 10816-21. www.bachmann.info

Specializing in the renewable energy sector, the Correll Group provides electrical engineering, installation, and maintenance services including high voltage, low voltage and fibre optic engineering, control room asset monitoring, HV safety rules, construction support, and service operations and maintenance. www.correllservices.com

HellermannTyton The Inline Ratchet P-Clamp borrows from the proprietary, adjustable clamp design of their original RPC with metal stamping. This version of the wire, cable, and tube bundling solution features an integrated, high tensile strength 9mm fir tree fastener. For applications where a pre-drilled hole exists, the Inline RPC can be installed one-handed.

The fir tree design requires low insertion effort while delivering high extraction resistance. Once a bundle is inserted into the clamp, installers can close the ratcheting mechanism until snug. Just four parts cover bundles from 0.5" to 2" in diameter, reducing inventory versus one-size P-clamps and associated mounting hardware. www.hellermann.tyton.com

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Power Transformers Technical Training Professionals (TTP) Malloy Malloy has a large inventory of wind specific bearings with an emphasis on upgrades to solve problems in the field. Including blade bearings to solve cage failure and ring cracking, gearbox bearings to solve WEC and debris failures, main shaft bearings to solve premature wear and ring cracking issues, and generator bearings to solve electrical discharge and temperature issues.

TTP’s Wind Operations and Maintenance Package includes 3 detailed 3D animated computer-based training courses on the design, operation, and maintenance of the turbine’s major components and systems. Courses cover the turbine itself, including the tower, nacelle, gearbox, lube and control oil system components, AC generator, turbine blades and rotor, as well as basic electrical fundamentals and the interconnect/substation facility. This training package can be used to train new staff or upskill/ reskill existing staff. TTP also offers on-site training for wind power generation operations and maintenance.

www.malloywind.com

www.tectrapro.com

MVA Power MVA Power is a distributor, manufacturer, and supplier who provides quick delivery and short lead times. Focusing in electrical power and clean energy, and providing service and products ranging from cable to transformers to hardware, their team of engineers specialize in the detailed design and manufacturing of transmission, distribution, substation, telecommunications, and light rail transit structures as well as the supply of medium and high voltage equipment. www.mvapower.com

Performance Monitoring

Presto Geosystems Presto Geosystems’ 3D GEOWEB soil confinement system strengthens local fill, even sand, reducing cross section for building roads and pads for foundation construction, turbine component delivery and maintenance access.

Over soft subgrades, one layer does the job compared to three layers typically required of geogrids. Confined infill remains stable under heavy loading. With 50% less cross section, use of onsite fill, and virtually no maintenance requirements, the system is a fast-built, low-cost road solution for stable access into the most challenging sites.

eologix sensor technology gmbh and Ping Services Pty Ltd. eologix-Ping enhances the wind industry's operational efficiency by providing comprehensive rotor blade health monitoring. Their sensor technology is designed to detect ice formation, measure temperature, monitor pitch angles, identify blade damage, and detect lightning strikes. These retrofit-friendly sensor systems facilitate on-the-spot measurements directly on the rotor blade surfaces and acoustic measurements inside the blades or on the turbine tower. This versatile technology is compatible with wind turbines of all types, locations, and life cycle stages, empowering wind farm operators to achieve operational excellence with their wind turbines.

Pennsylvania Transformer Technology, Inc. Pennsylvania Transformer Technology, Inc. (PTTI) is a minority-owned power transformer manufacturer that produces a total range of transformer sizes from 5MVA through 600MVA. Since 1929, PTTI has been designing and building a variety of core-form transformer configurations including 34.5kV generator step-up, 345kV and large OLTC autotransformers, zig-zag, grounding, shunt reactor, mobile, and three-phase voltage regulating transformers. www.patransformer.com

Remote Monitoring

www.eologix-ping.com

www.prestogeo.com

ABLOY Critical Infrastructure Global Solutions ABLOY’s strong and smart locking systems are versatile, with sizes and options that can be applied throughout any wind power network. www.abloyusa.com

Sky Climber Renewables

Something Big Just Hit Nearshore Surveying

Sky Climber Renewables specializes in comprehensive wind, solar, and energy storage service solutions. With a nationwide workforce and end-to-end project lifecycle support services, they’ve evolved to cater to the dynamic needs of OEMs and asset owners across North America.

Vessel Specs

www.skyclimber-re.com

73’ R/V Shackleford

NV5geospatial.com

North American Clean Energy

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2024 WIND BUYERS GUIDE Restoration

AmePower

Sensoria by MISTRAS Group Sensoria is a 24/7/365 wind blade monitor, for offshore and onshore assets that remotely detects and reports damages through an easily-accessible online data portal. Sensoria utilizes acoustic emission (AE) technology to help make wind blades more efficient by maximizing uptime and reducing the need to take blades out of service for inspection. Being able to spot the onset of damages and review them in real time in an online dashboard enables quick, accurate decision-making, and promotes a proactive maintenance strategy so blade damages don’t worsen over time. www.sensoria.com

Superbolt, Inc. The Superbolt Load-Sensing Tensioner (LST) and Load-Sensing Flexnut (LSF) feature a design with built-in sensors that automatically measure and communicate preload values. The Superbolt LST and LSF allow for seamless remote monitoring.

AmePower is a Florida based engineering company offering solutions to reliably repair, overhaul, or modernize any wind turbine converter by adding current technology without compromising any of the OEM’s FIT/FORM/FUNCTION specifications. www.amepower.com/wind-power

Safety Equipment | Fall Protection

www.nord-lock/superbolt

Yokogawa Yokogawa’s Renewable Energy Data and Intelligence (REDI) Solution is a comprehensive “sensor-to-enterprise” solution. Engineered specifically for renewable power assets, REDI enables efficient and reliable operation of energy systems while integrating and managing distributed energy resources (DERs) in today’s dynamic grid environment. Real-time monitoring and control mitigates the impact of unplanned events and allows proactive management of grid resources. Accurate forecasting allows users to navigate peak load and volatile pricing periods. A complex and mixed asset environment requires a complete “sensorto-enterprise” capability providing a single window view to maximize portfolio value while reducing costs and mitigating risks. www.yokogawa.com

Rental Equipment

Premier Truck Rental Premier Truck Rental’s Triplexing Cable Wrapper is made to triplex MV cables on wind farms, wrapping 2 miles of cable per hour using twine.

This unit eliminates the need for zip ties to bundle the cable, as well as is self-propelled and requires no additional power sources other than being pulled behind a trailer. When paired with a Fairlead to guide the triplexed cable into a ditch and an RL5RTWF Five Reel Wind Farm Trailer to haul the reels, users can save both time and money when working on an installation job. www.rentptr.com

Rescue & Safety Training

3S Lift The 3S Lift Climb Auto System is a single technician ladder-mounted lift that eliminates the physical and mental strain of climbing. It features safety control switches on both handles and a remote mode for the easy transport of tools. The collapsible footboards make for rapid evacuation in the event of an emergency. The Climb Auto System offers independent Fall Arresters for the operator and the system itself, providing utmost safety. The Climb Auto System can be easily retrofitted to almost any wind turbine, often in 8 hours or less. Because it is mounted to the existing ladder, the installation typically requires no changes to the wind turbine structures. It is CE, UL, ANSI, OSHA certified, and has been installed in over 80,000 towers worldwide.

The Climb Auto System is a safe and cost-effective way to ascend a tower and lets technicians keep their minds on the job and not on the climb. www.3slift.com/climbauto

FMTC Safety USA, Inc. FMTC Safety offers quality safety training in a comfortable environment.

The Houma facility offers GWO Basic Safety Training (onshore/offshore) in the traditional form of training, and as digital delivery. The individual modules can be taken as a stand-alone course as well. In addition to the BST, FMTC offers Confined Space Rescue, OPITO HUET, Rigging, and Advanced Rescue Training. www.fmtcsafety.com/us

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Pigeon Mountain Industries The PMI Fall-Tek Rescue Solution allows a non-committal coworker rescue to be safely accomplished by using a telescoping pole to hook the suspended worker and then raise or lower them to safety. The Fall-Tek is rescue-ready and pre-rigged with ANSI compliant ropes and hardware, thereby eliminating the time spent on tying knots or setting up a complicated rigging system.

Training on the PMI Fall-Tek Rescue Solution is strongly recommended. www.pmirope.com

Ronin Revolution The Ronin TL helps prevent injury caused by fatigue and increases efficiency. It can even help extend at-height working careers. Despite its compact size, this powerful tool was developed to manage heavy loads in harsh environments.

Because of Ronin's rope capture engineering, users can safely accomplish angled ascents or tag a buddy out, avoiding overhanging obstacles not present in other ascender capabilities. www.roninpowerascender.com

Dakota Riggers From tool lanyards and tie-off points to holsters and pouches, Dakota Riggers stocks a full selection of 3M tool tethering products. With the recent publication of the ANSI/SEA 121-2018 Dropped Objects Standard, fall protection for tools is quickly becoming a necessity in the wind industry in order to protect those working below. www.dakotariggers.com

Power Climber Wind

SKYLOTEC

The NEW IBEX Total Access System (TXS) from Power Climber Wind provides increased technician safety, comfort, and productivity. The Integrated Access Controller offers a single connection to the user with an integrated Z359.16-2016 rated fall arrest and separate 10:1 safety factor climb assist belt. Based on the IBEX control system, the TXS delivers customizable assistance up to 90% of climber weight. The continuous loop belt eliminates the need to reset between climbers.

The SKYLOTEC ACX power ascender is used, among other things, to allow technicians easy access for repair and maintenance. The ACX considerably simplifies access inside structures and makes expensive elevators, climb assist systems, or lifting platforms unnecessary.

The ACX is rated to carry a person and their equipment up to 440lbs and has a speed of up to 78ft/min. Countless rescue scenarios and material handling are also possible with the ACX. The ACX can also be controlled by a second person on the ground using a remote control up to a range of 492ft.

www.powerclimberwind.com

www.skylotec.com

Large Inventory Fast Shipping Low Minimums Custom Parts MTO Technical Support

Kong USA, LLC KONG FROG Quickdraw Set with Aluminum ANSI Carabiner and captive pin is the first attachment point for offshore wind workers transferring from the crew transport vessel to the offshore turbine platform. Quick and easy, self-closing inline connection.

Positioned on the sternal attachment point of the worker’s harness and connects to the SRL of the offshore wind turbine. www.kongusa.com

PEI Rebuild and Repair Kits for Generators & Motors

3M Wind Products

Lubricants & Greases

Saint-Gobain Tapes

Marmon Electrical Wire & Cable

Rigid & Flexible Laminates

Pittsburgh, PA 412.462.6300 sales@peipittsburgh.com

Proud Member & Supporter of:

Specialists in Electrical Insulation Since 1947

www.peipittsburgh.com / 1.800.462.4734

Brownsville, TX 956.554.3690 espanol@peipittsburgh.com

North American Clean Energy

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2024 WIND BUYERS GUIDE Signs, Tags, & Markers KEEN Utility Tech Safety Lines, Inc. The SRK-15 is used for the self-rescue and evacuation of any worker at height. This CE and ANSI certified self-rescue kit has been field tested for over two decades and is used in multiple industries globally. Tech Safety Lines’ unique escape and Self-Rescue Kit, utilizes high heat aramid fiber rope. The Military Compact Descender (MCD-G) has a dual braking system, both an active brake and a passive brake. The SRK-15 is certified for distances up to 600ft (180m). CE minimum temperature -40°F (-40°C). www.techsafetylines.com

Safety Work Apparel

New for Fall ‘23, KEEN Utility’s Arvada is designed for jobs requiring constant movement and long hours standing. A blend of athletic-level cushioning and style, this safety-toe work sneaker series features the lightweight, compression-resisting KEEN.ReGEN midsole that returns 50% more energy than standard EVA foam and a sneaker-like ultrabreathable mesh upper. At the same time, the Arvada does not sacrifice when it comes to safety offering asymmetrical carbon-fiber safety toes that are unobtrusive and 15% lighter than steel, and an EH-rated oil-and-slip-resistant rubber outsole provides dependable footing.

Offering energy-returning jobsite performance with all-day style, the Arvada is available for both men and women in several colorways. www.keenutility.com

GME Supply Company GME Supply distributes safety and productivity gear including customizable FR uniforms, safety gear, hand and power tools, fall protection, lifting and rigging, radios, headlamps, PPE, consumables, and more.

Tech Products, Inc. Tech Products, Inc. provides signs, tags, and markers for wind farms. The Everlast brand has been used by on shore and off shore for safety signage. Its unique design makes it impervious to salt spray, UV abuse, and extreme temperature changes. Three-D cable markers are suitable for marking electrical cable and underground conduit. Their line marker brand lets all land owners know where cable is buried and protects it from being disturbed. www.techproducts.com

www.gme.com

Software Supplier

Studson STUDSON’s SHK-1 Full Brim Type II Safety Helmet helps prevent injury from impacts to the front, back, sides, and top of the head with protection from the elements. Inside, the Koroyd welded tube polymer technology helps absorb impacts from fall-related injuries while also improving heat dissipation and venting via its cellular-structure design in comparison to traditional EPS foam. The embedded Twiceme technology digitally integrates a wearer’s vital health data within the helmet. In the event of an emergency, the data is accessible via a smartphone NFC chip reader on the top of the safety helmet, viewable through an SMS text message or the Twiceme app for iOS or Android devices. studson.com

Thrive Workwear Thrive Workwear's protective work apparel has been providing solutions to the wind industry for nearly 10 years. Their line-up of clothing includes Flame Resistant work pants, FR work shirts, FR base layers, and FR outerwear designed specifically for wind technicians and construction workers. Their work pants feature full-time knee protection built-in with patented SQUISH pad technology.

RELIABLE IN ALL

conditions

www.thriveworkwear.com

MANOSKOP® 730 Quick Experience integrated tool solutions for maintaining wind turbines. Experience the »Made in Germany« difference. info@stahlwille-americas.com

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Emerson Optimize renewable energy asset operations with Ovation Green, a reliable and robust portfolio of purpose-built renewables software and automation solutions. The Ovation Green portfolio leverages their Ovation automation platform, deep power industry and energy expertise to provide simplified renewables automation that helps power producers confidently navigate the emerging sustainable energy economy. Emerson’s Ovation Green renewable portfolio provides a secure, purposebuilt digital automation foundation with multi-asset and multi-vendor interoperability. Their data-driven solution provides actionable intelligence to increase availability and reduce costs. www.emerson.com/ovation-green

FDH Infrastructure Services

SCADA International

FDH provides nondestructive testing, predictive software, and engineering analysis to identify infrastructure maintenance needs long before they happen. Using data-driven monitoring and insights, they improve safety, cut costs, and reduce risk, all while increasing long-term portfolio value. Products include Bolts iQ, a fast, safe, and accurate solution for measuring bolt tension; Foundations iQ, an intelligent asset management system for unknown foundations; and Smart Tower, real-time remote structure monitoring with threshold alerts.

The OneView Portfolio SCADA combines each specific site’s Park SCADA system and transforms them into a unified system that can be managed from the headquarter remote control center. With this independent secondlevel SCADA solution, users can monitor, analyze, and control their entire renewable portfolio of wind, solar, and hydro plants in only one system while working with high-quality, normalized data and saving time and resources.

The aggregated system enables third-party access, and is designed to give ownership of all data to the asset owner, allowing for more secure operations. All data is located on the customer’s server, giving the owner full control of user access and rights.

www.fdh-is.com

Fluix Fluix is a B2b document workflow management cloud platform, which helps digitally transform global midsize and enterprise companies through automation, collaboration, and performance analysis of their day-to-day field service operations.

Fluix is used by companies in the US and the EU to power productivity and task efficiency. www.fluix.io

PcVue Solutions PcVue Inc. the North America affiliate of ARC Informatique, provides an advanced, highly flexible, and scalable HMI and SCADA software platform for automation solutions that are easy to configure, quick to deploy, and have a low total cost of ownership. PcVue has a service oriented proactive collaborative approach to meeting automation and industrial control system cyber security requirements for their end users, value added resellers, OEM, or system integrators. Their software is used as the foundation for automation, monitoring, and control in energy production and distribution for wind, solar, and hydroelectric.

www.scada-international.com

SparkCognition SparkCognition Renewable Suite is a cloud-based modular Asset Performance Management system for wind, solar, and storage that enables users to increase energy production, decrease maintenance costs, and improve operational efficiency.

Renewable Suite is powered by SparkCognition’s artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology, deep energy domain and software expertise, and an open mindset on user enablement and flexible integrations. www.sparkcognition.com

www.pcvuesolutions.com

Indji Systems Indji Systems delivers situational awareness solutions focusing on identifying weather hazards that disrupt solar and wind operations. Plan of Day/Week dashboards help users quickly identify rapidly changing weather, allowing them to be more proactive, mitigating potential impacts to their operation and employee safety. Asset specific forecasts provide early notice for planning, safety, and asset decisions. Thresholds for lightning, high winds, icing, hail, wildfires, and other environmental hazards can be set to alert users via text or email if those thresholds will be exceeded. www.indjiwatch.com

Meteodyn METEODYN UNIVERSE is a modular, flexible, and collaborative wind power software suite. From A to Z, it answers to many stages of a wind farm project and up to its exploitation. It is composed of 5 interconnected software to design, analyze, optimize a wind farm project, or improve the performance of an existing one. Users can either install one or several of the software that constitute it: GCS, a quick mesoscale data provider; WDA, an intuitive software to analyze and complete wind data; WT, an accurate and quick wind resource assessment software; WFO, an exhaustive wind farm optimization software; and WPA, a wind farm performance analysis software for diagnostics.

SITE OVER EXCAVATION TOO COSTLY?

DISCOVER AGGREGATE PIERS | 888.574.9536

www.meteodyn.com North American Clean Energy

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2024 WIND BUYERS GUIDE

Whitestar The Whitestar Explorer data set includes 550+ attributes critical to renewables companies across four layers: ParcelHD, CultureHD, WellsHD, and TrueGRID. Their data integrity, accuracy, and fidelity can be relied on for major business decisions. The data is derived from authoritative sources and standardized to a nationwide schema for each layer.

Development, GIS, analytics, and land teams can save time with single scripting across the nation. With Whitestar’s Stream, updates flow seamlessly to GIS, while other delivery types are also available. Whitestar also provides Flex GIS Mapping services to help companies catch up on mapping their back log of land agreements. www.whitestar.com

Steel Plate Supplier

Leeco Steel

Whether you need a system for wind blade production or repairs, contact us today to learn how Mankiewicz can provide your complete coatings solutions.

Founded in 1882, Leeco Steel has deep inventories of carbon, HSLA, and alloy steel plate. Leeco also offers steel plate processing services, including flame cutting, drilling, and shot blasting. Backed by a safety program and ISO 9001 certified quality management system, Leeco delivers quality products and service, including digital document delivery on all orders and online ordering and order management via its Leeco Pro platform.

Leeco supplies large quantity commodity products to companies around the world via its expert Trading division.

Nearthlab Nearthlab's suite of solutions includes NearthWIND, highly precise drones capable of detecting defects as small as 0.3mm across all three blades within 15 minutes, and NearthWIND Mobile, an intuitive plug-and-play solution that turns everyday commercial devices into autonomous inspection drones. Thereafter, the collected data goes through Zoomable, a cloudbased analytics platform that acts as a central hub for real-time data monitoring and management. nearthlab.com

Atlas Copco Atlas Copco’s Smart Tensioning System (STS) is a solution that offers operator guidance and data capturing capabilities. As the energy sector continues to transition towards Industry 4.0, Atlas Copco bridges the gap between factory and field. This ensures optimal loading for each bolt, effectively eliminating loose bolts and rework. This advanced Smart Tensioning System is available for foundation, tower, and blade applications. Combining the STS with Atlas Copco’s intelligent nutrunners (SRB HA or Tenser Revo HA) provides operators effortless data control and safe operation, paving the way for quick, safe, and smart work. www.atlascopco.com

Voltgard Division of Saf-T-Gard International, Inc. The Saf-T-Gard Voltgard Test Lab is a large, independent NAIL4PET-accredited test lab for rubber insulating products in the United States, and offers complete retesting and certification of rubber gloves, sleeves, blankets, line hose, covers, dielectric footwear, jumper cables, grounding sets, plastic guards, hot sticks, matting, hoods, and hand tools all to applicable ASTM standards. The Saf-T-Gard Voltgard Test Lab offers electrical testing at both AC and DC voltages according to the exposure and application for use of the products being tested. Products passing electrical testing can be returned to service for continued use and cost savings over purchasing new rubber goods.

Greenlee | HD Electric Greenlee / HD Electric's high voltage test and measurement products are a comprehensive range of products for testing electrical apparatus such as Voltage Detectors, Analog and Digital Voltmeters and Phasers, Voltage Indicating Phasers, Ammeters, Capacitor Testers and Transformer Testers, Underground Cable Fault Testers, Ammeters, Digital Voltage Indicators, Proximity Voltage Detectors, Stray Voltage Detectors, LOOKOUT Voltage Detection Network, Personal Voltage Detectors. www.greenlee.com

www.saftgard.com

Tools

www.leecosteel.com

Testing | Inspection Services AcraDyne

Insulation monitoring devices detect symmetrical insulation and DC faults that often occur in control circuits and DC voltage networks such as those found in battery energy storage systems. When insulation resistance is monitored, trend curves and other predictions can be made. A permanently installed iso685 from Bender Inc. is a solution for monitoring battery energy storage systems because faults and locations are automatically detected and displayed. This significantly reduces time and effort required for maintenance work.

AcraDyne’s Gen IV Critical Bolting Platform is an advanced bolting/tool system. HT Series tools from AcraDyne are electric, high-torque bolting tools that provide accuracy, speed, and safety. The iEC controller/tool system measures traceable, dynamic torque directly at the square drive. The built-in transducer ensures accurate torque values. The Gen IV platform provides an additional level of operator safety and ergonomics when combined with AcraDyne’s Dual-Lever HT Nutrunners. AcraDyne’s HT tools deliver high speeds in torque ranges 50 – 17,000Nm. The ergonomic, robust design includes five handle configurations. These tools are designed and assembled in the USA.

www.benderinc.com

www.acradyne.com

Bender Inc.

North America: +1 (843) 654 7755 Europe: +49 (0) 40 / 75 10 30

www.mankiewicz.com

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ITH Bolting Technology ITH is a company focused on tension and torque bolting solutions for all stages of the wind turbine life cycle from factory, transport, construction, and O&M. The O&M line of tooling features their lightweight and compact MicroMAX pump in battery-powered or corded 110V remote versions. This pump is compatible with their tensioners and torque wrenches (DRS/ DKS) to provide a simple and flexible solution for service crews. Additional battery-powered pump options are available for dual-line hydraulic torque wrenches type CX/D-Flex. ITH offers a full range of tension and torque tooling to meet the varying needs of customers. www.ith.com

McCann Equipment, Ltd. McCann Equipment Ltd. is a multi-branch Canadian industrial tool distributor, specializing in the sale, service, and rental of torque and tensioning products. Their services include the repair, calibration, and certification of torque tools (manual, electric, pneumatic, hydraulic), transducers, and testers. Additionally, they certify air pressure gauges and hydraulic gauges as well as tension calibration testers (Skidmore). ISO 17025 accredited. www.torquetools.com

Nucor Corporation

WORD Rock Drills The WORD Rock Drill SS Series Skid Steer Attachment is a solution for wind turbine grounding rod and foundation installations.

Built for versatility, this drilling attachment can tackle tough soil conditions for a variety of applications and easily attaches to an existing skid steer. With user-friendly operating controls, these units can be operated by crew members or drillers at all levels of experience. WORD Rock Drills provides complementary drill training with each new machine purchase.

Elcyon is a sustainable steel plate conforming to EuroNorm 10025 and 10225, available in the full range of sizes and piece weights required for offshore wind projects. This steel plate is made using electric arc furnace (EAF) technology, with a recycled content in excess of 90% and greenhouse gas emissions 1/3 the global blast furnace average.

Elcyon was designed to meet the rigorous standards of offshore wind energy designers, manufacturers, and fabricators. nucor.com/elcyon

www.wordrockdrills.com

PATRIOT Renewables, Inc. PATRIOT Renewables provides application specific solutions including sales, rental, repair, and calibration of cordless, and corded hydraulic torque and tension equipment, manual torque wrenches, pressure gauges, hoses and other accessories. They are an authorized sales and service distributor for all TRACTEL products including De-Rope and Climb Assist. They are located in Oklahoma City and service the Americas and worldwide markets. They also offer ultrasonic data recording equipment for construction and maintenance bolting record requirements. www.patriotind.com

Stahlwille Tools, LLC Stahlwille offers torque wrenches with no coil-spring design, no need to return to zero after use. These tools can be adjusted without disassembly during calibration. By pushing down the lever in the handle and sliding the scale button, the torque setting can be changed with ease. The QuickRelease safety lock secures the insert tools, while at the same time enables them to be changed quickly, the inadvertent release is no longer a risk. Available with multiple choices of inserts, ratchet, crow foot, ring, and specialty options. www.stahlwille-americas.com

Tower Foundations

Five Star Products, Inc. New Five Star XP 230 Epoxy Grout for Wind Towers boasts a compressive strength of 23,000psi (158.5MPa), tested per ASTM C1090, and excels in dynamic conditions with high fatigue resistance. It replaces costly steel bearing plates and seals the connection between the tower and foundation, creating a strong, weathertight connection. Pour up to 14" deep in a single lift with a 45-minute working time. Achieve 10,000psi (68.9MPa) in 4 hours at 90°F or 8 hours at 70°F, expediting installation of tower sections and lowering costs. www.fivestarproducts.com

RELIABLE SLIP RINGS AND ROTARY UNIONS FOR WIND TURBINE MANUFACTURERS AND OPERATORS. WHEN HIGH RELIABILITY POWER AND DATA TRANSMISSION IS REQUIRED, MOOG HAS THE SOLUTIONS. Moog has developed direct replacement pitch control slip rings for today’s wind turbines. The slip ring provides reliable transmission of power and data signals from the nacelle to the control system for the rotary blades. The ring/brush contacts produces minimal wear debris for over 100 million revolutions with field demonstrated performance.

Moog’s proven fiber brush technology has become synonymous with high performance slip rings around the world. With over 50 years of experience and more than 10,000 slip ring designs, our engineers work together with your design team to find a solution that is right for you.

PITCH CONTROL SLIP RING ADVANTAGES: • High reliability • Maintenance free • No lubrication required • Wide operating temperature range • Reliable data transfer • Lower life-cycle cost • Anti-icing and de-icing capabilities • Integrated fiber optic option available

www.moog.com

rotarysolutions@moog.com

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2024 WIND BUYERS GUIDE Transportation | Logistics

Anderson Trucking Services (ATS) ATS, a worldwide transportation and project management provider, executes the many logistical elements of multifaceted and often multimodal energy projects. ATS also specializes in the physical transport of the oversized and over-dimensional loads that come with them. Having safely moved more than 215,000 wind components since 2003, ATS currently provides transportation solutions for approximately one-third of North America’s wind projects annually. With 65 years of experience in the transportation industry, ATS is a third generation family-owned company headquartered in St. Cloud, Minnesota. www.atsinc.com

CN

Port Milwaukee

CN provides shipping by rail and logistics services to get wind energy components to their destination safely and damage-free.

They work with connecting carriers to design efficient routes throughout North America.

Port Milwaukee is positioned on the western shores of Lake Michigan and strategically located in the industrial center of the US, with access to international markets via the St. Lawrence Seaway system and the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River inland system. Specializing in breakbulk and project cargo handling, the port offers 16 seaway-max docks, 330,000sq/ft of covered warehouse space, 30,000sq/ft of which is climate-controlled and approximately 35 acres of laydown space.

www.cn.ca/dimensional

www.portmilwaukee.com

Cornerstone Systems Cornerstone Systems provides international and domestic freight, container drayage, transloading/warehousing, truck, LTL, intermodal, railcar, specialized shipments, and job site delivery.

Qualifications and certifications include GSA Approved Carrier, DOD Approved Carrier, Hazmat Certified, SmartWay Certified, and member of Transportation Intermediaries Association, Transportation & Logistics Council, and the American Trucking Association. A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. www.cornerstone-systems.com

Port of Brownsville Aspen Custom Trailer US, Inc. In the growing industry of wind energy, Aspen Custom Trailers is a provider of safe and reliable wind energy transporters. They provide solutions tailored to their customer’s hauling needs. Aspen’s wind line-up includes tower blade transporters, tower section, and nacelle transporters. Aspen provides solutions for heavy haul challenges across North America, at every stage, from customer consultation and detailed trailer design to premium brand name material selection and manufacturing right through to delivery and training. www.aspentrailer.com

Composite Windblade Repair Training

Doleco USA, Inc. Doleco USA provides a full range of products in the areas of lifting equipment, slings, ropes, and load securing technologies. They produce a wide range of steel, textile, or composite products. On request, they will design and produce custom-made lifting solutions.

www.portofbrownsville.com

www.doleco-usa.com

Duluth Cargo Connect ENROLL NOW

Available at our facility or yours

Located in North America's furthest-inland seaport, Duluth Cargo Connect is a congestion-free multimodal logistics hub with decades of experience handling wind energy cargo by sea, road, and rail. www.duluthcargo.com

Emmert International R-5: Composite Windblade Repair R-15: Advanced Composite Windblade Repair

Emmert International provides engineered transportation and rigging services specializing in wind components, both on and off highway. www.emmertintl.com

CONTACT US TODAY! +1.775.827.6568 training@abaris.com • www.abaris.com

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The Port of Brownsville provides solutions for the movement of wind energy components, and has logistical capabilities and a strategic location along the U.S.-Mexico border. As a large U.S. land-owning port, the Port of Brownsville is capable of receiving, storing, and moving massive components for the wind energy industry, including large windmill blades imported to the U.S. The port’s specialized equipment and skilled workforce are experienced in handling the oversize cargo for transport by vessel, barge, rail, and truck with ease across North America and beyond.

2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

Port of Lake Charles The Port of Lake Charles, the nation's 12th-busiest deepwater port as measured by tonnage, offers global shipping services for breakbulk, bulk, specialty, and project cargo via its intermodal City Docks and Bulk Terminal facilities. The 400ft-wide, 40ft-deep Calcasieu Ship Channel is a direct route to and from the central Gulf of Mexico.

Also, BOEM has designated one of its two potential wind areas in the Gulf at a site located 60 nautical miles south of the port's Industrial Canal. The 40ft-deep Industrial Canal has a 1400ft-by-1400ft turning basin and offers 60 acres of land for a potential wind power marshaling port and a wind power manufacturing facility. www.portlc.com

Wind Turbine Manufacturer Port of Vancouver USA To support transportation of wind energy components, the port has two Liebherr mobile harbor cranes that can lift 140-MT each and 210-MT in tandem, a multi-purpose crane with 51-MT capacity, and crane operators certified in tandem and engineered lifts. Stevedoring equipment includes trailers and reach-stackers to efficiently move cargo. They have over 100 acres of laydown space and their completed rail expansion project triples capacity and increases velocity on the mainline. www.portvanusa.com

Marmen BarberWind Turbines, LLC The BWT800kW is a mid-sized wind turbine designed especially for remote or isolated grid applications where the customer is dependent on a diesel system. The built-in lifting system eliminates the need for a giant crane for installation and allows the turbine to be lowered in advance of severe weather or a hurricane. This turbine utilizes 1216 airfoil blades that are 5ft long each. Nineteen blades are strung along each of 64 steel cable spokes. The small blades make it possible to ship the entire turbine in standard shipping containers. When in the upright position the turbine is 330ft tall and will power a farm, factory, or neighborhood of about 300 homes.

Marmen has contributed to the growth and development of the wind industry since 2022. With their plants in Trois-Rivières and Matane in Québec and Brandon in South Dakota in the United States, they serve the Canadian and US markets. Marmen can produce wind towers of any size.

Their expertise includes fabrication of wind towers, blasting, metallization and painting, assembly of internal components, and nacelle assembly. www.marmeninc.com/en

Yaw, Pitch, Blade Drives, and Sensors

www.barberwind.com

Moog, Inc.

Goldwind's GWH 182-6.2/7.2MW Medium Speed Permanent Magnet wind turbine, featuring a permanent magnet synchronous generator and a full-scale converter. The MSPM platform inherits nearly 91% of the same supply chain as Goldwind's PMDD generators. The latest MSPM wind turbine series offers customers more opportunities to build projects in complex wind regimes without compromising on long-term performance.

Moog offers wind turbine pitch slip rings and rotary unions for many global wind turbine manufacturers. Costly downtime is eliminated by using fiber brushes and robust mechanical components in the slip ring design. Moog’s replacement solutions provide reliable transmission of power and data signals from the nacelle to the control system for the rotary blades. The ring/brush contact technology offers a maintenance free solution for over 100 million revolutions with field-demonstrated performance. Moog also offers slip rings for blade heating, with anti-icing and de-icing capabilities, which can be retrofitted onto many established wind turbine models in harsh areas.

www.goldwindamericas.com

www.moog.com

Transportation Partners and Logistics Currently serving a variety of OEMs, project developers, and supply companies, TP&L provides logistics and transportation management for a variety of industries across the entire supply chain.

Since 2012, TP&L’s one-stop-shop for logistics and management solutions has assisted more than 75 wind farms, multiple oil/gas drilling projects, and agriculture throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. TP&L’s team of in-house engineers are top-load certified and ready to take the lead when it comes to any logistical needs. From port to pad they deliver economically, safely, and on time.

Goldwind Americas

www.tpandl.com

Light when you need it

Wind Assessment | Forecasting

Aircraft Detection Lighting Systems

Vaisala There is a WindCube lidar for all phases and types of wind farm projects, both onshore, offshore. Plus, Vaisala’s robust suite of complementary solutions provide the actionable intelligence needed to maximize output, performance, profitability, and safety at every project stage, from weather forecasting and historical data, lightning data solutions, and weather sensors and stations. www.windcubelidar.com

Windcrane WINDCRANE systems can be installed on any crane model used in the wind energy industry. This improves productivity and efficiency, ensures a safe environment, and provides reports to all parties involved to support any winded-off time due to weather.

Halus Power Systems Midsized Vestas wind turbines from 90kW to 500kW are available from Halus Power Systems. In their remanufacturing process, there is no mechanical part on the turbine, including the transmission, that is not fully disassembled and rebuilt.

Each wind turbine has hundreds of new parts installed, with many parts purchased from Vestas directly, which ensures the original manufacturer specifications are met. The original relay-based controllers are replaced with modern, microprocessor-based control systems, with options for remote monitoring and control systems. Other options include cold weather packages, multiple tower options, and crane-less installations for remote sites. www.halus.com

Find out more:

contact@detect-inc.com

Night when you don’t Radar-Activated Obstruction Lighting

www.detect-inc.com

www.windcrane.com North American Clean Energy

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ENERGY STORAGE

High Voltage DC Relays are Indispensable to Green Energy Infrastructure

by Jim Beckert

Dive into the exhilarating world of green energy systems, the new frontier in our quest for sustainable and clean energy, where demand is booming at a global level. Get a closer look at the beating heart of these systems — DC relays, the unsung heroes of power transmission and control. They don't just offer reliable switching, isolation, and control, but also protect against any unforeseen faults. High voltage direct current relays are revolutionizing the landscape; they’re instrumental in powering everything from electric vehicles to microgrids, telecommunication power supplies, and even solar and wind power systems. So, gear up for a deep dive into how this key technology is reshaping the face of numerous green energy applications.

The increasing global demand for clean and sustainable energy sources has led to the rapid growth of green energy systems. DC relays have emerged as a key technology in this context. In conjunction with other components, relays can provide reliable switching, isolation, control, and protection against faults. High voltage direct current relays are utilized in a myriad of green energy applications. Those applications include, but are not limited to, electric vehicles, microgrids, telecommunications power supplies, photovoltaic systems, and wind power.

Relays are electrically operated switches that use electromagnets to control the opening and closing of circuits. In their simplest form, they consist of a coil, moving armature, and contacts. When an electric current of sufficient magnitude flows through the coil, it creates a magnetic field that attracts the armature, causing the contacts to close. When the current is removed, the contacts revert to their original state. This mechanism allows for the control of electrical currents in a variety of applications. Typically, the coil voltage and power are much lower than the contact voltage and power.

Relays are known for their robustness and reliability. They can handle high current and voltage levels, making them suitable for demanding applications. Additionally, DC relays have long service lives, reducing or eliminating maintenance requirements and ensuring consistent performance in harsh environmental conditions. They’re also extremely capable, efficient, and cost-effective.

DC relays are integral to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. They facilitate the switching and control of charging currents, protection against faults, and communication with the vehicle's charging interface. Relays ensure safe and efficient charging, supporting the widespread adoption of EVs. In smart grids and microgrids, DC relays provide control functions for power distribution, load shedding, and grid synchronization. They enable the integration of distributed energy resources, demand response management, and optimization of grid operations.

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Choosing the right relay for your application involves knowing your system intimately.

You should understand the current and voltage levels, ambient temperature, temperature rise limits, lifetime, cycles required, any breaking requirements, and short circuit conditions. You should also understand what you expect the relay to do under certain conditions.

In most systems, high voltage DC relays are not relied upon or expected to do the actual make-and-break of the load or connect/ disconnect from a battery pack. Semiconductors often do that job because they can modulate or control current; relays can only be “on” or “off.” However, relays are needed because semiconductors can’t perform a few critical functions: 1. Isolation: Semiconductors have relatively high open-state resistance. However, at high voltages, the open-state resistance may not be high enough for safe human contact. This is due to stray charge carriers in the depletion zone of the device. In service environments or when a system malfunction occurs, safety must be given the highest priority. A relay solves this problem by creating a physical air gap between the high voltage and humans. By using interlocks and other fail-safe techniques, safety is maintained automatically and virtually impossible to defeat if designed properly. Keeping people from being exposed to damaging or deadly high voltages is as important as protecting the environment.

2. Semiconductor failure: Semiconductors are very good at effectively controlling current, except when they’re not. When semiconductors fail due to punch-through or other causes, the failure mode is often a breakdown of the drain-to-source channel, causing a short. The semiconductor can’t not be “shut off” when this happens. An alternative method of opening the circuit is often a relay.

• Operate and release time: How quickly does the relay need to respond to the 3. Reconfiguration: Sometimes there’s a desire to adapt a system to different command to open or close? infrastructure. For instance, some electric vehicles may need to charge on either • Is Underwriter’s Laboratories listing or recognition required? a 400V charger or an 800V charger. To accomplish the re-rerouting of batteries to • Is there a limit to the coil current or power that must not be exceeded? accommodate, the relays can open or close to connect batteries in a series circuit • What levels of shock and vibration will the relay be exposed to? or a parallel circuit. Having a second set of semiconductors to accomplish this task • Is there a sound pressure level limit? would be bulky and expensive.

• Which failure modes are acceptable or unacceptable? For instance, if a relay’s contacts 4. Emergency switching: Relays often serve as a last line of defense to protect the weld during a short circuit event, is that satisfactory as long as there’s no rupture? system from certain overcurrent conditions. A relay responds to the command As long as you take the time to really understand the details of your system, you will to open within just a few milliseconds. This is of critical importance because have little trouble knowing its limits and choosing the right CD relay to protect your fuses are often sized to avoid nuisance opening. Because of this, they often can’t investment in the long run. respond fast to any but the very highest short circuit conditions. An alternative method of detecting and actively intervening to lower current overloads must be employed. These currents can still be damaging or dangerous. Again, the relay Jim Beckert is Sr. Manager of Application Engineering at Hongfa America, which steps in to perform a duty that no other component can fulfill. supplies electromechanical relays worldwide. Hongfa is devoted to product research, High voltage relay technology is advancing. Technologies have been developed development, and technological innovation. to reduce size while increasing capability. There have also been advances in contact material that have been demonstrated to exhibit anti-welding properties, with only a Hongfa America, Inc. /// www.hongfaamerica.com slight increase in cost and overall contact resistance.

Factors to consider when choosing a high voltage DC relay include: • What is the system voltage?

Choose a relay that’s rated the system voltage or higher.

• What current will the relay be expected to carry? Are there any transient currents that need to be taken into account?

• What is the ambient temperature the relay will be Smart Energy HV Hybrid Panel exposed to? Relay currentInveter carrying capability decreases with increased temperature.

Combining a High-Voltage battery and • Is there an allowable temperature rise limit? inverter with a Smart Energy Panel, the • Will any making or breaking Fortress Power Avalon HV ESS is truly an be performed by the relay? If all-in-one, whole-home backup system. so, how many times over the HV Hybrid Inveter system lifetime? Under what • Manage system from mobile app Smart Energy Panel circumstances/conditions?

• Scalable up to 58.8kWh with an ultra-thin, stackable, design • Are there system resistance • 4 MPPTs for maximum efficiency (max 18.24 kW PV array) thresholds? How will the relay’s contact resistance impact the • AC or DC Coupled with 200A pass-through & grid transfer switch overall system resistance to keep • Smart load management to control up to 12 circuits it within allowable levels?

• Integrated module level rapid shutdown transmitter • Has the stability of the relay’s contact resistance over the lifetime been considered? Various relay constructions and technologies can provide more stable HV Battery & BMS performance over time and over a wider range of environments.

FORTRESS POWER AVALON High Voltage Energy Storage System

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Leveraging Multilevel Simulation and Testing to Minimize BESS Risk

by Michael Stebbins and Jared Spence

B

attery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) projects are systems of systems: a collection of individual components that have their own software, connectors, and operational requirements. These systems must interface with other components that have different software and operational requirements., all of which creates an incredible level of complexity a system integrator must address.

METHOD

STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

Software-Only

• Inexpensive • Quick to modify

• Limited accuracy • Loose representation of real operation

Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation

• Flexible to reconfiguration • High accuracy using real control circuitry

• Requires experience and understanding to build accurate models • Model complexity and replication capped by available HIL equipment

Lab Testing

• Uses real equipment with full responses • Higher accuracy

• High cost to implement • Low reconfigurability

On-Site Testing

• Uses actual equipment being used on site • Can test real world running conditions

• Unable to test high impact faults due to potential equipment damage • Can be dangerous to both personnel and customer equipment

Table 1. Comparison between methods of evaluating operability of BESS projects through simulation Experienced system integrators with in-house simulation programs can reduce operational and commissioning risks by testing BESS component interaction, communication, and potential failure points prior to project installation on site.

There are different simulation environments that allow testing prior to Commercial Operation Date (COD). Each simulation has different tradeoffs for cost, safety, and accuracy. A robust simulation plan should include multi-faceted testing, which

should range from the easily repeatable and automated, to the difficult to automate but highly accurate.

Common methods for evaluating operability of BESS projects include Software-Only, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Simulation, Lab Testing, and On-Site Testing. System integrators can perform all of these common methods alone or in tandem, but each has its strengths and weaknesses.

Software-only simulation

Software-only simulation models are inexpensive to create and set up for test, but they are only as accurate as the equipment specifications, which may not align to real system performance in the field. This simulation environment works well to test communication and connectivity between different modules and parts of the system. It is most useful where high flexibility and rapid reconfiguration are needed or desired.

Hardware in Loop (HIL) simulation testing

HIL testing bridges the gap between software-only and lab-scale testing using the automation and flexibility of software simulation with the accuracy and performance of real project hardware. When set up correctly to emulate site conditions, HIL systems

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can enable microsecond-level electrical simulation between real control boards from batteries, inverters, and meters and power plant control hardware developed by the integrator. They provide the communication bridge between battery management system software, inverter controls, meter readouts, system faults and alarms, and the power plant controller’s logic.

This not only allows real-time simulation of typical operations, but also provides a sandbox for testing system responses to electrical and communication faults, evaluating behavior across different functional modes and diagnosing problems encountered in system operation. Since the HIL system can simulate high impact fault conditions such as over temperature faults or IGBT failures, there are no impacts to real hardware or personnel safety while performing these tests.

For battery energy storage systems already in service, the HIL system can serve as an additional level of software validation before updates and firmware upgrades from OEMs are rolled out into the field.

Providers with simulation and modelling experience, and multilevel testing capability in a variety of simulation environments, can help reduce risk to the project and increase operational certainty for the power plant owners and operators.

Michael Stebbins is L3 Simulation Engineer, and Jared Spence is Sr. Product Manager at IHI Terrasun Solutions, an energy storage integrator with proprietary power plant software and in-house field services team. With almost a decade of energy storage development experience, the company focuses primarily on large scale BESS projects.

IHI Terrasun Solutions /// www.ihiterrasun.com

Let’s start with

Lab testing

Lab testing rigs can provide accurate results, but can only be done on a small amount of equipment. Labs require a large amount of space for the containerized BESS products and expensive dedicated systems that must be updated frequently, which may or may not be easy to reconfigure for different projects.

Onsite testing

Site equipment testing gives real system responses, but prohibits fault simulation because of the risk of damage to equipment and system downtime. Site test is also the most dangerous and costly, as the energy transferred is real and not simulated.

We do BESS – top quality stationary energy storage.

Because safe, durable, high-efficiency batteries are the cornerstone of a stable grid and affordable energy.

Want to talk?

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Battery Energy Storage System ROI 3 factors for profitability

by Matthew Sachs

Battery energy storage systems are a great way for manufacturing facilities to reduce costs and even generate additional revenue. However, these projects come at a high cost and have a lengthy and involved deployment process. Fortunately, there are strategies to protect the return on investment of these projects at every stage. Financing and deal design can curb costs from the start, an operational strategy can optimize savings and revenue, and reducing battery degradation ensures longevity of the project.

Financing a battery energy storage system

The cost to purchase and deploy a battery energy storage system (BESS) can vary widely depending on several factors, including the size of the system, its intended use, location, and the specific technology and components chosen.

The cost of purchasing and installing an industrial-scale BESS could range from $450 to $600 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of capacity. Three of the most common ownership structures include: 1. Self-ownership allows the facility owner to retain full savings and revenues, but requires substantial upfront investment and expertise.

Additionally, if the system doesn’t perform as expected or if there are regulatory changes that impact the value of operations, the facility owner is on the hook for all costs. They are also responsible for sourcing suppliers to manage procurement, project development, installation, and permitting.

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2. Third-party ownership involves a separate company financing the battery project and sharing the savings with the facility owner. The financier often works with partners that will manage the procurement and installation of the battery. These agreements have terms of 10-15 years to allow the financier to ensure their return on investment.

3. A hybrid model combines aspects of both structures and offers shorter-term agreements, but may be less cost-effective.

For all these options, the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) provide financial incentives, tax credits, and accelerated depreciation schedules that significantly reduce the upfront capital costs and improve the overall return on investment.

Optimizing value streams

Working together, a wide network of distributed energy resources (including batteries) can create a cleaner and more resilient electricity grid. For this reason, governmental bodies and utilities have created a vast network of financial incentives to power their adoption.

Demand Response Battery charge and discharge is managed to help balance electricity supply and demand in real-time. This reduces strain off the grid, preventing blackouts and the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades. These programs can be managed by the Independent System Operator (ISO) or utility who send you notifications to operate your battery.

Coincident Peak Reduction Many ISO regions identify specific hours of the year where demand is at its highest as Coincident Peaks, and your contribution to the system load during these hours is reflected on your energy bill for the following year. This program brings significant cost reductions.

Frequency Regulation The electricity grid’s frequency must be kept within a tight range to ensure its stability and reliability. When the frequency drops, the battery releases stored electricity into the grid, and when the frequency rises, it absorbs excess energy. This helps to keep the grid's frequency within acceptable limits.

Reserve Markets These exist to ensure there’s a cushion of available power to respond to unexpected imbalances in supply and demand. Batteries are operated to inject or absorb electricity within milliseconds to ensure a stable power supply.

Energy Arbitrage The battery charges when electricity price is low and discharges when the price is high.

This practice not only generates cost savings, but also helps balance the grid by shifting electricity consumption to more economically and environmentally advantageous times.

Peak Shaving Sometimes referred to as “demand charge capping”, this refers to using a battery to reduce your facility’s monthly demand charges.

Demand charges are typically based on a 15-minute monthly peak. Software that forecasts when to discharge the battery ensures the peak reduction is optimized for the battery capacity.

The energy market your facility is in will determine the value of these programs.

Their value can also fluctuate throughout the day, week, and year and compete with one another. A great battery operator monitors these markets closely to maximize the value of the investment.

Conclusion

A battery energy storage system can be a low risk, high reward solution for a facility to reduce operating costs and support net zero initiatives. There are several factors to consider, such as the facility’s region, electricity consumption patterns, and internal knowledge resources. Fortunately, there are companies and consultancies that specialize in BESS financing, development, and operation. Partnering with experienced third parties can bridge knowledge gaps, and ensure a smooth and profitable project.

Matthew Sachs is the CSO and Co-Founder of Peak Power, which deploys, operates, and optimizes battery storage, grid-interactive buildings and electric vehicles using a single software platform, helping customers and partners to pursue net zero goals, cut operating expenses, and unlock new revenue opportunities.

Peak Power /// peakpowerenergy.com

Maximizing the battery’s lifespan

Batteries degrade over time. Depending on their chemistry and usage, they might need replacement anywhere between 5-15 years. Continuously monitoring battery health is vital for preserving long-term performance and reliability, as early detection of degradation or faults can help prevent costly downtime, ensure consistent energy delivery, and safeguard the investment in energy storage. The following are some factors to consider when operating a battery.

• State-of-charge limits Monitoring and adhering to state-of-charge limits prolongs battery life and ensure the availability of stored energy when needed, preventing over-discharging or overcharging that can damage the battery.

• Maximum and minimum discharge/charge times Efficiently managing the battery's discharge and charge times is crucial for optimizing energy value streams, as it allows users to align energy storage with electricity pricing patterns, grid conditions, and energy market opportunities.

• Charge/discharge rates Properly configuring charge and discharge rates enables precise control of the energy storage system, facilitating rapid response to market signals, grid requirements, and load variations, ultimately maximizing economic benefits.

Like a car or phone battery, constant charging and discharging can affect its effectiveness. Battery health should be factored in with value streams as part of a BESS operation plan, since the cost of degradation needs to be considered in the operational strategy.

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Project Completion Insurance Securing solar construction projects

by Isaac Stern and Gage Kellogg

Construction of renewable energy and storage projects have gained significant momentum in response to the global shift toward sustainability. All types of investors, borrowers, and lenders are diving into this booming sector, but they are also navigating a complex landscape of risks and uncertainties. In this dynamic environment, Project Completion Insurance (“PCI”) has emerged as a powerful tool, offering an array of benefits to lenders and borrowers alike.

Understanding Project Completion Insurance

In today's economic climate — characterized by rising interest rates, material prices, supply chain disruptions, and construction labor shortages — the risks associated with solar projects are heightened. Construction loans inherently carry higher interest rates due to the multifaceted risks they entail. Challenges like schedule delays result in extended general conditions costs, material scarcities lead to higher prices, and fierce competition for a limited labor force translates into elevated wages to attract and retain skilled workers. These risks can cause significant financial strain to all of the project’s stakeholders.

PCI is an innovative insurance product (underwritten by Lloyd’s of London) that provides financial protection to cover cost overruns beyond the original budget in the event of borrower default. PCI was created to provide financial backing as an add-on to a comprehensive construction risk management services program. These services encompass crucial aspects such as independent engineering and contractor due diligence

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before loan closing, construction monitoring and funds control after loan closing, and professional project management services in the event of a general contractor default. Many solar construction projects already require one or more of these risk management services; when PCI is used as an add-on, it seamlessly provides an additional layer of financial protection to a lender's risk management portfolio while proactively derisking construction projects.

Lender benefits

PCI is a robust tool that offers several compelling benefits to solar lenders. Firstly, it uniquely positions the lender as the direct beneficiary of the policy, a departure from traditional surety bonds where borrowers are the direct beneficiary. This direct arrangement streamlines the process, enabling lenders to promptly address project failures and help eliminate the need for protracted litigation often associated with bond claims.

Additionally, PCI simplifies the ease and speed of activation.

Compared to traditional surety bonds, PCI is far more accessible and straightforward to invoke by lenders, ensuring swift funding of cost overruns when needed due to borrower default. In the event of a project's failure, lenders can promptly call upon the insurance to fund cost overruns, minimizing disruption, project delays, and financial strain. Lenders can efficiently resolve issues and remove troubled loans from their books, which ultimately bolsters their financial health.

PCI also serves as a valuable credit enhancement tool that allows lenders to support borrowers with diverse credit profiles, or borrowers who are also the contractor and do not qualify for traditional surety bonds. However, unlike surety bonds, PCI is typically more cost-effective since it is coupled with construction risk management measures that proactively reduce the likelihood of financial setbacks and/or delays, and ensures subcontractors remain on the job even in cases of general contractor failure.

PCI has become a valuable tool in the world of renewable energy and storage construction projects. Its ability to mitigate risks, enhance financial security, and foster confidence among stakeholders makes it a game-changer that offers a path to a more secure future for these projects. Although PCI serves as a highly effective standalone tool for mitigating risks and ensuring successful renewable energy construction project completion, it can also be seamlessly integrated with other credit enhancement options, providing an extra layer of protection and flexibility to address the various challenges that may arise during the project lifecycle.

Isaac Stern is Executive Director for SureBuild Project Completion Insurance | Saint Vincent.

Gage Kellogg is Managing Director, Renewable Energy Services at Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.

SureBuild /// www.surebuild.com Partner Engineering and Science, Inc. /// www.partneresi.com

Borrower benefits

In today's construction landscape, borrowers face increased scrutiny due to the uncertainties inherent in solar construction projects. Factors like rising interest rates and inflation have made all parties more cautious about entering into construction loans. However, by using PCI as a credit enhancement, PCI can help borrowers navigate these challenges and open doors in instances where they may not have met traditional lender criteria.

In addition to being a proactive credit enhancement tool, borrowers may be able to use PCI to negotiate more favorable loan terms and conditions. Plus, it is often used as a bond alternative for borrowers who self-perform construction and do not qualify to be bonded in this borrower/ builder arrangement. In contrast to traditional credit enhancement options such as surety bonds, PCI is also typically more cost-effective, and doesn’t rely on the balance sheet of the borrower/builder to obtain coverage. This cost advantage enables borrower/builders and EPC contractors (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) to allocate their financial resources more efficiently, ultimately reducing the overall expense of their solar construction projects.

Choosing the right credit enhancement

The appeal of credit enhancements is that they benefit all project stakeholders, so selecting the appropriate one(s) is a critical decision in any solar project.

It can make the difference between securing financing and facing rejection.

Each credit enhancement option has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice should align with the specific needs of the project and the risk tolerance of the parties involved.

Surety and P&P bonds, for example, are good for public projects, but can be slow and challenging to claim, and lead to costly litigation. Other traditional options include letters of credit, additional guarantors, and restricted cash. Letters of credit provide access to cash, but can be expensive and restrictive. Adding guarantors improves credit, but can be challenging and costly for the borrower. While restricted cash ensures loan repayment, it ties up the borrower's working capital, which can potentially hinder their capacity to undertake new projects.

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ROLLSBATTERY.COM North American Clean Energy

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Battery Analytics Software Unlocks the Potential of Energy Storage

by Lennart Hinrichs

A

s necessary as battery storage is, deploying it can be a daunting process. Operators must choose from a myriad of options, and may be unsure which system is the right fit for their needs. Onboarding a system brings its own risks, with the potential to miss hardware issues that could become a problem later. During regular operations, safety and reliability concerns remain at the forefront; operators must be ready for energy storage to respond to unusual power situations, as well as prepare for issues that can develop within their batteries after a long period of operation. In short, energy storage is a necessary and excellent way to conserve energy, but involves complex systems that require close monitoring.

when the operators are onboarding storage, as it can identify weak spots in the hardware and help solve them before normal operations begin.

The software also enables engineers and asset managers to monitor and analyze the battery system during regular operation, ensuring the systems are being used in ways that best maximize revenue while also remaining within their warranty specifications, and signaling out any safety risks before they spiral into a major concern.

Through several different areas, battery analytics software ensures that storage operators are getting the most from their investment and that their batteries are operating at their most efficient.

Planning

Even before operators acquire storage systems, battery software helps them determine which system is best for their applications. More advanced suites are backed up by an extensive database of cells from all major manufacturers, giving operators the means to run several different types of batteries in virtual scenarios that mirror their planned use cases.

Battery analytics software can also guide operators in planning the most effective operating modes and strategies, maximizing the life of a battery based on how asset owners will use it. Engineers can simulate battery degradation in different scenarios to account for operations like demand response and peak shaving, so they can select the system that is the best fit for these applications.

Compatibility

A comprehensive battery software can work with batteries across an infinite number of vendors – meaning asset owners don’t have to worry about whether their system is compatible with analytics software.

With software backed by extensive research, the end user is offered a deep database of exhaustive information on various cells through a combination of both on-site testing and virtual modeling.

The good news is that a single product, compatible with storage from any manufacturer, can help remove much of the complication of deploying energy storage.

Battery analytics software is the perfect companion for energy storage systems. Analytics can take much of the guesswork out of storage operations, from before deployment to long after commissioning. Advanced analytics can help storage operators determine the best system for them, with software that combines simulations with observational data to virtually recreate the scenarios planned for their battery storage. Analytics is also key

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Safety

Ensuring batteries are safe is a major concern for operators, especially following high-profile incidents of lithium-ion batteries burning for extended periods. While battery storage manufacturers typically have their products undergo rigorous safety testing to meet several fire certifications, analytics software provides operators with another layer of protection and peace of mind.

Battery analytics autonomously detects issues early that could lead to malfunctions that result in fires. The software also makes it easy for operators to monitor and evaluate detected incidents by alerting the user of anomalies via a dashboard and alerts. The alerts offer granular details so engineers know exactly what they should check, such as if the system is operating beyond safe temperatures. Such software can also send alerts via email so that engineers don’t need to monitor the dashboard to know when to address an issue.

Another benefit of utilizing battery software is that it enables operators to anticipate scenarios that might stress batteries, and determine when degradation leads to a point where cells are no longer safe to operate.

Reliability

An energy storage system will be of little value if it spends much of its time offline due to operational issues, or if it’s not operating at peak efficiency. Battery analytics software ensures operators can observe health data for batteries in real-time, receive immediate notifications, and address when certain elements of the system are not performing as expected.

Battery software can monitor the reliability of systems from the start, and many offer elements that focus only on the commissioning process to verify that battery storage systems are ready to be fully operational. Commissioning has traditionally been done on-site using physical tools, a lengthy process that may be too prolonged for the energy demands of an operator’s customers. Digital commissioning software improves the onsite process by providing detailed information with remote tools, presenting a more comprehensive insight into the battery. By processing vast amounts of data, the software can highlight anomalies and identify deficiencies that traditional commissioning may miss, ensuring greater reliability for the system once it’s online.

Throughout regular operation, analytics software constantly monitors the performance of battery storage. Engineers are immediately notified of underperforming components

down to a granular level, catching issues that may go unnoticed without real-time monitoring by analytics software. The battery software platform will also inform operators if their systems are in danger of exceeding the threshold of their warranties, adapting battery operation on the fly to maximize how long batteries can be safely operated.

Cost-effectiveness

Energy storage, particularly at a large, utility-scale site, is often a hefty up-front capital expense, so operators will want to ensure they’re getting the most out of their investment. The various applications for battery analytics software listed above all work together to ensure storage operators are seeing a maximal return on their investment.

With software that works in real-time to monitor the reliability of storage systems, operators’ battery storage will operate far more efficiently than it would without analytics software. Operators will also be able to extend the life of their systems, with the software keeping track of usage in real time so engineers can assess how different operating strategies impact battery degradation.

Battery analytics software also provides full support for scenarios like demand response and peak shaving. If operators are installing storage primarily to save money on electricity by limiting peak demand usage, analytics software will make sure the applications of the batteries are matching the operating strategies.

While energy storage is a necessary part of the clean energy transition, operators still want to be sure they get as much a return on their investment as possible. Comprehensive battery analytics and modeling software ensures that operators get their money’s worth.

Lennart Hinrichs is VP Marketing & Strategic Partnerships at TWAICE, a battery software platform company.

TWAICE /// www.twaice.com

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Demand Response Program Management Outsourcing vs. in-house

by Syd Bishop

For decades, demand response (DR) has proven a tried-and-true conservation tactic to mitigate energy usage during peak demand hours. Historically, those peak demand hours were relatively predictable, with increases in demand paralleling commuter and weather patterns. Between the environmental effects of climate change causing increased extreme weather events and global electrification efforts adding further encumbrance to the grid, meeting demand has become more complicated.

Fortunately, that same adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs), including calls for increased national electric vehicle (EV) production, means more opportunities for utilities to benefit from demand response. With increased public access to smart home technologies, device control platforms like distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS) provide utilities with the tools necessary to launch - and later scale - their demand response strategies.

The value of demand response

In 2021, around 10.5 million customers in the U.S. were enrolled in demand response programs, which led to a total of 984.13 GWh in total electricity conserved. This figure indicates customer interest and commitment that led to significant energy conservation savings.

Combined with the increased market growth of demand response, as well as the continued adoption of distributed energy resource (DER) technologies from solar to electric vehicles (EVs) and beyond, the potential for demand response keeps growing.

This growth provides more opportunities for utilities to create and launch demand response programs.

So how should you get started?

Developing any demand flexibility program involves challenges ranging from determining the scope and scale of a pilot, to selecting the right OEM device partners for the community. Regulatory and bureaucratic logistics, as well as community and stakeholder buyin to approve the pilot for deployment, will also be needed. It bears repeating: demand response is a tested and effective means of replacing high-energy costs and enhancing grid resiliency.

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Two main models for demand response program management

1. Outsourcing management through a DERMS technology vendor means that utilities select a vendor to hand off program goals, objectives, and parameters. The DERMS vendor then executes a program and reports performance metrics and event data to the utility.

2. An in-house program using a SaaS solution model allows utilities to create, run, and modify their demand response programs internally. This model requires vendor selection of capabilities and integration options, and works with the vendor’s implementation and support teams to launch and execute the program inhouse. This model includes learning how to manage and own every aspect of the program itself within a department in the utility, such as energy advisor teams or conservation and energy management.

Outsourcing benefits

First, let’s look at the potential of outsourcing your demand response program. In addition to minimizing the production hours involved in running any program, outsourcing decreases the need for further internal resources, albeit at a cost.

Through outsourcing, vendors: • Can save time! Vendors can do much of the heavy lifting, from handling enrollment to calling events, processing incentives, and reporting on program performance.

2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

• Only need a surface-level knowledge of the tool, and an overview of internal program goals.

• Don’t need staffing dedicated to the programs, saving both time and education. Default to experts so there is no need to create expertise in-house.

The trade-off, of course, is that the utility is ceding control to a third-party vendor, which includes the end-to-end customer lifecycle journey and all the data that comes with it. Likewise, the costs involved with outsourcing may include unanticipated fees that could cover everything from reliability concerns to an ever-evolving tech landscape.

In-house program benefits

As mentioned above, working with thirdparty vendors means that the utility loses control of the programs by trusting someone else to accomplish goals. Suppose there is an error from the third-party vendor: who will customers hold accountable?

Concurrently, ceding control to third-party vendors limits the intelligence needed to properly scale a demand response program by minimizing data points.

Let’s look at a few more benefits of keeping the demand response program in-house.

• Again, third-party vendors add a layer of 3rd party complexity between the utility and its customers.

• With increased challenges to energy security and the rise in cybersecurity threats, utilities must take care when sharing homeowner information and ensuring robust data security measures.

• Without programmatic control, utility program managers can’t tweak, shape, and own their programs.

• It’s less nimble and requires ultimate trust in the vendor to execute and troubleshoot programs.

• Direct customer interfacing and access to all aspects of program control and execution mean utility program managers may not even know when issues arise until it’s too late. Monitoring programs in real-time allows response at the moment needed most.

• Utility providers lose the opportunity for reporting and program success shaped by the vendor, not by program managers. By giving up the functionality of the program to a 3rd party, the utility is relying on them to share results and handle issues that arise without direct involvement in the process or data.

• Without current and historical data, utilities can’t scale or gather real-time insights into program performance.

Should you outsource your DR program, or run it internally?

There is no wrong answer to this question, only different approaches based on needs. Ultimately, selecting the right SaaS software to run the program allows for the most flexibility, ownership, and organic growth opportunities. While it does take some time and dedicated resources, outsourcing an entire program also requires a dedicated vendor liaison to coordinate program needs and analyze results. The primary difference is that the ability to run a program will provide much more visibility and hands-on opportunities for understanding customer behavior and tailoring the program to fit specific needs.

Syd Bishop is a senior content specialist for Virtual Peaker, a cloud-based distributed energy company that empowers modern utilities to build the grid of the future and meet global decarbonization goals.

Virtual Peaker /// virtual-peaker.com

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BESS Asset Owners Must Prep for Cyber Threats

by Adam Piper

E

nergy storage is an increasingly key component of the transition to a low-carbon economy. It enables the integration of renewable energy sources, improves grid reliability and stability, and provides backup power in case of emergencies.

Battery energy storage installations around the world are projected to reach a cumulative 411 GW - or 1,194 GWh - by the end of 2030. That is 15 times the 27GW/56GWh of storage that was online at the end of 2021.

It’s universally acknowledged we live in uncertain times due to geo-political upheavals and an increasing number of cyber-attacks on businesses and individuals.

And, in recent years, a number of cyber-attacks have targeted power and renewable energy companies around the world. Some of these attacks are motivated by financial gain such as ransomware or theft of data, others are driven by political or ideological agendas like. sabotage or espionage. Not surprisingly therefore, cyber security is increasingly high on the boardroom agenda of every company, especially those operating in the battery storage and wider renewable energy sectors.

One recent and major cyber-attack incident occurred in April 2022, when three Germany-based wind-energy companies were hit by cyber-attacks that disrupted their remote-control systems for thousands of wind turbines. The attacks coincided with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, raising suspicions of possible links.

Other examples include leaked data from India's main power company by Hive Ransomware Group in 2022, a ransomware hit on a Luxembourg energy supplier (also in the same year) which threatened to leak 150 gigabytes of sensitive information, and data theft from a major wind player in 2021.

As BESS and renewable energy increasingly become part of countries’ Critical National Infrastructure, cyber security for their systems must be a priority. However, because of complex and often “invisible” vulnerabilities, cyber security is a challenging issue for asset owners to address. Unfortunately, the risks of cyber-attacks are multifaceted.

The nature of the current digital evolution across the renewable energy sector makes Operational Technologies (OT), which monitor and control BESS physical processes, more connected than ever

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2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

before. OT systems are often connected to Information Technologies (IT) for data collection, analysis, and remote management, which creates a complex and often hardto-see attack surface for malicious actors. However, cyber security for OT is playing catch-up with IT; many OT systems are not designed with cyber security in mind, and lack basic protections. Moreover, OT systems often fall outside the scope of enterprise cyber risk management, making them “invisible” to IT teams. This vulnerability has already been exploited in the power sector, with a 2019 ransomware attack on a US natural gas facility where the attacker was able to exploit OT vulnerabilities, having secured access via an IT intrusion.

Battery management systems (BMSs) have a key role in maintaining the battery cells’ physical integrity. The SCOR Handbook 2022 describes in detail a key vulnerability: ‘Due to their higher specific energy density and a greater sensitivity to electrical and environmental abuse, lithium-ion batteries need to be effectively managed with a BMS. When improperly managed, a lithium-ion battery will easily reach a “thermal runaway” state because it has a low cell resistance and high energy storage capacity.’

This need for a continuous active control is a major weakness if the BMS can be interfered with externally.

Utility scale BESS are more and more often designed to provide grid stability in particular nodes of the power networks, generally by means of applications like frequency response or synthetic inertia. In these systems, the BMSs are integrated with

An efficient, cost-effective, and low-emissions future

the BESS control and monitoring, as well as with electricity markets real time data and the utility’s corporate network. This interconnection between data domains and the BESS intrinsic physical capabilities can be exploited to cause harm by inducing system instability and potentially wide area blackouts.

A threat actor who compromises a BMS could violate operational constraints, making changes to the battery’s charge, temperature, degradation, or operation. They could also disable protection mechanisms, cause damage or malfunction, induce power grid instability, or modify readings to impair monitoring accuracy. Stored energy has inherent safety hazards (gassing, fire, toxic chemicals) so the risk of causing considerable physical damage becomes very real.

Unfortunately, many in the sector underestimate the extent to which physical damage can be caused by cyber-attacks. The potential physical losses described above are typically excluded from operational property damage insurance cover should they be the result of a cyber-attack. Therefore, asset owners need to consider how they can fill the gap in cover and explore separate insurance coverage solutions for cyber-related property damage exposures.

Fortunately, the insurance market is dynamic. Specialized insurers are addressing the gap in coverage, despite the increasing risk and geo-political environment.

BESS owners in particular should understand their vulnerabilities and potential exposure to cyber-attacks, along with the consequential loss of revenue and potential lack of insurance. Owners must take steps to reinforce their cyber security strategies now, before a major cyber-attack impacts the sector, and specifically their business.

Businesses can benefit by following a model known as ‘The Cyber Loop’, a circular and iterative cyber security strategy that builds long-term resilience by assessing the size of the risk, building resilience and mitigating the impact, transferring the risk away from the balance sheet where possible, and being able to driver operational and financial loss recovery.

As energy storage systems become an increasingly important part of the energy mix, so does unwanted attention from threat actors. The solution is to be prepared, understand the exposures, and protect the balance sheet where possible.

Aggreko's Greener Power Packages bundle together the company's temporary power technologies and services to deliver tailor-made solutions for customers looking to increase operational efficiency and performance while meeting clean energy goals. With these packages, it’s easy to satisfy off-grid or grid power needs using low-emissions Tier 4 generators, battery storage, alternative fuels, and/or electrical distribution systems. The new Greener Power Packages bring together several of Aggreko’s latest technologies in three collections. For offgrid power needs, the “Great” option includes Tier 4 Final diesel generators, “Greater” pairs these with Aggreko’s battery energy storage systems (BESS), and “Greatest” combines the generators, battery storage, and alternative fuel options such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). For grid power needs, the “Greatest” package involves an electrical distribution system designed and delivered based on specific load requirements. Following the purchase of a fleet of Tier 4 Final generators last year, Aggreko’s Greener Power Packages include a range of low-emissions and low-noise solutions, with generators ranging from 25kW to 1200kW. The Greener Power Packages can be expanded and combined with battery energy storage systems and alternative fuels to enhance efficiency, cost savings, emissions reduction, and reliability. Customers can easily integrate Aggreko’s plug-and-play batteries with an existing power system, providing maximum flexibility and control over how much power is generated and used.

With this combination, customers can achieve enhanced efficiencies, cost savings and uptime for any number of commercial and industrial applications.

The Greener Power Packages offer Remote Monitoring Services (ARM), transmitting real-time data directly from the equipment, allowing Aggreko to anticipate, diagnose, and solve problems fast and with accuracy. Should an issue arise, Aggreko’s 24/7 Remote Operations Center immediately notifies customers of any critical performance alarms, with the team of skilled technical specialists ready to diagnose, respond, and remotely fix issues to ensure ultimate dependability and uptime. Additionally, with Aggreko’s all-inclusive fuel and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) management service, customers need not worry about the burden of planning fuel deliveries, significantly reducing the risk of downtime caused by fuel contamination and outage.

Aggreko /// www.aggreko.com

Adam Piper is Executive Director Power and Renewables Industry – Global Broking Centre – Aon at Aon LLC, a global professional services and management consulting firm that exists to shape decisions for the better, to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Our colleagues provide our clients in over 120 countries and sovereignties with advice and solutions that give them the clarity and confidence to make better decisions to protect and grow their business.

Aon /// www.aon.com

North American Clean Energy

85

ENERGY STORAGE

Domestic Supply Chain and Manufacturing for VRFB are Critical for Long-Duration Energy Storage

by Scott Childers

The likelihood of a renewable power grid increases the need for energy storage systems (ESS) capable of reliably and cost-effectively shifting the time between when renewable energy is generated and when it is used. More specifically, when solar generation exceeds demand during the day, and wind generation exceeds demand at night, ESS are needed to charge with excess renewable generation, store it, and then discharge during periods when demand exceeds generation. This process is called “energy shifting.”

Industry forecasts suggest that 61 percent of energy storage systems will provide energy shifting by 2030. There is a deployment potential of over 100 GW of energy storage systems with four to 12-hour discharge durations for energy shifting.

Benefits of vanadium redox flow batteries

The Department of Energy (DOE) has identified vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB) as well suited for applications such as utility-scale energy storage, microgrids, and renewables integration.

One of the major benefits of VRFB is a near-limitless cycle life. With proper maintenance, VRFB systems can operate for 20 or more years without the electrolyte losing energy storage capacity. With such a long lifespan, these battery systems provide a more sustainable energy storage technology for on-demand power needs.

Another aspect of sustainability is the fact that vanadium electrolyte is almost infinitely reusable. The electrolyte that constitutes the bulk of a VRFB system can be recycled and then used in another battery system.

VRFB systems are unique in their ability to independently design the systems’ power and energy ratings. In a standard battery such as lithium-ion, the energy is stored in solid electrodes, and the energy and power ratings are linked as they are both determined by the electrode area and thickness. In contrast, VRFB energy is stored as a liquid electrolyte in the tanks, and the chemical conversion of the electrolyte takes place when the electrolytes circulate through separate power conversion stacks (comparable to fuel cells) that set the system power. The length of operation can be increased solely by using larger tanks that hold more electrolyte, without making any changes to the stacks.

VRFB systems are also safer across a number of factors compared to other battery technologies. Thermal runaway is not a risk, so there is no need to space out batteries.

They can also be vertically stacked or take advantage of larger vertical silos to minimize the land area required for larger systems.

Need for domestic supply chain and manufacturing

The DOE has outlined a range of cost improvements necessary for VRFB to achieve the DOE levelized cost of storage goal of $0.05/kWh. These areas include inefficient and expensive manufacturing technologies, lack of standardized supply chains and system integration challenges, and challenges with manufacturing scale-up.

Vanadium electrolyte constitutes 30 to 40 percent of the cost for VRFB systems.

As such, the production of vanadium electrolyte has been cited as a critical challenge. The current supply chain and manufacturing of VRFB systems relies on material and component sources outside the U.S., some of which are “unfriendly” regions. Potential supply chain disruptions would inhibit manufacturing scaleup if the demand for vanadium grows.

The U.S. supply chain for vanadium electrolyte is early in its development. There is strategic value in a domestic supply chain and manufacturing with the increasing need for VRFB to shore up a renewable power grid. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, incentives for manufacturing of clean energy system components in the U.S. will strengthen the value of vanadium electrolyte produced domestically.

The newly formed Flow Battery Industry Group within Battery Council International (BCI) is bringing together manufacturers and suppliers to develop strategies to strengthen and grow the North American supply chains for flow battery manufacturers. The concept for the group grew out of public-private partnership discussions between a U.S. national lab, BCI, and an energy storage industry company. It provides the forum needed to address key common issues, including testing, safety and industry statistics, as well as to facilitate the foundation of a domestic supply chain to support flow battery manufacturers.

Applying best practices from the lead battery industry

In response to this market need and the production potential, the best practices of the lead battery industry in the U.S. can be applied to the anticipated rapid growth of VRFB markets.

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2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

High capacity single battery design U.S. Battery has a new high capacity 48V deep-cycle battery. This single-battery design delivers 105Ah, taking the place of multiple batteries, and can handle increased capacity to handle more demanding power needs. The new US 48V105 also has many of the same features as the Essential Li GC2 series batteries, including Automotive grade CAN bus connections allowing integration of the battery with devices such chargers and voltmeters. This allows for better communication of battery status. It also features an integrated BMS and LED indicator that displays the battery’s state of charge and the status of the pack.

U.S. Battery Manufacturing Co. /// www.usbattery.com

For instance, both vanadium and lead batteries have sulfuric acid and water as primary components. Whereas the lead battery receives its acid on a daily basis, the current vanadium electrolyte small volume practices typically use inefficient supply of raw materials and shipment of finished product in small batches.

Improved supply chain protocols, combined with the typical savings from economies of scale, are prime examples of how the best practices of the lead battery industry can help drive rapid cost down of the vanadium electrolyte to be more in line with market expectations for ESS systems costs.

The lead battery industry also has extensive vertically integrated capabilities, from engineering to manufacturing, to sales and marketing, to operations and maintenance services, as well as its robust circular economy (with 99 percent of the lead battery materials recycled). As vanadium electrolyte production levels increase to meet demands, volumes could not only meet, but far exceed levels of the lead battery industry. Vanadium electrolyte suppliers will need to engage in similar practices.

Future of energy storage

The United States is at an inflection point concerning the growing demand for energy and the increasing the stress on America’s transmission infrastructure. As technology costs decrease and deployment of renewables increases, energy storage will be an important aspect of the power grid in the coming years. With 554 MW / 1,553 MWh installed in the first quarter of 2023, the U.S. now has a cumulative grid-scale storage capacity of 10.4 GW, with ~75 GW expected to be installed by 2027.

A successful transition to clean energy requires pairing renewable energy generation with new long-duration energy storage technologies like VRFB that are rapidly scalable, domestically available, sustainable, safe, and resilient.

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Scott Childers is Vice President of Essential Power at Stryten Energy, a stored energy solutions provider in transportation, motive, and essential power industries.

Stryten Energy /// www.stryten.com intersolar.us #isnaesna

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North American Clean Energy

87

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The Future of Houses is Passive

by Justin Biordi

U

niversity of Toronto’s latest student residence welcomes the future of living with spaces that are warmed by laptops and shower water.

In September 2023, one of North America’s largest residential passive homes, Harmony Commons, located on the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, opened its doors. The residential building is designed to house 750 students, and harnesses warmth generated by both the occupants and electronic devices such as laptops, lights, TVs, and refrigerators to regulate and sustain the indoor climate.

Passive House buildings, or Passivhaus, are eco-conscious structures that consume up to 90 percent less energy for heating and cooling compared to traditional buildings. They are built following globally standardized design principles and criteria, which include superior insulation that uses the heat generated within the building to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature with very little energy usage. As a result, passive houses have a significantly lower carbon footprint, and are a fundamental piece of the puzzle towards a low-carbon future.

Passive homes, remarkable results

Each passive home is unique, and is the result of intelligent design and implementation of key passive house principles that include air tightness, mechanical ventilation, and efficient insulation.

Superior insulation is the backbone of passive houses; it’s what helps reduce heat loss and gain. Thicker, higher-quality insulation is applied to walls, floors, and roofs, while windows and doors are designed with multiple panes of glass and airtight construction to prevent uncontrolled air exchange. To maintain indoor air quality, mechanical ventilation systems exchange stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air while also retrieving heat from the outgoing air.

Passive houses also use thermal mass elements like concrete floors and walls to absorb and collect heat from the sun during daylight hours, dispersing it gradually to warm the interior at night while considering the body heat of its occupants — an overlooked but significant component of maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures.

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Another key component of a passive house is the greywater system.

Greywater heat recovery systems capture heat from warm water used in showers, baths, sinks, and washing machines, and transfer it to preheat the cold-water supply entering the water heater or boiler.

Greywater in a passive house can also maintain incoming ventilation air using a heat exchanger that transfers heat from greywater to fresh air entering the building. In winters, this process warms the inward air. During summers, it cools the incoming air, limiting energy demand across seasons.

Passive houses ensure there is a continued supply of filtered fresh air distributed to each individual unit. A healthy atmosphere is prioritized with a compartmentalized design and air-tight seals that also prevent the aerial transmission of viruses, such as COVID-19.

Designing and constructing a passive house is financially feasible; while the upfront cost is often 10 percent higher than a traditional building, the vastly reduced utility bills and the elimination of a conventional HVAC system can reduce operational and construction costs by more than 80 to 90 percent.

Sustainable living in North America

Passive houses, with roots in Germany, are gaining momentum in North America as an innovative design approach that leads the way toward high-performance, low-energy buildings.

Passive houses like UofT’s student residence incorporate effective and efficient implementation of mechanical systems that optimize energy recovery while reducing penetration through the building’s envelope. Part of that strategy is to employ heat pumps and heat pump chillers, which are a component of the heat recovery system, as well as energy recovery ventilators throughout the building. When the building is occupied, operators also monitor energy consumption through energy metering.

They may have a straightforward name, but passive houses are intelligent structures that do not use geothermal, sun, or wind energy for power. The goal is simply to reduce the energy required for space conditioning.

By prioritizing insulation, airtightness, and solar designs, passive houses foster an energy-efficient, secure, indoor environment that is naturally warmer, healthier, and more comfortable. As they continue to evolve worldwide, with zero and even positive energy, passive houses make the global green transition feel right at home.

Justin Biordi is a Project Manager, Mechanical Construction, at Black & McDonald, an integrated, multi-trade service provider that delivers high-quality construction, facilities management, and technical solutions.

Black & McDonald /// blackandmcdonald.com

2023 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER /// www.nacleanenergy.com

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Email information to the editor at editor@nacleanenergy.com Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation (Requestor Publications Only) 1. Publication Title: North American Clean Energy 2. Publication Number: 0000-1370 3. Filing Date: 10/28/2023 4. Issue Frequency: 6 times per year (bi-monthly) 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 6 6. Annual Subscription Price: 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 3012 S. Banker St., Suite 1, Effingham, IL 62401 Telephone: 1-217-347-5151 Contact Person: Ian Stuart 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 255 Newport Drive, Suite 336, Port Moody BC V3H 5H1 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher, Editor and Managing Editor: Ian Stuart, 255 Newport Drive, Suite 336, Port Moody BC V3H 5H1 Editor (Name and complete mailing address): Ian Stuart, 255 Newport Drive, Suite 336, Port Moody BC V3H 5H1 Managing Editor (Name and complete mailing address): Ian Stuart, 255 Newport Drive, Suite 336, Port Moody BC V3H 5H1 10. Owner (Name and complete mailing address): Ian Stuart, 255 Newport Drive, Suite 336, Port Moody BC V3H 5H1 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None 12. Tax Status: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months 13. Publication Title: North American Clean Energy 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: Nov/Dec 2023 15.

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d. Non-requested Distribution:

12,866

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32,868

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i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation:

58.46%

59.32%

16 a. Requested and Paid Electronic Copies

19,401

19,652

16 b. Total Requested and Paid Print Copies + Electronic Copies

37,839

38,752

16 c. Total Requested Copy Distribution + Requested/ Paid Electronic Copies

50,941

51,848

16 d. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Both Print and Electronic Copies)

74.28%

74.74%

I certify that 50% of all my distributed copies (electronic and print) are legitimate requests or paid copies. Published on the 31st day of October, 2023 I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

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