Episodes

March 2, 2025

Nordex Optimistic in US, National Grid Sells US Renewable Portfolio

This week on News Flash, Nordex’s determined stance on US growth, the Cenos Floating Wind Farm project, National Grid’s sale of its US renewable assets, and Europe’s wind energy production expansion to meet 2030 climate targets. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape Wind Turb...
Feb. 27, 2025

The Global Blade Group Builds Industry Blade Knowledge

Allen and Joel speak with Birgit Junker, co-founder of the Global Blade Group, a forum created to share knowledge and innovation around wind turbine blades. For over ten years, the group has been making blade information more accessible and approachable. For more information on joining the Global Blade Group, email tgbg@statkraft.com. Link to Blade Handbook – https://www.bladena.com/uploads/8/7/3/7/87379536/cortir_handbook_2019.pdf Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime ...
Feb. 26, 2025

SkySpecs Predicts Component Remaining Useful Life

Allen and Joel speak with Allan Larson, VP of CMS Products at SkySpecs, about their remaining useful life estimates for operators. By predicting component failures, operators can create better maintenance schedules, saving time and money. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape...
Feb. 25, 2025

GE Vernova Closes Brazil Factory, Decommissioning Bonds for Wind Farms

GE Vernova closes a Brazilian blade factory as installations drop 30%, while Australia faces issues with trailing edge serrations falling from turbines. Also, cultural differences between European and American work environments, blade recycling challenges, and the need for decommissioning bonds as the industry matures. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is spon...
Feb. 24, 2025

Xcel Energy Retires Coal, €16B for EU Wind Projects

On News Flash this week, substantial investment for renewables across Europe by the European Investment Bank, Octopus Energy’s “The Collective” proves a success in the UK, and Xcel Energy plans to eliminate their coal power plants in the US Midwest by 2030. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather...
Feb. 20, 2025

Wind Tech Training Excellence at Deutsche Windtechnik

Momme Feddersen and Russ Leach from Deutsche Windtechnik discuss their innovative training programs for wind turbine technicians. Momme, as Head of Training Center, and Russ, as Director of Quality and Ops Support, explore how the company is tackling workforce challenges through apprenticeships and advanced training methods in both Europe and the US. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind ...
Feb. 18, 2025

Wind Energy O&M Australia’s Success in Melbourne

For the first time ever, all the Uptime hosts are in the same place! They discuss the fantastic outcome of the Wind Energy O&M Australia conference last week, highlighting the amazing presentations, attendees, and discussions. Keep an eye out for next year’s event! Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about...
Feb. 13, 2025

8-Tree waveCHECK Makes Blade Wrinkle Detection Simple

In this Uptime Spotlight, Erik Klaas and Johannes Leib from 8-Tree discuss their waveCHECK system, which detects and measures surface defects on wind turbine blades. The system uses 3D optical scanning technology to identify wrinkles and other issues with high precision, helping improve quality control in blade manufacturing and maintenance. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technolog...
Feb. 12, 2025

Siemens Gamesa De-Icing, Vestas Permanent Tower Crane

We discuss Siemens Gamesa’s advanced blade de-icing system, their blade root repair fix, and a tower designed by Vestas with its own permanent crane system. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedi...
Feb. 11, 2025

Ørsted CEO Change, Shell Leaves Atlantic Shores

This week on Uptime, we discuss Ørsted CEO Mads Nipper stepping down, Shell withdrawing from the Atlantic Shores offshore wind project, and a study showing only 15% of employees feel their managers are transparent about challenges in the workplace. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s ...
Feb. 10, 2025

Shell 2024 Financial Results, Mitsubishi Reviews Offshore Projects

On News Flash, Allen and Phil discuss Caverion’s acquisition of Huolto-Lepistö, Mitsubishi re-evaluating their offshore wind assets and Shell’s 2024 financial report. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Register for Wind Energy O&M Australia! https://www.windaustralia.com Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape Wi...
Feb. 6, 2025

Vårgrønn’s Massive UK Offshore Floating Wind Project

In the Uptime Spotlight today is Stephen Bull, CEO of Vårgrønn, the company building the world’s largest offshore wind farm with a government contract: Green Volt. Stephen discusses the massive project’s progress, planning, and logistics to be completed by 2030. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Register for Wind Energy O&M Australia! https://www.windaustralia.com Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This epis...
Feb. 5, 2025

Wind Turbine Cooling System Improvements

This week we discuss cooling system patents, including Siemens Gamesa’s method for creating air channels for better temperature control, Goldwind’s predictive temperature moderating, and GE’s adjustable power output based on component temperatures. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Register for Wind Energy O&M Australia! https://www.windaustralia.com Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsor...
Feb. 4, 2025

Nordex Installs 179 Meter Turbine, US Oil Prices Drop

On Uptime this week, we discuss Nordex’s installation of a 179 meter hub-height wind turbine in Germany, the expected drop in oil prices in the US, and the emerging “hushed hybrid” trend. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Register for Wind Energy O&M Australia! https://www.windaustralia.com Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather ...
Feb. 3, 2025

GE Invests $600M in US facilities, ORIX Sells Greenko Stake

This week we discuss GE Vernova’s $600 million investment in its US facilities, ORIX selling its stake in Greenko to AM Green Power, and a 70 GW wind and solar project in Western Australia seeks federal approval. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Register for Wind Energy O&M Australia! https://www.windaustralia.com Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. ...
Jan. 31, 2025

Advanced NDT Best Practices with CICNDT’s Jeremy Heinks

Jeremy Heinks from CICNDT (Composite Inspection and Consulting NDT) discusses how proper NDT programs can prevent costly failures and improve blade reliability. Drawing from his extensive experience, Heinks explains the challenges of implementing NDT in both onshore and offshore wind environments, emphasizing the importance of working with qualified experts to develop comprehensive inspection. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Register for Wind Energy O&M Austr...
Jan. 30, 2025

Why Blades Fail Early w/ Morten Handberg of WInd Power LAB

Wind Power LAB’s blade expert Morten Handberg explains a critical wind industry problem: new turbine blades are failing years too early. These massive blades – now stretching over 100 meters – are experiencing unexpected structural damage due to complex aerodynamic forces. Handberg shares Wind Power LAB’s essential strategies for detecting and preventing these costly blade failures before they shut down your turbines. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Register ...
Jan. 29, 2025

LM Wind Power Blade Improvement Patents

We discuss some of LM Wind Power’s blade ideas, including a fiberglass fabric dispenser, flattened blade tips to reduce noise, and a blade window for their two-piece blades. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Register for Wind Energy O&M Australia! https://www.windaustralia.com Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s Strike...
Jan. 28, 2025

Chinese Cable-Cutting Patent, Blades in Coal Mines, LNG Ruling

This week we discuss Wyoming’s plan to bury blades in sealed coal mines, a Chinese patent that seems linked to subsea attacks, and a ruling that threw out the possibility of train-transported liquified natural gas in the US. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Register for Wind Energy O&M Australia! https://www.windaustralia.com Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Ligh...
Jan. 27, 2025

Ørsted Pays $1.7B For Sunrise Delays, Aviva Invests in CIC

In this News Flash, Ørsted pays $1.7B for delays and increased costs at their Sunrise Wind project, Aviva Investors invests €40 million in CIC, and Vibra acquires Comer Energia. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Register for Wind Energy O&M Australia! https://www.windaustralia.com Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s St...
Jan. 24, 2025

CNC Onsite’s Innovative Yaw Ring Repair Method

Søren Kellenberger, sales director at CNC Onsite, joins the Uptime Spotlight to discuss their uptower yaw ring repair method. He describes the root causes of yaw ring failure, makes projections for the future, and introduces CNC Onsite’s patented yaw ring repair solution. Their portable precision machine can be lifted uptower to replace a damaged yaw ring, potentially saving operators significant downtime and repair costs. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Regi...
Jan. 23, 2025

The NFPA Wind Technician Certification Standardizes Wind Safety

Dan Pickel joins the Uptime Spotlight today to discuss the NFPA’s Wind Turbine Technician I certification program. The program allows technicians to gain standardized recognition for their skills and understanding of safety protocols. With NFPA’s extensive background in fire and electrical safety training, the course covers the topics wind turbine technicians need to know and can be taken online. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Register for Wind Energy O&M Au...
Jan. 22, 2025

LM Wind Power Hybrid Pultrusion Plates, GE Vernova Nacelle Crane Assembly

This week we cover LM Wind Power’s patent for improved hybrid pultrusion plates for blades, trying to manage lightning. Also GE Vernova’s method for placing a crane assembly on the nacelle. And a double cereal bowl for slow breakfast-eaters. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Register for Wind Energy O&M Australia! https://www.windaustralia.com Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by W...
Jan. 21, 2025

“Clean” Natural Gas, Skills Based Hiring, $128M Delaware Offshore Deal

We discuss the rapid rise of skills-based hiring in wind energy, with 81% of employers now prioritizing competency over degrees. Delaware strikes a major $128 million offshore wind agreement. We tackle the idea of “clean” natural gas. And mounting cybersecurity concerns arise as Chinese manufacturers gain control of critical supply chains. Fill out our Uptime listener survey and enter to win an Uptime mug! Register for Wind Energy O&M Australia! https://www.windaustralia.com Sign up now for Upt...