TURBINES TORQUE


AND


WIND ENERGY OFFERS NEW OPPORTUNITIES, AND CHALLENGES, TO CRANE COMPANIES.


BY: JORDAN WEBER


Recent figures show a record number of wind farms are currently under construction in the United States, but wind-energy developers aren’t the only companies reaping the benefits. Te growth is also being felt throughout the crane and rigging industry. As demand for renewables continues to rise nationally, crane and rigging groups are being challenged to match the increasing capacity and continued innovation of the wind industry. According the American Wind Energy Association


Companies that service the thriving wind-energy market embrace the innovation that has emerged accordingly.


(AWEA), new construction on wind farms in 2018 has accounted for 5,322 mega-watts of power—this is on top of the 13,665 mega-watts already underway. When these projects are completed, they will make a considerable addition to the nation’s clean-energy grid. Wind energy currently contributes over 90,000 mega-watts of energy, enough capacity to power over 27 million homes. “Tere’s absolutely a boom,” said Rick Ortiz, senior VP


of Wind for Renewable Energy Systems (RES) Americas, a leading renewable energy developer. “Tis year has been great, and next year, in our predictions and book work, is going to be about twice as busy as where we’ve been this year.” Te spike in demand has been primarily driven by the


private sector, with investment coming from major corporate players like Walmart, AT&T, Merck & Co., and Grupo Bimbo. However, utility companies are also investing in projects, including Ameren Missouri and Iowa’s MidAmerican Energy.


24


SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 2018


WIRE ROPE EXCHANGE


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