Gallery: AWEA “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç 2015

UNITED STATES: AWEA held its annual “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç conference and exhibition in Florida this week with announcements from OEMs including Vestas, Siemens and GE.

by David Weston 22 May 2015

  • AWEA “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç 2015 took place in Orlando, Florida, US (pics: Tim Lomas)

    AWEA “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç 2015 took place in Orlando, Florida, US (pics: Tim Lomas)

  • The three-day show had 400 exhibitors from across the wind sector

    The three-day show had 400 exhibitors from across the wind sector

  • US energy secretary Ernest Moniz spoke at the event - only the second person in the role to do so

    US energy secretary Ernest Moniz spoke at the event - only the second person in the role to do so

  • Cabling firm ABB exhibited

    Cabling firm ABB exhibited

  • US firm Blade Platforms demonstrated using a virtual reality programme

    US firm Blade Platforms demonstrated using a virtual reality programme

  • Major US OEM GE made several announcements at the show...

    Major US OEM GE made several announcements at the show...

  • ... including the launch of its

    ... including the launch of its "Digital Wind Farm" programme

  • Hubbell Power Systems had a model turbine on its stand

    Hubbell Power Systems had a model turbine on its stand

  • Gearbox manufacturer Moventas exhibited its mobile servicing unit

    Gearbox manufacturer Moventas exhibited its mobile servicing unit

  • Nordex's stand at AWEA “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç 2015

    Nordex's stand at AWEA “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç 2015

  • Senvion celebrated reaching its 2GW North American milestone at the show

    Senvion celebrated reaching its 2GW North American milestone at the show

  • Exhibitors numbered about 400, down from last year’s 440

    Exhibitors numbered about 400, down from last year’s 440

  • Visitors at the Travelers Insurance stand were invited to try out being a crane operator using a virtual reality headset

    Visitors at the Travelers Insurance stand were invited to try out being a crane operator using a virtual reality headset

  • Siemens unveiled a new 2.3MW turbine with a 120-metre diametre rotor

    Siemens unveiled a new 2.3MW turbine with a 120-metre diametre rotor

  • O&M provider Upwind Solutions demonstrated its drone blade inspection service

    O&M provider Upwind Solutions demonstrated its drone blade inspection service

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A number of digital simulations featured on the exhibition floor at AWEA “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç 2015, with headsets to demonstrate crane operation and blade platforms among others. US turbine manufacturer GE's stand featured an operator seat and three screens to demonstrated its new "Digital Wind Farm" design tool.

GE's program uses holograms to simulate developments to aid design and make maintenance easier. The company said it can help boost production from a project by 20% compared to its existing offering. 

US energy secretary Ernest Moniz delivered a speech on day one of the confernece. He is only the second in the role to attend AWEA's conference.

Moniz told delegates of the need to expand wind's footprint in America - to areas where it is not yet cost-effective - using "near-term pay-offs" such as higher hub heights, longer blades, improved drive-trains and better siting.

Siemens Wind Power unveiled the SWT 2.3-120 turbine, which it says extends the reach of its successful G2 turbine platform with a notable 10% increase in annual energy production. It is designed for the US market.

Attendance on the final morning of the conference was nearly 6,500, according to preliminary data from the AWEA, down from an estimated 10,000 registrants over four days in 2014. Exhibitors numbered about 400, down from last year's 440.