2014 ENGINEERING

摘要

The wind industry is in a transition mode of sorts that over the next couple years will take it from one partially supported by the Production Tax Credit, to one in which it is fully self sustaining. Making the transition will take leadership from OEMs and suppliers alike. OEMs will have to provide more reliable and more efficient equipment -turbines that turn out more power than previous similar models, and then need less maintenance all around. Although 2013 started weak, it ended strong with a rapid construction pace that has continued into 2014. Although 2015 may fall of the pace, developments, improvements, and changes will not. Wind power is just too good to turn off. Turbines have reached healthy sizes with 3 to 5-MW units coming off production lines, and larger prototypes (7 and 8 MW) entering their shake-down cruises.