GH commissioned by The Welsh Development Agency - 22nd Dec 2005The Welsh Development Agency (WDA) commissioned Garrad Hassan and Partners (GH) to carry out a technical feasibility study of the seven proposed wind energy Strategic Search Areas (SSAs). The report including its appendices is available here.The work does not seek to pre-empt detailed on-the-ground studies that would typically be undertaken by wind farm developers when assessing sites. Rather, it provides an informed view on the broad capacity limits of the areas, and the headline common factors which are likely to influence these limits. The terms of reference did not include any input by GH into the definition of the SSA areas, or any assessment of planning matters such as landscape capacity. Grid access is being considered by others and is not part of this report. Please note that it is important to read the Addendum to the report, the results of which will be incorporated into the main report in the New Year. The addendum reflects new information from National Air Traffic Services, who appraised aviation constraints in the light of GH’s initial report to WDA. We would encourage consultation of the full report and its appendices. Any queries thereafter on the technical content of the report should be addressed to Helen Snodin via our Contact Us page Download Report GH Tidal Bladed enters validation phase - 15th Dec 2005The development of the engineering models within Tidal Bladed has been completed. The validation phase of the project is now beginning.Model test results will be analysed and compared with predictions made with the new software. Development of the graphical user interface will be undertaken in parallel with Beta testing of the software planned for the second quarter of 2006. The Beta testing will include use of the software to calculate design loads according to the Germanischer Lloyd Draft Guideline for the Certification of Ocean Energy Converters Part 1: Ocean Current Turbines. GH appoints Chief Representative for China - 13th Dec 2005Garrad Hassan (GH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Weiping Pan as the Chief Representative of its operation in China.Weiping is an engineering graduate of Tsing Hua University in Beijing and has been involved in wind energy projects since 1997. In addition to his work in China, Weiping has spent four years in Canada between 2000 and 2004, during which he gained an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. Weiping has been working as a wind energy consultant in both Canada and China since 2002, providing advice to government agencies, wind turbine manufacturers, energy companies and banks. Weiping’s role will be to manage and develop GH’s business in China, expanding the company’s activities on behalf of both Chinese clients and those international organizations keen to participate in the rapidly growing market for wind energy in China. Weiping will take up his position at the GH office in Beijing from 9th January 2006. GH SCADA Systems for San Juan Mesa and Tai Chung Power Station - 29th Nov 2005GH's Wind farm SCADA system will be installed this month at the 120 MW San Juan Mesa project for Padoma Wind Power.The project is in New Mexico, USA and consists of 120 Mitsubishi MWT1000A turbines. The system will also be installed in early December at 44 MW Tai Chung Power Station project for Harakosan BV. The project is in Taiwan and consists of 22 Harakosan Z72 2MW turbines. Governor appoints GH engineer to Kansas Electric Transmission Authority - 23rd Nov 2005The Governor of Kansas, Kathleen Sebelius, today announced the appointment of Les Evans to the Kansas Electric Transmission Authority.Evans, who runs the Garrad Hassan America, Inc. office in Topeka, Kansas has more than 27 years of power generation and utility experience including his current position which involves working with transmission issues on a national basis. He has been with Garrad Hassan America since 2003. In this role, he is active in evaluating transmission grid issues at a local, regional and national level throughout North America. Evans will serve a three-year term at KETA. Andrew Garrad commented "Les's appointment is great news. It is a clear signal of Kansas's growing interest in wind energy and also an acknowledgement of GH's central position in the wind energy movement in both technical and strategic areas." Detailed Offshore Support Structure Model for GH Bladed - 7th Nov 2005At the Copenhagen Offshore Conference Garrad Hassan unveiled the latest version of GH Bladed which incorporates new features for offshore wind turbine design including the ability to model multiple-member space-frame support structures.
To minimise the costs of offshore wind turbine deployment – especially in a time of high steel prices – the optimisation of the turbine support structure design is critical. Due to the complex interaction between wind and wave loading effects, this can only be achieved using the GH Bladed integrated design approach which combines both sources of structural loading in a time-domain model.
GH Bladed developments: • Multiple-member support structure model • Designer free to specify arbitrary space-frame • Hydrodynamic and buoyancy loads rigorously calculated for each member • Loading & dynamics of support structure integrated into time-domain model of whole turbine Concerted Action for Offshore Wind Energy Deployment (COD) - 31st Oct 2005Principal findings of COD were released in October which contain a major input from GH`s Strategic Studies and Offshore Departments.The outline describes the steps that need to be taken in order to allow offshore wind energy to reach its full potential. Full details here Copenhagen Strategy on Offshore Wind Power Deployment - 28th Oct 2005Andrew Garrad participated in the European Policy Seminar on Offshore Wind Power in Copenhagen on 27th October as part of the Copenhagen Offshore Conference.This led to the release of the “Copenhagen Strategy” which lists specific steps required by the European planning and regulatory authorities to remove the obstacles to the full exploitation of offshore wind energy. Full details Garrad Hassan Denmark appoints CEO - 27th Oct 2005Garrad Hassan (GH) has appointed Lars Falbe-Hansen to lead its new operation in Denmark.Lars has been in the wind energy industry for the last 16 years: in Wind World A/S, Micon A/S, NEG Micon A/S and Vestas Wind Systems A/S. He therefore brings a wealth of turbine experience to GH. His role will be to create a GH centre of expertise in Denmark, to provide easy access for our existing Danish clients to develop GH’s Scandinavian business and to support GH’s activity world wide. His appointment signals GH’s arrival in Denmark’s Wind Power Hub. The new GH office will be in the Aarhus area. GH has already become a member of the Danish Wind Industry Association and now looks forward to being part of the Danish industry. Marc LeBlanc of GH Canada elected to Board of CanWEA - 18th Oct 2005Marc LeBlanc, who is responsible for GH's activities in Canada, was elected to the CanWEA Board of Directors at the AGM held in Toronto on October 18, 2005. This appointment builds on GH's substantial activity in the Canadian market.Wind Guangdong - 17th Oct 2005At the end of October Greenpeace China launched its strategy document which was written by GH to illustrate the potential of wind energy in Guangdong and Hong Kong.This follows the successful launch of SeaWind Europe, also written by GH, for Greenpeace Europe. Garrad Hassan's HQ escapes fire - 12th Oct 2005Garrad Hassan`s Bristol Headquarters had a lucky escape this week when the adjoining warehouse was destroyed in a massive blaze.
The fire, which began in the early hours of Monday morning, destroyed the building completely and took with it a wealth of material created by local film makers Aardman Animation.
Half of GH’s staff has been evacuated to nearby office space amid fears for the stability of the remaining warehouse walls. Despite this, it’s once again business as usual thanks to a rather large generator in the car park – unfortunately diesel, not wind. Training from the experts - 14th Sep 2005Garrad Hassan are proud to announce 3 new training courses scheduled for October in Toronto, Canada. Please see the Training section for full details.New GH website launches - 1st Sep 2005To reflect its position as the world's leading wind energy consultancy Garrad Hassan launch a new website, detailing the entire range of services and products offered.A wet version of GH Bladed! - 1st Sep 2005GH is becoming increasingly involved in marine renewables and has won a number of contracts in this exciting new area. One important project currently underway is to adapt the GH Bladed software for tidal stream turbines.This work, which involves both development and validation of the software, is being 50% funded by the UK DTI New and Renewable Energy Programme and is scheduled for completion in March 2006. GH international expansion continues apace! - 29th Aug 2005In response to growing business opportunities in markets around the world, GH has opened four new offices during the last year. The new offices are located in Ottawa, Canada; in Barcelona, Spain; in Beijing, China; and in Portland, USA.Garrad Hassan joins Danish Wind Industry Association - 16th Aug 2005The world's leading wind energy consultancy has joined the Danish Wind Industry Association as an industry member. Bjarne Lundager Jensen, the DWIA director says "The presence of Garrad Hassan will sharpen the competitiveness of the industry, when even more resources are accumulated in Denmark. It is nice to see how the wind power industry in Denmark continuously can create new jobs.""We have had a great response to our job adverts, from people wishing to join the company and from the wind energy industry welcoming us to Denmark," said Dr. Unsal Hassan, a Director of Garrad Hassan. "And we are of course looking forward to participating in Copenhagen Offshore Wind in October as members of the Danish industry". |
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