Published

2 years ago

March 10, 2024

Alice Rush

North America: A Look at the Wind Energy Landscape

North America is experiencing a boom in wind energy. From the blustery plains of the Midwest to the windswept coasts, turbines are rising, transforming the landscape and contributing a growing share of clean electricity.

This surge is driven by a potent mix of factors: abundant wind resources, falling technology costs, and increasing urgency in the fight against climate change.

However, the wind energy landscape in North America is not without its challenges. Local opposition, concerns about environmental impact, and grid integration issues all require careful consideration. Despite these hurdles, the future of wind energy in North America appears bright. Technological advancements, supportive policies, and a growing public appetite for clean energy are propelling the industry forward.

Wind’s Long Journey: A History of Wind Energy Development in North America

North America’s relationship with wind energy is a long and storied one, stretching back centuries before the towering turbines of today.

Here’s a glimpse into this fascinating history:

Early Beginnings (17th-19th Centuries):

Windmills Take Root: European settlers brought their windmill technology across the Atlantic, using wind power for grinding grain, pumping water, and sawing wood. These windmills became a common sight on the North American landscape, particularly in the 17th through 19th centuries.
The Rise of Wind Pumps: The settlement of the arid Great Plains and Canadian Prairies presented a unique challenge: lack of readily available water. Wind pumps emerged as a game-changer, allowing farmers and ranchers to tap into groundwater for their crops and livestock.

Shifting Gears: The 20th Century

From Mills to Turbines: While windmills continued to be used in some areas, the late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the development of small wind-electric generators, the precursors to modern wind turbines.
Fossil Fuels Take Over: The discovery and widespread use of fossil fuels like oil and natural gas overshadowed wind energy for much of the 20th century. However, wind power never truly disappeared, with some applications continuing, particularly in remote locations.

Renewed Interest: The Late 20th Century and Beyond

Energy Crises Spark Change: The oil crises of the 1970s spurred a renewed interest in alternative energy sources, including wind. Governments began providing research and development support for larger, more efficient wind turbines.
The Rise of Wind Farms: The late 20th and early 21st centuries witnessed the birth of the modern wind industry. California led the way with the installation of the first large-scale wind farms, providing valuable lessons about siting, environmental impact, and efficient wind energy production.
A Growing Industry: Driven by falling technology costs, supportive policies, and growing public concern about climate change, wind energy has become a major player in North America’s electricity sector.

North America Wind Energy Landscape: A Statistical Snapshot

North America’s wind energy sector is on a powerful upswing. Let’s delve into some key statistics to grasp the current landscape:

Installed Capacity:

Total: According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), North America boasts over 151.5 gigawatts (GW) of installed wind energy capacity. (Source: AWEA: https://cleanpower.org/)
Breakdown: The United States maintains a dominant position with over 135.7 GW of installed capacity, followed by Canada with 14.6 GW and Mexico with 1.2 GW. (Source: AWEA: https://cleanpower.org/)

Electricity Generation:

Wind’s Share: Wind energy currently generates around 8.4% of North America’s electricity. (Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA): [invalid URL removed])
Growth: Wind energy generation has experienced impressive growth, with an average annual increase of 12% over the past five years. (Source: EIA: [invalid URL removed])

Economic Impact:

Jobs: The wind industry is a significant job creator, employing over 120,000 people across North America in various sectors like manufacturing, construction, operation, and maintenance. (Source: AWEA: https://cleanpower.org/)
Investment: The wind industry attracts billions of dollars in annual investment, providing a substantial boost to local economies. In 2023 alone, over $14.8 billion were invested in new wind energy projects in the United States. (Source: AWEA: https://cleanpower.org/)

Future Potential:

Resource Abundance: North America is blessed with vast wind energy resources. Studies suggest the potential to generate a much larger share of electricity needs, exceeding 30% according to some estimates.
Technology Advancements: Continuous advancements in wind turbine technology are leading to more efficient and cost-effective wind energy production. Larger turbines with higher capacities are constantly being developed, making wind farms more productive.

Challenges:

Grid Integration: Integrating large amounts of variable renewable energy sources like wind into the electricity grid remains a challenge. Building a more robust and flexible grid infrastructure is crucial for maximizing wind energy’s potential.
Environmental Impact: Careful consideration of potential environmental impacts, such as bird and bat mortality, is essential. Responsible wind energy development requires mitigation strategies and ongoing research.
Public Perception: Addressing local concerns about aesthetics, noise, and potential land-use impacts is important for social acceptance of wind projects. Open communication and community engagement are key to fostering support.

These statistics paint a picture of a thriving wind energy sector in North America. With continued technological advancements, supportive policies, and public understanding, wind energy is poised to play an even greater role in the continent’s clean energy future.

North America Wind Energy Landscape: Infrastructure

The wind energy industry relies on a complex network of infrastructure to capture the wind’s power and deliver it to our homes and businesses. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

Turbines:

The wind farm’s centerpiece, these towering structures convert wind energy into mechanical energy through their rotating blades. Modern turbines can have blade lengths exceeding 200 feet and reach heights surpassing 500 feet.

Foundations:

These sturdy bases, constructed from concrete or steel, anchor the turbines to the ground, withstanding powerful winds and supporting the immense weight of the turbine.

Collection System:

A network of underground cables connects individual turbines within the wind farm. This system carries the electricity generated by each turbine to a central collection point.

Substations:

These on-site facilities transform the electricity from the collection system to a higher voltage, making it suitable for long-distance transmission. Transformers within the substation also adjust the current for efficient transmission.

Transmission Lines:

High-voltage power lines carry the electricity generated by the wind farm over long distances to connect with the existing electricity grid. These lines can be overhead or buried underground.

Access Roads:

A network of roads is essential for construction, maintenance, and operation of the wind farm. These roads allow for the transport of heavy equipment and provide access for technicians to service the turbines.

Meteorological Masts:

These tall towers, equipped with specialized sensors, measure wind speed, direction, and other weather conditions at the wind farm site. This data is crucial for selecting optimal turbine locations and maximizing wind energy capture.

Operations & Maintenance Facilities:

On-site buildings house equipment and resources for wind farm operations and maintenance. These facilities may include workshops, storage areas, and offices for technicians who monitor and service the turbines.

Grid Integration:

Integrating large amounts of variable renewable energy sources like wind into the electricity grid presents a challenge. Upgrading and modernizing the existing grid infrastructure is necessary to handle the fluctuations in wind power generation and ensure efficient electricity delivery.

Beyond the Wind Farm:

The infrastructure story doesn’t end at the wind farm. Strengthening the transmission grid across North America is crucial to deliver wind-generated electricity from resource-rich regions to population centers.

Focus on Sustainability:

As the wind energy industry expands, there’s a growing focus on sustainable infrastructure development. Minimizing the environmental impact of construction activities, using recycled materials where possible, and co-locating wind farms with other land uses are some ways the industry is striving for a more sustainable approach.

Understanding this intricate infrastructure network highlights the complex yet essential role it plays in harnessing the power of the wind and delivering clean energy to our communities.

North America Wind Energy Landscape: Policy and Regulation

The wind energy sector in North America is shaped by a complex interplay of policies and regulations at the federal, state, and provincial levels. These policies and Regulation saya aim to incentivize wind energy development, address environmental concerns, and ensure the safe and efficient operation of wind farms.

Federal Policies:

Production Tax Credits (PTC) (US): A crucial incentive in the US, the PTC provides tax credits to wind energy developers for each kilowatt-hour of electricity produced. However, the PTC is subject to periodic renewal, creating uncertainty for project planning.
Investment Tax Credits (ITC) (US): This tax credit incentivizes investment in wind energy projects by allowing developers to deduct a portion of their project costs from their federal taxes.
Loan Guarantee Programs: Both the US and Canada offer loan guarantee programs that help developers secure financing for wind projects by reducing the perceived risk for lenders.
Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS): Some US states and Canadian provinces have established RPS requiring electricity providers to source a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources like wind. This policy creates a guaranteed market for wind-generated electricity.

State & Provincial Policies:

Siting Regulations: These regulations establish guidelines for wind farm siting, considering factors like environmental impact, proximity to residences, and noise levels.
Interconnection Standards: These standards ensure that wind farms can safely and efficiently connect to the electricity grid.
Transmission Infrastructure Investments: Some states and provinces invest in transmission infrastructure upgrades to facilitate the integration of wind energy into the grid.

Challenges and Considerations:

Policy Uncertainty: The stop-and-start nature of some federal policies, like the PTC, can make it difficult for developers to secure financing and plan long-term wind projects.
Streamlining Permitting Processes: Navigating the permitting process at various government levels can be time-consuming and complex, potentially delaying project development.
Environmental Impact: Policies and regulations need to strike a balance between encouraging wind energy development and addressing potential environmental concerns like bird and bat mortality.

Looking Forward:

Focus on Grid Modernization: Policies that support investments in grid modernization are crucial to optimize the integration of wind energy into the electricity grid.
Harmonization of Regulations: Efforts to harmonize regulations across different jurisdictions in North America could ease project development and facilitate cross-border wind energy trade.
Community Engagement: Policies that encourage open communication and community engagement throughout the wind farm development process can foster public acceptance and address local concerns.

The policy and regulatory landscape for wind energy in North America is constantly evolving. By implementing effective policies and regulations, governments can create a stable and supportive environment that will continue to propel the growth of this clean energy source.

North America Wind Energy Landscape: Wind Farm Projects

The North American wind energy landscape is booming. The United States, Canada, and Mexico are all home to some of the world’s largest wind farms, and new projects are coming online all the time. Here’s a look at some of the trends shaping the industry:

Rapid growth: The North American wind power industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years. In 2022, new wind capacity reached 14.7 gigawatts (GW) from 93 projects, an increase from 2021 of 12 GW from 54 projects [Enverus 2022 US Top Wind Developers]. Looking to 2024, a whopping 373 projects are expected to come online.
Major players: Key players in the North American wind power market include NextEra Energy, EDP Renewables, and Enel Green Power. These companies are developing, constructing, and operating some of the largest wind farms in the region.
Project examples: Here are seven notable wind farms in North America:
1. The Alta Wind Energy Center in California, with a capacity of 1,547 MW [Wikipedia Alta Wind Energy Center].
2. The Roscoe Wind Farm in Texas, with a capacity of 781 MW [Wikipedia Roscoe Wind Farm].
3. The La Mariposa Wind Farm in Mexico, with a capacity of 845 MW [Mexico Renewable Energy Auctions].
4. The Summit Wind Farm in Oklahoma, with a capacity of 1,050 MW [American Wind Energy Association Summit Wind Farm].
5. The Sapphire Wind Farm in Wyoming, with a capacity of 1,500 MW [NextEra Energy Sapphire Wind Farm].
6. The Blue Canyon Wind Farm in Alberta, Canada, with a capacity of 650 MW [Canadian Wind Energy Association Blue Canyon Wind Farm].
7. The Saint-Laurent Wind Farm in Quebec, Canada, with a capacity of 380 MW [Hydro-Québec Saint-Laurent Wind Farm].
Drivers of growth: The North American wind power industry is propelled by several key factors, including:

Demand for clean energy: As the region seeks to diversify its energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, wind power is becoming an increasingly attractive option.
Technological advancements: Wind turbines are becoming more efficient and cost-effective, making wind power a more competitive source of energy.
Government support: Many governments in North America are providing financial incentives to support the development of wind power.

Largest Wind Farms in North America

Here’s table of some of the largest wind farms in North America, based on installed capacity:

Rank	Wind Farm Name	Location	Capacity (MW)
1	Alta Wind Energy Center	California, USA	1,548
2	Western Spirit Wind Farm	New Mexico, USA	1,050
3 (tie)	Traverse Wind Energy Center	Oklahoma, USA	998
3 (tie)	Maverick Wind Energy Center	Oklahoma, USA	(part of Western Spirit)
3 (tie)	Sundance Wind Energy Center	Oklahoma, USA	(part of Western Spirit)
4	Los Vientos Wind Farm	Texas, USA	912
5	Roscoe Wind Farm	Texas, USA	781.5
6	Blue Canyon Wind Farm	Oklahoma, USA	743
7	Shepherds Flat Wind Farm	Oregon, USA	845
8	Jackpot Wind Power Project	Nevada, USA	800

Notes:

This table only includes a small sampling of the many large wind farms in North America.
Capacity is listed in Megawatts (MW).
There are plans for even larger wind farms in the future, such as the proposed Windpark XI in Iowa with a massive 2,000 MW capacity.

The future of wind energy in North America is bright. With continued investment and technological innovation, wind power is poised to play an even greater role in the region’s energy mix.

North America Wind Energy Landscape: The Technology

North America’s wind energy landscape is not just about impressive wind farm projects, but also the cutting-edge technology that makes them possible. Here’s a breakdown of some key areas of wind turbine technology driving the industry forward:

Turbine Size and Efficiency: Modern wind turbines are giants compared to their predecessors. Taller towers and longer blades capture more wind energy, translating to increased power generation. Advancements in blade design, materials, and aerodynamics further improve efficiency and energy capture.
Direct Drive Technology: Traditional wind turbines use gearboxes to connect the slow-spinning rotor to the high-speed generator. Newer turbines utilize direct drive systems, eliminating the need for gearboxes. This reduces maintenance costs, improves reliability, and increases overall efficiency.
Smart Controls and Automation: Modern wind farms are equipped with sophisticated control systems that optimize turbine performance. These systems consider wind speed, direction, and turbine health to adjust blade pitch and rotation for maximum power generation. Additionally, automation can predict and address potential maintenance issues before they cause downtime.
Floating Offshore Wind Turbines: While onshore wind farms dominate the landscape, offshore wind holds immense potential. Technological advancements have led to the development of floating wind turbines specifically designed to withstand harsh ocean environments. As the technology matures, offshore wind farms are poised to play a significant role in the future of North American wind energy.
Grid Integration and Storage: Integrating large-scale wind energy into the electrical grid presents challenges due to the intermittent nature of wind. Technological advancements in battery storage and grid management systems are crucial for mitigating these challenges. By storing excess wind energy and strategically feeding it back into the grid during peak demand periods, wind power becomes a more reliable and dispatchable source of clean energy.

These are just some of the exciting technological advancements shaping the North American wind energy landscape. As these innovations continue to develop, wind power will play an increasingly significant role in meeting the region’s clean energy demands.

North America Wind Energy Landscape: Private Sector Contribution

The private sector plays a critical role in driving the growth and innovation within the North American wind energy landscape. Here’s a closer look at their contributions:

Financing and Investment: The majority of wind farm development is funded by private companies. These companies invest billions of dollars in building new wind farms, financing projects through a variety of channels including equity capital, debt financing, and tax credits.
Project Development and Construction: Private companies like NextEra Energy, EDP Renewables, and Enel Green Power take the lead role in developing wind farm projects. This involves identifying suitable locations, securing permits, conducting feasibility studies, and overseeing construction.
Technological Innovation: Major wind turbine manufacturers like Siemens Gamesa and GE Renewable Energy constantly strive to improve turbine technology. These companies invest heavily in research and development to create more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective wind turbines.
Operations and Maintenance: Once operational, wind farms require ongoing maintenance to ensure optimal performance. Private companies specialize in wind farm operation and maintenance (O&M), providing essential services like inspections, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Competition and Market Efficiency: The presence of multiple private players in the wind energy sector fosters competition. This competition drives down costs, improves efficiency in project development and construction, and incentivizes innovation in turbine technology.

Challenges and Opportunities:

While private sector involvement is crucial, there are challenges to navigate:

Policy and Regulatory Uncertainty: Uncertain or inconsistent government policies regarding renewable energy targets, subsidies, and permitting processes can create hesitation for private investment.
Transmission Infrastructure Constraints: The current electricity grid infrastructure may not be sufficient to handle the increasing amount of wind energy being generated, requiring further investment in transmission lines.

Looking Ahead:

Despite these challenges, the future looks bright for private sector involvement in North American wind energy. As the demand for clean energy continues to grow, private companies are well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities:

Expanding Offshore Wind Market: The development of cost-effective floating offshore wind technology presents a vast new market for private companies to invest in and develop.
Distributed Wind Generation: The rise of smaller, distributed wind turbines suitable for residential and commercial applications creates new investment opportunities for private companies.
Energy Storage Solutions: Developing efficient and cost-effective energy storage solutions is crucial for integrating wind energy into the grid. Private companies are actively involved in this space, presenting promising investment and innovation opportunities.

By continuing to invest in technology, infrastructure, and innovative solutions, the private sector will remain a driving force in the growth of a clean and sustainable North American wind energy future.

North America Wind Energy Landscape: Key Player Company

The North American wind energy landscape boasts several key players, with the market categorized as semi-fragmented. Here’s a breakdown of some major participants:

Turbine Manufacturers:

General Electric (GE): A global industrial giant, GE is a major player in wind turbine manufacturing for North America [1].
Vestas Wind Systems: This Danish company is a leading wind turbine manufacturer with a strong presence in North America [1].
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy: Formed by the merger of Siemens Wind Power and Gamesa, this company offers wind turbine solutions across North America [2].
Nordex SE: A German multinational, Nordex is another major supplier of wind turbines in the North American market [1].

Wind Energy Developers and Utilities:

NextEra Energy: A leading North American renewable energy company, NextEra is a major player in wind energy development and operation [2].
Duke Energy: This utility giant is actively involved in developing and operating wind farms across North America [2].

Offshore Wind:

The offshore wind sector is a growing area, with companies like:

Ørsted: This Danish leader in offshore wind development is making inroads into the North American market [2].

Important Note: This list is not exhaustive, and other companies play significant roles in the North American wind energy industry.

North America Wind Energy Landscape: Financial Support

Financial Support for Wind Energy in North America

Wind energy is a growing sector in North America, but financial support plays a crucial role in its continued development. Here’s a breakdown of the financial landscape:

Types of Financial Support:

Federal Tax Credits: The Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) have been instrumental in driving wind energy growth in the US. While the PTC is currently expired, the ITC remains in place and offers significant tax breaks for wind project development.
State Incentives: Many states offer their own incentives for wind energy, such as tax breaks, renewable portfolio standards (RPS), and grants. These incentives vary by state and can be crucial for project feasibility.
Loan Guarantees: Loan guarantees from federal agencies like the Department of Energy can help developers secure financing for wind projects by reducing risk for lenders.
Private Investment: As wind energy becomes more established, private investors are playing an increasingly important role. This includes investment banks, insurance companies, and infrastructure funds.

Challenges and Considerations:

Policy Uncertainty: The on-again, off-again nature of federal tax credits in the US can create uncertainty for developers, making long-term planning difficult.
Transmission Infrastructure: Expanding transmission infrastructure is crucial to deliver wind energy from remote areas to population centers. However, building new transmission lines can be expensive and time-consuming.
Competition from Other Renewables: Solar energy costs have declined significantly, creating competition for wind in some regions.

Positive Outlook:

Despite the challenges, the outlook for wind energy in North America remains positive. Technological advancements are driving down costs, and increasing focus on climate change is creating a strong policy tailwind. Continued financial support at the federal and state level will be vital to ensure wind energy remains a competitive and attractive option.

North America Wind Energy Landscape: Impact and advantage

The rise of wind energy in North America brings about a significant impact on the continent’s energy landscape, offering several advantages. Let’s explore both sides of the coin:

Impact:

Environmental Benefits: Wind energy is a clean and renewable resource. Unlike fossil fuels, wind turbines don’t produce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the fight against climate change.
Economic Growth: The wind industry creates jobs in manufacturing, construction, operation, and maintenance of wind farms. Additionally, wind energy projects generate revenue for landowners through lease agreements.
Energy Security: Wind power reduces reliance on traditional fossil fuels, some of which are sourced from geopolitically unstable regions. This fosters energy independence and security for North America.
Land Use Considerations: While wind farms require land, they have a smaller footprint compared to other energy sources like solar or traditional power plants. However, careful planning is needed to minimize the impact on wildlife and ecosystems.

Advantages:

Renewable and Sustainable: Wind is a constantly replenished resource, making wind energy sustainable in the long term.
Cost-Competitive: With technological advancements, wind energy has become increasingly cost-competitive with traditional sources like coal and natural gas.
Technological Advancements: Wind turbine technology is constantly evolving, leading to more efficient turbines with higher energy production capabilities.
Diversity and Reliability: Wind farms can be strategically located in areas with consistent wind patterns, complementing other renewable energy sources like solar to create a more reliable and diverse energy mix.

It’s important to note:

Wind energy isn’t without challenges. Wind patterns can be inconsistent, and wildlife impact needs careful consideration during wind farm development. Additionally, upgrading the electricity grid infrastructure is necessary to fully integrate large-scale wind energy into the power system.

Wind energy represents a significant player in North America’s transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. The advantages it offers outweigh the challenges, making it a crucial part of the continent’s energy portfolio.

Conclusion for North America Wind Energy Landscape

The United States leads the way in North American wind energy production, boasting the vast majority of installed wind capacity.

Canada is also a significant player, with its own wind energy ambitions. Mexico, with its vast coastline and mountain ranges, is poised for significant wind energy development as well.

North America’s wind energy landscape is experiencing robust growth fueled by financial support mechanisms.

Federal tax credits, state incentives, loan guarantees, and private investments have all been instrumental in propelling the industry forward. However, the path is not without challenges. Policy uncertainty, transmission infrastructure limitations, and competition from other renewables require careful consideration.

The positive outlook prevails, though. Technological advancements are making wind energy more cost-competitive, and the growing urgency of addressing climate change creates a strong push for clean energy solutions. Continued financial support at various levels, coupled with innovative solutions for infrastructure and competition, will be crucial for North American wind energy to reach its full potential as a clean and sustainable energy source.

https://www.exaputra.com/2024/03/north-america-wind-energy-landscape.html

Related Topics:North America renewable energy wind power

Up Next

Wind Energy Landscape in South America

Don't Miss

Central America Wind Energy Landscape

Alice Rush

Renewable Energy

Sunrez Prepreg Cuts Blade Repairs to Minutes

Published

6 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Alice Rush

Weather Guard Lightning Tech

Sunrez Prepreg Cuts Blade Repairs to Minutes

Bret Tollgaard from Sunrez joins to discuss UV-curing prepreg that cuts blade repair time by up to 90% and has recently recieved OEM approval.

Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly newsletter 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 YouTube, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary’s “Engineering with Rosie” YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us!

Allen Hall: Brett, welcome back to the program.

Bret Tollgaard: Thanks for having me again.

Allen Hall: So a lot’s happening at sunrise at the moment. Uh, there’s, uh, activity with sunrise materials on a lot of blades this year.

Over the last couple of years actually, ISPs, operators, OEMs, are realizing that UV curing is a huge advantage.

Bret Tollgaard: Turns out there’s a lot of value added, uh, to the entire process when utilizing UV cure, uh, pre-req.

Allen Hall: So the, the pre pres are, have been available for a couple of years. The qualification though was always the concern.

Has the OEM qualified this material? Are they gonna give you the blessing? Does this show up in the manual? If I call the OEM, are they gonna say they have talked to you guys? A lot of those hurdles have been cleared at this point.

Bret Tollgaard: Yeah, great question. And we are happy to announce that we have finally been approved by a large OEM for use on the epoxy blade for now all general kind of repairs.

We have several more OEMs that have already passed their phase one mechanical testing, and we’re iterating through now [00:01:00] their, uh, secondary and tertiary kind of tests. And so we do expect to be fully qualified by several OEMs before the end of the year, which should make the ISPs integration and utilization of our materials much, much easier.

Allen Hall: So the, the, the problem you’re solving is repairs in the field for the most part, or sometimes in the factory. Mm-hmm. But a lot of times in the field that those repairs. It happened quite a bit. They’re the same repair, the same area, the same kind of thing over and over and over again. And wetting out fabric on site takes time.

Particularly if you’re using standard materials, you have to bag it. You have to apply heat in some cases to get it to kick, and then you have to wait several hours for it to cure. So in the repair cycle time, most of your time is waiting.

Bret Tollgaard: It sure is. Uh, and on top of all that, we all know that there aren’t enough technicians in this industry to even do all the repairs, uh, that would like to be done.

Yeah. And so to really kind of streamline all of that, [00:02:00] uh, we’ve rolled out a couple of new things and we’ve had a lot more interest in some pre consolidated preki patches for customers. Uh, if a particular blade model has an issue that is a standardized kind of repair. We’re actually now building custom prepregs, or we will build the appropriate width length, stack it, consolidate it, uh, wrap it between our films.

So then all the customer has to do when they get on site is, uh, you know, do do the appropriate surface prep. Scarfing, apply a little bit of our UV surface primer to the backside of that patch. But now they can go up tower, single peel, stick, roll out, and then they’re cured.

Allen Hall: And that’s a. How many hours of saving is that?

It’s gotta be like six, 12 hours of saving, of, of

Bret Tollgaard: labor. It’s upwards of 80 to 90% of the labor that’s gonna actually need to be done to apply that. Otherwise, and then same thing too. We’ve had a couple instances where we took a several day repair down to one, to two to three hours. And these are multi-meter long repairs that were fast tracked because we pre consolidated preki [00:03:00] everything.

Some were in flat sheet forms, some were much longer on rolls, where you’re actually then rolling out with a team. Um, and so we’ve been able to demonstrate several times, uh, over the last 12 months, uh, the, the value that a UV cure preprint.

Allen Hall: Well, sure, because that, that would make sense. The issue about wetting out fabric in the field you just done in the back of a trailer or something, somewhere like that.

Usually it is, it’s that you’re never really sure that you got the fabric wetted out. The experienced technicians always feel like, have done it enough that they get very consistent results. But as you mentioned, getting technicians is hard and, and there’s so many repairs to do. So you’re doing those wetting out composite things takes practice and skill.

Just buying it, preki it, where you have control over it. And you guys sell to the military all the time. So that, and you’re, are you ass 91 qualified yet? You’re in the midst of that?

Bret Tollgaard: So we, I mean, a, we just got ISO certified, uh, at the end of last year in December. So our [00:04:00] QMS system and everything like that’s up to date, that’s huge.

Another big qualification for the OEMs that want to see, you know, true quality and output.

Allen Hall: That’s it. I, if I’m gonna buy a preki patch, so, uh, uh, that would make sense to me, knowing that. There’s a lot of rigor as a quality system. So when I get out the the site and I open that package, I know what’s inside of it every single time.

Bret Tollgaard: Well, and that’s just it. And like we got qualified based on the materials that we can provide and the testing that’s being done in real world situations when you’re wetting out by hand and you’re vacuum backing and you’re trying to cure. It is a little bit of an art form when you’re doing that. It is, and you might think you have a great laminate, you got void content, or you haven’t properly went out that glass ’cause humidity or the way the glass was stored or it was exposed.

The sizing and the resin don’t really bite. Well. You might think you have a great repair, but you might be prematurely failing as well after X cycles and fatigue. Uh, simply because it’s not as easy to, to truly do. Right? And so having the [00:05:00] pre-wet, uh, pre impregnated glass really goes a long way for the quality, uh, and the consistency from repair to repair.

Allen Hall: Well, even just the length of the season to do repairs is a huge issue. I, I know I’ve had some discussions this week about opening the season up a little bit, and some of the ISPs have said, Hey, we we’re pretty much working year round at this point. We’re, we’ll go to California. We’ll go to Southern Texas.

We’ll work those situations. ’cause the weather’s decent, but with the sunrise material, the temperature doesn’t matter.

Bret Tollgaard: Correct. And I was actually just speaking to someone maybe half hour ago who came by and was talking about repairs that they had to do in Vermont, uh, in December. They could only do two layers of an epoxy repair at a time because of the amount of the temperature.

Allen Hall: Yeah.

Bret Tollgaard: Whereas you could go through, apply a six or an eight layer pre-reg cure it in 20 minutes. Uh, you know, throughout that entire length that he had and you would’ve been done. That’s, and so it took several days to do a single repair that could have been done in sub one hour with our material.

Allen Hall: I know where those wind turbines are.

[00:06:00] They weren’t very far from, we used to live, so I understand that temperature, once you hit about November up in Vermont, it’s over for a lot of, uh, standard epoxy materials and cures, it is just not warm enough.

Bret Tollgaard: Yeah, we, we’ve literally had repairs done with our materials at negative 20 Fahrenheit. That were supposed to be temporary repairs.

They were installed four or five years ago. Uh, and they’re still active, perfectly done patches that haven’t needed to be replaced yet. So,

Allen Hall: so, because the magic ingredient is you’re adding UV to a, a chemistry where the UV kicks it off. Correct. Basically, so you’re, it’s not activated until it’s hit with uv.

You hit it with uv that starts a chemical process, but it doesn’t rely on external heat. To cure

Bret Tollgaard: exactly. It, it is a true single component system, whether it’s in the liquid pre preg, the thickened, uh, the thickened putties that we sell, or even the hand lamination and effusion resin. It’s doped with a, a variety of different food initiators and packages based on the type of light that’s [00:07:00] being, uh, used to, to cure it.

But it will truly stay dormant until it’s exposed to UV light. And so we’ve been able to formulate systems over the last 40 years of our company’s history that provide an incredibly long shelf life. Don’t prematurely gel, don’t prematurely, uh, you know, erode in the packaging, all those

Allen Hall: things.

Bret Tollgaard: Exactly.

Like we’ve been at this for a really long time. We’ve been able to do literally decades of r and d to develop out systems. Uh, and that’s why we’ve been able to come to this market with some materials that truly just haven’t been able to be seen, uh, delivered and installed and cured the way that we can do it.

Allen Hall: Well, I think that’s a huge thing, the, the shelf life.

Bret Tollgaard: Mm-hmm.

Allen Hall: You talk to a lot of. Operators, ISPs that buy materials that do have an expiration date or they gotta keep in a freezer and all those little handling things.

Bret Tollgaard: Yep.

Allen Hall: Sunrise gets rid of all of that. And because how many times have you heard of an is SP saying, oh, we had a throwaway material at the end of the season because it expired.

Bret Tollgaard: Oh, tremendously

Allen Hall: amount of, hundred of thousands of dollars of material, [00:08:00]

Bret Tollgaard: and I would probably even argue, say, millions of dollars over the course of the year gets, gets thrown out simply because of the expiration date. Um, we are so confident in our materials. Uh, and the distributors and stuff that we use, we can also recertify material now, most of the time it’s gonna get consumed within 12 months Sure.

Going into this kind of industry.

Allen Hall: Yeah.

Bret Tollgaard: Um, but there have been several times where we’ve actually had some of that material sent back to us. We’ll test and analyze it, make sure it’s curing the way it is, give it another six months shelf, uh, service life.

Allen Hall: Sure.

Bret Tollgaard: Um, and so you’re good to go on that front

Allen Hall: too.

Yeah. So if you make the spend to, to move to sun, you have time to use it.

Bret Tollgaard: Yes.

Allen Hall: So if it snows early or whatever’s going on at that site where you can’t get access anymore, you just wait till the spring comes and you’re still good with the same material. You don’t have to re-buy it.

Bret Tollgaard: Exactly. And with no special storage requirements, like you mentioned, no frozen oven or frozen freezer, excuse me, uh, or certain temperature windows that has to be stored in, uh, it allows the operators and the technicians, you know, a lot more latitude of how things actually get

Allen Hall: done.

And, and so if. When we [00:09:00] think about UV materials, the, the questions always pop up, like, how thick of a laminate can you do and still illuminate with the UV light? And make sure you curate I I, because you’re showing some samples here. These are,

Bret Tollgaard: yeah.

Allen Hall: Quarter inch or more,

Bret Tollgaard: correct. So

Allen Hall: thick samples. How did you cure these?

Bret Tollgaard: So that was cured with the lamp that we’ve got right here, which are standard issued light, sold a couple hundred into this space already. Um, that’s 10 layers of a thousand GSM unidirectional fiber. Whoa. This other one is, uh, 10 layers of, of a biox. 800 fiber.

Allen Hall: Okay.

Bret Tollgaard: Uh, those were cured in six minutes. So you can Six

Allen Hall: minutes.

Bret Tollgaard: Six minutes.

Allen Hall: What would it take to do this in a standard epoxy form?

Bret Tollgaard: Oh, hours,

Allen Hall: eight hours maybe?

Bret Tollgaard: Yeah. About for, for the, for the post cure required to get the TGS that they need in the wind space, right? Absolutely. And so yeah, we can do that in true minutes. And it’s pre impregnated. You simply cut it to shape and you’re ready to rock.

Allen Hall: And it looks great when you’re done, mean the, the surface finish is really good. I know sometimes with the epoxies, particularly if they get ’em wetted out, it doesn’t. It [00:10:00] doesn’t have that kind of like finished look to it.

Bret Tollgaard: Exactly. And the way that we provide, uh, for our standard, uh, you know, pre pprs are in between films and so if you cure with that film, you get a nice, clean, glossy surface tack free.

But as more and more people go to the pre consolidation method down tower, so even if they buy our standard prereg sheets or rolls, they’re preki down tower, you can also then just apply a pre, uh, a peel ply to that top film. Oh, sure. So if you wet out a peel ply and then you build your laminate over the top.

Put the primer and the black film over when they actually get that up on tower, they can then just remove that fuel ply and go straight to Sandy or uh, uh, painting and they’re ready to rock.

Allen Hall: Wow. Okay. That’s, that’s impressive. If you think about the thousands and thousands of hours you’ll save in a season.

Where you could be fixing another blade, but you’re just waiting for the res, the cure,

Bret Tollgaard: and that’s just it. When you’re saving the amount of labor and the amount of time, and it’s not just one technician, it’s their entire team that is saving that time. Sure. And can move on to the next [00:11:00] repair and the next process.

Allen Hall: So one of the questions I get asked all the time, like, okay, great, this UV material sounds like space, age stuff. It must cost a fortune. And the answer is no. It doesn’t cost a fortune. It’s very price competitive.

Bret Tollgaard: It, it really is. And it might be slightly more expensive cost per square foot versus you doing it with glass and resin, but you’re paying for that labor to wait for that thing to cure.

And so you’re still saving 20, 30, 40 plus percent per repair. When you can do it as quickly as we can do it.

Allen Hall: So for ISPs that are out doing blade repairs, you’re actually making more money.

Bret Tollgaard: You are making more money, you are saving more money. That same group and band of technicians you have are doing more repairs in a faster amount of time.

So as you are charging per repair, per blade, per turbine, whatever that might be, uh, you’re walking away with more money and you can still pass that on to the owner operators, uh, by getting their turbines up and spinning and making them more money.

Allen Hall: Right. And that’s what happens now. You see in today’s world, companies ISPs that are proposing [00:12:00] using UV materials versus standard resin systems, the standard residence systems are losing because how much extra time they’re, they’re paying for the technicians to be on site.

Bret Tollgaard: Correct.

Allen Hall: So the, the industry has to move if you wanna be. Competitive at all. As an ISP, you’re gonna have to move to UV materials. You better be calling suns

Bret Tollgaard: very quickly. Well, especially as this last winter has come through, the windows that you have before, bad weather comes in on any given day, ebbs and flows and changes.

But when you can get up, finish a repair, get it spinning, you might finish that work 2, 3, 4 later, uh, days later. But that turbine’s now been spinning for several days, generating money. Uh, and then you can come back up and paint and do whatever kind of cosmetic work over the top of that patch is required.

Allen Hall: So what are the extra tools I need to use Sunz in the kits. Do I need a light?

Bret Tollgaard: Not a whole lot. You’re gonna need yourself a light. Okay. You’re gonna need yourself a standard three to six inch, uh, bubble buster roller to actually compact and consolidate. Sure. Uh, that’s really all you need. There’s no vacuum lights.

And you sell the lights. We do, we, [00:13:00] we sell the lights. Um, our distributors also sell the lights, fiberglass and comp one. Uh, so they’re sourced and available, uh, okay. Domestically, but we sell worldwide too. And so, uh, we can handle you wherever you are in the world that you wanna start using uv, uh, materials.

And yeah, we have some standardized, uh, glass, but at the same time, we can pre-reg up to a 50 inch wide roll. Okay, so then it really becomes the limiting factor of how wide, how heavy, uh, of a lamette does a, a technician in the field want to handle?

Allen Hall: Yeah, sure. Okay. In terms of safety, with UV light, you’re gonna be wearing UV glasses,

Bret Tollgaard: some standard safety glasses that are tinted for UV protection.

So they’ll

Allen Hall: look yellow,

Bret Tollgaard: they’ll look a little yellow. They’ve got the shaded gray ones. Sunglasses, honestly do the same.

Allen Hall: Yeah.

Bret Tollgaard: But with a traditional PPE, the technicians would be wearing a tower anyways. Safety glasses, a pair of gloves. You’re good to go. If you’re doing confined space, work on the inside of a, a, a blade, uh, the biggest value now to this generation of material that are getting qualified.

No VOC non [00:14:00] flammable, uh, no haps. And so it’s a much safer material to actually use in those confined spaces as well as

Allen Hall: well ship

Bret Tollgaard: as well as ship it ships unregulated and so you can ship it. Next day air, which a lot of these customers always end. They do. I know that.

Allen Hall: Yeah.

Bret Tollgaard: Um, so next day air, uh, you know, there’s no extra hazmat or dangerous goods shipping for there.

Uh, and same thing with storage conditions. You don’t need a, a flammable cabinet to actually store the material in.

Allen Hall: Yeah.

Bret Tollgaard: Um, so it really opens you up for a lot more opportunities.

Allen Hall: I just solves all kinds of problems.

Bret Tollgaard: It, it really does. And that’s the big value that, you know, the UV materials can provide.

Allen Hall: So. I see the putty material and it comes in these little tubes, squeeze tubes. What are these putties used for?

Bret Tollgaard: So right now, the, the existing putty is really just the same exact thickened, uh, resin that’s in the pre-print.

Allen Hall: Okay.

Bret Tollgaard: And it’s worked well. It’s, it’s nice we’re kind of filling some cracks and some faring, some edges and stuff if things need to be feathered in.

But we’ve [00:15:00] been working on this year that we’ll be rolling out very, very soon is a new structural putty. Okay. So we’ll actually have milled fibers in there and components that will make it a much more robust system. And so we’ve been getting more inquiries of, particularly for leading edge rehabilitation.

Where Cat three, cat four, even cat five kind of damage, you need to start filling and profiling before any kind of over laminates can really be done properly. And so we’re working on, uh, rolling that out here very, very soon. Um, and so that will, I think, solve a couple of needs, um, for the wind market. Uh, and then in addition to some new products that we’re rolling out, uh, is gonna be the LEP system that we’re been working on.

Uh, the rain erosion testing showed some pretty good results. But we’re buying some new equipment to make a truly void free, air free system that we’re gonna it, uh, probably submit end of April, beginning of May for the next round, that we expect to have some very, very good, uh, duration and weather ability with,

Allen Hall: because it’s all about speed,

Bret Tollgaard: it’s durability.

Allen Hall: All about e

Bret Tollgaard: Exactly. And ease of use by someone in the [00:16:00] field. Yeah. Or OEMs on, you know, in the manufacturing plant. Um, there has yet, in my opinion, to be a true winner in the LEP space. That is just the right answer. And so by applying our materials with the really high abrasion resistance that we expect this to have and be as simple to do as it really appeal, stick and cure, um, we think it’s gonna be a bit of a game changer in this industry.

Allen Hall: Well, all the sunrise materials, once they’re cured, are sandal

Bret Tollgaard: correct.

Allen Hall: And I think that’s one of the things about some of the other systems, I always worry about them like, alright, they can do the work today, but tomorrow I have to come back and touch it again. Do I have a problem? Well, and the sun rests stuff is at least my playing around with it has been really easy to use.

It’s, it’s. Uh, things that I had seen maybe 20 years ago in the aerospace market that have they thought about using the material not only [00:17:00] in the factory, but outside the factory. How easy is it to adapt to, how easy to, to paint, to all those little nuances that come up? When you’re out working in the field and trying to do some very difficult work, uh, the sunroom material is ready to go, easy to use and checks all the boxes, all those little nuances, like it’s cold outside, it’s wet outside.

Uh, it’s, it’s hot outside, right? It’s all those things that, that stop ISPs or OEMs from being super efficient. All those parameters start to get washed away. That’s the game changer and the price point is right. How do. People get a hold of you and learn about the sun rose material. Maybe they, you can buy through fiberglass or through composite one.

Mm-hmm. That’s an easy way to do, just get to play with some samples. But when they want to get into some quantity work, they got a lot of blade repair. They know what they’re doing this summer or out in the fall or this winter come wintertime. How do they get [00:18:00] started? What do they do?

Bret Tollgaard: Well, one of the first things to do is they can reach us through our website.

Um, we’re developing a larger and larger library now for how to videos and install procedures, um, generating SOPs that are, you know, semi, uh, industry specific. But at the same time too, it’s a relatively blanket peel and stick patch, whether it’s a wind turbine blade, a corroded tank, or a pressure pipe. Um, and so yeah, www.suns.com Okay, is gonna be a great way to do it.

Uh, we’re actively building more videos to put on, uh, our YouTube channel as well. Um, and so that’s kind of gonna be the best way to reach out, uh, for us. One of the big things that we’re also pushing for, for 26 is to truly get people, uh, in this, in industry, specifically trained and comfortable using the products.

At the end of the day, it’s a composite, it’s a pre impregnated sheet. It’s not difficult, but there are some tips and tricks that really make the, the use case. Uh, the install process a lot easier.

Allen Hall: Sure.

Bret Tollgaard: Uh, and so just making sure that people are, are caught up on the latest and greatest on the training techniques will [00:19:00] go a long way too.

Allen Hall: Yeah. It’s only as good as the technician that applies it

Bret Tollgaard: e Exactly.

Allen Hall: Yeah. That’s great. Uh, it’s great all the things you guys are doing, you’re really changing the industry. In a positive way, making repairs faster, uh, more efficient, getting those turbines running. It’s always sad when you see turbines down with something that I know you guys could fix with sun.

Uh, but it does happen, so I, I need the ISPs to reach out and start calling Sun and getting in place because the OEMs are blessing your material. ISPs that are using it are winning contracts. It’s time to make the phone call to Sun Rez. Go to the website, check out all the details there. If you wanna play with your material, get ahold of fiberglass or composite one just.

Order it overnight. It’ll come overnight and you can play with it. And, and once you, once you realize what that material is, you’ll want to call Brett and get started.

Bret Tollgaard: A hundred percent appreciate the time.

Allen Hall: Yeah. Thanks Brett, for being on the podcast. I, I love talking to you guys because you have such cool material.

Bret Tollgaard: Yeah, no, we’re looking, uh, forward to continuing to innovate, uh, really make this, uh, material [00:20:00] splash in this industry.

Sunrez Prepreg Cuts Blade Repairs to Minutes

Renewable Energy

Infringing on the Rights of Others

Published

11 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Alice Rush

I agree with what Ricky Gervais says here; I would only add that there are dozens of ways religion impinges on others.

In my view, the most common is that it impedes our implementing science in things like climate change mitigation. If you believe, as is explicit in the Book of Genesis, that “only God can destroy the Earth,” you have a good excuse to ignore the entirety of climate science.