Published

1 year ago

February 19, 2024

Alice Rush

United States Renewable Energy Landscape

A Journey Through Time: Tracing the History of Renewable Energy in the United States

The tale of renewable energy in the United States is a long and winding one, marked by periods of innovation, decline, and resurgence.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane to explore this dynamic story:

Early Beginnings (Before 1800s):

Wood Power: For millennia, wood remained the primary source of energy for heating, cooking, and lighting. Its abundance and ease of access made it the go-to fuel for early Americans.

Water Power: Harnessing the power of flowing water for grinding grain and powering small mills started appearing as early as the 17th century.

The Rise of Hydropower (1800s – Early 1900s):

Industrial Revolution: The 19th century saw a surge in industrialization, demanding greater energy needs. Hydropower emerged as a powerful solution, with the first commercial hydroelectric plant opening in Appleton, Wisconsin, in 1882.

Dam Construction Boom: Large-scale dam projects like Hoover Dam in the 1930s further cemented hydropower’s dominance as the leading renewable energy source.

Shifting Landscapes (Early 1900s – Mid 20th Century):

Fossil Fuel Era: Discovery of vast oil and natural gas reserves, coupled with technological advancements, led to a shift towards these cheaper and readily available fossil fuels. Renewable energy gradually receded into the background.

Wood’s Resurgence: World War I and II, with their constraints on fossil fuels, saw a temporary return to wood as a heating source.

Environmental Awakening (Mid 20th Century – Present):

Renewed Interest: Growing concerns about environmental damage and limited fossil fuel resources sparked a renewed interest in renewable energy sources in the 1970s.

Policy Push: The oil crisis of the 1970s further propelled policy changes encouraging renewable energy development. The Carter administration invested in solar and wind research, laying the groundwork for future advancements.

Tech Advancements: Technological innovations, particularly in solar panels and wind turbines, drastically reduced their costs, making them more competitive with fossil fuels.

Continued Growth: Today, renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal are witnessing significant growth, driven by supportive policies, falling costs, and public demand for clean energy.

Key Milestones:

1978: The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) encourages renewable energy development by requiring utilities to buy surplus electricity from small producers.

1992: The Energy Policy Act of 1992 incentivizes renewable energy projects with tax credits and grants.

2005: The Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) require states to increase their reliance on renewable energy sources.

2011: Renewable energy surpasses nuclear power for the first time in the United States.

2022: The Inflation Reduction Act provides substantial funding for renewable energy development, transmission, and storage.

Looking Ahead:

The future of renewable energy in the United States is bright. With continued investment, technological advancements, and supportive policies, renewable sources are poised to play an increasingly crucial role in meeting the nation’s energy needs while creating a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Renewable Energy Consumption in the United States

Here’s a breakdown of renewable energy consumption in the US, incorporating insights from recent data and addressing potential confusion:

Overall:

In 2022, renewable energy accounted for 13.18 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) of total energy consumption, or 13% of the national energy use.

This figure includes renewable sources like hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and biofuels.

Notably, hydropower makes up the largest share of renewable consumption, contributing approximately 37% of the total.

However, solar and wind are experiencing the fastest growth, with their combined contribution reaching 33% in 2022.

Consumption vs. Production:

It’s crucial to differentiate between consumption and production. While 13% represents consumption, renewable energy production in the US reached 13.40 quads, or 13% of total production, in 2022.

Specific Sources:

Here’s a breakdown of specific renewable energy sources’ consumption based on 2022 data:

Hydropower: 4.90 quads (37%)

Biomass: 3.02 quads (23%)

Wind: 1.62 quads (12%)

Solar: 1.43 quads (11%)

Biofuels: 1.34 quads (10%)

Geothermal: 0.87 quads (7%)

Growth and Future Outlook:

Renewable energy consumption has been steadily increasing in the US, with a significant jump from 9.9% in 2021 to 13% in 2022.

Factors like the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and continued technological advancements are expected to accelerate this growth in the coming years.

Experts predict that renewable energy consumption could reach 28% of total energy use by 2050.

Breakdown Data of Renewable Energy in the United States

Production (2022):

Source	Energy Production (Trillion Btu)	Percentage of Total Renewable Production
Hydropower	8.13	61.3%
Wind	13.30	29.8%
Solar	3.99	7.5%
Biomass	2.00	1.4%
Geothermal	0.01	0.0%
Total Renewables	17.43	13.4%

Consumption (2022):

Source	Energy Consumption (Trillion Btu)	Percentage of Total Renewable Consumption
Hydropower	7.85	58.5%
Wind	5.92	43.9%
Solar	1.29	9.6%
Biomass (Biofuels & Electricity)	4.42	32.8%
Geothermal	0.03	0.2%
Total Renewables	19.51	15.0%

Additional Breakdown:

Wind: Texas, Oklahoma, and Iowa are the top three states for wind energy production.

Solar: California, Texas, and Florida are the top three states for solar energy production.

Biomass: Biofuels (mainly for transportation) account for roughly half of biomass consumption, while the other half comes from biomass electricity generation.

Hydropower: The majority of hydropower production comes from large dams, especially in the West and Pacific Northwest.

Sources:

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA): https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=92&t=4

EIA Monthly Energy Review: https://www.eia.gov/mer/

Hydropower Statistics in the United States

Production:

2022: Hydropower accounted for 6.2% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity generation and 28.7% of total utility-scale renewable electricity generation.

Energy generation:
- 262 billion kilowatthours (kWh) in 2022 (13.4% of renewable production, 61.3% of hydro production)
- Highest recorded annual generation was in 2011 (812 billion kWh)

Capacity:
- 102 gigawatts (GW) as of 2022, primarily from large dams.
- Largest facility: Grand Coulee Dam (Washington) with 6,765 MW capacity.

Consumption:

2022: Consumed 7.85 trillion Btu (equivalent to 230 TWh).

Source:
- Conventional Hydropower: 99.8%
- Pumped Storage Hydropower: 0.2%

Distribution:

Top 5 Hydropower-Producing States:
- Washington
- California
- Oregon
- Tennessee
- Alabama

Regional Breakdown:
- West: 62% of national capacity
- Southeast: 22%
- Northeast: 9%
- Midwest: 7%

Environmental Impact:

Positive: Clean energy source, low greenhouse gas emissions.

Negative: Dams can harm ecosystems and fisheries, displace communities.

Additional Notes:

Hydropower development has slowed down in recent years due to environmental concerns and competition from other renewable sources.

Pumped storage hydropower plays a critical role in grid management by storing and releasing energy when needed.

The future of hydropower in the US is uncertain, but it is likely to remain an important source of clean energy.

Wind Energy Statistics in the United States

Here’s a summary of some key statistics on wind energy in the US, as of 2023/early 2024:

Generation:

Electricity: In 2022, wind power generated 434.8 terawatt hours of electricity, making it the main source of renewable energy in the US, surpassing hydropower. (Source: Statista)

Growth: Since 2000, wind electricity generation has increased significantly, from 6 billion kWh to 380 billion kWh in 2021. In 2022, it accounted for 10.2% of total US utility-scale electricity generation. (Source: EIA)

Capacity and Infrastructure:

Installed capacity: As of 2023, the US has a total wind power capacity of 146 gigawatts (GW), enough to power 46 million American homes. This makes it the fourth-largest source of electricity generation capacity in the country. (Source: Clean Power Alliance)

Turbines: Over 70,000 wind turbines are currently operating across all 50 states. (Source: Clean Power Alliance)

Economic Impact:

Jobs: In 2020, the wind industry supported over 120,000 jobs in the US. (Source: Clean Power Alliance)

Investments: Renewable energy investments, including wind, rose to $105 billion in 2021, a 7% increase from the previous year. (Source: Statista)

Environmental benefits: Wind energy avoided 336 million metric tons of CO2 emissions in 2022. (Source: Clean Power Alliance)

Solar Energy Statistics in the United States

Here’s a summary of some key statistics on solar energy in the US, as of 2023/early 2024:

Generation:

Electricity: In 2022, solar power generated 145.6 terawatt hours of electricity, representing 3.4% of the total and 15.9% of renewable energy production. (Source: Statista, EcoWatch)

Growth: Solar electricity generation has seen rapid growth, experiencing an average annual increase of 24% in the last decade. (Source: Statista)

Capacity and Infrastructure:

Installed capacity: As of 2022, the US has a total solar power capacity of 110 gigawatts (GW), enough to power 37 million American homes. (Source: Statista)

Systems: Over 3 million solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are installed across the US, with residential installations growing at a record pace in 2022. (Source: SEIA)

Economic Impact:

Jobs: The solar industry employed over 346,000 workers in 2022, and the workforce grew by 3.7% from the previous year. (Source: EcoWatch)

Investments: Private investments in the solar industry reached $36 billion in 2022. (Source: SEIA)

Environmental benefits: Solar energy avoided 84 million metric tons of CO2 emissions in 2022. (Source: SEIA)

Biomass Energy Statistics in the United States

Here’s some key data on biomass energy in the US as of February 19, 2024:

Overall Contribution:

Share of total energy consumption: 5% in 2022 (4,930 trillion British thermal units, TBtu)

Largest source before mid-1800s.

Sources of Biomass Energy:

Biofuels (49%):
- Ethanol production: 15.4 billion gallons in 2022
- Biodiesel/renewable diesel production: 3.1 billion gallons in 2022

Wood and wood waste (43%):
- Net electricity generation: 39.9 gigawatt hours in 2019 (3rd largest non-hydroelectric renewable source)
- Densified biomass fuel production capacity: 12.96 million tons per year (as of November 2023)

Waste energy (8%)

Geothermal Energy Statistics in the United States

Here’s some key data on geothermal energy in the US as of February 19, 2024:

Overall Contribution:

Share of total electricity generation: 0.4% in 2022 (17 billion kilowatthours)

Ranked 5th among renewable energy sources in the US.

Capacity and Production:

Installed geothermal capacity: 2,653 megawatts (MW) as of 2022, leading the world.

Geothermal electricity generation: 214 trillion British thermal units (Btu) of renewable energy consumed in 2022.

California: holds the top spot with 2,792 MW installed capacity, followed by Nevada with 805 MW.

Additional Notes:

Geothermal energy also finds applications beyond electricity generation, including direct heating for buildings, greenhouses, and industrial processes.

Despite its potential, geothermal energy faces challenges like upfront costs, limited geographical suitability, and permitting hurdles.

Top 10 Largest Renewable Energy Infrastructures in the United States by Capacity

Here’s a table summarizing the Largest Renewable Energy Infrastructures in the United States by Capacity

Rank	Infrastructure Name	Type	Capacity (Gigawatts)	State(s)	Owner(s)
1	Grand Coulee Dam Hydroelectric Project	Hydroelectric	7.26	Washington	U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
2	Hoover Dam Hydroelectric Project	Hydroelectric	2.08	Arizona & Nevada	U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
3	Antelope Solar Project	Solar	3.5 GW (DC)	California	NextEra Energy
4	Alta Wind Farms	Wind	1.3 GW	California	PacifiCorp & Berkshire Hathaway Energy
5	Fowler Ridge Wind Farm	Wind	1.26 GW	Indiana	EDP Renewables
6	Sapphire Wind Farm	Wind	1.22 GW	Wyoming	PacifiCorp & Berkshire Hathaway Energy
7	Coronation Solar Project	Solar	1.2 GW (AC)	New Mexico	Enel Green Power
8	Desert Sunlight Solar Farm	Solar	550 MW (AC)	California	First Solar
9	Diamond Generating Station (Unit 3)	Natural Gas with Carbon Capture & Storage	0.53 GW (net)	Oklahoma	NET Power & Fluor Corporation
10	Topaz Solar Farm	Solar	550 MW (AC)	California	SunPower & Google

Notes:

This list includes both operational and under-construction projects.

Capacity is measured in either gigawatts (GW) or megawatts (MW). DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current) capacities are specified where relevant.

“Natural Gas with Carbon Capture & Storage” is still technically considered a fossil fuel source, but included here due to its potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Top 10 Largest Renewable Energy Companies in the United States

The renewable energy sector in the United States is rapidly growing, with many companies playing a significant role in the transition to clean energy.

Here are 10 of the largest renewable energy companies in the US, along with some of their notable projects:

1. NextEra Energy:

Market Cap: $186.4 billion

Focus: Wind and solar energy

Notable projects:
- Wind: Grady County Wind Farm (Texas, 815 MW), Summit Ridge Wind Farm (Iowa, 540 MW)
- Solar: Manatee Solar Energy Center (Florida, 700 MW), Voyager Solar Project (California, 500 MW)

2. Brookfield Renewable Partners:

Market Cap: $70.6 billion

Focus: Hydropower, wind, solar, and battery storage

Notable projects:
- Hydropower: Grand River Hydro Facility (Michigan, 1,000 MW)
- Wind: Jericho Wind Farm (Texas, 213 MW), Shannon Ridge Wind Farm (Iowa, 175 MW)
- Solar: Maricopa Solar Project (California, 400 MW)

3. Ørsted:

Market Cap: $49.8 billion

Focus: Offshore wind energy

Notable projects:
- Offshore wind: Block Island Wind Farm (Rhode Island, 30 MW), Hornsea Project 2 (UK, 1.386 GW)

4. Duke Energy:

Market Cap: $69.8 billion

Focus: Diversified energy company with significant renewable energy investments

Notable projects:
- Solar: Hamilton Solar PV Facility (North Carolina, 80 MW), Buckeye Solar Facility (Arizona, 100 MW)
- Wind: Atlantic Coast Offshore Wind Farm (North Carolina, 2.5 GW)

5. Dominion Energy:

Market Cap: $60.4 billion

Focus: Diversified energy company with significant renewable energy investments

Notable projects:
- Solar: Coastal Virginia Solar Project (Virginia, 170 MW), Mount Sterling Solar Facility (Kentucky, 130 MW)
- Offshore wind: Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (Virginia, 2.6 GW)

6. Constellation Energy:

Market Cap: $22.4 billion

Focus: Regulated utility with investments in renewable energy generation

Notable projects:
- Solar: Beryl Solar Project (Utah, 200 MW)
- Wind: Wild Horse Solar Facility (Nevada, 500 MW)

7. EDP Renewables North America:

Market Cap: N/A (subsidiary of EDP Renewables)

Focus: Wind and solar energy

Notable projects:
- Wind: Fowler Ridge Wind Farm (Indiana, 600 MW)
- Solar: Agua Caliente Solar Project (Arizona, 290 MW)

8. Invenergy:

Market Cap: N/A (private company)

Focus: Wind and solar energy

Notable projects:
- Wind: Capricorn Ridge Wind Farm (Texas, 460 MW)
- Solar: Mojave Solar Project (California, 500 MW)

9. Apex Clean Energy:

Market Cap: N/A (private company)

Focus: Wind and solar energy

Notable projects:
- Wind: Atlantic Sunrise Wind Farm (Virginia, 600 MW)
- Solar: Blue Mountain Solar Farm (Utah, 130 MW)

10. Avangrid Renewables:

Market Cap: N/A (subsidiary of Avangrid)

Focus: Wind and solar energy

Notable projects:
- Wind: Weaver Wind Project (Wyoming, 243 MW)
- Solar: Castle Solar Project (California, 267 MW)

This list is not exhaustive, and there are many other important renewable energy companies in the United States. However, it provides a good overview of some of the leading players in the industry and their current projects.

Latest Renewable Energy Tech in the US: A Data-Driven Look

The US renewable energy landscape is buzzing with advancements across various sources and storage solutions. Here’s a data-driven snapshot of some key developments:

Solar:

Perovskite solar cells: Boasting cheaper production and exceeding 25% efficiency (compared to traditional silicon’s 20%), these next-gen cells could revolutionize the industry.

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV): This aesthetically pleasing tech integrates solar panels directly into buildings, reducing costs and offering seamless integration.

Wind:

Offshore wind: Vast untapped resources are propelling large-scale projects, offering stronger and more consistent wind energy.

Floating wind turbines: Expanding possibilities by allowing deployment in deeper waters, particularly along the West Coast.

Energy storage:

Long-duration storage: Technologies like flow batteries and compressed air are crucial for integrating renewables into the grid, offering days or even weeks of storage capacity.

Battery advancements: Continuously decreasing costs and emerging chemistries like lithium-sulfur batteries promise even higher energy storage potential.

Other technologies:

Geothermal energy: New methods for extracting energy from lower-temperature resources aim to unlock more of this clean and reliable source.

Hydrogen: Produced from renewables, hydrogen offers storage, electricity generation, and vehicle fuel potential, but cost and infrastructure hurdles remain.

Data highlights:

In 2022, annual US renewable energy generation surpassed coal for the first time.

Domestic solar energy is expected to rise by 75% and wind by 11% by 2025.

The Energy Department invests heavily in driving down the cost of solar energy in America.

These are just a few examples of the dynamic renewable energy landscape in the US. As costs continue to fall and technologies further mature, we can expect even more exciting breakthroughs in the future, paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

Future of Renewable Energy Development in United States

The future of renewable energy development in the United States appears bright, driven by several key factors:

Growing Demand:

Public and corporate demand for clean energy is surging, fueled by climate change concerns and economic benefits.

Net-zero targets set by governments and corporations further accelerate the shift towards renewables.

Technological Advancements:

Continued cost reductions in solar, wind, and other renewables make them increasingly competitive with fossil fuels.

Innovations in areas like grid integration, energy storage, and emerging technologies like geothermal and hydrogen unlock new possibilities.

Policy and Investment:

The Biden administration’s ambitious goals and infrastructure investments prioritize renewable energy development.

States are enacting clean energy mandates and providing incentives, creating a supportive policy environment.

Continued private sector investment fuels innovation and project development.

Challenges and Opportunities:

Transmission grid upgrades are crucial to connect renewable energy sources to demand centers.

Permitting processes and community concerns require streamlining and transparent solutions.

Ensuring a just transition for workers in the fossil fuel industry is vital for social acceptance.

Potential Future Trajectory:

Experts predict continued exponential growth in renewable energy capacity, potentially reaching 80% of the US electricity mix by 2050.

Decentralized renewables like rooftop solar and community microgrids could play a significant role.

Hybrid energy systems combining renewables with other sources like natural gas may be utilized for grid stability.

The US has the potential to become a global leader in clean energy technology and export innovation.

Here are some additional data points to consider:

In 2023, renewable energy accounted for 22% of US electricity generation, with solar and wind leading the way.

The Energy Information Administration projects renewables to be the fastest-growing source of electricity generation in the coming decades.

The renewable energy sector already employs millions of Americans, and these numbers are expected to grow significantly.

The future of renewable energy development in the US is promising, with potential for significant economic and environmental benefits. However, overcoming challenges and maximizing opportunities will require continued policy support, technological advancements, and community engagement.

https://www.exaputra.com/2024/02/united-states-renewable-energy-landscape.html

Renewable Energy

Is Tesla Powerwall Worth It For Australian Houses In 2025?

Published

12 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Alice Rush

Australia, a country of vast open space and abundant sunlight, has firmly established itself as a global leader in rooftop solar adoption.

According to recent data, the country has over 3.9 million rooftop systems installed, yielding a combined capacity of approximately 37.8 GW of PV. This remarkable achievement reflects the country’s strong commitment to a sustainable energy future.

But what happens when the sun goes down or when the grid fails?

Yes, that’s where home battery storage steps in, and no name resonates more loudly than Tesla Powerwall!

With the release of the Powerwall 3 and evolving energy landscapes, many Australian homeowners are asking: Is a Tesla Powerwall still a worthwhile investment in 2025?

If you’re an Australian looking for a home solar battery, Tesla Powerwall is arguably the most popular home battery on the energy market right now.

So, here’s why Tesla Powerwall could be worth it for your Australian home!

In this blog post:

But First, What Is Tesla Powerwall?

Back in 2015, Tesla ventured into the energy storage market with the Tesla Powerwall, a home battery system. This battery system is specially designed to store energy, mitigating the intermittency of renewable energy sources.

Although Tesla was globally recognized for its electric vehicles, the launch of the storage battery, the Tesla Powerwall, marked another bold leap for the company.

This home energy storage is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can keep your home illuminated 24/7 with reliable power and significantly reduce your electricity bills.

Powerwall’s smart system can be tailored to your specific energy requirements. This battery can be charged from solar energy, ensuring that power is always available on demand. It essentially serves as a backup power source for nighttime or cloudy days.

Following their initial release in 2015 in limited quantities, Tesla has continually expanded its energy lineup with larger-scale solutions.

In 2025, Tesla’s lineup includes three Powerwall models: Powerwall 2, Powerwall+, and Powerwall 3. Each model offers 13.5 kWh of usable energy storage.

In Australia, Powerwall+ and Powerwall 3 are designed for new solar and storage system installations, which involve integrating solar inverters for higher efficiency. At the same time, Powerwall 2 is often used for retrofitting existing solar systems.

Now, they also offer different categories, such as the Powerpack, designed for commercial and industrial use, and the Megapack, engineered to support utility-scale grid operations, among others.

How Does Powerwall Work? Find Out!

In general, the Tesla Powerwall is a rechargeable home battery system that stores energy for later use while providing essential security and financial benefits.

It works seamlessly with solar panels or the electric grid to manage energy supply and demand in your home.

It includes energy monitoring, metering, and smart controls, which the owner can customize and control via the Tesla app.

The system then learns and adapts to your energy consumption slowly over time. It receives over-the-air updates to add new features and improve existing ones.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how it works:

Step 1: Energy Collection

With Solar Panels

Your solar panels usually generate electricity during the day. From that, some of this energy powers your home, while the excess charges the Powerwall battery.

Without Solar

If you don’t have solar panels, the Powerwall can charge using electricity from the grid when rates are low, for example, at night.

Step 2: Energy Storage

The Powerwall stores the unused electricity in its lithium-ion battery.

This stored energy is saved for when you need it most, like during peak usage times, at night, or during a power outage.

Step 3: Energy Usage

When solar production drops or the grid goes down, the Powerwall automatically kicks in, supplying your home with clean, stored renewable energy.

Depending on its configuration, it can power lights, appliances, and even critical systems, such as hot water heat pumps or air conditioners.

Step 4. Intelligent Management with the Tesla App

The system learns your energy usage patterns and optimizes when to charge or discharge.

You can monitor and control everything through the Tesla app, giving you real-time insight into your energy use, storage levels, and solar generation.

The Australian Energy Rollercoaster: Why Batteries Are More Relevant Than Ever?

Undoubtedly, Tesla Powerwall 3 is one of the most exciting innovations to hit the market in recent years. Tesla’s next-gen home battery is designed to supercharge solar systems and dramatically reduce the reliance on the grid.

For Australian homeowners, it’s a total game-changer, offering a smarter way to store solar energy and power homes more efficiently than ever before.

Curious about the other benefits of the Tesla Powerwall 3? In the following part, we’ve rounded them all up for you:

Powerwall Batteries Maximize Self-Consumption

Using your own solar power, especially during the expensive evening peak, saves you significantly more than exporting it to the grid.

The Powerwall stores your excess daytime solar to power your home at night with free, clean energy.

Battery Storage Reduced Electricity Bills

Adding a Powerwall battery to your solar panel can drastically reduce your reliance on grid electricity during peak hours, leading to substantial savings on your energy bills.

Some reports suggest adding solar batteries has reduced electricity bills by over 70% in many Aussie homes in the past few years.

Ensure Energy Independence & Security

The Powerwall provides seamless backup power for essential appliances, ensuring your lights stay on, your fridge stays cold, and your devices stay charged during any unexpected blackouts.

Smart Energy Management

The Tesla app provides intuitive monitoring and control over your energy usage. You can track your solar generation, battery charge, and household consumption in real time.

This allows you to optimize your energy habits and maximize savings.

Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Participation

Through VPP, you can earn money by letting your battery support the grid during high-demand hours.

This will benefit your wallet and contribute to a more stable and renewable energy network for everyone.

Environmental Impact

Batteries can reduce your reliance on fossil fuel-generated electricity, significantly lower your carbon footprint, and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future for Australia.

Increased Home Value and Building Aesthetics

Homes with solar and battery systems are increasingly attractive to buyers. They often command a premium due to lower running costs and increased energy resilience.

Tesla Powerwall 2 vs Powerwall+ vs Powerwall 3: The Evolution of Home Energy

Tesla’s Powerwall series has become a symbol of energy independence. From the Powerwall 2 to the all-in-one Powerwall+, and now the game-changing Powerwall 3, Tesla continues to push the boundaries of home energy storage.

Let’s break down what makes each Powerwall unique and why Powerwall 3 is the most powerful one yet.

Tesla Powerwall 2: The Energy Game-Changer

Launched in 2016, the Powerwall 2 was a massive leap in energy storage for homeowners.

It is ideal for those with existing solar systems or those seeking basic backup and energy optimization.

Key Highlights:

13.5 kWh usable capacity, which is sufficient to power an average home overnight.

5 kW continuous power output.

Backup power during outages.

Sleek wall-mounted design.

App-controlled smart energy management.

Powerwall+: Energy Storage Meets Solar Intelligence

The Powerwall+ is built on the foundation of Powerwall 2 and adds a major upgrade: an integrated solar inverter.

Why It’s Smarter:

Same 13.5 kWh battery capacity.

Higher peak power output (up to 7.6 kW)

Integrated solar inverter with 4 MPPTs (Maximum Power Point Trackers)

Optimized for real-time solar generation and storage.

Powerwall 3: The Energy Upgrade Your Home’s Been Waiting For

Announced in late 2023 and rolling out through 2024, Powerwall 3 is Tesla’s most powerful home battery yet. It’s designed to meet modern energy needs, including higher loads, faster charging, and seamless integration with large-scale solar systems.

What’s New:

11.5 kW of continuous power, which is more than double Powerwall 2

Still offers 13.5 kWh capacity.

Integrated solar inverter with expanded capabilities

Designed for quicker installation and lower labor cost

Ideal for large homes, EV charging, or heavy appliance use

So, with all these incredible upgrades, making it smarter, more efficient, and future-ready, don’t you think Tesla Powerwall is worth it?

What else could you ask for? We’re pretty sure this is the battery your home’s been waiting for!

The Actual Cost of a Tesla Powerwall: Is it Worth It?

Let’s not sugarcoat it, a Tesla Powerwall is a significant investment. As of mid-2025, the Powerwall 3 unit itself costs approximately AUD 11,900, with the essential Backup Gateway 2 adding $1,700. This brings the total hardware cost to approximately $13,600 AUD.

Installation costs can range from $1,000 to $ 2,500 or more, depending on your location, system complexity, and the installer.

This puts the total installed cost of a single Powerwall 3 in the ballpark of $14,600 to $16,000 AUD.

While this might seem steep, it’s crucial to factor in the various incentives and potential savings.

The Australian Government’s Rebates and Incentives in 2025

Good news for Australian homeowners! 2025 is a sweet spot for solar battery rebates, with a significant federal program coming into play:

Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program (Starts July 1, 2025)

The Australian Government has announced an upfront discount of approximately 30% on the cost of installing eligible small-scale battery systems (between 5 kWh and 50 kWh).

For a 13.5 kWh Tesla Powerwall 3, this could translate to a rebate of around $4,725. The discount is based on usable capacity and will gradually decrease until 2030, making 2025 the optimal time to jump in.

The discount is applied upfront by accredited installers, making it easy for consumers.

State-Based Incentives

While the NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) battery rebate ends on June 30, 2025, it will be replaced by an expanded Virtual Power Plants (VPP) incentive from July 1, 2025, offering a single upfront payment of up to $1,500.

Other states like Victoria (interest-free battery loan up to $8,800), ACT ($15,000 interest-free loan), and Western Australia (up to $7,500 rebate and loans) continue to offer their own incentives.

Altogether, these rebates dramatically lower battery costs, often by 30–50%, making the Powerwall 3 far more accessible.

Top 5 Tesla Powerwall Alternatives Available in Australia

The Australian battery storage market is vibrant and competitive. While Tesla is a dominant player, several other reputable brands also offer excellent alternatives.

Looking for something beyond Tesla Powerwall?

Here we’ve listed some of the best battery brands in Australia in 2025:

LG Energy Solution RESU: Known for their reliability and various capacity options.
BYD Battery-Box: A popular choice for its modularity and competitive pricing.
Sungrow: Offers a range of battery solutions, often paired with their inverters.
Enphase Encharge: A good option for microinverter-based solar systems, offering modularity and resilience.
Alpha ESS: Alpha ESS battery provides integrated solar and battery solutions.

Parting Thoughts

Tesla’s Powerwall ecosystem offers energy resilience, grid independence, and smart control. With the release of Powerwall 3, Tesla is responding to the growing demand for higher capacity, smarter tech, and easier installs.

In Australia, the home battery market is gaining traction, with data showing that the majority of homeowners are opting for the Tesla Powerwall.

So, whether you’re going solar for the first time or upgrading your energy system, the Powerwall lineup has top-notch options tailored for your home.

By the end of 2021, battery installations had increased by 400%, and the majority chose the Tesla Powerwall. With our affordable solar packages, you can make your dream of owning a Tesla Powerwall a reality.

Still unsure?

Contact a certified installer, such as Cyanergy, to explore your options tailored to your home, location, and future needs. Get a free quote today and learn more about the Tesla Powerwall battery price, rebate availability, and installation details.

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Renewable Energy

IWTG Consulting Addresses Turbine Failures

Published

2 days ago

July 10, 2025

Alice Rush

Weather Guard Lightning Tech

IWTG Consulting Addresses Turbine Failures

Jon Zalar, founder of IWTG Consulting, discusses the challenges of wind turbine maintenance, emphasizing the rise in turbine failures and the importance of root cause analysis (RCA). Proactive maintenance, proper documentation, and expert consultation will help to mitigate issues and ensure turbine efficiency.

Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update 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 Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary Barnes’ YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us!

Welcome to Uptime Spotlight, shining light on Wind. Energy’s brightest innovators. This is the Progress Powering tomorrow.

Allen Hall 2025: Jon, welcome to the program.

Jonathan Zalar: Thanks for having me,

Allen Hall 2025: Jon. Let’s start with the reality facing wind farmer operators today. What’s the core problem when it comes to turbine failures?

Jonathan Zalar: There’s been a larger number than they probably experienced like five years ago. I think, um, you know, the volume of turbines out there and some of the bigger issues that, you know, people are seeing in the last two to three years has made owning a wind farm a little more challenging than before.

Um, you know, between blade issues, bolted joint issues, shoes, and. Overall, like o operations, right? It’s been tougher to keep these turbines up and running, you know, manpower’s an issue, getting people out there to go fix stuff. It’s, [00:01:00] it’s been tough for a lot of people I’ve talked to.

Joel Saxum: Do you think this is a, a partial result of like, um, okay, so what we’re, you know, on the podcast in the last few years, we’ve always been talking about, oh, there’s all kinds of models coming out and there’s this, this manufacturer can put out this many different variations and all these things, and now.

Now we’re getting to the age where that family, that group of turbines that, I guess it’s kind, I’m looking at it like a class, right? That class of, that, those years of turbines are now getting to the stage where they’re out of warranty and they’re coming into, some people are taking, you know, ISPs taking, um, maintenance of them or an owner operator taking maintenance over from the OEM.

And all of a sudden now there’s these issues popping up and different things that we’re, we’re kind of in this. Um, like a swamp of problems with a lot of different models. So, uh, yeah, like you said, we’ve we’re, we talked a little bit off air here about RCAs and how to fix things and looking at serial defects and stuff, but it’s just like, it seems like every other week [00:02:00] someone calls Alan Ryan’s like, Hey, have you heard about this thing with this model?

And it’s like, man,

Jonathan Zalar: another one. I think it’s a combination of two things. One. Like I talked about the last time we had podcasts, there was a, you know, a pretty big push to increase rotor size, come out with new models for, for every, for all the os, right? They’re competing against each other. Coming out with a new model every 18 months.

And you can ask Phil, but I believe mostly the OEMs are sold out. If you go back five, six years, where. A huge expansion in the amount of wind turbines that have been placed. Right. So I think you combine those cheap factors and now, yeah, the owners have a lot on their plate, a lot more than they’re

Allen Hall 2025: probably used to.

And my question all is this, the complexity of the turbines. So every new model that comes out, what I’m seeing is more instrumentation, more sensors, more stuff, more variability, even in where the components originate from.

Jonathan Zalar: Right? Yeah. [00:03:00] I mean, to increase, to be able to meet that increased demand the OEMs had to get, you know, a lot of different suppliers for bearings for, you know, maybe two or three different places to make blades, right?

Um, and you’re right about the complexity, right? So like these rowers are getting bigger. They were trying to keep as many components the same. So you need better sensing, better controls to, you know, keep those loads where they work.

Allen Hall 2025: And a lot of times, uh, when operators have problems, they don’t actually realize.

What to do or realize that maybe there’s a serial defect and how to address it and how to suss that out. Now the, the big question is, is like what’s at stake if the operators don’t implement some sort of proper root cause analysis? Uh, what does that sort of downward spiral look like? Because we have seen operators that do that, that, that don’t try to identify key issues with their turbines.

Jonathan Zalar: mean, at the end of the day, it costs money, right? So if the quicker you figure out an [00:04:00] issue and if it’s a solution for an issue, the quicker you’re gonna solve that problem for your site or your fleet. Um. Also like making sure you’re communicating with the OEM about your failures so that they can add them to their RCA if they’re working on one, for example.

The more data they have, it’s gonna help them come up with a more effective solution.

Joel Saxum: I think you’re, you’ve gotta, how to put this? You have to have a specific engineering mindset. So of course we’re dealing with engineers all day long. We’re all engineers. We enjoy the engineering mindset. So it’s easy for us to quantify ROI and value add from an RCA, right?

So, hey, we’re gonna bring in an expert, or we’re gonna bring in a consultant, or whether it’s a, you know, a big one, A DNV, a UL type, or it’s a Jon Zalar, it’s gonna cost us a little bit of money, right? It’s gonna cost us. 5, 10, 20, 30 grand, what, whatever that is. But to us, that ROI is easy to quantify, oh, we had [00:05:00] this issue on this turbine.

We’re gonna spend 20 grand figuring out why, what, how, and how we fix it in the future. Well now we can avoid that blade failure. Next time we can avoid, you know, a de deductible on an insurance case, $250,000. So boom, we, if we save one of those, we paid for the whole RCA. It’s easy for us to do that in that engineering mindset, but to get, sometimes to get.

You know, an asset manager who may not have that engineering mindset, they’re just looking at, um, dollars and cents. They’re like, yeah, do we wanna spend this money? And, and I, I think that that’s a, uh, uh, a mindset, a, an action, an operation that, you know, us as evangelists for engineering in the industry need to help because we can help it in a large scale, right?

Like if we, if we solve these problems through RCAs. Then we can avoid ’em in the future and it’s better LCOE for the entire fleet. That’s the goal,

Jonathan Zalar: right? Like even if you identify an issue and you have the ability to figure out how many [00:06:00] turbines are affected and like we use a Blade Blade issue, right? If you only catch the CAT five, that’s a much more expensive repair than a cat two or three.

So if you work with somebody to identify, hey, this lat or you know, this list of turbines have a better chance of having this problem, let’s inspect it a little more, for example. Or let’s proactively add some strength in one area that we know we’re seeing issues that could save a lot of money in the long run.

’cause blade repairs are expensive. They take time, weather out. It just adds up.

Allen Hall 2025: And what I see when Joel and I have been around a lot of, uh, wind turbines in the Midwest, is that the asset managers. Get a lot of complaints from the neighbors and the landowners. So if they have a blade break or they have some sort of bearing that’s going bad, that’s making a lot of noise.

It’s a constant set of phone calls from the surrounding landowners about this problem. So even in the simple things. That can be [00:07:00] fixed, turn into big problems because of all the associated people that are around it. I mean, Joel, you’ve, you’ve seen some of these cases where, like a bearing’s squeaking, okay.

And the neighbor complains, or a blade breaks and the, and the owner calls up and say, Hey, why is this blade in my front yard? Which has happened? And those are real life situations that, that. You know, re requires somebody with knowledge to catch them before they turn into that neighborhood problem. Yeah.

That’s

Joel Saxum: the intrinsic side of, of the return on investment, right? Like, you can’t measure that, but it’s valuable. And, and I, and we get, this concept comes up a lot to us because we’ve been doing a lot of work in Australia lately, and Australia has a different approach to their neighbors and how they work within things.

And it’s very, very, very hands-on. Where in the states sometimes you see like, oh, well, they’re a non-participating landowner, so we just kinda, you know, move on. And then you see the Facebook posts that are like, these turbines take a thousand gallons of [00:08:00] oil a year and they never run. You know? And if we can, as an industry, if we can avoid those things by getting on top of stuff with RCA, we can, we can get ahead of the game, right?

We can change the perception of, of renewables as we move forward. Um, which is, I mean, it’s a difficult battle, but that’s, as engineers, we can, we can help that fight. So I think that this is an important thing. That’s why we’re talking to you, Joe.

Jonathan Zalar: Yeah, I agree. I mean the, the video of the guy who was asking why it wasn’t turning, ’cause there was no wind.

I’ll never forget that one.

Allen Hall 2025: So how do we break this cycle of reactive maintenance and repeated failures? What should we be doing?

Jonathan Zalar: Continuing that relationship with the OEM, making sure you’re having those monthly quarterly calls, sharing information back to them and making sure that you’re getting the updated information from them.

Because, you know, all the major OEMs have like information letters they provide when there’s an a known issue and they give recommendations of what to do to fix it. And just making sure that you’re plugged in, especially the smaller owners that you’re plugged into the oem, just make sure you get that [00:09:00] information.

You know, some could be a parameter setting or a increase inspection or, or a safety concern as well. Just keeping that relationship I think is important.

Joel Saxum: So, Jon, so continue on that, that thread at what, at what point does. Because not everybody is able to keep that relationship really good. And sometimes OEMs don’t wanna share a little bit, at what point does an operator say, I’m taking on an RCA myself.

I’m going to get a consultant in here. Or we’re gonna take it on in our internal team. what, how do you make that call?

Jonathan Zalar: It’s looking at their relationship and if it’s not there, and that does happen. There’s breakups in the industry, if you will, and. You see three or four of the same failures at a, 50 wind turbine park.

it should be a little bit of a yellow flag. I wouldn’t say red yet, but one turbine fell over. That’s a red flag, and that’s when if you’re not getting what you need and you don’t know what to do about it, that’s when you call somebody else out because. [00:10:00] The next one’s gonna be just as expensive, and there could have been a way to make it either cheaper or not happen.

Allen Hall 2025: let’s, get down to specifics now, because I think a lot of problems in the United States are related to bolts at the minute, and I, this may be a worldwide problem, that there seems to be blade bolts and pitch bearing bolts that are. Have cracked or are failing in some unique ways. And I’ve seen more recently where operators are just replacing them.

Like they, they don’t think about it in a larger context of maybe there’s a problem here. Maybe I need to be flagging these things. And they don’t bring in an expert like you, Jon, to come in and do an RCA To suss this out, you want, can you give us just a little bit of background on what’s happening on the, blade bolt and pitch bearing bolt problem?

Jonathan Zalar: It is multiple OEMs are having. I think three or four different failure modes that I’ve heard so far between root inserts, just the bullet joint itself, and then potentially just some initial torquing issues. Um, I know from my experience there have [00:11:00] been update updates to the bold, the bolt torque.

Specifications. And back to my comment about the relationships, like if you’re not getting that information, then you might not know. You should have went back and retort all these bolts and now you have a couple fail. Fail. Right? And then also what you do about it, when you have one that comes out, do you replace just the one or do you replace four to the left and four to the right?

So d different solutions I have seen from different OEMs about what to do when you do have one particular bolt fail. Um, you know, there’s definitely some potential supplier concerns. ’cause like I said, there’s been so many turbines with so many bolts, like you’re gonna have some manufacturing issues. You can’t get over that With the volume of bolts that are out there.

Joel Saxum: Do you think the technology innovations in bolting and tensioning tools right now are gonna help or hinder. Bolting problem.

Jonathan Zalar: I think they’re gonna help. Um, you know, [00:12:00]torquing, big bolts have been a problem in multiple industries. Even when I worked in locomotives, you know, getting high torque to come out with the right size tool to be able to get in there, to go, to go put the locomotive back on the frame.

Right. It is a very hard job. And you had mean you looking at 92 bolts on one axis, then you got tower bolts. I mean, it’s a very, very boring job, I’m assuming for the people that have to do that. All the time and having tools that make it easier, have a, have a less chance of not hitting that torque value, setting something wrong, not putting the tool in properly at an angle, for example.

I, I think the more, at least what I’ve been seeing recently, the more money and effort people are putting into, like making bolted joints. Is gonna be worth it.

Joel Saxum: Well, and I think this is why, like this is the importance of an RCA, right? Because at that level of, say, new construction or repowers, people are just pointing fingers like, oh, the technicians did this wrong, or whatever, blah, blah, blah, blah.

Or you get an RCA specialist to come in and can do, you know, the [00:13:00]eight eight DRCA or if they throw an RCA and figure this thing out properly and be able to point to, well, actually there’s a. A metallurgical defect in these bolts and you know, it’s a supplier issue or, or maybe it does the RC may point, Hey, these guys were at the bar the night before they torked this one or something.

You

Jonathan Zalar: know? Or, or could be like crew a just happens to not pay attention or, or had or had the wrong information. They had the old bolted joint, this tribal knowledge.

Joel Saxum: Exactly. And speaking about the problem there, like if we’re down the line, say now out of warranty, and we’re looking at a bolted connection issue.

It may point to once you’ve stretched those bolts a certain amount, if you’re re torquing or changing torque specs or something along the way that’s done, like that’s cash, like that doesn’t, it doesn’t work like that called yield.

Jonathan Zalar: Yes.

Allen Hall 2025: Well, especially composites though, when you start talking about these bushings that are in the blades.

You pull them, they’re, they don’t recover. They just get damaged. It’s not like some metal and it can stretch. You don’t really stretch [00:14:00] composites. You break composites.

Jonathan Zalar: Right. Once it loose is once it’s loose, it is adherence, it’s done right. You have to go do something, get it back. And I know there’s some technologies out there trying to fix some of these inserts, but yeah, like once you do that damage.

It doesn’t heal itself.

Allen Hall 2025: Right. And I think there’s a lot of misunderstanding about that right now in the field because it, they’re not talking to engineers. They feel like, well, we’ll just cinch it back up and it’ll be okay. No, that joint is done. It’s done. You need to have somebody come in and look at it and give you some really good advice.

Joel Saxum: So to get to that level, Jon, you need to go through an investigation process. Can you give us some of the like, tips and tricks for the investigation process that like, that you know of, that you, that have helped you in the past? Data quality is very important,

Jonathan Zalar: like making sure, you know, like what turbine, which bolts, how many bolts, when did it happen, when were they last touched?

Like documentation is not always the best in the field. There’s a lot of handwritten stuff I [00:15:00] know that, you know. Companies are getting much better with electronic documentation, but that didn’t always exist in the beginning, like four or five years ago, surprisingly. Um, and then also like having the expectations where an RCA doesn’t take a month.

If someone, if someone calls you up and says, I need an RCA in a month, they don’t want RCA, that’s it. They’re not that fast. You really need to look at what’s going on, collect the data, put a hypothesis together, and. Validate or invalidate it and repeat if needed. And then you have corrective action. And that takes time.

That takes a commitment from the customer as well as you know, whoever they’re working with.

Allen Hall 2025: And that corrective action is the real key. But it’s hard to get to the corrective action if you don’t know what the root cause is. I see a lot of corrective actioning happening out in the field. Like they assume they know what’s happened, but not the details.

And you’re right, Jon, it’s gonna take more than a couple of days. To suss this out because there’s too [00:16:00] many variables and there’s not a lot of information, particularly when you show up on site. A lot of operators haven’t kept the real detailed records that you would need to be able to point it in in an afternoon.

Like, yes, this is it. Right?

Jonathan Zalar: Unless it’s a known issue that you’re not aware of and somebody else tells you, oh, yeah. G has his tail go do this, whatever this is. Right.

Allen Hall 2025: And how does that play out between the different OEMs at the minute? Are they basically providing the same level of information about, uh, known problems?

I have very little experience with like, um, I don’t know. Intercon for example, I haven’t seen a lot of Intercon service bulletins. I’ve seen Seaga Mesas and GEs Iveta. They’re pretty on top of it, but there’s other turbines that are out there, Solan. Well, how does that work?

Jonathan Zalar: That’s a very good question.

’cause I’m not seeing very many from Intercon or Solan either. And I believe they have some bigger companies that are responsible for them now. Um, [00:17:00] it’d be interesting to see. What kind of level that a turbine, that old without, you know, their OEM’s gone. Right. Someone else bought ’em out at some point.

Allen Hall 2025: Well, it’s like the Mitsubishi 1000 A’s, which is a really good example because a lot of the Mitsubishi 1000 A’s, and there are a number of them still in the states are, are being repowered at the minute.

So they’re gonna have another 20 years of lifetime. But I, you know, Mitsubishi probably doesn’t really provide a lot of service on those. What do you do? If you have an issue on a Mitsubishi or an old Suland machine or even an old GAA machine, where are you going to get help? I

Jonathan Zalar: mean, you, you really need to go to like an independent engineer that has that kind of experience, you know, hopefully with that particular turbine model.

But if not, you know, people who do follow known RCA processes, we will be able to like work through issues like that.

Allen Hall 2025: Is there a network of RCA people in the industry? I know you. Because you’re the [00:18:00] best. So, I mean, I’m talking to you all the time, Jon. I’ve seen this problem of the turbine tell me what’s going on.

But is there a, a general network of people that are just out there focused on solving these problems?

Jonathan Zalar: I don’t think the market’s huge in that right now. I mean, yes, there’s some independent people like myself, and then you have your DNB Leidos, those type of companies that that will do RCAs. But I don’t think they have dedicated RCA teams.

I think. The OEMs are the ones with the dedicated OEMs and then a handful of people like me.

Allen Hall 2025: So let’s, let’s walk through that for a minute, because one of the questions that pops up when someone’s trying to solve a problem is like, why not bring in a big organization like the one you just mentioned to, to do the RCA?

Like we, we, we’ve hired, uh, the three letter acronym to come in and do the RCR, the two letter acronym to come in and do the RCA. There’s a downside to that. I think I, I’m not always sure that the, the competency is there based [00:19:00] upon the, just what I see for the level of person that’s been assigned to that.

When they have so many RCAs and requests coming into the door, can they. Manage it at a level that you as the customer would be happy with.

Jonathan Zalar: I don’t deal with it too much, but you’re right, it, it will depend on the person you get Right. When you’re using one of the bigger one. Right. And you know, I’m sure some customers have the opposite, like, oh, I got the best guide or girl I could get for this.

Right.

Allen Hall 2025: Have you seen the varying in quality there, Joel? Like if you just call out the big name and pick up the phone and call the name. You don’t always know what you’re getting

Joel Saxum: there. We know, we know some really good people in the industry that has specific problems, but the trouble is, is scaling engineering expertise is tough.

Right. So like if you have a, you have a Jon Zalar on the phone, you get an awesome engineer that knows how to do RCAs, but you only get Jon Zalar, right? You, you, you can’t expand that. A million things like Jon Zalar can’t take out 58 RCAs this week because he’s Jon Zalar. Whereas, whereas I think that some of the [00:20:00] bigger houses, you get the strength of having a, uh, the larger team behind some of them where they can kind of spread some work out.

Or you may have an expert in fracture mechanics that he can look at this and somewhat so you have that with the larger teams, which I think is an advantage and you get some varying opinions in the room and you can really sort down to certain things. But at the end of the day it, it, it’s exactly that.

It’s an engineering expertise shortage

Jonathan Zalar: off. You know, it’s also nice when they have a good network. Of people that they’ve worked with in the past to bounce ideas off of. Because like if you’re the only one doing RCA all on your own, you’re gonna second guess yourself a lot. But like having somebody who does have.

A lot of contacts and colleagues in the industry. I think that’s very helpful.

Allen Hall 2025: Well, a new avenue for root cause analysis is looking at the service providers. I’ve noticed that, uh, you know, it’s one thing if a product comes to an OEM, you, you kind of know what you’re dealing with there. But when a company’s out there, uh, independent service provider or maybe some out there on a contract is [00:21:00] doing work on your turbine.

Now RCAs are looking into those service providers. Jon, are you involved with some of those discussions?

Jonathan Zalar: It’s, you know, not just the service provider, it’s even like who’s doing the work. Are they actually doing what they say they’re doing? Um, are they following the OEMs maintenance schedule correctly? Um, you know, especially some of the owners that farm out the whole operations to somebody else.

Double checking their work, I think is important just to make sure, I mean, you, even if you have total control and people, but just having a second set of eyes doing some quality checks. I, I, I don’t think that enough of that’s being done in the industry at this point. I think there’s opportunity to get

Joel Saxum: better.

The bird dog concept, right? The bird like oil and gas is bird dogs everywhere in the onshore, offshore. Anything you do, they gotta, they got a client rep who is rolling around making [00:22:00] sure things are done right. And I think we need that in wind too. And it’s not any different if you look at the same thing.

Remote operations people are like, oh, wind farms are all over the place. Like, have you looked at any other In industry, it’s the same thing.

Jonathan Zalar: It it, it’s harder. There’s more of them and they don’t move, like, you know, like a locomotive or automobile, right. Where they come to the shop and you can overlook, see what somebody did.

But yeah, like spending that money and effort on. Quality, I think could go a long way. And one of the ways would be the bird dog method that you suggested.

Allen Hall 2025: Yeah, I do think some of the issues we’re seeing in the field are related to particular groups that have touched the turbines, and maybe they just don’t have the latest and greatest information from the OE em, or maybe they’re just winging it, but either case, uh, the sampling there needs to happen and it really gets down to knowing what’s happening with your turbine.

And then when it doesn’t seem right. Getting an expert on site to take a look and make sure that your turbine is operating like you think it should and [00:23:00]it should be producing like it should, because if anything, we know right now production is key. We need those turbines up and running. Jon, you know, a lot of people call us and ask us, how do I get ahold of Za LR?

Do you have an email for Jon? How do people get ahold of you? I send ’em to your website, i wtg consulting.com. But they, you know, they want your mobile number, which I try to avoid giving them, but how do they, how do they reach you?

Jonathan Zalar: Um, the website, it’s got a form there. Um, they can also email me at Jay zr@iwtgconsulting.com.

Allen Hall 2025: Well, you can see Jon on LinkedIn. It has a lot of good posts on LinkedIn and you’ll see him. Around the country and the world at different symposiums and discussions about wind turbine operations. Uh, and you can always feel free to talk to Jon Jon’s easy to talk to. So Jon, so thank you so much for being on the podcast.

We love having you. Thanks for having me, guys. I appreciate it. It was [00:24:00] fun.

https://weatherguardwind.com/iwtg-consulting-failures/

Renewable Energy

The Lightning Diverter Problem with GE Vernova Blades

Published

2 days ago

July 9, 2025

Alice Rush

Weather Guard Lightning Tech

The Lightning Diverter Problem with GE Vernova Blades

A design that causes massive problems

As wind turbine operators continue to expand their fleets worldwide with larger turbines, bigger generators, and longer blades, the risk of significant lightning damage continues to plague the industry. Lightning is now the leading cause of unplanned turbine downtime for many operators. In years past, OEM warranties or insurance would cover the costs of repairs and business interruption. Those days are gone. OEMs have eliminated lightning damage from warranties and insurance companies are dramatically raising rates, or eliminating coverage, for lightning damage. That leaves operators exposed to millions in repair bills every year.

The SafeReceptor ILPS System

The basic lightning protection systems for LM Wind Power blades has been two small, coin-sized receptors placed on either side of the blade tip. Designated as the SafeReceptor ILPS, the receptors are connected to an insulated metal cable that runs through the center of the blade which connects to the hub, nacelle, tower and eventually earth. Certified to IEC61400-24, the SafeReceptor ILPS has been used on most onshore LM Wind Power blades since 2011.

LM Wind Power would, occasionally, place a special, additional lightning protection feature onto their blades. Patented in 2005, this lightning add-on contained a line of stainless steel cross-shaped buttons in a soft, gray-colored sealant which formed a segmented lightning diverter. As lightning approached a blade, the LM segmented lightning diverter helped guide the lightning to the receptor, lowering the chance of lightning damage to the blade.

LM Wind Power, and eventually TPI Composites, used the LM Wind Power segmented lightning diverter. Most installations of the LM segmented lightning diverter placed the device behind the receptor – using the receptor to block rain and airflow impact. The reason? If the LM Wind Power diverter was directly exposed to the wind and rain it would eventually degrade.

Remarkably, the LM diverter strip was used sparingly, or not at all, on the LM/TPI 56.9m and 62.2m blades. As it turns out, the 56.9m / 62.2m are unusually vulnerable to lightning damage. In a WGLT study of over 900 GE Vernova onshore turbines in Texas and Oklahoma with blades exceeding 50m, the rate of lightning damage was approximately 1 in 5 strikes. The industry standard for lightning damage is roughly 1 in 50 strikes per the IEC standard. That results highlight a gigantic risk for wind turbine operators.

Presumably in response to these high damage rates, GE Vernova has introduced LPS “improvements” to the 56.9m and 62.2m blades. Two additional receptors have been added to the blade approximately 3m from the blade tip. Also, LM Wind Power diverter strips have been added to every receptor; with short pieces behind the tip receptors plus long pieces behind and in front of the two receptors down the blade.

The Lightning Diverter Problem with GE Vernova Blades — Latest GE Vernova 62.2m Blade Design

This is a risky decision by the blade designers at GE Vernova. Most lightning strikes occur when blades are pointed upwards towards the sky – and segmented lightning diverters provide maximum protection when they are also pointed towards the sky. GE Vernova placed the LM Wind Power diverters parallel with the airflow over the blade – perpendicular to the sky – which dramatically lowers their lightning protection ability.

Why are the LM Wind Power diverters not oriented upwards towards the storm clouds? Our research indicates that exposing the broad side of the diverter to rain erosion causes the part to fail.

Several years ago, Weather Guard Lightning Tech developed an accelerated rain erosion test rig to mimic rain erosion that appears on aircraft nose radomes and wind turbine blade tips. This test sprays water droplets onto test samples at 135 m/s (300 mph) and has yielded accurate predictions for lifetimes. WGLT examined the durability of the LM Wind Power diverters in our accelerated rain erosion test rig. The results were astonishing. The LM Wind Power diverter failed in under 1 minute for every orientation.

And here are the images of the test articles after rain erosion testing.

Sample 2 Post-Test 90 Degrees to Face of Diverter

Sample 5 Post-Test 0 Degrees to Side

Sample 6 Post-Test 0 Degrees to Leading Edge

Now, what does this mean for the lightning protection for your GE Vernova wind turbine blades with LM Wind Power diverters? You need to monitor the diverters for damage and peeling off the blade. Missing metal segments from a diverter or sections of diverter that have separated from the blade need to repaired or replaced.

What’s the risk? Your blades are susceptible to significant lightning damage which could cost you $$$.

For more information about StrikeTape lightning protection technology and installation services, contact Weather Guard Wind at 1.413.217.1139 or info@wglightning.com.

About Weather Guard Wind: Weather Guard Wind specializes in advanced lightning protection solutions for wind energy applications, with installations protecting turbines worldwide in the most challenging lightning environments.

https://weatherguardwind.com/the-lightning-diverter-problem-with-ge-vernova-blades/