Loading ...Support for wind energy is strong among state and federal governments, but whether or not a wind farm is erected in local communities depends on which way the wind blows. Recently, residents of Goodhue County, Minn, raised noise concerns over a proposed wind farm, and residents of Layfatte, Ind., debated how far turbines should be set back from residential housing. Nonetheless, recent news suggests that wind energy is still growing. The Rhode Island Office of Environmental Resources doled out a $750,000 grant to erect a land-based wind turbine on Block Island, which will offset the cost of the turbine as well as a corresponding feasibility study. The first turbines in a 175-megawatt wind farm expansion project in Oregon began generating electricity over the weekend. Vestas secured three more wind turbine contracts within the European nations of Sweden, Italy and Germany and will generate a total of 126 megawatts.
Collaboration is one reason composites have taken off in the aerospace sector. That trend continues this week with announcements from a number of companies: Bombadier and National Research Council Canada will partner to develop technology for automated fabrication of composite aircraft fuselages. Meanwhile, Goodrich, Lockheed Martin and Fokker signed an agreement to develop composite landing gear structures for the F-35 Lightning II, and Goodrich and the University of Dayton Research Institute announced they will develop production capabilities for advanced nanomaterial for aerospace applications. In some cases, composites manufactures may not have a choice about working with other companies. Some analysts think Airbus and Boeing will force composites manufacturers and other suppliers to consolidate.
It’s not a roaring comeback, but some boatbuilders are finding ways to survive and prepare for the future. Helly Hansen Group announced that its operating revenues increased one percent in 2009, including the marine segment, despite the challenging global economy. Hatteras Yachts, announced it will consolidate productions of both its Hatteras yacht and CABO Yacht brands to its New Bern, N.C. facility. Meanwhile, UK boatbuilders met to talk about incorporating advanced composites in boats. Schools that offer boatbuilding courses are still attracting students. The International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS), home to the school’s marine systems and newly launched composites technology program, has an upcoming Open House, while the Cape Fear Community College is annual Boat Show, which will feature fiberglass boats and materials from area dealers.
In infrastructure news, Energy Composites completed production of two composites flange duct spools for use in a flue gas desulfurization installation. Innovative Composites International Inc. announced it has received a purchase order for a composite pedestrian bridge from Engineered Plastics Inc. Victaulic now offers FRP pipe manufacturers a coupling it says produces more efficient installation.
