Telvent Selected by Global Wind Energy Leader, Gamesa, to Provide Advanced Lightning Safety Technology
Gamesa enhancing wind power plant safety and Smart Grid operations with Telvent’s lightning alerting system
April 10, 2012 – Telvent GIT, S.A., a leading real-time IT solutions and information provider for a sustainable world, announced today that Gamesa - a global technology leader in wind energy - has selected Telvent to provide industry-leading lightning safety technology for its wind power plants in the United States. Telvent’s MxVision WeatherSentry Online Wind Energy Edition warns Gamesa’s wind power plant operators when lightning strikes are detected within a predefined radius, providing sufficient time for personnel to evacuate before lightning is in their immediate area.
Gamesa is a global wind energy leader, from the design, manufacturing, installation and maintenance of wind turbines to the development, construction and sale of wind power plants around the world. The height and locations of wind turbines make them especially prone to lightning strikes, threatening not only crew safety but also operational efficiency, which can negatively impact the Smart Grid. Telvent’s reliable lightning alerting system automatically sends alerts to personnel both in the control room and to crews’ cell phones in the field when strikes are detected within a pre-defined radius, giving crews the time needed to evacuate. The accuracy of this technology also helps wind power plant managers avoid false alarms and unplanned evacuations due to weather, increasing efficiency and thereby delivering cost savings. Telvent’s lightning safety solution is relied on by approximately 60 percent of North American wind power plants.
According to Telvent's Chairman and CEO, Ignacio Gonzalez, “We are very pleased to announce our first contract with Gamesa, a world leader in wind turbine and wind power plant technology. Our strong industry reputation for leading Smart Grid solutions, superior customer service and global capabilities helped us win this highly competitive bid.”
The initial services will focus on Gamesa’s North American power plants. However, Telvent’s global weather information capabilities will allow the application to be expanded into other regions where Gamesa has operations.
Gamesa’s wind turbine business includes more than 24,000 megawatts installed in 35 countries and 16,300 MW under maintenance. Gamesa is also a global benchmark for the development, construction and sale of wind farms: it has installed approximately 5,000 MW and currently boasts a pipeline of over 23,800 MW at varying stages of development in Europe, the US and Asia
Advertisement]