Resistors Help to Get the Most Out of Wind Power
In January 2025, the UK government announced new measures to unlock up to thirteen major wind projects as part of its Plan for Change. But with wind curtailment — the switching off of wind turbines — reaching record levels in 2024, how can we make the most of the energy generated? Here, Mike Torbitt, managing director of resistor manufacturer Cressall, explores the role that resistors can play in preventing the wastage of wind power. The government’s Plan for Change aims to modernise the ‘outdated and archaic’ infrastructure regulations to increase the pace at which offshore wind projects are constructed. In total, the measures could generate up to 16 Gigawatts (GW) of electricity and around £20-30 billion of clean energy investment. The announcement is promising, but much of the newly harnessed wind power could be wasted. Turbines are frequently turned off in periods of high wind, to protect the grid system from being overwhelmed by the power generated. According to a report from electricity supplier Octopus, enough energy was wasted in the first nine months of 2024 to power two million UK homes for a year. Not only does wind curtailment limit the UK’s ability to fully transition to clean energy, but it also results in higher bills for consumers. And the problem is growing — the costs of wind curtailment will reach £3.7 billion by 2030. As the UK continues to invest in wind power, it’s important that additional energy generated is put to good use. So, why is energy being wasted and how can this be prevented? Distance issues The key reason for switching off wind turbines is distance — both from the grid and from demand. Offshore farms are much further from the grid than their onshore counterparts, meaning there are less readily available connection points to distribute power to the transmission network. Consequently, in the case of strong winds, there are fewer options available to distribute the energy elsewhere. The remote location of offshore windfarms also means they are located far from high-demand areas. For example, Scotland currently has seven operational offshore windfarms, many of which are located near the north of the country where population density is low. Demand for energy is greater elsewhere, but inefficient cable networks mean that a lot of power is lost during transmission. Handling the excess Energy experts have several suggestions on how to tackle wind curtailment. For instance, the Octopus report recommends zonal pricing, which means that people living near turbines can benefit from cheaper energy rather than it going to waste. The research suggests that businesses could save in the region of 65 to 99 per cent on energy costs by moving to Scotland and benefitting from zonal pricing. While the prospect of lower bills would hopefully encourage people to welcome the development of renewable energy projects within their communities, moving to energy-abundant areas isn’t feasible for all businesses. Another way to minimise wastage is by improving the infrastructure that transmits energy from offshore sites to high-demand areas. In March 2025, construction will begin on the Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1), which will enable the transmission of energy from Torness in Scotland to Hawthorn Pit in the North East of England. Once complete, the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) project will deliver enough electricity for two million homes. HVDC enables efficient power transmission over long distances between offshore wind farms and the grid, thanks to its consistent current density. Resistor technology is essential in HVDC systems, safeguarding against grid failures by absorbing excess wind energy until the transfer is safely halted. Additionally, DC neutral earthing resistors provide further protection to the system, both onshore and offshore, within HVDC converter transformers. Cressall has extensive experience in supplying resistors for renewable projects, including a GE Vernova partnership covering five HVDC projects in the North Sea. The government’s aim to amend inflexible planning restrictions and boost wind power generation projects through its Plan for Change initiative is a welcome development. However, to create real change, the rollout of energy transmission projects must keep pace with offshore wind developments. HVDC systems supported with reliable resistor technology will enable the UK to reduce wind curtailment and make the most of the renewable resources available. Contact a member of the Cressall team for advice on selecting the right resistors for your renewable project. Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News
Oman Oil and TFG Marine Establish Bunker Fuel Joint Venture
Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO) and TFG Marine, the leading international marine fuel joint venture founded by Trafigura, Frontline and Golden Ocean, have established a bunker fuel joint venture to supply vessels visiting Oman’s ports of Duqm, Muscat and Sohar. TFG-OOMCO LLC, incorporated in Oman, will combine the local knowledge of OOMCO with the international footprint, sourcing of all grades of marine fuels, infrastructure and logistics capability of TFG Marine, to offer customers a reliable and transparent bunkering provider in the Arabian Gulf. As stated by Mr. Tarik Al Junaidi, the CEO OF Oman Oil Marketing Company: “This partnership aligns with Oman Oil Marketing Company’s efforts to develop the maritime transport and shipping infrastructure in Oman, which is in alignment with the objectives Oman Vision 2040. It underscores our commitment to meeting the increasing demand of compliant, high-quality marine grades of fuel while adhering to the highest international health, safety, and environmental standards. Through our partnership with TFG Marine, the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and the implementation of global best practices in fuel bunkering, we strive to lead towards excellence and sustainability in the bunker fuel business in the Sultanate’s ports.” Mr. Mark Russell, Chief Commercial Officer, TFG Marine added: “This is TFG Marine’s first venture in the Middle East and we look forward to serving our customers in this region. Oman has a rich history as a maritime nation and is well located close to the main shipping routes connecting the Arabian Gulf and the Indian subcontinent with the rest of the world.” Today’s announcement follows the signing of an MOU agreement between SOHAR Port and Freezone and TFG Marine, to establish an international bunker fuel supply operation. TFG Marine’s has already deployed bunker vessel the Margherita Cosulich to the region to supply vessels at SOHAR’s deep-sea port. The vessel is fitted with a Mass Flow Meter (MFM), calibrated to the ISO 22192 international standard as required by SOHAR Port. TFG Marine has long been an advocate of the global adoption of calibrated MFMs to bring much-needed transparency to bunkering and encouraging digitalisation in the long-term interests of the bunker industry and helping to further the decarbonisation goals of the shipping industry. Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News
SLS Earns 5 Lab Awards Nominations
Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS), the UK and Ireland’s leading independent laboratory equipment distributor, has earned five nominations at the Lab Awards 2024, held at the Lab Innovations exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham, on October 30. As well as four product ‘Innovation’ nominations, the laboratory supplier hopes to win the ‘Supplier Excellence’ award in recognition of its newly opened National Distribution Centre (NDC). SLS is also proudly sponsoring the ‘Lab Technician of the Year’. SLS’s full list of award nominations at the upcoming Lab Awards 2024 includes ‘Best Sustainable Innovation’, ‘Best Consumables Innovation’, ‘Best Technology Innovation’, ‘Best Automation and Data Innovation’ and ‘Supplier Excellence’. The laboratory equipment distributor, exhibiting from stand K80, has the most nominations of any participant at this year’s awards and seeks to improve on its two awards won at Lab Innovations 2023. “The five nominations at this year’s Lab Awards continue a tremendous year for SLS,” said Ian Roulstone, managing director at SLS. “As Lab Awards sponsors, we know the importance of recognising excellence in the scientific community.” Amongst the technology on display on stand K80, SLS will exhibit the four award-nominated products at this year’s Lab Innovations that it has played a key role in distributing and promoting across the UK and Ireland. They include Eppendorf BioBased epT.I.P.S pipette tips, which use a second-generation bio-based polymer made from at least 90 per cent renewable resources. These renewables include waste and residues from vegetable oil refining or waste cooking oil. The product is nominated in the ‘Best Sustainable Innovation’ category. SLS will also exhibit the Merck Stericup E, nominated for ‘Best Consumables Innovation’. The product uses a funnel-less design in sterile vacuum filtration to reduce the plastic and packaging involved. It will appear alongside the Innovaprep Concentrating Pipette Select Automated Bio-Concentrator. Nominated for the ‘Best Technology Innovation’ award, the rapid bio-concentrator delivers rapid filtration and instant recovery of biological samples. This improves sensitivity for pathogen detection by any analysis method. Finally, the FluidX Automated Plate Seal Remover is nominated for ‘Best Automation and Data Innovation’. It automatically removes seals from a wide range of microplate types with one button, eliminating the need for mechanical removal mechanisms. “In addition to the product awards, we’re also pleased to have been nominated in the ‘Supplier Excellence’ category,” added Ian Roulstone. “This recognises SLS’s recent move to its new NDC at Fairham Business Park in Nottingham. The facility has already helped triple our daily number of serviced orders to 2,500 per day, reflecting how SLS prioritises customer needs and service.” Meanwhile, SLS will sponsor the Lab Awards 2024’s ‘Lab Technician of the Year’. Nominees include several technicians that work closely with SLS. They are Robin Parsons of Staffordshire University, Dr Nicky Morgan of the University of Salford, Alex Bird of the UK Biocentre, Lee Hibbett of the University of Nottingham’s School of Pharmacy, Wewerly Fernandes of The Open University, Sophie Galloway of the University of Nottingham and Graham Hickman of Nottingham Trent University. Read more about SLS’s award-nominated laboratory products here and register for Lab Innovations ahead of the Lab Awards 2024 ceremony on October 30. Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News
