Energy company sees record profits after solving a major technical challenge: 'One of the keys to our success'
One of the world's largest wind turbine manufacturers has landed another massive deal that may change how we view wind energy in cold weather climates.
As reported by reNEWS, a wind farm developer in Nova Scotia, Canada, has ordered 16 N163/5.X turbines from Nordex Group. With an output capacity of 5.9 megawatts each, the projected wind farm will have a total capacity of 94 megawatts.
Nordex, a renewable energy company based in Hamburg, Germany, reported continued steady revenue growth in 2024. The company has touted its Nordex Advanced Anti-Icing System for its rotor blades as an answer to cold weather that may normally limit availability.
As noted by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, wind turbines do not produce any pollution, making them one the most eco-friendly energy sources. This can lead us to a cleaner and cooler future by eliminating our dependence on dirty energy.
Wind turbines can also take up less space than other energy plants, while also being able to be located in just about any location. According to the EIA, wind turbines can operate in "open land, on mountain ridges, or offshore in lakes or the ocean."
And according to a report from the U.S. Department of Energy, the wind energy sector employs over 130,000 people throughout the country. That is more than both the coal and natural gas industries. New wind energy projects also inject billions of dollars into the economy.
Besides boosting the U.S. economy, wind energy can save homeowners money on their eclectic bill. As a carbon-free and sustainable energy source, wind energy is more efficient for energy companies to produce than energy from dirty sources. This means that the more wind farms that are built, the less consumers would need to pay in order for these companies to make a profit.
Manav Sharma, CEO of the North America division for the Nordex Group, pointed to the company's innovation behind its deal in Nova Scotia. "Fifteen years ago, we integrated an anti-icing system for rotor blades into our turbines for the first time," Sharma said in a statement.
"Today, our proven anti-icing solution is one of the keys to our success in cold climate regions, such as Canada. Since ice formation on the rotor blade surface is prevented, ice-related downtimes are minimized."
Will America someday get all its energy from renewable sources?
Yes — very soon
Yes — by 2050
Yes — by 2070
Probably never
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Axios
2 hours ago
- Axios
What to know about Trump's "gold card"
President Trump's website for his " gold card" that would enable successful applicants to buy U.S. permanent residency for $5 million went live this week. The big picture: Details on what the program would entail remain scant, and it may require congressional approval. State of play: Trump announced in February his plan to offer the card as a replacement for the existing EB-5 program, which has granted green cards to individuals who invest in the U.S. since 1990. The president launched a website Wednesday to allow people to register their interest in signing up for the " gold card." Successful applicants will be able to buy U.S. permanent residency for $5 million. The site, is currently only for people to register their names, email addresses and the regions they're from. What they're saying: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Fox Business Network on Thursday that there is a waiting list and 25,000 people signed up in 15 hours. "At 200,000 people, that's a trillion dollars," Lutnick said. Between the lines: The card will likely require legislative support and face legal challenges if congressional approval isn't sought, immigration attorney Theda Fisher said in an email. An amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Internal Revenue Code would be required to increase the numbers of immigrant visas issued annually and to have differential tax treatment of certain permanent residents. But congressional approval to change these rules would be required. "I believe the Gold Card can be successful if administered properly as there is a lot of demand for U.S. permanent residency that would exempt an individual from tax on global income," Fisher said. "It is a dream come true for many high-net-worth individuals. Our thought bubble: Congress establishes various legal categories for allowable immigration by statute, and has not created one along these lines. Article I Section 8 of the Constitution is the real authority here. Anybody with $5 million in extra cash sitting around and a clean legal record can probably find a way get a long-term US visa, and eventually citizenship, through other means.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fujifilm's latest lens emulates its eternally sold-out cameras
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission. Fujifilm has announced the XF 23mm F2.8 R WR lens, a wide-angle, 35mm equiv. pancake lens for its APS-C cameras. It's a similar focal length to the lens used by the much-coveted X100-series and has similar dimensions, though its maximum aperture is a stop slower. The lens is very light and compact; it's 23mm (0.9") long and weighs in at 90g (3.2oz). Despite that, it has a fair number of features: it has a clicking aperture ring that can be locked into the auto position, its manual focus ring has a "high frequency position" detector to make it easier to focus despite its short throw, and it's water and dust resistant. The silver version of the lens even has a matched grey gasket on the back, rather than a black one. Optically, the lens is made up of 8 elements in six groups with two aspherical lenses. It has an 11-blade aperture and a 20 cm (7.9 inches) minimum focusing distance. The lens will come in black or silver, and will retail for $499. Fujifilm says it won't be available on its own until December, though it'll start making its way into customers hands as a kit lens for the X-E5 later this summer. See the sample gallery Buy now: Buy at Adorama Buy at B&H Photo Buy at B&H Photo Press Release: Fujifilm Introduces the Versatile, Ultra-Compact, Lightweight FUJINON XF23mmF2.8 R WR Lens VALHALLA, N.Y. - June 12, 2025 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Electronic ImagingDivision, announces the launch of its FUJINON XF23mmF2.8 R WR (XF23mmF2.8 R WR) with portability in mind, XF23mmF2.8 R WR was developed to be thin and unobtrusive while delivering powerful resolution and autofocus (AF) performance. 'The first word that comes to mind when thinking of XF23mmF2.8 R WR is 'versatility',' said Victor Ha, vice president, Electronic Imaging and Optical Devices Divisions, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. 'The lens is adaptable to handle standard, wide-angle, close-up image making with ease, while at the same time offering an ultra-compact form factor and user-friendly functionality. From street photography and travel/landscape, where the big picture tells the story, all the way to tabletop photography, where close up, intricate details are critical, XF23mmF2.8 R WR is the ideal everyday carry, designed to work with you on the move.' Main Features: Ultra-compact and lightweight design with high resolution performance XF23mmF2.8 R WR is designed to deliver high resolution performance compatible with the FUJIFILM X Series' approximately 40.2 megapixel X-Trans™ CMOS 5 HR1 sensor. By adopting 8-elements in 6 groups, including two aspherical lenses, XF23mmF2.8 R WR minimizes aberrations from the center to the periphery. The lens has been made optically compact through Fujifilm's latest lens development which reduces size by increasing the number of metal components to make parts thinner while maintaining durability. XF23mmF2.8 R WR features a focal length of 23mm (equivalent to 35mm in 35mm format), an overall length of only 23mm2 and a weight of approximately 90g (3 ounces). The lens's 11- blade aperture diaphragm also delivers smooth, circular bokeh for excellent subject separation, most notably at wider apertures. Close-up photography and high-precision, high-speed autofocus (AF) XF23mmF2.8 R WR excels at close-ups, down to the minimum object distance of 20 cm (7.9 inches) from the sensor. The lens uses a full-group focusing system, which suppresses aberration variation depending on the focus position, enabling high image quality photography even at close range. A powerful direct-current (DC) motor is integrated into the lens to achieve high-speed AF. Stylish yet durable user-friendly design Knurling at the base of the lens allows for a secure grip when changing lenses. The manual focus (MF) ring is equipped with high frequency position detection for high precision manual focus with minimum rotation angle. A fixed spacer between the manual focus and aperture rings makes for easier adjustment of either setting when composing through the viewfinder. With 9 sealing points, the lens is dust and moisture resistant to temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) and can be used safely in light rain, cold, or dusty environments. The FUJINON XF23mmF2.8 R WR lens will be available late 2025 at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $499.95 USD and $559.99 CAD. For more information, visit 1 X-Trans is a registered trademark or trademark of Fujifilm Corporation. 2 Equivalent in size to XF27mmF2.8 R WR. Principal specifications Prime lens APS-C / DX 23 mm Fujifilm X F2.8 F16 Yes 11 8 6 2 asph 0.20 m (7.87″) 0.15× Yes Stepper motor Yes Unit No No 90 g (0.20 lb) 62 mm (2.44″) 23 mm (0.91″) Aluminium Yes Black, Silver 39 mm Yes No
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Liberals under fire for rushing bill through Parliament to speed up resource projects
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney's government is coming under fire for seeking to rush through a major piece of legislation that grants cabinet sweeping powers to quickly approve major projects. Government House leader Steven MacKinnon put a motion on notice Thursday that would push Bill C-5 through the House of Commons by the end of next week — leaving just one day to hear from civil society groups, stakeholders and experts. Critics charge the move is anti-democratic. In a fiery exchange in question period, Bloc Québécois House Leader Christine Normandin accused Prime Minister Mark Carney of trying to "steamroll" a bill through the House that would greatly expand his own powers. "The prime minister has no right to impose C-5 under closure when the bill gives him exceptional powers unlike anything that we've seen before," she said in French. "Is that the prime minister's intention, to bypass Parliament and govern by decree like Donald Trump?' MacKinnon pushed back by saying "Canadians and Quebecers spoke loud and clear" in the last election for action to shore up the economy, in part due to the illegal trade war initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump. "We are acting in a democratic way," he said, noting the bill delivers on election promises laid out clearly in the Liberal platform. The bill includes controversial provisions that could allow cabinet to skirt existing processes and laws to fast-track approvals for projects the government deems to be in the national interest. The government aims to streamline disparate processes to limit approval timelines for big projects to a maximum of two years, boosting investor confidence. When asked about the timeline at a press conference Thursday, Energy Minister Tim Hodgson said the legislation needs to pass quickly to shore up an economy being undermined by Trump's tariffs. "We have a trade war that is affecting sector after sector after sector. Canadians' jobs are at risk. Canadians' livelihoods are at risk. And quite frankly, the prosperity of the country is at risk," Hodgson said. But NDP MP Leah Gazan said in the House of Commons foyer Thursday that the bill isn't going to build the economy out because it will trigger a series of court challenges. She called on the government to extend the time frame of the public study and do more to consult with Indigenous Peoples — something she said got shortchanged in the bill. "I'm calling on the prime minister to slow it down, to not rush a bill that has this much consequence through in five days," she said. Hodgson pointed to support for the bill from the First Nations Major Projects Coalition, which represents more than 100 First Nations seeking to have their own projects advanced, and said he is consulting privately with stakeholders. "I can tell you I've got multiple conversations going on with different rights holders and business leaders as part of my department's efforts to ensure that consultation is robust," he said. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty said there will be a meeting between the Prime Minister's Office and First Nations leaders, citing the wildfires as one reason it has been delayed. "I also want to acknowledge that because there are many communities in a critical state of wildfire and evacuation, that time will be taken to have that dialog," she said. "I know that it is the intention of the Prime Minister's Office to sit down with First Nation's leadership directly and to have the economic discussion and hear from them." But Anna Johnston, staff lawyer at West Coast Environmental Law, said the drive to push the bill through quickly is "incredibly concerning" because the government has done "very little engagement" so far on such a major piece of legislation. "The biggest concern is that it's going to give cabinet the power to approve projects before they have any information about them beyond what the proponent has decided to give the government," she said. "There's a reason why we have decisions at the end of environmental assessments and regulatory processes. It's so that governments can make informed decisions about projects that have the potential to harm Canadians and to harm the environment." Stuart Trew, a senior researcher with the left-leaning think tank Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, said the bill is "destined to end up in court" and "really bump up against the government's commitments to reconciliation with First Nations." "It seems geared to let the government ram projects through, without adequate study, without all the usual considerations about the impacts on endangered species," he said. "We should raise our eyebrows any time a government claims a national emergency in order to rush through legislation with implications as significant as this does." The legislation also looks to break down internal trade barriers and make it easier for workers to take jobs in other provinces. MacKinnon rejected a call from the Bloc Québécois this week to split the landmark legislation in two. That would have allowed the House to speed through the less contentious internal trade provisions while putting the controversial major projects portion under the microscope. Carney has vowed repeatedly to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers by Canada Day, 19 days from now. The House has been sitting for just three weeks and is currently scheduled to rise next week on June 20. MacKinnon said in a scrum on Wednesday that he has not tried to get consensus from the other parties to have the House sit any later. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 12, 2025. Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press
