Windflow Technology

Windflow Technology
Public
Traded as NZX: WTL
Headquarters Christchurch, New Zealand
Key people
 Geoff Henderson
Products wind turbines
Website http://www.windflow.co.nz/
Windflow's prototype wind turbine, installed at Gebbies Pass.

Windflow Technology is a company based in Christchurch, New Zealand known for its unique wind turbine gearbox design.

It was listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange on 2 December 2003.[1] In October 2008, Mighty River Power purchased a 19.95% share of Windflow Technology.[2][3]

The operation of a Windflow Technology turbine installed at Gebbies Pass near Christchurch encountered opposition from local residents who raised concerns about noise. The neighbouring valley was very sheltered, and therefore had very little background sound. Because of this, Windflow offered to comply with low sound levels of 30 dBA, 10 dBA lower than the District Council's usual requirement of 40 dBA. However, sound levels were at 35 dBA, so Windflow modified the gearbox, which reduced the turbine's sound. Sound levels were again measured and this time be within the requirement of its resource consent.[4] [5]

Windflow Technology set up New Zealand Windfarms to own and run the Te Rere Hau Wind Farm near Palmerston North. Initially, this was wholly owned but now has been completely sold off.[6][7] Windflow Technology supplied the wind turbines for this wind farm,[8] and are also contracted to supply turbines for Mighty River Power's proposed Long Gully Wind Farm.

The company achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification for the design and production of its Windflow 500 wind turbine in 2008.[9] In September 2010, the Windflow 500 gained Class 1A of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) design standard IEC 61400-1 (edition 3) through Lloyd's Register.[10]

In September 2011, Windflow Technology signed a contract to install a Windflow 500 turbine on the island of Shetland [11]

In March 2012, the company signed a licensing agreement with a subsidiary of large US company General Dynamics (GD Satcom)who will manufacture and sell the Windflow designed 500 kW turbines to customers in North and South America, Africa and U.S. territories and military bases worldwide.[12] GD Energy Solutions is promoting the original Class 1 500 kW turbine as the GD33-500 and a newly developed Class 2 500 kW turbine as the GD45-500.[13]

In February 2013, Windflow Technology installed a 500 kW turbine on the windy island of Orkney, its first exported turbine which is expected to generate over GBP350,000 per year (through the UK Feed-In Tariff which is 17.5 p/kWh for 500 kW turbines).[14]

Windflow UK has wrapped up installation of its 100th 500 kW wind turbine. The twin-bladed machine, which was designed and manufactured in New Zealand by parent company Windflow Technology Ltd, was erected at New Holland Farm on the Orkney mainland in Scotland. [15]

For four years, the North Harris Trust has been working with Windflow Technology Ltd, who manufacture a unique two-bladed machine that can deal with the turbulent wind conditions found amongst the North Harris hills. The first of three machines arrived from New Zealand in late 2014 and was lifted into place.[16]

1 May 2015, Windflow Technology Ltd announced the installation and first operation of the prototype 45-500 wind turbine at a site in Mitchell County, Texas USA. The turbine was installed to supply power for the Mitchell County Desalination Plant, which will supplement water supplies to areas in the County not covered by municipal water utilities.[17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Windflow Technology Limited Ordinary Shares (WTL)". New Zealand Stock Exchange. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
  2. ↑ "Mighty River Power Buys Into Windflow Technology". Market announcement, Windflow Technology. 16 October 2008.
  3. ↑ "Windflow attracts Mighty River Power" (Press release). New Zealand Stock Exchange. 30 June 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
  4. ↑ "Windflow gets ok for Christchurch turbine". The Press. 2004-10-09.
  5. ↑ "Windflow sound solution achieved" (Press release). Windflow Technology. 15 July 2004.
  6. ↑ Windflow Interim Report to 31 December 2010, Market Announcement, Windflow Technology, 11 April 2011.
  7. ↑ Law, Tina (2008-07-01). "Generator buys Windflow stake". The Press.
  8. ↑ "Wind bridges energy shortfall", Electrical Automation, August/September 2007.
  9. ↑ Windflow Technology Gains ISO, press release, Windflow Technology, 27 June 2008.
  10. ↑ "Windflow turbine wins OK". The Timaru Herald. 16 October 2010.
  11. ↑ BusinessDesk (23 September 2011). "Windflow Technology signs first UK turbine deal | Stuff.co.nz". Stuff. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  12. ↑ http://www.windflow.co.nz/news/media-releases/2012/windflow-technology-and-general-dynamics-satcom-technologies-sign-licensing-agreement-for-development-and-marketing-of-turbine-technologies
  13. ↑ http://www.gdenergysolutions.com/
  14. ↑ http://www.windflow.co.uk/links-and-news/windflow-turbine-generates-revenue-in-scotland
  15. ↑ http://renews.biz/77742/windflow-notches-a-century
  16. ↑ http://www.north-harris.org/2014/12/a-long-trip-from-new-zealand-ends-in-the-harris-hills/
  17. ↑ https://www.nzx.com/companies/WTL/announcements/2637
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