Table of Contents

Federal Stimulus Money Announcement

CanWEA Next Month

Nation Coating Systems, Inc. Has Wind Covered

GLWN Website Picking Up Steam

What's in the Wind!
GLWN Calendar of Events

Wind Energy: Opportunities for Fabricators Conference
September 15, 2009
Mazak Optonics Laser
Technology Center
Elgin, IL

CanWEA 2009: Infinite Possibilities
September 20-23, 2009
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Toronto, ON

Federal Stimulus Monies on the Way

Three long-awaited announcements were made in Washington over the past month that will begin the process of providing cash for new wind projects and tax credits for manufacturers wanting to invest in capital equipment for alternative energy component production. Available now are procedures for making applications to all the programs promoting wind in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (ARRA) passed into law by Congress this past February.

Of most interest to manufacturers, the Internal Revenue Service is offering a "Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit" (MTC) of 30% of qualified projects that re-equip, expand, or establish a manufacturing facility for the production of specified energy property. This includes property designed for use in the production of energy from wind as well as components for turbines. Manufacturers anywhere in the wind supply chain are encouraged to apply.

Here's an important note: Preliminary applications must be made no later than September 16, 2009. As per the procedures, final applications are due on October 16, 2009, and decisions will be announced on January 15, 2010. Criteria for the awards include job creation, reducing air pollutants or emissions of greenhouse gasses, potential for technological innovation and commercial deployment, and shortest project time from certification to completion. Details of this program and application guidelines can be found at http://www.energy.gov/recovery/documents/Federal_Notice_48C.pdf. Questions and applications can be submitted to 48Capplications@hq.doe.gov. Up to $2.3 billion in MTCs will be allocated by the Department of Energy and the IRS for advanced energy projects. Projects must be completed within four years of tax credit acceptance.

For wind project developers, the U.S. Department of Energy provided procedures for applying for a cash grant from the Department of the Treasury in lieu of tax credits for renewable energy facilities placed in service. In another action, DOE Secretary Steven Chu provided application information for up to $2 billion in subsidy costs, provided by the Recovery Act, to support billions in federal loans for renewable energy and electrical energy transmission projects.

As Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner explained, "Too many renewable energy projects have stalled due to a lack of financing. The Recovery Act will lead to investment in our long-term energy needs, move us toward energy independence, increase jobs at energy-specific businesses, and protect our environment."

CanWEA 2009: Infinite Possibilities

The Canadian Wind Energy Association's annual Conference and Exhibition is fast approaching! This year, more than 2,000 delegates and 225 exhibitors will come together in Toronto from September 20 through 23, 2009. Session topics will range from opportunities in the Canadian wind energy supply chain, transmission challenges, wind project economics, small wind energy, and much more.

For manufacturers, this event can provide to a good chance to meet OEMs and learn more about supply chain possibilities. In many ways, it is like AWEA's annual conference only smaller and more intimate.

Check out the Conference website for details. If you choose to attend, please stop by GLWN's booth - number 953. We hope to see you there.

Nation Coating Systems, Inc.
Thermal Spray Coating for Wind Turbines

Nation Coating Systems, Inc. is a supplier of thermal spray coating for industrial applications and has found their services to be in demand by wind turbine OEMs and component manufacturers. The thermal spray process applies molten particles to a surface with little to no distortion. It allows for surfaces to be protected from corrosion and can also restore dimensional tolerances to compensate for wear, defects or machining errors. In many cases, this will allow the component to be put into service versus being scrapped.

The initial form of the coating material can be either a rod, wire on a reel, or powdered composition. It is fed into a gun unit where it is heated by either oxy-fuel combustion or electric heating to the molten state. The molten particles are accelerated by a gas stream and impinge upon the desired surface. The resulting overlay has a physical not metallurgical bond that exhibits exceptional bond strength. The coupling of inertially driven/highly plasticized particles can produce a coating with very uniform density and within which, porosity can be limited to 1.5 % or less. Coatings can be metallic, ceramic, or a matrix. Temperature of the component receiving the coating remains under 400°F which limits distortion and changes to the metallurgical structure.

Coating thickness can range from a few thousands to a quarter of an inch, depending upon the coating material and method of application. The surface to be coated must be prepped by removing all grease, oil, and other potential contaminates and then is grit blasted to provide the necessary surface finish for the interface to ensure proper bonding. The spray application of the coating can be done as the component revolves or on a stationary part through the use of a robotic arm or by manual hand application.

To date successful applications within a wind turbine have included gearbox housing bores and main shaft journal build up. Other applications range from turbine engine blades to pump involutes. Practically any application that requires a wear- or corrosion-resistant coating can benefit from this technology. Additionally, when utilized as a corrosion protective coating, the thermal spray process is more environmentally friendly than hex-chrome and has become the preferred alternative to the chrome process.

Nation Coating Systems, Inc. offers classes covering the basics and also latest advancements to help educate interested individuals on the benefits and limitations of this technology. They are located in Franklin Ohio, which is just south of Dayton.

If your company is entering the wind supply chain and you would like to be featured in upcoming newsletters, please contact Mari-Elen Sammon at 216.588.1440 ext. 121.

The Great Lakes WIND Network Website -
Growing Every Day

Since WINDPOWER 2009 in early May, the GLWN website has been a jumping place in the wind industry. www.glwn.org has logged nearly 13,000 visits from some 3,700 new visitors.

Here's what we know about those of you visiting our site:

• The majority (85%) are from the United States.
• Canada (not surprising) and Australia (now that is unexpected) are neck and neck for second place.
• People from 44 countries from around the world have visited glwn.org.

Within the United States:

• Ohioans have visited more than any other state - 1,560 have viewed the pages of our website nearly 31,000 times.
• Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, and Pennsylvania round out the top five visiting states.
• Second only to Ohio, Missouri visitors have viewed the most pages per visit - an average of over 15 pages per visit.
• Only six states have not been represented - Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, Montana, and Wyoming, what are you waiting for?

The GIS Map and Database, which locates and features manufacturers across North America, has had over 6,000 visits from almost 2,000 different visitors.

Our website is just one of the ways the Great Lakes WIND Network is making connections and driving business to U.S. manufacturers. If you haven't visited already, check us out and get listed.

If you've received this e-mail in error or if you don't want to receive any e-mails from us, send a message to aschaum@wire-net.org with the word REMOVE as the subject. Your e-mail address will be removed from our database. Thank you!