Windflow Technology

Windflow Technology was a company based in Christchurch, New Zealand known for its unique wind turbine gearbox design and two-bladed turbines.

Windflow Technology
TypePublic
NZX: WTL
IndustryWind Power
Headquarters
Christchurch
,
New Zealand
Key people
Geoff Henderson
Productswind turbines
Revenue
  • NZ$1.8M (2016)
  • NZ$3.7M (2015)
  • NZ$2.1M (2014)

Founded in 2000 the company was listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange in 2003.[1] In October 2008, Mighty River Power purchased a 19.95% share of Windflow Technology.[2][3] However the company delisted in November 2018 due to its uncertain future.[1]

History
Windflow's prototype wind turbine, installed at Gebbies Pass.

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 they were within the requirement of its resource consent.[4] The turbine was dismantled in 2016.[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 was sold off.[6][7] Windflow Technology supplied 97 turbines for this wind farm[1][8] It was also contracted to supply turbines for Mighty River Power's proposed Long Gully Wind Farm but Mighty River pulled out of the project.[9][10]

The company achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification for the design and production of its Windflow 500 wind turbine in 2008.[11] 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.[11][12][13]

Although Windflow Technology signed a contract to install a Windflow 500 turbine on the island of Shetland in September 2011 it was not until 2012 that they announced their first export of their technology for a turbine on Westray, Orkney.[14][15] The expansion into the UK was encouraged by the UK government's "feed-in tariff".[16] The company was to install eight turbines in Scotland.[17]

In February 2013, Windflow's first exported turbine (a 500 kW turbine) was installed at Hammer Farm on Westray.[18] One turbine was erected at New Holland Farm on the Orkney mainland. [19][20] On Harris in the Outer Hebrides the North Harris Trust worked with Windflow Technology Ltd to install their two-bladed machines that can deal with the turbulent wind conditions found amongst the North Harris hills. Three turbines were installed at Monan in 2014–2015.[21][22] Another turbine was installed at Ludenhill on Orkney, one at Easter Aberchalder, near Inverness, and one north of Edinburgh.[17][23]

From March 2020 the UK turbines were maintained by Constantine Wind Energy.[1]

In March 2012, the company signed a licensing agreement with a subsidiary of large US company General Dynamics (GD Satcom) to 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.[16]

In 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.[24][25]

Windflow went into voluntary liquidation in December 2019.[1][9][26]

See also

References
  1. Harris, Catherine (22 December 2019). "Wind turbine maker Windflow Technology put into liquidation". Stuff. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  2. "Mighty River Power takes stake in NZ's Windflow". Reuters. 16 October 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  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. 9 October 2004.
  5. Hutching, Chris (23 August 2017). "Windflow sorts $21m debt, agrees to Gebbies Pass turbine conditions". Stuff. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  6. Steeman, Marta (27 November 2014). "Windflow aims another blow at NZ Windfarms". Stuff. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  7. Law, Tina (1 July 2008). "Generator buys Windflow stake". The Press.
  8. "Wind bridges energy shortfall", Electrical Automation, August/September 2007.
  9. Evans, Gavin (24 December 2019). "Wind turbine business Windflow Technology runs out of time, money". The New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  10. Heather, Ben (9 June 2010). "Mighty River pulls out of wind project". Stuff. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  11. "Windflow marks Major Engineering Achievement - NZX, New Zealand's Exchange". www.nzx.com. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  12. "Windflow turbine wins OK". The Timaru Herald. 16 October 2010.
  13. "Windflow marks Major Engineering Achievement". www.scoop.co.nz. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  14. BusinessDesk (23 September 2011). "Windflow Technology signs first UK turbine deal | Stuff.co.nz". Stuff. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  15. Heatley, Phil (18 October 2012). "Export of Windflow Technology wind turbine". The Beehive. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  16. Hartley, Simon (4 March 2013). "Windflow chases UK, US markets". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  17. "Projects – Windflow Technology Ltd - UK". web.archive.org. 26 December 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  18. "Chch wind company seizes lucrative UK Energy offer". www.scoop.co.nz. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  19. "Windflow to ship second 500-kW turbine to UK". Renewablesnow.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  20. "New Holland Farm – Windflow Technology Ltd - UK". web.archive.org. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  21. "North Harris Trust. Wind Turbines". www.north-harris.org. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  22. "Monan – Windflow Technology Ltd - UK". web.archive.org. 2 November 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  23. "Windflow Technology Preliminary Announcement - NZX, New Zealand's Exchange". www.nzx.com. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  24. "New Prototype Turbine Commissioned in Texas - NZX, New Zealand's Exchange". www.nzx.com. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  25. "Two-Bladed Wind Turbine Powers Texas Desalination Plant". North American Windpower. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  26. Harris, Catherine (24 December 2019). "Founder of failed Windflow Technology still sees opportunity for wind power". Stuff. Retrieved 6 June 2020.

Further reading
  • Daniels, Chris. "Wind finally blows in right direction" New Zealand Herald, 28 May 2005, p.C6
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