In this episode, the hosts discuss GE Vernova's financial results and blade issues, and announce the Wind Energy O&M Australia Conference. They also touch on innovative wind turbine recycling projects and the latest in safety equipment for wind technicians.

Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard's StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary Barnes' YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us!

Pardalote Consulting - https://www.pardaloteconsulting.comWeather Guard Lightning Tech - www.weatherguardwind.comIntelstor - https://www.intelstor.comWind Energy O&M Australia Conference - https://www.windaustralia.com

Allen Hall: Down in Dunedin, New Zealand, they have a problem with people in front of the airport, uh, hugging it out too long as they depart. They've actually put signs out, max hug time, three minutes. Uh, because they've had problems with people just hanging out, cuddling, I guess, in front of the airport at the, on the drop off area.

And the, when I saw this story, I thought, man, I've been to, I had probably a hundred, at least a hundred U. S. airports and dozens overseas. I've never seen this happen anywhere else on the planet. So maybe just New Zealanders are just friendlier people? They like to cuddle? Is, is that the difference, Rosemary?

Rosemary Barnes: New Zealanders are very friendly, I would say. Yeah, maybe, maybe that's it.

Joel Saxum: It reminds me of my grandma. My grandma would give you a hug and then never let you go. And if you tried to like get away, she'd put her, put a hook around you and that's it. You're, you're there, you're there, you're there for the evening.

Now

Allen Hall: did she give you some candies too? They individually wrapped candies as you, as you departed.

Joel Saxum: She was more of a, less than a individual candy. She was more of like a, here's a rum and coke that, that was my grandmother .

Philip Totaro: We do not encourage underage drinking on the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast.

Allen Hall: Welcome to the Uptime Podcast. I'm your host, Allen Hall, and I'll be joined by my Uptime co hosts after these news headlines. In a major development for the U. S. offshore wind sector, GE Vernova has announced plans to remove and strengthen additional blades at the Vineyard Wind Project off the Massachusetts coast.

This decision follows a blade failure incident in July. G. I. V. Ranoa's Comprehensive Quality Assurance Program now includes the re examination of more than 8, 300 ultrasound images per blade and physical inspection using specialized crawler drones. While eight new towers and nacelles have been installed since mid August, the company emphasizes that operations and power production will resume only after meeting all requisite safety approvals.

Britain's energy sector is undertaking a transformative initiative as energy ministers direct the national energy system operator to develop the country's first strategic spatial plan for energy infrastructure through 2050. This groundbreaking blueprint aims to revolutionize the nation's approach to energy planning by identifying optimal locations for new infrastructure development.

The government anticipates this comprehensive approach will significantly reduce grid connection waiting times. and provide investors with unprecedented clarity on project locations. The initial version of the plan, scheduled for release in 2026, will focus primarily on electricity generation and storage, encompassing offshore wind farms, hydrogen assets, and pump storage hydro facilities.

In Scandinavian waters, Statcraft is advancing ambitious offshore wind development plans with their application for a 2.