Engineering firm enters renewable energy market with transatlantic deal

Grimsby-based engineering firm Technica is entering the renewable energy sector, with a division called Tecnica Energy being founded.

The firm has also secured its first assembly and distribution agreement, which is with Florida-based wind energy experts, Be-Wind LLC.  Technica said the deal followed many months of contractual discussions and the development of capability understanding between all parties.

Commencing immediately, the agreement is the first of this type to be issued by Be-Wind within the UK and Europe.

Technica now have the rights to assemble and distribute the Be-Wind turbines to an exclusive sector of the UK, with specific focus on the micro-commercial onshore power generation market as well as providing assembly and business development support to the Be-Wind operations throughout the remainder of the UK and EU as required.

Paul Clarke, technical lead for wind turbines at Technica Energy, said: “The significant factors attracting us to Be-Wind turbines is their developments in terms of an increased generation window from low wind speed to near hurricane conditions coupled with innovative use of composite materials and a lengthy warranty period.

“Attractive commercial terms with Be-Wind turbines mean that we can offer potential energy investors viable projects with short return on investment periods”.

Director of Business Development at Technica, Richard Law, added: “We are delighted to conclude negotiations with Be-Wind in a successful manner and can now push on to close some of the opportunities which we have already identified.

“Our aim is to complete a flagship project within 12 months at which point we believe the economic benefits will be clear to other potential investors”

Michael Berdan, the CEO of Be-Wind LLC, has developed an efficient and unique dual axis range of small wind turbines. John Archer Business Development Manager for Be-Wind said: “Be-Wind will play a role in the micro-generation energy mix, required to help the UK reach the goal of net zero emissions, in urban and rural locations. With the foresight of Technica Energy and their proposed uses of the turbines, Be-Wind is eager to address the opportunities ahead.”

The firm added that the small footprint of the turbines meant that they were ideally placed for locations where larger wind turbines would either be unsightly or impractical.  Technica are already in discussion with the local authorities of coastal regions and believe that these turbines can become a common feature in the UK attempt to become carbon neutral.  Other potential sites include augmenting power generation at solar farms.

The unique patented concept of the Be-Wind range of turbines incorporate a deflector shield. This blocks air flow that would otherwise cause resistance to the vertical blades, while ensuring the turbine is automatically aligned to the wind, to operate safely in all wind conditions.

The shield directs wind on to two self-starting turbine blades that rotate in opposite directions. This balances the system, reducing noise and vibration, whilst increasing torque and hence power generation performance.

The deflector shield can also be used for marketing purposes and is particularly effective when lit up at night.

Lightweight, durable composite materials make the turbines ideal for roof top or low height pole mounting for urban and rural applications.

John Davison, Managing Director of Technica, added: “This agreement is an exciting milestone for Technica and Be-Wind as we look to bring our project delivery expertise into partnership with the innovative products of Be-Wind.

“I am pleased with the team for pulling together this agreement which will allow Technica to pursue avenues and opportunities in the sustainable energy sector”.

For over 15 years, Technica has developed a capability to design and deliver complex Electrical, Control, Instrumentation, Mechanical and Process engineering solutions.

Having supported a number of UK and International clients with industrial automation, mechanical and infrastructure projects across the oil, gas, petrochemical and industrial process sectors, Technica will add the additional business stream of Technica Energy to its portfolio.