Ways in which crawler cranes work are important when wanting to either lift or lower certain materials. Their ability to operate on virtually any type surface, including mushy terrain, gives an upper hand over other equipment choices. Best known for giving assistance in moving, raising and lowering heavy objects, this valuable piece of equipment has become extremely useful in certain industries, including construction, cargo management and public works.
Because they are equipped with crawler tracks, rather than wheels, maneuvering around a job site can be done with ease and agility. Because certain jobs are located in small spaces, the crawler crane can be found in many sizes. Their components also vary to meet the demands of an individual project, giving many advantages towards efficiency and effectiveness.
Metallic beams, or booms are pieces of metal that are made to better help reach materials or other work materials. Two type of booms consist of articulating and telescoping, both of which are constructed of properties which pertain to improving the reach for accessing work loads. Extensions can be added on to a boom for longer extensions, which is the only known solution for lengthening.
Safety components are an integral make up of a crawler crane, to ensure the maximum amount of safety while in operation. Since they are bulky, heavy and wide, stability is easy to come by. Anti-tipping features prevent becoming top heavy and reduces the chances for operator injury. There are also anti-current aspects which guard against the possibility for electrocution in the event that it comes in contact with power lines.
Steel cages are added to the cabs of cranes to shield any debris or loose materials that have the potential of crushing the driver. This is an added safety component included in the manufacturing of equipment this size. Ease of movement for the boom is better given by rotating gear, which allows the driver to manipulate loads within the cab.
New customers are surfacing with every passing day and are requesting cranes for jobs, depending on how many tons will be lifted or moved and what specific functions will be required. Patrons want stability and safety in the equipment they use. As of now, there are high demands for crawler cranes, in this order, within the thermal power field, followed by urban infrastructure, and lastly, the steel sectors.
One of the most expensive aspects of the crawler crane is the cost that is required when moving from one job site to another. In order to do this, transport must be done by use of truck, rail or barge. The larger the size, the cost of dismantling, loading, mapping out haul routes and reassembling increases. For the largest type crane, it can take up to 15 or more truck trailer units.
In order to operate a crawler crane, one must become certified. This can be done through an employer or a third party training agency, where areas of testing will include physical, written and operational requirements. No matter what the job needs, a crane can grab, lift, move and place materials with ease and will prove to be effective and efficient.
Barnhart Crane and Rigging Company offers phenomenal crane service. Check out a couple of our specialties: Crane Serviceand Machinery Moving.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Different Types Of Construction Cranes Used All Over The World
There are many types of construction cranes used all over the world. The models can be divided into two main categories, fixed and mobile. Each category has multiple models that are used in an array of building settings.
The mobile units available have designs that are affixed to wheels, boats, barges, and tracks. The wheeled models include an all terrain, rough terrain, side lift and truck-mounted designs. These models provide the operator the maneuverability to traverse small to medium project sites.
These types of mobile vehicles can drive along public streets and are quite easy to move from job to job, giving them an advantage over other vehicles. Using a hydraulic set of legs to stabilize them, these models are not able to maneuver around a project while moving materials. They are however perfect for smaller structure builds and home repairs and upgrades.
The crawler design is mounted on a set of tracks which allow it to traverse muddy and rougher terrain that other vehicles cannot. Unlike other mobile models this machine does not require the use of outriggers and can move around while carrying a load. The crawler design is too heavy for conventional transportation, so it has to be disassembled and transported via ship, train or truck.
Railroad models are designed to run along pre-existing railroad tracks and used to load and unload train cars and are also used to lay new tracks. The floating design is mounted onto a barge and is most commonly used for building bridges and ports. Some models are attached to boats and used to remove items from underwater during salvage and archaeological expeditions.
With the ability to turn in a complete circle and extend to extreme heights, the tower model is perfect for building skyscrapers and other tall buildings. Another design that is quite useful in temporary situations is a telescopic model. Designed for short term duties this model incorporates multiple tubes that are connected and operated using hydraulics to extend and retract the boom. This model is quite often used in rescue missions.
Affixed to two identical beams that traverse the length of a factory building or shipyard structure is an overhead design. This is just one of the many fixed types of construction cranes that are used in the field. This design allows the operator to move materials such as car frames and shipping containers from one location to another with ease.
This article is brought to you by Barnhart Crane & Rigging Company, providing the best crane service for decades. For more about our quality services, please visit our Crane Service and Machinery Moving web pages.
The mobile units available have designs that are affixed to wheels, boats, barges, and tracks. The wheeled models include an all terrain, rough terrain, side lift and truck-mounted designs. These models provide the operator the maneuverability to traverse small to medium project sites.
These types of mobile vehicles can drive along public streets and are quite easy to move from job to job, giving them an advantage over other vehicles. Using a hydraulic set of legs to stabilize them, these models are not able to maneuver around a project while moving materials. They are however perfect for smaller structure builds and home repairs and upgrades.
The crawler design is mounted on a set of tracks which allow it to traverse muddy and rougher terrain that other vehicles cannot. Unlike other mobile models this machine does not require the use of outriggers and can move around while carrying a load. The crawler design is too heavy for conventional transportation, so it has to be disassembled and transported via ship, train or truck.
Railroad models are designed to run along pre-existing railroad tracks and used to load and unload train cars and are also used to lay new tracks. The floating design is mounted onto a barge and is most commonly used for building bridges and ports. Some models are attached to boats and used to remove items from underwater during salvage and archaeological expeditions.
With the ability to turn in a complete circle and extend to extreme heights, the tower model is perfect for building skyscrapers and other tall buildings. Another design that is quite useful in temporary situations is a telescopic model. Designed for short term duties this model incorporates multiple tubes that are connected and operated using hydraulics to extend and retract the boom. This model is quite often used in rescue missions.
Affixed to two identical beams that traverse the length of a factory building or shipyard structure is an overhead design. This is just one of the many fixed types of construction cranes that are used in the field. This design allows the operator to move materials such as car frames and shipping containers from one location to another with ease.
This article is brought to you by Barnhart Crane & Rigging Company, providing the best crane service for decades. For more about our quality services, please visit our Crane Service and Machinery Moving web pages.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Heavy Materials And Their Rigging Equipment
The rigging equipment used for transporting heavy machinery includes semis, dollies, jacks, forklifts, and cranes. Having access to tools that can lift and transport upwards of 160 ton pieces of machinery is quite useful. These types of tools are usually used during hospital construction or renovation and also restaurant renovation.
The process of transporting items such as these begins with the use of a hydraulic jack to lift up the item. The load is then set onto a hydraulic dolly, from there a forklift assists with moving it from the building. Once outside a crane picks up the item and loads it onto a truck for transport.
Hydraulic jacks are required for lifting the objects onto the awaiting dollies. The compact toe jack model can lift items up to 20 tons and has wheels installed for easy transportation purposes. The forks are referred to as toes and are very thin in this model to provide low ground clearance.
The cylinder toe jack model is ideal for confined areas and comes in two designs. One model is capable of lifting up to 20 tons and the other model uses a motor designed to lift upwards of 50 tons. This jack is very versatile because it can be used horizontally and vertically depending on the requirements. If two jacks are needed, an extra pump system can be added to operate two jacks at one time.
The dollies that are used come in a variety of designs, including transporting, rotating, tandem, and air powered models. Transport models come in two separate weight classes, the first being 0 to 24 tons and the second are 25 to 160 tons. The designs have a front section that is steerable and a rear assembly that helps to stabilize the load.
Rotating dollies are designed for confined spaces and offer full 360 degree movement, this allows the operator to move loads sideways and around corners with ease. Tandem dollies handle loads up to 24 tons in weight and are designed for loads that have their center of gravity to one side or the other. Something to keep in mind is the fact they are limited to 45 degrees of turning radius, so it is wise to make sure this is the right model for the job.
New to the world of rigging equipment is the air powered transport dolly. This model makes use of an air compressor and corded remote control to move the load. Using this type of system saves a person from hurting their back or other muscles.
Barnhart Crane and Rigging Companying stands by their rigging equipment to provide optimal services in the heavy industry. Check out how we go out of our way for our customers with our Crane Service and Machinery Moving.
The process of transporting items such as these begins with the use of a hydraulic jack to lift up the item. The load is then set onto a hydraulic dolly, from there a forklift assists with moving it from the building. Once outside a crane picks up the item and loads it onto a truck for transport.
Hydraulic jacks are required for lifting the objects onto the awaiting dollies. The compact toe jack model can lift items up to 20 tons and has wheels installed for easy transportation purposes. The forks are referred to as toes and are very thin in this model to provide low ground clearance.
The cylinder toe jack model is ideal for confined areas and comes in two designs. One model is capable of lifting up to 20 tons and the other model uses a motor designed to lift upwards of 50 tons. This jack is very versatile because it can be used horizontally and vertically depending on the requirements. If two jacks are needed, an extra pump system can be added to operate two jacks at one time.
The dollies that are used come in a variety of designs, including transporting, rotating, tandem, and air powered models. Transport models come in two separate weight classes, the first being 0 to 24 tons and the second are 25 to 160 tons. The designs have a front section that is steerable and a rear assembly that helps to stabilize the load.
Rotating dollies are designed for confined spaces and offer full 360 degree movement, this allows the operator to move loads sideways and around corners with ease. Tandem dollies handle loads up to 24 tons in weight and are designed for loads that have their center of gravity to one side or the other. Something to keep in mind is the fact they are limited to 45 degrees of turning radius, so it is wise to make sure this is the right model for the job.
New to the world of rigging equipment is the air powered transport dolly. This model makes use of an air compressor and corded remote control to move the load. Using this type of system saves a person from hurting their back or other muscles.
Barnhart Crane and Rigging Companying stands by their rigging equipment to provide optimal services in the heavy industry. Check out how we go out of our way for our customers with our Crane Service and Machinery Moving.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Mastering Customer Loyalty With Customer Service In Five Easy Steps
A couple of months ago in January, the SAS Institute, in conjunction with the Loyalty Marketer's Association, published a study that demonstrated the importance of customer loyalty. What were the results? Out of all the business-to-business companies surveyed, forty-five percent (45%) earned sixty percent (60%) of news sales from former customers.
In fact, many businesses follow the 80-20 rule by which they earn 80% of their revenues from 20% of their customers. They follow this rule because loyal customers will return time and time again if you initially win them over.
However, we must ask: how does one build a base of loyal customers? As a matter of fact, many loyalty programs and customer loyalty consultants have been developed over the past few decades to answer this hard question.
In an attempt to shed some light on this question, Sapherion Staffing conducted a survey back in November 2010 on customer preferences. They found that, besides the quality and price of products or services, customers look to customer service first when choosing between companies.
This simply proves that customer service will build customer loyalty and ensure higher profits over the long run. As a result, we have put together this short list below to offer some guidelines on customer service so that you may build customer loyalty.
Availability and Friendliness: Be Approachable. When a customer calls, you should answer immediately. Most likely they need something from you, and answering sooner beats the heck out of answering later, when the customer might become disgruntled. Not only is applying this rule beneficial to phone calls, but it is also great to use with other communication media: letters, faxes, messages, e-mail, etc.
Furthermore, you should not only respond quickly, but you should also be cordial when engaging customers by offering a friendly smile or responding to all of their concerns, no matter how irrelevant and inane. Be professional, of course, but be your customer's friend as well.
Being approachable makes you more trustworthy, and face-to-face meetings encourage both approachability and trustworthiness. If personal meetings aren't possible, phone calls are the next best alternative.
But you must remember that your customers are human, and each person will possess a unique personality. You should get to know your customer, accommodate to his personality, and be someone your customer feels comfortable with.
Honor and Virtue: Be Trustworthy. When you say something to a client, you need to be ready to back it up. Every time you diligently keep your word, the more the client will trust you.
In fact, a virtuous posture demonstrates a trustworthy stance. Customers want to be treated fairly and respectfully.
We all know that millions of schemes flood the marketplace everyday and jade your potential client, and as a result, most customers will rightly have a healthy sense of skepticism. You need to demonstrate that quality service is more important than making profits.
If you first commit to customer service by way of virtue and building trust, then customers will gladly return to you for future services.
Feedback and Improvement: Be Helpful. When your customers know that you listen to them and go to great lengths to apply their feedback, your customer service will naturally and exponentially increase. If you're customers know that you are working hard for them, then they will be honest with you, and that commitment will most likely lead them to come back to you again.
Preferably, systematically collecting feedback yields the highest possibility for improvement. Take an inventory of your services or products, and ask your customers to take a survey, either written or oral.
This data will blatantly expose your strengths and weaknesses. You need to correct the wrongs, of course, but you shouldn't just disregard what you're doing well. In fact, you should improve on your strengths as well by maintaining a high-level of quality and finding creative ways to implement your strengths elsewhere.
Expertise and Detail: Be Attentive. All employees should be experts in your field, knowing the general day-to-day operations of the company in addition to cutting edge innovations in the markets. All employees should read reputable trade journals, competitors' publications, and any other media that help improve your employees' competence.
Having a thorough knowledge of everything pertaining to your business will again build trust with your customers. And although this echoes the guideline above, a particular employee that pays attention to a particular customer and his feedback will not only establish a solid foundation for trust but also open up a familiar customer-employee relationship to conduct future business.
In other words, your expertise will impress new and old customers alike.
Humility and Flexibility: Be "Wrong". Just because you are wrong doesn't mean you're incompetent; rather, being wrong implies the opposite: the customer is always right.
It doesn't take an economists to realize that customers keep you in business, and encouraging them to come back will ensure future business, but as a result, we should always aim to exceed their expectations. Every now and then, we make mistakes, and we should openly admit our mistakes and consequently fix it. An occasional mistake won't ruin your customer base, but reacting well to it will demonstrate your humanity and unparalleled commitment to customer service. We're human, we make errors, and a customer will forgive, and maybe appreciate, an occasional mistake or two if we go all out to rectify them.
This extra-effort in going-out-of-your-way will build trust, earn respect, and guarantee loyalty over time. If you treat every customer as a VIP, they feel important and connected to your business.
A certain flexibility with your customers will most easily separate you from the rest of your competitors. If you go out of your way for customers, they may recognize that other companies in your field don't work as hard for the customer as you do, and they will return to you time and time again.
Where do you go from here? Make the best of your customer service, develop more customer loyalty, and reap higher profits.
This article is brought to you by Barnhart Crane & Rigging Company, striving for customer loyalty with customer service. For more about our quality services, please visit our Crane Service and Machinery Moving web pages.
In fact, many businesses follow the 80-20 rule by which they earn 80% of their revenues from 20% of their customers. They follow this rule because loyal customers will return time and time again if you initially win them over.
However, we must ask: how does one build a base of loyal customers? As a matter of fact, many loyalty programs and customer loyalty consultants have been developed over the past few decades to answer this hard question.
In an attempt to shed some light on this question, Sapherion Staffing conducted a survey back in November 2010 on customer preferences. They found that, besides the quality and price of products or services, customers look to customer service first when choosing between companies.
This simply proves that customer service will build customer loyalty and ensure higher profits over the long run. As a result, we have put together this short list below to offer some guidelines on customer service so that you may build customer loyalty.
Availability and Friendliness: Be Approachable. When a customer calls, you should answer immediately. Most likely they need something from you, and answering sooner beats the heck out of answering later, when the customer might become disgruntled. Not only is applying this rule beneficial to phone calls, but it is also great to use with other communication media: letters, faxes, messages, e-mail, etc.
Furthermore, you should not only respond quickly, but you should also be cordial when engaging customers by offering a friendly smile or responding to all of their concerns, no matter how irrelevant and inane. Be professional, of course, but be your customer's friend as well.
Being approachable makes you more trustworthy, and face-to-face meetings encourage both approachability and trustworthiness. If personal meetings aren't possible, phone calls are the next best alternative.
But you must remember that your customers are human, and each person will possess a unique personality. You should get to know your customer, accommodate to his personality, and be someone your customer feels comfortable with.
Honor and Virtue: Be Trustworthy. When you say something to a client, you need to be ready to back it up. Every time you diligently keep your word, the more the client will trust you.
In fact, a virtuous posture demonstrates a trustworthy stance. Customers want to be treated fairly and respectfully.
We all know that millions of schemes flood the marketplace everyday and jade your potential client, and as a result, most customers will rightly have a healthy sense of skepticism. You need to demonstrate that quality service is more important than making profits.
If you first commit to customer service by way of virtue and building trust, then customers will gladly return to you for future services.
Feedback and Improvement: Be Helpful. When your customers know that you listen to them and go to great lengths to apply their feedback, your customer service will naturally and exponentially increase. If you're customers know that you are working hard for them, then they will be honest with you, and that commitment will most likely lead them to come back to you again.
Preferably, systematically collecting feedback yields the highest possibility for improvement. Take an inventory of your services or products, and ask your customers to take a survey, either written or oral.
This data will blatantly expose your strengths and weaknesses. You need to correct the wrongs, of course, but you shouldn't just disregard what you're doing well. In fact, you should improve on your strengths as well by maintaining a high-level of quality and finding creative ways to implement your strengths elsewhere.
Expertise and Detail: Be Attentive. All employees should be experts in your field, knowing the general day-to-day operations of the company in addition to cutting edge innovations in the markets. All employees should read reputable trade journals, competitors' publications, and any other media that help improve your employees' competence.
Having a thorough knowledge of everything pertaining to your business will again build trust with your customers. And although this echoes the guideline above, a particular employee that pays attention to a particular customer and his feedback will not only establish a solid foundation for trust but also open up a familiar customer-employee relationship to conduct future business.
In other words, your expertise will impress new and old customers alike.
Humility and Flexibility: Be "Wrong". Just because you are wrong doesn't mean you're incompetent; rather, being wrong implies the opposite: the customer is always right.
It doesn't take an economists to realize that customers keep you in business, and encouraging them to come back will ensure future business, but as a result, we should always aim to exceed their expectations. Every now and then, we make mistakes, and we should openly admit our mistakes and consequently fix it. An occasional mistake won't ruin your customer base, but reacting well to it will demonstrate your humanity and unparalleled commitment to customer service. We're human, we make errors, and a customer will forgive, and maybe appreciate, an occasional mistake or two if we go all out to rectify them.
This extra-effort in going-out-of-your-way will build trust, earn respect, and guarantee loyalty over time. If you treat every customer as a VIP, they feel important and connected to your business.
A certain flexibility with your customers will most easily separate you from the rest of your competitors. If you go out of your way for customers, they may recognize that other companies in your field don't work as hard for the customer as you do, and they will return to you time and time again.
Where do you go from here? Make the best of your customer service, develop more customer loyalty, and reap higher profits.
This article is brought to you by Barnhart Crane & Rigging Company, striving for customer loyalty with customer service. For more about our quality services, please visit our Crane Service and Machinery Moving web pages.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Building Values, Building Great Construction Business
To be one of the best construction businesses, companies must consider numerous aspects of their business. From business planning to day-to-day operations, improving all aspects of the company will transform your business from mediocre to great.
Since there are so many things to consider, the easiest way to transform all of your business practices is to create a list of core values. Not only do mission statements and core values enhance a positive reputation, but they also provide moral standards for your entire company to work and act by. Being great beats the heck out of just appearing great!
Setting high standards is the first step to great business. These values will shape your entire business. The following list will give your business a purpose and some standards to work by everyday.
Safety. Safety is perhaps one of the most important standards in the construction industry. In addition to protecting your company and avoiding liability, you should aim to make your customers feel safe, and in doing so, they will rest comfortably knowing you are doing the job right. If safety is a priority, a stellar track record will market itself.
Quality Service. We don't mean to insult your intelligence with this value, but we would like to note that quality service means more than meeting industry standards. In fact, quality service requires that you go above and beyond the standards, and this value will ultimately set you apart from your competitors. Raise the bar higher than everyone else, and this extra effort will yield more business from customers.
Innovation. Although budget may restrict you from buying into cutting-edge technology, any improvements you can make to your equipment, service, or management will elicit higher efficiency. Make it a priority to study the market, research new methods in the industry, and apply them to your particular fields. This will give you an edge on your competitors, and again, make you stand out in your market.
Continuous Improvement. We've all heard, "there's always room for improvement." And this is definitely true, you should always be looking at the internal processes of the company to see what could be more effective and efficiency. If you do this, you will save time and money, in addition to boosting your services, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
Fairness. Honesty, transparency, and fairness are all virtues you should strive for with your customers, employees, and vendors. You should not make your fairness very rigid either; by that, I mean forgiveness and compassion towards others will build trust and respect. Stay true to your word, provide fair prices, and pay your employees well. Virtue works just as well in the business world as it does in personal affairs.
Profit with a Purpose. We all know that profits are necessary for the future of a company. When you make money, you must invest in the company to extend its life.
However, when you make excess money, you should consider what purpose you are serving with the extra bread. There are, in fact, many benevolent uses for that money.
Most of the time, you may attribute the profits to the hard work and long hours expended by your employees. Treating your employees well, increasing their pay and benefits, and offering educational opportunities will build incentive for your employees to keep up the hard work.
Similarly, you may consider charitable giving. Charitable donations not only allow for tax-deductions, but you can reach out a helping hand to the less-fortunate, the sick, the homeless, and others in need. Profiting with a purpose allows your company to work for something greater than the work you do and provide for those in your community and society at large, and all of this will only multiply your company's success, materially and immaterially.
The bottom line remains: core values shape everything your company is and does. Construct positive foundations for your company to act by, set exceptional goals, and as a result, you will base your company in greatness and move it toward greater and greater business.
Barnhart Crane and Rigging Company stands on these core values and only strives for greatness. See how we are going the extra mile with our Crane Service and Machinery Moving.
Since there are so many things to consider, the easiest way to transform all of your business practices is to create a list of core values. Not only do mission statements and core values enhance a positive reputation, but they also provide moral standards for your entire company to work and act by. Being great beats the heck out of just appearing great!
Setting high standards is the first step to great business. These values will shape your entire business. The following list will give your business a purpose and some standards to work by everyday.
Safety. Safety is perhaps one of the most important standards in the construction industry. In addition to protecting your company and avoiding liability, you should aim to make your customers feel safe, and in doing so, they will rest comfortably knowing you are doing the job right. If safety is a priority, a stellar track record will market itself.
Quality Service. We don't mean to insult your intelligence with this value, but we would like to note that quality service means more than meeting industry standards. In fact, quality service requires that you go above and beyond the standards, and this value will ultimately set you apart from your competitors. Raise the bar higher than everyone else, and this extra effort will yield more business from customers.
Innovation. Although budget may restrict you from buying into cutting-edge technology, any improvements you can make to your equipment, service, or management will elicit higher efficiency. Make it a priority to study the market, research new methods in the industry, and apply them to your particular fields. This will give you an edge on your competitors, and again, make you stand out in your market.
Continuous Improvement. We've all heard, "there's always room for improvement." And this is definitely true, you should always be looking at the internal processes of the company to see what could be more effective and efficiency. If you do this, you will save time and money, in addition to boosting your services, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
Fairness. Honesty, transparency, and fairness are all virtues you should strive for with your customers, employees, and vendors. You should not make your fairness very rigid either; by that, I mean forgiveness and compassion towards others will build trust and respect. Stay true to your word, provide fair prices, and pay your employees well. Virtue works just as well in the business world as it does in personal affairs.
Profit with a Purpose. We all know that profits are necessary for the future of a company. When you make money, you must invest in the company to extend its life.
However, when you make excess money, you should consider what purpose you are serving with the extra bread. There are, in fact, many benevolent uses for that money.
Most of the time, you may attribute the profits to the hard work and long hours expended by your employees. Treating your employees well, increasing their pay and benefits, and offering educational opportunities will build incentive for your employees to keep up the hard work.
Similarly, you may consider charitable giving. Charitable donations not only allow for tax-deductions, but you can reach out a helping hand to the less-fortunate, the sick, the homeless, and others in need. Profiting with a purpose allows your company to work for something greater than the work you do and provide for those in your community and society at large, and all of this will only multiply your company's success, materially and immaterially.
The bottom line remains: core values shape everything your company is and does. Construct positive foundations for your company to act by, set exceptional goals, and as a result, you will base your company in greatness and move it toward greater and greater business.
Barnhart Crane and Rigging Company stands on these core values and only strives for greatness. See how we are going the extra mile with our Crane Service and Machinery Moving.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Wind Becoming A Great Alternative Energy Source
On all sides of the energy debate, almost all seek alternative energy sources, whether it be for economic, environmental, or natural reasons. An increasingly viable source of energy today is wind power.
In fact, wind power clearly seems to be a viable, clean alternative energy source that some contend attribute to global warming. Despite any perspectives one may take on the subject, wind farms are popping up every where in the United States, generating seven times more power than a decade ago to harness the abundance of naturally occurring energy.
In 2000, the wind power capacity in the United States totaled less than 5,000 megawatts (MW). Today, the capacity exceeds 35,000 MW, which roughly equates into enough energy to power 9.7 million homes, according to the American Wind Energy Association.
The U.S. is not alone in this wind power initiative. Over 80 countries worldwide rely on wind energy, generating a total world capacity of 159.2 gigawatts (GW) in 2009. The energy production that year amounted to 340 terawatt-hours (TWh), roughly 2% of the world's energy consumption according to Worldwatch.org.
Some leaders around the globe are Denmark, Germany, Spain. Denmark generates 20% of its energy from wind power, Germany rolls out 7%, and in parts of 2008, 40% of Spain's monthly energy usage derived from wind power.
The United States, however, has utilized its wind farms as well. Minnesota cranks out 7% of its energy from wind, and Iowa produces a high 14% of its energy out of wind resources. Texas, however, leads the U.S. in the number of wind farms and the maximum wind power capacity. Texas' capacity stands currently at 9,506 MW. Fourteen other states have a capacity exceeding 1,000 MW.
This rise in wind power has been accompanied by the U.S. and particular state governments subsidizing wind power plants. Likewise, the U.S. government provides tax credit for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) produced. Many states will reduce property taxes for wind farms, and many manufactures will pay utility premiums that go toward subsidizing new wind power plants.
In fact, wind - an abundant natural and renewable resource - converts to electricity very easily. After building the enormous wind turbines, the highest expense for wind farms, winds turns the large arms, like a pinwheel, which turns gears in a generator that converts the wind motion to energy.
Although the construction of turbines and wind farms is the most expensive investment in harnessing this new energy, many estimate that maintenance only costs around one cent per kWh. However, the government's regulation of electricity prices often thwarts the potential profitability of wind farms.
Political and economic influences shall determine the outcome of the wind market; however, wind generated power has remained a viable, clean alternative energy source in the past decade. In the future, we could expect the development of wind energy, in addition to nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, biomass, and geothermic energies.
Serving in the crane industry for decades, Barnhart Crane and Rigging Companying provides the best in Crane Service andMachinery Moving.
In fact, wind power clearly seems to be a viable, clean alternative energy source that some contend attribute to global warming. Despite any perspectives one may take on the subject, wind farms are popping up every where in the United States, generating seven times more power than a decade ago to harness the abundance of naturally occurring energy.
In 2000, the wind power capacity in the United States totaled less than 5,000 megawatts (MW). Today, the capacity exceeds 35,000 MW, which roughly equates into enough energy to power 9.7 million homes, according to the American Wind Energy Association.
The U.S. is not alone in this wind power initiative. Over 80 countries worldwide rely on wind energy, generating a total world capacity of 159.2 gigawatts (GW) in 2009. The energy production that year amounted to 340 terawatt-hours (TWh), roughly 2% of the world's energy consumption according to Worldwatch.org.
Some leaders around the globe are Denmark, Germany, Spain. Denmark generates 20% of its energy from wind power, Germany rolls out 7%, and in parts of 2008, 40% of Spain's monthly energy usage derived from wind power.
The United States, however, has utilized its wind farms as well. Minnesota cranks out 7% of its energy from wind, and Iowa produces a high 14% of its energy out of wind resources. Texas, however, leads the U.S. in the number of wind farms and the maximum wind power capacity. Texas' capacity stands currently at 9,506 MW. Fourteen other states have a capacity exceeding 1,000 MW.
This rise in wind power has been accompanied by the U.S. and particular state governments subsidizing wind power plants. Likewise, the U.S. government provides tax credit for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) produced. Many states will reduce property taxes for wind farms, and many manufactures will pay utility premiums that go toward subsidizing new wind power plants.
In fact, wind - an abundant natural and renewable resource - converts to electricity very easily. After building the enormous wind turbines, the highest expense for wind farms, winds turns the large arms, like a pinwheel, which turns gears in a generator that converts the wind motion to energy.
Although the construction of turbines and wind farms is the most expensive investment in harnessing this new energy, many estimate that maintenance only costs around one cent per kWh. However, the government's regulation of electricity prices often thwarts the potential profitability of wind farms.
Political and economic influences shall determine the outcome of the wind market; however, wind generated power has remained a viable, clean alternative energy source in the past decade. In the future, we could expect the development of wind energy, in addition to nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, biomass, and geothermic energies.
Serving in the crane industry for decades, Barnhart Crane and Rigging Companying provides the best in Crane Service andMachinery Moving.
How Does Nuclear Power Work?
Scientists have long manipulated the process of fission, in which an atom splits into two smaller pieces. This occurs naturally as well as by human manipulation. The natural occurrence takes millions of years, but scientists now can speed up the process through induce fission.
The most common element used for nuclear power is uranium. Uranium's natural fission process takes millions of years. For example, the half-life of Uranium, or the amount of time for Uranium to lose half of its mass, takes 4.5 billion years.
We find Uranium in three natural forms: Uranium-238, U-235, and U-234. All forms will naturally go through fission as radioactive decay occurs. Since it takes so long, scientists may induce fission in U-235.
Overtime, Uranium will experience decay by alpha radiation, a natural occurrence in which an alpha particle, made up of two protons and two neutrons bound together, break apart from the nucleus of the atom. Scientist induce this process in Uranium-235 by emitting a neutron into the element's nucleus, after which the atoms split immediately.
Fission results in a lot of heat with gamma radiation. This radiation, also known as electromagnetic radiation, occurs as photons, the most basic particles of light, separate from the Uranium. The resulting particles eventually emit gamma and beat radiation.
For this entire process to work, all Uranium must be enriched with at least three percent -235. For a frame of reference, nuclear weapons require a minimum of 90% enrichment.
After creating the appropriate proportions, the Uranium is molded into small, 1-inch pellets. These pellets sit in a rod that hold in the radiation and can withstand exorbitantly high temperatures.
The scientists then collect many of these rods into a huge tub of water, which acts as a coolant. When the neutrons are shot into the rods, the fission occurs and the rods absorb the radiation and the heat. The rods then heat up the water turning it into steam.
In fact, engineers generate nuclear power much like they do with coal. As nuclear processes emit heat, the energy released, in turn, heats water into steam. This steam then turns turbines to transform mechanical energy into electricity.
In some plants, a secondary or intermediary tub of water will power the turbines, so that radioactive water never comes into contact with the turbines. In these cases, a different liquid may be used in the primary reactor, such as liquid carbon dioxide, potassium, or sodium, which can sustain higher temperatures.
The entire process espoused so far is housed by three different walls. The first wall is a large concrete barrier that contains all of the radioactive materials. The second wall, a large, steel barrier, houses the rest of the nuclear reactor and all plant staff. Finally, a third concrete wall closes in the rest of the power plant to avoid any possible accidents or to withstand any natural disasters.
The outside of the nuclear power plants also resemble coal plants. The main difference is that nuclear power plants hire much more safety personnel to monitor more closely all of the nuclear processes.
Likewise, nuclear costs are comparable to coal costs, while nuclear power plants do not emit anywhere close to the amount of carbon dioxide produced by coal plants. On the other hand, they do produce harmful, radioactive materials. But the structure of the plant itself, a large staff, and very responsible management will almost always avoid any exposure of radioactive material to the local environment.
Because there are so few nuclear power plants in the U.S. and the rest of the world, we should not worry about the amounts of radioactive material being produced by power plants. It's when these processes are in careless hands should we worry, as we saw in 1986 with the poorly managed nuclear plant Chernobyl in Ukraine.
As we continue to research new energy resources, nuclear power may top our options. Much research is being done to minimize the amount of waste produced in addition to finding the best ways to dispose of it. Likewise, many scientists have been researching nuclear fusion which produces much, much more energy with a minuscule amount of waste.
Serving in the nuclear industry for decades, Barnhart Crane and Rigging Company provides quality services in the heavy construction industry. For more on Barnhart services, please read about our Crane Service and Machinery Moving.
The most common element used for nuclear power is uranium. Uranium's natural fission process takes millions of years. For example, the half-life of Uranium, or the amount of time for Uranium to lose half of its mass, takes 4.5 billion years.
We find Uranium in three natural forms: Uranium-238, U-235, and U-234. All forms will naturally go through fission as radioactive decay occurs. Since it takes so long, scientists may induce fission in U-235.
Overtime, Uranium will experience decay by alpha radiation, a natural occurrence in which an alpha particle, made up of two protons and two neutrons bound together, break apart from the nucleus of the atom. Scientist induce this process in Uranium-235 by emitting a neutron into the element's nucleus, after which the atoms split immediately.
Fission results in a lot of heat with gamma radiation. This radiation, also known as electromagnetic radiation, occurs as photons, the most basic particles of light, separate from the Uranium. The resulting particles eventually emit gamma and beat radiation.
For this entire process to work, all Uranium must be enriched with at least three percent -235. For a frame of reference, nuclear weapons require a minimum of 90% enrichment.
After creating the appropriate proportions, the Uranium is molded into small, 1-inch pellets. These pellets sit in a rod that hold in the radiation and can withstand exorbitantly high temperatures.
The scientists then collect many of these rods into a huge tub of water, which acts as a coolant. When the neutrons are shot into the rods, the fission occurs and the rods absorb the radiation and the heat. The rods then heat up the water turning it into steam.
In fact, engineers generate nuclear power much like they do with coal. As nuclear processes emit heat, the energy released, in turn, heats water into steam. This steam then turns turbines to transform mechanical energy into electricity.
In some plants, a secondary or intermediary tub of water will power the turbines, so that radioactive water never comes into contact with the turbines. In these cases, a different liquid may be used in the primary reactor, such as liquid carbon dioxide, potassium, or sodium, which can sustain higher temperatures.
The entire process espoused so far is housed by three different walls. The first wall is a large concrete barrier that contains all of the radioactive materials. The second wall, a large, steel barrier, houses the rest of the nuclear reactor and all plant staff. Finally, a third concrete wall closes in the rest of the power plant to avoid any possible accidents or to withstand any natural disasters.
The outside of the nuclear power plants also resemble coal plants. The main difference is that nuclear power plants hire much more safety personnel to monitor more closely all of the nuclear processes.
Likewise, nuclear costs are comparable to coal costs, while nuclear power plants do not emit anywhere close to the amount of carbon dioxide produced by coal plants. On the other hand, they do produce harmful, radioactive materials. But the structure of the plant itself, a large staff, and very responsible management will almost always avoid any exposure of radioactive material to the local environment.
Because there are so few nuclear power plants in the U.S. and the rest of the world, we should not worry about the amounts of radioactive material being produced by power plants. It's when these processes are in careless hands should we worry, as we saw in 1986 with the poorly managed nuclear plant Chernobyl in Ukraine.
As we continue to research new energy resources, nuclear power may top our options. Much research is being done to minimize the amount of waste produced in addition to finding the best ways to dispose of it. Likewise, many scientists have been researching nuclear fusion which produces much, much more energy with a minuscule amount of waste.
Serving in the nuclear industry for decades, Barnhart Crane and Rigging Company provides quality services in the heavy construction industry. For more on Barnhart services, please read about our Crane Service and Machinery Moving.
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