CRANES GUIDE

Shape the Future with Wind Energy Since the 1980s, there has been a continual increase in the use of wind power that has not shown any signs of slowing down. Content: Shape the future with wind energy From windmills to 7,5 MW wind turbines All signs keep pointing to growth Growth by repowering Offshore wind farms: the trade-off Power from fresh country air: onshore wind turbines Simple principle of operation: power from wind The nacelle – the “heart” of a wind turbine The rotor – the larger, the more efficient The right crane for every wind turbine Wind power offers one of the best returns on...

The evolution of wind power From Windmills to 7.5-MW Wind Turbines The evolution of wind power has a long history, which dates to the pre-Christian Era, when people used windmills to mill grain and pump water from wells. James Blyth, a Scotsman, later became the first known person to use a wind turbine to generate electricity. However, the development of modern wind turbines would not truly commence until the end of the 1970s, spurred by two oil crises and growing environmental awareness. Today, wind turbines have evolved to outputs of up to 7.5 MW. Increasing Power Increasing Size The rapid...

Wind Power Plants All Signs Keep Pointing to Growth The share of wind energy in the world’s energy mix has been increasing since the 1980s. This growth is the result of a number of factors. Many countries have made significant investments in renewable energy programs and offered incentives for wind energy projects. This promotes continued growth in wind power generation. Moreover, this growth has been accompanied by higher cost-effectiveness as the result of the constantly improving performance of modern wind turbines: in the last 30 years, the costs of producing electricity from wind energy...

Wind Power Plants Power from Fresh Country Air: Onshore Wind Turbines Simple Principle of Operation: Power from Wind In principle, the way wind turbines are extremely simple. They are made up of a foundation, a tower is attached to the foundation and a nacelle is fitted to the top of the tower via a rotating bearing flange. The nacelle, or housing, contains the turbine’s generator. In addition, the rotor, with the hub and rotor blades, is mounted on the nacelle. A wind turbine uses this rotor to convert wind energy into mechanical energy. A generator then converts this mechanical energy into...

The Nacelle – The “Heart” of a Wind Turbine The nacelle, which is usually drop-shaped, houses the generator and other components needed to generate electric current. The Rotor – The Larger, the More Efficient The blades and hub of the rotor convert wind energy to rotary mechanical energy which is used to drive the turbine. The size and design of the blades affects the efficiency of rotor and the turbine‘s energy yield. Modern rotor blades are normally made of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), a lightweight, high-strength material. Generally speaking, the larger the rotor’s diameter, the...

The Right Crane for Every Wind Turbine The Challenges of Wind Power Erecting wind turbines is not only a profitable business for crane service providers, but also one with outstanding long-term prospects. Of course, this market segment poses some unique challenges, which include, but are not limited to: ogistics L The weather The site’s characteristics The unique lifting techniques required Nevertheless, these challenges can be overcome with the right technology, proper planning, and the support of Terex Cranes and the relevant wind turbine manufacturers. Content Logistics: being at the right...

Being at the Right Place at the Right Time Weather conditions – a decisive factor Today, the components found in modern wind turbines are usually pre-assembled at the factory to the greatest extent possible. However, a turbine’s large main components, such as the tower and rotor, are assembled on site, since they cannot be transported as a fully assembled unit due to their dimensions. These components are delivered to the relevant site as required by the erection project’s progress. Weather conditions are a decisive factor when it comes to erecting wind turbines: Since turbines are installed...

Another Point for Compact ALL TERRAIN Units Heavy transport vehicles are often faced with quite a challenge when working with wind turbines, as the sites usually chosen for them are not easy to access. For one, the corresponding roads tend to be narrow and winding, and are sometimes unpaved. Thanks to our multi-drive steering axles and compact design Terex All Terrain Cranes are perfectly suited to these conditions as a result of their extraordinary maneuverability. The design-based advantage of Terex Lattice Boom Crawler Cranes rests mainly on their reduced number of components, which makes...

Erecting a Wind Turbine Making Work Easier with Special Lifting Accessories In order to enable operators to carry out smooth, fast, and safe lifts when dealing with what are often colossal wind turbine components, Terex offers a range of special lifting accessories. These make it possible to use the right lifting technique in order to ensure that each component will be precisely handled as per the manufacturer’s specifications. These accessories include, but are not limited to: 2-hook lift A used to turn rotor blades. Wind turbines are erected in a number of very specific steps: nce the foundation...

A KEY FACTOR FOR SUCCESS When it comes to erecting a wind turbine smoothly and cost-effectively, the crane, its operators, and any necessary service personnel are of crucial importance. Not only are the required performance characteristics and hub height decisive, but so are additional key factors such as ease of setup, ease of use, and safety, all of which must be present for a project to be performed successfully. Compact Design: Excellent Maneuverability as a Result of Small Dimensions Since space is often limited at wind turbine sites, cranes with a compact design that require little space...