ALE’s world beating onshore wind tower heightening a boost for engineering innovation
ALE has achieved another world first and provided a bespoke engineering solution to heighten the prototype of one the world’s highest wind towers, the Nabralift self-erecting tower, with limited use of cranes for significant time and cost savings in Navarra, Spain.
The leading global heavylifting company was tasked with transporting and heightening the self-erecting wind tower, weighing 450t, so Nabrawind Technologies could develop future onshore wind farms without the need to perform solely crane operations and the associated costs and time involve in additional equipment, civil and logistical works. They also wanted a solution that was as time-effective as possible, so operations could continue even at high wind speeds.
Measuring 160m high, this tower is the third tallest in the world, so this task was no mean feat. ALE utilised 12 axle lines of SPMT to transport the tower and three strand jack units for the heightening. This self-erecting tower system breaks all logistical barriers to install towers at any hub height.
“It is fantastic to have been given the opportunity to work on this unique project and showcase our capabilities within the onshore wind market. Recognising our track record in Spain, the client was confident we could supply the complex solution necessary,” explained Project Engineer David Arias Blanco.
“By providing this customised solution, our client can now how the means of developing onshore wind farms in the most cost and time effective method ever through possible. This is game-changing technology, specifically for those located on difficult-to-reach islands or mountainous sites. From our findings, we are already developing engineering processes to fulfil the requirements of future large-scale installations with an aim to develop two towers a week.”
This project was completed in September with ongoing discussions about future use of this prototype and methodology. ALE has worked alongside the client to develop the methodology used for this prototype for the future production of these wind towers from 2019.
