Description
The wind sector demands larger turbines installation which requires higher towers to support them. The aim of the project is to provide a technological leap regarding steel towers and hybrid towers. Beyond this limit, wind towers are not competitive in terms of material, transport, installation and O&M costs. The project objective is to develop a new concept which consists of an onshore precast concrete tower for ultimate generation wind turbines, through study design and calculation of this technology that it achieves more than 140m of hub height through technical and economic viability. In addition, it integrates a precast foundation focused on transmit heavy loads to the soil with a material efficiency criteria. Finally, outcomes involve a key priority: support the development of new wind turbines and their components, towers included. This implies a new demand in wind sector with innovative support solutions for a next generation wind turbines
Summary of project results
The primary project objective was to develop a new concept which consists of an onshore precast concrete tower for ultimate generation wind turbines, through study design and calculation of this technology to achieve more than 140 meters of hub height through technic and economical viability. Beyond this limit, wind towers aren´t competitive in terms of material, transport, installation and O&M costs. The technology leap that this project approached can be specified in: to get a competitive precast concrete tower 140 meters above. In addition, a foundation focused on transmit heavy loads to the soil with a material efficiency criteria was also developed. Moreover, it was also included the development of new horizontal joints and studied structural interaction between different elements with the aim of remove maximum welded steel parts as possible.
Summary of bilateral results
It was decided to count with the collaboration of MAMMOET NORGE AS. The company offers huge expertise and specialization in heavy lift operations inside wind industry. A study of new logistic resources applied to novel precast structural sections was carried out by MAMMOET.