Shared transport equipment saves time and money in the wind industry

Challenge

The wind industry previously used various types of equipment for transporting and storing tower sections for offshore wind turbines. This occurred despite the fact that wind turbine towers are largely similar across manufacturers in the industry. The differences in the equipment used for transportation on trucks and ships made it challenging for subcontractors handling the shipment of tower sections to optimize the process and thereby reduce transportation costs.

Solution

The innovation project Common Equipment Towers addressed this challenge by designing and testing a shared transport and storage solution for offshore wind turbine towers. The final equipment is flexible, can be mounted on different truck brands, and is available through a rental system. This new solution reduces transportation costs for the wind industry by enabling the supply chain to use the same equipment for transporting tower sections from different suppliers, similar to how standard containers or the Euro pallet are used in other industries.

Result

The innovation project has resulted in a new design suitable for all tower sections Ø4-7 up to 200 tons. The design is freely available and can be used by anyone without restrictions. Download here.

"There is, for example, a business area right now in operating and managing tower equipment for an entire industry. We often peak at different times, and if we can share the equipment instead of each having a lot of iron lying around, it will save us all a lot. There are opportunities in this – but it is actually also a necessity if we are to realize the potential."

– Jesper Møller fra Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy.

Project: Common Equipment Towers