As developers chase stronger flows, onshore wind hub heights are growing beyond the reach of conventional crawler cranes. Mammoet’s new WTA lifting system allows theoretically infinite hub heights and paves the way towards emissions-free turbine erection.
Credit: Mammoet
The WTA assembles wind turbine generators by attaching directly to the tower itself, using a series of clamps to self-assemble and then climb to each lift location. It assembles tower sections, hubs and nacelles and has a capacity of 150 tons.
It operates in wind speeds up to 20 meters a second, reducing downtime during construction and extending the build season.
As the WTA has a reduced footprint compared to other crawler cranes and actively lowers the need for groundwork on site. Pads can be smaller, and ground pressure requirements are lessened — maxing out at the 15 tons per-meter-squared typically needed for assist cranes.
The system’s small size means quicker and more cost-effective mobilization. While a conventional crawler crane can require up to 50 truckloads to reach the site, the WTA gets there with just nine.
With no boom laydown requirement, fewer components and a lower total weight, the WTA is also faster from pad to pad, Mammoet stated in a press release. The system is designed to reduce relocation time compared to using crawler cranes and can shave weeks off wind farm construction schedules.
Powered entirely by electricity, it also opens the door for a 100% emissions-free journey from factory to first megawatt — with transport to site via electric or hydrogen-powered truck, on-site maneuvers via ePPU-enhanced SPMT and carbon-free WTA lifting.
The WTA system is now design-ready and can be ready to enter the market during Q2 2023.
News item from Mammoet
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