This is a 2 part article.

Wind power is currently the cheapest source of large-scale renewable energy, which involves generating electricity from the naturally occurring power of the wind. Wind turbines capture wind energy within the area swept by their blades. The spinning blades drive an electrical generator that produces electricity for export to the grid.

The Australian renewable energy industry accounted for 35.9% of Australia’s total electricity generation in 2022, up from 32.5% in 2021. This is more than double before the boom started in 2017 (16.9%). While there is still a significant way to go if Australia is to meet its ambitious 82% renewables by 2030, there has nevertheless been encouraging progress.

There are currently over 3,000 wind turbines in operation in Australia, generating enough electricity to power over 2 million homes. Some of the largest wind farms in Australia developed over the last few years include the MacIntyre, Coopers Gap and MacArthur.

While the wind energy industry creates jobs and economic opportunities in Australia, employing over 10,000 people and an additional 10,000 jobs by 2030, it faces a lot of operational challenges, such as:

• Logistics and Transportation challenges, including intercontinental sea transport, handling and storage in local ports and transportation from the ports to the installation sites, several of which are in remote areas.
• Installation and Lifting challenges ensure everyone goes home safely from the project every day.
• Servicing challenges (20+ years) including end-of-life turbines and components.

RUD Solutions for the Wind Energy Industry

RUD is a world leader in lifting and lashing and offers a wide range of solutions for the wind energy industry to increase safety and efficiency in the design - manufacturing - logistics - installation and maintenance processes.

Reliability and Safety are Key in the Supply Chain

According to Jens Christiansen, RUD Slings Division Sales Manager for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, "Logistics already starts with the design. The designer must plan how the component will be assembled, transported on the road or ship, and installed on-site in the design stage itself. As we know, wind energy includes components that are large and very heavy, which makes the job complex. As the leaders in lifting and lashing technology, we offer versatile solutions for all stages in a wind turbine life cycle”.

Where can RUD help?

RUD’s products and services are used throughout the life cycle of a wind turbine, from the design phase to decommissioning.

Idea and Design Stage

RUD lifting points are reputed for top quality, ergonomics and safety in lifting technology and load securing for more than 35 years. We offer more than 700 tested boltable and weldable lifting points in load ranges up to 250t, which meet maximum safety requirements. Our engineers can work with wind turbine manufacturers to design lifting and lashing solutions that meet the specific requirements of each project.

Production Stage

Whether lifting or moving small components or huge rotors, RUD has a solution for every task in the production process. Lifting, handling, or moving during production can be made more efficient using standard products. For example, the VLBG-PLUS Load Ring is suitable for lifting, rotating, and turning operations due to its large load-bearing capacity, excellent material properties (temperature/corrosion resistance) and ideal design. A VLBG-PLUS can be rotated 360° or swivelled 180° in the direction of the load. This makes it extremely easy to hook the sling into place, saving time and money.

RUD has also developed a Tool Mover with a capacity from 2.5 tons to up to 64 tons. RUD tool movers are widely used and accepted safety devices to guarantee the safe rotating and turning of turbines and critical components. Click to read how Enercon, a German wind turbine manufacturer is using RUD Tecdos Tool Mover to lift, move and turn large rotors of wind turbines.

RUD will be exhibiting at the Crane Industry Lifting Conference - CICA 2023 from 26-28 Oct 2023. Visit us in Booth #27/28 at the Perth Convention Centre to discuss our Lifting and Lashing Solutions for the crane industry.

To be continued ...

Article copyright to RUD, this information is accurate at the time of publication and RUD Australia takes no responsibility for any errors inadvertent or otherwise.

Sources:

• Australian Renewable Energy Agency - https://arena.gov.au/
• Clean Energy Council - https://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/
• RUD Group - https://slingandlashing.rud.com/