Capturing energy from the wind is a powerful tool to realize our society’s energy transition goals. One wind turbine with a capacity of 1.67 megawatts (MW) at a 33% capacity factor can generate enough energy in 94 minutes to power a typical US home for one month.
But before we can source energy from a field of wind turbines, it’s all about perfecting the prototype.
A wind energy company was ready to bring their latest design for wind turbine renewable energy to life. Needing an experienced engineering partner to design and construct the infrastructure required to build the prototype, the company selected Arcadis to lead the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of this latest project.
Wind turbines are enormous structures that can reach 165 meters in height with blades spanning longer than the length of an American football field. Preparing to build a wind turbine is no small feat, a challenge that demands creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Our team immediately set to work, planning and coordinating project logistics as the lead EPC firm on this wind turbine prototype.
The foundation was a critical component. It was imperative to design proper roads, turbine pads, and crane pads to account for the heavy equipment loads and massive crane operations. Cranes were needed to lift equipment that weighed as much as 100 tons, which demanded strong geotechnical expertise and civil design to ensure that wind turbine components were delivered securely. These cranes had a stable operational foundation based on a solid understanding of soil mechanics.
The wind turbine prototype will now operate under a two-year testing period to collect data and analyze the design while generating power for local communities. Once the study is complete, the wind turbine will be added to the organization’s collection of top-of-the-line wind turbines. Perfecting the designs with prototypes like these will help our client fulfill its mission to power our world for future generations with affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.
The global pandemic magnified the design and construction challenges associated with building a prototype wind turbine. However, our team was dedicated to finding solutions for safe and successful construction. The new prototype's ability to provide improvements in turbine efficiency and capacity helps pave the way for a more sustainable future.
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