Wind energy is becoming popular and growing as a viable sustainable energy among the other alternatives. However, this developing industry is facing several challenges. Transportation of wind turbine components is complex and expensive because of the unusual dimensions and weights of turbines.
To reduce risks and cost, pre-planning is crucial.
In this blog entry, I would like to share basics of pre-planning of wind turbine components’ transportation on road ( you can find conventional transportation methods in http://lifttrans.blogspot.com/2010/07/transportation-methods-on-abnormal.html ) in checklist form.
According to my experiences in logistics sector, scope of duties that must be carried during transportation can be considered as:
1) Getting Weight & Dimension of Wind Turbine Components from the Manufacturer
2) Choosing Transport Equipments by taking:
a. Maximum Axle Load
b. Local Regulations
c. Weight & Dimensions of Components
into consideration.
3) Road Survey
4) Reviewing Transport Equipments after Road Survey to Choose Equipments Best Fit in Project
5) Preparing Access Roads/Entrances on Site According to Road Survey
a. Excavation Works to Provide Adequate Curves (inner & outer radius)
b. Back-filling & Compacting Cable Trenches on Site
c. Providing Adequate Ground Bearing Capacity
d. Gradient (shall not exceed 10%-12%)
e. Road Camber (shall not exceed 2%)
f. Clearance (any overhanging branches, overhead lines shall be removed)
6) Getting Required Permissions from Local Authorities to Execute Civil Works on Route
a. Excavation Works to Provide Adequate Curves (inner & outer radius)
b. Back-filling & Compacting
c. Checking Gradient and Road Camber on Critical Locations
d. Checking Height of Overpasses
e. Checking Bearing Capacity of Bridge
7) Getting Required Permissions for Transportation
8) Insurance
a. Transporters Liability Insurance
b. Transportation Insurance of the Components
9) Providing Crane(s) for Loading & Unloading
10) Lashing/Securing Components onto Trailers According to Instructions Indicated in Manufacturer’s Transportation Manuel
11) Providing Escort for Critical Components in Terms of Height,Width and Length.
There are many variables lies within topics listed above. For example, there can be several alternative routes for the transportation of components. In this case valuation, time and risk shall be taken into consideration while evaluating different alternatives. Cost-benefit analysis and stage-gate model can be beneficial approaches to come to a decision in terms of choosing the best route.
Content of the checklist can be detailed and approaches which help transportation companies to choose best route can be increased in variety.
Making transportation companies prepare preliminary plan can help investors, not only to reduce risk, but also to save considerable amount of inessential expenditures for transportation.
A.Yigit NEPHAN
29.06.2011
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