Lelystad,
05
September
2012
|
01:00
Europe/Amsterdam

Siemens and Eneco test wind turbine with high 'construction set' tower

Shorter construction time, lower costs with high 'construction set' tower

Summary

Wind turbines are getting increasingly higher. Consequently, it is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to build the towers elsewhere and then transport them in separate parts and assemble them on location. This is why an alternative method has been developed in the form of a tower consisting of small steal elements that are bolted together on location. This makes it possible to build towers on site from separate sections in a short period of time and at lower costs. The first wind turbine that has been constructed according to this method has recently been installed on the wind turbine test field in Lelystad. 15,000 bolts were used to construct the 115 metre high tower. With a capacity of 2.3 megawatt, the turbine supplies enough power for about 2,400 households.

Windmolen Eneco WindSpin

Higher wind turbines generate more electricity because the wind blows harder at higher altitudes. However, the high costs for the construction and transport of high towers have a substantial impact on the profitability, despite the increase in electricity production. In addition, the transport of increasingly higher and wider towers also leads to more traffic problems. Now, there is an attractive alternative for high concrete and hybrid (steel-concrete) towers: the Bolted Steel Shell (BSS) tower developed by Siemens and Andresen Towers (BSS).
The BSS Tower is constructed from steel elements that are cut from steel coils and then folded and drilled in an automated production line. The elements are assembled with special bolts that have to be tightened only once without the need for retightening. Approximately 15,000 bolts were used for the construction of the tower in Lelystad.

Share this page

Latest news