460 likes | 740 Views
VALMONT WIND ENERGY, INC. MODULAR TOWER SYSTEMS. Presentation Overview. Bigger Machines Modular Tower Systems (MTS) Transportation Restrictions Flexible site Management Standardized Transportation Loads Cost Benefits and Comparisons. Is BIGGER always better?. Larger wind turbines
E N D
VALMONT WIND ENERGY, INC. MODULAR TOWER SYSTEMS
Presentation Overview • Bigger Machines • Modular Tower Systems (MTS) • Transportation Restrictions • Flexible site Management • Standardized Transportation Loads • Cost Benefits and Comparisons
Is BIGGER always better? • Larger wind turbines • 2.5 MW – 3 MW w/ 100 meter rotors • Larger Tower • 70 – 100 meters • 100 – 200 tons • Larger Trucks • Custom heavy haul trailers
Is BIGGER always better? (Cont.) • Larger Cranes • 400 – 600 ton crawlers with 400’ booms • This all equals more efficient turbines… But also: • More expensive transportation and installation
Tower Transportation today • Over length – 85’ • Over width – 14’ • Over height – 14’ • Over weight – 115,000 lbs • Painted surfaces prone to scratch = RUST • Tower is often an afterthought by the turbine manufactures Base section 80m tower
TRANSPORTATION Conventional 80m Tower: • Over Length / Over Width / Over Height / Over Weight • Cost: $60-80K for 500 Miles Transportation MTS: • Ships Via Standard Flatbed Trailers • Cost Savings on Freight: 50-70%
MTS: Modular Tower Systems • Broad Market Application • Mimics Industry Standard Tapered Design • Increased Bottom Diameter Options • Conventional Crane Installation • Low Freight Costs • Multiple Coating Options • ‘Simple’, Low-Labor Content
MTS PRIMARY COMPONENTS PETAL FRICTION PLATE T-FLANGES TRANSITION CASTING
PETALS • Allows For Very Large Diameters • Enables Increased Tower Heights • Opportunity To Use Lower Strength Steel (A-36) • Dependent Upon Use Of Bolted Connections • Can Be Galvanized • Thickness Range: 3/8”-1” For Towers Up To 2.5MW/80m
FRICTION PLATES • Bolted Friction Connection • Excellent Fatigue Characteristics • Commonly Used in Bridge Construction World Wide • Allows for Complete Installation from Inside the Tower
T-FLANGES • Segmented Base Flange Design • Addresses Freight & Field Installation Objectives • Standard Anchor Bolt Connection to Foundation • Friction Plate Connection to Tower
TRANSITION CASTING • Cast Design • Solves Geometry Transition Issues • Mates Seamlessly with Turbine Base Flange • Most Technically Complex Component of MTS Design
Hub height: 65 meters Weight: 220.000 lbs Sections: 4 Petals per section: 4 Standard trucks: 7 First installation: December 2nd 2005
Competitive Advantages • Standard transportation to site • $70,000 vs. $16,000 (500 miles) • Site assembly • Less than $9,000 per tower • Tower price FOB factory • Same or lower than conventional
Competitive Advantages (Cont.) • Tower Installation • 4 sections vs. 3 sections • Savings are site dependent • Faster lead time than conventional towers • Working closely with Developers and Manufactures to optimize savings.
Recent Market Trends • Surging fossil fuel prices put alternatives in the spotlight • With low volatility, wind is becoming interesting to large utilities • Disruption of the U.S. oil production as a result of Hurricane Katrina and Rita has put upward pressure on the oil prices
Recent Market Trends (Cont.) • Elevated natural gas price and high volatility plus political initiatives, should spur broader interest for alternative energy among U.S. utilities. • Wind is currently the lowest cost alternative • Declining interest rates will improve wind energy competitiveness further.