Schwandner with Additional Heavy Transport Modules from Goldhofer

Wind turbines of the new generation are getting larger, as energy generation from wind is a successful model. To deliver the increasingly heavier and longer components quickly and safely to their sometimes remote destinations, P. Schwandner Logistik + Transport GmbH (Pfreimd) has equipped its special transport fleet with numerous new Goldhofer solutions.

(Memmingen/Pfreimd) From now on, three »BLADES« trains will ensure the reliable transport of rotor blades over 80 m long. The hydraulically controlled trailing units are equipped with the new hydraulic and Vestas-certified interface for receiving the blade tip. To meet the increased height, weight, and safety requirements for transporting the heaviest and most voluminous tower components, the expert from the Upper Palatinate will rely on the further developed pipe adapters of the model RA 2-110. With this combination, Schwandner meets the strict requirements of a safety concept for tower transports developed and demanded by Vestas Wind Energy A/S (Aarhus/Denmark). The Danish company is the world’s largest manufacturer of wind turbines.

Larger wind turbines require even more stable support. To transport the heavy and voluminous tower segments, the Upper Palatinate special transport company once again relies on Goldhofer’s expertise. Schwandner will henceforth transport its tower sections with the new pipe adapters of type RA 2-110. With them, tower sections weighing up to 110 t and up to 6.8 m in diameter can be transported. The increased payload is achieved by using a four-axle pendulum axle dolly as the front chassis. Heavy-duty modules of type THP/SL-S (285) are used as the rear chassis.

This vehicle concept meets additional safety requirements demanded by the Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas. Instead of the usual two free-turning devices (swan neck with chassis and rear chassis), the new transport system has only one free-turning device located between the front dolly and the pipe adapter. The rear pipe adapter is directly coupled to the heavy-duty module. Compared to a completely free-turning solution, this transport concept gives the overall vehicle significantly higher lateral stability and thus more safety, even at high tilt angles.

Suitable for Overlength Blades

Schwandner has also expanded its fleet with the new Goldhofer special vehicles of the model »BLADES«. This allows for the transport of overlength rotor blades exceeding 80 m in length. The vehicle solution based on a forced-steered trailing unit allows for more flexible maneuverability on challenging routes as well as higher speeds, greatly facilitating route planning. To manage the higher weight of the blades, Schwandner uses a combination of a two-axle dolly at the front and a four-axle, air-suspended trailing unit with a turntable and the hydraulically mounted interface. The interface is located between the turntable and the Vestas clamp. It was specially developed by Goldhofer for »BLADES« and certified by Vestas. This additional component serves to absorb route-related unevenness and thus minimizes the impact of unwanted forces on the rotor blade.

As the rotor blade itself becomes the load-bearing element in the transport concept, there is significantly more ground clearance compared to telescopic vehicles. “With this construction, we can simply swing over many obstacles, allowing us to handle roundabouts or tight turning situations faster than before,” says Peter Schwandner. “Additionally, the lateral tilt of the blade is visually displayed on the vehicle as well as on a display installed in the tractor unit. This is a significant safety aspect that we have not seen anywhere else.” The heavy transport expert also benefits from the ability to couple the trailing unit directly to the free-turning device for empty trips. Furthermore, the dolly-trailing unit concept is also suitable for transporting long materials, such as concrete prefabricated parts.

Successful Use in the Wind Farm Project Riskebo

The new Goldhofer solutions for transporting parts for wind energy plants have already proven themselves in a transport project that Schwandner is carrying out for Vestas Wind Energy. The Danish market leader is building the onshore wind farm Riskebo (39 MW capacity) in Sweden on behalf of Stena Renewable AB (Stockholm), where seven EnVentus turbines V162 with 5.6 MW power each will be erected. With a length of around 80 m per blade, this is the maximum rotor size in the Vestas portfolio. It is designed for locations with low to medium wind availability. However, the system can also be used at high wind speeds. The commissioning of the wind farm is expected to take place later this year.

The task for Schwandner: to transport tower segments and rotor blades from the port in Gävle inland to Hedemora, approximately 100 km away. Since some underpasses could not be accessed due to the 6.3 m diameter of the towers, the route was divided into a northern route for the tower elements and a southern route for the rotor blades. After all preparations, such as building over roundabouts, raising high curbs, and removing traffic signs and traffic lights, the oversized and voluminous components of the EnVentus plants rolled to their destination within a few days. Both the transport of the oversized tower elements and that of the very long rotor blades through underpasses, highway exits, and roundabouts went smoothly thanks to the high maneuverability of the Goldhofer vehicles. Peter Schwandner: “Our calculations worked out in every respect: With Goldhofer, we are well equipped for the safe and fast transport of wind energy components of the newer generation.”

Already, Peter Schwandner has ordered more such vehicles from Goldhofer due to the good experiences with the transports and the future demand for these transport solutions.

Photos: © Goldhofer