AGL Energy’s Oaklands Hill project in the Victorian Grampians is the first wind farm project for Boom Logistics’ 750 tonne capacity Liebherr LR1750 lattice boom crawler crane.
AGL awarded Suzlon Energy Australia an engineering, procurement and construction contract for delivery of the entire project, which involves the installation of 32 S88 2.1 megawatt turbines - each with an 80 metre hub height and 124m blade tip height - as well as all site electrical infrastructure and the grid connection, and associated works.
At the end of May, 24 towers had been fully erected and the remaining eight towers had the first two tower sections erected. The wind farm is scheduled to be operating in August 2011.
Suzlon engaged Boom to supply the LR1750 as the main lift crane. Boom is also supplying support cranes and technical engineering expertise for the project.
The LR1750’ offset jib is ideal for wind farm work and is being used at Oaklands Hill.
The erection sequence of a wind tower generally involves the first two sections being erected by an all terrain crane of around 300t capacity, with a delay while the grout sets before the larger crane erects the third and fourth tower sections, nacelle and blade assembly.
Other support cranes are required for tailing in the tower and blade assembly erections.
Suzlon supplies the purpose-designed rigging for erecting the towers, nacelle and blade assembly. Considerable thought has gone into ease of erection in the design of wind tower components such as the nacelle.
This includes hatches in the top of the nacelle to allow chains to be dropped through and shackled to fittings in the floor of the generator, which means that the shackles can be released from within the nacelle, minimising height safety issues. There is also a man hatch in the top of the nacelle to allow a rigger to access the roof to open the hatches and guide the chains. Rails are built for ease of attaching the twin lanyards of a height safety harness.
Despite difficult weather conditions the work is proceeding on schedule and the LR1750 is comfortably handling the third and fourth tower sections, nacelle and blade assembly erection in a single working day. Despite the soft ground conditions the LR1750 makes a minimal impact, even when walking with loads, due to Boom’ choice of the widest (2m) tracks. The company also elected to have quad drive for traction in difficult conditions and this is handling the conditions well.
The towers are located in three separate areas onsite, and the crane was broken down completely on two occasions and partially on one occasion when moving it. A full break down and erection was completed in three days - an excellent time for such a large crane.
AGL is a long-established Australian energy supplier that has remained at the forefront by reinventing itself with changes in technology and the market. It is now the largest private owner, operator and developer of renewable generation assets in Australia.
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Boom’s LR1750 lifts the blades into place.
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