During the project, HWS has met the main objective of the project by building a 30 t lifting capacity AirCRANE system. This demonstrator has been used to successfully validate the functionalities of the climbing system. This validation has been performed by TÜV-Rheinland, who has certified the design, technical file, and testing in horizontal position of the AirCRANE.
The work carried out to achieve a disruptive product, is aligned with the main objective of the wind sector for the next 10 years: reduce drastically the LCoE (Levelized Cost of Energy) reducing the costs of onshore Wind Turbines to reach 1 Million € per 1 MW-installed.
In addition, during the project a considerable work has been performed on redefining the Marketing- Mix strategy, which is described in deliverables D4.2-“Marketing Mix”. HWS believes that a great product or service could no longer be successful without an excellent strategy of Marketing.
Along the project HWS has achieved several results that have led or will lead to the successful exploitation of the AirCRANE technology:
- Engineering design finished: having the engineering design of the Aircrane for installation of any +5 MW wind turbine ready, with a net lifting capacity of 165 t, is allowing HWS to show it to potential clients, partners…In addition, the manufacturing design of the first AirCRANE system, a machine with a 30 t lifting capacity, has been completed. Since both designs are finished, and scalability work has been conducted to jump from the 165 t design to the 30 tone, it is easier to talk to clients with confidence about different type of AirCRANE systems: from 10 t lifting capacity for formworks in the construction of high rise buildings, to 250 t lifting capacity for installation of concrete towers.
- Manufacturing: the manufacturing of the first prototype of the AirCRANE system has been completed by KEYTECH in Lekunberri, Navarra (Spain).
The demonstrator has been very useful to gain credibility of external parties. Once the product has become tangible, the potential clients’ interest has increased significantly.
In addition, the collaborators and suppliers of this first unit could turn into potential technological partners in the future.
- Assessment of Conformity Certificate issued by TUV Rheinland: After reviewing all the documentation of the Technical File of the AirCRANE and attending the testing in the factory, TÜV-Rheinland has issued the certificate of the ‘Conformity Assessment according to Directive 2006/42/EC’.
Potential clients and partners like to verify that HWS has designed and manufactured a machine that complies with all the health and safety standards of European directives. With this certificate, all the doubts about the correct design of the AirCRANE are eliminated and trust is gained.
- Communication & dissemination plan: a significant work has been carried out in contacting potential customers and moving forward in the potential collaboration, win-win relationship. The contact list has been expanded to EPC (engineering procurement and contractor) firms and developers, as well as to different markets (Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Brazil, etc), leading to a higher probability of success and higher share in the market.
HWS has disseminated the manufacturing and certification of the first AirCRANE unit through the following sources: Linkedin, newspaper, magazines, Wind Conference, inviting potential clients to see the crane.
HWS had planned to bring the demonstrator to the Wind Conference, visit potential clients throughout the world and invite others to see the crane. But, the restrictions set due to COVID crisis has not allowed to conduct these dissemination activities.
- Escalation plan: In order to improve its efficiency, creativity and lean&mean structure, HWS has established strong partnership with a structural engineering and an intellectual protection firm, including them as shareholders of the company. In addition, with the aim of operating in the world market, the company has been divided in different departments. In order to strengthen the technical skills of the team related to machinery, new mechanical engineer has been hired in the last year of the project.
