Periodic Reporting for period 2 - NBTECH (INTEGRAL COST-EFFICIENT SYSTEM FOR WIND TURBINE TOWERS)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2020-12-01 al 2021-12-31
Because the traditional wind sites, with better conditions for energy production are saturated, the activity of the wind industry is now focused on the exploitation of less favorable sites for the generation of energy (low-wind sites).
NABRALIFT® and NABRAJOINT® technologies allow to cover the needs identified:
Solution to the logistical barriers thanks to the modularity and solution to the barriers associated with the installation of turbines, allowing the increase in the size of wind turbine components and enabling access to other locations
Cost-effective solutions: Reduction of the cost of energy, increasing the competitiveness of wind energy.
Use of proven technologies that facilitate robust manufacturing and assembly anywhere in the world
The project is aligned with the EU energy challenges. The Strategic Energy Technology plan of EU provides a frame-work to focus EU support for key low-carbon energy technologies. Also, in 2015, delegates from 195 different countries gathered at the COP21 climate change summit in Paris and adopted an agreement by which all countries show their commitment to cut their carbon emissions. Under this strategy, the European Wind Initiative sets out the challenges for the future of wind energy. To reach these goals, the first issue that needs to be addressed is the reduction of LCOE. Innovations in wind turbine and wind farm manufacturing process and cost reduction in logistic, installation and O&M are the key issues to achieve this goal.
The overall objective of this project is the validation and demonstration of the functionality and reliability of NABRALIFT® and NABRAJOINT® in a real working conditions and the introduction of both systems in the main reference markets of low wind – IEC III and IV.
NABRALIFT® and NABRAJOINT® technologies allow to cover the needs identified:
Solution to the logistical barriers thanks to the modularity and solution to the barriers associated with the installation of turbines, allowing the increase in the size of wind turbine components and enabling access to other locations
Cost-effective solutions: Reduction of the cost of energy, increasing the competitiveness of wind energy.
Use of proven technologies that facilitate robust manufacturing and assembly anywhere in the world
The project is aligned with the EU energy challenges. The Strategic Energy Technology plan of EU provides a frame-work to focus EU support for key low-carbon energy technologies. Also, in 2015, delegates from 195 different countries gathered at the COP21 climate change summit in Paris and adopted an agreement by which all countries show their commitment to cut their carbon emissions. Under this strategy, the European Wind Initiative sets out the challenges for the future of wind energy. To reach these goals, the first issue that needs to be addressed is the reduction of LCOE. Innovations in wind turbine and wind farm manufacturing process and cost reduction in logistic, installation and O&M are the key issues to achieve this goal.
The overall objective of this project is the validation and demonstration of the functionality and reliability of NABRALIFT® and NABRAJOINT® in a real working conditions and the introduction of both systems in the main reference markets of low wind – IEC III and IV.
During this first annual period, Nabrawind has successfully completed the design adaptation of tower erecting system, the bade joint segment and the first joint prototype construction, integration into blade manufacturing process and validation through static testing.
Besides, in 2020 NBTECH has developed several actions to boost the recognition of the company and its tower technology. The main tools for communication have been NBTECH’s website, and LinkedIn. NBTECH have also looked for the appearance of the technology in the media and events so that the innovative technology reaches general public. Dissemination has been be developed to provide solid evidence of technology’s performance. Advanced information is addressed to specialized stakeholders.
During the second reporting period, the principal objectives related to the NABRAJOINT technology for the second installment of the project, which goes from December 2020 to January 2021, were focused on the technology validation and demonstration for its subsequent release to the market. This goal has been successfully achieved and the Nabrajoint technology is considered fully validated according to the industry requirements for the release of a new blade model to the market. In the same way, activities related to the Nabralift technology certification have been concluded. External authorized entities have validated the NABRALIFT technology complies with the specific regulations related to Equipment for Use in Renewable Energy Applications (IEC 61400-1:2019). Consequently, this technology can be now commercialized and installed.
NBTECH has successfully completed the following activities:
WP3. Market Oriented Prototype & Certification
- Task 3.1 Manufacturing of Nabrajoint full-scale prototype
- Task 3.2 Nabrajoint assembly trials and quality tests
- Task 3.3 Nabrajoint and Nabralift technologies certification
WP4. Installation, Validation & Field monitoring
- Task 4.1 Nabrajoint installation
- Task 4.2 Nabrajoint testing and validation
- Task 4.3 Nabrajoint analysis and demonstration
WP5. Communication and Commercialization: these activities will continue until the end of the project.
- Task 5.1 Communication and Dissemination plan – 2021
- Task 5.2 Dissemination and Exploitation
- Task 5.3 Marketing Mix Redefinition
- Task 5.4 Commercialization plan redefinition
WP6. Escalation Plan: these activities will continue until the end of the project.
- Task 6.1 Business Model Fine Tuning
- Task 6.2 Necessary Resources and infrastructure
- Task 6.3 Manufacturing learning curve for pre-series
Besides, in 2020 NBTECH has developed several actions to boost the recognition of the company and its tower technology. The main tools for communication have been NBTECH’s website, and LinkedIn. NBTECH have also looked for the appearance of the technology in the media and events so that the innovative technology reaches general public. Dissemination has been be developed to provide solid evidence of technology’s performance. Advanced information is addressed to specialized stakeholders.
During the second reporting period, the principal objectives related to the NABRAJOINT technology for the second installment of the project, which goes from December 2020 to January 2021, were focused on the technology validation and demonstration for its subsequent release to the market. This goal has been successfully achieved and the Nabrajoint technology is considered fully validated according to the industry requirements for the release of a new blade model to the market. In the same way, activities related to the Nabralift technology certification have been concluded. External authorized entities have validated the NABRALIFT technology complies with the specific regulations related to Equipment for Use in Renewable Energy Applications (IEC 61400-1:2019). Consequently, this technology can be now commercialized and installed.
NBTECH has successfully completed the following activities:
WP3. Market Oriented Prototype & Certification
- Task 3.1 Manufacturing of Nabrajoint full-scale prototype
- Task 3.2 Nabrajoint assembly trials and quality tests
- Task 3.3 Nabrajoint and Nabralift technologies certification
WP4. Installation, Validation & Field monitoring
- Task 4.1 Nabrajoint installation
- Task 4.2 Nabrajoint testing and validation
- Task 4.3 Nabrajoint analysis and demonstration
WP5. Communication and Commercialization: these activities will continue until the end of the project.
- Task 5.1 Communication and Dissemination plan – 2021
- Task 5.2 Dissemination and Exploitation
- Task 5.3 Marketing Mix Redefinition
- Task 5.4 Commercialization plan redefinition
WP6. Escalation Plan: these activities will continue until the end of the project.
- Task 6.1 Business Model Fine Tuning
- Task 6.2 Necessary Resources and infrastructure
- Task 6.3 Manufacturing learning curve for pre-series
Due to the potential of NABRALIFT® and NABRAJOINT®, NBTECH has carried out an in-depth economic study supported by one of the world's leading wind farm developers, NATURGY. NATURGY is evaluating the recovery of a wind farm in Chile, "Vientos de Pacífico", with special logistical complexities. This study analyses the construction of the wind farm incorporating standard market technologies vs NBTECH's technologies. The Case Study shows a LCoE reduction by more than 5% with NABRALIFT® and NABRAJOINT®
Considering that NBTECH’s technologies directly result in cost savings in the blade logistics, tower’s construction as well as a reduction in the installation time, the proposed innovation will have a global impact in the wind turbine value chain.
Reduction the Environmental Impact of the massive wind industry development expected for the future
-The CO2 emissions associated to the NABRALIFT® tower and foundation manufacturing will be reduced by a 70% (5,300T CO2 vs 1600T) from a reference hybrid tower, due to the use of less mass of steel and concrete. According to the NABRALIFT® sales plan, this corresponds to savings equivalent to 120 000 UE-people emissions.
-NABRALIFT® towers (made of steel) are 100% removable and recyclable, while concrete tower has to be demolished and thousands of tonnes of waste have to be treated.
-The footprint of the Self-Erection System is reduced by a 50%, avoiding more than 1000m2 of deforestation per turbine. In addition, NABRAJOINT® simplifies the logistics of the XXL blades, and reduces the footprint of the access roads to the wind farms
Considering that NBTECH’s technologies directly result in cost savings in the blade logistics, tower’s construction as well as a reduction in the installation time, the proposed innovation will have a global impact in the wind turbine value chain.
Reduction the Environmental Impact of the massive wind industry development expected for the future
-The CO2 emissions associated to the NABRALIFT® tower and foundation manufacturing will be reduced by a 70% (5,300T CO2 vs 1600T) from a reference hybrid tower, due to the use of less mass of steel and concrete. According to the NABRALIFT® sales plan, this corresponds to savings equivalent to 120 000 UE-people emissions.
-NABRALIFT® towers (made of steel) are 100% removable and recyclable, while concrete tower has to be demolished and thousands of tonnes of waste have to be treated.
-The footprint of the Self-Erection System is reduced by a 50%, avoiding more than 1000m2 of deforestation per turbine. In addition, NABRAJOINT® simplifies the logistics of the XXL blades, and reduces the footprint of the access roads to the wind farms