Wind farm engineering services

In recent years, the world's largest countries have faced an energy dilemma.

On the one hand, the demand for electric energy is growing rapidly.

But on the other hand, environmental organizations demand a reduction in the production of cheap energy from TPPs and nuclear power plants.

To meet these strict requirements and make optimal use of available resources, many companies in Europe and beyond have become interested in renewable energy.

Construction of wind farms help reduce dependence on fossil fuels globally.

Wind energy has become a fully mature and perfectly balanced industry, attracting multimillion investments in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and other parts of the world.

Wind energy engineering services market is growing at a rate of more than 10% per year.

GCAM with its partners offers a full range of engineering services in the energy sector, including pre-project activities, financing, detailed design, construction, operation, repair, process optimization and modernization of wind power plants anywhere in the world.

The current state and prospects for the development of wind energy

Since the beginning of its wide development in the 1980s, the global wind energy market has expanded exponentially.

For two decades, between 1990 and 2010, the installed capacity of wind farms around the world increased by 50 times.

According to forecasts, in 2050 this figure will be 20 times higher in 2010.

This is accompanied by an annual progressive decrease in the cost of electrical energy from alternative sources, as is the case with photovoltaic solar energy.

Today, wind energy is the most common modern renewable technology. At the end of 2017, the total capacity of wind farms in the world reached 540 GW.

This is the second renewable source of energy after hydropower.

At the end of the same year 2017, wind energy provided about 5% of the global demand for electricity, while at the end of 2006 it accounted for only less than 1%.

This growth was achieved by summing up two important factors:

• State policy that encourages the use of wind energy in major industrialized countries.
• Progress in the production of wind turbines, which contribute to cheaper equipment.

As with other renewable sources, a decrease in the cost of wind power is related to an increase in installed capacity. With an increase in installed capacity of wind farms there is a saving: the higher the installed capacity, the lower the cost of energy.

One of the factors that, among other things, has helped lower the cost of wind power, is the continued increase in the size of wind turbines. The enlargement of equipment contributes to a further increase in competitiveness compared to electricity produced using fossil fuels.

Why is the size of wind turbines increasing?

The power of the wind generator is proportional to the area covered by the blades, therefore, an increase in the diameter of the rotor leads to an increase in the power of the wind farm. The fewer wind turbines are used to produce certain energy, the lower the cost of maintaining them.



On the other hand, increasing the size of wind turbines reduces construction costs. This leads to a reduction in MW costs, so it is more profitable for companies to increase the size of wind turbines, rather than their number.

Obviously, increasing the diameter of the rotors and, consequently, the length of the blades entails technical problems in the transportation and installation of components.

It’s hard to say whether turbine sizes can continue to grow. Some experts believe that we have almost reached the limit. The laws of physics and logistical problems in transporting such huge wind generators to construction sites will not allow us to constantly increase their size.

Under these conditions, offshore wind farms have the greatest growth potential. Offshore wind energy and land-based wind energy are developed in different technological ways. On land, generators do not grow so fast, but on the coasts, experts note the increasing power of wind generators. This is due to the easier transportation of heavy equipment to coastal areas.

What should investors expect in the near future?

The rapid development of technology makes wind power plants an important source of renewable energy, along with photovoltaic solar power plants.

They will become the basis of global energy as fossil fuel reserves are depleted.

The main trends in the development of wind energy that business should take into account are the increase in the power of wind generators and the rapid expansion of wind parks on the sea coasts, where the winds are the strongest.

The main factors for the development of the industry are:

• Fossil fuel depletion.
• Cheapening of energy production technologies.
• Government support for renewable energy.
• Growing social concern about greenhouse gas emissions.
• The need to abandon nuclear energy as potentially dangerous.
• The need for autonomous energy sources for remote areas.

In the coming years, renewable technologies, especially wind energy, are expected to play a more important role in the global energy arena.

GCAM offers financing and engineering services for the wind energy industry worldwide. Experienced engineers are ready to develop a highly effective individual energy project for your business.

Pros and cons of wind energy

The economic crisis of the 1970s, caused by rising oil prices, prompted governments and companies to develop alternative energy sources. Subsequently, new environmental requirements arose associated with continuous environmental degradation.

Wind energy is one of the best solutions not only for business, but also for the entire population of the planet.

Wind farms practically do not pollute the environment; they provide an inexhaustible source of energy and slow down climate change.

This is one of the cheapest sources of energy, which can compete with other traditional sources, such as thermal power plants or even nuclear plants, given the environmental risks of the latter.

The generation of electric energy without thermal transformation implies the absence of atmosphere pollution. It is extremely favorable from an environmental point of view. Modern wind power plants completely eliminate the negative impacts associated with the extraction of fuel, its conversion, transportation and burning.

The use of wind energy does not affect the physicochemical characteristics of the soil and does not cause erosion, since no pollutants are formed that affect this environment. The construction of wind farms does not involve explosions or major earthworks.



Unlike other energy facilities, wind farms do not cause any changes in aquifers, either in terms of consumption or in terms of pollution by buried waste. Generating electricity from the wind does not produce toxic gases and does not contribute to the greenhouse effect or acid rain.

Let's summarize the advantages and disadvantages of wind energy.

Pros

Of all renewable energy sources, wind energy has the largest number of tangible practical advantages, and here are just a few of them.

Inexhaustible source of energy

Wind energy is inexhaustible because it is renewable energy. This area is developing independently of coal, oil and gas reserves, and an increase in the price of fossil fuels only encourages companies to invest in renewable energy. A business can rely on this source in the long run.

Safety for human health

Since this process eliminates the use of nuclear fuel or toxic chemicals, wind farms are considered safe for humans. The possible consequences of accidents at wind farms are incommensurable with accidents at thermal power plants or nuclear power plants.

On the other hand, noise pollution can be a problem for residents of nearby settlements. The more wind turbines installed in a limited area, the more noise they will cause.

Environmental impact reduction

Wind farms are environmentally friendly, as they do not produce toxic waste such as sludge, nuclear waste or chemicals. Wind power does not harm the soil and aquifers. The absence of carbon dioxide emissions is an important advantage in the fight against global climate change.

Nevertheless, wind farms have a certain negative impact on the environment.

These objects usually occupy large spaces and are located in natural areas, thus changing the landscape, flora and fauna.

It should be understood that the production of wind turbines and other electrical equipment is accompanied by waste generation and requires the use of materials that affect the environment.

One of the consequences of operating a wind farm is a reduction in the population of local and migratory birds. Huge fast spinning wind turbines exterminate many birds, so they should be located away from their migration routes.

Easy construction of wind farms

An important advantage of wind power projects for the investor is the ease of installation, dismantling and replacement of equipment. If construction takes a lot of time, this is usually due to obtaining official permits and other bureaucratic problems.

Benefits for local economy

Highly efficient modern wind generators produce electrical energy that can compete with another sources. It is also a cost-effective solution for small farms located in isolated areas. The construction of a wind farm creates additional jobs for locals, while ensuring reliable energy supply.

Installation of equipment near the coast

The construction of offshore wind farms allows the use of stronger wind flows without occupying valuable land and without having a visual impact on the landscape.

This is a further incentive for the development of wind energy.

Significant financial resources are currently being allocated to research and improve the efficiency of offshore wind turbines.

Cons

Despite the fact that wind energy has many advantages for the environment and the local economy, experts emphasize some disadvantages.

Wind instability and unpredictability

Although the wind is an inexhaustible resource, it is also unpredictable and difficult to control. Being extremely unstable, the wind cannot be used as the main source of electricity.

To provide consumers with electricity in calm weather, power plants will need to store electrical energy using extremely expensive technologies.

Strong gusty wind can damage the blades of wind turbines, so owners should turn off the equipment in adverse weather conditions. All this leads to frequent drops in electricity production and requires complex technical solutions.

High installation and maintenance costs

The main factor that plays against wind energy is the high cost of wind generators. This may limit the ability of governments to invest in this technology, despite all its advantages. Similarly, carrying out preventive and corrective maintenance of wind turbines also requires a lot of money and qualified specialists.

Wind farm engineering: major challenges

Wind energy engineering services are highly sophisticated.

These services require the participation of specialists from various fields of knowledge, such as engineering, economics, ecology or law.

Engineers take into account numerous factors affecting the feasibility of the project:

Construction site wind conditions

This factor has the greatest impact on the economic performance of the wind energy project. The average wind speed should be high enough to ensure the economic viability of the wind farm.

On the other hand, the orography of the area and the presence of natural obstacles have a great influence on the level of turbulence, which directly affects the reliability of the equipment.

Size and configuration of the construction site

The site for the construction of a wind farm should provide enough space for the operation of wind turbines.

At the same time, the distance between the wind turbines should not be very large, since this increases the cost of electrical installation, electrical losses in the system and the cost of operation and maintenance.

Health and environmental factors

The environmental impact of a wind farm should be minimal.

Therefore, engineers need to consider various factors, such as bird migration routes, the presence of nearby settlements, etc.

When choosing a site for construction, it is necessary to take into account climatic conditions, soil condition and its bearing capacity. Increased attention is being paid to assessing the risk of floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Providing access to the national power grid

Connecting the wind farm to the national grid is a key factor in the successful implementation of the energy project.

On the one hand, the distance to the connection point will greatly affect the initial investment. On the other hand, it is necessary to evaluate the technical feasibility of each option in terms of the power limit and system stability.

Specialists are ready to provide the client with any wind energy engineering services. We and our partners have been responsible for the successful and safe operation of multi-million dollar equipment in different parts of the world.

Choosing a site for the construction of a wind farm

The first step in building a wind farm is to determine where it is best to install turbines.

The choice of site for the construction of a wind farm will be determined by numerous technical, economic and environmental criteria.

The following criteria are used for this analysis:

• Current and proposed land use in selected areas.
• The topography of the area, which may be considered unfavorable.
• Proximity to access roads for equipment transportation and maintenance.
• The distance to ecologically sensitive areas, including flora and fauna.
• Proximity to settlements, which is associated with permits and compensations.

At this stage of the project, our specialists, using special software, collect data about the wind, which allows us to estimate the wind resource of the area.

This data contains prevailing wind directions and speeds at a specific height for each season of the year. Additional parameters include the distribution of air density, atmospheric pressure, temperature, topography, etc.

After studying the wind atlas, the optimal area is chosen where the wind turbines will be installed. To increase the capacity of the wind farm, we must choose open areas with the highest wind speed.

Proper positioning of wind generators and auxiliary equipment is an important condition for achieving maximum power, minimizing losses and ensuring safe operation of the equipment.

Since the parameters in each area are unique, the layout of the wind farm is developed individually. For this purpose, atlases and software are used that take into account the terrain and wind resources.

Choosing a wind turbine for a power plant

After selecting a site for the construction and assessment of the wind resource, engineers must select the optimal wind turbines and auxiliary equipment, adapted to the specific conditions and requirements of the project.

The choice of wind turbines is considered one of the key points, since their cost can reach 60-80% of the total investment. That is why a preliminary study of the characteristics of wind turbines is an important aspect for the successful implementation of a wind energy project.

All wind turbines are classified according to their operating conditions. Each region can be assigned to one or another class depending on the wind speed and the expected intensity of turbulence.

Engineers have extensive experience in the design and construction of wind farms in difficult conditions.

We can find the perfect balance between performance, reliability and cost of equipment.

Analysis of investment costs and project financing

The so-called investment costs are the actual costs that arise during the implementation of a wind energy project. They consist of several groups.

The cost of wind turbines and electrical equipment

This cost item will include the cost of supplying wind turbines, as well as installation work, such as transporting or assembling components on site. It may vary, depending on the contract between the turbine supplier and the manufacturer.

Ancillary equipment such as electrical substation, transformer and connection components are also a major cost item.

Construction cost

This includes all the work that needs to be done to build a wind farm and adapt the land. The main expenses are determined by the foundations on which wind turbines are based, access roads to the park and trenches for laying cables.

The cost of installing power lines

Significant investments are required for installing medium voltage lines that connect the wind power plant to the national grid, as well as fiber-optic communication cables.

Other investment costs

In this section, we group the costs associated with engineering services, including on-site research, project management, job control, and optimization.

Thanks to our systematic approach, the use of innovative technologies and partnership with leading equipment manufacturers, GCAM guarantees the implementation of the energy project with minimal investment costs and risks.

Our company is ready to provide the customer with a source of financing, including loans for business in the largest banks.

About our wind energy engineering services

Designing a wind farm begins with an assessment of the region’s wind resources (average wind speed, Weibull distribution, and many other indicators).

Assessment of the characteristics of the selected area determines the feasibility of construction.

Based on the parameters of the available wind turbines and their location, engineers calculate power, total operating time, and the amount of electricity that can be generated. All this information is used in preparing a detailed feasibility study for a wind energy project.

Also, the goal of pre-project activities is to study the environmental impact. Our experts carefully evaluate the effects of construction on flora, fauna and human health in order to avoid fines.

The development of a wind farm project involves three stages.

Stage of construction:

• Earthwork, leveling and preparation of the construction site.
• Construction and expansion of access roads for heavy trucks and equipment.
• Installation of power lines to export energy to the national grid.
• Pouring foundations for the construction of buildings and structures.
• Purchase, supply and assembly of wind generators and other equipment.
• Equipment testing and commissioning.

Stage of operation and maintenance:

• Ensuring the operation of the wind farm in normal mode.
• Maintenance, repair and monitoring of equipment status.
• Optimization of technological processes and modernization of the facility.

Project closure stage:

• Professional dismantling of equipment.
• Demolition of structures of a wind farm.
• Site restoration.

Specialists of the company GCAM are ready to assist you at any stage of the energy project.

We offer financing and construction of wind farms under the EPC contract in different parts of the world.

We offer the following engineering services:

• A detailed study of the wind resource.
• Search for potentially interesting places to install wind turbines.
• Feasibility study and assistance with project financing.
• Obtaining all necessary permits for construction and operation.
• Selection of wind turbine models that meet customer requirements.
• Optimization of the design of a wind farm taking into account various criteria.
• A detailed assessment of the uncertainties and risks associated with the project.

Contact us to learn more about the company's services.