Projects
SSE Renewables
Project Engineering complete calculations for component specification, design detailing, FEA (Finite Element Analysis) and full manufacturing data pack for complex wind turbine maintenance systems for SSE Renewables.
Needs
SSE Renewables are the UK and Irelands clean energy champion and have plans to expand globally to deliver the green energy the world needs. SSE Renewables faced limitations by their current tooling for carrying out significant maintenance activities on the hub of their onshore turbine fleet. SSE Renewables service requirements meant they needed to safely rotate an unbalanced hub (a wind turbine hub which already has a blade removed).
Approach
Project Engineering engaged with SSE Renewables and gained an understanding of their requirements and design constraints. Project Engineering put a plan in place, establishing clear requirements for equipment, limitations on the equipment weight for manual handling and power limitations. After agreeing the approach with SSE Renewables, Project Engineering put the plan into action and assigned resources.
Design
Our engineers used engineering calculations and principles to specify the requirements of a motor and gearbox sufficient in capacity to turn an unbalanced turbine hub. Project Engineering sourced a capable Bonfiglioli motor coupled with a compact gear unit to provide the necessary torque to rotate the unbalanced hub. Our engineers used Autodesk Inventor to complete fully detailed 3D CAD models and manufacturing drawings of a mounting system for the hub rotation system to be used within a turbine. Each set of 3D CAD and drawings were then issued to SSE Renewables for QA approval. On approval, SSE Renewables passed the manufacturing data pack and component details to their supply chain for manufacture and assembly.
Result
Working with Project Engineering allowed SSE Renewables to leverage their engineering department, by combining SSE Renewables’ maintenance and sectoral knowledge with the engineering capabilities of engineers from the Project Engineering team. Through time, Project Engineering have become a trusted partner, supporting SSE Renewables to develop more tools and systems for the safe and efficient maintenance of their wind turbine fleet.
