Could be blowing in the wind 

Synopsis of  “Wind Transport Needs Challenge Industry” Blog by Tom Gray

The Windpower 2010 Conference & Exhibition called together experts in these key shipping technologies to address how the three must work together to get our new energy source onto its chosen sites and online as quickly as possible.

 Making and using energy from the power of the wind which continually sweeps across the American landscape is not only altering the appearance of that vista but conceivably could furnish power to thousands of homes without use of fossil fuel.

But there are tremendous problems which must be overcome for wind energy to come online as a significant answer for our energy needs:

Trucking as the primary hauler of wind turbines and their components from factory to installation site cannot meet the special needs of the infant industry. For example, the route a truck hauling 130-foot rotor blades must use is determined by each state through which the truck passes to get the blades to destination. Presently, heavy haul drivers are constantly dealing with circuitous routes forcing far too many added miles for fuel efficiency (sometimes as much as one-third again the number of miles just to reach the wind turbine building site), poor quality roads and permitting nightmares involving overhead clearances and height and weight restrictions. The huge cost for the very large trailers also is a significant concern, as well as the truckers themselves getting older with no younger ‘apprentices’ stepping up to start driving in the near future. Ultimately, analysts foresee the role of trucks to be that of the final haul to site rather than cross-country marathons.

Conference speakers addressed the potential of railroads in getting the turbines and components to the site, but admitted trains are also not the total answer. The rail industry of course maintains its own infrastructure of rails, bridges and crossings, with no headaches due to state regulations governing load size, weight, etc. However, railroads too must check routes ahead of shipments in order for some of the immensely large pieces to be shipped without hindrance. But in a proactive movement, rail has been working with turbine manufacturers, encouraging them to make the pieces a little easier to move large distances.

Finally, the conference also brought river barges into play in the transport puzzle. Barges are energy-efficient in their use of fossil fuels and can haul many more times the amount of weight trucks or trains can; 15 barges can haul as much cargo as 216 railroad cars or over a thousand heavy-haul trucks. Multiple blades can be carefully stacked on barges whereas other transport is usually restricted to hauling one blade at a time per unit. Barge industry spokesmen urged the wind turbines and their component makers to consider riverfront access for specialized factories. Also, the ever-present bottlenecks on highways and single-track railway system are of course avoided utilizing the nation’s inland waterways, as 60% of the system’s capacity currently is idle.

Consensus at the conference found the first need for the wind energy industry is to start planning for the transportation of turbines and components the moment a site has been tentatively selected. Otherwise, the great promise of the wind farms in providing fossil-free fuel will dwindle down to the classic Hollywood western look, of a rusted windmill turning forlornly in the wind beside a deserted ranch house.

Find the original blog by Tom Gray “Wind Transport Needs Challenge Industry” here: http://www.awea.org/blog/Index.php?mode=viewlist&pageno=45&limit=5-