ODC logistics pioneer launches first-of-its-kind wind blade adapter in India
A drive down the east coast road from Chennai to Mamallapuram (also known as Mahabalipuram at about 60 km from Chennai), a popular tourist centre with world heritage listed temples and carvings is always an enchanting experience. Viewing the radiant blue waters of Bay of Bengal proximate to the road on one side and swampy verdant vegetation and lakes dotted with mesmeric winged visitors interspersed amidst new age buildings on the other side, the drive experience gets only accentuated if it happens to be on a cool January Sunday. One such trip materialised for us on January 24, 2016 and the occasion was the launch of wind blade adapter by the ODC logistics segment leader NTC Logistics, Chennai. The venue was at the Confluence Banquets and Resorts bordering Mamallapuram; and upon entering the expansive layout, one was welcomed the impressive sight of 50 mtr long wind turbine blade attached to the adapter and mounted on Goldhofer trailer coupled to a tractor. It greatly raised the interest level in the launch event and unfolding of the program did not belie our expectations.
Blade adapter launch
The event was attended by who’s who in the wind domain representing various companies, suppliers and equipment manufacturers. The chief guest for the evening program was Mr. Ramesh Kymal, Chairman, Renewable Energy Council of CII Godrej Green Business Centre, and Chairman & Managing Director, Gamesa Wind Turbines Pvt. Ltd. The event commenced with the introduction of NTC Group and its foray into ODC logistics; and followed by presentation of progress milestones in the wind terrain culminating in the launch of wind blade adapter – the first of its kind in India expected to cause a paradigm shift in that logistics segment.
Mr. Kymal delivering the chief guest address thanked NTC Group for having invited him to witness the innovation. He said: “In our wind business one of the big constraints has been the movement of large and heavy equipment whether blades, towers or nacelles so much so that it becomes a constraint in developing the right machine for the Indian applications. I remember when we started in 1994, 225 KW turbine was thought at that time to be a big machine; and found very few people who could move it to the sites efficiently and without mishaps. Let us not forget most of the sites are in remote areas with hardly any kuchha roads and it’s always a real challenge to transport. From 225 KW we moved on to 750 KW and it was a huge machine when compared to 225 KW. We discussed with Mr. Chandramohan, NTC Group Chairman & MD, about the movement tasks and he asked the logistics issues and solutions for the same to be left to him. The order for the machines was got in Nov and the same had to be installed and commissioned in Gujarat by March 31. Towers fabricated in Trichy and equipment manufactured from Chennai needed to be transported. It was a big challenge and no one had done it before. NTC executed the entrusted assignment ahead of schedule and since then there has been no looking back for utilising their services in demanding projects both for local and export markets”.
Mr. Kymal added that Indian market needed increasingly larger rotors (rotor diameter) which meant longer blades have to be handled. The upper limit for rotor diameter was thought of to be 97 mtr but it has gone to 114 mtr and with the blade adapter, can even go higher. This gives manufacturer like Gamesa the confidence to go for larger machines leaving the handling issues to the specialist in the field like NTC.
He added: “Like my company which has gone on to becoming a lead player in India, NTC has also scaled new heights in the ODC logistics terrain to become the leader. The same is not possible without good teams and it’s the same that will propel them to even higher planes down the timeline. I congratulate NTC for the above and launching the blade adapter for the market”.
After the main address, formal launch of the machine took place at the parked area and the demo operations followed. The adapter capabilities pertaining to blade lifting, rotation about its axis and swivelling about the mounting were performed to exhibit the flexibility of the adapter in providing various blade orientations for clearing the obstacles – impressive indeed and for the exhibited adapter features, refer to the separate section included.
NTC has a stellar record in the wind logistics domain having introduced the latest technology for the challenging applications. Some of their milestones in the sector include being the first to move the longest blades by hydraulic modular axles, introduction of dolly type trailer for carrying two blades, double nacelle and multimodal movements of turbine components for cost reduction, supply of the state-of-the-art extendable trailer with steerable axles from Goldhofer and always being the first to handle increasing blade sizes over the years. Wind blade adapter has been their latest introduction and with a proactive approach to set the technical trends and guide the market to new vistas, their leadership status is likely to remain secure over the years ahead. Also with NTC around, the machine manufacturers and end users can focus all their efforts towards their core business activities and in introducing larger machines for the applications; and handing over the logistics hassles, challenges and constraints to the specialist to attend – rightly so as it means a win-win situation for all concerned and the same should lead to an accelerated all round growth in the sector.
Wind blade adapter features
Technical Specifications
* Maximum blade tonnage 20 MT
* Maximum length 60 mtr
* Lifting angle 60 deg
* Blade rotating axis 360 deg
* Module rotation angle 360 deg
Advantages
* Greater safety
* Better manoeuvrability
* Protection of environment
* Lower cost implications
* Reduction in following expenses:
* Trimming / cutting of trees
* Development of new roads
* Demolition of structures
“We have brought contemporary design for Indian applications”
To get more information about the interesting adapter equipment and its introduction for market at this juncture, we followed up to meet Mr. K. Chandramohan, Chairman & Managing Director, and Mr. K.P. Ajit Menon, Executive Director, jointly in their swanky Corporate Office at Chennai.
Excerpts:
Can you brief us your foray into wind segment of ODC and the pick of the memorable milestones in the journey so far?
We entered the wind terrain logistics business in 2002 in a small way and this was alongside other verticals, projects and transportation. We grew at a steady pace of 30 to 40% over the years. We focussed on wind as it was in the nascent stage with lot of potential and growth prospects for new entrants; and innovations were taking place though ODC was not an unheard of term at that time. Our growth along with that of wind business, has been working in close partnership with major manufacturing companies launching bigger, heavier and complex machines. To move them we being the front runner had to innovate at every stage and the results of the same have been reflected in those memorable milestones. Every milestone is important and to be cherished with the latest being the blade adapter.
Is the blade adapter introduction at this juncture for the market, a proactive decision or a need based move? Also highlight as to when would a customer opt for the blade adapter and whether it replaces any of the normal blade transport carrier vehicles.
It’s a combination of both viz., our launch coinciding with the customer needs. It’s like a hand in glove type situation and we took the first baby step of introducing the blade adapter in India. There are various locations and topographies where the adapter application is an absolute must and our introduction has just complemented the market demands.
As regards adapter application, we are not talking about switching over from regular blade transport thro’ trucks and trailers to the adapter. Blade adapter is basically for a difficult terrain and when climbing becomes difficult. Also the adapter has significant advantages while negotiating short radius of curvature in the traverse path and the movement takes place thro’ villages. The flexible manoeuvrings of the blade fixed to the adapter facilitated thro’ various rotary, swivelling and turning motions makes it an optimal choice. It actually receives the blades transported thro’ long haul carriers and transports it to the application site – yes it may be referred to as the last mile carrier in that segment of blade transportation.
Tell us about the salient features of the adapter, mounting details, skills required for operations and safety features.
The adapter is from Korea and the same mounted on imported Goldhofer Germany make hydraulic modular trailer coupled to the tractor. We are examining the possibilities of mounting it on rigid chassis and in discussions with the adapter supplier. The adapter movements are effected thro’ a hydraulic power pack powered by a slave diesel engine. The blade and wind loads are sensed and the feedback provided to controls for ensuring stability during operations. Our team well versed in handling various hydraulic equipment and systems can handle the adapter with ease and can also take necessary instructions and support from equipment supplier.
Comment on the evolution of blade adapter and the international trends / innovations for blade and other turbine assemblies movements.
The blade adapter has been in the international market for quite some time and has evolved in stages over a period of time. It made its start in central Europe near Austria where the mountainous terrain needed to be traversed during the blade transport. We at NTC have brought the contemporary design for Indian applications. We have already ordered three more units so that the pan India needs can be met.
In India for the max rating of 2 MW turbine, the blade length can go from 53 to 57 mtr depending on the manufacturer. In the international scene, 5 MW wind turbines are being installed on shore and this could happen in India too over a period of time. Our current blade adapter can handle blades up to 60 mtr. Handling beyond it poses its own transportation challenges. Innovations are taking place in tower and blade designs all the time and for the new challenges we are getting geared to address the logistics issues.
What are your viewpoints for the onshore and offshore developments? Will NTC be an active player in the offshore segment and what are their plans for the future?
Offshore machines also need movement on land up to the shore and we are getting ready to handle it. We are already into multimodal transport and done barging and coastal movement. Hence, offshore handling will become an added operation in our scope. We are already an active player in the make in India initiative and have introduced various special trailers with innovations for challenging transport applications. We will be only extending that in our future activities to meet the demanding customer needs.
