Liftra installationscrane LT1500

The objective of this project is to develop a new Liftra Self-Hoisting Crane (LSHC) that can install a full wind turbine generator - the Liftra Turbine Installation Crane (TIC). The TIC provides similar business advantages as the previous LSHC solutions, as it addresses the same issue; as the hub height of new wind turbines is steadily increasing, crane costs for installation and maintenance are rising exponentially. Conventionally, in order to reach components inside the wind turbine, a large, temporary crane structur is built right next to it. In contrast, the samller LSHC systems eliminate win turbine height as a factor, as they gain height by climbing to the top of the turbine to reach the components inside. 

However, while the incentive for the TIC is identical to that of previous LSHC technologies, the crane itself is vastly different. Si it its actual capabilities and functionality. By utilizing a flange design on the tower sections, the TIC can install and climb each new section and effectively erect a full tower with no external lifting equipment. As it sits at the top of one tower section, it can lift up the next section from the ground, place it on the top, and than climb the newly installed piece. This process is repeated until the crane's height limit of 250 meters is reached. Then, once all tower sections have been installed, the TIC can hoist the full nacelle and rotor in single lifts of up to 100 tons. Ultimately, this eliminates any need for a large conventional crane when erecting wind turbines.