Wind Riding the Rails

Wind turbine components are generally transported from the factory to the project site via trucks, a process rife with logistical challenges. Moving 148-foot-long wind turbine blades requires thorough planning of the route to avoid narrow roads, tight intersections, low-clearance bridges, etc. Now, Siemens Energy is utilizing trains to ship some of its turbine blades, a considerably more efficient process.

Siemens recently completed a rail yard at its blade factory in Fort Madison, Iowa, and the first shipment of 42 blades is on its way to the Biglow Canyon Wind Farm in Oregon, a project that will require a total of 423 blades. Shipping by train has environmental benefits due to decreased emissions over trucking and utilizes the existing railroad infrastructure to move components across the country. In addition to turbine blades, Siemens plans on shipping nacelles and towers by train.

You can read more about this at SustainableBusiness.com here.

 

PERSONALLY SPEAKING
It is good to see the railroad getting put to good use for the renewable energy industry. Trains can move these massive components more easily and with less fuel consumer per unit, improving the economy of project development. When Vestas decided to build a blade factory in Brighton, CO, the accessibility of rail services was an important factor. ~Kevin

Kevin Maddaford is the Consumer Services Manager and Resource Development Associate at Renewable Choice Energy.