Avanti Climb Assistance in 141 new wind turbines in Oregon, USA
141 new wind turbines in Oregon, USA, are to have Avanti Climb Assistance installed. This is a system which makes it easier for service technicians to climb up and down the ladders in wind turbines.
The agreement with Avanti Wind Systems has just been signed. The 141 new wind turbines will be installed in Biglow Canyon in Oregon, USA, for Portland General Electric. Construction of the first 65 wind turbines will start in April this year. The next phase of 76 wind turbines in Biglow Canyon will be installed in 2010.
Climb Assistance has been developed by Avanti Wind Systems. The system makes it easier for service technicians to climb ladders, reducing their loads by up to 40 kg.
In simple terms, Avanti Climb Assistant consists of an endless rope which is fastened to the technician's harness with a clamp of the same type used in mountain climbing. Giving a gentle tug starts a motor which pulls on the rope, thus facilitating climbing for the technician. The rope runs along the ladder and the pull weight is set by the technician. For example, if he weighs 100 kg and sets the pull to 40 kg, he only has to raise 60 kg of his body weight. The safety systems ensure that the technician can stop the system at any time because the pull weight is set so that the technician only need stand still on the ladder and after a few seconds without movement, the pull force stops. .
The Avanti Climb System can also be installed in old wind turbine towers.
In Biglow Canyon, Oregon, Avanti Wind Systems is collaborating with Portland general Electric on the smooth integration of Avanti Climb Assistance in the new wind turbine design. All the ladders in the new wind turbines are also supplied by Avanti, and both ladders and Climb Assistance are installed in the wind turbines by Avanti.