WIND ENERGY

Previous galvanizing experience

Our client, a major structural steel fabricator withan unparalleled reputation for excellence in his field had limited experiencewith hot dip galvanizing.  However, HydroQuebec, the end user and GE Wind Canada, the general contractor, arewell versed in the benefits of hot dip galvanizing

Public appearance

Wind is a renewable source of energy which can be usedas a backup for other means of generation, in this case, primarilyhydroelectric power.

Project developers recognize that the visual impactsare a concern for the local community.  Thisis why so much effort goes into the planning stages of a wind energy project.

Hydro-Quebec has been operating a wind test facility inthe town of Matane since July 2001, with three wind turbines rated at 750 kWeach. The primary purpose of the test facility was to support the growth of a Quebec wind-powerindustry by allowing local manufacturers to demonstrate that they can provideexcellent wind-power components.  Runningthis facility also gave Hydro-Quebec some necessary experience in operating andmaintaining wind turbines.

In order to meet the requirements of this project, ourclient, built a plant in Matane which will assemble the 847 windmill towers ofphase one. This represents a major investment in this rural community and willcontribute to reducing what has been an endemic unemployment problem in theGaspe region. It also increased the acceptance of the wind farm by the localinhabitants.

 "Though the client for this project had limited experience with hot-dip galvanizing, the end user and general contractor were well versed in the benefits. Though wind is a renewable source of energy that can be used as backup for other means of generation, project developers recognized that the visual impacts would be a concern for the community. All inside components, railings expended metals, flats, stairs and platforms were galvanized."

Compatibility with surroundings environment

The compatibility with the environment for wind towersis still a point debated between local communities and environmentalists.  Ironically the roles of these two groups canbe reversed from one wind project to the next. In this case both sides appearpleased with the benefits of the project. Also in this particular site TeddyKennedy’s beyond the horizon view from his beach estate was not impacted so theproject was able to proceed.    

Turn aroundtime

Manufacturing and processing time is a major issue inthe project since significant assembly after galvanizing is involved.  Corbec’s ability to offer two high capacityfacilities nearby where of great benefit to our client, reducing turn aroundtime and with less risk of downtime affecting the overall project schedule.

The very long maintenance free lifespan requirementsfor this project made it a natural for the inherently consistent quality and welldocumented durability of hot-dip galvanizing. Further contributing to thesuitability of galvanizing is the fact that the site is close to the Gulf ofSaint Lawrence resulting in a corrosive marine atmosphere.

All the inside components, railings, expended metal,flats, stairs and platforms are hot dip galvanized. The great size of thetowers themselves, for the moment, prevents their being galvanized.

The uniqueaspects of the project

The large tonnage to be hot dip galvanized and the integrated production scheduling of this project dovetail nicely with the fact that galvanizing is unaffected by climate and can offer fast dependable turnaroundyear round.

With windenergy becoming more and more popular as part of a trend towards sustainabledevelopment, the worldwide market growth is now close to 25% per year. Thishigh growth is both a substantial market opportunity for the galvanizingindustry and for the end users of these Wind energy projects to benefit fromthe unparalleled long term cost benefits of Hot-Dip Galvanizing.

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