Wind Energy

Denmark are frontrunners within Renewables – especially Wind, and the industry is without a doubt booming globally. Our office in Esbjerg is therefore uniquely placed and we support some of the world’s biggest Wind Energy companies.

With expertise from Real Safety, anti-slip and non-metallic materials are implemented to enhance both safety and reduce weight. We also ensure that slips, trips and falls on wind farms, both offshore and onshore, are minimised.

Through technology innovations and also economies of scale, the global wind power market has nearly quadrupled in size over the past decade. (Ref.: BWEC Global Wind Report 2021). Wind power is both a sustainable but also renewable energy source, which importantly, has a much smaller impact on the environment than burning fossil fuels.

Safety is paramount within the wind industry. In fact, several organisations promote and enhance this – including G+. Indeed, it is the global health and safety organisation, bringing together the offshore wind industry to pursue shared goals and outcomes. It is run in partnership with the Energy Institute, which provides the secretariat and supports its work.

Case study: Anholt offshore windfarm

Challenge:

The Anholt Offshore Wind Farm is one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms. It was completed in 2013

The client was looking for a long-lasting safety solution. Firstly, to ensure surfaces were upgraded visually, but also to improve slip safety. They wanted a solution that was both quick and also easy to install onto existing surfaces

Problem:

Service and maintenance are important on wind farms. Typically, it’s in the nacelle but also hubs that most of the work takes place. A lot of technicians from different organisations do this work – often in very crammed conditions. Various types of steel material is also used on floors and walkways. Therefore, there was a particular focus from the client on improving the areas visually, but also from a non slip safety perspective. In nacelles, you often find traces of hydraulic oil. That, as well as a slight tilt of the surface, obviously leads to a very unsafe work environment on both steps and floors.

Solution:

We work with the client to find the right solution. As a result, a combination of Real Safety’s anti-slip step covers with yellow nosing on the steps were installed in the nacelle. Anti-slip FRP plates were also installed within the hub covering the accumulator package on each blade bearing. Finally, we secured ladders rungs in the tower section with our anti-slip ladder covers. We mounted anti slip products onto existing surfaces – with a 10-year guarantee.

Result:

As always, we were focused on solving the clients’ issues and consequently developed an anti slip products solution that was completely customised to suit their needs. Furthermore, it has also reduced slip & trip accidents to zero! The client now has slip safe steps covering the stairs inside the nacelle. Moreover, their people are able to move around safely without the risk of slipping and falling.

For more information about this case, see our case study on Anholt Offshore Windfarm.

Wind Industry Risk Areas:

Walkways – Stairs – Ladders – Dropped objects

Articles and industry information:

• Home | G+ Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation (www.gplusoffshorewind.com)
• Health and safety statistics from G+ Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation (gplusoffshorewind.com)
• International Energy Agency – Renewables 2021 – analysis and forecast to 2026 (International Energy Agency)
• GWEC Global Wind Report 2022 – Global Wind Energy Council – (www.gwec.net)
• Global offshore Wind report 2021 – Global Wind Energy Council (www.gwec.net)
• International Renewable Energy Agency – Renewable energy statistics 2021 (www.irena.org)