wind / Energy
A brief introduction to MECAL Wind/Energy
Harnessing wind takes a wide range of expertise. Recognized for our know-how and reliability, MECAL has many references and a track record of delivering.
In a market with increasing demands, our customers rely on the over 20 years of top engineering successes of MECAL. MECAL has a unique expertise portfolio, in development, engineering and in operations.
We have quality assurance that is accredited according to ISO9001 and 14001 for all of our business units. Through our global presence we are able to meet any demand.
Here’s how…
Turbine Technology
For over 20 years we have been developing our competences in design & engineering, loads & control or simulation & analysis, as well as added value in production. Together with our clients we push the limits of design, material and technology to find strategies to lower Cost of Energy.
As an independent consultant, MECAL has contributed to the development of many different wind turbine technologies and is not biased towards a specific concept. With experience in geared turbines, direct drive and hydraulic drive train concepts, MECAL gives you the fresh perspective that is needed in conceptual design of the next generation of wind turbines.
Also in the existing technology, further improvements can be made: Together with OEMs, universities and various knowledge institutes, MECAL is translating the latest developments in R&D into practical solutions that decrease the Cost of Energy.
This is why many manufacturers of wind turbines and component suppliers rely on MECAL’s expertise and long experience in the design of wind turbines, both on- and offshore. We understand and appreciate that every OEM is unique, in terms of organization as well as product portfolio. Therefore, every project is tailored to your specific requirements, combining the strengths of your own engineering team with ours. Our skilled engineers and experienced global project managers are committed to add value, contributing to the success of your product.
Product portfolio strategy: Based on our long experience and knowledge of the market, we support manufacturers to define the next step in their product portfolio. The existing portfolio and strength of the OEM is combined with market trends and opportunities to make the optimum fit between the next generation technology and market need. Turbine design: Whether you want to upgrade your existing wind turbine design or make a completely new design, you can rely on MECAL. Our approach is based on cooperation with our customers and suppliers, with full ownership of the detailed design for our customers. System integration is at the heart of our design approach, combining all important aspects, such as Cost of Energy, manufacturability, O&M, HSE, reliability, time to market and innovation management.
Technology development: In order to decrease the Cost of Energy of wind power, MECAL pushes the limits of technology with new innovations, such as:
ATS hybrid tower concept
Hydraulic drive train technology
12MW conceptual design (included in Windpower Monthly’s top5 innovations of 2013)
MECAL ITS, an installation and transportation system for floating wind turbines without the use of large crane vessels
Licenses and technology transfer: To meet market demands, MECAL has developed pre-designed platforms customized to any client’s specifications. MECAL has a portfolio of onshore and offshore turbines that can be licensed. Technology transfer will create a solid base for ambition, and catalyse an impulse to local economies. Whether it is a 2.0-2.5MW or an ambitious 3+MW, as well as a 6MW, all top notch designs with a minimal time to market.
Advanced Tower Systems (ATS): The ATS tower concept is developed by MECAL to address the challenges of modern wind energy. Originally designed for hybrid towers with large hub heights, ATS provides a solution for transportation issues of large tower sections. The large hub height results in additional yield and a higher Return on Investment for the turbine owner. The patented ATS design is also ideal as full concrete tower for countries with high local content requirements, long transportation distances or limited access to steel manufacturing. MECAL ATS is the technology provider with worldwide licensees in Europe, South-America and Asia. Read more on ATS on their dedicated website: www.ats.eu
Assets and operations
Asset management
Being able to create energy from wind is a proactive process throughout the lifecycle of a wind farm. At MECAL we have compiled 20 years of accumulated knowledge in our MInD™ database, invaluable when it comes to asset management and performance and yield strategies with a result based operation focus:
Wind farm performance monitoring and analysis
Condition based O&M optimization
[P&L]+engineering™
Windfarm performance: Due to MECAL’s in-depth knowledge of turbine technology, performance operation and yield strategies, we can enhance all critical performance parameters, O&M finance and –cost modelling. Our experts perform wind farm performance benchmarks, comparing individual wind turbines within your wind farm and with similar wind farms. MECAL combines smart analyses of statistics with SCADA data and dedicated inspections and measurements. This data driven approach leads to optimised performance of the wind farm and maximised asset management.
Retrofit engineering: If component exchange is necessary, it is vital that the structural integrity of the wind turbine remains intact. MECAL supports owners/operators with retrofit designs, technical specifications, supply chain selection and verification.
Life time extension: With many wind farms approaching the end of their service life, owners need to consider what to do. Repowering, refurbishment and life time extension are some of the options.
We will make your assets perform at the highest level without having to compromise on the structural integrity of turbine, warranties or uptime. Both your P&L and your balance sheet will proof the point of our engineering.
Consultancy expertise
Expertise in consultancy
At Mecal IX we are supporting Financers and developers. MECAL Independent eXperts (IX) acts on behalf of the customers and supports them with the expertise in all wind power plant life stages: development, construction and operation. Our goal is to provide our clients worldwide with the technology and knowledge to reduce risks and to improve the return on wind power plant investments. MECAL can provide you with both the theoretical as well as the actual data. Our expertise in inspections and prognosis reporting has proven to be second to none.
Our valued clients include developers, owners and operators, banks and other financers. We have a proven track record in achieved optimization of yield, CAPEX and OPEX by our feasibility studies, due diligence, training, inspections, monitoring and analyses.
Offshore consultancy: WindMinds
The coming years will bring a dramatic increase in the deployment of offshore renewable energy technologies on a global scale. Wind Minds is perfectly placed to support this global ambition to exploit offshore renewable energy resources thanks to its highly experienced team of over 100 engineers and consultants who have worked on over 28 GW of renewable energy projects worldwide.
Wind Minds was established in 2014 by combining forces of 4 independent consultancies, each with over 15 years’ experience in the renewable energy industry. Wind Minds domestic market is Europe, however we are increasing our international presence in China and Taiwan.
The services Wind Minds provides cover the entire value chain of a wind energy project, such as feasibility studies, planning and development support, ecological research, strategic and environmental impact assessments, yield optimization, asset management, O&M strategy and due diligence services (windminds.com).