North American Windpower: ITI Energy Funds Program To Develop Wind Turbine Maintenance Device

ITI Energy Funds Program To Develop Wind Turbine Maintenance Device

in News Departments > Products & Technologies

by NAW Staff on Thursday 11 January 2007

ITI Energy, Aberdeen, Scotland, is funding a research and development program to create a new lifting device for the maintenance and construction of wind farms - the Orangutan.

The design concept for the device was developed by Oreada Ltd., an Aberdeen-based engineering firm. The technology, initially developed for onshore use, has the potential to be used for offshore applications as well, the company says. ITI Energy is investing up to 3 million euros to further develop the product.

Orangutan is made up of two friction clamps, connected by a hydraulic structure that allows caterpillar-like motion. It works by climbing the wind turbine tower while carrying whatever tooling package is required for the maintenance operation. It can be used for a variety of lifting jobs and can be operated remotely, the company adds.

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