WindSpider gets funding for possibly world’s tallest crane for turbines

WindSpider, a Norway-based company developing an innovative crane for wind turbines, has received millions in grant for further development of their aluminium lifting solution, control system and simulator.

The tower-climbing aluminum crane system is aimed for installation and maintenance of wind turbines on- and offshore, with many benefits and at lower cost, according to the company.

The company stated that the project marks the start of building the first full-scale unit of the WindSpider system, which has the potential to become one of the tallest cranes in the world.

Innovative lifting solution for installation

Innovation Norway, a state-owned development agency, has given a $2 million grant to the company.

The funding comes at a time when the wind industry is looking for new technologies to reduce costs and enable the use of larger wind turbines on land and water.

“As we experience record high activity in the global onshore and offshore wind industry, together with increasingly taller and heavier wind turbines and corresponding bottlenecks in the supply chain, the timing of bringing solutions like WindSpider to the market is optimal,” said the company in a press release .

The company is offering an innovative lifting solution for installation and major component replacement of wind turbines, onshore and offshore.

Self-erecting solution

The self-erecting solution, which uses the turbine tower as support, is claimed to have several attractive features, including eliminating relative motion between crane and wind turbine, no turbine weight or height restrictions, compatibility with floating vessels, and good operability at windy sites.

Company can solve some biggest issues in the wind industry

With an effective lifting capacity of more than 1500 metric tons, WindSpider claims that it has capacity to solve some of the biggest issues in the wind industry and is prepared for the next generations of wind turbines at a substantially lower cost.

The company maintained that, furthermore, the first commercial offshore floating wind projects are presently being awarded in Europe on the backdrop of the initial cases of major component repairs carried out by the means of towing offshore floating wind turbines to port; this process is time-consuming, complex & expensive.

WindSpider will start building first full-scale unit that can become one of the tallest cranes

“This process calls for an alternative solution, like WindSpider, that is able to carry out repairs on site,” added the company in the press release.

The project is also supported by recognized industry players, both in Norway and internationally, and an important milestone for bringing the product to the market. Following the project, WindSpider will start building the first full-scale unit which has the potential to become one of the tallest cranes in the world and helping to accelerate the green energy transition.