Conventional wind turbine installation heavily relies on large-tonnage cranes and has strict requirements on wind conditions, leading to construction restrictions in complex terrains and windy areas.

Recently, Spanish engineering firm Nabrawind commercially applied its innovative top-down installation technology named Skylift for the first time, effectively breaking the long-standing industry bottleneck.

Breaking conventional construction modes, Skylift enables full turbine assembly without large cranes. The nacelle is hoisted first, followed by tower sections assembled downward sequentially.

The rotor can be installed at a low height of 30 to 40 meters, greatly cutting construction difficulty compared with the traditional 90 to 100-meter high-altitude operation.

Equipped with a triangular support frame, the system lifts tower components steadily. Workers fasten parts securely inside the tower structure.

The technology boasts outstanding wind resistance performance. It can operate stably at a wind speed of 15 m/s with gusts reaching 20 m/s. Its construction window is vastly expanded against the conventional limit of 6 to 8 m/s.

Field tests were carried out at InnoVent Diaz Wind Farm in Namibia, where a Goldwind GW165/6000 direct-drive turbine was successfully installed. Considering the structural feature that the rotor of direct-drive turbines cannot rotate, the team optimized assembly procedures. Two blades were mounted at a 30-degree angle and stabilized by counterweights. The third blade was installed after the unit was lifted to the designated hub height.

Field practice proves the net installation cycle of a single turbine can be shortened to one week. The solution adapts to harsh windy environments and construction sites inaccessible to heavy cranes.

Seven Goldwind GW165/6000 turbines are scheduled to be deployed at InnoVent Diaz Wind Farm. Further operations will continuously verify the practical stability of the new installation technique and supporting equipment.