BLOWING THE COMPETITION AWAY

Total Wind

Wind power is the world’s fastest growing source of renewable energy. In the EU, new legislation has set an aggressive target for 20% of all energy to be provided from renewable sources by 2020 and with this in mind one must consider the rate at which wind turbines must be installed in order for this target to be reached.

As of 2010 there were more than 70,000 wind turbines in operation throughout the EU with an installed capacity of 19.5MW per 1000km of land area with one of the highest densities being in Denmark, which as a nation has been at the forefront of the industry since the beginning. Endeavour Magazine looks at the rapid rise of the Danish wind energy installation and project management company Total Wind and the philosophy that has allowed the company to become a leading global player in the field.

Total Wind

A Complete SolutionTotal Wind is a business that has demonstrated

phenomenal growth. Since the company was founded by Jens Nygaard Laursen in 2003 alongside a small group of experienced Danish engineers working in the wind energy industry it has grown to employ over 400 people working in many of the key growing wind energy markets across the world. The company owes this growth to being one of the first companies to develop a comprehensive solution for turbine manufacturers and utilities by providing complete turnkey project management from transport and installation through to service of turbines as Jens explains:

“We were one of the first complete solution providers for the sector meaning we have been able to change the industry alongside our colleagues. We have worked to develop our strength in skills and focus our resources on key growth markets in Europe and South America allowing us to adapt and work locally. We have achieved this by only using our own engineers and retaining complete control and responsibility for every installation. The most important objective for us is to work closely with our customers wherever the market may be to ensure that we do things properly.”

The Total Wind method is to work closely with its clients focusing carefully on all aspects of the installation and logistics requirements in order to optimise cost efficiency. This is achieved through effective use of the company’s own highly skilled and experienced workforce. Clients are supported with in house project managers with a team of

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skilled engineers and technicians responsible for installation, mechanical and electrical engineering work for any wind turbine type.

Employees are seen as the most important asset to the company and skills development has been instrumental in supporting the company’s growth as Jens explains:

“In the beginning the company employed more than 80% Danish engineers but now they account for less than 10% of our workforce as we have become a multinational group. It is most important for us to understand each of our markets and employ only the best local engineers. We invest heavily in training and co-operate closely with manufacturers and utilities to help our engineers develop skills and gain the best possible understanding of new and existing technologies.”

No CompromiseWorking at height, in hazardous conditions and difficult

environments with heavy equipment presents significant potential dangers for staff working on site and Total Wind takes this fact very seriously. The company is highly committed to the safety and protection of its staff and has worked to develop a comprehensive health and safety policy which not only meets but exceeds most local and national standards:

“Our most important asset is our staff and our priority is to ensure that they return home safely from every project. We developed our health and safety policy through our experience gained working in the UK market and continued to work in compliance with British health and safety requirements in addition to the regulations of our other markets. We believe the British standards to be the most comprehensive and applied this approach throughout our business and its subsidiaries.”

The company also applies this same uncompromising approach in ensuring that its personnel are always fully equipped through meticulous planning and co-ordination. Transportation of each turbine is managed straight from the manufacturer through to the installation through its specialist logistics partners. Hjortdal Special Transportation is one of the most experienced logistics service providers to

the wind industry in the world with over 25 years’ experience in transportation of wind turbines using its own highly equipped fleet of custom built low loaders and transport equipment. Total Wind itself operates its own in house cranes and equipment for installation of turbines up to 140 meters in height with its own operators and technicians equipped with the best available protective equipment and tools.

Total Wind also recognises the importance of providing a safe and comfortable working environment for staff on the ground. Working with partner Site Facility, the company sets up a fully equipped camp with accommodation and office facilities for all staff working at the installation site. The Mobile Living Camp and Mobile Office Camp facilities provided by Site Facility allow workers to remain on site throughout the project in a comfortable environment with high quality accommodation, canteen and living quarters along with fully equipped office facilities. The innovative modular solution provided by Site Facility is completely mobile and can be set up at any installation site to minimise time lost through travel and maximizing productivity – minimizing total installation cost for the customer – whilst also providing the best possible facilities for staff on site.

The FutureAccording to the European Wind Energy association the

wind sector is set for continued growth especially in Europe. The wind industry in the EU has demonstrated an average annual growth of over 15% over the past 17 years and this trend is set to continue on the back of 9,616 MW installed during 2011 worth over 12 billion Euros. Despite challenges facing the European economic environment these figures demonstrate the level of investor confidence that remains in the wind industry. Total Wind is well positioned to take advantage of this future growth but must continue to focus on quality of service and cost efficiency as Jens explains:

“Europe will continue to be a key market for us as I believe it will demonstrate sustained growth over the coming years, whilst the financial crisis will undoubtedly affect growth we still continue to see strong investment in wind power. The challenges remain in the rate of change within the industry

Total Wind

and cost pressure. Whilst the market is highly competitive we will continue to work closely with the leading players in the sector to help us keep up with the rate of change and maintain cost effectiveness.”

Total Wind, alongside its installation and project management operations also continues to develop its wind turbine service solutions offering for wind turbine manufacturers and world leading utilities scale operators including scheduled maintenance, fault diagnosis, ad hoc repairs and component replacement both on and offshore. These services further support its clients in ensuring minimal disruption to wind farm operations and long term cost saving through regular technical maintenance.

Total Wind has developed a complete service provision which covers the entire life cycle of a wind farm from the point a turbine leaves the factory to successful operation of turbines many years into the future. This is achieved through effective investment in skills and working closely and proactively with clients on site to ensure optimum cost efficiency and minimal reduction, but most importantly to ensure that all tasks are carried out correctly first time. The Total Wind philosophy demonstrates a strong client-led approach and unparalleled attention to detail across the spectrum of the company’s activities. This approach correlates directly to the needs of the industry in protecting the client’s bottom line through focus on quality and efficiency therefore playing its part in safeguarding the investment potential and profitability in wind energy as a whole and supporting a clean energy future for all.

Total Wind

With more than 25 years experience in transportation of wind turbines, we believe that we have the necessary experience, expertise, and not least the right equipment to supply any wind park - without regard to physical location, country or type of wind.

Fabriksvej 8DK-9690 Fjerritslevtel: +45 98 21 73 76web: www.fnor.dk

Total Windwww.totalwind.com+45 9660 1900

Written by Martin White

www.littlegatepublishing.com