Wind power still warm for crane and rigging market

Crane, rigging and rental companies were talking about how to improve and enhance the wind power industry at the American Wind Association's annual conference and exhibition May 23-26 in Dallas, TX. WindPower 2010, which drew an estimated 20,000 attendees and 1,393 exhibitors to the Dallas Convention Center, had companies describing to ACT upcoming research and development for the market.

Barnhart Crane & Rigging, a company known for its innovative solutions to lifting and transportation challenges, said they are looking at research and development with component exchanges, or smarter ways to be more efficient, said Chuck Madgett with Barnhart wind business development.

Madgett said customers should expect a big announcement within the next four months from Barnhart that has to do with wind turbine maintenance, and though he wouldn't provide any details of what the announcement consisted of, Madgett did say the product has potential to shake things up.

"We want to change the industry," he said.

Heavy lift and transport manufacturer Lampson International also had big news. By the end of next year, Lampson will deliver its Transi-Lift LTL-3000 to Hitachi Transport LTD in Japan. The LTL-3000 will be put to work on constructing a new nuclear power plant for Tokyo Electric Power Company.

Also exhibiting was Northwest Crane Service LLC, who recently completed the erection of 66 wind turbines at the Blue Canyon Wind Farm near Lawton, OK. The company used a Liebherr LR 1400/2-W narrow track crane for the job. Braden Hodges, project coordinator for Northwest, told ACT the company will be starting work on a 328-foot (100m) turbine project in July.

For more WindPower 2010 news, see the July issue of ACT magazine.