An exclamation point for green energy
Laying of the foudation stone for two wind engines on heap Oberscholven. Up to 40 further engines in different locations planned by RAG.
By laying the foundation stone for two wind engines on heap Oberscholven in the north of Gelsenkirchen, the Ruhr is stepping into a new stage of its long history as an energy region. ELE Scholven Wind GmbH invests some six million euro for the two engines which generate 4,6 MW of electricity together. For this project Emscher Lippe Energie GmbH (ELE) and Mingas-Power GmbH, a subsidiary of Evonik, based in Essen, founded a new company called ELE Scholven Wind GmbH.
The two engines will cover the energy consumption of a city with 10,000 inhabitants. This shows how strong the wind is in the middle of the Ruhr. And this is only the beginning: "These wind engines mark the starting point for further, similar acivities in this area" says Andreas Minke, CEO of ELE Scholven Wind and Minigas-Power. "When you take a look at the Ruhr you see numerous similar locations which are available." For Evonik's business area of energy, activities in the green sector are an important and neccessary addition to their portfolio, including a great initial position for economic growth. Minke emphasizes: "We want to enlarge and develop the sector of wind energy engineering. In this and in future projects, RAG is an important partner for ELE Scholven. Not only do they own the heaps, they also bring important expert knowledge.
The construction of wind engines of this dimension on heaps in the Ruhr was absolutely new for both companies. "The wind engines are a visible sign for the potential of renewable energies that RAG has made up for related projects on their areas." explains Walter Eilert, who coordinated RAG's activities in the sector of renewable energies. A recent survey by RAG has shown that up to 40 heaps in the Ruhr are suited for modern wind engines.
Already in a few months the two wind engines will have set an exclamation point for the Emscher-Lippe region that are visible within a distance of 30 kilometers. Mayor Frank Baranowski is very happy: "Such a signal for the whole region is great for Gelsenkirchen, the city of future energies (...)." For ELE, local power supplier and stockholder of ELE Scholven Wind GmbH, this project is the biggest single investment in the sector of green electricity. Therefor the wind engines have a huge symbolic power both for ELE and the region. While laying the foundation stone, Kurt Rommel, CEO of ELE asks his guests to "(t)ake a look around. The Emscher-Lippe region is much greener than its reputation." He adds: "In the future ELE wants to contribute to make energy for Gelsenkirchen, Gladbeck and Bottrop greener, step by step. The engines are important on our way to green electricity and laying the foundation stone is a milestone."
The towers are to be constructed 120 m above Emscher-Lippe on the heap in Scholven. Two special cranes will help piling the components which weight up to 40 t. That is a precision job for the crane operator, who has to rely on integrated cameras and the visual judgement of his colleagues, especially during high wind. They stand on the rack to receive the components at the tower. You definitely have to be free of dizziness in order to install generator ond rotor, 100 m above ground.
Before being installed, each component of the engines has taken a long journey. It takes between 60 and 80 heavy goods vehicles to get the components from their producer Enercon, based in Aurich, to Gelsenkirchen. In the middle of the night the trickiest part starts for the drivers: they have to maneuver the vehicles to the top of the heap on narrow cravel paths and through tight turns. "In terms of wind regime this location is perfect, but on the other hand it is a logistic challenge for us." says Andreas Minke.
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Here are some facts about the wind engines which are identical in construction:
- Producer: ENERCON GmbH, Aurich
- Classification: E-82 E2
- Actual power output: each 2,300 kW
- Total height: 139,38 m
- Hub height: 98,38 m
- Caliber of rotor: 82 m
- Direction of rotation: clockwise
- Drive: variable, 6 - 18 rpm
- Height of base: 190 m above sea level; 120 m above surrounding
- Capacity of concrete-base: 460 m³
- Caliber of base: 17,6 m
- Caliber lowest component (ring): 7.5 m
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Source: ELE