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ACCIONA Energía's Blade Lifter Technology in Australia was nominated as a finalist in the Innovation category of the AFR Awards.
ACCIONA Energia proudly represented the renewable energy sector at the prestigious 2024 Australian Financial Review Energy Awards, held on Monday, October 22nd. Our team joined industry leaders and innovators at this influential event, which celebrates excellence and innovation in Australia's rapidly evolving energy sector.
We were thrilled to be selected as a finalist in the 2024 Australian Financial Review Energy Awards in the Innovation category. The AFR Energy Awards celebrate the excellence, innovation, service and achievements of the businesses and people driving the future of the energy industry in Australia. We have been selected as among the top five companies in our category, from a total of over 1,000 submissions across six categories.
The Blade Manipulator was first deployed in Australia at ACCIONA Energia’s MacIntyre Wind Farm in Queensland. This technology significantly reduces environmental impact while enhancing operational efficiency, setting a new standard for the renewable energy sector.
The use of blade manipulator technology represents a paradigm shift in wind turbine blade transportation. Our innovation utilises hydraulically operated adapters mounted on compact 10-axle trailers, capable of manipulating 80-metre blades weighing over 29,000kg. This allows for navigation around tight corners and over obstacles, dramatically reducing the need for extensive road construction and environmental disruption.
The deployment of two Blade Manipulators at MacIntyre Wind Farm has yielded impressive results:
- Preservation of over 20,000 square metres of farmland and vegetation
- Reduction in earthworks and soil disturbance by 250,000 cubic metres across 200km of internal roads
These outcomes not only demonstrate the technology's effectiveness but also its potential to transform industry practices, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable construction methods in the renewable energy sector.
This innovation shows ACCIONA Energía’s commitment and dedication to innovation and sustainability by reducing our environmental impact and enhancing operational efficiency.
The winners of the AFR Energy Awards will be announced in a ceremony in Sydney on 21 October. Fingers crossed for team Australia!