The UK renewable energy sector is on course to generate £41bn a year for the UK economy by 2030. That’s according to research by The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA).
But for any renewables company to experience such strong growth, it requires the right tools to facilitate productivity while also ensuring a safe working environment.
Metreel is a leading UK supplier of material handling equipment such as overhead cranes, jib cranes, gantry cranes, monorails and portable cranes.
In today’s post, we will take a look at some of the lifting solutions that renewable energy manufacturers can use to fuel growth and productivity.
Wind Energy
There are over 11,000 wind turbines in the UK, spanning onshore and offshore wind innovations. The main wind energy clusters include sites at Norfolk, Suffolk, Hull, Grimsby and Aberdeen.
Components which can require specialist lifting solutions include turbine blades, nacelles, towers and gearboxes.
Wind sector lifting solutions:
- Blade grippers & specialised fixtures: Facilitates the safe manipulation of long and delicate turbine blades.
- Gantry cranes: Can be customised to offer high lifting capability or mobile lifting for tower segments and blade handling.
- Overhead cranes: Ideal for indoor manufacturing and assembly lines for the likes of blade and nacelle production. Alongside overhead cranes, monorails are especially ideal for assembly line applications.
- Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs): While not something we specialise here at Metreel, SPMTs are ideal for moving large parts between production and storage.
Solar Energy
Solar farms are popping up across the UK, both in residential and commercial settings. Some key sites for solar energy include Kent, Sussex, Devon and Cornwall. In fact, Cornwall alone has over 27,000 solar farms.
Solar panels can vary dramatically in size and scale, which is where flexible lifting solutions can offer a lot of value for manufacturers. Alongside the solar panels, some of the key components include inverters and mounting structures.
Solar energy lifting solutions:
Compact hoists & cranes: While solar panels may be installed in the great outdoors, solar manufacturing and storage facilities often have to contend with space restrictions. Cranes and hoists can be tailored for easy integration with tight factory layouts. At Metreel, we can also provide floor and wall-mounted lifting solutions.
Panel lifting frames: Elsewhere across our industry, panel lifting frames can be used for multi-panel lifts to speed up installation.
Robotic arms: Likewise, robotic arms can facilitate automated handling and placement in assembly lines. As noted above, Metreel monorails can also be useful in assembly line applications.
Vacuum lifters: For fragile panels, vacuum lifters can minimise the risk of damage when lifting and positioning solar panels into place.
Hydropower Equipment
Scotland is leading the way for hydropower, with 85% of the UK’s hydroelectric energy resources based here. Key sites include Orkney and Pentland Firth.
Some of the most notable hydropower system components include turbines, generators, gates and pipes.
Hydropower lifting solutions:
- Heavy-duty overhead cranes: Ideal for lifting, lowering and repositioning heavy loads in fabrication and installation areas.
- Hydraulic lifting systems: Provides precise placement and lifting in tight, water-adjacent areas.
- Sling & rigging solutions: Ideal for irregular or large cast parts.
Key Considerations When Choosing Lifting Equipment For Renewables
While it’s true that certain renewables industries and specific applications have many crossovers, choosing lifting equipment still needs to offer a bespoke solution. Crucially, the equipment type, capabilities and limitations should promote safety, efficiency and overall lifetime value for the business.
Some key considerations include:
- What are the typical load characteristics in terms of weight, dimensions and material types?
- Factor in the operational environment including indoor, outdoor, coastal settings or restrictions such as tight spaces
- The level of lifting precision required
- Integration with other tools and smart features
- The ability to customise or scale the lifting equipment as required
- Static or mobile lifting requirements
- Any applicable safety standards that need to be adhered to
If you work with us here at Metreel, we can help select the best lifting equipment to suit your renewable energy application. In the meantime, the above points offer a starting point to help you choose the right solutions.
Enquire About Our Lifting Equipment For The Renewable Energy & Power Generation Sectors UK
Do you own or work on behalf of a renewables company in the UK?
Metreel is a leading supplier of material handling, powerfeed and height safety equipment in the UK.
Contact us today to learn more about our heavy-duty lifting equipment, which can improve capacity, productivity in your renewable energy or power generation business.
You can also give our Derbyshire HQ a call on 0115 932 7010.
While you’re here, be sure to check out our case studies to see our industrial solutions in action.