WPNL 202101

A frame was developed that allowed the generator to be transported vertically
reliable shell around this core.” The partners that Business in
Wind works with a lot are Barneveldse Kraanverhuur (see p. ..),
Koppejan Wind Services, Certion and Vlastuin Transport.
Quality and safety are paramount. The latter is still a grey area
in the Netherlands. Because who takes what responsibility in
this industry? There is a German DIN standard for
decommissioning wind turbines and Business in Wind meets it,
even better, says Robbertsen. Meanwhile, the company is doing
what it can in terms of certifications. At the end of April it
received the latest audit from the international certification
agency DNV. Business in Wind is now ISO 9001
(management), 14001 (environment) and 45001 (safety)
certified. Robbertsen: “There are not many companies that
have these certifications. In that sense we have all processes in
place and can work for any serious party.”
The new customers are acquired by keeping an eye on the
market and by being asked. They concern mainly repowering
projects whereby old turbines are replaced by modern ones. In
addition, the company also receives requests to remove a
turbine with technical failure. The repair or replacement costs
are then so high that it is no longer economically viable.
Robbertsen sees this happening more and more now that the
disproportionate growth of solar energy is causing an imbalance
in the electricity grid, which in turn results in moderate
electricity prices.
Business in Wind also provides budgets to parties such as
developers, financiers and banks. For example, they calculate
what it costs to dismantle a wind turbine at the end of its life.
“Ultimately, it’s about money. Our strength is being able to do
the sums to determine whether or not it can be done. We
quantify the risks and convert them into euros,” Robbertsen
explains.
Increasingly limited market for reuse
“I can’t predict it but I can do the math that in 25 years the
current turbines will not be reused. Maybe some wind turbines
will still get a life extension but they will not be re-built
somewhere else in the world.” This, he says, has to do with the
associated costs, such as in transportation and cranes. These
costs are no longer proportional to the turbine’s remaining
lifespan.
In addition, the cost price per kilowatt produced by new
turbines is decreasing. Used turbines can no longer compete.
Robbertsen: “Five to six years ago, you paid between 1,000 and
1,200 euros per kilowatt on land. That has now been reduced to
600 to 700 euros, about 30% less. I always say to potential
buyers for used turbines; if you can do new and you can do big
then you should not want to buy used turbines. They look
surprised when I say this, but it’s all about what’s best for the
customer.”
Also, the demand for used wind turbines is becoming more
limited and particularly reserved for locations where there are
height or power output restrictions. National governments are
also increasingly imposing requirements on the age of a used
wind turbine or even demoting its use by giving better power
prices for new turbines. “At the moment, eighty percent is still
reused and twenty percent goes into the recycling bin. In two to
three years, my prediction is that these percentages will be
reversed,” Robbertsen says.
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