24 February 2011 – Tensar International, the leader in geosynthetic soil reinforcement and stabilization, today announced it recently completed its 100th wind farm project. Achieving this milestone demonstrates Tensar’s ability to provide a variety of cost-saving solutions for crane pads, foundations and roadway projects, usually some of the most costly components of wind farm construction.
One of the most common services Tensar provides to wind farms is design services and geogrid products for construction of access roads to the wind turbines. This is a very important and tricky part of construction, as the roads need to carry heavy equipment and materials to the project site–often over very soft soils.
Tensar provided customized design and support to every project, as each had different challenges and site conditions requiring unique, individualized solutions.
“No one else has the design and support system that Tensar can provide for wind farm access roads,” said Mohamed Nofal, spokesperson for Renewable Energy Systems Americas, Inc (RES), a Tensar customer. “Tensar has proven technologies and GSS design methods that deliver quality, exceptional work.”
The projects were completed throughout the United States and around the globe. Some of Tensar’s most visible wind farms are the Glacier Hill Wind Farm in Wisconsin, the Cedar Point Wind Farm in Colorado and the Talbot Wind Farm in Ontario, Canada.
Glacier Hill Wind Farm
The geogrid stabilization needs were unique on the Glacier Hill Wind Farm project in Wisconsin. The project required road stabilization and crane pad reinforcement. Crane loads are extremely heavy–about 200,000 pounds per axel–and the project required reliable, proven design for the crane pads. Tensar created multiple crane pad designs to fit a variety of conditions, ultimately delivering the unique requirements needed to enable the wind farm to be built.
Cedar Point Wind Farm
The biggest challenges on the Cedar Point Wind Farm project in Colorado were the spring/fall weather and related soil conditions. Tensar designed an economical, mechanically stabilized road using TriAx® Geogrid and aggregate. This solution ensured the road was solid and would withstand the challenging weather conditions. The roads were built during fall 2010 and will be used spring 2011.
Talbot Wind Farm
Tensar assisted with a RES project for the Talbot Wind Farm in Chatham-Kent, a province of Ontario, Canada. Tensar helped reduce the access road thickness. Based on local aggregate costs, it is estimated that RES was able to save more than $1 million in material costs alone by using geogrid-reinforced roads.
“Ultimately, the Talbot wind farm will provide up to 99 MW of power each year and has an intended life of 20 years,” said Nofal. “However, the wind farm would never have been constructed if we did not have reinforced, stable roads to handle the weight of the materials and vehicles necessary for construction. We are very pleased with Tensar’s support, work and road reinforcement efforts.”
“Tensar has industry leading products, design software and people and we like to put them to use to save our customers money on their projects,” said Jim Howley, Tensar’s Area Manager for North Central Region. “Regardless of soil, time or project conditions Tensar will apply all of its expertise, including site evaluation, design consulting and site construction assistance, to ensure our projects are delivered in the most beneficial and cost-effective way to our customers.”
About Tensar International
Headquartered in Atlanta, Tensar International is a full-service provider of specialty products and engineering services that offer innovative and cost-effective alternatives to traditional construction methods. Tensar solutions are based on advanced soil reinforcement technologies and incorporate proprietary, engineered applications for commercial, industrial, municipal, residential and transportation infrastructure site development. The company specializes in solutions for common site development challenges, including grade changes requiring retaining walls and poor soil conditions affecting the cost of roadways, parking lots and building structures. Patented, polymeric Tensar® Geogrids are the primary component of the company’s systems, offering reliable strength and durability. Contracted services include site evaluation, conceptual engineering, design, value engineering and installation advice. For more information, visit http://www.tensarcorp.com.
Contacts
Mr. Tim Oliver
Vice President for Global Marketing
Tensar International Corporation
+1 770 344 2140
toliver@tensarcorp.com
Angelica Nelson
Fifth Ring for Tensar
+1 713 457 2125
angelica@fifthring.com
