The Swiss Army Knife of Wind Turbines on the North Sea Shore

“If you consider all the things the system has to offer, it is like the Swiss army knife among wind turbines” says Thomas Tröster, who is the Team Lead for Electrical Engineering at Niedersachsen Ports (NPorts) in Emden. He and his team colleague Jens Kempen were part of the REDIIPorts project (Renewable Energy Development and Intelligent Implementation in Ports) from the get-go. Both gentlemen have tasked themselves with solving the challenge of how to sustainably generate electricity at the Port of Emden for quite some time now. After initially focusing on extremely compact wind turbines, they came to realize: There are much better options out there! A Container Wind Turbine System (aka: Container WTS) promises a much better performance. “We would like to take advantage of technical solutions that are cost-efficient, easy to implement, and still offer a high output. Since we have more than plenty of wind here in Emden, containerized WTSs are a perfect fit for us. Just the weekend after we installed the system, its performance had already surpassed our expectations” so Jens Kampen.

There are two wind turbines that are installed on a standard shipping container and arranged diagonally to each other. The container is also equipped with photovoltaic (PV) systems, battery storage, and the charging infrastructure for passenger cars (EVs). The rotor blades and the mast of the wind turbines consist of light-weight, yet robust composite materials. “The special advantage is the fact that we were able to implement this project with relative ease and comparably little expense” Jens Kampen further delineates.
 

It’s Small. But It Packs a Punch!

Team Lead Thomas Tröster explains: “Container WTSs are small high-performance systems. This facility is slated to generate an annual output in excess of 45,000 kWh of usable electric power. This is more than enough to operate the main gate to the port and the pertaining premises, and also illuminate the parking lot. And we will feed any excess electricity into our power grid.”

“In order to design ports in a more climate-friendly way, to generate green electricity, and to reduce emissions, it is crucial to have a holistic view for the possibilities of renewable energies” Holger Banik, Managing Director of Niedersachsen Ports GmbH & Co. KG and of JadeWeserPort Realisierungs GmbH & Co. KG., clarifies. And he adds: “Small scale solutions are ideal for testing these kinds of ideas here. Here at NPorts, we welcome any innovative solutions that will get us ahead. No matter, how big or small.  “For this, the Port of Emden is an ideal location, as it offers favorable wind conditions.” Holger Banik is inviting interested parties to form their own opinion about this container WTS. The system was installed between February 5 and February 7 and is located at the main gate of the Port of Emden, on the road that leads to the Ems pier.

NPorts Is Investing in Innovative Sustainability Projects
 

Dirk Küster, CEO of Swiss technology company FlowGen, is excited about the collaboration with NPorts: “We are honored to be able to install our Mobile Green Center at the Port of Emden. We are convinced that this project will play a pioneering role in the sustainable provision of energy of ports and other infrastructures. And we are glad that we can contribute to this cause with our special solutions.”

60% of the investment costs are covered by the EU's INTERREG program. INTERREG enables the trans-border collaboration and financing of various projects and ventures focusing on climate, energy, and even social topics. 

Photos:

In front of the Container Wind Turbine System (from left to right): Dr. Matthäus Wuczkowski (Department Manager for Sustainability and Innovation at NPorts), Jens Kampen (Electrical Engineering at NPorts in Emden), Aiko Hollander (Branch Manager of the NPorts Branch in Emden), and Thomas Tröster (Team Lead for Electrical Engineering at NPorts in Emden). (Photo: Mädler)

Supporting the Project From the Start (from left to right): Jens Kampen and Thomas Tröster. (Photo: Mädler)

Container Wind Turbine System of Swiss Company FlowGen. (Photo: Mädler)