France has approximately 10,000 wind turbines across its territory, the majority of which were installed in the early 2000s. By 2030, approximately 500 wind turbines will need to be replaced each year. This impressive and delicate operation is being carried out by EDF Renewables at the Oupia wind farm, located in Hérault. A first in metropolitan France.
Access to the wind farm is via a path barely visible from the main road. 250 meters above sea level, the song of the cicadas becomes louder, and so does the wind. We are on the Serre d'Oupia, a rounded hill covered with scrubland and pine trees. Since 2004, the 250 residents of the town have benefited from the economic impact of the nine wind turbines installed by EDF Renewables. Twenty years later, it's time for renewal, called repowering.
"Renewal is defined as the dismantling of end-of-life wind turbines, replaced by new generation machines, more powerful and more efficient, capable of generating more electricity. A repowering project is initiated up to five years before the start of the work, led by the Development Department of EDF Renewables, which implements the consultation phase, environmental, acoustic and landscape studies" explains Delphine Bassou, project director at EDF Renewables, in charge of the repowering of Oupia.
Among the developments of these new machines, the blades are tiltable and the wind turbines are taller – 110 meters against 78 – which allows, among other things, to multiply the installed power by 2.5, going from 8.1 MW to 20.7 MW.The design incorporates twenty years of environmental feedback. " adds Sarah Houdusse, in charge of managing the park (now head of asset management for the South wind power unit). "We have installed a bird detection system and introduced a restriction on our machines during periods when bat activity is favorable."
For Laurie Gomez, Mayor of Oupia:The wind farm has been a part of the local residents' environment for years. The concerns were already addressed at the time and are being addressed in the repowering process."The wind farm alone generates 30,130 million euros of revenue for the municipality."This is a great opportunity. We can thus offer residents an optimal quality of life, with modern infrastructure. We have even reduced taxes by 15% over two years.»
Other advantages of the repowering: reuse existing infrastructure (access roads, electrical connections, etc.) and reduce operating and maintenance costs. Last summer, the overwhelming heat prevented the work from continuing.Operating in a wooded environment, with a dry climate, wind and fire risk are limiting factors, for technical reasons, as well as for the safety of our workers." says Anthony Dols, construction business manager at EDF Renewables.
But the real challenge of this project was to lead the construction of the new park while continuing the operation and dismantling of the existing one. A first for EDF Renewables in France.The new machines were installed at a distance from the existing ones to facilitate the creation of platforms and foundations, while maintaining maximum operational efficiency. This new layout also integrates better into the landscape and takes into account the movements of birdlife.»