Customer Success Story – Retrofitting Senvion Wind Turbines with Climb Auto Systems
When discussing ways to improve the performance of a wind farm, the first topics that usually come to mind are increasing energy production or optimizing maintenance strategies.
Yet one key performance driver is often overlooked: safe and efficient access to wind turbines.
This was the starting point of the initiative led by EDF POWER SOLUTIONS, under the leadership of Mr. Folly-Castay, to launch an initiative aimed at sustainably improving the working conditions of technicians servicing its Senvion wind turbines.
"Our objective was not simply to install new equipment. We wanted to identify the solution that offered the best balance between technician safety, operational efficiency and the long-term sustainability of our assets."
Rather than considering this as a straightforward equipment upgrade, EDF POWER SOLUTIONS approached the project from a broader operational perspective.
The Senvion turbines involved continue to perform efficiently, making replacement neither necessary nor economically justified. However, safety standards continue to evolve, maintenance requirements naturally increase as turbines age, and technicians today expect a much higher level of ergonomics and working comfort than they did fifteen years ago.
It was within this context that BWTS France was invited to assess several modernization scenarios.
Our role was not to promote a single piece of equipment, but to support EDF POWER SOLUTIONS throughout its decision-making process by evaluating different solutions against several key criteria:
- Improving technicians' working conditions;
- Enhancing operational safety;
- Technical feasibility on existing turbines;
- Impact on wind farm operations;
- Return on investment.
This collaborative approach led to the selection of the Climb Auto System (CAS), a retrofit solution particularly well suited to existing wind turbines. According to 3S
Industry, the system enhances safety, significantly reduces technician fatigue, shortens maintenance interventions and helps minimize turbine downtime.
Beyond these technical benefits, the decision reflects a strong belief:
Investing in safety is also an investment in operational performance.
Technicians who arrive at the nacelle less fatigued are able to work more efficiently. Faster access reduces intervention times, improves maintenance productivity and contributes to greater turbine availability. Together, these benefits enable the investment to deliver tangible operational and economic value over a relatively short period.
Of course, the success of such a project depends on its execution.
Over the past few weeks, BWTS France has successfully installed 36 Climb Auto Systems across several French wind farms equipped with Senvion technology, delivering the projects under particularly challenging conditions.
Despite the operational challenges encountered, our teams consistently maintained the highest standards of safety, quality and coordination alongside the local teams from EDF POWER SOLUTIONS.
Following the completion of this installation campaign, Mr. Folly-Castay shared the following feedback: "Despite particularly difficult weather conditions, equipment failures, power outages, delivery issues and even a truck being impounded, your team delivered an excellent project. Everything was carried out safely, with a high level of quality and excellent coordination with the local team."
For us, these words represent the greatest recognition of our teams' professionalism, commitment and resilience.
More importantly, they demonstrate what successful partnerships can achieve when safety, operational excellence and collaboration are placed at the heart of every project.
We would like to sincerely thank EDF POWER SOLUTIONS, and especially Mr. Folly-Castay, for his trust, vision and the quality of this collaboration.
We are proud to have contributed to this initiative and look forward to continuing our partnership on future projects.
