Our project, the World’s First 180-meter-high All-UHPC Hybrid Wind Tower Passed Evaluation, was reported by the CCPA platform and has garnered widespread attention from all sectors of society.
Below is more coverage regarding the World’s First 180-meter-high All-UHPC Hybrid Wind Tower Passed Evaluation project:
On October 24, 2023, Shanghai Fengling Renewables Co., Ltd., a pioneer in the hybrid tower industry, successfully completed the world’s first 180-meter-high hybrid wind tower using UHPC150 (Ultra-High Performance Concrete 150) at the Lianshui Jushi Wind Power Project. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of wind power infrastructure.
On December 29, 2024, the project’s research breakthrough—the ultra-high-performance concrete onshore wind turbine internal prestressed hybrid tower system—was recognized and evaluated by the China Concrete and Cement-based Products Association (CCPA), underscoring its technological innovation and effectiveness.
With the growing global demand for renewable energy, wind power stands out for its environmental benefits, low costs, and scalability. As wind turbine technology advances, larger, more efficient turbines with longer blades and higher hubs have become a key trend. However, the current market lacks adequate wind turbine tower solutions that strike a balance between safety and cost-efficiency, especially in the hub height range of 100 to 140 meters. The hybrid tower technology developed by Shanghai Fengling Renewables addresses these gaps by introducing a tower system that balances structural integrity, cost-effectiveness, and scalability.
The UHPC hybrid tower system is suitable for wind turbines with hub heights ranging from 120 meters to 180 meters and is expected to be expanded to support turbines above 180 meters in future projects. This innovative solution has been successfully deployed in actual wind power projects and is particularly beneficial for large-scale wind power bases in regions with varying wind conditions. It is also applicable to more distributed projects in areas with higher shear wind speeds or low wind speed and high tower scenarios, such as those found in central and southeastern China.
One of the project’s key highlights is the world’s first large-scale, low-cost application of UHPC in wind power hybrid towers. The R&D team at Shanghai Fengling Renewables focused on reducing UHPC production costs and expanding its application fields. By using locally sourced machine-made sand, the raw material costs were significantly reduced. Additionally, the team developed specialized software to optimize the particle size distribution and morphology of the sand, achieving the densest possible packing, which is essential for UHPC’s performance.
The team also introduced an innovative UHPC design methodology that integrates dry stacking and wet stacking technologies, streamlining the mix design process. Furthermore, they successfully overcame technical challenges such as the uniform dispersion of steel fibers and the handling of ultra-fine powder, ensuring large-scale production of UHPC at a high level of efficiency.
Looking ahead, the hybrid tower technology developed in this project is designed to meet the future needs of the wind power industry. As offshore wind power generation becomes more widespread, tower structures will face more complex construction and environmental challenges. In response, the R&D team developed a segmented internal prestressed system that enhances the overall integrity and safety of the wind power tower. This design improves the stability of the tower, enabling it to withstand harsh environmental conditions while maintaining a maintenance-free structure.
To further enhance safety and flexibility during the lifting process, a new tower crane technology was introduced. This self-supporting technology allows simultaneous lifting of the tower, overcoming limitations imposed by traditional lifting methods, such as height and weight constraints.
Yu Sun, Director of Shanghai Fengling Renewables, expressed pride in the company’s achievement: “We are extremely proud to be the first company in the world to construct the UHPC hybrid tower reaching a height of 180 meters. This project marks a major step forward in the large-scale application of UHPC materials, improving the height and efficiency of onshore wind turbines, expanding the scope of wind farm construction, and paving the way for the large-scale development of offshore wind power in the future.”
Established on July 7, 2020, Shanghai Fengling Renewables Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Huangpu District, Shanghai. As a leading high-tech enterprise in the field of renewable energy, the company focuses on the research, development, and application of new energy technologies. Shanghai Fengling Renewables is committed to providing customers with comprehensive smart energy solutions, offering full lifecycle services that range from equipment R&D, design, and production to installation and operation.
The company’s primary product line includes concrete wind turbine towers with heights ranging from 120 to 300 meters, compatible with wind turbines from 2MW to 40MW. Shanghai Fengling Renewables has established 11 production bases globally and is expanding its footprint in the renewable energy sector, including projects that integrate wind, solar, hydrogen, and storage technologies.
Shanghai Fengling Renewables has also achieved significant technical milestones, with over 180 invention patents and leadership in the formulation of national standards such as the “Technical Specification for Prestressed Cast-in-Place Concrete Towers of Wind Turbine Generating Sets.” Its products have passed TÜV Rheinland certification, affirming the company’s commitment to technological excellence and high-quality standards.
With a market share of over 40% in China and numerous world records for hub height, Shanghai Fengling Renewables continues to advance the global wind power industry through innovation and collaboration.
