Last year, Liebherr supplied a Flat-Top crane of the type 130 EC-B 6 FR.tronic to Sanlúcar la Mayor, close to Seville (Spain), where it is being used in the construction of the largest thermoelectric solar energy power station in the whole of Europe.

The 130 EC-B 6 FR.tronic Flat-Top crane has been mounted with a hook height of 16.6 m on foundation anchors on a concrete slab which will later be the roof of the completed tower. The complete crane together with the concrete slab was lifted upwards by means of a climbing formwork and thus reached a working height of 165 m.

Plans are for this solar power complex for thermoelectric andphotovoltaic power generation, after completion in 2013, to provide power for some 180,000 households. The experts are confi dent that the facility has the potential, in comparison with conventional methods, to save the emission of 600,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere annually.

For this particular project, the 130 EC-B 6 FR.tronic has been set up with a jib length of 40 m, achieving a maximum load capacity at the tip of 3,350 kg.

The 30 kW frequency converter hoist gear of the 130 EC-B 6 FR.tronic is ideally suited for rapid and precise load handling. At speeds of up to 126 m/min, the Liebherr Flat-Top crane safely and reliably hoists the parts of the solar installation, some of which are extremely sensitive, up onto the roof of the tower to be incorporated into the structure.

The solar tower consists of a park of 1,255 solar mirrors, each of which measures 120 m² and automatically turn to face the sun with the aid of a motor. Depending on their position in the park and the distance from the solar collector, the solar mirrors have the optimum curvature, which ensures that, despite the rotation of the mirrors, the sun’s rays are always directed at the same absorber point at the tip of the tower. The solar collector on the roof of the facility makes use of the energy obtained from what is referred to as the “heliostats” (mirrors) in order to generate steam. A conventional turbine then drives a generator, and so finally produces the energy. At the same time, the tower also serves to cool down the generated steam once again.

• Working radius: 40.0 m
• Hook height ordered: 16.6 m
• Working height: 165.0 m
• Rope falls: 2
• Max. lifting capacity: 6,000 kg
• Lifting capacity at jib head: 3,350 kg
• Hoist gear: 30 kW FC
• Trolley travel gear: 7.5 kw FC
• Slewing gear: 5.4 kW FC