Total inaugurated its first wind power plant on November 14, 2003 at the Les Flandres refinery complex in Mardyck, northern France. The ceremony was attended by government representatives, local elected officials and Thierry Desmarest, Chairman and CEO of Total.

		"Large corporations cannot ensure their sustainability solely by maximizing the benefits of existing technology and operations. We also have to think outside the box and try to anticipate the major trends of tomorrow. Renewable energies are poised to spread more widely, and Total is committed to making an active contribution to their development."  Read Thierry Desmarest's inauguration speech (30 kb)

Industrial-Scale Wind Power

The Mardyck wind power plant is located south of the Les Flandres refinery complex on industrial land granted by the Dunkirk Port Authority. Both for its construction and the use of its output, the facility leverages existing extensive industrial and electrical infrastructure.

With this project, which represents an investment of around €15 million, Total intends to rapidly expand its experience with wind power development and contribute to the European Union strategy of increasing the share of renewable energies in Member States’ electricity consumption from 14% in 1997 to 22% in 2010. To meet this objective, France will have to raise its installed wind power generating capacity from the current level of 250 MW to more than 10,000 MW by 2010.

The Mardyck wind power plant has an installed capacity of 12 MW a year, equivalent to the electricity consumption of 15,000 households. Its output is sold to French electric utility Electricité de France (EDF), which distributes it via the public grid under terms and conditions determined by the authorities specifically for wind power.

"Although we’re still in the very early stages, we believe we’ll be able to play a significant role in Europe. We are considering a number of programs in France and elsewhere in Europe." Gilles Cochevelou, Manager, Total Renewable Energies, Gas & Power.

Three Equipment Suppliers for a Pilot Project

The Total refinery complex in Mardyck is now home to five latest-generation wind turbines. The large turbines have blades 40 to 50 meters long and are installed on towers 80 to 95 meters high. The three models selected through competitive bidding combine high electrical output, a small footprint and low noise levels, making the project and the Mardyck plant a showcase for testing large multi-megawatt wind turbines.

One of the turbines, the General Electric 3 MW model, is one of the largest and most powerful in the world. It is the first of its kind ever to be installed.

These modern wind turbines, all of which use proven technology, are paving the way for future large onshore and offshore windfarms.

"Our goal is to test different types of onshore wind turbines, evaluate and compare their qualities and performance, then develop offshore windfarm projects of more than 50 MW." Gilles Cochevelou, Manager, Total Renewable Energies, Gas & Power

Protecting the Environment

The innovative Mardyck project, which will be the benchmark for future development, reflects a strong commitment to protecting the environment and integrating facilities seamlessly into their host community. Total had identified proper assessment of the future plant’s environmental impact as a prime objective right from the design phase of the project.

For example, it was determined that, at a distance of 300 meters, the noise generated by the wind turbines would be virtually imperceptible. A study commissioned from a local bird society indicated that the capacity of the wind turbines would not adversely impact on bird life.

Managing Risks

As for any industrial project, special attention was given to safety. Consequently, each wind turbine has its own control system, which manages programmable controllers and safety systems. Any abnormal condition detected actuates immediate protection of the machines, which are automatically shut down when wind speed reaches 90 kilometers per hour. In shutdown condition, the machines are designed to withstand gusts exceeding 215 kilometers per hour.

Extensive safety studies have been conducted, with the results serving as a design basis for future wind power plants on industrial sites.
 
Informing and Dialoguing

Since the Mardyck wind power plant has been designed and built to supply electricity for several decades, it must blend into the regional fabric and be understood and accepted by neighbors and their representatives.

As part of this process, an initial meeting to present the project was held in Gravelines in March 2001, followed by numerous other information initiatives, such as a public meeting in Mardyck in early 2002 and an open house in November 2003.

In addition, from the outset each project milestone was supported by a widely circulated newsletter.
 
Basic Wind Turbine Components

		Tower: Each tower consists of four to five sections. Its base is bolted to a metal ring embedded in a concrete foundation plate. The tower anchors the wind turbine to the foundation, to which it transfers various loads.

		Nacelle: The nacelle can weigh more than 100 metric tons. It includes a main shaft and a gearbox connected to a generator that converts the mechanical energy from the wind into electricity when the rotor turns.

		Rotor: The rotor includes a hub and three blades. Attached to the rotating shaft of the nacelle, it provides the force required to drive the machine.

		The rotor of the largest wind turbine at the Mardyck plant weighs more than 90 metric tons and has a diameter in excess of 100 meters.