LARS stars in wind farm cost reduction
The principle of Divex’s LARS is an inclinable and semi-submersible cradle that can be raised up to the vessel or be lowered into the sea to allow launch and recovery.
International diving equipment technology company Divex has been selected by the UK’s Carbon Trust for support within the Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) programme for their Launch and Recovery technology.
The Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) is a project launched between the Carbon Trust and eight of the leading international offshore wind farm developers to help meet the European Union’s 15% renewable energy target for the UK. The aim of the OWA is to drive down the cost of offshore wind by focusing on four research areas: Foundations, Wake Effects, Electrical Systems and Access.
The focus of the OWA has been to find solutions to access to the wind turbines and with over 450 entries submitted, Divex have been selected as one of the thirteen successful applicants and one of only two companies in Scotland to receive funding.
Divex’s Launch and Recovery System (LARS) uses the established ramp recovery method for high sea state launch and recovery but applies this in a way that enables fitment to SWATH or catamaran mother vessels or possibly even monohulls.
The principle is an inclinable and semi-submersible cradle that can be raised up to the vessel or be lowered into the sea to allow launch and recovery. The unique design of the mechanical connection to the vessel automatically alters the angle of the cradle from horizontal (when stowed) to a suitable ramp angle when the cradle/boat is in the water.
The cradle is raised and lowered by a fast action constant tension winch that automatically synchronises the cradle/boat motion with the swell to avoid slap and snatch during launching and recovery.
Another unique attribute is the provision of an automatic bow latch that holds the boat securely in the cradle until the moment of launch and similarly captures the boat during recovery.
Derek Clarke, joint managing director of Divex Ltd said, “We are fortunate to be at the forefront of an exciting era in offshore wind and with the support of the Carbon Trust through this competition, we hope to remain there. The Launch and Recovery System for daughter craft we have designed should significantly reduce the complexity and risk currently associated with such a manoeuvre to the benefit of all concerned.”
Divex also submitted designs for their Crew Access Bridge technology (CRAB). CRAB is a motion compensated personnel access bridge to enable personnel to move directly in high sea states from a support vessel to the turbine work platform, typically at 20m above LAT (Lowest Astronomical Tide).
CRAB combines established position sensing, accelerometer and hydraulic control technology with a novel telescopic bridge structure which uses counterbalance principles to create a light weight, low power and inherently safe design with an expected landing load onto the work platform in the range of 150 to 300kg.
Divex’s expansion into the renewable sector is progressing beyond the LARS and CRAB. The company is currently looking at novel foundations.
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