A flipping good idea for floating turbines
The WindFlip barge transfers the completed turbine horizontally before ballasting to a vertical position.
A Norwegian technology company has proposed a wind turbine transportation vessel design, specifically for completely assembled floating turbines which addresses the draught restrictions of transporting floating turbines vertically.
During 2011, Maritime Journal reported on five proposed free-floating turbine transportation and installation vessel designs, all originating from established names in the north European marine industry. This can perhaps be viewed as a clear sign that vessel designers, shipyards and owners, are working on the assumption that the aspirations of governments and developers, both in Europe and further afield, for a massive expansion of offshore wind are indeed becoming a reality. These are in addition to around fifteen confirmed orders and options for such vessels based on the jack-up vessel principle.
Stavanger based WindFlip AS describes itself as an ‘innovative technology company’ and was founded in 2008, when design work on the vessel commenced. The company is currently seeking investors to take an active role with further development and commercialisation of the WindFlip technology. Industrial partners with business or maritime experience and financial resources are sought to strengthen the organisation.
The WindFlip proposal is based around a specialised barge for the transportation of single fully assembled turbines, specifically for floating turbines as opposed to the more conventional monopile or space frame type installation. The turbine is loaded, in an almost horizontal position, and the barge towed to the installation site. The vessel features a ‘ship’ shaped hull design allowing a towing speed of eight knots. Once on site, ballast tanks on the barge are flooded whereby the stern submerges until the whole assembly, barge and turbine, take up a vertical position. The design ensures that stability is maintained throughout the operation.
The towing vessel connects up to the turbine, which is then released from the barge, and towed to the precise installation location for connection to a pre-installed mooring system. The barge is de-ballasted, returning to its horizontal position, for repositioning back to port and reloading.
WindFlip claims a number of advantages with this method of transportation. Existing procedures for floating turbines include assembled units being transported in a vertical position, requiring water depths of around 120m, conditions WindFlip describes as rare for the whole journey from launch to installation site. Utilising horizontal transportation, the WindFlip barge is able to operate in shallow waters. Transporting fully assembled turbines also avoids the increased risk and expense of assembling the individual components at the final location. Finally, there is the benefit of the high transit speed from the specialised hull design.
Earlier in 2011, in competition with 80 clean tech start-ups from the Nordic region, WindFlip was selected as one of ten finalists in the Cleantech Open award in Copenhagen.
By Peter Barker
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