Boost for SeaEnergy wind farm business
Sea Energy’s design will be based on Ulstein’s PX105 hull and an Ampelmann access system. Image: Sea Energy
Energy ventures company SeaEnergy PLC has won Scottish Enterprise funding support of over £88,000 for development of their offshore wind farm support business.
This supplements Sea Energy’s investment in the Carbon Trust’s Offshore Wind Accelerator Competition. Aimed at reducing the cost of offshore wind by 10%, the Offshore Wind Accelerator programme focuses on four areas; developing foundations and installation techniques, optimising the layout of windfarm arrays, the reduction of electricity transmission losses, and developing turbine access systems
The turbine access element of the competition consists of three categories: transfer systems, vessels, and launch and recovery systems, and has attracted 450 applications. Thirteen designs were considered to have the best technical merits, with an additional seven, including the design from SeaEnergy, commended for their potential to increase windfarm availability.
The Aberdeen based company proposes a single platform combining turbine installation support, commissioning, and operations and maintenance duties, built around Ulstein’s X-Bow offshore support vessels. Two options are presented, based on the 76m PX105 and 95m SX130 hulls. Both feature DP, along with a motion compensated Ampelmann access gangway to provide a stable platform for turbine transfers. The PX105 includes Voith Roll Stabilization, reducing stern slamming and fuel consumption, along with low scour and less than 1° of roll in Hs 6M. The PX105 has two 12m fast rescue craft with the larger SX130 accommodating up to two 17m workboats launched by crane, increasing the amount of work activity, weather permitting. Comprehensive accommodation and workshop facilities are included for up to 60 persons.
The other six commended entries included FOB Undertun’s proposal for an access system involving a gangway secured to the turbine with either a towing bridle, or with clamps fastened at the end of the gangway. Another access system proposal, from SeaBridge involves two towing lines attached to the turbine, providing a guide rail for the telescopic element of the bridge. Lockheed Martin was described as showing ‘considerable innovation’ with solutions the Carbon Trust were keen to see developed, based on their range of vessels and transfer systems. FOB Swath proposes a service vessel based on a SWATH hull, operating at up to 26 knots in transit mode and benefitting from motion reduction while working against the turbine by ballasting down, providing more versatile options than vessels designed purely for transits or transfers. A partnership between Ad Hoc Marine Designs and South Boats, both based on the Isle of Wight UK, also addresses improving vessel stability during transit and transfer, using SWATH design craft and on-board motion reduction systems. Aberdeen based Divex proposes their CRAB (CRew Access Bridge), which uses motion compensation and counterbalancing systems to connect directly with the transition piece platform, eliminating the use of access ladders by technicians.
By Peter Barker
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