London meeting today aims to make offshore wind turbines economical

The Concrete Centre has organised an industry conference and discussion forum following a major study led by independent engineering and environmental consultant Gifford and BMT Group, the international design, engineering and risk management consultancy.The study focused on a new fabrication and delivery system for concrete foundations for offshore wind turbines that use gravity as the principal means of stability.

The development team proposes onshore fabrication of the foundations and the use of specially designed submersible barges to pick up the large structures, transport them out to sea and place them in position on the seabed.

Concrete gravity foundations replace the more familiar steel monopiles used for existing wind turbines, reducing construction costs and making installation more feasible in harsh, deep water conditions.

The study was jointly funded by the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and E.ON and the study team also included Hunter Associates, Bierrum International, University of Nottingham, E.ON and DONG Energy.

Today’s industry conference includes speakers from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Gifford and BMT.

William Brook-Hart, technical director at Gifford said, ‘Offshore wind is a major component of Government policy for renewable energy and energy security, requiring a significant increase in capacity if the industry is to meet its output targets. As wind farms are located in deeper waters with larger turbines, new construction and installation solutions have to be found.’

Michael Starling, principal consultant at BMT added, ‘In order to meet the UK’s offshore renewable energy targets concrete foundations will need to be produced economically on a production line basis. Our study has therefore focused on the delivery of an integrated approach to the foundations’ construction, transportation and installation at sea.’