Blyth demonstrator tests the wind

It is for the installation of an Offshore Anemometry Hub three miles off the coast at Blyth, Northumberland UK and close to the proposed 100MW nearshore Wind Demonstration Site.

The Offshore Wind Demonstration Site has the aim of taking next generation technologies through to full production. Gaining the confidence of investment markets, along with introduction of more market competition in the UK, are recognised as key to ensuring momentum in the industry is maintained, and the Blyth project’s intention is to speed up the accreditation process and in turn reduce project risk, bring forward project timetables and provide greater certainties for the investor markets.

The National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) has entrusted the installation of the foundation, equipment platform and met mast to Brighton UK based international marine engineering company SeaRoc. The DNV verified mast has been fabricated on the River Tyne, with confirmation of the selection of installation vessel due imminently, and load-out scheduled for September 2012. The contract covers installation of a 634 tonne tripod foundation, 100 tonne platform and 25 tonne met mast, providing wind speed and other environmental data. It will have a 25 year design service life and stand over 100m above sea level, the expected hub height of next generation offshore wind turbines. The mast will be located alongside the already installed ZephIR 300 wind LiDAR (light detection and ranging), supplied by sister company Zephir Ltd.

As well as anemometer and LiDAR wind instrumentation systems, atmospheric data gathered will include temperature and humidity, atmospheric pressure, air quality and present weather. Environmental monitoring will include sea state (Doppler current profiler), marine mammal acoustic detector, bat monitoring, avian radar, vessel radar with AIS and scour monitoring. The mast will derive its primary power from PV and wind with a fixed microwave link for transmission of data along with a redundant system backed up onshore and offshore.

Assuming a water depth of 38.5m below LAT, the top of the platform deck will be 21.5m above LAT with the top of the tower itself standing 106.5m above LAT. The section of tower exposed to wave action allows for a 13.5m splash zone, 10.9m above and 2.6m below LAT. Below the waterline, the pile sleeve element of the tripod foundation will stand 7.5m above the mudline.

Toby Mead, operations director at SeaRoc said, “The Blyth Offshore Wind Demonstration Site is key to the future of offshore wind, both in the UK and globally. SeaRoc are very aware of this and believe there is enormous value for the offshore renewable sector in the development of the Narec site. We view this project as an ideal opportunity to develop a strong working relationship with Narec.”

By Peter Barker