Ramboll receives German Renewables Award

Ramboll developed the method for E.ON and Statoil to reduce the environmental impact and lower the construction costs. During the 25-year operating life of an offshore wind farm, metal-dissolving corrosion is significantly reduced by the new method, and emissions to the sea are reduced by several hundred tonnes. The method is called TSA (Thermally Sprayed Aluminium) and fully replaces the use of sacrificial anodes applied to the monopiles.

Andreas Willecke from Ramboll’s Wind & Towers division explains the fabrication process, for which the companies EEW SPC und Krebs Korrosionsschutz have developed new fabrication solutions: “In the coating process, a robot sprays molten aluminium onto the up to 81 metre-long, 1200 tonnes-heavy monopile foundations using two arc burners. The surface is then sealed with synthetic resin.”

TSA has so far been used primarily as corrosion protection for smaller steel components under water or for larger components above water, such as offshore substations. Arkona is the first project to install all monopiles of an offshore wind farm using this technology.

By Jake Frith