Kongsberg Maritime has revealed a range of innovative methods designed to industrialise the transportation and installation (T&I) of floating offshore wind turbines.
The proposals include new vessel designs and methodology for anchor and mooring installation; a new way of towing turbines to site; a new integrated tensioning concept for mooring lines; plus, an adapted cable pull-in system.
Able to pull up to 900 tonnes in a single fall configuration, the UT 7900 FWIV AH features a triple cross-tensioning winch system capable of tensioning and proof-loading up to three mooring lines simultaneously with substantial reduction in bollard pull requirements.
“Because of the high volume and repetitive nature of the operations, we’ve built in additional rope and chain storage,” said Gunnar Thorsen, senior vice president of business concepts at Kongsberg Maritime. “The whole point behind this new set-up is that you deploy the rope, while preparing the next one, and do it in a safe environment, which you can’t do on a normal anchor handler.”
Kongsberg Maritime has introduced tow assist, which merges the company’s dynamic positioning (DP) technology with operational analysis to enhance situational awareness, safety and efficiency throughout all stages of the towing operation. The tow assist system was successfully trialled in the North Sea last year.
The integrated tensioning concept for mooring lines is one which Kongsberg Maritime proposes intends to simplify operations, as it “monitors the motion of the floater, allowing the vessel winch to compensate, removing peak loads and hazardous situations,” said Runar Hjelle, sales director offshore construction and support at Kongsberg Maritime. “This results in a much smoother hook-up process and significantly increases the operational weather window.”
A new cable pull-in methodology will reduce the need for as much equipment and people on the floater, making operations both safer and faster. Because of this, work can continue during harsher weather conditions, meaning that productivity is boosted year-round.
