The SceneScan Monopole laser sensor has been developed for offshore wind farm applications to eliminate the need for installing fixed reflective targets.
This technology was designed and developed by Guidance Marine (acquired by Wärtsilä in 2017) to increase safety on board service operation vessels (SOVs), since vessel positioning sensors that rely on targets fixed to the structure, are often unreliable because of poor placement, poor quality and obscurement by workers on the platform.
Advanced software allows the measurement of range and bearing to the offshore wind turbine, independent of the use of targets and GPS.
“This first of its kind SceneScan is compatible with all dynamic positioning (DP) systems on the market, and it is designed for one of the most demanding applications,” said Dr. Sasha Heriot, Business Development Manager, Navigation, Communication and Sensors at Wärtsilä. “It embodies our Smart Marine vision, where the latest and most advanced technologies support greater efficiency and enhanced operational safety.”
The first SceneScan Monopole was delivered in summer 2018 for a Chinese SOV newbuild project carried out by GE Power Conversion, a subsidiary of General Electric.
“We very much appreciate the efficient way in which Wärtsilä has responded to the need for upgraded sensor technology, which will be used with our own SeaStream DP system. This certainly advances the safety of SOV operations around wind farm structures,” said Chris Bannigan, Global Market Leader for Offshore Support Vessels, GE Power Conversion.
The system underwent sea trials earlier this year on board the purpose-built SOV Windea La Cour owned by Bernhard Schulte Offshore. The vessel is fitted with other Wärtsilä sensor solutions, including the RangeGuard Monopole, the first targetless local position reference sensor based on radar technology.