Dutch offshore installation giant Heerema Marine Contractors has said it has developed a new method for the installation of offshore floating wind structures that doesn't require wet-tow and removes the need for marshaling yards.
The company said that, while floating wind farms are seen as essential for the world's energy transition, methods under development can be costly, time-consuming, and ultimately prevent the commercial upscaling of this new frontier in offshore wind.
"Appreciating the logistical challenges for deployment at scale Heerema has developed a new method for offshore floating wind installations," the company, which owns a fleet of powerful semi-submersible crane vessels, said Thursday.
Heerema said that the method, called "Floating to Floating installation method" was developed to deliver solutions to industry challenges, such as efficient use of resources like steel and port infrastructure, offshore logistics and maintenance, and reaching the required scale and rate of installation.
Currently, Heerema said, there are various proposed methods that involve assembling floating foundations (floaters) in port before wet-towing to the field. This presents logistical challenges, as well as there being pressure on the number of suitable harbors, the company explained.
To tackle these challenges, Heerema has developed an alternative method that does not require a wet-tow and removes the need for marshaling yards.
"Using the floating to floating installation method floaters can be constructed on land before being dry-towed on a transport vessel to the location. After arrival, they will be installed using Heerema’s floating installation frame to lift the floaters from the vessel. After that, they will be installed on location. Heerema’s floating installation frame will submerge the floaters down by weight, removing the need for high-tech ballasting or tensioning systems and reducing installation duration. The bottom foundation work can be executed in parallel by optimizing the capabilities of Heerema’s semi-submersible crane vessels," Heerema explained.
Jeroen van Oosten, Business Unit Director Wind: ‘We want to show an alternative solution for installing offshore floating wind, especially targeting some of the bottlenecks for scaling up. We strongly believe that by opening up to new ways of working and collaboration floating wind can reach the potential the industry is looking for.’
Heerema said that, using its method, the floaters’ volume and weight are reduced by removing the need for wet-towing. Also, the floater is lifted directly from the transportation asset in the field, which means both the floater and wind turbine generator can be optimized for in-place conditions only, the company explained.
A low-tech floater design is possible by integrating installation requirements such as ballasting provisions into reusable installation tooling, removing the requirement to build these functionalities into each floater, Heerema said.
Cost reduction
"By removing the need for in-port assembly of the floater and WTG there is less space and draught required in the port and reduced quayside capacity, which helps avoid one-off mega-investments in port areas," Heerema Marine Contractors said.
"By removing time-consuming and highly weather-sensitive wet tows and mooring connections, higher throughput can be achieved on floating wind projects. The floating to floating installation method means floater and WTG campaigns can be decoupled, reducing supply-chain pressure, and resulting in a more efficient process," Heerema said.
"The crane-supported floating to floating installation method is built on proven technologies from the oil and gas floating platform industry. It allows the saving of tons of steel per floater and will reduce overall project CAPEX," Heerema explained.