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www.offshorewindindustry.com · Issue 2015 · No. 04 · € 24
WIND INDUSTRY
Monopile foundations currently
dominate the market. But their
dominance is dwindling, especially as
jackets may become competitively
priced thanks to new fastening
technologies.
Dwindling
dominance
INSTALLATION
NETHERLANDS
TURBINES
Market overview
of vessels
Capacities to
be auctioned
Thinking
big
Innovative marine &
offshore solutions
1. Heavy Lift Vessel ‘Innovation’ installing
XL Monopiles and Transition Pieces at the
Westermost Rough project (UK).
2. The Jack-Up ‘Neptune’ installing Monopiles and
Transition pieces on the Northwind project (BE).
3. ‘Neptune’ installing Wind Turbines at the
Thornton Bank project (BE).
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Drilling and piling of large diameter monopiles
Installation of transition pieces
Jacket installation (pre-piling / post-piling)
Grouting activities
Wind turbine erection
Installation works with Jack-Up platforms
Foundation and wind turbine logistics
EPCI contracts
Accommodation units
Directional drilling
GeoSea nv
Member of the DEME Group
Haven 1025 - Scheldedijk 30 . B-2070 Zwijndrecht, Belgium
T +32 3 250 53 12 . F +32 3 250 55 41
[email protected] . www.deme-group.com/geosea
editorial
It pays to be fast
C
hinese companies are pushing onto the
Dong Energy certainly wishes to expand globally. The
offshore wind power market. Sany, a Chi-
company has an eye on the USA – obviously, as well
nese mechanical engineering company
as Taiwan. The market there seems to be developing
and wind turbine manufacturer, has handed over a
into a promising market faster than in other places and
Green Energy Commitment to the Indian Prime Min-
European companies can score points there especially
ister Narendra Modi. By 2020 the company wants
thanks to their track records.
to put 3 billion US dollars into offshore wind power
But it would certainly be wrong to think that the Eu-
technology. Sany aims to implement 2,000 MW of
ropeans were the only ones to have discovered this up-
renewable energy projects in India. The company will
and-coming market. Taiwan will also be looking prom-
bring in “relevant expertise, operational excellence and
ising to the Chinese, especially as Chinese companies
global best practices for development of renewable
can score over the Europeans in terms of proximity. For
energy”, Sany claims in a statement.
Europeans wishing to get a foothold in the Taiwanese
It was also made public recently that China Three
Gorges Corporation, one of the largest energy com-
offshore wind business there is thus one main priority:
to move quickly.
panies in the world, has agreed with the Portuguese
energy company EDPR to purchase up to 30 % of the
shares of Moray Offshore Renewables (MORL). MORL
is currently 100 % owned by EDPR and is developing an
offshore wind farm in the Scottish bay of Moray Firth.
The 1,000 MW project still has to come out of the next
CfD round successfully, however.
While Chinese companies are busily pushing onto
new offshore wind power markets, the Chinese market
itself remains poorly accessible to foreign companies.
Samuel Leupold from Dong Energy also reports on this,
and you can read the interview on page 122.
Leupold does not wish to complain about this,
though. Instead, he looks towards alternatives, for
Katharina Garus
Editor
[email protected]
3
project update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
imprint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
logistics & operations
8
Time is money
9
interview
Photo: Swire Blue Ocean
contents
The construction of offshore wind farms has become a
routine activity, but it still takes too long. In order to
save time it is necessary to define technically feasible
limits for the individual stages of the process. . . . . . 26
Samuel Leupold, Dong Energy
Gloves are not just gloves
OWI spoke with Samuel Leupold, CEO at Dong Energy
The working gear worn for offshore work is not just
Wind Power, about the company’s planned IPO as well
a question of comfort – it’s important for safety. This
as the future orientation of the company. . . . . . . . . . . . 12
is true of marine abandonment suits and even of
gloves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
spotlight foundations
Upside down
politics & business
Monopile or jacket? That’s not the only question when
Under pressure
it comes to foundations. Upside down buckets are
Insurance premiums for the construction phase of
making a comeback in foundation fixing. They have
offshore wind farms are falling. The prospect of good
already demonstrated their suitability. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
business with just a moderate risk of losses is attracting
new insurance companies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Cover photo: Bilfinger Marine & Offshore Systems
Simple but clever
4
The principle of gravity foundations may be simple
Going once, going twice, sold!
but they are having a hard time gaining a foothold in
The Dutch government will be auctioning off 700 MW
the market. A new concept with sand silos providing
of offshore wind power annually until 2019. The
anchorage aims to change this. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
tender process will begin in 2016. This means that
the offshore wind industry is off to a fresh start. . . . 42
science & technology
Thinking big
The offshore market is currently a heady mix of top
marks for performance and rotor diameters on the one
hand and mergers on the other. The purpose is the
same: slashing costs.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY 4|2015
events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
wab internal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
46
47
48
50
Meet us at
EWEA 2015
in Paris
Nov. 17-20th
booth M01
7KHQHZ6LHPHQV6:7
Think inside the box
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E.ON has inaugurated
Humber Gateway.
73 turbines of type V112
from Vestas are installed.
VBMS has completed two
1,170-metre long horizontal directional drillings at
the landfall for Dudgeon
offshore wind farm.
VBMS has started inner park
cable laying at Sandbank.
Siemens and Fluor together
have to pay a £ 650,000 fine
because of a fatal accident
and one person seriously
injured during installation
work at Greater Gabbard
Gabbard.
EEW has received an order
for 51 monopiles for the
165 MW Belwind 2 wind
farm. Jan De Nul will develope the project on behalf
of Nobelwind.
DeepOcean will provide
installation and trenching
works for Dong Energy’s
Walney Extension and
EEW will deliver the
87 foundations.
All Vestas turbines at 50 MW
Kentish Flats Extension
feed power to the grid.
The authorities have refused
permission for Navitus Bay.
The reason is the visibility
from the UNESCO protected
coast of Dorset. The project
is no longer expected to be
built.
Construction work on the
400 MW Rampion wind
farm has started. The first
monopiles are planned to be
set in January 2016.
Offshore
WIND INDUSTRY
6
Project update
The 288 MW Butendiek
wind farm has been inaugurated. It took 15 months to
build it and it took 15 years
until construction could have
started.
EnBW celebrated the
commissioning of Baltic 2.
80 turbines of type
SWT-3.6-120 from
Siemens are installed.
At Anholt’s 25 km long
export cable repair works are
running. This is estimated to
take one month.
Fred. Olsen Windcarrier
takes over transportation
and installation of the
5 MW turbines from Adwen
for the 350 MW Wikinger
wind farm. Construction
is supposed to start in the
beginning of 2017.
The last of a total of 97
monopiles for Gode Wind 1
and 2 are set. FoundOcean
has completed grouting.
Dutch offshore contractor
Van Oord has finalised
the installation of the 150
foundations at Gemini. The
first offshore transformer
station is on place.
Eneco has opened the
129 MW Luchterduinen wind
farm. A total of 43 Vestas
turbines of type V112 are
installed.
Dong Energy has officially inaugurated Borkum
Riffgrund 1. 78 turbines
of type SWT-3.6-120 from
Siemens are installed.
Bard Offshore 1 is running
again at full speed. The
disturbances in the electrical
connection lasted for over
a year.
in operation
partially in operation
under construction
planned
7
The DyNaLab test
stand is one of the
world’s largest.
IWES tests Adwen’s 8 MW drive train
Adwen and Fraunhofer IWES have
wind industry valuable support
gearbox, bearings, couplings, shaft,
signed an agreement to test the
for a more reliable design process
generator and converter. The pro
drive train for Adwen’s 8 MW
and faster secure market introduc
cess will allow individual and fully
turbine at IWES’s DyNaLab test
tion of new wind turbines,” says
integrated subsystems’ validation
stand in Bremerhaven.
Jan Wenske, Deputy Director of
as well as complete drive train
Fraunhofer IWES.
operation at full power, paramount
DyNaLab
(Dynamic
for de-risking before prototype
is
The testing for Adwen will
one of the world’s largest and the
cover mechanical testing on the
most versatile test facility for na
integral chain of drive train com
Adwen’s 8 MW turbine has al
celle testing. It was inaugurated on
ponents. By simulating operational
ready been selected for a pipeline
October 20th. Fraunhofer IWES has
conditions as well as offshore con
of projects reaching almost 1.5 GW.
invested around € 35 million over
ditions for extreme and fatigue
Its serial production is scheduled to
the past years to design and build
loads, a critical move forward will
start in 2018, at Adwen’s industrial
the facility. “We expect to offer the
be achieved in the verification of
sites in France and Germany.
Nacelle
Testing
Laboratory)
intstallation in 2016.
Mainstream concludes sale of
SMart Wind to Dong Energy
Mainstream has successfully concluded its negotia-
the 4,000 MW Hornsea Offshore Wind Zone in the
tions with Dong Energy for the sale of its remaining
UK North Sea as part of The Crown Estate’s Round 3.
interest in SMart Wind.
8
Dong Energy bought the first phase of the Hornsea
SMart Wind Ltd. offshore wind consortium is a
Zone in February 2015 from Mainstream and Siemens
joint venture between Mainstream Renewable Power
Financial Services. In acquiring SMart Wind, Dong
and Siemens Financial Services, which was formed
will continue the development of the remainder
in 2009 to successfully bid for and then to develop
of the Zone.
offshore Wind Industry 4|2015
Photo: Adwen
The
news
RES and GES sign
strategic agreement
RES and GES signed a strategic
Jim Sandon, COO of RES Off
alliance agreement, bringing to-
shore, says: “With more than 3,000
gether complementary skills and
staff maintaining over 12 GW of
common values to provide asset
assets, GES is providing reliable
management and O&M services
on-site delivery at volume. Our off
to the offshore wind industry.
shore and engineering expertise un
Through the alliance, clients
can access asset management and
locks the market for GES to deploy
their considerable experience.”
O&M services for offshore wind
Thorsten Kramer, CEO at GES
turbines and balance of plants in
adds: “RES is turning offshore wind
cluding transmission assets. The
into onshore delivery for GES. Their
alliance will also be able to deliver
asset and overall management ca
and/or manage blade inspections
pabilities, together with their HSE
and maintenance campaigns, major
and technical support, combined
repairs and retrofits, subsea sur
with our delivery record, is a formi
veys, condition monitoring and re
dable alliance with which to expand
liability and control room services.
into the offshore O&M market.”
Photo: OSB
OSB officially open
On 14 September, OSB held its
the opening of the site. “The first can
official opening ceremony at the
for one of the transition pieces OSB
facilities in Teesside, North East
is fabricating for the Burbo Bank
England. Production of 16 transi-
Extension was finished in August –
tion pieces for the Dong Energy
weeks ahead of schedule. OSB is a
Burbo Bank Extension project is
key part of our European manufac
already up and running.
turing base and with the establish
As OSB (Offshore Structures
ment of the site, we intend to further
Britain) is a joint venture between
strengthen our presence in the UK
EEW SPC and Bladt Industries, the
market,” says Jan Kjaersgaard, CEO
CEOs of both companies took part in
of Bladt I ndustries.
The production is al-
imprint
Publishing company:
BVA Bielefelder Verlag GmbH & Co. KG
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Publisher:
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Editors:
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[email protected]
Freelance authors:
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Advertising:
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OFFSHORE Wind Industry is an
independent journal. Material in this
publication may not be reproduced, reprinted
or stored in any form without the publisher’s
written permission.
ready running at the
OSB site in Teesside.
9
news
Danish-German interconnector gets
push forward
Energinet.dk and 50Hertz plan to establish a 400 MW
Germany already has two offshore wind farms in
offshore interconnection between the Danish and
the area, Baltic 1 (48 MW) and Baltic 2 (288 MW),
the German national power grids. The European
while Denmark is currently preparing to erect the off
Commission has now granted the revised technical
shore wind farm Kriegers Flak (600 MW). Kriegers Flak
layout for this world’s first offshore interconnection
and Baltic 2 are located less than 30 km away from each
that is using the national grid connections to offshore
other and will be connected by two submarine cables to
wind farms.
establish the interconnector.
The “Kriegers Flak – Combined Grid Solution” sees
As eastern Denmark and Germany are two differ
a new interconnection between the Danish region of
ent synchronous areas, a frequency transformation is
Zealand and German Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
necessary. This will be done by two voltage source con
It will have a capacity of 400 MW. Operation is planned
verters (VSC) that convert the alternating current (AC)
to start by the end of 2018.
from the Nordic synchronous area into direct current
(DC) and directly back to AC, now adapted to the Euro
pean synchronous area. The converters will be installed
Kriegers Flak - Combined Grid Solution
CGS Project Site (Interconnector)
Converter Site (AC/DC)
400 kV Transformer Station (AC)
220 kV Cable
150 kV Cable
in Bentwisch near Rostock, Germany. Placing the con
verters onshore is more cost-efficient and allows easier
maintenance compared to running the converters on
a separate offshore platform as it was foreseen in the
original concept.
“The new interconnection will allow producers and
consumers to buy and sell more power across the bor
ders. This adds more value to renewable energy and
Denmark
the green transition”, says Peder Østermark Andreasen,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Energinet.dk.
Boris Schucht, Chief Executive Officer of 50Hertz,
says: “The approval by the European Commission
shows that cooperation between the European trans
mission system operators is the right answer to the
challenges of the energy transition. With the Combined
Graphic: 50Hertz / Energienet.dk
Grid Solution we create the nucleus for an offshore grid
10
in the Baltic Sea, a milestone in the development of
European grids.”
Germany
Overview over Kriegers Flak –
Combined Grid Solution
ZephIR 300M is the
ZephIR launches
new offshore lidar
of the well-known
ZephIR 300. ZephIR Lidar announced the release of a fully-
> A three year warranty – the most extensive available
marinised wind lidar – the ZephIR 300M. The new
for a remote sensing device for offshore use;
device is based on the company’s established re-
> Optimised industrial design including high UV
mote wind measurement device, ZephIR 300, and is
stability housing, highest grade of marine connectors,
intended for the offshore wind and meteorological
marine MET station for improved yaw detection;
industries.
> Upgraded cooling and air movement system offering
The ZephIR 300M provides wind measurements
Graphic: ZephIR
marinised version
IP68 protection;
between 10 m and 200 m and is ideal for offshore site
ZephIR Lidar can now also offer customers a non-
resource assessment, power curve measurements and
exclusive license to the patent-approved application
bankable Annual Energy Prediction (AEP) campaigns.
of the technology to operate on an offshore floating
It includes as standard:
platform.
Rolls-Royce has designed the UT 540 WP
as new SOV.
Graphic: Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce design for new SOV
Rolls-Royce has been selected to design and equip a
work on Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm, off the coast
new Service Operation Vessel (SOV) for shipowner
of L
incolnshire, UK.
Østensjø Rederi. The vessel will support wind farm
Helge Gjerde, Rolls-Royce, President Commercial
operations at Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm for
- Marine, said, “We are delighted that Østensjø Rederi
Dong Energy.
and Dong Energy have chosen the new Rolls-Royce UT
The order of the UT 540 WP is the first for a new
540 WP design against intense competition. As more
ship design from Rolls-Royce developed specifically
wind farms are built further from shore and in more
to support operations in shallow waters at offshore
demanding conditions we see opportunities to use
wind farms. The vessel will serve as the base for wind
our extensive offshore experience to diversify into an
turbine technicians while they perform maintenance
exciting new market.”
11
Interview | Dong Energy
“Money does
not flow into the
company’s coffers”
Dong Energy intends to go public in one and a half years, at the latest. It will
be the largest IPO in Danish history. OWI spoke with Samuel Leupold, CEO
at Dong Energy Wind Power, about the company’s planned IPO as well as the
future orientation of the company.
OWI: The sale of shares to
does not flow into the company’s
political context. But I do not want
Goldman Sachs in 2013 was
coffers during this process.
to speculate on what the deciding
probably inevitable due to the
12
OWI: In that case, what are
company was experiencing at
Dong’s objectives with the
OWI: Apropos “political con-
that time. However, Dong is
IPO?
text”: the deal with Goldman
now doing very well. Why do
Leupold: Actually, you would have
Sachs caused an uproar at
you want to go public now?
to talk to the owners about that. I
home. Many Danes clearly
Samuel Leupold: In 2013, the
suppose Goldman or the Danish
want Dong to remain a state-
goal was to strengthen the balance
government thinks the company
owned enterprise. How will
sheet by increasing equity. The
will have better growth opportuni-
you deal with this?
energy turnaround meant that
ties if its shares are traded on the
Leupold: For me as a non-Dane, it
things had to be written off that
stock market. This will make it
is difficult to understand what ulti-
still had value in the old energy
easier to raise additional capital in
mately happened there. On the one
world, but no longer did in the
the future. Another motive could
hand, I think people in Denmark
new one. There is a completely
be that the government thinks that
like the company’s Danish identity.
different rationale behind an
it is not the best owner for an en-
An IPO, however, does not neces-
IPO. It has nothing to do with
ergy company that is increasingly
sarily mean that the company will
strengthening the balance sheet.
operating not just in Denmark,
become less Danish. Future share-
Shareholders simply sell their
but worldwide. This is a possible
holders might include Danish pen-
shares to other people. Money
motivation, particularly in a
sion funds, for example. Or Danish
Photo: Dong Energy
factor was in this specific case.
financial difficulties that the
Samuel Leupold
is CeO at Dong energy wind Power. He has been a
member of Dong energy’s group management since
2013 and is responsible for the global wind power
business of the company.
individuals might acquire shares.
We see our core competence in
OWI: And what is your
An IPO does not mean that Dong
these two areas, and we intend to
assessment of the Asian
has to fall into foreign hands.
strengthen them.
market?
Leupold: It is also interesting.
OWI: But it does seem like
OWI: You mentioned previ-
I spent some time in China two
people identify strongly
ously that the IPO is also a
years ago and was able to see first-
with Dong as a state-owned
step towards being more of
hand. Offshore energy is already
company.
a global player and less of a
a reality there and will certainly
Leupold: Yes, that may be so. The
state-owned company. Which
continue to grow. The technical
company itself is one thing; the
global markets for offshore
challenges are different than here,
other is the issue of energy, where
wind energy are of interest in
and the motivation certainly is
many sensibilities are affected and
the future for Dong?
also. I think in China the real ques-
people are very emotional. Perhaps
Leupold: Generally speaking, even
tion is whether the market will be
people are afraid that the company
a majority co-ownership by the
accessible for non-Chinese players.
will become less environmentally
Danish State is not the opposite of
Taiwan is also already relatively
friendly due to the privatisation.
a global player. The Danish State
far advanced. A2Sea for example
But that’s certainly not the case.
has proved in the past that it allows
was awarded a first contract to con-
One of the reasons why Goldman
the company the flexibility to do
struct offshore turbines there.
Sachs decided to become involved
business according to private sector
with the company is precisely
criteria. ‘State-owned company’ and
OWI: Does this mean we will
because they appreciate the green
‘global player’ may well go hand in
soon be seeing a tried and
growth potential.
hand. But to answer the question
tested Danish cooperation in
whether Dong will expand or not:
Taiwan?
OWI: Up till now, offshore
yes, it will. This is particularly
Leupold: At least one of A2Sea’s
wind has been Dong’s tech-
true in the offshore sector. If we
ships including the company’s own
nology of choice in this field.
want to remain number one, then
crew is getting in on the action
Will this remain the case, or
we need to go where the market
and will be constructing two test
will the IPO and the new op-
is and where it is accessible. We
turbines. I cannot make any state-
portunities change things?
recently made very careful steps
ments on the rest right now. But
Leupold: Offshore wind and
into the United States market. We
it is true that if we look at Taiwan
biomass! We are converting
now have local representatives in
and ask ourselves where offshore
former coal-fired power plants
Massachusetts. Whether or not we
wind is feasible outside of Europe,
into biomass or at least partially
will be able to carry out projects
then Taiwan is definitely an inter-
biomass-fired power plants. This is
there is still an open question. The
esting country.
one part. The other part is indeed
political discussion regarding the
the expansion of offshore wind.
future energy supply system in
The interview was conducted by
This strategy is certainly still valid.
Massachusetts is still ongoing.
Katharina Garus.
13
spotlight Foundations | Bucket
Upside down
Monopile or jacket? that’s not the only question when it comes
to foundations. upside down buckets are making a comeback in
foundation fixing. they have demonstrated their suitability on
the drawing board as well as in the field.
t
he offshore wind industry
needed. One tried and tested solution for this application
has been demanding more
area already exists: Monopiles are technically and eco-
standardisation for years
nomically unbeatable in water depths up to 30 m. This
now. This demand, how-
depth, however, is just the lowest common denominator.
ever, does not necessarily
Some companies are using monopiles in water depths of
include all components of an offshore wind turbine. It is
40 m, and the Danish project developer and wind farm
becoming increasingly clear that diversity is here to stay
operator Dong Energy even uses them in waters up to
in the area of foundations. Monopiles, jackets, tripods,
50 m deep.
buckets, gravity foundations, and floating systems all
Even so, all of these concepts need to fulfil some
Jackets manufactured at new
factory
of the same requirements: First of all, cost reduction is
“We use monopiles in water up to 30 m deep. Our jackets
still the number one consideration. There is still plenty
cover water depths between 30 and 60 meters,” said Tim
of untapped potential in this area. Secondly, if offshore
Klatt, Head of Sales and Development at Bilfinger Marine
wind is not to be confined to regions where the water is
& Offshore Systems GmbH. The offshore division con-
shallow, then foundation solutions for deeper waters are
sists of two companies and has installed approximately
Photo: Fred. Olsen
have their places in the range of potential solutions.
14
offshore Wind industry 4|2015
spotlight
two measurement masts at the British offshore wind farm
dogger Bank have been installed on mono buckets since 2013.
500 foundations. The second company in that division,
years ago, but bucket foundations are indeed making
Bilfinger Mars Offshore sp. z o.o., began manufacturing
a comeback.
monopiles, jackets and transition pieces at its new fac-
Bucket foundations are cylindrical steel structures
tory in Szczecin, Poland, this year. Bilfinger has invested
that are open on the bottom and are lowered onto the
€ 120 million in the production site.
seabed. Strong suction pumps then create a vacuum in-
A compelling business case is obviously necessary
side of the bucket and the steel structure is sucked into
for decision-makers to approve investments of this mag-
the soft seabed. When this process is complete, the fric-
nitude. Bilfinger is expecting a maximum cumulative
tion between the seabed and bucket wall provides the
offshore wind capacity of 23 GW in the UK, Germany,
necessary stability for the foundation.
Denmark and The Netherlands. “This very conservative
The method is actually not new in the offshore in-
estimate was the basis for our decision to build a new
dustry. What Enercon was attempting at Hooksiel in
factory for steel foundations,” Klatt said. The untapped
Northwest Germany was only unique because of the
potential is clearly large enough.
scale of the project. The bucket foundation had been de-
Bilfinger’s strategy focuses on deep-water sites, including large areas of the North Sea with water depths
signed for the flagship turbine at that time, the E-112,
which weighed approximately 500 tonnes.
of less than a hundred metres. Klatt estimates that ap-
Enercon aborted the installation because the bucket
proximately two-thirds of all future installations will
was deformed during the installation process. That more
use monopiles and the rest will use various types of
or less put an end to discussions about the bucket con-
jackets. The monopile concept is currently being opti-
cept. Nevertheless, it still has one significant advantage:
mised and will soon be included in a standard or a set
It is a low-noise process that does not injure marine
of regulations by certifiers.
mammals. Sound levels during pile driving significantly
exceed safe thresholds and make costly noise protection
unsuccessful premiere
measures necessary.
Monopiles and jackets are pretty much unchallenged as
foundation structures, but there is still plenty of discus-
the return of the bucket
sion going on about how best to anchor them. Nobody
That is the main reason why scientists as well as the
would have expected it after the Enercon failure ten
industry decided to give buckets a second chance. The
LOOK TO
THE FUTURE
Secure tomorrow’s energy supply
on our foundations.
EEW Special Pipe Constructions GmbH,
[email protected], www.eew-group.com
15
Lessons
learned
Tim Klatt, Head of Sales and Development at
Bilfinger Marine & Offshore Systems, takes stock
after twelve years of offshore wind energy:
Keep it extremely robust and simple:
> Plan and document all equipment, technology
and processes as robustly and transparently as
possible.
> Always have a backup plan.
One innovation per project:
In addition to 77 monopiles, Dong Energy has also installed a
> Never introduce more than one innovation per
suction bucket at the Borkum Riffgrund 1 wind farm.
project. For example: a new installation vessel, a
new noise reduction system, new hoists etc.
Energy funded a research project titled ‘WindBucket’
Interface planning is the key success
factor:
– Suction Bucket Foundations as an Innovative, In-
> Plan and agree on all internal and external
stallation Noise-Reducing Concept for Offshore Wind
interfaces to customers and subcontractors
Turbines, which recently published its results.
regarding performance and processes in detail.
German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and
Engineers at Overdick and Senvion as well as scienhofer IWES studied the interaction between the seabed
Fair risk split is most beneficial for all
involved:
and the structure in a seabed / bucket simulation using
> Clarify and agree on the risk of environmental
non-linear spring elements. “The effects of a simulated
conditions such as the seabed, wind, weather
storm on the individual suction buckets were deter-
and waves in advance and in detail.
mined in accordance with the guidelines of the Federal
> Exclude extreme weather events and agree on
Maritime and Hydrographic Agency of Germany (BSH),”
fair risk distribution in the unlikely event of their
the final report states. “The calculations were used to
occurrence. This typically reduces the CAPEX.
tists from the Leibniz University in Hanover and Fraun-
design the geometry of the suction pipes of the jacket
structure as well as for planning and defining the ex-
HSE+Q is essential:
perimental study programme with a focus on the axial
> Define all measures and processes for work
load-bearing behaviour of a single bucket under typical
safety and quality assurance in detail because
offshore load conditions.”
problems may incur high financial losses.
Source: School Offshore Wind 2014
Rosy future?
16
not adversely affect the axial load-bearing behaviour;
geotechnical map with a “moderate or predominantly
instead, it actually strengthened the post-cyclic pull-
low” application risk for bucket foundations. However,
out behaviour. An important finding with immediate
there are also areas of the North Sea that have an in-
practical relevance that was recorded by the researchers
creased application risk. This is the case in areas with
was the geological application risk for bucket founda-
very soft layers or an increased occurrence of boulders
tions in the German North Sea areas. The result was a
from the Ice Age. The conclusion of the research project:
Photo: Dong Energy
About the findings: The simulated storm event did
Grouting:
Problem solved
One problem that has vexed the offshore industry for a long time has now apparently become
less pressing. MasterFlow 9500 from Master
Builders Solutions by BASF is the first product of
its kind to receive a DNV GL (Det Norske Veritas
Germanischer Lloyd) certificate for Offshore
Concrete Structures. The Type Approval Certificate
issued by the internationally acknowledged test
and certification body, which specialises in oil, gas
Bilfinger estimates that two thirds of all turbines will be
and maritime services as well as in energy and
installed on monopiles in the future.
sustainability, officially confirms the quality of the
offshore performance grout.
“Generally speaking, large areas seem to be suitable for
using suction bucket foundation structures, in particular
Dong Energy is turning theory into practice and is
suction technology-based foundations from the oil and
installing the 78 turbines at the Borkum Riffgrund 1
gas industry,” said Kristian Jacobsen, head of business
wind farm using suction bucket jackets instead of mono-
development at Universal Foundation.
piles. The Dutch company SPT Offshore carried out the
Universal Foundation’s concept is designed for wa-
installation and anchored the jacket structure in the sea-
ter depths of 55 m and turbines with up to 8 MW. Ac-
bed using three buckets. According to SPT, it was the
cording to the company, the Mono Bucket has proven
first successful installation.
its ability, having been successfully installed in a wide
The foundation now supports a 3.6-MW Siemens
variety of site conditions, including sand, silt, clay and
turbine. SPT transported the entire foundation, which
layered strata. As part of an extensive trial installation
consists of the jacket, transition piece and the three
in the Dogger Bank, Dudgeon and Hornsea zones, a to-
buckets and weighs a total of 850 tonnes, in one piece
tal of 29 mono buckets were installed within 24 hours.
to the site northwest of Borkum. The buckets are eight
A scaled-down version of the Mono Bucket measuring
metres high and eight metres in diameter. In addition
8 m in diameter with a 6 m skirt, as well as a reference
to the silent installation procedure, SPT and Dong em-
structure of 4 m diameter with a 6 m skirt, was used in
phasise a further technical installation advantage: “One
this trial installation. “Now that the Mono Bucket has
of the benefits of suction technology is that it is possi-
completed the testing phase, it is ready for commercial
ble to be much more accurate with positioning and the
projects and we soon hope to announce a commercial
suction bucket was installed with a verticality of 0.04
demonstration project with a Mono Bucket supporting
degrees; much less than the minimum requirement for
a multi MW turbine”, says Jacobsen.
wind turbines of 0.25 degrees.”
It seems like the last word has not yet been spoken
Universal Foundation is interested in proving that
regarding the future of bucket foundations. Universal
buckets can be interesting for monopile foundations.
Foundation is not the only company convinced that ‘up-
„Our Mono Bucket is specifically designed for offshore
side down buckets’ will have a bright future; SPT and
wind turbine applications, combining the key benefits
Dong are optimistic as well.
of a gravity base foundation, a monopile and a suction
18
bucket, and building on a legacy of more than 2,000
Jörn Iken, Katharina Garus
Photo: Bilfinger Marine & Offshore Systems
the planned wind parks in areas in the North Sea.”
advertorial
Jacket beats monopile
Nordic Yards in Wismar
Salzgitter promises a 30 % cost advantage through the use of prefabricated components in
the construction of jacket foundations, using industrially manufactured pipes and robotwelded connecting pieces. Everything is ready for production in Szczecin, Poland.
Graphic & Photo: Salzgitter
J
are
of industrially manufactured stand-
marketed by Salzgitter Offshore Wind
currently going through
ard pipes, from which the jackets are
in kit form, shipped and put together
on location.
acket
foundations
a difficult period on the
mainly constructed. This provides
market. The monopile has become the
the greatest cost-saving potential
The latter option could be particu-
standard and thanks to XXL versions
compared with the current individual
larly interesting for the British market.
can now be used in water depths that
manufacture of customized pipes.
“Three or four projects from Round 3
would have been impossible just a
The second aspect is the prefabri-
have inquired about jacket founda-
few years ago. But according to Georg
cated X and K-joints, with which the
tions”, reports Michels. The allocation
Michels, who is responsible for off-
standard pipes are joined together to
will take place next year and Salzgitter
shore wind turbine foundations at
form the jacket structure. Significant
is quite hopeful about the outcome as
Salzgitter AG, this will come to an end
cost savings combined with a high
the reaction to the concept has been
in the next future. “The monopile will
quality standard can be achieved
overwhelmingly positive.
soon have reached its physical limits
through industrial series produc-
In order for things to progress,
taking in consideration the further
tion of joints using robot welding
the designers must finally recognize
development of turbines”, he says –
equipment. The robot can complete a
the potential and move away from
and the current cost advantage of the
K-joint in one day that would require
their previous standard. Pressure from
monopile over the jacket foundation
a week’s work if welded manually,
their clients could help, for whom
will no longer apply.
explains Michels.
the cost-saving potential should be a
convincing argument.
This will certainly be the case if
What was just a concept on paper
the concept of industrial jacket manu-
a few years ago is now a reality. In the
facturing gains a foothold which has
factory that Bilfinger Mars Offshore
been further developed by the coop-
has built, there are already three robot
eration of Salzgitter and Bilfinger
welding stations for nodes, which were
Mars offshore. It will make them 30 %
developed in cooperation with Salzgit-
Salzgitter AG
cheaper than currently – and thereby
ter AG. The line for jacket production
Salzgitter Mannesmann Renewable
definitively competitive in the long
will be ready for use at the end of the
Eisenhüttenstr. 99
term.
year. Then it will be possible to build
38239 Salzgitter
The innovative aspects of the
50 complete jackets per year and fur-
Germany
Salzgitter concept include the use
ther up to 80 that will be exclusively
[email protected]
19
Simple but
clever
G
20
Six sand-filled ballast
tanks will anchor the
Texbase to the seabed.
founda-
University of Applied Sciences and
the bottom will be six flat elements
tions are cur-
the Franzius-Institute of Leibniz
with a strong textile weave stretched
rently outsiders
University in Hanover began collab-
across them. Six ballast tanks made
in the foundation business. They are
orating on the development of this
of geotextiles and filled with sand
too heavy and too bulky, and there-
new type of offshore foundation sys-
will hold the foundation securely on
fore too expensive to install. These
tem in July. The project participants
the seabed.
are precisely the weaknesses that
plan to conduct research and devel-
Texbase tackles. To put it simply,
opment for two years and achieve a
Relying on gravity
Texbase replaces the heavy concrete
detailed concept by mid-2017.
The inventors aim to make use of a
ravity
bases of current gravity foundations
The basic characteristics are
property of sand to fill the sandbags:
with flexible textile silos which only
already clear: the Hexabase foun-
while sand is extremely stiff and has
need to be filled with sand at the off-
dation developed by MOG and
a specific weight close to that of con-
shore location.
ThyssenKrupp Mannex, a jacket
crete when it is compacted, a sand/
The Maritime Offshore Group
with a six-sided cross-section de-
water mixture is so fluid that it can
(MOG), the steel construction com-
signed for serial production, will
be pumped. This means that the Tex-
pany Conferdo, the Mittelhessen
be equipped with a new base. At
base can be transported to the instal-
Graphics (2): MOG
The principle of gravity
foundations may be simple
but the concept is having
a hard time gaining a
foothold in the market. The
Texbase aims to change
this. Its big advantage is
that the sand silos that
provide a secure anchorage
can be filled on site.
spotlight Foundations | Innovation
lation site empty and lowered into
calculates that the Texbase will sink
the water before the ballast tanks are
by a further 50 cm. “Foundations
filled with a sand/water mix.
usually stand in the water for a
Because the geotextiles to be
while before the turbine is installed
used for the ballast tanks are per-
anyway. By then the base should
meable to water, it will be squeezed
have settled”, he says.
out of the silos by the foundation’s
Texbase’s developers see its
own weight and the remaining sand
greatest advantage in the quick and
will be compressed. Its own weight
cheap installation. “A normal crane
will also cause the Texbase to slowly
vessel suffices for the installation,
sink into the ground. It will go quite
while concrete gravity foundations
quickly through the first 50 cm or so
generally require four tugs”, says
of sludge that forms the upper layer,
Schramm. But the Texbase will not
but because the seabed under it is
just have to measure up to other
also compressed by the weight of
gravity foundations. In order to suc-
the foundation, Christof Schramm,
ceed on the market, the developers
Research and Development at MOG,
will have to offer a true alternative
to the monopile. Schramm sees potential in that area too. “The larger
monopiles become, the more diffi-
Texbase – the
path to the
prototype
>Base construction and structural calculations: Mittelhessen
University of Applied Sciences
>Detailed development of the
ballast tanks and ground
supports: Maritime Offshore
Group
>Analysis of geotechnical
effects: Franzius-Institute of
Leibniz University, Hanover
>Planning of production and
after-sales maintenance:
Conferdo
>Manufacturing and sales:
ThyssenKrupp Mannex
> Coating: BASF Coatings
cult it is to install them”, he says.
Furthermore, using the Texbase not
thousand tonnes of sand will be
only saves time. Because it does
needed. Schramm estimates that
not require any preparation of the
4,000 to 5,000 t will be required for
seabed, it is also more environmen-
a 6 MW system. Exactly how much
tally friendly. It can be used in deep
is actually needed will be calculated
waters and “is very well adapted to
over the two years of the research
most offshore sites in Europe”, as
project. It is clear that a foundation
Schramm emphasizes. The only ter-
for a 6 MW turbine will be the ba-
rain on which it makes little sense
sis for the calculations. However, in
is solid rock.
the future, Texbase will also support
To ensure that the wind turbines have a stable base, several
turbines as large as 8 MW in depths
of up to 50 m.
Katharina Garus
Global Renewables Shipbrokers - OWI Magazin - Anzeige 172 x 30 mm Version2.pdf 1 07.05.2015 11:07:17
21
Science & TecHnoLogy | Turbines
The V164-8.0 prototype has now
withstood 2,500 examinations and
managed tough endurance tests.
BIG
Thinking
The offshore market is currently
a heady mix of top marks for
performance and rotor diameters
on the one hand and mergers on the
other. The purpose of large rotor
blades, more generator output and
mergers is the same: slashing costs.
A
reva Wind and
Gamesa
merg-
ing to become
Adwen, and Vestas and Mitsubishi
joining forces have triggered an
initial process of consolidation.
Companies are aiming to reduce
competition by garnering more market power and capital and improving
their ability to weather periods of low
order intake. In parallel, turbine suppliers are outdoing each other with
considerable boosts in power output.
The purpose of the new giants in the
cut investors’ costs by achieving
an offshore wind farm’s maximum
capacity with fewer machines. This
would mean less outlay for the
22
offshore Wind industry 4|2015
Photo: MHi Vestas
manufacturers‘ product ranges is to
science &
technology
components required, installation
and subsequent operation.
With an 8 MW capacity and a
rotor of 164 m in diameter, MHI
Vestas Offshore Wind has gained the
first breakthrough towards reaching 10 MW. For the V164, Vestas is
sticking with its gear drive and relying on a medium-speed drivetrain.
This is a definite technological trend
regarding offshore. In this case twoor three-stage speed converters and
a permanently excited generator are
alternative options to direct drive.
The idea behind these concepts is to
reduce losses inside the gear drive
by better efficiency in the partial
Like this AD 5-132, Adwen’s rotor, gear drive and generator also form
load range and to minimize wear
a unit. However, unlike the 5 MW variant, key components for the
through moderate speeds. In the
8 MW model can be replaced independently of one another.
case of direct drives, the philosocomponents inside not as much can
late on the market, but did perform
closely resembles a comfortable
go wrong. For this technology, the
well on the other hand”, comments
detached house. The nacelle’s insides
cost benefits appear to be from the
Anders Bach Andersen, the V164-
consist of the traditional structure
lack of a gear drive and the fact that
platform’s Product Manager at
with a massive rotor shaft. In or-
fewer components reduce the need
MHI Vestas. However, the launch
der to ensure that only pure torque
for maintenance. The biggest boost
was obviously not too late. Dong
reaches the gear drive and the gen-
in capacity is currently from aero-
Energy has already ordered just
erator, a flexible coupling is inserted
dynamically optimized rotor blades
under 700 MW and further inves-
between the main shaft and gear
which are getting longer and longer.
tors regard it as their turbine of first
drive. The compact three-stage plan-
However, cost reductions of up to
choice. As a result, the pipeline has
etary gear drive was designed by ZF
40 % that the industry is hoping for
grown to more than 1.7 GW since
Wind Power. Moreover, the turbine
can only be achieved by industrial
the prototype’s erection early in
boasts other features. “For example,
processes and this is where volume
2014. The V164-8.0 prototype has
we can exchange the main bearing
matters most.
now withstood 2,500 tests and man-
without having to take off the rotor,”
aged tough endurance tests. “More
explains Bach Andersen.
Vestas: grown to
more than 1.7 GW
test runs will be required before
“Large-scale turbines affect cost
we intend to enhance availability
Adwen builds on
Areva’s M5000
greatly, since installing turbines
further,” explains Bach Andersen.
Adwen wants to follow suit with
production gets underway and
and foundations is expensive. The
In all, at a length of 20 and
a prototype in the third quarter of
new turbine was launched a little
a width of 8 m, the 390 t nacelle
2016. The AD 8-810 will have a
Photo: Adwen
phy is that if there aren’t so many
23
Science & Technology | Turbines
The prototype of Siemens’ SWT-7.0-154 in Østerild, Denmark, was installed only a few months after the product launch
24
rotor diameter of 180 m and gener-
damaged. “Now the structure is di-
to depend on a distributed drive
ate 8 MW of rated capacity as well.
vided up so that the main compo-
train with components arranged
Despite the merger between Areva
nents can be replaced independently
in sequence in order to be able to
Wind and Gamesa, the new turbine
of one another,” explains Pereira.
respond flexibly to customer’s com-
will build on Areva’s tried and tested
Overall, head mass including ro-
ponent wishes. The three-stage gear
M5000. In this concept, the drive
tor is apparently 550 t, whereas it
drive of the updated 6.2 MW with
train and the coupling to the genera-
was just 356 t before. The turbine is
a rotor diameter of 152 m rotates
tor have been dropped, because the
being put through its paces on a new
at a slightly faster pace at a ratio
rotor was directly integrated into a
test rig at the Fraunhofer Institute
of 1:116 and drives a doubly-fed
large roller bearing. This helps rotor,
for Wind Energy and Energy System
asynchronous generator. The latter
gear drive and generator to form a
Technology (IWES) in Bremerhaven
provides space-saving benefits in
single unit. Its centrepiece is a two-
where the new turbines are also to
the nacelle, because synchronous
stage planetary gear drive featuring
be built in future. The production
generators with full-power convert-
a gear ratio of 1:10. The permanent
of 80 turbines with 5 MW for the
ers are bigger in size. The generator
magnet generator already achieves
Wikinger project in the Baltic will
also requires no rare earths. Unlike
its rated capacity at just under 150
start in November. Orders have also
its forerunner at 6.15 MW and a
revolutions. “Renk AG and Moventas
already come in for the new 8 MW
rotor diameter of 126 m, Senvion
will build the gear drives and ABB
generation. “The AD 8-180 is sched-
is choosing longer blades and an
the generator of the new turbine,”
uled for three projects comprising
updated drive train to combat the
says Head of Sales Paulo Pereira.
500 MW each in France”.
competition. “Compared to its fore-
Adwen has made minor changes to
Senvion is staying faithful to
runner, energy yield at wind speeds
the concept. Previously, the entire
traditional turbine technology. The
of 9.5 m/sec. is 20 % higher,” claims
nacelle had to be replaced if it was
Hamburg-based company continues
group spokeswoman Verena Puth.
Photo: Siemens
at the EWEA Offshore trade show in Copenhagen. NACELLE
there are only few modifications,”
the order books. The manufacturer
says Michael Hannibal, CEO of the
is hoping for growth through its new
offshore wind division. Its weight
owner Centerbridge. The private U.S.
of 360 t places the direct drive wind
investor took over from Suzlon in
turbine well within the range of its
2015. After all, the deal has raised
competitors. Meanwhile Siemens
the credit line with the banks from
is working on a new generation of
€ 100 to 950 million.
10 MW capacity.
Siemens is
working on 10 MW
rect drive. “Our analyses show that
Siemens continues to have more
direct drive results in significantly
than one string to its bow. On the
fewer malfunctions. We therefore
one hand, the 3.6 and 4 MW gear
decided to choose offshore for
drive turbines are still much in de-
direct drive,” says Marcus Rieck,
mand. On the other, the technology
Alstom Renewables’ Country Sales
Alstom is also opting for the diin comparison with gear drives,
group’s wind division relies on di-
Director in Germany. “This resulted
rect drive at 6 MW capacity and its
in the Haliade 150 at 6 MW capacity
lead in development and production.
whose first prototype was installed
Siemens already has 83 turbines of
in Le Carnet in the Pays de la Loire
this type with a rotor diameter of
region in France in 2012. We have
154 m on the grid and some 322
238 turbines for French and 124
further WTGs in the order books.
turbines for German projects in
This will enable efficient industrial
the pipeline, as well as 5 turbines
production processes to be set up in
for the first floating offshore wind
Brande in Denmark. This type dem-
farm in the US.” After selling its
onstrates the fast pace of develop-
energy division to GE, as yet noth-
ment today. Not all that long ago in
ing has officially been heard about
October 2013, the SWT 6.0 was still
any major leaps in development. In-
the turbine with the largest rotor
stead, there were problems with the
diameter worldwide. There will be
generator on one of the two proto-
no modifications to the blades for
types in the form of a loose magnet
the time being. Instead, Siemens is
and workshops were held with the
ramping up an additional megawatt
manufacturers. “Production pro
in capacity and plans to test the up-
cesses were examined by several
grade on 7 MW prototypes by 2018.
partners and the packages equipped
“We focused on higher torque by
with magnets have a new design,”
using stronger magnets to boost ca-
explains Rieck. The new factory in
pacity, which means a higher yield
France can produce 100 turbines
offshore of 10 %. The biggest advan-
a year.
tage is that the production supply
OIL SERVICE
ROTOR BLADE
TOWER
REPAIR
turbines offshore and some 72 in
INSPECTION
chain remains unchanged, because
OFFSHORE SERVICES
OFFSHORE CONSULTING
SAFETY
MAINTENANCE
To date, Senvion has installed 101
OPTIMIZATION
CONTROL
REPOWERING
ONSHORE CONSULTING
SUBSTATIONS
FOUNDATION
Full service from the same source
Torsten Thomas
deutsche-windtechnik.com
logistics & operations | Installation vessels
Time is
Photo: Swire Blue Ocean
The construction of offshore wind farms has become a
routine activity, but it still takes too long. In order to save
time it is necessary to define technically feasible limits for
the individual stages of the process.
26
logistics &
operations
Pacific Orca from above. So that the main crane
takes up as little space as possible on the deck, it
is moved above one of the six legs.
money
ith the wind turbine installation
vessel (WTIV) a
completely new class
to 12 knots until the construction site has been reached. Once
it is there, the working position must
be actively maintained until the jack-up legs
of ship has emerged
of the ship stand firmly on the seabed. Multiple
in recent years, consisting of a flat rectangular hull
diesel generators in the hull supply the four to
with an extensive load area and a large crane. Pro-
eight drive motors with sufficient electricity. Four
pulsion and exact positioning are achieved using
or six jack-up legs provide a secure stance on the
electrically driven rudder-propellers (thrusters) or
seabed – even in high waves. Multi-storey super-
Voith-Schneider propellers. The requirement for
structures on the bow, usually topped by a heli-
fuel and electricity is high because the bulky hull
copter landing platform, provide accommodation
has to be moved through the water at a speed of 10
for the personnel.
27
Two rotor stars for 6 MW wind turbines from Siemens being transported by the Sea Installer to the wind
farm Gunfleet Sands. The transport of these gigantic rotors limits the capacity but has advantages for the
installation of direct-drive turbines.
Before this type of ship evolved, the offshore wind
industry first gathered experience with crane ships
service – with a high point in the year 2012 when seven
ships were available for operations for the first time.
borrowed from the oil and gas industry, where they are
The tide of shipbuilding has now ebbed and the first
still in use. Ten years ago there were only a few ships
modifications have started. It has become clear that the
that were suitable for the installation of wind turbines at
requirements are increasing. Fred. Olsen, for example,
sea. Two of these veterans are still active: the Sea Power,
will soon bring the sister ships Bold Tern and Brave Tern
which was constructed for A2Sea by converting a small
into the wharf. “The jack-up legs will be lengthened by
freighter, and the MPI Resolution, which is regarded as
14 m and the boom of the crane by 10 m”, explains Felix
the very first WTIV because she was constructed for this
Fliege, the head of the German subsidiary, “then we will
purpose right from the start.
be equipped for round three in the UK.”
28
The boom began in 2009
shortages cannot be avoided. When this happens, heavy-
After the MPI Resolution went into service in 2003,
lift crane vessels (HLCVs) are put to use. Some of them
it took a long time before further ships followed.
were originally built for a completely different purpose
More and more wind farms were constructed but the
and have a specification that is somewhat different.
volume of the contracts was so small that no inves-
Nevertheless, they are well suited to the construction
tor dared to commission such an expensive and ex-
of offshore wind turbines. An outstanding example is the
tremely specialized ship. The wind farm planners had
Svanen, which was originally designed for the construc-
to improvise by chartering ships that were temporarily
tion of a large bridge and can lift a load of 8,700 t. She
not needed by the oil and gas industry and were there-
is clearly over-dimensioned for the erection of wind tur-
fore a
ffordable.
bines but is cheap to charter because she hardly gets any
From 2009 onward the situation became easier.
other work. The Thialf, with its 12,000 t crane capacity
Numerous ships were commissioned and in the six
is one of the world’s largest crane ships and is used only
years from 2009 to 2014 a total of 25 WTIVs went into
seldom in offshore wind farms due to the high costs.
Photo: Dong Energy
Although the fleet of WTIVs is already quite big,
Dynamic positioning
Retreat of the outsiders
Dynamic positioning (DP) is divided into classes
The installation of offshore wind farms is a job for spe-
according to ability. It is decisive for the operation
cialists. In the euphoria of the pioneer phase, when the
of the WTIV and concerns the exactness of the
expansion targets were even higher than today, several
positioning of the ship and the redundancy of the
outsiders convinced themselves to build ships in order
electricity and drive aggregates.
to participate in the supposedly lucrative logistics busi-
Class DP1 includes all ships which are no
ness. The market activity has calmed down a lot since
longer able to maintain an exact position when a
then and of the 30 WTIVs listed in the table, 25 are
drive system fails but are still able to manoeuvre.
owned by eight shipping companies. The outsiders have
In an emergency they are thus able to return to
largely thrown in the towel.
port under their own power.
The German building company Hochtief, which
Ships with DP2 are equipped with a double set
founded the joint-venture HGO Infrasea Solutions
of drive generators and position calculators. They
together with GeoSea, has completely withdrawn from
are therefore still able to work when one system
the offshore business. A year ago Hochtief sold its share
fails. However, the systems have a joint electricity
in the Innovation to GeoSea and in September 2015 the
supply and need to be adjusted when one system
Vidar was sold to the Jan De Nul Group.
breaks down.
RWE Innogy, a subsidiary of the German energy
A higher level of redundancy is achieved in
conglomerate RWE, which had two construction ships
class DP3 through the doubling of the electricity
built around four years ago in order to put up its own
supply. Separate machine rooms and emergency
wind farms, has sold the Victoria Mathias to MPI
power supplies reduce the risk of a system break-
Offshore (the ship is now called MPI Enterprise) and has
down to a minimum.
chartered the Friedrich Ernestine to A2Sea. The latter
Vessels without DP include older jack-up
has been renamed M/V Torben and is now in Taiwan
barges without their own drive systems and ships
erecting the country’s first two offshore wind turbines.
with conventional hulls. These vessels are held in
RWE Innogy continues to be active as a project devel-
position using tugs with DP abilities, or otherwise
oper but will leave the installation to the specialists
need to be anchored.
in future.
29
Market overview of wind turbine
installation vessels (WTIV)
A2Sea
DBB Jack-Up
Fred. Olsen
Windcarrier
Fugro Seacore
GeoSea
Gulf Marine
Services
Commissioned
(year)
Deck area
(m2)
Service
speed
(kn)
Max. water depth
(m)
Lifting capacity
(t @ m)
DP class
Sea Installer
2012
3,350
12
45
800 t @ 24 m
DP2
Sea Challenger
2014
3,350
12
45
800 t @ 24 m
DP2
Sea Power
2002
1,020
7.8
24
230 t @ 15 (22) m
without
M/V Torben 1
2011
2,850
7.5
45
1,000 t @ 25 m
DP2
J/U Wind
1996
430
6
30
80 t @ 13 m
DP1
J/U Wind Pioneer
2010 2
530
5
35
150 t
without
J/U Wind Server
2014
1,000
9
45
400 t @ 20 m
DP2
Bold Tern
2013
3,200
12
45
800 t @ 24 m
DP2
Brave Tern
2012
3,200
12
45
800 t @ 24 m
DP2
Excalibur
1978 3
1,630
4
30
240 t
without
Neptune
2011
1,600
7.5
52
600 t @ 26 m
DP2
Innovation
2012
3,400
12
65
1,500 t @ 31.5 m
DP2
Thor
2010 4
1,850
5
50
500 t @ 11.5 m
DP2
Goliath
2009
1,100
6
40
400 t@ 15 m
DP2
GMS Endeavour
2010
1,035
8
65
300 t
DP2
GMS Endurance
2013
1,035
8
80
400 t
DP2
Jan de Nul
Vidar
2013
3,100
12
50
1,200 t @ 27.5 m
DP2
MPI Offshore
MPI Adventure
2011
3,600
12.5
40
1,000 t @ 26 m
DP2
Seajacks
Swire Blue
Ocean
MPI Discovery
2011
3,600
12.5
40
1,000 t @ 26 m
DP2
MPI Enterprise 5
2012
2,850
7.5
45
1,000 t @ 25 m
DP2
MPI Resolution
2003
3,200
11
35
600 t @ 25 m
DP1
Seajacks Hydra
2014
900
10
50
400 t @ 18.5 m
DP2
Seajacks Kraken
2009
900
10
41
300 t @ 16 m
DP2
Seajacks Leviathan
2009
900
10
41
400 t @ 18.5 m
DP2
Seajacks Scylla
2015
4,600
12
65
1,500 t
DP2
Seajacks Zaratan
2012
2,000
9
55
800 t @ 24 m
DP2
Pacific Orca
2012
4,300
13
70
1,200 t @ 31 m
DP2
Pacific Osprey
2012
4,300
13
70
1,200 t @ 31 m
DP2
Van Oord
Aeolus
2014
3,300
12
45
900 t @ 18 – 30 m
DP2
Workfox
Seafox 5
2012
3,750
10
65
1,200 t @ 25 m
DP2
Wulf
Seetransporte
Wind Lift I
2010
2,224
10
45
500 t @ 31 m
DP1
1
30
Name
formerly Friedrich Ernestine; 2 Conversion 2014; 3 Conversion 2003; 4 Conversion 2012; 5 formerly Victoria Mathias
The third outsider that had a WTIV built was the
small German shipping company Wulf hSeetransporte.
company Bard Offshore, which with the highly risky
With this consolidation caused by economic factors the
ambition to do everything itself – from the construction
technical pioneer phase of the offshore installation ships
of its own wind turbine and foundation structure to the
also seems to have come to an end. The WTIVs have
installation of wind farms – failed within a few years.
been developed to an advanced stage and the construc-
The company went bankrupt some years ago and their
tion of wind farms has become a routine process. Now
construction ship Wind Lift 1 is now chartered out by the
a phase of cost reduction has begun and the first voices
Source: company data
Owner
logistics & operations | InstallatIon vessels
are loudly defining targets whereby construction can
according to A2Sea. How long it then takes until the ship
go faster and more smoothly, and money thus can be
can start working at sea is, however, dependent on har-
saved.
bour restrictions and not on the performance capability
of the ship.
the 24/12/24/12 mantra
Installation and transfer to the next point within 12
There was a limit to the demands that could be placed on
hours is possible in theory – but not always in practice,
the ships of the pioneer phase. For the second-generation
admits Grøn. At the wind farm West of Duddon Sands
ships there is no such honeymoon period. They were
the Sea Installer needed between 12 and 15 hours,
very expensive and must earn their money. “There have
whereby jacking up and down and moving to the next
been plenty of expectations around second-generation
point usually required more time than the installation
vessels”, reports Søren Grøn, Project Manager at the
itself, which was normally completed within six hours.
pioneer company A2Sea, and poses the question as to
A2Sea has no influence on the process of putting the
whether these highly specialized ships will come up to
wind turbine into operation, only on accommodating the
expectations.
Around 15 years ago, the Danish shipping company
A2Sea became the first to exclusively specialize in the
construction of offshore wind farms. Initially, the company used converted freighters and jack-up barges but
at the end of 2012 it put the Sea Installer into service
and two years later the Sea Challenger. Both ships can
transport eight complete 3.6 MW Siemens wind turbines
ENGINEERING
and can work faster, safer and more cheaply than their
DIVING
ROV SERVICE
OFFSHORE PERSONNEL
predecessors. Their performance is measured according
to a mantra that A2Sea itself has formulated. “During
the design phase, the 24/12/24/12 mantra functioned
as a springboard for creating innovative approaches to
installation methodologies”, says Grøn.
Visit us at:
Baltic Taucherei- und Bergungsbetrieb Rostock GmbH
Main office Rostock· Alter Hafen Süd 3 · 18069 Rostock
T +49 (0)381 - 811 10 00 · F. +49 (0)381 - 811 10 01
[email protected]
Branch office Mukran · Im Fährhafen Sassnitz
18546 Sassnitz / Neu Mukran · T +49 (0)38392 - 553 55
[email protected]
What do these four figures mean? The new ships
should be able to dock, load their freight and set off back
to sea within 24 hours. They should not need more than
12 hours to jack up at the working point at sea, install
6XSHULRU2ƐVKRUH:LQG(QHUJ\6HUYLFHV
the wind turbine and move to the next position – in
other words they should be able to work to the rhythm
of the tides. Thirdly, it should be possible to perform the
processes to put a wind turbine into operation within 24
hours. The fourth figure does not refer to a time period
but to the wind speed: it should be possible to mount
the rotor blades at sea in a wind of 12 m/s.
The first of these requirements has proved to be relatively easy to fulfil if the port traffic allows for punctual
departures. The loading of eight nacelles, eight towers
sea
energy
Consulting · Marine Operations & Logistics
Engineering · Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)
2ƐVKRUH3HUVRQQHOy&KDUWHULQJ&RQWUDFWLQJ
6HD5HQHUJ\2ƐVKRUH+ROGLQJ*PE+&LH.*
[email protected] · www.searenergy.com
and 24 rotor blades takes significantly less than 24 hours
31
Market overview of heavy lift crane vessel
(HLCV)
Owner
Name
Commissioned
(year)
Deck area (m2)
Service speed
(kn)
Lifting capacity
(t @ m)
DP class
Conquest
Offshore
Operations
Conquest MB1
2012
3,400
6
1,400 t
without
Heerema
Marine
Contractors
Thialf
1985
2,500
6
2 × 7,100 t @
DP3
Jumbo
Jumbo Javelin
2004
3,100
17
1,800 t
DP2
Fairplayer
2008
3,100
17
1,800 t
DP2
MV Lone
2011
3,500
20
2,000 t
DP2
Oleg Strashnov
2011
3,700
12
5,000 t @ 32 m
DP2
Stanislav Yudin
1985
2,500
12
2,500 t @ 32.5 m
without
Scaldis-SMC
Rambiz
1996 1
1,500
6
1,700 t; 1,600 t
without
Van Oord
Svanen
1990
2,500
7
8,700 t
without
Sal Heavy Lift
1
Conversion 2000
has not yet been achieved by A2Sea: “Even with Sea
Installer, blades are still being lifted in not much more
than 9 m/s”, admits Grøn.
In the case of the wind speed, the definition of the
mantra seems to be somewhat arbitrary, as if the aim
was to define all the important parameters using the
numbers 12 and 24. The company’s competitors are
not quite so ambitious. Ben Robinson, Major Projects
& Operations Manager at MPI Offshore calculates with
an average of 36 hours for dock, load and sail (when six
wind turbines are to be transported) and with 24 hours
When WTIV shortages avoide, heavy-lift crane
for the erection of each turbine. MPI Offshore has set a
vessels like Jumbo Javelin are put to use.
wind speed limit of 10 m/s for the installation of rotor
blades, thereby coming slightly nearer to the limit set
by A2Sea than the company itself.
installers as comfortable as possible on the ship. When
The other shipping companies are keeping quiet
they completed the processes within 24 hours, it was
about such things. Which targets will be achievable in
probably due to them feeling comfortable on the Sea
the end without increasing the risks during installation
Installer, says Grøn with a wink of the eye.
has yet to be seen. But the discussion about the reduc-
Photo: Jumbo
tion of costs will be an ongoing theme in the industry
32
Arbitrary and realistic
targets
over the coming years, and it will therefore be unavoid-
The fourth figure represents a high hurdle. The rela-
set towards which everyone must be orientated.
tively strong wind of 12 m/s defined by the mantra
able that targets for the installation of wind turbines are
Detlef Koenemann
Source: company data
32.1 m
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those who work out at sea, exposed to wind,
weather and heights need special workwear –
Logistics & operations | Protective clothing
this starts with protective clothing and goes ‘
far beyond gloves.
Gloves are
not just
gloves
the working gear worn for offshore work is not just a question
of comfort – it’s important for safety. this is true of marine
abandonment suits and even of gloves.
the outside. Just the word “dry” al-
gear. Wet workwear leads to sick
the
ready evokes a positive feeling. The
days and lower productivity and is
advertising focussing on this term
a safety risk.
sportswear
business
as-
signed workshop attendees the task
was a resounding market success.
34
Simple drying systems like the
ones distributed by Pronomar, a
of characterizing a popular textile
with a single word. The textile is
Quick-dry
Dutch company, can dry workwear
used in sports shoes and jackets and
What works in the sports and leisure
quickly. Special drying appliances
is impermeable to water while still
industry also applies to workwear.
for common offshore clothing en-
being breathable. The word he was
Being wet and, in some cases, cold is
sure that no hidden wet bulges form
looking for – “dry” – describes the
uncomfortable. What is more, it can
in the wet clothes. The systems en-
most prominent feature of Gore-Tex,
be proven that employees’ motiva-
sure optimal air circulation through
which is dry on both the inside and
tion rises when they’re in dry work
hidden zones.
Photo: Dong energy
A
sales coach from
Logistics & Operations | Protective Clothing
If the work clothes need to be
used again quickly, they can be dried
in the drying cabinet, which has little
in common with a household dryer.
The Pronomar dryer does not have a
spinning drum; instead, it resembles
a locker, with a warm stream of air
circulating around jackets, boots
and gloves. “If the clothes are only
moderately wet or sweaty, an hour
in the dryer is enough. Clothes that
are completely soaked through take
a maximum of two hours,” says Eva
Pronomar’s drying systems require little space and dry protective
Baars of Pronomar.
suits in a few hours.
Consulting agency Seahealth
gloves basically have to be worn for
While it is true that wet or sweat-
Denmark therefore emphasizes that
all tasks, especially when handling
drenched working gear is not one
“gloves are not just gloves” and
lubricants,
of the main problems of offshore
adds that the wrong type of glove
chemicals. The choice of materials
projects, many small issues can lead
can result in eczema. This in itself
for the working gloves depends on
to bigger ones. Wet workwear is not
does not necessarily have anything
which chemicals are being worked
the only risk. The wrong choice of
to do with safety, but it could if,
with. Some combinations of glove
gloves can have consequences that
for instance, pain seriously affects
materials and chemicals are listed in
jeopardize the ability to work.
the ability to grip tightly. Working
Seahealth Denmark’s table below.
solvents
and
other
Photo: Pronomar
Gloves are vital
for safety
Strategic Optimisation Software
© www.siemens.com/presse
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your wind farm optimization process with respect to
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Dr. Hans-Peter Waldl, Dipl.-Phys. Thomas Pahlke, Managing Directors
Optimising the design of offshore wind farms
Wind climate in wind farm clusters
Large wind farm wake effects
Economic benchmarking
Uncertainty modelling
Geo Information System (GIS) integration
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wind-and-economy.com
overspeed.de
overspeed
GmbH & Co. KG
Logistics & operations | Protective clothing
in combination with a secumar life jacket, the
contra 140 as work and survival suit with
integrated fall protection forms a system for personal protection for all jobs on and over water.
.
New abandonment
suits
individually by using underclothes
There’s a large selection of gloves
inserted Gore-Tex membranes into
on the market, and the sheer number
all its suits. According to the manu-
of products for workwear makes the
facturer, this membrane is capable
choice difficult when it comes to
of preventing water from penetrat-
protective suits, as well. This sum-
ing from the outside; at the same
mer, for example, Secumar intro-
time, it wicks sweat from the inside
duced new abandonment suits and
to the outside. This function is also
survival suits.
marketed with the term “breathable”
The abandonment suits do not
of varying thickness. Secumar has
by other manufacturers.
Deadly
cold
have an integrated buoyancy system
The developers at Secumar
and therefore need to be combined
designed the new models for both
with a life jacket in accordance with
work and sports. The Contra 110
DIN EN ISO 12402-2. According to
models are lightweight undersuits
How someone behaves when
DIN EN ISO 15027-1, marine aban-
that can be worn under any piece
they are in the water can de-
donment suits complement the life
of clothing. The Contra 140 suits,
termine whether or not they
jacket so that the complete equip-
meanwhile, are work suits and sur-
survive. The basic principle is
ment now not only keeps the head
vival suits and are also available as
to move as little as possible.
above water, but also protects against
a variant with an internal safety fall
For example, a person can
death from freezing. The suits are
protection harness for tasks at great
swim for about two hours in
impermeable to water and users
heights.
10° C water before fatal cold
can adapt to water temperatures
Jörn Iken
injuries arise, but remaining
calm in a foetal position can
double survival time. Survival
time triples when people use
A good fit
life jackets and remain completely immobile. The same
Chemical group
Glove material
chlorinated and aromatic carbonates,
e.g. dichloroethane, toluene, xylene
pVa, fluorine polymeric
aliphatic carbonates e.g. heptane
pVa, fluorine polymeric, neoprene,
nitrile, polyethylene
alcohols and glycols
Butyle, natural rubber, neoprene,
nitrile, polyethylene
esters and ketones, e.g. butylacetate,
acetone, methyl ethyl ketone
pVa (not suitable for ethyl acetate)
acids and bases
pVc
oils
nitrile, neoprene, viton, pVc
applies to clothing. In 5° C
hours in a dry suit, in which
the person remains dry, before they lose consciousness.
In normal clothes, this time
25 minutes.
Photo: Secumar
shortens to one hour, and a
naked person has as little as
Source: Seahealth Denmark
36
water, it takes at least five
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poliTics & business | Insurance
Under
pressure
I
38
f you want to make an omelette, you’ve
without any damage claims are still outliers, complete
got to break some eggs, as the saying goes.
coverage for projects is currently no problem. Instead,
That is a lesson not lost on technical insu-
the insurance packages that brokers design and place on
rance companies that cover the construc-
the market are often oversubscribed. This is due to the
tion risks of major infrastructure projects.
apparently very good work the wind industry does at sea,
Offshore wind farms, which not long ago were fraught
which has piqued the interest of the insurance compa-
with risks and only insurable with great patience and
nies. “The variety of participants is rising and premiums
detailed explanation, also play in this league.
are falling because the available capacities on the market
Now the tables have turned. Although offshore
are on the way up. This naturally creates pressure,” says
wind farms that make it through the construction phase
Olaf Weidemann of the insurance brokerage Aon Risk
offshore Wind indusTry 4|2015
Graphic: Wordle.net
Insurance premiums for the construction phase of offshore
wind farms are falling. The prospect of good business with
just a moderate risk of losses is attracting new insurance
companies. But affordable insurance packages for smaller
subcontractors are still lacking.
politics &
business
Solutions. Specialised brokers like Aon are an important
risks or disposal of unexploded ordinance are explicitly
interface for insurance companies. They accompany the
not covered. The same is true in principle of poor work
entire process between investors, manufacturers, gen-
performance. Because companies are responsible for per-
eral contractors, their subcontractors, and ultimately
forming their work properly, there is also no insurance
banks. After all, without fully comprehensive insurance
against shoddiness. In such cases, insurers only cover
coverage there can be no funding.
damage to property resulting from poor workmanship.
After commissioning, the needs of the operator
Tenders for insurance
packages
once again take centre stage “The interests of the
Due to the considerable investment costs of well over
tion are covered only to a limited extent for follow-up
€ 1 billion, no single insurance company bears the
work, remedying of defects or damage found later on,”
risk alone. Instead, brokers place the packages on the
says Weidemann.
entrepreneurs that are fully insured during construc-
insurance market in a tender procedure. “The leading
of the premium and the risk, negotiates the conditions
Cable damage remains a
persistent issue
of the insurance and is responsible for settling claims.
A perennial problem in the construction phase is cable
These negotiated results are binding for all the other
damage, which on average costs € 5 million to repair.
participating insurance companies by subsequent obli-
Insurance companies have learned their lessons in this
gation,” Weidemann said, explaining the procedure.
regard. “For cable, there are higher deductibles, which
insurer in the consortium, which accepts 30 to 40 %
For such policies, the interest of the insurance
range between € 500,000 and € 1 million. The damage is
companies is initially focused on the risks during the
then handled by the project insurance of the operator,”
construction and operational phases. Products that also
says Matthias Petzsch, a technical underwriter at HDI-
cover the first year of operation, thus avoiding duplica-
Gerling Industrial Insurance. The company, along with
tion of insurance premiums during the actual operating
Danish Codan, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, Axia and
phase have established themselves. During construction,
Allianz is one of the so-called lead insurers.
not only the interests of the operators, but also those of
The power substations inside wind farms account for
all the companies involved in the project are covered.
a major chunk of the overall risk. The stations are insured
This concept is designed to keep peace at the construc-
for property damage to the tune of some € 80 million.
tion site if damage occurs and ensures that there is no
Added to that, in the event of a total failure, a service
interruption of the project flow. The underlying principle
interruption can occur because getting a replacement
is that there is a common interest with the operator in
can easily take two years. For a 400 MW wind farm, the
the completion of the project and that responsibilities
maximum damage scenario may well amount to € 600
are clarified in advance. However, insurance companies
to 700 million. “Even large insurance companies have
are not prepared to cover real business risks, such as
problems with such huge sums. That is why these risks
development risks. For that reason, the critical issue
are broken down and distributed,” says Petzsch.
with regard to the main works within the wind farm
In this case, the likelihood that a substation is burned
is who carries which risks and can take the financial
out or destroyed by a broken-down ship is not of critical
responsibility.
importance to the insurance companies. Rather, they are
Installation insurance covers any unforeseen
concerned with the probable maximum loss (PML) for
damages to property. Because insurance companies
which they may be held liable. And that generally occurs
are concerned mainly with property damage, monetary
in a natural disaster. For instance, a furious hundred-
losses due to delayed grid connections, pure weather
year storm in the North Sea could cause considerable
39
The power substations of offshore wind farms
account for a major chunk of the risk.
damage to wind turbines in addition to the total loss of
personnel,” he says. The broker has a lot of experience
the substation.
in this segment and is the market leader in the German
North Sea. In three projects the company was the lead
Risk-optimised contract
structures
member of the consortium and has had also had inquiries from J apan.
The fact that contractors and their subcontractors
Because banks do not want to take any risks during
are increasingly held liable in the construction phase
the production and construction phase, they distribute it
has been well received by insurance companies. “If a
among manufacturers, operators, general contractors, sup-
company says that it can perform a particular task and
pliers and subcontractors. Smaller subcontractors in partic-
carries the risk, that is good, and it has an impact on the
ular who swim in the wake of the general contractor have
premiums,” says Petzsch. However, there is a catch for
to have a clear understanding of their work and their risk.
small and medium-sized subcontractors. “They have to
That is why the long discussions between stakeholders
pay high insurance premiums to be able to participate in
emphasise transparency and risk-optimised contract
the tendering processes at all, and they have to pay those
structures. “The insurance concepts must be geared toward
premiums for several years. That’s why there is scarcely
all of the contractors involved in the construction phase
any competition for large projects,” says Andrew Carr,
and the risks have to be clearly distributed. This includes
Managing Director of Construction Project and Cost
insurance solutions for manufacturers, suppliers and sub-
Management.
contractors in the construction phase,” explains Haukje.
“There is a new market for special policies for con-
Exchange of views on
problems and solutions
tractors’ risk coverage. Smaller companies often have
Dialogue between insurers, equipment manufacturers,
difficulty covering their risks via the balance sheet
energy providers and suppliers is intended to ensure
or with collateral guarantees. At the same time, these
confidence in the technology. In other sectors of indus-
risks can also mean a heavy loss. The level of protec-
try, such as gas turbines, an exchange about problems
tion always depends on the equipment, experience and
and their solutions is common. “This active dialogue
to Thomas Haukje of Northwest Insurance Agency.
40
Photo: dpa
The motto “No insurance, no job” is also well known
politics & business | Insurance
creates a basis for discussion with manufacturers,
instance, a turbine supplier assumes responsibility for
because insurance companies have to understand the
all of the repairs and replacement of large components
technical risks. Such forums make offshore wind projects
but the operator is responsible for providing the neces-
insurable and that is ultimately in the interests of all of
sary ships, the coverage can get pricey.
the stakeholders,” says Guido Benz, Head of Engineering
Whether an insurance company will offer coverage
& Construction at Swiss Re. The reinsurer has devel-
for the operation of an offshore wind farm, always de-
oped its own team of experts to assess the risks of major
pends on its risk philosophy. “The construction phase is
projects and still sees potential for new business in the
of course a good introduction to the operational phase
offshore wind segment.
which the companies make efforts to cover. That is more
But after commissioning, the deck is reshuffled, be-
the classic insurance business with a wider group of
cause all the players involved in the operational phase
stakeholders. But participation always depends on how
again bear their own risks and must be insured against
many offshore wind farms are already in the portfolio
them again. The insurance cover for operators depends
and where they are located. For example, risks from se-
on what was agreed in full maintenance contracts and
vere storms in the North Sea are limited,” says Benz.
any guarantees provided by the manufacturer. If, for
2015-10-08_OWI.pdf 1 08.10.2015 09:45:40
Torsten Thomas
POLITICS & BUSINESS | NETHERLANDS
Going once,
going twice,
sold!
F
42
or a long time,
was simply too expensive for the
The market only started roll-
things were quiet
government as a whole and incum-
ing again when there were early
on
Dutch
bent Prime Minister Mark Rutte in
elections and a new coalition was
coast. In 2007 and 2008, the first
particular. Instead of transitioning
formed in 2012. In 2013, forty or-
commercial wind farms, Princess
to green energy by building more
ganisations and the new govern-
Amalia and Egmond aan Zee, were
offshore wind farms, policymakers
ment under Rutte signed the Energy
connected to the grid. The 230 MW
and the industry wasted time with a
Agreement for Sustainable Growth.
capacity they brought online was
complicated funding system (SDE)
The agreement includes 4,450 MW
only supposed to be the prelude for
and bureaucratic obstacles. The end
of offshore wind by 2023 and a
a target of 6 GW by 2020. But that
result of this was that not one single
complete transition to renewable
never came to pass. The technology
new offshore wind farm was built.
energies by 2050.
the
Photo: geminiwindpark.nl
The Dutch government will be auctioning off 700 MW of
offshore wind power annually until 2019. The tender process
will begin in early 2016. This means that the offshore wind
industry in Holland is off to a fresh start.
By early September, 80 out of 150 foundations at the
Gemini wind farm had been driven and the two substations installed.
politics &
business
Getting the job
done
On the other hand, they could not
First bonus
count on funding even if they had
This change of direction will create
Parliament got down to brass tacks
received approval for their con-
reliable framework conditions for
in July of this year with the Off-
struction projects because the total
building new offshore wind farms.
shore Wind Energy Act. This new
amount of funding available was
However, in order to be awarded a
law reorganises the expansion of
capped due to cost constraints. This
contract, potential candidates have
wind power and the responsibilities
is why the last round of tenders in
to stay as far below the price limit
of politics and the industry. In addi-
accordance with the old system saw
as possible to increase their chances.
tion, the future wind zones are part
many approvals for building further
The actual government funding is
of the Dutch National Water Plan.
wind farms being awarded, but only
basically a contract for difference
This takes into account the various
the Luchterduinen (120 MW) and
that limits the cost and has a matu-
economic and environmental inter-
Gemini (600 MW) projects are re-
rity of 15 years. It specifies that an
ests in the territorial waters of the
ceiving € 4.5 billion in government
operator will receive the difference
Netherlands and aims to create plan-
funding over a period of fifteen
between his bid price and the base
ning security for the three newly-
years.
price on the electricity exchange,
Luchterduinen has been com-
which has been determined for one
plete since September 2015, but
year. Eighty percent of this differ-
ule, the calls for bids will begin in
work on Gemini only began last
ence is paid out as a monthly instal-
the first quarter of 2016 with the
summer. Their investors, which in-
ment and a final settlement is gener-
Borssele zone, which is near the
clude Siemens Financial Services
ated once a year.
Belgian border. Wind farms with
and Northland Power from Canada,
This system is quite risky for in-
a total capacity of 1,400 MW are
were able to secure a price of
vestors because they have to sell the
planned for the region. The annual
168 €/MWh in 2010. The bottom
electricity on the market on a daily
tenders will comprise 700 MW in
line, however, was that a reliable
basis, and the price can fall below
two zones, each of which will have
framework for investors was miss-
the average base price. In addition,
350 MW. A further 1,400 MW will
ing. “Gemini and Luchterduinen
the industry in Holland has to get by
be tendered in another project area
are the last two projects that will
without an adjustment for inflation.
off the coast of southern Holland in
be built using the old funding sys-
On the other hand, a 10 % bonus
2017, and a third zone in the north of
tem. The government is trying a
will initially be paid on top of the
Holland will be limited to 700 MW.
new strategy in the North Sea. It
subsidies to compensate for uncer-
The tenders for that area will begin
will be auctioning off a further
tainties in the calculated wind re-
in 2019.
established wind zones.
According to the current sched-
3,450 MW by 2019 in a tender pro-
sources. The assumption here is that
This is a paradigm shift for the
cedure. Bidders who fulfil all crite-
the probability that the wind farms
government in The Hague. The old
ria and offer the lowest price will
will reach the predicted number of
SDE funding model (Subsidierege-
be awarded contracts. The ceiling
full load hours is 50 %. The instal-
ling Duurzame Energieproductie)
for bids during the first round with
ments are calculated based on these
was less than attractive for offshore
700 MW is expected to be around
forecasts.
wind. On the one hand, investors had
124 €/MWh,” explained Geert
RVO paid out a first bonus in
to pay for the grid connection them-
Harm Boerhave at the Netherlands
October and published all informa-
selves as well as pre-finance all pre-
Enterprise Agency (RVO), which be-
tion relevant for the bidding process.
liminary planning for the necessary
longs to the Ministry of Economic
There is now a complete package
approvals out of their own pockets.
Affairs.
available from the government for
43
POLITICS & BUSINESS | NETHERLANDS
Tendering roadmap
Year
Power
Wind farm zone
2015
700 MW
Borssele wind farm zone
2016
700 MW
Borssele wind farm zone
tributing. It controls the research
2017
700 MW
South Holland coast wind farm zone
and development work between
2018
700 MW
South Holland coast wind farm zone
industry, science and policymakers.
2019
700 MW
North Holland coast wind farm zone
This applies to collaborations and
projects, but it also includes an offshore research wind farm, which
is used to test new methods and
technologies for construction and
operation. “TKI is bringing innova-
After a long wait, a new
tions to the market. We are currently
offshore wind farm,
preparing the tender for a demon-
Luchterduinen, was
stration site that will begin in early
connected to the Dutch
2016. This procedure is not part of
grid in September.
the tenders for offshore wind, but
rather a separate process that allows Dutch companies to test their
ideas,” Project Manager Bob Meijer
terrence measures and automated
one in Denmark. It allows develop-
monitoring systems. For example,
After a long dry spell, those
ers to begin the design phase. “In
when the foundations are driven
companies will soon have work on
addition to all necessary authorisa-
into the seabed, noise needs to be
their own doorstep. Up till now,
tions, the packages also contain data
kept lower than 160 or 172 dB, de-
the specialists had used their large
on wind resources, unexploded ord-
pending on the time of year.
maritime equipment and know-how
to lower costs in other European
offshore markets. “The Dutch off-
said. The grid connection, which will
Promoting
innovation
be provided by the Dutch grid op-
Policymakers are hoping that by
with the transition to a new system
erator TenneT TSO, is also included.
creating a framework that will not
because it will create new jobs and
Since all projects are relatively close
change until 2023, they will be
add value in the Netherlands as well
to shore, alternating current is suf-
able to save costs of up to 40 % in
as innovations on the market,” said
ficient for the connections.
the areas of construction and opera-
Albert van der Hem at the Northern
determined by drilling,” Boerhave
shore wind industry is very happy
In order to keep costs within
tion, and for this reason, the starting
Netherlands Offshore Wind network.
limits here as well, standardised
prices will be reduced in the up-
This means that the only ones walk-
substations with a capacity of 700
coming rounds. “It could be around
ing away almost empty-handed will
MW will be used. There are no re-
5 € / MWh and will depend on the wa-
be the project developers who had
quirements regarding the types of
ter depths in the project areas, among
not received confirmation that they
turbines and foundations, but the
other things. However, innovations
would be receiving funding via the
number of turbines per wind farm
are expected to reduce the costs for
old system. Their approvals were re-
is limited to 96. In addition, opera-
the second tender,” Boerhave said.
voked without replacement. Instead,
tors need to fulfil extensive protec-
The Top Consortium for Knowl-
tion requirements for porpoises,
edge and Innovation Offshore Wind
birds and bats using appropriate de-
(TKI Wind op Zee) will also be con-
€ 600,000 will be provided as compensation for all old projects.
Torsten Thomas
Photo: Van Oord
nance or the type of seabed that was
44
at TKI said.
interested investors similar to the
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events
Constructive, anti-cyclical, energetic
With 658 exhibitors, 23,000 m2 floor space and visitors from 86 nationalities,
Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference grew compared to last year. 11,865
visitors came to Amsterdam RAI to meet up with companies or to attend
the conference.
Offshore WIND Conference took place
one day before Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference.
O
ffshore Energy Exhibition & Conference
mentally. More than 20 expert speakers and over 150
2015 (OEEC) brought together industry
industry professionals discussed how taking down
leaders, (young) professionals and stu-
barriers can lead to further industry growth.
the many networking opportunities and on the large
Record-breaking exhibition
exhibition area. For three days – starting on October
The following two days, 658 exhibitors covered four
12 with the full day Offshore WIND Conference (OWC)
large halls of the Amsterdam RAI. The growth in
– Amsterdam was a meeting place for a host of interna-
exhibitors is an anti-cyclical development in a turbu-
tional clients, OEMs, EPC companies and suppliers ac-
lent market. Each company used their own techniques
tive in the complete range of offshore energy business.
– from robots that you could take a selfie with to an
OEEC 2015 was opened by Coert van Zijll Langhout,
F1 simulator – to attract visitors to their booths and
Managing Director of Navingo BV and Scarlett
draw attention to their specialism and high-tech selling
Mummery, a YP offshore geotechnical engineer spe-
points. In the different pavilions, such as the Italy
cializing in geology and seabed drill operations who
pavilion, the Holland pavilion and the Training and
talked about her goals and ambition to enroll young
Development pavilion people came together in an en-
people (both female and male) in the offshore industry.
ergetic environment to meet up and/or network, while
The meanwhile 6th OWC focused on “building an in-
the different drinks, happenings and bars provided nice
dustry without borders”. If the offshore wind industry
is to realize its potential growth, the industry needs
to exceed borders; geographically, in legislation and
46
breaks in often fully packed days.
Next year Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference
takes place on October 25-26, 2016.
Photo: Offshore WIND
dents during a high quality conference program, at
Safety at maritime transport
November 10 – 11, 2015
2nd International Conference
Giant Offshore Wind Turbines
Berlin (Germany)
November 30 – December 2, 2015
This seminar, organized by the German Ministry of
Bremen (Germany)
Transport and digital infrastructure, is about the German
The conference will focus on new designs, supply chain
shipping policy for safe transport on the high seas. Topics
industrialisation, current prototypes as well as experience
include the carriage of cargo and load securing, reliable
from wind farms already installed. Expert speakers will
navigation and possible future developments.
present technical challenges which come along with new
www.seeverkehrssicherheit.de
offshore turbine classes.
www.giant-offshore-turbines.com
EWEA 2015 Annual Event
November 17 – 20, 2015
Paris (France)
The EWEA 2015 Annual Event presents an international
Customs clearance for
offshore wind
December 3, 2015
platform for the wind energy industry to showcase and
Bremen (Germany)
demonstrate its latest products and services. The event
This seminar is aimed specifically at the operational staff
features a broad conference programme, unrivalled net-
of companies that install, operate and maintain offshore
working opportunities and an extensive exhibition.
wind farms, and are responsible for the export of the
www.ewea.org/annual2015
equipment with the customs clearance.
www.bav-seminar.net
Offshore Wind Construction
& Installation
December 2 – 3, 2015
Hamburg (Germany)
Wind Operator
Congress Europe
December 8 – 10, 2015
This event serves an interactive experience that will guide,
London (England)
improve & complete the participant’s strategy for the next
This event’s aim is to unite leading owner operators,
wave of construction projects. It is targeted specifically at
OEMs and service providers in the pursuit of the strate-
key executives and decision makers in the offshore wind
gies, models, tools and practices to deliver operational
C&I industry.
excellence across Europe’s wind power operations.
www.windenergyupdate.com/offshore-construction
www.europe.windoperatorcongress.com 2nd International Conference
66kv for Offshore Wind
WINDFORCE Baltic Sea 2016
November 30 – December 2, 2015
Bornholm (Denmark)
Bremen (Germany)
WINDFORCE Baltic Sea offers a unique focus on the chal-
This is a technical event for experts in the wind industry.
lenges in the Baltic Sea. The two day conference targets
The goal is to provide a clear path to commercial imple-
on experiences and questions concerning offshore wind-
mentation of 66kV array grids by reducing both uncer-
energy in the Baltic Sea. The conference will be continued
tainty and time to implementation.
annually, every year in another country of the Baltic Sea.
www.66kv-offshore-wind.com
www.windforce.info/balticsea/
dates
January 27 – 28, 2016
47
internal
ECOWindS shows
the way to cost
reduction
W
48
hile the European offshore wind sector
agenda for research, development and innovation specif-
is relatively young and fast grow-
ically for OWS industry in Denmark, Germany, Norway,
ing, reducing costs across the value
the UK and elsewhere in Europe. The recommendations
chain is still one of the biggest challenges for the in-
within the JAP provide an agenda for collaboration in
dustry. Therefore the FP7-EU funded project ECOWindS
the development of new and improved OWS business
(i.e. European Clusters for Offshore Wind Servicing)
models, technologies and other concepts in support of
has been initiated to provide support. “Its objective is
offshore wind cost reduction targets. It has been built
to pave the way for new research and understanding
upon the evidence of industry priorities identified and
of how the costs of offshore wind serving (OWS) can
was established through a consultation workshop with
be driven down through research, innovation and cross-
stakeholders and a preceding validation process.
border cooperation” explains ECOWindS coordinator for
The particular focus of ECOWindS lies on OWS,
the German Offshore Wind Cluster, Susanne Findeisen
a distinct subsector of the offshore wind value chain
from germanwind.
which includes the processes of assembly, installation,
One of the key results of ECOWindS is the Joint
operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms.
Action Plan, a roadmap and international, cross-regional
Therefore the ECOWindS’s JAP is a complement to
Photo: Adwen GmbH /Jan Oelker
After three successful years of cooperation the offshore wind clusters of Northwest Germany (represented by WAB and its subsidiary germanwind), South
Denmark, East of England and Region Møre in Norway have issued a Joint Action
Plan (JAP) for a cost effective progression of the offshore wind servicing industry.
In September, the JAP has been presented at the ECOWindS’s final conference in
Lowestoft, UK and has been the basis for a fruitful exchange on increasing innovation in offshore wind among more than 100 delegates from Europe.
other research agendas on wind power presented or
While the project ECOWindS has come to an end this
under development by other organisations (e.g. EERA
October, work will continue. The consortium plans to
and TPWind).
work on facilitating the implementation of the JAP. The
>
The eight actions recommended by the ECOWindS
complete JAP and published reports can be downloaded
JAP are:
from the ECOWindS website (www.ecowinds.eu). The
Establish a long lasting joint initiative for knowl-
website will be up and running for the next two years.
edge sharing and innovation between regions.
>
ECOWindS is a joint project of ten partners: WAB and
Develop a value proposition for OWS as an industry
its subsidiary germanwind (D), Offshoreenergy.dk (DK),
in itself.
Aalborg University Denmark (DK), DTU The Technical
Develop an OWS specific mission-orientated
University of Denmark (DK), Nautilus Associates Ltd.
research, development and innovation programme.
(UK), OrbisEnergy – Nwes Property Services Ltd (UK),
>
Drive for international OWS specific standards.
ORE Catapult (UK), Ålesund Kunnskapspark AS (NO) and
>
Develop
Ålesund University College (NO). ECOWindS is funded
>
OWS
specific
skills
and
training
programmes across regions.
by the European Commission, under the 7th Frame-
>
Develop an OWS industry database.
work Programme.
>
Establish OWS specific test sites and research
infrastructure.
>
For further information, please contact:
Drive regulatory harmonisation on occupational
Susanne Findeisen
Health & Safety.
WAB e.V.
The JAP, being one of the key results of ECOWindS,
Barkhausenstr. 2
has been presented at the Final Conference in Lowestoft,
27568 Bremerhaven
UK. The progamme was complemented by contribu-
Phone: +49 (0) 471 - 39177-21
tions from senior representatives from the offshore
Fax: +49 (0) 471 - 39177-19
wind business including MHI-Vestas, Siemens Wind
[email protected]
Power, James Fisher & Sons, DNV-GL and Fraunhofer
www.germanwind.info
IWES. They presented their perspectives on the most
significant opportunities for cost reduction, and detailed innovations they are already bringing in to address their cost challenges.
The conference has been received very well and
facilitated a lively exchange about the topic. It became
clear that the ECOWindS’s JAP reflects and supports
Take advantage of the
newly added value of
the WAB membership
the ongoing activities and future tasks of the offshore
wind service industry. It was one of the conclusions of
the conference, that the ability to consistently make
cost savings will also be strongly influenced through
the design and construction phases of developing
offshore wind farms in preparation for robust and
reliable operation in the future. Therefore a holistic
view across the full value chain is essential to take
offshore wind servicing closer to its cost reduction
targets.
49
Photo: SMD
outlook
Unmanned alternative
Diving is an expensive and risky business. For this reason,
operators and service providers are increasingly turning to
robots for underwater inspections. Nevertheless, they cannot
fully replace their human workmates.
Knowing what is
approaching
In order to plan installation and service reliably,
solid weather forecasts are indispensable.
Wind speed and wave height are just two of
the many relevant variables. Weather services
Photo: Met Office
increasingly adjust to the special requirements of
offshore wind energy.
Getting more complex
In Germany the grid connection of offshore wind farms has
long been a virulent topic. Now, also in the UK the projects’
Photo: dpa
distances to the coast are getting longer and therewith the
topic of grid connection and cable is becoming more complex.
The next issue will be published on March 10, 2016
For further information see www.offshorewindindustry.com
50
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Offshore Wind Industry

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