COMMUNICATION HUB FOR THE WIND ENERGY INDUSTRY Spotlight on OrbisEnergy Centre Dogger Bank

Condition Monitoring Commercial Diving

October/november 2013 | £5.25 INTRODUCTION

Features – get involved Lead article The magazine continues to grow and it is now commonplace to see separate features on all sorts of areas within the industry. These features emanate from The our discussions with leading experts in the industry during our visits to conferences and events, as well as our editorial team Dogger bringing up subject areas when looking at the industry as a whole.

Bank Please feel free to contact us if there is any subject area which you think may be of interest to our readership and we will project do the rest – there is never any charge for genuine editorial.

It is now just over a year You will find our ‘Forthcoming Features’ since we featured our first tab on our website in the magazine article on the Dogger Bank section or scan the QR code at the project which will make most bottom of this page. other offshore wind energy wind farms look decidedly Magazine and website small in comparison. interaction – QR codes Yet another reminder that we have We take another look at progress changed our pink and green flashes and will feature the project all the way indicating more information online. QR through to completion at appropriate codes have been substituted in the printed intervals. version which means that you can scan the code with your smart phone and it OrbisEnergy Centre will direct you to the featured company Seldom do we feature buildings on or organisation micropage held within our our front cover however we hope website, so that you can learn much more you will agree that the OrbisEnergy in all sorts of formats. Centre deserves star billing. We focus Duncan McGilvray on the centre and its tenants within a These have already become very popular Editor | Wind Energy Network substantial ‘Spotlight on…’ within this as it links the printed magazine in a very edition. interactive way – a great marketing tool for www.windenergynetwork.co.uk our decision making readership to find out Working together – Houlder, about products and services following the Click to view more info IMH & MPI Offshore reading of an interesting article. Yet again we feature companies working together to ensure successful RenewableUK 2013 – Birmingham, UK Scan/click this link to see our outcomes – the article opening our The conference and exhibition in early forthcoming features. Offshore Logistics feature stands November will again showcase the leaders as a very good example of the in the industry in both show halls and innovative and positive approach to the conference rooms. challenges we face on a daily basis. We will be present on all 3 days so please get in touch if you would like to get involved in the publication – remember there is never any charge for genuine editorial which will help the industry.

Please note that the Jury’s Inn are offering a special deal on accommodation for our readers. See more on page 55.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 01 WIND ENERGY NETWORK CONTENTS

Page 52 Research & Development – continuing information CONTENTS on innovation and development within this exciting and fast moving industry

Page 1 Editor’s welcome Page 56 Offshore Logistics – there is a lot to manage in what can be a very difficult environment OrbisEnergy Page 2 Cover story Page 61 Fire & Blast - information from Barrier, the leaders in Page 3 Contents the field

national innovation Page 4 Industry lead article – an update on the exciting Page 62 ‘Distributed Wind’ feature – continuing our regular Dogger Bank project feature headed by ICE Renewables centre Page 6 Your Industry News section starts here Page 66 Problem? Solved! – introduced in our last edition and now a regular feature Page 10 Your regular events calendar and what’s new Page 72 Lubricants – gearing up for the future for offshore Page 12 Spotlight on the OrbisEnergy Centre in Lowestoft Page 80 Risk Management – continuing advice from the Page 26 Ecology – we continue our regular feature with a leaders in the industry focus on the importance of peat environments renewables based Page 84 Spotlight on South East England Page 31 Scarborough’s first venture in offshore wind Page 92 Legal Eagles – regular advice from our experts and in Lowestoft, Page 32 Skills Gap – updates on our long term initiative Andrew Jackson Solicitors who heads up our Law feature Page 36 Grid Connections – it’s not just about wind turbines Page 102 Carbon Footprint Study – MPA The Concrete Centre’s recent research owned by Suffolk Its main purpose is to help entrepreneurs, Page 42 Condition Monitoring – proactive maintenance and start-ups and regional businesses therefore substantial savings on costs in O & M Page 104 Money Matters – our now regular finance feature join the energy supply chain and take advantage of the rapid development of Page 48 Business Development section – regular advice from Page 108 Commercial Diving – a very perilous but necessary County Council offshore renewables in the North Sea. It our team of experts industry occupation offers companies access to high-spec office suites and dedicated support from industry professionals, plus the and managed opportunity to get involved in a range of leading research and development by enterprise programmes. Regular/one off features Amongst some 15 features within this edition we focus on, the Dogger Bank project, Condition Monitoring, Commercial specialists NWES p09 p59 p98 Diving and a Spotlight on South East England, to name but a few.

Duncan McGilvray Editor | Wind Energy Network Green Energy Publishing Ltd (Northern) The Oaks, Oakwood Park Business Centre, Bishop Thornton, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 3JN

Green Energy Publishing Ltd (SOUTHERN) OrbisEnergy, Wilde Street, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 1XH

TELEPHONE 01765 644224 WEB SITE www.windenergynetwork.co.uk Editorial [email protected] Sales [email protected]

Cover image supplied by Wind Energy Network magazine is happy to accept unsolicited contributions for consideration. Editorial opinions expressed the OrbisEnergy Centre in this magazine are not necessarily those of Green Energy Publishing Ltd and the company does not accept responsibility for advertising content. The publishers cannot accept any responsibility for omissions or errors. The contents of this (Courtesy of CHPV) magazine are fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without written permission.

02 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 03 INDUSTRY ARTICLE INDUSTRY ARTICLE

Starting as soon as Forewind was awarded Fred. Olsen United’s 132m jack-up vessel the development right to the Dogger Brave Tern, installed the first mast in February Bank Zone, the vessels surveyed more and the second in September 2013. than 40,000 kilometres in transects, Dogger Bank while trained observers recorded their The development stages findings using the industry accepted The acceptance of the first application by collaborative offshore wind research into the Planning Inspectorate is the result of the project moves the environment methodology. the largest offshore survey programme ever on

Our regular readers may remember our comprehensive coverage of this exciting mammoth wind energy project The second meteorological mast in the October/November 2012 edition being installed in September 2013 – the one with the Black-Backed Gulls on the cover. It represents an enormous effort by not only the Forewind team, but with significant Dogger Bank Teesside A & B will comprise The following article is input from more than 100 suppliers, two offshore wind farms - each with a an update on progress consultants and service providers assisting maximum installed capacity of up to 1.2GW so far and we will be on all aspects of the application. – and both connecting into the national grid continuing at the existing Lackenby substation near the In reaching the point where all the survey Wilton Complex. The final pre-application requirements for not only Dogger Bank Fish ecology surveys underway at Dogger Bank consultation process for this stage will run Creyke Beck, but also the first three through November and December with the stages of development have been application scheduled to be submitted to completed, Forewind has carried out the the Planning Inspectorate in Spring 2014. most extensive and thorough study of the Aerial surveys undertaken in the UK offshore wind industry Dogger Bank Teesside C & D will follow Dogger Bank area ever undertaken. This The aerial surveys also covered more than and one of the most comprehensive approximately 12 months behind. work has included a huge range of offshore 200,000 kilometres in transects, with a and thorough environmental impact Dogger Bank Zone develops geotechnical, geophysical and fish ecology bank of four digital video cameras attached assessments to date. However Forewind’s Great achievements so far but surveys to understand and characterise to an aircraft recording all objects within a work continues. still a long way to go in stages the seabed and marine conditions of the 200 metre wide swathe. The videos were While the Forewind team can celebrate its Forewind General Manager Lee Clarke First stage zone as part of its environmental impact reviewed on return and images of birds and The volume of work required to finalise the achievements to date, there is still much provides an update on the progress The first stage, Dogger Bank Creyke Beck, assessment work. marine mammals marked, before being development consent order application work to be done to meet the target’s set for of the world’s largest offshore wind comprising two offshore wind farms with a identified by experienced ornithologists for the first stage of development will also the Dogger Bank development. development at Dogger Bank total installed capacity of up to 2.4 gigawatts UK companies and marine mammal observers from the be repeated for the next two Dogger (GW) is now in its pre-examination phase The majority of the contracts have Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Consultancy. Bank development stages – Dogger Bank Lee Clarke It was January 2010 when Forewind, that will be followed by a formal examination gone to UK companies including Hull- Teesside A & B and Dogger Bank Teesside Forewind a consortium comprising four leading process, together these should take around based Precision Marine Survey Limited, Onshore surveys C & D. international energy companies – RWE, 10 months. A recommendation will then go Suffolk’s Brown & May Marine Limited, Onshore surveys have been underway SSE, Statkraft and Statoil – started to the Secretary of State to make the final Geotech Limited and the Gardline group in parallel with the offshore, taking into developing the world’s largest offshore consent decision. of companies based in Norfolk, RPS account local wildlife populations of newts, wind energy project at Dogger Bank, 125 Group, which has locations UK-wide, and reptiles, mammals and bats, as well as kilometres off the UK coast. In total Dogger Bank Creyke Beck would Fugro EMU Limited, a UK firm based in studies related to all other areas within the be able to generate around eight terawatt Southampton. environmental statement including traffic, Late September 2013 marked the hours (TWh) of green electricity per annum, archaeology and boreholes. culmination of years of surveys and which is almost enough to power all the It has also included the most intensive research work, reporting and stakeholder homes in the Yorkshire and Humber region offshore bird and marine mammal All the while Forewind has also been engagement activity when the Planning every year. examination of the area with both boat- working on the installation of two Inspectorate accepted Forewind’s based and aerial surveys. meteorological masts, which will provide development consent order application By the end of 2014, Forewind hopes essential wind, wave and other weather for the first stage of offshore wind energy to have its first consent, and two other Carried out by environmental specialists information, as well as marine traffic data development on the Dogger Bank Zone. consent applications in the examination from Gardline Environmental and HiDef for the Dogger Bank development. pipeline. Aerial Surveying, the extensive surveys The organisation aims to achieve consent were commissioned to enable Forewind to Metmast foundation for three stages of development, each Reaching application stage gather vital information about the species The foundation used was the innovative stage with two up to 1.2 gigawatt (GW) Forewind’s development consent order and numbers of bird and marine mammal suction installed Bucket Foundation, offshore wind farm projects. Together application for Dogger Bank Creyke species, their distributions and seasonal designed by Universal Foundation, and these six wind farm projects would have an Beck runs to more than 25 volumes and variations across the 8660km2 zone. The selected as part of the Carbon Trust’s installed capacity of 7.2GW. includes the Environmental Statement, information will be used to help Forewind Offshore Wind Accelerator programme, Habitats Regulations Assessment Report, plan the layout and design of the offshore which takes the best concepts for offshore Consultation on Dogger Bank Teesside A & B runs through November and Application Plans, Consultation Report and wind development proposed for Dogger wind turbine foundations from design to December 2013 Appendices. Bank. deployment.

04 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 05 INDUSTRY NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS

New networked radar features in ‘full picture’ IT’S ALL ABOUT technology delivery for wind turbine service vessel Integrated technology focus to support safety and efficiency of operations Nordic Yards in Wismar, Germany, has awarded Kongsberg Maritime a contract to deliver an Integrated Vessel Control System for a new build 80m Wind Turbine Service Jack-Up Vessel, owned by Danish offshore services specialist, DBB Jack-Up.

The integrated ‘Full Picture’ solution covers navigation, automation and manoeuvring systems, and will be one of the first to feature Kongsberg Maritime’s recently launched LAN-based Radar system.

New radar concept The new radar concept, K-Bridge ‘Composite Picture’ Radar CP360, is an integral part of the K-Bridge navigation system to be installed. With new, user-friendly control of radar video and LORYOU!C and Vestas sign contract for tracking, CP360 distributes digital radar signals on a local area network (LAN). This makes possible innovative features such as combining radar images from multiple radar transceivers testing of nacelles and displaying them as a single composite picture, eliminating Vestas will be the first customer “Our testing work reduces Vestas’ The design is unique with the capability for blind sectors and providing a single 360 degree view, covering of LORC Nacelle Testing when the warranty expenses and is essential for testing nacelles including the hub, where different ranges, around the vessel. indoor test centre for testing and our wind turbines today having a Lost the turbine blades are normally fitted. This trials of entire nacelles is finished by Production Factor of less than 2%. This means that tests can be carried out with Key systems Summer 2014. means that Vestas turbines are now the nacelle’s pitch system and software The complete delivery to DBB Jack-Up’s new vessel includes harvesting more than 98% of the available intact. K-Chief Alarm Monitoring & Control System, K-Thrust Thruster “We are extremely pleased to announce wind.” explained Anders Vedel. Control System, K-Bridge Integrated Navigation System and the agreement with Vestas for testing World first K-Pos DP-22 Dynamic Positioning based on DNV DYNPOS various types of nacelles. It gives us great The contract between Vestas and LORC LORC Nacelle Testing is the first test AUTRO (DP II). reassurance to have our first customer in will initially run for two and a half years from centre in the world to allow such realistic the house,” said Ove Poulsen, Manager of summer 2014. indoor testing of nacelles. The cooperation All key systems are accessible through Kongsberg Maritime’s LORC. with Vestas, the leading wind turbine K-Master system, a dual redundant, seated aft and forward Indoor and realistic unique test manufacturer in the world, is important for bridge solution, which will act as the control centre for vessel LORC Nacelle Testing is under construction LORC Nacelle Testing is a pioneering form LORC’s ambition to establish the world’s navigation, manoeuvring and jack-up operations. at the former shipyard in Lindø Industrial of testing of the entire nacelle. The test facility most advanced and realistic tests of large Park. The test centre will have two different has been developed in close collaboration wind turbines. Safe and efficient vessel operation test docks, one performing mechanical with both industry and academia, and is The K-Master working environment puts all functions and data lifetime tests and the other testing nacelle among the world’s largest with a capacity to LORC Nacelle Testing for safe and efficient vessel operation at the fingertips of the functionality under extreme stresses. test nacelles of up to 10 MW. seated user via touch screen or lever and button control. Access Vestas has contracted to use the latter, the to operational elements of the DP System, Radar system, ECDIS Function Tester. and Thruster Control are placed in the armrest panels of the Operator chairs, whilst auxiliary systems such as deck lighting, Vestas extends its testing CCTV and windscreen wipers can be controlled. The K-Master options aft bridge will also have system elements of the vessel jacking At LORC, Vestas will test larger wind system fully integrated. turbines, such as the new V164-8.0 MW which will be the world’s most powerful “This is the very definition of a Full Picture delivery, as it covers turbine with a power output of 8 MW. all key technology systems for navigation, automation and manoeuvring.” said Sebastian Jobs, Manager Offshore Division, “For Vestas, LORC’s testing means, in lay Kongsberg Maritime GmbH. “The integration of our new language, that we can test nacelles in a network Radar solution and use of K-Master positions this new very realistic way without having to wait build as one of the most advanced Jack-Up service vessels in for the wind to blow.” said Anders Vedel, the world, and we are confident that our latest technology will Chief Technology Officer at Vestas. integrate seamlessly to support greater operational safety and efficiency during navigation and operations.” In this way Vestas is expanding its testing options, which are already the most Kongsberg Click to view more info comprehensive in the wind industry and Maritime help to constantly improve the quality and reliability of Vestas’ wind turbines. = Click to view video

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complement its existing subsea operations Respected industry leader leaves his mark on Autonomous Underwater and enhance the services it offers to the global oil & gas, renewable energy, defence A2SEA after 12 years Vehicle (AUV) delivery and telecommunications markets. During this summer Kaj Lindvig, Offshore Wind Industry Modus Seabed Intervention, the The division is headed by the Royal Global operation Senior Advisor celebrated his 60 years involvement leading subsea engineering and Navy’s recognised AUV authority, former The company is actively involved in subsea birthday and at the end of August said Concurrently with his work at A2SEA, Kaj specialist Unmanned Underwater Senior Mine Warfare Officer and Officer in trenching, survey, IRM (inspection, repair goodbye to A2SEA as an employee, has tried to influence the development Vehicle (UUV) service provider, has Command Fleet Unmanned Underwater and maintenance) and construction support however will continue the relationship of the Offshore Wind Industry, and in taken delivery of its first AUV as the Vehicles Richard Hill. operations across the world operating a as a consultant. the period from 2005 to 2013 he was a company expands its technology-led fleet of state-of-the-art trenching and Work- member of the board of directors of the subsea capabilities. Appointments Class ROV spreads and equipment. Reception Danish Wind Industry Association. Modus has recently appointed two further A reception was held for Kaj in late August Planned investment programme AUV specialists, former Royal Navy AUV Industry requirements and 2013 at A2SEA, Kongens Kvarter 51 in He was also a board member of Offshore The acquisition is part of a planned operator Bernard Carroll and former expertise Fredericia. Center Danmark from 2009 to 2013. investment programme by the North East Kongsberg AUV technician, Rob Cowdrey. Jake Tompkins, Managing Director of Through these organisations he has had the England-based company to develop a Modus Seabed Intervention, said: “The In 2001 Kaj took the plunge to join the possibility, with his visionary points of view, dedicated division operating a fleet of AUV The launch of the AUV Division is part requirements of the offshore industries newly established company. The company to influence the development; and from units to provide survey and inspection of Modus’ commitment to be at the demand innovative, technology-led wanted to rebuild two container-feeder 2002, he has also been a popular speaker at services across offshore field development forefront of unmanned subsea and solutions. Modus applies focused vessels into offshore wind installation Danish as well as international conferences life cycles. seabed intervention technologies. It will solutions to meet the challenges of vessels and succeeded in getting an order and exhibitions within the industry. offshore developments and the AUV for installing the first 80 offshore wind capability will play a major part in the turbines in the world in 2002 – at Horns Background wind sector as well as on consultancy support we can offer to the industry. Rev outside Esbjerg. Originally educated Bachelor of Commerce work for the same sector’s various from the Business College in Aarhus, Kaj suppliers. “The combination of expertise that Development has held several different management Richard and his team bring to our Since then the company has developed positions in South Danish companies, At the moment Kaj is a non-executive AUV division and Modus’ extensive rapidly. Kaj was CEO until 2008 where before, in 1995, accepted a position board member of companies such as offshore track-record will ensure that this the management group was extended as Division Director of Semco Energi in Steel Team in Hammelev, SubC Partner technology will be an effective addition and he continued as Chief Sales Officer Esbjerg and was also responsible for the in Esbjerg and K2Management in Århus to our services and we look forward responsible for sales, service and business merger of Semco Energi and Semco and will also continue as a consultant for to demonstrating its capabilities to the development. Marine to Semco Maritime in 1998. A2SEA. offshore industry.”

DONG Energy/Siemens Wind Lindvig Consulting A2SEA Modus Seabed Intervention Ltd Power Kaj has decided to move on from his A2SEA, who in 2009 and 2010 was position with A2SEA and will, through Click to view more info Asset Manager Andy Miller (left) acquired by DONG Energy (51%) and his new-established company, Lindvig and AUV Manager Richard Hill Siemens Wind Power (49%), is today a Consulting, concentrate his future work on with the new AUV at Modus Seabed Intervention company with more than 500 employees being a board member in various Danish = Click to view video and a turnover of more than 1.2 bn DKK. companies, primarily within the offshore

engineers and support technicians to live and Tia Elizabeth goes straight to work offshore for up to several days at a time. work on arrival in the UK Wind industry opportunity The crew of Tidal Transit’s third Offshore Wind Farm. These two vessels have Leo Hambro, Co-Director of Tidal Transit personnel transfer vessel, the Tia been in constant use by the offshore wind says: “Tidal Transit is a growing young Elizabeth, flew out to the shipyard in industry since their arrival in 2011 and 2012 company, based in North Norfolk. We Cartagena in Spain in late August to respectively, and have achieved 100% safety took advantage of the challenge offered sail her up from the Mediterranean rate on their first 10,000 transfers. by renewable energy, in particular the – she left Cartagena for the port of construction and maintenance of offshore Grimsby on 22 August 2013. Vessel specifications wind farms along the east coast, and made The specification of these vessels greatly a big investment in this industry sector. Immediate contract exceeds the current fleet being used for The arrival of each of our vessels has Tia Elizabeth has immediately gone to the same purpose in the UK. The vessels created employment for suitably qualified work on a short contract for RES Offshore, MCA Cat 1 coding and 10,000 litre fuel local crews; Tia Elizabeth has already working on the maintenance of the tanks allow them to work up to 150 miles offered the same opportunities.” Hornsea met mast. offshore, well within the range of the UK’s forthcoming Round 3 offshore wind farms. Tidal Transit Limited Existing vessels She joins Tidal Transit’s two existing personnel Each vessel provides four crew members Click to view more info transfer vessels, Ginny Louise and Eden and twelve passengers with comfortable Tia Elizabeth during sea trials Rose; they are currently in service with Scira beds, bathrooms, galley, internet access and Offshore Energy on the Sheringham Shoal entertainment facilities, allowing wind farm = Click to view video

08 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 09 WHAT’S NEW WHAT’S NEW

Forthcoming features Magazine and website Events and Courses next edition Dec/Jan 2014 interactive QR codes We continue to feature some of the most important events in the Issue 20 (editorial deadline 5th November) You will notice that we have changed our pink and green flashes indicating more information online. QR codes have calendar, so that you can, at a glance, consider which events to been substituted which means that you can scan the code support. A more detailed listing is available online. • Offshore Support Services with your smart phone and it will direct you to the featured Sponsored by Hughes Sub Surface Engineering company/organisation micropage held within our website so that can learn much more in all sorts of formats. • Legal Eagles RenewableUK 2013 (incorporating International EWEA Technology Workshop Wind Power Sponsored by Andrew Jackson Small and Medium Wind) Forecasting • When 5 – 7 Nov 2013 When 3 – 4 Dec 2013 ROVs and Submersibles Where Birmingham Where Rotterdam, The Netherlands • Problem? – Solved! CONTACT www.renewableuk.com CONTACT www.ewea.org • Ecology: Surveying for Bats – sample QR codes please scan EWEA Offshore 2013 The Scottish Green Energy Awards methods, guidelines and best practice When 19 – 21 Nov 2013 When Friday, 6 Dec 2013 • Oils and Lubricants Where Frankfurt, Germany Where National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Sponsored by Hydac CONTACT www.ewea.org CONTACT www.scottishrenewables.com • Navigation & Radar Achievements of women in STEM at the WISE Scottish Renewables Offshore Wind & Supply • Focus on Energi Coast AWARDS Chain Conference, Exhibition & Dinner Sponsored by Tees Valley Unlimited WHEN 14 November 2013 Click to When 28 – 29 Jan 2014 WHERE Science Museum, London view more Where Aberdeen • Research & Development CONTACT www.wisecampaign.org.uk info CONTACT www.scottishrenewables.com Sponsored by Narec • Community Engagement To advertise your event or course in the next edition for only £100 contact [email protected] • Inspection and Validation Services • Money Matters – Financing Projects • Innovations Wind Power Forum for Electrical Click to RenewableUK 2013 – Sponsored by Houlder Limited Engineers view more • Cable Protection WHEN 26th November 2013 info Birmingham, UK WHERE Capenhurst Technology Park, Chester, UK sponsored by Subsea Energy Solutions Supply Chain Register CONTACT www.eatechnology.com/wind-power-forum The conference and exhibition in early November will again • Distributed Wind (small to medium) Looking for a specialist showcase the leaders in the industry in both the show halls as Sponsored by Ice Renewables well as in the conference rooms. service provider Click to We will be present on all 3 days so please get in touch if you would Please contact us if you would like to in the wind energy view more like to get involved in the publication – remember there is never any info charge for genuine editorial which will help the industry. contribute to any of these features. industry? Some sponsorships still available. Visit our extensive online Supply Chain Register where W circa 1200 companies specific to the wind energy www.windenergynetwork.co.uk industry are listed. www.windenergynetwork.co.uk T 01765 644224 E [email protected]

Conference & Exhibition 5 - 6 March 2014 Norfolk Showground, Norwich

Day 1 Platform for Innovation and exhibition Call for information: Day 2 SNS conference and exhibition 01493 446535

Book now for the UK’s leading conference and Don’t miss your chance exhibition devoted to the Southern North Sea energy to exhibit at this event: business. www.eeegr.com/events SEa of oPPortuNIty SNS2013 was EEEGR’s biggest and best ever - SNS2014 will top it.

 Leading speakers from the energy industry.  Outstanding networking opportunities.  High quality exhibition space.  Gala dinner with guest speaker.

10 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 11 Focus on OrbisEnergy feature sponsor feature sponsor Focus on OrbisEnergy

Spotlight on OrbisEnergy Centre Lowestoft Suffolk

We have been featuring OrbisEnergy Centre within our pages Suffolk County Council - sponsor right from the start because of their forward thinking attitude We welcome Suffolk County Council as our sponsor for the feature and obvious importance to the wind energy industry. and hope you will enjoy the varied editorials from many of the companies and organisations involved in the OrbisEnergy Centre Over the years the centre has become a first choice location for and the area as a whole. networking events, conferences and meetings by the leaders in the industry e.g. The Crown Estate, RenewableUK and SSE to name a few.

We at Wind Energy Network decided to have one of our offices within the centre to not only use their state-of-the-art facilities but also to have a presence in one of the most vibrant business growth areas in the UK, if not Europe.

What makes Suffolk a good place to do business?

Business people A short e-survey is being widely Website Ambassadors has; we are one hour from London and “We want to build upon this strength distributed to Suffolk-based The Invest in Suffolk website highlights why Businesses are also being asked to act one hour from Stansted; salaries are and encourage more people to invest across Suffolk businesses of all sizes via email and investing in Suffolk is ‘the bright choice’ for as ambassadors for the Invest in Suffolk influenced by London, but being based in the county. That is why we are and beyond are social media to find out more about businesses. It has useful information about campaign by hosting presentations, helping here offers considerable savings. Also it’s carrying out this survey to assess what the county’s need to promote growth the county’s key growth sectors, a property to distribute the prospectus and linking to a a beautiful county with a lovely coastline makes Suffolk the bright choice for our being asked and create jobs. (You can access this search service to find the best locations promotional film on the website. and no rain. This is a great place to be.” businesses, so that we can spread the what makes within Suffolk CC’s micro-page QR and incentives for re-locating. word within the business community.” Code at the end of this article) Willis Group Holdings PLC Hub of trading activity the county a The website also introduces local business Global insurance broker Willis Group Councillor Richard Smith, Suffolk County Suffolk County Council good place to Inward Investment Service (IIS) leaders explaining why Suffolk is a good Holdings PLC has had a significant Council’s cabinet member for economic The research is being carried out by place to do business and enjoy a high presence in Suffolk for 40 years - based in development, said: “Businesses have told Click to view more info do business and Suffolk’s IIS, which earlier this year quality of life. It has already brought an iconic Grade I listed building designed us they value being at the hub of trading what they need launched a new website alongside a Suffolk enquiries about investing in Suffolk from by Sir Norman Foster in the centre of activity, with a strong customer base, prospectus and other marketing tools businesses in the UK and worldwide, Ipswich. affordable premises, a skilled workforce and = Click to view video to succeed to promote opportunities for businesses including China, USA and the Middle East. business-friendly networks, with the added choosing to invest in Suffolk. Mark Parker, Managing Director of global bonus of having a high quality of life.” service centres in Ipswich and Mumbai, Invest in Suffolk Business Survey said, “We have an abundance of expertise http://tinyurl.com/suffolkbusinesssurvey and talent here in Ipswich. We need to make more of what Suffolk already

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United effort The key to a successful marketing plan A very different with us is to be involved regularly with editorial features and to take advantage of brings success approach in the interactive tools. I look forward to seeing you at RUK , for Fred. Olsen Birmingham in November, where my magazine publishing colleagues and I would be pleased to discuss your involvement in the magazine UK industry first during 2014.” The Forewind project utilised for our industry the full ‘turnkey’ capacity within Wind Energy Network the Fred. Olsen group which Wind Energy Network is very different New recruit can draw on the combined to other industry magazines. We have Carly O’Hara, the newest and one of the Click to view more info expertise of up to seven related an office in OrbisEnergy, so we are liveliest members of the team, has been companies. close to other companies working in overwhelmed with the amount of positive this exiting industry. response from our To begin with, the Forewind readers: project was the first In simple terms, our priority is to include… commercial assignment for “Everyone I speak Fred. Olsen WIndcarrier’s Guide cones • Editorial from experts in the industry to has nothing but vessel the Brave Tern. The were used in - at no cost and with no conditions on praise and kind Brave Tern, along with her the first ‘human advertising. Our editorial policy is ‘if feedback on the sister ship the Bold Tern, free’ installation the content helps the industry as a magazine -whether it are state-of-the-art jack-up of a met mast whole and/or helps it communicate be the articles or the installation vessels built to the tower on to the in a better way, we will publish’. design and quality of NG9000 specification. Capable innovative bucket the magazine. of jacking up in water depths foundation Unique of up to 45m, lifting 800 tonnes Many of the articles in the magazine have Our aim is to and carrying 5,300 tonnes of QR codes/ links through to specially build strong cargo, the Bold and Brave designed pages which contain additional, relationships with Terns are amongst the best suited vessels Bucket Foundation technology. We’re supportive & relevant information to enrich our clients, to find of their class in the market today. proud to be leading the way.” and enhance the editorials. This makes out their marketing both our printed and website based requirements and Bucket Foundation He said that the vast potential from planned magazine very interactive and pertinent to help with their The Bucket Foundation used at Dogger windfarms off the UK’s east coast was key our readers. marketing plan. Bank was developed by Fred. Olsen to bringing Fred. Olsen United to the East related company Universal Foundation, of England. through The Carbon Trust’s Offshore Wind Accelerator programme and features Great location a steel bucket sunk into the seabed by “Lowestoft is a great location as it’s a suction and jetting system. A second already a major hub for the windpower Are you looking for a specialist meteorological mast will be installed at the industry and OrbisEnergy is operations Dogger Bank site later this year. centre for the Greater Gabbard wind farm. Only months after Fred. Olsen service supplier with experience in United moved into its new Then, a new and safer installation technique “We are closest to the massive Round 3 UK offices at OrbisEnergy, was used to lift the met mast tower on to East Anglia Offshore Windfarm Zone and Lowestoft, the company began the foundation. well positioned for Hornsea and Dogger the wind energy industry? the installation of the first Bank and a range of Round 2 sites.” meteorological mast on the Joint development 9GW Dogger Bank offshore Developed jointly between Forewind, Fred. The Bold Tern was also the first installation With 1200+ companies listed, it is the website windfarm utilising a gamut of Olsen United and the related companies, vessel to carry and install eight Siemens pioneering technologies. Among the groundbreaking installation process 3.6MW turbines in a single deployment to find an expert them was the innovative Bucket uses strong, lightweight plastic guide cones whilst working on the Riffgat project in the Foundation that are strapped to the tower flanges German Bight earlier this year. that greatly reduce the amount of human intervention needed during the operation. Fred. Olsen United The Stuart Thornton, UK Manager for Fred. Communication Olsen United, said: “We’ve demonstrated Hub for the the combined capabilities of the Fred. Wind Energy Olsen-related companies in a pioneering Industry project as well as taken an important step towards the full commercialisation of the

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“Huge offshore wind projects are We have the 504MW Galloper wind farm National innovation centre State-of-the-art conference Investment Innovation, creating some of the biggest recently approved, developments at OrbisEnergy is the national innovation centre Businesses are already investing in the opportunities in a generation, and they Dudgeon off the Norfolk coast, and then centre for offshore renewables based OrbisEnergy has a state-of-the-art region with NWES and OrbisEnergy incubation and are not just for the technical companies there will be the biggest of them all, the in Lowestoft, owned by Suffolk County conference centre, where we invite major providing dedicated support through specialising in renewables. There are thousand-plus wind turbines of the East Council and managed by enterprise international companies to meet local our property network and support team. perspiration… opportunities for a much wider range of Anglia Array. We’re looking at a market specialists NWES. Its main purpose is businesses and find out about the region’s Companies such as offshore wind businesses.” says Johnathan Reynolds, that’s tens of thousands of offshore wind to help entrepreneurs, start-ups and capabilities. It’s an ideal opportunity for developers East Anglian Offshore Wind and key ingredients Business Development Lead for Suffolk’s turbines over the next decade. regional businesses join the energy supply local suppliers already in the supply chain SSE Renewables; European companies flagship innovation centre OrbisEnergy and chain and take advantage of the rapid (or wanting to join) to investigate face-to- creating new UK-based operations such for the leading Director of energy firm Nautilus Associates Energy mix development of offshore renewables in face what the industry requires and how as SubC Anglia, Windcat Workboats, and who explains further… Offshore oil and gas is still big business the North Sea. It offers companies access they can access those projects. Fred. Olsen United. offshore in the region too, with more than £44bn to high-spec office suites and dedicated Norfolk and Suffolk of new investment in gas exploration, support from industry professionals, plus Wind, wave and tidal energy Opportunities renewables Norfolk and Suffolk are at the centre of production and storage projects across the the opportunity to get involved in a range As well as the conference facilities, While there are significant business the world’s largest market for offshore UK. There are plans for CO2 storage in the of leading research and development OrbisEnergy is a specialist innovation and prospects for construction and installation, hub wind. There’s around £30bn of planned Southern North Sea; and onshore there are programmes. incubation centre for offshore renewable the long-term opportunities will be around investment in new energy projects in the the nuclear power station developments. energy - wind, wave and tidal. Two of our operations, maintenance and asset region by 2020. We already have Scroby Supply chain anchor tenants are major international management of the windfarms – that’s the Sands, Sheringham Shoal, Greater Nowhere in the UK has a broader energy OrbisEnergy plays a major role in ensuring energy companies: SSE Renewables 20 to 25 year business after a windfarm is Gabbard and London Array – and that’s mix or provides as much business potential all the links in the supply chain have access and East Anglia Offshore Wind. We are installed. The region is ideally positioned for only the beginning. as Norfolk and Suffolk, and it’s not just to this fast growing industry, helping to attracting lots of companies to gravitate longer term operations and maintenance, the specialist energy sector companies build partnerships and commercial links towards Lowestoft and OrbisEnergy, building on many years’ experience of the oil who stand to benefit. They’ll need a among suppliers, contractors, engineers, to work alongside some of the major and gas industry off the East Anglian coast. supply chain of local companies providing manufacturers and research centres. players. There are a large variety of tenant manufacturing, design, engineering, companies, some are start-ups; and some Global business operations and maintenance capabilities. The supply chain spreads much wider than companies are already providing direct and This is not just a local opportunity. It And they’ll need a wider supply chain made most of us realise. There are opportunities indirect support to the supply chain. is a global business; there are global of a huge range of supporting services, to provide a huge range of services to the opportunities for companies based in from financial and legal advice to catering. energy sector, not just specialist technical NWES network our region. We’re here to help them to These companies will need support as they services. These companies all need OrbisEnergy is part of the NWES network of maximise their growth potential, with our grow to meet the business demand, and support, whether it’s finance, personnel, more than 25 Innovation Centres, Business partners EEEGR (East of England Energy that’s where OrbisEnergy marketing, contracting, procurement, or Incubators and Enterprise Centres through Group) and New Anglia Local Enterprise can help. legal advice. And there’s the indirect supply which we deliver what budding business Partnership, supported by the local chain, which includes bed-and-breakfast, leaders need to get started. In the offshore authorities across Suffolk and Norfolk. hoteliers and taxi firms; they’re needed to energy sector alone, we’ve supported make the whole supply chain work. fledging companies to become major local It’s our ambition to drive growth and to employers such as Seajacks, the 3Sun bring wealth and job creation opportunities Focus Group, Fraser Offshore, Stimwell Services, to the region for the next twenty years; and The OrbisEnergy team is focusing on three 4C Offshore and many more. we can also service a global market from complementary approaches to develop our Suffolk. We’re already starting to realise supply chain… Specialist facilities that ambition. Our fleet of specialist facilities include • Support businesses that have already Beacon Innovation Centre in Gorleston; OrbisEnergy secured opportunities within the sector, Riverside Business Centre in Lowestoft; and build on these strengths Leiston Enterprise Centre a stone’s Click to view more info • Engage with businesses planning throw from Sizewell; and many more to enter the market and help them to providing workspace and support for new understand the industry businesses. • Explore opportunities for companies unaware of the sector, matching gaps With the East Anglian coast being in the supply chain to the capabilities of designated a Centre for Offshore businesses Renewable Engineering with a dedicated energy focused Enterprise Zone, we’re now seeing unprecedented interest with international investors and companies looking to set up and establish themselves.

Cover image supplied by the OrbisEnergy Centre (Courtesy of CHPV)

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“Home is where the heart is but although EEEGR started in Great Yarmouth and Rope access specialists is headquartered there we are an all- GEV Offshore, the UK’s leading rope OEM approved EEEGR embracing regional organisation.” access company specialising in wind As an OEM approved company it can energy, has seen record levels of boast the industry’s largest number of Virtual office demand for its services following a UK based technicians covering blade One step was to establish a virtual office substantial investment in training at inspection, repair and retrofits. at OrbisEnergy which gave EEEGR a the beginning of 2013. even presence in Lowestoft, among many Wind industry experience members and supporters who occupy the The company has completed projects on same energy hub. over 24 wind farms throughout Europe and as far afield as Thailand and Morocco. “With members in Essex, Cambridgeshire, stronger Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, EEEGR Their experience working in challenging in spite of winds of change is truly region-wide and represents the international markets has been a feature entire energy supply chain across the East since inception and they are delighted to be EEEGR, the East of England Energy Winds of change of England.” said Simon. represented either directly or through key Group, marks its 13th anniversary Much has changed, however, particularly partners in locations around the world. Future expansion early in 2014 at the end of a year the ever-increasing focus on offshore wind The company aim to continue growing which has seen membership top 400 which has seen the recent official opening The company’s expertise in exporting during 2014 and is planning to double its for the first time. of Great Gabbard and Sheringham Shoal quality workmanship and a strong health technician resource to meet the anticipated and safety culture, provides overseas demand. clients with significant peace of mind Michael Fallon, Minister of State for typically not available in the respective local GEV Offshore Energy, at the opening of Greater marketplace. Gabbard offshore wind farm Click to view more info

retain their colour within IALA guidelines Sheringham for more than 15 years. Simon Gray, EEEGR Shoal buoy Chief Executive Rental service rental The buoys are being leased to SCIRA Member services until the end of “What we bring members is hot news contract September 2013 as and updates, skills information and SCIRA, the developer of Sheringham part of Hydrosphere’s developments, supply chain opportunities, Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, have buoy and light rental seminars, meet-the-buyer sessions, extended their rental of the eight JET service. special interest groups, contact with 9000 Q HV navigation buoys that are Government policy makers, publicity and being used to mark the site. The company major conferences - the next being SNS introduced a 2014: the Sea of Opportunity at the Norfolk Hydrosphere originally deployed the buoys rental facility to Showground, Norwich on March 5-6. with the Trinity House Vessel Galatea in accommodate But its mission remains to unite all elements wind farms and the prospect of even larger February 2010. A full maintenance visit of companies needing of the region’s energy industry with one Round 3 developments to follow. “Its focus is on crucial offshore wind, gas the buoys was also carried out in October lights and buoys voice and the common cause of keeping and Sizewell C opportunities, challenges 2011, and all buoys were found to be in for short term projects and has already Comprehensive range the lights on all over England. “They will be a critical part of the East and issues around the Southern North very good condition with only slight wear on proven popular with the company’s wind Hydrosphere’s comprehensive range of of England economy for decades but Sea, along with generous networking time the moorings. farms customers, which include Greater rental products includes navigation lights, it is vital to ensure the correct mix and - the very thing which set EEEGR on the Gabbard, Walney, North Hoyle, Scroby navigation buoys, data buoy platforms, balance of energy supplies.” said EEEGR road in the first place.” Robust and cost-effective Sands, Kentish Flats, Burbo Bank, Robin chains and sinkers. Chief Executive Simon Gray. solution Rigg, Lincs, and Strangford Lough. EEEGR Manufactured by world-leading buoy Hydrosphere UK Ltd “We are fortunate in this region to have manufacturer Mobilis, the JET 9000 buoys “Contractors often need temporary reserves and expertise in all energy Click to view more info provide a really robust and cost-effective navigation aids for short-term, project resources whether gas, nuclear, solution for offshore and deepwater based deployments, marking sites windpower, biofuel, or other renewables applications, especially where high visibility while construction is underway. We’ve such as solar and wave and tidal.” is a must. As with all Mobilis buoys in the designed our rentals to be as flexible as JET range, because they are constructed possible for our customers – our minimum from UV stabilised polyethylene rental contract is just three months, which components the buoys can withstand of course can be extended.” said John extremely harsh sea conditions and will Caskey, Hydrosphere Managing Director.

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UK or western Europe windpower market Student success for Scour Prevention Door is open for as being most in need of advice on how business was done here. Technical researcher for Scour As a company delivering solutions to the mats for cable and pipeline protection, inward investment Prevention Systems Ltd, Katie rapidly evolving offshore wind industry, supervised by course director Dr Lawrence The personal touch Musgrave, graduated from her Scour Prevention recognise the importance Coates. Getting a foot in the door is a basic “Happily our door is wide open to “Much is on a personal level where masters in Energy Engineering with of forging connections between industry step for anyone with ambition - businesses which want to use the skills you must be rubbing shoulders with Environmental Management from the and academia. As a result, the company Scaled modelling of the mats was particularly in business. and 50-year experience of our supply those in the sector and getting into the University of East undertaken in a wave flume at the chain and to bring networking circuit. You need to be close Anglia recently. University to study mat performance prosperity and to the developers and key contractors under extreme waves. Facilities in the employment to the like the turbine manufacturers. If you Key role hydraulics lab were modified especially East of England.” he aren’t visible, you won’t be seen.” James Katie will now for the work, leveraging funding for new said. continued. become a full-time equipment from an Innovation Voucher member of Scour though the Technology Strategy Board. “Yet many foreign Specialist incubation centre Prevention’s small but The findings of the study are being used to investors don’t realise He believes a hub such as OrbisEnergy in growing team, playing refine mat design, as well as to accelerate the heavyweight Lowestoft, a specialist incubation centre for a key role in product the application of the product in new and competition they will the offshore renewable sector, is invaluable. development and emerging markets. face and the direct commercialisation effort they need to “An inward investor can set up an of the firm’s novel Industry and university links succeed in business office within 24 hours and have a shiny scour prevention Scour Prevention’s Chairman John Balch here.” nameplate on the door. technology. The said: “As a small and growing company, company’s Scour we’re both delighted and proud to have Energy “It’s a great selling point for the region, Protection Mats, been able to support Katie through her resources along with the energy trade association consisting of end-of- MSc in Energy Engineering at UEA. It’s a – wind in EEEGR and the Enterprise Zone life tyres, represent a Katie Musgrave relatively new course and Katie is already particular opportunities around Lowestoft and Great significant opportunity making a significant contribution to the James Gray, Inward He said the array of Yarmouth ports. for cost reduction development of the product range and Investment Director energy resources and improved the business.” for the East of England available in the region, “And the unified welcome they receive effectiveness of scour protection around have sponsored Katie to study on the Energy Zone whether gas, new through EEEZ gives them that foot in the offshore turbine foundations and cables. newly established Energy Engineering Scour Prevention are pleased to have nuclear, offshore door.” James concluded. Masters at UEA. Alongside academic established strong links with a local wind or a variety of Scour Prevention Systems commitments, she has continued to work university and envisage continued other renewables, East of England Energy Zone Having started working for fellow part-time for Scour Prevention, providing engagement with the UEA’s growing East of England Energy Zone brought enquiries from potential investors OrbisEnergy tenant 4NRg as an intern three engineering support in offshore product energy engineering course and its It’s a simple lesson which James Gray, worldwide. years ago, Katie moved across to work for trials and co-ordinating research activities. participants in the future. Inward Investment Director for EEEZ is Scour Prevention when it was co-founded passing on to international companies But he singled out the significant number by 4NRg and commercial diving company, Dissertation project Scour Prevention Systems Ltd seeking to tap into the region’s windpower of enterprises from large developing Underwater Surveys Limited, also based in In her final dissertation project, Katie and other energy resources. economies looking for a gateway into the the centre. focused on applications of the innovative

A European focus for the innovation and can be developed and integrated in a Joint Action Plan, enabling intensified intra and research in offshore wind through ECOWindS interregional research and innovation driven co-operation. East Anglia is leading European funded research installation, operation and maintenance programme of offshore wind in the UK, Germany, Objective the UK as part of a The €2 million European funded research Denmark and Norway with the goal of ECOWindS’ objective is to pave the way major three year EU programme ECOWindS (European Clusters improving innovation, reducing costs, and for new research and knowledge of how funded programme for Offshore Wind Servicing) has been stimulating European and international the costs of offshore wind energy can be established to highlight opportunities for partnerships. While the participating driven down, which is to result in lower and focused on increasing an international network of companies European offshore clusters are characterised competitive prices. By disseminating the the capacity for and research facilities in the installation, by complementary strengths, they all face knowledge gained throughout the project, operation and maintenance of offshore common challenges and bottlenecks that it will contribute to the growth of many innovation and cost wind turbines. can best be dealt with within a cross- small and medium sized companies and reduction across the regional collaborative framework. strengthen European competitiveness in offshore wind sector Leading consortium the market for offshore wind. Leading the UK consortium members is the Workshops national innovation centre OrbisEnergy with Focused workshops are being held during ECOWindS its partners NWES and Nautilus Associates. October and November in each partner The project is currently gathering detailed country which will shape how best each knowledge of each region in areas of regional offshore wind research agenda

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Selection process Panel debate Blown away by the recruitment The interview and selection process was Mr Gray said the East of England was led by Cooper Lomaz in partnership with High hopes as now well positioned in the thinking of the challenge of offshore wind Norwegian members of the Statoil project offshore industry and it was important to team. Candidates needed to match the see industry leaders coming to meet the A case study of the Sheringham manage the recruitment process, the brief Norwegian firm’s values of integrity, diligence East of England region’s supply chain. He agreed with the Shoal Offshore Wind Farm to Cooper Lomaz Recruitment was to say and a passion for its work, as well as being panel that the East of England was ideally recruitment project the least, daunting: meet demanding people a committed team player. By March 2011 7 chases wind and placed for manufacturing foundations and Building an 88 turbine offshore wind farm specifications in a new industry by recruiting permanent staff and 3 contractors had been towers and the assembly of turbines and with 2 offshore sub-stations in the North as many local people as possible, who could appointed and were in post - 3 weeks earlier would also prove to be the ideal base for Sea between 9 and 17 miles off the coast be in post by late March 2011 at latest. than the deadline! gas business O&M. of North Norfolk was always going to be a challenge, but finding engineers, marine Recruitment experience Since recruiting those initial Scira employees, Ranjit Mene, head of co-ordinators, health & safety inspectors, With over 20 years’ experience in Cooper Lomaz has continued to provide a UK offshore sales for and finance and HR managers for this engineering recruitment for companies pro-active service to the company, recruiting RE Power, said the emerging industry sector in a quiet corner in all East Anglia’s key industry sectors; daily rate contractors and permanent region should play to of rural North Norfolk became a challenge Cooper Lomaz has a detailed knowledge members of staff. its strengths and being of a different kind for Cooper Lomaz of the employment marketplace in Eastern close to the massive Recruitment. England. By maintaining regular contact Recruitment detail East Anglia Array with highly experienced personnel in the oil The construction of the Sheringham Shoal windfarm plans was Scira Offshore Energy & gas industry, manufacturing and logistics Offshore Wind Farm was completed in important although more Scira Offshore Energy, owned in equal shares and supply chain functions, it was felt that late 2012, by the time Scira moved into investment in ports by 2 large Norwegian companies, Statkraft the appropriate transferable skills would be it’s operations and maintenance phase in might still be needed. and Statoil, had been working on the £1bn found in these sectors. early 2013, Cooper Lomaz had recruited 14 Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm permanent members of staff; these include Andrew Fox, business project since it gained its licence from The Cooper Lomaz’s Jane Lovell said: “We the HR and Communications Manager, relationship manager Crown Estate in late 2004 and had made had been receiving expressions of interest the Head of Finance, the HSE Manager, with Areva, said that considerable progress by autumn 2010. from a growing number of mechanical and Mechanical, Electrical and Commissioning locality was key when it electrical engineers who wished to explore Engineers, Wind Analysts, a Marine Manager came to O&M and the Wells-next-the-Sea the opportunities in Norfolk and Suffolk and a number of Marine Co-ordinators. region was perfectly The tiny, picturesque town of Wells-next- offered by offshore wind for some time.” placed to use its the-Sea in North Norfolk had been chosen Blown away long-term expertise, as the operations and maintenance base for Commitment Jane Lovell summed up the success of knowledge and skills in a the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, Scira Offshore Energy’s commitment to the the project: “We were totally blown away more sustainable part of a new outer harbour had been constructed North Norfolk economy, the employment of when we realised the huge number of the business. by the Wells Harbour Commission. This local people and the use of local businesses opportunities that exist for the East Anglia was needed to give better access for the within its supply chain, resulted in Cooper economy as a result of the development of Skills personnel transport vessels which would Lomaz running two large recruitment offshore wind farms in the southern North Skills were also on the be travelling out to the wind farm on a daily advertisements in five regional and local Sea up to 2020 and beyond. mind of Norwich North basis for the next 50 years. newspapers in December 2010 and January MP Chloe Smith who 2011. “We have now established an offshore told the conference that Onshore work renewable energy and wind engineering James Gray (seated) with (from left) Ranjit Mene, of RE Power; the region’s focus should A 22km underground cable had been laid Local skills recruitment team who are working with a Alstom Wind’s Andrew Compton: and Andrew Fox, of Areva. be on encouraging from the coastal village of Weybourne, Scira’s faith in the availability of locally rapidly growing number of offshore wind young people into the where the 317MW of electricity generated sourced skills and talents was well justified. farm operators and their first tier suppliers industry. by the offshore wind farm now comes General Manager Einar Strømsvåg was and contractors.” Energy and engineering ashore, to Salle near Norwich, where a new delighted with the response: “The interest Delegates to the EEEGR2013 Halfdan Brustad, Statoil vice president, offered exciting and engaging roles for sub-station had been built to distribute the in employment in renewable energy in Cooper Lomaz Recruitment Ltd conference went home enthused by said that having completed their role in young people and the sector needed to electricity into the National Grid. East Anglia was shown by the quantity more evidence of the renewed dash Sheringham Shoal windfarm, they were remember that tomorrow’s engineers are and quality of the applications received. for gas and a fresh blast of windpower now moving on to the £2.4bn Dudgeon today’s primary school pupils. Management team Cooper Lomaz Recruitment discovered to boost the East of England energy project where they would be tendering for Towards the end of 2010, it was time for an amazing range of experience industry. major contracts mid-2014 and operating She commended EEEGR for its work to Scira to start recruiting a core management and capability, which resulted in the by 2017. attract new skills into the industry and team. Having won a competitive pitch to appointment of a number of local Norfolk Experts from three world-leading wind praised the University of East Anglia for people.” turbine producers agreed that the East UK involvement working towards a School for Engineering. of England was ideally placed to support “We want a high UK involvement in the She hoped such initiatives would the development of the massive wind project with huge opportunities for the complement her support for the Norwich farms planned for the Southern North local supply chain,” he said, adding that for Jobs campaign. Sea including those north of Belgium and cost efficiency would be key. Holland. EEEGR A special windpower session saw the Further encouragement three turbine representatives join a panel Click to view more info There was further encouragement for the debate moderated by James Gray, inward sector, however, with the prospect of future investment director for EEEGR and the Image supplied by Scira Offshore Energy contracts with the impending Dudgeon East of England Energy Zone. (Courtesy of CHPV) windfarm off North Norfolk.

22 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 23 Focus on OrbisEnergy feature sponsor Beacon Innovation Centre, Gorleston OIL & GAS Leading the way for wind energy workwear Are you

Workwear for the wind energy sector Safety products “We have more than 40,000 product is one of the fastest growing markets The OAASIS product development teams line items in stock ready for same-day for the OAASIS Group. have also successfully designed and dispatch and over 250,000 products in the manufactured groundbreaking safety available to order from 15 product Purpose-built centre products under the brand Traverrse for categories. Our selection of top brands That’s no surprise when its new purpose- the offshore industry and are currently gives customers a choice in safety, style built 30,000sq.ft centre on Gapton developing a range of safety clothing and and comfort.” GORLESTON Industrial Estate, Great Yarmouth, is so safety gear for the expanding wind sector. Corridor Riverside Business Centre, Lowestoft close to a coastline which boasts some of Additional products the biggest new or planned wind farms in Global market Products also include everything from ENERGY SUPPLY CHAIN the world. As well as its vast new centre at the harnesses and lanyards to fall blocks and A12 heart of the Great Yarmouth business connections by Miller, Petzl and P+P. It’s a rapidly developing new era for a scene, OAASIS has premises and For offshore developments, OAASIS can of Power? company which has sales staff with 150- partner locations in Aberdeen, Lowestoft provide life-saving equipment like SOLAS plus years of experience and expertise in (OrbisEnergy), Ghana, Nigeria, Singapore, life jackets and Ursuit survival suits and the the supply of industrial and safety workwear Houston and Azerbaijan. full complement of other essential items. If you’re in the energy business, we and products which it distributes to a have the exible, high quality o ce worldwide client base. “OAASIS has become an essential arm to Michael Tottman, Sales Director UK and LOWESTOFT the wind sector and one of our strengths Ireland for Mascot International, said: “As environment you need for your east Wind energy industry is in understanding the need for products a leading workwear and safety footwear coast base. For the windpower sector, it has supplied specifically designed to meet the tough manufacturer to the renewable energy projects such as London Array, Greater demands of the wind, offshore and market we are pleased to be a strategic OrbisEnergy, Lowestoft Gabbard, Sheringham Shoal, Gwnt y Mor, marine industry,” said Lee Sparkes, from partner to the OAASIS group. With a strong energy business Robin Rigg and Germany’s Meerwind with the business development team. OFFSHORE RENEWABLES products like hi-vis Mascot clothing with “Working strategically with OAASIS will network and skills base, six wind, waterproof and breathable fabrics, Success story ensure that the Mascot brands remain Enterprise Zone sites, and including flame retardant properties where “It’s been some success story and the key prevalent within the renewable energy needed. is our highly-skilled professional team and industry going forward.” recognition as one of only six length of time they have been in place. national Centres of O shore Thanks to that, our customer base is Lee Sparkes growing year on year. Business Development Renewable Engineering, the East OAASIS Group Ltd Anglian coast is the perfect location. A12 You’ll get everything you need to build a successful operation in the Leiston Enterprise Centre, Leiston NUCLEAR East of England from NWES, the UK’s most dynamic enterprise agency.

• O c e s • Virtual Tenancy • Conference Facilities • Business Support • Finance

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Image Courtesy of Mascot www.nwes.org.uk 0845 437 4465 24 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 81 Ecology: Peat Landscapes feature sponsor feature sponsor Ecology: Peat Landscapes

Seminar detail The seminar opened with a summary of the character, condition and distribution of blanket mires in Wales from Peter Jones from Natural Resources Wales. This was followed by a presentation by Andy Mills of engineering consultants CH2M Hill, who examined the methods of assessing peat and the modelling techniques available to extrapolate point measurements into peat depth contour maps. Ecology The afternoon session was led by Dali Experts Nayak from the University of Aberdeen, who Dr Geeta Puri was a key player in designing the carbon gather to calculator, now widely adopted method and its review peat used to assess the net life cycle savings in carbon associated with wind farms. Primary consideration habitat As a wind farm or individual turbines reach importance Presentation by Dr Geeta Puri the end of their planned operational life, the management Since its publication in 2008, the carbon primary consideration is, of course, whether calculator has gone through a number of to re-power and, if so, whether infrastructure Wind farm development enabling refinements as a consequence of further such as access tracks and turbine bases within compilation of invaluable data research, and is becoming a more effective can be re-used, minimising the need to With peat holding 50% of the UK’s carbon assessment tool. Atmos Consulting’s disrupt intact peat as a location hosts stock, the importance of its management Principal Consultant, Dr Geeta Puri, has second stage turbines. The outcomes is increasingly recognised. So the Welsh had significant experience providing advice of this increasingly hot debate will inform the wind Peatlands Seminar held at Bangor University for developments on Scottish peatlands future thinking and decision-making on the in September, organised and hosted by for the Scottish Government, and was development of wind farms on peatlands. Atmos Consulting, provided an excellent responsible for commissioning and energy opportunity for researchers, consultants managing the Carbon Calculator. The technical aspects of the topic were and restoration practitioners to consider the explored earlier this year at a seminar important issues and latest thinking about In her presentation she stressed that hosted in North Wales by environmental peat management and restoration. carbon calculation scenarios can present consultancy Atmos Consulting, led by industry very different outcomes depending on the Managing Director Stewart Lowther, a We continue our regular ecology feature and highlight peat While it was noted that the biggest threat assumptions made, for example the extent respected expert on peat restoration, management as just one area of importance within the to peat uplands actually comes from air to which drainage can affect peat can vary whose work includes advising on RWE industry. We welcome Atmos Consulting as our sponsors pollution and longer-term climate change, significantly based on different scenarios. npower’s Carnedd Wen wind farm and who open the feature with articles on a renewable energy developments, and wind habitat restoration project in Powys. The recent seminar which they hosted turbines in particular, are widely perceived However, the calculator remains a key tool technical seminar looked at restoration and also the importance of by the layman to have potential impacts. in demonstrating the contribution of the modelling and carbon dynamics with peat restoration. In fact, these developments have led to wind industry to carbon reduction targets. academics, developers and regulators. a significant volume of high quality peat Dr Puri, who works closely with Aberdeen depth data being compiled in support of University’s Dali Nayak announced plans for Developing innovative applications (data covering several hundred further analysis on Scottish data, the results methodologies to several thousand hectares in extent now of which will be made publically available. Peat expert Dr Geeta Puri, Principal exists but is not all in the public domain). Consultant at Atmos Consulting, said “It Peat restoration – a conundrum is important that planning authorities When prepared by specialist environmental for onshore wind operators and regulators are fully-informed so consultancies this data can be based on With the first generation of wind farms they can decide whether to consent the sophisticated GIS and geospatial tools in coming to the end of their operational life, repowering of existing sites. The challenge order to manage physical risk and meet the industry is entering new territory when for those advising the owners of fully the requirements of statutory agencies. In it comes to planning for the re-use of these decommissioned sites is to develop addition, the habitat management plans sites. innovative methodologies for returning the submitted with wind farm applications are ‘borrowed’ habitats in ways that maximise often used to propose restoration of Earlier thinking assumed that a site would benefits to biodiversity and carbon damaged peatlands. be restored after the 25 year lifespan, sequestration, and this is an area in which and at that time we were unaware of Atmos is rapidly developing its expertise.” the increasing evidence that suggests that peat landscapes are probably better Atmos Consulting left undisturbed by attempts to remove concrete turbine bases. Click to view more info

26 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 27 Ecology: Peat Landscapes feature sponsor feature sponsor Ecology: Peat Landscapes

Peat and its significance for the wind industry The term peat is used for organic • Recreation - whether it’s red deer Information and guidance material derived from dead stalking, angling or walking, Data collated from developments on peat plants, accumulated under wet/ these remote rolling moorlands can also provide valuable information waterlogged (mainly anaerobic) provide an experience for visitors that is on the extent of potential peat loss and conditions. Peatlands are living quintessentially Scottish disturbance at a national level. landscapes that build up at different rates, forming patterns Awareness Various pieces of guidance have been of hummocks and hollows at a Wind farm developers need to be aware written to aid with the assessment of peat variety of scales. Peat depth will of the potential carbon and waste quantity and quality on proposed wind farm vary across a peatland with a implications, potential impacts on habitats sites, as well as highlighting good practice Scottish average of between 0.5 and water quality, and the risk of landslide and legal requirements associated with the and 3 metres, but depths of more due to building activity on peat. There is management of peat. than 8 metres are not uncommon. increased scrutiny of carbon emissions Generally speaking, the deeper from the land use sector in Scotland as part The following can be found on the peat the older it is, with some of a wider policy aspiration to reduce total our website… deposits dating back to the end of greenhouse gas emissions. • Guidance on the Assessment of Peat the last ice age. Volumes, Re-use of Excavated Peat and Consistent and accurate site information is the Minimisation of Waste Blanket bog required when seeking planning permission • SEPA Regulatory Position Statement – Blanket bog is one of the most extensive for any development on peat. Developments on Peat Carbon semi-natural habitats in Scotland, • Calculating Carbon Savings from Wind covering some 1.8 million hectares, Good site information on the Farms on Scottish Peatlands - A New 23% of land area. Blanket bog is a rare depth and condition of the peat Approach habitat globally and Scotland holds a is important for… • Peat Survey guidance accounting significant proportion of the European • Understanding the potential volumes of • The Peat Hazard and Risk Assessment and world resource. peat that will be lost and/or disturbed Guide provides best practice methods • reducing both construction and to identify, mitigate and Scotland’s peatlands are areas known financial risks manage peat slide hazards and for windfarms for their breeding birds, including a wide • Informing better planning assessments associated risks in respect of consent range of raptors, waders and waterfowl. and Environmental Impact applications for electricity generation The complicated relationship between electricity with wind generated electricity. The assessment process is assisting Plants include a variety of dwarf shrubs Assessments projects in Scotland. windfarms and carbon is one that The results are a material consideration in developers to adjust their proposals so as and sedges, together with specialists • Saving time later in the process (e.g. for • Good practice during Windfarm has been debated for some time, but planning applications. to minimise the impact on peatlands and like the insectivorous sundews and restoration/de-commissioning) Construction (Version 2) Scotland is tackling it in an innovative hence on the climate. For example, micro- butterworts. However, the humble bog • Providing more robust carbon way to ensure that renewable energy The first version of the carbon calculator siting of turbines, infrastructure and borrow moss Sphagnum drives the process of assessments and waste management Kenny Taylor options are still available without was launched in 2009 and since then all pits can be optimised so as to avoid peat formation. plans Scottish Natural Heritage damaging valuable peatland habitats. large windfarm developments on peat pockets of deep peat. • reducing the likelihood of pollution of (> 50MW) are required to use the carbon Peat bogs provide benefits watercourses via run-off and erosion Valuable habitat calculator to assess the ‘payback period’. The tool quantifies the carbon benefits for people too… Peat covers much of upland Scotland associated with the restoration of sites after • Water supply - drinking water from and, in addition to being a valuable habitat The Scottish Environment construction and during de-commissioning peatland areas and is also a key in its own right, has increasingly been Protection Agency (SEPA) which incentivises commitment to site ingredient that adds to the flavour of recognised as a precious store of carbon, SEPA was given the role of validating these restoration plans at earlier stages of malt whisky sequestered over many years through a calculations by the Scottish Government in the development and at the end of its • Flood management - intact peat complex process which converts moorland April 2011. SEPA checks include ensuring operational life. bogs store water and help to vegetation such as sphagnum moss into developers have used the latest version maintain steady flow rates on peat. With peat being a significant carbon of the calculator and the data is preferably A wider remit rivers as well as reducing flood risks store, it was unclear whether windfarms backed up by field surveys, rather than a Carbon is only one issue SEPA monitors in downstream constructed on it would have a positive or reliance on ‘default’ settings from other relation to windfarms. The agency is also negative impact on the climate, compared sites. The calculator continues to evolve a statutory consultee for all developments to other energy generation methods. and underwent significant enhancement submitting an Environmental Impact in 2011. Further enhancements are still Assessment. SEPA’s website contains Carbon calculator tool possible. many windfarm guidance documents The Scottish Government responded to written in partnership with Scottish these concerns by commissioning a team Better understanding Renewables, Forestry Commission led by Aberdeen University to develop a Through the use of the carbon calculator, Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage. carbon calculator tool to determine the the greenhouse gas emissions associated ‘payback period’, which is the number with developments on peat soils are better The Scottish Environment Protection of years it takes before the net carbon understood. A considerable amount of Agency emissions associated with the construction knowledge has been gained about the and restoration of a wind farm development impacts of developments on peat, and on are recovered by the carbon saved by forested peatland; and these impacts can replacing fossil-fuel or grid-mix generated be quantified.

28 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 29 Ecology: Peat Landscapes feature sponsor Scarborough BOROUGH COUNCIL

Delivering renewable Scarborough’s first steps into energy projects the offshore wind industry The first offshore wind support vessel Dalby Offshore Test bed AMEC has a long history of helping UK onshore wind Delivering projects in ever to be based in Scarborough Vessel owner and Managing Director of Dalby Cllr Derek Bastiman, Scarborough Borough deliver renewable energy projects In UK onshore wind the company’s peatland harbour took up its berth recently. The Offshore Renewables, Stuart McNiven said: Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration - in North America, it has helped specialists have helped numerous Typical of this approach is the vessel’s arrival marks the start of what added: “We have been working closely with deliver more than 30 wind farms operators through the early stages company’s recognised expertise Yorkshire’s business community predict “It is fantastic to be able to run this vessel the Government and the offshore industry ranging from 10MW to over 200MW of feasibility studies, environmental in delivering projects in peatland will be a brand new industry for the out of Scarborough. My family and I over the past three years to ensure the while, in the UK, it has undertaken assessments and on to secure successful environments where significant risks coastal area, which in the longer term live in the Scarborough area and we are borough wins its place at the table when over 300 wind farm feasibility planning consent. Its people are widely include loss of protected habitats, peat is set to bring a wealth of benefits to very pleased to be bringing some of this offshore wind developments take place assessments and completed risk- respected for their industry-leading slides, run-off water quality, engineering the local and regional economy through activity and employment to the town; the off the Yorkshire Coast. Dalby Offshore balanced environmental studies technical knowledge and innovative instability and carbon balance. AMEC’s direct investment, jobs and demand for crew are also local. Renewables is the first such support on over 12.5GW of consented thinking. specialists have supported the supporting industries. company to utilise the port and we believe schemes. successful delivery of over 50 UK wind “The vessel will be operating out of the port this will prove to be a test bed for a growth farms in these challenging conditions. Westernmost Rough wind farm for the next few months providing support of activity over the coming months. The 22m vessel ‘Dalby Trent’, owned by to the wind farm construction crews. The company helps operators deliver Dalby Offshore Renewables, will be using Hopefully this is only the start of what “The economic impact of such activity wind farm projects, whether on Scarborough harbour as its home port potentially could be a significant growth should not be underestimated. The an engineering, procurement and after the company recently won contracts in the number of offshore wind support offshore wind industry is set to invest over construction (EPC) basis or by offering on the Westernmost Rough offshore wind vessels utilising the borough’s ports in the £40bn in the North Sea in the coming full turnkey services, or it can provide development. near future.” decade at Westernmost Rough, Hornsea owner’s engineer or construction management services to support projects throughout their lifecycle. From left Cllr Derek Bastiman(SBC), Cllr Mike AMEC Cockerill (SBC), Stuart McNiven (Dalby)

AMEC was technical adviser to Infinis on Gordonstown Hill Wind Farm Westernmost Rough is located in the North Scarborough and Whitby ports and the Dogger Bank. It is estimated that Sea approx 8km off the Yorkshire Coast from Cllr Mike Cockerill, Scarborough Borough over 40,000 jobs will be created and that Hornsea. The development, which is being Council’s Cabinet Member for Harbours said: there will be in excess of 1,500 vessels undertaken by DONG Energy, is currently “The offshore wind sector is set to boom supporting the industry. We are ideally under construction. When complete it will over the coming 18 to 24 months and both placed geographically to benefit from this consist of 35, six megawatt (MW), turbines, Scarborough and Whitby ports have a very activity and only need to secure a small covering a total area of 35km2 and providing strong opportunity to secure some of the proportion to make a significant difference enough electricity to power around 200,000 action. We will do everything possible to to the viability and success of our ports homes. ensure we accommodate this and future and our economy. As always we are very vessels into the harbour. optimistic about the future.”

“We hope Dalby Trent will be the first of Dalby Offshore Services Ltd currently owns, many such vessels using our facilities and operates and charters eleven offshore adding to the vibrancy and diversification support vessels, six of which are wind farm of the ports’ current activities. We will related, including a large accommodation and be working closely with Dalby Offshore cable laying vessel ASV Pioneer. Renewables to make sure this venture is a success.” Scarborough Borough Council

30 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 31 SKILLS GAP update SKILLS GAP update

JobCentrePlus Maersk Training also appoints its Local people capitalising Following the success of a pilot course from July – September this year, a number of on job opportunities in delegates have already obtained interviews first female instructor in the wind the offshore wind energy and jobs within the industry. The Level 2 Diploma is scheduled to run energy division sector every two to three months and the second Local unemployed people are benefiting from free places on a newly developed cohort have recently started, with a third Maersk Training also has appointed Encouraging others qualification offered by Maersk Training in Newcastle, designed to help them take Diploma programmed to start in early its first female instructor to work Commenting on her new position Lynn advantage of job opportunities in the thriving offshore wind energy sector. November. To qualify for a free place, within its thriving wind energy division said: “This sector has been dominated applicants must be unemployed and in – a move that it says will help dismiss by men for as long as I can remember receipt of benefits, be a resident in England many pre-conceptions about this and there is no real reason for it. It is a on the start date and be aged 19 or over being a male dominated industry fast growing industry, which is having a on 31st August 2013. People who do not sector. positive impact on the economy and as qualify for a free place are eligible to apply for such the need for skilled professionals to a place at a subsidised rate. State-of-the-art training work within it will continue to grow - I just facilities hope my success will encourage more Feedback from Delegates: Lynn Lowes from Washington, Tyne and women to jump on board.” 1. “I have recently been employed Wear joins the company, which offers by Boston Energy, working at Walney state-of the-art training facilities and a range Global training company Offshore Windfarm, Cumbria, as a Wind of courses for the maritime, offshore oil and Maersk Training is an independent A.P. Turbine Technician. The Diploma played a gas and offshore wind sectors, from Life Moller–Maersk company, which operates big part in me gaining employment.” Aid Training, in Middlesbrough. a total of eight training centres in Denmark, Norway, United Kingdom, India, Nigeria 2. “I had an interview earlier this week for Experience and Brazil. Originally established an Offshore Quality Management role with Lynn has worked within first aid and training to train people within the a world-leading Oil and Gas Company, and for the past 14 years and recently added Maersk Group, Maersk I have many promising replies from recent a diploma in teaching to her skill set. She Training is now open to job applications. This certainly wouldn’t will form part of a nine-strong team within all companies and have been possible without the help of Maersk’s Wind industry training division. As individuals. staff at Maersk Training Newcastle and I well as teaching the First Aid and Manual am genuinely grateful for this opportunity.” Handling courses, Lynn will be the lead instructor for the Level 2 Diploma, Staying 3. “I have really enjoyed completing the Safe in the Wind Turbine Environment Level 2 Diploma, I have met a lot of new (Onshore and Offshore). people from all over the world. I would recommend completing the Diploma to anyone wanting a career in the wind industry. I have made new friends through doing the course and we all worked well as a team. The venues were first class, the instructors were very professional at all times and offered their help with any problems that we came across. I would, and have, highly recommended your company for any courses.” Lynn Lowes Level 2 Diploma The recent Renewable UK Skills Manifesto The Level 2 Diploma in Staying Safe in estimates that by 2023 the sector will require 4. “I thoroughly enjoyed the Diploma and the Wind Turbine Environment (Onshore an additional 70,500 skilled workers and would recommend it to anyone wishing and Offshore) has been developed by clearly our qualification will go some way to to get into the industry. It gave me more Newcastle based Maersk Training and lasts filling the skills shortage in the sector. confidence that I could use in any industry approximately ten weeks. The Diploma and a good starting point for a new covers the essential skills, knowledge and “This is a great chance to offer people who career.” training people need to work in an offshore might not otherwise be financially able to wind turbine environment. improve their prospects, an opportunity Maersk Training to get their foot on the ladder and gain a Stuart Cameron, Managing Director at valued qualification.” Click to view more info Maersk Training said: “Tough economic times mean unemployment rates are high “We are very excited to be working with in our region. Encouragingly, the offshore Maersk Training to help local people gain = Click to view video wind energy sector is expanding at a access to the skills and training required very fast pace and there are numerous for employment within the growing Wind opportunities for people seeking industry.” employment and looking to get into a thriving industry, however learning these safety skills is a vital pre-requisite.”

32 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 33 SKILLS GAP update SKILLS GAP update

Offshore expertise asking THMA’s own membership of students who can join at 14 or at 16 after Between them, their offshore expertise more than 170 companies to support the their GCSEs. includes: port operations, metal fabrication, Humber UTC and to see as many local support vessel operations, operations businesses as possible to back the plans. The Humber UTC will function along the and maintenance, shipbuilding and repair, same lines as those already launched in steel production, professional and marine “A strong partnership of employers, other parts of the country and be funded services. Also analysis, research and education and public agencies is by the Department of Education. Nationally, development. driving the bid to develop the Humber five UTCs are already open, 27 more are UTC. All partners have dedicated set to open in 2013 or 2014, with 45 in For the much of the last decade offshore significant resources and time towards total so far approved. Opportunities wind has been a primary focus for THMA, its development and are committed to which was set up in 1997. providing the resource needed for the Unique offer in renewables UTC to be a success.” “We have the right organisation in place, Humber university technical and are working on the curriculum ahead skills college Advisory board members of a potential opening in September As one of the country’s leading renewables The other Humber UTC advisory board 2015,” added Mr O’Reilly, who will engage training have and maritime supply chain organisations, members reads like a list of Humber with SMEs to find out their needs and how THMA’s work has gathered momentum heavyweight industrial, business and graduates can find employment. been a high with direct support for a new Humber academic institutions, including: Able University Technical College (UTC). UK, Centrica, Clugston, Total, Tata Steel, “The UTC’s offer will be unique; it will priority for North Lincs Council, Outwood Grange have the look and feel of a place of work Team Humber Realising that specific industry skills are a Academies Trust, North Lindsey College and all students will have meaningful priority THMA is now backing a Humber- and the University of Hull. contact with employers and the Marine wide partnership which lodged a bid last opportunity to work on real work projects. year with the Government to create the David Shepherd, Group Executive Alliance in new Humber UTC for engineering and Director at Team Humber, a member of “Students’ progress will be measured renewables training excellence. The centre Able UK, developers of the Able Marine against competencies set out by 2013 is earmarked for a site in east Scunthorpe, Energy Park, said: “When AMEP is fully employers so that they understand North Lincolnshire. operational 4,000 people will be involved the direct relevance of their skills and THMA, which operates across the north in the commercialisation of renewables knowledge to the world of work or further and south bank of the Humber estuary, Opportunity technologies on a global scale. To meet study. represents more than 170 member THMA, one of the Humber UTC’s advisory this demand for skills, schools need companies working along the entire length of board members, is asking businesses, on connecting to industry. “This focus means that no student should the renewables and maritime supply chain. the north and south banks of the Humber, leave the UTC without finding work or to back the proposed college. “The UTC gives key employers in the progressing to further study.” Humber the chance to take a direct Mark O’Reilly, THMA Director, said: “This is approach and ensure the region’s people Businesses are being asked to write a fantastic opportunity for all companies, and businesses all get what they need – letters of support and send them to from the smallest to the largest to support and what local people call ‘proper jobs’.” Michelle Watson, chair of the Humber the Humber UTC, which will bring a UTC advisory group and deputy director genuinely vocational, skills based and Specialised technical education of the Knowledge Exchange, based in the academic training facility focused UTCs are a new type of school for 14 to Enterprise Centre at the University of Hull. on engineering and the 19-year-olds, which deliver specialised renewables sector. technical education alongside academic THMA subjects. They have two points of entry for “We are

34 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 35 Grid Connections feature sponsor feature sponsor Grid Connections

Consequences In our experience it is all too easy for The combination of these factors makes it developers to underestimate the time and very difficult to engage, educate, negotiate resources required to co-ordinate the large and achieve agreement or consensus with variety and scale of surveys and consultation these stakeholders. The consequence of required for multi-kilometre routes. these difficulties is often the true cause of projects going into lengthy public inquiries, Our experts excel in route feasibility, challenges and reviews, rather than any incorporating mitigation by design, ensuring genuine technical or environmental constraint. a robust route identification and substation or converter station site selection is Example undertaken from the initial conceptual To illustrate, a typical multi-kilometre design stage to avoid many potential buried export cable and substation for an impacts and conflicts from the outset. offshore wind farm will affect a multitude of onshore groups, with disparate concerns Developing a dedicated and agendas, often without any organised multi-disciplinary team Grid connections for or co-ordinated spokesman or policy. Our advice to any developers embarking Stakeholders include, but are not limited to, on large electrical connection is to engage landowners, local farmers and businesses, advisors early develop a strong and offshore wind farms residents, tourists, parish councils, district dedicated multidisciplinary team (land councils, county councils, members of agents, engineers, lawyers, consultants) and parliament, DCLG, DECC, PINS, Natural appoint an experienced EIA co-ordinator to England, Environment Agency, RSPB, lead the route identification and site selection weak link in Wildlife Trusts, CPRE, English Heritage, from the outset and produce a robust Highways Agencies, Highways Authorities Environmental Statement where consultation the chain and County Archaeologists. is at the heart of the process. Each of these groups has a variety of Paying dividends needs, levels of knowledge, availability, The investment in the right personnel, at experience and policy with respect to project initiation, will pay large dividends Royal HaskoningDHV grid connections. As such, undertaking to the overall programme and costs of adapted from a Siemens image a thorough consultation and scoping the consenting process, post consent exercise with these groups is paramount development and construction phase. to progressing an environmental impact assessment and planning application (or Royal HaskoningDHV Development Consent Order). There is an expression that ‘a chain Genuine concerns than the often out of sight impacts of the the current economic climate resulting in Click to view more info is only as strong as the weakest link’. Once the onshore elements of an offshore offshore infrastructure, another aspect that staff reduction to key government and non- Successful assistance Grid connections are often proving wind farm become public knowledge increases the difficulty of achieving consent governmental advisors who would normally Royal HaskoningDHV has successfully to be the proverbial ‘weak link’ in the there are genuine concerns from multiple for the onshore infrastructure is the nature form key stakeholders. National bodies such assisted the development of grid development of offshore wind farms. onshore stakeholders regarding the effects of the stakeholders themselves. as Natural England and the Environment connection routes for several offshore wind of the development. Agency are becoming increasingly difficult to farms including Thanet (<5km), Sheringham Media focus Offshore and onshore engage with due to government cut backs Shoal (22km) Dudgeon (49km), Galloper There is a lot of focus by the media, Issues such as construction traffic, damage stakeholders and it is quite common now to have to pay a (<5km), SeaGreen (25km), Dogger Bank developers and stakeholders on the offshore to soils and agricultural drainage systems, Offshore stakeholders tend to be fewer fee to hold a consultation meeting with many Creyke Beck (30Km) and Dogger Bank issues surrounding the deployment of loss of hedgerows and habitats, in particular in number, with greater understanding of government and local government bodies Teesside A & B (8km). offshore wind farms. Constraints such as noise and visual impacts from substations the issues and the process and with fairly and departments. the cost and time required for large scale and overhead lines are often controversial. well defined interests or agendas. These offshore surveys, the potential impacts on For these stakeholders, impacts far out to stakeholders are often well organised and well commercial fisheries, marine mammals and sea are abstract, they can’t see or hear the briefed, with strong lobbies or representatives. birds, to name a few. wind farm, and few outside the maritime Examples include fishermen’s associations, community are affected. nature conservation organisations and large These offshore, often over the horizon, national departments and organisations issues are important and are rightly the focus Onshore, the road closures, construction such as the MMO, MoD and DECC. These of much scrutiny. However, the majority lorries, gaps in hedgerows, footpath core groups often have national policies and of people on the ground; landowners, closures, disruption to farming and fears over agendas with dedicated professionals to stakeholders and local communities are, house prices in areas near to new onshore debate impacts and negotiate mitigations and in our experience, more concerned about infrastructure are very easy to imagine. agreements. impacts to the countryside from new overhead lines, buried cable routes and in Consenting process In contrast the onshore stakeholders tend particular the required large substations and The result of these concerns and issues is to be greater in number, less informed, hold converter stations. that the consenting process for the onshore more diverse positions and are generally infrastructure is becoming increasingly less organised with fewer resources in terms complex and contentious. In addition to the of funding or professional representation. more apparent impacts from the onshore This situation is also getting arguably infrastructure, by nature of its location, worse over time, rather than better, with

36 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 37 Grid Connections feature sponsor feature sponsor Grid Connections

A recent case study looked at the design Reducing costs substation transformers are significantly of the power infrastructure for a new DECC (the UK Department of Energy & lighter than equivalent rated 33 kV units, generation 72 kV wind offshore wind Offshore Climate Change) has a goal to reduce the there are lower losses in the array cables park equipped with 5 MW turbines. This cost per megawatt of electricity by £40 to and wind turbines can be connected in showed it was possible to fit a complete £100. This has resulted in ever-increasing loops to improve availability by creating a HV substation module within a single pressure to reduce costs in the offshore ring network. Also, it’s possible to reduce wind turbine tower using the PASS M00 wind industry and the knock on impact the number of substation transformers. In switchgear modules. is that the size of wind turbines has been essence, changing to 66 kV offers greater growing. The installation of 5 MW plus performance, flexibility and potentially lower PASS modules are already in operation in turbines has begun and we will soon investment costs. the UK and have achieved full certification networks see these operating in farms producing by ENA. hundreds of megawatts. Multi-function switchgear To meet the changing needs of HV ABB Scaling up offshore networks, ABB has introduced Scaling up means more turbines with the hybrid PASS M00, 72.5 kV, multi- higher output power ratings, spaced function switchgear range that combines farther apart in wind park arrays at greater conventional air insulated switchgear prepare for distances from the shore. This has led to a (AIS) and metal-clad gas insulated (GIS) greater emphasis on the need to optimise switchgear modules. the offshore collection grid and customers are now demanding that arrays operate at All of the necessary substation switchgear 66 kV rather than the traditional 33 kV. bay functions, including circuit breaker, one or more combined disconnector/earthing Higher voltage benefits switches, cable connections and current This higher voltage solution has many transformers are integrated in one compact a HIGHER attractions. Financially, there’s lower module, eliminating the need for discrete CAPEX for inter-array collection items of equipment for each function. infrastructure, potential to cut costs by increasing the number of wind turbine Case study generators connected to a single array, reducing the overall cable requirement, and the possible application of single array calling collection platforms to connect all of the David Hughes, wind turbines together.

General Manager Technically, 66 kV of Power Products, explains why there’s a growing trend towards higher voltage grids for offshore wind power networks

38 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 39 Grid Connections feature sponsor feature sponsor Grid Connections

failure to get youR paperwork in the name of the Reactor contract Muckle LLP advises on Associate Solicitor, Alan Ross, from correct company may result in delayed funding Muckle’s construction and engineering £48m international sub-sea team explained: “We advised on and The introduction of the UK The Offer and Acceptance which creates negotiated a reactor contract, in relation Government’s Feed in Tariff Scheme in the binding agreement under which the power cable engineering to power generation, which was between 2010 has resulted in an increase in the DNO will construct the connection, is a Jersey Electricity and ABB Limited. We number of small renewable generation vital part of the project to the lender. For then negotiated a further projects which are seeking access to the lender to take effective security in a contracts control and protection the Grid. Like the larger renewable project financed transaction the Offer and Leading commercial law contract with Schneider projects (mainly onshore wind farms) Acceptance would need to be signed firm, Muckle LLP has advised Electric Limited, based on an that came before them, these small up with the SPV as the borrower so as on a series of international amended MF/1 engineering renewable developments require to to provide a clean and effective security construction and engineering contract.” seek an ‘Offer’ for connection to the package to the lender. Failure to address contracts for projects which distribution system from their local this issue results in frustration for the will provide Jersey with a third Successful contracts Distribution Network Operator (DNO) lender and a delay in funding. submarine power cable from completion in order to export ultimately onto the France. The cable will eventually Robert Langley, Head of the Grid. It is common for such projects to The solution is relatively simple form part of the Channel Islands Construction and Engineering be project financed. One issue which is All DNOs have experience of developers Electricity Grid. team, added: “We worked arising time and time again relating to seeking connections as early as possible hard to secure favourable securing such finance, is that the Offer within their project and therefore Working together terms for Jersey Electricity, and associated ‘Acceptance’ are not in concluding a contract re the connection Muckle’s construction and helping to negotiate the the name of the borrowing legal entity. before the establishment of the actual engineering team in Newcastle successful completion of generator. Most DNOs have standard upon Tyne has been working with these contracts for all parties. Seeking project finance novation agreements which will enable Jersey Electricity Plc on its 100MW The work to manufacture Often at the time of seeking a connection their connection Offer and its subsequent Be a step ahead Normandie 3 project, to access the cable for the sub-sea Offer the project developer (or alternatively Acceptance to be novated from the original Finally, if developers want to really impress reliable sources of low carbon connection is now underway its energy consultant acting as agent for the counterparty to the SPV. their lender, at the same time as seeking electricity, through this new sub- at Prysmian’s facility in project developer) has sought an Offer and a novation they should also seek consent sea cable connection with France. Naples, with a view to this accepted that Offer, securing all important It is therefore recommended that, as to the assignment in security as required new supply being connected access to the Grid for its generation. soon as the SPV is known, the developer by the lender to the extent that their Offer’s The firm advised Jersey Electricity next year and be in service checks whether its connection Offer and terms requires such DNO consent. on a contract for a submarine during 2015. When it comes to seeking project Acceptance relates to that legal entity. If power and integral optical cable finance the lender will want to ring-fence not the developer should engage with Louise Macleod contract worth €40.6m with “We appreciate the the project by ensuring a new Special the DNO as soon as possible to facilitate Dundas & Wilson Prysmian Group world leader in importance and significance Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is set up to hold the novation of the Offer and Acceptance the energy and telecom cable of this development, not just all the project documents (and from the to the SPV and ensure that the lender Click to view more info systems industry. As part of the for Jersey Electricity and the lender’s perspective that will also include is comfortable with such novation. This deal, Prysmian will supply and other organisations involved, the connection Offer and Acceptance) will make life easier for the lender and install 35km of High Voltage but also for the Channel over which the lender will then take prevent any unnecessary delays in meeting Alternate Current submarine cable. Islands. We look forward security. conditions on which funding is based. Muckle LLP also advised on a to working with the team separate £5m contract between at Jersey Electricity in the Jersey Electricity and the English future.” subsidiary called Prysmian Cables and Systems Limited, in relation to Are you looking for a specialist the installation of the land cable. This will Advice and negotiations team Thanks to the team see 7km of 90,000 Volt land cable, along The legal advice and negotiations were Tony Ronayne, Procurement Manager at service supplier with experience in with related network components and led by Robert Langley, Partner and Jersey Electricity, said: “My thanks go to specialist civil works undertaken in Jersey Head of Muckle LLP’s Construction and the team at Muckle LLP for their expertise and France. Engineering Team, assisted by Alan Ross, and tireless efforts on these negotiations. the wind energy industry? Associate Solicitor. The submarine and Their understanding of the projects and, Specification land based cables were procured under in particular, Alan’s skill in negotiating The submarine cable will connect to a amended FIDIC ‘Yellow Book’ forms of these contracts meant they were With 1200+ companies listed, it is the website 400kV substation at Periers via 19km engineering contract. completed to the satisfaction of all parties of land cable. It will enter the sea at and the project got underway on time. to find an expert Pirou Plage on the French coast and The work involved some intense negotiation come ashore in Grouville Bay in Jersey, with Prysmian’s Italian legal team and “The Normandie 3 project has been connecting to a 90,000 Volt land cable their French commercial manager over an 10 years in the making so it’s a great carrying power to Jersey Electricity’s South 8 week period from December 2012 to milestone that’s been reached. We are on The Hill Switching Station. February 2013. Since these contracts were track to provide a vital new energy supply Communication completed in February this year, Muckle to the Channel Islands.” LLP has also advised on a further two Hub for the ancillary contracts supporting the cable link Muckle LLP Wind Energy to France. Industry

40 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 41 Condition Monitoring feature sponsor feature sponsor Condition Monitoring

Tripods Another form of remedial work, specifically The tripod is a hybrid of the two, for jacket-based foundations, is the grouted broadening the footprint of a monopile by clamp. These comprise two or more adding three piled connections close to the segments that are placed around the jacket Inspection, seabed. This is to increase load distribution member. They are bolted together prior to Learning from others in deeper waters. Trianel Wind Farm injecting grout into the annulus between the Methods for repairing structures have Repair & Borkum, formally known as Borkum West clamp and the tubular member or structural successfully been tried and tested for II, has made use of this design. The formworks can be fitted by divers or node it is strengthening. decades in the oil and gas market, and Maintenance remotely operated vehicle (ROV). They are will gradually make their way into the Scour prevention transported empty and filled with grout in Grouted repair clamps – i.e. those where renewables sector as assets age, reaching for Offshore The most common issue facing the situ, making them easy to transport and the annulus between the clamp and the their intended life expectancy, or suffer substructures for offshore wind installations incredibly accurate to place. tubular is filled with grout, as opposed to accidental damage. Wind Farms is scour around the base of the foundation. non-grouted clamps – allow for greater Rock dumping is the alternative to design and fabrication tolerances. The This is one area where the renewables Current velocity increases locally around formwork-based solutions. A vessel grout is distributed evenly throughout sector can certainly adopt technologies Most offshore wind farms have a mass that lies on, or protrudes from, transports rocks of various sizes to the the annulus and once cured, provides a from existing industries. a design life lasting 20-25 years. the seabed. This causes localised seabed destination. There are several ways to continuous load path and eliminates points Whilst ongoing maintenance is erosion adjacent to the structure and is place the rocks at the base of the structure, of load concentration. The grout used is important, one-off repairs due to known as scour. Scour causes major including craning or using a flexible fallpipe typically a standard Portland cement, as its FoundOcean damage will become a reality as stability-related problems for underwater over the side of the vessel. An ROV function is to simply transfer the load to the structures begin to age. structures. observes the procedure to check the steel clamp, which is designed to be the Click to view more info accuracy of the rocks being dumped. primary load carrier across the defect. The three most common foundation Surveying the seabed topography and types in wind farms installed to date are local currents can help engineers to plan if Cable protection and support Clamps can be fabricated to almost any = Click to view video monopiles, jackets, and tripods. scour may occur, and to what degree. This Like the turbine and the foundations, the shape, making them a versatile option for can influence the design of the structure cables play a critical part in a wind farm repairing members or legs that have suffered Monopiles and enable operations teams to plan scour system’s operation. The likelihood of the collision damage, or to strengthen cracked Monopiles consist of a hollow steel rectification measures into the installation cables being overstressed or damaged or weakened members or node joints. pile driven into the seabed. Because phase, or incorporate closer inspection can be reduced significantly by supporting the verticality of the pile cannot be regimes during the asset’s operational and protecting them. This can be achieved Marine growth control guaranteed, a transition piece is placed lifetime to aid future inspection, repair, and by installing a pyramid-shaped grout bag In the splash zone of any asset, marine over the steel pile and provides the maintenance requirements. where the cable touches down to the growth build-up on foundations adds static levelling mechanism for the turbine seabed. Further protection is then provided weight to the foundation, and it increases and its tower. Grout is injected into the Ambico FoundOcean Grouting Services, by placing formworks, rocks, or burial in a the diameter and the surface roughness of annulus between the pile and transition the joint venture set up by FoundOcean trench, along its length. the members or transition piece, thereby piece to form the connection. Monopiles and Ambico Group in 2010, designs, increasing the dynamic and hydrodynamic have been used at wind farms such fabricates, and installs specialist grout bags Structural repairs loadings associated with wave and tidal as Gwynt y Môr and West of Duddon that can prevent scour, and actively re- De-commissioning foundations and actions on the structure. This has direct Sands. instate the seabed around both monopile installing new ones can be extremely consequences on the structure itself, as the and jacket-based foundations. These expensive and time consuming. Structural additional weight will need to be factored Jacket foundations can be individual bags or ‘donut’ shaped reinforcement operations to lengthen into the initial design. Jacket foundations, similar to the formworks. They are manufactured from design-life expectancy offers a cost- lattice towers used in offshore oil and a flexible, high strength synthetic woven effective solution to offshore wind farms Controlling marine growth can be an gas projects, are increasingly being fabric that is permeable to water but not to when considering life-extension or re- expensive and time-consuming process, used as turbines exceed 5 MW, and grout, and have been deployed in water as powering and can also be considered with various ways to remove or inhibit its as wind farms move further offshore deep as 1,400m. when reviewing options to repair following growth. One method is pressure-cleaning into deeper water. Jacket-technology structural damage. the structures using high-pressure water has been deployed for many decades Such scour prevention bags have already to blast the growth off; another is scraping and in extreme water depths, lending been used offshore in the oil and gas Grouted member strengthening is the marine growth away – although this can itself flawlessly to offshore wind as the industry for freespan and scour rectification the process of filling platform jacket damage any protective coating that may be installation process becomes more projects. The formworks have built-in members with a grout mix to reinforce the present. industrialised, as demonstrated during anti-scour fronds that open out to form existing member. Once completed, the the successful foundation installations at a fan-like array which slows down the strengthened members can extend the A non-invasive and long-term method Ormonde and Thornton Bank offshore local current and causes suspended structure’s service life beyond its original of keeping members clean is to use a wind farms. particulate matter to settle. Over time, the design life by providing improved stiffness Marine Growth Prevention (MGP) device, fronds become engorged with sand and and strength. Member strengthening which can be sized to fit most structural sediment, re-instating the seabed with can be performed above and below sea members. It makes use of natural ocean natural components. This fibre-reinforced level on vertical, horizontal, and diagonal forces and its own buoyancy to continually bank will then resist further erosion. members, as well as jacket legs. The keep the member free of marine growth concept can also be extended to the by stopping the build up of microbial slime stiffening of very large tubulars like those which is the precursor to most marine used in monopile foundations. growth infestations.

42 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 43 Condition Monitoring feature sponsor feature sponsor Condition Monitoring BLADEcontrol Condition Monitoring or Condition Management? BLADEcontrol is a system that Technical detail Differentiation and payback continuously monitors the condition The system works via the attachment of In terms of maintenance work, I have a friend, let’s call him Brian. Or On one occasion I of the rotor blades on wind turbines accelerometer sensors (multi-dimensional BLADEcontrol can differentiate between should I say I had a friend. Brian was was actually told, “I and immediately signals to the piezo-electric accelerator sensors), which small, non-threatening edge cracks and tall fit and strong, there was almost don’t want to know, operator and/or the machine control are glued directly into the rotor blades. major structural damage. This allows for nothing he couldn’t do and nothing he because what I of problems such as structural blade A data collector in the hub converts the the introduction of a planned maintenance was scared of. When he was young don’t know won’t damage, ice build-up or lightning analog, measured oscillations into digital schedule rather than a reactive schedule. Brian was like so many of us men, hurt me.” damage. What’s more it can keep values and transmits these from the hub invincible. The abuse of his body was track of the history of the blades into the nacelle via WLAN. The digital Calculations suggest that a control system both impressive and scary at the These are the same condition to offer an on-going forensic data is then interpreted by the embedded could generate a payback period of same time. Brian drove himself at a words as Brian used. trail of wind turbine performance. processing unit. less than two years by early detection of rate that other mortals could not even The Brians of this repairs, lower insurance costs, savings contemplate. world are dinosaurs, Analysis and monitoring The data is recorded online and evaluated on maintenance costs and reduction in but unlike dinosaurs The system performs an analysis of the in detail in the embedded processing unit in unnecessary downtime leading to higher Lifestyle choices they still exist and in natural oscillation frequencies of the turbine real time. If, at any point, an extreme event yields. For many wind farm operators there As time wore on however the rubbish he our industry. blade which change when the blade is occurs, such as serious damage to the is also the added benefit of peace of mind fed himself, the drink, other substances damaged or has a greater dynamic load, blades or ice on the rotor blade, the control that their expensive asset is in top condition and lack of self-care started to take its toll. Then there are the such as when ice forms. The frequencies of system is immediately informed that the and fully operational. Brian however would ignore any illness, Kens. A myriad of a rotor blade can vary within a typical range system is to be stopped. A further benefit any symptom and medical advice of any systems that are of up to around 350 Hertz. This distribution is that as the blades are being monitored Bosch Rexroth sort was out of the question. Whether Brian not in synergy with of frequencies is essentially the fingerprint locally even when stopped as there is still was scared of what he might find out will each other, providing of the blade. wind blowing over them, the system can never be known. As he always said “What information that Click to view more info perform an auto re-start when all ice has I don’t know won’t hurt me” Brian was is misleading and Distinctive frequencies arise when ice is cleared. This obviously removes the need thought by many of us and by himself as often provided by formed due to the ice on the rotor blade for an engineer to visit the turbine and also = Click to view video 1 an unstoppable force of nature. He burned those not experts being heavier causing a slower oscillation. keeps lost power generation to a minimum brighter than most until his untimely death in their field. The These specific frequency peaks are easily = Click to view video 2 two years ago at the age of 50. mis-diagnosis of visible on a monitor. Structural damage problems leads is visible within the low frequency range, Then there was Ken. Ken knew everything to un-necessary whilst minor damage is only visible within about every part of his body, both inside work and or causes the higher frequency range. For example, and out. Ken had pulse monitors, blood greater problems. slight rotor blade damage, such as multiple pressure monitors, thermometers both trailing edge cracks will not affect the analogue and digital, both rectal and oral. As men we are more reckless and liable Prevention is always better spectrum between 0 Hz and 50 Hz but His bathroom cabinet would have made to take risks. We men get ourselves killed than cure visible changes are noticeable between 150 Lance Armstrong jealous. Some called younger lowering our average life span Just the act of Condition Monitoring is Hz and 250 Hz. Ken a hypochondriac, but Ken never compared to the more sensible half of not the whole answer. Expert analysis, thought he was ill, he was just obsessed the population women. The average life correctly managing the monitored data with his own well-being in a misguided way. expectancy of a Northern European male and taking the right corrective action is. is however now over eighty years. Contrast We should therefore not just talk about Ken tested his urine regularly, took colonic this with second world countries at 65-75 Condition Monitoring but instead we should irrigations and his daily diet of supplements, and third world countries 45-55 the link be implementing Condition Management. vitamins and bodily purges, cost him a between environment and access to In machines as in humans “Prevention is small fortune. Ken however was not getting preventative health care is clear. always Better than Cure”. In wind as in his information from any trained medical every other power generation or process source but from health magazines and off Machines are also fallible, but not in the industry Condition Management is a proven the internet. What he was putting into his same way as humans. Machines are concept so why do so many in wind still body to do him good, in the end made him therefore much easier to understand, bury their heads in the sand. very ill. Ken tried to self-diagnose and treat, predict and protect. If we understand only to make things worse. Eventually Ken their environment, monitor it, manage and Dave Moss became so ill he crashed and his system control it we can prolong the life of the Moventas took several years to recover. machine, substantially increase the mean time between failure and ensure that if Click to view more info Fallibility failure occurs it is minor and not critical. As human beings we are fallible and we are prone to diseases that can affect us no Wind power generation – health = Click to view video 1 matter how well we look after ourselves. choices It is however true that the better our living In the wind power generation industry = Click to view video 2 environment and the better our access to the run to destruction philosophy is still regular and preventative expert healthcare prevalent with some owner operators. the longer we live. I have been told by more than one asset manager “I don’t need condition monitoring, it wasn’t fitted by the turbine manufacturer so it can’t be necessary.”

44 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 45 Condition Monitoring feature sponsor feature sponsor Condition Monitoring

4 major concerns in Bright future ahead – how predictive condition monitoring to maintenance can drive value for the wind consider industry 1 What unique challenges The European wind industry today Getting the Maintenance Typically, each of these datasets are do wind farms present to faces challenges around energy Balance Right considered in isolation and not analysed asset owners? and wind power costs, in light of the Determining the optimal maintenance together using a single predictive model. Wind energy assets are expensive squeeze on operating budgets. strategy for a wind farm is a delicate Only by analysing them together can the to design, install and access, and balance between O&M costs and the current and future health of the machinery consequently care should be taken to Typically, 75 percent of operational potential consequential costs of any failure. be truly understood. ensure they operate at full capacity. expenditure is related to the site’s operation and maintenance (O&M). These costs are The maintenance strategy for a To answer these challenges, Romax has Constructed from traditional significant, especially for offshore where site generally falls into one of developed several specific technologies for components designed for less harsh the cost and availability of vessels and three categories… drivetrain monitoring that help operator’s applications, there are a number site access due to weather conditions are • reactive maintenance (run-to-failure) move towards a predictive maintenance of things that can go wrong. With critically important, and it is therefore the which is easy to implement but can be strategy. equipment exposed to harsh weather conditions and at height, role of the O&M managers to identify ways expensive due to high repair costs components are more likely to succumb to condensation, humidity of reducing costs. • Preventive maintenance involves The company provides operators with a and moisture ingress over time which can affect the dielectric proactively replacing parts before they range of software and services to monitor properties of HV Plant & Equipment more adversely in wind than Unlocking the value of Big Data fail and minimises potential repair costs their assets. Romax’s InSight software other applications. Installing monitoring technologies on wind • Predictive maintenance lies at provides a platform for analysing data turbine drivetrains is a widely known way to the ‘sweet spot’ between preventive from CMS, SCADA, inspections and Problems such as cable breakdown can also occur within address cost issues. and reactive maintenance and can be maintenance and utilising predictive models eighteen months. performed as and when required, to provide key actionable information to The key to enabling higher ROI in before expensive and potentially O&M staff and asset managers. 2 Why is partial discharge a major concern in monitoring technologies is unlocking catastrophic failures occur offshore wind farms? additional value from existing data sources. Dr John Coultate Partial Discharge (PD) is a major concern in all energy networks but Vast volumes of data from condition In order to enable predictive maintenance, Romax Technology Ltd especially wind and it is a clear sign that an asset is deteriorating - monitoring systems (CMS), SCADA, wind turbine monitoring technology needs leading to sudden and catastrophic outage and damage. In a wind inspections and maintenance frequently to deliver predictions of future component energy asset, the problems of breakdown are clearly exacerbated exist in ‘siloed’ systems. failures with at least 6-12 months lead- by equipment being placed in testing environmental conditions, time. To do this means combining many out at sea or the top of a mountain. It is not common practice today to process disparate technologies including: vibration all of this within a single platform. However, condition monitoring; oil monitoring; 3 How easy is PD monitoring in wind, compared to only by so doing can the true value of the remaining useful life models; inspection and other energy platforms? data be fully exploited. maintenance data and measured load data The options for obtaining reliable PD reading for offshore wind from the turbine. farms are restricted. Remote access can be a challenge given distance from land, so engineers can remotely monitor or visit the installation directly. FoundOcean is grouting the 108 monopile foundations for Reaching, accessing and scaling the tower and squeezing in and ScottishPower Renewables and out of the turbine door are just a few of the challenges involved in DONG Energy’s 389MW West of getting a real representation of what is happening in a turbine and getting the necessary on line readings. Duddon Sands offshore wind farm.

4 What benefits do specialist operators bring to We’re pumping BASF Masterflow® PD monitoring? 9500 Exa-Grout into the monopile As a leading provider of asset management products and services transition piece connections to to power network operators, EA Technology, has many years experience assessing the condition of wind energy installations secure the foundations. and components. Ideally, specialists like EA Technology should be involved at the design stage to consult on the specification to Our new Super Pan Mixer is the ensure proposed designs meet planned requirement. In addition, world’s first to mix ultra-high strength PD testing should take place on the factory floor before an asset material with an output of over 12m2 is installed to ensure it meets its objective. This will help establish per hour, halving industry grouting the quality of the design and installation and whether the design is flawed. And of course, condition based maintenance, delivered by times. our experienced teams can ensure assets are regularly checked for signs of discharge on line. Learn about this and our other projects at www.foundocean.com, or Ian Naylor West of DuddonWest Sands Offshore Wind Farm meet us at EWEA Offshore in Frankfurt. EA Technology

46 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 47 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

The prize that is easily won is worthless Sometimes true value is measured not in its monetary worth, but in the effort that has been exerted to attain it. Think of Achieving your greatest achievement, that ultimate pinnacle, the one that towers above all of your other high points in life. Now think what did you have to do to get there. I can guarantee it will not have been an Your Goals easy road. Most likely there will have been Clear goals a plentitude of blood, sweat and tears To have clear goals takes a bit of extra expended and there were probably at work and involves you putting pen to least a few points where you almost didn’t paper, or more likely, finger to keyboard. make it. I bet you needed a tremendous To set SMART goals they need to be: blend of will power and perseverance to & Beyond get you through it. Why did you do it? Was SPECIFIC it because you truly and wholeheartedly Your goals should be written in as much wanted it with every cell in your body? detail as possible. I know that you know you need to make some You honestly started out meaning well That is the key. You have to truly want MEASURABLE “What we hope health changes in your life - almost everyone does. and had such lofty dreams of unfettered your goals to happen. You cannot go When you measure your progress, you The problem is that whilst change is good, it is success, so what’s the problem. Why do into it half-hearted. Therefore, you need stay on track. ever to do with also hard. We have all been there. I am sure you you seem to be so constantly doomed to detailed and completely individualised ATTAINABLE know that all too familiar story. It’s New Year’s Eve disappointment? goals. Change and health comes from You can attain almost any goal when you ease, we must again and this time you swear that you are going within, from the top down and from the plan your steps wisely. learn first to do to start exercising and eating better. However, the The problem is that you are living in an inside out. You have to focus your mind REALISTIC end of January rolls around and those infamous age of instant gratification. All too often and only then can you change the world Goals must represent an objective toward with diligence” New Years Resolutions have already fallen by the you want the quick fix, the instant fast- around of you and inside of you to your which you are willing and able to work. wayside. Quickly discarded along with all those forward. You want it and you want it now. will. You do have the power to change TIMELY Dr. Samuel Johnson other failed ideas and unfulfilled good intentions. However, what you really need is to get your life so seize that power, don’t All of your goals should have a specific healthy and well PERMANENTLY. To do surrender it to someone else. It is all too time frame or date to create urgency. (1709-1784) that you need to have a plan that is built easy for you to rely on external cues to to last. A plan that you can still be doing; guide your decisions and then you can Detail your goals 6 months, 2 years and 10 years down use them as the excuses for your failure. Each goal needs to be written out in the line. We need goals that come with a enough detail that each of the points lifetime guarantee. If you don’t have a target - you is addressed. In this way rather than it are going to miss being some vague wisp of an idea that is With that in mind you now need to know floating in the distant future you can have how to properly set your goals. Failing true ownership of it and the action plan to to correctly develop your goals is like make it happen. The more specific you are starting out on a journey with no map and then the greater your chances of success. no planned route, so how can you be surprised when you get lost. Once you It will also help to formulate some goals have a goal the key to making it stick is for each area of the health trisection that I repetition and then more repetition until it mentioned in my last article. You are more becomes so engrained into your lifestyle likely to succeed by working towards a that you begin to forget what it was like combination of the three as each one to not do it. For that to happen you need will compliment the other. So what are to be looking at planning for the next 4-6 your physical, nutritional (chemical) and months, at the very least. emotional goals?

Good luck and remember when it gets difficult, and it will get difficult, by overcoming adversity you are forging your greatest triumphs. You can thank me when you get there.

Dr. Luke Melbourne MChiro Advanced Health Chiropractic Clinic

48 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 49 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

The Five Noes of Memorable Training

The organisors agreed to my ideas. So if you have to attend a Pass/Fail In the first of two articles on the fight to keep trainees listening Reduced to the level of giggling They felt that I might be able to calm the type of vocational course and the trainer training we give and get at work - People that run these mainly ‘visual’ children delegates down before they embarked is majoring on presentation and not Trainer and Motivational Speaker seminars have to fight to keep their trainees My two days of sessions, which were not on the assessable elements of the six day participation then follow ‘The Five No’s Frank Newberry considers what we listening to them all day. It was interesting being assessed, went down really well. programme. of Reliable Recall’. It is always worth might need to do to pass exams at the for me to observe the cunning combination The first session was so successful that I remembering that the trainer usually wants end of some training seminars. In Part of entertaining mannerisms, trick questions could not help wondering if I knew exactly The next time they ran the programme you to pass the exam at the end. Make 2 Frank will look at ways of making and clear warnings about failure that the what it must be like to be a top stand-up eleven people passed and only one sure the trainer gives you examples from the training we give and get more instructors were using to hold the trainees comedian. People laughed at almost failed. Same course, same exam. The real life of what is being taught, so that you meaningful. attention. everything I said and they were enthusiastic programme ran successfully each year until can relate to it more quickly and remember about my ideas right until the very end. all the eligible delegates around the country it better. Good luck with your learning and ABSOLUTE JOY The trainees themselves feared having had taken it. good luck with your recall. It was an absolute joy recently to receive to go home without the all-important During the lunch break I complimented them rave reviews for doing nothing at all, well certificate at the end of a long day. A day on being such a good group and asked So what was in the short session on recall In the next edition Frank will look at ways of almost nothing at all. I had won a contract spent listening and trying to remember how well the week had gone for them. and study skills? The Five Noes as follows: making the training we give and get at work to run a number of workshops that everything the trainer had said. The reaction was universal. They were so more meaningful. would help my client’s team of approved worried about the Thursday exam that most The Five Noes of Reliable Recall trainers to increase the levels of student They all had a great day of them had not slept all week. Some of 1 No note taking, no reliable recall Frank Newberry participation in their seminars. showing off to each other them had not done exams for over 30 years. 2 No reviewing of notes taken, no reliable www.franknewberry.com By contrast on my one day ‘Participation By the time they had got to my part of the recall Some of the seminars they had been Masterclass’ I was able to get all my programme - with the exam out of the way - 3 No tidy organisation of notes and study running were already quite participative delegates - who were experienced trainers they were almost hysterical. materials, no reliable recall with (for example) trainees doing tasks - to do almost everything. I just led the 4 No context or understanding of how and discussing issues. Unfortunately discussions and feedback at the end of The build up of pressure throughout the learning is applied, no reliable recall many other seminars they ran lasted a each session. Result? Happy trainer and the week, the fear of failure, the sleep 5 No effort and no energy, no reliable day or more and were almost entirely happy delegates. They all had a great day deprivation and then the sudden release of recall based around a series of PowerPoint showing off to each other and on top of tension had reduced them all to the level of presentations by the trainer. that they all got plenty of peer and expert giggling children. feedback. As a consequence my learning design got rave reviews. Only one of the delegates had passed the exam Things were not always so good. Some I was notified a little while later that only years ago I was hired to run a two day one of the twelve delegates had passed leadership seminar for senior supervisors. the exam. The other eleven supervisors My two days followed an intense four days were obliged to do the whole week- of vocational instruction for the delegates. long course again. On hearing this I My sessions started on the Thursday after approached the organisers and asked if I the mid-morning break. Before the break could move my sessions to the beginning the delegates had all been required to sit a of the week and end them with a short two hour examination testing them on what session on recall and study skills. they had learned in the previous four days.

50 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 51 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT feature sponsor feature sponsor RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

RGF Wind Innovation Programme helps to drive 5. Offshore Platform TWI will assess the performance of Thermal d. Offshore Wind Turbine Foundation reference designs (AC and Spray Aluminium (TSA) coatings for splash Fabrication and Condition the offshore wind supply chain forward HVDC) and tidal zone locations of wind turbine monitoring - Knowledge structures. Currently, surface preparation Generation and Technology The National Renewable Energy Centre, Project details 3. Holistic HV Plant Condition The Crown Estate’s offshore wind Round 3 and coating application is extremely labour Transfer Narec, following its successful second The projects are expected to be completed mOnitoring (HHPCM) System programme will require up to 40GW of wind intensive. This project will provide partners round Regional Growth Fund (RGF), by the end of March 2014, the six projects generation in locations typically more than with the knowhow required to set up a The TWI technology transfer project will Wind Innovation Programme bid, is underway are… HVPD are developing a new ‘Holistic’ HV 80km offshore. DC power transmission will full-scale fully automated mechanised support companies already involved in the helping to sustain the UK’s leading Plant Condition Monitoring (HHPCM) system be required in order to efficiently carry the TSA coating system for simple tubular offshore wind supply chain or looking to position in the offshore wind sector 1. Advanced wind turbine to cover all electrical condition monitoring power from the generation source to an structures such as monopiles and the sub- enter the sector. This project will provide by bringing together offshore market Drivetrain concepts for aspects for offshore renewable energy high onshore location via subsea power cables. elements of a jacket structure to improve technical knowledge and best practice in leaders with world-class technology Improved reliability voltage plant including; cables, switchgear productivity and deposit efficiency whilst manufacturing, enabling SMEs to develop providers and academia in the UK and transformers. Siemens Transmission & Distribution Ltd meeting target coating adhesion acceptance and progress in the sector and contribute to develop and commercialise new Romax Technology is collaborating with will develop the reference designs for the criteria. The mechanised process results towards UK economic growth and technologies. Sheffield University to expand and deepen The HHPCM system will also include, a offshore platforms required to collect the will be evaluated against traditional manual employment opportunities. its knowledge and understanding of the specific monitoring module to enable both power from multiple wind turbine arrays techniques. R&D programme complete electro-mechanical drive train. the electrical and mechanical condition (AC collector platforms) and convert the Narec The £11 million R&D programme, A research facility within the University of monitoring of the new generation of high power to HVDC converter platforms for transmission to shore. c. Systems and Methodologies for which includes match funding from the Sheffield Electrical Machines and Drives voltage (11kV) 8-10MW of offshore wind Click to view more info private sector to the order of £5 million Group has been established to focus on the turbine generators which are presently being condition Monitoring of Wind has established six new research and development of its mechanical and electrical trialed by the offshore wind farm operators. 6. tWI have additional turbine Towers and Blades development collaborations (Romax machine design toolset and analysis. This Projects and will cover… = Click to view video 1 Technology Ltd, University of Sheffield, TWI, project will improve the simulation and The rotating HV machine monitoring Operation and maintenance costs account HVPD, David Brown Gear Systems Ltd and analysis in the electrical and mechanical module will include sensors and a remote- a. novel Fabrication Methods for for up to 25% of the overall lifetime costs of = Click to view video 2 Siemens Transmission and Distribution Ltd). system helping to optimise efficiency, access monitor which will be located at the Foundations operating a wind turbine. TWI will develop improve reliability and reduce costs switchgear/transformer at the base of the a condition monitoring system for early fault All the projects, which are being managed associated with wind turbine drive trains. turbine tower. This combination of; Partial TWI will prove an innovative 10 sided multi- detection in order to increase the reliability of by Narec, address key technical challenges Discharge (PD), Motor Current Signature faceted foundation design concept and the wind turbine, preventing any unexpected associated with the offshore wind supply The research facility was officially opened on Analysis (MCSA), Power Quality Monitoring demonstrate advantages over conventional breakdowns or power outages. Acoustic chain and will directly create or safeguard the 13th June 2013. (PQM) and Vibration Monitoring will cover up monopile foundations for future offshore Emission Condition Monitoring (AECM) around 750 jobs with further employment to 90% of the failure modes for rotating HV wind installations, in order to reduce wind and innovative vibration techniques will be opportunities expected to follow. 2. Full scale permanent machines. turbine fabrication, installation, operation and developed. The process of Structural Health magnet wind power maintenance costs. Monitoring (SHM) will also be used which Tony Ikwue, Innovation and Corporate Generation technologies 4. Development of a bearing consists of using damage-sensing features Developer Director at Narec, said: “Narec WIth high reliability, test rig facility Modelling of design and installation work to monitor the integrity of a structure. was thrilled that its RGF bid was successful efficiency and power as well as the development of advanced and is now involved in the operation and density There is currently a significant number of electron beam welding techniques is management of these six projects. bearing failures in wind turbine gearboxes. underway. A shoe has been designed with The University of Sheffield and Siemens are David Brown Gear Systems Ltd and the an angled sliding seal to allow for multi- “We created this programme to bring investigating techniques and developing University of Newcastle upon Tyne will faceted, reduced pressure, electron beam together the strengths of engineering the technologies required to implement employ an industrial scale test rig to perform welding, capable of accommodating corner expertise and academic institutions in a full-scale multi-megawatt permanent a programme of industrial research and welds and suitable for industrial application. the North of England, helping to create magnet wind power generation system. development. This will allow them to carry economic growth and employment. The This project will address key issues involved out a detailed investigation of running b. the Development and Automated six projects selected will see innovative with scaling the technology to full-scale conditions to better understand the failure Application of 40-year Coatings for new products being developed helping to and investigate solutions to these technical nodes experienced within a bearing, Wind Turbine Structures provide solutions to technology challenges challenges. A number of smaller scale allowing the correct selection of bearings and cost reduction for the deployment prototype machines have been developed and inform the design requirements for Conventional organic coating systems are of offshore renewable energy. The wider and tested to date and Siemens plan reliable bearing performance when installed highly susceptible to mechanical damage supply chain is also set to benefit from to build a full-scale prototype generator within a wind turbine gearbox. David Brown in the splash and tidal zone of offshore these projects; knowhow and technology informed by the outcomes from this project. Gear Systems Ltd will implement these structures. Maintenance of these coatings transfer opportunities for SMEs looking to This project will also help to enhance the findings in the supply of new wind turbine is extremely expensive but is essential if the enter the offshore renewable energy sector capability and track record associated gearboxes and when conducting operation structure is to meet design life requirements. will also result.” with the Sheffield-Siemens Wind Power and maintenance inspections on existing Research Centre (S2WP) and will lead to the gearboxes to provide enhanced reliability widespread adoption of highly efficient and and performance. reliable power dense offshore wind turbine generation systems.

52 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 53 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT feature sponsor

Busduct trunking system Planning your 2014 Marketing? Responding to ongoing customer requirements for cost savings and innovation, Nexans Power Accessories (UK) Ltd are launching a new busduct system. Having committed to investing in innovative customer solutions for the renewables industry and in particular wind generation, the busduct They can also offer it as a hybrid system whereby instead of If you would like trunking system saves both space and money as it can be standard terminal fittings, screened separable bushings and hence to be involved in installed in a smaller footprint than conventional cabling connectors can be utilised if required, to give multiple connections methods. per phase. This method gives a more compact installation.

Nexans Power Acccessories (UK) Ltd have a range of offshore junction chambers and frames for use in turbine towers. These, together with the ability to manufacture and supply pre-terminated leads may offer a considerable cost saving compared to traditional cable installation in the towers. We are attending The new busduct trunking system is primarily for use in offshore RUK Birmingham if you substations, where large cables may need to be laid between switches and transformers. These cables have normally a high would like to meet to cross section and so bend radii have to be respected. This may be eliminated with busducts as they can be made with 90° angles. discuss further The busduct trunking system can also be easily installed onshore without relying on the increased costs associated with working offshore. 01765 644224

The busducts are basically copper bars arranged in a three phase Fire propagation is limited for a minimum of 4 hours and the or single phase configuration all with cast resin encapsulation. This busduct system will retain its operational integrity for a minimum arrangement enables the busducts to achieve IP68 protection of 40 minutes. This enhances its suitability for both indoor and (IEC 529) and it offers level 4 protection against pollution which is outdoor use. the highest level possible. To achieve longer runs the bars can be joined together very easily and then the joint is filled with resin to Summary retain the IP68 rating. As current and voltage are increased there By the release of the company’s new renewable generation is respectively an increase in bar size and there is greater distance products they aim to assist developers to deliver tangible cost between the bars. savings as well as enhancing technical reliability over a long period of generation. Current limit is 6300A but can be higher if requested and voltage limit is 36 kV. This they believe cannot only be achieved by the use of electrical distribution/transmission equipment that will achieve cost savings accrued over the life of the project but also by reducing the reliance of skilled personnel who may be in short supply in the years ahead.

Nexans

54 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 55 offshore logistics offshore logistics

Working together Houlder and MPI Offshore prove bigger is IMH have recently appointed a new Managing Director, Nathanael Allison, to better by installing 650t pile Gripper Arms expand the company’s presence in the Ed’s Note – MPI Offshore Andy Lovell commented: “Houlder marine and energy market. Nathanael addition and correction to their “The challenge of contracted IMH to provide a full turnkey said: “The experience and adaptability article in the last edition which we handling offshore Specifications company offices across the UK. Houlder solution to the hydraulic installation for of our engineers in working together are more than happy to elaborate The hydraulically driven arms, weighing circa acted as MPI’s design and engineering the gripper arm equipment we recently with Houlder was a key contributor to on… wind turbine piles has 90t each, have three main cylinders: one to partner from initial concept design installed onto the MPI Discovery vessel. the success of this project. These skills grown along with deploy the arms from their stowage position through to delivery. This included deck We worked closely with IMH during the are crucial in the dynamically changing their size” commented and two to provide a horizontal gripping arrangements which, given the constraints two phases of the project, to ensure renewable energy market, where flexibility MPI Offshore Ltd motion able to withstand up to 150t of of a working installation vessel, focused that the hydraulic system was installed in engineering approach is invaluable. Our Frederic Perdrix, Chief horizontal load in any direction. on minimising the required footprint. The to a strict specification, in a challenging ability to recognise what a project really Technical Officer, as company also designed and validated environment. IMH were both flexible and needs during the delivery phase and to be Click to view more info Houlder delivered its These cylinders are actuated by the foundations and required deck responsive to changing requirements and able to modify an approach quickly helps latest piece of bespoke touchscreen and single joystick controls that modifications.” contributed significantly to the overall our customers in delivering to schedule = Click to view video allow an operator to engage the arms, close success of the project.” and mitigating project risk.” equipment the jaws and then maintain the pile in the Industrial Marine Hydraulics vertical plane as it is hammered down. Any Technical hydraulic specialists, IMH, Houlder The MPI Resolution was designed and risk of operator caused collision is reduced completed their important part in this built with a greater installation capacity through automated constraints based on significant turnkey project for Houlder in the field which included the Thanet MPI Discovery Click to view more info The pile Gripper Arms, installed this the pile diameters. Ltdinstalling pile gripper arms onto the Turbine installations with TEN complete week, stabilise 6m diameter 650t steel vessel, MPI Discovery. turbines on board, and regularly carry piles as they are driven into the seabed Dedicated team = Click to view video 1 and install eight complete turbines on by the MPI Discovery installation jack up Houlder’s Project Manager, Andy Lovell, The company manufactured over 400 the fleet of vessels they operate. vessel. added “The contract was managed by a metres of stainless steel hydraulic pipework = Click to view video 2 dedicated team from Houlder’s Tyneside and installed, flushed, pressure tested and The Resolution was not only the very Installed on the vessel’s stern below office and used engineering capability from commissioned the system and assisted in first WTIV, but will be celebrating deck level, they provide resistance to the design of the pipe routing, from which Industrial Marine Hydraulics her 10 year anniversary in 2013 has wave, tide and current forces in water the customer was able to produce as-built completed much more than one depths of up to 40m. Their position final drawings, and also supported the project! and the additional control this provides mechanical build phase, with their engineers significantly reduces installation times stroking the hydraulic cylinders and providing a valuable enhancement to the supplying their fleet of hydraulic rigs. Discovery’s capability. Opportunity Great opportunity For IMH, it was a fantastic opportunity Frederic went on to say “MPI’s specific for their Piping and Test Engineers to requirement was a great opportunity demonstrate their skills working alongside for our engineers to demonstrate the team at Houlder – an ambitious leader in their ingenuity and ambition. The the fast-developing technology of the wind result combines heavy duty structural, energy sector. mechanical and hydraulic engineering with precision control.”

Peter Robinson, Managing Director of MPI Offshore Ltd said, “We are delighted with the final engineered solution created by Houlder Ltd. Both their engineers and ours have worked in collaboration to construct this equipment to exacting standards. Such innovation is part of MPI’s on- going development, and will provide demonstrable improvements to the monopile process for our clients.”

56 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 57 offshore logistics offshore logistics

Renewable energy industry In Germany, their services were called on Inspiration He also meditates twice a day. The company predominantly dealt with to provide a whole package; trenching, Maintaining a firm view of the future and the oil and gas market, however in 2003 installation and surveying for the Bard to build the company up, investing in The Future... there were the first inklings of renewables 1 Project, where they laid 80 inter-array good people and training apprentices. Continuing growth and ensuring the on the radar, albeit an immature sector. cables. He gains inspiration from working with company moves in the right direction. In 2006 CTC was sold to Deep Ocean the local supply chain and educational He would like to see the Government and by 2010 the company had entered Dolwin 1 Project establishments and frequently undertakes addressing/clarifying the CFD (Contracts into the renewable industry, progressing Another project, which was certainly a lectures at colleges and Universities. for Difference) regime, to help finalise the steadily and completing its first 2 renewable challenging one, was to work on the Dolwin investment for Round 2 and 3. He feels projects. 1 project, again in Germany, across a Pierre is actively engaged with government that DeepOcean are well positioned within frenetically busy cross-shipping channel. officials to communicate the capabilities of the UK market and able to deliver solutions To date DeepOcean are one of the leading For this project they needed to trench the UK supply chain, and is adamant that across a balanced portfolio of projects in companies providing survey and seabed the twin DC cables down to 3m, which UK has the capability to provide all of the renewables as well as the wider subsea mapping; subsea installations, seabed previously has never been undertaken, this services to the offshore wind industry. industry. interventions; IMR (Installation/Maintenance again was a first! Profile... & Repair) and de-commissioning services Mentor Fliss Chaffer worldwide. Typical Day He states he has been most fortunate to Interviewer We have featured DeepOcean on I would imagine ‘typical’ is not a word that work with inspirational people throughout Wind Energy Network numerous occasions within our magazine Global Presence features in Pierre’s vocabulary on a regular his career, and mentions the dynamic but never really on a more personal basis. Pierre had an active role in successfully basis. He has to be creative in finding entrepreneur and founder of CTC Marine DeepOcean We therefore sent our intrepid interviewer setting up a presence in Asia, moving to solutions, the smartest and most cost Projects Charles Tompkins. Fliss Chaffer, to learn more about the Singapore in 2005 for 5 years. This was a effective ways to work for clients. Click to view more info people behind the company – firstly in first, as previously there had been no other 3 words description this edition, Pierre Boyde, and in the service such as this in the country, and by Always looking for new talent within the Resolutely determined, passionate and an December/January 2014 edition Tony 2009 had 4 vessels working in China and industry and constantly striving to secure extrovert (when required to be). Inglis, who holds the daunting position of Australia. good quality work. Managing Director. Unwinding Interesting Projects Pierre ensures he balances this hectic Human Dynamo! With such a fascinating environment they lifestyle by spending time with his wife, two When I finally caught up with Pierre it was have been requested to undertake unusual children and 2 dogs, and enjoys nothing abundantly evident that this gentleman is projects. One such project was to study more than hill walking in Swaledale! likened to a human dynamo – travelling on the installation of cables across the north of fast forward in every aspect of his life! Russia using nuclear powered freighters.

Career history Bespoke Barge Having completed his degree in marine Nearer to home they were asked to work engineering/ science and European studies with Fluor on the Greater Gabbard Wind at Southampton and Paris, his first step Farm to install the last remaining export on the career ladder was within the oil and cables after the previous installer went into gas industry, where he gained considerable liquidation. Name: experience in offshore construction. Pierre Boyde DeepOcean chartered in an anchored However his career was about to change barge and fast-tracked the project by Company: course as he recounts one morning, whilst re-designing the vessel from scratch. DeepOcean UK waiting to work offshore. On a boat in This proved tremendously difficult, and at Aberdeen harbour, he received a call from times excruciatingly frustrating, however Occupation: an HR lady mentioning that there was a with tenacity and ingenuity they created a Commercial & UK Business marvellous opportunity to have an interview vessel suitable to mobilise and perform the Development Director with a small telecommunications company project. in the North, but it would have to be that Habitat: day, and he would be strongly advised to Never give up attitude Yorkshire attend. The motto was ‘never give up!’ In fact, this very vessel was mobilised to Italy to CTC Marine Projects deal with the recently parbuckled Costa The weather forecast did not bode well; he Concordia in Giglio, Italy – the biggest checked with the captain - 2 hours later salvage operation in maritime history. he was on a flight to Teesside and cutting a long story short joined CTC Marine DeepOcean were also involved in the Projects, a fibre optical cable laying and preparation of the salvage operation in seabed solutions company. another way. They own ADUS, a 3D visualisation subsea software company which is so technically accurate and advanced, it allowed Titan Salvage to successfully acquire the contract to perform the massive salvage operation.

58 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 59 offshore logistics Fire & Blast

The burgeoning market Barrier brings fire protection in self-sponsored training expertise to offshore wind The offshore industry is becoming Barrier Fire Protection has been Projects Jet-fire rated box system increasingly buoyant with the positive Preparation for working Basically, it’s on a crane and can be carrying out contracts on oil & gas The company has already carried out Barrier Fire Protection also manufacture knock-on effect of employment offshore levered up and down, turned upside platforms since 1990. The company major fire protection projects, including and install an innovative jet-fire rated box creation in the sector. Falck Safety The main purpose of the Minimum down underwater, and the trainees have has worked worldwide applying epoxy work on the London Array and in addition, system. This system is designed to protect Services, which delivers safety Industry Safety and BOSIET training is to to self-evacuate to life rafts in the water.” intumescent coatings to fireproof three substation platforms have been valves, pipework, and structural steel. training to over 240,000 people each prepare people for working offshore in the structural steel. It is now turning protected at Galloper, Greater Gabbard, Barrier is the only UK manufacturer and year, is increasingly servicing the self- North Sea in the UK and in Norway. The Building confidence its attention to the offshore wind and Thanet. supplier of the patented Benarx F Expoxy sponsored market. Falck caters to training is designed to equip trainees for Colin added: “The courses are designed market where its expertise will prove fire protection box, which are utilised to the needs of a diverse range of self- the rigours of working in frequently harsh to prepare delegates for situations they beneficial to the growing sector. These platforms weigh around 1,500 tons protect flanges, valves and instruments sponsored clients with backgrounds offshore conditions, so real-life scenarios could find themselves in harsh offshore each and Barrier provided fireproofing such as actuators. ranging from the military to maritime are provided as far as is practical. Training environments. “With the offshore wind energy market for the structural steel supporting the engineering. The company also modules include focuses on offshore taking off, Barrier Fire Protection is well- generators and the bund areas. In case of a fire the epoxy mass expands trains existing offshore professionals safety, fire safety and fire fighting, offshore “New trainees can experience a level of placed to win work.” says Steve May, and creates a tight barrier between the fire through long-term contracts with key emergency response, helideck training and trepidation when starting the training but Managing Director. “The future is for far larger platforms, at area and the protected units. players within this burgeoning market. offshore wind safety. the main thing about it is that it’s there to 14,000 tons, which are a lot further from give them the confidence “Substation platforms, which collect and shore,” explains Steve. “The requirement “The Benarx Box system has been used to deal with this uncertainty, alter the voltage of electricity generated for fire protection will be greater as these worldwide both onshore and offshore so that if they’re faced with by wind farms for transmission to shore, platforms are so critical to the output of and since we secured the exclusive emergency situations they in particular require high standards of fire the wind farms. licence has become a popular addition can react speedily.” protection.” to our range. It will apply itself well to “In addition, due to their location further the offshore wind market, which applies Case study – Lewis out to sea they will be harder to maintain the strict health and safety commitment Roberts and need greater levels of protection expected from offshore operations.” One such trainee is 38-year to ensure there is minimal disruption to concluded Steve. old Lewis Roberts from Rhyl their lifespans, which will be in excess of in North Wales who was 30 years.” he said. Barrier previously a soldier in the British Army. He would like to Click to view more info use the skills and expertise he has learned while on his safety training course to enter the = Click to view video offshore industry.

Lewis, who has only recently finished his three-day course, said: “The training was spot-on; I have never done anything like it before but it was straightforward and practical as everything was explained thoroughly to me and the training equips me for the offshore industry.

Lewis continued: “After coming straight out of the army, it has given me the skills to work in Minimum industry safety Colin Leyden, Managing Director, the industry and also, more importantly, training explained: “The Minimum Industry Safety the qualifications, which are a must to get Anyone wanting to enter the increasingly and BOSIET courses are split into three into that type of work.” hostile and challenging world of offshore sections. There’s a basic induction to work needs to undergo a three-day basic working safely offshore, being transported Workers, and those wanting to enter the safety induction course which mimics offshore, including helicopter evacuation industry, are also required to take refresher a range of different ditching scenarios. in several different scenarios as well as courses every four years. Applicants for offshore work need to have fire-fighting to cover on-board safety. done the Minimum Industry Safety Training Falck Safety Services course and Basic Offshore Safety and “The training focuses on how to evacuate Induction & Emergency Training (BOSIET) a helicopter and escape procedures. Click to view more info certificate, which are frequently self- We use a helicopter underwater escape sponsored and need to be completed for training simulator or ‘HUETS’ for short. any offshore role. = Click to view video

60 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 61 DISTRIBUTED WIND feature sponsor feature sponsor DISTRIBUTED WIND

Julian Martin, CEO of ICE Renewables said; “We were not happy with the level of service we received for our customers and soon realised the turbines were not being well looked after and our customers were unhappy. Because of this, we took the decision to bring the service in-house. We Dedicated to long term support Distributed haven’t looked back and currently operate Julian continued; “Some installers are only and maintain 12 Vergnet medium wind interested in the setup of the wind turbine turbines with our last quarter availability and not their long term operations and Wind rate being an average of 99.6%.” maintenance commitment, so potential wind turbine owners need to think carefully Some of our new readERS may not have heard the expression With a fleet that extends from Edinburgh to about who they choose to construct ‘Distributed wind’. Julian Martin CEO, ICE Renewables explains... Cornwall and from Suffolk to Newark, ICE their turbine and ensure they work with has a proven track record for the delivery of reputable companies with a local presence “Many of our customers in the agricultural and commercial sectors have high local these specialised services and is committed who are dedicated to the long term energy demand whether to operate machinery or refrigeration equipment. Distributed to bring this offer to the market place. support of their wind project.” wind energy production allows for energy to be produced at the point of consumption and allows the producer to directly off set local energy requirements and feed the excess produced back into the network to be consumed locally. This model is more efficient than centralised energy production as there is less energy loss across the grid.”

ICE Renewables tackles UK industry medium wind standards with launch of specialist operations & maintenance package

Working with a reliable wind specialist RenewableUK small and medium Market leader Minimising down time ICE Renewables is key to ensuring you minimise wind strategy group Established in 2006, the company has “Our customers want good down time and make the most of the At present there are no defined rules or successfully achieved a market leading communication, fast response time, to Click to view more info financial return for the lifetime of your medium wind standards for installers position in the distribution, installation minimise their turbines down time, well wind asset. or O&M companies to work to and and operations and maintenance of wind trained engineers, a good relationship consequently the quality of services varies turbines across Britain however, in its earlier with the manufacturer and a set of = Click to view video Minimum standards across the UK. However, the trade body years, had first-hand experience with the complementary added value services With the mushrooming of small and medium RenewableUK has recognised this and is issues of subcontracting to an external such as high voltage maintenance work wind turbine installations across the UK working with its small and medium wind Operations & Maintenance firm. and blade repair, so that they do not have since the Feed in Tariffs were introduced in strategy group, chaired by ICE Renewables gaps in the service of their turbine.” April 2011, who is installing and operating CEO Julian Martin, towards developing and maintaining these wind turbines a national MCS approved medium wind O&M strategy – a priority could potentially become an issue without standard by 2014 and an international IEC A good O&M strategy is increasingly a minimum standards being introduced. medium wind standard later in the year for priority for manufacturers, developers and turbine design, site assessment, installation customers as it can extend the lifetime of Specialist provider and operations and maintenance across your turbine, reduce costs and increase ICE Renewables, based in Northallerton, is an the whole medium wind sector. availability. Nightmare stories of customers established company specialising in the small being left with turbines not working, no and medium wind sector and is focused on Complete wind solutions proper operations and maintenance setting and maintaining the highest standards package contracts, a lack of turbine parts, installers across the UK to ensure a viable and In keeping with these developments, ICE who have walked away or manufacturers sustainable industry going forward. has launched an unrivalled ‘Complete Wind not set up to deal with the maintenance of Solutions’ package, extending a specialist their fleets, are real issues facing the industry Operations & Maintenance service to and ICE Renewables has set out to improve manufacturers, developers and customers medium wind standards and offer a quality in the medium and Megawatt wind sector. assured service across the UK.

62 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 63 DISTRIBUTED WIND feature sponsor feature sponsor DISTRIBUTED WIND

as this significantly affects the generated Some thoughts on the wind power which will impact any income Reducing costs Second installation streams from FIT and the sale of surplus ScotRail The company has installed two R9000 “It is exciting to see our turbines being turbine industry in Great Britain electricity. small wind turbines at ScotRail’s Bathgate used to support ScotRail’s environmental installs wind depot in West Lothian. The turbines programme,” added Kevin Parslow, CEO David Taylor, Business Development In response to the press At UFW ltd I commission independent, site will enable a reduction in the need for of Evance Wind Turbines. Manager at UFW Wind Division offers A key area of criticism associated with specific, wind speed assessments for the turbines to purchasing electricity so reducing the his thoughts on the wind turbine wind turbines is the noise they are believed location of the wind turbine. This report not overall cost of running the depot, as well as “This is our second installation for ScotRail industry in Great Britain and answers to produce. However, it is worth noting only provides a much more accurate wind power their providing a reduction in carbon emissions. as last year we installed an R9000 turbine some of the questions he is regularly that modern wind turbines are very quiet speed (the worst error I have seen to date at the Montrose railway station as an onsite asked by investors… and adhere to the strict legislations on this is 0.5m/s) but also provides data on the Bathgate depot Continual focus energy resource. It’s very gratifying to matter. wind direction. Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s Managing work with a team that is so positive about The alternative energy industry is gaining Reducing operating costs and Director, said; “The wind turbines at harnessing renewable energy resources.” momentum and this is only set to An EC Wind 55Kw at 300m is approx. Such reports are not overly expensive - carbon footprint Bathgate are part of our continual focus on continue with widespread support from 35dB – by comparison a busy road at 5km approximately £750 plus VAT - money Evance is pleased to be working in providing a more environmentally-friendly Evance Wind Turbines governments, companies, corporations is 35-40dB (EWEA, Wind Energy – The well spent when considering a substantial partnership with ScotRail to help harness and fuel efficient railway for Scotland. and individuals. Facts). investment of between £50k and £500k for wind power to reduce the company’s They will have a positive impact on the a small to medium scale wind turbine. energy costs and further improve environment and help us save money for Why are wind environmental performance. use in further eco-friendly projects.” turbines suitable I am surprised that many installers still for farmers? use the NOABL database to perform Farming has faced many these sorts of wind feasibility tests. The challenges over recent NOABL database provides a predicted years - the farmers I annual average speed for a 1km by 1km speak to often comment grid square. There are two issues with this on the crippling effects information: firstly, 1km x 1km is a fairly vast of rising oil costs, battles area and local differences within the sector with supermarkets can be massive, secondly the NOABL has over milk pricing and been proven to be up to 3m/s out when unseasonal weather compared to measured data from an onsite brought on by climate anemometer - or in financial terms, £21k change. per annum difference in FIT income on a typical farm wind turbine such as the EC In such difficult times it Wind 55Kw. is worth knowing that there are various grant Investment opportunities schemes and finance broken down options offered by Costs vary depending on the wind turbine both government and make and model. The UFW EC Wind businesses including turbine costs around £280-£300k to install, UFW, allowing farmers with a further cost of £850 per annum the financial opportunity to insure and £2,500 for service and to invest in renewable maintenance. energy. However, the estimated FIT Income is Wind turbines can around £30-60k depending on wind speed, A recent Government report states that provide an energy supply as well as the which accounts to an average payback 20% of the UK’s electricity is to come from option to sell the excess energy produced period of 5-7 years, with a possible renewable sources by 2020: put simply we back to the National Grid via the Feed payback period of 3 years on extreme need to invest in renewable energy to reduce in Tariff (FIT) scheme, thus creating an sites. This allows investors a short payback the damaging impact of our carbon footprint. additional revenue stream for your farm. period with a secured income for the longevity of the turbine, which in the case of Current market conditions Understanding the application the EC Wind model is 25 years. The UK is home to 40% of Europe’s entire process wind resource and it is from this sector that A thorough assessment of the site should There is little surprise why wind energy the government and industry professionals be undertaken prior to selecting a wind is fast becoming a leading investment expect the greatest contribution towards turbine. I would always recommend a full opportunity for farmers, with offerings the 2020 targets. technical survey of your farm’s land, taking of government backed schemes and a into account your electricity usage, average short payback period – a great security in Over 530 turbines were installed in the wind speed and capacity to supply surplus otherwise very turbulent times. 15-100KW field in 2012 - a 355% growth energy to your local grid. compared to only one year before - and UFW - Wind Division projections for 2013 are higher again. The annual average wind speed at a potential site for a wind turbine is the single most important characteristic when assessing the viability of a wind turbine,

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The trouble with spreadsheets Problem Companies in the wind energy sector often have to process and escalating costs of analyse complex data from diverse sources. Relying on traditional spreadsheets limits the usefulness of these data and makes them meteorological data vulnerable to error. Current Practice Like many businesses, companies in the wind energy sector often collection use spreadsheets to capture and process the data on which they base important decisions. Taking wind turbines as an example, spreadsheets are used to analyse many kinds of information, from performance data and energy outputs to maintenance schedules. PROBLEM The trouble is that spreadsheets With the move to deeper water, how Joint venture are prone to a significant problem; does a risk-adverse industry control Ocean Resource CEO, David Bone, stated human errors in the data. the escalating costs of meteorological that Ekspan immediately understood data collection? the fundamental strength of the Sea Met Costly errors design based upon their own experience These errors can be extremely Anglia offshore project offshore and financially when compared to costly when they affect business- The recent completion of two met masts any competition; it was obviously a win-win critical processes and decisions. for Anglia Offshore for a staggering £17M situation for everyone, so a joint venture Beyond their vulnerability to human surely calls time on any further pile and was quickly agreed. error, a more fundamental problem jacket structures as the industry moves is that spreadsheets are often to deeper water, with floating Lidar still The new joint venture tentatively named used in isolation, with the data and mistrusted by many investors, the need for Ocean Ekspan is intended to offer Sea insights they contain also isolated true game-changing innovation becomes Met on a supply only basis right through to as a result, growing further and increasingly urgent. turnkey solutions of long-term data supply further apart from data held in other over multiple locations depending on client spreadsheets. Factor in complex requirements, hence ‘problem solved’. company structures, and even Solution more complex supply chains, and In 2012 in response to increasing industry Ocean Resource data requirements rapidly increase. Companies with high-value anxiety, Ocean Resource developed and assets and complex processes need more sophisticated, less proposed the Sea Met concept to the Click to view more info error-prone data-handling solutions than traditional spreadsheets. industry; whereby a traditional 100M mast based on proven offshore Gravity Buoyant Foundation technology could not only Solution be initially deployed for a fraction of the Critical Software Technologies’ bespoke solutions offer the recent industry spends, but could also be opportunity to build in safeguards to reduce the impact of human subsequently re-deployed many times over errors that could corrupt the data held and processed by wind its design life of 25 years, at a few hundred energy companies. An alternative to traditional spreadsheets, the thousand pounds each time. company’s DE Core software system has quality checks within the data handling process, and is customisable to the specific needs Despite considerable interest, it quickly of the wind energy industry. became apparent that Ocean Resource alone did not have the resources required To support the transition from spreadsheet-based systems, they by many of the interested parties to provide can run a short study of an organisation’s current data-handling insurance and assurance that Sea Met processes, then design a strategic roadmap to help the switch to could be supported in the long-term. more sophisticated software tools. These tools can be tailored to an organisation’s specific requirements, by processing data into Experience from oil & gas more useful forms of information. This increases data accuracy and industry reduces the financial and reputational costs of errors. With a long history of innovation in oil and gas, Ocean Resource looked to that sector Bespoke software to secure a partner who could provide In this way, this bespoke software solutions offer wind energy acceptable experience and financial companies the opportunity to better integrate and analyse strength to meet the risk requirements data, enabling them to gain real insights through merging and demanded by offshore wind. After meeting representing data from the entire organisation, rather than using with several interested groups, Ocean data locally, spreadsheet-by-spreadsheet. This allows people to Resource found what it was looking for work with and share information in a more unified, accurate and in Ekspan of Sheffield, a company with a reliable way, creating new perspectives that inform business- long history in offshore construction and critical decision-making processes. installation. Critical Software Technologies

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costly and unsightly cabinets Technical detail By tailoring the conductivity of the polyaniline, Pera Technology developed PROBLEM managing two low-thickness RAMs based on a It’s a common sight to see large (2 – 6 m3) cabinets or Salisbury screen and a frequency selective kiosks sitting next to or near a wind turbine system. innovation surface (FSS) structure, suitable for These kiosks normally house the DNO switchgear, G59 application to wind turbine towers, nacelles, protective relay, isolation transformer, remote data logger to eliminate and blades. Both structures achieve and associated communications gear. radar attenuation of 20dB in the S- and radar X-band frequency ranges, enabling wind Often these cabinets are costly, unsightly, require environmental turbines to be positioned in areas of optimal controls, or take up more space than is available onsite. interference power generation, without the threat of Purchasing and engineering all the components that go into the disrupting civil, maritime, and aviation radar kiosk can also add cost to a wind turbine project. navigation. PROBLEM Co-existence Solution Wind farm turbines are essential to The innovative new material means that, for Northern Power Systems launched a new grid interface cabinet the production of renewable energy, the first time, radar systems and wind farms (GIC) for their towers – meaning multiple kiosks are now a thing but the large radar cross section can can co-exist, with the siting of the latter of the past. Core components such as the transformer, G59 cause problems for civilian radar being dictated by optimal power generation protective relay and RTU, which normally require their own navigation systems – this often limits rather than radar proximity. separate housing, are now built into the base of the NPS 60 and where turbines can be positioned the NPS 100. This discovery will allow the development Wind farms must be created in the race of world-leading RAMs, giving the Osgram GIC advantages to meet the EU’s target of increasing consortium global market leadership and • Lower installation costs – an additional structure is no longer energy from renewable sources from 20% projected sales of over €80 million within needed to house these components. by 2020 to 50% by 2050. They are also five years of the project’s conclusion. • Improved visuals – now you just see the turbine in all its the cheapest and most technologically elegance. straightforward source of renewable Consortium energy. For this reason, the number of The Osgram consortium consists of wind turbines installed across Europe is Pera Technology, Nitech Solutions Ltd, data connections estimated to increase by 80,000 by 2030. Geolica Innovations, GlasCraft Ltd, HITEK Electronic Materials Ltd, VTT Technical The issue is where will all of Research Centre of Finland, Surface PROBLEM these farms go? Power, and ATARD. Some areas of the UK do not have high speed ‘wired’ data Potential locations are currently limited connections available, making communications between service and as a consequence, an increasing Pera Technology centres and the turbine difficult. number are being situated close to the main shipping lanes and plane flight paths. Click to view more info Combine this with growing concerns that Solution the very large radar cross section of the Northern Power Systems turbines and the motion of the blades can wind turbines now have be detrimental to passenger safety and a cellular mobile network civilian radar navigation systems, and a modem fitted to provide a significant problem begins to become clear. high-speed data connection. This allows the NPS 60 and NPS 100 to connect to the Solution internet in areas where fixed- Through the combined expertise of the line broadband connections Osgram consortium, a cost-effective are unavailable or expensive answer using a low thickness, dual band to extend. Salisbury screen or frequency selective surface (FSS) structure was identified. Via Northern Power’s web-based SmartView® monitoring system, customers have real-time monitoring and reporting of Supported by funding of nearly €1million, their wind turbine’s performance. through the EU FP7 programme, the Osgram project has developed a Advantage continuous manufacturing process for the This complete set of upgrades simplifies the purchase and production of an intrinsically conductive installation of the NPS 100 and NPS 60 for the company’s polymer (polyaniline). customers, bringing true plug-and-play capabilities to the UK small and medium wind turbine market.

Northern Power Systems

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• Upfront analysis of realistic turning UK commercial opportunities for UK manufactures will be provided, aimed at giving manufacturers a manufacturers onto clearer understanding of the scale of future demand and how they can the offshore wind benefit from it

opportunity • A breakdown of the required offshore wind components into technical, commercial and qualifying PROBLEM SOLUTION criteria will help manufacturers to match In early August, the government How do we solve this problem? For a technical capability and understand released its offshore wind industrial start, a manufacturing support programme market entry requirements strategy, which outlines the significant already exists, MAS (Manufacturing opportunities and support available to Advisory Service) has been supporting UK • An initial assessment by enable UK manufacturing companies manufacturers for over 10 years. In the last GROW:OffshoreWind advisors will help to get involved in this growing sector. 18 months alone MAS has undertaken companies to understand potential business capability reviews with more than supplier performance gaps The ambition is “to build a competitive and 12,000 SME manufacturers, leading to innovative UK supply chain that delivers nearly 4,000 improvement projects. • Financial support is available on a and sustains jobs, exports and economic matched-funded basis up to £500,000 benefits for the UK, supporting offshore GROW:OffshoreWind programme to help companies overcome these wind as a core and cost effective part During this time MAS has built up significant gaps and make them ready for of the UK’s long-term electricity mix.” industrial knowledge about what the UK competitive tendering. This funding This is supported by the new government manufacturing base looks like and what its can support a variety of activities requirement that all major offshore wind technical capability is. Link that information including support for progressing the projects receiving the Contract for Difference to the commercial opportunities being sector’s innovation challenges of driving subsidy will have to prepare a supply chain presented to the sector and this is where down cost and improving on quality plan that meets defined standards. the new GROW:OffshoreWind programme and efficiency comes in to help make the linkages and Positive challenge join the dots together. This new Regional Big opportunity The ‘problem’, or rather ‘positive Growth Fund support programme consists So, what some see as a problem for UK challenge’, is to get UK-based of what is effectively a partnership between manufacturers we view as a big opportunity manufacturers tuned in to the sector. To MAS and the leading renewable trade for them to access the support available date, a large proportion of supply chain association, RenewableUK. and maximise their ability to win critical opportunities have gone abroad with only a offshore wind contracts. modest amount of contracts being serviced How will it help? by UK manufacturers. GROW:OffshoreWind is a service that gives GROW:OffshoreWind is delivered by SMEs direct access to market experts, Grant Thornton and programme partners technological know-how through specialist the Manufacturing Advisory Service, centres and funding support to aid upfront RenewableUK and the University of investment. Sheffield, all working in close collaboration with industry leaders and Government. RenewableUK Through RenewableUK, we effectively Dominic Brow have the ‘voice of the customer’. Its supply GROW:OffshoreWind chain strategy group, together with its wider membership, consists of key tier-one Grant Thornton manufacturers and developers that will help steer the programme.

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Staying With the growing trend to further increase capacity in wind energy there is even more reason for flow, more accurate ensuring there are efficient methods sizing can also be of cooling gearboxes, generators and achieved. In spite inverters inside the nacelle. of developments cool over the past Fluid/air coolers few years in the The gearboxes, power electronics, Reducing investment and Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) area of CFD, these generators and transformers, apart from operational costs It is indeed possible to calculate simple calculations still air-cooled versions, are all cooled using Passive re-cooling has many advantages flows with all their turbulent processes, call for considerable light oils or water glycols. Fluid/Air coolers over active re-cooling in wind turbine using DNS. For industry-related problems, computing power. are used for re-cooling by dissipating applications, for example investment and however, this approach is far from A significant factor the excess heat to atmosphere via the operational costs can be reduced, as no practicable because the computational influencing the time surrounding air. These fluid/air coolers are electrical energy is required to drive any fans. requirements are extremely high. This needed to make the usually installed in an exposed position The disadvantages of passive re-cooling problem was however resolved by the calculation is how to deal with on the nacelle so that the wind is directed are the potential extra space requirements, introduction of so-called turbulence unsteadiness, i.e. the time- through them. which can sometimes dominate the design models, even if it does rely on a number of dependency of the flow. of the wind turbine nacelle. simplifications. Nowadays the application The airflow through the cooler can either be of these solution processes is considered Generally-speaking, technically forced by using a fan (active re-cooling) or The company has developed an optimum state-of-the-art. interesting turbulent flows are naturally by the wind (passive re-cooling). layout of passive coolers on wind turbine always unsteady, i.e. how the flow HYDAC has extensive experience in nacelles. With the aid of numerical flow In the meantime there are a number of field looks is time-dependent. Often, supplying both kinds of solutions and simulation (CFD) the air flow dynamics software packages which can be used to however, these unsteady characteristics sizing, distribution and configuration of of the nacelle including flow through the calculate flow. The advantages of these turn out not to be interesting because they the cooler elements on the nacelle are cooler is calculated and optimised until the flow simulations are easy to appreciate: fall out when averaged over technically optimised with the aid of computer-aided maximum cooling capacity is achieved in information is given for all points of the flow relevant time periods and are not therefore simulations. relation to the area. field and this provides the opportunity of significant for calculations. Problems can eliminating weak points and recognising therefore often be considered as stationary The simulation for solution validation can potential improvements. By having an and the calculations can be manageable. be carried out using very accurate, but also accurate knowledge of all parameters of the complex calculation methods to obtain HYDAC maximum safety for the design. Click to view more info Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) CFD refers to computer-aided calculation of = Click to view video flow processes. This type of flow simulation is a relatively new area of technology. In addition to difficulties with the mathematical treatment of the equations, there are further problems with flow calculations which relate to the turbulence of a flow.

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Lubricants help to reduce operating costs and extend wind turbine life

Wind energy production is growing Critical components industry leaders in wind turbine technology at record levels in response to the Lubricants should be considered critical with more than 16,500 1.5- and 1.6-MW need for the diversification of energy components in turbines, Shell Lubricants wind turbines installed globally, has now sources through the increasing global works with equipment manufacturers to approved the product for use in a wide PROFILE... demand for electricity. Keeping wind make sure that its lubricants and greases variety of their turbines. turbines working efficiently and for all wind turbine components - including This product offers outstanding lubrication Name: Career progress reducing operating costs can be hydraulic systems, yaw gears and bearings, performance under severe operating Gerry Mazzone After spending nine years in Birkenhead critical for their profitability. as well as other related fluids such as conditions, including reduced friction; Gerry took up a new position in the Company: company to Territory Manager for Industrial The Lubricant Company Lubricants, When ExxonMobil bought the company, he was offered the opportunity Occupation: to study full time for an MBA in Manchester, Field Engineer fully sponsored by the company. Wind energy Habitat: A particularly trying time having to juggle Following a year of supporting the TLC South Lanarkshire a full time job and do his homework! He metal process oil business – Gerry headed hastens to add he never had a detention up north, as Field Engineer for the north No ordinary field engineer and this opportunity opened up whole and Scotland, and has never looked back! The joys of life mean you never quite know new vistas, culminating in becoming the With this role he inherited the Wind Energy what is around the corner, one such person European Key Accounts Manager for section of the business. As he stated wind whom can vouch for that is Gerry Mazzone, ExxonMobil. turbines provide their own challenges re; Field Engineer for The Lubricant Company, lubricants, the very nature of the elements and what a varied career path it has been - Retirement? – just a passing they have to endure, from offshore, to the he tells me more... thought tropics; deserts - all are unique and it is In 2005 he had the opportunity to take early imperative they have effective lubrication in Halcyon Days retirement, however this was short lived such challenging conditions. Starting out in the construction industry, as a colleague enquired if he would like to when work was plentiful, he enjoyed the manage the ‘front office’ for a construction Mentors trappings of those halcyon days, however business in Spain; so he moved, lock stock Throughout his career Gerry has been over time the work became hit and miss and (not oil) barrel. privileged to meet many influential and with a family to support he pursued personalities within the industry, one such other more reliable avenues. In 1975 he Brazil person was early on in his career, Tony was introduced by an uncle to Shell UK Here he stayed for 2 years before another Downing who taught him everything there is refinery at Stanlow, Ellesmere Port, after a opportunity arose. He was asked by a to know about gear/hydraulics oils. He also two year spell, Gerry left Shell and joined friend to assist with yet another construction mentions Chris Davies, his partner when Mobil Oil Company at their blending plant in company in Brazil, which he helped set up – studying for an MBA and colleague at The Birkenhead, and from there it all happened. a time he reflects upon fondly. However this Lubricant Company. did not work out exactly as he had hoped, Batch Blending but having fallen for Brazil it was obviously 3 word description? Choosing the right transformer oils - help long service life; and high resistance to Gerry’s initiation was within the blending meant for him to stay there! Optimistic, fun and integrity. lubricants and to lower operating micropitting for optimal gear protection in plant for the manufacturing of lubricants. services for the costs and increase wind turbines. It also has an impressive set Since those days the process has become A chance meeting at a local bar, he struck Aims & Aspirations business needs machine availability of equipment manufacturers’ credentials more technical, however the term used up a conversation with another English man, To be a successful member of The can help to reduce even in remote from a wide variety of component and in the early days was known as batch who was looking for an English teacher. As Lubricant Company team. And one day operating and locations (both on- wind turbine equipment manufacturers, as blending. it transpired, Gerry is fluent in Portuguese finally hang up his boots and retire to Brazil. equipment ownership and offshore) and in well as approvals for pitch and yaw-drive – so begins his next chapter! Teaching at When speaking with Gerry, his positive costs. It provides challenging climatic applications. His role was effectively to be the ‘chef’ the Language College, it was a baptism of attitude and enthusiasm no doubt will take enhanced protection conditions. adding the various components/ingredients fire, and quite a learning curve – just don’t him on more interesting journeys. of critical components Developments as required to various base oils. Oil was mention ‘past participles’ and ‘possessive to reduce Working Lubricant developments are helping heated ‘mixed’ within underground tanks. pronouns!! He proudly announces that his Fliss Chaffer replacement costs together to maximise returns on investment by class were the premium group in the college! Interviewer and extend turbine Shell Lubricants reducing the costs of producing electricity This was then transferred to the finished Wind Energy Network life, reduced lubricant has long-standing from wind power. This is achieved through tank, where the samples were tested within Back to the UK consumption and maintenance through relationships with many of the leading ensuring the equipment works reliably and the in-house laboratories, then sent to Returning to UK in 2011 his past was to extended-life products, and improved equipment manufacturers, like GE Wind, requires minimal maintenance, as well as packaging halls or sent to clients via tankers. catch up with him – he met up with his operational efficiency through synthetic oil and works with them to design lubricants limiting downtime, in part through lubricants friend and colleague Chris Davies from The technology. that meet the requirements of their with longer operational life spans. Lubricant Company, after a good Chinese equipment. In fact Shell worked closely buffet and one or two beers it transpired with GE Wind to trial Shell Omala S4 GX Peter Drury that TLC had a vacant position which Gerry 320, an advanced, heavy-duty-industrial Shell U.K. Oil Products Limited. applied for immediately! synthetic gear oil. GE Wind, one of the

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Cost, quality and control: Wind farms operating on condition based how lubricant suppliers are oil changes take a sample of the lubricant every 6 – 12 months throughout the Saving money without helping to reduce the cost of turbine’s lifecycle, and make a decision compromising performance Oil changes on whether to change the lubricant based Cutting a third of costs from a multi-million wind energy production Changing the oil or lubricant in a wind on this sample. All turbines run in different Quality Certificate of Analysis dollar industry is no easy task – competition turbine is not an easy task. The service conditions with different stresses and (COA) from within the industry will increase It is widely acknowledged that one Quality and control technician must get to the top of a 100ft- strains on the gearbox, which means To drive down costs across the wind for improved levels of production using of the biggest issues dominating the Quality and control are crucial to reducing 300ft tower, while the product is raised in that in turn lubricants will wear differently, industry, quality control is very important, cheaper parts and supplies, but the quality wind power industry at the moment is cost – this is not a question of simply a pail or pumped up via hoses – whilst the depending on their location and use. particularly when it comes to the lubricants of output cannot suffer as a result. cost of production. sourcing the cheapest suppliers, it’s used oil has to be removed using the same Therefore adopting this solution allows used to help drive the turbines. To this about understanding which lubricants to methods. To do this the turbine must be a tailor-made approach which creates end, all lubricant suppliers are obliged to It’s important that those companies According to the World Wind Energy use and how best to use them to ensure shut down, stopping production until the complete flexibility. hold a ‘COA’ which acts as a CV for the throughout the wind power supply chain Association, wind energy provided over 2.5 your turbine runs as efficiently as possible oil change is complete, which can take lubricants, proving they are clean, up to the never stop thinking of ways to save money percent of total worldwide electricity usage throughout its life cycle. The industry is anything from a few hours to 1 – 2 days. Preventative maintenance task and will last as long as possible. This without compromising performance - the in 2010, and some organisations predict seeing some interesting changes when While that sample is being taken to assess helps to control costs as all parties are clear consumer demand for renewable energy that global wind power market penetration it comes to the use of lubricants within It’s easy to see the advantages that longer the condition of the lubricant and whether on expectations, and helps to ensure that sources is there, and it’s up to us in the is expected to reach 3.35 percent by 2013 gearbox operated turbines, all of which service intervals and fewer oil changes offer an oil change is required, it can also be the best lubricant is used for the job. wind industry now to make it work. and 8 percent by 2018. However, if wind is have the potential to tackle these issues. the operator - less downtime, increased used as an indicator of the health of the ever to become a truly mainstream power production and as a result, cost savings. rest of the wind turbine. In the same way Meeting demand for wind Sven Thiesen source, the truth is that it needs to become There is a trend in the wind industry at that doctors can take a blood test to check Some suggest that the wind energy Castrol Industrial cheaper to produce. the moment towards condition-based oil the general health and fitness of a patient, industry needs to cut around 30 percent changes, so the lubricant is changed only the condition of a lubricant can be used to of costs from its supply chain in order The importance of lubricants when it has had sufficient wear and tear, monitor, for example, wear particles. This for wind power penetration to increase. Given the cost of adding and changing rather than being changed at regular, pre- process can help identify any maintenance This will only happen if turbines become lubricants, in addition to the effect a defined intervals regardless of its condition. issues early, allowing engineers to deal cheaper and last longer, and the lubricants lubricant can have on the overall efficiency with them quickly, and without the need used within them are a big component of and life expectancy of a wind turbine, for downtime. Work and research into this. To optimise operational efficiency over quality control processes can have a preventative maintenance is still in relatively the lifecycle of a wind turbine may mean substantial impact on the total cost of early stages, but expect to see this ‘oil as investing in the short term to effectively running a wind farm. DNA’ approach become widespread over reduce costs in the long term. For example the next few years. there is potential to extend the life of lubricants – these lubricants may cost slightly more at first, but would represent substantial cost savings over time.

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Pitch Bearing Taking on the challenge of grease Mobil SHC Grease 460 WT lubrication in wind turbines Main Shaft Bearing Have you ever stopped at a wind turbine and been impressed at the sheer scale of With higher load and scaled up energy Proven performance in key wind Mobil SHC Grease 460 WT the engineering challenges of constructing such a large harvester of wind energy? output requirements, every equipment turbine applications Developing and selecting the correct lubricant to address the challenges faced by component is under increased strain, Mobil SHC Grease 460 WT is a high these engineering monuments requires not only knowledge of lubrication solutions, especially in offshore wind farms that performance product designed, in particular, but also a deep experience of the factors present in the turbine during the full range operate in harsh environments and under to meet the demanding requirements for of operations. So why is correct grease selection so critical in tribological terms? extreme operating conditions. Take wind turbine applications including severe the main bearing in the wind turbine for conditions and extreme temperatures. example. Large, heavy loaded, remote, Specially formulated to lubricate the slowly high moisture atmospheres - none of oscillating, high loaded yaw and pitch these are new conditions, but wind bearings as well as the low speed main turbines have proven to be extremely bearings, it has become the product of difficult to master from a lubrication choice through proven performance. viewpoint. With pressure to capture return on investment and safety being a top This new generation grease is recognised Yaw Bearing priority, getting grease lubrication right for its innovation and reliable technical Mobil SHC Grease 460 WT is essential for operators. ExxonMobil performance by Original Equipment Fuels & Lubricants has sound Manufacturers (OEMs) around the world, Single solution for multiple bearing applications experience in wind turbine selecting it as the first fill product of choice Because the slow speed main bearing is subject to high loads, reliable protection from lubrication, helping customers for main, yaw and pitch bearings. A close wear is required to extend its service life. The high base oil viscosity of Mobil SHC unleash productivity in the contact with equipment builders helps Grease 460 WT helps to maintain proper lubricant film thickness to protect the bearing very competitive power ensure that the product is designed to from wear. Plus, low internal friction of the base fluid offers the potential of reduced low generation market. That is provide performance in sync with continually temperature starting torque, features that are not present in most general multi-purpose why equipment builders evolving industrial equipment designs. greases. and operators rely on high performance Grease for increased Similarly, pitch and yaw bearings move slowly through only a few degrees of rotation, synthetic lubricants productivity hindering the development of a proper lubricant film. Furthermore, blade vibrations for wind grease Mobil SHC Grease 460 WT combines caused by the wind pressure waves are transferred to the pitch and yaw bearings, which applications. the unique features of synthesized makes false brinelling protection the most important lubricant feature for this application. hydrocarbon-based fluids with those of an New generation greases often meet industry test standards for fretting corrosion and advanced lithium-complex thickener, which false brinelling protection, along with excellent rust and corrosion protection. help contribute to excellent low and high temperature performance, structural stability, Conclusion and resistance to water. A carefully selected Mobil branded greases can permit consolidation of main, pitch and yaw bearing greases proprietary additive system helps provide into one product, minimising the risk of re-lubricating with the wrong product and outstanding benefits, such as excellent wear without introducing unnecessary operational risks. Whilst determining the right lubrication protection, and rust and corrosion inhibition. solution to meet the challenges faced by wind turbines, more operators and equipment The low internal friction and high natural builders can testify that using this proven technology can increase productivity and help viscosity index of the base fluids offer the reduce maintenance costs. potential for low starting and running torque, and excellent low temperature pumpability. Main characteristics Additional benefits include enhanced grease and bearing life, a wide operating temperature range down to -40°C and the suitability for use with either manual or centralised greasing systems —helping to reduce maintenance costs and improve profitability.

*Low-temperature claims based on DIN Low Temperature Flow Pressure results vs. maximum limits of 1,400 hPa at test temperature.

Robert Pears ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants

Click to view more info

= Click to view video

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Assessing risk in the marine environment

The development of an offshore wind farm is inherently a high risk activity. There are numerous risks, a variety of stakeholders who have to take the risk and similarly a variety of stakeholders who have to manage the risk. These risks are ultimately reflected both in project costs and the cost of project finance. De-risking offshore wind is therefore a key element in offshore wind meeting its cost reduction targets. It is an axiom in Risk Managements that overall cost is minimised if those bearing the risk are those best able to manage the risk.

Marine risks in general and offshore in particular, are a challenge to meeting this axiom in that the weather dominates all risks and is by its nature uncontrollable, only its effects can be managed.

The table below lists some of the main risks…

Financial Risk: Managing Weather Risk System of Systems approach to • Wind resource estimation To manage weather risk you first have to Safety and Risk • Layout and wake effects understand the likely weather conditions at The system of systems concept is an • Turbine availability a site. evolving systems engineering approach • Future electricity price volatility that manages the design, configuration • Capital costs BMT have been involved in a major R&D and operation of a complex system. It is a • Cost of finance project (Metocean Information “End to concept that is often applied to complex End” (MIPe2e)” sponsored by the UK engineering situations. An offshore wind Technology Strategy Board to develop farm, especially during construction phase, Construction Risk: innovative and robust protocols and could be described as a SoS. Add the potentially hostile marine The SoS process assumes that The weather affects everything offshore; • Metocean conditions algorithms to calibrate metocean models environment, use of new technologies responsibility for implementation of the SoS process ensures that the influence • Seabed geophysics with real time data from multiple sources to There are… and methods into the mix and it becomes mitigation and controls resides with those of the weather is considered in all risks. • Achieving high levels of safety improve metocean forecasts. • Physical systems – turbines, apparent that thorough, robust and with authority for the affected systems Indeed if a risk is in a risk register without • Availability of assets foundations, offshore transformer defensible risk management processes are or operation, whether that is the Port discussion of the weather it is unlikely that • Delays and downtimes The project vision is to develop advanced platforms and export cables required in order to effectively manage and Authority, the vessel operator, installation the risk has been properly investigated. • Installation activities data handling and easy to interpret • Construction systems – foundation control risk. contractor or overall project delivery • Cable installation visualisation methods that will benefit the installation, turbine installation and cable contractor. BMT Group offshore industry. laying Safety Interactions • Marine management systems – Hazards can be categorised by the Conclusion Technology Risk: Managing Safety Risk controlling what vessels are doing what nature of interaction, such as… The management of risk can be traced • Marine Environment The main players in the offshore wind and where back to the mining industry in the 1800’s • new, larger turbines industry have set themselves the target of • People systems – hiring, training, • Cumulative – hazards resulting from the and as technology has advanced • Installation further offshore and in zero harm in construction and operation. deploying and monitoring staff; additive effect of multiple systems so has the requirement to actively deeper seas In support of this RenewableUK has • Information systems: weather forecasts operating in unison manage risk. The tools that we use • Higher voltage and new forms of power produced Offshore Wind and Marine • In-combination – hazards where two or and the processes that we follow have export Energy Health and Safety Guidelines, Each element of the construction phase more systems are dynamically continuously developed; with some high including a requirement for risk assessment is likely to be controlled by a separate interrelated and hazard industries such as Oil & Gas and including: organisation, with control of each operation • External – hazards arising from external Nuclear seen as leading the way in the Operational Risk: sitting within individual organisations influences (environment, people, other development of specific codes, inspection • Metocean Conditions Risks need to be identified, assessed, safety management systems. The system equipment, etc) regimes, regulations and safety codes of • Achieving high levels of safety controlled and mitigated within the of systems approach allows for each of practice and others such as Aviation in • reliability of Turbines structure of a robust and defensible Safety these elements to be managed effectively The SoS safety assessment process integrated technical, management and • Access to Turbines Management System (SMS). whilst taking into consideration the wider should follow a standard hazard people systems. • Cable damage implications of the whole project. Risk identification, analysis and management • Unrevealed design problems One approach to investigate when management using this process can format. With the approach drawing on the The System of Systems safety approach is considering Safety and Risk for the therefore be used to capture and analyse interactions detailed in the figure above. one such method that can be used to look Offshore wind industry is the System of risks that fall beyond the boundaries of at the wider safety and risk implications that System (SoS) approach. individual assessments/processes. can actively capture the hazards and risks associated with all phases of an Offshore wind farm project.

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3 Evaluate the risks and decide Working in on precaution Inherent risks to Once you’ve recognised all potential hazards, preventing or reducing them offshore power cables as ‘reasonably practicable’ is relatively uncomplicated. The best thing to do is to Cable route planning is critical. Engineering cable joints ensures continuity simply remove the hazard altogether. The dynamic nature of the offshore of the conductors, shields and insulating environment makes a comprehensive layers. Poor jointing will affect the cable remote As this won’t be possible in all cases, routing analysis critical. Sand waves, performance. Mechanical stress, thermal try controlling risks to minimise harm, for movement of mega ripples and and mechanical cycling as well as vibration example: Re-arranging a badly stacked erosion, as well as the removal/ may result in fatigue of the metallic locations shelf and installing more storage, will avoid aggregation of sediment can result components or causing the connector to fail. falling objects injuring staff. in seabed movement during the When working remotely, there are risks that wouldn’t necessarily arise cable’s operational life. This can be Gas compared with working in an office environment. Being isolated, and in some Precautionary measures like wearing compounded if an inappropriate burial Gas can gather within cable interstices instances alone, can mean there are unintentional risks that could lead to protective clothing where necessary and depth or unsuitable technique is used. over the operational life. Whether it is potential accidents. keeping your workspace caused by inadequate degassing of the free from hazardous Prevention insulation, or electrolysis within the cable, Offshore objects, will avoid a mishap To prevent possible cable exposure BPP- it can be corrosive to the cable’s metallic When offshore, or in a leading to any further Cables recommend local and global scour components. This can lead to significant remote environment, you’ll harm. Always consider the analysis to reduce the risks of free-spans damage to the cable structure. have certain responsibilities safest way to implement associated to vortex induced vibrations to keep yourself safe and something to avoid (VIV), fatigue or excessive cable tension. Cable exposure Summary obligations of care for other potential accidents. Low Submarine cables that are exposed to The financial and technical risks to offshore workers, should any potential cost measures can help Moisture ingress external hydrodynamic loads that can power cables are significant. BPP-Cables danger interfere. Knowing alert people of risks, for Detrimental water treeing in cable electrical cause cyclic loading and fatigue damage. offer an appreciation of submarine cables your risk management will example; identifying a highly insulation is caused by the ingress of water, Free spans caused by an unstable sea primary risks that can significantly affect help with this responsibility. flammable working area moisture, or vapour. These dielectric layers environment can result in VIV of the the performance of cables. In addition, with sign posts, encourages must be kept dry as humidity accelerates cable. BPP-Cables recommend the cable the company can highlight the potential HSE Guidance – 5 main caution to be taken. ageing, as does prolonged periods of installation and installation procedures financial, technical and reputation costs. factors overvoltage or overheating. In shallow water are comprehensively analysed at an early The HSE have recently 4 Record findings and and splash zones, sunlight can damage the stage. BPP-Cables introduced new guidance implement them external polymeric layers. of how your workplace’s Making people aware of Click to view more info first aid provision should the risks and precautions be considered. There are that have been put in place five main factors that help and writing them down = Click to view video risk management and for people to refer to (if assessment to be followed… there are more than 5 staff members) is good practice. 1 Identify Hazards Working remotely requires Excessive details aren’t vigilance of your environment required, but evidence and the potential hazards of a thorough check is it may hold. Check for recommended. Planning obvious hazards around all measures to be taken the workplace and make a will help improve long term note of these; anything from risk management and trailing wires to over stacked help prioritise when certain shelves could affect the risk precautions should be put assessment, so it’s worth in place. recording. 5 Review your Manufacturers’ notes on equipment you’re 2 Decide who might be harmed assessment and update if necessary using can identify true hazards so reading and how With the ever changing nature of an them and previous accident records will Offshore, minimising the risk of injury will offshore workplace; new staff, expanding help you spot the more obscure hazards. contain an accident, avoiding harm to facilities and new products, means Long term hazards like noise pollution people within the workplace. Consider new risks may arise. Be aware of these or dust could be contributing factors, so everyone who may be in your workplace changing circumstances and assess the consider the whole working environment. at any time, from cleaners and visitors to risks on a regular basis, follow your usual workers who are new to the environment, procedure for anything new. the potential injuries or health implications need to be identified. Defibshop

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Wind energy industry Helping the South East Work is also underway on a series of wind turbine mechanical joint integrity products. “While ECITB’s current range of products Coast become a new home largely meet the needs of wind turbines, Health & safety training we recognised that although the type The organisation also provides health & of equipment used on wind turbines safety training for the industry (CCNSG) for wind energy performs roughly the same function and an engineering competence card as flanged jointing equipment, it looks scheme (ACE). It is also able to provide a significantly different and operates in a collaborative industry voice when it advises We’ve found there is a common skills New initiative different manner.” commented Phil. and liaises with Government on behalf of base across the energy industry, whether One new initiative the ECITB is trialling to all the engineering construction industry. A highly educated workforce; high- in oil & gas, wind power or nuclear and its members until April 2014 is membership “Also, due to the sheer size of wind tech research intensive economy; the ECITB is in a position to ensure there of Talent Retention Solutions (TRS). This is turbines the process of applying the “ECITB companies utilising these two major international airports; is a portability of skills to the wind energy a useful tool for employers, providing them equipment is different. Here we have products will ensure the workforce is four of the largest UK passenger industry.” with access to an instant pool of talented recognised training is required to skilled and ready to meet the challenges and freight ports; and excellent and ‘ready to go’ skilled engineers. TRS familarise the engineering construction of the wind energy industry going motorway network with high Huge opportunity is a UK wide engineering hub bringing workforce with wind specific equipment forward.” concluded Phil. speed rail access to London and “With a huge opportunity on the horizon engineering talent together with new job and processes.” Continental Europe, no wonder the for its companies, the ECITB is working opportunities to attract and retain highly South East Coast of England has to ensure employers in the sector can get skilled people for the engineering industry. Work on the wind turbine mechanical ECITB the potential to become the new on and make crucial decisions about the The web-based tool is sponsored by joint integrity programme is due to be home for wind energy. future, without the fear they won’t be able ECITB, BAE Systems, Airbus, Shell, EDF completed by the end of the year and rolled Click to view more info to recruit the right number of staff.” Energy, Siemens, Rolls-Royce and The out to industry in 2014. Seeking solutions Glass Academy. There are already 25 Phil Jefferies is the The Engineering About ECITB ECITB member companies registered on Comprehensive range of training Construction Industry Training Board ECITB is the statutory organisation, the system with over 1,000 jobs listed. The ECITB offers a comprehensive range of (ECITB) Regional Account Manager for national training provider and awarding training products to support companies in the South East & East. Part of his role body with responsibility for the training New programmes recruiting new entrants, training graduates is to talk to employers and companies and development of the UK’s engineering The ECITB has also developed two new and up skilling existing workers in the wind in the region and seek solutions to the construction workforce. The organisation programmes to bring in more technicians energy sector. ECITB’s suite of products problems they are facing. provides professional advice, information, and craft personnel from the military and and services cover the following areas… skills development and qualifications to help other associated industries into engineering “The shortage of skilled and employers and people in the engineering construction. These are called ReSkill • Technical Training experienced workers is one of the construction industry succeed. for craft personnel and ReEngineer for • Technical Tests biggest issues companies in this technicians. • Mechanical Joint Integrity region, working in the wind energy Experience • Supervisory Management Training & sector are facing,” said Phil. “Through The organisation has built up a national “We identified ex-forces personnel with Development a number of initiatives the ECITB is network of approved training providers to an engineering background as prime • Project Management seeking to address this shortage.” deliver training products and qualifications, candidates to join the engineering • Project Control with 48 based in the South East. It uses construction workforce,” said Phil • Vocational Qualifications its 22 years of experience in delivering Jefferies. “These programmes will provide engineering training and competence the opportunity for hundreds of men and solutions to provide the wind energy sector women leaving the military to pursue a with industry recognised training and career in the wind energy industry.” qualifications. ReSkill, a six week off the job training programme is available in pipefitting, rigging, plating, mechanical fitting, electrical and small bore tubing; while ReEngineer, an eight week off the job training programme is available in instrument & controls, electrical maintenance and mechanical maintenance.

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Aerial bird Serving the London Array offshore wind farm surveys in Currently the world’s largest wind Growth & development Nick adds: “Winning contracts outside farm with 175 turbines, and boasting This experience has also been instrumental of the UK has been a real boost for the the Thames a capacity of 630MW is the flagship in the growth of the company’s business business and all of our staff, we are also project undertaken by the Kent based model and has been demonstrated on honoured to represent Kent; the region H&Askham Group. more recent projects where not only skilled has so much to offer, the area is a real hub Estuary power and fibre optic jointing technicians for engineering activity. We have worked APEM Ltd has unrivalled expertise Supplying electrical installation services to been supplied; but the service portfolio closely with organisations such as Locate in aerial bird surveys. It operates a the offshore wind industry, the company is has been expanded to offer a full range of in Kent to make our contribution to the fleet of five aircraft fitted with ultra- a trusted and reputable brand recognised testing (including IR, CR, TDR, OTDR and regeneration of the engineering sector and high resolution bespoke camera for their proficiency in cable termination and VLF). To complete the package for each development of the offshore wind sector in systems, as well as a thermal imaging jointing works serving not only UK based project H&Askham also appoint Offshore the county really matter.” capability. projects, but also working throughout Co-ordinators, Offshore Administrators and Europe. Project Managers. H&Askham Group The company was actively engaged in the Thames Estuary area recently, conducting Moving offshore Director, Nick Heale comments, surveys for Natural England. These aerial The business was launched in 2005 as a “Developing strategic project management surveys over the Outer Thames Special contractor for land based projects; however systems for our offshore wind jobs has Protection Area (SPA) revealed the highest as the Renewables sector in the UK began become fundamental to our business to numbers of red-throated divers ever to evolve, Director Nick Heale was quick to ensure we can deliver projects efficiently. recognise that not only did they have the Cost is a major factor in the renewables skills and expertise to deliver the technical sector and ever increasingly so; for us to requirements for the offshore wind industry, remain competitive we must continually but the company was ideally located to work to optimise and streamline our serve a large number of projects. performance.” Client reports Accuracy is ensured as Location Current projects the images are checked Kent has always been a key focus for the As an established and integral part of by APEM’s ornithologist UK wind industry given the coastline and the supply chain for the UK market, the and the British Trust for locality, and H&Askham have made valuable company has been approached by a Ornithology (birds) and contributions on a number of the sites number of companies to take their services Sea Mammal Research based throughout Kent, and across the onto projects in Europe. Works have Unit (marine mammals), Thames Estuary and into Essex. Projects recently been completed on German wind before the data are used in have included Thanet, Kentish Flats, London farm BARD and other works in the Borkum consultancy reports to the Array and the recent Gunfleet Sands region are now well underway on the Trianel client. These reports provide Extension development. Windpark, also referred to Borkum West II. essential information on any When completed this phase of the project environmental impacts that Early experience will consist of 40 Areva 5MW turbines. wind energy sites and other Being present during the infancy of this offshore developments may industry has proved a key factor in the have on bird and mammal success of H&Ashkam; experiencing the populations. exponential learning curve during the early stages proved invaluable in helping to Nature conservation utilise the shore based proficiencies in the As well as wind energy offshore environment and adapt the skills clients, the company offers and expertise to operate in the challenging a service to statutory situations presented in marine locations. nature conservation bodies such as Marine Scotland, found in one site in Europe, underlining Accurate survey information Countryside Council for Wales (Natural the importance of the Thames Estuary as Once the aerial images have been Resources Wales) and the Joint Nature valuable wildlife habitat. collected, they are analysed by a team Conservation Committee. of highly trained graduates. Their task Spreading their wings is to identify and record the birds and UKAS accreditation Since conducting its first aerial survey marine mammals to species level using In 2012, APEM became the first company in 2009, APEM has collected millions of the company’s specialised and unique in the UK to gain UKAS accreditation for images and completed over 200 surveys, software. the enumeration and identification of birds the most recent of which being conducted in digital photographs. over an island forming part of the Hawaiian This software, developed in-house, shows archipelago. Other surveys include wind the flight heights and headings of the birds APEM energy sites off the coasts of Scotland, in the survey images. It also uses spectral England and North Wales. analysis to speciate birds that can appear very similar in images, such as wintering auks.

86 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 87 Spotlight on South East Coast feature sponsor feature sponsor Spotlight on South East Coast Kent & Medway Manufacturing the new home for offshore wind The Medway Superhub in north Kent offers 303 hectares to accommodate Kentish The Kent CORE, one of the UK Kent already hosts three of the country’s the manufacture, assembly, storage and Government’s designated Centres most significant wind farm projects. distribution of blades, gearboxes, nacelles, for Offshore Renewable Engineering, Kentish Flats was one of the first offshore towers and foundations for offshore wind flats offers a strategic location for the wind farm developments in the UK while turbines, together with other associated offshore wind industry being ideally Thanet Offshore and London Array are supply chain operations. positioned for rapid access to two of the world’s largest. Together these wind farm offshore wind opportunities in the projects make Kent a leading location in Included in this offer are two deep North Sea, English Channel and wider Britain for operational development and the water port sites situated on opposite In 2009, Royal HaskoningDHV was Special Protection Area (SPA) Göran Loman, Vattenfalls Project Manager European markets. generation of renewable energy. sides of the River Medway. The Port of commissioned by Vattenfall to The potential displacement of the red- for the Kentish Flats Extension, said: “We Sheerness provides a 50 ha site with undertake feasibility studies for the throated diver by wind farms in the were delighted to receive consent for the planning permission for an integrated wind extension of existing offshore wind Thames was of real concern as the extension project. Royal HaskoningDHV turbine manufacturing facility and London farms (as part of The Crown Estates Outer Thames Estuary is an SPA for that played a key role in supporting us through Thamesport with 16 ha of development round 2.5 process). One of the sites species. In addition locally-based fisheries extensive discussions and consultation land plus additional operational land. proposed for development was the stakeholders were concerned about the with the local community, local authorities 90MW Kentish Flats Wind Farm which Whitstable oyster beds. In both cases and statutory organisations. The team Operations & Maintenance had been operational since 2005. a great deal of work was undertaken to also provided invaluable support The Ports of Ramsgate and Whitstable, determine how these could be mitigated throughout the EIA process.” both established and growing O&M Project if necessary. The team worked closely on bases which have benefited from The team managed the project from ornithology with Natural England, RSPB Royal HaskoningDHV major investment in bespoke facilities the scoping and Environmental Impact and Kent Wildlife Trust in order to present by Vattenfall (Thanet Offshore, Kentish Assessment (EIA) stages, through to the the best understanding of the potential Click to view more info Flats) and London Array, have space to submission of the Development Consent issue to the Planning Inspectorate. accommodate additional O&M business. Order in October 2011 for a 51MW extension. The Kentish Flats project was Pilot project Workforce the first offshore wind farm to be submitted Paolo Pizzolla, EIA Manager, Royal A deep talent pool of appropriate skills under the Planning Act 2008, Development HaskoningDHV said: “As the first wind with key strengths in mechanical, electrical Consent Order process and also the first farm project to go through the new and electronic engineering is available and to be consented in 2012. One of the key consenting system this was in many ways extensive local training is offered, including challenges facing the team was the new a pilot project for all parties, Vattenfall, the a highly successful industry supported approach required greater involvement and Planning Inspectorate and stakeholders, apprenticeship scheme for offshore wind communication with all the stakeholders to see how the new system would work in technicians at the Swale Skills Centre. from the regulators to the developers. practice.

Supply Chain Navigating the new planning process There is a strong presence of relevant so successfully carved a path for other supply chain companies and an extensive wind and renewable energy projects to network of business support organisations do the same. As well as creating clean to help them develop. A comprehensive energy for future generations, renewable supply chain database containing 695 energy generates major investment for the categories has been developed and a economy.” growing web based directory of companies can be found on Kent’s website.

Financial Support £55 million funding support is available through the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, in addition to Enterprise Zone status at Discovery Park.

Connectivity An excellent multimodal transport network connects Kent & Medway to UK, European and Global markets, including high speed rail links to London and the Continent, and five international airports within one hour travelling time.

Locate in Kent

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Highly-experienced with large projects, the At sea Tottington Mount Cross dyke UK-based independent environmental and Dave Watson is an RSK Director and the “The route also crosses the Tottington Rampion’s impacts engineering consultancy has transferred its Marine Team Leader. Rampion’s marine Mount Cross dyke scheduled monument knowledge of the offshore oil & gas sector, issues are mainly underwater noise-related where we have again proposed a reduced and long linear features such as pipelines, to and mostly caused by potential piling, he width solution to English Heritage. and benefits studied assessing wind turbine foundation installation says. A ‘soft-start’ piling policy is effective Advanced excavation will also allow us to and offshore/onshore cable laying. in discouraging and allowing marine provide new archaeological information.” mammals to move away. Other animals explains Katie. The Rampion project will include up to 175 are less mobile. But there are potential in detail turbines and their foundations, an array of mitigation methods, he explains. “Some Tree and shrub planting plans and subsea cables, four export cables, and an species move inshore to feed in summer landscaping measures have also been If the Rampion Offshore Wind Environmental detail underground onshore cable terminating but go to deeper offshore waters in winter drawn up for the new sub-station site. Farm gains development consent Standing from 13 to 26 miles out to sea in a new sub-station. The new substation to avoid storm waves. Piling programmes in the summer of 2014, the world’s close to Brighton and Hove on a seabed will be adjacent to National Grid’s existing could be adjusted accordingly. Fish Despite the sheer size of the EIA, it is largest installation of its type to date footprint of 167 km2, Rampion will be seen Bolney substation where Rampion’s power breeding seasons will also be considered anticipated that Rampion can be delivered is expected to generate enough from the South Downs National Park and will enter the transmission network. and work is on-going to determine the using tried and tested mitigation techniques renewable energy from 2017 onwards along the Channel coast. The EIA has had a correspondingly broad likely length of such seasons.” that sets a positive precedent for other to power 450,000 homes. scope, ranging from potential impacts large-scale developments of the type The £2 billion infrastructure development, on the Heritage Coast and South Downs Commitment involved in Round 3. Rampion will inevitably have regional named after the county flower of Sussex, National Park to effects of offshore E.ON is also committed to carrying out fish aspects, impacts and benefits. As the is of part of the Government’s Round 3 underwater noise on receptors, such as the surveys before sub-sea cable laying begins RSK current proposal stands, up to 175 turbines tender cycle designed to step up the scale seasonal black bream breeding grounds – this will help to identify mitigating measure off the Sussex coast will have a combined of offshore wind investments. and herring spawning grounds. ensuring no disturbance to black bream electrical capacity of up to 700 MW and spawning areas. generate more than 2,100 GWh – enough Its size, being over 100 MW, makes it Benefits and impacts energy for two-thirds of the county’s a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Offshore, it is recognised that there will be Visual impact households. Project (NSIP). As such, it falls under the temporary impacts during construction and “Visual impact is also a concern,” Dave jurisdiction of the Planning Inspectorate. As decommissioning, such as disturbance to adds. “In response, E.ON has reduced the Environmental impact part of the NSIP process, an application other sea users and the seabed. During number of turbines and the extent of the assessment (EIA) for a Development Consent Order was operation the wind farm will be visible from project boundary to reduce the extent of RSK was chosen to conduct a submitted to the Inspectorate by Rampion’s the coast. the field of view from the Heritage Coast.” comprehensive EIA that a project of this developer, E.ON Climate & Renewables, in size requires. In parallel, the Planning March 2013. Onshore, there will be temporary beach Offshore survey work managed by RSK Inspectorate is overseeing an equally disruption at the cable landfall and general includes fish trawls, benthic grab-sample rigorous and transparent examination of the At this stage, discussions on outstanding noise and visual impacts, as well as surveys and photographic habitat surveys. proposals. impacts and issues are taking place effects on Public Rights of Way along the between consultees, the inspectorate and route during cable installation. Short-term Onshore The Inspectorate’s findings will then the developer. impacts on terrestrial ecology are also Onshore, residents’ concerns centre on inform the Energy Secretary, who will have anticipated. construction and traffic, landscaping and environmental and socio-economic issues Detailed onshore/offshore EIA noise impacts from the proposed 26.4 very much in mind when taking the final Given Rampion’s regional dimension, In each case, mitigated steps are being km-long onshore cable route, plus impacts decision on the project early next summer. RSK’s task has been to provide the discussed with consultees and the resulting from the new sub-station. Inspectorate and consultation process with regulator. However, the project has major detailed, authoritative information from a benefits and will make a major contribution Katie Barlow is RSK’s Rampion Onshore wide-ranging onshore and offshore EIA. to reducing the UK’s CO2 profile and Project Manager. “A key issue is a 1.7 km secure energy supplies, while also creating long section of the route passing through jobs and investment in the area. chalk grasslands near Tottington Mount. The project has designed a construction methodology that will cut the usual 30 metre width of land needed down to 21 metres, and even 12 metres in specific places,” she explains.

“We are also working with Kew Gardens on seed harvesting. Mitigation of four sections of the cable route involves seed collections in 2013 and 2014, with the seeds to be re-sown above the laid cable.”

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Finer details Adjudication decisions Other text stated “three 130m wind turbines On 24 July the Advertising Standards Wind Energy are proposed near Grange Farm, West Authority made an adjudication decision Ashton, close to local homes (around the which upheld the complaint by the owner 400 m) each proposed turbine is taller to the against Stop Grange Farm Wind Farm. It tip of the blade, than Salisbury Cathedral did not accept the first ground because developments In terms of misleading advertising, spire, Centrepoint in London and the it accepted that the campaign group’s marketing communications must not Lafarge chimney, yet they can be erected explanation as to how the scale of the materially mislead or be likely to do so. In under 500m from homes. Home values image in the leaflet had been worked out, and the local terms of substantiation, before distributing will fall. More turbine proposals will follow and that the image was unlikely to mislead or submitting a marketing communication for other local areas”. The complainant readers of the leaflet. for publication, marketers must hold claimed the leaflet breached clauses 3.1 community documentary evidence to prove the relating to misleading advertising and 3.7 However it decided that the claim that claims that consumers are likely to regard relating to substantiation of the code on four the home values would fall had not been as objective are capable of objective grounds… substantiated and was misleading. It held An important milestone for The planning, construction and Establishing the ‘rules of the substantiation. The Advertising Standards that there was no definitive answer from developers operation of any renewable energy game’ Authority can regard claims as misleading 1 The image of the turbine and the either papers within the House of Commons The decision is an important milestone facility involves considerable expense The recent decision of the Advertising in the absence of adequate substantiation. accompanying text were misleading library or the Royal Institute of Chartered for renewables developers. It is a clear and time in terms of technical and Standards Authority on 24 July 2013 has because the image was not to scale; Surveyors that indicated whether or not wind indication that whilst campaigning groups regulatory input in order to satisfy the gone a long way to establishing the ‘rules Case Study - Grange Farm wind farms would affect property prices. may be local in nature and operate regulatory authorities and obtain all of of the game’, and in particular ensuring farm 2. The claim that “home values will on a smaller budget than is available the necessary consents to enable the that those who campaign against such In a recent case the developers of the fall” was misleading and could not be The ASA also decided that the claims to renewable developers, the rules on project to proceed. renewable projects do so in a fair and Grange Farm wind farm made a complaint substantiated; relating to the distance of the turbines from advertising apply equally to such a small balanced manner. to the Advertising Standards Authority existing homes had not been substantiated groups as they would to a much larger However there is another important aspect relating to a leaflet campaigning against 3. The claims that the proposed turbines and were misleading and in particular, had organisation. Speculation, local gossip, of any renewable project beyond the need The Committee of Advertising Practice is its proposed windfarm development at could be erected close to local homes been calculated from the boundaries of and scaremongering will not be tolerated in to satisfy regulatory requirements: the the body responsible for creating, revising the site, which was published by an anti- around 400m” and “under 500m from the homes which were situated closest to campaign literature. need to satisfy the local community that and enforcing a number of codes on windfarm campaign group ‘Stop Grange homes” were misleading and could the turbines and also took account of the the project will neither blight the area nor advertising in the UK. The Advertising Farm Wind Farm’. The leaflet featured an not be substantiated because the overhang of the turbine blades - rather than Before any claims are published the person adversely affect their lifestyle, property Standards Authority administers all of image of a wind turbine in a field next to closest homes to the proposed turbines measuring from the base of the turbine. making those claims must have cogent values, or local environment. the codes prepared by the committee of trees, electricity pylons and a cement works at Grange farm would be over 600m It also decided that the claim that more evidence to substantiate the claims that advertising practice. One of those codes chimney. Text next to the image stated away; and turbine proposals would follow for other are being made - and those claims must Winning hearts and minds of practice is the UK Code Non-broadcast ‘scale photo montage of one turbine on the local areas had not been substantiated and be ones which are not materially likely to The battle for hearts and minds is an Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct site at Grange Farm. Westbury White Horse 4 The claim that “more turbine proposals was misleading on the basis that it could mislead any party reading them. integral part of any renewable project. Marketing. Its provisions include those Lafarge chimney shown’. will follow for other local areas” was be interpreted by readers of the leaflets to The general view is that large renewables relating to misleading advertising and misleading and could not be substantiated. mean that if the development proposals Andrew Oliver companies have endless pots of substantiation. were successful, it would be inevitable Andrew Jackson Solicitors money with which to fund expensive future proposals for wind farms in other PR campaigns. It may be true that the areas would be granted. Click to view more info developer has a greater budget than those who may be campaigning against the project but nevertheless, there needs to be a level playing field between the parties in terms of what can and cannot be said in any war of words.

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Again, such variations will generally be France – Offshore wind farms calls for tender limited to permitting the new wind farm A second call for tender for offshore wind farms totalling industrial agreements with the main suppliers, showing that they Don’t to be constructed up 1 GW of new capacity is currently ongoing in France. have secured the supply of the main components and describe in and operated in detail the conditions for implementing the projects. Securing such accordance with The bids for the two projects located in Normandy (Le Tréport) commitments from the suppliers and giving such details in the agreed drawings and on the Atlantic coast (near the islands of Noirmoutier and Ile implementing process at the bid stage proves difficult in practice. be held to and specification or d’Yeu) are to be submitted by 29 November 2013 and the winning an existing planning bidders should be selected in the first semester of 2014. The two Criteria permission but with projects are expected to be commissioned in 2021-2023. The criteria for rating the bids are the following: industrial some tolerance organisation (40 pts/100), electricity purchase price (40 pts/100) ransom for changes to the Further step forward and environment and social impact (20 pts/100). A maximum proposed layout such This second call for tender is a step forward towards the electricity purchase price is provided and bidders may try to These restrictions can as micro-siting or achievement by France of its 2020 target of 6 GW offshore reduce the price by submitting combined bids for the two projects. You have become problematic other aspects which wind farms installed capacity. Given this target, its technically for the landowner will not in practice less challenging sites and a long term PPA with EDF, which Tender Specifications consent for a and potential tenant impact on the existing compensates against the lower wind speed average, France is The Tender Specifications provide for an original feature, a 24- of the new wind wind farm – for seen by some players as the only European offshore wind market month period after the award (the ‘risk mitigation period’) (18 wind farm and farm if they bind the example cable routes offering tangible growth opportunities at the moment with genuine months in the first tender) during which the winning bidders shall it is all systems proposed site. If the or access tracks. opportunities for diversification. carry out various studies (meteorological, geotechnical, geological, existing leases do not already incorporate The developer of the proposed new wind topological surveys, UXO assessment, etc). go. Well done. a procedure for addressing these issues farm will also want to ensure that the Conditions it will then be necessary to commence settlement agreement specifies that the The conditions for this second call for tender are quite similar Such studies should allow the winning bidders to confirm You are even discussions with the existing wind farm agreed compensation is in full and final to the ones used by the French government for the first call their technological choices and their bid price. The State can tenant to vary their lease(s). They will usually settlement of any claims, both in contract for tender, although some lessons were learned from the first withdraw the project if it determines at this stage that the winning more pleased as not have any real incentive to try and reach and also in tort, for example nuisance. experience. By way of background, four projects are currently bidder is no longer able to implement the project for the price a swift conclusion to any negotiations and being developed as a result of the first call for tender. Three of proposed in its bid. Selected bidders can also withdraw in limited there are other so this can potentially result in significant Construction phase them were awarded to the consortium composed of EDF EN and circumstances. wind farms in delays and increased project costs. Depending on the interaction between the DONG Energy (Courseulles, Fécamp and Saint Nazaire, totalling existing wind farm and the proposed wind up approx. 1,500 MW) and one to a consortium led by Iberdrola King & Spalding the area so you Wind disturbance farm it will also be necessary to consider (Saint Brieuc). Unsurprisingly, one of the main concerns the impact on, for example, access tracks are content for the existing wind farm operator will and grid connection. The existing wind farm Tender system details usually be the potential impact on wind operator will want to ensure that any jointly Under the French offshore wind farms calls for tender system, with wind flow to their wind farm if the proposed used access tracks for which it contributes the winning bidder is granted the right to develop a project and new wind farm is constructed nearby. The to repair and maintenance costs are made to enter into a 20-year term PPA with EDF, at a fixed price, yield. However, parties might therefore agree to procure a good following the construction of the new determined in its bid. The requirements in relation to the bids technical assessment by a jointly agreed wind farm without any cost to the existing are extremely complex, as bidders have to provide the intended buried away consultant in order to model the likely wind wind farm operator. is a potential disturbance and the resulting reduction in generation revenues and potentially It may be necessary for the distribution issue that could increased operations and maintenance network operator to temporarily disconnect costs for the existing wind farm. the existing wind farm from its distribution scupper or network in carrying out the connection This can then be used as the basis for a works for the new wind farm. If this is seriously delay single up front compensation payment or agreed the existing wind farm operator will various staged payments throughout the want to ensure it is indemnified for loss of the build – read term of the lease with the aim of placing generation revenue. on… the existing wind farm operator in no better or worse position than if the new wind Conclusion farm was not constructed. The calculation It is therefore important for the project team Restrictions binding the site should be based on various assumptions to identify any need for the landowner to Where a proposed wind farm site is located which, if changed, would require further negotiate with its existing wind farm tenant on land within the same land ownership technical modelling. For example, the at an early stage in the process, well in as is subject to existing wind farm lease(s) position of turbines being relocated or a advance of financial close, and for the there will usually be restrictive covenants different specification of turbine being used. technical and legal members of the project binding the landlord’s retained land. team to work together in seeking to achieve Documenting the agreement a satisfactory position for both the existing These will often include specific restrictions As part of the settlement of the wind wind farm operator and the developer of on, for example, height of structures disturbance claim there will usually need the proposed new wind farm. and uses of the retained land together to be a variation of the existing wind farm with more general restrictions as to not lease(s) to carve out the construction and Peter Mason interfering with the operation of the existing operation of the new wind farm from the Addleshaw Goddard LLP wind farm and the flow of wind to it. landlord’s restrictive covenants.

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20 Questions... Who are you? Who is your hero and why? What was your worst holiday? What do you do in your spare If money was not a factor what Tim Craig, Partner and Head of I don’t have a ‘hero’ in the classic sense I’ve never had one of those ‘holiday time? would you buy tomorrow? Construction and Renewable Energy but at the moment my wife is my hero for nightmares’ you hear about in the papers. What spare time? Whenever I have the I have always been very careful with money teams at Langleys Solicitors LLP in looking after the four of us, running the However I had a few ‘lads’ holidays when I chance I love to play golf, go to the cinema and so would probably do something York and Lincoln. I am a solicitor house, organising us and always having was younger with dodgy accommodation, and have dinner with friends and family. boring like pay off the mortgage. However, specialising in construction and time to help her family and friends. All on dodgy food and dodgy company! for the purposes of this article, I would buy engineering matters which I have been the bare minimum of sleep! What sport do you participate either an Aston Martin DB9 or perhaps that doing for almost 20 years. What is the best advice you have in/watch the most? new Jaguar F Type. What annoys you the most? ever been given? These days the only sport I participate in What brought you into the Anyone who knows me knows I very rarely Treat everyone the same, with respect, is golf. I enjoy watching football, rugby, What 3 words would best industry/your position? get annoyed (or let it show) but probably and in the manner in which you would like cricket, golf, pretty much any sport when I describe you? I always had an interest in building things as bad service and rudeness. It doesn’t them to treat you, from the office junior get the chance. Positive, cheerful, determined. a child and spent lots of time watching and take much effort to be polite and helpful, to the senior partner. It has paid so many helping my father (who was an engineer) especially if you are in the service industry. dividends over the years. What is the most bizarre What talent would you like to make and fix things around the home. question you have ever been have? As a construction solicitor it has been a What was your best holiday? What is your favourite smell? asked… apart from this one? I would have loved to be good at languages natural progression in the last 5 years or Our honeymoon to Mexico in 2010. It was It always used to be roast beef, Yorkshire One of those daft interview questions you so that I could communicate more What prominent person would so to become more and more involved the first, and so far only, 5 star fully-inclusive pudding and all the trimmings but now I sometimes got asked such as “if you were effectively in this modern, international you like to meet? in renewable energy projects of various holiday we have had and the most relaxing would say it is my baby boy William, all clean an animal, what animal would you be?” world. As it is I can just about order a drink Nelson Mandela. A truly inspirational man shapes and sizes. (as long as I don’t think about the cost). from the bath, in his sleep-suit and ready for By definition I am an animal, I’m a homo at the bar. although I’m sure I wouldn’t know what to bed. It doesn’t get better than that. sapien. say if I did meet him. Family status? What law/legislation would you Married to Sue for a little over 3 years with What is your favourite record/ like to see introduced? What book are you reading at a step-son, Nate, who is almost 10 and a CD/artist/music? Since there are reportedly over 21,000 present? baby boy, William, who is fast approaching I like a very wide range of music so don’t regulations currently in force in the UK I Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. A fascinating his first birthday. have a favourite as such. Recently I have would not want to introduce any new laws fictional biography documenting the rapid been re-discovering classics from my youth or legislation, but get rid of as many as rise to power of Thomas Cromwell from such as “Kick” by Inxs. possible. The Government has made a a working class family to his position of start on this but I can’t see them actually power in the court of Henry VIII. making much of a difference. Where would you like to be 10 years from now? As I am only 42 (which amazingly was never asked) I hope that I will still be as interested and excited by my work as I am today, and therefore still helping clients with all things to do with construction, engineering and renewable energy.

Tim Craig Head of Construction Langleys Solicitors LLPA

96 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 97 Legal eagles feature sponsor feature sponsor legal eagles

in the best place, but in the place most Consenting 1 Environmental information – AKCC The draft decision is therefore a very limited easily bought off or influenced by the disputes the methods for calculation of the victory for AKCC. The UK’s renewables Community benefits who benefits? benefit to be paid. They may also fracture merits of wind energy. The Compliance policies remain intact, and the consenting In recent years there has been much infrastructure levies, and as such should not a local community torn against a wind farm the impact Committee declined to get involved, finding process for the wind farm and access have discussion about the validity and need be a material consideration to the decision development; locals may feel that they are that it has neither the mandate nor the also been upheld. That’s a much different to make community benefit payments maker when determining either a planning losing out on a community benefit on offer if of the capacity to assess the accuracy or adequacy result than suggested by one newspaper to offset the perceived harm caused application or a section 36 application. others in the community object to it. of the environmental information in question. which reported the outcome of the case to communities from wind farm Aarhus under the headline “Exclusive: UN ruling developments. Scottish Renewables However would wind farm developers So how best to make sure 2 Public participation - AKCC was puts future of wind farms in Britain in has estimated that, in Scotland alone, benefit if they were assessed in the same that any community benefit is successful in obtaining a draft ruling that jeopardy.” around £5,000,000 is paid annually way as planning gain? There may be a proportionate and importantly convention the UK’s National Renewable Energy through locally agreed community feeling within the industry that, that would does benefit the community? Action Plan (NREAP) was not subjected Neil Collar benefit payments. lead to more reasonable, fair and transparent Engagement with the community either Very few to public participation. However, the draft Brodies LLP payments. But if they were a material through the local authority or a community wind farm ruling does not invalidate NREAP. It does consideration, would that unreasonably sway council is essential to find out what however tell the UK to a decision maker to turn a blind eye to any the community would benefit from. In developments in make sure that future harm caused by the development in order some cases, improved accesses or job Scotland have plans / programmes to secure improved community facilities? opportunities may be welcomed whereas are subject to public Perhaps they already do sway decision in others the creation of or contribution to a been challenged participation. makers, rightly or wrongly, and that could community facility may be more useful. Or in the courts import a risk to the consenting process and should the community get the opportunity The impact of this case increase the risk of legal challenge. to buy into the wind farm development and Consent for the Carraig Gheal wind farm in is therefore muted, share in the profits; thus benefiting at the Argyll was granted by the Scottish Ministers especially since AKCC Scottish Planning Policy same time and the developer. By tailoring in June 2008. That consent was not itself recognised The recently published draft Scottish the benefits, it is more likely to be perceived challenged in the courts and construction that many other Planning Policy expressly refers to in the right way by both the community and proceeded. renewable energy policy community benefits for renewable energy decision maker alike. documents have been developments and the feedback as part It is therefore interesting that the wind farm the subject of public of the consultation has been mixed as Conclusion has been the subject of a case before the participation. to whether that is appropriate. Many Clearly one size does not fit all – however UN Compliance Committee, on the issue of respondents are concerned about a with some thought and engagement, compliance with the Aarhus Convention (the The Compliance ‘financial inducement’ being a material community benefits should benefit all. Convention on Access to Information, Public Committee also rejected Community benefits consideration, perhaps because of the Participation in Decision Making and Access the allegation that Community benefits are promoted as a reputation risk which could arise and, linked Trudi Craggs to Justice in Environmental Matters). the decision-making positive thing but are they? Rather, do they to that, the public’s perception. Partner regarding the Carraig upset the balance in the planning system? Dundas & Wilson Issues Gheal wind farm and Do they cut across the well-established tests Improving Perception linked access (West The case was brought by Ms Christine in the Electricity Act 1989? Community It is not unusual for a community benefits Click to view more info Metcalfe and Avich and Kilchrenan Loch Awe Timber benefit payments are voluntary payments, to be seen as a bribe or inducement; a way Community Council (AKCC). They raised Route) failed to comply not currently subject to the same tests as to buy consent. They may also be seen as two broad issues: with the Convention. planning gain contributions or community encouraging development, not necessarily The decision

The North East of England’s role in the energy supply chain respected companies. In particular they Diversification Investment and benefits recognise the need to provide innovative The North East supply chain is also The scale of investment that is necessary in As the energy industry evolves at Reputation and commercial solutions to the energy diversifying to meet the challenges of order to cater for the needs of an expanding pace in order to meet global energy The region has developed an enviable industry and have extensive expertise across delivering a more balanced energy mix. energy sector is enormous, with up to £100 needs and carbon reduction targets, reputation as a renewable energy a range of sectors. Our lawyers have worked closely with Able billion needed to ensure that off-shore wind the role of the supply chain has never hub with the development and testing UK on the development of a strategic 820 generation realises its potential in the UK and been more essential in providing facilities at NAREC providing a unique Recognition of other hectare site on the Humber comprising over £3 billion needed to finance planned competitive solutions to emerging environment for the showcasing, testing opportunities Marine Energy Logistics and Business Parks carbon capture and storage projects in the technologies and markets. and commercialisation of cutting edge They recognise that oil & gas will remain the to service the renewable energy sector. North East. The ability of the North East’s technologies. Square One Law has placed core element of the energy mix for some businesses to build upon our region’s the energy sector at the heart of our strategy time, driven partly by the emergence of new Personal experience This has the ability to create widespread extensive heritage and reputation for and their clients now see them as a central exploration and extraction technologies. James Bryce, a member of the energy team social and economic benefits for the North engineering innovation and quality, component in the professional services There is also an opportunity for the region to at two international law firms over the last East as the sector reaches its full potential. allied to the geographical advantages supply chain. develop itself as hub for de-commissioning ten years, includes fund-raising for oil and of being able to service the North Sea expertise – an area the practice is seeing gas exploration companies, advising on James Bryce oil and gas fields from the region’s Building relationships increasingly focusing on. Lawyers at Square the development and sale of two onshore Square One Law ports, has allowed us to develop a The practice has considerable experience One Law have advised a number of key wind farms with over 160MW of generating network of innovative and world- of building relationships and working suppliers to this sector including Fabricom, capacity, as well as structuring a number of renowned companies. closely with some of the North East’s most Able UK and Shepherd Offshore. solar joint ventures.

98 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 99 CASE STUDY - SWINFORD WIND FARM CASE STUDY - SWINFORD WIND FARM

Smooth-running projects Swinford demand expert teamwork Wind Farm

case study Local labour Throughout the contract Jones Bros Jones Bros Civil Engineering was utilised local labour and services as much appointed by Vattenfall in 2011 as possible. This includes hiring of local to supply the balance of plant plant to assist in the construction of access Since then the company has amassed a services, including cabling and tracks and hard-standings and hiring of local great deal of experience in managing the electrical work, at Swinford Wind equipment, including accommodation units, complex logistics of working over large Farm, close to the Catthorpe pumps and generators. expanses in remote areas. Its engineers See us at EWEA Offshore 2013 in Frankfurt Interchange, Leicestershire. have developed a thorough understanding 19 – 21 November 2013, Hall 3.0, Stand no. 30D20 Huw Jones, Managing Director of Jones of the special requirements of projects Bros Civil Engineering UK, said: “We work involving the construction of access roads The further out to sea, the 400 foundations already across the UK and are passionate about to accommodate abnormal loads, turbine tougher the challenges– installed, our experts on The project the need to create an economic boost in foundations, substation buildings and and the more important land and at sea ensure your The project involved the construction of the communities in which we work.” electrical infrastructure. in-depth knowhow and project is delivered on time, 11 2MW Vestas wind turbines with the well-coordinated teamwork on budget. Every time. associated site tracks, hard standing Environmental challenges Largest contract become. With more than areas and a new sub station. An important aspect of the work involved Their largest wind farm contract to date 1,000 turbines and Visit us at www.A2SEA.com addressing the environmental challenges involved 60 turbines (140MW), with its Work included… that come with the construction of the on-site batching plant ensuring maximum • Design and construction of site access roads, crane pads and turbine flexibility and preventing many heavy vehicle access tracks including gas pipeline foundations. journeys. In fact the batching plant proved to protection works be such a great asset that the company has • Construction of two new S278 Everyone involved in the project was keen since invested in a second one. highway entrances that all operations had the least impact • Engineered upfill works to all turbine possible on the surrounding environment, Engineers also constructed a £1m eco- foundations with extensive environmental and control centre at the site and the entire • Construction of concrete turbines archeological surveys being carried out. contract was successfully completed within and crane pad foundations using schedule despite delays caused by the locally sourced steel and concrete Environmental work included the worst winter in half a century. • Construction of substation building improvement and creation of new habitats • 6km of cable trenching for wildlife, notably great crested newts. • Electrical design and installation Jones Bros • Permanent met mast installation Looking after wildlife on the construction site • Landscaping and reinstatement was also a major priority. For example when trenches were dug to lay cables, they were filled in immediately afterwards to minimise the risk of wildlife falling in.

Background Jones Bros has become one of the UK’s leading companies developing balance of plant services for wind farm developers and turbine manufacturers. The foundations for this expertise were laid when the family firm established techniques for constructing forestry access tracks in mid-Wales during the 1970s.

100 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 101 CARBON FOOTPRINT STUDY CARBON FOOTPRINT STUDY

The template was issued to the members Carbon Footprint of the Interest Group to complete. The Interest Group also conducted a preliminary Study: Concrete Gravity carbon footprint estimate for an alternative to concrete gravity foundations, namely a steel jacket solution based upon the steel Foundations for Offshore Wind jackets used in the Beatrice Wind Farm for a 5MW turbine in 42m deep water. Steel plate is manufactured principally Farms • Transportation of materials to a • Average road distance for transport of Results – foundation Only from virgin materials. The assumed carbon manufacturing/construction facility materials to the manufacturing facility of The ‘foundation only’ results include raw factors for the two materials, as derived Arup, Vinci Construction and • resources used in the construction of 160km materials and other resources to be used from the Inventory of Carbon and Energy, The Concrete Centre outline the the manufacturing facility • Average distance from port to offshore in the construction of the foundation but are… findings of a preliminary carbon • resources used in the manufacture of wind site of 50km exclude the manufacturing facility, bespoke footprint study commissioned by any bespoke vessels used for installation • Manufacturing facility to build a batch vessels, installation, maintenance and • Steel (bar and rod based on UK avg the Interest Group for offshore • resources used during installation of of 200 units at a rate of 50 per year deconstruction. recycled content) 0.45 kg CO²e /kg wind gravity foundations. the foundations (This is a low figure; facilities are • Steel (plate based on world avg • resources used during maintenance of expected to produce a minimum of The average carbon footprint for six recycled content) 2.21 kg CO²e /kg the foundations 100 per year and to manufacture in different CGF solutions was estimated Introduction • resources used during deconstruction excess of seven years, hence the CO²e to be 1,190 tonnes CO²e per 5MW unit Some of the concrete solutions also Given that the purpose of offshore of the foundations per unit will be less and this study will (with a range of 708-1,597 tonnes CO²e included a significant proportion of cement wind farms is to generate low carbon, give an over-estimate) per 5MW unit). This compared with an replacement products such as ground renewable energy, the greenhouse The study only considered the CGF; it did • For installation, five units per visit for estimated carbon footprint for a steel jacket granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS). gases emitted during the construction not consider the other parts of the offshore ballasting, scour & seabed preparation solution of 2,770 tonnes of CO²e per 5MW Cement is a significant contributor to the and operation of offshore wind farms wind farm: such as the turbine blades, (where required) unit. carbon footprint of concrete and hence is an important consideration. The nacelle, tower, cables, substations etc. • Maintenance visits numbering eight in Some of these aspects are more total amount of greenhouse gases a 25 year lifetime with four units uncertain than the raw materials used in Average for CGF 1,190 tonnes CO2e 237 tonnes produced as a consequence of an Methods and assumptions visited in each trip (once again this is a Solutions (5MW turbine) per unit CO e/MW the foundations themselves and hence activity is known as a ‘carbon footprint’ A number of assumptions were made very onerous schedule for such a 2 the estimated total carbon footprint

and is usually expressed in equivalent in order to ensure that carbon footprint durable solution) of 2,480 tonnes CO²e should be Steel Jacket 2,770 tonnes CO2e 554 tonnes tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO²e). estimates for different concrete foundation • Deconstruction included both removal considered as an indicative figure only. solutions would be comparable. The and breaking up the units (5MW turbine) per unit CO2e/MW The purpose of this article is to following assumptions were made… Conclusion outline the findings of a preliminary Schedule This preliminary study conducted by the carbon footprint study carried out by In further support of comparability, a Table 1: replacement of cement with recycled Interest Group indicates that concrete the Interest Group for offshore wind template carbon footprint schedule was Comparison of CO²e per 5MW unit for materials such as fly ash and GGBS is a solutions are not likely to be any worse gravity foundations organised by The prepared which included a list of carbon materials and manufacturing only. potential means of lowering the carbon than a steel jacket solution in terms of Concrete Centre. Greenhouse gas factors to be applied to different resources. footprint of concrete. its carbon footprint. Indeed, concrete emissions were calculated by the Many of the carbon factors were drawn The key driver for the difference in the solutions appear to have a significantly Interest Group for Concrete Gravity from the Inventory of Carbon and Energy carbon footprints was the quantum and The findings are plotted in Figure 1, lower carbon footprint compared with a Base Foundations in accordance with published by the University of Bath. Other type of steel within the different solutions. together with other data that has been steel jacket. PAS 2050, self-declared. sources included the 2011 Guidelines to The concrete foundations incorporate sourced, but unfortunately is not otherwise Defra/DECC’s GHG Conversion Factors for significantly less steel than the steel jacket in the public domain. The Interest Group would like to thank Scope Company Reporting. solution. Moreover, reinforcement steel all those organisations who provided The priority for the study was to is used in the concrete solutions, which Results – total carbon footprint information in support of this study. estimate the carbon footprint of the in Europe is produced almost entirely The total carbon footprint results include raw materials and other resources from recycled materials, whilst this study raw materials and other resources to be to be used in the construction of a assumed that steel plate would be used for used in the construction of the foundation MPA The Concrete Centre concrete gravity foundation (CGF) a steel jacket. AND the manufacturing facility, bespoke to support a 5MW turbine in 42m vessels, installation, maintenance and Click to view more info deep water. However, the study also deconstruction. included consideration of… Combining all the resources used in the manufacture, installation, maintenance and deconstruction of concrete foundations gave an estimated average carbon footprint for four different concrete gravity foundation solutions of 2,480 tonnes CO²e per 5MW unit.

102 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 103 MONEY MATTERS MONEY MATTERS

Tracker loans The most obvious impact will be felt by Milbank advises banks in financing Interest rate businesses that are repaying tracker loans. 218-megawatt wind farm in Texas Panhandle As the base rate rises, so will the speculation rife as repayments and those who have enjoyed In its latest large project financing Générale, Royal Bank of Canada, Multi-tiered financing package record low interest rates since the crash will in the U.S. renewable energy sector, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, and Also working on the transaction were need to plan ahead. Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg. Milbank project finance associates UK data improves has represented the lender group in Laurae Rossi, Marco McClees, Deana Further implications funding the construction of a major Separately, back-leverage financing will be Brown, Hao Huang and Erin Hyun, with But there are further implications of higher new wind farm under development on provided by Bayerische Landesbank and additional assistance from Eric Moser interest rates that will echo across the 18,000 acres in Carson County, located Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale. and Brian Lee (hedges), Leah Karlov (tax), wider financial markets. The UK bond value some 30 miles from Amarillo, Texas. Banks are also providing certain letters of Matthew Ahrens (environmental), Jim Liles will fall as the real term yield decreases, credit. (regulatory) and David Zolkin (intercreditor while the value of the Pound will increase First phase issues). as higher interest rates mean better The 218 MW first phase of the Panhandle Innovative transaction investment opportunities. Wind Project is being developed by Pattern Milbank Project Finance Partner Allan “This multi-tiered financing package Energy as part of Texas’s new Competitive Marks led the deal team on behalf of the represents a landmark in bringing different As a result, speculation over the ‘will they Renewable Energy Zone. lender group. Allan notes, “This innovative techniques together at once – including and when’ interest rate question is driving transaction shows that financial markets syndicated construction loans, tax equity, currency markets and will continue to do so Expected to be operational in 2014, the still support well-structured wind strategic equity, back-leverage debt, and for the remainder of the year. facility will connect to the state’s main energy projects that have strong wind an energy hedge – to make the project power grid, generating wind power through resources and transmission line access, viable and rewarding for all parties,” Allan Not just PMI data 118 turbines built by General Electric. GE even without long term power purchase added. There are more elements to the equation Energy Financial Services and Citigroup, agreements in place. The Panhandle than just PMI data, of course. Carney has Inc. are contributing tax equity to Pattern project attracted fully subscribed debt Experienced advice actually said that employment data will be Panhandle Wind LLC. and equity from significant market Allan has advised lenders, sponsors and the key driver of interest rate moves, along players, reflecting confidence in Pattern other key players in a number of large with wider economic health. Nevertheless, Representation and financing as a developer and operator and the value renewable energy deals in the United an improved set of PMI data, if sustained, Milbank represented both the construction of an energy hedge with solid offtake States and Latin America. Recent matters will undoubtedly bring with it improved lenders and the back-leverage lenders in arrangements.” include the 265 MW Ocotillo wind project employment data down the line and connection with the project. Construction in Southern California, Vivint Solar’s investors are making their bets now. financing is being provided by Crédit recent tax equity funding for a multi-state Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, portfolio of residential solar projects, the Mixed fortunes Bayerische Landesbank, Norddeutsche Kahuku wind farm in Hawaii (with federal This is welcome news for UK importers Landesbank Girozentrale, Société loans guaranteed by the U.S. Department who will see their goods become cheaper of Energy), and the 115 MW El Arrayán if the Pound continues to rise. Exporters project, Chile’s largest wind farm. however, will feel the pinch - particularly those with outstanding bank loans. Milbank

Hedging tools can be beneficial Hedging tools exist that offer protection from sudden moves in both interest rates UK PMI (Purchasing Managers’ This gives an account of the economic and currency markets, and while there is a Indexes) data was released recently health of the country and recently all three lot of bad press surrounding interest rate and has given an extremely positive sectors heavily surpassed expectations. hedging at the moment with the recent view of the UK economy, stimulating miss-selling scandal, the right product can debate over the future of UK interest Bank of England reaction be very beneficial. rates. This is great news for UK plc and for the government in particular, who will claim that Whether you want to hedge or not, it would Monthly survey – good news!? their economic policies are working. Sitting be wise to look in detail at the potential PMI readings are provided by Markit in the shadows of the political debate implications of interest rises in the UK. Economics and the CIPS who together however are the BoE and their Governor, They may be some time away, but they are conduct a monthly survey of a selected Mark Carney, who is watching all UK data coming…and we all know how quickly a group of company’s purchasing managers. releases vigilantly. year goes by. These managers are asked to give an account of purchasing patterns over Carney made clear some time ago that Global Reach Partners the previous month and these figures a significant improvement in economic are compiled to give a reading for the data would lead to an increased likelihood manufacturing, construction and services of an interest rate hike – a move that will sectors. undoubtedly affect every business in the country.

104 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 105 MONEY MATTERS MONEY MATTERS Impax agrees to purchase two wind ING Commercial Banking completes power projects in Finland financing for tenth Fortum and Metsähallitus announced Responsibilities Fortum efficiency programme recently that they have agreed to sell The sellers are responsible for finalising the Risto Andsten, Vice President, Renewable renewable energy their Kuolavaara-Keulakkopää and permitting of the projects. The transaction Energy at Fortum commented; “The sale Joukhaisselkä pre-construction stage will be implemented in phases and the of the wind power projects is part of the deal this year wind power projects in Lapland to sale is expected to complete during the Fortum efficiency programme launched Impax New Energy Investors II (‘NEF first quarter of 2014. Impax will raise in October 2012. According to our ING Commercial Banking announced recently that it has ll’), a fund managed by Impax Asset project financing for the construction of the strategy, we are focusing on hydropower, closed the Ardoch and Over Enoch (‘AOE’) wind farm Management (‘Impax’). Fortum’s projects. The sale price and other terms biofuels, solar power and wave power transaction in Scotland. The deal represents the tenth for share of the projects is 51% and are not disclosed. development within renewable energy.” ING in the sustainable sector this year. Metsähallitus’s 49%. Growing portfolio Strategic focus This deal confirms ING’s strong expertise within the Structured Location and project detail Impax NEF II closed in August 2011 and Aimo Oikarinen, Director of Metsähallitus Finance industry for Renewable Energy transactions. AOE marks The Kuolavaara-Keulakkopää project has €330 million of capital committed to the added; “Creating investment opportunities the second wind project financing in the UK, and enables Velocita is located in the Kittilä and Sodankylä renewable energy sector. It has a growing for wind power is a strategic focus for Energy Developments to construct the AOE wind farm in Scotland. municipalities. A wind park consisting of portfolio of wind power projects including Metsähallitus. This sale is a testament to The site will consist of five 2.3MW Siemens turbines for a total a total of 17 wind power plants with an over 200MW in construction and operation the success of our strategy”. capacity of 11.5MW, producing electricity for approximately 7,200 output of approximately 50 megawatts in France, Germany and Poland, as well UK households each year. (‘MW’) is planned for the area. The as solar photovoltaic investments in Italy. Impax Asset Management Ltd Joukhaisselkä’s wind power park of The European Investment Bank (‘EIB’) and UK power purchase agreement (PPA) 8-10 turbines, with a planned output of The Finnish State Pension Fund (‘VER’) are AOE benefits from a 15-year PPA with Statkraft Markets GmbH, about 25 MW, is located in the Sodankylä investors in the fund. which will purchase the electricity and resulting environmental municipality. Fortum and Metsähallitus benefits at market prices. The transaction comprises a £16.3m have developed the projects jointly. Daniel von Preyss, Managing Director at project finance facility (plus VAT), working capital and Debt Service Impax said; “We are delighted to sign our Reserve facilities, making a total of GBP 20.5m of credit facilities. first acquisition in Finland with Fortum This is supported by Letters of Credit, interest rate swaps and and Metsähallitus. Given the early stage foreign exchange swaps. of the Finnish wind market, we see this portfolio as an excellent foundation asset Pride and excitement for our wind investment programme in the Therese Brouwer, Managing Director, Head SF Utilities, Power & region. This is a key market for Impax and Renewables – EMEA said; “The team here at ING Commercial we target follow on acquisitions as the Banking are both proud and excited about the number of market continues to grow. This investment transactions we have completed this year within the Renewable further diversifies Impax NEF II and takes Energy sector. ING Commercial Banking is an established the invested and committed capital to over thought leader in this field, a position we will look to build on as 60% of the fund’s total commitments.” Renewable Energy becomes more prevalent within Europe’s energy sources.”

Continuing trend AOE marks the latest financing in the UK renewable energy sector, following the completion of the Yelvertoft wind farm and Drax biomass conversion projects in 2012.

It is hoped that this will be part of a continuing trend within the UK renewable energy sector, as carbon emission targets focus policymakers on developing a more sustainable energy mix in the UK and Europe as a whole.

Profile ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin, offering banking, investments, life insurance and retirement services to meet the needs of a broad customer base. Going forward, they will concentrate on their position as an international retail, direct and commercial bank, while creating an optimal base for an independent future for their insurance and investment management operations.

ING Commercial Banking

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Providing crucial “Finding this level of specialism so close Unique offering This was one of several events carried out “As a company we have strong to the construction site has been hugely Re-affirming the company’s growing across Wales, to raise awareness of business connections in North Wales. I am from beneficial in developing good working reputation as a provider of specialist diving, opportunities from RWE NRL’s portfolio of Deganwy originally and 70% of our diving services relationships. rigging and engineering services to the developing projects, including Clocaenog workforce is from the local area.” When visiting the North West of A North West based commercial diving and offshore wind farm sector Ian Hughes, Forest Wind Farm, near Ruthin. England some years ago we dropped specialist offshore services company has “HSSE has been working hard to meet Managing Director for HSSE, said: “Our Offshore construction at Gwynt y Môr in on Mersey Maritime, a professional been awarded a major £5million contract the needs of the renewables industry unique blend of skills, knowledge and Wales renewables growth is well underway more than eight miles membership association, well to support the construction of Gwynt y Môr and as a result is now one of the largest experience in this demanding arena, Renewables is a key business growth offshore, with 80 monopile foundations and respected by many in the area. Offshore Wind Farm in Liverpool Bay, one suppliers of diving services to the offshore coupled with our ability to provide sector in Wales and the likes of Clocaenog the two offshore substations now in place. of Europe’s largest offshore wind farms. wind industry. innovative solutions to the range of Forest wind farm (up to 96MWs), offers We covered their training facilities which challenges always present on these significant potential for local companies to Onshore included simulation equipment and training Hughes Sub Surface Engineering (HSSE), “Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm complex projects, ensures we provide secure new contracts within the sector. Onshore, the new 400kV Bodelwyddan vital to an industry that uses large service with offices in Bootle, Mostyn and Staines, Limited has awarded more than a valued service to help our clients Only last week, a report by Cardiff Business substation south of St Asaph Business Park vehicles/equipment in the port industry. won a £5million contract for diving and £310million worth of contracts to UK successfully complete projects on time School and Manchester-based economic is now live and connected to the National cable installation support services, creating based companies, with many operating and within budget.” consultants Regeneris outlined that delivery Grid. Sections of the 132kV substation, on We met a very ambitious young diver by jobs and bringing investment into the from the North West and North Wales.” of the Welsh Government renewables the same site, which will take electricity from the name of Ian Hughes who had the region. Gwynt y Môr Supply Chain event agenda could be worth £2.3billion to the the offshore substations, have also been foresight to see the opportunities within The diving contract HSSE was one of more than 100 businesses Welsh economy and could secure around connected into the National Grid. The 11km the offshore wind industry. Ian heads up a Gwynt y Môr – a shared The diving contract has secured work for to attend the Gwynt y Môr Supply Chain 2000 jobs a year. onshore cable route between Pensarn and very fast growing business by the name of investment HSSE’s twenty office based staff, with event at Venue Cymru in Llandudno in St Asaph is almost complete. Hughes Sub Surface Engineering (HSSE), At 576MW, Gwynt y Môr is one of the 60-80 sub-contractors being employed for January 2011. HSSE used the Venue Cymru event to who are also members of Mersey Maritime. largest offshore wind farms currently in the offshore works. They will operate from gain a better understanding of the unique Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm We are pleased to feature Ian’s company construction in Europe. It is a shared the specialised offshore construction vessel nature and challenges associated with the as our sponsor for the Commercial Diving investment between partners RWE Innogy, ‘Normand Tonjer’. HSSE are providing a offshore renewables sector. Ian Hughes HSSE feature. Stadtwerke München GmbH and Siemens. state-of-the-art diving system on board, added: “I found the supply chain event in Once fully operational, Gwynt y Môr will including Twin Launch and Recovery Llandudno very useful in understanding Click to view more info We start the feature with a recent contract generate enough clean green energy to systems (LARS), NITROX breathing gases, what the client was proposing for the win which proves how highly respected meet the needs of around 400,000 homes hot water diving systems and an 1800mm development of the wind farm and how Ian’s company is within the industry. and carries with it a community benefit fund decompression chamber; ensuring proactive they were in looking for local = Click to view video of up to £19 million, securing investment maximum productivity on site and limiting suppliers. into local communities for the next 25 downtime due to weather. years. RWE npower renewables

RWE npower renewables’ Gwynt y Môr Project Director, Toby Edmonds said: “Hughes Sub Surface Engineering is providing crucial diving services to support the construction of Gwynt y Môr.

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Nick Henry, Chief Executive Officer of New challenges Case study – Thanet Offshore James Fisher, said: “We are pleased to James Fisher regularly meets new Windfarm (TOW) Satisfying a announce the recent acquisition of Divex challenges, developing new equipment and Osiris was contracted to work on the and Osiris which increases our presence devising new techniques and procedures to cable installation programme for TOW. and widens our offering to the offshore meet the evolving needs of the renewable At the peak of their operations they growing market market and is a boost to our subsea diving and ROV industry. had over 60 divers and 30 riggers. In capability.” addition, 10 shoreside management and James Fisher and Sons plc (James Fisher) has expanded its diving and ROV Carbon Trust Funding engineering support staff were required capabilities to support the offshore renewables industry with the recent James Fisher’s in-house diving services A launch and recovery system (LARS) to assist with the 24 hour operation. acquisitions of Divex Ltd (Divex) and Osiris Marine Services Ltd (Osiris). Divex is have been further enhanced by the addition designed by Divex to solve the problem the global market leader in diving and subsea equipment and Osiris has gained of these two companies and the James of transferring engineers and equipment Whilst working at TOW Osiris designed an enviable reputation for delivering subsea services to the renewable sector. Fisher group is quickly becoming a major safely on to offshore wind turbines, was and used a range of unique tools UK renewables diving, ROV and subsea one of the six innovative concepts that and methods that were tailor-made services contractor. received further funding from the Carbon specifically for the project. An example Trust’s Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) of this was the use of a bend restrictor Experience Programme. shoe to allow cable pulls into the I-tubes The group has over 40 years’ experience without compromising the cable’s safe providing a wide range of diving and ROV Divex designed a LARS that uses a semi- bend radius. The design for the bend services and equipment to a wide range submersible cradle that can be lowered from restrictor shoe was trialled and modified of industries, as well as inspection, repair, the stern of the mother ship to launch and in order to produce a bespoke design maintenance and salvage teams. retrieve daughter craft by synchronising with that was easily installed by the diver. the wave motion. The system is effective as Specific experience in the offshore wind far as 300km offshore in wave heights up industry includes: J/I tube modification, to around three metres, even in challenging James Fisher Group cable installation, scour protection, cable weather conditions and rough seas. protection, mattress installation, corrosion prevention and subsea inspections. Derek Clarke, Joint Managing Director of Divex, said: “In designing our innovative Boat LARS we have used our years of experience in deploying diving bells into the harsh North Sea so we certainly understand the environment and the hazards involved. This further funding enables us to advance the engineering and undertake model testing at Strathclyde University as proof of concept.”

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Organisation, resources and Commercial Diving Safety documentation • Planning in terms of Diving Project Management on Renewables Plans, Diving Operations Procedures, Projects Manuals, Emergency and Contingency Plans a subsidiary company of Commercial diving is perceived by many as a dangerous occupation and is • Risk Management including Risk considered by the HSE to be ‘high hazard’. Assessment and Management of Change processes Diving in the renewables industry poses Additionally, commercial divers are often • Implementation and Monitoring many challenges due to its size and exposed to construction or demolition including Near Miss, incident / accident diversity in terms of geographic locations type hazards such as underwater cutting, reporting, investigation and follow up and the type and scale of activities welding, material handling, excavation, • Auditing and Reviewing, comprising Offshore Wind EPC Fabrication undertaken. Diving contractors range from cleaning, operation of heavy equipment, of external / internal auditing and large international marine operators who and dynamic subsea lifting operations. implementation of lessons learned outsize some of the client companies who Delivering all your offshore wind fabrication needs employ them, through to self-employed Safety and efficiency Professional trade associations commercial divers operating on an ‘as and Whilst perceived as ‘high hazard’ Increasingly many client companies insist when required basis’. diving at work can be carried out safely that the Diving Contractor selected is either • Wind Turbine Jacket Foundations and efficiently by complying with the a member of the UK Association of Diving Diving hazards requirements of the Diving at Work Contractors (ADC) or the International Typical hazards divers are exposed to Regulations and the two supporting Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). • AC/HVDC Transformer Substations include differential pressures, drowning, ACOP’s (Approved Codes of Practice) Both trade associations actively promote respiratory, circulatory problems, L104 for Inshore / Inland diving & L103 improvements in quality, health, safety, • Substation Jacket Foundations decompression illness and hypothermia. relating to Offshore diving. environmental and technical standards through the publication of guidance notes, • Met Masts The number of dives, length of time spent Specialist diving and subsea contractor codes of practice, industry safety flashes underwater, lack of visibility, tidal flows and Red7Marine is one such company who and other initiatives and it is companies the strenuous nature of the task increase has invested heavily in establishing a such as Red7Marine who, by adopting the risks with this type of activity. robust Safety Management System which such practices, continue to lead the way in provides suitable: this ever growing industry.

Red7Marine

Engineering Procurement Construction

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