JUNE/JULY 2013 | £5.25 INTRODUCTION Women
inwindPlease feel free to contact us if there is Throughout our time in the any subject area which you think may be industry we have met some of interest to our readership and we will memorable people and in that do the rest – there is never any charge for time we have found that in a genuine editorial. male dominated industry it is not easy to reach the top if You will find our ‘Forthcoming Features’ on you are a woman. our website in the magazine section. Use the quick link below.
We feature some of those women who Lead article have worked hard to not only carve out You will find a feature on ‘Foundations’ a successful career for themselves but within this edition. We thought however also to guarantee a successful future that one of the articles sent in should be for the industry as a whole. given a more prominent position because of its importance to the industry. Other features The magazine continues to grow and it You will therefore find ‘Foundations – is now commonplace to see separate Concrete V Steel’ as our lead article on features on all sorts of areas within the pages 4 & 5. industry. These features emanate from our discussions with leading experts Magazine and website during our visits to conferences and interactIVE FEATURES Duncan McGilvray events, as well as our editorial team Just another reminder that we have added Editor | Wind Energy Network bringing up subject areas when looking additional information at the end of some at the industry as a whole. of the articles. These may be accessed by www.windenergynetwork.co.uk the pink and green links / QR codes.
These have already become very popular as it links the magazine in a very interactive way – a great marketing tool for our decision making readership to find out about products and services following the reading of an interesting article.
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www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 01 WIND ENERGY NETWORK CONTENTS
CONTENTS
Page 4 Industry lead article – Concrete v Steel Page 60 Spotlight on the West of Scotland
Page 6 Your Industry News section starts here Page 70 Company profile – Capital Safety
Page 10 Your regular events calendar and what’s new Page72 Workboats feature
Page 12 Women in Wind – the ladies who are leading Page 80 Lubricants & Filtration – regular advice from our the way experts in the field
Page 22 Business Development section – regular advice from Page 86 Legal Eagles - regular law feature our team of experts Page 92 Distributed Wind Page 26 Research & Development – a new regular feature Page 96 Company profile – Spencer Coatings The cover image was supplied by Page 32 Company profile – Douglas Westwood Consultancy Falck Safety Services – Pippa is one Page 98 Offshore Accommodation – how things have the many women who work within the Page 34 Developments in Foundations Technology change wind energy industry. Page 48 Scour prevention Page 108 Lifting Our feature contains a number of interesting articles on women that have Page 54 Money Matters – the start of our regular finance Page 112 Renewable World carved out a successful career in and feature around the industry and work for all sorts of companies & organisations.
Regular/one off features Amongst some 12 features within this edition (the highest total in our history) we focus on Finance, Workboats and Research & Development to name but 3.
Duncan McGilvray Editor | Wind Energy Network Women p19 p48 p107
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02 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 03 LEAD ARTICLE LEAD ARTICLE
Operation and maintenance Sustainability without subsidy Major re-fits, upgrades and severe GBS technology is almost certainly crucial ConcreteversusSteel damage maintenance on the units can be for the long-term sustainability of wind facilitated onshore by re-floating the GBS farm development further offshore and in and bringing it back to port; replacing deep water. immediately with another WTG. Large wind farm developments could, in Reduced long term costs and the very near future, be commissioned recycling quickly and economically far offshore. This system will result in the reduction They even raise the possibility of green of long-term maintenance cost and will energy without subsidy! ensure that over time the design life on all components could be maximised in full. David Bone Ocean Resource Concrete structures are also benign in www.oceanresource.co.uk sea environments and have a very long design life. However, if required they can Click to view more info To date the Government and Gravity Base Structures (GBS) tugs, operating at a fraction of the cost be re-floated and returned to port cheaply offshore wind industry has Concrete GBSs are cheaper and easy to of complex and very expensive specialist in order that the WTG and GBS can be concentrated its energies on install, have better fatigue characteristics, installation vessels currently employed and economically recycled, leaving no legacy expensive steel piles and jackets. are easier and cheaper to maintain and being able to be deployed within hours. A impact on the seabed. It appears they are reluctant to use can be removed relatively easily thus true “Float and Sink” technology. a cheaper and superior system obviating legacy problems. offered by concrete Gravity Base Sub-stations can also be assembled and Structures (GBS). Self-installing GBSs commissioned in-dock and delivered Self-installing GBS are easy to install in the same way. The only off-shore In order to meet carbon reduction and avoid the very heavy cost of commissioning would be running and targets no-one, either in Government or complex installation vessels with their connecting the cables between installed Industry, appears to have considered attendant high project risk. These facts units; such a scenario should be today’s the true through-life costs and long- are apparently not clearly understood reality. term impact of steel structures. by Government, who provide little real support for the development of this “Plug and Play” scenario We are, therefore now in a situation potentially all-British technology. Wind farms containing hundreds of GBS- whereby any area shallow enough to based WTG and sub-station units could construct in steel has been substantially Understandably GBS is lobbied against be easily developed and made operational developed using pile-supported wind by steel pile and tower system suppliers within a minimum time-frame; offering a turbine generators, ignoring the fact and the owners of the expensive and true “plug and play” scenario in 60 metres that wind farms could be constructed highly profitable ship operators. However, of water and beyond. far more economically further offshore if the Wind Industry in general and the and away from view, fishing grounds developers in particular were to fully To give an idea of what could be achieved and shipping lanes. appraise GBS, these systems would very – imagine the allies trying to build Mulberry quickly become the industry norm. Harbour on D-Day using steel piles. The A more considered approach outcome would have been very different. It therefore seems timely for a Mass production Using GBS technology Mulberry went in more considered approach to be GBS could easily be made and overnight and was crucial to victory. adopted as future large offshore wind commissioned with their Wind Turbine developments will be about scale, low Generators (WTGs) fitted and ready for Deployment unit cost and repeatability. The offshore deployment using mass production line The concrete GBS systems are stable wind supply chain will be required to techniques at several centres around the during tow even with large (10mW) deliver a large number of foundations UK. This system, incidentally, would create WTG’s. Deploying them in the North & in a very short timeframe, ensuring substantial employment within the supply Irish Seas would require very little or no safe and cost-effective transportation, chain and avoid importing steel structures sea-bed preparation using specialised installation and maintenance. from Europe. integral foundation pads; where scour protection is required, this too can be “Float and Sink” technology fitted to the GBS in-dock on pre-installed It is certainly very thought-provoking frames which are deployed once the GBS to envisage WTGs being towed from is sited. About Ocean Resource an inshore construction site on their Ocean Resource is skilled in the design and development of Gravity Buoyant Structures (GBS) for Offshore self-floating foundation structures, fully- Platforms, Tower Structures and large (4000 tonnes) Oil Field Control Buoys. Ocean Resource-designed GBSs of up assembled, tested, 90% commissioned to 25,000 tonnes have been operational in the North and Irish Seas for more than twenty years. then installed using standard marine
04 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 05 INDUSTRY NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS
IT’S ALL ABOUT The Wallsend-based company previously Three product ranges In addition, SMD’s first Q-Trencher 1400 won a Queen’s Award for innovation in Originally developed for subsea cable (QT 1400) has been developed for Fugro 2011 for its work-class remotely operated installation for the telecommunications Salt Subsea. This model has the ability to vehicles (WROVs), which was followed industry, SMD spent five years developing support post-lay burial of power cables up last year with the presentation of a its technology to create three product and low lines and is able to operate Queen’s Award in the International Trade ranges applicable to different soil in hard clay environments using high category for its growing presence and conditions and vessel requirements. pressure jetting systems. success in global markets. The company is one of the world’s Dedication Technological innovation leading manufacturers of remote Andrew Hodgson, Chief Executive SMD’s latest Queen’s Award recognises intervention equipment, which is operated of SMD, said: “Securing a hat-trick the innovations the company has made in hazardous environments across the of consecutive Queen’s Awards is to its subsea trenching and ploughing globe and its trenching technology is testament to the innovative engineering equipment to create a suite of being deployed on a number of important talent we have at SMD who are technology suited to offshore energy sector projects. consistently challenging themselves wind and offshore power to develop new and more effective YOU!Queen’s award for cable installation. Collaboration solutions that meet the requirements of Among the advances in this field has been the industries we serve. the third time in the creation of the QTrencher range. SMD has worked closely with Reef Subsea “Our dedication to continual innovation three years! Power and Umbilical Ltd to develop the has enabled SMD to become a world SMD has been honoured with the prestigious QTrencher 1000 (QT 1000). leader in subsea intervention technology. Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the The increasing activity in the global Innovation category in recognition of the The QT1000 is a free-flying ROV jet energy sector, particularly the offshore development of its specialist subsea trencher, which can operate in water renewables market, is creating new trenching technology. depths up to 2000 metres and opportunities for technology-led supply in a variety of soil conditions. chain companies that can deliver innovative solutions to ensure the effective installation and operation of offshore assets.
“This latest Queen’s Award reflects our achievements in this field and we are very proud to be again recognised by these very prestigious and highly- regarded awards.”
SMD www.smd.co.uk
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Over 100 wind farms worldwide RES has developed and/or constructed RES celebrates more than 100 individual wind farms Advanced around the world with a combined capacity of nearly 7,000 MW. Of this, Queen’s Award for more than 5,800 MW is in North America, ROV for over 600 MW in the UK and approximately Enterprise 800 MW across the rest of Europe. Modus Expanding markets RES becomes the first renewable developer to win a Queen’s Award for Success in established wind power Enterprise in the International Trade category markets has enabled RES to expand into new markets and has recently achieved its first sales in Canada, Sweden and Turkey. Overseas sales have increased by 352% over the last six years, 80% of which are from North America. The company’s Modus Seabed Intervention, the success has been driven by its ability to leading subsea engineering and act quickly and decisively when market specialist Unmanned Underwater conditions are right, adapt to changing Vehicle (UUV) service provider, has market conditions and structure its confirmed an investment into a portfolio of developments accordingly. new advanced Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to further enhance its Dr. Ian Mays MBE, Chief Executive Officer, fleet of subsea vehicles. says: “We are absolutely delighted with to win such a prestigious award. As Step change technology shown by our increased sales and staff Manufactured by SMD in North East numbers, RES is a true British success England, the cutting edge 150hp story and we feel that this is a testament Quasar ROV ordered by Modus will be “Packed with a host of features the to the policy environment in the UK the first work class system in operation Advanced Vehicle Control System which, over the past two decades, in the industry, which utilises step allows the pilot to fly and position the encouraged investment in renewable change technology in advanced auto ROV with greater speed and accuracy energy and allowed a new business to function and control. with less pilot workload and greater expand to significance on a global level. mission repeatability. Advanced We hope that this type of environment This offers greater performance, Offering a range of precision auto position flight modes such as auto-position, will continue to nurture organisations like efficiency and environmental resilience; controls, this system will enable greater navigation map trail, cruise-control, ours in the future.” targeted for deployment in high accuracy in ROV positioning throughout advanced waypoint tracking, chart current areas experienced in offshore the water column, including high current overlay, auto fly follow and survey are RES Group wind farms as well as oil & gas fields reactive control. included in SMD’s DVECS-S system.” www.res-group.com for survey, construction support, inspection and maintenance of subsea The new spread is currently in production Improving efficiency and Click to view more info infrastructure. and will join Modus’ fleet of CS reducing operational costs Renewable Energy Systems (RES), prestigious award is in recognition of RES’ (Construction Support) ROV systems in Jake Tompkins, Managing Director one of the world’s leading independent extraordinary business success in growing First in its field the third quarter of 2013. of Modus Seabed Intervention, said: renewable energy project developers, revenues from international markets and is Darlington-based Modus will be the first “Driving leading edge technology recently celebrated being awarded the second Queen’s Award RES has won operator in its field to deploy the state State-of-the-art ROVs and AUVs is key to improving efficiency and the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in since 2005. of the art Quasar ROV which features The company operates a fleet of state-of- reducing operational costs and this the International Trade category. This the advanced functionality developed the-art trenching and work class ROV’s latest generation ROV is a significant by SMD in conjunction with SeeByte. and AUV’s (Autonomous Underwater move towards this objective. Vehicles) and is actively involved in marine SeeByte trenching, survey, IRM and construction “We are very proud to be the first Through the integration of technology support operations across the world. The company to deploy this step change from subsea vehicle software specialist new technology will be the ninth vehicle in in construction support technology, SeeByte, this latest generation of Modus’ fleet and confirms its standing as which will enhance the operations and SMD’s DVECS-S control system, a leading provider of universal Unmanned services we deliver to our customers enables pilots to perform operations Underwater Vehicle services. in the offshore renewables and oil & with increased accuracy and reliability, gas sectors.” which helps reduce task-based Lee Rosby, Sales Manager for work operational costs combined with class ROVs at SMD, said: “Modus offering greater versatility and Seabed Intervention is a valued and long Modus Seabed Intervention minimised risk. standing customer of SMD and we are www.modus-ltd.com delighted that they will be the first to take the new SMD DVECS-S Advanced Vehicle Control System to market.
08 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 09 WHAT’S NEW WHAT’S NEW
Events and what’s new RELEVANT Commercial training COURSES We continue to feature some of the most important events in the Weather Basics Course Mechanical CompEX Click here Click here WHEN 30th May WHEN 12th June calendar, so that you can, at a glance, consider which events to to view to view WHERE Copenhagen, Denmark Organiser NETA Training more info more info support. A more detailed listing is available online. Organiser GL Garrad Hassan There continues to be issues with the amount, scale and cost of events laid on for this fast growing industry. We will only feature those events which we believe are organised in the best interests of the industry as a whole. ECITB - Mechanical Joint Integrity (MJI) Wind Farm Design & Intro to WindFarmer Click here Click here WHEN From 3rd June WHEN 10-11th September to view to view RenewableUK Offshore Wind 2013 Conference & Windaba Organiser NETA Training WHERE Glasgow, Scotland more info more info Exhibition When 25 – 27 Sep 2013 Organiser GL Garrad Hassan When 12–13 June 2013 Where Cape Town, South Africa Where Manchester Central, Manchester, UK CONTACT www.windaba.co.za CONTACT www.renewableUK.com NEW - ECITB Small Bore Tubing Weather Basics Course Click here Click here CanWEA’s 29th Annual Conference and Exhibition WHEN From 3rd June WHEN 3rd October to view to view EWEA Technology Workshop: Resource Assessment When 10 Oct 2013 Organiser NETA Training Group WHERE Bristol, UK more info more info 2013 Where Toronto, Canada Organiser GL Garrad Hassan When 25 – 26 June 2013 CONTACT www.canwea.ca Where Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland CONTACT www.ewea.org China Windpower 2013 To advertise your course in the next edition for only £50 contact [email protected] When 16 – 18 Oct 2013 EEEGR – People: Powering the Future - Skills for Where Beijing, China Energy CONTACT www.chinawind.org.cn When 4th July 2013 Where John Innes Centre, Norwich RenewableUK 2013 (incorporating International Magazine and website Forthcoming features CONTACT www.eeegr.com Small and Medium Wind) When 5 – 7 Nov 2013 interactive QR codes next edition Brazil Windpower 2013 Where Birmingham You will notice that we have changed our pink and green • Spotlight on Ireland - sponsored by Harland and Wolff When 3 – 5 Sep 2013 CONTACT www.renewableuk.com flashes indicating more information online. QR codes Heavy Industries Ltd Where Rio de Janeiro, Brazil have been substituted which means that you can scan • Jack-up Vessels CONTACT www.brazilwindpower.org EWEA Offshore 2013 the code with your smart phone and it will direct you to • Research & Development When 19 – 21 Nov 2013 the featured company/organisation micropage held within sponsored by Narec Where Frankfurt, Germany our website so that can learn much more in all sorts of • Bird & Mammal Surveys CONTACT www.ewea.org formats. • Legal Eagles - sponsored by Andrew Jackson • Switchgear Supply Chain Register • Onshore Logistics • Training for Working Offshore Looking for a specialist service provider in the wind sponsored by Falck Nutec energy industry? • Money Matters • Oils and Lubricants – sponsored by Hydac Visit our extensive online Supply Chain Register where circa 1200 companies specific to the wind energy industry Sample QR codes Please scan • Civil Engineering are listed: • Specialist Tools • Problem? – Solved! W www.windenergynetwork.co.uk • Distributed Wind (small to medium) – sponsored by Ice Renewables T 01765 644224 E [email protected] • Business Development
10 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 11 successful Women in Wind successful Women in Wind Women inWind Throughout our time in the industry we Describe what you do By keeping my ear to the ground, I can I also try to stay in touch with the Chief If you had a soapbox – what have met some memorable people and I run the UK’s leading renewable energy speak with authority to Government Executives of several other national trade would you say? in that time we have found that in a trade association, representing around about what we need and how this can be associations in the energy sector, not I’d ask, “What are we waiting for?” The male dominated industry it is not easy 600 corporate members involved in every achieved. just renewables, all focused on fostering UK’s national economy is struggling to to reach the top if you are a woman. aspect of the wind, wave and tidal energy collaboration and exploring ways in which emerge from the worst economic recession sectors. Our main aim is to promote the Collaborative events we can work together more effectively on on record since the 1930s and our primary We feature some of those women who deployment of wind and marine energy. We present a series of major conferences, issues of mutual interest. I also engage with energy demands, not just for electricity but have worked hard to not only carve out a As Chief Executive, I have to maintain the exhibitions and seminars around the UK energy and environment correspondents for heat and transport fuels as well, are successful career for themselves but also widest possible overview of the industry; all every year, bringing together Government, from national newspapers, TV and radio increasing in line with both growth in the to guarantee a successful future for the those operating within it, and all those who industry and a wide variety of other broadcasters and online news outlets, to population and with energy intensive lifestyle industry as a whole. have any influence on it, so that we can stay stakeholders involved in the technologies we keep them up to date and to be available characteristics. ahead of the curve. represent. At these events, I try to ensure for comment on relevant issues. This is We begin the feature with Maria McCaffery, that our keynote speakers, often Cabinet especially important in our work to explode Wind energy industry The three pillars of national energy policy RenewableUK’s Chief Executive… Ministers, meet leading players from a cross- myths and instil a much more accurate Then, in the Spring of 2006, the wind are sustainability, security and affordability “Together we section of industry representatives. appreciation of the vital role that wind and industry beckoned and I became Chief and we are sitting on a seriously enviable are building an marine energy is increasingly playing in the Executive of the British Wind Energy combination of inexhaustible natural This is important because ministers need national energy mix. Association, the previous incarnation of resources. industry and to hear directly from those at the sharp RenewableUK. end about their concerns as well as their A little about your background? The harnessing of those resources is creating a new, achievements. Conferences are very busy My background is in industrial chemistry I feel very privileged to have been at the securing our energy independence, creating sustainable times, usually starting with a rather early and my first degree is a joint honours from centre of the wind energy sector as it has employment and attracting investment on morning BBC interview (luckily I’m an UMIST in Management and Chemical come of age and of the marine energy an unprecedented scale, so I’d ask again, and secure early bird), and ending with a reception Sciences. In my final year I specialised in sector as it was just starting to gather pace. “What are we waiting for?” energy economy event in the evening. In between, every alternative and renewable energy systems minute is filled with meetings, hosting VIP and I’ve remained passionate about the Without doubt or exception, this has been Maria McCaffery and I find that lunches and/or dinners, public speaking, subject ever since. both the most challenging and the most RenewableUK greeting speakers and escorting guest rewarding stage of my professional life so far. www.renewableuk.com tremendously VIPs around our exhibition hall or on visits I worked in the chemical industry motivating” to local facilities. Each day of conference from 1978 to 1988 in a variety of both How do you see your future? Click to view more info has to be planned with military precision to technical and commercial roles before The sectors we represent have come a long Main aims fit everything in but the atmosphere is very becoming International Director at the way in a very short time but we still have a Everything I do revolves around the needs exciting - full of energy and a hive of activity. British Chambers of Commerce; my long way to go. I certainly feel too young to of our member companies, large and small. first experience of working in a lobbying contemplate retirement and I find it difficult My main aims are to secure a better deal for organisation and where I learned the to imagine doing anything else between now them from Government, to make it easier Fostering collaboration and importance of establishing and developing and then. for them to do business, and to help them communication strong relationships between industry and to get on with the vital task of generating I hold regular meetings with key decision- government. In 2002 I was appointed This is an extraordinarily exciting time for clean energy. So I spend a great deal of time makers both in the two Westminster Director General at the Institute of Export our sectors and I cannot think of a more talking to the membership, keeping abreast Houses and in the devolved parliaments where I continued to promote international stimulating environment in which to work. of the latest developments in each segment and I give evidence to parliamentary Select trade but now from the perspective of an I’d also struggle to find such a great bunch and trying to devise ways to overcome the Committees on energy issues. I meet with educational charity, aiming to foster a more of people to work with, both within the barriers they face. a wide variety of other organisations such informed and professional approach through secretariat of RenewableUK and, of course, as the CBI, The Crown Estate, academic formal qualifications. among our members. institutes and a range of NGOs including the RSPB, Greenpeace, WWF and Friends of Together we are building an industry the Earth. and creating a new, sustainable and secure energy economy and I find that tremendously motivating.
12 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 13 successful Women in Wind successful Women in Wind
Caz said: “I really love my work. I assist in “Thirty per cent of the stewards were Catherine asserts that as well as the Caz loves the fire safety training in Aberdeen for Fire female – and we had our own cabins and Best time ever for money and opportunity for advancement, Training Group, which is contracted to showers and toilets.” the knowledge that not all jobs in offshore Falck Safety Services. are actually offshore may be a further lure offshore life Caz’ role now is to assist in the provision of women to enter the for women. People are needed to work Caz Ewan has worked in the offshore Not for girly girls…but fire safety training. She assists instructors in companies offering training, design, industry for many years. To her, it “I don’t suppose this life is for girly girls. who are involved in how to escape fires and fabrication. Also, more scientists and means doing important work, being It’s no good if you want to keep your fight fires in different situations. offshore industry managers are needed. part of a team and staying active. nails nice. I usually come home smelling of diesel. That said, I would never Important and satisfying work The offshore industry may not, on “We need to get the message out to Industry culture suggest that should put anyone off from And she added: “It’s important and face value, be every woman’s cup of women that the skills shortage requires Even out in the field, the industry culture pursuing this route. It’s very rewarding. satisfying work; people are trusting us to tea. It has the reputation of rough, brains as well as brawn.” of equating competence with masculinity I like being out and about – I’m not one show them how to stay safe. I do martial tough men, dirt and danger. And is eroding. Overt displays of old style to sit in front of a computer and because arts and like to walk my dog so it really is in Britain generally, engineering, Catherine added: “In the economy as a roughneck behaviour is no longer the of that, I think that I am well suited to just right for me.” technology and science, is failing to whole, wages are static, jobs are being mark of a good worker. working in training in this industry.” attract women. lost. The offshore industry is bucking the Falck Safety Services trend. There is a glut of positions to be Workers who behave aggressively are no Career history www.falck.com According to the Institute filled in the offshore industry. And the vast longer lionised because in the 21st Century, As a young woman, Caz worked on the rigs majority right now are going to men.” it’s seen as behaviour that can discourage as a steward. She said: “It was two weeks Click to view more info of Engineering and others from speaking up. The new emphasis on and two weeks off and that didn’t Technology, the UK has the Sector growth in industry on continual training and bother me. I would say it’s great if you A recent industry survey found 81per improvement and Health and Safety also like being active. I’m not worried about = Click to view video lowest proportion of female cent of companies in the sector expect means that old ways do not get set in stone. getting into a helicopter and flying to a engineering professionals to expand in the next five years. This Workers are exposed to enlightened thinking rig. And I never had any trouble with the projection coincides with a spike in older, from their managers and from their training lads on the rigs, either. (8.7per cent) in the EU. skilled workers retiring. It all means wages providers. are going up. More younger people are Catherine Liebnitz being taken on. The average wage is now Catherine stated: “At Falck Safety Services, Catherine Liebnitz, Centre Manager at Falck £64,000 compared to a national average we train 30,000 men and women each year. Safety Services, which provides Health, of £25,000. We rigorously adhere to and even surpass Safety, Survival training and consultancy national and international standards. Both Maria services for the offshore industry, said: “I Catherine said: “It is the perfect time for genders undertake courses that can be very think the problem is that many women women to, at last, get a real foothold in tough and both genders pass.” don’t look toward the excellent careers the offshore and renewables industry.” Connolly and prospects offered, particularly in the The drive for wind power and renewable offshore renewables sector. Turning the tide energy will arguably help open the door. “Everything you could want from a Many women’s talents are being drawn to lawyer; impressive yet not intimidating “But women need to know what we other disciplines. The numbers for female Renewable energy - she’s fantastic” (Chambers UK 2013) have here. Our sector is crucial to the workers overall in the offshore industry has Renewable energy is not encumbered economy, we’re expanding and we’re shown a small but steady decline since with the same reputation as the oil and gas Heading one of the leading renewables profitable. We have excellent skills and 2007. Organisations like WISE, which industry. There is a cross-pollination of ideas practices in the UK, Maria Connolly, great health and safety standards. Our seeks to promote female talent in science, in wind power with Germany and Denmark Partner and head of national law firm wages can be three times higher than engineering and technology ‘from classroom leading the wind revolution in Europe. Both TLT’s renewable energy team, is a the national average. to boardroom’ are trying to turn the tide. countries have a higher proportion of women recognised ‘leader in her field’ by in engineering. Chambers UK 2013, an independent guide to the UK legal market. Catherine, whose company has training bases in Teesside, Peterhead and Aberdeen, Renewable energy projects Case Study – the Co-operative TLT said: “All this means that male workers Maria acts for lenders and developers Group TLT has over 13 years’ experience understand they have something to learn. in connection with wind farm solar PV Recently she has advised The Co-operative in the renewables sector with a track They often learn it from women, too. schemes and other renewable energy Group in relation to its 20MW ten wind turbine record of working with some of the Training acknowledges that we are all projects, providing strategic advice on the project at Biggleswade in Bedfordshire, most entrepreneurial companies in the fallible, which in itself makes that stance of structuring of transactions, drafting and which was financed by the provision of a renewable energy sector. TLT’s 22-strong invulnerability untenable.” negotiating key documents, due diligence multi-million pound loan facility from The Co- specialist energy team consists of legal and funding issues. operative Bank. This wind farm will power experts in project finance, commercial, And added: “The only way is up for women 18,000 homes and save approximately construction, corporate, environmental, in the offshore industry. At present we Innovative industry 36,800 tonnes of CO2 per year. health & safety, planning and property make up just 3.7 per cent of the workforce. Within her role she enjoys being part of law and has advised one of the UK’s The time and the conditions are right for a a sector that is dynamic and fast-paced Maria’s mini CV first renewable energy companies, change in perspective.” as there are always new and innovative Maria joined TLT in 1997 after studying for Ecotricity Group, on a significant number developments happening all the time. her law degree and post graduate diploma of Merchant Wind Park Projects and its Maria has led and been involved in over in legal practice at the University of the recent Eco Bond 2. 100 significant renewable energy projects West of England. Outside of work Maria for leading banks, developers and key enjoys skiing, cycling and spending time TLT industry stakeholders. with her family. www.TLTsolicitors.com
14 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 15 successful Women in Wind successful Women in Wind
Growing into offshore renewables We decided that our offshore Women In Wind Sharon experience, dedication and attention to detail could be Getting a little more personal Mainprize used in the offshore renewable industry and therefore decided We hope you have enjoyed the various other crew we share the responsibilities of Arriving at the wind farm I go to the bow When I left school I went to college to commission 3 vessels. A 17m articles so far within this feature. passenger care, transfer from the boat to and make sure the passengers have and worked towards achieving my South Boats design followed turbines, boat safety and the day to day correct PPE on and complete a safe BTEC National Diploma in Business by an order for two 25 metre Regular readers will have noticed that running of the boat such as ensuring the transfer up the turbine. When they’re and Finance. Once achieved, I then Teknicraft design vessels, all built we are a more personal publication than boat is ready for sea, sorting the ropes ready to come back down I count them went onto working with finances at a at the Buckie Shipyard. The overall most and feature ‘A day in the life of…’ out when mooring up, maintenance and down the ladder when it’s safe to do so. local Building Society and worked my investment totalling over £5 million. which highlights some of the professionals cleaning. On the way back to port we tidy the vessel way up the ladder and stayed there who work more at the sharp end of the ready for the next day and make sure we for 10 years. We also moved into new offices industry. A little bit about your are all fast alongside the pontoon after and have taken on staff. background refuelling. I got together with my husband, Bob Mainprize And a family… Our ’20 Questions’ feature delves more I have grown up in North Norfolk in a in 2001 and we got married in 2004. Offshore wind We now have two children, Mollie and into what makes the more prominent farming and fishing family. When I left What annoys you the most? The Dalby Derwent, 17 metre South Boats Jack who are 6 and 4 years old. I love figures tick who in many ways help to school I continued to study a national When the weather is poor and unable to Our company design, went straight on to charter with to spend time with my family whether shape the industry and are not worried diploma in game and wildlife. I enjoyed work due to safety restrictions. 2004 was a busy year for us as we also Dalby Offshore Limited on the Greater it be fine dining, days out, holidays or about sticking their heads above the 2 years on a charter fishing boat which bought out the family business, Mainprize Gabbard site, and has since worked just relaxing a little at home. Running a parapet! introduced me into wind farming. What was your best holiday? Trawling Company Limited (now re-named on the Prinses Amalia Wind Park and is business, and a family home, unfortunately Majorca as it was my first time on a as Mainprize Offshore Limited). We ran currently working at the Kentish Flats. does not give you a lot of time for When the editorial team decided to How do you see your future? holiday abroad as an adult. the business side by side. I took on the relaxation! highlight our Women in Wind we wanted I would like to think that one day I will be finances and shore based roles and Continued growth to make it even more personal so you will working on my own farm with a family of Who would you not like to be? my husband continued to go to sea as We are soon to take delivery of the Sharon Mainprize find a very mixed variety of articles as well my own. In the near future I see myself Somebody unable to work. captain. MO1 a radical 25m Teknicraft vessel Mainprize Offshore Limited as a mix of Qs/As throughput the rest of continuing to work for Tidal Transit gaining with some quite unique capabilities. www.mainprizeoffshore.co.uk this substantial feature. as much experience and life skills as What is the best advice you have Massive change It is a very exciting time for Mainprize possible. ever been given? It was a huge change around to my Offshore Limited as we are taking on the Click to view more info Interview with Tammy Fisher... Don’t fall in! normal day to day routine and comfort management of vessels, delivery of new Your opinion on the role of zones. It was a challenge which I vessels and expanding our operations to women in the wind industry? What is your favourite smell? thoroughly enjoyed, and as the business offer clients a one stop shop for a growing I feel that a woman’s role in the wind Fresh rain in the air. grows, the challenges just keep coming. number of operations. industry is the same as a male role. The difference is in the numbers, as not many What do you do in your spare women are aware that there are jobs time? Mentoring and shipping/logistics and of course, offshore available. I like to volunteer at a horse yard when not Women and Here is where mentoring will play a pivotal ideally we should have women involved. working my spaniels. role in attracting talent and leadership With the few women working in wind Wind Energy potential for women as the industry Women of Wind farming I feel they have to continuously What 3 words would best When WISTA-UK (Women’s develops. In the USA there is even an organisation prove that they’re capable and as able as describe you? International Shipping and Trading devoted to women and wind, so yes, the a male worker. With wind farming being a Motivated, reliable and talkative! Association) started investigating the In the ranks of WISTA-UK we have, bottom line is, women are involved in the male dominated industry it can be hard to topic and the relation and involvement among all our members, two very wind energy, directly or indirectly, but get a job out there. Where would you like to be 10 that shipping ladies could have on the important members, dealing with there is a need for more opportunities, years from now? wind industry, we realised that wind environment and climate changes, but mentoring and programs that will help There are a growing number of companies I would like to be working on my own farm energy is a subject not widely known, internationally the list grows. However, the more women to develop and contribute out there who open their doors to male somewhere in the UK. and when trying to relate wind energy wind energy sector will also benefit with to the sustainability, the environment and and female workers in the office and and women, the involvement of women the presence of specialised lawyers, naval social responsibility that the wind energy offshore. I am grateful to Tidal Transit for Tammy Fisher is not impressive and practically nil. engineers/architects, and logistic experts industry offers. giving me the opportunity. Tidal Transit that will interface in wind energy projects. The first of which is a young lady whom www.tidal-transit.com Open doors Maria Dixon - President we met some time ago in East Anglia Just a few more questions… Women have been successful in the Projects WISTA-UK www.wista-uk.net working for the very successful company Click to view more info shipping industry, and demonstrate their Recently we read of two major Tidal Transit – we knew then that at Describe your typical day contribution to the sector. Now the doors headlines in shipping, one some time in the future there would be a We start the day by checking the vessels are open for women to enter the wind was how a mast for a yacht very good reason to bring Tammy to the engines, tidiness and safety equipment. = Click to view video energy world. Within the members of was built in Spain and sent attention of the rest of the industry as a WISTA-UK, we have lawyers and logistic by plane to Hong Kong, the shining example of what can be achieved When the passengers arrive I show them specialists, as well as naval architect other was how a shipbuilder in through hard work and dedication our safety brief. I offer them a bacon and engineers, biologists, environmental Turkey diversified by building sandwich and drink. When the boat’s experts to name a few. The wind energy and exporting masts for wind Describe what you do leaving port we tidy the ropes away. sector needs experts and can offer good energy. Throughout the energy I crew on a transfer boat working for Tidal When in transit we keep an eye on the opportunities for professional women in this sector there will always be Personality of the year award 2012 presented Transit. Working on the boat there’s 1 passengers ensuring they’re happy and find industry. Women need to be attracted and a place and a partnership to Katharina Stanzel fifth from left Skipper and 2 Crew. Between me and the out what they have planned for the day. captivated. opportunity between science
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Claire Cooper MEng hear from industry partners who would like to collaborate with WISE to roll out these Senior Project Manager & Business even projects taking place within Britain resources across the UK. Development - H&Askham Ltd have been dominated by overseas Be someone who organisations. Our vision Experience With your support, we can increase the I was well equipped to undertake the role This in spite of the domestic market makes a difference pipeline of female talent coming into your of Project Manager for H&Askham Ltd as and skills pool being able to deliver, company and into science, technology a result of both professional and academic the products and services are being “Be someone who makes a difference” choice for girls, and for their parents and and engineering sectors as a whole. Our experience. I have a well-rounded outsourced. H&Askham were a small – a direct quote from Fiona Marshall, teachers, whose influence can be critical. vision is to increase the proportion of knowledge of electrical installation systems company that, through commitment and winner of last year’s WISE award for women doing STEM roles in the UK to and submarine cables from my training the delivery of excellent services, were enterprise and innovation, is a great Growing database 30% by 2020. An ambitious target, given at the prestigious BICC Cables and Pirelli recognised by some key players in the way to inspire young women and girls We has a growing database of young the current percentage is just 13%. We Cables (now Prysmian) in addition to offshore wind supply chain to be an asset to go into engineering. female role models working in science, can’t do it alone – only by harnessing the completion of a Masters Degree in to their projects. technology and engineering, who are the energy and passion of all those who Mechanical Engineering. Research passionate about what they do and want believe that female talent could give a H&Askham has now built on these Research on young people’s career to inspire more girls to follow in their significant boost to UK industry will we The company foundations and our reputation precedes us. choices shows that girls want creative and footsteps. We have developed a flexible shift the dial in the right direction. H&Askham is a high voltage electrical caring jobs. suite of activities and structured discussion WISE membership gives you access to a installation company who have, over the Continued growth sessions to get girls of all ages inspired by growing network of like-minded people in past three years, extended their portfolio As the organisation continues to grow it colleges to give talks and presentations A campaign selling opportunities to be science, technology and engineering. education, industry and the not for profit from land based projects to become a is my wish that we serve as an example about the wide scope of opportunities the involved in green energy solutions to help sector to share ideas, good practice and well established name in the offshore wind to other companies in Britain of what can engineering industry has to offer. save the planet will capture their attention These sessions are designed to support develop projects together. market, both in the UK and Europe. be achieved, and that the barriers to entry and imagination more than a campaign role models, STEM ambassadors and into this booming market should not be A woman in engineering to persuade them to study physics, to others delivering STEM outreach and As we launched a division to focus solely feared. Now an integral part of the supply In particular though I believe it is very choose a technical apprenticeship or engagement. We are also working on Be someone on the Renewables Energy market my role chain we consciously endeavour to, important to focus on raising awareness of study engineering at university. The UK resources which teachers can use in the who makes a within the organisation evolved to work where possible, source local labour and this field amongst women. From leaving needs to get more girls doing physics classroom to open up discussion about closely with the Director of Engineering products for our projects. This ensures an all girls secondary school I entered into and taking engineering qualifications, but girls and science, supported by a one day difference to specifically look at the business we play our part in the development of a male dominated environment. I wasn’t the numbers have not shifted significantly training programme. We would love to development in this area. the communities and environments we fazed by this, engineering had always for a generation, so it is time for a new work amongst, in turn ensuring that the been part of my life, and so, I was actually approach. Nominations for a WISE Award We have have gone from strength to contribution this industry provides to our very surprised to find how few women I Nominations for the WISE Awards 2013 strength in the offshore wind market economical revival is widespread. was now studying and working alongside. Strong appeal are now open. The awards, which and I am proud to be part of the team Wind power and renewables in general celebrate female talent for women and responsible for securing and executing Opportunities I am now often called upon for my opinion should have a strong appeal to girls girls at all stages of their career in science, contracts for a number of projects. These I am greatly enjoying the opportunities and comment as a woman in engineering, because they offer a solution to climate technology and engineering, will be included Thanet Offshore Wind Farm, working for H&Askham has given me. which reinforces to me the idea that I change - a global problem. As a growth presented at a high profile evening event The London Array Wind Farm, and more Being part of a growing industry is still retain a ‘novelty’ value in the field. It industry, the job prospects and opportunity on Thursday 14 November 2013 at the recently BARD and Borkum West II Wind exciting and it is inspirational for there to is my hope that this situation will one to be at the forefront of new technologies Science Museum in London. Parks in Germany. be such a ‘buzz’ and renewed interested day become redundant; that increasing are also very positive selling points. in engineering, manufacturing and numbers of successful female engineers More information on the web site: Exciting future development of new technologies. will cause questions about gender in the As an organisation WISE would love to www.wisecampaign.org.uk I believe the Renewable Energy Market industry to become obsolete. work with the inspiring women featured has an exciting future ahead and I Engineering – a career choice in this magazine and others like them to am currently working on tenders and Throughout my studies year on year I Success change the image of engineering so that WISE contracts for a number of other projects saw a fall in the number of students for The teams and companies that succeed it becomes a more aspirational career www.wisecampaign.org.uk/getinvolved for H&Askham to further enhance their applying engineering related courses. in any field are those based on the resumé and continue to develop my own As a result I have always been ardent in integration of different ideas and attitudes knowledge and skills in this area. promoting working in this field to others. that both compliment and cause re- This perhaps is also attributed to having thinking or re-interpretation. Passion and belief my family roots in engineering, with my I firmly believe in the cause of the father running a small manufacturing Engineering has always attracted me renewable energy market; beyond this my company, that I have also worked because it is a field based on possibility passion for engineering drives me to work for. It was from my experiences at AR and potential, on problem solving and and contribute to notable causes such Engineering Industries that I first became thought, and the area of Renewables is as renewable energy, so that companies actively involved with purposefully working certainly no exception. I remain proud like H&Askham can succeed in these to encourage young people to consider of my achievement in this field, and endeavours. engineering as a career choice. of Engineering as a whole, where the opportunity for success can be extended Britain is famous for its engineering Apprenticeship scheme to all individuals, man or woman. prowess; however in recent years with For AR Engineering I launched an economic turmoil in industrial sectors apprenticeship scheme and have since H&Askham and strong competition from abroad, continued to regularly visit schools and www.handajointing.co.uk
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If you had a soapbox – what us the best of everything and has always Amy Gibson would you say? been there to help in moments of need. Go for it! For anyone wanting to get into He’s always ready with some sound advice Karen Shepherd Describe what you do this industry, especially women, just give and support and has never been remotely I am vessel crew on Eden Rose, one of it a go. It is a great, varied and often very shocked by any of my career decisions! And again! Our customers Tidal Transit Ltd’s Windfarm PTVs. My rewarding job. More needs to be done to After my HNC and HOTA’s customers range from individuals typical day starts with daily checks such encourage women into the industry where What annoys you the most? much persuasion I who are brand new to a specific industry as engine oil and coolant levels, first aid possible. I would like to see more funding Cruelty to animals. went on to take a that have never been to Hull before let equipment, fender condition and general for training in this industry and availability degree in Business alone HOTA – for example a magician security and cleanliness. of government supported apprenticeships What was your best holiday? Management at Hull going to work on a cruise ship in the for newcomers. There is a huge range of Visiting my family in the French Alps, University Business Caribbean to large multinational companies From then it’s my job to take care of our skills to be learnt out here! especially in the winter when I can ski with School in 2002, who have used us since day dot. passengers for the day, give them a safety my little brother and walk in the snowy graduating in 2005 brief, make bacon butties and cups of tea, Your opinion on the role of mountains. and becoming The variety day to day is definitely my transfer them onto the turbines and help women in the industry? HOTA’s Business favourite part of the job which is apparent to crane up their equipment. This is one of those industries where Who would you not like to be? Development through the type of training provided and women on staff is a relatively new Any celebrity, I value my privacy and can’t Manager shortly also the customers we deal with. Although During the day it is my responsibility to development. For that reason, it can stand gossip! after. I am now officially HOTA’s longest serving ensure that transfers take place safely and sometimes feel like you have something employee I am still learning new things without incident. I ask the passengers to prove to defend your right to a position What is the best advice you have Business which I love as it keeps me on my toes! for their turbine numbers for the day and over a male colleague. Thankfully, this ever been given? development which order they would like to work in, this is rare in our modern society. Tidal Change what you can and accept what My responsibilities Relationships information is communicated to the skipper. Transit currently employ two female crew you can’t. General Manager, HOTA (Humberside developed as HOTA expanded and I Over the years I have built some great members and Offshore Training Association Ltd) became actively involved in business relationships with customers and Once our day’s work is done, we both feel like What is your favourite smell? planning adding further training to HOTA’s colleagues some of which I have been we clean the vessel and prepare an equal part Freshly baked bread! Location Course portfolio including Emergency working alongside for more years than I’m paperwork for the following day. of the team! Hull Response and Electrical alongside Linda sure any of us would care to remember. We also perform regular safety I believe that What do you do in your spare time? and specialist instructors. drills and checks on all areas of companies Bake cakes, walk around the gorgeous Time at Company When Linda made the decision to retire Typical day the vessel to ensure that we stay who are a bit Norfolk countryside, read, and spend time 22 years 10 months I was appointed General Manager by On a typical day I am in the office from on the ball and are confident more set in their with my friends and family. HOTA’s Board of Trustees and officially 7.30, and although I am an early riser the to deal with any situation that ways, should Position began the role January 2013. first thing I do has to be to make a cup of may arise in a safe and efficient consider female What/who is your favourite General Manager – appointed 1st January coffee. manner. We check all safety applicants record/CD/artist/music? 2013 New appointment equipment and PPE on a regular exactly as they I love my iPod! I have such a varied taste Linda was not only my boss but also my After checking my emails I like to have basis. We also perform basic would a male. and it carries over 2,000 songs. There’s Career Overview friend and most importantly my mentor; a catch up with my team to check that maintenance tasks as required. I feel that one one to suit every mood. I started at HOTA as a course her’s are definitely big shoes to fill! all is well, as from 9 a.m. my time is not of the main administrator at the age of 20 as one of 2 I worked with Linda for over 22 years so I my own and my office can be likened to A little about your background reasons that there aren’t more women What 3 words would best members of permanent staff, the job was will miss her dearly however, I know she will Piccadilly Circus, dealing with anything from I grew up in North Wales and have doing this job, is that they didn’t know describe you my second ever, the first being YTS at always be available to offer advice whenever personnel issues and planning submissions always been an outdoorsy type! Since they could do it. It is still a man’s world Determined, loyal and organised. House of Fraser Group. I need it, especially as since retiring she has to signing off on my ‘Successful Women leaving school, my career path has mainly offshore, but that does not mean that joined HOTA’s Board of Trustees. in Wind’ profile and rubbing shoulders with revolved around horses, racing and en equal opportunity is not available. A What prominent person would At the time HOTA was located in Hull celebrities including HRH Princess Anne hunting, evolving into equine sales. female crew member or skipper can be as you like to meet? City Centre in small rented offices and Planned focus and David Jason. valuable as their male counterpart, given I was once told that you should never all training was provided by third parties My plans for the first year as General I have worked a few different sales the chance. meet your heroes as you may end up – Hull College and Humberside Fire & Manager are focused on the further Free time positions and in recent years moved disappointed. Rescue Service. expansion of HOTA’s three sites in Hull, I am very passionate about my holidays into more managerial roles with a lot of And a few more… this will include the renovation of an my latest being my honeymoon to Cape responsibility. Before starting at Tidal Transit Where would you like to be 10 Company expansion additional unit at Malmo Road. Verde in April. Having recently married I had very limited maritime experience and it What brought you into the years from now? After just two years I moved with the (December 2012) I am still enjoying has been a huge learning curve! industry? Like most women, I would like to be company to Malmo Road, Sutton Fields Although training has been provided to anything that does not involve wedding I was initially offered my current position settled and secure with a family of my Industrial Estate as HOTA expanded and many companies operating in Renewables planning. How do you see your future? by Adam Wright, one of Tidal Transit’s own. If that doesn’t happen, I’d like to be building began for its own dedicated including Onshore and Offshore Wind - I can’t even imagine what I did before Directors who I have known for 10 years the best I can be in my chosen career. survival training centre. 2013 will see Renewables Training added Although I will strongly deny it I am a this! I would find it very difficult to go back and met whilst working in the kitchen of as a major training stream for HOTA definite shopaholic but if my husband asks to the 9-5 life. I don’t like to plan too far a pub on the Norfolk Coast where Adam Amy Gibson Promotion and further alongside Offshore, Maritime, Health & - I do need everything I buy! ahead as I’m quite impulsive, having said was head chef. Tidal Transit education Safety and others. that, when I make up my mind, I go for it! www.tidal-transit.com I was promoted to Office Manager and Karen Shepherd I came from an equestrian and catering convinced by my General Manager, Career Highlight HOTA Right now, I am concentrating on gaining background with very little maritime Click to view more info Linda Ellis to study for a Higher National Being a part of an intimate team within www.hota.org as many qualifications as I can relating to experience. Adam said I would love the Certificate (HNC) at Beverley College. a small company which has continued the wind farm vessel industry. The only job and it turns out he was right! I never thought I would go back into to grow dramatically over the years is thing I can’t do a course for is experience, = Click to view video education but I also never envisaged the definitely the highlight of my career and so I plan to get as much in as possible and Who is your hero and why? influence of a strong minded boss! long may it continue. be as useful a team member as I can be. My Dad. He has always worked hard to give
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How important is your health? We welcome Dr. Luke Melbourne to our Business Development section. It cannot They react to any The true be argued that to manage and develop your business, your health is the most advocate of health meaning of as if they were health important factor. zealots spouting So, over the next the tenets of a few months I will Luke will be contributing regular articles and we hope you will find them both enlightening and helpful in your busy fascist regime from be looking at what professional lives. which they must run Health truly means and hide before they and I will attempt to On the questionnaire at the are imposed upon them give some persuasive beginning of my exam form it “When Health is against their will. It is an arguments as to why you asks: absent Wisdom inconvenience, a burden, need it. I will be guiding you a suffering best left to the to explore your relationship How important is your health on a scale cannot reveal masochists and those with too with yourself. of 1 to 10? much time on their hands. When I go itself, Art out and give talks to groups I will often To do this I will address the Trisection Most people will write 10, there will be cannot become spend some time giving free consultations. of Health: The Physical, The Chemical a few 9’s. The lowest I ever get, when At these events I am guaranteed to hear and The Emotional. We will look at each someone is really honest, is an 8. These manifest, the all too familiar words “No thanks, I Changing people’s minds trisection, the effects of stress within that 8‘s admit, at that time, work or children Strength already know there’s something wrong.” There are plenty of reasons that I have area, how it impacts upon you and ways rank higher than their own health but still This saddens and frustrates me. Why are come up with; lack of understanding, to improve. think health is important. cannot be some people so entrenched in their own cynicism, disinformation, laziness, fear of suffering that they can’t even see the light change, disempowerment, impatience, My hopes Why are we so Unhealthy? exerted, Wealth and shun it when it is offered them. stress, poor time management and I hope to Educate, Empower and maybe We have all heard the saying; “Your is useless procrastination. When I sat back and even Excite. After all, if I asked “Do you Health is your greatest possession.” My goal contemplated these points it didn’t take want to be wiser, smarter, stronger, And most people seem to agree with that and Reason is As a Chiropractor this is the mentality I me long before I realised that I needed to more creative and wealthier?” shouldn’t statement when asked. We all know our am up against on a daily basis. My goal do more. I could not just sit back in my we all, say “YES!” Remember this is health is important. So why are we so powerless.” is to enrich peoples lives by helping them ivory tower. Field of Dreams was wrong. If your LIFE we are talking about. unhealthy? find and achieve their optimal health. It is you build it, they will not come. a purpose that I can be proud of and one Dr. Luke Melbourne MChiro The problem lies within the incongruence Herophilies (300 B.C.) I love. So I have had to ask myself why Don’t get me wrong, you can still have Advanced Health Chiropractic Clinic of our actions and our words. We just would some people rather get teeth pulled a busy practice helping those who are www.chiropractor-harrogate.com don’t LIVE it. We don’t follow through with than address their health? already enlightened, but being busy isn’t our good intentions. We don’t embrace enough and the ones who need it the a healthy lifestyle. In fact, many people most won’t show. Therefore I could no treat their health with staggering levels of longer wait for the world to change its disdain and loathing. point of view, I had to act. I needed to get off my backside and go out there and change people’s minds. So here I am changing your minds!
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Changing the Future
A Simple Structure Use a simple structure to put across a simple message and confine yourself to just three points. End with a ‘call to action’ and keep the whole thing to 20 minutes or less. If 30 minutes or more is expected Prepare Yourself of you then build in some participation or Questions This progression: Self – Material – a question and answer session. There is In my experience the best place for Audience is not an illogical one and it can a famous old quotation in praise of the questions is just before your conclusion help you to prepare yourself and your talks brevity of presentations. It goes something e.g. ‘Before I conclude are there any … if you tackle them in reverse order. First like: ‘Stand up to be seen, speak up to be questions?’ This prevents any over- find out who will be in the audience and heard and sit down to be appreciated’. enthusiastic questioners from hi-jacking what their expectations of you are. Once your presentation at the end with irrelevant Part 2 this is known you can gather the data you People will feel confident in you as a questions and distracting comments. Let A good place for you to start when need to construct your presentation and presenter if you use a simple structure them get it off their chest and then you Painless contemplating doing what is effectively then finally you can make sure you look and they will appreciate this even more if can summarise and conclude your talk. Presentations public speaking might be - the fear and good and feel OK on the day. you make reference to it – for example. ‘I This way you will stand a much better trepidation that can grip us at the very would like to begin by saying ...’; I would chance of restoring the audience’s focus at Work thought of standing up to give a talk. In Most people in your audience want, like to move onto my first point now ...’ on your key message(s). fact it might be interesting to use your perhaps most of all, to avoid sitting and ‘In conclusion let me summarise ...’ It may seem a strange statement fears to inform your approach to giving through a presentation where the speaker This technique (known as signposting) is Conclusion In Part 1- Performance - ‘changing the future’ by giving presentations in the workplace. gets embarrassed and messes up. They the most under-used one in presentations Having dealt with questions you can Consultant and Conference a presentation or speaking at a will have some concern and sympathy and yet it makes the speaker sound logical now make your concluding remarks Speaker Frank Newberry conference, but bear with me. My I have been training conference speakers for you as a new speaker but they would and professional. I recommend it. and summarise your main points for explored how we can claim is based on the testimony of for many years and not one has ever prefer to avoid witnessing your failure and emphasis. The conclusion ought not to change the future one people who have made statements claimed that they got to their feet to speak having to pretend to you afterwards that it Introduction contain any new material or surprises. A person at a time by like ‘that presentation changed my without some anxiety. Some, including me was fine when it was not. Your introduction should indicate your simple and polite ‘call to action’ can also coaching and mentoring career’ and ‘that talk took me to a start getting nervous often days or weeks content, your objective and when in the be very effective at the end, e.g. ‘I hope individuals higher level’. in advance! It is vital then to spare your audience any talk you intend to deal with questions from that we will now be able now to make an anxiety. You can do this by preparing the audience. It helps if you can begin informed decision on this matter. Thank In Part 2 Frank looks at Use your fears to inform your But like so many other things the more well and avoiding unnecessary risks. For with something topical and relevant to get you for your time’. how we can leave a positive approach you do it the less you will suffer. Your example you might have a great joke you people interested at the outset. legacy by giving painless I am not talking here about professional fears and anxieties may also go through want to tell. You figure that a good joke presentations at work e.g. speakers – I am referring to audience an interesting transition as you gather can be a great start to a talk. It is however Main Part Frank Newberry at meetings of all types and member responses to ordinary staff experience. a high return but a high risk option. If you As mentioned above your presentation www.franknewberry.com even conferences members who have had the courage to absolutely have to make a joke then make should not have more than three points. get up and speak up, and in doing so Most speakers start out worrying about one that is against yourself so that your You might have just one message but have gone on to inspire their colleagues. themselves (Will I dry up? Do I look audience thinks you are mature enough to you should seek to establish and reinforce So yes - I assert that you are changing the OK?); they then transition or progress laugh at yourself sometimes. your message with no more than three future - one audience member at a time. to worrying about their material (Is my points or examples. There is research that content OK? Are my visual aids going suggests that quoting three examples to work?). And finally they progress to is very persuasive. Any less than three worrying about their audience (Will I give seems unconvincing and any more than them what they need?). three could well be seen as unnecessary or a dilution of your key message(s).
24 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 25 Research & Development Research & Development The Collaboration is key for the offshore wind Projects supply chain Six projects have been approved National which address key technical challenges associated with the offshore wind supply chain, It is widely acknowledged that Renewable technology innovation is essential to Examples include… deliver lower cost and more reliable Without a turbine assembly plant, the • Offshore wind turbine foundation offshore wind energy. However, UK has established project delivery fabrication one of the biggest barriers for new expertise in the engineering design, • Condition monitoring of wind Energy suppliers into the offshore renewable consenting and installation of offshore turbine towers and blades energy sector is their inability to wind power systems. This is transferring • The development and automated demonstrate the financial and knowledge from the offshore oil and gas, application of protective coatings Centre technical viability of their products. onshore wind, automotive, and electricity for the design life of wind turbine generation, transmission and distribution structures We are proud to introduce The National Narec sectors. Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) as our sponsors Narec, located in Blyth, Northumberland European Regional for the Research & Development feature – the provides the most comprehensive Multi-disciplinary team Development Fund (ERDF) collaboration could not be more fitting for both open-access test and research facilities Narec has a multi-disciplinary team Narec has also secured funding from ourselves, whose aim is to help the industry in anywhere in the world for the scale-up of of scientists and engineers who work the ERDF to deliver two programmes - any way we can and Narec who have, since their offshore renewable energy technologies. alongside project developers, utilities, The National Wind and Marine Testing inception, developed a worldwide reputation as a These reliability, design verification and major manufacturers, universities and Facility Programme and Renewable ground breaking research centre. accelerated life testing facilities (electrical international research centres for both Energy Technology Accelerator and mechanical) have been built to meet commercial projects, and UK and Programme (RETA) to support SMEs This Research & Development feature will remain a demand for the development of bigger European funded R&D programmes. in North East England moving into the regular feature in forthcoming editions so please do not turbines and bigger blades. offshore wind and marine renewable hesitate in supplying interesting and innovative editorial Track record energy supply chains. for inclusion. They provide ‘sticky assets’ and a Over the past ten years, Narec has supportive environment to get new demonstrated a track record of success Technology transfer technologies ready for deployment sooner by initiating and delivering European and workshops and advisory – these are extremely difficult to replicate National collaborative R&D projects which services elsewhere and anchor knowledge in the they have implemented to encourage As part of these projects, companies UK to help focus and cluster the supply and drive forward innovation in the supply can engage in a series of technology chain here. chain. By solving technical challenges transfer workshops and advisory and creating new industry benchmarks services to help them to develop De-risking projects their projects are extremely important their products and services. This is By aligning their world-leading in achieving an upscale in technologies, supported by an online resource to independent research, testing and supporting market entry for new products encourage collaboration, improve demonstration facilities to de-risk projects and services and reducing development market intelligence and to help identify Narec can encourage the supply chain in and deployment timeframes of offshore future business and funding calls. the UK to scale up technologies sooner. renewable energy technologies.
In the manufacturing supply chain, Regional Growth Fund Wind Narec medium sized engineering companies Innovation Programme www.narec.com have successfully partnered with non-UK Narec’s success in building partnerships companies developing new turbines for and collaborations across the UK and Narec online resource link the UK offshore market. Others have Europe was further recognised in the www.renewables-innovation.co.uk made long term investments in plant and second round of the Government’s are supplying the current round of near- Regional Growth Fund with the award of Click to view more info shore offshore wind farms being installed. the £11 million Offshore Wind Innovation Programme.
After preparing the bid, the organisation will now manage the programme which is bringing together offshore market leaders with world-class technology providers and academia in the UK.
26 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 27 Research & Development Research & Development
Lifting the barrier to wind farm radar objections Concrete Gravity Could recent advances in radar Modelling and calibration Foundations modelling expand the development of Modelling has never been known to wind farms worldwide? suggest turbines won’t be detected Round 3 wind farm developments are in Europe is produced almost entirely where the turbines have in fact been largely in deeper waters and further from recycled materials, whilst this study Reflections from rotating turbines can detected. Conversely modelling has offshore, with a mixture of seabed assumed that steel plate would be cause false plots on radar displays. This shown that turbines will be detected and Improvements to modelling should lead types. The different environment will used for a steel jacket. Further details means that thousands of wind turbines yet they have not affected the radar once to more turbines (and taller turbines) require the deployment of alternative have been published in CONCRETE cannot be built because of potential radar built. Calibration is important because it becoming acceptable to radar operators foundation solutions to those that the magazine, and a pdf of the article can be interference. connects the modelling with real world without technical mitigation being required. UK market has predominantly used to downloaded from the micro page using observations. date and alternative designs will need the link at the end of this article. Accuracy limitations Experience to be considered. Computerised assessment tools can show Calibration involves assessing operational The Pager Power team has been working Environmental impact whether a radar is likely to be affected by a wind turbines and comparing the with wind developers and radar operators The Concrete Centre, on behalf of the assessment wind turbine. Accuracy limitations of most predicted radar impact with the observed to identify, assess and resolve technical Interest Group for Gravity Foundations Commissioned by The Concrete Centre tools often means that wind turbines are radar impact. The sensitivity of the model problems since 2002. We deliver a – Offshore Wind, has commissioned and carried out by Marine Space, the unnecessarily objected to. There is ample is then adjusted so that the predicted worldwide service and are proud to say research projects to support the proprietary study reviews the marine environmental evidence to suggest that some modelling impact matches the observed impact. we have worked on 24% of wind turbines research of the group’s solution providers. considerations for concrete gravity tools are over conservative. currently operating in the UK. foundations (CGF), including comparison The best turbines for calibration are those Carbon study to foundation alternatives. The study Online software developments that are detectable to radar by a small Pager Power Commissioned by The Concrete Centre and explores the environmental effects and Recent significant developments in Pager margin. In these cases false plots appear www.pagerpower.co.uk carried out by Arup and Vinci Construction, pathways associated with the various Power’s online software have included high occasionally and, in the case of analogue the study estimated the carbon footprint of phases of the lifecycle of CGFs in the resolution piecewise modelling, advanced radar, video images are small. Calibration Click to view more info the raw materials and other resources to marine environment including… terrain elevation algorithm, blade speed indicates that modelling by some radar be used in the construction of a concrete weighting and calibration. This increases operators is over conservative (between gravity foundation to support a 5MW turbine • Ground preparation the accuracy and reliability of assessments. approximately 10 and 20 decibels). = Click to view video in 42m deep water. (if required) • Emplacement on the seabed The study also included • Scour protection (if required) consideration of… • Decommissioning • Transportation of materials to a manufacturing/construction facility Review findings • Resources used in the construction of The review found that CGFs have an the manufacturing facility environmental footprint at the seabed • Resources used in the manufacture of similar to other deeper water foundation any bespoke vessels used for solutions. The advantage of CGFs over installation alternatives is the lack of significant noise • Resources used during installation of emissions generated during their installation the foundations and emplacement. With increased • Resources used during maintenance requirements for consideration of noise in of the foundations legislative controls, underwater noise will • Resources used during deconstruction be a primary consideration for deepwater of the foundations solutions for Round 3 developments.
Study findings CGFs solutions require no piling or The study found that the average carbon hammering for installation, allowing footprint for six different concrete gravity mitigation of one of the major environmental foundation (CGF) solutions was estimated to impacts associated with offshore windfarm be 1,190 tonnes CO2e per 5MW unit (with a construction. This is both beneficial to the range of 708-1,597 tonnes CO2e per 5MW environment and mitigates a significant unit). This compared with an estimated planning/programme risk. carbon footprint for a steel jacket solution of 2,770 tonnes of CO2e per 5MW unit. The Concrete Centre www.concretecentre.com/wind The key driver for the difference in the carbon footprints was the quantum and Click to view more info type of steel within the different solutions. The concrete foundations incorporate significantly less steel than the steel jacket solution. Moreover, reinforcement steel is used in the concrete solutions, which
28 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 29 Research & Development Research & Development
Collaboration SmartBay Ireland is keen to collaborate with researchers, innovators and Innovation Infrastructure entrepreneurs, to develop R&D projects The SmartBay infrastructure consists of a and proposals. Partners can use suite of commercially available technology both SmartBay’s physical and cyber platforms including a network of buoys, environment to collect data and to Where technology sensor hardware and data communication develop, test and demonstrate new meets the sea systems. solutions for marine and related sectors. SmartBay Ireland is a not-for-profit company funded under Ireland’s Higher Education Authority to facilitate the development of innovative approaches for the collection and dissemination of marine data and the testing and demonstration of novel sensors and equipment.
Marine Support The Marine Institute, Sustainable Energy The nodes can host a complement of The SmartBay technical team can Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Hydraulics and client sensors which can be tested and provide innovative Marine Support and Maritime Research Centre (HMRC) and demonstrated in near real time. A power ICT solutions to support users of the SmartBay Ireland have sourced funding buoy will also be installed at the site which infrastructure. Within Galway Bay, ocean through Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) will provide power to and dissipate power energy developers can utilise SmartBay to install 4km of subsea cable to the test from prototype Wave Energy Converters infrastructure and marine support services and demonstration site. (WECs). to validate prototype devices and collect data during deployments. SEAI Ocean Energy Test Site John Breslin The test and demonstration site will be SmartBay located at the SEAI Ocean Energy Test Site www.smartbay.ie situated in Galway Bay. SmartBay Ireland will manage the facility, which will include two undersea research nodes with 400v power and high speed data communications via 10 pairs of optical fibres.
30 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 31 COMPANY Profile COMPANY Profile
Research, development and advice consultancy
Project examples Key components of the report • Development of scenarios for UK are… offshore wind installation from • Drivers – a discussion of factors driving 2015 to 2030 and analysis of resultant offshore wind installation activity requirements for hardware and including low carbon targets, rising installation services. Policy energy demand and the need to recommendations were made with the replace power generation capacity aim of maximising UK economic benefits • Commercial insights – including • Commercial diligence in relation to a analysis of cost pressures on capital, major investment into the creation of a life-time costs, risk factors and typical new European wind turbine financing models Company approach manufacturer. Diligence included • Technology Review – and R & D Douglas Westwood has been at The company offer both off the shelf market forecasting, supply chain priority areas reports and commissioned consultancy survey & analysis and management • Supply chain – a review of the main tailored to individual clients’ requirements. review players, strengths & weaknesses of the forefront of researching the Their approach is to analyse industry • Working on behalf of a foundation contracting strategies and supply drivers, show growth forecasts, review manufacturer, DWL were engaged chain development challenges offshore wind sector and been technology status, outline the competitive to analyse potential competitors • Ten-year market forecast – for new dynamics and compare regional markets. and suitable manufacturing locations capacity, capital expenditures, for advanced tripod and jacket operating expenditure, wind turbines, advising on market prospects since Clients offshore wind foundations support structures, cabling, Their clients have included project • Market analysis for a vessel owner substations and vessels developers, original equipment covering key categories including • Country analysis – detailed operational 2002. They have a comprehensive manufacturers (OEMs), component survey vessels, wind turbine & capital expenditure forecasts, also manufacturers, installation contractors, installation vessels, heavy-lift by capacity and segment vessel owners, investors, and relevant vessels, and maintenance vessels. knowledge base of all renewable government departments. Recommendations provided on the Douglas Westwood most attractive categories based on www.douglas-westwood.com energy sectors through market market sizing, and commercial factors Offshore Wind Market Forecast ED’s Note This is an abridged analysis, strategy work, and The consultancy is about to launch the version - we recommend you read Offshore Wind Market Forecast, now in its the full text via the link at the end diligence covering offshore wind, 5th Edition. of article. In this report they provide a new long-term view of the sector through to 2022, and Click to view more info onshore wind and tidal energy. outline that offshore wind spending is set to average almost €15 billion per year over the next ten years.
32 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 33 developments in foundation technology developments in foundation technology
Honorary degrees for the oil & gas out of the ground. will be interesting to see which foundation vessels ranging from diver support through However, this view has cost the offshore solution is adopted in the neighbouring to heavy lifting capabilities. The experience industry leaders wind industry dearly by not learning the wind farms now being developed. especially in crane vessels has a great Developments lessons already paid for by the offshore oil deal to offer to the burgeoning wind & gas industry. A lot can be learned from The poor suitability of some crane vessels industry. The offshore wind industry has over 40 years of offshore experience. used for the offshore installation phases identified a large shortfall in crane capacity in Foundation has now been shown up in quite a few required for the offshore installation and View from the outside! offshore wind farm developments. By subsequent maintenance phases. The On the opposite side of the fence, the oil & selecting crane vessels that are severely trend so far has been the construction of gas industry views some of the problems limited by the sea conditions has led to a jack-up type ship-shaped crane vessels Technologies encountered by the offshore wind industry number of cases of extended installation that are able (or claim to be able) to install with disbelief. durations and even the use of very foundations, towers, nacelles and blades. Introduction Lessons not learned expensive Heavy Lift Vessels from the oil & In effect jacks of all trades, but masters of The next generation of offshore wind farms being developed in the North Sea will move A phrase often used in most walks of life The failure of the grouted connection gas sector as a last resort. Most of these none. The limitation of these vessels has out into deeper, more hostile locations. Due to the sheer size of these wind farms, is ‘lessons learned’ ie learning from our between the transition pieces and decisions have led to expensive time and been all too painful to see. Selecting the a robust, proven solution to the foundations is crucial. So far, most of the so called past experiences to avoid making the the monopiles is a classic case. The cost overruns and litigation. right type of vessel for different offshore offshore wind farms have been nearshore in shallower waters where the majority (66%) same mistakes again. In an offshore wind subsequent repairs costs have led to operations will help to reduce exposure to of foundations are simple monopiles. But even these have not been without major project, a simple mistake or error can be litigations and also a partial undermining of If the experience of the grouted risk and drive down costs. problems. The logistics of these nearshore wind farms should have been relatively replicated hundreds if not thousands of confidence for investors (and the public) in connections straight forward, but experience has demonstrated otherwise. times. Getting the solution right first time is offshore wind. developed by the vital, especially for the future deeper water, oil & gas industry further from shore wind farms. Steel quality back in the 1970 Using steel from the Far East was seen as & 80’s that form a good cost saving approach but without the API Code (and proper quality control and surveillance to the BS Standards ensure quality meant that the delivered of the day) had product was not fully compliant. This been used then caused delays, expensive remedial the problems with works and litigation. The importance of the monopile to quality steel for use in oil & gas platforms transition piece was learned many years ago and strict could have been compliance controls and surveillance are avoided. The common place in the industry. design parameters for grouted Deeper Waters will require different foundation types (courtesy of Ramboll) Options and selection of connections in the A typical jack-up type crane vessel for installing jackets, materials and equipment current API Code towers and nacelles Harsh weather conditions in The selection and deployment of concrete are based on the the central North Sea gravity bases in areas of shifting sand DECC and EU banks has cost one developer a large funded research amount of money. To their credit, the carried out by Wimpey Laboratories. Developing foundations that are based on developer abandoned further use of (THE STRENGTH OF LARGE DIAMETER the experience of the oil & gas industry So far, the offshore wind industry has concrete gravity bases and switched to GROUTED CONNECTIONS by Colin J. will lead to cost reductions and avoid tended to view the offshore oil & gas as steel jacket structures with great success. Billington, Wimpey Laboratories Limited, the pitfalls of expensive mistakes. The expensive, with plenty of cash to spend Interestingly, for such a close to shore OTC 1978) majority of foundations worldwide in oil & and waste. The term low cost solution and relatively shallow development, gas are steel jackets with just a handful of being the exception rather than the rule. monopoles were not used due to the Lessons can still be learned concrete gravity based structures. This may be true to a certain extent largely seabed conditions and the scouring Over the past 40 years, the offshore due to the commercial pressures to get effects which would undermine them. It industry developed a fleet of construction
34 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 35 developments in foundation technology developments in foundation technology
The role of Innovation Floating structures be firmly placed under the microscope Deeper waters and novel solutions in mind. It is ‘standard’ fit up jigs and tooling can be used There is an ever-increasing view that Floating type structures appear to be a and fully risk assessed using the valuable not enough to to ensure that the lengthy process of jacket Innovation will lead to large savings in straight forward and obvious solution experience of the oil & gas industry. produce elegant assembly can be substantially reduced. In the cost of foundations for deeper water but they carry a significant operational designs that are the ‘standard methods’ of fabrication it is projects. A great deal of funding is being risk. Offshore oil & gas has around 20 The role of Industrialisation very efficient in use common for set up to take 80% of the total provided by the likes of DECC and the floating production platforms (FPSOs) The majority of foundations for offshore of steel, nor ones fabrication time. This cannot be tolerated in Carbon Trust to develop innovative deployed in the North Sea, all have wind turbines have, up until now, been of a that are cheap a fully ‘industrialised’ process. foundation solutions to drive costs down. mooring integrity issues and some have monopile design. These are comparatively to install. They The danger is that the search for the suffered major mooring failures. Drilling simple structures with the only real also need to be Furthermore if we are to introduce robotic ultimate will defer decisions or worst still Rigs too have suffered similar issues and design variable being the diameter and easy and cheap or automated welding and handling will result in adopting solutions that are not failures. Over the past 10 years the HSE wall thicknesses of the pile. Hence when to manufacture techniques then we have another driver for suitable for the harsh conditions found far has implemented a rigorous, expensive considering the in large numbers. standardised designs so the welding and out in the North Sea. inspection regime the cost of which has construction of such The winning handling equipment does not have be set had to be absorbed by the oil companies. items it is fairly easy jackets will be up differently for each jacket produced. Cost analysis The question is can the marginal wind to apply known and those that can Some developers view the cost of the farms OPEX sustain such costs with large well proven automation been used in a small number of locations hit the ‘sweet spot’ between design, Standard designs will also have foundation in isolation, believing that numbers of moorings being proposed? techniques to the around the UK and European waters. manufacture and installation. additional advantages when it comes making a marginal saving on steel weight handling and welding of to transportation and installation. Sea will make a significant impact in the overall It is well known in the oil & gas industry these structures. The These jacket foundations have been used transport grillages can be kept the same. installed cost. This approach exposes that mooring systems in waters of less move of offshore wind by the offshore oil and gas industry for Handling rigs can be identical. All these the developer to unpredictable offshore than 100 metres experience tension farms into deeper many years and involve the fabrication peripheral items can add substantial costs installation risks and cost escalations. waves in the mooring lines increasing the water will ultimately of many welded node joints between to an offshore wind project. rate of wear and tear. necessitate a move the tubular elements that make up the A better approach is to view the installed away from monopile lattice. To date, both in the oil and gas Summary costs of the foundation separately to Corrosion foundations to more industry and in the offshore wind industry, The basics of mass production have been the tower and nacelle as they have their Corrosion is also a concern. For example, complex structures these complex joints have been primarily used in other industries for years. We just own unique criteria laid down by the let’s assume a site located in 60m water such as lattice constructed by manual welding methods need to learn the lesson and adapt them so turbine manufacturers. You can knock a depth with say 200 turbines supported on framework jackets, and are therefore a long and costly that we can apply them to reduce the cost steel jacket about during installation but a floating structure secured by six mooring which have now process. If such structures are to be used of jackets for the offshore wind industry. certainly not a turbine. The foundation and lines and anchors. This amounts to in large numbers in the offshore wind To reduce the Levelised Cost of Energy to the turbine require different installation 1200 mooring lines each a potential industry then such manual fabrication acceptable levels we need to attack the vessels type and such an approach will failure point; this is far in excess of methods cannot prevail, neither in term cost of wind projects at all levels. reduce installed costs. the number of FPSO mooring lines of cost nor that of capacity. There simply current deployed in the North Sea aren’t enough large fabrication facilities in The Target must be to hit the ‘Sweet There is unlikely to be a single ‘silver bullet’ By developing foundation solutions that and represents a significant threat Europe to meet the demand for jackets Spot’ that is going to save the day – much more extend the offshore installation weather to the operational viability of the using traditional fabrication methods. Nor likely that we will achieve our target by ‘a windows will also reduce the costs hypothetical wind farm. is the wind industry able to pay for such In order for jackets to be mass thousand cuts.’ and also the overall number of vessels expensive production methods. manufactured they must be ‘predominantly’ required. The turbine manufacturers the same. This is despite the water depth Graham Kennedy place very strict verticality Mass production and geotechnical conditions for each OGN Aquind Novel solutions = potential increased risks. criteria for the installed What is needed in the industry is a move wind turbine being unique. It is therefore www.ogn-group.com towers and this is at away from the ‘artisan’ approach of necessary to consider a jacket design where, say 80% of the jacket is identical for Currently there are a number of deeper odds with the floating A moored floating ‘bespoke designed’ and ‘hand crafted’ Click to view more info water wind farms in Europe that are being concepts which will move around with wind turbine jacket to a much more ‘industrialised’ and a given wind turbine. In this case many of developed using steel jacket foundations the sea conditions amplifying horizontal support structure ‘mass production’ attitude. the component members of the jacket can rather than monopiles. In parallel there are accelerations high up at the nacelle. be the same and production cells can be many novel solutions being proposed for This ‘industrialisation’ must start with set up to cheaply and rapidly manufacture deeper waters but this represents another Novel ideas and innovation have their the design of the jacket. They have to these common parts. Similarly if the area of potential risk. place and role to fulfil but they need to be designed with ‘low cost’ production geometry of the jackets is common, then
36 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 37 developments in foundation technology developments in foundation technology
Concrete Centre interest group HConcreonoraryte Gravit ydegrees Foundations forcan mee t initiative The contractors within the interest Innovative Experience Advantages the demands of Round 3 Wind Farms group have designed and developed The innovative hybrid concept for the GBF The hybrid solution has many advantages, industry leaders systems which enable the foundations gravity base has been developed using BAM and Van including… The Round 3 sites, leases for which to be launched, transported to site Oord’s wide experience of designing and have been awarded by The Crown and then installed with the minimum foundation constructing immersed tube tunnels and • Adaptability to a wide range of Estate, are much further from of potential downtime due to the gravity base structures. The basic GBF metocean conditions and turbine shore and in considerably deeper adverse weather conditions. They have through solution has been specifically designed loadings waters than the earlier wind farm planned facilities which will enable the for deep water applications and has • Low centre of gravity, giving good developments. Hence the location simultaneous construction of multiple teamwork undergone model testing. It is adaptable stability when towing and depth of the sites provide a foundations, similar to concepts adopted to suit a range of water depths, wave • Towed into position using standard considerable challenge to developers. for car production. This application of Royal BAM Group and Van Oord heights and sea bed conditions. tugs, obviating the need for costly This challenge requires the adoption manufacturing efficiencies will help deliver Offshore Wind projects have teamed specialist vessels of alternative solutions as the systems the cost savings that the government, up to design, manufacture and install Self-buoyant • Simple steel to steel connection that have been utilised up to now energy providers and energy users are reinforced concrete gravity base The GBF is designed to be mass produced between shaft and transition piece to in relatively shallow waters, are not hoping for from renewable energy. foundations (GBFs) for the offshore onshore in a quayside construction yard the turbine suitable for these new sites. wind industry. using BAM’s core skills in reinforced • NDV design certification achieved for Part of the solution Positive response concrete construction. Being the concept Gravity foundations, concrete shells that The design, construction and installation There is no doubt that the challenges self-buoyant, it is then towed • All required vessels available within are placed on the sea bed and then of the bases is all part of the solution of Round 3 will require both innovative out to sea using standard ocean Van Oord’s fleet ballasted, provide the engineering solution that is offered to developers. In addition solutions and a full commitment from the going tugs. • Short weather window required for to enable the Round 3 developments maintenance and removal processes whole of the associated supply chain. The installation to be successfully constructed. The have all been taken into consideration concrete industry through the interest group Marine works • Competitive cost benefits of concrete gravity foundations in the development of gravity base has shown that it has responded positively Once in position the GBF is • High use of local materials and local for the water depths under consideration, solutions. The solutions offered are to these challenges and is ready to deliver. submerged under closely labour 20m to 50m, are that they are extremely either self-buoyant, where conventional controlled conditions on a durable and provide a solution which vessels are needed for the transportation The Concrete Centre pre-prepared sea bed. Rock Royal BAM Group is both economic to build and delivers process, or are buoyancy assisted where www.concretecentre.com armour is then placed around www.bam.eu considerably reduced maintenance over a customised vessel is required to assist the base to afford protection the life of the structure. Additionally these with transportation and installation. In both Click to view more info against scour and the structure Van Oord Offshore Wind foundations are placed on the sea bed, cases the foundation is ballasted, once in is ballasted with sand. All marine www.vanoord.com thus eliminating the environmental issues position, with sand or gravel which ideally works are carried out by Van associated with piling. would be available from a nearby location. Oord using vessels from their own fleet. The GBF structure is then ready to receive the In building this dynamic transition shaft and turbine, perspective and in mounted on the central shaft. A little help please… contrast to other forms At present I am a second year PhD concrete gravity foundation of data collection that student at Leeds University Business manufacturers co-locating on fail to fully understand School studying Logistics and port facilities in the North East why issues occur, the Supply Chain, with a particular focus of England. stronger the level of on the UK offshore wind industry. participation the stronger I graduated from Hull University The aim is to reduce total the knowledge base will Business School in 2011 with an delivered costs of foundations be, allowing me to better MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain through… articulate and fully form Management. a coherent case that will • Minimising movements of outline key areas for cost PhD focus materials and products reduction in the industry. My PhD focuses on the strategic reduction • Minimising the number of times of offshore wind supply chain costs. It materials and products are handled I am now seeking collaboration with major aims to identify cost structures in the • Reducing the number of individual OEMs, 1st – 3rd tier suppliers, and UK industry, track down the major cost drivers materials and product storage enterprises. Can you help me? and discover links between supply chain locations management practices and the cost • Reducing the logistics costs of Patrick Hennelly increases. materials, products and people
Central to my research is understanding Engagement with the industry Ed’s Note and developing buyer-supplier My research engages with issues that are relationships, in particular, from the relevant to the UK offshore wind supply Please email our editor supplier’s perspective. chain. The tools utilised throughout my [email protected] research focus on capturing and building and we will pass your contact details Concrete gravity foundations current and dynamic perspectives through on to Patrick. In helping him we are I am currently working on a project direct engagement with key stakeholders sure you will be helping the industry. that aims to assess the benefits for in the industry.
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Foundation Advanced design tools Specifications Foundation protection in the long term The aim is to optimise the selected Anchors in Grade 8.8, 10.9 & FATBAR concept meets solution for a customer within one can be used. Peikko’s post-tensioning customer business day. Design innovation is FatBar bolts have European Technical April 2013 saw the installation of the Working together their ability to withstand the highly saline possible because Peikko uses advanced Approval (ETA-10/0246) certification 5th monopile at the DanTysk offshore International Paint was selected as the environment and mechanical damage demands 3D design tools and integrated For large towers the use of FATBAR wind farm, located 70km off the coating supplier for the foundations from impact. Interzone 954 is particularly configurations. Once completed, designs (which affords a capacity 20% higher than German coastline. for DanTysk by Smulders Group, versatile and has been proven through Peikko introduces a revolutionary can be exported to customer and used to Grade 10.9) and is specifically designed headquartered in Helmond, The successful long term, in-field performance design tool to enhance their generate rebar schedules, Bill of Quantity for fatigue loading and is instrumental in International Paint has been chosen to Netherlands. The two companies have to meet these challenges in immersed, Foundation Concept and component blocks. achieving economies. provide the high performance protective a strong history of work on offshore splash zone and also atmospheric coatings that ensure the foundations that wind projects and it is confidence in conditions. support these structures, which reach International Paint’s coatings range which 148 metres above sea level, are protected Smulders found attractive. Future collaboration from corrosion for many years to come. Smulders and International Paint will be Customer specification working together on a number of upcoming Design lifetime For corrosion protection on DanTysk, offshore wind farms, giving extensive With turbine design lifetimes in excess of International Paint’s Interzone® 954 is protection to these high value assets. 20 years, it is vitally important that the right being utilised. Interzone 954 is a low corrosion protection is chosen to help VOC, high solids epoxy coating which can International Paint minimise expensive and time consuming give long term protection in a single coat. www.international-pc.com maintenance and repair work. For DanTysk two coats of Interzone 954 were utilised, overcoated with an aesthetic Smulders Group Industry standards topcoat, in line with the customer www.smuldersgroup.com Adhering to an industry standard such as specification. ISO 20340 can help guide the selection of protective coatings, but choosing a Harsh conditions coating system with a proven, real life The harsh conditions offshore place huge track record offshore is absolutely vital. demands upon protective coatings, testing
Building on its experience since the 1990s The concept Integrated approach in the supply of Wind Turbine foundation The foundation concept comprises This integrated approach has proved to anchors the Peikko Group has recently integrated design of the anchor cage, be a cost-efficient and advanced solution developed an advanced design tool for with rebar cage coupled to a central hub with supply to projects with turbines onshore wind turbine foundations to produce a foundation which reduces manufactured by (for example) Alstom, tonnage of rebar and the volume of Hyundai and Vestas. Serving the industry concrete. With the new design tool and procedure Peikko the company is able to better serve The cost-effectiveness and reliability of www.peikko.co.uk wind turbine manufacturers, wind farm Peikko’s foundation solution is a result of developers, investors and engineering extensive R&D work alongside wind turbine = Click to view video offices by quickly and economically manufacturers and engineering partners. evaluating foundation options.
40 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 41 developments in foundation technology developments in foundation technology
Reliability coupled with Covering all aspects E.ON places major Norwegian pioneering technology The system allows wind turbine structures It has through the years combined stable to be designed for every depth, from jacket contract with reliability with pioneering new technology shallow water monopiles to tripods and Harland and Wolff offshore for strength assessment of offshore jacket structures as well as concrete structures. DNV Software’s Sesam Wind gravity based structures for larger depths. Energy company E.ON has awarded the contract for experience solutions bring together decades of DNV This is done with one single model and design and fabrication of the Humber Gateway offshore experience, both in the offshore industry within one complete system covering wind farm substation jacket to Harland and Wolff Heavy benefits and in the global wind energy industry. all aspects of offshore installations, Industries Limited. with imports from other systems easily Integrated design analysis integrated. E.ON, one of the wind and structural integrity the UK’s leading assessment The Sesam Wind Coupled Analysis power and gas energy Strength analysis of offshore wind module for all wind turbine components is companies, turbine structures needs to account powered by FEDEM Windpower. Fedem is developing for the combined effect of wind and Technologies – a player in the wind the 219MW industry hydrodynamic loads. The system industry based in Trondheim, Norway – offshore wind integrates design, analysis and structural has entered a partnership with Oslo-based farm, located Sesam software revolutionised integrity assessment, covering the entire DNV Software. 8km off the the offshore industry with its finite lifecycle of a structure. Its fully-coupled East Yorkshire element methodology when it was dynamic analysis of an integrated wind DNV Software coast, just north brought to the marketplace more than turbine system is unique. www.dnv.co.uk of the river 40 years ago. Humber. When This includes wind turbine, substructure/ Fedem Technologies commissioned, foundation and environment loads www.fedem.com Humber including fatigue and ultimate strength Gateway will analyses of the substructure. It can also be able to accurately model the complex transition provide enough structure between the wind tower and the power for supporting structure. The software can be approximately utilised during various phases of the wind 170,000 UK turbine’s lifecycle, from design through homes. installation to operation and maintenance. Scope of work The Harland and Wolff scope of work comprises the design and fabrication of the substation jacket (foundation) and piles, totalling circa 1,300 tonnes. The jacket will be completed, ready for installation Q1 2014.
Working relationship Harland and Wolff Chief Executive Officer Robert J Cooper said “We are delighted to have been awarded this important contract. After a long series of successfully completed offshore wind projects, Harland and Wolff are determined to continue demonstrating that we are the construction partner of choice.” He continued, “Harland and Wolff enjoy a great working relationship with E.ON, having worked previously on the Robin Rigg offshore wind farm together. We’re looking forward to continuing to develop this relationship.”
E.ON Project Manager Matthew Swanwick said, “Humber Gateway is a significant step in our strategic aim to deliver cleaner and better energy, by offering innovative energy services and technologies. Generating wind power out at sea is a real technical challenge, both during the construction and operational phases of projects, and that is why it so important to work with reliable and experienced fabricators. Harland and Wolff is a well-proven supplier and we look forward to a successful project.”
The Humber Gateway is due to be completed in 2015.
Harland and Wolff www.harland-wolff.com
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Expanding developments The UK is committed to producing 15% Reducing of its energy from renewable sources by 2020 and to meet this demand, manufacturers are continuously striving Co-operation with the wider supply chain the costs of to produce wind turbines with increasing is crucial in meeting the Government’s power outputs. Wind farms are being aims for renewable energy. Steel wind farm developed in larger numbers, deeper manufacturers can define the tubular waters and further offshore and this manufacturing process so large quantities almost inevitably requires a move away can be produced at one time. They can jackets from monopile construction to other also customise the process, and supply alternatives. tubulars that are prepared for fabrication into finished structures. Preparation work through Structural design including cutting-to-length, welding, shot With a long-standing presence and blasting, coating and end-profiling help steel significant technical expertise in the global shorten throughput times and improve cost renewable energy and power sector, Tata efficiency for customers, who can source all Steel has reviewed the factors affecting steel components from a single supplier. optimisation the structural design of offshore wind turbine platforms, which is a significant Minimising costs Offshore wind turbines are playing an part of the initial capital expenditure, and Tata Steel is confident that if the industry ever-increasing role in governments’ has invested in new routes to support works together throughout the supply aims to continue transitioning to a low- economical serial jacket production. chain it can enable cost effective design carbon economy. Renewable energy is and minimise manufacture assembly one of the most cost effective methods With targets for cost per kilowatt-hour and installation costs. The use of local of producing power in the long run, already set, Tata Steel has looked at suppliers to minimise finance tied up in once the capital costs of the initial how to minimise all the incidental costs stock and transportation costs can also design, manufacture, assembly and including manufacturing, installing and help to support economical serial jacket installation have been reconciled. maintaining an offshore wind turbine to production. achieve cost effective solutions.
Standardisation and Tata Steel collaboration www.tatasteel.com Design and assembly standardisation will be important in ensuring economies Click to view more info of scale within the sub supply chain. Small deviations from manufacturers’ optimised steel tube sizes add significant additional costs. Collaboration between the designer, fabricator and steel supplier will be required to ensure design integrity is optimised while maximising process efficiency and minimising costs.
Displacing the current supply of bundles of individual tubes by steel suppliers with complete point-to-point assemblies will enhance fabricator throughput. Painted assemblies, incorporating pre-prepared machined ends, will enable swift assembly and welding by fabricators.
Local supply and supply chain co-operation The speed of local supplier reactivity with enhanced service level capabilities and reduced delivery lead times can enhance fabricator production efficiency and mitigate the potential for late deliveries. Additionally, moving high-density materials is expensive, so local supply offers economic benefits.
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To install the four structures on the North Proven Hydra-Lok system makes Caspian project the company will mobilise MTL’s Investment in People a total of 4 swage tools, two 84” and two With the fabrication work force doubling its way to the wind sector 72” tools together with auxiliary support over just a few short years so did the equipment resulting in a combined weight journey investment in this area, The group made of 400 tonne, which presents its own the decision to go ahead and invest in logistics and transportation challenges, their fabricators and welders accrediting all managed by Oil States MCS Limited into them with ISO 9001:2008, ISO 3834 Headquarters giving the customer further confidence Part 2, Norsok M101, EEMUA 158, MTL Groups Headquarters previously and satisfaction. offshore DIN18800-7 and FPAL making the MTL based at Darnell Road with a Group ‘ready for round three’. fabrication shop nearby on Kettle Inward investment Bridge Road in Sheffield were moved Over the past 12 months attributed to other wind Going Dockside to a 28’000 hectare site in Rotherham successes, the company has continued to As the demand grew, so did the facilities as part of a £5M investment allowing inwardly invest and is currently looking to and in early 2010 the group invested in the group to put all of their processes expand its premises and workforce with In 2009 whilst still located on a quayside facility at the Port of Blyth under one roof making them a one a long term view of offering its services in Darnell Road, MTL Group Limited extending their lifting capabilities to over stop shop for all fabrications which can other geographical regions. won a significant order to supply 300 tonne. All work such as fabricating, be transported by road. Burnt Island Fabrication with welding, shot blasting and painting can 48 boatlanding systems. Now a also be completed on-site alongside non- State-of-the-art leading supplier to the oatlanding destructive testing and the capability to Using the groups state of the art and offshore fabrication sector this load on ship. precision engineering facility in was the beginning of the group’s Rotherham to process materials and journey into renewables. the Port of Blyth facility to fabricate and weld large structures MTL Group Since its incorporation in 1979, of the two axially Growth continues to be a sustainable key Oil States MCS’s pedigree and displaced seals on the As MTL Group has grown so have player in supplying boatlanding systems reputation, gained through supplying swaging tool, which their clientele, MTL Group has to the United Kingdom and Europe. services to all the major oil and gas seal against the inside supplied some of the biggest names operators, has contributed to of the pile creating a in the industry such as Aker solutions, the company successfully securing a pressure tight annular Weserwind, Ambau and Tag with MTL Group Ltd major contract to install four offshore chamber of water boatlanding systems. www.mtlgrp.com platforms located in the North around the tool. Caspian Sea using its unique patented Investment Click to view more info Hydra-Lok pile connection technique. Pressurisation of this The group believe the key to this captive annulus by growth is down to the large investment The system pumping in water in the latest state of the art machinery, The connection system was developed in causes the pile to in people and facilities. the 1980’s for securing subsea structures expand outwards to their driven foundation piles. The into the sleeve, as Robotic Tube Cutting principle behind the Hydra-Lok system an analogy it can be In 2009 the group recognised the allows connections to be formed between compared to inflating growing demand for tubular structures concentric tubulars through expansion a balloon inside a such as Jackets and Substation of the inner tubular (foundation pile) to cardboard tube until Platforms. To meet this demand they contact the outer tubular (structure sleeve) it contacts the tube utilised their own employees’ skills and by means of hydraulic pressure. wall. The connection is experience to develop a Robotic Tube deemed to be complete Cutter. Proven operation when the pile has been Since the development of this technology expanded and the Capable of cutting steel tube up the connection system has been used to annulus pressure has to 8 metres in length by 1 metre in secure a large variety of offshore structures reached a predetermined value. Upon Oil States MCS Ltd, based on the diameter and adaptable to larger sizes. typically including; subsea structures, releasing the annulus pressure the outer Sowerby Woods Industrial estate, Barrow- This machine saves the need to use deepwater offshore platforms and wind sleeve contracts onto the pile to create an In-Furness, is an already established world expensive inaccurate methods for “cod turbine jackets. In a typical operation the interference fit. leader in providing structural swaged pile mouth cuts” and applying weld preps. offshore structure is lowered to the seabed connection systems for applications in the and foundation piles driven through the Specifications and challenges oil, gas and renewables industries. Using the machines bevel capability an structure sleeve legs into the seabed. Swage tools are available to form extensive range of cuts can be applied connections on standard pile diameter Oil States MCS Ltd in seconds eliminating the need for Once the piles have been driven to the sizes ranging from 24 inch through to 84 www.oilstates.com hand grinding and using templates. required penetration the Hydra-Lok swage inch. You need to appreciate that the size tool is deployed subsea, inserted into the of the swaging tool used to accommodate Click to view more info pile, and positioned within the structure 84” diameter piles has a weight of 105 leg such that the swage tool seals span tonne, a diameter of 1.8 metres and a grooved region of the sleeve leg. The overall length of 9 metres. swaging process starts with the inflation
46 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 47 scour feature scour feature Scour FIG 1 FIG 2 the challenge Scour around offshore wind turbines Reducing risk The tyres work by adding friction to the and particularly over cables can be Offshore energy generators work hard to seabed which in turn causes the passing a significant problem. It is caused by manage and reduce risk in all parts of their current to decrease in speed. This causes the water speeding up around or over operation: from crew transfers to gearbox sand sediments an object, which then gouges out a failures, from blade repair to monitoring to fall and become trapped within the tyre hole which gets progressively deeper. processes. Every aspect of the operation spaces (see Fig 1). is constantly reviewed to identify ways of Cables reducing both risk to the infrastructure and The tyres then act as a reinforcement layer Maintenance Access and Mat The mats have been Comparisons With cables, once the scour hole is risk to staff. Scour is one of those potential level with the seabed and thus prevents Removal designed with this in mind. Briefly, the By comparison any rocks dumped will deep enough, it will cause the cable to areas of risk, and one that the companies further scouring. If excess sediment lays At some point during the life of the wind mats are laid down in sections, and their have been washed away, and a report be suspended in a ‘washing line’ effect, spend considerable time monitoring, on top of the tyres, the water flowing over farm it may be necessary to remove positions recorded onto ‘As built’ charts. published by IMCA October 2011 resulting in the cable developing micro investigating and remediating. them will lift this excess off, creating a self- the mats to access the cable (and they The mats are also fitted with polypropylene highlighted that the removal of concrete levelling skin (see Fig 2). will certainly have to be removed when rope. If access to the cable is required, the mattresses is proving problematical as decommissioning the site). mat or mats covering it are identified and they tend to decay overtime, making them Sea trials located. difficult to lift effectively. Scour Prevention has developed the system over the past three years and Whilst the forces Reducing Cost, Decreasing Risk undertaken a number of tests. In mid- acting on the mat This novel approach to scour has the 2012 it undertook sea trials with E.ON at would make it very ability to significantly reduce costs of scour Scroby Sands off the Norfolk coast in an difficult to lift (part remediation and protection. The solution area with high tidal flows and a particularly of the reason for its can improve overall protection for cables, challenging environment. With mean water stability), by fitting reducing maintenance cycles, and has depth of 6m, five mats were laid in a row, a spreader bar to the longer term potential to reduce related marked with anchors and buoys, and left the loops of rope at insurance premiums through better control in situ for several weeks. one end, the mat of the cable’s immediate environment. can be peeled (like The mats were surveyed every week and a plaster) from the Scour Prevention Systems Ltd after 7 months, after the worst winter seabed, spilling the www.scourprevention.com storms for years they hadn’t moved at all, trapped sediment proving they’d stabilised the seabed area and reducing the where they were laid. This system is now mass and forces as available commercially for other energy it goes: thus making companies and offshore installers to use in it much easier their wind farms. to complete the operation. Developing the Offshore Wind Supply Chain Programme After the required Scour Prevention has now secured O&M work is funding from the Technology Strategy completed the Board’s ‘Developing the Offshore Wind removed mats can cracks, causing electricity to ‘leak’ and Scour Prevention Systems Ltd – Supply Chain Programme’ to undertake be replaced, all the field to be shut down with generation innovative approach offshore trials of its tyre-mat solution without disturbing income lost whilst the cable is replaced. Scour Prevention Systems, based at around the base of an offshore turbine the other mats OrbisEnergy in Lowestoft, have developed on a wind farm off the Norfolk coast with or significantly Structures a patented device to remediate and severe scour. increasing the risk This can be particularly acute at the wind eliminate scour around structures and of scour in the short turbine itself where scour can expose over cables. This latest trial is to demonstrate that the term. Additionally, the j-tube and the emerging cable. It tyre-mats will stabilise the seabed around decommissioning will can cause structural integrity issues for The system is a sedimentary entrapment wind turbine monopile foundations thereby be more complete monopiles by exposing the foundation device laid over the cable. Research remediating and/or preventing scour with the SPS mats and reducing its overall stability. This can has shown that the ideal shape for the holes. After being laid the mats will be because of this. cause excessive vibration of the turbine individual nodes is that of a tyre. As worn monitored for one full lunar month to verify as it turns with the wind and in some tyres are used, this has huge potential their performance in the field. cases can cause early fatigue of major for turning a difficult to dispose of waste components. product into a useful new one.
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Specialist subsea construction Effective scour vessel 3D visualisation technology The work was undertaken from the 7,000te DP2 Maersk Responder, a specialist subsea Unlike oil & gas, the renewables Scour of Mexico, and more recently, the stricken protection construction vessel which, due to the stable sector is still at a stage where large Aside from the danger of unsupported cruise ship Costa Concordia in Italy and platform and the high capacity it provides, parts of the supply chain, and well- cables, scour affects foundation stability. the cargo ship Rena which sunk off the Teesside Offshore Wind farm Environmentally friendly enables this work to be continued around defined procedures and practices, are This technology effectively maps scour and coast of New Zealand. scour protection project product the clock from a single vessel. not fully developed. presents it in a fully metrical 3D visualisation Marske Site Services (MSS) has just The product is environmentally friendly for a greater understanding of the problem. Building on its success, ADUS has completed specialist sea bed protection and has been certified by FEPA (Food The MSS Engineering team mobilised the This fact represents an opportunity recently begun to successfully deploy work on the Teesside offshore wind farm. & Environment Protection Agency) and vessel, coming up with a unique solution for new technologies and innovative More importantly though this allows its know-how and technologies in the DEFRA (Department of Environment, for safely transporting an extra-large load approaches – such as the 3D visualisation detailed monitoring over time, by offshore wind and oil & gas markets, EDF Energy Renewables appointed MSS Fisheries & Rural Affairs) and works of filter bags, which, combined with a 50% technology outlined here – to find their comparing successive datasets, and where it can be used to provide high of Stokesley, near Middlesbrough, to carry effectively to stabilise the velocity of flow improvement in the time taken to complete place and become part of the standard provides the ability to accurately measure quality 3D images of subsea structures out the ‘scour protection’ of the steel around sub surface structures preventing each monopile, resulted in the Scour procedure for effective operation & the depth and overall dimensions of scour such as offshore facilities, wind turbine monopile foundations located 1.5km off suction and scour for ‘life.’ Protection Project team completing the maintenance procedures in the future as well as the volume of material removed. foundations and seabed architecture. the coast of Redcar in the Tees bay. project both safely and ahead of schedule. The filter units create a porous structure ADUS DeepOcean Project detail that is positioned on the sea bed to Team effort www.deepocean.no The specialist underwater engineering protect it from the effects of scouring, On completion of the work the Project work involved the placement of large nets whilst also allowing fish to circulate and Manager of EDF, Tim Bland, thanked the Click to view more info filled with loose stone around the base creating a new habitat for shellfish and team for the “brilliantly executed job.” of each turbine to offset any removal of other marine life. seabed sediment caused by wave and John McCullagh, Director of MSS, said: tidal movement. Installation technique “MSS is a Teesside company with an For this project, MSS used their unique international business base; it’s great to The Nylon and polyester filter bag is made Patent-Applied installation technique. secure such a project on our doorstep! from 61% recycled bottles and filled The company’s diverless installation We employ many Teesside people and with carburised limestone, to provide a methodology is a viable and cost-effective I would like to thank the whole team for stable yet flexible structure that requires solution for existing foundations without bringing in this project safely, accurately no seabed levelling or dredging prior to protection where scour has been identified, and ahead of schedule.” installation. or for foundations where the protection has been washed away or has failed. Marske Site Services Ltd www.marskesiteservices.co.uk For the Teesside project they installed a matrix of 4-tonne & 8-tonne capacity filter bags to provide coverage, flexibility and stability. It was important that the bags Important factors were laid in a specific configuration, which ADUS DeepOcean has engaged with a is due to the process which incorporates number of UK windfarm operators in order visual sonar imaging and a diverless remote to understand their ongoing inspection release mechanism to ensure the bags requirements. There is an essential need were positioned safely and accurately. to identify and monitor a number of important factors which include…
• Scour around the base of monopiles • Cable exposure on the seafloor • Movement of sand waves across the site • Cable freespan • Cable tension About ADUS DeepOcean • Cable bend radius ADUS DeepOcean Ltd was formed in 2013 following the acquisition of a Monitoring 50% interest in ADUS by DeepOcean This 3D visualisation technology is directly group. Formerly Advanced Underwater applicable for the effective monitoring Surveys Ltd, ADUS was originally a spin of these factors and can add value by out from the University of St Andrews increasing opportunity, speed & quality and Dundee University and has rapidly of data acquisition, and reducing use of acquired a global reputation in the marine divers and ROVs, whose tasks can involve salvage market for its stunning subsea 3D the manual measurement of these factors. visualisations. The use of divers in such operations is often problematic with down time caused The company is known for such high by weather, but also the requirement only profile work as the survey of the wreck of to dive during slack water periods. the oil rig Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf
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free-flying ROV or tracked crawler system situated on unconstrained depths of sandy is irrelevant; the costs increase dramatically sediments, scour clearly presents a severe when ROVs are involved. Remote Monitoring Systems Identifying hazard. Significant cost and concern Support Scour Prevention scour risk Effective techniques Considering the volume of in-service and In collaboration with University of lost. Sometimes the pit is several metres There are numerous innovative and planned subsea cables associated with Southampton, Kongsberg Maritime’s deep and can drastically alter the support Scour is a significant concern effective techniques employed specifically offshore wind, this is a significant cost. subsea experts in the UK and sonar and vibration characteristics of the turbine for offshore wind developers and for the monitoring of scour, which support Another issue with mobilising ROVs to site is specialists in Canada have designed so it’s vital that a clear view of what operators, and considerable effort is yearly or twice-yearly detailed monitoring the class of vessel required to accommodate an innovative solution to remotely is happening on the seabed is readily dedicated to scour prevention and surveys as stipulated by consenting and the ROV and personnel. Tracking a cable monitor the development of scour at available,” explains Peter Ward, Underwater monitoring activity. If scour develops, it licensing agreements. from substation to landfall using a vessel the base of offshore wind turbines. Acoustics and Marine Impacts Specialist at has the ability to dramatically weaken based ROV method is problematic, as the Kongsberg Maritime in the UK. structural stability, particularly for the Operators must also plan for major storm size of vessel required limits the ability to Offshore Scour Monitoring common monopile foundation. events, which can drastically adjust the track the cable in shallow water. System Continuous monitoring The Offshore Scour Monitoring System, in The continuous monitoring capability of Another concern is that not all the context of marine renewables provides the system provides valuable information environments are suitable for ROVs, long term monitoring of the seabed in the regarding the dynamics of scour formation “Our system not only monitors the depth particularly in shallow areas, and close immediate vicinity of turbine foundations. and sediment backfill. When the tidal flow of the seabed around each wind turbine, proximity to the seabed cannot always direction changes, the scoured out sediment which is important information in itself, be achieved. For tracked systems, this Dual Axis Scanning Sonar may refill the pit, but being unconsolidated, it but also provides insight regarding the becomes less of an issue as the route is Using the Dual Axis Scanning Sonar will have little or no load bearing capability. dynamic changes of the underlying engineered to accommodate the trenching (DAS) to continuously monitor the seabed seabed structure. This translates into and jetting burial systems. around the turbine, the system logs all This information, which is not available lower intervention costs for maintaining the data and transmits this data to shore for the less frequent multibeam scour the structure within the design parameters Tracked inspection ROV via the telemetry infrastructure, cabled or surveys, provides the opportunity for quick and avoids reductions in the life span of Osiris Projects invested in a tracked wireless, installed in the turbine. remedial action before the scour becomes the wind turbine associated with unstable inspection ROV in 2012 specifically to critical to the monitored structure. foundations and vibration induced perform cable depth of burial surveys, “The system can accurately visualise structural fatigue.” and are currently considering designing the scouring at the base of the turbine, Paying dividends our own bespoke crawler with enhanced showing engineers to what level the This is where hydro acoustic monitoring Kongsberg Maritime capability. Advances in cable tracking supporting capability of the seabed is really pays dividends according to Ward: www.km.kongsberg.com technology will undoubtedly bring towed options, but until then tracked ROVs offer a suitable solution. embankment builds up to a height of up to 1.1m. Thus not only is scour prevented but It is therefore critical to identify the seabed morphology. Osiris Projects GPS and DP technology Bi-Flex concrete mattresses a reinforcing embankment is formed. potential for scour risk so that adequate regularly performs post-construction Secondly, GPS and DP technology has protection can be designed and monitoring surveys, typically acquiring significantly improved since the first offshore Where cohesionless soils makes up Proactive method Cable protection implemented. Scour is also problematic high-resolution bathymetry which is then wind cables were installed, so the older the seabed this material can be subject A more proactive method of scour prevention The same approach can be used for for buried cables, and as cables account combined with previous datasets to the cable, the greater allowance should to scour caused by changes in water is to incorporate fronds onto the concrete protection of the cables, a line of fronded for another major cost it is equally assess seabed movement. be made for positional inaccuracy. While particle velocity. mattresses. They are laid with the fronds mattresses can be laid where burial is not important to understand the nature of the ongoing and recent monitoring surveys give kept under a safe net until the total array has viable, and thus permits an embankment to seabed along the export cable routes. Volume analysis accurate positional information, conclusions For offshore wind farm structures scour been installed and then the nets are released be formed giving both stability and impact The volume analysis technique is relatively made on the movement of the cable/seabed is caused by the installation of piles, hub to allow the fronds to form a covering of this protection. Prevention of scour throughout simple; overlaying new and previously since installation can never be made with structures and any objects placed on the ‘artificial seaweed.’ Fronds work by reducing the life-cycle acquired bathymetry shows the net change 100% confidence. seabed that alter the water velocity. the velocity of the water locally and in doing Pipeshield has been involved in many Osiris Projects play a role in the prevention to the shape of the seabed. This method so those particles that cannot be held in offshore oil and gas projects for scour of scour throughout the life-cycle. Pre- allows you to literally see the movement of Summary Vulnerability suspension drop down. The viscous drag prevention and the following offshore wind construction, this involves acquiring data sandwaves between surveys, so not only In summary, scour can be exceptionally Large diameter objects are vulnerable to created by the buoyant fronds causes this farm projects… on the nature of the site, paying particular can you monitor the extent of sediment hazardous, and surveys are commissioned to significant scour and thus it is large monopiles reduction in current velocity. attention to characteristics associated with movement around structures, but it is also contractors such as ourselves to understand that need consideration for scour prevention. • Lincs OWF the presence and extent of scour. possible to estimate the rate of change and the nature of the seabed and the potential Although clay soils do not scour, where there Over a period of time, and this can be within • Gwynt-y-Mor use this to predict the lifespan of any scour scour risk, while monitoring surveys give is a thin veneer there is a possibility of the a matter of days or a few weeks, a sediment • Egmond Wind Park They gather data on the nature of the protection in place. snapshots which over time provide detailed material being removed by abrasion leaving • Dan Tysk seabed and water-column using a range information on the development of scour. underlying sand subject to scour. • Scroby Sands of survey and oceanographic sensors, Cable depth monitoring • Lynn Inner Dowsing which is then evaluated by scour For cable depth of burial monitoring, the Osiris Projects Proven system • Thannet assessment specialists. process is not so simple and there are www.osirisprojects.co.uk Concrete flexible mattresses are now various inherent challenges. The primary a proven system of scour prevention. Pipeshield Data analysed restriction is that the industry standard Click to view more info Mattresses are designed to be self-stable www.pipeshield.com Aspects such as the nature and mobility method of tracking the horizontal and and prevent the underlying soil eroding of shallow sediments, sand waves, mega vertical position of the cable is greatly limited and by being flexible any initiation of scour Click to view more info ripples and wave and current oceanographic by range. This means the sensor must be = Click to view video 1 around the mattress edges allows the edge data will be of particular interest. For sites positioned close to the seabed and cannot blocks to fall into the scour depression and underlain by marine clay, scour is rarely be towed from a vessel, it must be mobilised = Click to view video 2 halts any further erosion. a serious issue, but for developments to an ROV. Whether this is a traditional
52 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 53 MONEY MATTERS MONEY MATTERS Dealing with our partners around the Many Finance Directors, Financial Controllers and Managing Directors find themselves preoccupied with monitoring world exchange rates rather than focusing on their ‘day job.’ The rise of international trade in recent times is perhaps best highlighted by There is a constant concern within the 111.5% increase in UK imports businesses that the exchange rate will during the ten year period 1998 - 2008. drop below a particular budget level, It is estimated that around 165,000 which can leave a business ‘out of UK businesses import goods from the money’ on their foreign currency overseas whether as raw materials or payments. Even without dropping below manufactured component parts. the costed level, falling exchange rates can impact profit figures. No matter Wind energy sector how conservative businesses are when This trend has been particularly evident deciding what exchange rate to work with in the wind sector with more and more when costing their goods, fluctuations in UK wind businesses buying in European the market can cause headaches. There is no doubt that falling exchange and Far Eastern components. German rates can cause businesses to encounter engineered mechanics, cables from So how should the UK wind problems. On the flip side however, if they Japan and carbon fibre from China are all energy sector manage this can secure themselves a favorable rate of regularly imported elements of the wind problem? exchange then many businesses find an turbine equation. As the sector grows and more and more opportunity to improve their bottom line turbines are constructed, currency risk or increase their competitiveness in the Currency issues becomes more prominent. Projects can marketplace (through discounting or other Suppliers of these products will be costed and agreed months before offers). predominantly require payment in their construction even begins. Many Finance local currency or – in the case of the far- Directors will wait until invoices are Therefore, regardless of the size of the east – in US dollars. As a result, British received to look at currency exchange, business, considered management of a wind energy businesses are finding but that could well be too late. If the spot foreign exchange requirement is essential themselves exposed to a new threat, market has moved the wrong way then in order to ensure the most bang for every foreign currency risk. imported goods can become much more buck. expensive by the time the currency is Foreign exchange market exchanged, hitting margins. Torrie Callander The foreign exchange market is the Foreign Currency Specialist world’s largest financial marketplace and Managing exposure to risk Global Reach Partners as such shows minute by minute volatility. There are many different methods that www.globalreach-partners.com For those businesses that require to a business can use to manage their purchase foreign currencies in order to exposure to this risk. Strategies will be make payments overseas – this volatility based entirely on the owners risk appetite has the potential to cause problems. and can encompass a number of different instruments and products. The percentage of exposure hedged and the levels at which to hedge it will be determined by the needs of the business in question and the ultimate goal of this kind of hedging is to ensure that the business is protected against negative movements in the market – while still able to capitalise on favorable movements.
54 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 55 MONEY MATTERS MONEY MATTERS
Natural Power again during the ongoing Shaun Kingsbury said: “This new MoU is acquisitions within this fund and have Green Investment a bold and exciting statement of intent. been impressed by their ability to offer GIB and Masdar are new organisations such holistic due diligence services in Bank and Masdar to – the first of their type in the world. We’ll the sector.” be working together closely to bring investment to UK clean energy projects new £35m Natural Power’s Due Diligence services form new investment and to share our expertise and experience. are based on a wealth of full lifecycle consulting experience of over 15 years, alliance Investment “At GIB we are building an enduring having… Masdar has already independently institution; one that’s here for the long The UK Green Investment Bank plc invested over £500 million through its term. This relationship shows how we wind energy • Successfully delivered building (GIB) and Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s state- equity stake in the UK’s London Array, the can act as a catalyst to bring in additional consents and environmental permits backed renewable energy company, world’s largest offshore wind farm. This funds for UK clean energy projects to over 2000MW of wind energy projects, have confirmed that they will sign new alliance will unlock the potential for complement the support we’ve already both onshore and offshore, for a broad a Memorandum of Understanding further investment. received from the UK Government.” income fund range of developers (MoU) to explore project investment opportunities in the UK’s clean energy The MoU was the initiative of UK Energy Collaboration Resonance Asset Management sector. and Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: “The LLP have completed the who witnessed the signing said: “The United Arab Emirates and the United acquisition of Strath of Brydock State visit creation of the Green Investment Bank Kingdom have already forged a strong wind farm with international The MoU signed on the occasion of a is one of the Coalition Government’s key bond in the advancement of clean renewable energy consultancy state visit to the UK by His Highness green achievements. Initially capitalised energy. This collaborative investment Natural Power acting as lead Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with a huge injection of £3 billion, we effort will not only strengthen those technical due diligence engineer. President of the United Arab Emirates, at always intended this brand-new financial ties, it has the potential to pay healthy an event hosted by HRH Prince Andrew, institution to act as a catalyst to attract dividends for both countries. Resonance Asset Management, an the Duke of York, at Buckingham Palace. other finance into the UK Low Carbon alternative asset management firm economy.” “Masdar is pleased to be contributing focused on originating, distributing Under the MoU, the two parties will to the UK’s renewable energy portfolio and managing real asset investment consider opportunities to jointly invest in “This alliance is a big step in that through the London Array and we are funds for institutional investors, green infrastructure projects in the UK direction, and a huge vote of confidence actively engaged in exploring new recently confirmed they have raised over the next seven years. Together, in the UK clean energy sector. But investment opportunities in the UK £35m for its inaugural wind energy they will introduce potential investment this agreement is about more than just offshore wind and clean technology income fund. opportunities to one another and other money. Given the pioneering Low sectors.” potential investors. There is no change Carbon achievements of Masdar, it Strath of Brydock wind to the governance of both parties as joint makes strong strategic sense too.” UK Green Investment farm investments will be made and managed www.greeninvestmentbank.com The fund appointed Natural Power to independently. The MoU was signed by Masdar CEO carry out technical due diligence on Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber and GIB CEO Masdar their first acquisition of the Strath of Shaun Kingsbury. www.masdar.ae Brydock wind farm. The site, located west of Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland is a 6.9MW wind farm with 3 Enercon E70 turbines and has been operational with Muirden Energy for the past three years. Marco Pipparelli, Head of Due Diligence • Managed the pre financing and post UK commented on the project “It is with financing construction process on over Natural Power provided Resonance with great pleasure that we have opened 1100MW of wind farm projects the following services in order for them the doors on Resonance’s new wind • Provided comprehensive asset to assess the acquisition of Strath of fund, with this initial purchase of Strath management services for over Brydock… of Brydock. We are keen to continue 2000MW of operating wind farm working with them on new acquisitions capacity, constituting 32% of the total • Energy production review and analysis moving forward, providing competitive wind onshore installed capacity in the UK • Site visits to visually assess the due diligence advice based on almost condition of project infrastructure two decades of renewable consulting Natural Power • Contracts review – turbine supply, experience.” www.naturalpower.com warranty and asset management • Review of historical planning and other Francesca Collins, Resonance Asset permit conditions Management said “Resonance Asset • Review of land lease agreements Management launched their inaugural • Balance of plant – electrical review and wind energy income fund focused on grid connection wind capacities of between 2MW and 10MW. Natural Power has advised us successfully on this first acquisition of 6.9MW Strath of Brydock wind farm. We look forward to working with
56 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 57 MONEY MATTERS MONEY MATTERS
The company supply high specification with UK clients to help drive the UK offshore support vessels to customers economy. SMD and worldwide. Their vessels support survey, EU energy sector faces diving and ROV operations and have “Supplier credit finance facilities cover EDT secure assisted in military and civilian aircraft bills of payment purchased by the bank wreckage recoveries. From its home port from an exporter like SMD, which it investment crisis export of Limassol EDT also provides services receives from selling to an overseas such as shorebase facilities, a dedicated buyer. Their use allows the UK-business €1 trillion of investment is required fuels. Such investment would help to Other recommendations from the quay, heliport and ships agency service. to receive payment instantly while over the current decade, however deliver secure and low carbon energy, Committee include… finance allowing the purchaser to repay over a the value of energy companies boost European economic growth, and SMD has secured a financing package Deployment longer period of time.” has slumped. There is sufficient stabilise household and industrial costs. • Better use by Member States of fiscal provided by Lloyds Bank and UK EDT plan to deploy SMD’s Quasar MK investment available, but it is frozen policies to unlock investment Export Finance (UKEF) on behalf of II Work-Class ROV system to provide Specification by policy inertia and uncertainty. “The value of energy companies has • The Commission and Member States EDT Offshore, which has enabled the expanded subsea service support to The Quasar Mk II ROV is from SMD’s new slumped since 2008, the public purse working with large-scale investors, Cyprus based customer to purchase both new and existing customers in the second generation range of work-class Clear EU policy – the key is severely constrained, but more including pension funds, to highlight a Quasar MkII work class Remotely Mediterranean region. vehicles and has 150hp and a 3000m More of the funds held by institutional than enough money is around in the the investment opportunities within the Operated Vehicle (ROV). operating depth. The EDT vehicle was investors would be invested in energy investment community. This should energy sector Andrew Hodgson, CEO of SMD, said: fitted with a Sea Squirt fluid injection projects if there was a clear EU policy be a great time to invest in long term • Assessments by the Commission of The negotiation of the financing package “This latest deal sees us continue system used to supply high-pressure fluid about how to deliver secure, affordable assets, such as energy, but clear the impact of national energy policies was facilitated by SMD on EDT’s behalf. to expand our overseas sales and (typically, glycol or a waterglycol mixture) and low carbon energy, says the House of policy is needed in order to release it. on neighbouring Member States, open up a new market in the Eastern from the ROV in order to operate, monitor Lords EU Sub-Committee for Agriculture, No country is an energy island, so EU based on obligatory annual reporting Background details Mediterranean. or diagnose critical subsea hardware. Fisheries, Environment and Energy in its policy is particularly important. We need by Member States Under arrangements of this type, UKEF report, published recently. leadership and direction from the EU • A regulatory approach to boosting provides a lender with a Government- “As we look to boost sales in new The vehicle was also fitted with torque and its Member States in developing and carbon capture and storage backed guarantee against payment territories the support of Lloyds Bank and FLOT tooling to give versatility for Eight-month inquiry agreeing an energy policy framework • Development of a regulatory structure default by the customer. This in turn and UKEF has been absolutely critical. additional subsea operations. SMD Following an eight-month long inquiry, through to 2030. for the exploitation of shale gas in the EU permits the lender to provide the customer In addition, their understanding of both supplied the full deck spread including during which the Committee heard from • A greenhouse gas reduction target of a number of individuals and organisations ETS has failed but it is not dead 40% compared to 1990 levels, in line including the European Commission, the “At the heart of that framework, we with an 80% reduction by 2050 Secretary of State for Energy and Climate see two core policies. First, a revised • The development of electricity Change, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). interconnections between Member the CBI, WWF and power companies, The ETS has failed but it is not dead. It States the Committee’s alarm at the degree needs to include a minimum price for • Better public engagement on the of uncertainty and complacency about carbon, providing governments and benefits of new energy infrastructure affordable, secure and low carbon energy investors with the confidence to support • Avoiding excessive reliance on supplies has grown. innovation through investment. Second, capacity mechanisms, such as that and contrary to UK Government policy, a proposed in the UK, to pay companies Commenting on the report, Lord Carter target for the proportion of energy to be to guarantee a supply of energy of Coles, Committee Chairman, said: “It delivered through renewable energy until • The UK government also examine the is clear to us that investment is urgently 2030 is required. potential for a regulatory framework to required, notably in a low carbon, increase gas storage interconnected and innovative energy “There are no easy answers to meeting system, that makes us less reliant on these challenges and keeping Europe imports of highly volatile and dirty fossil competitive in the global market. But House of Lords unless we find a way of doing this, www.parliament.uk our future energy could well be highly polluting, unaffordable and insecure.” = Click to view video
with access to funding which might not the oil & gas sector and our business has control system, Tophat TMS, A-frame, otherwise be obtainable at all, or at much enabled them to quickly tailor a package winch and ROV. more attractive interest rates than would that allowed the deal to complete otherwise be available. smoothly.” SMD www.smd.co.uk Experience Financial support EDT Offshore began operations in Patrick Sherrington, Head of Corporate Click to view more info Limassol, Cyprus in 1980 as ship Asset Finance at Lloyds Bank Commercial managers and operators. After more than Banking added: “This deal has allowed thirty years of work dedicated to achieving us to support a first class mid-sized UK = Click to view video world-class standards, EDT has become manufacturer with its export ambitions a highly successful and well respected and is a clear example of Lloyds Bank organisation. Commercial Banking working closely
58 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 59 SPOTLIGHT ON WEST OF SCOTLAND SPOTLIGHT ON WEST OF SCOTLAND
Honorary degrees for industry leaders Spotlight The West of Scotland leads the way When energy giant Areva chose to The wider picture Industrial revolution locate in Scotland in November last The wider picture, however, is that there Ewen Cameron, a Senior Manager in on the West of year, it said one of the key factors are now more than 40 investments renewables & low carbon technologies at in its decision was the growing or intended investments in offshore Scottish Enterprise, says: offshore manufacturing ‘cluster’ renewable power located right around in Scotland, where the company the country, from Strathclyde to the “Scotland is at the forefront of this new Scotland intends to base its site. Shetlands. ‘industrial revolution’, and that it should remain so. So often overlooked in the wind Scotland is rapidly becoming a leading global light in the ongoing development of “We’re determined to see Scotland energy industry, this area is renewable energy. As well as having the realise its potential within this remarkable such an important part in the natural resources, we are also home to new industry, we provide support in some of the leading experts, innovators all sorts of ways, from R&D funding to larger scheme of things. and operators in the sector. providing the facilities these companies need. West of Scotland focus We let our sponsors for this feature, The west of the country shows a distinct “It’s part of our job to make sure the Scottish Enterprise, explain why… focus on research and development. In infrastructure is in place and remains Glasgow, the International Technology in place. We’ll keep working with the and Renewable Energy Zone (ITREZ), will main players; the researchers and the bring together academia, research and innovators; the companies seeking to business to create a hub of activity around make the most of our natural resources, the renewables sector. to ensure that remains the case.”
ITREZ will be home to the University of Scottish Enterprise Strathclyde’s Technology Innovation www.scottish-enterprise.com Centre and Scottish Enterprise’s new industry engagement building - Inovo, as well as the headquarters of the UK’s Click to view more info Offshore Energy Catapult. The Catapult is a £50million technology innovation project which aims to improve the risk = Click to view video profile around new offshore renewable energy technologies, making them more bankable.
Wind turbine test centre Elsewhere in the West, Scottish Enterprise and SSE are creating an offshore wind turbine test centre at Hunterston on the coast of North Ayrshire – capable of hosting three full scale wind turbines designed for offshore deployment.
60 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 61 SPOTLIGHT ON WEST OF SCOTLAND SPOTLIGHT ON WEST OF SCOTLAND
Ensuring the supply of skilled workers to A very Scotland’s biggest growth sector strong Safety Technology’s new ‘Introduction Specialist programme This huge surge in installed and planned position in Wind energy Ambition to Wind Turbines’ course was Safety Technology has been working wind capacity in the country has resulted The wind sector, both onshore or Bill Nicol, delivered to Scotland’s future Wind closely with this working group to offer an in a vast increase in highly skilled, offshore, needs ports, infrastructure CEO, stated Turbine Technicians recently as part extensive range of courses designed and long-term employment opportunities the West of and connectivity to prosper and reduce Bill Nicol “Riverside of a specially-devised Wind Energy developed for individuals looking to work in the area. In response to this Safety costs. The Inverclyde area (Greenock Inverclyde diploma at Ayr College in South West in the country’s fastest growing renewable Technology has set in motion plans Scotland and Port Glasgow being its largest is an ambitious Urban Regeneration Scotland. energy sector. Combining Ayr College’s to expand their current Wind Turbine towns), renowned for its manufacturing, Company with strong local partnerships 30 years of experience in delivering high Technician training in Scotland, with a Following a visit by Scotland’s shipbuilding, engineering and IT and a track record of successful delivery. Overall ambition quality courses for the aeronautical sector, training tower currently in planning for Finance minister John Swinney to successes, and its readily adaptable Companies attracted to Inverclyde such The diploma was launched in March with Safety Technology’s extensive their base at Ayr College in South West Inverclyde on 27th August 2012, the workforce, is an ideal mobile investment as the expanding, onshore wind farm 2013 and is supported and part- knowledge of Wind Turbine safety, this Scotland. Greenock Telegraph reported that: location in the West of Scotland. developer 2020 Renewables, and Jenda funded by Whitelee Windfarm operator new partnership ensures that the suite Energy, involved in projects such as the ScottishPower Renewables and Energy of Wind Energy courses cover both the Local community benefits Beatrice Demonstrator Project offshore, Skills Partnership Scotland, with the practical and theoretical understanding The Curriculum Director at Ayr College, Inverclyde are testament to what we can contribute overall ambition to encourage more local needed to work in the sector. Sooh Sweeney, said on the new suite of to a successful wind energy sector. We employment opportunities in renewable courses “Our aim is to provide industry look forward to contributing further with energy for people living in the South West Bob Dickens, Managing Director of Safety approved training in wind turbine the superb facilities we can provide, only of Scotland. Technology, said of the new programme maintenance to create a pool of work- 20 minutes from Glasgow Airport.” “We are delighted to be involved in this ready technicians. The energy sector Opportunities ground breaking initiative with Energy developments in South West Scotland Riverside Inverclyde With the UK’s largest onshore wind farm, Skills Partnership and leading technology will be of great benefit to the local www.riversideinverclyde.com Whitelee, on its doorstep and substantial colleges in Scotland to provide a fully communities and we are delighted to investment being pumped into the area, joined up programme to support the have the opportunity to work with key the opportunities for local employment supply chain requirements of this partners in meeting industry demands in South West Scotland have been growing sector.” locally.” quickly recognised. As a result Energy Skills Partnership have brought together Industry growth Joint accreditation Britain’s leading Wind Energy experts to With a new electricity target announced last With no currently registered RenewableUK offer this specialist programme to provide year to generate the equivalent of 100% and GWO combined training providers candidates for work readiness in the Wind of Scotland’s own electricity demand from based in the country, Safety Technology Energy sector in Scotland, and as part of renewable resources by 2020, the sector will be the first of its kind to be able to this support are providing funding including shows no sign of slowing down. offer joint accreditation in these industry capital expenditure for the project. recognised courses out of Scotland.
Strategically placed training centres Ed Davey MP, UK Secretary of State for Energy Through its existing accredited training & Climate Change learns about Inverclyde’s facilities in Blyth, Great Yarmouth and renewables proposition from Riverside Inverclyde’s South Wales, Safety Technology are able Neil Lochiel at Scottish Renewables Annual to offer RenewableUK accredited Work at Conference, March 2013 Height and Rescue training alongside the GWO Basic Safety Training to a host of Wind Energy ‘hotspots’ throughout the UK. The minister said Inverclyde looks to Riverside Inverclyde be “very strongly positioned” to be a Riverside Inverclyde’s regeneration of the By strategically placing its training centres hub for west coast renewable energy waterfront area is providing cost effective, in these locations, Safety Technology can manufacturing. “The government high quality solutions - from companies offer services closer to their customers has investment resources to support seeking a small presence in Scotland, than any other providers, with the aim of renewables development, and we will do to benign waters’ testing, to a bespoke delivering high quality training with the so…. It’s good there is a very focused regional HQ, to quayside deep water least disruption to their clients operations. approach being taken by all of the and dry dock facilities, to large scale groups involved to make sure Inverclyde manufacturing and assembly operations – Safety Technology is ready for that opportunity.” that will help drive both the sector forward www.safetytechnology.co.uk and exploit Inverclyde and the West of Scotland’s potential.
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Multi-million pound
electricity grid research Research capabilities and centre opens in Scotland industry links Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal of Joint venture the University of Strathclyde, said: “As Located in Cumbernauld near Glasgow, the a leading international technological PNDC is a venture between the University university, our research capabilities and of Strathclyde, ScottishPower Energy long-standing partnerships with industry the first in Networks, Scottish and Southern Energy put us in an ideal place to develop the Advance technologies and ideas Power Distribution, Scottish Enterprise and next generation of electrical power The PNDC aims to accelerate the the Scottish Funding Council. systems technologies. The Centre will adoption of advanced technologies and remove many of the barriers to these Europe convert ideas and research into low Government focus – Scotland technologies, improve energy efficiency, carbon solutions for the electricity industry leading the way ensure that we maintain a secure supply The University of Strathclyde’s of the future. First Minister Alex Salmond said: “This of power and define grids of the future Power Networks Demonstration is a truly world-class research centre – setting new standards in electrical Centre (PNDC) has been officially The world-class centre is home to and the first of its kind in Europe, clearly distribution. The University of Strathclyde is a leading opened by Scotland’s First researchers, engineers and industry reinforcing that Scotland is leading the international technological university which University of Strathclyde Minister. specialists who are developing new way when it comes to the new ideas, “The launch of the PNDC demonstrates is recognised for strong research links www.strath.ac.uk research and technologies, from advanced new solutions and new practices that will our focus on useful learning across with business and industry, commitment The centre, the first of its kind in grid control schemes to intelligent sensor help us meet the electricity and energy the University and our reputation for to enterprise and skills development, and Europe, has been established in systems, in the facility’s controlled and needs of the future. high quality research with impact and knowledge sharing with the private and response to growing demands for safe environment. relevance continues to attract leading public sectors. The University was named secure, reliable and environmentally- “Smart grid technologies are increasingly industry partners. UK University of the Year in the 2012 friendly electricity across the globe. The 900-square-metre building is equipped important as we move to a low-carbon Times Higher Education Awards. with high quality, innovative control and economy, helping to reduce energy “Our close links to business and industry simulations systems and is home to a waste and making it easier for homes helped Strathclyde win this year’s UK real-life, reconfigurable power network and businesses to generate their own University of the Year title, and the PNDC independent from the national grid. renewable energy. Our ambitious plans demonstrates these close partnerships for this sector demonstrate that it has the in action.” potential to create up to 12,000 jobs by 2020.
“I am therefore delighted to open this hugely innovative research centre, which is a fantastic example of researchers, engineers and industry specialists working together to improve energy efficiency. This firmly putting Scotland at the forefront of smart electrical technologies and setting new standards in electrical distribution.”
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GSS Marine Services GSS Marine Services are a company based in Rhu Marina Scottish Water install near Helensburgh in Argyll and Bute. The company which until very recently was known as GSS Plant now work across most continents and also have an office in Holland. Evance small wind turbines Services and experience They provide expert and well equipped support for marine to power water treatment construction, engineering, repair and maintenance and are trusted contractors to the Royal Navy and civil maritime construction industry. works Ten Evance turbines to reduce cost of Vital service at reduced cost Scottish Water operating water works on Isle of Lewis “It is exciting to see our turbines being Scottish Water is the fourth largest water used to help Scottish Water reduce & waste water service provider in the UK, Evance is pleased to be working in the cost of supplying a vital water & providing 5 million customers, with 1.3 partnership with Scottish Water to help waste water service to the Scottish billion litres of clean water every day and harness wind power and so reduce the community,” comments Tim Sammon, also takes away 839 million litres of waste energy costs of running a vital service for Director of Evance Wind Turbines. water a day. With over 2,100 water and the Scottish community. waste water treatments works, and other “It is great working with the team at sites, Scottish Water is a large user of First installation complete Scottish Water as they are open to energy. Scottish Water continues to work The first installation of R9000 small wind opportunities to make small wind work on projects to generate green energy turbines has been completed at Scottish for them on sites where wind is a good to reduce operation costs, reduce the Water’s waste water treatment works near natural resource – a resource there for cost to customers and also help to meet Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. The ten harnessing! This is all for the benefit of Scotland’s renewable energy target. Wind, wave and tidal turbines will be able to generate around their paying customers, and will also Increasingly GSS have expanded into the offshore wind, 500kWh of electricity each day to help support local businesses which are Wider investment programme wave and tidal energy fields. Their fleet of 18 state-of-the-art power the works, so reducing the energy providing installation services, and will The turbines are part of the wider workboats cope with all aspects of the offshore renewables costs of running the works today and in undertake ongoing servicing of the investment programme by Scottish sector from installation, cable laying and maintenance, to fully the future. turbines.” Water Horizons the utility’s commercial qualified dive support and crew transfer. subsidiary, in renewable generation On-site for use on-site schemes across Scotland. Wind energy Eddie Johnstone, Project Manager with Some of the marine wind farm projects around the UK that GSS Scottish Water’s Energy Team stated Evance Wind Turbines Ltd have been involved with include Burbo Bank, Robin Rigg and “We’re delighted that this wind project at www.evancewind.com Arklow as well as further afield for the Rodsand 2 off Denmark Stornoway has come to fruition. Scottish where they offered services including dive support, ground Water needs a significant amount of investigations, vibrocoring, and anchor handling. energy to provide services to the people of Scotland. By installing the Evance small Wave & tidal wind turbines energy can be generated During works in Orkney on-site for use on-site. This will reduce the Fiona F Eurocarrier, the need for purchasing electricity from accompanied by a a grid supplier, resulting in lower energy team of 5 divers carried costs – all benefits for our customers. out installation of 10 We will continue to pursue opportunities composite gravity to deliver best value by developing anchors weighing up renewables and maximising use of to and over 100 tonnes Scottish Water’s assets.” for the European Marine Energy Centre’s offshore test facilities for wave and tidal power technologies.
Flexible approach The flexible approach that GSS Marine Services has, coupled with their vast experience gained in the last 24 years and willingness to acquire specific plant as required by clients, puts them in the forefront of marine contractors in the UK today.
GSS Marine Services www.gssplant.co.uk
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PNDC Government backing Industry commitment Growing demands Networks Strategic The world-class centre, the first of its First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond Andrew Jones, Managing Director, The PNDC has been established in The PNDC provides a flexible kind in Europe, provides a purpose-built said: “This is a truly world-class research S&C Electric Europe, said: “S&C has a response to growing demands for more arrangement of the primary and partnership platform for researching and developing centre and the first of its kind in Europe, long history of supporting our industry efficient, reliable and environmentally secondary equipment that is required state-of-the-art electrical transmission, clearly reinforcing that Scotland is leading and our partnership with the PNDC friendly electrical networks across the to represent typical rural, urban and with multi- distribution and generation innovation. the way when it comes to the new ideas, further demonstrates our commitment globe. Home to researchers, engineers suburban networks in the UK (11kV The centre aims to de-risk smarter new solutions and new practices that will to advancing the application of new and industry specialists who are and 400V). The network can be million pound solutions for tomorrow’s power networks, help us meet the electricity and energy technologies in the sector. Power developing new innovative technologies supplied either directly from the grid grid research accelerate emerging technologies needs of the future. networking is undoubtedly a fast growing from advanced grid control schemes or using a 5MVA motor-generator set towards commercial deployment of power market and the key to a low carbon to intelligent sensor systems, the to allow both voltage and frequency centre technologies and facilitate research into “Smart grid technologies are increasingly economy, and we are very excited to 900-square-metre facility is equipped disturbances to be applied. The the electricity solutions of the future. important as we move to a low-carbon be involved with this project, since it with high quality, innovative control and network itself is built using a mixture of Global smart grid expert invests economy, helping to reduce energy puts the UK at the forefront of delivering simulations systems and is home to a real- cables and overhead sections. Variable £100,000 in the University of Investment waste and making it easier for homes technologies in this space.” life, reconfigurable distribution network lumped impedance equivalents are Strathclyde’s Power Networks S&C is investing approximately £100,000 and businesses to generate their own which may be operated in isolation from used to provide a more dispersed Demonstration Centre worth of equipment in the PNDC, renewable energy. Our ambitious plans the main grid. network within the footprint available. including… for this sector demonstrate that it has S&C Electric Europe Ltd, a smart grid the potential to create up to 12,000 Joint venture and renewable energy integration expert, • IntelliRupter® PulseClose – an jobs by 2020. I am therefore delighted Located in Cumbernauld near Glasgow, announced recently a strategic partnership advanced switching and protection to open this hugely innovative research the PNDC is a venture between the with The University of Strathclyde’s Power solution for self-healing distribution centre, which is a fantastic example of University of Strathclyde, ScottishPower, Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC), grids, resulting in reduced wear and researchers, engineers and industry Scottish and Southern Energy, Scottish which has officially been opened by tear on utility systems, and specialists working together to improve Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Scotland’s First Minister (see full PNDC improved power quality and energy efficiency. This firmly putting Council. article earlier within this West of Scotland reliability for consumers of electricity Scotland at the forefront of smart feature). electrical technologies and setting new S&C Electric Company Europe • Community Energy Storage standards in electrical distribution.” www.sandc.com (CES) units – a battery-based domestic energy storage system University of Strathclyde providing reliable backup power for www.strath.ac.uk communities; supporting distributed renewable generation plants; as well as offering improved power quality and voltage control. The CES units the PNDC is deploying will enable the trial of various battery chemistries by the PNDC to determine what is optimal for a given energy storage application.
As well as providing the technology, Mike Meisinger, Application Director at S&C Electric Europe, will also be serving as the PNDC’s Technical Board Representative.
Working with industry Dr. Iliana Portugues, Operations Director, PNDC said: “Working with business and industry has always been part of the University of Strathclyde’s core strategy and is equally vital in ensuring the progress of the PNDC. With leading international partners such as S&C contributing world-class equipment to the Centre and representing the global interest in our cause, we can truly realise our goal of developing new technologies to help deliver a secure, sustainable and affordable energy future.”
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Height safety Capital Safety has specific and tailored anchors, harnesses and lanyards for wind turbine construction, wind turbine equipment maintenance and wind turbine rescues/ evaluation. Fall protection specific to the wind Construction Brad Gates, President EMEA, Capital Safety In wind turbine construction the company states, “In the wind energy industry, lack energy industry understands the need for a temporary of proper fall protection can have life anchor which can easily be removed and changing consequences. Capital Safety is attached during the construction process. dedicated ensuring that the demands of the wind energy industry places are met Capital Safety is a global leader Global leader The ideal combination would be a Tie- head on with safety leading the way.” in fall protection. The company By aiming to focus on and understand off Adaptor and a good body harness innovates and manufactures fit-for- the particular requirements of companies with various access points so a worker “Fall protection is very important to us, we purpose products, designed to bring operating across the world in different can manoeuvre themselves with multiple take our special responsibility to workers every worker at height home safely. sectors, and responding with equipment anchorage points, such as ExoFit™ Wind at height very seriously. In effect they put The company has over 60 years’ that is specifically designed to meet the Energy Harness, specifically tailored with their lives in our hands every day and it is experience in the industry and is the varied and demanding conditions that wind energy workers in mind. A fixed length our mission to bring those workers home only company that focuses solely on workers at height encounter, they have lanyard such as Force2™ 100% Tie-off safely every time, everywhere, without fall protection as its expertise. grown an extensive patented product Lanyard - designed to protect against exception. Through innovative products range. abrasion whilst climbing and descending - is and training we hope to make sure every People’s lives are at risk every day if they used to link the user’s body harness to the worker feels safe and comfortable in their don’t have the right fall protection equipment Capital Safety now has 1200 employees anchorage. daily lives and in what they are doing.” and training. There were 35 workers’ deaths across the globe with presence on 5 resulting from falls from height (2008/9), continents; Europe, Asia, North and Maintenance accounting for 50% of all fatalities in the South America. Each country has its Wind turbine maintenance requires slightly Capital Safety workplace, and 3,800 major workplace own experts in sales, technical, customer different equipment to construction. The www.capitalsafety.us injuries in the UK alone costing the economy service and marketing. There is also a anchor needs to be permanent, for example £60m each year. The company’s aim is team of 10 who dedicate their time to a Lad-Saf™ Ladder Safety System and Click to view more info to eradicate these deaths and injuries by research and development and who the lanyard will require a lot more mobility singularly specialising in fall protection. have led the innovation of over 500 for motion, the Ultra-Lok™ Self retracting individual patents. Lifeline being ideal for this. Again, a Industry experience and specialised harness tailored to the wind feedback Wind energy industry energy workers which can be worn for Capital Safety engineers and manufactures The wind energy industry is an area of consecutive hours with comfort, for example fall protection equipment including, expertise for the group. It is a diversified ExoFit™ Wind Energy Harness, is required. harnesses, anchors and lanyards. In environment that is constantly changing addition to building the right equipment, the as work progresses and technology Rescue company uses its industry experience and evolves, and the industry itself is always While working at heights sometimes feedback from thousands of clients in the innovating with new procedures and conventional rescue methods can be field to provide on-going advice and support materials that present challenges hard to use and so self-rescue, personal through onsite visits, demo vans, dedicated and demand new solutions from fall evacuation and casualty evacuation training centres and repair centres. protection. equipment is necessary. Speed is essential in all evacuations or rescues. The company They first entered the market in 1949 with On top of a wind turbine is no place believes that all rescue equipment should be the launch of the world’s first ever SRL, to second-guess your fall protection quick and easy to use with any non-installed the SALA-BLOCK. Nearly 50 years later, equipment. When you are hundreds of or temporary equipment being light weight after a number successful mergers and feet in the air with nothing between you and user-friendly. Rollgliss™ R500 Rescue acquisitions, Capital Safety Group was and the ground, you need to know that & Escape Device can be used for one or formed in 1998 hosting the flagship brands you are safe and secure being looked 2 people with the Cable Choker used as a DBI-SALA® and Protecta®. The group has after so you can get on with the job in temporary anchor. now established itself as the global leader in hand. Combining innovation and years of fall protection. experience in the wind sector they have the highest number of engineers, largest patent portfolio, with 180 patented products, and the greatest number of industry firsts within the sector.
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Sheringham Shoal Scira and Tidal Transit working together
Tidal Transit’s personnel transfer vessel, Eden Rose, has been on charter to Scira Offshore Energy since May 2012.
Initially it was transporting construction workers building the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm to site, and since this 88 turbine power plant was completed late last year, it has been taking maintenance technicians to the wind farm on a daily basis.
Renewed contract Construction Announcing that this charter contract has just been renewed Being of rugged GRP construction enables them to operate for a further 6 months, Tidal Transit’s Commercial Director Leo in rough seas – a major advantage when working in the North Hambro said: “Eden Rose has been in daily use by Scira for Sea. Twin V12 MAN engines facilitate speeds of up to 27 almost 12 months now, and it has really proved its worth over Work base knots when carrying twelve passengers, the crew, and their the recent period of rough weather when smaller personnel Having transferred the teams of technicians to various wind on-board cargo. transfer vessels were unable to sail because of the swell. turbines, Eden Rose remains on site, serving as the work base Maintenance work has been critical. Eden Rose, as well as and remaining in radio contact with each team throughout the Cargo decks Ginny Louise over Easter, have been able to cope admirably shift. Some will return on board for lunchtime refreshment, Massive cargo decks fore and aft can accommodate up to with the conditions.” and Eden Rose will finally return them to port at the end of the 10,000kg of tools, equipment and spares, and the Guerra working day. crane on the fore deck has a lifting capacity of 1,025kg at Logistics 6.9m, which caters for long reach loading and unloading. Typically having received its manifest the previous night from Specifications on Tidal Transit vessels Cranes can also be deployed for camera surveys and grab Scira Marine Logistics and loaded up with locally bought These vessels greatly exceed the current fleet being used for sampling. provisions, Eden Rose leaves the harbour at either Great the same purpose in the UK. The vessels’ MCA Cat 1 coding Yarmouth or Wells-next-the-Sea in the early morning. The vessel and 10,000 litre fuel tanks allow them to work up to 150 miles will be carrying up to 12 wind farm technicians and their tools, offshore, well within the range of the UK’s forthcoming Round 3 Tidal Transit Limited together with any spare parts likely to be needed during the day. offshore wind farms. www.tidal-transit.com
Comfort Passenger comfort Click to view more info Travelling at an average speed of 23 knots, the travel time to Each vessel provides four crew members and twelve the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm is usually 2.5 hours passengers with comfortable beds, bathrooms, galley, internet from Great Yarmouth, 1 hour from Wells-next-the-Sea, during access and entertainment facilities, allowing wind farm engineers = Click to view video which passengers can enjoy the on-board comforts of the and support technicians to live and work offshore for up to vessel. several days at a time.
Image courtesy of CHPV
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within a range of 100m. Being hands- Innovative free, they greatly enhance mobility as Myton Law “We were delighted to support ECC shipping, dry shipping, technical shipping, there is no need for crew members to be in formulating a strong business case engineering, insurance, international trade marine tethered to the vessel.” to lenders, which proved successful in and renewable energy matters. advises securing the investment funds towards communications Man overboard rescue exercise the purchase, which ECC wanted.” The ECC Challenger was built by Tidal Transit’s Leo Hambro comments: on £1.6m Lowestoft-based East Coast Charters’ for North Sea “These Communications Systems have Wide experience sister company East Coast Workcats. safety been invaluable. When we carried out workboat Myton Law, located at The Deep Business a ‘man overboard rescue’ exercise Centre on the banks of the Humber, is Myton Law When Mantsbrite became the sole UK recently, the crew member on deck was acquisition able to advise on ship’s finance, ship build, www.mytonlaw.co.uk distributor of the David Clark Marine able to move freely, giving very clear sale and purchase, as well as on wet Wireless Headset Communications instructions to the crew on the bridge, Myton Law has advised work boat Systems in 2012, one of the first users thus avoiding accidental harm to the operator East Coast Charters Ltd on a was Tidal Transit, a fast growing Navigational aids ‘man’ in the water. Fortunately, we £1.6 million vessel acquisition. North Norfolk company providing a They selected Mantsbrite, to firstly fit out haven’t experienced such an incident, new generation of personnel transfer ‘Ginny Louise’, and very shortly after ‘Eden but with the David Clark wireless ECC Challenger vessels for use by offshore wind farm Rose’, with the best navigational aids system, we are confident that our crew- The Hull-based specialist shipping, developers. available to enable the vessels to function to-crew communications can make transport and logistics law firm was safely and efficiently in the unfriendly a huge difference in both normal and instructed by East Coast Charters to Some years earlier. Tidal Transit waters of the North Sea. extraordinary circumstances.” act in the purchase and financing of the had realised that offshore wind farm newly-built ECC Challenger, which adds development off the east coast of England The company is a renowned UK distributor ‘Ginny Louise’ and ‘Eden Rose’ have been to the company’s fleet of multipurpose was going to create a huge demand of electronic navigation and communication in continuous use on the Greater Gabbard workboats providing marine survey, for personnel transfer vessels [PTVs] to equipment, supplying high quality products and Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind crew and stores transport and windfarm transport mechanics and electricians from a wide range of world class suppliers. Farms since their arrival in the UK. support.
“Though the values involved with workboats are not as great as for mainstream shipping, following the downturn, lenders remain perhaps over cautious and their conditions are no less stringent.” explains Myton Law’s John Habergham.
is available to support Furuno, Icom, Providing marine electronics and Simrad, Sailor, Raymarine and many other charts to wind farm workboats manufacturers equipment. Established for over 30 years and Service and Support Specialising in support targeted at the working from 4 offices based around With a 365 days a year call out, the team wind farm sector Charity and Taylor can the coast, Charity and Taylor offer of qualified engineers are ready to resolve reduce the frustration and cut the cost of a wide range of services to vessels equipment failure and breakdown for a vessel downtime. working on the wind farms. wide range of marine equipment. Service Full Installation Working with vessel manufacturers such as Alnmaritec, Southboats, Alicat Workboats & Charity and Taylor have been instrumental in the design and installation of packages, to suit a range from shore to the offshore wind farm Clear and interference-free “Mantsbrite will be fitting out our third of wind farm applications. Navigational sites. Accordingly, in 2011, its directors communication vessel, the ‘Tia Elizabeth’, which is and communication needs are covered Leo Hambro and Adam Wright made Managing Director David Ash said: “One expected to reach these shores in May and packages fitted to suit budgetary a considerable investment in what then of the key factors in operating safely 2013,” says Leo Hambro, “and David requirements. was primarily a fishing trip business, at sea is clear and interference-free Clark wireless headsets are part of the commissioning their first two state-of-the- communication, so I was delighted when equipment specification.” Charts and Publications art, purpose designed and built vessels David Clark launched its new Marine As an Admiralty International chart agent from a Spanish vessel manufacturer. Wireless Headset Communications Established in 1964, Mantsbrite now has Charity and Taylor provide a complete System. Having thoroughly tested these an established 175 strong dealer network ‘one stop shop’ enhancing electronic headsets, I knew they would be ideal for throughout the UK and Ireland. servicing with a complete worldwide crews operating vessels in the demanding offering of admiralty paper charts and environment of the North Sea. Mantsbrite digital products. www.mantsbrite.com “They are rugged, manufactured from Charity and Taylor marine grade components, and enable www.ecdis-and-radar.com users to enjoy clear, crisp reception
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Historic Humber-built vessel launched in Hull
A boat that is spearheading an vessel also for Rix, historic revival of shipbuilding on the the Lerrix, a 53- Bespoke Humber was launched recently. metre long marine bunkering vessel that The Cheetah, built under license from works on Humber workboats for Great Yarmouth-based Alicat Workboats estuary and around – a subsidiary of the Gardline Group – is the east coast. part of a £5.1m order for three aluminum client needs workboats from Hull business Rix Sea Red-letter day Shuttle Ltd. James Doyle, Blue Wave Maritime Ltd have been The company has firmly Managing Director involved in the Offshore Renewable placed themselves in the It is destined for work in the UK’s of Rix Sea Shuttle, market for 2 years, bringing their market to match suitable burgeoning renewable energy industry, said the launch of 30+ years of maritime experience to vessels to their clients. This taking service engineers and equipment to the Cheetah was this new and exciting sector. The involves a requirement from and from wind farms off Britain’s east coast. a red-letter day workboat market has expanded the client for a workboat to in the history of dramatically since the inception conduct a task whether met Dunston (Ship Builders) Ltd shipbuilding on the of offshore wind energy and can mast commissioning, crew The craft has been built at Dunston (Ship Humber. encompass a wide and eclectic range transfer or survey. Blue Builders) Ltd – presently the only ship of vessels from crew transfer vessels, Wave can then go to the builder on the Humber. She will then be “It‘s fantastic to know that our order is becomes a hub for the UK’s renewable guard vessels, tugs and survey ships. market and identify the most towed to Dunston’s ship-repair facility at sparking a revival in shipbuilding in this energy sector and with the right vision suitable vessels, giving the client an idea of The commissioning is due to take place Albert Dock in Hull for finishing, with an region,” he said. and planning, such as is the case with cost and suitability. They will conduct an soon. official naming ceremony. Rix Sea Shuttle, many local companies audit of the workboat and bring her onto “The fact is demand is being driven by should be able to benefit.” charter with the ability to conduct on and Surveys Dunston (Ship Builders) Ltd was formed the renewables sector so what we are off hire surveys, inductions and indeed Blue Wave Maritime also provide manning in May 2012 specifically to build the seeing is the region’s newest industry Rix Sea Shuttle even award The Baltic and International services to Argyll Workboats Limited, workboats. The company is based at offering a lifeline to one of its oldest. www.rixseashuttle.co.uk. Maritime Council (BIMCO) contract. specifically the Sea Horse 2, which has Paull, a village to the east of Hull, on the conducted surveys for a number of old Hepworths Ship Yard site which was “It is opportunities like this that are Case History OREI’s. closed last year after completing a final going to be created as the Humber The company were asked by SgurrEnergy to provide a solution to commissioning Surveys have included bird and mammal, two Met Masts in the Southern North benthic and geophysical. Sea. The challenge being that one of the New custom-build vessel for Osiris Projects masts was over 55 NM offshore. They Blue Wave Maritime Ltd identified 3 vessels that were capable www.bluewavemaritime.org Osiris Projects has announced Customised survey, and will feature the latest offerings of the role and eventually in conjunction the delivery of a new 14m The bespoke vessel, built by Blyth from the company’s regular equipment with SgurrEnergy awarded the contract Click to view more info catamaran planned for later in Workcats, will be customised specifically suppliers. to Atlantic Marine and Aviation LLP 2013. to the requirements of shallow water which supplied the Atlantic Cougar a Design research/crew transfer vessel. This gave The design is similar to that of the company’s SgurrEnergy the flexibility to keep the 15m catamaran ‘Lia’; another custom-build technicians at sea for an extended period catamaran launched in 2004. The design is a in order to negate the very lengthy transfer popular choice for crew transfer vessels and times, some three hours in each direction. is known for providing a fast transit speed without comprising stability.
4th custom build project The new vessel follows the launch of 27m semi-SWATH catamaran ‘Bibby Tethra’ in 2011, and is Osiris Projects’ 4th custom build project.
Osiris Projects www.osirisprojects.co.uk
Click to view more info
= Click to view video 1 Catamaran Lia
= Click to view video 2
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performance of our new Wave Captain Island Shipping complete class boat, she has proved herself to Thirteen years be extremely capable in some very another successful project demanding conditions.” Island Shipping is pleased to Demanding offshore conditions Specifications announce that two of the company’s Working out of Sutton Bridge, the boats They were one of the first to feature the of offshore wind Boat developments wind-farm service vessels, Island have been carrying out a variety of tasks now industry standard Ocean 3 fender Alnmaritec Managing Director Chris Tiger and Island Panther have recently in the most demanding of offshore and their sticking power to the tower in 2 It is remarkable to think that it is only Millman said completed another successful UK conditions. Apart from carrying engineers metre seas is highly regarded throughout thirteen years ago that the very first “We are proud offshore wind-farm charter. they have been tasked with the carriage of the industry. For 17 metres, the vessels transfer of personnel onto an offshore to have been light cargo and gases for construction. punch well above their weight because wind turbine took place in the North supplying Both vessels have carried out 120 days their large volume hulls together with Sea at the then new Blyth Offshore boats to the charter on behalf of Centrica at the 17 metre catamarans, Island Tiger and high tunnel height and excellent interior Wind Farm, the UK’s original offshore UK offshore Lincs Offshore Windfarm construction Island Panther are proven, reliable offshore spec combines for an excellent ride and wind farm. wind industry site in the North Sea. Island Shipping is windfarm vessels. Since launch in June ultimately crew comfort and safety. delighted that both boats have completed 2010, Island Tiger has worked on the Clients have been more than happy with their assignment with no days lost to Greater Gabbard and then Sheringham the boats’ performance: mechanical failure. Shoal completing 618 days on the latter wind-farm, mostly “Sheringham Shoal utilised over 18 on 24 hour personnel transfer vessels in various Top Cat charter. Likewise, conditions and the Island Tiger and Island Panther Island Panther were proven, operating completed 575 in the top end of the fleet’s capability. days continuous The vessels and crews performed charter (mostly extremely well and proved to be reliable 24 hour) on and professional in all that we asked of Sheringham them.” Stated SCIRA Project Manager Shoal before Sheringham Shoal. moving to the Lincs assignment. Island Shipping www.islandshipping.ie
both construction and O&M phases. MPI Workboats’ A leader in fleet of 15-20m catamarans is based on an aluminium the industry water-jet-powered catamaran MPI Offshore has been a front design, incorporating runner in the offshore wind turbine innovative solutions at the installation industry for over a decade, request of individual clients. with the acquisition of the first Boat hull being turned purpose-built wind turbine installation Growth vessel (WTIV), MPI Resolution, in Leslie Robertson, General 2003 and the delivery in 2011 of two Manager of MPI Workboats, more state-of-the-art vessels, MPI has overseen the growth of Adventure and MPI Discovery. MPI’s workboat fleet, from The vessel used for the operation was Leading the way for as long as we have and we are a single vessel in 2008 to the ‘Top Cat’, designed and built by Thirteen years and one hundred and determined to remain at the forefront of Since delivery, these vessels have been the current eight high-speed local boat builder Alnmaritec. One of the twenty boats later Alnmaritec are still in the the development of these vessels. Top installing wind turbines, foundations and catamarans, and is looking highly successful Wave Angler class, vanguard of the industry building modern Cat was a lovely little boat but you only transition pieces throughout Western forward to the delivery of four she was 10m long and classed to carry and innovative vessels many of which are need look at the pictures to see the huge European continental waters. more vessels, currently under construction One specific modification worth 12 passengers and 2 crew - her original in wind farm service. differences between her and the purpose at South Boats IoW. mentioning is the installation of a T12 purpose though was wreck and sea fishing. built vessels of today. We will continue Other services Maxccess system on MPI Dorothea, From here a whole new sector of the Their latest design - the 19m Wave to work closely with our clients to deliver Although this activity is the core business Improvements and modifications allowing safer access from the workboats industry evolved – designing and building Captain class – is proving to be extremely the new and innovative designs which of MPI, the company also provides Based on client feedback and developing to TP landing platforms in difficult sea wind farm support vessels (WFSV). popular in the market, with three will be required to meet the challenges a range of complementary services, market knowledge, MPI Workboats is conditions. This system increases safe completed already and another two emerging as we see turbines erected skills and equipment tailored to current continually working on improving its fleet. access to offshore installations from wave currently in build. Two of these new builds further and further from the shore.” demands in the offshore wind market. Modifications completed include the heights of 1.1m to 1.8m. As a result, are for Dave Armstrong of North Sea installation of 10Te capacity cranes, 690V clients’ available vessel working time is Logistics – operator of Top Cat back in Alnmaritec For example, the company has responded 3Ph generators capable of powering increased by 40%. 2000 who said “We have been involved www.alnmaritec.co.uk to the growing demand for transportation turbines during maintenance, and fuel- in the offshore wind industry for thirteen of offshore personnel and the provision of transfer systems for replenishing all MPI Offshore years during which time Alnmaritec have safe access to offshore installations during existing TP generators. www.mpi-offshore.com built a series of high quality boats for us. I have to say I’m delighted with the
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Desiccant breather depending on the local situation. A CMU By analysing the number and rate of Older turbines especially can benefit can support an array of sensors including particles in the oil flow, an early detection Advanced wind turbine from upgrading to a desiccant breather. e.g. particle counting, water, differential of failures is achieved. The BDE uses a combination of two pressure, temperature and other signals desiccants to achieve a high water as required. The AS 1000 sensor can be added for gearbox filtration and capacity and also a high efficiency. monitoring the water content in the oil. Drying the air when the gearbox inhales Such a data acquisition system is This helps identification of problems with contributes to keep the amount of located in an additional electrical cabinet. the water content before the effects (oil condition monitoring systems dissolved water in the oil at a reasonably Also measured data from a specific sludge, corrosion, bearing fatigue) occur. wind turbine can be transmitted per SMS message either on request, or if Our regular lubricants feature continues to grow and therefore proves how GW Filter Condition Monitoring important the subject area is to the industry. The GW sensor is easy to install to a filter housing. This allows detection of situations with reduced We welcome Hydac as our sponsors for the next year and they start us off with function of the lube information on advanced filtration and condition monitoring, thus ensuring gearbox and filtration circuit health. such as open filter bypass, improper flow rate, false or Ensuring gearbox health and The BN4HX elements have an increased for situations with open filter bypass. contaminated filter avoidance of early failures with dirt holding capacity, high beta ratios and Analyses of used filters have shown that element, incorrect advanced filtration and condition a low differential pressure at high flow the 50µm stage was helpful because system pressure monitoring system upgrade kits rates and high viscosity lubricants. large contaminants, ≥100µm, were found and more. and were removed by the 50µm-stage. A wind turbine gearbox is one of the Without the 50µm stage these would have Summary most important components of a wind been delivered to the lube contacts in the Wind turbines turbine. The cost of changing a gearbox gearbox. typically have after a bearing failure can easily add up to 20 years design £100,000 and more, which can threaten Filter size extension kits low level during operation and stop. Also, life. Changing the economic success of operating a wind There are various options available, such a full pleated air filter element for solid the gearbox turbine. So protecting the gearbox with a as larger filters with the same pore size, contaminants is included in the BDE Photo by ABO Wind AG prematurely due state-of-the-art lube and filtration system providing more filter life-time; these have breathers. to a bearing is a key factor to a reliable and profitable the potential to reduce the annual filtration failure and wear of a wind turbine gearbox operation. cost. Also there are upgrade kits with Offline Filter Upgrades warning levels are exceeded. Hence, an needs to be avoided. When the gearbox higher micron ratings providing a higher An addition of new, and an upgrading of optimisation of maintenance planning for lifetime is reduced, for example to 9 years, Upgrades to High Performance cleanliness level or special filter media existing offline filter circuits enables using the service personnel is provided and 2 changes will be necessary within the Filtration for removal of non-solid contaminants. the Trimicron offline filter elements for operation time in damaging operating 20 years. Hence, the gearbox needs to For more than 15 years HYDAC have This helps maintain oil cleanliness during There is a 3-stage-filter option which removal of fine particles, free water and oil conditions is minimised. Additionally, run as long as possible and rewards the been and still are the leading supplier of the whole installation time of the filter has an additional stage with partial flow ageing bi-products. HYDAC can offer a remote access, most recent technology as a protection to lube systems and filtration for wind. Based element. The differential pressure remains to combine a filter element with low network connected solution with the remove solid contaminants. on the experience in this application and lower for the lifetime of the filter. differential pressure and very fine filtration condition monitoring package CM Expert. on testing and R&D studies, the filtration in the partial flow situation. Oil Condition Monitoring Dr. Armin Schmidt & Tobias Daley Hydac concepts and products were optimised for This reduces the amount of time with Upgrade Kits Sensor array www.hydac.co.uk the wind application in several steps. open filter bypass and without full filtration. For online monitoring of the gearbox The sensor array typically includes particle health, an oil condition monitoring upgrade monitoring for wear debris with sensors Click to view more info Also many kit can be installed. HYDAC has various of the MCS 1000 series. The MCS older wind data acquisition and analysis systems 1510 wear debris monitor can easily be turbine gearbox such as the CMU 1000. The sensor integrated to the inline lubrication circuit in designs can signals can either be transmitted via cable a full flow configuration with many existing be converted e.g. ethernet or per wireless connection, turbine designs. to BN4HX filter elements to achieve full protection for the gearbox using this most recent technology. This includes the recommendable 2-stage design where a 50µm This resulted in the most recent filter filter provides element series BN4HX which is used for a minimum new wind turbine gearbox installations. filtration
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Helping operators optimise power output in harsh environments
A case in point, Mobilgear SHC XMP 320 In the previous issue Rob Pears, Q2: How has wind turbine No matter what sector we are working is designed to provide optimum ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants lubrication changed over time? in or what specific performance equipment protection and discussed viable solutions to address A2: In the past, gearbox lubricant changes characteristics the product requires, this extend the oil life even under common gearbox performance were typically carried out every 18 months process enables us to develop lubricants the extreme conditions wind concerns. In this issue, Rob continues for mineral gear oils and every 3 years for that deliver exceptional performance turbines endure. to share best practice insights synthetic alternatives. across all critical areas—such as oxidative with wind turbine operators, with stability, component wear protection, This high performance gear a particular focus on maintaining Today, as gearbox technology has vastly corrosion control, filterability, water oil is now being used to protect optimum wind turbine productivity improved, wind turbine operators are tolerance, shear stability and extreme- more than 40,000 wind turbine in the face of particularly harsh demanding enhanced performance from temperature performance. gearboxes worldwide. environments, such as those their lubricants. Extended drain intervals encountered offshore. are of particular concern, as a complete The balanced formulation approach Rob Pears “drain-flush-fill” cost can exceed $5,000 is a two-fold concept. First, our team ExxonMobil Fuels & Proper gearbox lubrication is essential for (USD) for a MW mid-range sized turbine of scientists evaluates the lubricant Lubricants maximising wind turbine performance. for the lubricant alone. design in a series of stringent laboratory www.exxonmobil.co.uk However, as technology has evolved the tests to determine its performance burden on lubricants has grown. Because The total cost is further compounded capabilities. Then, we take our lubricant today’s gearboxes must support heavier by other overheads such as labour, candidate out into the field and conduct loads than ever before, operators are production downtime, equipment repair a full-scale, dynamic testing on actual Click to view more info looking for lubricants that can successfully and the prohibitively high cost of vessel industrial equipment. A product has minimise wear and provide extended drain hire for offshore installations. to excel in both tests before it receives intervals. the ExxonMobil seal of approval. For So, not only must wind turbine gearbox wind turbine gearboxes, we recommend Q1: What are some of the lubricants provide protection from the Mobilgear SHC XMP™ 320. considerations that go into elements, but to meet the expectation lubricating a wind turbine of operators, they have to do so for Q4: What are the characteristics gearbox? an exceptionally long period of time to of Mobilgear SHC XMP 320 that A1: Wind turbine gearboxes have unique keep costs down. Some operators are make it an excellent product lubrication needs compared to other looking for lubricants that deliver oil drain for wind turbine gearboxes? industrial sectors. As well as addressing intervals of up to and beyond five years. A4: We work in close co-operation with the standard needs of high load bearing Regular use of an used oil analysis, the Original Equipment Manufacturers gearbox components, we must also such as ExxonMobil’s Signum, enables worldwide to formulate superior lubricant consider the stresses a gearbox endures maintenance professionals to monitor technology that addresses operational in this particular application. the condition of the equipment and the challenges encountered in the most lubricant to increase oil drain intervals. harsh environments such as the Standing hundreds of feet high offshore, offshore energy sector. and often situated in remote locations, Q3: Is it a challenge to meet wind turbines operate in wide temperature these elevated performance ranges and are vulnerable to wear, standards? water contamination, rust and corrosion. A3: It can be challenging. But, at Furthermore, their hard-to-reach locations ExxonMobil, we are well-equipped can make routine maintenance visits very to handle this challenge through our costly. Therefore, any in-service lubricants technology leadership and application must last as long as possible and offer expertise in the wind sector. Thanks to sufficient equipment protection to avoid our scientifically engineered approach unscheduled downtime. to product development, excellent industry insight and technical know- how we have been able to deliver high performance lubricants, optimised for individual applications. We refer to this as “ExxonMobil’s Balanced Formulation Approach.”
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Some estimates are that the industry is cutting out up to 30 The obvious advantage of this is that if the lubricant is Perfect balance? per cent of its operating costs through reducing downtime and performing well, it won’t need changing which saves how to improve turbine reliability improving efficiency of turbines in order to drive better profits, substantial costs. with the ultimate aim of becoming a mainstream, widely used without it costing the earth power source. The decision is made about whether to change the oil based on a small sample being taken, and the condition of the oil In an environment where downtime for even one turbine While this is all good news, it means that there is more pressure being judged from that. This is a trend we fully support here can cost thousands, it is crucial that wind farm operators than ever on wind farms to cut costs, without compromising at Castrol Industrial as it saves both cost and waste, and we ensure they can rely on their equipment. output. It shouldn’t be the case that more reliable equipment costs have developed a number of diagnostic tools such as Castrol more. In fact in this situation, cost and LabCheck and Castrol Predict, to help operators make this At the same time, across the reliability of equipment go hand in hand. decision. industry there is a big drive Wind turbines need to be performing as It’s important to remember that some specialist lubricants also towards reducing cost and effectively as possible, and wind farm have the capacity to repair damage caused to gearboxes – making wind energy more operators need to be confident they can micropitting and bearing failure rank as the highest cause of profitable and competitive to rely on them in order to drive down costs downtime, and having a lubricant to address these problems conventional energy sources. across the board. can save money in the long term. Wind turbines are certainly becoming cheaper, and for some How to ensure reliability Ultimately, the right choice of lubricant can extend the life wind farm projects manufacturers The best way to achieve a balance of gearboxes and the turbines they run, which obviously are just breaking even on the between cost and reliability is to ensure represents substantial cost savings. turbine assets to gain the more turbines are running regularly, without profitable service business, which pushing the equipment to produce Future industry growth can last anything up to 20 years. every last possible energy output. The pressure to reduce cost has bought about many changes within the wind industry. However we shouldn’t be afraid of Imagine you have two cars next to each this – operators should embrace these changes and work other at a set of traffic lights – one revs with suppliers to create wind farms that are as cost effective his engine and speeds off as soon as the lights change, another and reliable as possible. drives away slowly but surely. It doesn’t take an engineer to work out which of these two car engines will last longer. To ensure they have optimum reliability combined with cost [email protected] tidal-transit.com savings, wind farm operators should take into account both Unit 2 Docking Rural Workshops, Station Road, Docking, Norfolk PE31 8LT Tel: +44 1485 518 760 The same logic can be applied to wind turbines – while some how they operate the wind turbines and the performance of wind farms will push a turbine to produce every last megawatt the lubricants they’re using to drive them. as quickly as possible, other operators will take a ‘slowly but surely’ approach. In the same way that both drivers at the traffic These significant trends in the wind business will in time grow lights will probably arrive home at the same time, the turbines will the industry and increase consumption of wind power across produce similar amounts of power, but a more steady approach the board, which in the long term can only be a good thing for preserves the life of the turbine, which ultimately saves money. all of us.
Avoiding wear and tear Sven Thiesen In line with this trend towards preserving turbine life to ensure Global Key Account Manager costs are kept down and profits are increased, lubricant Castrol Industrial manufacturers are working hand in hand with the industry to www.castrol.com extend the life of gear oils and bearing greases, so downtime caused by oil changes is kept to a minimum. The technology may be some way off, but ultimately why shouldn’t a gear oil last as long as the gears it lubricates?
One trend in the market at the moment has the potential to have a substantial impact on running costs. O&M Teams are moving away from fixed oil change intervals to ‘condition-based’ oil changes – essentially only changing the oil when necessary.
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However, E.ON’s position was that The Court’s enquiry will start and usually the deduction should be the product of Eventually the engineer sent to MTH a finish by asking what is the ordinary applying a rate or alternatively a cost of variation request stating that E.ON had meaning of the words used. Language Building on firm the amount of time which E.ON alleged secured the services of an alternative however is flexible and the meaning of the jack up would have taken to carry out vessel and requested MTH to examine the words is sensitive to syntax and context the contract works if it had in fact been utilisation of the alternative to install the so that the natural meaning of words in foundations permitted to do so. foundations in order to mitigate delays. It one sentence may be quite unnatural was proposed that E.ON would contract in another. In choosing the appropriate The contract entered into by the parties direct for the provision of the alternative meaning the contextual scene is usually of Offshore construction projects, Under the contract MTH was to provide a was bespoke and adopted a carefully vessel with a marine crew and that MTH paramount importance. For these reasons whether for renewable energy jack up barge, the use of which was to be developed contractual structure in would provide supervision on the vessel individual words and phrases in a contract development or otherwise, are integral to the installation of the monopiles several parts with an agreed hierarchy and manage and co-ordinate the overall should be interpreted in the context of the complex projects requiring the and transition pieces that together would of contractual documents. Within foundation installation. contract as a whole. contractual arrangement and risk form the foundations of the WTGs. The that structure it provided a detailed sharing associated with the design jack up barge selected was not self series of provisions that set out the Formalised arrangements Court findings Consideration and care and construction of the project, propelling and required ancillary equipment financial consequences to the parties of The contractual arrangements were The Court found that where in a From the above it can be seen that together with operation following to assist it in its operations and therefore performance and contractual default. formalised at the end of 2007, following a commercial contract the words used even when the parties are commercial, construction, to be carefully other vessels and equipment would be substantial delay. can be said to have a normal or natural astute and familiar with operating considered. required at not insignificant costs. Early revisions meaning and admit only one interpretation within the field of activity to which the Very soon after the jack up barge was The case essentially related to contractual the Court will almost always adopt that contract relates substantial issues – the Recent case study After the execution of the contract and mobilised to site it became apparent that interpretation, the principles of which are interpretation even if the result seems difference in value between the parties The need for certainty in such while the works were in progress the it would be unable to keep up with the well known. Interpretation of a contract is unreasonable. However even in such was almost €40,000,000 – can arise. contracts was highlighted in the recent jack up barge proved to be inadequate contractual timeframe and a number of the ascertainment of the meaning which a case the Court recognises that if the case of MT Hoggard A/S v E.ON for the task which it was meant to carry early revisions of the contract programme the contract would convey to a reasonable interpretation leads to a conclusion that Considerable care therefore needs to Climate Renewables UK; Robin Rigg out. It failed to install the foundations were discussed leading to contract person having all the background “flouts business common sense it must be taken in the preparation and drafting East Limited (1); E.ON Climate and required and the engineer under the management improvement notices being knowledge which would reasonably yield to business common sense.” of these complex projects and the Renewables UK Robin Rigg West contract issued three variation orders issued under the terms of the contract. have been available for the parties in that assessment of future risk. Limited (2). which required the substitution of a particular situation which they were at, at The Court determined that what was different vessel to do the installation work MTH investigated the possibility of the time of the contract. permissible was to recognise that Major undertaking which, under the terms of the contract, bringing a second installation spread the parties were two substantial and Martin Collingwood As the Court said in its judgment was previously to be done by the jack up to the site but no suitable vessels were sophisticated contracting parties. The Andrew Jackson the construction of offshore wind barge. available until a substantial period after Court also found it permissible to take the www.andrewjackson.co.uk farms requires the use of substantial the commencement of the contract. view that the contract was devised so as contractors plant and equipment and Preliminary issues and Discussions took place between the to provide a comprehensive statement of Click to view more info is a major undertaking. The claimant arrangement changes parties to try and find a solution but none the rights, obligations and remedies of the in this case (MTH) contracted with the In order to deal effectively with the litigation was identified. parties and that therefore, the probable defendants (E.ON) in December 2006 the parties agreed a number of preliminary answer to the competing submissions of to design, manufacture, deliver, install issues which it required the Court to When the jack up barge commenced the parties was to be found within the four and commission the foundations for determine prior to a full hearing. operations there were a number of corners of the contract itself. 60 wind turbine generators (WTGs) issues arising as a consequence of the and two substations for the Robin A central feature of the changed performance of the jack up. Contractually from the Court’s point of Rigg Wind Farm in the Solway Firth arrangements was that whereas originally view it was of no concern of E.ON whether with a contract value in excess of MTH had been responsible for hiring the MTH had overpriced or underpriced or any €100,000,000. jack up barge and providing it for the part of the works. contract at its cost the new vessel was Both parties to the contract (and the hired directly by E.ON which then provided The Court upheld the submissions of litigation) were major and sophisticated it on a free issue basis to MTH to manage MTH and concluded that the engineer’s commercial concerns. the installation process. objective in adjusting the contract price under the bespoke contract was to Contract specifics The contract between the parties made ascertain and deduct the component of The foundation contract was the early provision for the valuation of variation the original contract price relating to the contract, or one of them, dependent orders but the parties were unable to provision of the jack up barge. upon which there would be follow on agree the financial consequences of the contracts for the placing of the wind changes in arrangements, which gave rise turbines. to the proceedings and the preliminary issues. MTH was of the view that what should be omitted was a component of the original contract price included in the price of the jack up barge making due allowance for the fact that it carried out two of the sixty two foundation installations.
86 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 87 legal eagles legal eagles to foresee or not to Recent Planning Problems impacting delay to the schedule of installation rests foresee with the employer, the liability for other on Land based Wind Turbines claimed delays was not so clear cut and more precisely, could not be readily Planning problems continue to impact policies in an SPD must not conflict with Exploring the complexity of delays in the considered as ‘unforeseeable’. on the placing of land based wind an adopted development plan. There was turbines as can be seen from the a conflict between some of the spacing offshore environment The term ‘unforeseeable’ was simply judgement of the Administrative Court requirements in the SPD and the adopted defined as meaning not reasonably on 15th April 2013 whereby RWE development plan so the entire SPD was This article touches on the various obligations, then the contractor was entitled foreseeable by an experienced contractor Npower Renewables Ltd succeeded quashed. challenges encountered in the to give notice and apply for an extension of by the base date. Clearly this is not in its claim for judicial review of Milton analysis of a contractor’s contractual time to any key date and/or of the time for particularly helpful. Keynes Councils Supplementary Other key findings entitlement to extensions of time completion and also payment of additional Planning Document (SPD). Whether or not there is conflict in a and additional costs incurred during costs, subject to other criteria on timing of Now consider the following particular case is determined by a test the offshore installation of monopile submissions and form being met. delaying events… The SPD attempted to fix minimum of – would a reasonable council conclude foundations to an offshore wind farm. • Compliance with the directions of such separation distances between wind that the SPD was not in conflict with This is mirrored under the extension of time personnel as the marine warranty turbines and residential properties that the local plan? Therefore it is not a pure clause which provides that the contractor surveyor were different from those already set out question of interpretation for the Court. may claim for an extension of time if the • The vessel master and the lifting in the local plan. The Court quashed The provisions of the TCP Regulations works are or will be delayed by a breach supervisor on the employer’s vessels the entire SPD (even though parts of it 2012 defining which documents amount or default by the employer in providing the or the harbour authorities delineating spacing between turbines to SPDs and which local plans were installation vessels. There’s nothing unusual and bridleways and footpaths was not in extremely hard to interpret. The question in any of that you may say. Also consider… conflict with the local plan). The Council of whether the document should have • Crew changes by the vessel operator have indicated that they are appealing the been adopted as a development planning Comment Responsibilty • Jacking down for bunkering of fuel or decision, so it isn’t over yet. document (and therefore subject to The case raises important issues about Moreover, the contract also requires that water independent examination in public and compliance of SPDs with adopted local the employer shall be responsible for • Rest periods by the vessel engineer RWE pointed out to the Council that its assessment of its “soundness”) rather and national policies. ensuring that the employer’s personnel and • Loading of stores and spare parts in SPD conflicted with the Council’s local than as an SPD was not one for the the employer’s other contractors on the site port plan and also with government policy. Council’s discretion. It also illustrates the tensions between the cooperate with the contractor’s efforts. • Waiting on ferry traffic or the harbour National Planning Policy Framework which pilot RWE’s claim for judicial review before In adopting the SPD the Council had taken has a presumption in favour of sustainable A further contractual provision obliges • Or even waiting for the arrival of the the Court succeeded on a single ground, proper account of substantive national development and the Localism Act 2011 the contractor to afford appropriate marine mammal observer to board the namely that the distances set out in planning policies which give strong which gives local authorities more flexibility opportunities to the employer’s personnel, installation vessel the SPD were in conflict with the local encouragement to wind energy. The in relation to local plans. other contractors employed by the plan and such a conflict is a breach of wording of the SPD did not prevent the employer, and the personnel of any legally All of the foregoing matters could be regulation 8 (3) of the Town and Country Council from assessing the acceptability Gareth Hevey constituted public authority to carry out considered as ordinary everyday activities Planning (Local Planning) England of visual and noise impact of wind turbines Denison Till Liability work. However, it also provides that associated with the running of a vessel on Regulations 2012 which states that any on a case by case basis. www.denisontill.com More importantly, this article highlights any such opportunity shall constitute a a 24/7 basis. Arguably, waiting on port issues concerning where liability lies in variation if and to the extent that it, or the traffic in a working port environment is a relation to delay events and additional costs, cost incurred by it, were ‘unforeseeable’. stoppage which is neither unexpected nor and may provide some food for thought ‘unforeseeable’. when drawing up conditions of contract for The contractor argued that it was not future installation works. Despite numerous foreseeable that it would be delayed as Other considerations? Are you looking for a specialist pages of conditions, lengthy schedules a result of various matters notified to the Should such activities be viewed as and extensive employer’s requirements employer; and if the employer did not examples of delay, impediment or incorporating innumerable appendices, accept that there had been a variation prevention attributable to the employer, service supplier with experience in annexes, technical requirements, and then any changes to the employer’s the employer’s personnel, or the responsibility matrixes the answers to requirements or the works (scope and/ employer’s other contractors on the site the wind energy industry? certain practical issues may not always be or method of working) would amount and should such operations be considered immediately apparent. to a breach of the contract or default as a variation or as giving rise to an thereunder by the employer and/or extension of time and additional costs? With 1200+ companies listed, it is the website An example delay, impediment or prevention caused Consider a contract where the employer by or attributable to the employer, the Clarity to find an expert provides and makes available installation employer’s personnel, or the employer’s As in all such matters the answers should vessels free of charge in accordance with other contractors on the site. lie in the express contract wording. the scope of supply and as defined in the Clarity in the drafting of the conditions of employer’s requirements, to enable the Recognition of ‘unforeseeable’ contract should prevail to ensure all parties contractor to execute the works. Whilst recognising that responsibility recognise where the liability for delaying The for adverse weather and all mechanical events and the financial consequences fall. Communication In the event that the vessels are not in breakdowns to the installation vessels sound operational condition, safe and fit including amongst others, hydraulic Michael Turgoose Hub for the for use as set down in the contract or the leaks, crane breakdowns, and leg jacking Driver Trett UK Wind Energy employer was otherwise in breach of its problems and the demonstrated critical www.drivertrett.com Industry
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Onshore wind Contractual Risk may constitute a lessons to be learned defect under the At a recent Wind Industry Event a very Weighing up the contract. senior procurement director made options We are now on the second generation of onshore reference to the trend in contract Some advisors will wind farms. Much has been learned technically and These are just some structures towards partnering, have a preferred form operationally, but what lessons have been learned on the examples of the commenting that the only partnering of contract because that contract side? common issues of he understood was his marriage. is what they are familiar contention in these with. In fact the choice Civils contract contracts. Understanding different of form of contract is a The civils contract has been the origin of most of the disputes contracts primary factor in project and there have been many. This is usually design and build with Lindy Patterson QC The increasing trend towards describing delivery risk management. an originating technical specification from the client. Dundas & Wilson contracts as co-operation agreements, Getting the choice of www.dundas- partnering agreements, collaboration contract wrong can lead to Three major sources of disputes have emerged wilson.com agreements, alliancing contract etc significant areas of risk. An example of this generally… sometimes makes me wonder if the can be seen in alliancing contracts when • Design issues people who use the terminology compared to collaboration agreements. • Risk on earthworks understand the differentiating features of • Risk during extended maintenance periods Click to view different types of contracts and over the In simple terms an alliance contract is just more info past month or so since that conference I that. It is bespoke agreement to service Design issues have asked people in the industry about the needs of delivering a project. It is not The main design issue has been around the adequacy of the the nomenclature of contracts. a partnering agreement, a partnership a turbine base design. PI insurers have been meeting claims framework or a collaboration agreement. against designers for failure to design to meet the dynamic Differing views loadings imposed by the turbines. These disputes are now tailing The responses suggest that there is a Purists believe that an alliancing contract off as the design has developed. different view of the terms used depending should have no dispute resolution process ED’s Note This is an abridged on who you ask and which area of because of the nature of the contract This has affected the design liability provisions in the civils version - we recommend you business they are in. For an industry so which makes the parties subservient to contract. Caps on or exclusions of liability for consequential loss read the full text via the link at focused on risk assessment and allocation the alliance for the purpose of delivering a are demanded as a matter of course by contractors. the end of article. it is strange that the many involved in the project. Risk and cost sharing are on very industry don’t fully understand the legal specific basis. Where the turbine suppliers’ requirements are incorporated distinctions which apply to the terminology within the civils contract, which is inevitably the case, there is real of types of contract leading to a situation Other forms have particular scope for conflict between them and the technical specification. where the terms are used interchangeably. structures which meet the needs of A clear order of precedence of documents within the contract is the project. needed. This may arise from the use of many different consultants in the supply chain Professional advice Earthworks and a desire on the part of developers to Choosing the right one is a good Slopes and gradients, and use of on-site material are critical save on the fees paid to lawyers, but also risk management exercise. to the contractor’s price. The planning permission will normally I suspect from consultants expressing Involving lawyers in the process dictate much of what can be done earthworks-wise with often competence in drafting, negotiating and is not only a good idea it can help a ‘tolerance’ area, within which the turbine bases and the closing contracts. achieve an outcome which is the location of the access roads may be sited. These may not preferred solution for the project. be achievable. The question often raised is: when does the The desire for the developer to have Understanding of contract assembly ‘difficult to achieve’ in the way of gradients and slopes become a single source advisory team and for a particular purpose is what impossible? Impossibility of performance may be a ‘get out’ for commercial pressures no doubt also have commercial lawyers practising in the the contractor- simply being more expensive to achieve than their part to play. The risk in this approach sector are trained to do. anticipated, is not. is something that goes largely ignored. It should be remembered that a Risk during extended maintenance periods The devil in the detail contract is essentially a statement The defects liability period under the civils contract is often Recent high profile disputes on Offshore of legal obligations and a deep set at two years. As well as an obligation to rectify defects, Wind projects suggest that lack of understanding of the legal principles employers usually impose ongoing maintenance obligations on attention to the detail of the contract can behind drafting of contracts is essential to the contractor during that period. The issue that often arises is lead to lengthy and expensive disputes. their effective management. where a repairing obligation ends and a maintenance obligation Sometimes outcomes are matters of good begins. The turbine supplier may well have obtained early luck rather good drafting. Selecting the best form is not a matter of possession of site roads and groups of turbine bases before familiarity for lawyers it is using the best overall completion. This can cause significant damage to the So the issue becomes a choice of which approach to ensure the client needs are roads. is the best form of contract. Is NEC3 the the pre-eminent concern. best approach for Hinkley C, was NEC the Where responsibility for maintaining these roads rests with the best approach for Glendoe and how do Andrew Renton contractor until the end of the defects period, an issue that often you decide on the approach? Bird & Bird LLP arises is whether a contractor’s maintenance obligation extends www.twobirds.com to repairs required as a result of the turbine delivery, rather than simple wear and tear. Where the roads ought to have been designed to withstand turbine delivery, if they fail to do so, this
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DOur readershipis may not have heard tthe expressionribu ‘Distributed wind’ ted Julian Martin CEO, ICE Renewables explains... “Many of our customers in the agricultural and commercial sectors have high local energy demand whether to operate machinery or refrigeration equipment. Distributed 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 Winto the network to beind consumed locally. This model is more efficient than centralised energy production as there is less energy loss across the grid.”
Wind Turbines for Commercial UK leader Business ICE Renewables is the UK leader in Commercial business, like many Distributed Medium and Megawatt Wind business industries, is constantly being Turbines, committed to carbon reduction hit by fluctuating energy bills. With and sustainable buisness. A proven track energy prices expected to continue to rise by 15% over the next 18 months (Office for Budget Responsibility), now is the time to investigate renewable Benefits energy sources which can hugely • Stabilise your electricity supply and benefit your business. Business Opportunity costs for the future If your business has a suitable location • Utilise additional income generated Sustainability for a wind turbine then potentially a great from the turbine for other uses Sustainability is a key driver and message opportunity exists. Stabilisation of cost in • Expand your business through savings across the business sector from retailers, any business is difficult and many costs and cost reductions processors and producers. It makes are indirectly out of your control, but • Secure the future of the business for financial sense to embrace existing and there is a real opportunity which exists by customers, employees and shareholders new ways to reduce the environmental installing a wind turbine to help stabilise • Lower carbon emissions resulting in a impact of the business, cut carbon from energy costs, giving you a degree of reduced carbon footprint the supply chain and save on energy bills. predictability to these costs and to your • Meet the demands of the supply Ed’s Note There is now an element of expectation business in the long-term. chain, the processors, retailers and This is our second Distributed Wind from the end customer with each part end consumer feature and will continue for the of the supply chain being expected to • Provide an extra source of income foreseeable future – please submit reduce their carbon footprint. Companies for the business guaranteeing long- relevant editorial and we will endeavour who embrace reducing the environmental term revenue streams to include your contributions in future impact of their business will see the record with megawatts of medium wind editions savings. turbine installations across the UK, they ICE Renewables help their customers choose the right www.icerenewables.com wind turbine, take their project through planning, design and build, and then provide reliable and speedy operations Click to view more info and maintenance support to help them to get the most out of their wind project.
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WHonoraryindcrop degreescelebra fortes first northern Next-generation insindustalltry wi leadersth 500th turbine wind turbine Champagne corks were popping “As well as helping people in tough “We already had solar panels, but we as staff from a market-leading wind economic times, Windcrop’s existing were keen to save as much as possible, turbine company celebrated their first turbines will save the environment from so it works really well to have both technology installation in the north of England, an estimated 50,000 tons of carbon systems running side by side.” marking their 500th turbine in the dioxide by 2033 by replacing fossil ground to date. fuel resources and due to our unique Based on Windrop’s current fleet increases return on installation method we have already performance, the Hargreaves’ are Branching out saved more than 1,500 tons of CO2 by expected to save £342 a year on their investment The milestone comes as the business, using helical piles instead of concrete.” electricity bills with their new turbine, based in Norfolk, branches into both which amounts to a £11,318 saving over Northern Power Systems, a next- the north and south west of the country, Happy customers the next 20 years. generation wind turbine technology opening new offices in Yorkshire and Smallholder Anthony Hargreaves, 75, company and leading manufacturer of Cornwall, due to increasing demand for its and his wife Pat, 73, were the happy Environmental considerations permanent magnet direct-drive wind 15m high, 5kW systems. customers to have the landmark turbine As well as making considerable savings on turbines, has further expanded its erected at their 16 acre farm in Silsden, their bills, the family will also be doing their product offerings with two new turbine Managing director and founder of the West Yorkshire. bit for the environment by reducing their models specifically designed for low business, John Moore, said: “We are carbon footprint and saving an estimated wind sites. delighted to be celebrating this milestone Staff from Windcrop joined the couple 90 tons of carbon dioxide by 2033. for Windcrop and the small wind industry. for a celebratory glass of champagne Proven technology recently. Mr Hargreaves added: “I am really Both the NPS 60-23 and the NPS 100- Savings pleased with the turbine. The guys who 24 are based on the proven NPS 100-21 “From our Norfolk start-up with two “To be honest, for us, it’s about saving installed it were great, only taking a day, platform, but leverage product features systems in 2009, our current fleet of 500 as much money as we possibly can” and it’s so quiet the animals don’t even that produce higher energy capture will generate around 80GWh of electricity commented Mr Hargreaves. “We have a notice it.” in low winds while reducing the noise during their 20 year life. Each system number of horses, dogs and chickens on profile of the turbine, enabling more siting will save the site owner around £500 the farm and electricity bills just keep on Windcrop Ltd opportunities for the owner. The Company a year in electricity and this will rise as rising. www.windcrop.co.uk has successfully deployed more than 20 of electricity prices increase in the future. these turbines in the United States, United Kingdom and Italy during 2012 and 2013, demonstrating the success of the design.
Increased value “NPS is committed to delivering NPS 100 is a highly reliable turbine that renewable energy. The quiet, low profile enhanced offerings that lower costs utilises permanent magnet direct-drive turbines with multiple tower and rotor and increase performance for turbine technology and has fewer moving parts options fit perfectly in remote locations as owners. We are increasing the value than a conventional gear-box based wind well as in agricultural and industrial areas. proposition of our already highly-capable turbine. The larger rotor diameter, lower The turbines’ reliable, safe and simple NPS turbines through an integrated road- rpm and tip speed of the NPS 100-24 and operation gives owners peace of mind while map of expanded product and services 60-23 makes for quieter operation, while delivering the highest potential opportunity offerings, of which our proven low wind the longer blades capture more energy at for customers to maximise their returns. enhancements are just one example,” lower wind speeds. The NPS 60 model stated Troy Patton, President and CEO, generates 59.9kW rated power and is Northern Power Systems Northern Power Systems. utilised in areas where grid connection www.northernpower.com capacity is a constraint. The NPS Low Wind turbine fleet has surpassed 50,000 operational hours with Case study availability in excess of 97%, and has Scottish farmer Mervyn Wallace recently generated more than 1,500 MWh of clean, installed an NPS 60 at his farm, his second renewable energy, enough to power more Northern Power Systems wind turbine. than 150 US (or 450 UK) homes for an entire “I’m excited that Northern Power came year. These improved models are optimised out with a new turbine that is designed for low wind and yield comparatively more specifically for lower wind speeds. I am energy in low wind regimes. very pleased with the revenue that both of my Northern Power turbines are now Specifications earning for me. NPS turbines are an The NPS 100-24 is based on the proven excellent return on capital invested.” platform of the NPS 100-21 which was originally designed to service remote With over 2.5 million run-time hours across areas such as Alaska, where regular its fleet, Northern Power turbines provide maintenance is not an option. The customers with clean, cost effective
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Research and Development Spencer’s main Research and Development unit merged with the Stokes Laboratories at the new facility at Huthwaite in Nottinghamshire which is now the primary production hub for the full combined product range.
200 years combined experience Other markets 100 years‘Fifty Years to First The company will build upon more than As well as supplying the important oil and experience in coatings Maintenance’ now a possibility two hundred years of combined coatings gas sector the augmented company has With proven thirty years maintenance free experience that has been amassed by strong positions in other markets. Stokes track record the often flagged ‘Fifty Years the two original businesses and will enjoy Paints is the largest supplier of products manufacturing to First Maintenance’ target is now a real strong positions in a number of key to protect the country’s vast array of Spencer Coatings Ltd has been manufacturing high performance coatings possibility when this product is correctly international sectors including oil and gas, electricity pylons from corrosion which is and industrial paints for over one hundred years in the UK. specified and applied. infrastructure, pipelines and industrial OEM. a crucial to ensure efficient distribution of electricity around the Acquisition and UK. further growth Spencer Coatings Ltd UK lead global became the largest operation independent coatings Many UK manufacturer in the UK and overseas in 2012 following the manufacturing acquisition of Stokes companies use Paints. Spencer and Stokes Spencer Coatings products to add www.spencercoatings.co.uk Employing in excess value by providing of one hundred people a range of benefits Click to view more info the enlarged Spencer Coatings will have a turnover of more than £16 million in 2013 with a dedicated plan for growth in the company’s global markets. Successes Among its recent successes, prior to the Aberdeen HQ acquisition, they obtained approval from The Aberdeen Shell Global for its Transocean range based company will of coating systems for the protection of maintain its corporate North Sea assets. headquarters in the Granite City, which It also has NORSOK approval, essential is also the base for for the supply of protective coatings for Key industrial sectors for the product Thirty years maintenance free its Scotland and North Sea sales and use in oil and gas structures in the North ranges include oil, water and gas Within the high performance range is technical services. Sea and in other important regions around pipelines, both full internal and external Acothane solvent free polyurethane with a the world. protection and the onsite protection of proven thirty years maintenance free track A new distribution and technical centre field joints and pipeline rehabilitation. record for steel and concrete in a wide has been established in Aberdeen to carry variety of industries including off shore out colour finishing and will stock products such as corrosion protection, colour, and Offshore oil and gas structures, marine and marine structures, bridges and water for customers in Scotland including protection against abrasion, erosion and structures and bridges are also fully retaining structures. customers operating in the North Sea Oil fire. protected with Spencer Coatings high and Gas industry. performance range of coatings. This outstanding product has many Spencer Coatings has built a solid applications for the protection of land presence in the energy sector supply based and off shore wind energy structures chain and is proud to be an all British including towers, splash zones, mono piles, operation owned and run by UK residents jackets and sub-sea steel work. and operating in global markets.
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Accommodation workspace modules Accommodation modules Improvements have also been made to the Group’s range of 6m workspace and ASV Pioneer modules, which provide a safe and comfortable fit for purpose working As the number of offshore renewables Manufacturing facility In May 2012 ASV Pioneer completed its environment. Updates include a new projects continue to increase, so Since opening its first manufacturing first renewables contract, a cable-laying internal fit out and dual or individual air- does the requirement for flexible facility in 1985, the Group manufactures, project for a wind farm in the North Sea. conditioning systems with an individual offshore accommodation solutions. delivers and installs accommodation and The project involved the installation of 140 thermostat control. In response to the growth, the workspace modules to a range of global wind turbines, with a total capacity of 500 Ferguson Group has expanded its offshore energy and renewables projects. megawatts - enough to power around The Group continues to supply high quality product offering to provide space 530,000 homes. A60, DNV 2.7-1 certified accommodation for the number of workers needed to The Group has recently expanded and and workspace modules to the offshore undertake these projects. upgraded its offering of workspace and Upgrading and equipment and renewables market. accommodation solutions to meet the installation Aberdeenshire-based Ferguson Group niche needs of the renewables sector. Ahead of the project, the vessel The modules offer high standard and is one of the world’s leading suppliers underwent upgrades and equipment comfortable offshore accommodation, of DNV 2.7-1/EN12079 containers, ASV Pioneer installation in the River Tees. The plough, supported by a range of workspace refrigerated containers, accommodation The accommodation service vessel, ASV which was towed by the vessel and modules including offices, laboratories, modules and engineering modules to Pioneer, was introduced to Ferguson was involved in the lay equipment, was MWD cabins, mud logging cabins, coffee the offshore energy industry since its Group’s fleet in 2011, and completed its designed specifically for simultaneous lay shops and workshops. Ancillary modules establishment in 1976. first renewables contract last year. ASV and burial of submarine cable systems in such as recreation rooms, gymnasiums, Pioneer is unique in the marketplace as challenging soil types. lockers, laundry rooms and medic suites are also supplied.
Ferguson Group www.ferguson-group.com
Click to view more info
a result of its flexible accommodation Graham Cowperthwaite, Executive configuration. Director – Operations at Ferguson Group said: “This is our first accommodation It is currently configured to cater for service vessel and we are delighted to 120 people on board in well-appointed now be able to offer a bespoke solution en-suite rooms, along with an office, for the renewables industry, as well galley, mess, medical and recreational as our existing oil and gas market. We facilities. It is manufactured to DNV 2.7-1/ look forward to working with clients on EN12079 standards and has large open their offshore projects in the future, and deck space, which offers a multitude of meeting the growing requirement for uses to both the offshore oil and gas and offshore renewables accommodation renewable energy industries. solutions.”
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Delivering on customers’ needs A Bed for whenever and wherever • Liaison with a dedicated account When you are aboard an manager to provide effective and the Night? offshore accommodation continuous customer service platform 30 miles from the nearest coastline you can’t just One-stop-shop Offshore accommodation has long Service Operation Vessel (SOV) Integration pop to the local shop if you run Rob outlines: “Here at Hutton’s we can been associated with the needs of Large passenger vessels and daughter New logistical concepts will continue out of supplies! provide a one-stop-shop service. On the oil and gas industry. Offshore craft have eased the concerns to be integrated into construction and behalf of our clients we can oversee wind technicians however, have surrounding lengthy transfers; however maintenance schedules in order to Thanks to Hutton’s, the UK’s all the links in their supply chain from grown accustomed to daily, and they do not solve the problem of excessive optimise wind farm capacity and reduce leading ship supplier, offshore supply, warehousing and delivery to often lengthy, vessel transits. Until wave height, making ship to turbine OPEX costs. There are currently 360 industry customers can be marine managers, port authorities and recently the concept of turbine transfers unfeasible. One solution is the WFSVs (including those ordered or under confident that their supply vessel masters. Simplifying the process maintenance teams being stationed “Service Operation Vessel” (SOV). construction) in the market, with numbers requirements will be met wherever in this way takes away the burden for at their respective sites had not been continuing to rise. Whilst the SOV is not they are. customers, allowing them to focus on integrated into long term O&M plans. This vessel is large enough to stay out a panacea to the challenges of O&M, it is their busy industry safe in the knowledge at sea for long periods, housing a large now on the menu of available solutions. Working together that supplies are running smoothly Regular access number of technicians, yet small enough The quantity of SOVs is minimal and their Working closely with customers thanks to Hutton’s.” This year’s notably long winter has to manoeuvre between structures in the effectiveness remains unknown until their such as C-Bed and SWE Offshore highlighted the necessity of regular field. The recently converted DP Gezina deployment on upcoming offshore wind in the offshore renewables and windfarm says: “Through our years of experience Attention to detail access to the turbines, with maintenance and the DP Galyna are fitting examples. developments. sectors, the company ensures a reliable we fully understand the offshore wind Attention to detail is also extremely schedules slipping and increased supply of fresh and frozen produce industry and its need to increase important to this vibrant industry sector as downtime encountered. The installation of a heave compensated 4C Offshore (provisions), medical equipment and spare efficiency and make cost reductions to any mistakes would have repercussions gangway and DP2 promises transfers www.4coffshore.com parts, delivering 24/7, 365 days a year and achieve the goal of £100 per mWhr from all the way down the chain and even Numerous UK sites have utilised large in up to 3m waves and a refurbishment whatever the weather. its current level of between £130 - £140 adversely affect offshore construction. passenger vessels including Lynn and of accommodation facilities means the Click to view more info per mWhr.” Inner Dowsing, Lincs, Greater Gabbard vessels can house up to 60 technicians. Rob Ludlam, Hutton’s Offshore The company has developed effective and recently commissioned London Array, Renewables Divisional Manager, explains: Achieving targets systems to ensure a seamless service to optimising weather windows, offering Rapid expansion “Accommodation vessels by their very To help customers to achieve these their customers including an electronic unscheduled maintenance and reactive SOV’s have the potential to expand rapidly definition carry with them a unique and targets Hutton’s has developed a wide ordering system which has proved a real troubleshooting. over the coming decade due to their sometimes challenging set of operational range of solutions covering either offshore success with customers. Through these perceived compatibility with the needs requirements, the most important being supply or port-based supply which means we ensure that customers receive of offshore wind. However, despite their re-supply while in position offshore.” include… exactly what they order correctly and capacity, locality to site and capability quickly, eliminating any opportunity for of working in less favourable conditions, Often these accommodation vessels • Supply consolidation misunderstanding. delivering up to 60 technicians to their are floating hotels with a vast array of • Administrative support to produce time respective turbines from one vessel requirements like any shore-based hotel. savings Hutton & Co (Ships Chandlers) Ltd takes up valuable maintenance time • A ‘responsible person’ service to take www.huttons-chandlers.com with unscheduled problems potentially Keeping costs low within tight budgets charge of medical supplies and impacting the whole team. is a key factor for this industry. Rob manage stock expiration dates
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100 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 101 OFFSHORE ACCOMMODATION OFFSHORE ACCOMMODATION
Typically the SeaNova LQ MFP would consist of a cellar deck with multiple further decks configured above it as desired, all SeaNova LQ built to a modular design. Accommodation units will also be easily configured and arranged in conjunction with a sub-station permanent (SeaNode) facility, or connected to an adjacent major facility by means of an air bridge.
living quarters Practicalities As the MFP is a simple un-braced 4-legged structure, it has no accommodation complicated K-joints or nodes to inspect. The exposed area SeaNova is a multipurpose Minimum Facilities Platform of steel in the splash zone or beneath Mean Sea Level (MSL) is (MFP) that can be configured for Oil & Gas production less than for a similar performance conventional platform; hence (SeaNova), as a sub-station (SeaNode) or a permanent corrosion and marine growth are less problematic. Cleaning Living Quarter’s accommodation SeaNova LQ) marine growth is a relatively easy operation. The legs are dry and are inspected internally and because of this simpler inspection Known costs and fixed on contract regime, ongoing maintenance costs are considerably reduced. +44 (0)3333 441113 The Ocean Resource MFP series is free standing and self installing, therefore it is fully built and configured in dock, prior to Proven operation being floated on its buoyant Gravity Base Structure (GBS) and Ocean Resource’s Sea Nova series MFP Platform System is a towed out by standard offshore tugs for deployment; little or no highly flexible design that is fully certified and already proven. A new ApproAch sea bed preparation is required meaning that construction and Examples have been operating continuously and successfully in to AviAtion impAct Assessments... deployment costs are known to the client and fixed on contract. the North and Irish seas for over 15 years. • pre-planning site assessments • Field surveys (accurate quantification of impact) Removal and re-deployment metres. SeaNova LQ can be scaled as required, but in the North Ocean Resource • Full aviation impact assessments A feature of considerable advantage is SeaNova LQ’s ability and Irish Seas, the platform will typically be configured to provide www.oceanresource.co.uk • impartial, expert advice from professionals to be easily and cheaply removed and re-deployed, making it accommodation modules, helideck and associated services with 20+ years’ experience in communications engineering & Air traffic management particularly attractive to the sequential development of arrays or to support 100 personnel in permanent living quarters. Such Click to view more info multiple areas an MFP unit would have an applied loading of less than 2000 tonnes and would be initially built and deployed turnkey for circa Because measurement is Specifications £15M, and then redeployed later for less than £500K each time. better than prediction. The Ocean Resource MFP can be designed with a top side Major refits and through life servicing would be accomplished weight of up to 9000 tonnes for operation in waters of up to 120 back in port. Aerostat surveys Ltd. +44 (0)3333 441113 www.aerostat.co.uk [email protected]
is essentially over. In an isolated environment, such as that on Are you prepared for Sudden Cardiac an offshore wind farm, the need for higher level life support and access to such life-saving equipment is more important Arrest whilst Living Offshore? than ever. To recognise if a person has collapsed due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest their breathing will need to be checked Sudden Cardiac Arrest occurs Offshore accommodation for ten seconds. If the patient is unconscious and showing when an electrical malfunction in is often isolated and no signs of breathing, CPR must be carried out immediately, the heart causes it to stop pumping difficult to reach. Although followed by a shock from a defibrillator as soon as the device blood causing uncontrolled emergency response is made available. quivering of the heart chambers, plans should be in place, leading to unconsciousness quite often there will not be Risk management and death in minutes. The only enough time to provide the The risk assessment and risk management of an offshore effective treatment for a Sudden patient with the immediate wind farm should take into account the living arrangements Cardiac Arrest is immediate CPR care they require. of anyone living offshore for any period of time. The access and defibrillation. An Automated Consideration of distance to advanced care and the emergency services needs to External Defibrillator (AED) is a and time to emergency be considered and procedures should be put in place to small, lightweight device which care is necessary, more minimise any risk of heart related emergencies, but also to shocks the heart back into a importantly for those living appropriately deal with the situation should one occur. Heart normal rhythm. The use of an AED, offshore for sustained screening may be appropriate to identify any underlying heart within the first three minutes of periods of time. conditions before moving offshore. an arrest, can increase a victim’s chance of survival from 6% to 74%. Time factors Life support training After a patient has Ensuring heart health among staff, providing life support training Preparedness collapsed from Sudden and access to a defibrillator will play a key role in severely Sudden Cardiac Arrest does not Cardiac Arrest, or after reducing the number of cardiac deaths. AEDs are extremely discriminate and it can affect anyone, suffering a heart attack, simple to use and will guide the rescuer through the whole anywhere, anytime regardless of age, they lose between 10% process. With some basic training anyone living offshore will be gender and fitness levels. It is vital that and 14% of their chance able to save a life. the equipment and relevant training is in of survival every minute. place to deal with an emergency should After ten minutes, the Defibshop one occur. opportunity to resuscitate www.defibshop.co.uk
102 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 103 OFFSHORE ACCOMMODATION OFFSHORE ACCOMMODATION
Whereas mistakes like these have been very expensive to fix, when it comes to Nearshore & personnel safety, short cuts are not an option. farshore wind Additional specialist Possible ways forward maintenance There are a variety of proposed schemes the UKCS, weather vaning FPSOs are Farshore wind farms also bring with being developed for safely housing and now deployed throughout although there farms them additional specialist maintenance ferrying personnel to, from and within the are two examples of spread moored requirements. Due to their distance and offshore wind farms. Mother and daughter cylindrical hulled FPSOs but these are not a whole different lengths of cables, there will be a large craft are proposed similar to the navy’s flat barge based designs. number of Transformer Substations approach to deploying their amphibious and HVDC Convertor Platforms each landing craft. The Seawind concept below Flotels have been used in the oil and gas ballgame with its own requirement to cater for the is an example of such an arrangement. industry for many years and these are permanent maintenance personnel. Through the Safety Case risk studies, the normally based on a semi-submersible hull helicopter travel to and from the platforms Permanently moored vessels similar to a moored to the seabed similar to a drilling UK regulatory regime has been shown to be the largest flat barge are another. The concept shown rig. In UK waters, the regulatory approach to contributing factor to fatalities offshore below developed by SEATEL would be offshore maintenance activities will most so these helicopter movements are designed to be moored indefinitely up to Operational experience of FPSOs shows likely follow a similar framework used for minimised by careful planning of rotas and 70 miles offshore, secured using a single that helicopter movements are regularly the oil & gas industry as laid down and routines of the personnel working offshore. point mooring system and a fixed anchor hampered by the motions of the vessels in monitored by the UK’s Health and Safety spread specifically designed for each even moderate sea conditions, therefore Executive (HSE). With the large number of farshore turbines location. barge based concepts would most likely planned, the maintenance routines cannot not provide the operational conditions All offshore oil and gas activities are be supported directly by small craft Oil and Gas experience however would required for all year round maintenance managed the use of a Combined operating directly from onshore due to suggest that spread moored vessels activities. Operations Safety Case as required the strict safety requirements of Maritime are not the way to go for the UK waters. under the Offshore Installations (Safety and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Similarly Spread moored Floating Production Fixed offshore accommodation Case) Regulations 2005 (SCR05). Safety for safety reasons, routine access by Units (FPUs) are only used in very benign platforms Cases are risk based with the Duty Holder helicopter is neither practical nor desirable. waters such as offshore West Africa. For The most obvious and well proven solution (Operator) being required to set out is a permanent accommodation module Performance Standards which then forms located within the wind farm. Separate the basis of how all activities are then accommodation platforms do provide all implemented. A similar approach is also of the requirements for personnel safety used in the Norwegian sector. and comfort. Apart from a few exceptions, UK Round 3 most of the offshore wind farms With the planned developments now It is expected that the HSE will require the Accommodation areas can also be developed in Europe so far have moving further out into deeper waters same Safety Case risk based approach to incorporated into the very large HVDC been located near to shore enabling far from shore, the routine maintenance the operations and maintenance activities platforms being proposed provided routine maintenance activities to be logistics become more complex and this required by the far from shore wind farm that safe barriers can be incorporated supported from onshore support especially the case for UK Round 3 wind developments. personnel protection. bases using either small craft or farms which are all located beyond the 12 helicopters for personnel access. mile territorial limit at distances of up to Oil and gas experience A concept for a HVDC platform 100 miles. Oil and gas platforms vary but are DONG Energy is experienced in oil and essentially either fixed steel jackets or gas and are now well established in the Considerations gravity base structures or floating units offshore wind industry. For their Horns Rev There are many different influencing such as FPSOs, FPUs or Drilling Rigs. II wind farm located 19 miles offshore in factors to consider when planning the Routine access to all of these is by the Danish sector, DONG have installed maintenance logistics of these far from helicopter. a permanent Accommodation platform shore wind farms. In deeper waters, the located alongside the Transformer foundations will be different to the typical Over the years the use of boat or crane Substation. monopole or gravity based types that basket transfer of personnel has become have dominated the shallow near to shore virtually outlawed due to the inherent risks This is the first permanent accommodation developments and most likely these will and the accidents that have occurred. module to be installed in an offshore wind be jackets or even floating structures. farm and sets the scene for others to Boarding jacket foundations requires a Lessons learned follow. The maintenance crew are housed similar type of access device currently Lessons can be learned from the oil and inside a standard 24 man accommodation used for monopiles. The round trip times gas industry, unfortunately it is seen as an module is designed and built to offshore for these vessels means that only close to expensive industry and has been largely oil and gas standards. The crew fly to and shore developments can be served from ignored by some sectors of the offshore from onshore by helicopter allowing safe shore based vessels. wind industry leading to costly mistakes maintenance conducted 365 days a year. such as the grouted connections used on some of the monopile foundations.
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As well as providing accommodation for the crew, the living quarters will include a catering complex, washing facilities, workshops, storage areas, offices and room for leisure activities. “Anyone who’s experienced the harsh climate of the North Sea, with its strong winds and waves, will understand the importance of good working and living conditions for the maintenance teams on site. In Germany we’re facing particular DanTysk wind farm challenges because offshore wind farms The DanTysk wind farm located 43 are located up to 100 kilometres from the miles offshore in the German sector is coast,” explains Holger Grubel, head of currently being developed by Vattenfall the DanTysk project. “At these distances and Stadtwerke München and will feature it simply isn’t possible for crews to the second permanent accommodation commute by ship every day. It would platform in an offshore wind farm. The take too long to transfer crew members 50 man accommodation module is also and the risk of some of them getting sea designed and built to offshore oil and gas sick and being unable to work would be standards. too high.
The accommodation module The future of offshore Inherent risks OGN Aquind will be ready for use offshore accommodation for wind farm The inherent risks from the regular www.ogn-group.com in 2014. maintenance round trips from shore bases to these The future requirements for maintenance distant wind farms by either helicopter Click to view more info activities to be performed 365 days a year or boat means that permanent offshore in a safe environment will be driven by the accommodation facilities will need to be same risk based criteria used in the UK provided reduce risks to ALARP (as low as offshore oil and gas industry. Regular in reasonably practicable). field shuttling is achievable from offshore based helicopters and boat access is Such facilities can be in many forms possible too. The number of flights and but the most reliable is fixed platforms boat access movements would come supported on steel jacket or monopile under detailed scrutiny under Safety Case substructures. type legislation.
Photo courtesy of Vattenfall and Stadtwerke München
The accommodation platform will be anchored on solid ground which means a safer and more comfortable environment for our teams,” says Grubel. (DanTysk Wind Farm Press release 23- 10-12)
106 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 107 lifting feature lifting feature
We have featured articles and case studies on both Konecranes and TAG Energy Solutions on a number of occasions within previous editions
It is always good to see companies working together for the benefit of the industry and we are very pleased to welcome Konecranes as our sponsors for this interesting Lifting Feature.
Renewable sector The renewable energy sector is important to Konecranes UK Industrial crane division based in East Kilbride in Scotland. Their Konecranes lifting technology in specialist cranes now operate in many facilities in the UK and overseas servicing operation at TAG Energy Solutions this expanding industry.
The 55t crane also has a magnet As with each emerging industry market arrangement on a rigid beam, however sector such as Energy from Waste and the trolley is capable of rotation to allow other Renewable sources, Konecranes plates to be turned to suit the assembly design teams have ensured that specific beds. The other cranes are hook cranes handling requirements have been met and they can handle a ‘C’ hook for lifting with state-of-the-art components and large circular elements of the wind turbine performance. towers. Konecranes UK State-of-the-art technology www.konecranes.co.uk All cranes are fitted with Konecranes state-of-the-art technology, including TAG Energy Solutions DynAC variable speed control on cross www.tagenergysolutions.com and long travel motions and DynAHoist variable speed control on the main hoists. Click to view more info Cranes have warning horns and flashing lights for safe operation.
TAG Energy Solutions has large Within these state of the art facilities there Other features include Konecranes facilities based on the River Tees on are four Konecranes CXTD double girder Remox Radio control, festoon cross crane the North East coast of the UK where overhead cranes operating with specialist cabling, fully enclosed drive transmissions, it serves the offshore energy industry components required in the manufacture disc brakes, sodium vapour floodlights, and has expanded its capabilities to of offshore wind turbine foundations, galvanised ropes and Konecranes serve the growing renewable energy platforms and wind turbine towers. ControlPro Safety and performance sector supplying design, project control units that extends the crane’s life; management and the construction of Specifications enhances performance and safety. This large onshore and offshore structures. Operating with a 32m span the four cranes ensures that maintenance requirements are: 60/5t, 55/5t, 50/5t and a 30/5t. All are scheduled to suit actual usage, and cranes have 5t auxiliary hoists and the 60t unscheduled shutdowns are avoided. crane is equipped with a telescopic lifting beam equipped with magnets suspended from twin 30t hoists giving 35t lifting capability under the magnet beam.
108 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 109 lifting feature lifting feature
case studies from Tyne and Wear Marine Ltd Lifting & Slinging Established almost 38 years ago NETA Training facilities recently won a contract to manufacture 16 TWM can boast extensive experience across a diverse range of contracts when it comes to lifting operations. training has an enviable reputation NETA’s training facilities serve a number of monopiles and transition pieces for E.ON’s in providing relevant, high quality industry sectors including renewables So when Humber Gateway offshore wind farm, NETA In choosing some examples to share with readers the following will give an indication of the expertise the company has when it comes to this training across a broad spectrum of locally based company TAG Energy Solutions was asked to provide training for the additional topic area of lifting on both land and water situations. The often one-off and unique lifts demanding solutions through lifting and other methods occupational disciplines one of which staff needed to fill the contract. The training, really demand creative approaches and ‘thinking outside of the box’, something that TWM knows they do very well for their clients. is rigger/slinger and lifting training. predominately delivered on site, included lifting and slinging, crane driving, MEWPS, forklift Case study 1 Case study 2 Case study 3 Investment truck driving, first aid and welder testing. Demobilisation and mobilisation Lifting a vessel using a Lowering and lifting a 220 It has recently invested in the refurbishment of a cable laying barge using a ballasted pontoon as a dry tonne dock gate at Offshore of its outside rigger training ‘Rig’ which has This year NETA has also provided the 130 tonne crane dock Technology Park – Wallsend been designed for use in different scenarios. company with two fabrication apprentices From simple lifting and slinging awareness for their site near Haverton Hill in This project required a crane for lifting an A The James Leithart, a 30 mtr vessel, The tenth project of this nature over the to more complicated rigger training, learners Middlesbrough. Frame, an operation which could not take required refurbishment for a private client. past 5 years leading TWM to consider are taught to select and safely use a range place because the suspended quayside The boat had not been moved from its itself a specialist in this area of lifting and of equipment in a real working environment. NETA area was unsuitable. TWM designed position on the Tyne for 25 years. Waiting lowering dock gates. In addition to standard courses tailored www.neta.co.uk and manufactured a bridge so that the for the tide to be at its highest to assist training is also available to meet specific 130 tonne crane could be driven onto the in the move, a pontoon was flooded with The latest being a project currently customer requirements. TAG Energy Solutions barge enabling its maximum lift. water enabling it to be ballasted down. underway at the above location to enable www.tagenergysolutions.com the removal and towage of a roll-on roll-off Standards The vessel was then manoeuvred over pontoon using a truck mounted winch to The completed renovation has brought the the sunken pontoon where the ballast lower and lift the gate. rig up to ECITB technical training and OPITO was blown expelling the air, enabling the Standards and the facility will be used for Ed’s note pontoon to become a floating drydock. commercial and apprenticeship training. In Please also see more details on addition approval is currently been sought NETA’s training courses in our ‘Events They then lifted the 70 tonne vessel which for ECITB Appointed Person Accreditation. and What’s On pages’ within this was transported initially to a site for shot edition. blasting, then to its current position in Tyne Dock basin for major refurbishment work to be carried out, which is still underway.
Lifting equipment Often TWM has to hire in lifting equipment to cope with the large range of different projects, however the company has two cranes – a 25 tonne all-terrain crane and a 32 tonne road crane and a number of different sized flexibly assembled modular pontoons.
This gives them the added benefit of not having to rely upon outside companies for the majority of their day to day lifting needs and also offer this equipment out for hire.
Tyne and Wear Marine Ltd www.tyneandwearmarine.com
Click to view more info
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Wind/ Solar Energy bridging the “Digital Divide” in Africa Songambele, Tanzania Information centre We all know that wind energy can They have developed a “Maarifa” or light homes and businesses, but how Information Centre, powered by a 1kw about powering ‘entrepreneurial spirit’ turbine and solar panels. It contains through education and information books, CDs and perhaps access? most vitally computers with internet capacity. The Today, social and economic development Centre is used as a means is based on a “knowledge economy” to connect Songambele in which access to knowledge is with its local region, with its directly related to ICTS - the modern country and with the world. means of information communication and acquisition. However, as ICTS Global Wind Day 2013 is rapidly advance, the gap between the featuring Renewable World’s “The ICT modules taught have been very “information-haves” and the “information work in Songambele, Tanzania, to useful to the community” said Herieth have-nots” continues to widen. In many develop corporate partnerships and Sila, Maarifa Centre Field Officer “they low-income countries such as Tanzania, raise vital funds to continue to build have started applying them in different participation in even a full course of basic it’s East Africa Programme. areas in their lives. Some of the youth education is not universal. trainees like Johari Farijala have already Developing business skills been booked for employment.” Digital divide in the community The wind-solar hybrid project in To encourage economic Gateway to the future Songambele, supported by Renewable development and create business The Maarifa Centre is a gateway to a World and it’s East African partner, the opportunities, adults and children new kind of future for local residents. You Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), alike are given basic ICT skills. can help us bridge the “digital divide” specifically addresses this “digital divide”, They have studied five modules: and assist locals to set up new business recognising that increased educational Introduction to Computers, initiatives. participation and achievement ensure that Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, knowledge and skills can be harnessed Microsoft Power Point, and Internet Renewable World to improve health, raise incomes, sustain and E-mail. The students are able to www.renewable-world.org/globalwindday economic growth and promote equity. use their training both to train others and to transform their own lives, Click to view more info and those of the community around them. Many of the young people who have taken the course hope to pursue further studies online and seek internet-related work, or set up their own businesses.
112 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk a subsidiary company of
Offshore Wind EPC Fabrication Delivering all your offshore wind fabrication needs • Wind Turbine Jacket Foundations • AC/HVDC Transformer Substations • Substation Jacket Foundations • Met Masts
Engineering Procurement Construction T: 0191 295 8700 E: [email protected] W: www.ogn-group.com