COMMUNICATION HUB FOR THE WIND ENERGY INDUSTRY Ice DEtection

Spotlight on Collaboration East Anglia

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013 | £5.25

INTRODUCTION

‘Spotlight On’

East yourA smart phonengl and it will direct you ia to the featured company/organisation Almost 2 years ago we visited East micropage held within our website, so Anglia to feature our first ‘Spotlight that can learn much more in all sorts of On’... as ‘an area of excellence in formats. the wind energy industry throughout Europe and beyond’. East Anglia These have already become very popular was our ideal not least because of as it links the printed magazine in a very their political awareness and the interactive way – a great marketing tool realisation of the need to pull together for our decision making readership to for the good of the area and spot the find out about products and services opportunities available. immediately following the reading of an interesting article. Contact the commercial Personally I have a strong link with the department to find out how to get area having lived in Caister-on-Sea, just involved. north of Gt Yarmouth, in the late 1970s. At that time Scroby Sands windfarm was not even on the drawing board so as we neared the coast on our visit the sight of the wind turbines was quite a sight having not been there for some 35 years!

Things have moved on considerably since Wind Energy Network Skills gap our visit and you will find our largest major initiative feature yet within this edition. We continue in this edition with another 2 areas of interest... Collaboration Our industry lead article in this edition • A general area where educational features the work of a Vessel Co- establishments are making Operative with the objective of serving the considerable progress industry’s needs. • Our next target area – attracting individuals with transferable skills form Having attended many conferences and other industries and the Forces seminars, it has often been suggested that smaller organisations should join forces and pool resources.

Offshore Marine Support Ltd (OMS) and Energy Marines Services (EMS) joined forces in September 2012 and the idea of a Vessel Co-Operative was born as the brainchild of Andy Iannetta and Richard Brookin.

Read more on this innovative initiative in Duncan McGilvray our lead industry article on page ???. Editor | Wind Energy Network

Magazine and website www.windenergynetwork.co.uk interaction – QR codes You will have noticed that we changed our pink and green flashes indicating more information online in the last edition. QR codes have been substituted which means that you can scan the code with

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 01 WIND ENERGY NETWORK

Seasonal

Condition monitoring – ice DEtection We have featured general condition monitoring in almost every edition and impactsyou will find a particularly interesting and helpful article by Bosch Rexroth on the The cover image is just to remind us subject of ice detection and monitoring. of the kind of conditions that we can expect in many parts of the world. Spotlight on East Anglia We covered East Anglia in an edition some 2 years ago and the region has moved on a considerable pace since then. This feature has eclipsed all of those Spotlights which have gone before by some margin.

A wide range of articles from small companies to multi-nationals as well as organisations, educational established and membership groups are featured.

Skills Gap We again feature education and training in our regular skills gap initiative split into 2 separate areas – transferable skills from other industries/the Forces and a general area with an interesting article regarding a very successful Grammar School in the north of .

Duncan McGilvray Editor | Wind Energy Network

02 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk CONTENTS

Page 34 All in a day’s work – Peter Sommerfield, Marine Manager at Scira Marine Coordination Centre servicing Sheringham Shoal windfarm

Page 36 Risk management – Risktec our regular contributors on Quantitative Risk Assessments

Page 38 Spotlight on East Anglia – we return to the region to highlight progress CONTENTS Page 76 Law – Andrew Jackson Solicitors – a personal view from the inside

Page 78 Bosch Rexroth on Ice Detection Page 4 Collaboration – the formation of a Vessel Co- Operative highlights the necessity for collaboration in Page 80 Servicing offshore windfarms part 2 – we complete the industry our popular feature

Page 8 Your Industry News section starts here Page 84 Port focus – the Port of Tyne

Page 14 Your regular events calendar and what’s new Page 86 Event feature – the recent 2012 Concrete Offshore Wind conference in London Page 16 Skills Gap – we continue our initiative again in 2 parts – attracting individuals from the forces/other Page 88 Specialist engineering feature industries as well as a general interest area Page 100 Company profile – Worlifts Page 27 Ormonde Offshore – a case study by A2Sea Page 102 Innovation feature – WaveWinder – a very interesting concept linking wave and wind energy Page 28 Business Development section – regular advice from the team od experts Page 104 20 Questions – John Best from Fendercare Marine

p16 p61 p83

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www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 03 COLLABORATION

Collaboration: the name of the game

The wind energy We have featured in every edition of our now nearly 3 year tenure, industry has companies and organisations working highlighted together to ensure successful outcomes – pulling together skills, a special expertise and resources. requirement, All of the aforementioned bodies will be Co-operatives, alliances and associations featured again in more detail with a view which ultimately have grown and evolved to ensure that to updating progress. We also intend ensures its services exist to support the industry in its to spotlight those we have not covered entirety. before so please get in touch if you would success – no like to get involved. As you should now matter what size We list just a few which we have know we do not charge for any editorial, featured in earlier editions... whether written by individuals, or created the organisation by our team. or company, • Crown Estate • Dundee Renewables Serving the industry the need to • Energy group We are here to serve the industry and help • Enterprise Europe Initiative it communicate. The wind energy industry collaborate is • European Wind Energy Association is a very sophisticated and professional essential. • Federation of Fishermen’s market place – we are therefore funded Organisations by sponsorships and website tools with • Footprint Renewables limited advertising. • Global Wind Alliance • MPA Concrete Centre To start the ball rolling, so to speak, we • Mersey Maritime Group would like to feature a vessel services co- • Newcastle Chambers of Engineering operative we recently heard about. • NAMTEC (The National Technology Centre) We let Andy Iannetta and Richard Brookin, • NOF Energy pick up the story... • Renewplus • Renewables East Collaboration between smaller • Renewables Network organisations • RenewableUK Having attended many conferences and • Renewable World (our chosen charity) seminars, it has often been suggested that • Scottish Renewables smaller organisations should join forces • Team Humber Marine Alliance and pool resources. • Whitby & Scarborough Offshore Wind • World Trade Centre Hull & Humber

Not forgetting of course all the local enterprises, chambers of commerce, etc., many of which are funded by local businesses/organisations, since the demise of the Regional Development Agencies.

04 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk COLLABORATION

Offshore Marine Support Ltd and Energy Marines Services To this end, Offshore Marine Support Ltd (OMS) and Energy Marines Services (EMS) joined forces in September 2012 and the Cost efficient idea of a Vessel Co-Operative was born For the end user, the daily charter rates as the brainchild of Andy Iannetta and are kept to a reasonable level as OMS Richard Brookin, respectively. and EMS do not have the overheads of a larger organisation. Vessel co-operative This Co-Operative has brought together Diversification several small owner/operators with one or The Co-Operative has enabled owner/ two vessels with the aim of presenting a operators of vessels to diversify their own more forceful presence in the Renewables businesses and work in an industry sector Sector. OMS and EMS have built up that still displays growth – i.e. many fishing many senior contacts within the industry companies have joined the Co-Operative which enables the smaller operator to gain to offer their vessels for guard duties. access to people that they may not have They have a number of fishermen who been able to before by joining the Co- completely endorse the concept of the Operative. There is no charge to join. offshore wind industry which has gone a long way to change the mind-set of those Limited risk who may previously have been against it. OMS and EMS market the vessel and submit tenders for appropriate jobs, taking Currently, there are offices in Gloucester, a small percentage of the charter rate Preston and the and should the vessel be successful. Thus vessels available are at various locations risk to the owner is minimal. The range of throughout the UK and Southern Ireland. vessels, and related equipment, available within the Co-Operative is vast – from survey vessels to jack-up barges. offshore Marine Support ltd www.offshoremarinesupport.com

Energy Marine Services www.energymarineservices.co.uk

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 05 INDUSTRY NEWS IT’S ALL ABOUT

different shipyards in Europe and Asia. engineering services for two 200+m naval BMT Nigel Gee Of particular note is the recent launch of auxilliary tankers for the Canadian and UK our XSS design from the Sepers facility navies. The market for high speed patrol Expands to in Holland. This 24m vessel features a vessels has also been very active with a Meet Increased hullform based on SWATH technology new order for six 17m high speed patrol Yand offers improvedO seakeeping boatsU! in Turkey. Workload capabilities over conventional windfarm support vessels, thereby making it The fall in demand for high speed ferries, particularly suitable for longer transits to which for many years was the company’s BMT Nigel Gee, a subsidiary of those windfarms further from shore.” core business, has reversed and this year BMT Group, has announced recent BMT Nigel Gee has been working on a refurbishment and expansion activity Turbine Access System number of new designs, including a 38m at its offices in Southampton in Trials have also been successfully passenger ferry under construction in order to meet a large increase in completed on three more conventional Eastern Europe. design work. Operating across 20m vessels; one in Europe and two in four principal market sectors, the Asia. In the same vein, the company’s Research & development naval architectural practice delivers patented Turbine Access System, a investment design and engineering services to motion compensated access gangway Investment in R&D activities continues specialised vessels in the commercial, designed to increase safety for personnel to underpin development of innovative yacht, defence and renewable energy transferring from support vessels on to engineering technologies such as the markets. turbines, developed in partnership with Turbine Access System. 2013 will see

Houlder, successfully completed trials in BMT Nigel Gee investing further in R&D October at the windfarm off the activity including new hullforms aimed at coast of Wales. improving efficiencies in the oil and gas market, where the company is focusing Other markets on additional expansion and has recently BMT Nigel Gee has also expanded its received an order for a number of high client base with increased activities in the speed crew transfer vessels. large yachting market, both within re-fit and repair, as well as continued new Diversity build activities with some of the industry’s John Bonafoux concludes: “Diversity leading yacht builders. Current construction has always been at the heart of our projects include both sail and motor yachts business and has allowed us to maintain from 65m to 110m in length, whilst re-fit a consistent workload. It’s a great Renewable energy market and work has been undertaken on both classic moment to see our team and office windfarm support and modern yachts. Most notable work facilities expand due to resilient growth John Bonafoux, Managing Director of completed in 2012 included the delivery of in all of our markets for the second and BMT Nigel Gee says: “2012 has seen the motor yacht, Vava II from Plymouth - at third quarter of 2012. Our order book our company capitalise on investments 96m this is the largest yacht ever to be built moving forward into 2013 remains made in the renewable energy market. in the . strong – a true testament to the quality of design, engineering and attention to “Developing designs for windfarm In the defence market, the team at BMT detail our team deliver.” support vessels as early as 2009, there Nigel Gee continues to support a number are now over 18 windfarm support of its sister companies within the BMT BMT Nigel Gee vessels under construction at six Group providing structural and mechanical www.bmtng.com

06 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk INDUSTRY NEWS

Tristan Craig-Tyler says: “The growth Other popular NDT Wind growth in this business is driven partly by the rental instruments drives demand expansion of the renewable energy for turbine sector, but also by a need to maximise inspections for inspection revenue and extend operational life. include ultrasonic IT’S ALL ABOUT Instrument rental is proving highly flaw detectors Recent months have seen a surge in popular because it enables engineers and ultrasonic demand for hired turbine inspection to employ the latest technology while thickness instruments as manufacturers and avoiding capital costs.” testers. energy producers seek to ensure optimal safety and efficiency, prevent Borescopes Preventative downtime and maximise operational Borescopes (industrial endoscopes) maintenance reliability. are commonly employed for internal programme examinations because they One of the enable inspection without the most important cost and delay of dismantling. advantages of Tristan says “This technology regular inspections has advanced considerably is the development recently; video borescopes of a preventative maintenance are now available which are programme. Any failure of critical very light and easy to use, but components can be detected early, so provide extremely high quality that repair work can be planned during images.” periods of low wind speed or planned down time. This prevents major failure, One of the latest additions to reduces maintenance costs and minimises Ashtead Technology’s fleet downtime. of NDT rental instruments is the Olympus IPLEX UltraLite. Quality control Weighing just 700 grammes, In addition to preventative maintenance, it incorporates a combined inspection equipment is also employed Test instruments control and display unit that fits in the palm for quality control during manufacture and Test instruments are being used to check of one hand and frees the other hand to assembly, and pre-warranty handover the internal and external condition of guide the probe insertion tube. Observed inspection. the towers and the turbine blades, and images can be stored on a memory card video borescopes are being used to as high-quality JPEG images and MPEG-4 Ashtead Technology inspect gearboxes. Ashtead Technology’s movies. www.ashtead-technology.com

Offshore Wind: Iberdrola selects AREVA turbine for a large-scale project in Germany World-leading renewables operator, Under the terms of the agreement, AREVA Experience recognition Iberdrola, has once again selected will supply its M5000 5 MW turbine for the This new selection of AREVA’s turbine AREVA’s offshore wind technology for Wikinger wind farm that will produce up by renewables market leader Iberdrola, the Wikinger project, to be developed to 400 MW of electricity and that is to be demonstrates its recognition of the 35 kilometres off the German Baltic constructed during 2016 and 2017. experience AREVA has acquired over the Sea coast. past years in the field of offshore wind. By Competitive tendering 2014, the group will have more than 120 process wind turbines installed in the , This success follows a highly thereby reinforcing its leading position in competitive tendering process the high-power turbines market. with several different offshore technologies proposed. Both Luc Oursel, CEO of AREVA, said: “We companies will now enter into are honored by Iberdrola’s renewed further negotiations to finalise confidence in AREVA’s offshore wind the commercial and technical technology which further comforts the aspects of the supply contract. group’s strong ambitions in Europe. This new success further demonstrates the Last year, Iberdrola, in credibility of our long term strategy of partnership with Eole-RES, growth and our long term commitment selected AREVA’s technology for towards renewable energies.” the 500 MW project in the area of Saint-Brieuc, off the coast Areva of Brittany, as part of the first www.areva.com French offshore wind tender.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 07 INDUSTRY NEWS

Community engagement acquires The site will be eligible for Good Energy’s new Local Tariff, which gives consented onshore local residents living near wind farms the opportunity to benefit from a 20% discount off Good Energy’s standard wind farm site electricity tariff. Good Energy will also explore with key stakeholders other ways Good Energy Group plc, owner Important step forward in which the wind farm could benefit the of Good Energy Limited, the UK’s The project represents an important community and local households, as leading 100% renewable electricity step forward in Good Energy’s target part of its comprehensive approach to supplier, is pleased to announce that to develop 110MW of new generating community engagement around new it has completed the acquisition of capacity by 2016. Owning and operating renewable energy developments. an onshore wind farm site from RWE its own generation capacity will help Renewables Limited, for a the company to more easily manage Juliet Davenport OBE, CEO and consideration of up to £3.0 million. its wholesale power costs to deliver founder of Good Energy, said, “As our more stable retail prices, particularly as customer numbers increase, we see Planning permission granted customer numbers increase. the development of our own generation The site, located by Hampole, near assets as an important way in which we Doncaster, has planning permission for Self funded can keep wholesale costs down and the construction of four turbines. It is Commissioning of the site is expected to deliver more stable retail prices. Good Energy’s intention to construct a take place in Q4 2013. This wind farm wind farm with a generation capacity of will become the second onshore wind “Acquiring sites like this one, that have approximately 8.2MW. The proposed farm in Good Energy’s portfolio alongside already received planning permission, wind farm is expected to generate around the 9.2MW wind farm in North brings a welcome balance to the 20,000 MWh a year, nearly doubling the , which was originally the UK’s portfolio so that we can have this site amount of electricity that Good Energy first commercial onshore wind farm. The in development in 2013. We also plan generates. company will complete the development to bring online some of the sites we are phase in-house and expects to reach currently developing from scratch in financial close with debt-funders during 2014/2015. With that in mind, we are 2013. The acquisition has been funded pleased to have reached this agreement. from the company’s existing cash reserves. “We’re very excited that this latest site will be part of our new Local Tariff, and we look forward to engaging with the local community during the final development and construction process. We are particularly keen to seek their views on how the site might act as a vehicle for local investment in the area.”

Good Energy Group plc www.goodenergygroup.co.uk

RWE Npower Renewables www..com

08 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk INDUSTRY NEWS

Limpet L5 lifts new LEEA Safety In addition to greater efficiency, the Limpet award for innovation L5 guarantees outstanding levels of personal safety. Providing a constant tight An ingenious height access and fall Product features rope from above, fall prevention is built-in prevention system has won the Lifting Measuring just 658 x 506 x 403mm, and slips are arrested within 10mm. Equipment Engineers Association’s the L5 is ideal for supporting workers Furthermore, in the event of a medical inaugural Product Innovation Award. that need to access high structures. emergency at height, the Limpet’s controls Developed by Limpet Technology Users simply clip their harness to the can be used to simultaneously lower two Limited and distributed in the UK by Limpet’s integral safety line. An electric people to the ground. Lift Turn Move Limited (LTM), the Limpet® L5 is a portable, multifunction unit that combines powered climb assistance for personnel working at height with integrated fall prevention, rescue and evacuation capabilities.

Unanimous decision Announcing the award at the LiftEx 2012 exhibition in Coventry on November 29th, Geoff Holden, Chief Executive of the LEEA, said: “The judges were unanimous in their admiration for the Limpet L5, which demonstrates that greater efficiency and improved safety can go hand in hand. Working at height is a major challenge for the lifting industry and there is no doubt that the Limpet L5 will Mark Jeffery of Limpet Technology and John Jones of Lift Turn Move Ltd. prove an invaluable asset for many people working in the field.” hoist controlled by sophisticated sensing The Limpet L5 weighs just 65kg in Positive response technology then provides an ‘intelligent’ standard configuration and operates from John Jones, Managing Director for LTM, vertical pull of up to 90% of the user’s a 220-240AC/16A/50-60Hz single phase said: “We have only been marketing the weight (including tools and equipment). power supply. Suitable for users weighing Limpet L5 for a matter of months and the As a result, Limpet users can make twice 40kg to 140kg, it is fully compliant with the response has been extremely positive. the number of ladder climbs with half HSE ’08 Type Test. It is particularly useful in applications the effort, resulting in less fatigue, fewer that put a real strain on workers in terms mistakes and reduced health risks. Where LTM Limited of climbing, such as stage rigging and no ladder exists, the L5 can be used as www.liftturnmove.co.uk maintenance. This award a powerful personnel hoist, providing underlines what a major step forward a simple and cost-effective method of the Limpet represents in terms of both positioning workers for difficult-to-access speed and safety.” areas.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 09 INDUSTRY NEWS

Leading environmental firm looking to recruit industry experts Leading independent environmental Meeting market needs firm, SLR Consulting, has accelerated “Our recruitment approach for the UK is a recruitment drive which could see based on ensuring we continue to meet over 20 strategic staff hires within the the evolving needs of the market. So, UK operations over the next year. despite the on-going challenges of the economy, we are investing to enhance UK industry experts our offering and strategic hires remain SLR is also is seeking to attract additional an important part of this plan,” said Neil UK industry experts for possible Penhall, SLR’s UK Managing Director & placement into roles in its overseas International Operations Director. operations in Canada, United States, Southern Africa and Australia in support of “On an international level, we are keen its global expansion plans. to develop the cross-selling opportunities that come from our overseas operations. The move follows the announcement This allows us to take full advantage of earlier in the year of the company’s the growth potential that the resource led “Drawing on UK technical expertise for continued growth and strong performance economies present, where demand for international projects will continue to and the securing of a further £15million in consultancy services continues to grow.” drive the on-going development of SLR’s acquisition finance. international operations in key sectors. Repeat business Clients, wherever they are based, are SLR, which employs 320 consultants in SLR, which provides specialist advice and able to receive support from the best the UK, is currently looking to fill senior support on a wide range of strategic and and most appropriate technical experts,” strategic positions across its network of 22 site-specific issues, benefits from a high added Penhall. offices. Opportunities also exist for entry- level of repeat business with 50 per cent of level placements to senior appointments in revenue coming from clients for whom the SLR Consulting a broad range of technical disciplines. company has worked for five years or more. www.slrconsulting.com/careers

The company, which already meets much This drastically reduces the mechanical New breed of wind of its power requirement from photovoltaic resistance and gives a far greater (PV) cells on the roof of its building at operating range of wind speeds. turbine arrives in Spitfire Park, has installed a WindTronics Lincolnshire BTPS6500 turbine that produces up The turbine begins generating in wind to 2,000 kW hours per year of clean speeds as low as 2 mph (0.9 m/s) and Renewable energy products distributor renewable energy. Much of the wind- continues to draw energy in winds up to Eco Building Products is generating generated power is being used for security 40 mph (17.9 m/s) so it is almost always some of the electricity needed at its lighting around the exterior of the building. turning and producing power. In high Market Deeping showroom with a winds, to prevent the turbine from being revolutionary new wind turbine. Eco Building Products damaged, the turbine goes into auto shut Ian Greenfield of Eco Building Products down and the electromagnetic braking said: “We are now selling WindTronics system is fully deployed. turbines. However, as with most of what we sell, we like to gain real operating Wildlife friendly experience ourselves before offering The system measures just 6 feet (1.8 products to customers. metres) in diameter and is able to generate around 40 per cent of an average “We have been delighted with the household’s annual electricity needs. performance of the turbine which is Through its patented design it eliminates making a real contribution to cutting our many of the classic concerns around energy costs and CO2 emissions. noise and vibration and is ‘wildlife friendly’ because its dense rotor system is easily “It has significantly extended our range of seen by bats and birds. practical renewable energy solutions. In addition to PV and heat pumps, we can WindTronics now offer a reliable, low-cost and easily www.windtronics.co.uk installed wind turbine system.” Eco Building Products Specifications www.eco-building-products.co.uk The BTPS6500 creates power at the blade tips, where speed is greatest, Steve Redshaw of Eco Building utilising a system of outer rim stators and Products magnets, rather than using the typical gearing system of traditional turbines.

10 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk INDUSTRY NEWS First turbine installed at Teesside offshore wind farm

The Teesside offshore wind farm has An EDF first in the UK EDF experience reached an important milestone with The wind farm, located 1.5km off the EDF Energy Renewables already has the installation of the project’s first North East coast at Redcar, is the first UK 21 operational onshore wind farms turbine. offshore development undertaken by EDF contributing 300MW of low carbon Energy Renewables. electricity in the UK. Including the Teesside Operator EDF Energy Renewables has scheme, a further 224MW of additional now completed the installation of the Work on the installation of the remaining capacity is currently under construction. tower, nacelle and rotor blades of the first wind turbine generators continues and, of the 27, 2.3MW wind turbine generators allowing for periods where the weather EDF Energy Renewables to be erected on the 62MW scheme. conditions will prevent construction www.edf-er.com works taking place, it is expected that the Commissioning tests on the new erection of all wind turbine generators will MPI Offshore installation will be carried out ahead of be completed in Spring 2013. www.mpi-offshore.com beginning in the forthcoming weeks. Christian Egal, Chief Executive of EDF SeaRoc Energy Renewables, said: “The installation www.searoc.com MPI Offshore and Searoc of the first offshore turbine on our first Installation of the turbines is being offshore scheme is a landmark event for undertaken with the MPI Adventure, the company, supporting the expansion Ed’s note a six leg jack up vessel, owned by the of our onshore wind farm capacity over This project will be covered in much Stokesley-based MPI Offshore operating recent years. more detail within our regional focus out of the Port of Hartlepool. With the on Tyneside & Teesside, scheduled for change in project vessel SeaRoc has “Renewable energy will continue to play our next edition. been appointed as principal contractor to a key part of the country’s energy mix oversee the completion of the project. going forward and the construction of this latest project demonstrates our ongoing commitment to investing in low carbon technologies.

“Developing a range of diverse energy sources is crucial to addressing climate change, ensuring security of supply and providing affordable energy for all. The new Teesside offshore wind farm will make a significant contribution to all these challenges and we are delighted that electricity will soon be generated from the site.”

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 11 INDUSTRY NEWS

Dave Pressley is General Manager of If you can’t find him Telemar Scotland, a business unit of Telemar UK, who will be the distributor of the iPIRB™ in the UK. He added: “Any you can’t save him… organisation that has employees crossing sea either on the water or by air needs the best equipment possible for locating the development of a vital new level of accuracy people in the event of a disaster. In that for locating casualties at sea unfortunate situation, and often against the elements, iPIRB will allow these The new iPIRB launched by Search and rescue technology organisations to pinpoint individuals and MarineMTS and Telemar UK Limited, Over the years, search and rescue better coordinate a successful rescue.” locates and identifies marine technology has developed to the point casualties fast so that every effort where the location of an incident at Where help has been summoned to the can be concentrated on rescue and sea can be determined by on-board rough location of an incident, iPIRB™ saving life. The technology has been communications technology with identifies the precise location of casualties launched to marine industry operators reasonable accuracy. However, available within a search area, either on board including Taqa Bratani, Shell, Nexen, technology does not allow pinpoint a craft or crucially, in the water. Even Marathon and Total, as well as accuracy – crucial when searching for an unconscious casualties can be located, as Grampian Police. individual in the water, often in treacherous the beacon is automatically activated on conditions. Or, multiple individuals – impact with the water. In the case when Reliable and portable hundreds even. an incident results in multiple casualties, iPIRB (Individual Position Indicating each can be located with absolute Rescue Beacon) is a neat, portable accuracy – reducing time in the water, and and most of all – reliable, personal thereby increasing the chances of survival. locator beacon system, which completes the search and rescue How IPIRB works circle by providing a hitherto • iPIRB™ consists of a robust and unavailable layer of pinpoint rescue compact, pocket sized, AIS-SART accuracy for any organisation which in combination with Loc8 operating at sea – whether leisure or and Microplot provides a unique, commercial. reliable way of locating and tracking marine disaster casualties

• Vital information for everyone who has abandoned ship, however many there are, will be found and tracked for up to 96 hours

Exceptional • The AIS data transmitted by the SART accuracy can include an individual’s identity Wynne Edwards number and other relevant information, is Managing as well as their exact GPS location Director of Marine MTS, • Any drift and change in position is who developed tracked and updated on a minute by the new iPIRB™ minute basis system. He commented: • Passenger and crew names can be “If you know included, as well as any health issues exactly where so priorities can be established everyone is in a mass casualty • iPIRB™ sends its information in real situation, vital time to all AIS plotters within range time can be saved and every • With the Microplot and Loc8, the data In an emergency, the system can operate effort is immediately concentrated on is relayed via satellite and can be as a SOLAS AIS SART, ideal for tracking their rescue. Fast arrival and action gives viewed at the company’s onshore personnel on inspection and repair visits to victims a far greater chance of survival. office using an Internet browser and by offshore renewables fields. We developed iPIRB to deliver this level Marine Rescue Organisation Centres of accuracy in any situation where there are casualties in the water, whether MarineMTS having come from a helicopter or a boat. www.marinemts.com Working with satellite technology, we’ve made rescue at sea more precise, and Telemar UK Limited therefore, survival more likely.” www.telemaruk.com

12 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk INDUSTRY NEWS

Technip Offshore Wind wins high-profile UK industry HSE award

Technip Offshore Wind has been Safety challenges Technip Offshore Wind Ltd, part of awarded, by RenewableUK in The safety challenges included: wires the global Technip Group, is a leading partnership with The Crown Estate, strained under tension on deck; the provider of specialist offshore wind the prestigious Renewable Energy winch operator being remote from the installation and project management Health and Safety Award, 2013 for the work site; and the frame considered services to the renewable energy industry. development of the pioneering Pull-In unsafe for personnel working at height. With its headquarters in Scotland, Technip Module (PIM). These difficulties could also be further Offshore Wind Ltd currently employs more exacerbated by environmental factors than 120 people at its bases in Aberdeen, Technip, one of 7 shortlisted entrants, was such as poor subsea visibility and strong Tyneside and London. presented with the accolade recently on currents. the eve of RenewableUK’s annual Health Technip and Safety Conference, held in Sheffield. The Pull-In Module reduces the safety www.technip.com risks by removing vessel winch wires from Business values operation and introducing compliance to Ron Cookson, Senior Vice President industry standards. The technology also of Technip Offshore Wind said: ‘Safe, improves operations by reducing vessel effective project delivery and innovation dependency time as well as making the are core Technip business values. We array cable installation process smoother are therefore delighted that our success and safer. As a result of its design, the in improving the cable pull-in process Pull-In Module substantially improves has been recognised through this award. safety during key operational phases I am especially pleased for the members and increases operational efficiency. of our team who have brought the Pull-In Module from concept to practical application with great energy and commitment.’

Shining example In congratulating Technip Offshore Wind on the award, Maria McCaffery, Chief Executive of Renewable UK, referred to the Pull-In Module as a ‘shining example’ of the commitment of the offshore wind sector to the continuous improvement of health and safety performance.

Vital step-change – integrated Pull-In Module Technip Offshore Wind pioneered the ground-breaking new technology which significantly reduces offshore array cable pull-in time by up to 60%, offering a vital step-change in safety practises.

The integrated Pull-In Module innovation reduces the risk of injury to personnel offshore and saves substantial operational time at each cable end. It has been successfully launched and recovered more than 80 times without incident.

Technip developed the Pull-In Module after identifying pitfalls in existing methods of conventional lifting equipment used to install cables subsea and through J-tubes.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 13 WHAT’S NEW Events and what’s new We continue to feature some of the most important events in the calendar, so that you can, at a glance, consider which events to support. A more detailed listing is available online.

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.

Windforce Baltic Sea CanWEA Western Forum 2013

When 20 - 21 February 2013 When 11 - 12 April 2013 Where Stockholm, Sweden Where Vancouver, Canada contact www.windforcebalticsea.com contact www.canweaforum.ca

Wind Energy Asia 2013 PWEA 2013

When 24 February 2013 When 24 - 25 April 2013 Where Jeju, South Korea Where Warsaw, Poland contact www.gwec.net contact www.psew.pl

NOF ENERGY NATIONAL CONFERENCE - ‘ENERGY - A RenewableUK Cymru 2013 BALANCED FUTURE’ When 1 May 2013 When 14 March 2013 Where Cardiff, UK Where Hilton Hotel, Gateshead UK contact www.renewableuk.com contact www.nofenergy.co.uk

AWEA Windpower 2013 Scottish Renewables Annual Conference & Exhibition 2013 When 5 - 8 May 2013 Where Chicago, United States When 18 – 19 March 2013 contact www.windpowerexpo.org Where Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), Edinburgh. UK contact www.scottishrenewables.com Windforce 2013

When 4 - 6 June 2013 2013 NZ Wind Energy Conference and Exhibition Where Bremerhaven, Germany contact www.windforce2013.com When 20 - 22 March 2013 Where Wellington, New Zealand contact www.windenergy.org.nz RenewableUK Offshore Wind 2013 Conference & Exhibition

RenewableUK Connect – The networking event for When 12–13 June 2013 renewables in the UK Where Manchester Central, Manchester, UK contact www.renewableUK.com When 21 – 22 March 2013 Where Orbis Centre, Lowestoft, Suffolk, UK contact www.renewableUK.com EWEA Technology Workshop: Resource Assessment 2013

When 25 – 26 June 2013 Where Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland contact www.ewea.org

14 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk WHAT’S NEW

Magazine and website Forthcoming interaction features QR codes next edition You will notice that we have changed our pink and green • Spotlight on Esbjerg area, flashes indicating more information online. QR codes • Offshore Accommodation have been substituted which means that you can scan • Met Masts and Wind Prospecting the code with your smart phone and it will direct you to • Offshore Communications the featured company/organisation micropage held within • Specialist Surveying our website so that can learn much more in all sorts of • Working at Height formats. • Spotlight on the Tyne and Tees Please contact if you would like to be involved in Sample QR codes any of these features. Please scan

Renewable World Lifeline appeal BBC1 – 4pm Sunday 17th February Be sure to make a date to watch the Renewable World Lifeline appeal on BBC1. Many of our readers have supported our chosen charity in raising some £28000 by means of our regular Christmas campaign over the past 3 years. They do remarkable work in bringing sustainable projects to the most remote areas of the world.

Supply Chain Register Looking for a specialist service provider in the wind energy industry?

Visit our extensive online Supply Chain Register where circa 1200 companies specific to the wind energy industry are listed:

W www.windenergynetwork.co.uk T 01765 644224 E [email protected]

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 15 SKILLS GAP - GENERAL

Ripon Grammar School a caring and supportive community where the individual is valued

During our time spent researching It also prides itself on being forward initiatives regarding education and looking. training within the industry we came across a Grammar School which A special community Careers delivers something special. The school The essence of Ripon Grammar is creating A well-resourced careers library exists so is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. a special community in which to learn and that students from all year groups, as well the needs of each individual in the school as Sixth Form, are encouraged to visit the Ripon Grammar School has been serving are paramount. The school aims to ensure careers library during break, lunchtime the community of Ripon in North Yorkshire every student fulfils their potential in a or after school when careers staff are for well over 450 years and has a rich caring and supportive community where available to provide impartial careers heritage and tradition which affects much each individual is valued. advice and guidance centred on the of their daily work today. The school is over-subscribed due to individual needs of the students.

the high quality of education on offer, Enterprise and work experience and by secondary school standards they programmes are not a large school, but this is one Enterprise and work experience of its undoubted strengths. Everyone is programmes have also been formulated valued as an important member of the so that students have the opportunity to community. gain work experience, including formal placements, in both the fourth year and the sixth form and enterprise activities are run across all year groups.

These programmes are enriched through the contributions and involvement of a range of organisations, businesses, parents, and former students.

16 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk SKILLS GAP - GENERAL

Wind energy industry Following the school’s interest in the wind energy industry it is our intention to work closely with them to create a better understanding of the technology involved and the advantages the industry can The aim of the work experience provide in the future. programme is to give students the • A group of mainly lower school opportunity to gain an insight into the We will also help in giving factual students have designed and built 2 world of work, either to help them with information on the benefits of renewable battery powered cars and competed their career choice or to enable them to sources of energy, which will encourage at a national level. The current car is see the skills and qualifications needed in students into the industry as part of our hoped to be a contender the modern economy. Wind Industry Careers initiative. at the highest level.

6th Form Block

Engineering and the environment Engineering CREST awards (Creativity The school has a particular slant towards The school enjoys strong academic in Engineering Science and engineering and the environment and achievement, as you would expect from Technology) there are various initiatives related to these a selective grammar school system - A small number of students gain a CREST subject areas, some of which we have however that is only part of their success. gold award every year by working with highlighted here. both industry and Newcastle University. Engineering is regarded as a very Students need to put in a total of 100 There are many more and we will be important component of the school’s hours and fill in a log book which is featuring these in future editions at prospectus and is undertaken in design passed by their industrial mentor. appropriate times. technology, science and maths, then The university is then involved in the increasingly throughout the whole school. assessment and award.

The school is also an active member of There are many more engineering related EES (Engineering Education Scheme) and initiatives which the school is involved in have a programme of engineering talks and we will be featuring these in future and links with a number of universities. editions at appropriate times.

Engineering activities Ripon Grammar School • A team of lower 6th students work www.ripongrammar.co.uk with a sponsoring company on a real life project – in recent years the school has worked with May Gurney rail, RAF at Leeming, and REME at Catterick barracks.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 17 SKILLS GAP - GENERAL

Pioneering education winning Atlas Knowledge Centre which will allow them to build their own personalised initiative to boost skills for library of authoritative technical information for use throughout their education, energy sector supporting their future career choices and A pioneering education initiative, Your bodies have come together to map transition to the workplace. Future In Energy, that aims to give where the skills shortages lie, which school pupils clear paths into careers competencies are needed to fulfil these Chief Executive of Atlas, John Rowley, in the energy industry, was launched roles, and in turn which school subjects said: “Learning technologies play an recently in Aberdeen with a pilot at will steer pupils towards achieving these. important part in education today, both the city’s Northfield Academy. at school and in the workplace. Today’s “What’s different about this programme young people are digital natives, at ease Investment and job creation is its ability to move beyond the learning online and in their own time, and The pilot comes at the start of a year recruitment fairs and more sporadic we hope our resources will prove useful in which the energy sector is set to see CSR initiatives to a more streamlined, to the pupils. Your Future In Energy is considerable growth with the price of cross-industry approach to securing the an excellent initiative, with industry and oil making a strong start to the year and future talent that the energy sector so education working together, and we are the Scottish government reaffirming its desperately needs.” delighted to be supporting it.” commitment to investment in renewables. Attention continues to focus on how to Scottish Government support Real world experience for meet the resulting demand for skilled Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: pupils workers. “Scotland’s energy sector leads the Throughout the week, as well as company world and visits, the pupils, who will shortly be provides making their Higher subject choices, excellent career participated in industry-led workshops opportunities. on transferable skills, interview skills, There are CV building, psychometric testing and already tens presentation skills, and attended an of thousands opportunity fair where they found out first- of people in hand the range of prospects the industry high quality, has to offer them. highly skilled rewarding Ali Dow, Deputy Head Teacher of jobs in the Northfield Academy said, “Your Future sector, and as In Energy is exposing our pupils to it continues to jobs they might never have considered expand, this before, and crucially, helping them to number can understand where the knowledge they only increase. learn here at school can take them after they leave.” “There are Your Future In Energy enormous opportunities for our young Offshore Contractors Unlike previous initiatives aimed at people in this vibrant and growing Association support encouraging pupils to enter the industry, sector, and the Scottish Government The broader initiative has been supported Your Future In Energy is a cross-industry, is determined to give young people the by the Offshore Contractors Association streamlined programme integrated into skills they need to succeed. Our country which has been instrumental in securing the school curriculum and follows pupils has a long and proud tradition of science the involvement of its member companies. through from primary six to the end of and engineering excellence. Improving Bill Murray, Chief Executive of the OCA secondary school. The programme has science, technology, engineering and said “Given the challenges facing the been developed in line with the Curriculum maths (STEM) education, in line with energy sector in the coming decades, for Excellence and has the support of the Curriculum for Excellence, is a key this is exactly the type of cross-sector Scottish Government and industry leaders. priority for the Scottish Government. approach we need to deliver tomorrow’s talent.” In particular, the programme aims to “As an education and industry highlight the diversity of careers within the partnership, the Your Future in Energy Industry support energy sector and the different routes into initiative provides young people with a Also involved in the pilot are Stork them, whether it be through university, valuable insight into careers in the energy Technical Services, Amec, Wood Group, college, apprenticeships, or other industry.” BIS Salamis, Sparrows Group, James opportunities within the workplace. Jack Cranes and JP Kenny. Following the Atlas Knowledge Centre pilot, the programme will be reviewed with Working together The pilot was launched recently at the intention of rolling it out across the Tom Clark, Managing Director of Your international learning and skills provider North East Scotland and beyond. Future In Energy said: “This is the first Atlas, one of several companies backing time experts spanning the education Your Future in Energy. During their visit, Your Future In Energy sector, energy industry and training pupils were shown how to use the award- www.yourfutureinenergy.com

18 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk SKILLS GAP - GENERAL

New Higher Apprenticeship supporting the development of the energy sector

Newcastle College has launched a Wind Generation Apprentices will also “Supply chain companies will be new Higher Apprenticeship to support undertake a Foundation Degree in planning their operations to serve the development of skilled personnel Renewable Energy Technologies while the expansion of the industry, which for the energy sector. Marine Apprentices will work towards a will include the development of Foundation Degree in Subsea Engineering. apprentices, which needs to include School of Applied Science and both Advanced and Higher levels to Technology Incorporated Engineer status meet the technological demands of Devised by the College’s School of Upon completing the apprenticeship, the sector. The Higher Apprenticeship Applied Science and Technology, the participants can go on to study for a will arm employees with the skills and Higher Apprenticeship focus on the key degree qualification and work towards competencies expected by the sector, growth areas in the energy sector supply ‘Incorporated Engineer’ professional which will make them valuable members chain, wind generation and marine, status. of the workforce.” which will require a substantial skilled and competent workforce in the near and Helen Craig, Project Manager at NOF Energy long-term future. Newcastle College’s School of Applied Caroline Lofthouse, Business Science & Technology, said: “The Development Manager at NOF Energy, The College, which is a member of College has been developing Higher said: “The North East has an impressive energy sector business development Apprenticeships in all engineering cluster of energy sector supply chain organisation, NOF Energy, will work with disciplines, but the offshore industries, companies that would benefit from industry employers to help create the next particularly in the emerging renewables the programmes being developed by generation of skilled engineers. sector, will have a particular requirement Newcastle College. for skilled engineers when activity in the Businesses interested in adding Higher industry gains pace. “As the supply chain gears up for the Apprenticeships to their skills development growth in offshore renewables, activities strategies are encouraged to engage with creating a highly-skilled workforce is the College, which will deliver the mix of essential. Not only will the sector require high quality workplace and college-based engineers for the next 10 to 15 years to learning. support the construction of Round 2.5 and Round 3 offshore wind farms, there Apprenticeship training will be the on-going requirement for Suitable for new employees and existing personnel that can manage the operation technicians looking to develop their skills and maintenance of current and future set, the two-year Higher Apprenticeship wind farms.” is aimed at individuals with A Levels, Engineering Diplomas, Advanced Newcastle College Apprenticeships or have worked in www.ncl-coll.ac.uk industry to Level 3 standard.

The majority of the Apprenticeship training is achieved through workplace learning, which is assessed by the employer and the College. In addition, Apprentices spend one day a week at Newcastle College working towards a number of the programme’s qualifications.

Wind Generation and Marine apprenticeships Delivered as part of the SEMTA Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, the Wind Generation and Marine Apprenticeships share key qualifications including NVQ Extended diploma in Engineering Leadership and Essential Skills in Maths, English and ICT.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 19 SKILLS GAP - GENERAL

Reliability – ex-military personnel can be Service leavers trusted to do what is expected of them and consistently accomplish the desired outcome, presenting a positive attitude and commitment to the task in hand can plug Transition into the renewable sector Prioritising and Multi-Tasking – time Service leavers with a background in management, multi-tasking and prioritising skills mechanical engineering, electrical and are of high importance to all companies, hydraulics will be able to transfer into and ex-military personnel have the ability the renewable sector with relative ease, to do all of the above in pressurised along with those who have experience in situations. gaps logistics and project management. Honesty and Integrity – honesty The transferable Technical disciplines and skills and integrity are qualities that service skills of leavers from of service leavers... personnel have in abundance. the Armed Forces • Royal Navy – Marine, Air, are sought now more Hydrographic, Geophysical, The above qualities are all paramount than ever within Instruments and Nuclear engineering to the success of any individual wanting • Army – Electrical, Mechanical and to pursue a career in the wind energy the renewables job Instrument engineering industry and are innate to the professions market. With heightened • - Technician of ex-military personnel. They strive to be media coverage and Electrical/Mechanical/Propulsion, the best in all circumstances and the hard companies on the verge Airframe or Instruments engineering skills they can bring to the table from their of revolutionising trade can only consolidate their absolute It is not only technical skills that are gained suitability to this sector of work after they their processes to cut throughout a service career, but also choose to move on from their service emissions, this is the additional soft skills such as discipline, career. time for organisations teamwork, integrity, loyalty and a selfless seeking to increase their commitment to get the job done. Wind energy sector workforce to look at The sector has grown in Skills asset for a workforce... recent years and the IEA (International accessing the talent Leadership – leading teams of people Energy Agency) forecasts that renewables leaving the forces. with confidence and the ability to delegate could ‘become the world’s second- tasks and roles, whilst providing help and largest source of power generation by Career Transition Partnership support to staff 2015’. Governments across the globe are (CTP) striving to increase their renewable energy For years, thousands of companies Communication – service leavers have consumption as a precaution against across all industries have been working the skills to communicate with colleagues rising prices for fossil fuels and to reduce with the CTP to gain access to service in some of the most challenging their environmental footprint. leavers, as they recognise the benefits environments and are able to make a military background can bring to their decisions in stressful situations. These IEC International Standards organisation. skills are necessary in all working platforms IEC International Standards for the industry need to ensure wind systems The CTP is a partnering agreement Self-Motivation – developing individuals and installations meet the latest technical between the Ministry of Defence and and providing them with the drive to requirements; for installers, utilities and Right Management, who are global succeed, and increasing opportunities for other users, they need a guarantee that career development and outplacement development and progression the equipment they acquire and install is specialists. They provide resettlement as safe, reliable and efficient as possible. support for those preparing to leave the Problem-Solving – ex-military personnel To achieve these requirements, and to Armed Forces and enter into the civilian will have dealt with various problem- ensure that the wind turbine industry job market, and also offer employers a solving situations, often under extremely continues to prosper and make an ever- recruitment service for those wishing to pressurised conditions, and are trained to larger contribution to electricity generation, employ service leavers, all free of charge. think outside the box there is a growing requirement for skilled workers to ensure the job gets done 20,000 skilled individuals Teamwork – service leavers will have the efficiently and effectively. Every year, over 20,000 skilled individuals ability to participate whilst considering leave the armed forces. The CTP help with ideas from other team members and Career Transition Partnership all aspects of their resettlement, having an are able to share information and good www.ctp.org.uk unrivalled pool of service leaver talent to practice, knowledge and experience. call upon. To date, the CTP have assisted Working together despite differences, over 170,000 service leavers with their team players figure out ways to work transition to civilian life. together and solve problems, treating fellow team members with respect throughout the process

20 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk SKILLS GAP - GENERAL

Uniquely, the latest accreditation enables Falck Nutec to be the only training provider able to deliver all GWO and RenewableUK World leading accredited programmes. The RenewableUK available programmes are: Working at Height & Rescue Training (WAHR) for wind wind energy turbines and Marine Safety Training (MST.) Safety and quality The accreditations are used by wind energy industry training sector businesses all over the world as a mark of safety and quality. The GWO training course covers the following modules: working at height, sea survival, first aid, fire awareness and manual handling. The modules are all delivered from Falck Nutec’s state of the art site on the banks of the River Tees in Billingham, North East England.

Lisa Bryan, Business Development Manager at Falck Nutec, commented: “We’re very pleased to have been awarded this prestigious accreditation. This will allow us to provide an even higher level of training to offshore personnel, and be increasingly responsive to new innovations, and up- skilling, within the industry. This will be particularly relevant to offshore windfarm industry personnel as we move towards the construction of Round 3 Offshore installations in 2014 and beyond. This coincides with an increase in offshore personnel needing specialist training, which also reflects the increasingly highly skilled nature of the industry.

“As well as being the only provider at the moment with approval to deliver all of the courses, we will be able to deliver everything at the same location, ‘under one roof’, in our purpose built training facility in Teesside.”

One-stop-shop As well as offering the GWO and RenewableUK courses, the company also provides fitness to work assessments, as per the RUK guidelines and complementary training such as slinger/banksman and rigging and lifting training, making Falck Nutec a one- stop-shop for the wind industry. (In foreground) Bill Whyman, Centre Manager, James Dixon (in middle) and Jonathan Battye, Senior Instructor (in background.) Falck Nutec www.falck.com

Click to view more info Falck Nutec Teesside is celebrating Landmark after becoming the world’s only The landmark has been reached after industrial training facility to hold Falck Nutec achieved approval to deliver = Click to view video approval to deliver all five Global Wind the GWO Basic Safety Training standard. Organisation (GWO) training modules The GWO modules have been written as well as both of the Renewable by the industry for the industry and are Ed’s note UK wind industry specific training aimed at ensuring the health and safety of We will again be featuring Falck Nutec courses. offshore wind farm personnel, improving in our regional focus on Tyneside & efficiency and standardising the basic safety Teesside, in our next edition. and preparedness training for personnel working in the wind turbine sector.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 21 SKILLS GAP - OTHER INDUSTRIES

From RAF and retail to ICE Renewables’ John, now Operations and Maintenance basic compared to an aircraft hydraulic team Manager at ICE, enjoyed a 27-year system, carries out the same basic Two new members of the ICE career with the RAF progressing to Chief functions.” Renewables’ team have shown how Technician, responsible for maintaining the skills obtained in retail and the RAF RAF’s eye in the sky the AWACs, which In a newly defined role, Verity will be can be transferred to the wind energy took him and his teams around the world. the main point of contact for clients sector. and engineers, providing support and Responsibilities advice on maintenance and repair Verity Naseby At ICE Renewables John is responsible appointments. She is responsible for client 25-year-old Verity Naseby has joined for ensuring the right resources are in communication, engineer co-ordination, leading medium wind turbine specialist, the right place at the right time to carry turbine monitoring and is involved with the ICE Renewables in Northallerton, as out essential maintenance and repairs. FIT accreditation process. Operations and Maintenance Co-ordinator He liaises with clients to ensure they are after holding roles in both retail and happy with the service provided, and Verity says: “Renewables is still a relatively hospitality. maintains service records. new industry. I felt as though I had gone as far as I could go in retail management John Preston John commented, “I wanted to work and I needed a new challenge.” As ICE Renewables continues to expand within the renewables industry after the operations and maintenance team leaving the military. I like doing my bit for ICE Renewables has been operating for they have also appointed staff from the the environment - and trying to secure a six years and is co-owned and managed Royal Air Force, including John Preston. safer, healthier planet for our children’s by one of the industry’s leading wind children. experts and Chair of Renewable UK’s Small and Medium Wind Strategy Group, “The company believes that Julian Martin. as a business it’s not just about installing a turbine, ICE Renewables it’s about how that turbine is www.icerenewables.com serviced and maintained and the relationship we develop with the customer. Click to view more info “All of the skills I learnt through the military have been transferable. A nut is a nut, whether it’s on a multi- Ed’s note - We will be continuing million pound aircraft or a to feature ICE Renewables & the role wind turbine. The hydraulic of medium wind pitch system, although

Working with Weymouth College to re-train workforce meeting the needs of Navitus Bay WindFarm The SCA Group, specialist access who provide guidance and support as well electrical installation and electronics and maintenance provider from as quality teaching. provision. Working with the SCA Group Wimborne, working with Weymouth will mean we can train our teams to carry College, have developed a number of The SCA Group out all of these functions at height.” training schemes which will bridge The SCA Group offer expertise in high skills-gaps and enable local workers level maintenance from ropes, and with Mike Unsworth, to assist in maintaining the Navitus limited training facilities in the UK for Project Director, said “Many different Bay windfarm proposed off the offshore work. Both parties are hopeful skills will be required to operate the coast. The training scheme is being that funding will be granted in order Navitus Bay wind farm, and the sooner submitted as part of a bid to try and that people local to Navitus Bay can be these skills are honed the better. One secure £1m of UKCES funding for new employed. of our main aims is to keep as much of employer-led training courses. this work as local as possible, and we Rex Witts, Director of Construction are delighted to see such a wave of local Weymouth College and Engineering at Weymouth College, support from companies such as SCA.” Weymouth College provide facilities for commented: over 7,000 students from across Dorset Weymouth College and the rest of the UK, as well as from “Weymouth College can become a www.weymouth.ac.uk overseas, offering a diverse range of centre of excellence for wind farm courses, excellent facilities and a team of training programmes. In addition we have The SCA Group highly dedicated and experienced staff specialist stonemasonry, engineering, www.thescagroup.com

22 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk SKILLS GAP - OTHER INDUSTRIES launch OF military2energy careers service NOF Energy, the business support Support programme organisation for oil, gas, nuclear and The service also provides offshore renewables, has teamed up organisations in the energy with The British Forces Resettlement sector with a 12 month Services (BFRS) to launch The programme of support Military2Energy Careers Service. and multiple marketing opportunities to position their The service, which is designed to company as the employer introduce ex-servicemen and women of choice or leading training into careers in the energy sector, offers provider to the Armed Forces NOF Energy members the opportunity community. to communicate with and recruit from BFRS’s Armed Forces community of more Energy Sector than 14,000 skilled service leavers. Military to Civilian Joanne Leng and Careers Fair Hannah Reynolds Available individuals with The service is being launched valuable skills following the successful Each year, more than 20,000 individuals Energy Sector Military to leave the Armed Forces. This figure is set Civilian Careers Fair in September hosted “The Military2Energy Careers Service to dramatically increase as the MoD plans by NOF Energy and the BFRS. The offers businesses in the energy sector an to make 54,000 additional redundancies partnership is committed to tackling both excellent platform to take advantage of before 2015. Many of these service industries’ key skills and employment the fantastic skills on offer and I would leavers possess valuable skills that are issues. urge them to get involved with the perfectly transferrable to roles in the scheme.” energy sector. BFRS and NOF The BFRS is a non-profit company Hannah Reynolds, Marketing Director from Military2Energy Careers Service working for the sole benefit of the Armed The British Forces Resettlement Services, The Military2Energy Careers Service Forces community. It provides help, said: “BFRS champions the skills, allows NOF Energy members to take advice and support to more than 14,000 qualities and expertise possessed by advantage of skilled ex-military personnel. members of the Armed Forces, both past those in the Armed Forces community and present, and their families, throughout and we’re thrilled to be working with It offers companies a constant influx of ex- the transition from military to civilian life. NOF Energy to help promote the servicemen and women for enrolment on valuable contribution that ex-military training courses, opportunity to promote Joanne Leng MBE, Director Business personnel can make to the energy vacancies at any point and organises work Development at NOF Energy, said: “The sector.” trial placements with potential candidates transferable skills of armed forces through interaction with ex-military personnel make them perfect candidates British Forces Resettlement Services personnel at live and virtual career events for positions within the energy sector, www.bfrss.org.uk and exhibitions, company listing on the with many possessing specialist BFRS website and inclusion in the BFRS engineering and technical skills in high NOF Energy newsletter. demand from the sector. www.nofenergy.co.uk

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 23 SKILLS GAP - OTHER INDUSTRIES

Filling the gap tackling the skills shortage

In 2012 RenewableUK and Energy Renewables Training Network UK Oil and gas industry & Utility Skills issued a report on (RTN) The UK oil and gas industry is Britain’s the rapid rate of growth within the An organisation backing the development greatest industrial success story in renewables industry and the potential of industry specific courses is The RTN, the last 50 years, and employs over jobs created because of it. set up by RenewableUK members to 380,000 people. However, the current tackle the shortage of skilled workers forecasts predict that Britain can only The message to the renewables sector in this sector. The primary focus of expect to remain self-sufficient in oil was stark: ‘the supply of appropriate this organisation is to address the for approximately another 10 years. By skills to the labour market needs to skills gap through the development of creating a range of training courses which ramp up rapidly over the coming years ‘RTN approved’ courses, which focus are specifically tailored to transferring to meet rising demand.’ specifically on equipping individuals and enhancing skills acquired in the oil, with the required skills for working in the gas and related industries to meet the Working for a Green Britain renewables sector. requirements of the renewables sector, Within the ‘Working for a Green Britain Vol we are able to slowly decrease the skills 2’ study a high growth scenario was put ‘Wind Work Ready’ training shortage. forward proposing that the industry would courses create 115,000 full-time jobs. However a Through working closely with stakeholders By encouraging the transition of skills we shortage of skilled workers and a lack of to understand the training needs of the can create a strong work-force which can training opportunities could put this sector industry, RTN have already identified and move easily across the energy sectors. at risk. approved a suite of ‘Wind Work Ready’ courses, including Safety Technology’s The Forces Industry specific training Introduction to Wind: Onshore and Further transitions can take place from the This issue is currently being tackled in Offshore. military into the energy sector, with similar numerous ways in an attempt to keep skill sets required for roles in both. With the momentum behind sectors such The RTN aims to deliver training to 12,000 circa 20,000 Service leavers coming on to as Wind Energy. One approach to this new entrants by 2016 and develop the the civilian job market each year, including problem is through the development of skills of 11,450 employees currently highly trained engineers, technicians and industry specific training to create a new working in the renewables industry. trainers, these individuals are a perfect work force here in the UK. Centres of solution for the skills shortages in the Excellence for wind energy training are Attracting people with renewables sector. With the right training, being set up to equip individuals with the transferable skills skills developed within the forces can be training they need to work on/around wind Enticing individuals to embark in a career easily adapted to meet the needs of this turbines onshore and offshore. in the renewables-industry is one way sector. to tackle the skills shortage, but this is slow and will not produce the numbers Industry need required. Another suggestion may be to One thing is clear, regardless of the tap into the huge work force we already strategy taken to achieve it, the industry have right here on our doorstep. needs a strong, skilled work force. In order to ensure this, whether it is from similar industries or not, accredited and customer driven industry specific training must be available here in the UK.

Safety Technology www.safetytechnology.co.uk

24 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk SKILLS GAP - OTHER INDUSTRIES Specialist training combats hostile North Sea environment Global Wind Organisation (GWO) When you’re miles offshore in the approval Maersk Training in Newcastle, which hostile North Sea you can’t dial specialises in wind, renewable and 999 if something goes wrong. Staff offshore training, was the first centre in the UK to offer courses approved by the GWO from one subsea cable installation and is also approved by industry bodies company will be ready for anything, such as RenewableUK and OPITO. thanks to specialist training. The GWO programme is a globally recognised standard and is often the first step for those wanting a worldwide Leading global provider of a cervical collar and spinal board and career in wind power - currently only a few Global Marine Systems Energy Ltd is being lifted to safety in these difficult centres globally have GWO approval. one of the world’s leading providers of conditions. submarine cable installation services Considerations delivering power cabling solutions from Live trial Jeremy Weiss, rescue training specialist landfall to landfall or from landfall to In a live trial following the training, the and instructor at Maersk Training, who offshore structures, such as windfarms, for team managed to rescue a casualty in devised and delivered the training for the power and offshore renewable energy just 20 minutes - timings on a par with a Global Marine Energy said: “When markets. professional rescue team. The rescue and developing a training and rescue plan for emergency procedures were also signed an isolated and dangerous environment The company has successfully installed off by the client ensuring that Global there are many considerations to some of the world’s leading offshore Marine Energy could progress its work on look at including weather conditions, windfarm projects from the turbine schedule. available equipment and communication through to the landfall. When the company limitations to name but a few.” won a recent contract to deliver the cable Andy Dorr, Project HSE Adviser at Global infrastructure for a planned German wind Marine Energy, said: “Due to the nature Robust rescue and emergency farm in the North Sea it needed to ensure of our work we are first on any site and plan its employees were adequately prepared have no access to any existing facilities. “Working in partnership with Global should the worst happen. As you can imagine when you’re offshore Marine Energy we created a robust in the harsh and hostile conditions of rescue and emergency plan that covered Tailored training plan the North Sea you are far from any every scenario. Global Marine Energy’s Working in one of the world’s harshest emergency services and need to be able team was extremely motivated and and most dangerous environments to deal with any emergency situation enthusiastic and training them was an means personnel need to be self- yourself. Any one of us needs to be absolute pleasure. sufficient, with watertight rescue and completely confident they could rescue emergency procedures in place should a colleague in the unlikely event that “The global wind industry is experiencing things go wrong. Global Marine Energy anything bad should happen. unprecedented growth and there are approached Maersk Training in Newcastle many resulting skills shortages that to help develop an advanced rescue and “As well as training our team in the need to be plugged. This means we emergency plan tailored to the unique very highest climbing and rescue need to be able to react quickly to conditions it was about to experience standards for an offshore environment, any client’s needs, arranging bespoke and to train its 14-strong team to be Maersk Training helped us to refine our training courses at short notice. We are completely self-reliant. emergency rescue procedures to the more than geared up to do this and we highest possible standards. This gave are delighted that our work with Global Creating realistic conditions our client confidence that we could Marine Energy has helped them to To ensure the training took place under deliver what they needed and we were progress a very important contract for realistic conditions, Maersk Training used able to get on with the job. them.” cable tanks on a ship in the German port of Nordenham to simulate the confined “Maersk Training’s excellent and Maersk Training Newcastle spaces and heights the Global Marine responsive approach has been invaluable www.maersktraining.com Energy team would experience offshore. in helping us to progress this project Groups of four were then taken through quickly and to build the trust of our Global Marine Systems Energy step-by-step procedures including use important new client.” www.globalmarinesystemsenergy.com

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 25 SKILLS GAP - OTHER INDUSTRIES

Okehampton College wins $100,000 future energy

Helping others The $4 million prize fund is managed As well as dramatically reducing its own by Masdar, and awarded to individuals, prize carbon footprint the College has helped high schools, companies, organisations Okehampton College, in the heart of various other organisations including or NGOs that have made significant Devon, has won a major international the National Trust, local authorities and contributions in the global response to the award for its pioneering work in around 200 other schools either directly future of energy. energy efficiency, renewable energy or indirectly during presentations at and its carbon reduction strategy. conferences across the UK. Expert judging Finalists were nominated by experts Zayed Future Energy Prize Projects across the globe and the winners chosen The Zayed Future Energy Prize for a Energy sustainability projects being run by a jury chaired by HE Ólafur Ragnar European high school comes with a at Okehampton College include after Grímsson, President of the Republic $100,000 prize fund, which the college school monitoring clubs, behaviour of Iceland, which also included Dr Han will spend on installing wind turbines on change campaigns and various technical Seung-Soo, former Prime Minister of campus to reduce its consumption of measures including sophisticated Korea, Adnan Z. Amin, Director General fossil fuel derived energy. energy monitoring packages, building of the International Renewable Energy management system, low energy lighting, Agency (IRENA) and Leonardo DiCaprio, In the last four years Okehampton College thermostatic controls, insulation upgrades, actor and environmental campaigner. has cut its reliance on fossil fuels by 50% high efficiency boilers, double glazing, and has the ultimate aim of having net draught proofing and 80kW of solar PV Chair of school governors, Ian Courtney, zero energy bills. Many large schools can to be shortly followed by 22kW of wind said “Okehampton is a Town with a spend well in excess of £1,000 a day on power and 199kW of biomass heating. plan and a bright future. The College energy but at Okehampton it varies from has a magnificent reputation and is £400 to nothing at all. The school is now International accolade part of a growing federation of schools being seen as an exemplar for reducing Keith Webber, Project Leader, said: “To that is providing first class education. I energy costs in the education sector. be awarded the Zayed Future Energy am truly delighted with all the fantastic Prize is an incredible honour for the things that are happening and planned Abu Dhabi sustainability week college and we are absolutely delighted for the College and the town. I must College principal, Daryll Chapman, and 6th to have been chosen as the European congratulate the staff and students former Bryony Franco were awarded the Global High School prize winner. The on the great things happening at the Zayed Future Energy Prize (Global High prize is the biggest international accolade College.” School Category) at The Emirates Palace for innovation in sustainable energy during the Abu Dhabi sustainability week development so it really is a fantastic Okehampton High School – the largest of its kind attended by many achievement for us.” www.okehamptoncollege.devon.sch.uk world leaders. Wind energy Image – Okehampton College Principal The Prize is the legacy of Sheikh Zayed The college has already managed to Daryll Chapman, Project Leader Keith the late ruler of Abu Dhabi and first reduce its consumption of fossil fuel Webber and 6th form student Bryony president of the United Arab Emirates derived energy by 50 per cent. The Franco with the Zayed Future Energy Prize who was passionate about environmental $100,000 prize money received will go (photo courtesy of Okehampton Times) stewardship. The awards, held annually, towards the installation of wind power to celebrate innovation, impact, leadership further supplement the school’s electrical and long term vision in renewable energy supply, and the savings will help to fund and sustainability. further renewable energy projects.

26 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk INDUSTRY CASE STUDY Ormonde Offshore Windfarm a case study

A2SEA were contracted by Offshore 2 firsts Planning Design Engineering to install 30 5MW The Ormonde Offshore Windfarm is Planning was the key for this project. In REpower turbines on ’s special in many ways; firstly it is the first order to reduce the learning curve and Ormonde Offshore Wind farm in 2011. commercial offshore windfarm to use risk, A2SEA spent two days using a jacket foundations. Secondly it is the first simulator with all those involved in the tow Ahead of schedule commercial offshore windfarm to install out of the SEA JACK vessel. This proved First load-out for the project was on 11th Repower 5MW wind turbines. very successful and helped deliver the March 2011 and the last wind turbine project ahead of schedule. was installed on 1st August 2011, 19 Challenges days ahead of schedule. The Ormonde Many challenges were encountered whilst An insight into the future Offshore Windfarm is located in the Irish delivering and planning this project. The Ormonde Offshore Windfarm gives us Sea 10 km off Barrow in Furness with the a glimpse into larger scale projects and in A2SEA vessel SEA JACK operating out of Logistically, transporting a full rotor with a to what the future will bring, considering Belfast harbour. diameter of 129 m and a transit time of 22 the development plans for the coming hours posed a challenge. There were also years. critical issues that A2SEA faced whilst in port. With such success using jacket foundations and the successful installation SEA JACK was unable to jack-up in port of 5 MW wind turbines this demonstrates so this meant they could not use the that with the right planning, know-how vessels crane for loading, there were also and project set-up A2Sea are ready to sailing restrictions within the port and a move forward to the UK Round Three. very narrow channel to contend with. A2Sea www..com

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www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 27 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Renewables Development Programme workshop 3 WASTE What All Successful Teams Eliminate

This workshop is on the subject of Waste Management. it is not about tidying up the yard in anticipation of a visit from some ‘tree-hugging’ inspector, and this workshop is not about finding the most efficient cardboard baler on the market

John Britton, Director of Renewables For this product the Network Ltd highlights details of the customer would buy 3rd workshop in the Renewables instantly at a price Development Programme. of 65. He would be comfortable to This workshop on the subject of purchase up to a price Waste Management is not about tidying of 80. Above that the up the yard in anticipation of a visit from decision to buy would some ‘tree-hugging’ inspector, and this get progressively less workshop is not about finding the most comfortable. At a efficient cardboard baler on the market price of 90 he would (even though this would be a very useful really want to see investment). some other incentive to buy added to the This workshop is about taking ownership offer and, above of the principles of customer orientation that price his commitment would rapidly and operational efficiency. disappear. A good example is a copper top Duracell The text book of Lean Management alkaline battery. For years this product A company that has a clear understanding tells us that everything that adds cost, was valued above all others because the of its customers’ specification of value has but does not add value is WASTE. So, customer was given exactly what was a chance to be successful in the market, we must begin our workshop with an needed. but this is only the first step. appreciation of value. QUALITY - Duracell lasted 6 times longer WASTEFUL DESIGN THE SPECIFICATION OF VALUE than a zinc carbon in continuous use Insensitivity to the opinion of the customer BELONGS TO THE CUSTOMER can apply just as wastefully to product COST - Duracell cost only 2½ times more design as it can to pricing. than a zinc carbon

AVAILABILITY - Duracell was available on more shelves than any other brand

Money was invested in maintaining the differential performance and on maintaining maximum distribution. Spending money elsewhere would have been a waste.

The customer will happily spend the asking price if the price represents value. The fact that a price is 40% uplift on cost For the customer the value of every means nothing to the customer, but think product or service is the right balance of how many products or services are priced Quality, Cost and Availability. in this insensitive way.

28 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

The supplier of this product has wasted This elimination of waste has put him into In any event, the only way to improve your his design talent in offering functionality or the position that he is still able to sell at own operation is to identify the principles design features that he believes are worth a a price of 65 without losing money. As that have been proven to work by others, price of 105. The customer is not interested. a consequence, the Zone of Probable and to make these principles your own by The supplier has wasted his time. Agreement (ZoPA) for this buyer and seller incorporating them into the culture of your is huge by comparison. own organisation. Furthermore, this offer is made at a cost which leaves the supplier with no The elimination of waste under point 2 If you, as the catalyst of change for inclination to sell at a price less than 80. above is the vital ingredient to success. your team, do not work out how a new We can see that the Zone of Probable Let’s remind ourselves of the definition we principle can be incorporated into the Agreement (ZoPA) is restricted to the small started with. workplace culture of your organisation range between 82 and 86. then there is virtually no chance that your Everything that adds cost, but does not team will take ownership of the change, I guess you have seen as many examples add value is WASTE. improve their level of performance and as I have of products designed by the deliver the available benefit. company’s technical team who, in WASTEFUL OPERATIONS essence, have been locked in internal Think of your own operation and quickly In realising the potential benefit to your competition to build something with more list down the 5 changes you would make, own team I would urge you to explore bells and whistles than each other with no matter how big or small, that would further the insight that a focus on TIM little credence given to the customers’ save cost without making any difference to WOOD will bring. As an example of the specification of value. The supplier who the customers’ perception of value. changes that are possible, that save matches his offer to the customers’ cost without decreasing the customers’ specification of value will not be wasting all …….3 MINUTES LATER. Done it? perception of value I refer you to the this time and money. square water melon. Good, now you can make those 5 The other wasteful design is the one that changes without delay. In the cost has given no consideration to production To help you find another 5 it is always conscious food cost. Being sensitive to the customer useful to run through the 7 classic market the cost specification of value and mindful of the (Japanese) categories of waste. of transport is cost of production are not contradictory a significant influences. More often than not the use TIM WOOD element of the of standard components or standard T = Transport. Any unnecessary price to the production processes will not negate an transportation of men or materials consumer. In aspect of design which has value to the I = Inventory. Despite what accountants order to reduce customer. tell you inventory is a potential liability this element, M = Movement. An individual’s without decreasing the customers’ Now we can look at the supplier who has unnecessary movement in the execution perception of value, watermelons have a better chance of success. of their job been grown in moulds so that more W = Waiting. The unavailability of men or melons can be fitted into a given cubic This supplier has achieved two important material that causes work to stop space for transport. As a consequence targets O = Overproduction. Committing resources the transport cost per melon has been to activity that is not required yet reduced, to the benefit of the customer. 1 He has restricted his design to fit the O = Overprocessing. Applying processes customers’ specification of value. The that have no value to the customer The management of waste is not a job best price for him would be 100, the D = Defects. Committing resources to for the boffins, or for the ‘deadwood’ in very limit of the buyer’s tolerance products that are not fit for purpose your team. It is the way to sustain your 2 He has achieved a cost saving business, the way to offer competitive efficiency that far exceeds that of the Do you feel that it is not quite the done prices without sacrificing your profit margin other supplier. thing to pay homage to the Japanese and the way to build stronger relationships pioneers of continuous improvement? with customers who have a very clear “After all, theirs is a very different culture, specification of value. It is a job for every they are more regimented than we are, member of your team, and especially for and more used to obeying orders” I hear you. some people say. If you want to know more about the Let us not forget that the Quality Renewables Development Programme, Management systems, perfected in or about Renewables Network Ltd don’t Japanese companies such as Toyota, waste any more time... were begun by the American managers who were appointed to rejuvenate Ring John Britton or Sam Pick Japanese industry after World War II. It on 01482 638464. was Deming and Duran who were the catalysts of these principles.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 29 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Success and Self Esteem A nice idea but it’s not that simple

Many employers believe there is There is no proven link Good self esteem can help if the a link between an employee’s self between self esteem and work employee has to be persistent esteem and their performance or performance after failure success in the workplace. Trainer and More recent scientific research suggests In their defence, there are some (related) Motivational Speaker Frank Newberry that whilst there are benefits to having aspects of work performance that good explores the issue. good self esteem levels in the work team self esteem does enhance, For example there are also drawbacks which should good self esteem can help if a job requires For the purposes of this article I would also be considered. a person: like to define ‘self esteem’ as how you regard yourself most of the time. If you The research results are conclusive 1 To have persistence after failure; have HIGH self esteem you think well about one important aspect. There is no 2 To be confident enough to speak of yourself. You feel that you are an OK proven link between self esteem and the up and if necessary criticise their work person. If you have LOW self esteem you performance of typical work tasks. People group’s approach; do not think that you are that special. You can do a reasonable job, even a great 3 To be able to take initiatives, and might even believe that you are not an OK day’s work, without feeling good about 4 To come across as a happy person person. themselves. e.g. when dealing with customers

For many years I have heard it said that Importantly an employee with high self However, if a person has to do fairly if a person has good self esteem they do esteem does not necessarily perform straightforward tasks quickly and better work than people who have poor straightforward work tasks any better just accurately their self esteem level does not self esteem. For some time the prevailing because they feel good about themselves. seem to make any difference at all to that view has been that ‘a happy worker is a speed and accuracy. This means that a good worker’ and that supervisors should Why then has it become popular to believe miserable so-and-so can do the work just therefore keep their staff happy. It has been that self esteem equals success at work? as well as the happiest member of the suggested that supervisors could do this Well, it would now seem that the people work team! in a cost-effective way by giving praise and who popularised the notion that a happy recognition to people on a regular basis. worker is a good worker were expressing an opinion, albeit an expert opinion. They saw the maintenance of high levels of self esteem in work teams as a positive way forward for managers and decision makers. However, their claim was made without any specific evidence to back it up.

30 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

A nice idea but it’s not that simple

Hitler had high self esteem Slow to praise but quick to On balance the evidence is clear that So any general efforts to boost the self criticise employers should use praise: to boost esteem of the workforce could well be When I probe the team morale problem staff self esteem - as a reward for doing a wasted, and worse, there is a downside to I often find that part of the problem is job well or making a special effort. people having high or inflated self esteem. that the team feels under-valued, they Boosting the self esteem of a narcissist are rarely consulted on important issues From my experience as an employer i.e. a vain, conceited and self important and recognition is hardly ever given by and as a performance consultant I have person can be counter-productive. employers. On the other hand criticism is concluded that team leaders need good Narcissists can start out being very given on an almost daily basis. self esteem (see points 1-3) and teams charming but they can end up alienating should learn to appreciate and value each people especially when things do not This approach characterised by many as other more. go their way. Then can turn on the very management being ‘slow to praise but people whose self esteem they had built quick to criticise’ is often believed to be Frank Newberry up. A powerful example of this would be necessary ‘so that staff do not become www.franknewberry.com Adolph Hitler who had high self esteem complacent’ or ‘come to expect praise all and knew how to make people feel good the time’. about themselves. And yet whenever I ask people (and I have As a trainer or performance consultant asked hundreds) if they get too much I am regularly called in by employers to praise at work they almost universally work with teams and individual employees say they do not get enough. When I ask who are under-performing. Some of people if they would like a little more my clients have even asked me to give recognition - the vast majority say that their team ‘a boost’ (a boost to their more recognition would be appreciated. self esteem). When I meet the people concerned it is often very clear that the There is research that shows whether or team’s morale is low. Despite this there not it affects performance people like to be are usually individuals who are working happy at work and, in my experience, they hard and working well even though morale prefer to be around happy people. Happy is low. workmates can help make the work a more enjoyable experience.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 31 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Business development welcome again to Andy McLaughlin...

WHERE DOES IT HURT? If you are running into price objections with your prospects, you are probably giving intellectual presentations, i.e., emphasising price or features and benefits. One of Sandler’s cardinal rules is that people buy emotionally, they only make decisions intellectually. It is “pain” that will get you a sale, not price. Your job is to find someone who has pain, and can pay the price and make the decision to get rid of that pain.

What is pain, and how do you How long has your prospect uncover it? had the pain? Act like a newspaper reporter or a Why would you want to know how long psychiatrist. Ask questions, take notes, your prospect has had the problem? and take them furiously. People love to be Because chances are, if they’ve had the interviewed, especially if they are talking problem for 10 years, they’re going to about something near and dear to them. have it for another 10 years. Obviously, If you don’t write anything down, they there’s no urgency here. They probably may think you’re not for real. Use your will not do anything to get rid of that pain note pad to keep control of the interview in the near future. and give you time to think of your next question. Remember that your job is to What have they done in the past get information, not give it. to fix this pain? Your prospect’s answer reveals the thinking process on his/her end, and shows you how much importance he/she places on the problem.

Why hasn’t what they have done in the past worked? This reveals who else they have used to try to solve the problem. It might disclose who you’re working against. It could also show you that the prospect himself might be sabotaging the solution.

32 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

How much is the problem costing him or his company? Sounds like pain . . . but is it really? It’s Most salespeople never ask how much probably more a pain indicator than true a particular problem is costing the pain. True pain sounds more like, “I’m sick company, and more important, what it is of giving away money to the government costing that particular manager, owner, and I’m not going to take it anymore.” or whomever your prospect is. What is it Now we’re starting to get emotional! The costing her personally, both emotionally words you’ll hear are different: tired of, and financially? sick of, worried, concerned, frustrated, wasted effort, angry, upset, afraid, I’ve There are some things you will get to lost all hope, this is a terrible situation, before you reach true pain. They’re called disappointed, etc. pain indicators and they fake out a lot of untrained salespeople. A pain indicator Once your prospect realises his or her sounds like pain, but it’s not, it’s just an pain, money is no object in finding a cure. intellectual smoke screen. For example, if you’re an accountant trying to sign up a Andy McLaughlin new client, you might hear, “I want to pay Sandler Training less in taxes so I can keep more in my www.centralnorth-east.sandler.com pocket.”

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 33 A DAY IN THE LIFE All in a day’s

Photos taken by Campbell MacCallum work... and provided by Scira Offshore Energy. Name Peter Sommerfield

Company Scira Offshore Energy Limited (a joint venture company owned equally by Statoil and Statkraft and established to operate the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Windfarm)

Occupation Marine Manager – Scira Marine Coordination Centre

Habitat Peter Sommerfield Norwich

New Beginnings Leading up to... In March 2011 Peter started working on For Scira, January 2013 heralds their After serving 16 years in the fire service, the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Windfarm official takeover of as operator of Peter always had a desire to go to sea – as Marine Co-ordinator, and in August Sheringham Shoal Offshore Windfarm must have been in his blood, as his father 2012 he became the overall Manager of situated 17 miles off the coast of north was a sea captain. the Marine Co-ordination Department, . Boasting 88 3.6MW wind overseeing the marine logistics required to turbines, the Sheringham Shoal Offshore So at the age of 40 he made the decision facilitate activities on the wind farm, initially Windfarm will generate enough clean to leave, return to college and follow his during the construction phase. To say energy to power almost 220,000 homes vocation! Having successfully completed the least, this has been an extremely busy each year. It also coincides with Scira’s his navigation officer’s certification after 3 time co-ordinating logistics for up to 500 move to the 21st century purpose-built ½ years, he was then qualified to become workers offshore during the peak of the operations and maintenance base, an ‘officer of the watch’. construction activities. situated 3 miles south of Wells-next-the- Sea in north Norfolk. The man at the helm The journey began Personnel of Scira’s Marine Coordination Centre is He wrote to shipping companies, acquired Prior to completion, the Marine Co- Peter Sommerfield who, with his team, employment and in turn travelled the seas ordination Centre had 6 staff, working takes responsibility for the marine logistics of the world. He worked on chemical shifts to provide 24/7 cover. However of the whole operation – no mean feat! tankers, heavy lift ships, container ships with the construction complete, they now and eventually salvage tugs off the coast support daily operations and maintenance Peter’s narrative has been an interesting of Scotland, before coming ashore work, requiring cover from 6am to one, and I was fortunate to catch a and working as a manager for Windcat 10pm with a reduced staff of 3 Marine moment to speak with him to find out Workboats, until an opportunity arose Coordinators and 1 Trainee. more. as a Marine Co-ordinator on the Greater Gabbard Wind Farm.

This experience held him in good stead for his role at Sheringham Shoal, having been actively involved in the development and construction stage of the Greater Gabbard Windfarm.

34 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk A DAY IN THE LIFE

On departure from the outer harbour, personnel step on board their transfer Typical Day vessel, swipe their card, and are Wind Turbine Technicians depart for their immediately logged onto the tracking daily work on the windfarm from Wells- system, with their locations logged in Contingency plans next-the-Sea, with a winter population of real-time on each turbine or substation In those circumstances contingency 2,500 which swells to over 10,000 in the they visit. They are also traced when plans came to the fore, therefore a well busy summer months when many people leaving the turbines by way of swipe-cards rehearsed operation was put into play and arrive to enjoy a holiday in Norfolk. system authorisation. The Marine Co- this situation was dealt with the minimum ordinators can then follow movements of of disruption! It is normal for technicians to arrive/check all personnel in the field. in half an hour prior to sailing time, to Peter has also had to deal with medical ensure the manifests are correct, that the Communications evacuations, ranging from toothache personnel are checked in and taxis/cargo Communications are paramount for the to chest pains. It is the Marine Co- movements logged. Of course just to add centre and all personnel have a licence ordinator’s role to liaise with lifeboats, to this, the port of Wells-next-the-Sea is for radio VHF use, (which is required by coastguards and medical professionals tidal, so all these processes have to tie in law). There are 5 huge screens at the to evacuate and ensure safe transfer the with the tide times. centre; AIS – automatic identity system to hospitals for relevant treatment, with – which flag up any calmness and expediency. ships over 500 gross tonnes and any Aims and Aspirations vessels at sea, within Peter is contracted till June 2013 – he the vicinity, logging would love to remain at Sheringham their identification and Shoal, as there are so many opportunities destination. Another within Scira. screen shows all 88 turbines. Scira is a new company and the position offers a continual learning curve, is well Weather managed and also provides facilities to monitoring enable wind farms to operate at maximum There is a secondary efficiency as well as fulfilling future needs. Trainee Marine Co-ordinator, Gary Lorimer (left) monitor for weather and Peter Sommerfield and is vital for several Hobbies reasons – not only As a patriotic Welshman - he is a does it flag up the passionate spectator of Rugby Union! Cargo arrives 2 miles from the vessels in the area, but also the wave Reading, swimming and walking with his warehouse and it is the role of the swell. The situation is continuously four legged friend! Marine Co-ordinators to liaise with the monitored to check the swell is stable – harbour authorities to ensure safety and should it increase there is a need to wait 3 words to describe you? expediency. for more clement weather. At this point Peter modestly wavered in answering this question, then a colleague The vessel ‘Frank T’ – owned and Mentor graciously stepped in and quoted ‘calm, managed by the Port of Wells, transfers During the construction of the wind caring and compassionate’. cargo from the inner harbour in Wells to farm, Statoil was manager of the project. the specially constructed outer harbour Meindert Jan van de Velde of Statoil has Three qualities essential in dealing with and from there onto the vessel, ensuring been Peter’s mentor, bestowing a wealth this busy offshore environment. Peter’s all is loaded correctly and personnel of knowledge, in short - a walking oracle. colleague also added how well respected logged who will be travelling offshore. Peter worked as his deputy during the Peter is within the company, and how construction phase. Meindert handed over they know, should they need advice, he the reins to Peter in August 2012 and has is reliable to the end and delivers support, ‘calm, caring now returned to Norway, although Peter knowing that everything will be covered ... says he is always on hand – should he quite an accolade and a deserved & compassionate’ require advice. one too.

Logging Fliss Chaffer Stringent checks and controls are Unusual circumstances Wind Energy Network paramount, and all personnel travelling There is always a priority to make sure are registered in the Offshore Profile there are enough vessels for personnel. system, where they record their medical This was especially paramount during the and required access training certificates construction phase with many parallel which verify their fitness and competence activities offshore, however the team to work offshore. Once registered in always take into account unforeseen the system personnel are issued with an circumstances e.g. vessel breakdown – on identity card. one occasion 3 such vessels were out of action at the same time!

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 35 RISK MANAGEMENT

To quantify or not to quantify? that is the question... An introduction to Quantitative Risk Assessments

In previous issues Risktec introduced Why perform a QRA? However, deterministic techniques us to an effective Risk Management For many industries the consequences alone are unlikely to be adequate when Process before describing the of an accident are relatively low and the assessing facilities, operations etc. concept of Tolerability of Risk (TOR) progression from release of a hazard to which employ complex processes and and the principle of ALARP (As Low its ultimate effects is easy to comprehend. engineering systems, have high potential As Reasonably Practicable) as well as In such cases, simple, qualitative (or consequences and/or have complex various deterministic risk assessment deterministic) risk assessment techniques hazard progressions. In such scenarios it techniques. Here we continue their are usually more than adequate. The Risk is appropriate to undertake a Quantitative series of articles on risk management Assessment Matrix (RAM) (see February/ Risk Assessment (QRA), also commonly by exploring the use of Quantitative March 2012 issue) and Bow-Tie technique referred to as a Probabilistic Safety Risk Assessments (QRA). (see December/January 2013 issue) are two Assessment (PSA) or Probabilistic Risk commonly used deterministic techniques for Analysis (PRA). Table 1 summarises assessing and controlling risk. the pros and cons of deterministic and probabilistic approaches.

What is a QRA? If we jump back to our second article on Risk Management (see June/July 2011 issue), we defined risk as being the product of the likelihood of an unwanted event occurring (release of a hazard) and the severity of the resulting consequences;

Risk = Likelihood x Consequence

Whilst QRAs come in a vast array of shapes and sizes, performed using a plethora of tools and techniques, in very simple terms it is a systematic technique whereby appropriate numerical values are applied to ‘likelihood’ and ‘consequence’ allowing the associated risk to be expressed in numerical terms.

*The potential for a single cause to negate a number of safeguards (e.g. power failure The results of a QRA are numerical causes a loss of control and deactivates the fire detection system). estimates for risk exposure that can cover the full range of consequence Table 1: Relative pros and cons of deterministic and probabilistic risk effects being considered (e.g. harm to assessment techniques the environment, plant/asset damage, programme delays, cost overruns, etc.) but are most commonly used in a health and safety context to quantify risk to people and society in general, for example by expressing risk as the frequency of fatality per annum.

36 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk RISK MANAGEMENT

identify those hazards/faults that should be assessed via QRA. Also, the findings must be used within an overall safety justification which pulls together both deterministic and qualitative elements in a manner that is sensitive to their relative strengths and weaknesses.

Is there a role for QRA’s in the Wind Energy Industry? In the next issue we will explore some specific examples which show that there is a role for QRA in the Wind Energy Industry. However this is certainly not a black and white issue, the nature and Benefits of a QRA scope of any QRA will vary hugely based Beyond their raison d’être of providing on a range of factors including; nature an accurate estimate of risk within of the hazard and its development, a complex facility which cannot be available information, existing precedents, adequately assessed using deterministic stakeholder expectations, but perhaps means, QRAs present a number of further more crucially, what role the QRA is to Gareth Ellor benefits. They can be used to confirm the play within the overall safety justification Risktec Solutions Ltd validity of your deterministic assessment strategy. This must be fully understood www.risktec.co.uk strengthening your overall safety before embarking on any QRA. justification. In addition, it is a very effective tool for comparing the risk profile for various design and/or operational options Differing attitudes, differing shades of wrong! as part of your risk based decision making process (see article on ALARP in April/May Bleak 2012 issue). (1980, Major Oil Company Representative): “QRA is equivalent to counting the number of angels that can stand on the Limitations of a QRA head of a pin. It can be concluded that risk analysis is likely to be a waste of A QRA is only as good as the input time if applied to chemical processes” data used. Make sure it is accurate and relevant/appropriate for your specific Bland application and, wherever possible, is (1985, International Study Group on Risk Analysis): based on relevant historical information. “The whole analytical exercise might be considered to be objective. It is easy to overly complicate a QRA and However, it must be realised that because of the large body of assumptions, go straight in for lots of detail. This is time estimates, judgements and opinions involved, much of the input information consuming to do and complex to verify, is often subjective” escalating costs. Where possible, start by using simple, bounding assumptions and Bullish only add in more complexity if needed. (1993, Extract from Major Oil Company Risk Engineering Standard): But make no mistake, this is not about “QRA is a tool which helps translate hindsight (accidents) into foresight manipulating inputs/assumptions to give (planning) – showing ways and means (improved engineering, procedures and you the answer you want, a common supervision) to prevent the calculated accidents from happening” pitfall of QRAs. Your approach must always remain demonstrably conservative Blinkered to support a robust safety assessment. “Our QRA result is below the risk tolerability criteria so we are OK” Another common mistake is that of ‘salami slicing’. Whilst the QRA of an Not Bothered individual scenario/fault may show the “QRA gives us some numbers but does not significantly affect safety on the risk to be acceptable, if a number of ground” scenarios/faults impact on the same people, the overall cumulative risk may not be acceptable. Your QRAs must be adequately linked to assess overall risk. Finally, always remember a QRA is not a ‘one-stop-shop’. A screening exercise using deterministic means is required to

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 37 SPONSORS OF EAST ANGLIA FEATURE

EAST ANGLIA In the beginning...

38 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk SPONSORS OF EAST ANGLIA FEATURE

East of England Energy Zone Our spotlight sponsors The East of England Energy Zone To begin at the beginning is a fairly highlights the advantages of relocating to smart thing to do – the start of our a region which has been the UK’s leader East Anglia One East Anglia spotlight therefore in offshore energy for 50 years. Known as East Anglia One this is the first highlights the fact that the Scroby of six phases to build out the massive Sands windfarm (background image) Attracting investment 7200 megawatt wind was the undisputed first offshore wind The programme creates, cultivates and farm in development off the Norfolk / farm to be constructed in the UK promotes the energy sector, helping to Suffolk coast. build momentum towards its ultimate goal What better way to open our East of attracting £31 billion of investment to It is anticipated that the East Anglia One Anglia feature – the area and E.On, the the region over the next eight years. The development, will support up to 2,700 developer, saw the potential and invested Zone also offers valuable business support jobs during the construction phase, in the future. and access to a well-established and representing more than £170m for the UK experienced supply chain and workforce economy for each year of construction. East Anglia ideally located for the Southern North Welcome to our second regional focus on Sea. The East of England Energy Zone is “As you would expect there is massive East Anglia an ‘area of excellence in the backed by a unique partnership of local interest in the development of this wind energy industry throughout Europe government and industry, which can fast windfarm, one of the largest planned and beyond’. track investors to the local supply chain, globally. We are talking to industry skills programmes and other support. leaders from around the world who see We again feature the region to show the the potential that our experience and remarkable progress the area has made James Gray, Inward Investment Director prime location can offer” says James. since our first spotlight in the summer of for the East of England Energy Zone at the 2011. East of England Energy Group (EEEGR), Port facilities said: “The East of England has led the The East of England Energy Zone is You will find elsewhere in this edition our offshore energy sector in England for home to a number of port facilities, with lead industry article entitled “Collaboration 50 years and as a result has a wealth of , Wells and Kings Lynn – the name of the game” and nowhere experience and a sophisticated supply in Norfolk, plus Lowestoft and demonstrates that ethos more than East chain. We are the ideal location for in Suffolk, all offering easy access to Anglia. businesses wishing to get involved in the offshore developments. From the Round huge offshore wind developments close 2 developments, including Dudgeon, We therefore visit and to our coast. Sheringham Shoal and Race Bank elaborate on the vast Competition for to the much larger East Anglia Array, array of companies, James Gray energy industry Doggerbank and Hornsea Round 3 associations and investment is projects, the region has proved that both organisations who have fierce but we its location and expertise have created invested in the area and want to ensure the perfect recipe for success from which are already reaping the that companies it can continue to grow to meet new well deserved rewards. thinking of challenges. investing in the East of England Whilst the ports have flourished with the Energy Zone increase in offshore activity in the region, are fully aware local businesses have also been given of the benefits a boost given the increased demand that locating for local goods and services, including and operating construction, assembly, specialist in the area can recruitment, training and other services. bring.” Experience CONTINUED... > The understanding and experience already established in the region plays a pivotal role in attracting business to the east. The recent application for a proposed giant windfarm off the coast of Suffolk is proof enough that the East of England Energy Zone’s offer to the offshore industry is of a global standard and has exceptional potential for growth.

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Leading English ports Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft are England’s leading offshore energy ports with 50 years operations and maintenance experience of supporting the offshore energy industry. These two ports are the closest deep water harbours to major wind farms in development off the East of England coast including East Anglia Array, Around 6,200 businesses are currently CONTINUED... > Greater Gabbard, Race Bank, Sheringham active in all energy sectors across Shoal and Dudgeon. the region including oil and gas, civil nuclear, wind and biomass, and they are Location responsible for a total annual turnover The favourable geography halfway of £12.9 billion. Approximately 103,400 between the Thames Estuary and the people are presently employed in the Humber, as well as more than 50 years’ region, a figure that is set to increase with experience in operations in the Southern the new industry driven skills programme, North Sea has seen the East of England Skills for Energy, hosted by EEEGR. evolve into one of the most diverse energy regions in the UK. New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Major economic opportunity Within the East of England Energy The energy sector is a major economic Zone the New Anglia Local Enterprise opportunity for the East of England Partnership has created an Enterprise businesses both within the UK and Zone which focuses on growing energy- accessing projects across Europe, with related business. The Enterprise pipeline projects showing potential sector Zone, which covers six sites in Great investment in the region worth £31bn Yarmouth and Lowestoft, has already by 2020. Over 60% of the proposed seen businesses, including the training opportunities are predicted to arise company Nexus and global company from offshore wind, with further projects Seajacks, take advantage of its range of identified in gas (£4.4bn), nuclear and attractive benefits. Discounted business decommissioning (£7.7bn) and power rates, simplified planning and super- (£0.5bn) . fast broadband are on offer for growing businesses and the successes deliver a powerful message about the potential and forecast investment in the region, with current predictions estimating that by 2020 the Energy Zone could be generating enough low carbon electricity to power every home in the region.

Centres for Offshore Renewable Engineering (CORE) The region has also been designated one of only six COREs in England by Government.

James said: “We have the experience which developers and contractors are looking for in our supply chain and workforce. Our ports have been at the forefront of supporting large UK Round 2 developments; Great Yarmouth’s outer harbour has proven itself as a base for assembly and construction; Lowestoft is home to SSE’s Operations Centre for the Greater Gabbard windfarm; while Wells is now home to SCIRA the Statoil – Statcraft Company which successfully developed and is running Sheringham Shoal. Now fully constructed and

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operational, the 317MW Sheringham Shoal Offshore Windfarm located off the coast of North Norfolk comprises of 88 wind turbines generating enough energy on its own to power almost 220,000 homes. Another prime example of how businesses in the East of England Energy Marketing programme – Zone are shaping the future of the national and international energy industry.” And added, “We launched a marketing programme which is targeting the main EEEZ in numbers... Collaboration players in the industry by attending • Capital Expenditure projected Business and political leaders in the region key exhibitions, speaking at industry £50 billion are taking an innovative approach to the seminars and consistently placing • Radius of all energy investment 70km development of the energy industry. The articles and features in major industry • Years of supply chain experience Norfolk Suffolk Energy Alliance (NSEA) is publications. In the past 12 months 50 years an unique partnership in the UK where representatives have attended key UK • East Anglia Array size 7200 mw the public sector is working across local and European events including the • Total number of turbines projected boundaries with the private sector as part RenewableUK Annual Conference and - 200 of a consortium. Exhibition in Glasgow and the European Wind Energy Association conferences East of England Zone James adds:” Our partnership means and exhibitions in Amsterdam and www.theenergyzone.co.uk businesses can quickly access all the Copenhagen. key organisations and influencers who can help businesses establish their “As a result of the marketing activity, Click to view more info operations as smoothly as possible. we’ve gauged a serious interest from Our Offshore Energy Support Team is major companies in the sector and working with most of the industry leaders we are in direct talks with most, if not 1 Source: EEEGR to provide the access, information and all, of the industry leaders. And 2013 2 Source: http://sd.defra.gov. business introductions they need.” promises to be just as busy. Plans are in uk/2010/03/low-carbon-revolution-in- place to visit more events including the the-east-of-england/ Shouting about the East of EEEGR Southern North Sea Conference 3 Source: www.scira.co.uk England Energy Zone in Norwich in March, where leading An essential part of the work of the East international offshore energy leaders of England Energy Zone’s (EEEZ) agenda such as Alstom and Fred.Olsen will be is to actively attract more businesses, speaking.” interest and investment to the region. And its proactive stance has seen its hard work Future marketing activity already paying off in less than a year. EEEZ will also visit Offshore Energy in Aberdeen in May, RenewableUK in Since its launch in May 2012, there has Manchester in June and the EWEA annual been a drive to raise awareness of the conference in Frankfurt in November. EEEZ through continued communications and presence at events. “We are seeing companies coming to the region to tap into and join the supply James Gray continued “Our main chain which is very encouraging. Often aim is to emphasise the world-class this is through specific one-to-one capabilities of our regional supply chain. meetings but also through ‘meet the We are doing this both by supporting buyer’ events. As an example, AREVA our region’s businesses in supplying worked with us to set up an event for 80 their exceptional skills and products delegates from the supply chain with a and by getting in front of key players number of one-to-one meetings before nationally and internationally to increase and after the main session. I gather this awareness, stimulate interest and has led to a number of new and re- generate leads.” invigorated working relationships. We have also been working with UKTI and a number of foreign embassies, hosting six delegations in the last six months and attracting global interest from international countries including China.”

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Rotterdam and Hoek van Holland, with Harwich International Port a three times weekly service to Esbjerg, a natural gateway to Europe whilst all four major London airports lie within two and a half hours drive. Strategically located on the East port then operated in a similar role for Anglian coast, Harwich International both the Greater Gabbard and London The future Port is long-established as a natural Array projects, as well as providing In a prime position to support forthcoming gateway to Europe. facilities to craft involved in other offshore UK Round 2.5 and 3 projects, as well developments. as those being developed by European Now, building on those assets which have neighbours, Harwich International Port made it such a success in its traditional Within those projects supported to date, looks forward to further cementing its markets, the port is carving out a new Harwich has played host to a wide range position at the heart of the renewables role for itself, as one of Europe’s leading of jack-ups, cable vessels, barges and industry. facilities for the offshore wind industry. accommodation vessels, as well as diving and support craft of numerous Harwich International Port Offering nine berths, totalling over 1,500 types, operated by many of the foremost www.harwich.co.uk metres in length, the port is located in companies within one of the UK’s finest naturally protected the industry. harbours, offering fast lock-free access to the North Sea and beyond. Connectivity The port offers Potential excellent Within a port estate comprising over connectivity, with 260 acres, there is the potential for quick access to some 83 acres of land to be made the UK’s trunk available immediately to developers or road network, and manufacturers. with direct freight and passenger rail Wind energy sector connections into Commencing operations in this sector the port. There are as the main installation base for the also twice daily Gunfleet Sands Offshore Windfarm, the ferry services to

42 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk SPONSORS OF EAST ANGLIA FEATURE Developing your business in the offshore wind market - be informed

In 2012 East Anglia’s increasing Accurate information is key Governments are concerned with importance to the UK’s energy It is vital for developers and the whole keeping the lights on at reasonable cost, demand was highlighted by the final supply chain to remain well informed and meeting renewable energy targets. commissioning of Greater Gabbard with accurate, up to date, authoritative Developers are concerned with generating and Sheringham Shoal. There was market intelligence, whether you are an electricity profitably. disappointment in seeing East Anglia established business or new entrant. One OWF construction pushed back Changes to energy policy and financial from 2015 to 2017, Complexity incentives may affect profitability and alter Phase 2 delayed and other projects The offshore wind market is highly developers project schedules especially if across Europe postponed and even complex and subject to change. This the changes were unforeseen. put on hold. complexity increases as the scale of Government policies, supply chain constraints, technologies, competition, developers, financial pressures, legislation changes and community concerns all affect a successful outcome.

Constant monitoring leads to successful decision making The offshore wind market is constantly changing affecting all businesses involved - so know your market and monitor it constantly.

4C Offshore is the leading source of independent, authoritative, accurate offshore wind, grid and supply Do such delays mean the such projects requires many international chain information continually updated to opportunity in East Anglia is partners working collaboratively. reflect global sector developments. drawing to a close? Delays are not new. During the Uncertainty Subscribers stay ahead with strategic development of Round 1 and Round An example of delay was highlighted market intelligence to enable effective and 2 in the UK, delays were common and where the UK market stumbled due to successful decision making. significant. Causes for such delays the introduction of Electricity Market included technical issues (such as grid Reform (EMR) and changes to the 4C Offshore connections), supply chain bottlenecks, Renewables Obligation scheme creating www.4coffshore.com finance, and policy changes by in part uncertainty regarding the return on governments. investment for planned projects.

Challenges We are not alone Moving forward developers are likely to Other countries face delays due to policy, experience setbacks when taking on the technical constraints (grid connection) challenges involved with much larger and in some cases where support projects further offshore. mechanisms are insufficient to make the offshore developments viable.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 43 SPONSORS OF EAST ANGLIA FEATURE Keeping Greater Gabbard safe Hydrosphere UK Ltd’s contract for the rental of six Cardinal LED lantern buoys to mark Britain’s largest windfarm, Greater Gabbard, The Carmanah M650, an advanced, self contained, high- has been extended again by Fluor Limited. performance and low maintenance solar LED marine lantern, has proved to be highly reliable and extremely robust and is one of Fluor - the principal contractor for the Greater Gabbard Offshore the most popular lights Hydrosphere supplies to windfarms. Windfarm project - originally approached Hydrosphere in 2009 for the supply of temporary navigation lights to mark the site Integrated lights in its construction phase. This involved the installation of 140 Previously lights powered using solar panels needed a separate 3.6MW wind turbines located around two sand banks known as battery box, however, as both lights and solar panels have the ‘Inner Gabbard’ and ‘The Galloper’ in the North Sea off the become more efficient it is now possible to incorporate the solar Suffolk Coast. system within the light.

Hydrosphere delivered a total of 174 Carmanah 601 and M650 “Integrated lights are increasingly being used for windfarms,” solar powered marine navigation lights in the construction phase Andy Reid, Hydrosphere Director explained “Their small size and - these were used to mark the monopile foundations to ensure lightweight construction makes them ideally suited for this sort the site would be seen by shipping, making the site as safe as of application as they can be put on smaller platforms. We’ve possible for marine traffic. supplied many of these lights to windfarms across the UK.”

JET 9000 buoys Impressed with Hydosphere’s track record, Fluor employed the company for the supply of six cardinal navigation buoys needed to mark the Greater Gabbard wind turbines. After undertaking a full site and design study to ensure that the buoys and mooring systems would be suitable for the stringent 100 year Ramboll weather study, the company recommended six JET 9000 buoys, which were installed in February 2009.

Reid explained the reason behind the choice: “The JET 9000 buoys are manufactured by world- leading buoy manufacturer Mobilis and provide a really robust and cost-effective solution for offshore and deepwater applications, especially where high visibility is a must. As with all Mobilis buoys in the JET range, because they are constructed from UV stabilised polyethylene components these buoys really do withstand the elements and will retain their colour within IALA guidelines for more than 15 years.”

Automatic satellite monitoring system Each of the buoys is fitted with an automatic satellite monitoring system designed by Vega which has greatly reduced the number of expensive onsite inspections required throughout the buoy rental. As well as monitoring parameters such as solar energy

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in, power used, current in and out, lamp condition and the Nexus buoys’ geographical location 24-hours a day – transmitted via regular status reports – the units also transmit emergency developing skills for alerts in the event of a vessel colliding with the buoy or if the buoy drifts or is dragged out of position. Throughout the buoy business rental period Hydrosphere has also carried out scheduled A company created to provide engineering training for maintenance visits and the buoys are reported to be in good employees and school and college students, is the most condition. recent organisation to move into the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Enterprise Zone, which is part of the East of England Energy Zone.

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership The Enterprise Zone has been developed by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership which helps to grow jobs, and remove the barriers to business growth in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Based in brand new premises on Beacon Park, Great Yarmouth, Nexus provides high quality, professional training and resources to develop the skills that business need.

Parts accessibility Should the buoys require any replacements Hydrosphere has spare parts stored in Harwich, where a Trinity House vessel commissioned to undertake any necessary repairs is based. This has proved to be an efficient arrangement that has helped Fluor to comply with the 97% operating availability cycle as required by the General Lighthouse Authorities.

A Trinity House vessel will be used to remove the buoys and moorings at the end of the contract. As the Lighthouse Authority for England and Wales, Trinity House was commissioned by Hydrosphere as the most experienced Facilities organisation to carry out the installation, maintenance and This includes 3D CAD facilities, an energy/renewables laboratory, lifting of large navigation buoys. an advanced manufacturing workshop and training areas for electronic instrumentation, mechanical and electrical engineering, Sheringham Shoal buoy rental extended an ICT suite and classrooms. SCIRA, the developer of Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, have extended their rental of eight JET 9000 Q HV Nexus Centre Manager, Keith Loveys said, “Moving to the buoys from Hydrosphere. Enterprise Zone is really exciting, creating wide-ranging opportunities for us. We are surrounded by engineering and Hydrosphere deployed the buoys with the Trinity House energy sector businesses in the East of England Energy Zone, Vessel Galatea and have carried out full maintenance visits, which can benefit from what we have to offer.” again using Trinity House Vessel Galatea and were all found to be in very good condition with only slight wear on the Cost savings moorings. “With the Enterprise Zone’s business rates relief we can make significant cost savings to plough back into Nexus year after Widespread project experience year.” Keith concluded. The company has supplied navigation lights and buoys for windfarms across the whole of the UK during both Andy Wood, Chairman of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership construction phase and through to the completed turbines. said “We’re delighted that Nexus has moved into new premises Projects worked on include Sheringham Shoal, Walney, North in the Enterprise Zone as the company will play a pivotal Hoyle, Scroby Sands, Kentish Flats, Burbo Bank, Robin Rigg, role in understanding and delivering the skills needed by the Lincs, and Strangford Lough. engineering and energy industries now, and in the future.”

Hydrosphere UK Ltd: Nexus www.hydrosphere.co.uk www.nexus-engineering.org

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“It will be a tremendous opportunity for supply chain members to hear first hand about the technological challenges facing the sector from experienced EEEGR companies which have already learned many lessons but will need more to stage region’s biggest energy event assistance and innovate thought from this region as the sector continue to A cast of leading international Format evolve,” said Holly. speakers is being lined up for the The two-day SNS (Southern North Sea) largest energy event ever to be staged event will include the main conference, an Gala dinner and special in the East of England region. afternoon Platform for Innovation session achievement awards and a gala dinner sandwiched between Also on March 5th, the gala night will feature SNS Sea of Opportunity the two. a key national industry speaker and the Conference presentation of EEEGR’s member of the Up to 500 delegates and 82 exhibitors are International speakers year and special achievement awards. The expected at the SNS Sea of Opportunity Topline speakers already lined up for the annual Innovation Awards will now be held in Conference to be held by EEEGR (the March 6th conference include Eddie Rae, tandem with the Summer Conference in July. East of England Energy Group) at the Alstom’s Global Supply Chain VP; Lee Norfolk Showground in March. Clarke, General Ganager of , the European Regional Development wind farm developers; and Fund (ERDF) support “Everyone knows about the vast Statoil Vice-President Halfdan Brustad. For one fee, delegates can attend working potential of the energy sector in this region. Now, at EEEGR, we are doing everything possible to push those big opportunities right in front of local businesses which can benefit most,” said Holly Harvey-Perdicou, EEEGR Events Manager. “These are once-in-a-lifetime chances.

Sponsors sessions on both SNS days, with the Also taking the stage gala dinner priced separately. SNS2013 “Each of our expert speakers will will be key speakers from main sponsors is supported by the European Regional underline the dependence on a skilled Perenco and gold sponsors Claxton Development Fund (ERDF). workforce in this region and the major Engineering. Gee-Force Hydraulics are opportunities presented to companies in networking sponsors. EEEGR the energy supply chain here.” www.eeegr.com DECC support The Platform for Industry sessions the Click to view more info previous day, supported by DECC, will focus on the technological challenges for oil & gas and windpower, speakers for the latter including Alan Mortimer, ’s Head of Renewables Policy; Jamie Mathlin, High Voltage Commissioning Manager for London Array; and SSE Renewables Commercial Manager Sid Anverali.

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Collaboration a vital ingredient in university life As universities strive to produce employable graduates, it is becoming Terminal, studying wind turbine planning increasingly vital for educational and with Windcrop and understanding the industrial partners to collaborate turbine installation process with Seajacks. to ensure that students develop transferable engineering skills as well Seajacks as hands-on commercial experience Seajacks operate several jack-up barges of the energy industry. which transport, install and maintain off- shore wind turbines from their central Industry links base in Great Yarmouth. UEA students techniques required at sea. Students studying Energy Engineering at were invited aboard the docked Leviathan Seajacks MD Blair Anslie sees the UEA the University of East Anglia have gained barge, gaining a unique insight into the courses making a positive impact on the several valuable skills through links with wind energy industry without the risks wind energy industry, saying “Because regional companies, for example learning and practical difficulties of an off-shore of the involvement of the industry from risk assessment with Shell at Bacton Gas environment. the outset in the design of the courses and support through their delivery, the Wind energy market results should be far more applicable to Students were able to observe the safety the industry’s needs and what we need culture and technical challenges of turbine in the graduates that we employ.” maintenance, as engineers worked to re-fit the barge’s facilities ahead of a new More recently Seajacks has gone on to installation. The trip also supplemented employ a student who originally attended students’ technical knowledge with a the trip – proving the value of integrating wider appreciation of the wind energy strong industrial links at university level to market, as students discussed the secure the future of energy engineering in commercial side of the business with East Anglia. company executives before exploring the bridge to gain greater appreciation of the University of East Anglia specialised management and supervision www.uea.ac.uk/engineering

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Tidal Transit Commercial Director Leo Eden Rose makes maiden passage to Hambro was delighted with Eden Rose’s Wells-next-the-Sea smooth passage up the channel to the Outer Harbour saying: “Our new Eden Rose, one of Tidal Transit’s Outer harbour investment generation vessels provide offshore growing fleet of purpose designed The tidal restrictions associated with windfarm developers and operators vessels for use by companies Wells Harbour are well known, and the with greatly enhanced operational involved in the planning, development, investment in the new Outer Harbour was flexibility in comparison with the more construction and operation and made when Scira Offshore Energy chose traditional vessels. Being able to berth maintenance of offshore windfarms Wells-next-the-Sea as its operations in Wells rather than Great Yarmouth is in the Greater Wash and the Southern and maintenance base for the 88 turbine obviously far more convenient for Scira’s North Sea, made its maiden visit to Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, maintenance schedules. the Outer Harbour at Wells-next-the- which was recently fully commissioned. Sea in North Norfolk recently. “However, the Outer Harbour’s ability to Eden Rose and Scira receive vessels of this size should now Important step forward Eden Rose is currently on contract encourage other Round 2 offshore wind To the many people walking past the charter to Scira, a contract which was farm developers to seriously consider Outer Harbour on what was a beautiful awarded because the vessel is able to North Norfolk as their on-shore base of winter’s morning, this would have been no remain at sea for up to four days, and operations, using Wells-next-the-Sea as big deal, but it was in fact a very important can comfortably accommodate offshore the point of sea-going access.” step forward in the development of North technicians who need to be on site Norfolk’s renewable energy economy. on a daily basis to undertake routine Tidal Transit maintenance. www.tidal-transit.com

Click to view more info

Local success on an international scale NWFTC (National Wind Farm Recently inspected by independent auditor GWO Training Centres), leading UK wind Det Norske Veritas, NWFTC received The GWO is a coalition of the world’s farm training provider the first UK a glowing recommendation and were leading wind players, including Siemens, Company to gain GWO (Global Wind granted GWO (Global Wind Organisation) and E.On, whose aim is to reduce Organisation) Certification. Certification for both of its state-of-the-art the risks for employees on wind turbines training facilities in Lowestoft and Barrow- by creating an international industry Headquartered in Colchester, but in-Furness. This accreditation covers all standard for training that all workers partnered with Lowestoft College, one 5 elements of the GWO Basic Safety entering the industry have met. of the UK’s leading providers of training Training standard and is an internationally to the maritime and offshore industries, recognised certification by all the major Dan Smart, Training Director for NWFTC NWFTC recently achieved GWO companies in the wind industry. commented: “Already RenewableUK accreditation for its training approved for some time, this new courses. The first for a UK certification provides NWFTC with the owned and based company. ability to provide training courses with accreditation to meet any individual or Recognition company’s training needs in one course, NWFTC are recognised within in one place, at one time. This new the industry as one of the accreditation helps us to provide the leading providers of training very best and most up to date training to new and existing windfarm solutions for both offshore and onshore workers and offer specialist, windfarm workers.” customisable courses which meet the demands of the fast- NWFTC growing offshore wind energy www.nwftc.org sector.

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£110 billion of investment expected in UK waters by 2020 Centres for Offshore Renewable Engineering - Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft

In England there are locations that have been awarded CORE status by Ideal Port Facilities the UK Government. CORE status Two ports (Great Yarmouth and is awarded through recognising the Lowestoft) with complementary facilities existing port infrastructure, skills and – England’s leading ports, supporting the supply chain to enable rapid growth offshore energy sector in the Southern within the offshore wind sector. North Sea for 50 years, and which are the closest deep-water ports to the East Anglia Array wind farm, a 7,200 MW, CORE sites 1,200 turbine development – only 44km England has six CORE sites: these are from the East Anglia coast. the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, the Commercial premises and port related Humber, the Kent, the Liverpool City land with quayside infrastructure with Region, the North Eastern and the Tees Enterprise Zone status providing up to Valley. £0.275 million per business in rate relief, plus other advantages. CORE areas provide... • Excellent infrastructure and logistics Other port facilities in Norfolk and Suffolk, • Large amounts of available land for also active in supporting the energy sector development including deep water – Wells, Kings Lynn and Ipswich – plus access Harwich in Essex which strengthen the • Skilled and available local workforce offer. • Experienced supply chain • Easy access to Round 1, 2 and 3 offshore windfarms • Extensive business support available • Local government support providing free location finding services and assistance on skills, premises and grant funding applications

The Great Yarmouth and The Perfect Location Commitment to Support the Lowestoft CORE The two towns are the closest ports to Sector Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft together over £50 billion of capital expenditure • Norfolk and Suffolk Energy Alliance form the primary focus of the East of to be invested in offshore wind, oil and – political and business community England Energy Zone – one of the world’s gas exploration and extraction, nuclear commitment largest and most diverse clusters of (new build and decommissioning), gas • New Anglia Local Enterprise energy businesses. The East of England storage and platform decommissioning Partnership Energy Zone is the all energy location. over the next 20 years. • Offshore Energy Support Team With 50 years’ experience in offshore and – offers a dedicated “soft landing” marine operations in the Southern North Easy access to the Round 3 Hornsea package Sea, the two towns, plus other key assets and Dogger Bank developments and • East of England Energy Group in the East of England, are home to an many Round 2 developments. – a dedicated energy industry trade energy industry that spans all sectors with association through which to reach a well-established and sizeable supply Incubation Facilities experienced supply chain partners chain and workforce. Dedicated innovation, incubation and high-specification office facilities for New Anglia Local Enterprise Unrivalled Skills and Capability the energy sector supporting new Partnership Around 6,200 businesses are currently business and investors to establish a www.newanglia.co.uk active in the region from all energy sectors footprint in the East of England Energy including oil and gas, civil nuclear, wind Zone. Beacon Innovation Centre in and biomass, and between them are Great Yarmouth, and OrbisEnergy in responsible for a total annual turnover Lowestoft at Britain’s most easterly of £12.9 billion and the employment of point, offer companies flexible tenancies approximately 103,400 people. and fully serviced accommodation.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 49 SPONSORS OF EAST ANGLIA FEATURE East Anglia the powerhouse for an offshore revolution

Johnathan Reynolds is the business development lead for Suffolk’s flagship innovation centre OrbisEnergy and director of energy firm Nautilus Associates. He explains how OrbisEnergy is helping to develop the renewable energy supply chain.

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The world’s largest market for offshore wind Norfolk and Suffolk are at the centre of It’s well worth remembering that it’s not the world’s largest market for offshore just the specialist energy sector companies wind. There is around £30bn of planned who stand to benefit. They’ll need a investment in new energy projects in supply chain of local companies providing the region by 2020. The world’s largest manufacturing, design, engineering, offshore wind farm, London Array, is operations and maintenance capabilities. nearing completion. Then there will be a And they’ll need a wider supply chain made thousand-plus wind turbines in another of a huge range of supporting services, major project: the East Anglia Offshore from financial and legal advice to catering. Windfarm. These companies will need support as they grow to meet the business demand, It’s huge; in just one geographic area it’s and that’s where OrbisEnergy can help to one and a half times the size of Suffolk. develop the full value chain. We’re looking at a market that’s tens of thousands of offshore wind turbines, and OrbisEnergy: developing the then there are the foundations, cables, supply chain for offshore substations, vessels and longer term renewable energy asset management, operations and OrbisEnergy is the national innovation and maintenance opportunities. incubation centre for offshore renewables based in Lowestoft. It’s owned by Offshore oil and gas is still big business Suffolk County Council and managed in the region too, with more than £44bn by enterprise specialists NWES. Its main of new investment in gas exploration, purpose is to help regional businesses production and storage projects across join the energy supply chain and take the UK. There are plans for CO2 storage advantage of the rapid development of in the Southern North Sea; and onshore offshore renewables in the North Sea. It there are the nuclear offers companies access to high-spec developments. Nowhere in the UK has a office suites supported by dedicated broader energy mix or provides as much support from industry professionals, plus business potential as Norfolk and Suffolk. the opportunity to get involved in a range Nowhere offers more opportunities for of leading research and development diversification across the energy and programmes. engineering sectors than East Anglia. OrbisEnergy plays a major role in ensuring all the links in the supply chain have access to this fast growing industry, helping to build partnerships and commercial links among suppliers, contractors, engineers, manufacturers and research centres. CONTINUED... >

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At OrbisEnergy we’ve developed an on, here on my doorstep; how can my energy supply chain strategy for Norfolk company get involved?” And some and Suffolk, working with the New Anglia companies worry that they’ll be too small CONTINUED... > Local Enterprise Partnership, EEEGR, to supply to major contractors, but we and public sector bodies. A great deal show them that there are ways and we of research went into our strategy, can help them to win that business. Supporting the wider supply including development of a database of chain 9000 companies across the region. It’s Three approaches to develop the The supply chain spreads much wider enabled us to assess our region’s key supply chain than most of us realise. There are strengths, looking right across the supply The OrbisEnergy team is focusing on three opportunities to provide a huge range chain and the regional economy. We complementary approaches to develop of services to the energy sector, not can take an informed view of how we our supply chain… just specialist technical services. These develop new programmes, how we direct companies all need support, whether new investment and where we target our • Supporting businesses that have it’s finance, personnel, marketing, IT, support. already secured opportunities contracting, procurement, or legal advice. within the sector, and building And then there’s the indirect supply chain We’re finding through our supply chain on these strengths, but at the same providing services such as office supplies, development endeavours that most time working with their direct supply bed-and-breakfast, hoteliers, caterers, taxi people weren’t aware of the opportunities chain to encourage growth firms, and many more; they’re all needed for them. They’re quite stunned; they say: • Engaging with businesses who to make the whole supply chain work. “I didn’t know that all this was going have the necessary capabilities and are planning to enter the market, helping them to understand the industry • Exploring opportunities for companies who are currently unaware of the sector, matching gaps in the supply chain to the capabilities of businesses

We’re helping companies to achieve growth in a sustainable way, understanding when and how to build their capability and capacity to win business from the major projects, whether they are supplying directly or indirectly to the supply chain. We’re helping them to identify where they fit in the supply chain, because it’s not always clear; it’s vital to understand that. We’re helping them to understand the different culture in different

From SLP Engineering to Sembmarine SLP Sembmarine SLP (formerly known as SLP Ltd, part of the multibillion pound Ness Point 2.6mw turbine – SLP Engineering), having its facilities Sembcorp Group of companies. “Gulliver” strategically based in Lowestoft, have During 2004, SLP designed and installed been involved in the energy business Completed Projects the onshore Ness Point 2.6mw turbine – since 1967, following the discovery With its strong track record and “Gulliver” which at the time was the largest of offshore gas near Bacton by BP in long history in offshore engineering, wind turbine in the UK. 1965. construction and EPC contracting, SLP first entered the renewable energy industry ScrobY Sands offshore wind History through the inclusion of micro wind farm Initially formed by the Howard Doris turbines placed onboard unmanned Oil & In addition engineering support for the Group as Sea & Land Pipelines Ltd, Gas Platforms, supplying backup power installation of the Scroby Sands offshore and having since been acquired by generation for control systems. windfarm development was provided. several internationally based companies, SLP emerged from a short period of Celtic Offshore Winds’ Rhyl Further successfully completed administration in 2010 to become part of Flats projects include... the Dutch company - Smulders Group. In 2002, the company fabricated its first • Metrological Metering Stations for offshore Metrological Metering Station for ’s Docking Shoal In October 2012 through a management Celtic Offshore Winds’ Rhyl Flats project, • Electrical Substation topsides & Jacket buyout agreement backed by Singapore followed by two similar structures for for Siemens’ Thanet project based company Sembcorp, SLP SHELL in the same year. • Substation jacket for Thornton Bank Engineering became Sembmarine project

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parts of the industry – for example, oil major project and investment timescales. Manager Mark Fletcher says: “All the and gas companies work very differently We don’t have all the answers, but we big operators have offices in the Orbis from offshore wind developers. And even can provide the basis for making informed Centre. It is the place to be for anything within offshore wind, different companies plans for investment in growth. We related to the energy industry.” have different contracting strategies know roughly within a three to six month and are looking for different types of period when major project decisions A long-term business supplier relationship. And we’re bringing or milestones are likely to happen. opportunity that’s global companies together to take advantage of Things might change; project timescales While there are significant business shared opportunities, perhaps where there might change; but we can reduce the prospects for construction and installation, are complementary skills or where an uncertainty that holds people back. the long-term opportunities will be opportunity is too big for a single SME. around operations, maintenance and State-of-the-art facilities for asset management of the windfarms; We’re helping companies to understand conferences and tenants that’s the 20 to 25 year business after a how the dynamics of the supply chain are OrbisEnergy has a state-of-the-art windfarm is installed. The region is ideally changing. “Customers” and “suppliers” are conference centre, where we invite positioned for longer term operations and becoming interchangeable terms, because major international companies such as maintenance, building on many many companies are finding that their the French giant Areva to meet local years’ experience of the oil and gas customers are their suppliers for something businesses and find out about the region’s industry off the East Anglian coast. else. It’s no longer a linear relationship; capabilities. It’s an ideal opportunity for it’s multi-lateral. It’s about having a strong local suppliers already in the supply chain This is not just a local opportunity. It trusted relationship, so that the parties (or wanting to join) to investigate face-to- is a global business; there are global understand who does what, what we face what the industry requires and how opportunities for companies based in supply each other, how we operate, our they can access those projects. our region. We’re here to help them to standards, our ethos, our culture. All of maximise their growth potential, with our that is crucial if we are going to build solid As well as the conference facilities, partners EEEGR (East of England Energy relationships for the long term. OrbisEnergy is a specialist innovation and Group) and New Anglia Local Enterprise incubation centre, primarily for offshore Partnership, supported by the local The major companies are definitely looking renewable energy - offshore wind, wave authorities across Suffolk and Norfolk. It’s for long-term supplier relationships. and tidal – and supporting services. Our our ambition to drive growth and to bring They’re telling us that they are prepared ‘anchor’ tenants include two major energy wealth and job creation opportunities to to invest time and effort into building companies: SSE Renewables and East the region for the next twenty years; and relationships before they award contracts Anglia Offshore Wind. We are attracting we can also service a global market from because they want the confidence that lots of companies to gravitate towards Suffolk. We’re already starting to realise the companies they’re working with are Lowestoft and OrbisEnergy, to be part that ambition. robust, have credibility, and are the right of – and next door to – some of the major sort of companies that aren’t going to fail. players. Some tenants are start-ups; and Johnathan Reynolds some companies are providing direct OrbisEnergy Centre We’re also facilitating dialogue between and indirect support to the supply chain. www.orbisenergy.net developers, government and SMEs, to Cooper Lomaz, the recruitment company, give the best information we can about the has recently moved in. Their Operations

Future Offshore Wind Projects: Having its fabrication facilities situated at Hamilton Dock which has open access to the North Sea, Sembmarine SLP with its experienced local work force, now in excess of 250 personnel, continues to generate inquiries from International and UK offshore wind developers.

With solid experience in offshore engineering, the company is in a prime position to support the planned East Anglia offshore wind projects.

Sembmarine SLP www.slp-eng.com

Click to view more info

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New engine test house Exciting times In 2012, a brand new engine test house With so many wind farms in close A wind of was officially opened. With two test bays, proximity, exciting times lie ahead for the diagnostic tests can be carried out on area. With further plans for the facility engines up to 1000bhp and 2000bhp in the pipeline, East Anglia truly has a change simultaneously. ‘Dyno-testing’ enables boat building and repair facility to match highly accurate performance tuning. It anywhere in the country. The demand for specialised diesel also detects engine faults that may not be engineers has always been high in the apparent and the importance of testing East Coast Diesel East Anglia area. Farming, fishing, oil should not be underestimated. Should an www.eastcoastdiesel.com and gas all have a heavy presence in engine fail, especially at sea, downtime the region. Recently though there has can be incredibly disruptive quite literally been a wind of change. and expensive.

A dirty engine room filled with the smell Re-development of the days catch has been replaced by Richards Dry Dock has just the spotless engine rooms of today’s undergone a major facelift, ultramodern wind farm support vessels redeveloping the old dry (WFSV’s). dock into a state of the art wet dock with a 200 tonne Expertise travel lift, meaning no tidal East Coast Diesel has repaired diesel restrictions and enabling the engines in the marine, industrial and plant ability to service many boats sectors for over two decades. Trained simultaneously. However, wind by leading engine manufacturers such as farms such as Scroby Sands, CAT, MAN & Scania, the engineers are East Anglia, London Array, highly skilled in a demanding industry. Sheringham Shoal, Lincs & the Relocation to the Richards Dry Dock Humber Gateway are easily facility in 2010 further increased the ability accessible and with a fleet of to service marine engines. fully equipped service vehicles most work can be carried out in situ.

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solution for wind turbine corrosion issues. The specialist coating is completely non- Scira Offshore Energy harmful, 100% recyclable and offers awards contract to protection for in excess of 15 years. Scira contract Norfolk based energy David Fletcher, Managing Director of GEV Offshore, said: “This 3-year contract strengthens GEV Offshore’s presence in services company the growing renewables sector, which is Scira Offshore Energy has awarded a new contract for the provision of a range projected to represent nearly 50% of our of support services for its £1bn Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm off company’s turnover in 2013. the coast of North Norfolk, to a local energy services company GEV Offshore Limited. “We were delighted to secure this contract having successfully worked on Great Yarmouth base Growth plans the field during the construction phase. From its base in Great Yarmouth, GEV GEV Offshore continues to enhance its We also welcome the commitment Offshore will provide rope access led presence in the East of England, further shown by Scira in awarding the work to fabric maintenance services, and under a underpinning its support for the local local companies and helping to create separate award, provide lifting operations economy and employment in the region. local jobs. We are planning to recruit support to Scira, which operates 88 It is currently identifying new head office additional technicians and fill a number turbines and 2 substations at its recently premises to accommodate its growth of administrative roles from the local commissioned offshore site. plans, and has made a significant labour market to support this contract and this is good news for the region.”

Versatility Scira’s Colin Galer flanked by GEV Offshore’s Managing Director GEV Offshore employs more than 60 David Fletcher, left and GEV Offshore’s Operations Director Brandon staff on and offshore in the UK and Hannon, right. is recognised as one of the leading energy service companies working in the Southern North Sea. It will provide a full range of fabric maintenance services including work using rope access techniques, for the offshore wind turbines and substations and the onshore substation at Salle, near Cawston. It will also provide lifting operations support for the ongoing maintenance of the substation cranes and supply expert personnel to perform lifting operations.

Scira Contract Manager, Colin Galer commented: “GEV has been associated with the project from an early stage, supplying crane operations maintenance and support and, as we move into the operations and maintenance phase, I am keen that we build on the excellent relationship we have with the GEV team.”

GEV Offshore Scira’s General Manager Einar Strømsvåg investment in dedicated ‘working at www.gevoffshore.com said: “Now that the construction of the height’ training facilities at its Great Sheringham Shoal wind farm is complete, Yarmouth base. Scira and Scira has assumed full responsibility www.scira.co.uk for its operation and maintenance, we Innovative anti-corrosion need to ensure that we establish a supply coating chain which can support the technical It has also invested in its local presence at integrity of our wind farm. Wherever the prestigious Hethel Engineering Centre, possible, we want local companies to to which it has re-located its Oxifree anti- be the foundation of that chain. GEV corrosion coatings business. The company Offshore fulfills the criteria.” owns the sole UK rights for this innovative anti-corrosion coating, which has been identified by leading offshore wind farm operators, including Scira, as a potential

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Mantsbrite launches ultrasonic wind sensors

Precise assessment of the wind Ultrasonic wind sensor experiencing a growing demand for speed and direction is integral to an advantages sophisticated navigational equipment accurate weather forecast, which will Mantsbrite’s Managing Director David and instrumentation from a wide always be of great importance to the Ash believes ultrasonic wind sensors are spectrum of boat builders, which are marine industry. Any instrument that an exciting addition to the company’s continuing to step-up their production to can deliver this information reliably range of products, saying: “The main meet the ever-increasing needs of this will take the guesswork out of a advantages of ultrasonic wind sensors expanding industry.” potentially life-threatening situation. are two-fold. There are no moving parts to wear out and the performance will not And he concluded, “I don’t think it will be Dealership network degrade over time unlike conventional long before ultrasonic wind sensors are a Through its 175 strong dealer network in anemometers where bearings wear and standard fixture on vessels being used in the UK and Ireland, Mantsbrite is a leading eventually fail, giving inaccurate wind many sectors of the marine industry.” supplier of high specification electronic information. Wind speed resolution is equipment to all sectors of the marine superb at 0.1 knot and the sensitivity Mantsbrite market - leisure, fishing and commercial. range is 0.25 to 80 knots on the CV7. www.mantsbrite.com The LJC Capteurs Ultrasonic wind sensors are available in a variety of Ultrasonic wind sensors in situ configurations to suit most applications, and have a variety of data outputs such as NMEA 0183 & NMEA 2000. They are also compatible with the range of equipment produced by other popular manufacturers such as Raymarine and B&G, meaning that they can be used to replace existing anemometers.” LCJ Capteur Manufacturer reputation 2-axis ultrasonic David continued, “These are high wind sensor quality instruments, robust, compact, light and energy efficient, whilst being manufactured at competitive prices. The Exclusive distribution reputation of the manufacturer and the agreement reliability of the instruments are known In a move which will further enhance the globally, and we are proud to add LCJ range of sophisticated instrumentation Capteurs’ Ultrasonic wind sensors to which it supplies to its dealers, the our existing range of equipment from an company has negotiated an exclusive already impressive list of equipment from distribution agreement for a range of 2-axis major manufacturers.” ultrasonic wind sensors from the French manufacturer, LCJ Capteurs. LCJ Capteurs Offshore wind energy sector is well-respected in the field of European Adding, “The burgeoning offshore marine electronics, (the same team was wind energy sector, particularly along behind the successful range of MLR GPS the UK’s eastern coastline, is creating from the 1990s) and is currently producing an increasing demand for vessels to its 4th generation ultrasonic wind vanes service both the construction and and anemometers for marine use. maintenance stages of these new wind farms. Mantsbrite and its dealers are

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of the North Norfolk coast, which has a unique coastal landscape and is a highly North Norfolk popular tourist destination.

Local Development Order (LDO) acts to gain The District Council, supported by the North Norfolk Renewables Group partners has proposed the establishment of a economic benefits LDO to offer a simplified planning regime at Egmere, as this would help to create a focus for development associated with from coastal the offshore wind energy sector. North Norfolk District Council is now intending to undertake public consultation on the energy proposed LDO during the early months of 2013.

The North Norfolk Business Forum (NNBF) The NNBF is a Community Interest Company which champions the interests of North Norfolk’s many businesses, mainly SMEs and micro-businesses, and Chairman Ian Doughty believes the LDO will help encourage the continuing development of the local coastal energy supply chain, saying, “We have worked closely with Scira Offshore Energy over the last 5 years, helping to set up Supplier Days and producing the Sheringham Shoal Supplier Directory, and we are very pleased that there are now many local businesses Courtesy of CHP, supplied by Scira Offshore Energy which have contracts and supply agreements with Scira.

The private and public sectors have on-going project management during the “Through its Coastal Energy and Marine come together in North Norfolk to co- construction phase and as a permanent Engineering forums, NNBF will be able to ordinate the opportunities presented base for the long term operation support and encourage the businesses for inward investment, employment and maintenance phases of these which the North Norfolk Renewables and the development of the local developments. Group attracts to the locality with a wide supply chain through the development range of initiatives.” of further large offshore wind energy Sheringham Shoal Offshore projects off the coast of North Wind Farm Leader of North Norfolk District Norfolk. The success of the model used by Scira Council Cllr Tom Fitzpatrick said, Offshore Energy Limited in constructing “Whilst attending a renewable energy The North Norfolk Renewables its 88 turbine Sheringham Shoal Offshore conference recently, I was pleased to Group – working together to Wind Farm and developing its operation find that a number of delegates had promote the area and maintenance centre at Egmere, some an understanding of North Norfolk’s By working together under the umbrella 3 miles south of Wells-next-the-Sea has growing involvement in offshore wind of the North Norfolk Renewables Group, encouraged the North Norfolk Renewables in the Greater Wash and the Southern North Norfolk District Council, Wells Group to come together in seeking to North Sea. We now need to build on that Harbour Commissioners and the Holkham support other potential operators to invest understanding to attract businesses in and Walsingham Estates are seeking to in the area in support of their offshore the renewable energy supply chain to promote the area as a location for investor investments. the district, and believe that the positive development. identification of land to accommodate Partnership such investment, supported by a Local With two further offshore wind farms The partners believe that by working Development Order, is a demonstration consented in the coastal waters of the together a co-ordinated response can be of our commitment in attracting new jobs southern North Sea- i.e the Dudgeon provided to inward investment enquiries and investment into North Norfolk and and Race Bank schemes, the environs of for sites and premises, which seek to diversifying the local economy.” Wells-next-the-Sea are particularly suitable secure the benefits of new job-creating for supporting early project work, such as investment by offshore wind companies, North Norfolk Renewables Group surveys and environmental assessments, whilst respecting the sensitive environment www.northnorfolk.org

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“We’re delighted with the new website west of the Shetland Islands in 135m deep New business created for us by TMS Media and more waters. than half our enquiries come directly from boosts IVB that source,” said Matt. IVB Inspection turnover “Interest is coming in from all over the Manager Matt Significant new contracts have world and around 80-85% of our income Chapman boosted fledgling East of England is from overseas. But we are working hard company Inspection Verification to boost UK trade as well.” Bureau Ltd (IVB). East Anglia Offshore Wind Launched less than two years ago but led (EAOW) by a small team with combined experience Among the new contracts is inspection of more than 100 years, the latest business services work with international will allow the Norfolk-based business to hit engineering contractor ODE in Great its annual growth target of 20% on turnover Yarmouth to support EAOW, a joint on current turnover of £2m. venture between Scottish Power Renewables (SPR) and Vattenfall Wind Online response Power Limited to develop a windfarm off “It has also given us tremendous the East Anglia coast. momentum for future years,” said For Norwich-based Rossi Long, IVB is Inspection Manager, Matt Chapman. IVB will continue to support ODE with third helping with structural design calculations “We’re getting lots of good enquiries, party inspection at vendor sites around the and fatigue analysis for Oceaneering Ltd, more than half of them directly through UK ensuring onsite compliance with client Knightsbridge Project clump weights to be our website.” procedures, inspection test plans and used in the North Sea. Made with a mixture other mandatory requirements. of magnetite the large clump weights Global support were constructed with a unique tether IVB offers global support with inspection Other projects attachment designed for stability and ease and verification for the oil, gas and The company will also work with ODE’s of access for offshore vessels. renewables sector and latest contracts Kingston-Upon-Thames office on the include work for Rossi Long, ODE, Solan Topsides project providing vendor Inspection Verification Bureau Ltd National Oilwell Varco and Petrofac. inspection services. The Solan oil field lies www.ivbltd.co.uk

Transponder Mandatory Zones Expert evidence Transponder Mandatory Zones are Fewcott wind farm public inquiry established to prevent aircraft without transponders (a device that replies to Suffolk based Pager Power provides Radar issues interrogations from Secondary Surveillance worldwide planning solutions for Wind Turbines can interfere with airport radar) entering designated airspace. radar interference, radio links, airport radar systems causing clutter on Radar Blanking prevents wind turbines obstructions and wind turbines. Mike airport radar screens. Many UK wind affecting radar screens but, also prevents Watson, company founder, recently developments are prevented or delayed display of wanted returns from aircraft in gave evidence to a Public Inquiry in every year because of the wind farm radar the immediate vicinity of the blanked area. Banbury for discharging radar and issue, although a number of mitigation Non-Auto Initiation Zones allow the radar to aviation planning conditions relating to solutions are available. There are, however, display aircraft over the wind farm whilst not the Fewcott wind farm’s impact on the many examples of wind turbines and radar showing wind turbine returns – these zones Primary Surveillance Radar at Oxford co-existing safely in the United Kingdom – can be quite effective for mitigating smaller Airport. for instance there are two wind turbines at wind farms. East Midlands Airport. Technical assessments Fewcott wind farm Pager Power determined the extent to The Fewcott wind farm, which which the radar would be affected using its has planning consent, is to custom online software. These technical consist of four 125 metre wind assessments can be delivered in as little turbines and will be situated as eight hours and are complemented by 15km northeast of the airport. support and consultancy services. The company then evaluated a number of radar mitigation Pager Power Limited solutions and identified three www.pagerpower.co.uk that were most appropriate - namely employment of a Transponder Mandatory Zone Click to view more info in the airspace above, Radar Blanking or implementation of = Click to view video a Non-Auto Initiation Zone.

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of both critical safety equipment and lifting equipment for the marine, industrial and Survitec offshore markets, the company has found itself uniquely placed to supply essential products and services into this rapidly extends service expanding market. offering to wind Many of theirs customers now include major energy companies, large infrastructure contractors, specialist industry Reduced worker fatigue engineering businesses and workboat Designed for use in conjunction with a operators that provide crew transfer Survitec Group has expanded its ladder safety system, the Powered Climb services to the offshore wind industry. range of products and services for Assist System provides weight relief to Survitec supplies and services immersion East Anglia’s growing wind industry reduce worker fatigue. It adjusts to a wide suits, lifejackets, Personal Locator to include the supply and installation range of climbing styles and user weights Beacons (PLB), life-rafts, MOB systems, of Capital Safety’s power assisted to provide effortless ascent and descent. pyrotechnics, buoys, lights, fibre and wire climbing system. As well as being an It comprises top and bottom pulley rope used by crew transfer vessels and approved installer, Survitec is also assemblies, which are fixed to the ladder, offshore engineers. qualified to train offshore engineers in a wire cable, wire cable grip and a motor how to use the system. control and cable tensioning unit. Approved installer In addition to the Powered Climb Assist System, Survitec is an approved installer for Capital Safety’s Uniline fixed fall protection and rescue systems. The company is also qualified to carry out inspection and testing services on the different types of lifting equipment used offshore, from cranes and hoists to terminal davits. Through life asset management solutions can be set up to track inventory and provide online certification services, ensuring equipment is always fully compliant with the relevant legislation.

Offshore wind market Survitec’s Lifting & Height Safety Key Account Manager Mandy Easter explained: “We have seen sales in the offshore wind farm market grow strongly over the last 12 months. East Anglia is playing an increasingly important role in the UK’s renewable energy market and we are determined to provide the critical safety products and services necessary to keep people safe while working in a hostile and demanding offshore environment.”

Lowestoft service and distribution centre The East Anglian wind farm business is Powered Climb Assist System Trialing the system managed through Survitec’s Lowestoft Capital Safety’s DBI-SALA branded Survitec’s wind energy relevant team service and distribution centre which Powered Climb Assist System is ideally members are trained and qualified experts was recently audited and verified as suited to extremely tall structures like in the system, and in other rescue and an approved supplier on the Achilles wind turbines, which often have a fixed evacuation systems, so that they can UVDB supplier management service. ladder installed inside the tower instead provide clients with the prerequisite training. This industry-wide scheme provides of a lift. Climbing the ladder several times As a result, Survitec has been given access information to the major utility companies’ in a single shift can be extremely tiring for to Capital Safety’s dedicated wind turbine procurement teams in advance of issuing maintenance engineers. training facility. This will allow clients to trial tender opportunities. the systems before placing an order. Survitec Group Business growth www.survitecgroup.com In East Anglia, Survitec’s offshore wind energy business has grown by over 20% in just 12 months. As a leading provider

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makes commercial sense. Creating a significant offshore hub now in Harwich Company secures is fundamental for securing long term opportunity and investment into the area.”

almost £2.3 million from Key issues of skills and development growing places fund Peter Halliday, Leader of Tendring District Council (TDC), welcomed the funding as An engineering firm has secured £2.28 million a significant boost for both Harwich and to deliver new jobs for Harwich and respond Tendring. to significant opportunities in the offshore “We supported the bid by AJ Woods both wind sector. in principle and by providing practical help,” he said. “We are delighted that it AJ Woods Engineering has been successful and that this new AJ Woods Engineering, which is based in the town, is to receive the money from the investment is being made in one of the ‘Growing Places Fund’ following a successful bid to the South East Local Enterprise key issues of skills and development. Partnership (SELEP) - a business-led body focusing on economic growth in East Sussex, Essex and Kent. “This Growing Places Funding will help to generate growth and create much-need Investment Wind energy sector jobs for the Tendring District.” The loan obtained from the SELEP with Peter Martin, Leader of Essex County Council, Cllr Halliday added that it is now very support from Essex County Council, said: “Construction of wind turbines off important that TDC assists in the delivery Tendring District Council and the Haven the Essex coast will require many survey of this programme to help ensure that Gateway Partnership, will support a vessels working from nearby ports for this funding is released and the predicted comprehensively planned programme of both construction and maintenance. outcomes achieved. investment in new facilities at Harwich to meet the needs of companies operating in “Harwich is the only national sheltered Fantastic opportunity the offshore renewable industry. deep water port so securing such Tony Woods, Managing Director of A J activity into the town is not only vital, but Woods said: “The loan fund is a fantastic

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Dedicated harbour The project will look to create a dedicated harbour and operations centre for high speed offshore support vessels. 300 local jobs are to be created through this initial programme of activity. Construction work on the new facilities will start as soon as possible in 2013.

Growing Places Funding The funding for AJ Woods Engineering was part of £8.7million worth of Growing Places Funding recently announced by the SELEP Board.

Six schemes will benefit from the funding that could lead to 2,365 jobs being created.

AJ Woods Engineering www.ajwoodsengineering.co.uk

Click to view more info opportunity to really make a difference prosperity. We could now have 15 – 25 for Harwich, this development will years’ work here in the District with help to bring international companies the new offshore wind farms that are and manufacturing to the town and going to be built off our coast. A similar provide skilled work for local people to venture in Ramsgate has led to a boom in help secure their long term future and employment for local people there.”

Financial incentives for wind energy innovation in the UK Many of you will have heard about Patents You only need to obtain a UK patent to the ‘Patent Box’ recently and you Historically the main reason to patent your qualify for the tax benefit; the benefit will may be wondering what is a Patent invention was to stop your competitors apply to all overseas profits which are Box anyway? The uninspiring name from using or benefiting from your taxable in the UK. A UK patent is relatively actually refers to what could be a very Intellectual Property. Many may have inexpensive and quick to obtain and the exciting and beneficial new tax regime considered that patents are not financially direct financial benefits can be quickly which will come into effect in April worthwhile due to a perception in the realised. 2013. costs of enforcing the rights. Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys New perspective Dummett Copp LLP are a firm of Patent The Patent Box regime brings a whole and Trade Mark Attorneys based near new perspective into why you should the Suffolk coast and provide specialist consider patenting your new wind Intellectual Property advice in the energy energy creation. Under the new policy, sector. corporation tax will be reduced to only 10 per cent for profits earned from products They would be happy to discuss any covered by a patent. All active qualifying questions you may have about the patents are eligible - the regime does not Patent Box, or if you would like any more only apply to new patents. information about applying for patent protection then please feel free to contact The patent only needs to cover a part them. Dummett Copp offer all new clients of your product. This includes a free initial consultation. improvements to existing wind energy apparatus Dummett Copp LLP which can be quite www.dummett.com small improvements Nick Jackson as long as they are new and inventive.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 61 SPONSORS OF EAST ANGLIA FEATURE Chris Edens joins ODE management team Offshore Design Engineering Limited Experience of offshore engineering projects. Chris (ODE) Great Yarmouth, who provide A Chartered Process Engineer, Mr Edens is already well known to ODE and I am project management, engineering and has a breadth of technical, operational, confident that he will prove to be a very operations support services to the project, HSE and management experience, important member of my management energy industry, have announced the gained working with both major and team. Chris will take on a range of key appointment of Chris Edens as Senior independent oil & gas companies and the responsibilities that will ensure that our Projects Manager. industry regulator. engineering projects continue to be delivered effectively and efficiently. His Continuing development He joins ODE from the HSE where he held previous experience make him a perfect Mr Edens will work alongside Engineering the position of process safety specialist, fit for matching our requirements to Manager Chris Fairhurst to focus on the responsible for conducting offshore provide high quality, yet fit for purpose, continued development of the engineering inspections and investigations across solutions to our current and future services that ODE provides from its Great the UKCS. Prior to that he worked with clients.” Yarmouth base to the offshore oil, gas and Perenco UK for 7 years in a variety of renewable industries. project and operational roles, latterly as An exciting and interesting move project superintendent he was responsible Mr Edens said: “ODE has a reputation for for the safe and efficient delivery of on delivering robust engineering solutions and offshore projects and brownfield to the offshore industry, making this an modifications in the Southern North Sea. exciting and interesting move for me. It is a respected company both locally and Offshore engineering focus internationally and I will look forward to Paul Chilvers, Regional Director at ODE actively increasing the high standards and Great Yarmouth, said: “Chris’ extensive services that ODE already achieves.” knowledge and technical expertise, will make an excellent and complimentary Offshore Design Engineering Chris Edens addition to the company, as we seek to www.ode-ltd.co.uk strengthen our capabilities in the area

Hydraulic bolting solutions Great Yarmouth is the major location by Equalizer International and sell a personalised relationship. Good customer for the offshore energy sector in wide range of other hydraulic tools and service has always been at the heart of England with an experienced and well equipment by SPX Power Team. what we try to do. established supply chain. The oil and gas sector has traditionally been a big Regional Sales Manager Nick Thomson, “By placing ourselves right at the heart user of hydraulic bolting equipment. who runs Gee-Force’s Great Yarmouth of the East of England’s energy sector, Now so is the burgeoning wind energy operation explained: “We already serviced we are well positioned to literally react sector. a number of Great Yarmouth clients from quicker and more efficiently to the needs our Lancashire HQ but the more we of England’s major energy hub.” Few suppliers of this equipment, the spoke to local businesses the consistent majority based in the North of England, message we received was that the Gee-Force Hydraulics have tended to move north to Aberdeen one way we really would differentiate www.gee-force.co.uk when it has come to expanding operations ourselves from the competition was by – Until now that is. actually being here on the ground. So that’s what we did. And the response Gee-Force Hydraulics since we opened has been very positive Gee-Force Hydraulics, the Lancashire- indeed. We have rapidly expanded the based specialist provider of hydraulic overall hire stock offering to keep up with torque wrench and flange spreading/ demand and envisage more of the same alignment equipment established premises for 2013.” on the Gapton Hall Industrial Estate in Great Yarmouth in May 2012, holding a Personal touch wide range of hire stocks and equipment Company MD Graeme Cook started the spares to service their energy sector clients. company in 2004 said: “We are a relatively small company compared to some of SPX Bolting Systems our competitors but we are growing The company is a distributor for SPX quickly and enjoy a close relationship Bolting Systems whose equipment they with supportive manufacturers. That both hire and sell. They also hire and sell said, we’re fleet of foot and our size flange spreading and alignment equipment means that our customers benefit from a

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only that, but it also demonstrates our long term commitment to East Anglia, Continuing generating additional employment and revenue to the Great Yarmouth economy. Fendercare Marine is celebrating 25 years trading this year and we are confident growth that this venture will be another great milestone in our history.” for Fendercare Marine Following the success of the Great Nestled in the picturesque Norfolk Fendercare Marine Equipment Yarmouth base, Fendercare Marine will be countryside lies the headquarters of and Lifting Services looking to establish other similar facilities Fendercare Marine, one of the world’s Since it opened, the Great Yarmouth base around the country throughout 2013, foremost suppliers of marine services has been so successful that Fendercare primarily to service offshore wind farm and products. Marine has made a strategic decision to support vessels. move their lifting services business there to Fendercare Marine, a member of leading give customers access to an even greater Wind turbine personnel safety marine service provider James Fisher & range of products and services. Fendercare Marine and their subsidiary Sons Plc, has seen considerable growth Strainstall Marine have been using their over the last few years and, with a diverse As well as existing shoreside support, the expertise they have gained to focus on and expanding portfolio of equipment newly named division (Fendercare Marine safety products for the wind energy market. and services operating in the marine and Equipment and Lifting Services) will also They have now designed and produced offshore industries worldwide, this looks set be offering mechanical, electrical and three complementary systems – Vessel to continue. lifting equipment; hydraulic equipment and winches; 25th anniversary lifting slings and load/stress Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2013, monitoring equipment. the company has expanded into the offshore wind renewable energy market Expansion with the launch of its first wind turbine The base is expanding to support base in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. accommodate an additional workshop space of 4800 Wind turbine base square feet, housing a wide The base on the Old Bure Marine site in variety of lifting equipment Cobholm followed on from the success including a new 2,000 of their first base in Lyness, Orkney and tonne lifting press. The new is already proving a hub for all types of services are available not offshore activity in the Southern North Sea. The Great Yarmouth site incorporates more than 6,000 sq.ft of workshop together with over 10,000 sq.ft of yard/storage space and Motion Monitoring System, Eco-Fender a large set down area, and Intelligent Fender System to enhance with capability to moor the safety of wind turbine personnel getting up to three support craft to and from the wind farms. at any one time and capacity for a further five Commitment vessels on land. With the launch of the Fendercare Marine Equipment and Lifting Services, the Services and handling only to the renewable industry and their creation of their new safety products and There have been numerous full boat lifts at existing onshore industrial customers but to further bases planned for 2013, it is clear to the site using the site’s 250 tonne crawler the oil and gas offshore sector, creating a see their commitment to the wind energy crane, including lifts from underneath and truly unique offshore energy support base. market is genuine and will continue as the above using spreader beams and lifting industry expands. eyes. Customers have also required hull Eric Plane, Fendercare Marine Managing cleaning using environmentally friendly Director said, “The launch of Fendercare Fendercare Marine technology (supplied by the Fendercare Marine Equipment and Lifting Services is www.fendercare.com Marine subsidiary, Blastgreen) fabrication, a very exciting development for us. The fuelling, supply of fendering, engine repairs, success of our Great Yarmouth base Click to view more info engine lift out and use of the sites fully has exceeded our expectations, so this equipped project management offices. move means we can help even more of our offshore marine customers and our onshore industrial customers. Not

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Co-ordination Scira’s Colin Galer, a Mechanical Engineer in the Operation and Maintenance Department, will co-ordinate the service 3sun Group provision from 3sun Group, and was very pleased to attend the recent opening awarded Scira contract of the Group’s new premises in Great Yarmouth: “I’m really looking forward to working with the team at 3sun, and am for Sheringham Shoal confident that this contract will assist Scira in achieving our goals of having offshore windfarm safe, reliable and 100% compliant work equipment, at all locations.” 3sun Group, a specialist provider of “3sun Group is a locally based company products and services to the energy with a high level of competence, Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm industry, has been awarded a three experience and expertise, and a strong is owned equally by Statoil and Statkraft year contract by wind farm operator focus on providing local employment through joint venture operating company Scira Offshore Energy. The contract opportunities.” Scira Offshore Energy. is effective 1 January 2013 for operational services for Sheringham Great Yarmouth Headquarters 3sun Group employs over 175 staff Shoal Offshore Wind Farm. Having recently launched its new, larger working both on and offshore and has Great Yarmouth Headquarters following worked on energy projects all over the Specialist an investment of £500,000 into the facility, world including UK, Malta, Tunisia, Ghana, 3sun Group specialises in delivering a Graham Hacon, Managing Director of Singapore, Angola, Ivory Coast, Ireland, comprehensive range of products and 3sun Group, said: “Securing this contract , Denmark, Sweden, the USA and services to the oil and gas, marine and from Scira is great news and sees us New Zealand. renewable sectors, specifically control and instrumentation products and services along with specialist equipment for inspection capabilities.

Services The Group will provide two specific services for the Sheringham Shoal Wind Farm. Firstly, a statutory certification and inspection service for all onshore and offshore equipment of the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, including the 88 wind turbines, two offshore substations and the onshore substation at Salle near Cawston. Secondly the provision of general engineering services including design, supporting calculations, production of engineering documentation, fabrication, Scira’s Colin Galer with 3sun’s Group Managing Director Graham Hacon at painting, mechanical and electrical the recent opening of 3sun’s new facility in Great Yarmouth. installation/assembly and retro-fit works.

Important contract ending a very strong year on a high. 3 Sun Group Scira’s General Manager Einar Strømsvåg We look forwarding to commencing the www.3sungroup.co.uk said that he was delighted to confirm the work and strengthening our relationship award of this important contract: “Now with Scira by providing our well-qualified Scira that the construction of the Sheringham technicians, our high quality service and www.scira.co.uk Shoal Wind Farm is complete, and Scira to completing the contract to schedule. assume full responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the plant, we need to “I am delighted that Scira has chosen ensure that we have a supply chain which 3sun Group, a local company, and are can support the technical integrity of our honouring the local supply chain in this windfarm. way. We recently launched our new, larger Great Yarmouth Headquarters, following a £500K investment, and have pledged to continue to support the local economy and employment in the region. We aim to recruit at least 12 people in Great Yarmouth by the end of the year, and as we secure more contracts on and offshore the UK and across the world we will continue to recruit,” he continued.

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Purpose built wind turbine installation vessels from Seajacks

Formed in 2006, Seajacks is a leading Expertise and experience Mobilisation works UK-based owner and operator of Seajacks vessels have installed 230 To prepare for this project, both vessels self-propelled, self-elevating jack-up turbines on some of the largest offshore underwent an intense mobilisation period vessels. The vessels are purpose- wind farms in the world, representing during the summer of 2012. During the built for installation of turbines, almost 830MW of installed capacity since mobilisation works, Leviathan’s 300t main foundations and transition pieces as Seajacks entered into the offshore wind crane was replaced by a brand new 500t well as operations and maintenance market in 2010. Successful installation model and Zaratan was fitted out with the of this equipment. Seajacks currently projects include Greater Gabbard, Walney latest technology in pile installation. owns and operates three self- and Sheringham Shoal. propelled vessels – the Seajacks Innovative and bespoke Leviathan, Seajacks Kraken and Recent contract modifications Seajacks Zaratan - and has a fourth More recently, Seajacks was awarded Seajacks engineers worked with external vessel under construction, the the Main Installation Contract for the contractors to develop a range of bespoke Seajacks Hydra, which is due to be construction of the Meerwind Offshore pile installation equipment including a ‘first delivered in the third quarter of 2014. Wind Park. This role sees Seajacks of its kind’ Pile Guide Tool to guide the Zaratan and Seajacks Leviathan working 675t monopile structures into position, together to install 80 monopile foundations and a 400t hydrohammer, used to drive and transition pieces, after which, both will the piles up to 26m into the seabed. go on to install Siemens 3.6MW turbines at the site. Seajacks www.seajacks.com

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Greater Gabbard East Anglia In September 2012, it was announced that Greater Gabbard (approximately 23 km off the Suffolk Coast) had officially become Ripe for Offshore Wind the world’s largest operational offshore wind farm. With all 140 turbines commissioned and exporting electricity, the 500MW wind Investment farm has been making a significant contribution towards the UK’s renewables portfolio. Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds Ltd (a The joint owners of the world’s largest operational offshore 50-50 Joint Venture between SSE Renewables and RWE npower windfarm (located off the Suffolk Coast) are already looking renewables) is now responsible for the day-to-day operation of to the future with a proposed extension now in the final the complete wind farm and has an operations base in Lowestoft stages of the planning process and expecting a decision later employing 100 people. this year. SSE Renewables and RWE npower renewables highlight below their involvement in two projects which are Galloper proving crucial to maximising offshore wind investment in The Crown Estate awarded the rights to develop an extension East Anglia. to the Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm under Round 2.5 of the Offshore Wind Licensing Arrangements. The project, which became known as Galloper, secured a Grid Connection in 2009. Galloper Wind Farm is proposed to be up to 504MW and is one of the first offshore wind developments to go through the relatively new planning process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). Extensive pre-application consultation took place prior to a Development Consent Order application being submitted in November 2011. The Planning Inspectorate (the Examining Authority) is now finalising a report, which will be submitted to the Secretary of State by 1 March 2013 along with a Recommendation on whether to grant consent.

SSE www.sse.co.uk

Image courtesy RWE npower renewables of CHPV/SSE/RWE www.rwe.com

Click to view more info

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Working together for business growth

Within the East of England Energy This includes... “It’s a no-brainer,” he added, “with the Zone, New Anglia Local Enterprise • A discount on business rates of up to round 3 development of offshore wind Partnership (LEP) has created the £275,000 farms and benefits in the Enterprise Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft • Simplified planning Zone.” Enterprise Zone based across 6 sites, • Superfast broadband which focuses on growing energy- Nexus related business. The Enterprise Zone Two businesses have recently moved Nexus, a company created to provide covers 121 hectares of development- into a new Enterprise Zone which offers engineering training is the most recent ready land. a range of benefits to help energy-related organisation to move into the Enterprise companies grow. Zone on the Beacon Park site in Helping companies grow Gorleston, Great Yarmouth. New Anglia LEP, which helps to create Seajacks jobs across the two counties, is offering Blair Ainslie is the Managing Director “This creates wide-ranging opportunities companies moving into the Enterprise Seajacks, global owner and operator of for us,” said Nexus Centre Manager, Keith Zone a range of benefits, to help jack-up vessels, which is the first company Loveys “We are surrounded by energy companies grow. to move into the Enterprise Zone on the and engineering sector businesses in South Denes site in Great Yarmouth. the East of England Energy Zone, which could benefit from what we have to Mr Ainslie said, “We could have set offer.” up our business anywhere in the world. However, we are expanding our New Anglia Local Enterprise operation and have moved into new Partnership premises in the Enterprise Zone.” www.newanglia.co.uk

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Integration Reef Subsea Dredging & Excavation is 2 Year contract complete the new dredging and controlled flow excavation organisation formed after the at Greater Gabbard Offshore integration of Scanmudring and Rotech Subsea. An independent world leader WindFarm providing subsea excavation and dredging solutions through vessels’ contractors Reef Subsea Dredging & Excavation Brodtkorb continued to comment: to benefit operators and contractors announced recently they successfully “Building on our success at Greater worldwide. They offer a one stop shop completed their integral part in the Gabbard we have recently completed service with the largest range of seabed Greater Gabbard Offshore Windfarm campaigns on two of the largest services in relation to dredging, deburial project working collaboratively with offshore wind farms currently in and lowering of pipelines and cables, the operations team for Fluor, the construction in the UK and two high decommissioning and seabed preparation. principle contractor. profile interconnectors. The contract was awarded before Rotech Subsea and Equipment Reef Subsea Dredging & Excavation Scanmudring joined forces to create The fleet of equipment comprises... (RSD&E) completed their multi-million the world leader in seabed dredging & pound project over a period of two years excavation. A subsidiary of Reef Subsea, • Controlled Flow (2010 - 2012) where they performed we work independently from the Group’s • Excavators the excavation of approximately 100 companies and offer the same base- • Scanmachines monopiles around the j-tube approach to costs solutions to all our clients and we • Scandredges enable cable entry, remedial lowering of seek to serve operators and contractors • Scancrawler inter-array cables, and burial of circa 80 from the Oil & Gas and Renewable • Hydraulic Grabb cable approaches to the monopiles using energy sectors.” • Scanrovdredges their non-contact excavation tools. Partnership Services from RSDE are available for Specific remit Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Limited is vessel-contractors from their locations The company was selected for their range a 50/50 joint venture partnership between in Aberdeen, Mandal, Houston and of non-contact controlled flow excavation Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) and Singapore. tools providing high levels of safety for sensitive subsea structures combined with their ancillary jetting system which enables them to work on-site in a wide range of soil conditions ranging from sand to hard clays measured at a strength of 172kPa.

Niels-Henrik Brodtkorb, Managing Director of Reef Subsea Dredging & Excavation, commented: “I am extremely proud of the task we achieved on this long- term project for Fluor completing with a strong focus on safe performance and efficiency. Our range of tools were perfect for this project and we were in a position to continually adapt our equipment to meet the client’s needs, specifically on trench width when challenged with various soils. Unique gyroscopic stability and use of a real- time sonar ensured the excavations were carried out to specification. T8000 Excavation tool Greater Gabbard is one of our greatest references in the renewables market, and we look forward to working again for this valuable client of ours.” RWE Npower renewables. The Greater Reef Subsea Dredging & Excavation Gabbard Wind Farm, presently the world’s www.rsdne.com largest wind farm, is situated in the UK North Sea, off the Suffolk Coast. The Click to view more info project consists of 140 wind turbines producing 504 megawatts, enough clean electricity to power around 530,000 homes.

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They would also visit windfarms, a fossil fuel Training for new power station, Bacton gas terminal, Sizewell B roles in a growing station and employers including industry Halliburton. Young people are being trained in skills for the wind “The industry is so energy industry in a new course at Great Yarmouth diverse – windfarms, College designed in partnership with sector employers. nuclear, fossil fuels and oil and gas. After this Energy Skills Foundation Programme course they could go As new roles are created across the developing industry, on into work, on to an practical projects are being added to the new Energy Skills apprenticeship, or move Foundation Programme to prepare young people for the on to a BTEC Extended workplace. Diploma in engineering.” Alan added The programme was launched last September with 19 pioneer students after the college worked closely with EEEGR Students and Marine East to ensure the programmes met industry Students are keen to Students at work requirements and quality. get started in a working environment. It is hoped that the students will move from the one-year intensive course to Apprenticeships. Lewis Swann, 18, said: “This is real – the opportunity to learn real applied skills to work in the energy industry.” Projects One of the projects to generate a clear understanding of how Aaron Kern, 18, said: “This course should set us up for a wind power and turbines work challenges students to design career. This time next year we could be starting a job.” and make their own working models of mini-turbines. One of the two groups is creating a traditional turbine with propellers. The Great Yarmouth College other is an alternative wind farm using barrels that work on a www.gyc.ac.uk similar principle to a jet engine.

Tutor Kevin Forbes said: “They are just small models that they have designed and created themselves and must work on exactly the same principle as power generating turbines. They are also creating a solar panel and running a remote-controlled car from power generated by the panel.”

Partnership For manufacturing experience, the College has forged a partnership with one of the borough’s biggest employers, Pasta Foods, where students join the workforce once a week to gain process engineering practical experience.

Karl Jermyn, Managing Director of Pasta Foods – one of Great Yarmouth’s biggest employers – said: “Our factory is engineering intensive not labour intensive. Most people you see in the factory are engineers. Their experience here will give them an insight into how a factory works and the work of engineers in a manufacturing setting.”

Real world experience Great Yarmouth College Director of Construction and Engineering Gary Jefferson said real world experience was integral to the course.

“Between us, we are creating tomorrow’s engineers and with the experience they gain at Pasta Foods, they will be ahead of the competition in the employment market.”

Lecturer Alan Ridge, who teaches the Energy Skills Foundation course, said as well as electrical, energy and manufacturing skills students would carry out maintenance projects in the welding department.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 69 SPONSORS OF EAST ANGLIA FEATURE Playing a pivotal role

EEEGR, the East of England Energy Rising to the challenge Southern North Sea (SNS) 2013 Group, is poised to play a vital and Chief Executive Simon Gray sees it They are words backed by action. pivotal role in what is emerging as one becoming even more involved in making EEEGR’s Southern North Sea (SNS) 2013 of the most significant energy regions sure that the East of England supply Conference and Exhibition in March at the in Europe. chain is communicating, preparing and Norfolk Showground will be the biggest making itself fit for purpose to rise to the energy event ever staged in the region and New wind farms have already sprung challenges ahead. featuring global expertise and guidance. up along the East Coast but they will inevitably fall under the shadow of even “The opportunities are there but we have Delegation more imposing developments in the to make them happen. We have to step In the autumn, EEEGR and its partners will Southern North Sea - East Anglia ONE, up to prove that we can compete and also head a delegation of 18 key regional Hornsea and Dogger Bank among them. deliver; to work as a team and provide energy players to the combined East of the safety and quality that the industry England Energy Zone exhibition stand That activity will build alongside demands.” at Offshore Europe 2013 in Aberdeen the continuing oil & gas fields, the to showcase the area’s development of new nuclear, the abilities to an audience emergence of and an array of of up to 50,000 global other potential raw power points. visitors.

A strong single voice Supply Chain With such a variety of sectors, resources Development and skills, EEEGR believes it essential to Programme have a strong single voice to unite, drive Meanwhile EEEGR’s and champion the entire energy industry Supply Chain across the region. Development Programme, part-funded EEEGR works to promote the East of by the European Regional England as a world leading all energy Development Fund, is hub, encouraging inward investment from giving businesses the energy majors and attracting international chance to meet industry business opportunities. The group may specialists for free be approaching only its 12th birthday, but guidance, assistance with 390 members ranging from major and contacts to help national and international companies develop their role in the through to fledgling start-ups, it has never Simon Gray ever-expanding energy been stronger or more active. industry. Vital IT infrastructure for Sheringham Shoal Offshore Windfarm Computer Service Centre, based Considerations A wide area network transfers data from in Norfolk, first engaged with the Firstly, the company had to consider the the windfarm to the onshore systems. renewables industry through its way in which data could flow between the “Delivery of the wide area network to contract with Scira Offshore Energy windfarm and the offshore and onshore North Norfolk was a challenge - we had Ltd, the operator of the Sheringham substations. Secondly it had to provide to prevail on BT to install vast amounts of Shoal offshore windfarm. all of the traditional functions that a fibre optic cable,” Cooper says. business needs – everything from server Initial three year contract infrastructure to collaborative working The network Scira is using is known as a Christopher Cooper, Co-Director, reports applications. The team decided to follow redundant cloud network. Cooper explains that the company was responsible for Statoil’s IT system for ease of use. “We that this means the information resides building the IT infrastructure for Scira visited Norway to evaluate the systems in separate data centres. If the primary from scratch, as part of a three year they were using and decided to mimic cloud fails, the data remains available. contract with option to extend. There were them for Scira, giving transferred staff “The environment that they’re using is a two parts to the contract – “making it familiarity with a lot of the systems,” says private closed environment on Computer operational” and then “looking after it” as Cooper. Service Centre’s own infrastructure,” Cooper puts it. he adds. “Our ISO27001 accreditation means customers can be assured their data is secure.“

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EEEGR is working with a specialist But the biggest challenge is likely to be in team of energy industry consultants that providing enough skills to service the near- between them, have the insight and insatiable demands of a future energy expertise to deliver growth within individual sector. businesses and across the supply network. To date the programme has supported more than 100 companies, created around 200 jobs, safeguarded another 30 or so and helped seven business start- ups.

Mr Gray is determined that such support should get through not just to businesses directly connected to the energy world, but those keen to form part of its supply chain.

Sheringham Shoal Offshore WindFarm He was very impressed with the impact that Scira Offshore Energy’s Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm had on the small North Norfolk town of Wells where a new harbour extension was created to service the development. Skills for Energy EPISCentre It is an issue being tackled with resolve And any day now there should be news “The harbour has enjoyed a renaissance and dedication by EEEGR’s Skills for about the EPISCentre, a flagship building and diverse local businesses from ship Energy team. Both Lowestoft and Great for this region which will house an chandlers to local food providers have Yarmouth colleges are opening the door independent energy industry skills centre. reaped the benefits of the investment in into the industry for young people though this new source of energy. the Energy Skills Foundation Programme EEEGR – an industry-designed course. The www.eeegr.com “Their story should be an example to University of East Anglia has launched its everyone in the region of the potential degree programmes in Energy Engineering Click to view more info prospects if they take full advantage of and tremendous strides are being made the opportunities and gear themselves in recruiting ex-military personnel with up for the investment we will be seeing in engineering skills into our sector. the East of England.”

Tender process and learnt from this project, we’ve been relevant training sought out by other businesses in the The tender process offshore market.” emphasises Cooper. was intense and it took four months to get the Cooper reports that the contract has had go-ahead amid stiff an “amazing effect” on the company. It competition. More recently has expanded from 21 to 31 people and the company organised now has the credibility to engage with for multiple engineers to other offshore wind developers. receive offshore survival training, and training in Fantastic team specific SCADA systems “We’ve got a very good skills base and to further supplement its a fantastic team - Statoil was impressed commitment to Statoil. The by our ability to deliver on time and on final stage is to re-locate budget,” Cooper adds. “Offshore wind the company into its new companies want a can-do attitude and purpose-built offices, which they certainly get that with us. We are a is underway. small company but have top clients and further plans to expand.” Outside business interest Computer Service Centre “Because of the www.computerservicecentre.co.uk investment we have made, and lessons that we have

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Jiangsu, at the heart of the important Essex Yangtse river delta area and bordering Shanghai, is one of the most economically vibrant and entrepreneurial dynamic Provinces in China and Essex County Council works with the Jiangsu Essex is an economically vibrant Supporting Essex businesses Provincial Department of Commerce, to and successful entrepreneurial Essex County Council has been working provide Essex businesses with access county. A key area of change and with local training providers across the to market information and business development is in the field of low county, to financially support Essex introductions that would otherwise be carbon technologies. BIS estimates businesses, by providing a wage subsidy difficult for them to obtain. that the global market for low carbon of up to £2,500, across 52 weeks, to take and environmental goods and on an apprentice in a range of engineering Offshore wind services was £3.2trn in 2009/2010, and wider energy sector frameworks that With the world’s biggest offshore wind £116bn of which was in the UK support the region’s growth in the offshore farms being built off the East Coast alone. Investment in green energy wind sector. This includes: Construction, of England, at the same time China is generation is such that it is now highly Logistics, Plumbing, Oil/Gas, Domestic developing its offshore wind industry at likely that some renewable energy Renewables (e.g. solar panels, heat a rapid rate, Essex County Council has sources will achieve cost parity with pumps and insulation), Electrical, Glass hosted visits from the Presidents of some traditional non-renewable energy and Marine. major Jiangsu offshore wind energy sources over the next decade. companies which have presented the De-centralised energy sources Jiangsu Province long term opportunity to create hundreds of jobs, coupled with smart grid technology relationship both directly and indirectly, to help boost could help to reduce energy Essex County Council also boasts a 25 the county’s economy. The strong link dependency on carbon sources. year relationship with the Jiangsu Province with Jiangsu is something Essex County in China. The relationship started back Council shall continue to build on and will in 1988 and was formalised in 1992 reap the rewards for years to come. with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding whereby the two areas Essex County Council agreed to work together to promote www.essex.gov.uk two-way exchanges in the fields of trade, investment, education and culture.

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TMS putting energy into the power struggle The balance of power between the offshore wind industry and the oil & In the beginning: Construction work gas sector will be a challenge for the on in 2003. “EEEGR was set East of England for a generation or up to represent two yet. all aspects of the energy industry Keeping pace and to speak for After more than 20 years working with them with one the energy sector, creative design agency voice - so, in a TMS Media has to keep pace with the way it was ahead changing dynamics of the industry. of its time,” said Steve. “Now it “Nearly 50 years after the discovery of must play an North Sea gas transformed our region, even greater role we now have some of the world’s encompassing biggest wind farms arriving off our Photo courtesy of chpv.co.uk the political, shores,” said Steve Scott, Managing industrial, training Director of Great Yarmouth-based TMS. and academic interests to the “It means our region faces some of best mutual the biggest changes, challenges and bridges the gap to the oil & gas sector advantage. We’re delighted with our opportunities in an already demanding with contracts such as that to provide continuing relationship in achieving those energy world. I’m delighted to say that operations and engineering support to all of goals. not only are our clients embracing and E.ON Ruhrgas UK’s (ERUK) operated fixed rising to those challenges but often and subsea assets in the UK North Sea. leading the way in the evolution.” Clients CLS Offshore The oil and gas market was also the initial target of CLS Offshore, headquartered Bridging the gap: CLS in Great Yarmouth, but it extended its Offshore working on the engineering, fabrication, construction and in 2010 installation work into offshore windpower with contracts including the highly successful project to help install 100 turbines in the Thanet windfarm.

Inspection Verification Bureau Ltd Fledgling Norfolk company Inspection Verification Bureau Ltd was also keen to tap Steve Scott, TMS Media the oil and gas market with its independent inspection, assessment and verification work, but many of its recent contracts have been in the renewables sector. IMPERIAL HOTEL & PKF ACCOUNTANTS NHV Helicopters “It’s also pleasing to see many supply Fellow TMS clients NHV Helicopters, with chain clients and EEEGR members its UK base in Norwich, has confirmed working with the industry even if not an order for ten new aircraft to expand directly related to the energy sector. business, including offshore crew transfer Among them is Great Yarmouth’s Imperial flights for the energy world. Hotel, which understands the particular requirements of offshore workers and ODE (Offshore Design Engineering) “The key to these successes is flexibility visiting industrialists; plus accountants Among them is international engineering and we’re helping all these companies PKF whose local team is wooing the contractor ODE which project managed maintain the highest profile in the energy offshore industry offering an international one of the UK’s first commercial offshore industry whether through websites, array of offices to support the growing wind farms at Scroby Sands from its Great publicity or other marketing activity,” said global flavour of the regional business. Yarmouth base nearly 10 years ago. Steve. “Such shared expertise, endeavour and Today is has a long track record of EEEGR commitment gives the East of England successful windfarm work including the TMS also supported the launch of EEEGR the strongest possible base for our future recently announced project management nearly 12 years ago and has continued to energy industry.” and engineering support services contract build the trade association’s profile to a for the £1.6bn Iberdrola Wikinger windfarm point where is now has 390 members and TMS planned in the Baltic Sea. But ODE intends further growth. www.tms-media.co.uk

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 73 SPONSORS OF EAST ANGLIA FEATURE Success flourishes as a result of SCIRA investments

Sheringham Shoal Offshore WindFarm As the operator of the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Windfarm, Scira Offshore Energy has encouraged the involvement of local Successes resulting from Scira North Norfolk companies in both the Offshore Energy’s £1bn investment construction and longer-term operation in the Sheringham Shoal Offshore and maintenance of its projects. Now Wind Farm, which includes significant that the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind investment in Wells-next-the-sea and Farm is complete Scira has assumed full North Norfolk, have flourished as responsibility for the development’s supply local companies step up the pace and chain and therefore looks to ensure it’s at outshine national competitors to land the best possible standard to support the large scale contracts. technical integrity of the farm.

Scira’s General Manager, Einar GEV Offshore Limited From support services and specialist Strømsvåg, said: “As one of the largest Enjoying a recent contract win for the equipment through to IT provision, employers in North Norfolk, Scira has provision of a range of support services off businesses in the East of England have successfully helped to bring skilled the coast of north Norfolk, Great Yarmouth taken full advantage of the investment into employment opportunities to the East based GEV Offshore Limited will provide offshore wind developments, with many , of England. During its construction both rope access-led fabric maintenance including Scira itself, recruiting to manage stage alone, Sheringham Shoal created services and lifting operations support to the sizeable projects. numerous short-term roles and local Scira. contracts, but with the wind farm now fully operational there are around 60 3sun Group permanent positions, with the majority of Also, confirming a three-year contract for filled positions being Norfolk residents.” operational services is the 3sun Group delivering statutory certification and Winning contracts inspection service for equipment on the Norfolk firms such as GEV Offshore 88 offshore wind turbines, two offshore Limited, 3sun Group and Computer substations and the onshore substation. Service Centre are just some of the The company will also contribute general winners of the large-scale local contracts engineering services including design, resulting from the investment, but smaller supporting calculations, production of businesses are also reaping the benefits. engineering documentation, fabrication, Hotels, inns, restaurants, and bed and painting, mechanical and electrical breakfast providers in Sheringham, installation/assembly and retro-fit works. Wells and other surrounding villages are welcoming a growing number of both occasional and regular visitors.

74 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk SPONSORS OF EAST ANGLIA FEATURE

Mr. Strømsvåg continued: “There are also a number of indirect long- term jobs, including transit drivers to transport wind turbine technicians daily, Scira site security, office cleaning and catering, vessel skippers and crew, IT infrastructure and support services.”

Computer Service Centre Local Development Order Echoing Scira’s employment success is NNDC also granted consent for the its IT supplier, Computer Service Centre construction of an operations and of Norwich, which won its first contract maintenance base and associated storage back in 2011 to develop an ‘always on’ facility at Egmere, within the area of the IT system for the offshore wind farm’s proposed Local Development Order, operations. Originally required to carry which NNDC is promoting to encourage Scira Offshore Energy communications to more than 70 users, jobs related to the offshore renewables www.scira.co.uk Computer Service Centre now manages industry, located three miles south of all IT functions for Scira and has expanded Wells-next-the-Sea. Wind farm workers GEV Offshore Limited its core team by 10 additional staff in the use the facilities to change for their www.gevoffshore.com last year. offshore duties, before travelling via mini- bus to the outer harbour in Wells where 3sun Group North Norfolk District Council vessels will take them offshore, returning www.3sungroup.co.uk (NNDC) later the same day via the same method. Another example of Scira’s successful This is to ensure traffic in the town is Computer Service Centre working relationships includes North minimised and additional car parking is www.computerservicecentre.co.uk Norfolk District Council (NNDC), offering not required – a perfect example of how the former Wells Field Study Centre as a a cutting edge energy company can work Norfolk District Council temporary operations and maintenance in harmony with one of the most beautiful www.northnorfolk.org base. areas of the country.

Leader of NNDC, Tom FitzPatrick, said: Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm “This council is determined to secure as is owned equally by Statoil and Statkraft many economic and employment benefits through joint venture operating company from offshore wind energy developments Scira Offshore Energy. in north Norfolk as possible, and one way of doing this is to create and promote a positive environment for inward investment by wind energy companies and their sub-contractors. The on-going partnership with Scira keeps our district at the forefront of energy technologies and helps us keep an eye on the future of renewable energy.”

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 75 LAW

Law a personal view from the inside My involvement in the energy industry has been as a construction and engineering lawyer, working for developers and contractors. It has encompassed both mainstream energy including , gas, oil, and nuclear, together with renewable energy including wind power, , waste to energy, biomass, shale gas and anaerobic digestion.

Experience Positivity This began over 20 years ago, and has covered a vast range of The positive aspects of such projects include the creation projects including... of ventures to develop energy related projects, for example, the assembly of sites, obtaining of relevant permissions • The construction of nuclear power stations and consents, negotiation and conclusion of contractual • Flue gas desulphurisation arrangements with landowners, turbine suppliers, contractors, • Bio energy plants distribution companies and power purchase companies – literally • Biodiesel plants cradle to grave. • Oil and gas exploration • Drilling and production • Refining and storage to wind farm development • Anaerobic digestion plants • Wave and tidal energy schemes • Waste to energy plants

I am currently involved in the renewable energy field particularly in relation to wind farms, biodiesel, biomass, wind energy and shale gas exploration and production.

76 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk LAW

It is rewarding to see projects in which I was involved from their inception being re-powered and beginning life afresh with bigger and better turbines by an industry which is becoming increasingly mature.

An occasional negative There is however, at times, a downside in performing Martin Collingwood the role of a projects lawyer.

An example which comes to mind is in relation to a 21 turbine onshore wind farm which shortly after completion and commissioning suffered a catastrophic failure.

This was due partly to extreme weather and also to systems failure leading to the damage to a number of the turbines and loss of power output. Quite simply the safety systems failed when the turbines were expected to deal with a storm for which they were not designed and the turbines blew themselves apart. That incident has thankfully not been repeated and turbine design has evolved substantially in the intervening period.

Onshore and offshore Just as the onshore turbine market has matured over time the offshore market will have to do so to cope with the added risks and pressures that installation and operation in harsher offshore environments requires.

Proactive and preventative planning The industry is already designing, where possible to avoid potential failure - and we have seen a number of incidences where failures have been proactively dealt with by replacement on a preventative basis, including bearings and foundations to avoid potential serial failure and down time in the windfarm.

Continued positivity and risk reduction These are all positive developments which are set to continue. In the future we will see the turbines designed in such as way as to reduce the need for regular maintenance visits as frequently as previously required.

This will also serve to reduce risk to personnel involved and operating costs, which will reduce the cost of offshore power generation.

Martin Collingwood Andrew Jackson Solicitors www.andrewjackson.co.uk

Click to view more info

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 77 ICE DETECTION

Keeping the blades turning ICE DETECTION John Reimers, an expert in wind turbine blade monitoring systems at Bosch Rexroth, examines the issues and offers a potential solution

As rated power outputs increase, the cost of a wind turbine increases. However, the cost increase of the rotor grows faster than the cost of the other components - when the rated power is doubled, the cost of the blade set will be four times as high.

78 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk ICE DETECTION

With more and more turbine types When it comes to ice detection, the covering lower than average wind direct measurement on the blades speed regions, the rotors grow is a great advantage compared to even faster, thus raising the cost measurements on the nacelle, because percentage of the blades still further. nacelle measurements cannot reflect the For this reason, sustaining the value The standards for successful blade conditions on the moving blades with tip of the rotor becomes more and more condition monitoring are high. Customers speeds of more than 200 kph. important. demand high turbine availability, directly connected to low downtime. In addition, Accuracy Condition monitoring planned maintenance and repair for The main physics behind BLADEcontrol’s Until now, rotor blade condition monitoring the low wind season are vital as is the accuracy is that an oscillating body has not been the highest priority with assurance that disastrous blade damages vibrates slower when it becomes heavier. manufacturers and operators. This does like break-offs will not happen. In a The shifts in certain frequency peaks are not mean that blades have been problem nutshell, customers want to be alerted, evaluated by the system, thus being able free, rather that other components are whatever kind of blade damage occurs, to detect less than 10kg of ice on a blade, perceived as more critical to turbine whether small or structural and as early as 50 metres long. reliability and have therefore received possible. greater attention. As ice builds, the system signals the Ice detection controller to stop the turbine when it Another point is the availability of rotor Another demand is for sensitive and becomes too thick. It can also detect and blade condition monitoring systems is very accurate ice detection. Flying chunks of signal the permissible restart conditions limited. The market leader by far is Bosch ice thrown off the turbine in operation at of the turbine automatically after ice Rexroth’s BLADEcontrol with 650 systems the velocity of a speeding car, endanger has shed, because measurements are sold to date, showing the small market a large radius surrounding it. A 300 metre executed at standstill as well. coverage that blade condition monitoring radius distance of danger is realistic for an systems have. average 2 to 3 MW turbine. Control The intelligence allows BLADEcontrol to Demand and standards Systems and solutions control the active blade de-icing systems With the change in rotor value ratio, the There have been different physical and prevent the turbine from having to be demand for such systems is growing, with approaches to judge the blade condition. shut down at all. As de-icing systems are year on year sales doubling for the second Ultrasonic systems, passive sound expensive their use is limited to windfarms time in 2012. systems, measurements of bending in extreme conditions, such as cold moments in the blade root in various forms climate regions and in high altitudes, for and automated visual concepts, to name example in mountainous regions. a few. But only the approach of natural oscillation analysis has led to an available, In Europe’s temperate climate, icy sensitive and affordable system that can periods are comparatively short. Here be retrofitted in nearly every wind turbine the ice triggered related downtimes type and covers almost all the needs of with BLADEcontrol will be up to 90% rotor blade monitoring. less compared to turbines with nacelle mounted ice sensors. A two-dimensional accelerometer in every blade, glued onto the inner surface at one third of the blade’s length, picks up the Bosch Rexroth vibration of the rotor blade. The signal www.boschrexroth.co.uk is digitised and sent to the evaluation unit at the foot of the tower. There, the signal is analysed with different algorithms Click to view more info to detect damages, ice accretion and aerodynamic imbalances.

Development The system has been continuously enhanced since its first installations back in 2005. New algorithms have been developed and many different damage types, large and small, have been detected. These include tip damage after lightning strikes, sparweb separations, trailing edge cracks, loose parts in the blade, in the hub and within the pitch system.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 79 SERVICING OFFSHORE WINDFARMS FEATURE - PART 2 Condition monitoring of offshore windfarm MV/ HV networks

Offshore wind generation currently remains the most Figure 1: expensive renewable energy MV and HV network for a typical ‘Round 2’ UK 500MW + offshore windfarm option at an estimated Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of £135 per MWh generated over the expected 20-year lifetime of the asset (c.f. to LCOE of £60/MWh for onshore wind). The UK Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has identified that a reduction in the high operating and maintenance (O&M) costs of the offshore wind farms is essential to drive down costs and to make this source of renewable electricity more affordable.

Benefits OF condition monitoring Unplanned outages from medium voltage (MV - 33kV) and high voltage (132kV+) cable faults can lead to significant down time and lost revenue for offshore windfarm operators. In order to ensure continued operational reliability, more effective risk management and to help reduce the presently high O&M costs, it is recommended that the operators apply Condition-Based Management (CBM) regimes to their MV/HV cable networks. The efficacy of any such CBM scheme will be largely dependent on the quality and reliability of the condition monitoring (CM) data from which resultant repair/replace/ retain engineering decisions are made.

80 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk SERVICING OFFSHORE WINDFARMS FEATURE - PART 2

Figure 2:

When to apply condition Figure 3: monitoring Illustration of an Due to the known high rate of ‘infant 80 x 3.6 MW wind mortality’ problems with offshore cable turbine array (288 networks within the first 3 years of service MW) to a 132kV (as shown in Figure 2: RCM ‘Bathtub offshore ‘collector’ Curve’), it is recommended that condition substation monitoring should start with the testing and commissioning of the new MV/HV cables components at installation (using portable HV power sources and diagnostic testing). This testing can then be supplemented by continuous on-line partial discharge (OLPD) monitoring technology throughout the cables’ service life, with particular focus on this ‘infant mortality’ phase.

Tools for on-line condition monitoring In order to ensure effective CBM, there is a need for continuous, high-level, diagnostic state and condition data from the condition monitoring (CM) technology employed.

There are a number of on-line cable CM techniques available to achieve ‘holistic’ It is proposed that the best cable condition MV/HV cable condition monitoring diagnostic assessments will require the including On-line Partial Discharge (OLPD) cross-correlation of data from a number of monitoring, Distributed Temperature these modules. Sensing (DTS), Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR), Transient Earth Fault and Overvoltage Transient detection and Dr Lee Renforth Power Quality Monitoring (PQM). HVPD Ltd www.hvpd.co.uk

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 81 SERVICING OFFSHORE WINDFARMS FEATURE - PART 2

CWind generates success

story at London Array management process is made possible, not just by the management, systems and With the recent success story about Generator deployment during the trained technicians, but by the CWind fleet the final Siemens wind turbine construction phase is vital to provide of CTruk 20T workboats that are used as being installed as part of Phase I power for services such as light, de- re-fuelling (and support) vessels. of the London Array Offshore Wind humidfying, elevator and general Farm, CWind also has cause for commissioning tasks. These need to be With a 15,000 litre diesel storage tank celebration… managed with generators transported and and 20 tonne payload these robust lifted onto each turbine which then require workboats can carry more and do more Largest generator management maintenance, servicing and re-fuelling as than conventional workboats. Yet due to project well as lifting off and transporting back. the lightweight composite construction As the largest consented offshore This all needs to be done safely and have a fuel consumption around half that windfarm to date, London Array is also the effectively, with minimal downtime. of a comparative alloy vessel. Up to 6 largest generator management project to generators can be transported at one time date, and CWind has been working closely Detailed individual generator on these flexible workboats. with Siemens and EP Tools since January history 2012, offering a complete generator The size of this generator management Servicing and maintenance management service - installation, project has required CWind to deliver in Service teams always travel with spares commissioning, servicing, maintain/repair a number of areas: Close working with for the generators so that servicing / and re-fuelling for all the EP Tools supplied teams at Siemens and at the generator maintenance opportunities are maximised. generators on site, currently standing at company EP Tools. CWind makes sure When a problem does surface on a 154 units. that every generator has a detailed history generator the company employs a ‘fast- and service log, right down to current fuel response’ attitude to rectifying faults. Even Zero failure rate and expected running time. major engine failure scenarios can be dealt To date, there has been a zero failure rate with in under 24 hours - and always with on the generators and NO extended down The detailed log for each generator qualified and conscientious technicians time due to parts replacement or lack of fuel. ensures services schedules are always trained by CWind’s training arm - the met, and so far 965 services have been NWFTC (National Wind Farm Training Centre). carried out since January 2012 (an average of six a day!). The company has developed systems that have worked exceptionally well at Re-fuelling London Array, but are totally scaleable for Re-fuelling is also critical to keep the even larger projects. Also working at Lincs units operating and not one has run dry. windfarm on a generator management An effective re-fuelling system is also in project the company has two other place to secure against spillages. The generator projects it is assessing for clients. CWind constantly seeks to deliver effective, streamlined one-stop solutions for all its clients to ensure every project is as successful as London Array.

CWind www.cwind247.com

London Array www.londonarray.com

82 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk SERVICING OFFSHORE WINDFARMS FEATURE - PART 2

and chemical and refinery businesses. In Extending project the UK, Jotun is also winning major work for the infrastructure on the rail and the life cycles and underground networks. The factory goes from strength to strength reducing maintenance with record production and sales. And the Flixborough plant takes pride in being one of the most efficient within costs the group worldwide, reflecting the skill Latest technology in protective, their “single source” approach to supply all and commitment of the workforce and decorative and marine coatings coatings, from the powder coated window their embracing of initiatives such as lean designed to extend project life cycles, frames to the concrete car park and also manufacturing. reduce maintenance costs and ensure internal decorative paints. large financial savings. Global impact Quality control The improvement, and the way it has From its Flixborough base, a world leading For best results quality control at each been achieved, has attracted the attention company in the production and supply stage of the job is important. Hence all of other Jotun factories worldwide. of protective coatings for the chemical, Jotun coating technical advisors are Jotun employs almost 10,000 people petrochemical and other industries is highly trained and experienced, capable globally, 250 of whom are UK based are perfectly placed to serve the South of assessing and analysing customer’s predominantly in Flixborough. Humber industrial belt. requirement which cover all aspects of surface preparation, application, The Flixborough operation exports 80 per Tried and trusted brand inspection and paint technology. cent of its production and the company Jotun is a trusted brand for international world-wide has now extended the area prestigious projects, including the Eiffel “Continuous innovation has been the key the local operation is responsible for Tower in Paris, the Petronas Twin towers cornerstone to our continued growth and servicing by another 20 countries. The in Malaysia, the tallest building in the success. Jotun has remained committed areas the operation is now responsible to meeting market needs for include South America, West African through the development countries as well as the territory it has of innovative, high-quality traditionally covered which includes Russia products and maintaining to Panama and Trinidad. its reputation for raising benchmarks within the Richard paint manufacturing Chapman, industry. This has enabled says “Jotun us to almost treble our UK has enjoyed business in the last 8 years” long and said Richard Chapman, UK continuing Managing Director. involvement with leading Latest technology manufacturers Jotun Paints (Europe) Ltd in the offers advanced products chemical and incorporating latest petrochemical technological developments industries. Its Flixborough location world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and a fifth to meet specialised needs above and makes it ideally placed to serve all major of the world’s shipping. below ground in environments ranging Humber Bank developments, such as the from the icy waters of the Arctic to desert new investments in offshore windfarms. Protective products conditions. Protective products include high We have a superb, well trained and performance coatings for the marine, An example is Sea Quantum X-200 progressive workforce and as a global offshore and industrial sectors, together HPS, new anti-fouling technology which manufacturer we are proud to be with powder coatings, a range of provides fuel saving for the world’s associated with Lincolnshire and the decorative paints and also intumescent shipping of up to 6% and contributes to Humber Bank. Our values, strategies and coatings for protection of steelwork reducing global warming. products all contribute to a better world.” against fire - Jotun was, for instance, entrusted to provide the protection for the Flixborough factory Jotun Group Eiffel Tower in Paris. The Flixborough factory is the Norwegian www.jotun.com owned Jotun Group’s biggest Protective Reputation Coating’s factory in Europe and produces Today, Jotun’s diverse product range 30-million litres of industrial and marine bears a solid testament to the company’s paints a year locally in Flixborough. reputation of being a one point solution for clients, consultants and contractors alike. The group works with many local For iconic buildings, such as the Burj Al companies, providing the coatings for the Arab, Dubai’s first 7 star hotel, Jotun used local steel industry, energy production

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 83 PORT OF TYNE

Port banking on renewables for jobs and growth

The Port of Tyne is stepping up the The Port is currently talking to existing and pace in the race to provide clean, new customers about putting the new green renewable fuels for the future facilities in place. The process to find an with £180m investment plans for its investment partner to assist with funding is south bank estate in South Tyneside. well underway and discussions are being held with a number of interested parties.

Growth On the back of several years of record growth, the Port has focused its business strategy for further growth on renewable energy - ensuring thousands of jobs and helping the UK to meet its target of cutting carbon emissions by at least 15% by 2020.

Developing infrastructure The proposals announced recently are to develop infrastructure and new facilities for handling, storage and transportation of imports of wood pellet, an important source of bio-energy for power stations, and to extend its main Riverside Quay at Tyne Dock, bringing jobs and economic benefit to the North East region.

The Port is already the largest handler of wood pellet in Europe and the plans are to enhance and expand its existing wood pellet storage facilities and associated Investment buildings such as an office headquarter quay and rail infrastructure. These The developments represent the biggest building and environmental improvements developments if delivered in full will create investment ever made by the Port and to provide a natural buffer between 900 jobs in construction and a further 300 follow major investments already made in industry and the developing town centre. full-time operational jobs, supporting an 2012. These included the strategic land The Port will work with South Tyneside additional 2,000 jobs. This would take the acquisitions of the former McNulty site in Council to support its future plans for Port’s impact on the regional economy to South Tyneside and Morston Quays in the adjoining Riverside Park and public well over £500m in Gross Value Added North Tyneside both of which increased amenities. each year, and increase the number the Port’s landholdings by almost 10%, to of jobs supported by 20% to a total of 624 acres, and available berths by 30%, North East LEP Enterprise Zone 12,000 jobs. providing in total over 3km of berth space In addition there are other plans for the on both banks of the river. Port’s estate on the north bank of the River Tyne, in particular for additional Additionally, it is investing in an extra investment on a large site within the North gantry crane which will support the Port’s East LEP Enterprise Zone. The Port is container terminal business. The £6m currently marketing this site for offshore crane will be delivered later in 2013. wind turbine manufacturing for the world’s largest offshore wind farms in the North Future plans Sea, and is in advanced discussions with Further plans under consideration for potential partners. the future on its now enlarged Tyne Dock Estate include facilities for offshore engineering and development of key

84 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk PORT OF TYNE

Existing businesses The Port continues to work with its existing customers to ensure facilities and services are developed to assist them in growing their businesses, including “These are very significant plans for the major companies such as Nissan, VW, Port of Tyne which are imperative for Tetley and JML, who rely upon the Port’s both the sustainability of the Port and connectivity, facilities and services to the future delivery of the Government’s get their products to market quickly and carbon reduction targets. efficiently.

“The expertise we have Andrew Moffat, the gained in handling wood Port of Tyne’s Chief pellet for over two years Executive Officer. and the technologies we have developed are now being sought by national and international energy companies looking to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and meet “The Port is on target for another year government targets of of record turnover and profit,”added using renewable fuels. Andrew Moffat. The new proposals are for sophisticated, “To continue to survive and thrive, we high spec storage must maintain a competitive advantage and transfer solutions and these forward thinking plans will in terms of design, enable us to do just that, significantly efficiency and reducing increasing the Port’s impact on the environmental impact, regional economy.” and are intended to Diversification maintain our position as a world leader in Welcoming the plans, MP for South The Port of Tyne, once world famous for handling this important new fuel.” Shields, the Rt Hon David Miliband, coal exports and in latter years, for coal said: “This is very good news for imports, has diversified in recent times to South Tyneside Council South Shields and the surrounding ensure it can keep pace with the global Cllr Iain Malcolm, Leader of South communities. The Port’s vision and economy and its customers’ needs. It Tyneside Council, commented: “This ambition ultimately will provide the jobs is now the UK’s largest car exporter, will further strengthen South Tyneside’s we very much need in this area now the fourth largest coal importer and one position as a key player in the and for the future, and importantly, is of the largest handlers of wood pellet in renewables and green energy industries, supporting the growth of renewable fuels the world. It operates an award-winning as well as creating new jobs in the to provide the clean, green energy we International Passenger Terminal for ferries borough and the wider North East. need for the future.” and cruise ships, and recently became Britain’s largest trust port, overtaking “The Council is making major the Port of Dover. It also manages a investments to attract new jobs to the port of Tyne busy container terminal and UK wide borough and to transform our town www.offshorewindtyne.com. distribution network with a fleet of more centres, and this development will than 180 trucks and trailers. complement those initiatives.” Ed’s note “It is in renewable energy where we see Port development The area will be covered in much the next major area of growth for us,” Initially, the Port will submit applications to more detail within our regional said Andrew Moffat, the Port of Tyne’s extend the Port’s multi-functional berths focus on Tyneside & Teesside, Chief Executive Officer. “That is why we at Riverside Quay by 100 metres and scheduled for our next edition. are working with major companies in provide the additional facilities for wood the power generation industry to identify pellet including multi-purpose sealed their future requirements and making storage, enclosed conveyor systems and sure we will be ready to meet their a new length of railway line. It will involve needs. the closure of seldom used public by- way, Redheads Landing. New and better access to river views will be provided at an area nearby which will be specially designed and more suitable for public use.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 85 EVENT FEATURE

and delivery of regulatory frameworks and Concrete sector on reducing the cost of offshore energy to £100/Mwh by 2020 which will make the cost of offshore wind energy comparable under starter’s with other low carbon technologies. All this was good news for the concrete sector which was further underlined by Bryan orders for round stating that: “The prognosis for steel bases is low. The supply chain cannot match demand. Whereas, the concrete three offshore sector is making a very real case for concrete foundation solutions that is increasingly being taken on board by the programme renewables industry.” Wind – the main driver When it comes The need for the potential of Round 3 to realising the to be realised is underlined by the fact opportunities that currently renewables supply 10% offered by the of UK electricity. By 2020 the target is growth in offshore Significant progress and 35%. “The main driver for growth in windfarms, the increasing recognition renewables will be wind” said Nick Medic concrete sector Opening the conference, John Bingham of RenewableUK. “You cannot have a low is “under starter’s of Royal HaskoningDHV and Chairman for carbon energy supply without it.” The the Interest Group for Gravity Foundations windfarms proposed under the Round 3 orders”. – Offshore Wind, highlighted how the leasing programme will deliver 30% of the scene is now set for concrete gravity UK’s electricity supply from up to 6,000 foundations to help deliver the full potential wind turbines. “That is a considerable Concrete Offshore Wind of offshore wind renewable energy. growth market for concrete gravity conference Significant progress has been made foundations” said Medic. The recent 2012 Concrete Offshore Wind on the development conference, hosted by MPA The Concrete of a wide range of Centre, learnt that the future for concrete foundation solutions gravity foundations is looking very positive. that are cost effective, The progress and development of require minimum industry gravity foundation construction maintenance and offer and installation solutions combined with long-term performance. the growing recognition of concrete Increasingly, these performance and environmental benefits solutions are being means that the concrete sector is ready recognised as offering to realise the opportunities presented the best environmental by The Crown Estates Round 3 leasing choice. As a result, programme. the renewable energy industry is taking the option of concrete gravity foundations far Ian Bryan, The Crown Estate more seriously.

Reducing costs The UK is already the world’s largest offshore wind market, and as Ian Bryan of The Crown Estate explained, that lead will be cemented by the potential of 32GW generated from Round 3 offshore windfarms in addition to the 8GW of energy from previous rounds. There is steady progress being made on gaining planning consents, on the development

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Concrete gravity foundations by being UK sourced can help meet the objective of a UK input and content of up to 60% for offshore windfarms.” Energy security The potential of renewables to provide the New generation gravity bases Monopiles, steel jackets, tripods and UK with energy security was highlighted Against this background, the concrete floating platforms all require drilling or by David Curran of DECC. He called for sector has developed a new generation hammer piling to secure then to the a major programme of investment in a of gravity bases that offer particular seabed. The noise and vibration impact mix of nuclear and renewable energy advantages for offshore locations. of this will increase due to increased size and believed that the newly agreed low Concrete gravity bases, typically in the of the foundations necessary for Round carbon subsidy system would provide form of cellular caissons ballasted with 3 deep water locations. The resultant the assurance of necessary funding gravel or sand, are low maintenance, sound pressure waves from piling, for renewable energy development by have considerable design flexibility and drilling and hammering could be at levels providing stabilised income streams. whole life cost efficiencies. In particular, high enough to cause death, damage This is important if developers are to be the high damping properties of concrete and displacement of marine animals, attracted to invest in renewables. Making minimises vibration. This negates potential sensitive fish species and some fish eggs such investment more attractive will structural fatigue. Onshore construction of and larvae. Domestic and international support the development of offshore wind the concrete bases provides certainty of environmental legislation, such as the farm projects. programme as potential weather delays Habitats Directive and the Marine Strategy are minimised whilst the development of Framework Directive, now reflect the Attractive investment innovative placement techniques eases serious consideration of these possible environment the installation process and minimises the effects. It is important that the UK benefits from use of expensive heavy lifting equipment. providing the framework for an attractive “Ongoing technological construction and The attractiveness for developers of investment environment. One of the best installation developments for concrete removing the environmental issue of ways of ensuring this is to ensure a high gravity bases will add to their advantages piling noise was underlined by Adam UK content in offshore windfarms in terms by helping to deliver construction, Pharaoh of Royal HaskoningDHV who of material supply and workforce. This, installation and operation cost reductions stated: “Developers would be bound to explained Chris Willow of BVG Associates, for offshore windfarms” explained Alan prefer non-piled foundations it they were has an important political message: Bromage for MPA The Concrete Centre. technically proven and cost effective. “Having a real measured UK content If this critical point is reached in the in offshore windfarms demonstrates Environmental benefits development of low-noise foundations, ‘payback’ for subsidies and links their The avoidance of piling during installation people may then start ruling out piling to development to UK jobs and investment. is a major environmental benefit of reduce their consenting risk.” concrete gravity bases over other Secure and sustainable energy foundation types that supply require driving steel “Encouraged by the coming together of piles into the sea bed. product and supply chain development, “No piling is required the provision of planning consent for gravity concrete frameworks and stabilised investment bases. They are environment plus the growing lowered into recognition of the benefits of concrete position”, explained gravity foundations for offshore locations, Ian Reach of Marine particularly for the deep waters of Round Space. “The Three, the concrete sector is ready to avoidance of piling play its part in ensuring that the UK has noise installation is a secure and sustainable energy supply” an environmental said Bromage. advantage for concrete gravity bases as the impact MPA Concrete Centre on marine life from www.concretecentre.com piling noise is likely to lead to planning conditions being Click to view more info applied resulting in project delays and increased costs. With this in mind, retaining concrete gravity bases as an option through the planning process is a prudent priority for developers.”

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 87 SPECIALIST ENGINEERING FEATURE

Unlocking operational productivity in 40,000 wind turbines worldwide

Windfarm operators constantly look for innovative ways of boosting productivity and reducing operational costs to increase competitiveness with traditional power sources. To achieve this, the industry is looking to drive energy efficiency as well as minimise the risk of unscheduled downtime and maintenance costs. As a result, more operators are relying on highly effective next-generation lubricants that can improve equipment reliability and extend oil drain intervals. Additionally, challenging weather conditions in cold, remote locations create additional complexities – so lubricants that are formulated to perform in these environments are also proving to be an essential part of modern turbine operations. This growing trend has been noted by leading lubricant manufacturer, ExxonMobil, whose advanced lubricants are being used in 40,000 wind turbines worldwide.

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40,000 gearboxes worldwide Due to results like this, Mobilgear SHC XMP 320 is now used to protect 40,000 gearboxes of wind turbines worldwide and is the initial-fill gear oil of choice for many of the world’s top wind turbine builders. In addition to its ability to maximise equipment performance and durability, the ability to extend the Proven performance interval between oil changes from 18 months to three years A US-based energy company realised significant performance or more can potentially make a big impact on reducing costs and cost benefits by switching to ExxonMobil’s gearbox oil, and difficult maintenance logistics. For example, this helps Mobilgear SHC XMP 320. The mountaineer wind site operates operators avoid the expense associated with replacement forty-four turbines with a 66-megawatt (MW) output. The parts, labour and chartering specialist vessels to carry out the Flender Model PEAS 43090.5 gearboxes (60 gallon capacity) maintenance of offshore wind turbines. within the 44 NEG Micon1.5MW turbines were filled with Mobilgear SHC XMP 320 gear oil in 2002. UK’s growing wind power industry Closer to home, the latest additions to the company’s global Extreme conditions customer base are three North Sea-based wind farms – These gear boxes operate in an extreme four-season climate Alpha Ventus, Borkum West and Thornton Bank, which with temperatures ranging from -25°C in winter up to +40°C demonstrates how these specialist lubricants are being relied in summer. The operations, therefore, require a lubricant that upon by the UK’s growing wind power industry. could perform in tough applications across a wide temperature range, whilst also providing protection against micropitting and Getting warmed up gearbox deposits. To complement the improved functionality of gearbox operations, Mobil SHC 500 hydraulic oils have been proven Hard cost savings to offer energy efficiency benefits in hydraulic equipment. As a result, the operator has reported hard cost savings of Compared to standard mineral hydraulic oils, Mobil SHC 500 US $176,000 over seven years of service. This was largely can help to reduce hydraulic system energy consumption by achieved by extending oil drain intervals to twice the industry up to 6.2 percent. This series was engineered to help protect average for wind turbine gear boxes, saving $4,000 per hydraulic equipment operating in extremely cold conditions turbine in reduced oil change maintenance costs. As part of its in offshore wind farms such as the North Sea or in remote Signum oil condition monitoring programme, findings from the onshore locations. At low temperatures Mobil SHC 500 is four used oil analysis also showed excellent gear box cleanliness times thinner than similar viscosity grade conventional mineral and better overall gear condition thanexpected, thereby hydraulic oils*, allowing it to circulate around the hydraulic helping to manage costs. system faster at start up, ensuring the lubricant is in place to protect machine components. Although wind farms are unlikely to be exposed to such extreme arctic temperatures, the extent of the lubricant’s cold temperature performance demonstrates that operating within UK weather conditions and wind chill factors can be easily met.

Collective results When combined with application expertise such as ExxonMobil’s Signum Oil Analysis Programme, which monitors the performance and health of the oil and components on an ongoing basis, the considered application of advanced lubricants to different components of wind turbines can achieve significant results.

Mobil Industrial www.mobilindustrial.com

Signum Oil Analysis www.signumoilanalysis.com

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* Based on comparative -400C Brookfield, ASTM D2893 test results, between Mobil SHC 525 and Mobil Univis N 46. For very low temperatures Mobil Aero HF or Univis HVI 26 may be considered depending on the Equipment Manufacturers Minimum Viscosity Startup requirements.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 89 SPECIALIST ENGINEERING FEATURE

Critical Software Technologies boost efficiency of Poseidon off-shore wave and wind turbine plant

system on its innovative Poseidon prototype situated off the coast of Lolland, Denmark.

The command and control solution, provided by Critical, provides advanced monitoring functionalities on key components, sending early alerts to the Poseidon team, warning them of potential problems on the plant so they can be resolved before they cause severe disruption or damage.

Technology This is done by combining Critical’s csEMS technology, which provides optimised asset management support tools, with PRODDIA, a leading structural systems health management solution, also from within the Critical Group.

The systems measure against such parameters as wave height and wind direction, to accurately calibrate the stresses on the platform. In December 2012, the UK Poseidon government committed to purchasing In 1999, Floating Power Plant first Key issues up to 2% of the energy it uses from developed Poseidon, a concept for Operation, maintenance and survivability green sources, in a new “Energy an integrated floating power plant that are key issues when working off-shore for Growth” initiative. Currently, the generates electricity from both wave and a traditional, simplistic approach to Government Procurement Service and wind energy. The wave energy plant monitoring and maintaining the health of (GPS) buys what amounts to 3% of serves as a floating foundation for offshore critical equipment and software is simply the UK’s total energy demand. This wind turbines, thus creating a sustainable not good enough. policy will see a pilot scheme in 2013, energy hybrid. buying 2% of that £1.5bn per annum Meeting the challenge GPS budget being spent on renewable Condition monitoring If the challenge of switching to renewable energy. For many, this is a much One area that needs to be streamlined energy sources is to be met, then it is needed step towards our investment and efficient is the technology deployed essential that projects such as Poseidon in renewable energy sources. to monitor the structural health of, are undertaken, for failure could not be for example, dynamic load-bearing blamed entirely on government policies. components in wave generators. In 2011, Floating Power Point tasked Critical Critical Software Technologies Software Technologies to develop an www.critical-software.co.uk advanced Integrated Condition Monitoring

training

90 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk SPECIALIST ENGINEERING FEATURE Pipeshield they’ve got it covered

Pipeshield International Ltd is a world leader in engineering and manufacturing subsea protection and stabilisation systems to withstand the most challenging and toughest of subsea environments.

They are headquartered in Lowestoft and maintain manufacturing bases in the UK and South East Asia and have production experience in the Middle East, Indonesia, Malta, Canada, and South Africa.

Cost effective solutions They are a well known and highly reputable brand in the offshore oil and gas and now in the renewables industry and have been identified as a leading source of knowledge for designs and cost effective solutions for subsea installations for cable protection and scour prevention.

Products include concrete mattresses, anti-scour fronded solutions, impact protection structures and concrete crossing solutions. They offer bespoke lifting and installation equipment, designed to suit their client’s installation and mobilisation requirements.

One-stop-shop With in-house design, engineering and analysis capabilities, they offer a complete service from conceptual and front-end engineering design through to construction.

Unique solution Pipeshield recently developed an unique solution for the Lincs OWF project.

A special lifting frame was designed and fabricated to enable an array of mattresses to be placed around the monopile immediately after it was driven in a single lift, thus any perceived scour issues were resolved immediately, this was not only cost effective in time and effort but provided a permanent solution and totally replaces the need for rock dump.

The overall installation time was reduced and resulted in an effective, accurate and simple placement installation.

Certification They are proud to be certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 which recognises their well managed and robust quality, environmental and safety management systems respectively. They also hold various other industry awards for best practice.

Pipeshield www.pipeshield.com

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Flexibility, expertise and capability reap rewards

The challenges for the offshore wind Hostile environment Acteon – global organisation energy industry are many. With the When the working environment is literally strengths growth in the number of opportunities in deep water, usual business planning Aquatic is part of the Acteon’s wider increasing annually, Aquatic has to give way to shifting sands, tides, risers, conductors and flowlines offering Engineering & Construction Ltd took a a hostile or unsuitable weather system and joins the other Acteon companies in strategic decision some years ago to that happens to pass through, and any linking subsea services across a range of adapt and develop its offshore oil and supplier operating under these conditions interconnected disciplines. gas capabilities and bring its 35 years’ needs to be flexible and also be able to experience to bear in this key energy think imaginatively about new solutions Combining the strengths of a major global production service. that might be necessary because of time organisation with those of independent and climate pressures. market specialists, all Acteon companies Offshore renewables energy have complementary skills, experience industry Investment and technologies that link seabed to The senior team at Aquatic believed that As part of the Acteon group, Aquatic also surface across a range of interconnected both in terms of capability and engineering enjoys the benefits of its investment, and disciplines. experience, the business was, and is, in is rightly proud of its impressive range of an unique position to support and serve equipment for the installation and spooling Aquatic Engineering & Construction Ltd the offshore renewables energy industry. of power cables. For every project, there’s www.aquatic.co.uk the right piece of equipment and any Chris Brooks, President of Aquatic supplier needs to be able to meet the Acteon Group commented, “Our aim is to meet the logistical obstacles that can come in to play. www.acteon.com. individual needs of our customers through a flexible approach. As an Wind energy projects independent solution provider who Aquatic has been privileged to work on works in partnership with customers and many of the most well-known wind farm other contractors, we are well-placed to projects including Greater Gabbard and deliver high calibre projects of any size or Thornton Bank and with most of the in any location.” operators involved.

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Although Collett is known as a vehicle operator the company Wind turbine is so diverse in the nature of the component services that it offers and trades transport as three integrated divisions… no easy matter Divisions • Transport & Projects For over 14 years, Collett & Sons – undertaking the Ltd have specialised in transporting, transport, storage, shipping and handling wind turbines heavy lifting and throughout the UK and EU and project management from with the more recent advent of door to door on a components being sourced on a worldwide basis global basis, they have added a marine division to deal with the • Marine – undertaking growth of their clients requirements. ship chartering operations, Recently completed projects port handling and ships include… Investment agency services providing port and • 10 Turbines to Earls Hall, Essex In 2008 they invested heavily in a purpose ship expertise throughout the UK • 12 Turbines to Tickton, East Yorkshire designed depot at the Port of Goole, • 8 Turbines to St.Neots, Cambridge to receive, handle and store turbine • Consulting – applying unique • 6 Turbines to Kendal, Cumbria components. With additional investment knowledge and expertise, from • 8 Turbines to Crick, Northampton in heavy lifting equipment with a capacity transport and marine divisions, of 110 tonnes, this facility now acts as a undertaking route surveying and Collett & Sons Ltd stockpile and storage facility for the import site access studies and reporting. www.collett.co.uk of wind turbine components which allows Providing ‘swept path analysis’ on ‘just in time’ delivery of the turbines to CAD format with specialist vehicles sites throughout the UK. and components

New methodology to assess fatigue in free hanging power cables in monopiles

BPP-Cables have recently developed This solution allows a power cable, response of the power cable to excitation a methodology to quantify the protected at the entry location to be freely at various points in the foundation. damage to free-hanging inter-array suspended from above the mean sea level cables within monopiles. Removing within the turbine tower. Thousands of computer simulations the J-tube, an external steel conduit are generated to describe the expected for the power cable, from monopile Key risk motions of the cable over its operational foundation designs yields attractive A key risk of this configuration is the life. These simulations are processed, reductions in capital expenditure. potential fatigue failure of the cable. using software developed by BPP-Cables, Vibrations caused by wind and wave to produce stress time histories for the “J-tubeless” designs loading on the structure will drive an most vulnerable power cable components. “J-tubeless” designs typically feature excitation of the suspended cable length. a hole in the monopile for power cable This oscillatory response will inflict fatigue Additional processing, using specialised entry near the seabed and a hang-off damage on the metallic components of the efficient algorithms in the BPP-Cables platform inside the foundation structure. power cable. To quantify the damage the software, translates these simulated stress analysis must consider traces into predicted fatigue damage. factors as diverse The entire process from receipt of data to as: hydrodynamic submission of an analysis report can be damping, mechanical completed in a little as three weeks. properties of the cable, installation Benefits method and Quantitative methodologies are a valuable protection system tool used in assessing the overall project geometry. risk. In addition, knowledgeable engineers can use them to assess the benefits of Solution any proposed mitigation techniques. Using OrcaFlex™, a time-domain BPP Cables marine finite-element www.bpp-cables.com package, BPP- Cables can model the

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 93 SPECIALIST ENGINEERING FEATURE Moving through the Gated Path: NCOE’s Process for Project Development and Success At NCOE our goal is to generate business value by delivering projects, which are efficient in both capital investment and long-term operation

In our previous article in the May/ Our processes in NCOE have been developed from a wealth of industry experience June 2012 edition of this magazine we which exists in the company. They also represent the current view of recognised good looked at Project Strategy and how engineering practices. We apply these consistently across our range of projects. And, of it was important to assert an early course we are always looking for new projects and developments in which we can help in influence on a project. This identified this way. how influence and cost are all related. However in this article we will Maximising influence by following the gated path demonstrate how the gating process We apply a gated process to our projects to ensure all options are properly screened maximises influence at the front end and the correct option is selected for definition and execution phases. of the project and ultimately lowers financial and other risks. A gated process has a clearly defined entry point and a clearly defined exit point. This means that in a project lifecycle you cannot move forward, progressing into the next stage until the first gate has been passed and approval has been gained to move forward. It really is a bit like going on a walk entering one field, walking through it to reach the gate at the other side. Design-readiness and understanding project risks are major factors at gate milestones. More often than not trying to push forward with a design concept when the project risk are not fully understood usually results in re-work later in the life cycle. Therefore a gated process minimises these risks.

One of the major advantages is that it ensures there is a methodical process and audit trail to each decision. The prize is selecting the correct option first time without having to go back and recycle options. Recycling is a very costly and time consuming process. Therefore time and effort spent in the earlier stages of the life cycle presents significant gains later on. For example changing the installation methodology before you start costruction is much easier than when you are at the workface with a team of construction personnel.

You may recall the graph that we included in our previous article. Demonstrating cost and influence at each stage of the project:

The same cost and influence is applicable to the gated process.

94 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk SPECIALIST ENGINEERING FEATURE

Apply for sanction to move forward through gate 2 to investigate and select the option to be developed.

Gate 2 Select - Select the preferred project option, one which maximises long term value and appropriately manages risk over the long-term, for progression to the Define gate. Making the right concept selection decisions are key and should We could apply a similar graph not be rushed. Decisions informed by to the gated process: integrated data, then adding sufficient

Gate 1 Gate 2 Gate 3 Gate 4 Gate 5

Appraise Select Define Execute Operate Apply for sanction to move Influence Expenditure forward through gate 4 into Project execution

Gate 4 Execute - Implement the Project Execution Plan as an integrated work-scope with close attention to quality, performance and risk management.

Gate 5 Operate - Complete the As the graph illustrates costs at the front definition, combined with a strong project close out and handover in timely end are low in terms of the full project Management of Change process and manner. Support the safe execution of the cost because a small team of people are planning, will ensure readiness for entry to start-up plans. Ensure the completion of generally involved. As soon as a project Define. performance testing and lessons learned. reaches gates 3 and 4 depending on the scale of the project the numbers of 1 Investigate alternative options Conclusion people which are involved could ramp-up 2 Determine safety risks, environment In conclusion, using this process significantly, purcahsing of long-lead items risks, and commercial risks minimises risks. In terms of project design may begin and the cost increase rapidly. 3 Determine the knowledge base for and management, only the viable ideas Therefore a good solid structure must be each option will progress, where they will be given in place from the start. 4 Determine major parts and suppliers increased resources. Those that are not 5 Select the option to be taken forward viable will shut off before investment is To give an outline in more detail of our and further developed wasted upon them. gated process at NCOE for projects 6 Project cost estimate consists of the following Gates, where Although we may apply the analogy of each one becomes an exercise in itself. Apply for sanction to move forward taking a walk through fields, this is a through gate 3 to further define the option serious process and not just a “walk in the Gate 1 Appraise - Confirm the viability of to be developed park”. This will therefore provide a viable, the project and identify a range of project risk reduced, developed pathway to options to be screened, at least one of Gate 3 Define - Complete the technical project success. which is technically and commercially definition through Front End Engineering viable. Design (FEED) and project execution Tom Kellacher planning, with the development of Newcastle Chambers of Engineering 1 Determine main requirements. project cost estimate and schedule, and www.ncoe.co.uk Licenses, tariffs, overall requirements risk management plans. Also further specification development to confirm business case 2 Existing engineering capability and and performance targets for entry to Click to view more info knowledge Execute Gate. 3 Identify the project options to be screened for viability At this point the project has been 4 Estimate the overall costs to be met developed with an audit trail showing due for design and installation and also the diligence. This is then applied to determine lifecycle costs to make the project the best option to take forward into viable Engineering, Purchasing, Installation and Commissioning (EPIC). Cost estimates are also refined at this stage.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 95 SPECIALIST ENGINEERING FEATURE The proof of the pudding! We like to feature case studies – Case Study 1 - Climbing Derrick Re-alignment there is nothing better because they System The mast was then re-aligned and certified are ‘real life’ scenarios, which helps Lynx Metmasts was recently contracted to the OEM specifications. The client is enormously when making decisions to rescue a 60m tubular met mast which delighted that they maintain consistent on the use of a company’s services. was in imminent danger of collapse. The wind measurement assessment for mast had just been purchased by their another 12 months, following which the We feature 2 case studies by Lynx client as part of a community wind farm mast can be safely de-commissioned. Metmasts who are industry leaders in met project. However, after due diligence masts and wind measurement instrument carried out by the client, it was discovered Innovation and experience systems. They provide a comprehensive that the mast was in immediate danger This project stands as an example of their design, Installation, maintenance, repair due to brittle guy wires, one of which had innovation and the considerable work at & upgrade service, covering the UK & snapped. height experience of the Lynx Metmasts Ireland. team. Finding a solution Projects include... The client contacted the original installer Case Study 2 – 10m tilting mast • Micro-Generation/SmallWind/REFIT who recommended a controlled collapse, on marine survey ship • Community Wind Projects as it was too dangerous to attempt Lynx Metmasts were given a project by • Large-Scale Windfarms lowering the mast in such condition. NUI Galway to design and install a 10m • Onshore & Offshore This solution did not meet the client’s tilting mast on the bow of Celtic Explorer. • Power Curve Testing main criteria of uninterrupted wind measurement data. Custom design The mast was a custom design to mount The client contacted meteorological instruments for surveys Lynx Metmasts for in the Atlantic Ocean. The team carried a second opinion out the design, supply and installation of and they were the mast and the winching equipment able to meet their at Galway Port. The installation was requirements in full. completed on time and budget and Remedial works underwent several wet tests with involved erecting continuous breaking waves over the bow their climbing derrick of the vessel. system alongside the met mast. The Challenging project derrick provided This challenging project stands as a support at critical testament to the quality of their design and points and enabled installation teams – whatever the task. full height access for the replacement of Lynx Metmasts Services Ltd all guy wires. www.met-masts.com Peikko foundation system used by Alstom Peikko’s wind Expected operational date – Foundation concept tower foundation June 2013 The foundation concept is based on solution will be The project is already underway. The Peikko’s proven solution and it includes turbines will be installed in the beginning of Peikko’s anchoring technology. The use of applied in the new 2013 and the wind park will be operational their foundation concept enabled the fast Muukko onshore in June 2013. start-up of the site and meet an extremely wind park in rapid programme starting in the depths of Finland Developer a Scandinavian winter. The developer in the project is TuuliSaimaa, Peikko are to supply foundation design a respected Finnish wind energy expert and Bespoke software and ETA approved foundation systems one of the major players in the Finnish wind The company’s foundation solution utilises and products to 3MW wind turbines by energy field. Their delivery consists of the bespoke software for quick and efficient Alstom. foundation and foundation extension in the design of integrated bases to optimise hybrid tower solution. concrete and reinforcement usage.

96 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk SPECIALIST ENGINEERING FEATURE

from the drum into the excavated trench. Cleantech designed and developed a Cabling on frame which can carry three cable drums and a fibre optic drum and mobilised along the route using the 45ton excavator. Windfarms The advantages with this method are all the cables can be laid into the trench on Cable trenching is an essential part trenching and utility laying. Over the years, one passing, and from a Health and Safety of works performed on a windfarm it has developed plant and equipment to benefit, no operatives are required to enter project. The majority of windfarms adapt to the need for more efficient ways of the excavation as all placing and cable are constructed in areas that are trenching, unique to the industry. tying can be completed safely from the not suitable for general agricultural sides of the excavation. development. Therefore, the Large capacity cable drums and ducting topography of the routes designated trailers have proved to be a success Ducting process for the cable can be rugged and in increasing production on site while The ducting process is used more typically unforgiving and pose challenges for maintaining quality assurance and safety on spine routes and in roadways. The access of materials and plant. of materials. Crossing existing waterways, company use excavators with rotator/ roads and ravines always pose a swivel hitches and 0 tail swing to assist Adapting to needs challenge, but with the aid of Cleantech’s working in difficult narrow routes. All their Cleantech Civils Ltd has formed its directional drilling department, sleeve staff are highly experienced in constructing company foundations primarily from construction and fluming methods, it can to the specification of cable ducting, be carried out traffic management, safe-dig systems and without disruption environmental awareness. to the surrounding environment. They have also designed a duct laying trailer where teams can place duct safely Cabling into the trench from high level which also process improves efficiencies and safety. options The process for After ducting has been successfully installing cables installed they place the cables into each from the turbines configuration with specialist pulling to the connection equipment, all calibrated and certified to points can be pull the cables to specification. carried out in two ways, either Print outs and data history can be by direct bury or presented for all cable pulls throughout the through ducts. The project. direct bury process involves taking Cleantech Civils Ltd the cable directly www.cleantechcivils.com

Reduced costs The design typically reduces the total rebar and concrete contents of a base by 20% each, which also affords associated labour savings and a shorter construction programme.

Peikko www.peikko.co.uk

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www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 97 SPECIALIST ENGINEERING FEATURE

Shot Peening and C.A.S.E.TM Superfinishing of surfaces to optimise roughness and stress

Residual stress and surface C.A.S.E.TM Superfinishing Conclusion roughness can radically affect a This process is beneficial in situations Controlling the residual stresses and components performance. However, where metal to metal contact occurs and surface roughness will significantly improve until recently engineers have only where high temperature, fluid flow and the performance of a component. These designated roughness constraints optimum performance are required. It is improvements are achieved by introducing on drawings, with little heed to especially beneficial as a post controlled a repeatable magnitude and depth of residual stress. This is now changing shot peening treatment, the combination compressive stress by controlled shot as industries become aware of the of the two processes improving fatigue peening and then controlled C.A.S.E.TM significance of these issues and both performance and increased running Superfinishing of the surface, to remove the are now designated on drawings and efficiency. asperities likely to puncture the lubricant critical applications. film and cause premature failure. This is a technique of surface refinement Controlled Shot-Peening in a controlled gentle manner to give a Metal Improvement Company, LLC Controlled Shot-Peening is the cold negative Rsk with very low Ra and Rv. It www.cwst.co.uk working of a surface with spherical media, works by preferentially removing surface impinging at a pre-determined velocity asperities whilst retaining the beneficial under controlled conditions. The surface negative valleys. yields, but it is restrained by the substrate inducing a uniform residual compressive Recent work on case carburised stress resulting in increased fatigue components in EN36, ground to simulate strength. gear flanks produced the following results:

As Ground Shot Peened SP + C.A.S.E.TM Superfinishing Across Along Across Along Across Along Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay Lay

Ra 0.084 0.233 0.248 0.044 0.043 0.083 0.619 1.990 1.933 0.277 0.389 Rt 185.243 80.44 81.448 80.413 64.965 1.079 22 52 49 48 55 Sm 0.06o 0.23o 0.23o 0.06o 0.07o 23.931 HSC 155 Slope 0.1o

Note: All dimensions in microns. Ra = Arithmetic Mean of the departures of the roughness profile from the mean line.

Rt = Maximum peak to valley height of profile over assessment length.

Sm = Mean Spacing between profile peaks at mean line.

HSC = The High Spot Count is the number of complete profile peaks projecting above the mean line.

Slope = Slope of profile throughout the assessment length.

98 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk SPECIALIST ENGINEERING FEATURE Tip-top Condition

Wind power has been identified by the Government as one of the key technology platforms to enable the UK to achieve its carbon emissions and climate change targets. However, whilst wind power is environmentally friendly, it is not without issues of its own, most notably how to ensure that turbines remain operational for long periods in often harsh climatic conditions.

Rotor blades In particular, rotor blades are among the most accident sensitive components of a wind turbine and, if damaged, one of the most expensive parts to replace.

Periodic condition monitoring The condition monitoring of rotor blades is normally carried out on a periodic basis with long intervals between inspections. BLADEcontrol This can be problematic, as a small easily BLADEcontrol performs an analysis rectifiable fault can grow to something of the natural oscillation frequencies much more serious. of the turbine blade which change when the blade is damaged or has a Continuous condition greater dynamic load, such as when ice monitoring forms. In terms of maintenance work, The answer to this problem may lie in BLADEcontrol can differentiate between using the natural oscillation of the turbine small, non-threatening edge cracks and blade to determine the blade’s true major structural damage. This allows for condition. Rexroth’s BLADEcontrol is a the introduction of a planned maintenance system that continuously monitors the schedule rather than a reactive schedule. condition of the rotor blades on wind turbines and immediately signals to the Early detection equals higher operator and/or the machine control yields problems such as structural blade Calculations suggest that a control system damage, ice build-up or lightning damage. such as BLADEcontrol could generate a What’s more it can keep track of the payback period of less than two years by history of the blades condition to offer early detection of repairs, lower insurance an on-going forensic trail of wind turbine costs, savings on maintenance costs performance. and reduction in unnecessary downtime leading to higher yields.

Stuart Williams Bosch Rexroth www.boschrexroth.co.uk

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www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 99 COMPANY PROFILE

The company offers a total on-site package that includes...

• Testing, Calibration & Hire of Hydraulic Bolting Tools • Examination & Certification of Lifting Equipment • Total Tool Inventory & Asset Management • Training for Safe & Correct Use of Bolting Tools Dedicated • Demonstration of Tools for Bolting on-site vehicles Applications Collaboration with ENERPAC Enerpac specialises in professional high- reduce pressure bolting solutions. Their hydraulic bolting solutions serve the complete bolting workflow – from a pipe alignment downtime to complex joint positioning of large structural assemblies. The extremely strong and compact tools are used Worlifts Limited, established in 1976 has over 35 years of in industrial markets and applications expertise in delivering solutions to all industry sectors throughout the world. The company and specialises in the provision of on-site services with the makes the bolting process more accurate, utilisation of dedicated vehicles. safer and efficient.

Enerpac bolting service Introducing the bolting service van powered by Worlifts, is available from 2013 – the on-site vehicle offers a full bolting tool service and maintenance package which includes on-site testing, tool calibration, tool repair and tool hire. Rob Chatley, Worlifts Bolting Sales Engineer is responsible for the van, and also provides the client with personalised bolting demonstrations and training.

100 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk COMPANY PROFILE

Online asset management system

This service is supported by their proven existing online asset management system which enables immediate access to customers’ tool inventory and current tool status.

Worlifts www.worlifts.co.uk

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The company gives advice on the best service, fast execution, solutions and the bolting tools that are full commitment most suited to the application, thus and guaranteed enabling safe and controlled performance workmanship. of bolting activities. Steel torque Full Commitment and wrenches – guaranteed service advanced design Worlifts is an Authorised Bolting Tool Enerpac’s S and Distributor and an Enerpac Authorised W-Series steel Repair & Service Centre and support any hydraulic torque preventive or corrective after sales service wrenches are the most regarding Enerpac tools. advanced and safe torque wrenches on the market. They Other benefits now include a new handle to improve tool The company can also service a standard handling and safety when operating. range of high pressure hydraulic tools which include Enerpac pumps, cylinders, Specifications jacks or bolting tools, with the best of • Constant torque output provides high accuracy +/- 3% across the full stroke • Fast operation per wrench cycle • Easily interchangeable cassettes • TSP-Pro Series Swivel providing 360˚ X-axis and 160˚ Y-axis rotation

Wind energy industry The company is able to offer the wind power industry the option of an on-site bolting tool service designed to reduce down time and improve safety and efficiency.

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 101 innovation feature Wave turbine could significantly boost performance of offshore wind WaveWinder - a revolutionary, UK invented and internationally patented wave energy conversion technology could more than double the output of offshore wind farms at minimal additional cost.

Sustainable and consistent WaveWinder After extensive testing and independent Best suited to near shore environments, validation by industry experts, this where water depth is 20-30m and wave innovative technology has been proven to height is typically between 2-5m, the be capable of delivering more sustainable apparatus can be installed in isolation and consistent zero emission/fuel cost or can ‘piggy-back’ on existing offshore free power than alternate sources - with wind installations - with significant cost energy capture efficiency approaching reduction benefit and ROI potential. 20%, a well in excess of 50% and an estimated unit power supply An array of units, equivalent in area to cost up to 40% less than other sources of a football stadium, could deliver up to energy. 10MW of near continuous power.

A different concept How it works Unlike most other ocean energy The key principle of operation is fluid conversion devices which rely on complex flow both through and around the articulation, oscillation or ‘over topping’ device which, by continuously displacing principles, WaveWinder is an attenuator buoyancy along helical conduits, which continuously rotates. generates continuous rotary motion.

This rotation is then transferred by direct mechanical drive through a standard marine transmission system and converted to electrical power by a generator - similar to a wind turbine but without the added complexity of handling pitch and yaw.

102 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk innovation feature

Reliable and cost effective With just one major moving part, the device is also inherently simple, reliable, cost effective and durable.

Significantly, all the know how to implement WaveWinder already exist – from established manufacturing technology to industry proven offshore deployment, power transmission and operational expertise.

Reliability, durability and survivability are no different to other marine structures – many of which have been in continuous operation for more than 40 years.

Mitigating failure Consequence of failure is similarly mitigated. The units are unmanned, so there is minimal human risk, no combustible or toxic fluids are involved and ‘fail safe’ mechanisms can be incorporated which automatically disengage the rotor in the event of extreme weather conditions or potential catastrophic failure.

Service and repair In addition, WaveWinder can be serviced or repaired using helicopter or surface vessel access and the rotor assembly can be replaced in situ and towed to shore for repair.

WaveWinder www.wavewinder.co.uk

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 103 20 Questions 20 Questions John Best

Who are you? Who would you not like to be? What 3 words would best John Best, Head of Sustainable I would not like to be anybody who is a describe you? Energy, Fendercare Marine pessimist Energetic, tenacious and enthusiastic networker (that’s four - whoops!). What is the best advice you have ever been What talent would you like to given? have? It’s better to ask forgiveness I would enjoy being a talented musician or than permission linguist – both enable one to communicate and engage internationally What is your favourite smell? What makes you angry? Norfolk Lavender – there is I would prefer to use the word frustrated something very calming and than angry. I get frustrated by unnecessary relaxing about its fragrance. bureaucracy and the waste which it creates. What do you do in your spare time? What law/legislation would you At home, I try to switch off from like to see introduced? a busy work life - which may Given a magic wand I would prefer to see What brought you into the surprise some people. I enjoy relaxing less legislation than invent any more. industry/your position? with my family, going to the cinema, I led the East of England Energy Group swimming when I can, visiting the theatre What prominent person would as CEO for 11 years. Fendercare Marine and dining with friends socially. you like to meet? was a member of EEEGR, looking at Through my work, I have had the good ways in which they might raise their What is the most bizarre fortune of meeting many inspirational profile. As a result, I became particularly situation you have found people from all walks of life. If I had a time interested in the possibility of working yourself in and how did you deal machine I would enjoy going back as a fly closer with the company which for many with it? on the wall to watch some of the scientific years had been a “hidden secret” to the In the early 1970’s when visiting a port in breakthroughs that shape our lives today Energy sector. And so it is, after a 40 year West Africa, to pick up a cargo of timber, such as inventions by Thomas Edison. apprenticeship that I find myself working our pilot approached the berth too fast for an international business in the global and we collided with the quay. I was on What book are you reading at marine industry located just 4 miles from the forecastle head and was instructed present? Loddon, Norfolk where I started my career to “drop the starboard anchor”. I did this I am working through The Prize by Daniel at sea as a Navigating Cadet with Bibby but it landed on a raft of logs and floated Yergin. It is an astonishingly readable Line, leaving school at the age of sixteen. rather than sank!!! Not very helpful. It history of oil, reads like a novel. Lessons to was clear that something needed to be learn for sustainability. Family status? done quickly so I decided to drop the port I plan to marry my fiancée Jo this year. anchor which fortunately held well and What car do you drive? Between us, we are enjoying supporting allowed us to stop the vessel. I drive a Renault Scenic – I like the “sit up” and encouraging our children Amber, feel of the car which is a bit like driving Sasha, Lily and Joel in their development. What is your favourite record/ your sofa. CD/artist/music? Who is your hero and why? I have a fondness for “Moonlight Shadow” Where would you like to be 10 I have no specific hero; however I have by Mike Oldfield and Maggie Reilly as it years from now? been impressed and moved by the holds delightful personal memories. I will see 58 candles this year and so impact of small and effective groups and would like to be retired from work as I will individuals who make a difference but are If money was not a factor what have notched up my 50 years of gainful often quietly unsung. There are many. would you buy tomorrow? employment by then. I am keeping an open I would enjoy the prospect of being a mind, but, I would like to remain actively What annoys you the most? business angel to help young people engaged with people and contribute to Unnecessary and trivial issues that do not (on a not for profit business basis) learn society using my combined skills and make a difference to peoples’ lives but and develop team, entrepreneurial and experience gained from half a century occupy a large amount of our time. vocational skills. Mainly because it’s travelling through the University of Life. harder for young people to get a start in life, yet so important for us all.

104 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk WIND ENERGY NETWORK

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