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MECHANICAL JOINT INTEGRITY Cable Predictive Maintenance Maintenance & Protection Spotlight on North East England Includes Pull-Out Supply Chain Matrix

Includes Wind Energy Network 2016 Year Planner

ISSUE 30 - JANUARY 2016 | £7.50 INTRODUCTION

SPOTLIGHT ON NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND HAPPY (including pull-out supply chain matrix) We continue our very popular ‘Spotlight On’ features and visit the North East of NEW England. Invest North East who sponsor the Marketing Opportunities take the lead in introducing this substantial featuring YEAR! which includes 5 separate sections. Enjoy finding out what’s available within A very Happy & Prosperous New the area and the strength in depth of the Year’s to you all and welcome to supply chain. our 30th edition of Wind Energy Network… and hasn’t the industry FEATURES moved on from our first edition way Our features led format continues where back in 2010. you will find Mechanical Joint Integrity, Cable Maintenance & Protection and 2016 YEAR PLANNER Predictive Maintenance to name but three. You will find your 2016 Year Planner within this edition – please utilise this with our SPECIAL MENTION – OFFSHORE compliments. MARINE MANAGEMENT Special mention should be given to PERSONAL THANKS Offshore Marine Management who I personally would like to thank all our very have not only sponsored our Cable knowledgeable contributors without whom Maintenance & Protection feature but have our magazine would be less interesting – a very interesting and informative article/ we continue to remind everyone that we interview regarding their product (MDS3), are not the experts. You are! and its importance to the industry which also includes a case study. Not forgetting of course our readership and sponsors who continually support us This product was first brought to in our goal to improve communications in your attention in an article by Subsea a fast growing wind energy industry. 2016 Innovation (issue 29) however we felt that will see an incredible growth in offshore because of its importance to the industry it wind and we will endeavour to keep you should be looked at in much more detail. all up to date with developments as they Duncan McGilvray progress. FORTHCOMING FEATURES – GET Editor | Wind Energy Network INVOLVED INTERACTIVE MAGAZINE IN PRINT Please feel free to contact us if there is www.windenergynetwork.co.uk AND ONLINE any subject area which you think may be Many of you are now quite aware of our of interest to our readership and we will Click to view more info magazine’s interactive links. By using do the rest – there is never any charge for QR Codes in the printed version and genuine editorial. Scan/click this link to find out how direct links online we are able to assist to get involved in the magazine our readership in finding out much more Wind Energy Network Issue 31 information on products and services (Editorial deadline 1st February 2016) available to the industry. 1 Health & Safety Please try these here to see what we mean 2 Launch & Recovery Systems 3 Offshore Oil Changes 4 Failure: Root Cause Analysis Click to view more info 5 Radar Mitigation 6 Blade Inspection & Repair = Click to view video 7 Seabed Surveying 8 Inter-Array Cables 9 Due Diligence 10 Protective Coatings 11 Emergency Response

www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 3 WIND ENERGY NETWORK CONTENTS Spotlight CONTENTS3 Editor’s Welcome 58 Energy 2020 by PwC On North East 4 Cover Story 59 Game Changer by Tidal Transit

5 Contents 60 Cable Maintenance & Protection

England 6 Spotlight on North East of England 67 Offshore Flight Tracking by Planevision Systems We continue our very popular ‘Spotlight Enjoy finding out what’s available within the This product was first brought to your 36 Weather Downtime On’ features and visit the North East area and the strength in depth of the supply attention in an article by Subsea Innovation 68 Specialist Business Centres of England. Invest North East who chain. (issue 29) however we felt that because of its sponsor the Marketing Opportunities importance to the industry it should be looked 44 Mechanical Joint Integrity take the lead in introducing this FEATURES at in much more detail. 76 Working in Confined Spaces substantial featuring which includes 5 Our features led format continues where separate sections… you will find Mechanical Joint Integrity, Duncan McGilvray 50 Events & What’s New Cable Maintenance & Protection and Editor | Wind Energy Network 82 Predictive Maintenance • Marketing Opportunities Predictive Maintenance to name but three. • Ports & Port Services 52 Met Masts • Engineering SPECIAL MENTION – OFFSHORE • Training MARINE MANAGEMENT Special mention should be given to Offshore Marine Management who have not only sponsored our Cable Maintenance & Protection feature but have a very interesting and informative article/interview regarding their product (MDS3), and its importance to the industry (innovative/savings on project costs etc) which also includes a case study.

GET IN TOUCH GREEN ENERGY PUBLISHING LTD (NORTHERN) GREEN ENERGY PUBLISHING LTD (SOUTHERN) T 01765 644224 The Oaks, Oakwood Park Business Centre, OrbisEnergy, Wilde Street, W www.windenergynetwork.co.uk Bishop Thornton, Harrogate Lowestoft, Suffolk E [email protected] North Yorkshire HG3 3BF NR32 1XH E [email protected]

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

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PERFECT LOCATION Leader of Sunderland City Council, SMART SPECIALISATION AREA Councillor Paul Watson, Economic The North East LEP has identified Development and Regeneration lead for renewable energy as one of the region’s the North East Combined Authority, said: Spotlight on four ‘smart specialisation’ areas – sectors “The North East is the perfect location FUNDING SUPPORT leading rapid economic growth. for offshore wind industries to grow and As well as financial incentives on The LEP is working closely with public develop. Enterprise Zone sites, there are North • The North East Enterprise Zone and private sector partners to create the East funds available to businesses covering 115 hectares of land over economic conditions for the sector to thrive. “The area is a hugely attractive and which create jobs and grow the North East of ten sites, many adjacent to deep water successful destination for inward economy. load out quays, with opportunities for North Tyneside Council for example, is investors with extensive collaboration businesses to locate in key strategic currently transforming the former Swan networks, cutting edge research The North East Investment Fund is a areas within the offshore wind sector Hunter shipyard in Wallsend into a hub for institutions and testing facilities and world £55m loan fund offering investment • Enhanced capital allowances and renewable energy, advanced engineering renowned universities.” for major infrastructure and innovative England business rate discounts through and offshore sectors. projects. Investments include new enterprise zone support The North East is well served by workshop and office facilities to support • A world class, highly skilled workforce The Swan's site is also home to the Centre organisations which promote connectivity the offshore wind sector in Blyth. and superb training support for Innovation, an office development in the sector such as NOF Energy – with • Access to finance to support inward providing flexible accommodation for small a membership base drawn from oil, gas, CAPABILITY TO DELIVER Harnessing the power of the wind ORE Catapult’s assets are recognised as investors and high growth businesses and medium-sized companies connected nuclear and offshore renewable sectors, it “The North Eastern Core (Centres for to turn the wheels of industry and the most comprehensive, open access to these sectors. has generated £167m in new business for offshore renewable engineering) has everyday life provides not just facilities of their type anywhere in the world, its members in the past three years. the capability to deliver the skills and a sustainable and clean energy accelerating the development, testing, Supported by an £8m investment from knowledge required for the future of source but a huge opportunity for commercialisation and adoption of these the LEP, the 13 hectare site will become a Skills & knowledge base the renewable energy sector.” said economic growth. technologies. focus for renewables creating around 1,000 In common with all technology and Andrew Hodgson, Chief Executive new jobs. innovation driven industries, a pool of new, of Tyneside-based SMD, one of the North East England was one of the It is just one facet of a burgeoning talented workers on stream to fill the highly world’s leading manufacturers of first regions in the United Kingdom to wind energy sector in the North East, a skilled posts industry success creates, remote intervention equipment. seize the opportunities wind energy comprehensive package proving a powerful is vital. Newcastle College’s Energy technology and its development lure to new business with an outstanding Academy provides innovation, training “Our world class universities, colleges presents. support network for existing renewable and development for renewable energy and private providers are geared energy firms. technologies to help meet this demand. towards delivering the engineering It boasts a cohesive, credible and and offshore skills that the North East cutting-edge wind energy sector NORTH EAST ENGLAND OFFERS… is famous for and which are a key underpinned by innovation, superb • Superb access to the UK Continental driver of our future.” infrastructure and a thriving supply Shelf offshore wind areas chain, home to world-class companies • The shortest access to two of the UK’s and a highly skilled workforce with biggest planned offshore windfarms – Invest North East England enterprise zone status at strategic Dogger Bank and the Moray Firth geographic locations to stimulate • A thriving supply chain of 250 Click to view more info investment. companies in the wind energy sector • An ideal location for manufacturing BOLD DECISION BACKED BY equipment and providing a base for INVESTMENT operations and maintenance facilities More than a decade ago, the North • World class ports – The Port of Blyth, East took the bold decision to Port of Tyne, Port of Sunderland and invest heavily in the research and Teesport development of clean energy through • Home to global industry leading the creation of the Offshore Renewable companies such as Siemens, Maersk Energy Catapult (ORE Catapult) on the Training, Vattenfall Wind Energy and Northumberland coast at Blyth. Liebherr • Access to river edge sites and quays, Over £150m has since been invested such as load out quays operated by into the UK's flagship technology Shepherd Offshore Services at the innovation and research centre for Offshore Technology Park and Neptune 8 Market Opportunities offshore wind, wave and tidal energy. Energy Park in Newcastle. Building CONTENTS is almost complete on Neptune Energy 12 Ports & Port Services Park, with the Neptune National Centre for Subsea and Offshore engineering 20 Engineering Services due to open in Spring 2016. The site is currently home to one of Europe’s 30 Training biggest cranes at 800 tonnes.

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NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND PROMOTING NORTH EAST ENGLAND’S OPEN FOR BUSINESS OFFSHORE RENEWABLES SUPPLY CHAIN With a ready-made infrastructure, STRATEGICALLY SIGNIFICANT ENTERPRISE ZONE BENEFITS Energi Coast, the North East of The meeting followed on from an Energi INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE abundant natural resources and a Identified as ‘strategically significant’ in the As an Enterprise Zone, businesses England’s renewables group, Coast networking event with DONG SUPPLY CHAIN comprehensive package of service ongoing regeneration of the North East, this locating to Swan's and the Centre for continues to champion the capabilities Energy Wind Power, as part of the The region is home to an extremely sector support, North Tyneside is 13 hectare site will include bespoke high- Innovation by 2018 can benefit from a and innovation of the region’s supply company’s continuing commitment to innovative and sustainable supply chain, an ideal location for the offshore tech industrial units and office space, a fully range of additional incentives including chain, building strong links with building relationships with the supply chain which has served the offshore wind sector renewable industry. operational 380m quay and heavy-load lay up to five years’ business rate relief and leading developers and contractors. to support the delivery of its pipeline of for a number of years and continues to down areas together with all the associated a simplified planning scheme making projects in the UK offshore wind market. secure high profile projects. Companies The Borough and the surrounding area facilities and infrastructure needed to cater development and growth quicker and SHOWCASING CAPABILITIES including DeepOcean and JDR Cables on the North Bank of the River Tyne, for the demands of its target industries. easier for investors. The group was formed to showcase the Both of these events demonstrate how have landed high profile projects at Race is already home to a broad range of capabilities of the local supply chain and attractive the North East is to operators and Bank, for example and continue to fly the major companies in the energy sector With easy access to the North Sea, the the region’s beneficial infrastructure and contractors looking to invest in their supply flag for the North East and demonstrate the including Siemens, AIS, Maersk, OGN, location is ideal to support the growing North Tyneside Council geography to support the construction, chains and benefit from the broad skills and capabilities of the region’s supply chain. SMD, WD Close and Barrier Group. offshore industry and attract major inward operation and maintenance of offshore product base the area offers. investment to the area, creating hundreds windfarms in the North Sea. It has ATTRACTIVE INVESTMENT TRANSFORMING THE FORMER of construction and high-tech skilled jobs in established excellent relationships within DENMARK VISIT PROPOSITION SWAN HUNTER SHIPYARD the process. the industry to support investment in the In addition, NOF Energy in conjunction with Joanne Leng MBE, Deputy Chair of In order to enhance the Borough’s region and the utilisation of the expertise Energi Coast, is leading a market visit to Energi Coast, said: “There is strong existing array of industrial sites catering CENTRE FOR INNOVATION that exists in the North East which has Denmark in April 2016 which will introduce interest in the North East from operators for river related activities, North As part of its plans to redevelop the Swan's developed from other sectors including the North East supply chain to key contacts and contractors, which demonstrates Tyneside Council and its development site, North Tyneside Council is also opening shipbuilding and oil and gas. within the Danish offshore wind and oil and this region is an attractive investment partner, Kier, are currently transforming the Centre for Innovation, a recently gas sector. proposition. Companies in the North Swan's – the former Swan Hunter refurbished business centre providing EVENTS East have continued to develop shipyard in Wallsend. flexible accommodation to cater for small Most recently it hosted an event with DEME’s North East England is recognised as a key their capabilities through innovative, and medium-sized businesses in the operating companies GeoSea, OWA and strategic location to service the offshore technology-led solutions that can support Once complete, the site will become renewable energy and marine sectors. Tideway sponsored by Tees Valley Unlimited, renewables market. Its geography on the the efficient construction and operation of a state-of-the-art advanced the Local Enterprise Partnership for the East Coast of England makes it well-placed offshore windfarms and have an integral manufacturing hub for companies The centre has a total of 10 units for rent at Tees Valley. The event was designed to to serve the sector, which is supported by role in the future of the industry.” specialising in renewable energy and very competitive rates, ranging in size from introduce the North East supply chain to the its exceptional infrastructure that includes offshore industries. 17 to 242 sq m. Other facilities include a vast opportunities that will be created by the first class transport links and commercial Energi Coast modern reception area, meeting rooms and marine contractors in the future. ports on the Tyne, Tees and Wear rivers as kitchen facilities. well as at Blyth.

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NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLE (ROV) Newcastle-based Invisotech developed and successfully trialled POSITIVE at Blyth an innovative ROV for use on wind turbine towers. The ROV has been fitted with a Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) probe and high-definition video equipment to carry out detailed remote inspections of weld seams providing interpretive analysis in terms IMPACT ON of potential maintenance requirements. REDUCING O&M COSTS OFFSHORE By integrating these technologies it is predicted that it will reduce the overall O&M costs associated with these procedures, especially as it can be utilised when the turbine is still operating; SECTOR AND delivering a safer, more efficient and cost effective inspection process for high-value assets. PRODUCTIVITY Similarly, the RETA programme allowed Tekmar Energy to conduct five weeks of product testing, demonstration trials and Over the past few years, ORE Catapult has been delivering installation techniques on their TekLink and TekTube J-tube a £1.9 million innovation programme – Renewable Energy replacement system. The support received allowed them Technology Accelerator (RETA) – funded by the European to demonstrate how their product can make a key industry Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to foster collaboration contribution to reducing risk and installation time, reducing within industry and the supply chain. The project, which costs as well as raising the awareness of their technology to key was initiated by the Catapult, has to date supported clients. more than 90 companies in North East England to raise awareness of collaborative research opportunities and REVOLUTIONARY APPROACH develop new products across the supply chain for the When launched in 2013 the RETA programme was unique, offshore renewable energy market. adopting a revolutionary approach to supporting and collaborating with SMEs in the North East of England. The INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS success of the programme is a sterling example of how ERDF Two major innovative products which benefited from funding and funding and industry investment has benefited innovation and developed as part of this programme include IHC Engineering allowed potential SMEs to diversify into a new market sector and Business Ltd’s inter-array cable trencher demonstration foster economic growth, as well as enabling greater UK content research vehicle (Hi-Traq) and a Smart Cable Development in the marketplace. project delivered by Tecnalia, JDR Cable Systems Ltd and PDL Solutions (Europe) Ltd. It has supported over 80 companies with the development and commercialisation of innovative products and services aimed Throughout the programme, the Catapult has delivered regional at the offshore renewable energy sector and has had a positive engagement activities such as technology workshops and impact on the industry, helping to reduce costs and improve provided ongoing knowledge transfer and due diligence support technology reliability. to a variety of companies, such as Invisotech, Tekmar Energy and North East Composites. ORE Catapult

Invisotech's ROV

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FURTHER INVESTMENT “Ongoing work, including the development of the third Wear crossing, which will ensure that the PORT OF To complement its natural assets, Port connections by road to the port are the best they can possibly be, means that we are improving our of Sunderland has invested heavily in Economic Masterplan for Sunderland in offer every day and we look forward to delivering for the wind energy sector long into the future.” SUNDERLAND infrastructure projects over the summer. October 2010. The plan highlighted Port of Jubilee Quay – the third largest of its eleven Sunderland as a key asset for the city and quays – has been redeveloped, with a new one that is primed to exploit opportunities in Port of Sunderland HAS WIND asphalt hard-standing that allows it to be wind energy in particular. used for heavy cargoes. Click to view more info IN ITS SAILS WIND ENERGY INDUSTRY SUPPORT The project, which saw earthworks, FRAMEWORK Matthew Hunt surfacing and drainage work carried out Since 2010, Sunderland City Council has Waves of redevelopment are on the site, has already allowed the port to cleared swathes of land to free up hard- preparing the ground for inward take on more business and it is hoped that standing that will allow it to play host to the investment at a North East England – in the longer term – it will make it a more large parts associated with the offshore port. attractive inward investment proposition. wind sector.

Port of Sunderland has seen several Port of Sunderland also commissioned the Matthew said: “Port of Sunderland is million pounds’ worth of work transform construction of two new lighting masts and in the perfect position, figuratively and its landscape, as it sets its sights on provision of a new dockside handrail, which literally, to support the wind energy securing new business and investors ensure the site can remain operational sector. linked to the renewable energy sector. when light levels are low. “The port is well positioned INFRASTRUCTURE RAPID GROWTH geographically, a natural asset. And IMPROVEMENTS Matthew added: “Port of Sunderland is the fact we offer deep water berths The municipally owned port, which lies a fast-growing port and infrastructure so accessible from open sea is also at the heart of the North East coastline, projects such as this one have already advantageous. Beyond its natural benefits has seen two of its quays resurfaced, started to accelerate that growth, allowing though, we have worked hard over the it’s rail lines reconnected and the us to take on more business and expand last few years to ensure that the port is addition of equipment including two our capabilities. prepared for the many opportunities we cranes – one a heavy-lift crane – and a expect to arise. ro-ro ramp, as it gears up for growth in “We have seen an extensive programme the offshore market. of investment at Port of Sunderland and all of this is helping to create new LOCATION opportunities for us and to unlock the Port of Sunderland is ideally placed for vast potential that exists here. With more access to windfarms including Dogger of our quays becoming operational and Bank, Forth of Firth and Hornsea and of course, some of the major investment offers three kilometres of quay frontage made to date – that has included the and 260 acres of development space. purchase of two cranes and of course the recent reconnection of our rail lines – we Matthew Hunt, Port Director at Port are more capable than ever and better of Sunderland, said: “We are in a placed than ever before to compete on a prime position to take advantage bigger stage.” of the opportunities in the offshore and renewables market, given our The 120m long quay is located in the port’s closeness to a number of the primary Hudson Dock, on the west side of the port. UK wind energy sites. The area is connected to the port’s newly reinstated rail lines and will be an ideal “The work we have undertaken location for handling rail-borne cargoes to over recent months only serves to and from the port. enhance our position in the wind energy market in particular. We have QUAY PROJECTS the space available to support large The latest project, worth £400,000 scale projects and – located less follows major work at the deep-sea than five minutes from open sea – we port’s Greenwell’s Quay – located on the offer accessibility to major windfarms northern side of the port – which has also that will prove attractive to a range of been resurfaced, with around 4,500m2 of supply chain businesses.” concrete hard-standing. The combined value of the contracts is almost £1million.

The Jubilee Quay regeneration is the latest in a long line of infrastructure projects at the port, since the council announced its

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EXPANDING THE SERVICE FOOTPRINT AT TRANSPORTING THE LIFTING The blade was then lifted by the ocean PORT OF HARTLEPOOL LONGEST TURBINE BLADE vessel’s own cranes directly on to the deck of the coaster. Upon arrival at Blyth (where JDR, a leading provider of technology UNRIVALLED TECHNICAL EXPERTISE partner of choice for customers in LV’s ship’s agency department handled the connecting the global offshore energy David Currie, CEO of JDR, says: “On all segments of the offshore energy FROM THE USA vessel’s call) the blade was lifted from the industry, has expanded its service behalf of JDR we are delighted to be industry.” deck of the coaster vessel by two mobile footprint with PD Ports in Hartlepool growing our footprint and manufacturing LV Shipping, whose UK office network includes north-east bases in cranes onto a waiting special extendable to support its continued growth in the capabilities at Hartlepool. Crucially, COMPANY SUPPORT Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland, recently transported one of the trailer and once secured made the relatively renewables sectors. this investment will enable us to offer Jerry Hopkinson, PD Ports’ Managing world’s longest turbine blades from the USA to the Catapult ORE test facility in short trip to the Catapult ORE testing unrivalled technical expertise to design, Director Bulks and Port Services, Blyth, UK where it will undergo a six month testing programme. facility. RECENT HISTORY test and deliver the next generation of commented: “We are pleased to see PD The company has been a tenant at the subsea technology. By planning for the Ports’ relationship with JDR continue Port of Hartlepool since first acquiring long term, we can anticipate the future through the growth of its world-class 97,000 square foot of warehouse space needs of our customers and cement our manufacturing facilities in Hartlepool. Our in 2008 and subsequently transformed it position as a trusted partner and be an infrastructure at the port is well suited in to a world-class manufacturing facility. integral part of clients’ project success. to support companies within the energy Since then, JDR’s foothold has increased sector due to its excellent transport links substantially and now includes three “It is good news for the area and more and distance to operations in the southern adjoining warehouses for manufacture and specifically for the current workforce who sector of the North Sea. storage at the port, totalling over 280,000 continue to be a fundamental part of our square feet. achievements. We are equally excited to “The continued support and investment by continue our relationship with PD Ports JDR further strengthens the port’s position STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT with the expansion of our facility.” as the hub for a thriving cluster of offshore The increased capacity will house a new related businesses and adds to its growing state-of-the-art, high-capacity horizontal CONTINUING INVESTMENT number of successes in this sector.” helix lay-up machine to manufacture Richard Turner, COO of JDR, adds: “After umbilicals meeting the highest standards the initial investment in our facility in PD Ports and technical specifications for steel and Hartlepool in 2008, we have continued thermoplastic. The expansion will also to invest incrementally in the site which is JDR provide additional storage for 6,000 metric now a recognised world-wide centre of tonnes of equipment. excellence for the design and manufacture Click to view more info of subsea power cables and umbilicals.

“This next exciting phase of expansion, = Click to view video necessitated by growing demand for our products, underlines our long-term commitment to Hartlepool and will give JDR the capacity to be the technology

PROTOTYPE BLADE The second leg was by ocean vessel from METICULOUS PROJECT PLANNING The prototype blade is one of the most New Orleans to the port of Antwerp; firstly Operational, engineering and HSQE innovative offshore wind turbine rotor the blade had to be repositioned from the personnel from LV’s offices in Houston, blades in the world and was manufactured point of discharge in New Orleans port Holland and the UK were involved in the in the UK and USA, before being to the new quayside location where the meticulous planning of the project and assembled at NASA’s Michoud Assembly ocean vessel would be loaded. This was helped to ensure that the blade was Facility in New Orleans. accomplished by using two crawler cranes delivered to its final destination safely and and LV staff were on hand to supervise the on time. SPECIFICATIONS move, along with the loading on to ocean- • Length – 78.385 metres going vessel by using two of the vessel’s LV Shipping • Width – 4.30 metres cranes, before setting sail for Antwerp. • Height – 4.71 metres • Weight – 30.3 tonnes The third leg of the journey was undertaken by a coaster vessel from Antwerp to the THE JOURNEY Port of Blyth in Northumberland; again LV The first leg of the journey was by river staff were present when the ocean vessel barge from NASA’s facility to the port arrived at Antwerp, with the coaster vessel of New Orleans, where the blade was waiting and then pulling alongside. discharged by two crawler cranes onto the quayside.

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NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND WIND SECTOR TRADE GOES FROM STEEL STRONG ONE YEAR ON One of Teesside’s leading logistics companies has expressed its confidence in the future as it celebrates a successful first STRENGTH TO STRENGTH year of operation for its state-of-the-art automotive steel distribution centre. 2015 has been a big year for renewable RENEWABLE OBLIGATIONS CREDIT INDUSTRY TRAINING energy at the Port of Blyth and SCHEME Not only are the port and its client heavily especially wind turbines. Due to the changes in the Renewable involved in the import, logistics and O&M of Obligations Credit scheme this year, UK wind energy but is also a key provider in Blyth is one of a few specialist import Blyth is preparing for a busy 2016-17 training to the industry. The port has always terminals for turbines in the UK and the with imports for windfarms throughout been home to Port Training Services port of choice for windfarms in the North the area. Developments are already in who offer a range of relevant slinging East, North West and both English and place to increase storage capacity at the and handling courses but this year has Scottish Border counties. 2015 has seen port, reclaiming areas within the port and now attracted both Maersk Training and multiple turbines being imported for multiple modifying existing storage arrangements to Northumberland College onto the port’s manufacturers around the port’s catchment accommodate the influx of components. South Harbour terminal to supply training and an incredibly busy 2016-17 already in specifically for the wind energy industry, the planning! BLYTH OFFSHORE DEMONSTRATOR with a unique boat landing training facility SITE and fully accredited qualifications in wind 78M TURBINE BLADE The port is also looking busy for offshore energy. The biggest (literally!) bit of wind related wind with EDF planning to install the first news of the year at Blyth was the import phase of the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator LEADING RENEWABLE ENERGY PORT of a 78m turbine blade for Wind Dynamics site in 2016 subject to full review before All in all the port has clearly reaffirmed being brought into ORE Catapult’s test the end of the year. The port have been its position as one of the UK’s leading facility through the port’s Wimbourne in discussions and look to be heavily renewable energy ports in 2015 and is Quay terminal. The blade is one of the involved in all parts of the construction and keen to invest in the renewable future going biggest in the world at the present time operation of the windfarm and expects this forward. and highlighted the port’s capabilities in project to lead the way for round 3 and the handling the next generation of wind turbine port serving Firth of Forth, Dogger Bank Port of Blyth components. and Hornsea sites from its ideal East Coast location. Click to view more info D78 blade is the only offshore assembly blade in the world representing the next generation of blade technology and will make use of ORE Catapult’s world class facilities located in Blyth.

AV Dawson, a company with its roots firmly recent media announcements you could CLEAN ENERGY COST SAVINGS grounded in Middlesbrough, launched be forgiven for thinking the whole UK steel Gary continued; “We can utilise 100% its award-winning, £6.5m facility last industry was on its knees. However, the of the clean energy that our steel store November, to support the ever increasing requirement for steel coil used to produce generates, which has resulted in vast supply of steel coil into car giant Nissan cars is very much in demand. energy savings in the first year and we in Sunderland as well as widening the anticipate in excess of £800,000 savings company’s involvement in the renewable “We remain confident in the strength of over the next 20 years. energy markets. Teesside and its future, based on the North East’s credentials as a burgeoning “Around 100 tonnes of CO2 is being saved ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE FIRST European hub for the automotive sector. every year – that’s the equivalent of driving Operating under a tighter quality and service From the production of vehicles for an average family sized car 250,000 miles level control than ever before the 102,263 Nissan and the opportunities that the each year for the next 20 years.” square foot warehouse provides the perfect Hitachi plant brings to the supply chain heat and humidity controlled base for companies that surround Teesport, as POSITIVE FUTURE the storage of steel components. It is the well as the pledge for the creation of 250 Operating a combined site terminal of 100 first building of its scale to utilise ground jobs on Teesside through Nifco; the future acres with around 240 staff, AV Dawson is source heat pumps and intelligent lighting; is looking really positive. a truly multimodal logistics provider. Plans remaining sensitive to the environment and going forward are to widen its involvement limiting its carbon footprint. “Our industry has seen substantial in the renewables and waste to energy developments over the last year and the markets, resulting in further growth in FUTURE CONFIDENCE major investment we have made in our business which will in turn shape an equally Gary Dawson, AV Dawson Managing facilities at AV Dawson put us right at the positive future. Director feels that the success of the heart of this, bringing more innovation and pioneering new facility leaves him confident increased efficiencies to the industry.” AV Dawson about the future as he commented; “With the

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NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND GAME-CHANGER Fred. Olsen Windbase is a flexible solution with a mix of facilities and capabilities. FOR OFFSHORE O&M These can be delivered individually or in combination with other offshore marine Windfarms larger and further from shore assets. Fred. Olsen Windbase includes an accommodation module, a full service base have created the need for a new approach and a fully operational offshore heliport, removing the requirement for an onshore to operations and maintenance (O&M) and quayside facility. Fred. Olsen Windcarrier has developed what THROUGH-LIFE CAPABILITY their UK General Manager believes will be a “The beauty of this new approach lies in the fact that it offers a through-life “game-changer” for the industry. capability, deployed very early in the construction phase for installation and commissioning and remaining onsite David Matthews, who is also Project ISLAND OF HELGOLAND until the project is re-powered or de- Director for Fred. Olsen Windbase, has said “We’ve seen floating solutions and commissioned,” David Matthews said. that by marrying established technologies even man-made islands proposed for and services from within the Fred. Olsen projects located far from shore. E.ON’s “I’m sure that through use it will evolve related companies, they can create a fixed Amrumbank offshore windfarm will use over time, with year on year efficiency offshore facility that offers developers a the island of Helgoland to launch its gains further reducing O&M costs.” way to reduce operating costs for the next island based service concept, which will generation of windfarms built further from no doubt be a great success and one An investment decision on the first full-scale shore. that Fred. Olsen Windbase will replicate version is expected in the first half of 2016. across Europe,” David Matthews said. Fred. Olsen Windcarrier NEW CONCEPTS - FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS “But new concepts must offer business case certainty and use established technologies with an experienced supplier in offshore marine contracting.”

18 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 19 NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND ENGINEERING SERVICES SECTION SPONSOR SECTION SPONSOR ENGINEERING SERVICES

NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND

2 Pile upending tools that provide remote controlled hook-up and Key features of the transfer system release capability – this eliminates the Full of North include… need for additional pile lifting points or straps providing the optimal solution INTERNATIONAL INTENT • Active motion compensation for quick where the lifting point overhangs the deck A clear statement of international intent deployment or is out of reach. They are self-contained was made in 2014 with the opening Eastern Promise • Monitored passive compensation for systems with rechargeable hydraulic of an office in Houston, Texas. The long operational range and electric supplies avoiding the need company is also supporting ship Over the last five years, marine engineering and equipment supplier Houlder has responded to the growth in offshore wind • 23m horizontal reach for additional connections or power lines design, build and supervision contracts opportunities by investing in local talent and resources. Today, it is gaining a growing reputation for supplying innovative • 360° slew capability during lifting operations for clients in South Korea. Singapore handling, lifting and access equipment to support windfarm construction and maintenance. As a result, it is playing a key role • Aluminium and steel structure and the Middle East. Their marine in the North East marine supply chain working with the main installers, operators and utility companies. • System Weight 25 tonne 3 Pile handling and restraining equipment business is playing its • Safe Working Load (SWL) 350 kg equipment that provides the part by targeting windfarm installation • Operational temperature -20C° to +35C° horizontal restraint required to projects across Europe. maintain turbine foundations in the The Personnel Transfer System joins vertical position during installation SYNONYMOUS WITH MARINE the company’s wider range of windfarm – these deck installed hydraulic arms and INNOVATION installation equipment that includes pile frames resist environmental forces in up The Houlder brand’s association with handling, lifting and restraining tools. The to 40m of water and handle piles of up to entrepreneurial spirit is nothing new. company’s ingenious ideas earned the 650t in weight and 7m in diameter The name has been associated with KEY STRENGTHS business a recent British Engineering marine innovation since the mid- “Houlder has provided independent offshore design, analysis, Excellence Award and are already GROWTH IN THE NORTH EAST nineteenth century when the Houlder engineering and project development services for over twenty- supporting a wide range of offshore The success of the above equipment has Brothers formed their shipping line. five years,” explains James Russell. Houlder’s South Tyneside- construction projects. helped Houlder establish a thriving base It soon became a global business based Director of Marine Equipment. “One of our key strengths in Boldon Business Park, South Tyneside. shipping cargo across the Atlantic and has always been our pool of multi-disciplinary engineering SPECIFIC EXAMPLES INCLUDE… Starting with just two draughtspeople Pacific Oceans for nearly a century. talent. The fact that this is now available from a growing base in 1 Crane Shock Absorbers that fit in 2010, this is now home to over thirty the North East is something to celebrate.” between a ship’s crane hook and engineers, designers and support staff. More recently, the company became piling hammer during foundation Houlder’s growth was recognised by well known for innovations in North installation – they mitigate risk by Smarta Business Awards last year. They Sea drilling and diving operations managing runaway hammers incidents named the company one of the UK’s throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Their should they occur during pile driving. fastest-growing through their Breakthrough company’s latest incarnation arrived Absorbing the shock prevents damage 50 initiative. Houlder was also recognised in 2008 with the establishment of an to the vessel or crane and supports quick by the Sunday Times this year as an employee benefit trust. This means recovery and reset International FastTrack 200 company. The ownership and a certain amount of Track 200 list, published ambition, lies with Houlder employees. July 12 2015, ranks James Russell, Director, Britain’s mid-market FORWARD THINKING Marine Equipment private companies with “Our maritime history is helping the fastest-growing us make the most of opportunities international sales. The presented by offshore wind” company’s success concludes James Russell “However it was based on an is our forward thinking and ingenuity improvement of over that is leading to growth. If you work 180%. in the North East, these are probably attributes that you recognise.” OPPORTUNITIES Rupert Hare, Houlder’s PERSONNEL TRANSFER SYSTEM Chief Executive Officer Houlder For example, the company has devised commented at the time. a solution to the challenge of transferring “Houlder’s heritage in Click to view more info maintenance personnel between offshore North Sea engineering, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS vessels and turbines. Houlder’s latest vessel design and Website Houlder’s multi-disciplinary teams are well qualified and experienced in the Personnel Transfer System provides an project delivery is construction, operation, upgrade, conversion and repair of all nature of floating assets. efficient and safe method of transferring paying off globally. = Click to view video This includes crew transfer vessels, offshore accommodation, cable layers and turbine people between dynamically positioned Our inclusion as an installation jack ups. The company’s designers, engineers and naval architects have maintenance vessels and turbines. The International FastTrack Personnel transfer system put their minds to solving some of offshore wind’s most taxing engineering problems in hydraulically operated gangway provides company will help us make the most of recent years. both active and passive vessel motion the opportunity this presents.” = Click to view video compensation – creating a secure walk Pile handling equipment installation to work platform in seas of up to 3m significant wave height.

20 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 21 NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND ENGINEERING SERVICES SECTION SPONSOR SECTION SPONSOR ENGINEERING SERVICES

NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND MAJOR INVESTMENT IN ACCESS SPECIALISTS IN THE NORTH OFFSHORE WIND EAST OF ENGLAND Over the years the company have Barrier Group, the Wallsend-based Barrier Group was formed in 1975 to carry Barrier Group’s most recent acquisition designed, manufactured and delivered international coatings specialist, has out painting of structures to be installed as was that of UK Total Solutions Ltd, a rope Tyne Gangway specialise in the design different forms of access that has been made a series of major investments in part of the growing North Sea oil industry access specialist, which has demonstrated used to cross on to transition pieces (TP). order to expand its service provision to and has since evolved into a multi-faceted its commitment to tackling the industry- and manufacture of aluminium gangways, These have been in the form of telescopic the growing offshore wind sector. supply chain company, which now serves wide skills gap by launching a training and fixed bridges. the offshore oil & gas, nuclear, marine and academy in partnership with Gateshead accommodation ladders, shore based Through a series of acquisitions and offshore renewable energy sectors. College and the Job Centre. TELESCOPIC AND BRIDGE SYSTEMS service developments the group is now pedestrian access equipment and special An example of a telescopic system was in a position to offer specialist coatings, It consists of six companies that have VALUABLE MARKET an 11.5m 6082 T6 aluminium structure metal spraying, passive fire protection, completed more than 200 major contracts, Robert Bowles, Chairman of Barrier structures. that was extended and retracted using architectural insulation, scaffolding and totalling millions of square metres of surface Group, said: “We’re always looking for rope access and technical training. A protection and has worked for most of the ways to add value to our operations; by further group company supplies and installs world’s major oil companies. introducing complementary businesses rubber sealing and clamping products. to the group, it benefits customers and SERVICES further strengthens our position in the OPPORTUNITIES Aquaseal, one of the companies within supply chain. Opportunities arising from the growing the group has a proven track record in market, particularly the commissioning the offshore industry and is ideally placed “The offshore wind industry represents a of offshore substations, which house to meet the needs of operators and valuable market that is likely to continue electricity generated from turbines before contractors. In 2014 it supported the to grow - hopefully with the help of Barrier exporting it to the main grid, will provide Humber Gateway windfarm development Group’s six constituent companies.” Barrier with the chance to apply its new when it delivered a neoprene rubber found capabilities and strengthen the North coatings project on support frames for Barrier Group East of England’s offshore wind supply J-Tube & boat landing platforms. chain.

The company was formed in 1934 when They offer a comprehensive range of hydraulics. An example of a fixed overhead gangways were originally manufactured accommodation ladders ranging from 3.5m braced bridge was a 30m system which using hardwood and built by carpenters. to 30m in length. The step spacing and needed to be craned into place from a jack Tyne Gangway was pioneering when it design criteria are in accordance with ISO up to a TP. Both systems are still in service came to introducing lightweight aluminium 5488 and also manufacture self-levelling and have allowed many personnel to carry gangways in the 1960s and today is a and telescopic ladders including a bespoke out their duties safely. world leader in the design and manufacture range of stowage equipment. of access systems with an international GLOBAL SERVICE customer base. REDUCING LEAD TIMES Tyne Gangway’s service department has Tyne Gangway also design, manufacture fully trained in-house technical engineers EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE and supply a range of lightweight that offer a comprehensive on-site and or Using their experience and expertise the gangways from 1.5m to 50m, with longer in-house repair service. Their engineer’s company is able to design, manufacture units jointed for ease of transport. For flexibility ensures that they can travel and supply access systems to allow gangways up to 12m an extrusion unique globally to carry out statutory testing safe transfer to turbines either during to the company is used to allow quick and examination of their client’s access construction of the windfarms or during manufacturing which reduces lead times. equipment. normal operations. Mick Flaherty (left) with Robert Bowles (right) at UK Total Solutions Tyne Gangway

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NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND Specialist offshore equipment OPTIMISING FINANCIAL As part of Royal IHC (IHC), IHC Engineering Business (IHC EB) designs and storage height of 6.25m. For this project, STUB FOUNDATION builds specialist offshore equipment for the oil & gas, submarine telecoms and the scope of supply included a loader RETURNS Stub foundation comprises gravity renewables industries. One area of focus for the Northumberland based company system, deployable gangway, containerised foundation with extension reaching up to over recent years has been the supply of carousel systems of various capacities drive suite and HPU. Peikko are experts in the design, 10 metres. The extension part is cast in for the demanding offshore flexible pipe and cable lay sectors. manufacture and execution of stub situ reinforced concrete with solid or hollow UNIQUE DESIGN FEATURES foundations, which are used to inside and is post tensioned with anchor CAROUSEL SPECIFICATIONS The carousel incorporates a number of maximise yield by achieving consented bolts. The anchor bolts then connect The successful delivery of two large capacity carousels, a 7,000t reel carousel for the North unique design features which improve height, thus optimising financial to tower flange in a similar manner to a Ocean 102 and a 5,000t basket carousel for the Royal Boskalis, Ndurance, led to the operational efficiency and asset life. Gregg returns. standard gravity base. Casting of the stub THIRD PARTY CERTIFICATION award of a 5,000t basket carousel for Van Oord’s Nexus, installed in early 2015. Capon, Project Engineer for IHC EB foundation by the contractor is merely The company can provide project based explains; “The innovative hydraulic support GLOBAL REACH an extension of the gravity base, with re- third party certification by TUV if required. Accommodating product diameters from 50mm to 450mm, the Nexus carousel, designed system works to reduce peak loads into The group operates in 33 countries and usable formwork, standard concrete grade Design and production experience and an at the Stocksfield offices, measures 26m outer diameter, 6m core diameter and has a the deck, minimising fatigue to crucial has supplied anchors to onshore wind and basic reinforcement. efficient integration to flexible manufacturing structures and extending service life. turbines since the 1990s. In response gives Peikko the advantage of short lead to customers’ requirements to extend DESIGN EXPERTS time for customised designs in the UK, “The system was designed to offer base height, stub foundations have been The wind engineering team are experts in Ireland and worldwide. redundancy within the hydraulic system, developed and supplied over the past few wind turbine foundation and stub design. which allows continued use, even years. The design is customised for each project The company also manufacture anchor with lost rollers in elevated sea states. and turbine specification using internal and other steel components in European This equates to less downtime when software and flexible manufacture which factories for the UK market and global compared to more traditional carousels. ensures compliance to demanding project supply chain serves projects worldwide. This ultimately leads to operational benefit schedules. to our client.” Peikko UK It is possible to supply stubs of varying RESOURCE SUPPORT heights to the same project and no Click to view more info With support from IHC’s worldwide matter how many different stub heights resource, IHC EB provided engineering are needed in the project the design and design and project management whilst production process does not limit the = Click to view video drawing upon the skills of IHC China variation and timetable. Support (ICS), based in Guangzhou, for fabrication and assembly. Final delivery and commissioning was completed on-site in Vlissingen, Holland.

COMBINED EFFORT The combined effort and multinational reach of IHC meant that teams in the UK, Netherlands and China were able to work closely throughout the duration of the project, utilising a wide range of expertise and ensuring the delivery of a quality product.

At 123m in length and 27m beam, Van Oord’s Nexus is configured for installing inter-array and export cables for offshore windfarms. She has been working with great efficiency on the Gemini Windfarm project off the North Coast of the Netherlands since April 2015.

IHC Engineering Business

Click to view more info

= Click to view video

24 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 25 NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND ENGINEERING SERVICES SECTION SPONSOR SECTION SPONSOR ENGINEERING SERVICES

NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND INTERCONNECTOR MARKET PROGRESS IN THE NORTH EAST Gaining The final award arrived in November with a The company has prospered in the contract for the installation of Nemo Link a North East with access to a network of reported more regularly, (3 in November 1000MW electrical interconnector between skilled people and an innovative supply Complete 2015), leading to extensive financial cost Momentum in the UK and Belgium, which will increase chain. DeepOcean is committed to through damage to quays and vessels and energy security for the UK. Nemo is the continued local economic growth and is more importantly, can lead to injury and the Offshore largest contract to date and when added a member of regional and national bodies death. to the contract haul, sits DeepOcean atop including Renewable UK, NOF Energy marine service Interconnector its largest project backlog in its 22 year and EnergiCoast, of which they are a INCREASING AWARENESS history. steering committee member focused As a North East of England engineering organisation operating from its river front As awareness is increasing that there Market on representing the offshore renewable fabrication and machine shop setting, Tyne and Wear Marine Ltd (TWM) offers a is now something to meet the need the The company invests in the future and capabilities of the North East. complete marine service. demand for service has expanded across With the aim of securing a project has committed to delivering the Maersk the UK. Projects include manufacturing pipeline and establish foundations Connector, a newbuild installation vessel “We had a difficult start to 2015 as a It has been providing a diverse range Numerous projects in ports, harbours and the equipment and training service for future growth, 2015 has been a with 7000Te cable carrying capacity. result of the international oil price slump. of bespoke, creative manufacturing shipyards in the North of England and contractors internationally as BLT is spectacular year for DeepOcean. Introducing the Connector to their vessel However, we are flexible and determined approaches and delivering solutions to across the UK are underway utilising the generating global interest, where in some The Darlington based subsea service fleet played a pivotal role in securing and are now leading the charge in solve clients’ problems for nearly 30 years. company’s designed, manufactured and countries they are working toward it being provider is celebrating a string of recent backlog. DeepOcean continues to the offshore renewable and power award winning patent pending equipment a legal requirement. recent multi-million pound awards in invest in class leading technology such as sector. The Darlington office is a hive RECENT PROJECTS INCLUDE… and method for testing SWL of bollards. offshore cable installation markets and the T3200 the world’s largest and most of activity as a result of recent project • ROV underwater investigations and Developed as part of a prior project BLT was recognised and won an invites the North East of England along powerful subsea trenching vehicle, which commitments, but it is important we also object removal affecting dredging and leading to the launch of a TWM subsidiary innovation award for the marine, civil for the journey. will be deployed on Nemo to tackle the look beyond 2018 to future opportunities back to back coring samples on the company; Bollard Load Testing Ltd. engineering and construction category challenging seabed conditions. in renewables, power and the resurgent River North Tyne project at Seawork June 2015 International WINDFARM CONTRACTS oil & gas market. We are bucking the • Various wind energy logistics projects BOLLARD SAFE WORKING Exhibition and was runner up in October The company is a leading provider of DELIVERING SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS trend and in the fortunate position of utilising TWM marine hire equipment Research demonstrated that there was 2015 for Mechanical Product of the Year subsea survey, installation, intervention, Ultimately the company owes its success offering opportunities to commercial, including 10 piece modular pontoon nothing available to practically and cost at the British Engineering Excellence inspection, maintenance and repair to its team of engineering, operational HSE and engineering professionals. We and pushing tug system; boats; safety effectively meet the need of ensuring Awards. services to the global offshore industry. In and supporting professionals who provide invite you to join us for the journey” Pierre boat: pneumatic fenders and cranes the safe working load of a bollard. early September the company secured a the knowledge and expertise required to Boyde, Commercial Director, Darlington. • Fender repair at Port of Sunderland Most unusual from a health and safety Tyne and Wear Marine Ltd contract with Nobelwind BV to install and deliver successful projects. DeepOcean after damage by an offshore vessel perspective, bollard load testing had little trench 55 subsea array cables between supports individual development from grass DeepOcean • Special events installation of pontoon or no emphasis as part of safe practice offshore wind turbines on the Bligh Bank roots and is involved in school, college and systems and marine support for the when mooring vessels. Offshore Windfarm in Belgium. Operations university level initiatives in the North East of Click to view more info Durham Luminaire, Giant Whale leaping commence in 2016. England. The company also offers graduate from the river and Blyth firework display BLT Ltd is now seeking to raise the and apprentice opportunities to harness • Testing the safe working load of profile of testing bollard SWL where Success continued throughout October tomorrow’s talent. = Click to view video quayside bollards the consequences of failure are being as they secured two more projects with renewable giant DONG Energy. The works “The recent project awards are fantastic are to install and trench 91 array cables on news for DeepOcean and the region Race Bank Offshore Windfarm on the East as a whole. Our clients now look to us Coast of the UK in 2016-2017 and to install to apply our technical experience and and trench 159km of export cable from engineering excellence, Walney Extension Offshore Windfarm in the to successfully deliver Irish Sea to mainland UK in 2017. these projects over the coming years” says Conrad Guyatt, Head of Engineering, Darlington.

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NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND Substation locations are Serving The Marine Industry For Over 80 Years critical to overall costs Tyne Gangway specialises in the design The geographical location of a substation within an offshore windfarm has a big and manufacture of aluminium gangways, impact on the inter-array cable layout and influences the overall cost of the cable accommodation ladders, shore based system. This is not trivial when taking into account the typically non-linear seabed pedestrian access and special structures. conditions and electrical characteristics of cables. Only an extensive search of possible substation locations will return the greatest value solution, which can be a time consuming process. Kinewell Energy's KLOC software designs offshore windfarm cable layouts in a very short period of time making such an extensive search now possible. Kinewell Energy

KLOC KLOC optimises the design of inter-array cable layouts of offshore windfarms taking into account the electrical system constraints, the cost of cable, the seabed conditions and the operational cost through electrical losses. In Figure 1 (ABOVE), the KLOC software CASE STUDY designed a new inter-array cable layout T +44 (0)191 2623657 E [email protected] Kinewell Energy has undertaken a case for each substation location. The values www.tynegangway.co.uk study of the 576 MW Gwynt-y-Môr relate to the cost relative to the lowest cost windfarm, which has two substations. location within the diagram, where it is Gwynt-y-Môr is currently the second shown that moving the substation by just a largest operating windfarm in the world. For few hundred metres can influence the inter- simplicity, the location of just one substation array cable cost by several million pounds. has been considered for this article. In reality, if the location of the second In Figure 2 (RIGHT), the inter-array cable substation were to change, then the results design was kept the same while micro- displayed here would also change. siting the substation.

This makes the substation siting problem COST SAVINGS increasingly difficult with more substations, During Kinewell Energy’s case study of the as is the trend with increasing offshore 576 MW Gwynt-y-Môr offshore windfarm, windfarm installed capacities. By utilising a saving of £2.2m, or 3% of the installed the incredible speed of the KLOC software, cable cost, was achieved relative to what an extensive search of substation locations has been installed by the developer. During can be undertaken. this process the West substation was moved by 1.3 km.

28 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 29 NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND TRAINING SECTION SPONSOR SECTION SPONSOR TRAINING

NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND JOB CREATION an emergency. In these situations it is The new centre is creating up to 30 new critical to have well trained personnel jobs and will establish the Grimsby area who can provide immediate advanced Director of Training and Education, Dave AIS as a global hub for specialist skills training. medical assistance to save lives and our Bowyer was interviewed by Channel 4 It is expecting to train more than 15,000 course helps equip individuals with this at AIS’s Grimsby site to talk about AIS’s delegates annually in skills such as working expertise.” huge investment in the area and the world- at height and in confined space, sea leading skills training it delivers for the global reaches survival, banksman slinger, first aid, fire wind industry. AIS LEADS THE WAY IN CALLING FOR “Thanks to this new deal with ORE awareness and basic fire-fighting. With MORE WIND SECTOR INVESTMENT Catapult we are able to deliver an approvals from industry bodies Renewable Continued investment in the renewable The programme called ‘The Political Slot’ new immersive training experience at AIS UK, GWO, OPITO and the MCA. energy sector is critical to the industry’s – was broadcast recently and will hopefully which gives delegates a true taste of Dave Bowyer interview survival. AIS is taking part in a Channel 4 make government officials think carefully what to expect when working in the wind WIDE REACHING PRESENCE programme alongside Grimsby MP Melanie about additional investment in renewables. industry. Our evacuation exercises are Dave Bowyer, Director of Training and Onn to help raise the profile of the wind heights conducted from the top of the tower Education at AIS, said: “As well as industry and call for continued support from AIS Training in the open air, towards the sea and Grimsby, AIS now boasts a presence senior politicians. Offshore industry training expert, overlooking the first wind turbines ever in North Tyneside, Aberdeen and Click to view more info AIS has signed a long-term strategic developed off the Blyth coast. It’s as close Huddersfield allowing us to deliver agreement with the Offshore to being there as you can get. exceptional customer service in any Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult to location that suits our clients = Click to view video bring realistic simulated training to the “With operation and maintenance costs as well as specialise onsite wind sector. accounting for between 20-25% of training where we can deliver the total lifetime costs of an offshore bespoke training at your site, on WIND TRAINING TOWER windfarm it is vital operators are confident your systems. AIS has signed a deal to use ORE that personnel undertaking working at Catapult’s 27-metre high wind training height duties are fully competent and will “Skills shortages remain one of the key First Aid Training tower for working at height training to deliver.” challenges facing businesses across the ensure workers are well prepared before UK and the creation of this – our second they venture onto a turbine. The onshore MULTI-MILLION POUND SPECIALIST - world-leading training facility will help to training tower, which is located at Blyth TRAINING VILLAGE IN GRIMSBY plug some of those gaps. AIS Training has beside the North East coast, is almost OFFICIALLY OPENS ITS DOORS an exceptional record of helping people double the current height required for AIS has unveiled its second £10m state-of- into work by developing competent and working at height training by industry the-art industrial training village at the heart talented workers with the appropriate bodies such as RenewableUK and the of the UK’s wind industry in Grimsby. skill sets for industry. We see enormous Global Wind Organisation. potential for Grimsby to be a global leader Over 100 business leaders from across the in renewable energy skills and competency This additional height enables AIS Training Humber region turned out for the launch training worldwide and we are very excited to recreate realistic field conditions so that of the first phase of the centre which was to help the city fulfil its potential.” people get a feel for the environment and officially opened by Grimsby MP, Melanie decide if it’s the right career for them. Onn who also sits on the Energy and NEW ADVANCED FIRST AID AND The training tower complements AIS’s new Climate Change Select Committee. INCIDENT MANAGEMENT COURSE Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence The centre, which is based at the world- Some of the wind industry’s leading players and offshore training village, incorporating renowned CATCH facility near Grimsby, has gave an overwhelming thumbs-up to a survival pool and onsite hotel, on North been developed by leading industrial trainer new pilot course developed by AIS Training Tyneside at North Shields, AIS to provide specialist skills training for the to help save the lives of those working in global wind, maritime, oil and gas, nuclear remote locations. REAL WORLD TRAINING and heavy industry sectors. Dave Bowyer, Director of Training and The Advanced First Aid and Incident Education at AIS, said: “Feedback from FULLY EQUIPPED WIND TRAINING Management Course is being launched by the industry suggests that the more CENTRE AIS to cover advanced medical techniques realistic the training conditions then the Phase one includes a fully equipped wind for those crucial first three ‘golden hours’ more ‘work-ready’ the personnel. Some training centre with 17metre high training when medical intervention by a specialist workers simply aren’t prepared for the tower, climbing and rescue platform has the greatest chance of saving life. As eye-watering heights on an offshore incorporating vertical fall-arrest safety well as equipping delegates with the skills turbine having trained at the industry systems, three mock nacelles, a rope access to deal with emergencies such as heart standard of 15 metres. When faced with area and a lifting and rigging workshop. attacks, strokes and fractures, the course the real environment they are unable covers accidents like falls and crushes. to perform and some even have to Phase two will include the development of a be shipped home at great cost to the survival pool and innovation and training hub ISOLATED WORKING operator or contractor. during 2015/16. The finished training facility Dave Bowyer, Director of Training and will provide careers advice and guidance Education at AIS said: “Being in the wind and will develop training programmes industry means you might find yourself tailored to future industry needs. working in the middle of nowhere where you can’t just dial 999 if there’s Image: AIS Training Centre, courtesy Dave Laister

30 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 31 NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND TRAINING SECTION SPONSOR SECTION SPONSOR TRAINING

NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND BUILDING ON OVER 150 YEARS OF The college hosts the world’s most advanced bridge and engine room MARITIME TRAINING HISTORY IN THE simulator together with substantial marine engineering workshops and classrooms. NORTH EAST All key elements in providing an excellent learning experience and high quality training South Tyneside has been a world leading centre for Marine Engineering for over for technicians. 150 years and has built an unrivalled reputation for marine education and skills. EXTENSIVE FACILITIES The Safety Training Centre has extensive facilities which have been developed to provide the most realistic environments possible.

This includes an 18m tower with mock nacelle for a full range of working at height and rescue activities, fire training centre and hub rescue.

The Centre incorporates an 18 metre x 10 metre, 4 metre deep environmental pool which is used for survival training. It is equipped with a variable wave pattern generator, wind, rain, light and sound effects and an 8-seater helicopter escape module, capable of being used to simulate capsize situations and helicopter winching arrangements.

INDUSTRY DEMAND The demand for skilled technicians led STL to look towards the military for potential recruits.

STL pioneered a 3 week training programme – Certificate in Safety in Offshore Wind Energy Level 3 which is approved for ELCAS funding for service leavers and ex service personnel and by the Career Transition Partnership and is also an RTN recommended programme.

This course for service leavers has been running very successfully for almost 2 years TIS ???? and includes GWO and RUK certification enabling them to move directly in to the industry.

Safety Technology and its partners in ACCREDITATIONS CONTINUED INNOVATION AND Denmark and Sweden have more than 15 Safety Technology (STL) has been very PROGRESS years’ experience in the renewable energy active in the development and accreditation The company is continually enhancing the sector and in particular in the development of training within RenewableUK and indeed training provision by working closely with of training and safety equipment for in its former years as BWEA. This has the customers and end users and was one offshore wind. subsequently involved the establishment of of the first providers to offer specialised GWO (Global Wind Organisation) training rescue in the UK for hubs and blades. The COLLABORATION programmes and accreditations which relationships in Denmark and Sweden It seemed only natural that these two are now widely accepted throughout the ensure that there is a very close and organisations should come together to be industry. regular dialogue with the world’s leading able to offer the renewables industry such turbine developers and owners helping a wealth of experience combined with the MARINE TRAINING CENTRE the company to continually innovate both new capabilities driven by the demands of Safety Technology and the Marine Training training and products. this growing sector. Centre have worked closely together to develop a world class training facility in Bob Dickens South Shields for offshore wind turbine Safety Technology technicians including Europe’s first offshore transfer simulator.

32 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 33 NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND TRAINING SECTION SPONSOR SECTION SPONSOR TRAINING

NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND TRAINING INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT

Falck Safety Services UK (Falck), the TELL US A BIT ABOUT THE WIND global leader in health, safety, survival TRAINING FACILITIES FALCK HAS and wind training, has continued to AT TEESSIDE AND OTHER CENTRES be at the forefront of the energy and AROUND EUROPE? renewables sector for more than 20 Falck aims to provide clients with a realistic years. training environment, with all training equipment situated in the one location. SENIOR TRAINING INSTRUCTOR – JON Our facilities really are second-to-none, BATTYE for example, we utilise a 23.7m wind Jon tells us how he has witnessed changes tower to enhance the working at height in the safety training sector over the past training experience for our delegates and 10 years and how Falck has adapted to we also offer open-water training or a these changes, ensuring a high quality sheltered environmental tank depending on and standardised offering to its clients requirements. worldwide. We keep this same focus on realistic training throughout our European centres - Germany, Denmark, Belgium and The Netherlands – all of which are GWO accredited centres.

WHEN TRAINING DELEGATES ON THE JOB OR AT THEIR OWN PREMISES, HOW DO YOU ENSURE A STANDARDISED LEVEL OF TRAINING IS MAINTAINED? We often get asked by clients to train them own equipment or enhance basic skills. at their own premises, which can be in Another unique product I’ve been involved the UK or continental Europe. We are very in developing is a management/visitor experienced in this and generally can cover programme specifically aimed at senior any these requirements from any of our management and non-frequent visitors centres. To ensure the same standard of who would benefit from site visits. training is maintained no matter where it is delivered, Falck carry out Verification of THE SAFETY TRAINING INDUSTRY IS Competence (VoC). ONE THAT IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING, HOW DOES FALCK ENSURE IT’S AT This is where we create a training plan and THE FOREFRONT OF THIS? observe an instructor to assess their level It’s about building contacts, maintaining of competence. Each instructor begins with good relationships and sharing best practice WHEN DID YOU JOIN FALCK, AND assisting with courses before delivering a with our EU colleagues so that we are HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED IN THE pilot course independently, which is signed constantly in the know. We take part in SAFETY INDUSTRY FOR? off by an internal Falck verifier. In addition industry steering groups so we’re actively I started as a safety instructor with Falck to this, we also have annual product audits involved in the changes being made and can in March 2002, having had more than 15 by industry bodies to ensure we’re meeting have input into the development of these. years’ experience in health and safety at local and global standards. that time. 12 months ago my role changed We are also on the frontline for receiving to allow me to work within the product WHAT RECENT TRAINING PROJECTS this information due to our solid development team to help support the HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN? relationships with the industry bodies. creation of training programmes for clients In Belgium, I helped develop the GWO This allows us to act as an advisor for our worldwide. products and trained the instructors on customers, they know they can rely on us how to deliver these. Our GWO products to provide key industry information that may are standard but we can often supplement affect them. these with company-specific training, such as when clients ask us to use their Falck Safety Services UK

34 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 35 WEATHER DOWNTIME FEATURE SPONSOR FEATURE SPONSOR WEATHER DOWNTIME Accounting for weather in marine operations Weather downtime may be defined as the time when something is not operational or when a planned activity does not occur as a result of PLANNING AHEAD unfavourable weather conditions. Excessive weather downtime makes Offshore construction, operation and constructing, maintaining and servicing offshore structures challenging and maintenance activities have timescales costly for developers and operators. looking two, three, perhaps even five years ahead. As such, conventional weather forecasting cannot hope to predict the Although it is impossible to completely eliminate the impact of weather on offshore weather conditions so far into the future. operations, understanding the likelihood of successful execution provides a means In its place, statistical analysis of past CALCULATING WEATHER DOWNTIME In practice an operation usually consists ‘SEASTATES’ archives using a of managing the logistical, safety and financial risks associated with changing meteorological and oceanographic data Individual operational tasks, such as of a number of consecutive and inter- ‘sequential task’ best practice environmental conditions. is used to give an indication of what deploying a particular piece of equipment dependent tasks in a specific time approach. Each task list is processed conditions might be like over a particular or mooring on site, may each require order i.e. transiting from location A to B, by the system and the results are time period for a given location. a suitable amount of time to complete. THEN mooring on site, THEN deploying returned in a matter of minutes by During this period there may also be a particular piece of equipment. In this email. Such information allows decision-makers certain metocean parameters (e.g. wave case, the statistical chance of the required to take account for weather downtime height or wind speed etc.) that must not be thresholds being met in the correct order The calculator can consider any in their schedules, potentially achieving exceeded for operability or safety reasons. is likely to be reduced. Assessments combination of home ports, take significant cost savings. Where weather risk that consider an operation as a set of account of sequential operations is passed to the contractor, this information Weather downtime information is consecutive tasks in the intended order with multiple limiting parameters and is important for determining fixed delivery commonly reported in a generic form provide a better estimate of the expected process any number of scenarios. costs when tendering. (e.g. percentage time in a given month downtime than generic methods. when conditions are likely to be less Multiple operations are simulated with than a given threshold value for a given A robust weather downtime assessment start dates/times of every hour in an minimum duration). When using such should be informed by many years of hourly time series, i.e. the operation is generic information, a simple spreadsheet hindcast metocean data. Longer data sets simulated over 300,000 times. is commonly used to assess cumulative give greater confidence that the statistics weather downtime for an operation with have adequately captured variability in the For each task provided, the calculator multiple sub-tasks. metocean climate over time. The spatial/ generates statistics of overall project temporal resolution and the accuracy of the programme and weather downtime, However, such methods make inherent data are, of course, important to ensure categorised by start date over the full assumptions about the required time order that the data and the results of the analysis range of probabilities as well as for each of weather windows. The nature of these are representative of the location of interest. task in the operation. assumptions typically leads to an under- estimation of weather downtime for more To take account of natural variability from By creating multiple versions of the complex or interrelated task schedules. year to year, a range of results is used to task list corresponding to choices of provide weather downtime statistics with construction/installation methodology, varying non-exceedance probabilities, tooling or vessel, a user can rapidly test typically including P50, P75, P90, Pmean, options for decision making. Pmax (the ‘worst’ year), and Pmin (the ‘best’ year). Designed to help ABPmer’s clients make quicker operational and risk WEATHER DOWNTIME EXPRESS management decisions, the outputs CALCULATOR offer the level of detail needed to Developed in conjunction with the offshore optimise schedules or provide tailored wind industry, ABPmer’s Weather and accurate prices when bidding for Downtime Express service enables 24/7 new work. weather dependent decision making by providing on-demand access to the company’s weather downtime statistics ABPmer calculator. Click to view more info The email based system allows authorised users of the software to send a schedule Website of their operations to be analysed against the company’s exclusive past weather Click to view more info

Whitepaper

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STEPS TO MITIGATE relief. The employer's YOUR RISK liability to your contractor ON-TURBINE TRIALS OF BLADE MAINTENANCE The ability to plan, may itself be limited and LEGAL RISKS manage and control that limitation may be to the installation and the contract price only. HABITAT MARK MAJOR MILESTONE construction of works GEV Wind Power’s first set of onshore trials for its innovative blade WEATHER PROTECTION ASSOCIATED offshore has a significant DELAY LIABILITY maintenance Habitat have been successfully completed, presenting a major The Habitat enables technicians to impact upon the capital In the event that you milestone for the company. conduct essential repairs on remote wind WITH WEATHER expenditure profile of a are in delay when you turbines, whilst remaining sheltered from project. Such planning are not entitled to an The Habitat was installed on Power Climber and Kaeufer access platforms in varying the elements and provides greater scope DOWNTIME relates not only to aspects extension of time then weather conditions and ranging between 30 metres and 100 metres high, with to schedule repairs throughout the year, of construction and you suffer liability for successful deployment demonstrating the flexibility and operability of the Habitat in a mitigating adverse seasonal weather By their very nature, all type of installation which can be seen above the sea delay by reference to a pre-determined rate real-life environment. conditions. construction projects are subject - including turbine towers, transition pieces for liquidated and ascertained damages to the elements, with the impact on etc. – but also to undersea elements such which the employer may deduct. The The company will also be able to offer offshore projects being particularly as foundations, cable arrays and so on. level of deduction may itself be subject to a 24 hour working window using fixed pronounced. So what steps can a limitation, often to a percentage of the lighting within the Habitat, ensuring be taken to mitigate your risk, Developments are on hand to improve contract price. complex repairs are completed and asks construction lawyer Martin the ability of vessels to work in different turbines returned to service much quicker Collingwood. sea states and in each instance safety is a However, it is not uncommon to find that than is currently achievable. The Habitat high priority – walk to work systems being if a commissioning date is not achieved is expected to offer huge savings to both As anyone who has been involved in an an example for crew transfer vessels to under the CFD regime then your liability O&M providers and asset owners. offshore project knows, it is very difficult to improve safety of personnel. may also include additional expenditure mitigate the effects of adverse weather. The by the employer and other losses and not KEY ROLE IN FACILITATING O&M environment is typically more hostile and TENDER STAGE be restricted to the recovery of liquidated OPERATIONS by its very nature, is constantly changing, It is imperative that careful consideration is damages itself. Restricting the type of Alastair Gadney, Projects Director for GEV which brings additional risk to the contract. given to the risks associated with offshore loss recoverable and limiting the extent of Group, says of the trial: “With consent contracts at the tender stage, since they responsibility is essential – and perhaps recently announced for the development For vessels located offshore the ability to relate to high end risk transfer projects including liquidated damage can assist to of Galloper Offshore Windfarm and work safely in terms of construction and in which contractors take a significant mitigate the exposure. construction for the East Anglia ONE installation is heavily weather dependent proportion of the risk. Typically, an EPC project planned to progress in 2017, and the costs of downtime can be contract or derivative ensuring that the Where liquidated damages are innovations within the wind sector are significant in any project. This is particularly contract is clear as to where risk lies and unenforceable offshore contracts increasingly important. Our Habitat plays the case where vessels are unable to what liability there is, is essential. commonly provide for the contractor's a key role in facilitating O&M operations operate effectively or cannot operate to liability to be the payment of actual in this rapidly developing industry, whilst their maximum capacity, yet are chartered However, climatic conditions are damages, although in this instance it providing cost-saving benefits which are at a significant daily rate. commonly a ground for extension to may expressly be provided that the vital throughout the entire supply chain. time and additional cost to be recovered unenforceable liquidated damages act as a by you, provided that you comply with cap on liability. This is a sensible provision. “These trials are a huge leap forward in the often prescriptive requirements of a not only reinforcing the concept of the contract as to notification of claims. These Martin Collingwood Habitat, but also proving how it can be requirements are often expressed to be a Head of Construction applied to a range of turbine and access condition precedent to the right to recover Andrew Jackson platform sizes. We are also exploring different configurations of the Habitat, Click to view more info from a simple wind break to a more complete waterproof solution.”

I-RIS (INTUITIVE REPORTING AND INSPECTION SYSTEM) The trials also enabled GEV technicians to test the company’s bespoke blade maintenance App, I-RIS (Intuitive Reporting and Inspection System), which facilitates timely project management as data is communicated, near real-time, via satellite to a web-based monitoring and reporting tool. The tests clearly demonstrated the value of I-RIS, which provides a simple interface offering huge savings across data capture and reporting.

GEV Group

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DEVELOPING SCIENCE TO MAKE The new £97 million supercomputer LONGER TERM CLIMATOLOGY WEATHER AND CLIMATE ADVICE is set to offer 13 times more power There is an increasing need to look RELEVANT TO DOWNTIME PLANNING than the current system by 2017 and further into the future to identify weather WEATHER INTELLIGENCE Wind speed, wave height, swell and provide unprecedented levels of forecast windows. Planning operations and thunderstorms, fog and low cloud can accuracy and mapping capabilities. They booking equipment for the right time can SUPPORTING DOWNTIME PLANNING all affect the success of each phase of are optimistic that these steps will help be extremely complicated exercises. The an offshore wind operation, whether in unlock the potential for expansion within Met Office undertook a special weather The offshore community is very aware the wait for a required weather window MARINE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE – planning, construction or operations. the UK’s renewables sector over the windows analysis for MT Hoojgaard so that of weather conditions, but the critical may be at any given point. A detailed WORKING WITH INDUSTRY Marine meteorologists work around the coming decades, particularly through joint they could plan the best time to install wind information required varies depending understanding of operational requirements, Working in partnership with industry clock, every single day, to provide an collaboration and focus, as epitomised by turbine foundations. on how the weather will affect combined with science consultancy of experts ensures the relevance of services accurate and reliable range of weather and their work with the European Marine Energy operations. Operations and logistics this nature, can aid medium to long-term from its Marine Centre of Excellence, the metocean information. Centre (EMEC). The organisation’s long term datasets managers often ask when it is safe to operational planning, ensuring safety Met Office offers a range of vital services to were analysed to generate statistics on work. Can the job be completed on and reducing the costs associated with the offshore wind industry, both around the HADLEY CENTRE FOR CLIMATE how many foundations were likely to be time, in full and to budget? disrupted or aborted operations. UK and internationally. SCIENCE AND SERVICES installed in various months, depending on The Met Office’s Hadley Centre for vessel weather limits. This sensitivity study Understanding the impacts the weather Shorter-term planning can benefit from Over the past 40 years, they have gained Climate Science and Services, has provided the client with valuable weather forecast can have on operations can help ensemble forecasts, which estimate the an expert understanding of how weather been recognised as the number- intelligence that not only helped them to assist in answering those questions, for risks of weather events and aid decision- and climate can impact offshore oil & gas one geosciences research centre estimate how many foundations they were example understanding how a vessel will making at an operational level. By operations and offshore renewable energy in the world and the World likely to install in the season, but also to respond in an irregular sea-state for crew combining several individual forecasts, an projects. From the financial costs resulting Meteorological Organisation, understand how much variability exists well-being and transfers. ensemble forecast provides an indication of from severe weather, to ensuring the who compares statistics from due to the nature of the offshore marine the likelihood of weather events occurring wellbeing and safety of employees, strong national weather services environment. IMPACT FORECASTING at a particular time. partnerships with industry and the benefit around the world, confirm that Impact forecasting seeks to develop of local knowledge, ensures potential the Met Office is consistently WEATHER EXPERTISE analysis and tools that translate weather THE COST BENEFIT OF ACCURATE forecasting solutions and insights are one of the top two operational As a world leading weather and climate data into information that directly supports WEATHER, WHEN PLANNING FOR relevant to customer needs. weather services in the world. service working at the cutting edge of customer decision-making. For example, DOWNTIME science, the Met Office translates its the weather warnings provided by the Met In-depth knowledge of the metocean As a consequence, there is a greater knowledge into a practical and diverse Office through its website and the media environment assists the offshore wind understanding of the need for confidence range of services for the protection and are impact-based, as they are related to the energy community. Forecaster and in forecast accuracy and scientific integrity prosperity of the offshore renewable disruption that might be experienced for the consultancy supported weather solutions and the very real need for back up support. industry, often with the collaboration and relevant weather type – whether it is rain, can benefit offshore windfarms by During times of weather-sensitive operations, engagement of stakeholders. snow, fog, ice or wind – combined with the optimising downtime and helping minimise having a meteorologist at hand can help likelihood of the event happening. costs. The Met office can provide a critical ensure safety and save costs, enabling the Met Office weather expertise and back-up role by giving the training, support and data decision maker to make an informed decision support can help you avoid unplanned Significant investment into applied science required to pin-point and plan for periods in marginal situations ensuring the most downtime and the resulting costs of labour, sits behind Met Office research – both into of downtime, ensuring safety and cost appropriate action is taken. fuel and materials and allow you to prioritise the impact of the weather, as well as the efficiencies. work according to different operating development of tools and applications to thresholds. enable the provision of operational services CASE STUDY for customers. In addition, the applied An example of this is the work undertaken Met Office science team is tasked with responding to by the Met Office for RES Centrica who ad-hoc and routine requests from clients wanted help in port-selection by comparing Click to view more info and has the capability to provide historical the downtime statistics between two routes data and analyses. from different harbours to a windfarm. The analysis considered the weather limits that HISTORICAL DATA were imposed on vessels leaving the port Historical data, sometimes known as as well as the weather limits on the transit hindcast, can provide a critical first-step to the windfarm. Results showed that the in predicting ‘up-time’ or the probability port furthest away was actually the best of potential delays to offshore projects. one to use due to the strict weather limits at Detailed analyses based around operational the alternative, nearer port. thresholds can help determine how long

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financial toolkit there is a lot companies can do all the way along the supply chain to TURNING FINANCE INTO build in safeguards to their balance sheet SUPPORT FOR WIND ENERGY and weather financial storms. As a rule, the UK financial industry has not innovated in such a way as to support SUPPLIERS manufacturing, or indeed SMEs and so The wind energy sector is offering 2 Unpredictable demand – due to the this has left many businesses feeling that big opportunities to rebuild the UK’s difficult nature of planning in the sector finance is not their true partner. However, manufacturing base. It is already a and a lack of clarity about future policy, there has recently been widespread significant part of the rural economy projects are often treated as “one off”, development in alternative (non-bank) and is giving a boost to often-deprived so suppliers don’t have a reliable pipeline providers. coastal areas. It can – and will – be of business. Companies may therefore even more significant in the future. need to adjust investment levels and OTHER FINANCE OPTIONS hiring quickly Today, there are many more options for However, while wind holds great promise, supplier companies to boost their balance it needs an incredibly supportive financial 3 Weak balance sheets – a report by sheets and access finance than there were landscape. The size of deals in this sector Matthew Chinn, of Siemens, found just a few years ago. But that message – and the level of complexity in the supply that in some cases a weak balance sheet that the finance industry is finally adapting chain mean that financial support and was a reason for a developer not – does not always reach SMEs and they reliability is crucial all the way down the selecting a supplier. This is particularly sometimes miss out on opportunities that supply chain. problematic as developers move to a are available.

Added to this are a host of factors suppliers project finance model and become With finance and wind energy working must contend with… unwilling to take risk on suppliers’ balance more closely together, we can convert sheets our unique island’s resources into green 1 Weather – weather makes project energy that can power this nation – and its costs and timescales unpredictable. It 4 Performance bonds – the same report economy. also creates demand peaks and troughs. identified that performance bonds The operations and maintenance sector increase pressure on balance sheets Urica in offshore wind, for example, could for suppliers, putting UK suppliers at represent a sizable opportunity for SMEs a direct disadvantage to their international in particular, if government projections competitors that the sector will be worth £2 billion per year by 2025 are borne out. But the FINANCING cyclical nature of scheduled maintenance Financing for the wind energy industry will to reduce weather downtime risk poses never come from one source. The projects cash flow and demand challenges are too big and complex. But, with a broad

42 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 43 MECHANICAL JOINT INTEGRITY FEATURE SPONSOR FEATURE SPONSOR MECHANICAL JOINT INTEGRITY

CONTROL BOLTING IN THE Provided that the bolting process is under control, torque provides an acceptable method of bolting control under the majority of WIND INDUSTRY circumstances. However, friction under the bolt head and in the THE SOLUTION threads absorbs the majority of So, what is the answer? A better method the applied force. Thus, a small PROBLEM AND of preventive maintenance would be to change in the friction causes use ultrasonic bolt measurement, which a large change in the applied not only has the capability to improve tension. the quality of their joint status but also increases security by adding data-logging Of all the mechanical work that SOLUTION techniques to the procedures. is applied to a joint, surprisingly only 10% is used to stretch the Bolts on wind turbines will inevitably work loose or may even fail over time, which In certain critical bolting applications, bolt. Everything else, 90% is lost means that preventive maintenance is a critical issue. With the number of bolts factors such as friction or bolt/joint through temperature created on a wind turbine numbering into the hundreds, it can be time consuming for geometry are such that the measurement by friction. A little more than maintenance teams to check each bolt. Juan Carlos Casas, an expert in bolting of applied torque alone will not provide half of the friction is caused by control at Norbar Torque Tools, has a solution. the degree of accuracy necessary to the underside of the bolt head control the tension to be monitored over contacting the first plate of the THE PROBLEM the operational life of the fastener. In these joint. The remainder is generated The tips of the biggest wind turbines can nowadays turn at speeds of circa 180mph but applications, ultrasonic measurement by the contact between the operating at this velocity can place enormous strain on the structure of the turbine, in of fastener elongation and/or load has mating threads (female and male). particular the bolts. As turbines have got bigger and blades longer to capture more wind, frequently proven to be the most accurate, vibration levels have increased still further which has left maintenance teams looking for reliable and cost effective solution. STATE-OF-THE-ART By way of contrast, methods better ways to measure tension (rather than torque) and prevent bolt failure. HARDWARE AND that directly measure tension, For every joint type there will be a SOFTWARE such as strain gauging, or that Whilst bolting checks may not seem like a time consuming issue, the problem for the wind relationship between the extension and The USM-3 uses state-of-the- measure the extension in the bolt industry is the sheer number of bolts that need to be maintained. Specifically, there are the induced tension which means that art hardware and software to and calculate the tension from a likely to be circa 100 bolts linking the turbine base flange to the foundations with another measuring the extension allows accurate achieve these measurements known material constant, bypass 350 linking the middle and top section and a further 50 bolts for each blade. The time calculation of load. This is the ultimate with maximum automation the effect of friction the biggest cost of further tightening each of these bolts is a significant expense and one which adds level of bolting control that safety critical and minimises the need variable in the bolted assembly. considerably to the total cost of ownership for the turbine. Tube joints, for example are bolted assembly operations need to work for operator interpretation. checked every six months. towards. Offering digital recording ENORMOUS POTENTIAL and transmission of data, in The potential for ultrasonic Ultrasonic measurement of bolt addition to analogue signal measurement to reduce preload is made possible by output the USM-3 provides maintenance times for wind introducing a sonic pulse at one a complete system for turbines is enormous. In the same end of the fastener and accurately measurement, recording and way that ultrasonic measurement measuring the time of flight (TOF) control of fastener tension has been used in other safety required for the echo to return in the most demanding critical applications such as from the opposite end. Using applications. aerospace, equipment like the material constants, the ultrasonic Norbar USM-3 can provide a very measurement tool, such as the The USM-3 can be applied precise method of determining Norbar USM-3 converts this TOF to a bolt to measure in real the elongation and tension in the into an "ultrasonic length" of the time while the bolt is actually fastener due to tightening which fastener, providing a baseline from being tightened using a less could cut maintenance costs and which future measurements can accurate method, such as a time. be made. hydraulic torque wrench. Not only can USM replace existing Norbar When the fastener is tightened, the bolting tools, it can also be TOF increases and the USM-3 will used alongside existing bolt Click to view more info again utilise material constants to tightening tools to supply eliminate the effects of stress and a second measurement temperature variations on sound (normally referred to as a velocity, providing an accurate redundancy measurement). elongation or load measurement. This serves to provide users, managers or designers with lots of useful information to improve their processes.

44 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 45 MECHANICAL JOINT INTEGRITY FEATURE SPONSOR FEATURE SPONSOR MECHANICAL JOINT INTEGRITY LET’S ‘TORQUE SOLUTIONS’… No pun intended but I intend to get straight down to the ‘nuts and bolts’ with regards to my next guests…. literally – I am joined by the illustrious duo Peter and Ruth Allsopp, Managing Director and Marketing Manager respectively of Torque Solutions.

DEDICATED TO THE CAUSE Almost immediately I am struck by this husband and wife team and their sheer enthusiasm and dedication to their cause or should I say vocation, as they shed light on their journey in SUPPLIERS OF achieving what is today the UK’s leading flagship and ‘centre of excellence’ for the Titan brand for bolting solutions.

CHIVALROUS SERVICE Based in the heart of Yorkshire and ideally placed Supplying Bolting Solutions geographically within the UK the company pride themselves in the provision of a professional customer focused service to the Renewable of high tech equipment and solutions, built on a foundation/ Energy Sector lineage of courtesy and good old fashioned personal service! HIRE With a background in heavy engineering Peter and Ruth know what they are talking about –having acquired over a decade of REPAIRS bolting expertise within multiple sectors –and for this particular CALIBRATION narrative the wind sector – their story unfolds. SALES EXTENSIVE SOLUTIONS Over the last 13 years Ruth and Peter and have developed year on year to provide an extensive service to the wind BROAD SPECTRUM OF SERVICES for just a packed lunch of sausage and biscuits – I introduce to industry. As a result they have become the accredited and Never ones to rest on their laurels, the company offers a you… Colin – the 4 year old spaniel whom has acquired quite a preferred supplier for a major global manufacturer for wind comprehensive hire service whereupon clients are able to benefit loyal following – with some clients preferring to pick up their tools turbines for the last 8 years with the ongoing responsibility for from Torque Solutions advice and experience, hiring tools from in person – just to see Colin!!! servicing/torquing of this global clients hydraulic equipment. as little as one day to longer indefinite periods. Offering a 24 hour service and speedy delivery with professional training for safe use IN A NUTSHELL They are uniquely placed within the supply chain as they and familiarisation/competence of the tools with all calibration There is no doubt that with such an innovative and enthusiastic provide an in-house facility for calibration for all types of equipment being traceable to national standard. approach to business that we shall be hearing a lot more from equipment such as hydraulic wrenches pneumatic torque this company and look forward to learning about their future tools, also providing gauge calibration facilities up to 1200 bar Be it onsite at their premises or within their purpose equipped fleet successes with their new business partners Chicago Pneumatics and product engineering for special applications. Peter goes of show/demonstration vans, yet again Torque Solutions aim to and further adventures with Colin! on to say there is a remarkable turnaround and as they are offer a service par extraordinaire! T +44 (0) 1909 550767 E [email protected] a small company they are fortunate to have the flexibility to Torque Solutions M +44 (0) 7860 373425 W www.torque-solutions.co.uk provide an unparalleled service to their clients. Ruth continues that with this exciting relationship with Chicago Pneumatics it will allow them to further develop their services with Click to view more info NEW PREMISES the possibilities of potentially expanding and setting up a depot in In fact as we spoke they are currently in the process of building Aberdeen. a new modern facility to accommodate their continued growth Fliss Chaffer – offering service, repair and certification with anticipated THE FUTURE Wind Energy Network READ THE SERIES completion of the premises within the next few months. From my albeit brief dialogue with this dynamic couple it became abundantly clear that they have enthusiasm in abundance, an OF OIL/LUBRICANT NEW OPPORTUNITIES WITH CHICAGO PNEUMATICS inherent passion for their business and a pride in their company Ruth continues that there are exciting times afoot with and service that is unswerving. They are proud of their family TECHNICAL ARTICLES many exhilarating plans pending – one of which is the Titan business status – an attitude and ethos that filters down to all their HERE... brand has recently been taken over by the global Chicago dedicated team of specialist employees. Pneumatics, a prospect that both Peter and Ruth relish. They go on to say that they have over the years developed AND THEN THERE WAS COLIN… Click to a reciprocal and reputable rapport with Titan and this is It would also be rude of me not to mention one particularly hard view more now continuing with their new relationship with Chicago working member of the team, whom diligently works with Ruth info Pneumatics, with excellent back up and support – new and Peter, some say he is the Company Secretary, some say he is beginnings and new anticipation. the PR Guru – an utterly dedicated employee working a full week

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Maintenance free bolting solution HEADING

for wind turbines This includes requiring companies to explain why a contract has not A long-term analysis of more than 3.000 ultrasonic measurements on wind turbines over 18 months prove IHF fasteners been split into smaller lots and only to be maintenance free. being able to specify suppliers have a minimum turnover of up to two times INNOVATIVE FASTENERS MAINTENANCE FREE the contract value. The innovative fasteners IHF Stretchbolt and IHF Roundnut were These precise results have the effect that the bolt connections designed for bolt connections of steel constructions, which are with IHF fasteners do not have to be maintained such as WIND INDUSTRY mainly subjected to tensile loads for example on flange tower bolt conventional HV bolt connections (high-strength bolt connection) Meanwhile the Government itself is connections of wind turbine towers or on foundation bolts. – these fasteners can therefore be called ‘maintenance free’. encouraging wind firms to enter into Local Enterprise Partnerships, to open up supply chain opportunities for all companies able to compete on price and quality – irrespective of their size.

CASE STUDY More than 3.000 ultrasonic measurements of a 18 month in-field analysis on wind turbine towers prove that the required assembly preloads (FM) are within a close tolerance and consistently above the required preloads of 70% according to the DASt 021 (German steel construction guideline).

This significantly saves costs – especially if they are applied in offshore turbine applications.

Frank Hohmann ITH Bolting Technology

48 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 49 EVENTS FORTHCOMING FEATURES

Events and What’s New... WINTERWIND 2016 ISSUE 31 WHEN 8 – 10 February WHERE Are, Sweden GET INVOLVED CONTACT www.winterwind.se • ICOE 2016 COMING UP IN THE NEXT ISSUE: WHEN 23 – 25 February WHERE Edinburgh, UK If you would like to contribute an article CONTACT www.renewableuk.com/ICOE2016UK to any of the features below, your 350 word story would be most welcome. There is no charge for editorial. SCOTTISH RENEWABLES ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2016 WHEN 1 – 2 March WHERE Edinburgh, UK CONTACT www.scottishrenewables.com

EEEGR SNS 2016 WHEN 2 – 3 March WHERE Norwich, UK CONTACT www.eeegr.com/events/sns2016-the-sea -of- opportunity

PWEA CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2016 WHEN 8 – 9 March WHERE Warsaw, Poland CONTACT www.windpowermonthly.com/event

OCEANOLOGY INTERNATIONAL (OI) 2016 WHEN 15 – 17 March WHERE Excel, London Health & Safety CONTACT www.oceanologyinternational.com Launch & Recovery Systems Offshore Oil Changes IWEA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2016 * Failure: Root Cause Analysis * WHEN 23 – 24 March WHERE Dublin, Ireland Radar Mitigation CONTACT www.iwea.com/index * Blade Inspection & Repair * Seabed Surveying FOR MORE INFO ON Inter-Array Cables Click to Due Diligence FORTHCOMING FEATURES view more * * info Protective Coatings NEXT EDITION - ISSUE 31 Emergency Response *STILL AVAILABLE TO BE SPONSORED, LOOKING FOR A SPECIALIST IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE LEAD SERVICE PROVIDER IN THE WIND DEADLINE FOR CONTRIBUTIONS 1ST FEB ENERGY INDUSTRY? Visit our extensive online Supply Chain Register where circa 1300 companies specific to the wind energy industry are listed Follow the link for T 01765 644224 more information or Click to view more info E [email protected] call Carly on: W www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 01765 644224

50 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 51 MET MASTS FEATURE SPONSOR FEATURE SPONSOR MET MASTS

PIONEERING WIND FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED “If clients know what is happening then they have the ability to make ENERGY PORTAL decisions and respond to any issues without delay.

“This new system allows quick and easy access to the clients’ data, all My next guest company may need MORE ON MET MASTS their sites in one central place – one click away. More complex data All reports are up-to-date, allowing for little introduction, as their heritage Dulas pride themselves on analysis, site benchmarking, reporting and energy yield calculations are a readily packaged data analysis tools and reputation is as old as the being uniquely able to provide powerful and easy such as an energy yield calculator and clean tech industry itself. Dulas is hardware installation into to use, designed to site benchmarking, which in turn save a global organisation which has hostile environments (on and their specifications.” on costly third party analysis. been at the forefront of energy offshore) as well as providing engineering innovation for over the best standards in lifecycle Peter goes onto say Data is valuable and it is clear that three decades. But as we’ll learn, monitoring and maintenance. that the system is live Dulas have invested in data security success combines experience So Dulas’ met mast services and ready to use as through secure cloud storage and with continuous innovation and a are designed to meet accurate soon as it is installed, robust user authentication to ensure forward thinking mind-set. and robust data requirements with an interface that client data is protected. James Longbottom and uncompromising Health which has been The company is wholly committed and Safety standards, but no carefully designed IN A NUTSHELL to providing quality goods, technical less attention is paid to data to be intuitive, There are exciting times ahead for and engineering services. They collection, reporting, cleaning and analysis. THE EARLY DAYS avoiding complicated Dulas and we shall thoroughly look offer a complete package of wind With the whole process implemented by “Since the first windfarms were built setup and multiple forward to hearing the progress. We development services for supply chain one dynamic team, Dulas ensure that a in the 1990’s, engineers have been time-consuming will no doubt continue this success consolidation and security, ultimately client’s data is cared for under one roof accessing data by manually dialling in clicking before use. story and follow their journey in future delivering the most profitable windfarms from due diligence right through to initial to met masts. As the number of masts It combines refined issues… for their clients. Site finding, feasibility installation. It is through attention to detail increased, keeping track of issues at web tools such as studies, EIA and planning application that they have earned their market leaders sites became a real challenge. Some live date sliders to preparation, wind monitoring, data status. years back, Dulas were among the make the interface a Dulas analysis, yield prediction, end of first to implement automatic mast pleasure to use. warranty inspections and discharge AND NOW FOR SOMETHING NEW…. dialling. Today, data automation Click to view more info of planning conditions are all part of I am delighted to find out more about the evolution continues as Dulas masts are Other features within the system allow for the Dulas service. With a portfolio of most recent innovation at Dulas, the aptly programmed to automatically send their simple and fast data visualisation, data satisfied customers and a mission named Dulas Data Hub. Working with data to a central server as often as every integrity analysis, raw data and TAB file to inspire and deliver solutions that data technology specialists Visualwind, minute using the latest in packet switch download, installation files, maps and Fliss Chaffer improve lives. We took some time to Dulas have implemented a data portal technology. It is the Dulas Data Hub that images; to summarise - the latest in remote Wind Energy Network explore what lies behind the ongoing that connects clients directly with their brings the benefits of this data automation communications visualisation techniques. success of Dulas. mast data. I spoke with Peter Longbottom to the end user. As soon as data lands Operations Director of Visualwind who from a remote mast, it is visible on the INTELLIGENT & INTUITIVE enlightens me further… Dulas Data Hub both to Dulas engineers The result of using the Data Hub is high and to the client. quality, uninterrupted meteorological GLOBAL PICTURE data which forms the backbone of any “The Dulas Data Hub allows developers successful wind project. The Dulas Data to see a global picture of their whole Hub and underlying database technology portfolio in one easy view. There are many means a considerable reduction in data off-the-shelf data management products loss as alerts and advanced knowledge available which are fine in some cases, of potential site issues enable predictive but the intricacies of wind data systems maintenance ensuring maximum integrity required an application specific solution.” of data.

52 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 53 MET MASTS FEATURE SPONSOR FEATURE SPONSOR MET MASTS

VIRTUAL MET MASTS As a result of the squeeze in profits and with onshore wind maturing as an energy sector, it is becoming increasingly important to estimate long-term asset and site performance to establish the potential success for future projects. REDUCE YOUR CAPEX Stakeholders and investors need to be certain that a site can be profitable before they proceed. Advances in technology play a key role in helping estimate long- LEASE YOUR DATA term asset and site performance. Earlier this year, the Met Office launched an updated version of its Virtual Met Mast (VMM) product - a solution that more accurately estimates long term average With met mast systems becoming more complex and more expensive to wind speeds for potential new sites, as well as providing a reliable purchase and maintain, surely it makes sense to remove the Capex costs and the long-term reference for correlation. VMM can help manage costs maintenance responsibilities altogether? and achieves this by being a much cheaper option than installing physical meteorological masts. After all, you are just interested in receiving OPERATING LEASE PLAN – A BETTER reliable and accurate bankable grade data, WAY? ADVANCED PROCESSES right? Surely there is a better way. Wouldn’t The new version of VMM uses advanced downscaling processes it be better to lease the system and the to produce accurate, long-term site and hub height-specific wind TEMPORARY MET MAST (TMM) necessary ongoing maintenance under an climatologies, specifically for the European wind energy market. TMM systems are installed to provide Operating Lease Plan? The data and resultant reports can then be used to support site wind developers and financiers with Wind search, selection and development activities across a range of wind Recourse Assessment (data) over a short This provides the opportunity to roll all energy projects. time frame, typically 12 – 24 months. the necessary design, installation, data During that time the structure and the delivery, monitoring, ongoing maintenance, One of the key innovations is the development of an ‘intelligence instrumentation installation is subjected insurance, de-commissioning and reporting function’ that uses statistical techniques to build a knowledge base to harsh environmental conditions; that is into a simple monthly payment plan. The of correction factors between model, re-analysis and monitored the idea after all…but what happens when responsibility to provide reliable, accurate data across a range of sites. It then applies these learnings in the there is a vital instrument failure? data and reporting throughout the future to minimise resulting biases in wind speed results for new measurement period is transferred from the sites. This process is • Who is responsible for managing the purchaser to the supplier. able to capture very repair process? Closer to you. detailed interactions • Why is this process so time consuming MORE EXPENSIVE between data, for your team? But this will be more expensive in the long making it particularly term, right? Wrong. Conditions in the wind and wave energy effective in regions MONITORING SYSTEM – COSTLY AND with complex terrain. TIME CONSUMING For a typical installed and maintained industry can be tough: extreme Typically, the client’s System Monitoring system such as an 80m — 100m lattice temperatures and high mechanical loads. SITE SELECTION Team will spot and report the problem to met mast with a full suite of Class 1 VMM can help the Project Manager. The Project Manager instruments, the lease plan is cheaper over Our readily biodegradable speciality lubricants are the windfarm developers may then contact their Wind Analysis the full term. clean choice for clean energy and are so eco-friendly and windfarm Consultants for advice. that they are used widely in one of the world’s most sensitive eco-systems – the Arctic. consultants select The reason is that the supplier owns the the best onshore and They, in turn will investigate the problem asset which can be re-used several times. Whether it’s extreme loads, sophisticated materials, offshore windfarm and offer suggestions for remedial actions. The installer owns the asset — the client or optimum performance – our speciality lubricants sites. It provides The client then contacts the installer to owns the data. deliver increased performance of turbines on land, or key wind climatology statistics including mean wind speed, wind agree rectification. The installer dispatches out at sea. direction, exceedance values, wind shear and turbulence intensity. a team to rectify the problem(s) and Michael Martyn It also allows those planning site locations to have confidence in forwards a report to the client. CEO Our experts will go to great lengths to ensure your their selections and data that will in turn support their efforts to win KONA turbines run trouble-free, so if it’s about pushing the limit investment in their projects. The client sends the report to the Wind of what is possible then Klüber Lubrication solutions are Analysis Consultants who check the in demand. Working with Temporis Wind, a developer, funder and operator of system and update their report for the single wind turbine projects, Met Office completed VMM reports system. This may be repeated during the [email protected] www.klueber.com/wind-power-industry for over 200 potential sites. These accurate, reliable and fast site lifecycle of the system installation and can assessments enabled Temporis Wind to complete orders for wind multiply across several installations for a turbines from several manufacturers, saving them critical time and large developer. money. your global specialist This of course is very costly and time Met Office consuming as typically any warranty will cover the instruments only and not the Click to view more info labour and the technicians.

54 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 55 MET MASTS FEATURE SPONSOR FEATURE SPONSOR MET MASTS

Dogger Bank lidar confirms technology FUTURE OFFSHORE POSSIBILITIES Nachaat Tahmaz, Forewind Project Manager said that the lidar was installed as it offered the best solution to ensure there was meets met masts for wind data collection no break in the wind data collection. “We captured wind data using the lidar which, when A wind lidar installed at Dogger Bank for the Forewind wind speed information for four months to April 2015 and then compared to that gathered by the met masts, showed a consortium has provided data which shows the technology when the meteorological mast was reinstalled in May 2015 it strong correlation and opens up possibilities for future lidar has advanced to the stage where it could be used in future continued wind speed measurement at the mast’s base. use offshore.” as an alternative to meteorological masts for wind data collection. Results now published confirm the lidar was available for 100 WORKING TOGETHER percent of the time and correlations to the met mast were found to SeaRoc has worked with Forewind since March 2013, The Dogger Bank projects being developed by the Forewind be excellent and at least as good as variations between individual managing the complete installation works of both the east consortium will have a capacity of 4.8 GW and as part of their anemoneter cups. mast which is located approximately 81 nautical miles (150 assessment process, two meteorological mast platforms were kilometres) from the UK coast, as well as the sister mast to installed during 2013. LONG-TERM FINANCIAL AS WELL AS HEALTH & SAFETY the west. ADVANTAGES INSTALLATION Neil Pittam, SeaRoc’s Geomatic Engineering Manager said: “The In March 2015, SeaRoc collaborated with its sister company In November 2014, a ZephIR 300 wind lidar was installed on the ZephIR Lidar poses clear long-term financial and health and to design the installation of the ZephIR Lidar at what is east meteorological mast platform by sister company SeaRoc safety advantages over traditional anemometry as it requires thought to be the furthest offshore lidar deployment in the Group to provide continuous data above the existing mast height, less personnel to carry out maintenance tasks and vessel time world. Due to its remote location an extremely reliable and while the mast underwent maintenance works. The lidar collected offshore is significantly reduced.” very low maintenance power and communications solution was required. The ZephIR Lidar has the ability to record data from up to 300m high from installed location, right down to just 10m.

IN SUMMARY Ian Locker, Managing Director at ZephIR Lidar commented: “The results at this landmark offshore development confirm the real opportunity for the pragmatic use of wind lidar offshore and its potential to replace fixed met mast structures for wind measurement while delivering significant cost-savings and health and safety advantages.

“The ZephIR 300 wind lidar allowed for there to be no gap in wind data during the mast maintenance period and has essentially extended the height of the mast significantly. It produced high availability and high accuracy of data and was perfectly reliable, confirming that it could be used alone for wind data collection at a fraction of the cost.”

SeaRoc has now installed three Z300 lidars offshore: the NaREC metmast, Dogger Bank and the SeaZephIR, a floating platform, installed off the US East coast for a period of almost 3 years.

ZephIR Lidar

SeaRoc Group

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56 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 57 ENERGY 2020 GAME CHANGER

RAPID CHANGE FUTURE ENERGY 2020 INSIGHTS ENERGY The energy supply market is changing We will be exploring each of these three fast. With the future for energy supply likely capabilities in coming releases of Energy to be characterised by further shifts to 2020 insights that will explain how energy 2020 personalisation, with innovative products suppliers can start to position themselves and services giving customers more choice as winners in the changing market. 'GAME-CHANGING' VESSEL WHO WILL and greater freedom to control their Norwegian shipbuilder Umoe Mandal The 317MW Sheringham Shoal Offshore SMOOTHER VOYAGES AND PROVIDING energy demand (and placed the new WaveCraft Surface Wind Farm is located from 9-17 miles INCREASED ACCESS OPPORTUNITY BE THE possibly own supply), Effect Ship Umoe Firmus into the off the coast of North Norfolk in the Importantly, managing the pressure of the whole identity of water for the first time recently, which southern North Sea and Umoe Firmus will the air cushion according to wave height WINNERS? a supplier is changing means this exciting vessel is on operate from the port of Wells-next-the- allows for smoother voyages and provides – energy supply schedule to arrive in the UK in mid- Sea, Norfolk, which is the location of the a greatly increased opportunity for access The UK energy supply industry is companies can no January 2016. Sheringham Shoal O&M base. to turbines – up to wave heights of 2.5 facing its biggest shake-up since longer rely on their metres, or even higher in a swell. deregulation, putting companies in the traditional heritage SHERINGHAM SHOAL OFFSHORE AIR CUSHION sector under unprecedented pressure and expertise to WINDFARM DEPLOYMENT The WaveCraft uses an air cushion "The Umoe Firmus build is progressing to develop winning strategies. compete. Umoe Firmus is to be operated by Tidal between its catamaran hulls to lift 80% well and it is great news that it went into Transit Limited, which has an initial charter of the vessel out of the water. The the water a few days ago." said Tidal With new competitors and technological CAPABILITIES contract in place, with a longer-term small draught that this creates provides Transit's Commercial Director, Leo Hambro. innovation inspiring enhanced products Furthermore, as the extension option, with Statkraft UK. The the vessel with easy access to ports, and services, energy suppliers need to pace of this change vessel will be deployed to transport O&M especially those such as Wells-next-the- And added: "The news that a WaveCraft is adapt quickly if they want to retain the accelerates, the need turbine technicians into the Sheringham Sea which are subject to tidal restrictions. coming to the UK is creating considerable trust of energy customers and increase for energy suppliers Shoal Offshore Windfarm field. It also enables the vessel to travel at excitement in the offshore wind industry market share. However, a number of the to focus on the speeds of in excess of 40 knots whilst as it is perceived by many as being a capabilities they need to succeed in this right capabilities is maintaining a low fuel consumption, potential ‘game-changing' vessel." future market – being innovative, digitally becoming greater. resulting in a range of more than 700 advanced and highly efficient – are not nautical miles. Tidal Transit those traditionally associated with the utilities sector. Click to view more info TO BE A WINNER, AN ENERGY SUPPLIER MUST DECIDE NOW HOW = Click to view video FAR IT IS WILLING AND ABLE TO CHANGE… • Technology is emerging as a leading driver of change in energy markets around the world • Changes in how electricity is generated and stored are also contributing to the disruption of the industry • Energy companies are already facing much higher levels of competition than in the past

SO, HOW CAN ENERGY SUPPLIERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE DISRUPTIVE FACTORS FACING THE ENERGY INDUSTRY? • Keeping ahead through innovation • Becoming digitally normal These are the • Frontier efficiency and operational capabilities that excellence allow them to create the products and However, these capabilities will only services that will put work together if combined with customer the most pressure centricity. The customer, as always, is the on their competitors which give them the PwC drive wheel behind a successful model of flexibility to adapt to disruption quickly and energy supply. We already see a number of successfully making them the envy of the Click to view more info new entrants and existing suppliers using market on price, quality and service. combinations of these capabilities to define new and differentiated business models. In addition to the overriding need for customer centricity, we believe these capabilities are a greater focus on innovation, becoming digitally normal and leading continually on cost efficiency and operational excellence.

58 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 59 CABLE MAINTENANCE & PROTECTION FEATURE SPONSOR FEATURE SPONSOR CABLE MAINTENANCE & PROTECTION

OMM’s experience spans the entire lifecycle, from the planning and consenting phase though to installation and supporting fully operational windfarms. Within OMM’s operations Revolutionary Sub Sea Tool and maintenance services, clients are supported through a dedicated 24 hour emergency line, ensuring a WELCOME… team of experts are on site to locate As sponsors of our Cable Maintenance & the fault, investigate and implement an appropriate response plan. Protection feature for this issue we are delighted to welcome two professionals from Offshore Marine IN A NUTSHELL OMM are literally a one-stop-shop Management (OMM), introducing Paul Hampton, providing a wealth of expertise and skill Operations Manager and George Birkett, Resources globally within the marine sector. Manager whom will enlighten us further on the firm, its services and its latest innovations.

IMPRESSIVE PORTFOLIO George goes on to say that of course OMM is a company whom, over the with any subsea design there are various last decade, have become a leading challenges to be considered, with that light in the provision of cable installation in mind OMM created the MDS3 with a solutions, not to mention a further view to ensuring it would be more than impressive portfolio of complimentary capable of withstanding the harsh marine and associated services, including environment at depths relevant to round Tower Support Services, Operations & 3 offshore windfarm. OMM believes Maintenance and Vessel Management, that, with this tool, they are leading the all of which seek to deliver offshore industry in achieving cost reductions and wind projects throughout the entire improvements in productivity. project lifecycle. Multi-mattress Deployment System, SUCCESSFUL FORMULA also known as MDS³, is an intelligent TO CONCLUDE… The successful formula adopted by this mattress frame, rapidly decreasing the The ideal - “To be recognised as a company from the outset has been time associated with subsea mattress leading partner for both operators and flexibility and innovation – one that installation by delivering three mattresses contractors in the effective delivery has seen them flourish and prosper, per deployment, compared to standard of flexible and innovative solutions offering bespoke project specific marine frames which deliver just one. across the entire project lifecycle.” packages to their clients for a wide range of sectors. Paul continues that the laying of It would seem OMM’s capabilities and mattresses, which is so essential for the expertise is both wide and diverse; we For the purposes of this narrative we protection of cables, pipelines, and scour look forward to hearing their continued will be concentrating specifically on the prevention, is normally a costly activity in successes and news in future issues. wind energy sector and in particular terms of both time and money, yet with the elucidating about the launch of their MDS3 the costs are significantly reduced ground-breaking and remarkable MDS³ with the additional benefit of the reduction Offshore Marine Management System. of QHSE risks. Click to view more info RADICAL TOOL He goes on to say: “For protection and Again, a further benefit of the MDS3 is CASE STUDY OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE This radical state-of-the-art subsea tool scour prevention concrete mattresses its ability to provide Mattressing work in Paul goes on to say they have completed As a part of OMM’s wider portfolio of has been developed as a result of over have been used since the 1970’s. From shallower waters which preclude the use their first contract using the MDS3 in services, the firm also offers comprehensive = Click to view video a decade of experience gained within that period they were initially installed of a conventional ROV. The MDS3 adds Germany for NSW cable crossings. The operations and maintenance services, the offshore industry. This simple, yet with divers and a lifting frame, this then further value by providing sonar imaging, firm were pleased to deliver on the promise providing and delivering expertise across Fliss Chaffer innovative concept has already been progressed at the advent of the ROV allowing operators to view the seabed in of time and costs savings by successfully both preventative and reactive maintenance Wind Energy Network seen to improve efficiencies and in allowing for slightly deeper operation. The limited visibility conditions as frequently completing the project in half the time and repair plans for windfarms. turn delivered a cost effective solution latest advancement is the development of found in shallower waters. it would have taken with a conventional for our client. The firm looks forward the MDS3, which is a remotely controlled mattress installation frame. to delivering further benefits to future frame, also incorporating sensors and clients. thrusters. This is now a viable alternative to the use of ROVs and divers, hence a reduction of QHSE risks.” – how technology has developed.

60 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 61 FEATURE SPONSOR CABLE MAINTENANCE & PROTECTION

CABLE DEPTH OF BURIAL SURVEYING IN CHALLENGING MARINE ENVIRONMENTS

Traditionally dependent upon weather Maintaining a fixed heading and altitude in BENEFITS conditions and limited by vessel and relation to a survey line, cable or pipeline HydroMap’s Managing Director Andy ROV capability, cable inspection and provides exceptional line-keeping ability McLeay comments “A key benefit of depth of burial surveying is an area of in comparison to traditional mid-size d’ROP is its ability to support virtually interest for operators, installation and ROV systems. Thrust capability is also any survey sensor and accurately deploy survey contractors. significantly improved over equivalent-sized it at the point of interest for maximum ROVs, enabling the d’ROP to hold station effectiveness. We are only now realising Cable tracking sensors are typically effectively and survey between 1-4knots, in the full range of applications and potential equipped to semi-work class ROVs, up to 3 knots of tide. of the unit, with our overriding aim being restricting the vessel size to those capable to optimise data quality and productivity. of accommodating and safely deploying VERSATILITY such a unit, and therefore the minimum The d’ROP offers a versatile platform to “This has been achieved by overcoming working water depth. Designed for accommodate various sensors, including the effects of real time environmental operation in between 5-150m water depth, the traditional TSS cable and pipeline factors on the survey data by employing Bibby HydroMap’s newly launched survey tracking units, side scan sonar, multibeam extremely responsive active heave ROV d’ROP presents a viable solution to echo sounder for hi-resolution bathymetry, compensation (AHC) in conjunction with the coastal survey challenge commonly sub-bottom profiler, magnetometer for a low drag platform with an impressively faced on offshore renewables sites. UXO survey and notably, PanGeo’s SBI. powerful dynamic tracking capability.”

DEPLOYMENT INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS Designed initially for operation from the Bibby HydroMap hosted interactive company’s 27.5m DP1 survey vessel Bibby workshops in Lowestoft in November Athena, the d’ROP is deployed vertically onboard Bibby Athena, where beneath the vessel, deriving vertical representatives from Bibby HydroMap position from a heave-compensated winch delivered presentations and answered and combined LARS, with the on-board questions about the combination of d’ROP thrusters maintaining heading and fine and SBI. This is to be followed in January adjustments to the lateral position. with free trials over selected client assets.

Bibby HydroMap

Click to view more info

= Click to view video

62 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 63 CABLE MAINTENANCE & PROTECTION FEATURE SPONSOR FEATURE SPONSOR CABLE MAINTENANCE & PROTECTION Cable Protection Unique Challenges Precision subsea burial Cable protection has some unique challenges, especially aids cable protection where the cables are laid adjacent to monopiles of wind turbines where enhanced near-seabed velocities bring issues of severe scour as well as issues of stability for the Global Marine Systems Limited has This ROV’s cable detection and tracking LEADING PROVIDER cables. been installing subsea cables since system results in time-saving, precision The company is a leading provider of 1850. Since then, the company has burial – reducing the possibility of cable engineering and underwater services, WIND ENERGY INDUSTRY installed more than 300,000 km of damage during the process. Furthermore, providing subsea cable installation, Windfarm projects where scour and protection mattresses have cable (23% of the world’s total). The trenching can be carried out both pre- or maintenance and burial services around the been supplied by Pipeshield International are: Lincs OWF, Lynn installation of subsea power cables post-lay as well as simultaneous lay and world. Inner Dowsing, Gwynt Y Môr, Scroby Sands and Thanet. has been a core business activity for burial for offshore subsea power cables. over 25 years and the requirements With a fleet of vessels and specialised PRODUCT SOLUTIONS met range from HVDC to HVAC, and IMPRESSIVE TRACK RECORD subsea equipment, they have a 165-year The company can provide a range of solutions for cable and from the shallow depths of less than The Q1000 was acquired by Global legacy in deep and shallow water cable scour protection which include concrete, bitumen and fronded 10m through to deep water of over Marine in May 2015 and the ROV has an operations. mattresses, grout and rock bags. 6000m. impressive track record in the power cable market. In 2012 for example, it completed Global Marine Systems Limited They can also supply a lightweight rigid cover system for cable Q1000 JET TRENCHER remedial operations for Centrica at the protection (seacult cover) for use in areas which require dropped Precision subsea burial of power cables Lincs Wind Farm in the North Sea. object protection. The cover system is designed to permit rapid (or indeed umbilicals or pipelines), aids deployment of the units following on from the cable lay itself. Speed loaders and wet store frames are designed to permit future cable protection. The company multiple numbers of mattresses to be lifted at once enabling the employs its Q1000 Jet Trencher to bury EFFICIENCY installer to stack on board quickly and in turn overboard for wet cables to a depth of up to 3m at a speed In conjunction with the products supplied, the company has storage for precise placement later in the campaign. of up to 400m per hour. Operationally developed a number of systems to load, stack and transport and rated to a depth of 1000m, the Q1000 is subsea store to permit greater efficiencies for offshore vessels. DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS easily configured for use with either tracks Both systems incorporate a quick release mechanism that can be or skids to suit the application and it can deployed by a simple lever action and for the subsea units the release be deployed for trenching operations on a system is operated by diver, ROV or remotely using a hydraulic seabed that ranges from fine sand to firm activation system. clay.

Wet store bases can also be deployed to form a level platform for retrieval of mattresses from the seabed. The frames can be adapted to include a grating to the base and sides to act as a basket for smaller objects to be retrieved safely.

Pipeshield International is a world leader in subsea pipeline and cable protection, is well known and has a highly reputable brand in the energy sector.

The company is a leading source of knowledge on pipeline/cable protection, scour prevention and protection within renewables.

GLOBAL REACH Headquartered in Lowestoft, the company maintains manufacturing bases in England, Scotland, Norway and South East Asia, with project specific production experience in the Middle East, Canada, Caspian, Malta and South Africa.

CERTIFICATIONS Pipeshield is approved to ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, OHSAS 18001:2007 and is a supplier member to FPAL achieving the VERIFY status for its quality systems.

Pipeshield International Ltd

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64 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 65 OFFSHORE FLIGHT TRACKING Offshore Flight Tracking

ADS-B (Automatic Dependant Surveillance-B), a relatively new ‘radar’ technology, be mounted high and away from metal has become not only a professional tool for Air Traffic Control, but also popular structures to avoid reflections. Outdoor by public flight tracking network apps, that can display air traffic on everybody's materials must be selected diligently to smartphone. Making flight positions, altitudes and many other data visible on a withstand the saline environment, which private GIS is an interesting application for offshore operators too. is not a standard requirement for aviation material. NEW ‘RADAR’ TECHNOLOGY This happens every 500ms with packets of ADS-B has been a standard in aviation 112 µs length at a frequency of 1.09 GHz. TAILORED ADS-B SOLUTIONS for more than 15 years, but only recently Range of ADS-B signals is strictly ‘line-of- Planevision Systems is a major a breakthrough in its usage has been sight’. Therefore a receiving ground station manufacturer of economical ‘information- reached by mandates of equipage: e.g. has a limited range for low flying traffic only. only’ ADS-B receiving solutions. More Norway will require offshore helicopter Typical ranges are 35 NM for 1,000ft, 70 than 3,000 devices are delivered annually traffic in some North Sea areas to use NM for 5,000ft flying altitude. to flight tracking providers and other ADS-B. Similar to the vessel information customers. system (AIS) flights equipped with an OFFSHORE CHALLENGES ADS-B capable transponder ‘squitter’ their To enable tracking of low-flying helicopters As a solution for offshore challenges position, but also up to 60 other flight data in remote offshore areas ADS-B receivers the company has developed its to ground stations. can be placed on wind energy platforms PlaneTRack series of ADS-B receivers as long as electrical power and network and accessories. Housed in a 19" 2U connections are provided. Antennas should aluminium rack insert a receiver/processor decodes ADS-B data and transmits them to a central control room, where they can be overlaid to a GIS.

FORMATS AND OPTIONS A variety of data formats are available, including fully decoded JSON flight data which are easy to process. Options for unmanned operations and dual mains power supply are available. MIL-STD 525 salt spray certified antennas and mounts are offered together with low loss coax cables and lightning protection devices. Extended warranty options including a component exchange service round up the Planevision Systems offshore product portfolio.

Planevision Systems

66 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 67 SPECIALIST BUSINESS CENTRES FEATURE SPONSOR FEATURE SPONSOR SPECIALIST BUSINESS CENTRES

“The appointment of a full time, dedicated Project Director wouldn’t have been Access to global possible without SCORE funding and having successfully recruited for the position, the project is now moving ahead opportunities and dedicated at a very exciting pace. GEV Offshore, leading providers of offshore wind turbine maintenance, received “SCORE funding has not only helped £50,000 to support the development us financially, but our relationship with support of their innovative Turbine Maintenance the OrbisEnergy team has been hugely Habitat Structure. beneficial in helping us ‘spread the word’ Among the incentives to taking offices in the iconic five-storey OrbisEnergy, INCUBATION STRATEGY throughout the industry (and OEMs) about the offshore renewables hub for the East of England overlooking the North Johnathan explains “Our incubation David Fletcher, Managing Director of GEV our plans and the benefits our structure Sea, is access to major industry opportunities around the globe, and strategy is simple. It’s about doing Offshore comments: “Habitat structures will bring to the industry.” specialist support to fuel business growth. whatever we can to support our tenants, have worked well in the oil and gas whether they are starting-out in their back sector for many years and we decided bedroom using our virtual incubation to migrate the idea across to offshore SPECIALIST INNOVATION AND TENANT SUPPORT AND INFLUENCE programme, or be it an established or wind. Wind speeds, rain, temperature INCUBATION CENTRE ScottishPower Renewables, developers of multi-national firm looking to expand into and humidity all significantly impact on an Designed as a specialist innovation the East Anglia Offshore Wind Farm and new territories or new markets, or firms engineer’s ability to complete scheduled and incubation centre for the rapidly- about to start construction for the £2bn of any size developing a new technology, maintenance. Our offshore habitat expanding offshore energy business, East Anglia ONE using Lowestoft port, and idea or solution which needs investment. structure will mitigate the weather risk and sitting at Britain’s most easterly point with planning permission in the pipeline enable engineers, once on-site, to work in Lowestoft, it has become home for East Anglia Three, credits its tenancy “What our tenant businesses have, unhindered in a controlled environment. for key offshore wind developers, of OrbisEnergy as an important factor in compared to other serviced office space, leading supply chain companies and winning permission for the world’s largest is access to a range of specialist industry innovators. windfarm. support including access and advice on grant-funds and financial assistance, Johnathan Reynolds, Business Jo Young, Stakeholder Manager at mapping out diversification opportunities, Development lead for OrbisEnergy, ScottishPower Renewables, said: understanding the market in more detail, said “OrbisEnergy is quite simply an "OrbisEnergy has all the facilities required or just an introduction to potential new incredible facility that has incubated to support an international energy clients, suppliers or partners to help more than 130 businesses, created company. their businesses grow. This is something more than 600 new jobs, and helped unique to Nwes and something that has some of the region’s best-known “Having a presence at OrbisEnergy been of huge benefit to many of our businesses get established. has been integral in helping us secure tenants.” planning permission for the £2 billion East “OrbisEnergy is the physical Anglia ONE offshore windfarm project. GLOBAL REACH manifestation of the region’s vision The team at OrbisEnergy don’t stop there. and commitment to develop a vibrant “Its flexible office space, conference Working with UK Trade & Investment and dynamic cluster of offshore facilities, networking opportunities, the innovation hub has been helping renewable energy businesses. Eight business support, information seminars businesses to explore major global growth years since we opened the doors and events, along with access to finance markets with interactive presentations from and we are incredibly proud of what and investment, make it an obvious industry leaders delivered live from the we have achieved and the role that choice for a base for any company United States, the Netherlands, France, Orbis continues to play in supporting working in or with aspirations to work in China, Taiwan and Germany. businesses and securing major offshore renewables.” investment not just in Lowestoft, but SCORE INNOVATION GRANT right across our region.” EXPANSION PROGRAMME A growing number of contractors, including Plans are currently being developed to those supporting RWE Innogy’s Galloper work more closely with the Offshore offshore windfarm off the Suffolk coast, Renewable Energy Catapult centre, have recently moved in and are already including a £6m successor to the expanding. successful £2.7m SCORE innovation grant programme, which helped more than 40 Tenants quote business opportunities, new projects with investment. contacts, collaboration, building a greater market share in the wind, wave and tidal industries as valuable extra benefits to the office space, communication systems, reception and secretarial services and 24- hour access to the building.

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Director Nick Ford said: “The flexibility of Information sessions, delivered in association the workspace has allowed us to expand with UKTI, will focus on opportunities in Iran, LEADING TENANT COMPANIES effectively and reorganise according to Supply chain the Americas, Egypt, Mexico, the Middle Some leading names in the East of England the needs of our business. East, Norway, Australia and Africa. energy industry started life in the Beacon centre, including Seajacks, 3sun Group, “The office and conferencing facilities are CONTINUED support at ADAPTING TO NEW MARKET Fraser Well Management and GEV Offshore. of a high standard, and the NWES team CONDITIONS It has also hosted project offices for Gaz de has always been very accommodating to TENANT DEVELOPMENT John Balch, Strategic Director of Nwes, France, Tullow Oil, Engie and Perenco. our needs as clients.” Fred. Olsen Windcarrier, James Fisher Renewables, successful which owns and operates the Beacon Global Wind Service and market analysts 4C Offshore Innovation Centre, said the supply chain 3sun set up eight years ago in an 161 RECOMMENDATION are among tenant companies who have recently had to adapt to new market conditions sq.ft. serviced office with just CEO Graham Seajacks also took flexible accommodation expanded after making OrbisEnergy first choice for since the oil price dropped to below $40 a Hacon and his wife, Leonie, using a shared at a reasonable cost using the reception their East of England bases. incubator barrel. The duration of the slump indicated switchboard operator and meeting rooms. services and virtual offices included in the the market had changed for many years, rent, which reduced its running costs when James Fisher is developing a control room for its possibly for good, he said. Today, it employs more than 340 people it was trying to keep costs to a minimum. Offshore Wind Management System (OWMS™) and centre across operations in Great Yarmouth, has rapidly expanded to three offices. “Businesses are looking at opportunities Aberdeenshire, Denmark and Norway and Blair Ainslie, Seajacks Chief Executive, An oil and gas-focused business innovation centre, to diversify and expand their businesses made pre-tax profits of £2.6million in the said: “As a company working in the oil Martin Myhill Sisley, Managing Director, said: “We which has supported more than 230 businesses and in different ways. last tax year - up from £1.6million the year & gas and offshore wind industries, a have increased our business development and thousands of jobs, is sharpening its 2016 offer targeting before on turnover, which grew by nearly lot of Seajacks’ operations are based in OWMS delivery teams and will continue to grow in innovation, technology and supply chain support for the “For example, there are major offshore 40% to £28.9million. the Southern North Sea. The variety of OrbisEnergy. renewables sector. wind and renewables opportunities that a suppliers and potential clients in the area lot of companies in the oil and gas supply SECURITY AND SUPPORT was one of the important considerations “James Fisher Renewables has a bright future and Among the support for oil & gas supply chain companies by chain are in a good place to reposition Graham said tenancy of Beacon offered when choosing an office space. being in OrbisEnergy is a part of it.” one of the East of England’s most successful incubators is a themselves to take advantage of, whether the security and support it needed at that new series of events about pushing into new global markets that is manufacturing, engineering, design crucial time of start-up. “Without Beacon Innovation Centre, Johnathan said: “Businesses are targeting during the downturn. and other disciplines. Seajacks would have had to take a larger OrbisEnergy for the world-class cluster of expertise “If I was to give any advice to start-up office at a crucial time in their start-up and experience here.” BUSINESS SUPPORT EXPERIENCE FOREIGN MARKETS companies, it would be to surround and incurred larger costs than originally The Beacon Innovation Centre in Great Yarmouth has been “Companies that are active in the home yourself with a strong team and to Think intended. The UK arm of Fred. Olsen Windcarrier runs an incubator for start-ups since 2002 – many growing into market are looking at new foreign Big. Thinking Big and taking on more its development activities for its fleet of jack up multi-million pound businesses – supporting them with access markets. So we are building on the space than you think you will need “The support from the Beacon Innovation vessels, crew transfer vessels, manpower business, to finance and grants as well as its serviced offices and other highly successful international series we allows for growth, and as your business Centre team is still greatly appreciated by foundations and O&M from offices in OrbisEnergy. facilities. hosted at OrbisEnergy focusing on the succeeds you will be sure to fill it.” Seajacks who would recommend them global growth market in offshore wind by to any small businesses looking for a David Matthews, General Manager UK for Fred. Olsen Now, in a changing market demanding different thinking by running an oil and gas series. FACILITIES start-up office.” Windcarrier the supply chain and diversification, advice on global growth Ideal for young and high-growth companies, said “Fred. Olsen Windcarrier is situated in the heart markets is on the agenda. “Starting in the spring, it will explore global a fully equipped executive 20-seat boardroom Beacon Innovation Centre offshore wind in East Anglia at the OrbisEnergy and markets in oil and gas services and what is available for hire. Tenancy includes ‘easy in, co located with major players in the sector. companies in Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft easy out’ office space, ranging upwards from Click to view more info and further need to be thinking about to 161 sq.ft. a managed reception, 24-hour “Its offices are spacious, friendly and very well position themselves for these markets.” tenant access, free parking and round-the- equipped.” clock security monitoring.

FACILITIES Fraser Well Management moved in in 2004, Fred. Olsen Windcarrier is among the 69 companies growing businesses both on and offshore. with staffed and virtual offices in OrbisEnergy, which offers 3,300sqm of offices, meeting rooms and conference facilities.

OrbisEnergy is owned by Suffolk County Council and is managed by enterprise and innovation specialists Nwes, and supported by energy industry consultancy, Nautilus Associates.

OrbisEnergy

Click to view more info

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SPECIAL EDITION Wirral offers the renewable industry With pull out matrix supplement an excellent range of opportunities for manufacturing and pre-assembly, as Click to view well as operation more info and maintenance bases for windfarms and R&D projects for the sector. EDITORIAL REQUEST Thanks to a clear If you would like to contribute an article please get involved and send us your 350 word story and images. Editorial plan and strong is completely free of charge. To promote your company in the feature and matrix there are a number of options political will to pro- available, including a few of the section sponsorships. Follow the link above for more information. actively enable and support growth in the Offshore Wind, Humber Update will consist the following subsections... new developments are now becoming • Ports & Port Services Sponsored by WWL ALS • Further Education Sponsored by Grimsby Institute Group available for • Training Sponsored by HFR Solutions CIC • Market Opportunities Sponsored by Green Port Hull business in this • Professional Services • Operations & Maintenance sector. • Recruitment • Logistics CORE (CENTRE • Denmark & Humber Sponsored by Mascot International Sponsored by HOTA • Support Services FOR RENEWABLE • Research & Innovation • Engineering ENERGY) As the only area on the West Coast of Britain with CORE status, Wirral is playing to its LIGHTBOX DEVELOPMENT This has been made possible following huge natural advantage in the offshore One such project that is now available for an investment by the council of £895,000 wind sector, and is working hard to ensure new tenants is the innovative Lightbox from the Government’s Regional Growth everything is in place for renewable energy development in Birkenhead, a £2.5 million Fund for resources specifically to support businesses to make Wirral their home by complex of new super-energy efficient the local development of the offshore re-positioning the peninsula to harness offices and warehouses in Birkenhead. renewable sector and developed by these opportunities, carving a niche in new The innovative new development offers Capital and Centric Plc. ‘carbon neutral’ sector. real benefits to the local community and economy by providing state-of- This investment, and others targeted OFFSHORE WIND the-art, sustainable accommodation for at supporting businesses operating Cammell Laird, the original Northern businesses who are leading the offshore renewable energy sector, have been Power House, has diversified into Offshore wind sector. The development consists of undertaken to overcome a lack of local Wind and has already secured significant six new super energy efficient commercial suitable business premises for the offshore offshore wind contracts. Denmark’s units, including research, laboratory and sector, support local business targeting DONG Energy and Germany’s RWE are development spaces, which are now the supply chain in the off shore and investing in the region. Local firms like available to lease, specifically aimed at renewables sector. Bibby HydroMap (formerly Osiris Projects) businesses in the offshore wind sector. play a crucial role in supporting the sector Wirral Council further with oceanographic mapping and WIRRAL COUNCIL SUPPORT surveys. Support from Wirral Council is also Click to view more info bringing Turbine Business Park to INVESTMENT fruition, which has over 50 per cent Invest Wirral Wirral Council has recently invested occupancy before its completion. The £11m from the Regional Growth Fund new development offers brand new high Click to view more info in supporting renewable energy. This quality energy efficient units targeted at includes enabling the development of new businesses connected to the renewable The Lightbox premises for businesses involved in the energy sector, in particular the Offshore off-shore wind sector, with a number of Wind industry. initiatives now coming to fruition.

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These include excellent grid connection possibilities with a 400kV transmission line, HAVEN WATERWAY ENTERPRISE The UK’s world class research via a joined up Welsh ZONE Pembrokeshire academic approach, excellent port facilities The Pembrokeshire Science and and support services provided through MARINE ENERGY PEMBROKESHIRE Technology Park forms part of the provides the highest the UK’s third busiest port complex with a FORUM wider Haven Waterway Enterprise concentration of history of collaborative working within the In addition to this, Marine Energy Zone. SMEs and new starts within energy and marine sectors. Pembrokeshire is an established forum the Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone most renewable energy where technology developers, academia, may be entitled to apply for the Welsh resource in Wales SUPPLY CHAIN consenting bodies plus local and regional Government’s Business Rates Grant Pembrokeshire is already home to an government meet to develop the sector Scheme, offering financial support for and has significant tidal energy sector supply chain and workforce and work to establish Pembrokeshire business rates liabilities incurred. streams. In addition which supplies 25% of the UK’s refined as a ‘centre of excellence’ for marine attractive there are a number oil products, 30% of the UK’s gas energy. Marine Energy Pembrokeshire Companies located within specific requirements and Europe’s largest CCGT also provides support and guidance areas of the Zone may be entitled to of other factors that gas fired power station. All the facilities on for the marine energy sector and raises apply for Enhanced Capital Allowances set the area apart the Haven are close to steel fabricators, awareness of the regions key development to cover the capital cost of investment ship repairers, boat and barge builders, opportunities. in plant and equipment. from other UK sites marine and other engineering of various marine providing an attractive specialisms. BRIDGE INNOVATION CENTRE Designed with the interests and needs Bridge Innovation Centre package for renewables of marine energy developers in mind, energy investors and the Bridge Innovation Centre is run by Pembrokeshire County Council and was developers. established as the central hub of the renewables Pembrokeshire Science and Technology Park.

The Centre provides a unique environment for innovation and business growth with knowledge sharing, collaboration and energy site networking.

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HELPING WIND TURBINE WORKERS PREPARE CONFINED FOR CONFINED SPACE ENVIRONMENTS SPACES A number of people are killed or CONSTRUCTION AND TRAINING unit enables both theoretical and practical seriously injured in the UK each year in During construction of the turbine, workers training in confined space entry and exit; confined spaces. The Confined Space may need to enter sections of the tower, face fit testing and breathing apparatus KEY Regulations 1997 identify confined nacelle, hub or blades to finish seams, training to take place at any location, spaces primarily as somewhere grind or paint for example. When fully enabling a rapid set up, minimal disruption that is substantially, but not always installed, workers need to climb up the and cost saving benefits. entirely, enclosed. Confined spaces tower to reach the narrow, restricted ISSUES exist during construction and after spaces of the nacelle, hub and blades for SIMULATION installation of wind energy turbines, maintenance, inspection and repairs. Practical training covers entry (vertical with four main components that may and horizontal), suitability checks (i.e. FOR THE be considered confined spaces; the To help train those exposed to the risks for claustrophobia), selection and use of tower (vertical support), the nacelle associated with working in a confined equipment, developing a safe working (the housing that contains the space, safety expert Arco now offers system and the initiation of self-rescue WIND electrical components) the hub (hub comprehensive, practical and accredited or full rescue. Simulation exercises attaches to nacelle) and the blades training using the new Arco Mobile give trainees the necessary skills and (attach to hub). Confined Space Training Unit. The training confidence needed to work in confined INDUSTRY space environments. The duties to manage confined space • Loss of consciousness or asphyxiation FACTORS TO BE ASSESSED The unit can simulate different industrial risks are set out in the Confined arising from gas, fume, vapour, or lack INCLUDE… confined space scenarios in a safe Spaces Regulations 1997. of oxygen – fume and chemical • General condition of the confined environment, enabling trainees to be exposure from welding and related space, e.g. previous contents, residues, immersed in a highly realistic learning Fundamental is the assessment of risk. hot work; chemical vapours from contamination, oxygen deficiency and experience, including variable light levels, A confined space is defined as,“… any painting, blade repair; exposure to oxygen enrichment, physical noise programmes and smoke, plus place … which, by virtue of its enclosed naturally occurring toxic gases in soils dimensions configurable space over two floors. nature, there arises a reasonably and bedrock; oxygen displacement in • Hazards arising from the work, e.g. foreseeable specified risk ….” It foundations; etc cleaning chemicals, sources of ignition, REAL-TIME MONITORING must have both of the following defining increasing temperature Real-time monitoring and videoing also features… OTHER SPECIFIED RISKS (UNLIKELY IN • Hazards from outside the space, e.g. allows for continual monitoring of activity, THE WIND INDUSTRY) INCLUDE… ingress of substances live instruction from the trainer and observer 1 It must be a space which is • Drowning from an increase in the level • Emergency rescue learning outside the tunnels system. It is substantially (though not always entirely) of a liquid this realism that allows the trainee to fully enclosed • Asphyxiation arising from a free-flowing DESIGNING A SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK prepare for confined space situations with 2 One or more of the specified risks must solid or being unable to reach a The key issues to consider when designing wind turbines so that they can approach it be present or reasonably foreseeable respirable environment due to being a ‘safe system of work’ (which may form confidently when the situation does arise. trapped by such a free-flowing solid the basis of a ‘permit-to-work’) include WIND SECTOR supervision and competence for confined Total Access Within the wind sector spaces that are WIND INDUSTRY GUIDANCE IS spaces working. Workers must have substantially, although not always entirely, AVAILABLE… adequate training and experience in the Click to view more info enclosed include… • Onshore Wind Health & Safety particular work involved. Guidelines, RUK (2015: Issue 1; • Hubs, nacelles, yaw decks, blades and Section C.5) Training standards must be appropriate tower sections • Offshore Wind and Marine Energy to the task and to the individual’s roles • Transition pieces, air-tight deck, Health and Safety Guidelines, RUK and responsibilities, so that work can be foundations (2014: Issue 2; Section C.4) carried out safely. Candidates should gain • Switch gear, battery and transformer • Managing Confined Spaces: Overview experience of narrow, constricted and dark rooms of Principles and Practices, RUK, H&S environments (with unexpected blackout) Circular 01, 2015 and be able to rescue a colleague. HOTA: The Centre of Excellence SPECIFIED RISKS ARE… for Nationally Approved Training • Serious injury due to fire or explosion, PRINCIPAL DUTY David Thomas e.g. fires from hot work, gearbox The principal duty, regulation 3 in the The heightec Group Ltd • Firefighting failures, electrical faults; explosions from Management of Health and Safety at Work • Offshore • RYA • switchgear, transformers, batteries, Regulations 1999 (MHSW), requires a duty • Maritime • First Aid Emergency Response stored flammable materials holder to, “… identify the measures they • Renewable • Electrical • Loss of consciousness arising from need to take to manage risk by means of • ERRV • Health & Safety increased body temperature, e.g. a suitable and sufficient assessment of routine maintenance during extreme all risks to workers and any others who ‘Providing Quality Training For Over 25 Years’ weather conditions; heat stress/strain may be affected by their work activities due to excessive physical activity in an (insignificant risks can be ignored)…” For further information contact us on: area of limited ventilation T 01482 820 567 | W www.hota.org

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leaving the worker unconscious and in Only fully trained and equipped specialist INDUSTRY GROWTH severe danger of suffocation, as gases and personnel should attempt a rescue in this “We are engaging with organisations THE fumes can quite easily build up in these situation, as any ill prepared attempt to TRANSFERABLE SKILLS VITAL and key stakeholders across the sector spaces causing asphyxiation. Certain rescue someone from a confined space to highlight the courses available to IMPORTANCE kinds of storage tanks pose a risk of fire only serves to put more lives in danger, TO THE WIND INDUSTRY the future generation of workers in this or explosion if not properly de-gased, as nearly two thirds of all deaths occurring growing industry, to help to develop skills flammable vapours could escape into in confined spaces are attributed to For some 100 years the Mines Rescue Service developed its skills base, together and create job opportunities. OF A RESCUE the area, again posing the risk of fire and unprepared people trying to perform an with considerable experience and knowledge gained from working in some of the explosion. Liquids can quite quickly fill the urgent rescue. most hostile and potentially dangerous environments imaginable, to affect the “All of our course are designed to meet TEAM space causing drowning and of course rescue of mineworkers from underground mines. the needs of the wind industry and work in enclosed, confined spaces causes Regulation 5 of the ‘Confined Spaces include working at height, fire-fighting, Working within confined spaces is a any heat to be excessive and these hot Regulations’ says “you must make DIVERSIFICATION The centre has first class facilities to deliver manual handling, first aid, safe lifting & dangerous activity, putting the lives of conditions can lead to sharp rises in body suitable arrangements for emergency In more recent years the demise of the UK a range of key health and safety related slinging and rescue from the hub, blade, staff and contractors at risk of injury temperature, posing a risk to health. rescue which will depend on the nature mining industry has seen the organisation training courses for people employed or nacelle and turbine roof. Mines Rescue or asphyxiation from any gases that of the confined space, the risks identified diversify into other sectors and this seeking employment within the wind sector. Renewable can also offer bespoke might have escaped into the area, WHAT DO THE REGULATIONS SAY? and the likely nature of an emergency background and expertise now supports a courses on request of the client, always as well as any number of additional It’s important that the dangers of working rescue. You should not rely on the public comprehensive range of health and safety RENEWABLE UK (RUK) AND THE with safety, quality and professionalism at scenarios or medical emergencies that in confined spaces not be underestimated, emergency services.” related products, training and services GLOBAL WIND ORGANISATION (GWO) the forefront of our minds.” may be present when working in these the correct assessments should be carried available to a wide range of organisations. APPROVAL conditions. out, procedures should be put in place and Having the correct persons, qualified and Approved by RUK and GWO for the APPROVED ILA FUNDING followed by staff and management, including equipped for confined space rescue, The company utilises the knowledge and range of courses available, Mines Rescue The training and certifications provided WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE? having a rescue team in order to have present on any type of job where confined expertise of its staff, all of whom are highly Renewable are working in partnership allow the progressive development of A confined space is classed as any space competent and qualified personnel on site space entry takes place is vital. Spaces are trained and qualified to assess client needs with the energy and education sectors to workers in the energy sector and Mines of an enclosed nature where any danger that can, if something disastrous happens, often narrow and access far from ideal for and seek sensible, practicable solutions to provide training in the safety critical skills Rescue Renewable are helping to facilitate of death exists, this could be from lack of be in position to provide rescue and first aid. rescuers, which is why most good rescue their health and safety issues. needed to work safely in the wind industry. the sector by providing practical hands on oxygen, exposure to hazardous substances teams will have advanced rope rescue skills experience for candidates, with all courses or gases, or some form of serious injury exists In fact the ‘Confined Spaces Regulations at their disposal, enabling them to react RENEWABLE DEVISION GREEN ENERGY AWARD being approved for ILA funding. from the conditions present. Some examples 1997’ state that “no person at work shall quickly to any situation that occurs. Mines Rescue Renewable is a division within The quality and standards of training of confined spaces would be, silos, storage enter or carry out work in a confined space the organisation that has been developed to provided were endorsed when Mines Mines Rescue Marine tanks, enclosed drains and sewers. unless there have been prepared in respect WHAT WILL THE RESCUE TEAM DO? support the renewable sector. Considerable Rescue Renewable won the 2014/15 of that confined space Entry rescues in confined spaces must investment has been put into a purpose Green Energy Award for the contribution Click to view more info suitable and sufficient be planned and executed meticulously built wind training centre in Crossgates, Fife, to skills category. The Centre Manager, arrangements for the and providing a demonstration rescue for which was opened last year by Fergus Ewan Errol Parrish said; “We can offer realistic rescue of persons in the workers before the job commences gives MSP, Minister for Energy. training in a safe environment, where event of an emergency, personnel a visible demonstration of the the facilities consist of an actual wind whether or not arising rescue strategy and techniques involved for turbine and a specially designed training out of a specified risk.” any incident that could occur. tower. These provide our clients with the most realistic scenarios possible, Before work in any Rescue teams will have with them all the enabling training to take place without confined space is protective clothing needed for the type of the costs incurred from turbine carried out all of the confined space, along with any necessary shutdowns.” hazards present, or that breathing apparatus, protective headgear, could possibly occur, any lighting that they may require and any should be identified fully, other safety rescue equipment deemed assessing the risk that is necessary to the situation. They will also, present and what safety more often than not, wear a full body measures need to be harness attached to a safety line. To assist put in place. with vertical descents, mechanical winches and tripods may be set up over the access These assessments point, these can aid with removal of the must determine whether injured party from the space. there is any need Some places, upon first inspection, may not to enter the space at all, if work can be WHAT CAN I DO FOR MORE seem like confined spaces initially, such as completed successfully outside of the space INFORMATION? vats or open topped chambers, but all present then it should be. If entering the space is In the UK confined space is governed by a possible hazard to the worker inside. unavoidable, then safe systems of work the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) must be put into place to ensure that all risks and the ‘Confined Space Regulations’ are WHAT ARE THE DANGERS? are minimised as much as possible and a available from their website. Death or serious injury can happen not just means of escape and rescue is provided by to the individual working in the space, but fully trained and equipped rescuers. Ensuring workers safety should be at the also to the people who attempt to carry out forefront of every company’s ethos and any rescue without the proper training and WHAT HAPPENS IF THINGS GO WRONG? operating practices. equipment. If things do go wrong, even after all the correct assessments of risk have been Paul Glister Work in these dangerous environments carried out and the necessary precautions Abfad Limited Crossgates Training Centre present many opportunities for serious taken, people may then be immediately injury or death, lack of oxygen can occur compromised and in danger.

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identifying the hazards involved. However, present, assessing the in many situations, a risks and deciding on non-entry rescue is AN the appropriate control the safest solution for measures. Generally, the all parties and the only assessment will mean time an entry rescue looking at the task, the should be attempted OPPORTUNITY working environment, is when the use of a working materials and non-entry technique is tools, the suitability of likely to place the injured those carrying out the or trapped worker in TO REVIEW task and arrangements greater danger. for emergency rescue. In general, it is safe PROCEDURES Where the assessment to say that rescues identifies risks of serious from confined spaces The publication in 2015 year of a revised Approved Code of injury, the Confined – particularly those Practice (ACOP) for the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 Spaces Regulations 1997 with difficult or at- offers the ideal opportunity to review policies, procedures apply and these contain height access – are and competences for situations where employees are the following key duties… too complicated and required to work in a confined space, particularly as there dangerous for untrained can be some debate or confusion over what specifically • Where possible, or non-experts to defines a confined space. Part of that review should also avoid the need to attempt. A sensible consider the implications of the access and work activities enter a confined precaution is to have to be undertaken within the confined space. space by carrying designated competent out the work from people who can quickly DEFINITION outside perform their assigned The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) defines a confined space • If working within rescue duties if an as an area that is substantially, although not always entirely, the confined space emergency occurs and enclosed and where serious injuries can occur from hazardous is unavoidable, follow it is the employer’s substances or conditions such as lack of oxygen within the space. a safe system of work responsibility to ensure Confined spaces can take many forms including silos, storage • Ensure that that these individuals tanks, reaction vessels, sewers and enclosed drains, open topped adequate emergency are suitably trained and chambers, vats and ductwork. The specified risks associated with arrangements are in equipped. working in such spaces are defined as… place before the work starts Working in confined • The serious injury to any person at work arising from a fire or spaces, particularly explosion WORKING AT HEIGHT when combined with the • The loss of consciousness arising from an increase in body Under the Working need to access or work temperature at Height Regulations within them at height, • The loss of consciousness or asphyxiation arising from gas, 2005, someone can be considered to be working at height in any poses risk, but risk can be managed if the correct strategies are fume, vapor or the lack of oxygen place, including at or below ground level, where there is a risk of in place. By taking the time to review the appropriate legislation • The drowning of any person at work arising from an increase in a person falling a distance likely to cause an injury the measures and the guidance offered by the HSE, employers can ensure the level of liquid required by these Regulations must be in place. that they are, to the best of their ability, providing a safe working • The asphyxiation of any person at work arising from a free environment where the risk of death or serious injury is minimised. flowing solid Falls while entering or exiting confined spaces are common, often • The inability to reach a respirable environment due to resulting from the use of poorly maintained climbing structures, Stephen Morris entrapment by a free-flowing solid poor lighting or space restrictions. For workers who have to Training Sales Manager access the area at height, usually the only option that provides Capital Safety Training UK These risks may be inherent because of the nature or purpose protection from injury in the case of a fall is fall-arrest equipment. of the enclosed space or they could be introduced by the activity Personal fall arrest systems incorporate three components, often being undertaken within the space. described as the ABCs of fall protection, which are an anchorage/ anchorage connector, body support and connecting device. To assist in the identification of confined spaces, the new ACOP includes a flow chart designed to steer the user towards In some situations, it may be necessary to use suspended access the right conclusion and, hopefully, avoid any confusion or techniques to lower the worker into the confined space using a misinterpretation. Other additions include a new section on actions davit and winch. In this case, the back-up of an SRL fall arrest Working At Height & Rescue • Fire Awareness First Aid with Automatic External Defibrillation • Manual Handling for workspaces with a reduced oxygen concentration and an system is also necessary and it is common practice to use a Technician Core Skills • Safe Lifting & Slinging for Turbines alignment with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health retrievable type of SRL to offer the capability of rescue in the event Regulations 2002 for a requirement for fit testing of respiratory the worker gets into difficulty whilst in the confined space. protective equipment. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ASSESSING THE RISK As previously stated, plans for working in a confined space Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations should always include provision for rescue should an accident www.minesrescue.com 1999, a suitable and sufficient assessment must be carried out occur and the worker involved is unable to exit the area unaided. for all work activities to determine what measures are necessary Circumstances will always differ and methods of rescue need to 01383 510766 for safety. In relation to work in confined spaces, this involves take into account the specific hazards to both victim and rescuers

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PREDICTING THE PREDICTIVE CONDITION-BASED MAINTENANCE The other alternative is predictive condition- MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS based maintenance. This technique proves highly effective with components where the CLOUD-BASED OF TOMORROW IS KEY TO condition can be monitored and a failing SOFTWARE AND component can be detected sufficiently far MONITORING in advance of a failure. At Romax their THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF THE Fleet Monitor cloud- The lead time between detecting a fault based software POWERFUL TOOL WIND INDUSTRY and a component failing depends on many and monitoring Ultimately, condition monitoring is a factors, but it must be sufficient to allow at services use data powerful tool which enables the detection John Coultate, Head of Condition REACTIVE APPROACH least some of the following benefits to be from existing of faults before they progress to failure. Monitoring and EU Sales at Romax When it comes to maintenance, reacting realised… CMS and SCADA Once a fault has been detected there Technology states that Operations and to problems after components have failed systems, together are important decisions to be made by Maintenance (O&M) is big business. can be extremely costly. This reactive • Secondary damage to other with lubrication windfarm operators. According to industry research the approach works fine when assets and components may be prevented market is expected to grow from $3bn replacements are inexpensive, easy to • Necessary resources may be secured These decisions will affect whether the true in 2008 to $19bn by 2020, with China source and where the inevitable downtime in advance at reduced cost value of condition monitoring is realised or and the US leading the way, as well as does not have major cost or health and • Multiple maintenance activities can not and specialist tools are often required significant growth anticipated across safety implications. be carried out at once, thereby to assist decision makers. The cost of wind Europe. reducing the cost, e.g. with one crane energy must be reduced and predictive However, if this reactive approach is taken mobilisation, multiple main bearings condition-based maintenance will play an MARKET SCALE with major components in a wind turbine, could be replaced increasingly important role in achieving cost The scale of the market is further such as for main bearings or gearboxes • Downtime can be minimised, thereby Predictive condition-based maintenance reduction. emphasised when you consider that up failures, these typically require expensive increasing production often utilises data from a range of sources, to around a quarter of the lifetime cost of replacements involving crane mobilisation • Downtime can be scheduled to occur including permanently installed vibration John Coultate wind energy goes on O&M. As a result at short notice and lost production while at a low impact time, i.e. during the low condition monitoring systems (CMS), Head of Condition Monitoring of this, wind turbine owners, operators the turbine is unavailable. This is especially wind season as well as offline techniques such as Romax Technology Limited and managers are being placed under damaging to the bottom line if failures occur • Cost effective life extension methods lubrication analysis and vibration sweeps extreme pressure to collate and analyse during the high wind season. can be utilised to mitigate the damage, using portable vibration hardware. Click to view more info performance data in order to reduce costs e.g. main bearing grease flushing and improve ROI. ALTERNATIVE WORKING It is important to know that there are alternatives to working on a reactive basis. analysis and operations and maintenance One option is to carry out preventative records, to provide decision makers with maintenance. This works on the basis a clear picture of the health of their fleet. In that parts are periodically replaced addition, Fleet Monitor has a huge range within the turbine, regardless of whether of sophisticated detection and prediction it is failing, which can prove effective methods to enable very effective condition for small inexpensive components and based maintenance of wind turbines. consumables.

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In-house tests have shown that PUSHING THE LIMITS – THE Klüber Lubrication advanced FUTURE OF SPECIALITY additive technologies can react LUBRICANTS at the surface of the tooth flank As an independent supplier of even at low oil temperatures speciality lubricants the company to assure protection across excel at driving improvement the widest range of operating measures even when ‘problems’ conditions as well as assuring don’t exist to deliver on overall the most durable service life and uptime and productivity aims. transmission efficiency. Through their technology, SYNTHETIC GEAR OILS Standard gear oil expertise and by working in close Synthetic gear oils for example (mineral oil, ISO VG 220) collaboration with leading OEMs, offer a significantly higher Klüber Lubrication continue to efficiency than standard gear oil push the limits of efficiency and based on mineral oil, resulting in performance helping to achieve a lower friction which reduces the best operational practices that temperature, lowers energy combine economic savings with costs and enables extended oil environmental benefits. change intervals – an important consideration when lubricating Klüber Lubrication Smooth offshore wind turbines. Click to view more info

Operator Klübersynth GEM 4-220 N (synthetic oil, ISO VG 220)

In the offshore wind energy sector The company is a trusted partner of OEM’s components have to withstand harsh worldwide with a portfolio of over 2,500 conditions and work effectively, which speciality lubricants designed to perform in is why choosing the right lubricants is the harshest offshore operating conditions crucial to ensure appropriate levels of and has for over 85 years continually reliability are maintained. provided greater product durability, solving the most challenging lubrication problems Speciality lubricants from Klüber Lubrication of modern-day equipment help to maximise the output of equipment and critical assets whether floating or fixed COST EFFECTIVE LUBRICATION – A with minimum maintenance intervention to SMALL INVESTMENT THAT CAN MAKE reduce downtime and save costs. A BIG DIFFERENCE As wind generators get ever larger, the power density in wind turbine gears increases causing higher stress on the gears. Experience has shown that conventional gear oils often fail to meet the taxing requirements in terms of wear protection for rolling bearings, micro-pitting resistance, foam and residue formation and viscosity stability.

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REGULAR REPORTING Consumption is regularly reviewed by SUPPLYING MORE means of dedicated monthly reporting and The right information quarterly management meetings, allowing the value of stock on the shelf to be THAN JUST PARTS optimised. Using this detailed consumption data, managers are able to keep track of at the right time individual turbine costs and failure trends, Glasgow based components and INTEGRATION without expending in-house resource. Predictive maintenance (PdM) techniques are designed to predict when routine servicing maintenance should be consumables supplier, Renewable Crucially this has been achieved by performed. This offers genuine cost savings ensuring servicing tasks are performed only when required. As tasks can be Parts Ltd, believes in supplying more integrating RPL personnel into the onsite COMMITMENT scheduled in advance Vessel Managers can avoid expensive, unplanned servicing and decrease incidents that may cause than just parts. By providing a total team of technicians. By working with the Renewable Parts is committed to taking breakdowns of vessels out on contract. supply solution, RPL can ensure, high operational team, upcoming work at the cost out of the customer’s operation, levels of turbine availability at low and site is identified, allowing Renewable Parts not only by ensuring availability whilst PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE VIBRATION ANALYSIS AND ALERTING DRIVING DOWN COSTS in some cases completely predictable Ltd to have any exceptional spares ready reducing inventory levels, but also through When operating vessels offshore at MODULE Sam Woodcock, Head of Technical cost. for the start of work. This working together a refurbishment programme. By having maximum efficiency with a small crew, A new feature under trial within the Services at AST Marine Sciences Ltd approach removes traditional barriers an engineer onsite, the company can getting the ‘right information at the right combined iRAMS/AST-Planned states; “Remote vessel monitoring and WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP between customer and supplier creating determine, through value, usage and time’ to be able to schedule preventative Maintenance System solution is a vibration predictive maintenance applications are Currently working with RWE at Little a one team culture, speeding up decision technical risk, which components are maintenance before an issue arises has analysis and alerting module. Vibration clearly driving down costs in the offshore Cheyne Court, the largest Nordex N90 making and providing more opportunity to suitable for refurbishment. The resulting been the traditional challenge for many sensors record data from the vessel industry. site in Europe, RPL has significantly think ahead. parts repairs enable them to not only crew transfer vessel operators. which is then transmitted remotely and strengthend the supply chain. As Angus deliver appreciable cost savings to the automatically populate the shore side PMS The pace of development with our new D’Arcy Drake, Head of Maintenance Technicians have total confidence in customer but to also form a deeper One new solution that addresses this application. range of sensors and detailed reporting & Monitoring Services at RWE Innogy availability of parts and consumables working relationships with the supply chain problem is a vessel planned maintenance analysis means vessel operators today UK Ltd, puts it: “Anticipating emerging because stock at the depot is continuously to strengthen alignment. system, with near real time remote vessel The PMS application constantly monitors with small crews, have far more intelligent parts requirements and acting fast is monitored by an onsite Renewable Parts sensing and alerts. the vibration data and automatically alerts tools to manage their vessels more critical to maximising turbine availability. engineer and maintained at agreed levels. In a world with investors demanding ever the vessel owner when the vibration data efficiently and all remotely.” Throughout our partnership the level higher availability at even lower costs, IRAMS (INTELLIGENT REMOTE ASSET parameters are outside the preconfigured of proactivity that RPL has shown has operators need flexible supply solutions MONITORING SOLUTION) normal operating values, giving an early AST Marine Sciences Ltd ensured a smooth operation and we have which are more than just parts. It is clear Vessel planned maintenance applications indication of routine servicing is required on been delighted with the experience.” that RPL’s innovative approach is paying have been widely adopted for many years a specific component – engines, shaft etc. Click to view more info dividends at Little Cheyne. and it is now understood that by integrating the new AST maritime remote sensing Alerts are available shore side by way of a Renewable Parts Ltd and engine diagnostic system, iRAMS, traffic light system and a logon message with a preventative management system generated each time the application is can offer a solution that provides the ‘right accessed, providing “the right information information at the right time’ for a vessel at the right time”. operating globally. This means vessel operators have near The iRAMS/AST–Planned Maintenance real time vessel information to be able System has been developed specifically to schedule routine maintenance and for the maritime market, playing an avoid expensive, unplanned breakdowns integral part of any vessels SEEMP increasing the operational efficiency of the strategy, reducing emissions and meeting vessel. compliance regulations. Remote vessel management offers reduced down time for unplanned engine maintenance, automation of daily reports, reduced fuel consumption, (including monitoring Skipper behaviour) and combines engine diagnostics and automated vessel efficiency reporting.

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• Power curve and wind speed profiles • Statistical definition for wind speed WHOOSHING OPPORTUNITIES • Shutdown when the wind is too strong Some of this required information is available publicly and can be found in local governmental websites. As a customary RAM ANALYSIS FOR WINDFARMS challenge, reliability data might be scarce but some references in public domain are obtainable. DNV GL have recently published a whitepaper (link/s at the WINDFARMS end of this editorial) to discuss the challenges in the Wind To give us some context, in March 2007, EU leaders set the MAINTENANCE STRATEGY Turbine market in regards to maintenance and operations. 2020 targets, committing to address the (always) increasing Maintenance strategy is one of many topics that can be energy production from hydrocarbon sources. The main goal is to explored in detail. For instance, when empowered with a become a highly energy-efficient and low carbon economy. RAM model, the analyst can explore a number of variables that will impact directly, not only the uptime of the system but In this programme, they mention the 2020, 20-20-20 targets. also operational expenditure. RAM analysis enables different The programme describes an integrated approach to climate and strategies to be evaluated including planned inspections, energy policy that aims to combat climate change. One of the “20” condition based maintenance, spares management (offshore refers to increasing the share of EU energy consumption produced and onshore resources), crew management and supporting from renewable resources to 20%. vessels.

To achieve this target, wind turbines must play an essential role. DNV GL incorporates a vast expertise in this area from legacy Good news, one might say – a solution to the global issue. The DNV, Kema, Garrad Hassan and GL Renewables certification. bad news however, is how do we support a big “fan” sitting afar? RAM analysis for wind turbines is one of the supported In the same way we support a big metal structure far way – with analyses. some additional challenges! Victor Borges 24/7 OPERATION DNV GL Akin to an oil and gas production platform, the operation is 24/7. The wind turbines are unmanned, imposing challenges to Click to view more info maintenance campaigns. Space is also limited and only small spare parts can be stored in the turbine. Wind energy the facts VICTOR BORGES EXPLAINS… Recently, I attended ESREL (European Safety and Reliability RAM analysis for wind turbines involve a number of extra variables Click to view more info Conference) where we presented a paper on balancing safety and that must be taken into account such as… performance through QRA and RAM. The conference was very Blog informative – one of the discussion topics was energy production and distribution – with windfarms being a popular theme. A number of papers discussed operations and maintenance challenges using the Monte Carlo method to predict the performance of wind ED'S NOTE: Click to turbines, i.e. RAM analysis for windfarms. Download white paper view more Optimise your operations and info maintenance investment estimates.

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DAMAGED PIPEWORK – faults due to pipe work being damaged often occur during normal operations and/ or maintenance activities. AUTOMATIC While some issues are noticed as grease Our experienced technicians leaks from a pipe line, others such as damaged or crushed pipes will cause tackle the most demanding of restrictions or blockages, air locks in requirements with precision lines, even aging hardened grease can all LUBRICATION contribute to system failures. and efficiency Automatic lubrication is one of the What are the most common causes of turbines sub systems that helps to failure in these automated lubrication MECHANICAL FAILURE – a less extend the time between maintenance systems? common fault, but can take place in periods, therefore substantially either the pump or the lubricant metering contributing to reducing overall the CONTAMINATED LUBRICANT – this is device. System monitoring and regular total asset operating cost. more often than not caused when the maintenance of the maintainable pumps are being filled. Fundamentally components within the lubrication These systems are like any other good housekeeping such as clean system, will further reduce any unplanned mechanical devices; they suffer the same grease nipples or pipe fittings on the maintenance. types of operational degradation as pump unit itself, not forgetting the refilling the Turbine systems they are designed equipment. Even a very small amount In essence, look after the lubrication to service. They need maintenance of contamination can lead to metering system and it will look after your asset. in the form of operational checks and devices failing. • Scheduled Turbine • Met Mast Maintenance component replacement, this can be done Matt Preston Maintenance and Inspection on a costly reactive basis, the system has Applications Engineer • Rope Access Solutions • Blade Inspection and Repair failed so repair it, or as part of the whole SKF Lubrication Business Unit UK • Statutory Inspections asset predictive maintenance plan.

Whichever way is adopted if the T 01925 245 238 E [email protected] lubrication system fails and it is not repaired in a timely manner, the www.windtex.co.uk chances of damage to the major asset increases exponentially.

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