This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
SPONSORS OF THE CONCRETE FOUNDATION FEATURE


WIND FARM FOUNDATIONS – THE UNSEEN NECESSITY


What we see is more often than not what we talk about the most – rightly or wrongly


Without going into discussions about what is/what is not the most important parts which make up the whole it cannot be argued that we cannot operate without sound foundations – an analogy which suits us well in any walk of life.


While discussing this with some of our experts in the industry one organisation seemed to be taking the lead in analysing the needs and actively ensuring future successful outcomes.


THE CONCRETE CENTRE


The Concrete Centre is the central development organisation for the UK concrete industry. Their vision is to make concrete the material of choice and their aim is to enable all those involved in the design, use and performance of concrete to realise its full potential.


The Concrete Centre is part of the Mineral Products Association, the trade association for the aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, lime, mortar and silica sand industries and provides a concrete connection (no pun intended) between producers and manufacturers, designers and engineers, contractors and clients.


This connection takes the form of an impressive range of services and initiatives that seek to take concrete forward via information, inspiration and innovation.


Their impressive list of services and initiatives include........... • Design guidance • Continued professional development (CPD) rated education


• Industry events and promotion


OFFSHORE WIND SPECIALIST INTEREST GROUP


The advances in the wind energy industry and the aim to deliver as much as 18GW of energy capacity from offshore wind farms by 2020 has been welcomed by The Concrete Centre, which has set up an industry working group to forward cost efficient solutions for offshore wind farms.


The working group set up by The Concrete Centre is liaising closely with wind farm developers, engineers and contractors to improve cost efficiencies and ensure an effective supply chain for offshore wind farms.


The group is working to develop the market and promote concrete solutions for deep water offshore wind farms such as a range of concrete gravity foundation types which offer particular advantages for deep water offshore locations of a depth between 20m and 60m.


BENEFITS OF CONCRETE GRAVITY BASES


Low cost • Economic and simple to install • Reduced reliance on offshore craneage • Reduced amount of offshore work • Low establishment costs • Use of proven technology


Environment • Locally sourced solution • Minimal disruption to sea life • Concrete mass reduced operational noise


• Fully removable at end of life cycle


Performance • Long-term robustness and durability • Resistant to harsh marine environment • Minimal vibration and harmonics • Reliable fatigue performance


DEVELOPING SOLUTIONS The Concrete Centre and its


working group is liaising closely with wind farm developers, engineers and contractors to improve cost efficiencies and ensure an effective supply chain for concrete gravity base solutions..


“We welcome the recognition of the central role that offshore wind farms can play in enabling the UK meet its renewable energy targets” said Andrew Minson, Executive Director of The Concrete Centre. “Our working group is ready to work closely with the government s task force in developing offshore wind farms that have concrete benefits of increased cost efficiencies, buildability and performance”.


We have had so much response from this sector of the supply chain that we have highlighted some of the benefits within this substantial feature.


The Concrete Centre www.concretecentre.com


http://www.windenergynetwork.co.uk/enhanced-entries/concrete-centre/


58


www.windenergynetwork.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112