INNOVATION
A STEP CHANGE IN OFFSHORE WIND INNOVATION
TASTM
“In all Houlder’s markets, Renewables, Oil & Gas, Marine and Gas Ships, customers want the same things – trusted partnerships, dependable technical support and innovative solutions” says Chief Executive Officer Rupert Hare.
Houlder delivers all three, whether the requirement is for design and build of new vessels, complex project management or specialist marine equipment. The company does this globally for clients at the forefront of offshore expansion and innovation.
RECENT RAPID DEVELOPMENT For the last five years in particular, the company’s engineers, naval architects, designers and project managers have done more than simply offer their individual expertise to the offshore wind sector. They have combined forces to bring clarity to industry challenges, present fully thought through solutions and balance intellect, experience and practical knowhow.
KEY SUCCESS
In this way they have contributed innovative installation and mothership designs, access solutions and bespoke handling equipment to clients looking to gain competitive advantage in a rapidly growing market place. One of the key successes has been the TAS (Turbine Access System) developed with BMT Nigel Gee to improve the safety, comfort and effectiveness of wind turbine maintenance personnel.
SAFETY INNOVATION 2013 Houlder won top honours for innovation at the 27th Offshore Achievement Awards organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Aberdeen. The judges decided that TAS clearly demonstrated improved safety during personnel transfers, and as a result, delivered a resulting increase in operability. An increase in working days whilst maintaining safety is a key goal for any wind farm operator or developer.
COMPENSATES FOR VESSEL MOTIONS TAS creates a stable platform for offshore transfer via a patented motion compensated gangway and bow rollers. This combination provides safe and reliable access in higher sea states than current personnel transfer methods. It does not require the vessel to be Dynamically Postioned or to be attached to the turbine structure in any way.
PROVEN CASE STUDY The operational performance of TAS was proven on Turbine Transfers’ Cemlyn Bay 24m workboat operating on RWE’s Rhyl Flats wind farm. It delivered gangway motions below 3% of vessel motions in a maximum wave height of 3.0m. Crew reported a stable, safe and comfortable ‘stepping off’ experience. The gangway motion compensation means the step off point is maintained 500mm from the Turbine ladder. It does this by using motion referencing, control and hydraulic systems to significantly reduce the impact of vessel motions in three planes – actively compensating for pitch, roll and surge in real time.
“The TAS system is absolutely stable” Skipper, Cemlyn Bay
Further stability is achieved by replacing traditional workboat fendering with a dampening roller system that provide a soft landing and eliminates the tendency to ‘stick and slip’ as the boat pushes against the turbine structure. The resulting smoothed motions maximise the TAS gangways impact. They also minimise fender wear and reduce the risk of damage to the boat landings.
TASTM INGENIOUSLY DAMPENS AND OFFSHORE AWARD WINNER FOR
FEATURE SPONSOR
74
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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