RENEWABLES Ӏ OFFSHORE WIND
trolleys have much higher stiffness than flexible taglines, increasing control and workability. A specially designed control
system holds the actual position of the load, resulting in a much stiffer restraint, and therefore higher positional accuracy compared to conventional tugger systems that rely on constant tension. In case of an unexpected overload the system will give way but will return to its position setpoint when the force drops below the threshold again. The Travelling Load Stabilising
System functions as an integral part of the crane and can be operated from the crane's cabin as well from an optional walk- around box. The system makes blade installation feasible even under challenging wind conditions. “This is crucial for the technical readiness of next-generation offshore wind turbine installations,” says Jesper Moeller, chief engineer execution at Siemens Gamesa. “The resulting increase in installation uptime will be accompanied by a positive effect on operational activities in general, as well as on-site safety. We see the system as a potentially new industry standard with benefits for the whole wind industry, providing more productive vessel days.” As we approach the milestone of passing the one-terawatt mark in installed wind-powered generation capacity, it is clear that the offshore wind sector, bolstered by innovative crane technology and collaborative endeavours, will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable energy supply. The continued dedication to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in lifting reaffirms the industry's commitment to meeting the demands of our time and driving us closer to a cleaner and more sustainable energy landscape.
34 CRANES TODAY
The offshore environment offers more than wind farms in the transition towards carbon neutrality. Carbon storage is another possibility that is now becoming a reality. The idea is to capture C02 emissions at their source, to liquefy them, and then to transport them offshore by pipeline to inject the liquid into saline aquifers or the voids left by oil extraction beneath the North Sea. In May this year the North Sea Transition Authority, the body that regulates the energy industry
in the UK’s sectors, offered 20 carbon storage licences at offshore sites, including some near Aberdeen, Teesside, Liverpool and Lincolnshire. The licences total around 12,000 square kilometres, which makes them a little bigger than Yorkshire. The aim is to store up to 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year by 2030, which is approximately 10% of total UK annual emissions in 2021. The fi rst injection could come, it says, within six years. Norway, the other major owner of North Sea economic zones, is further ahead. Its ‘Northern
Lights’ programme is already developing the infrastructure. A CO2 receiving terminal in the municipality of Øygarden in western Norway is under construction and will be ready for operations in 2024. It will receive CO2 by ship, then send it by pipeline to safe and permanent storage in a reservoir 2,600 metres under the seabed. For several weeks in January, Sarens was involved in moving 12 carbon dioxide tanks on behalf of
the project. The transport operation called for 24-axle K24ST SPMTs and two Maxi power pack units. Load capacity was critical at the site: it was crucial to stay below fi ve tonnes per square metre.
The SPMTs transported each tank from the quayside to the storage area, a distance of approximately 600 metres. Each of the 35-metre long, 230-tonne tanks was moved along two lines of 12-axle SPMTs with two power pack units. The tanks had to be transported at a certain height to pass though the fi xed entry gates at the jobsite. For this reason high cribbing on the trailers was required. The weather in Norway was windy and unpredictable, but with patience and skill the team was able to complete the operation successfully.
Carbon Storage becomes reality in north sea
Northern Lights transfer facility at Øygarden
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