Power plant products |
Seajet partners with SMD for subsea excavation
Seajet Systems(SJS), a build-to-order controlled flow excavation solutions provider, has signed a manufacturing partnership with Soil Machine
Dynamics (SMD), a prominent independent designer and manufacturer of specialist subsea intervention equipment.
The partnership will see SMD exclusively build, test and commission what is said to be the most advanced fleet of CFE equipment available on the market in its production facility in Wallsend, Newcastle upon Tyne. The agreement follows SJS’s launch in May 2021, where it offered the offshore energy industry the ability to own and operate CFE technology for the first time. SJS has developed its offerings by optimising existing CFE technology, thereby introducing advanced hydrodynamic properties suitable for
a wide range of applications and variable seabed conditions
SJS managing director Faisel Chaudry commented: “Following our launch, we’ve seen significant interest in our solutions that have been honed over 25 years and now together with SMD, we offer a real step change in CFE provision to our global client base. This major milestone also provides us with the opportunity to think about what’s next – by continually pushing the boundaries in CFE tooling development and working with SMD’s engineering team to deliver cutting edge solutions that combine the expertise of both companies.”
Salamander crane technology
Vestas Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Vestas Wind Systems, has invested in the development of the Salamander ‘Quick Lift ‘ crane technology.
The new crane is said to hold significant potential, in sense of being simpler and safer to work with, as well as being simpler to bring to site and assemble, compared to standard cranes. Relocation within the site and decommissioning is also faster. With the investment Vestas becomes the minority investor in Swedish S&L Access Systems, a subsidiary of Stena AB. S&L Access Systems has developed the Salamander Quick Lift crane to feature a new
top crane technology enabling heavy lifts on hub heights well beyond 200 metres. The moveable platforms are less wind sensitive when conducting uptower works, and the crane requires a smaller pad. The crane can be used for installation and maintenance of legacy, current and future turbines.
The concept is based on proven technology. Reducing the number of trucks needed to bring in the installation crane by up to 75 % as well as lowering total installation time, significant savings in CO2
emissions when compared to
conventional cranes can be expected. “Today, onshore wind turbines tend to be
higher, and are soon to reach hub heights beyond 200 metres; wind power projects are more complex and often located in remote areas. As the importance of the wind turbine industry increases and turbines become taller and more powerful, we are well positioned with this unique crane solution enabling … efficient lifting of high wind turbines in a more sustainable way” commented Marcus Dahlinder, CEO of S&L Access Systems. “The concept demonstrator is already undergoing functionality tests while the prototype is under construction in close co- operation with our partners. Construction will be completed by the end of the year.”
World’s first hands-free jetpack revealed
Maverick Aviation’s prototype hands-free jetpack could transform the way challenging maintenance, inspections and rescues are carried out worldwide.
It is the brainchild of Hollywood animatronics expert Matt Denton and Royal Navy Commander Antony Quinn, and uses a unique Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) system designed to be operated hands-free, allowing safer flights and precision landings on structures that are difficult to access, from wind turbines to military hardware, buildings and construction projects. It can be reconfigured as a heavy-lift drone capable of being operated remotely and carrying ten times the payload of current similarly sized systems on the market, easily enough to – for example – lift a casualty such as a stricken climber. Other potential uses include search & rescue, disaster relief and security.
The company, based near Southampton in the UK, estimates the potential market for security, defence and rescue uses alone is worth in excess
of £700m. Helicopters are currently used to carry out much of this work, but the Jetpack is far smaller, uses sustainable fuel, and can cut costs significantly. It could take a share in the global lift market, which Maverick says is worth approximately £52 bn a year. The jetpack is unusually light because Maverick exploited advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing and lightweight materials. It will travel at between 10 mph and 30 mph depending on the task in hand. The control system is extremely intuitive and the operator can switch on an in-built autopilot so they can multi-task while in flight if necessary. Early work on the control system software was funded by a £97 000 grant from Innovate UK, secured by Maverick’s grant partner Catax. The first manned test flight is scheduled for next summer and the company is now seeking further investment to take the jetpack to market. Antony Quinn: “The jetpack uses the same sort of jet engines that you see on a passenger
40 | September 2021 |
www.modernpowersystems.com
plane, only ours are the size of a rugby ball. What is unique about what we’re doing is the computer-controlled autopilot system that makes flying effortless and easy to control with precision. “I realised that the growing onshore and offshore wind industry really needed a solution like this. Their engineers climb up ladders inside these structures for hours each day and, in an emergency situation, it’s almost impossible to get down quickly. Drones can be useful for inspections, but in many circumstances you need to get an engineer up there.”
Vestas invests in
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