Contents In this issue 10 HSE 6 News in numbers The vital stats impacting the market.


8 Get the right plastic shipping covers for turbine blades, towers and nacelles Reef Industries


World outlook


10 Nordic green energy and grey areas


The Norwegian energy firm Equinor might be better known for its oil and gas holdings but, as of August, it now operates the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm, which will supply nearby oil and gas platforms with the power they need to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. However, with the downstream impact of oil and gas unchanged – and the profits they provide vitally important to the Norwegian coffers – moving away from fossil fuels is easier said than done. Andrea Valentino investigates, talking to experts across the sector to find out more.


15 Heavy transport solutions that can handle any length Goldhofer


Offshore 16 A sea change


Offshore wind is not only one of the most cost-effective forms of energy but it will also play a key role in driving down energy costs in both Europe and the UK, helping to meet key growth targets and improve energy security. However, while high


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inflation and rising energy prices due to the Russian invasion have highlighted the need for green energy development, government policy and support frequently lag far behind. Nicholas Kenny speaks with Per-Erik Holsten, managing director, Norway, at ABB, to learn more about the obstacles faced by offshore wind and why it’s vital that policymakers address them swiftly and comprehensively.


Onshore 20 A distinction


without a difference With only two new onshore wind turbines built in England in 2022, the country’s de facto onshore wind ban has taken a heavy toll on its green energy ambitions. In September, the ban was finally rescinded – although some argue that not that much has changed. Abi Millar speaks to James Robottom, head of onshore wind at RenewableUK, and Joshua Emden, senior research fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), about why it has been long past time that England brought down barriers around onshore wind.


Technology


24 Powering progress As the demand for wind power grows, so too does the demand on the turbines producing it. This has resulted in bigger turbines and increasingly sprawling farms, but cost has become a significant burden. One solution is to reduce the number of


28 Out with the old With thousands of offshore wind turbines nearing the end of their lifespan in Europe alone, a decommissioning storm is fast approaching. But with industry historically ignoring the challenge, what happens next isn’t entirely clear. Andrea Valentino speaks to Dr Antony Knights of the University of Plymouth and Dr Michaela Schratzberger at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science to learn more.


Operations & maintenance


31 Remote control maintenance Electric remotely operated vehicles could be used to perform maintenance and repair tasks on offshore wind turbines without a single human being physically present, improving health and safety for workers by reducing the need for potentially hazardous missions conducted by crewed support vessels. Nicholas Kenny looks into developments in this area to learn more.


Manufacturing


34 The bigger they are The wind power industry faces a size problem, as competition within the sector has led to a race for bigger and bigger turbines. Many executives throughout Europe are now calling for a cap on turbine sizes, looking instead for a period of standardisation to help provide stability. Martin Morris speaks with Guy Willems of WindEurope and Shashi Barla of Brinckmann to learn more about the benefits a cap could offer.


38 US offshore wind industry eager for new supply chain partners The Oceantic Network


World Wind Technology / www.worldwind-technology.com


components and get more from less. Jonas Wahlström, head of product management, wind converters, at ABB, tells Andrew Tunnicliffe how medium-voltage converters could play a key role in addressing today’s challenges.


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