RWE has funded a study to investigate the quayside offload and launch of two types of floating offshore wind platforms – alongside the integration of next generation wind turbine generators onto these structures in the Celtic Sea.
The aim of the platforms – one steel and one concrete – is to maximise local supply chain opportunities by utilising local port infrastructure such as that at Port Talbot and Milford Haven, which are two of Wales’ deepest ports.
The study will consider the use of this solution at the Port Talbot facility in South Wales, run by Associated British Ports.
This is being upgraded to facilitate manufacturing, assembly, and integration of floating offshore wind turbines.
The study outcomes will build on previous reports including one undertaken using the Port Of Milford Haven Marine Simulator.
The resulting information will inform activities at other suitable facilitiies in the region, such as the Port of Pembroke, owned and managed by Port of Milford Haven Authority.
The study will investigate using Sarens’ established crane and barge technology alongside Tugdock’s innovative submersible platform utilising a hybrid of both approaches.
These technical solutions will look to address the logistical challenges ports will face in order to accommodate commercial-scale floating offshore wind deployment, RWE said.
A variety of land and marine equipment will be considered to manoeuvre structures into the water offering novel solutions to the fast-growing floating offshore wind industry.
RWE is pursuing the Crown Estate’s UK Round 5 seabed auction to secure at least 1GW of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea – an area bordered by the coasts of south Wales, south-west England and south-east Ireland.
Sarens, a global leader in large crane fleet services, heavy lifting and engineering transport, is using its experience and knowledge to seek new innovation solutions to solve future deployment problems.
Tugdock, a Cornish-based company, has developed technology which combines a steel frame and patented air lift bags to act either as additional buoyancy or as a submersible platform for lifting or launching heavy marine structures.
With an effective load capacity of up to 25,000 tonnes and a modular design, the technology can be easily transported by road and is well placed to support the deployment of commercial-scale floating wind.
Sarens and Tugdock announced their new collaboration earlier this year.
The Celtic Sea project director at RWE Philippa Powell said: “We are set to participate in the upcoming Crown Estate’s UK Round 5 seabed auction.
“Commercial-scale floating wind leasing offers the potential for multi-billion pound investment into the region; innovation is one of the key mechanisms that we are pursuing to try to ensure that the potential of this opportunity is realised locally.
“Working with Sarens and Tugdock is another example of our approach to identify local suppliers to help unlock the huge potential offered by seabed leasing in the Celtic Sea.
“We see huge potential in a combined Sarens-Tugdock solution, that is flexible and exportable.”