A team of researchers from TU Delft in collaboration with Heerema Marine Contractors and DOT are investigating the installation of wind turbines far out at sea in a high wave and strong wind environment.
The trio this week worked on the Sleipnir crane vessel as part of the Fox project to investigate the floating installation of wind turbines.
Delft researchers David Fidalgo Domingos, Peter Meijers and Panagiota Atzampou were on board.
They performed full-scale measurements of the movements and weather conditions for which Domingos has developed a set of sensors.
The aim is to develop new installation tools and control systems that will enable offshore locations in the future.
Domingos said: “Wind energy is on the leading edge of a current environmental revolution.
“The Fox project is performing a pioneering full-scale offshore installation. This gives the chance to gather unique data, important to draw the future of offshore wind farms.”
He is exploring through measurements new control systems that can reduce wave movements while the turbine is in the crane.
The ultimate goal is to design a floating crane vessel that is able, despite severe weather conditions and the water depth, to quickly and accurately place a wind turbine in newly built large wind farms.