Jack-up vessel technology outfit Friede & Goldman (F&G) is collaborating with crane designer Tetrahedron to provide a new offshore wind feeder design.
The companies are collaborating in a joint venture called NewWindShape.
The new solution uses a relatively small F&G-designed jack-up, a Tetrahedron leg encircling crane, and standard ocean barges and will make “optimal use of the existing US logistic infrastructure to reduce required capital investment and spread costs by over 50%”.
NewWindShape serves close moored, stand-off moored and dynamically positioned feeder barges.
The Tetrahedron Model 65 crane achieves lifting heights of 200 metres above the still water level with 20MW turbine installation capability.
The tetrahedron shape allows the award-winning crane to take increased side loads often seen with afloat load transfers.
Tetrahedron has also developed the Smart Hoist system, offering “unparalleled lifting speeds”.
In addition, the unique ‘rigging-on-deck’ principle eliminates the need of a heavy tool to clamp on the top-flange of a tower segment.
That is important, because it eliminates the mating process of the heavy flange clamp onto the top of a swinging tower.
With Tetrahedron’s side load stability, Smart Hoist, and “rigging-on-deck” principles, the NewWindShape can complete turbine component transfers without expensive active motion compensating systems.