Scottish engineering company Pict Offshore has signed a deal with Orsted to deploy the ‘Get Up Safe’ (GUS) motion-compensated lifting system at the 132MW South Fork offshore wind farm off the US state of New York, and at two further projects off the US north-east coast – Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind.
The agreement is the first export opportunity for Pict.
The addition of the GUS onto offshore wind turbines means external ladders are no longer necessary, streamlining the foundation and reducing steelwork requirements, Pict said.
Technicians will be lifted and lowered directly to and from crew transfer vessels and the turbine platforms using GUS.
The GUS system tracks the motion of the vessel deck and automatically adjusts the line position to ensure that transferring technicians are always kept safe, even if the vessel is moving in variable wave and weather conditions, the company said.
Pict said the project is the result of a three-year collaboration with Orsted during which time, Orsted has taken a minority stake in the company.
Development of the product commenced in 2016 and was supported by Scottish Enterprise through a £250,000 Regional Selective Assistance grant.
From 2017, prototypes of the system were tested at the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult’s 7MW Levenmouth demonstration turbine in Scotland.
Further field trials of the system have been hosted offshore at Orsted operating turbines in UK waters, followed by testing and validation of serial-produced systems, and trials and training for users.
The GUS system was manufactured at Pict Offshore’s facility in Inverkeithing in Fife and has already been deployed at Hornsea 2 offshore wind farm.
Scottish Development International head of energy and low carbon transition David Rennie said: “It is great to see Pict Offshore export its innovative hoist system internationally and further proof that innovation in Scotland can support the worldwide renewables industry.
“Scottish Enterprise is pleased to have supported the company to develop its technology that is now being used in the UK and globally to keep people safe at height on offshore wind farms.
“Scotland’s products and services are globally renowned for their quality.
“As we support a sustainable economic recovery, we will continue to assist our internationally-minded firms enter priority markets overseas.”
Pict Offshore managing director Phil Taylor said: “We are incredibly pleased and proud to have been selected as the access system for Orsted and Eversource’s north-east US wind farm projects.
“This is a fantastic demonstration of faith from Orsted; in the future of ladder-less foundations and in the Get Up Safe as a preferred means of access.
“As Pict’s first overseas order, it also provides the basis for strong export growth in future and further cements our position in the offshore wind supply chain.”
Orsted head of region UK Duncan Clark said: “We are delighted to be announcing Pict’s first export order having worked closely with this innovative company for a number of years.
“This demonstrates what can be achieved when Government, developers and the supply chain work together, as well as reinforcing Orsted’s commitment to investing in the Scottish supply chain.”