Off-shore floating platform for floating wind turbine manufacture, assembly, maintenance and / or disassembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a floating off-shore platform (1) configured for the offshore manufacture and / or assembly and / or maintenance and / or disassembly of floating wind turbines (2) comprising a floating foundation (4), a mast (6), a nacelle (8) and at least one blade (10), the platform (1) comprising at least one first zone (22) dedicated to the manufacture of the floating foundation (4) configured to receive the mast (6), and at least one second zone (24) dedicated to the assembly and / or disassembly of the floating foundation (4) and the mast (6), and a third zone (26) equipped with an at least partially submersible lifting platform, the platform (1) being composed of a plurality of monolithic floating caissons (16).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Offshore floating platform for manufacturing, assembly, maintenance and / or dismantling of floating wind turbines

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of floating wind turbines, and more particularly the manufacture, assembly, maintenance and / or dismantling in series of a floating foundation and its wind turbine(s), all of which is carried out on water, while floating.

[0004] Wind turbines are devices that generate electricity from kinetic energy generated by the wind. The floating foundation acts as the turbine's foundation, providing a stable base to support the turbine in deep waters, in locations where ground-based foundations are not economically and / or technically feasible. Wind turbines typically consist of one or more masts, on top of which are a turbine and one or more blades, these blades being driven by the wind to provide the turbine with kinetic energy.

[0005] In order to make the best use of wind energy, wind turbines can be floating or offshore, meaning they are installed at sea where winds are generally stronger and more consistent than on land.

[0006] Such floating wind turbines are typically built on land, for example in land-based port facilities, and then transported to areas of interest and installed on the seabed. Floating wind turbines can then be brought back to land for maintenance or when they need to be dismantled.

[0007] The construction of floating wind turbines, however, poses significant logistical problems, including significant land use, specific development requirements, specific handling equipment, and obtaining construction and environmental permits to enable the storage and movement on land of structures weighing thousands of tons, as well as to enable the launching of the floating wind turbine or the assembly of the wind turbine at height on its floating foundation. The present invention aims to overcome this drawback by proposing an anchored floating platform equipped with a manufacturing and assembly line for floating wind turbines at sea, which thus aims to enable the manufacturing of floating wind turbines directly on the water.Such a platform reduces logistical requirements, and therefore costs, and saves time since it is not necessary to repatriate floating wind turbines to land, particularly during maintenance operations, as onshore and port infrastructure are not required. The platform also offers a reduction in the carbon footprint resulting from the movement of floating wind turbines.

[0008] The main subject of the present invention is thus a floating offshore platform configured for the manufacture and / or assembly and / or maintenance and / or dismantling at sea of ​​floating wind turbines comprising a floating foundation, at least one mast, at least one nacelle and at least one blade, the platform comprising at least a first zone dedicated to the manufacture of the floating foundation configured to receive the mast and at least a second zone dedicated to the assembly and / or maintenance and / or dismantling of the floating foundation and the mast, and a third zone equipped with an at least partially submersible lifting platform, the platform being composed of a plurality of floating caissons.

[0009] The platform according to the invention is an off-shore platform, i.e. intended to be installed at sea; in other words, the manufacturing, assembly, maintenance or dismantling of the floating wind turbines for which it is used can be carried out at sea. The platform is mobile for this purpose, so that it can be moved from one point of interest to another. It consists of several floating caissons, which are modular caissons associated with each other, allowing modularity in the shape of the platform, in order to adapt to the needs of the manufacturing, assembly, maintenance and dismantling operations. The shape of the platform is not subject to restriction due to its modularity thanks to the association of these caissons.

[0010] Floating wind turbines consist of a mast, sometimes several masts, at one end of which are arranged a nacelle comprising a turbine, sometimes several turbines, and one or more blades, and a floating foundation which is intended to ensure the stability in the water of the mast and the elements it supports. The platform includes at least a first manufacturing area for this floating foundation. Manufacturing is more particularly an assembly of different parts making up the floating foundation.

[0011] The first zone comprises means for assembling structural elements of the floating foundation. The first zone comprises columns, floats, interconnecting struts of these floats, walkways of the floating structure, means for securing the columns and walkways, as well as secondary and tertiary structures of the floating structure. The first zone also comprises means for assembling the mast, the nacelle and the blades to each other, as well as all other components of the floating wind turbine such as ballasting systems of the floating structure. The manufacturing is carried out in series, that is to say that the platform makes it possible to produce a plurality of floating foundations.

[0012] The platform further comprises at least a second zone in which the floating foundation is assembled to the mast or in which these two elements are dismantled. The second zone also comprises means for assembling the mast, the nacelle and the blades to the floating structure. The second zone comprises tools necessary for assembling the mast, the nacelle and the blades to the floating structure as well as elements for securing the mast to the floating structure. This second zone can also allow the assembly or conversely the disassembly of the mast, the turbine and the blades, as well as generally all the commissioning operations prior to the installation of the floating wind turbine. Thanks to these two types of zones, it is therefore possible to produce floating wind turbines directly at sea, ready to be installed and used.This reduces the constraints associated with moving these floating wind turbines when they are built on land and then transported to sea.

[0013] According to one feature, the platform is anchored. Such anchoring may be temporary or permanent. Such a platform thus comprises anchoring means intended to immobilize the platform at sea or means for mooring said platform. The mooring and / or anchoring system is configured to maintain a temporary or permanent geostationary position in the flotation of the platform.

[0014] Such a seabed mooring and / or anchoring system comprises mooring lines, anchors and connectors, and it allows the platform to be temporarily or permanently connected to the seabed in order to prevent it from drifting. The mooring and / or anchoring system also allows the platform to be moved on the water.

[0015] According to one feature, the platform is configured to allow the manufacture and / or assembly and / or maintenance and / or dismantling of floating wind turbines of different dimensions.

[0016] According to a characteristic of the invention, the platform comprises a middle portion extending mainly longitudinally and comprising the first zone, and a peripheral portion comprising the second zone.

[0017] We can therefore understand that the manufacturing of the floating foundations takes place in the center of the platform, while the assembly of the wind turbine on its foundation takes place on its periphery, that is to say on either side of the middle portion and directly in the water. The first zone is therefore at the heart of the platform.

[0018] According to another characteristic of the invention, the platform comprises three first zones dedicated to the manufacture of the floating foundation arranged in the middle portion.

[0019] The first three zones are aligned one after the other in a longitudinal direction. Each is dedicated to a particular operation in the manufacture of floating foundations, their assembly thus forming a continuous production line within the middle portion.

[0020] According to a feature of the invention, the platform comprises a lifting gantry configured to move along the middle portion, this lifting gantry cooperating with a ground guidance system. This lifting gantry is more particularly a crane. It is mobile so as to move along the middle portion in the longitudinal direction, that is to say from one zone to another. The lifting gantry cooperates for this purpose with a ground guidance system, for example a rail system, and it allows the movement of elements to be assembled or assembled elements.

[0021] According to one feature, the platform comprises a third zone equipped with an at least partially submersible lifting platform.

[0022] The lifting platform is an elevator. It allows the floating foundations to be launched and removed from the water. More specifically, the third zone allows the floating foundations to be launched once the floating foundations have been manufactured, and it allows the floating foundations or even the floating wind turbines to be removed from the water, for example, for maintenance or dismantling operations. Such a lifting platform is at least partially submersible in that it has housings that can be filled with water to serve as ballast.

[0023] According to one feature, the third zone comprising the lifting platform is configured, like the first zone, for the manufacture of the floating foundation and / or it is configured, like the second zone, for the assembly and / or maintenance and / or disassembly of the floating foundation and the mast.

[0024] According to another characteristic of the invention, the third zone is arranged at a longitudinal end of the middle portion.

[0025] The middle portion, which extends mainly longitudinally, has a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end. The third zone is arranged at one of these longitudinal ends, for example the first longitudinal end. Such an arrangement has the effect of limiting the movements of the floating foundations once they are placed in the water. Indeed, due to the arrangement at a longitudinal end, the floating foundations can be transported as easily from one side as the other of the middle portion, that is to say at any point of the peripheral portion. According to one characteristic, the platform comprises at least a fourth zone dedicated to maintenance operations of the floating wind turbine.

[0026] This fourth zone is located in the peripheral portion. It allows for the maintenance and repair of floating foundations or other components of floating wind turbines without the need to repatriate the wind turbines to dry land. The fourth zone includes replacement parts for the floating wind turbine as well as repair equipment.

[0027] Additionally or alternatively, the constituent elements of floating wind turbines can be those of floating foundations.

[0028] According to a characteristic of the invention, the platform comprises at least a fifth zone dedicated to the supply, storage and / or loading of elements of the platform.

[0029] The fifth zone corresponds to a mooring and / or berthing area for ships, these ships participating in a material supply of the platform by loading or unloading their cargoes there. The fifth zone includes parking spaces and mooring facilities for barges or ships.

[0030] According to another characteristic, the fifth zone is arranged at a longitudinal end of the middle portion opposite the longitudinal end which comprises the third zone.

[0031] Thus, the fifth zone is, for example, arranged at the second longitudinal end. Like the position of the third zone, the arrangement of the fifth allows for easier loading and / or unloading from either side of the platform.

[0032] According to one feature, the first zone, the third zone and the fifth zone are arranged in the middle portion, the first zone being between the third zone and the fifth zone in a longitudinal direction.

[0033] The first zone is therefore at the center of the middle portion, relative to its longitudinal ends which are respectively occupied by the third zone and the fifth zone. According to one characteristic, the second zone and the fourth zone are arranged in the peripheral portion.

[0034] According to a characteristic of the invention, the floating caissons are at least partially composed of concrete and include steel reinforcements.

[0035] Caissons consist of transverse walls, longitudinal walls, and a concrete bottom, but are hollow so they can float. Caissons also have reinforcements made of steel, or an alloy of steel and one or more other materials.

[0036] In some embodiments, the floating caissons are cross-shaped when viewed from above. They are then formed of a first portion and a second portion arranged perpendicular to each other, the first portion of each of the floating caissons being aligned along the longitudinal direction. The second portion is of equal or smaller size than the first portion. The first portion of a caisson may measure 80 meters + / -20% in length, while the second portion of said caisson may measure 45 meters + / -20%.

[0037] In embodiments where the floating caissons have a cross shape, when they are assembled together, there remain, between the floating caissons, due to their shape. In order to be able to use the floating platform for the manufacturing and / or assembly and / or maintenance and / or dismantling operations of the floating wind turbines, the floating caissons are covered by a floor so as to cover the empty spaces and the floating caissons.

[0038] According to one feature, the floating caissons are interconnected by a rigid connection system so as to form a monolithic floating platform.

[0039] The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing floating wind turbines on a platform as mentioned above, the manufacturing method taking place at sea and comprising a step of manufacturing at least one floating foundation within the first zone and a step of assembling the floating foundation and the mast of the floating wind turbine within the second zone. The manufacturing step involves the first zone(s) of the middle portion, while the assembly step occurs within the peripheral portion and more particularly the second zone. It is understood that the manufacturing step necessarily occurs prior to the assembly step, since it is necessary to produce the floating foundations in order to associate them with the masts.

[0040] According to another characteristic, the manufacturing method comprises a step of supplying structural elements of the floating wind turbine via the fifth zone prior to the manufacturing step, and a step of launching the floating foundation via the lifting platform of the third zone, this launching step occurring between the manufacturing step and the assembly step.

[0041] The supply stage involves unloading barges and / or ships bringing the structural elements of the floating wind turbines to the platform, and possibly storing them on the platform. The floating foundation resulting from the assembly of these structural elements within the first zone is then launched by the lifting platform in the third zone, and is then transported to the second zone for assembly. The mast is thus positioned when the floating foundation receiving it is in the water.

[0042] The invention further relates to a method for dismantling floating wind turbines at sea on a platform as mentioned above, the dismantling method taking place at sea and comprising a step of dismantling at least the mast of the floating wind turbine within the sixth zone, a step of removing it from the water within the third zone, a step of dismantling the floating foundation within the first zone and a loading step within the fifth zone.

[0043] It is understood that the dismantling step allows the mast to be detached from the floating foundation. It can also cover the dismantling of the mast from the blades or a nacelle of the floating wind turbine. The water removal step occurs via the lifting platform in the third zone. The loading step finally corresponds to a step of loading and storing on barges or ships the structural elements of the floating wind turbines having previously been dismantled, such a loading step occurring in the fifth zone.

[0044] The dismantling stage includes loading barges and / or ships recovering structural elements of the floating wind turbines from the platform, and possibly storing them on the platform.

[0045] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0046] [Fig. 1] illustrates, schematically, a plan of the platform according to the invention, seen from above;

[0047] [Fig. 2] is a representation of the platform of Figure 1 in a perspective view;

[0048] [Fig. 3] is another perspective view of the platform of Figure 1;

[0049] [Fig. 4] is a variant representation of Figure 1;

[0050] [Fig. 5] illustrates, schematically, a process for manufacturing floating wind turbines at sea on the platform of Figure 1.

[0051] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0052] In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0053] Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrate, schematically, a floating offshore platform 1 according to the invention. Figures 1 and 4 are plans of this platform 1, while Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views. The platform 1 extends mainly in a longitudinal direction. It is configured to manufacture and / or assemble and / or dismantle floating wind turbines 2 at sea, in particular floating wind turbines 2 made of concrete or steel. These floating wind turbines 2 are visible in Figures 2 and 3 and will now be described in more detail.

[0054] A floating wind turbine 2 consists of two main parts, including a first part which corresponds to a floating foundation 4 also called a floating structure which comprises one or more floats on the one hand, and a second part which comprises one or more masts 6, one or more nacelles 8 and one or more blades 10, on the other hand. The nacelle 8 and the blades 10 are arranged at a free end of the mast 6. Another end of this mast 6 is placed or implanted on the floating foundation 4, which is the part of the floating wind turbine 2 which keeps at least the nacelle 8 and the blades 10 out of the water and prevents the floating wind turbine 2 from capsizing.

[0055] This floating foundation 4 is here composed of three columns 12 connected to each other by walkways 14, the columns 12 and the walkways 14 being arranged so as to form a substantially equilateral triangle. The mast 6 is arranged on one of the three columns 12.

[0056] As mentioned above, the platform 1 is configured for the manufacture and / or assembly and / or maintenance and / or dismantling of floating wind turbines 2. More specifically, it allows the manufacture, assembly or dismantling of floating wind turbines 1 of variable dimensions. Since these manufacture, assembly, maintenance and dismantling take place at sea, the platform 1 is composed of a plurality of floating caissons 16 allowing it to stay afloat. These floating caissons 16 are associated with each other according to a desired shape of the platform 1. Such an association of the floating caissons 16 is illustrated in particular in FIGS. 1 and 4. More particularly, the association of the floating caissons 16 involves a rigid connection system, so that their interconnection forms a monolithic platform 1, i.e. a single block.Each floating box is itself monolithic, that is to say made of a single piece of material, for example concrete.

[0057] The floating caissons 16 are at least partially composed of concrete; they have a substantially rectangular or cross-shaped shape, with transverse walls, longitudinal walls and a bottom made of concrete. The floating caissons 16 also include reinforcements made of steel or other materials allowing them to be consolidated. These floating caissons 16 are hollow, so that they can float, and are configured to be able to be filled with water.

[0058] Cross-shaped floating caissons 16 are illustrated in Figure 4, which is an alternative embodiment of the rectangular floating caissons 16 of Figure 1. These cross-shaped floating caissons 16 comprise a first portion and a second portion arranged perpendicular to each other. The first portion, which extends mainly in the longitudinal direction, has a largest dimension, measured from one of its ends to the other in the longitudinal direction, of between 70 and 90 meters, while the second portion has a largest dimension, measured from one of its ends to the other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, of between 40 and 50 meters. In a particular example, the first portion measures 80 meters and the second portion measures 45 meters.

[0059] In certain embodiments, the platform 1 is equipped, in particular for the installation of the floating caissons 16, with a crane such as for example a tower crane 17. For example, a lifting height of such a tower crane 17 is of the order of 200 meters.

[0060] In some embodiments, the platform 1 has a length measured along the longitudinal direction of between 300 and 350 meters, and a width measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of between 150 and 200 meters. In a particular example, the platform 1 has a length of 320 meters and a width of 160 meters. The platform 1 has a mass of the order of 250,000 tonnes.

[0061] In other embodiments, platform 1 has a length of the order of 1000 meters and a width of the order of 500 meters.

[0062] To prevent it from drifting, the platform 1 is anchored. It thus comprises a system for mooring and / or anchoring to the seabed, not shown here. This mooring and / or anchoring system includes, for example, an anchor, a mooring line and connectors, and it allows anchoring to the seabed regardless of the depth of the water in which the platform 1 is located. The mooring and / or anchoring system is configured to maintain a geostationary floating position of the platform 1; in other words, it makes it possible to prevent an untimely movement of this platform 1. When it is not connected to the seabed by the mooring and / or anchoring system, the platform 1 is mobile. It is thus understood that the platform 1 can be moved or transported to sites of interest where floating wind turbines 2 are to be installed. In certain embodiments, the platform 1 is moored to a quay.

[0063] The platform 1 has a middle portion 18 and a peripheral portion 20 arranged on either side of the middle portion 18; in other words, the middle portion 18, which extends mainly longitudinally, is flanked transversely by the peripheral portion 20 so as to be at least partially framed by it. The middle portion 18 extends from one end of the platform 1 to the other in the longitudinal direction, while the peripheral portion has smaller longitudinal dimensions.

[0064] The middle 18 and peripheral 20 portions each comprise different zones of the platform 1, which correspond to stations or stations within which different operations dedicated to the manufacture, assembly or dismantling of the floating wind turbines 2 are undertaken. The platform 1 comprises, as these zones, at least a first zone 22 dedicated to the manufacture of the floating foundation 4, a second zone 24 dedicated to the assembly of the floating foundation 4 and the mast 6, a third zone 26 dedicated to launching and removing the floating foundation 4 from the water, a fourth zone 28 dedicated to maintenance operations of the floating wind turbine 2, and a fifth zone 30 dedicated to supplying the platform 1. These different zones of the platform 1, which all have a substantially square shape, will now be described.

[0065] As is particularly visible in Figures 1 and 4, the platform 1 here comprises three successive first zones 22. Each of these first zones 22 allows the performance, while floating, of a specific operation of the manufacture of the floating foundation 4; thus, and as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, they respectively allow an assembly of a column 12 and a gangway 14 forming a first sub-assembly, the assembly of this sub-assembly to a second column 12 to form a second sub-assembly, and finally the assembly of this second sub-assembly to a third column 12 as well as to a second and a third gangway 14 to form a completed floating foundation 4.

[0066] The first three zones 22 are arranged in the middle portion 18. They form a continuous production line within this middle portion 18, which allows mass production of floating foundations 4.

[0067] The materials required for the manufacture of the floating foundations 4 are transported to the platform 1 by barges or ships 32. These barges or ships 32 supply the platform 1 via the fifth zone 30, where they can dock in order to unload their cargo. As will be explained later, this fifth zone also participates in the evacuation of the floating wind turbines 2 when they have been dismantled, their constituent elements then being loaded onto the barges or ships 32 to be repatriated to dry land.

[0068] The fifth zone 30 is strategically arranged at a longitudinal end of the middle portion 18, which is here a first longitudinal end 34. In order to move the materials from the fifth zone 30 where they are unloaded to the first zone 22 where the floating foundations 4 are manufactured, the platform 1 is equipped with a lifting gantry 36 comprising for example a crane.

[0069] The lifting gantry 36 is particularly visible in Figures 2 and 3, in which it is shown in different positions within the platform 1. The lifting gantry 36 moves in the longitudinal direction. For this purpose, it cooperates with a guidance system 38. This guidance system 38 is arranged on a floor of the platform 1 so as to cross it from one side to the other; it thus extends from one longitudinal end to the other of the middle portion 18. The guidance system 38 more specifically comprises a set of rails on which the lifting gantry 36 can slide to move.

[0070] In addition to transporting materials from the fifth zone 30 to the first zone 22, the lifting gantry 36 participates in moving the partially completed floating foundations 4 within the first zones 22, as well as moving these completed floating foundations 4 to a third zone 26. The guidance system 38 thus runs from the fifth zone 30 to the third zone 26.

[0071] The third zone 26 is arranged at a second longitudinal end 40 of the middle portion 18, that is to say at its longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end 34 which comprises the fifth zone 30. It is thus understood that the first zone(s) 22 are arranged longitudinally between this fifth zone 30 and the third zone 26. In certain particular embodiments and as is the case in FIG. 4, the third zone 26 is a portion of the platform 1 which is detached from a main body of this platform 1, this main body comprising the first zone 22 and the second zone 24. In other words, the third zone 26 is detached from the rest of the platform 1.

[0072] The third zone 26 is configured for launching the floating foundations 4 into the water or for removing them from the water. More particularly, the third zone 26 allows the launching of the floating foundations 4 when they have been manufactured within the first zone 22, and it allows their exit or removal from the water, for example when they need to be dismantled. The third zone 26 therefore comprises a lifting platform which is at least partially submersible, its filling and emptying with water allowing its lowering and raising respectively within the platform 1. It is understood that the filling of the lifting platform and its lowering allow the launching of the floating foundations 4, while its emptying and raising allow the removal of water from these floating foundations 4.The tower crane 17 mentioned above is, for example, positioned on the lifting platform to facilitate the launching of the floating wind turbines 2 or of some of their constituent elements, in particular their floating foundations 4.

[0073] The floating foundations 4 are, to form complete floating wind turbines 2, transported to a second zone 24 dedicated to the assembly of these floating foundations 4 with at least one mast 6. The second zone 24 more generally allows the assembly of a floating foundation with a mast 6, a nacelle 8 and at least one blade 10, as well as conversely a disassembly, that is to say in particular the disassembly while floating of the floating wind turbine 2, the disassembly of its various equipment and any related operation.

[0074] The platform 1 comprises at least one second zone 24, and advantageously a plurality of second zones 24. As is the case in the embodiment visible in FIG. 1, the platform 1 here comprises four second zones 24. The floating caissons 16 participating in the constitution of the second zones 24 are connected so as to form a U, the floating foundation 4 on which the mast 6 must be placed being arranged in the water between the legs of the U. The second zones 24 are thus flotation zones for the floating wind turbines 2.

[0075] The second zones 24 are arranged in the peripheral portion 20, with two second zones 24 arranged transversely on one side of the middle portion 18 and two other second zones 24 arranged transversely on another side of this middle portion, this in a symmetrical manner. The second zones 24 are moreover arranged within the platform 1 so that they are closer to the second longitudinal end 40 of the middle portion than to its first longitudinal end 34. Floating wind turbines 2 are shown at different stages of their assembly between their floating foundations 4 and their other structural elements in Figures 2 and 3, the floating wind turbines 2 in the vicinity of the second longitudinal end 40 being at a less advanced stage.

[0076] The platform 1 comprises at least a fourth zone 28 dedicated to maintenance operations of the floating wind turbines 2 or their constituent elements, such maintenance or repair operations being carried out while floating. The platform 1 here has two fourth zones 28, with one on each side of the middle portion 18. It is thus understood that, like the second zone 22, the fourth zones 28 are arranged in the peripheral portion 20. Each of these fourth zones 28 is more precisely arranged longitudinally between the first longitudinal end 34 of the middle portion 18 and a second zone 22.

[0077] In addition to the aforementioned areas, the platform 1 comprises, in certain embodiments, workshops and factories for the manufacture or repair of various elements of the floating wind turbines 2, as well as living quarters for accommodating operators participating in the manufacture, assembly, maintenance and dismantling of the floating wind turbines 2. If necessary, the platform 1 may comprise a helicopter deck 41 to facilitate the movement of operators and materials. This helicopter deck 41 comprises storage areas for equipment and aerial devices necessary for the use of such a helicopter deck 41.

[0078] The platform 1 according to the invention allows the implementation of a manufacturing method 42 of floating wind turbines 2, which will now be described in relation to FIG. 5. Such a manufacturing method 42 takes place at sea, that is to say when the platform 1 is floating.

[0079] The manufacturing method 42 begins with a step 44 of supplying the platform 1 with structural elements of the floating wind turbine 2, and in particular columns 12 and walkways 14 intended for the production of the floating foundations as well as masts 6, nacelles 8, turbines and blades 10. This supply step 44 results in a transport, by barges or ships 32, of these elements to the fifth zone 30 of the platform 1. The structural elements are then unloaded within this fifth zone 30 and transported to the first zone 22 for a step 46 of manufacturing at least one floating foundation 4. Such transport is facilitated by the presence of the lifting gantry 36 and the guidance system 38 on the ground.

[0080] The manufacturing step 46 consists of an assembly of the columns 12 and the walkways 14 forming the floating foundations 4; it thus successively involves each of the first three zones 22. Once the floating foundations 4 have been manufactured, they are taken by the lifting gantry 36 to the third zone 26 for a launching step 48. This launching step 48 of the floating foundations 4 results in a lowering of the lifting platform of the third zone 26, which is for this purpose at least partially filled with water.

[0081] When the floating foundations 4 are in the water, they are directed to one of the second zones 24 for an assembly step 50. During this assembly step 50, the floating foundations 4 are assembled to other structural elements of the floating wind turbine 2, in particular the mast 6, the nacelle 8 and the blades 10. The floating wind turbine 2 is then ready to be put into operation. It should be noted that in certain embodiments, the mast 6, the nacelle 8 and the blades 10 are assembled to each other within one or more first zones 22, prior to their passage through the third zone 26. In certain cases, the mast 6, the nacelle 8 and the blades 10 can be assembled in any zone of the platform 1.

[0082] When a floating wind turbine is to be dismantled, a dismantling method 52 is implemented within the platform 1. This dismantling method 52 is illustrated schematically in Figure 5.

[0083] The dismantling method 52 occurs while floating, that is to say at sea. It comprises a first dismantling step 53 which consists of separating the mast 6 from the floating foundation 4, or even disassembling this mast 6 from the nacelle 8 and the blades 10. This first dismantling step 53 takes place within the second zone 24. The dismantling method 52 continues with a step of removing the floating foundation 4 from the water 54. The floating foundation 4 is more particularly produced by means of a rise of the lifting platform of the third zone 26. Once removed from the water, the floating foundation 4 is transported from the third zone 26 to the first zone 22 by the lifting gantry 36. It is disassembled there during a second dismantling step 56 which takes place within the first zone 22.The disassembled elements resulting from this second disassembly step 56 can then be transported, via the lifting gantry 36, to the fifth zone 30. Within this fifth zone 30, a loading step 58 takes place, during which the disassembled elements are loaded onto the barges or ships 32 in order to be removed from the platform 1.

[0084] When platform 1 is no longer used for the manufacture, assembly, maintenance or dismantling of floating wind turbines 2, it can be converted into a floating living area.

[0085] The present invention thus provides a floating offshore platform on which floating wind turbines can be manufactured, assembled and / or dismantled, such operations then taking place at sea rather than on land. The present invention is not, however, limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein and also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically effective combination of such means.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Floating offshore platform (1) configured for the manufacture and / or assembly and / or maintenance and / or dismantling at sea of ​​floating wind turbines (2) comprising a floating foundation (4), at least one mast (6), at least one nacelle (8) and at least one blade (10), the platform (1) comprising at least a first zone (22) dedicated to the manufacture of the floating foundation (4) configured to receive the mast (6), at least a second zone (24) dedicated to the assembly and / or maintenance and / or dismantling of the floating foundation (4) and the mast (6), and a third zone (26) equipped with an at least partially submersible lifting platform, the platform (1) being composed of a plurality of floating caissons (16).

2. Platform (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising a mooring and / or anchoring system configured to maintain a temporary or permanent geostationary position in the flotation of the platform (1).

3. Platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a middle portion (18) extending mainly longitudinally and comprising the first zone (22), and a peripheral portion (20) comprising the second zone (24).

4. Platform (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising three first zones (22) dedicated to the manufacture of the floating foundation (4) arranged in the middle portion (18).

5. Platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 3, comprising a lifting gantry (36) configured to move along the middle portion (18), this lifting gantry (36) cooperating with a guidance system (38) on the ground.

6. Platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 3, in which the third zone (26) is arranged at a longitudinal end of the middle portion (18).

7. Platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least a fourth zone (28) dedicated to maintenance operations of the floating wind turbine (2).

8. Platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least a fifth zone (30) dedicated to the supply, storage and / or loading of elements of the platform (1).

9. Platform (1) according to the preceding claim in combination with claim 6, in which the fifth zone (30) is arranged at a longitudinal end of the middle portion (18) opposite the longitudinal end which comprises the third zone (26).

10. Platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floating caissons (16) are at least partially composed of concrete and comprise steel reinforcements.

11. Platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the floating boxes (16) are interconnected by a rigid connection system so as to form a monolithic floating platform (1).

12. Method of manufacturing (42) floating wind turbines (2) on a platform (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the manufacturing method (42) taking place at sea and comprising a step of manufacturing (46) at least one floating foundation (4) within the first zone (22) and a step of assembling (50) the floating foundation (4) and the mast (6) of the floating wind turbine (2) within the second zone (24).

13. Manufacturing method (42) according to the preceding claim in combination with claim 9, comprising a step of supplying (44) structural elements of the floating wind turbine (2) via the fifth zone (30) prior to the manufacturing step (46), and a step of launching (48) the floating foundation (4) via the lifting platform of the third zone (26), this launching step (48) occurring between the manufacturing step (46) and the assembly step (50).

14. Method for dismantling (52) floating wind turbines (2) on a platform (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 in combination with claim 9, the dismantling method (52) taking place at sea and comprising a step of dismantling (53) at least the mast (6) of the floating wind turbine (2) within the second zone (24), a step of removing from the water (54) within the third zone (26), a step of dismantling (56) the floating foundation (4) within the first zone (22) and a loading step (58) within the fifth zone (30).

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