Method and system for installing offshore wind turbine using main vessel and barges

Abstract

A system for installing an offshore wind turbine using a main vessel and barges of the present invention comprises: a main vessel for installing a wind turbine at sea by loading at least one of a lower structure of the wind turbine, a first barge, and a second barge; the first barge on which an assembled upper structure is mounted and which is loaded onto the main vessel; the second barge on which a submarine cable is loaded and which is loaded onto the main vessel; and a tugboat for transporting the second barge to a sea area near the main vessel.

Description

Method and system for installing offshore wind turbines using main vessels and barges

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for installing an offshore wind turbine using a main vessel and a barge, and relates to a method and system for installing an offshore wind turbine using a main vessel and a barge, which can maximize the work performance of the main vessel by dividing the main vessel and auxiliary vessels for each type of work, and can shorten the offshore work time by pre-assembling structures for each type of work on land.

[0002] Offshore wind power is a complex, large-scale project conducted at sea. Depending on the site environment and intended use, structures must be fabricated, transported, and then installed. Offshore wind power installation can be broadly categorized into three types. The number of installation vessels available for each type of project is limited, and since they are primarily mobilized from Europe, mobilization and removal of these vessels requires significant time and expense. Offshore installation vessels undergo preparation work at their respective anchorage points before mobilization. Depending on the vessel's size and anchorage conditions, the preparation time may increase.

[0003] Furthermore, while substructure and superstructure installation often relies on European vessels, their equipment availability and performance capacity are limited. Furthermore, submarine cable installation vessels must load internal network cables and internal network cables onto separate turntables, a special structure. This unique characteristic prevents other submarine cable work from proceeding until the loaded cables are installed. For these reasons, the installation schedule for substructures and superstructures can be delayed, which in turn can lead to subsequent delays in the installation schedule for the submarine cable project.

[0004] As a prior art, there is a domestically registered patent No. 10-2519867 (Ship device for installing an offshore wind turbine and method for installing an offshore wind turbine using the same), but it only includes a hull section on which a wind turbine is loaded, which operates at sea and transports the wind turbine, a support section installed on the hull section and which supports the wind turbine on the hull section, a fixing section that is detachably connected to the support section and selectively fixes the wind turbine to the support section, and a floating section installed on the wind turbine and which supports the wind turbine separated from the hull section at sea by buoyancy.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method and system for installing an offshore wind power generator using a main vessel and a barge, which can maximize the work performance of the main vessel by dividing it into a main vessel and a subsidiary vessel for each work type in order to prevent excessive cost increase due to mobilization and withdrawal of separate vessels for each work type, and simplify the offshore wind power installation process by using a vessel that is optimized and differentiated from existing vessels, thereby eliminating the risk of predictable offshore work.

[0006] In the system for installing an offshore wind turbine using a main vessel and a barge of the present invention, the system comprises a main vessel for installing a wind turbine at sea by loading at least one of a substructure of a wind turbine, a first barge, and a second barge, a first barge for loading an assembled superstructure onto the main vessel, a second barge for loading a submarine cable onto the main vessel, and a tugboat for moving the second barge to a waters near the main vessel.

[0007] In the method for installing an offshore wind turbine using a main vessel and a barge of the present invention, the method comprises a step of the main vessel installing a substructure at an installation location, a step of the main vessel installing a superstructure on the installed substructure, and a step of the main vessel installing a submarine cable at the installation location, wherein the step of the main vessel installing the substructure at the installation location further comprises a step of operating the main vessel on which the substructure is loaded to move to the installation location, a step of the main vessel semi-submerging to launch the substructure, and a step of the main vessel's offshore crane lifting the substructure and installing it on a designated seabed.

[0008] According to the present invention, the work performance of the main ship can be maximized by dividing it into the main ship and auxiliary ships for each type of work.

[0009] Additionally, the offshore work time can be shortened by pre-assembling each type of structure on land.

[0010] Additionally, the main vessel is a semi-submersible vessel with a barge-like shape, a large deck area, and excellent DP (Dynamic Positioning) performance.

[0011] Additionally, the present invention can be equally applied to fixed and offshore wind power.

[0012] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of an offshore wind turbine installation system using a main vessel and a barge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a main vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a first barge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second barge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for installing an offshore wind turbine using a main vessel and a barge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 6 is a drawing showing a substructure loaded onto a main vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 7 is a drawing showing a first barge loaded on a main vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 8 is a drawing showing a second barge loaded on a main vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020]

[0021] Any specific structural or functional descriptions of embodiments according to the concept of the present invention disclosed in this specification are merely illustrative for the purpose of explaining embodiments according to the concept of the present invention, and embodiments according to the concept of the present invention may be implemented in various forms and are not limited to the embodiments described in this specification.

[0022] Embodiments according to the concept of the present invention may have various modifications and take various forms, and thus, embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail herein. However, this is not intended to limit embodiments according to the concept of the present invention to specific disclosed forms, but rather includes all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0023] The terminology used herein is merely used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "has" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in this specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings attached to this specification.

[0025]

[0026] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of an offshore wind turbine installation system using a main vessel and a barge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Referring to Fig. 1, the offshore wind turbine installation system (10) using a main vessel and a barge is composed of a main vessel (100), a first barge (210), a second barge (220), and a tugboat (300).

[0028] The main vessel (100) refers to a main vessel that can install a wind turbine at sea by loading at least one of a substructure, a first barge (210), and a second barge (220). Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the main vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 2, the main vessel (100) may be designed so that its size and shape are optimized for a marine working environment. The main vessel (100) may be large in size and may have a barge shape to improve its ability to respond to external forces such as wind, current, and waves. In addition, the main vessel (100) may be equipped with separate thrusters (azimuth thruster type) to improve the ship's position adjustment capability (Dynamic Positioning, DP), and may be equipped with jacking pipes installed at each of the fore and aft ends to fix the ship's position for precise position adjustment and maintenance functions. In addition, the main vessel (100) is a semi-submersible vessel capable of semi-submersible function, and can dive up to 26.5m, and can load the first and second barges when diving up to about 19.5m. In other words, the main vessel (100) may be a semi-submersible vessel with a wide deck area and excellent DP performance in the form of a barge vessel. In addition, an offshore crane (110) may be installed on the main vessel (100). The above-mentioned substructure may mean at least one of a pile and a jacket installed on the seabed during the process of installing an offshore wind turbine. In addition, three connecting portions (120) may be formed on the body of the main vessel (100) for smooth coupling with barges. Through the above-mentioned connecting portions (120a, 120b, 120c), the first barge (210) and the second barge (220) can be connected firmly without being separated from the sea.

[0029] The first barge (210) can be loaded onto the main vessel (100) by carrying the assembled superstructure. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the first barge according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 3 together, the first barge (210) may mean a superstructure transport barge, and the superstructure can be assembled on the first barge (210) at the quay. One assembled superstructure in the longitudinal direction or two assembled superstructures in the transverse direction can be loaded onto one first barge (210). The first barge (210) loaded with the superstructure can be sequentially loaded onto the main vessel (100) using the Float on method in the sea around the quay. The Float on method may mean that the main vessel (100) is semi-submerged, and then one of the auxiliary vessels, the first barge (210) and the second barge (220), is loaded and floated, so that the main vessel (100) and the auxiliary vessel are integrated. After the installation of the loaded superstructure is completed, the first barge (210) can be unloaded at sea using the Float Off method and moved to the manufacturing quay where the superstructure was manufactured. The Float Off method may mean that one of the auxiliary vessels, the first barge (210) and the second barge (220), is unloaded while the main vessel (100) is semi-submerged. The superstructure may mean at least one of a tower installed on the top of a jacket and an RNA (Nacelle and Rotor Assembly) installed on the top of a tower during the installation of an offshore wind turbine. In addition, three grooves (Skid Way, not shown) for connection with the main vessel (100) may be formed at the bottom of the first barge (210), and these grooves can be used to load the substructures on land in a skidding manner, and to perform float on / off operations of other auxiliary vessels. The auxiliary vessel may be at least one of the first barge (210) and the second barge (220).

[0030] The second barge (220) can be loaded with submarine cables and loaded onto the main vessel. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the second barge according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 4 together, the second barge (220) may refer to a submarine cable (221) transport barge. The second barge (220) can flexibly respond to public or construction delays by loading internal network (Array) cables and external network (Export) cables onto different barges respectively. That is, a single second barge (220) can load only one type of cable, either the internal network (Array) cables or the external network (Export) cables. The second barge (220) can load approximately 5,000 tons of submarine cables (221), and once cable loading is complete, it can be moved to a waters near the main vessel by a tugboat (230). Additionally, three grooves (Skid Way, not shown) are formed on the lower part of the second barge (220) for connection with the main vessel (100), and by using these grooves, the positional accuracy of each barge can be increased.

[0031]

[0032] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for installing an offshore wind turbine using a main vessel and a barge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Referring to Fig. 5, a method for installing an offshore wind turbine using a main vessel and a barge includes the main vessel (100) installing a substructure at an installation location (S101). Fig. 6 is a drawing showing a substructure (600) loaded onto the main vessel (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Describing in detail with reference to Fig. 6, the substructure (600) can first be loaded onto the main vessel (100). The substructure (Foundation, 600) may refer to at least one of a pile and a jacket installed on the seabed during the offshore wind turbine installation process. The pile is a foundation structure for supporting a portion of the jacket to be installed on the seabed, and is installed below the seabed, and the pile can be installed to a depth between the seabed and the rock layer. The jacket is a triangular or square-shaped structure installed on the seabed and can support the tower and RNA section installed on top.

[0034] The above main vessel (100) can be loaded, transported, and installed regardless of the size or weight of the jacket of the substructure. In addition, the main vessel (100) can load the jacket by arranging it in either the longitudinal or transverse direction depending on the water depth of the installation site (construction area). In one embodiment, in the case of a fixed offshore wind turbine, if the water depth is 50 to 65 m, two jackets can be loaded longitudinally. In another embodiment, in the case of a fixed offshore wind turbine, if the water depth is 50 m or less, four to five jackets can be loaded transversely. In this case, the substructure can be loaded onto the main vessel (100) by a lifting method using a marine crane of the main vessel (100). Alternatively, the substructure can be loaded onto the main vessel (100) by skidding, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0035] Once the substructure is loaded, the main vessel (100) can be operated to move to the installation site. At this time, the main vessel (100) can move at a speed of about 10 knots, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The main vessel (100) loaded with the substructure and moved to the installation site is launched semi-submerged, and the offshore crane of the main vessel (100) secures and lifts the upper part of the substructure, and then ballast water is injected into the lower part to maintain the correct position so that it can be installed on the designated seabed.

[0036] When the installation of the substructure is completed, the superstructure is installed on the substructure on which the main vessel (100) is installed (S013). FIG. 7 is a drawing showing the first barge loaded on the main vessel (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, a detailed description will be given. First, the superstructure (700) can be assembled on the first barge (210) at the quay wall. The superstructure (Wind Turbine Generator, WTG, 700) may refer to at least one of a tower installed on the jacket during the installation process of an offshore wind turbine and an RNA (Nacelle and Rotor Assembly) installed on the tower. The tower is a structure installed on the jacket, has a length of about 110 m, and can be installed in 4 to 5 pieces. The RNA can be installed on the tower. The first barge (210) can be loaded with one longitudinal superstructure or two transverse assembled superstructures.

[0037] When the loading of the superstructure assembled on the first barge (210) is completed, the main vessel (100) can load the first barge (210) onto the main vessel (100) using the Float On method in the sea around the quay wall. The main vessel (100) loaded with the first barge (210) can be operated to move to the installation location, and the main vessel (100) can install the superstructure on the already installed substructure. At this time, the main vessel (100) can load at least one first barge (210) using the attached offshore crane (110). When the main vessel (100) installs the superstructure on the already installed substructure, the first barge (210) can adjust the vertical height and install it using the self-jacking function of the first barge (210).

[0038] A main vessel (100) installs a submarine cable at an installation location (S105). FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a second barge loaded onto the main vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, a submarine cable (221) is loaded onto the second barge (220). The second barge (220) can load approximately 5,000 tons of submarine cables (221), and each second barge (220) can load only one cable, either an internal network (Array) cable or an external network (Export) cable. Once the loading of the submarine cable onto the second barge (220) is completed, a tugboat (230) can move the second barge (220) to a waters near the main vessel (100). At least one second barge (220) is loaded onto a main vessel (100) using the Float On method, and the main vessel (100) can sequentially install cables within the submarine cable route. At this time, the main vessel (100) can use a trenching frame during submarine cable installation to simultaneously bury the cables up to a water depth of approximately 105 m.

[0039]

[0040] While the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, these are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true scope of technical protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. The main vessel that installs the wind turbine at sea by loading at least one of the substructure of the wind turbine, the first barge, and the second barge; The first barge is loaded onto the main ship with the assembled superstructure; A second barge on which the submarine cable is loaded and loaded onto the main vessel; and Including a tugboat that moves the second barge to the waters near the main vessel, Three joints are formed on the body of the above main vessel, Three grooves are formed on the lower part of the first barge for connection with the main ship. Three grooves are formed on the lower part of the second barge for connection with the main ship. The above first barge is a superstructure transport barge, The above second barge is a submarine cable transport barge, One first barge is loaded with one longitudinal assembled superstructure or two transverse assembled superstructures, The above superstructure is at least one of a tower installed on top of a jacket during the installation process of an offshore wind turbine and an NRA (Nacelle and Rotor Assembly) installed on top of the tower. An offshore wind turbine installation system using a main vessel and a barge, characterized in that only one type of cable, either an internal network (Array) cable or an external network (Export) cable, is loaded on one second barge.

2. In paragraph 1, An offshore wind power generator installation system using a main vessel and a barge, wherein the main vessel is characterized by being semi-submersible and having an offshore crane attached thereto.

3. In the method of installing an offshore wind turbine using a main vessel and a barge, The step of installing the substructure at the installation site of the main vessel; A step of installing a superstructure on top of a substructure on which a main vessel is installed; and The main vessel includes a step of installing a submarine cable at the installation location, The step of installing the substructure at the installation site of the above main vessel is: The step of moving the main vessel loaded with the substructure to the installation site; A step in which the main vessel is semi-submerged to launch the substructure; and Further comprising a step of the main vessel's offshore crane lifting the substructure and installing it on the designated seabed, The step of installing the superstructure on the substructure on which the main vessel is installed is as follows: Step of assembling the superstructure on the first barge at the quay wall; A step of loading the first barge with the superstructure mounted on the main vessel in the sea around the quay wall; The step of moving the main vessel loaded with the first barge to the installation site; and The main vessel further includes a step of installing the superstructure on the substructure, The above main vessel can load at least one first barge, The step of installing the submarine cable at the installation location of the above main vessel is: Steps for loading submarine cables onto the second barge; The stage where the tugboat moves the second barge to the waters near the main vessel; The step of loading the second barge onto the main vessel; and The main vessel further includes a step of sequentially laying submarine cables, The above main vessel can load at least one second barge, and one second barge can load only one cable, either an internal network (Array) cable or an external network (Export) cable, Three joints are formed on the body of the above main vessel, Three grooves are formed on the lower part of the first barge for connection with the main ship. Three grooves are formed on the lower part of the second barge for connection with the main ship. The above first barge is a superstructure transport barge, The above second barge is a submarine cable transport barge, One first barge is loaded with one longitudinal assembled superstructure or two transverse assembled superstructures, A method for installing an offshore wind turbine using a main vessel and a barge, characterized in that the above-mentioned superstructure is at least one of a tower installed on top of a jacket during the installation process of an offshore wind turbine and an NRA (Nacelle and Rotor Assembly) installed on top of the tower.

4. In paragraph 3, A method for installing an offshore wind turbine using a main vessel and a barge, characterized in that when the main vessel constructs a submarine cable, laying and burying are performed simultaneously.

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