Semi-Submersible Crane Vessel for Floating Wind Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of floating offshore wind generators is hindered by the need for multiple vessels, long towing periods, high construction risks, and logistical challenges due to limited availability of anchor handling tug supply vessels, especially in regions with cabotage regulations, leading to excessive costs and complex material transportation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a semi-submersible crane vessel for pre-assembling wind power equipment on land, loading anchors and hulls, and installing submarine cables, which includes an anchor management, hull management, wind power equipment pre-assembly, offshore substation installation, and submarine cable installation sections to streamline the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate vessels are used for each installation process, then each specific task can be performed by specialized equipment, but vessel mobilization costs increase and logistics become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate vessels (anchor handling tug, hull transport vessel, installation vessel) into a single integrated semi-submersible crane vessel that can perform all installation tasks. The vessel is equipped with cranes, anchor handling equipment, and hull transport capability, merging functions that previously required separate specialized vessels into one multi-functional platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The semi-submersible crane vessel is designed as a universal platform capable of performing multiple functions: transporting anchors, hauling hulls, pre-assembling wind power equipment, installing anchors and hulls, and installing substations and cables. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized vessels for each task.
2Force
If hull is moved by high-power anchor handling tug supply vessel, then towing capability is sufficient, but towing period becomes long and construction risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary assembly of wind power equipment on land before transporting the hull to the installation site. The semi-submersible crane vessel loads pre-assembled equipment and hull components, reducing the time required for on-site assembly and shortening the overall towing and installation period.
3Reliability
If foreign vessels are leased for anchor handling, then sufficient equipment availability is achieved, but cabotage regulations prevent long-term work in Korea
Solution Approach 1:
The semi-submersible crane vessel serves as a universal platform that can perform all installation tasks locally, eliminating the need to lease foreign anchor handling vessels. This multi-functional Korean vessel can handle anchors, transport hulls, and install equipment, providing both equipment availability and operational flexibility within Korean waters.
4Manufacturing precision
If wind power equipment is assembled on land, then assembly quality is improved, but additional transportation and logistics coordination are required
Solution Approach 1:
The semi-submersible crane vessel merges the functions of land-based assembly facilities with sea-based installation capabilities. By performing preliminary assembly on land and then transporting the pre-assembled equipment using the same vessel that will install it, the patent reduces logistics complexity compared to using separate assembly and installation vessels.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method for installing a floating offshore wind generator using a semi-submersible crane vessel of the present disclosure includes loading an anchor, moving the semi-submersible crane vessel to a site, and installing the anchor at the site, by an anchor management section of the semi-submersible crane vessel, loading a hull and mooring the semi-submersible crane vessel to a quay wall, by a hull management section of the semi-submersible crane vessel, pre-assembling wind power equipment on the hull while the semi-submersible crane vessel is moored at the quay wall for a certain period of time, by a wind power equipment pre-assembly section of the semi-submersible crane vessel, towing the hull whose pre-assembly is complete from the quay wall to the site, and fixing the anchor and the hull by a mooring line, by a control section of the semi-submersible crane vessel, installing an offshore substation by an offshore substation installation section of the semi-submersible crane vessel, and installing a submarine cable by a submarine cable installation section of the semi-submersible crane vessel.