Semi-Submersible Crane Vessel for Floating Wind Farm Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of floating offshore wind generators is hindered by the need for multiple vessels, lengthy towing periods, high construction risks, and logistical challenges due to limited availability of anchor handling tug supply vessels and regulatory restrictions, leading to increased costs and complex operations.
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 construction sections to streamline the installation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate vessels are used for different installation processes, then each specific task can be performed by specialized equipment, but the overall installation time increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple specialized vessels (crane vessel, anchor handling tug, cable laying vessel, barge) into a single integrated semi-submersible crane vessel. This multi-functional platform can perform hull installation, anchor handling, cable laying, and substation installation operations, eliminating the need for multiple separate vessels and reducing overall installation time while maintaining task specialization through integrated equipment
2Ease of manufacture
If hull is moved by high-power anchor handling tug supply vessel, then the hull can be transported to the sea, but the towing period becomes long and construction risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The semi-submersible crane vessel integrates both crane functions for hull handling and anchor handling capabilities in one platform. This allows the vessel to quickly deploy and retrieve anchors while positioning the hull, significantly reducing the towing period compared to using separate high-power anchor handling tug supply vessels
Solution Approach 2:
The vessel carries multiple anchors in advance on its deck before arriving at the installation site. This preliminary preparation of anchors eliminates the need for time-consuming anchor deployment operations during hull towing, thereby reducing construction risk and shortening the overall installation timeline
3Quantity of substance
If foreign anchor handling tug supply vessel is leased from overseas, then the required vessel capacity can be obtained, but cabotage regulations prevent long-term work in Korea
Solution Approach 1:
The semi-submersible crane vessel is designed as a multi-functional platform that can perform various offshore wind farm installation tasks including hull installation, anchor handling, cable laying, and substation installation. This universal capability allows a single Korean vessel to replace multiple specialized foreign vessels, providing both the required capacity and the operational flexibility to work long-term in Korean waters without cabotage restrictions
4Ease of manufacture
If wind power equipment is assembled on land and then moved to sea, then pre-assembly can be performed, but separate vessels are needed for transport and installation increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The semi-submersible crane vessel integrates pre-assembly capabilities with transport and installation functions. The vessel can accommodate pre-assembled wind power equipment on its deck, transport it to the installation site, and complete the installation using its integrated crane and anchor handling systems, thereby reducing logistical complexity while maintaining pre-assembly benefits
Data Source
AI summary
A method for installing a floating offshore wind generator includes loading an anchor, moving a semi-submersible crane vessel to a site, and installing the anchor at the site, by an anchor management section of the crane vessel, loading a hull and mooring the crane vessel to a quay wall, by a hull management section, pre-assembling wind power equipment on the hull while the crane vessel is moored at the quay wall for a certain period of time, by a wind power equipment pre-assembly section, 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, installing an offshore substation by an offshore substation installation section, and installing a submarine cable by a submarine cable installation section.