Offshore Wind Turbine Assembly Vessel with Rotating Crane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assembling and installing offshore wind turbines are inefficient, particularly due to the large size and weight of turbines, which require long-distance transportation of fully assembled units, posing challenges in navigation and installation on floating foundations.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine installation crane system mounted on a vessel with multiple assembly stations and a hoisting device that allows for upending and mounting of turbine components, enabling assembly and installation directly at the wind farm location, reducing the need for long-distance transportation and accommodating larger turbines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wind turbines are assembled and installed offshore using traditional methods, then the turbines can be installed at the wind farm location, but the large size and weight of turbines require long-distance transportation of fully assembled units, posing navigation and installation challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine is divided into separate components (foundation, mast, nacelle, blades) that are transported and assembled separately at the wind farm location. This segmentation allows each component to be transported independently, reducing the complexity of transporting fully assembled large turbines while enabling installation at the desired offshore location.
2Quantity of substance
If the entire wind turbine is built onshore, then transportation costs and logistical challenges are reduced, but the offshore installation and commissioning operations become more compact and costly
Solution Approach 1:
Different assembly operations are performed at different locations based on their suitability: component assembly and preparation are done onshore where facilities are available, while the final installation and commissioning are performed offshore at the wind farm location. This local quality approach optimizes each stage of the process at its most suitable location.
3Reliability
If floating foundation wind turbines are assembled at a port based yard, then the assembly can be done in a controlled environment, but the entire assembled unit must be towed from the assembly location to the remote offshore windfarm location
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation is prepared and positioned at the wind farm location in advance, and components are assembled onshore beforehand. This preliminary action allows the crane vessel to arrive with pre-assembled components ready for rapid installation, improving productivity by reducing the time required for offshore assembly operations while maintaining reliability through controlled onshore assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a crane for assembly and installation of offshore wind turbines on an offshore location, to a vessel for assembly and installation of offshore wind turbines on an offshore location, and to a method for assembly and installation of offshore wind turbines on an offshore location. According to the invention the crane is provided with a base section and a top section, wherein the top section is rotatable supported by a bearing, and can be rotated with the wind turbine hoisting device relative to the base section about a vertical axis, wherein a first trolley guide is mounted to a top section of the installation crane for guiding a vertically mobile wind turbine supporting trolley. According to the invention the vessel is provided with one or more assembly stations on different sides of the installation crane.