Offshore Wind Turbine Tower Segmentation for Vessel Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional method of installing offshore wind turbines becomes increasingly complicated and inefficient due to the growing size and weight of wind turbines, which compromise load stability and crane capabilities during installation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a lower tower portion handling vessel that loads, transports, and installs a lower tower portion of a wind turbine at an offshore site, reducing the weight and length handled during installation, and utilizing a crane and guiding equipment for precise lifting and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the entire wind turbine tower is installed in a single step using a conventional installation vessel, then the installation process is completed in one operation, but the growing size and weight of wind turbines compromise the vessel's stability and crane capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine tower is divided into multiple segments (lower tower portion and upper tower portion). The lower tower portion is installed first using a specialized vessel, and subsequent portions are added later. This segmentation reduces the weight and dimensions handled at each installation stage, maintaining vessel stability while enabling installation of larger wind turbines that would be impossible to install as a single piece.
2Power
If the wind turbine tower size increases to accommodate larger turbines, then the power generation capacity is improved, but the tower exceeds the typical capability of cranes in the preassembly harbour
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is segmented into multiple portions that can be manufactured and prepared separately at the preassembly harbour using available crane capabilities. Each segment's length and weight are kept within crane handling limits, while the final assembled tower achieves the required height for large-capacity wind turbines.
Solution Approach 2:
The installation process transitions from horizontal assembly at the preassembly harbour to vertical assembly at the offshore site. The lower tower portion is transported horizontally to the offshore location, then erected vertically and installed on the foundation. This dimensional transition enables the use of smaller, more manageable segments that can be handled by conventional cranes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional installation methods are used for growing wind turbine sizes, then existing infrastructure can be utilized, but the installation process becomes increasingly complicated and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The installation process is segmented into distinct phases: lower tower portion installation using a specialized vessel, followed by upper tower portion installation. This segmentation simplifies each individual task while enabling the overall process to handle larger turbine sizes. The specialized vessel is designed specifically for lower tower portion handling, reducing the complexity that would arise from attempting to adapt conventional vessels for increasingly larger loads.
Data Source
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AI summary
It is described a method of at least partially installing at least one wind turbine at an offshore site (5), the method comprising: loading at least one lower tower portion (3) of a wind turbine onto a vessel, the lower tower portion (3) spanning less than an entire wind turbine tower; transporting the lower tower portion (3) to the offshore site (5); lifting and guiding the lower tower portion (3) such that a lower end (7) approaches a tower connection portion (7) provided at an offshore foundation; connecting the lower tower portion (3) at the lower end (7) with the tower connection portion (8).