NOV Lifting & Handling and GustoMSC have introduced the Sjøhest Wind Blade Installation (WBI) solution with the goal to improve the offshore wind turbine blade installation efficiency.
According to the companies, blades are highly susceptible to wind loads and therefore take the most time to install.
The Sjøhest (Norwegian for seahorse) solution connects to the tower, creating an aligned movement for safe and efficient blade installation, the partners said.
The solution consists of a dedicated new build NG-5500XL, or a smaller converted jack-up vessel, equipped with a smaller handling crane that picks up the blades from the rack and feeds the trolley.
As a telescopic leader boom connects Sjøhest with the already installed tower, the leader boom connection lines up with the tower’s movements, which creates an aligned movement between the blade and the tower.
Once connected to the trolley, the blade is horizontally transported up along the leader, rotated into a vertical position, and connected to the rotor.
Source: GustoMSC Sjøhest offers an alternative installation methodology whereby the larger installation jack-up vessels equipped with heavy lift cranes install the towers and nacelles, while the dedicated Sjøhest WBI jack-up vessel with integrated equipment installs the blades.
This installation methodology could ensure major time savings as all three blades per turbine can be installed in one day, according to the partners.
In addition, the installation methodology with Sjøhest enables splitting tower/nacelle and blade mobilisation into separate onshore hubs.
Due to their size, existing and future blades create a huge necessity for space, while quayside blade loads are far less than towers and nacelles, according to the partners.