16 minute read
WEC testing
IRONMAN TEST FOR WAVE CONVERTER
A commercial scale Wave Energy Converter will undergo intensive ’Ironman’ testing ahead of ocean deployment,
The Ironman testing will put CorPower Ocean’s next-generation C4 WEC into two weeks of continuous operation on the world’s largest wave energy test rig in Sweden. ”We are excited to proceed to the final stage of our comprehensive dry-test campaign,” said Antoine Baudoin, CorPower Project lead.
“In particular, we will be monitoring how the air characteristic changes within the pretension cylinders as they elevate in temperature, in order to better manage high thermal stress and maximise performance.”
FINE TUNING
Rigorous tests will involve exposure to all sea states including severe storm conditions in order to monitor its durability and unique ‘survival mode’, alongside high thermal stress.
It will allow further interrogation of CorPower’s novel WaveSpring technology which works in resonance with waves to enhance motion amplitude and energy generation.
Allowing time for minor upgrades, the WEC is then set to be transported to northern Portugal taking a central role in CorPower’s flagship HiWave-5 demonstration project.
Mr Baudoin said the Ironman testing follows two months of initial testing in 2021 which produced highly valuable data informing recent upgrades to debug, stabilise and fine-tune the machine.
The 45-tonne test rig, located at CorPower’s Stockholm headquarters, is capable of simulating ocean wave conditions anywhere in the world. Measuring 40m in length and 9m in width, the design, build and accreditation was supported by ABB.
“The testing infrastructure we required simply didn’t exist beforehand, so we built and accredited the world’s largest wave energy test
8 CorPower Ocean’s next-generation C4 WEC
will be tested on the world’s largest wave energy test rig in Sweden
rig to complete the project,” said Mr Baudoin. “The test rig has played an invaluable role delivering a broad range of isolated tests on individual modules and equipment through to these final high-level Ironman Tests for the complete integrated system.” For the last decade CorPower has been steadily undergoing a rigorous five-stage product development and verification process, which initially started with small scale tests in Portugal and France. It later progressed to a half-scale WEC prototype, which also underwent dry-rig testing prior to sea trials in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, in partnership with utility firm Iberdrola.
We are excited to proceed to the final stage of our comprehensive dry-test campaign. In particular, we will be monitoring how the air characteristic ‘‘ changes within the pretension cylinders as they elevate in temperature, in order to better manage high thermal stress and maximise performance
Manor Renewable Energy has been bought by expanding global off shore services business OEG Off shore for an undisclosed sum.
Acquisition of the temporary power, engineering and vessel business, which boasts group turnover in the region of £30m, advances OEG’s fastpaced strategy to deliver integrated offshore service packages across the world.
Bringing Manor Renewables’ expertise, reputation and track record into the OEG fold instantly enhances its topside offering following its purchases last year of offshore welfare leaders Pegasus Welfare Solutions and offshore radiocommunications specialists Fern Communications.
At the same time the purchase of Hughes Subsea Services last autumn expanded its subsea position in renewables installations and maintenance.
For Manor Renewable Energy (MRE), joining the OEG group supports its plans to grow to a £60mturnover business as it eyes the “huge opportunities” to build on the foundations laid in the last nine years. With overseas operations experience across Europe and more recently, Taiwan, MRE is looking to extend its presence in the Far East, as well as breaking into the US market.
Portland, Dorsetbased MRE is best known for is temporary power solutions, with its biggest contract on Orsted’s Hornsea 2 project and the support and maintenance of over 150 generators offshore.
Former mariners Eric Briar and Toby Mead founded MRE in 2013, initially focusing on temporary power solutions for the burgeoning offshore wind sector, before expanding into engineering and vessel solutions following their purchase of the Dorset based shipyard, Manor Marine.
Now, with bases in Portland, Portsmouth, Glasgow and Hull, the business has five owned specialist offshore support vessels and two chartered, including a dynamically positioned vessel. Plans for a hydrogen vessel are in the early stages, with work ongoing with industry partners on autonomous vessels.
Eric Briar, MRE chief executive officer, said: “We have developed a strong position in the construction side of offshore renewables and wish to build upon those foundations to develop an increased proportion of our revenues from the operations and maintenance part of an offshore wind projects lifecycle.”
All 230 MRE workers will remain with the group with growth predicted.
MANOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SNAPPED UP BY FAST-GROWING GROUP
8 Eric Briar, Manor Renewable Energy (MRE) chief executive offi cer,
and Toby Mead, MRE chief operating offi cer, look forward to growth as part of the OEG Off shore group
SCOTWIND TENDER SUCCESS
Ocean Winds is celebrating its award of block NE4 by the Crown Estate Scotland in the recently announced ScotWind seabed tender
The off shore JV owned by EDPR (50%) and Engie (50%) was awarded exclusive rights to develop a bottom-fi xed off shore wind project of around 1GW in block NE4, the Caledonia Off shore Wind farm and consideration is being given to using part of the output for green hydrogen production.
Caledonia’s 440km2 seabed area is adjacent to the existing Moray East and Moray West offshore projects, allowing Ocean Winds to leverage on the experience and synergies of developing, building and operating Caledonia in conjunction with Moray East and Moray West.
UK is among the largest offshore wind markets worldwide, having recently raised its offshore target to 40GW by 2030.
Miguel Stilwell d’Andrade, CEO of parent company EDP and EDP Renewables, explains: “The award of this project reinforces and consolidates our position as a key player in the UK, where we already have the adjacent Moray East and Moray West projects, favouring synergies between them and improving their efficiency. Our presence in the area for more than a decade has positioned it as a strategic market for the Group and we are firmly committed to continuing to pursue our investment roadmap to drive the energy transition”.
Ocean Winds continues to expand its presence and is fully committed to investing in Scotland, with Moray East 950MW, the largest offshore wind farm in Scotland, Moray West c. 0.9GW which is shovel-ready, and now Caledonia with around 1GW to be commissioned until the end of the decade, positioning Ocean Winds as a leader in the Scottish Offshore market and actively contributing with around 2.9GW to reach the UK 40GW target by 2030.
With this announcement, EDPR increases its growth options in offshore wind in an attractive market, thereby enhancing and diversifying the company’s long term profitable growth options while maintaining a balanced risk profile.
EDPR is a global leader in the renewable energy sector and the world’s fourth-largest renewable energy producer. With a sound development pipeline, first class assets, and market-leading operating capacity, EDPR has undergone exceptional development in recent years and is present in 26 international markets across Europe, Latin America, North America, and Asia.
8 Ocean Winds
continues to expand its presence and is fully committed to investing in Scotland
Wind turbine testing
Companies in the wind energy sector are joining forces to develop hybrid testing methods for key components of wind turbines.
The INNTERESTING (Innovative FutureProof Testing Methods for Reliable Critical Components in Wind Turbines) project aims to demonstrate the reliability of larger wind turbine components without having to build correspondingly large test environments.
To this aim, a technical advisory group comprising representatives from GE, Iberdrola, ORE Catapult, Siemens Gamesa, Sirris-OWI-Lab and Vesta has been set up to advise the project partners and ensure outcomes meet market needs.
8 The INNTERESTING project is developing hybrid
testing methods for wind turbine components
The two groups met last December to feedback on progress made thus far and decide next steps. The session was an open discussion format featuring presentations on a variety of topics including virtual validation processes, variability of load, uncertainties, manufacturing effects and processes, multibody models for bearings, pitch repairing solutions, and tests and failure modes.
Experts also advised on the feasibility of the strategy proposed around smart fusion, upscaling, digital twins and full-scale physical validation as well as discussing trends in the sector.
WIND EUROPE COPENHAGEN
The INNTERESTING project also passed an important milestone with its participation in Wind Europe Copenhagen 2021 in November where it held a stand in the Innovation Park, raising awareness of the project’s objectives and progress.
OFFSHORE CHARGING FOR WORKBOATS GETS ONE STEP CLOSER
Oasis Marine Power Ltd has completed the fi rst stage of testing of its off shore charging station, hailing the design a success.
This product was the first design under development and is the first of its kind globally to reach sea trials. It offers to revolutionise renewable energy use for the maritime industry.
The Oasis Power Buoy is an offshore mooring and charging station with a zero-emission power source fed from wind turbines. Initially aimed at Wind Farm Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) the Oasis Power Buoy provides the critical need for offshore charging of hybrid and all-electric vessels. Sea trials were held in the Port of Cromarty Firth, Scotland during January 2022 in the first of a series of tests.
George Smith, Director, Oasis Marine Power said “I am delighted with the results of the testing. We have proven that the concept is viable and are now working to optimise the design. What we have achieved is a world first, and this is a great progression towards dramatically reducing the carbon footprint of the maritime industry. Thanks to Cromarty Firth Port Authority and PSG Marine & Logistics Ltd for their valued assistance with these trials.”
8 The Oasis Power Buoy is an off shore mooring and charging station with a zero-emission power source
The Oasis Power Buoy will now be undergoing further testing and optimisation, including sustained sea trials.
Oasis Marine Power is a subsidiary of Jebb Smith Ltd who was awarded a grant in 2020 through MarRI-UK Technology and Innovation in UK Maritime Call, funded by the Department of Transport, to develop the Oasis Power Buoy.
Crane order
Huisman has announced the signing of a contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) for delivery of another 2,600mt Leg Encircling Crane (LEC). This follows a previous order, in July last year, for a similar crane.
This crane will be installed on the second Wind Turbine Installation Vessel ordered by Eneti and constructed by DSME. The LEC will be outfitted with a 155m boom, which – similar to the first crane – was extended to reach an unparalleled lifting height of 174m above deck. This brings the hook height to approx. 215m above LAT. This, combined with its 2,600mt lifting capacity, gives the crane a degree of future-proofing, preparing it for handling the next generation of wind turbines.
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FULLY ELECTRIC PASSENGER FERRY ENTERS SERVICE
East by West Ferries has offi cially launched Ika Rere, New Zealand’s fi rst fully electric, zero-emission passenger ferry, which will enter full service by the end of the fi rst quarter of 2022
Research by the New Zealand Government has found that domestic ships such as ferries and freighters emit close to 300,000 tons of CO2 every year. In Wellington, nearly 50% of the city’s emissions were produced from the transportation sector in 2020. With the local council committing to becoming a net-zero-carbon city by 2050, introducing alternative energy forms of transportation is crucial.
Built by the Wellington Electric Boat Building Company, the 19-metre Ika Rere ferry can carry up to 132 passengers on journeys across Wellington Harbour at an operational speed of 20 knots. It has been designed and built to complete one return run of 25 kilometres before charging dockside at a rate of one megawatt for 15 minutes while passengers disembark and board. The ferry will be charged from a 300-kilowatt charger at its overnight berth during its first year of operation. It is anticipated that the Ika Rere ferry will save approximately 640 tons of CO2 annually compared to a similar-sized diesel alternative.
Leading New Zealand electrical company McKay acted as the project’s lead electrical designer and system integrator, choosing one of Danfoss’ Editron drivetrain systems to power the ferry. The system consists of two propulsion motors, two grid solutions for the AC network and six DC/DC converters connected to the vessel’s batteries. All of these components operate via a DC cabinet and are controlled via an electronic control system.
Erno Tenhunen, marine director of Danfoss’ Editron division, said: “As companies, cities and countries around the world continue to set CO2 reduction targets, the demand for zero-emission vessels and machines continues to grow. Our Editron marine system provides outstanding efficiencies within a power range of up to six megawatts. It is also compact and lightweight, enabling space and weight savings and increasing design freedom. These savings ultimately benefit passengers, as operators can provide a greater level of comfort.”
Jeremy Ward, managing director of East by West Ferries, added: “While Ika Rere has cost more than an equivalent-sized diesel boat, we will make savings back over time thanks to its cheaper running costs. The ferry’s electric motors, provided by Danfoss’ Editron division, require less maintenance than traditional diesel versions. The cost of charging the vessel’s batteries is also significantly less than filling it up with diesel.”
The Ika Rere is currently undergoing sea trials.
8 Ika Rere electric
ferry
Tough pilot boat for big winter seas
Irish boatbuilder and pilot launch specialist Safehaven Marine has launched CTE Celso Madeira, a 15m Interceptor 48 pilot for pilotage operations at the Port of Sines in Portugal.
The Port of Sines is Portugal’s largest container terminal and open to the Atlantic Ocean, as such often experiencing big seas during winter time making for tough conditions for pilotage at the port.
Consequently seakeeping capabilities was a very important factor, the Port of Sines choosing Safehaven’s Pilot 48 which is renowned for its excellent rough weather capabilities. Celso Madeira is Powered by a pair of Volvo D13 500hp / 1800rpm engines providing her with an economical 25kts operational speed at the engines MCR.
She has the capacity to carry 5 pilots and 2 crew comfortably all on shock mitigation
8 CTE Celso Madeira
seating. Full live aboard facilities are provided in her spacious forward accommodation area. Her hull is fitted with a bonded high impact resistant polyurethane fender system incorporating a special larger fender arrangement at the boarding area softening impacts and creating a gap for the ships pilot ladder to lie without becoming trapped.
A pilot boarding ladder is fitted on the port side. Two means of MOB recovery systems are incorporated, Safehaven’s tried and tested lifting transom platform, and a Jasons cradle system for deployment on the side decks. She is the 26th Interceptor 48 built and Safehaven’s 49th pilot boat supplied globally. CTE Celso Madeira was delivered to Sines in January 2022.
8 Celso Madeira has the capacity to carry
5 pilots and 2 crew comfortably all on shock mitigation seatin
PRIVATE 5G NETWORKS IN PORTS
According to Neill Young, Business Development Director and Verticals Lead at Blu Wireless, automated ports generate a considerable amount of data
Ports also require a reliable and safe telecommunications network. For example, The Port of Felixstowe 5G create project in the UK uses more than 100 cranes to transport containers, some of which can be operated remotely to ensure that they remain under human control while the operators stay in a safe environment.
Each connected crane has over 20 high-definition cameras providing data to the control centre and requires low latency, lag-free connection to manoeuvre containers safely. A significant amount of data is also collected and transferred as ports communicate with vessels, requiring robust connectivity and high bandwidth.
Data transfer on this scale is challenging using dedicated 5G networks as today’s networks typically only use a small slice of the spectrum, thus quickly hitting the limit and becoming overloaded.
Many ports have a private 5G network in place but operate on a restricted licence that only uses a slice of spectrum. This might be adequate for simple use cases — a location sensor for instance — but when data volumes generated increase as a result of devices such as high-definition cameras, ports are faced with a challenge of scaling their network.
They will discover pinch points, says Mr Young, where they need additional bandwidth and capacity, but digging up a port to lay fibre is expensive and disruptive to operations. To tackle these challenges and support more complex use cases utilising high data volumes, a blend of different networks is the recommended approach.
To complement networks already in place, port authorities can implement mmWave to get more flexibility, capacity, and to scale their connectivity. The technology is easy to deploy and can work alongside networks already in place.
For example, ports can take advantage of the unlicensed spectrum for backhaul requirements. There is no cost for using the spectrum, and technologically mmWave will provide higher bandwidth and lower latency for backhaul to transfer data across the site to the control centre in a costeffective and efficient way.
For port operations, concludes Mr Young, this means improved efficiency, tracking and security across the site and allows operations teams to focus on the quality of service.
8 Many ports have a
private 5G network in place but operate on a restricted licence that only uses a slice of spectrum
Teesport Ro-Ro upgrade contract awarded
UK wet civil engineering fi rm, Land & Water, has secured a £ multi-million infrastructure contract with PD Ports to upgrade Teesport Number Two Ro-Ro.
The contract announcement comes after Land & Water recently opened its new regional hub in Newcastle upon Tyne as part of a period of growth which sees its offering extending north.
The project, which is due to commence in February 2022, will see Land & Water use its specialist plant and marine expertise to demolish and re-build the Ro-Ro Linkspan bridge at Tees Dock. These works will join the firm’s expansive repertoire in the North which includes a framework contract with the Environment Agency and more.
