spOtLIgHt ON IreLAND - Wind Energy Network

COMMUNICATION HUB FOR THE WIND ENERGY INDUSTRYEcologyJack-Up VesselsSpotlight on IrelandSpecialist ToolsAugust/September 2013 | £5.25

INTRODUCTIONEcologyand itsimportancewithinthe windenergyindustrySince our inception some4 years ago we have beenspeaking to companies andindividuals involved in theimportant work they do inthe ecology area relevant towind energy.As Editor, my own personal interest inthe subject stems from managing Sitesof Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) inan earlier career.We are therefore very pleased tointroduce our Bird & Animal feature andopen this with an article from BakerConsultants, one of the leaders in thefield.Regular featureWe plan to make this a regular featureif we receive sufficient relevant editorial,so please get in touch if you would liketo get involved.Other featuresAs the magazine continues to grow andit is now commonplace to see separatefeatures on all sorts of areas within theindustry. These features emanate fromour discussions with leading experts in theindustry during our visits to conferencesand events, as well as our editorial teambringing up subject areas when looking atthe industry as a whole.Please feel free to contact us if there isany subject area which you think may beof interest to our readership and we willdo the rest – there is never any charge forgenuine editorial.You will find our ‘Forthcoming Features’tab on our website in the magazinesection.Lead articleWe often feature a leader in the industryand again we give Sam Pick fromRenewables Network an opportunity togive us his views… because he makes somuch sense!Magazine and websiteinteraction – QR codesYet another reminder that we havechanged our pink and green flashesindicating more information online. QRcodes have been substituted in the printedversion which means that you can scanthe code with your smart phone and itwill direct you to the featured companyor organisation micropage held within ourwebsite, so that you can learn much morein all sorts of formats.These have already become very popularas it links the printed magazine in a veryinteractive way – a great marketing tool forour decision making readership to find outabout products and services following thereading of an interesting article.Duncan McGilvrayEditor | Wind Energy Networkwww.windenergynetwork.co.ukClick to view more infoScan/click this link to find out howto get involved in this magazinewww.windenergynetwork.co.uk01

WIND ENERGY NETWORKEcologyThe cover image was supplied byBaker Consultants – just one of thestunning images which we receivefrom time to time.Our Ecology: Bird & Animal featurecontains a number of interesting articlesand the feature is indeed dear to my heartas in a former career I used to manageSites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).This will be a regular feature so pleasefeel free to contribute editorial for futureeditions.Regular/one off featuresAmongst some 15 features within thisedition we focus on, Training for WorkOffshore, Jack-Up Vessels, SpecialistTools, and a Spotlight on Ireland, to namebut a few.Duncan McGilvrayEditor | Wind Energy Network02www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

CONTENTSCONTENTSPage 4 Industry lead article – All Hat and no Cadillac?Page 6 Your Industry News section starts herePage 48Company interview – we visit fast growingPipeshield International and learn more about SteveHowlett, their Managing DirectorPage 12Your regular events calendar and what’s newPage 50Money Matters – our now regular finance featurePage 14Jack-Up Vessels – the monsters of the industryPage 59Company Feature - AV Dawson celebrates 75 yearsPage 22Page 26Skills Gap – updates on our long term initiativeBusiness Development section – regular advice fromour team of expertsPage 60Page 62Problem? Solved! – we introduce yet another regularfeature – just a taster of what’s to come in futureSpotlight on IrelandPage 28Ecology – the first of which we would like to be aregular featurePage 82New rules for the industry introduced by LloydsRegisterPage 34Page 38Lubricants – regular advice from our expertsRisk Management – continued advice from Risktecthe leaders in the industryPage 83Page 84A new breed of onshore turbine – information bySteve Cirell a well repected industry consultantTraining for Offshore WorkPage 40Page 42Industry Insight – All in a Day’s Work featuringChristos Kolliatsas from Mott McDonaldAndrew Jackson Solicitors heads up our Lawfeature ‘Legal Eagles’Page 92Page 104Page 108Specialist Tools – industry specific advice on tools‘Distributed Wind’ feature – continuing our regularfeature headed by ICE RenewablesResearch & Development – continuing news in thisinnovative industryp8p19p81Green Energy Publishing Ltd (Northern) The Oaks, Oakwood ParkBusiness Centre, Bishop Thornton, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 3JNGreen Energy Publishing Ltd (SOUTHERN)OrbisEnergy, Wilde Street, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 1XHTELEPHONE 01765 644224WEB SITE www.windenergynetwork.co.ukEditorial duncan@greenenergypublishing.co.ukSales sales@greenenergypublishing.co.ukWind Energy Network magazine is happy to accept unsolicited contributions for consideration. Editorial opinions expressedin this magazine are not necessarily those of Green Energy Publishing Ltd and the company does not accept responsibilityfor advertising content. The publishers cannot accept any responsibility for omissions or errors. The contents of thismagazine are fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without written permission.www.windenergynetwork.co.uk03

INDUSTRY ARTICLEOffshore WindAll Hat and NoCadillac?The industry of offshore wind the UK is all hat and no Cadillac. We lead the world in terms of offshore wind productionbut we trail badly in wealth creation. Recent research by industry trade association Renewable UK reveals that a “good”performance for a UK offshore wind farm construction is 30% spent here in the UK. That means that 70% of the spend inthese mammoth tax payer funded projects goes overseas.Why is this?Primarily, this is because the vast bulk ofmanufacturing work is not done here inthe UK. If we separate the manufactureof a turbine into nacelles, blades, towers,monopiles, foundations and installationwe see twenty six major offshore windmanufacturing plants in Europe. Germanyleads the way with fourteen plants withthe UK propping up the league table withjust two. Interestingly, there are eightmanufacturing plants in the UK announced,but so far none are in construction (andmay never be). It’s no surprise that UK Plcis not getting its share of the offshore windboom when the vast majority of turbinecomponents are imported from Europe.Why is this happening?Traditionally the UK was slow to embracerenewable energy which gave a key‘first mover’ advantage to Germany andDenmark. Combine that with the declineof UK manufacturing over the past twentyyears and it has been very difficult topersuade major manufacturers that theUK has a supply chain to support them.Put simply; build a factory in Germany andyou know you will have the supply chain tosupport you. Build in the UK and there isa question mark.Going back four years to the days of thelast Labour government, the supply chainweaknesses were being overcome bythe sheer rate of growth for UK offshorewind. Offshore wind components areinvariably huge and there are key logisticsbenefits of locating manufacturing closeto wind farms in the North Sea. With theindustry growing rapidly manufacturerswere prepared to support the UK supplychain in order to secure a place in theUK market. This led to a whole host ofannouncements such as the GreenportHull project and Vestas in Sheerness etc.However, after three years of the coalitiongovernment, growth in the industry hasnow stalled. Repeated mixed messagesfrom Conservative MPs have damagedinvestor confidence and manufacturershave been comfortable meeting UKdemand via existing European basedfacilities. Renewable UK illustrates UKdemand for production capacity in twoscenarios. Scenario 1 shows an installedcapacity of 13GW by 2020 and Scenario2 shows an installed capacity of 18GWby 2020. We are currently on track forScenario 1. This means that existingEuropean supply capacity is capable ofmeeting UK demand.04www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

INDUSTRY ARTICLEThe UK will therefore be in the worstpossible position: investing billionsof pounds of tax payer money in thedevelopment of offshore wind farms wherethe major beneficiary will be Germanand Danish businesses. This is a crazysituation where the UK maximises cost tothe treasury and minimises benefit to thetaxpayer. Or as Renewable UK state:“Although both scenarios will generatesignificant levels of activity, the lowerscenario runs a greater risk of notstimulating inward investment in theUK. This is because the commercialand logistics benefits of setting up in theUK may not be a sufficient incentive forTier 1 suppliers, who will instead look tosupply offshore components from existingContinental supply chains.”What do we do about it?1 The coalition government needs toprovide a clear directive in relation to energypolicy. Right now it is confused with‘luddite’ Tory MPs opposed to renewableenergy development being allowed todominate the message. This has limiteddirect impact on the development ofoffshore wind farms, but it does have adirect knock on effect to private investorslooking at the supply chain. Thismessaging needs to be corrected if weare to secure key investments. The UKcurrently has eight major offshore windmanufacturing projects announced, butnot yet constructed. The potential is clearlythere, but it is being held back by blinkeredpoliticians.The government’s desire is to appeaseTory members who are fearful that thelevel of technological innovation requiredfor production cost savings will not bedelivered. They should read the DECC’sown report that shows wind energyprojects due to start in 2018 will alreadyproduce cheaper electricity per MegaWatthour than fossil fuel projects (includinggas). It is, however, the emotional myopiaof this Westminster lobby that is keepingus at the Scenario 1 stage and preventinginward investors building a UK offshorewind manufacturing supply chain.Essentially, they are ensuring the UK getsthe worst possible deal.2 There needs to be real pressureput on offshore wind developers to useUK content. Even at the lower levels ofScenario 1 there are billions of poundsbeing invested in offshore wind farms.These wind farms are dependant onUK tax payer subsidies and yet thegovernment continues to take a “lighttouch” approach to requiring UK content.As the report points out this does nothappen in other European countries and isa key area of weakness for UK Plc.In summaryOffshore wind has massive potentialfor UK Plc and the Humber region inparticular. Right now we are the suckersin the game. We have the world’s biggestoffshore wind farms, but receive only a tinyfraction of the manufacturing and supplychain wealth created by the industry.This situation is largely the fault of longterm investors’ risk analysis, combinedwith confusing coalition governmentmessaging, and the UK’s inability to findeffective ways to specify local content inthe manufacture and construction of windturbines and offshore wind farms.This is a situation that can rapidly be turnedaround. However, in order to do so weneed to take the emotional politics out ofenergy policy and look at what is truly goodfor UK Plc. We are, as a nation, investingbillions of pounds into offshore windfarms. This is happening and no amountof misinformed economic commentary byTory backbench MPs will stop this. It isnow our job to ensure that UK businessesand workers receive the maximum possiblebenefits from these developments.Otherwise we will continue to subsidise thedevelopment of a continental Europeanindustry in UK waters.Sam PickRenewables Networkwww.renewablesnetwork.co.ukClick to view more info= Click to view videowww.windenergynetwork.co.uk05

INDUSTRY NEWSNorth Westfirm dives intorenewableswith £5millioncontractA NORTH WEST based commercialdiving and specialist offshore servicescompany has been awarded a majorcontract to support the constructionof Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm inLiverpool Bay.Hughes Sub Surface Engineering (HSSE),with offices in Bootle, Mostyn and Staines,won a £5million contract for diving and cableinstallation support services, creating jobsand bringing investment into the region.YOU!Gwynt y Môr – a sharedsuppliers of diving services to theinvestmentoffshore wind industry.At 576MW, Gwynt y Môr is one of thelargest offshore wind farms currently in “Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farmconstruction in Europe. It is a shared Limited has awarded more thaninvestment between partners RWE £310million worth of contracts to UKInnogy, Stadtwerke München GmbH based companies, with many operatingand Siemens. Once fully operational, from the North West and North Wales.”Gwynt y Môr will generate enough cleangreen energy to meet the needs ofaround 400,000 homes and carries withit a community benefit fund of up to £19million, securing investment into localcommunities for the next 25 years.IT’S ALL ABOUTRWE npower renewables’ Gwynt y MôrProject Director, Toby Edmonds said:“Hughes Sub Surface Engineering isproviding crucial diving services tosupport the construction of Gwynt y Môr.“Finding this level of specialism so closeto the construction site has been hugelybeneficial in developing good workingrelationships.“HSSE has been working hard to meetthe needs of the renewables industryand as a result is now one of the largestThe diving contractThe diving contract has secured work forHSSE’s twenty office based staff, with60-80 sub-contractors being employedfor the offshore works. They will operatefrom the specialised offshore constructionvessel ‘Normand Tonjer’. HSSE areproviding a state of the art diving systemon board, including Twin Launch andRecovery systems (LARS), NITROXbreathing gases, hot water diving systemsand an 1800mm decompression chamber;ensuring maximum productivity on site andlimiting downtime due to weather.06www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

INDUSTRY NEWSUnique offeringRe-affirming the company’s growingreputation as a provider of specialistdiving, rigging and engineering services tothe offshore wind farm sector Ian Hughes,Managing Director for HSSE, said: “Ourunique blend of skills, knowledge andexperience in this demanding arena,coupled with our ability to provideinnovative solutions to the range ofchallenges always present on thesecomplex projects, ensures we providea valued service to help our clientssuccessfully complete projects on timeand within budget.”Gwynt y Môr Supply Chain eventHSSE was one of more than 100businesses to attend the Gwynt y MôrSupply Chain event at Venue Cymru inLlandudno in January 2011.This was one of several events carriedout across Wales, to raise awareness ofbusiness opportunities from RWE NRL’sportfolio of developing projects, includingClocaenog Forest Wind Farm, near Ruthin.Wales renewables growthRenewables is a key business growthsector in Wales and the likes of ClocaenogForest wind farm (up to 96MWs), offerssignificant potential for local companiesto secure new contracts within thesector. Only last week, a report by CardiffBusiness School and Manchester-basedeconomic consultants Regeneris outlinedthat delivery of the Welsh Governmentrenewables agenda could be worth£2.3billion to the Welsh economy andcould secure around 2000 jobs a year.HSSE used the Venue Cymru event togain a better understanding of the uniquenature and challenges associated with theoffshore renewables sector.Ian Hughes added: “I found the supplychain event in Llandudno very usefulin understanding what the client wasproposing for the development of thewind farm and how proactive they werein looking for local suppliers.“As a company we have strongconnections in North Wales. I am fromDeganwy originally and 70% of ourworkforce is from the local area.”Offshore construction at Gwynt y Môris well underway more than eight milesoffshore, with 80 monopile foundations andthe two offshore substations now in place.OnshoreOnshore, the new 400kV Bodelwyddansubstation south of St Asaph BusinessPark is now live and connected to theNational Grid. Sections of the 132kVsubstation, on the same site, whichwill take electricity from the offshoresubstations, have also been connectedinto the National Grid. The 11km onshorecable route between Pensarn and StAsaph is almost complete.HSSEwww.hsse.co.ukClick to view more infoGwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farmwww.rwe.com/gwyntymorRWE npower renewableswww.rwe.comwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk07

INDUSTRY NEWSTAG Energy Solutions played host tothe Chief Secretary to the Treasury,Danny Alexander MP, during a visit tothe North East of EnglandMr Alexander was given a tour of TAGEnergy Solution’s 6,920 square metreautomated tubular production facilityand met a number of the company’sskilled engineers and support staff.Production facilityThe facility has the ability to roll and weldlarge diameter tubulars and the constructionof foundations including monopiles, tripods,jackets and transition pieces.Located on a 42 acre site on the banksof the River Tees, the production facilityis joined by a large construction hall,extensive wet dock, a blast and paintfacility and a 6000te load out quay.Humber Gateway offshore windfarmTAG is currently producing 16 monopilesand transition pieces for E.ON’s prestigiousHumber Gateway offshore wind farm.The project represents a significant turbinefoundation contract for a UK wind farmto be awarded to a newly established UKmanufacturer.During his visit Mr Alexander met someof TAG’s 150-strong workforce that hasbeen established to serve the HumberGateway project along with a number ofother contracts for the UK and Germanmarkets.Offshore windDanny Alexander MP said: “Offshore windis a major part of our need to meet ourfuture energy requirements and we needto make sure that British businesses andBritish workers are getting the benefitfrom that. Companies like TAG are atthe forefront and it’s so encouraging tosee this business and the work it is doingto ensure we capitalise on what is a hugeeconomic growth area for the country.”Delivering nowAlex Dawson, Chief Executive of TAGEnergy Solutions, said: “We were delightedto welcome Mr Alexander to TAG. It gaveus another opportunity to demonstrateto government that the North East hasa vibrant manufacturing sector that isnot only geared up for the growth of theoffshore wind sector, but is delivering now.“With the support of government, the UKoffshore wind supply chain can flourishand ensure that it can carve out a strongproportion of the market against thecompetition from the more establishedEuropean supply chain.“I am confident that Mr Alexander hasseen first-hand the importance of theoffshore wind sector to the UK, not onlyby securing a stronger contribution to theenergy mix from renewable resources, butfor the manufacturing and service sectorsbuilt to serve the sector that can make aconsiderable contribution to UK plc.”TAG Energy Solutionswww.tagenergysolutions.comClick to view more infoDanny Alexander MP, left, with TAG CEO Alex Dawson, centre, meetsPlating Apprentice Danny Brennan, 20, from Stockton08www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

INDUSTRY NEWSThe oneto watchLowestoft based start-up ScourPrevention Systems has won the ‘Oneto Watch’ award at the East AnglianDaily Times Business Awards 2013.“We are thrilled to receive such anesteemed award, which recognises thehard work of our dedicated team to dateand the growth potential in an industrysector where this region is already aglobal leader,” said Robert.“We’re looking forward to building onthat reputation as we grow the business.We’re currently finalising offshoresea trials of the system and are in“Scour Prevention Systems hasdeveloped an innovative solution to amajor industry problem and with the scaleof offshore developments off the EastAnglian coast we’re confident that thebusiness has significant growth potentialover the coming years and will certainlybe one to watch with excitement.”Left to Right: Robert Durrant, Kevin Horne and Warren Hoskins-DaviesInnovative solution to asignificant problemThe company, based at the OrbisEnergyinnovation centre, has developed aninnovative and patented solution toprevent scour around the base of offshorestructures like wind turbines and overcables lying on the seabed.A significant problem across the offshoreenergy industries, scour is caused bythe flow of water speeding up around orover an object, creating a hole that getsprogressively deeper.Ipswich eventFounder Robert Durrant and ProjectManager Warren Hoskins-Davies receivedthe award at a celebration event in Ipswichon 4th July.discussions with a number of wind farmdevelopers about potential applications.”ScourScour is a serious problem affecting anyoffshore structure in flowing water. Itrepresents a considerable challenge foroffshore engineers as it can compromisestability and cause fatigue in marinestructures. The rapid growth in offshorerenewables has given a renewedsignificance to the problem of scour.Sponsors NWESThe award was sponsored by enterprisespecialists NWES who are also co-sponsorsof the EADT’s Future 50. Kevin Horne, CEOof NWES said, “The One to Watch awardis about recognising an outstanding earlystage business which shows the promiseto become a success story of tomorrow.The judges said, “Scour PreventionSystems is a company with real potentialin the emerging offshore renewablessector. It is also environmentally sound,locally based and has aspirations forsignificant growth.”Angel investmentThe company, started in 2009, hasreceived “angel” investment and innovationgrant support from the TechnologyStrategy Board for offshore trials of its antiscoursolution on operational wind turbinesoff the Norfolk coast.Scour Prevention Systemswww.scourprevention.comwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk09

INDUSTRY NEWSNew boat hoistand supportservices in GtYarmouthAlicat Workboats Ltd recently unveiledand christened the yard’s new boat hoistduring an open day attended by over 250guests. The open day showcased themany new developments and divisionscreated by Alicat Workboats over thelast few months.SpecificationsThe new boat hoist is a WISE 200TN andis amongst the largest and most capablein the UK. Specifically designed to suit therequirements of existing clients and theincrease in the demand from the renewableenergy sector, the new hoist can lift vesselsup to 11m beam and up to 200 tonnes inweight with four wheel steering to maximisemanoeuvrability when placing vessels withinthe new concrete yard area.Unveiling and ChristeningThe hoist was unveiled by Nigel Darling,a Director of Alicat Workboats Ltd. andchristened by Dave Stringer, a formeremployee of Richards Dry Dock &Engineering Ltd. and more famously as aformer player and manager of Norwich CityFootball Club.The new hoist has already successfullylifted ‘Waterfall’, a Gardline owned windfarm service vessel and is booked to lift aNjord Offshore owned wind farm servicevessel for a propeller change.Support servicesThe hoist is part of the Support Servicesdepartment of Alicat Workboats Ltd, whichoffers a 24hr a day, 7 day a week capabilityto support vessels in service along with aspeedy and efficient service and sparespackage solution.Boat constructionThe company specialises in theconstruction of aluminium catamarans forthe offshore wind farm crew transfer vesselsector and is currently building vesselsfor Dalby Offshore Ltd, E.ON Climate& Renewables UK Ltd. and GardlineEnvironmental Ltd.ACquisitionThey have also recently acquired SouthBoats IOW Ltd, based in the Isle of Wightand well known and respected for theirrange of wind farm crew transfer vesselswith craft currently in build for SeacatServices Ltd, Iceni Marine Services Ltd andMPI Workboats Ltd.Other onsite servicesIn addition onsite are new self-sustaineddivisions including Alicat Marine Electrical(completing major UK and Worldwideelectrical design, installation, commissioningand refit contracts), Alicat Fabrication, AlicatPrecision Engineering (with two new CNCmachines) and based in a new office inSouthampton, Alicat Marine Design.‘Boat in a box’ constructionThe company has also pioneered the‘boat in a box’ construction model, whichis proving successful. Arklow MarineServices in County Wicklow, Ireland arecurrently building two Alicat vessels forAlicat Workboats Ltd and Dunston ShipRepairs Ltd in Hull are currently buildingmultiple Alicat 20m and 19m vessels for RixSea Shuttle Ltd.Alicat Workboatswww.alicatworkboats.comInternational PR contract for TMS MediaTMS Media has been appointedto publicise the massive businessopportunities that exist in the East ofEngland Energy Zone.Steve ScottThe Great Yarmouth-based agency willwrite and distribute press releases, casestudies and features to print and digitalmedia around the world. They will showcasesuccessful companies and highlight anestimated £50billion worth of opportunities inoil and gas, offshore wind, renewables, decommissioningand nuclear energy.Norfolk and Suffolk EnergyAllianceTMS has been appointed by the Norfolkand Suffolk Energy Alliance, a consortiumof Norfolk County Council, Suffolk CountyCouncil, Great Yarmouth BoroughCouncil, Waveney District Council, NorthNorfolk District Council, Norfolk Chamberof Commerce, Suffolk Chamber ofCommerce and the East of England EnergyGroup (EEEGR).Industry experience“We are really pleased to have won thecompetitive pitch for this work,” saidSteve Scott, Managing Director of TMS.“We already work for several companiesand organisations in the energy sector,supplying publicity, design and exhibitionservices. And we have well establishedlinks with the national and internationalenergy media through which we can tellthe world about the amazing businesspotential in Norfolk and Suffolk.”TMS Mediawww.tms-media.co.uk10www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

INDUSTRY NEWSAtkins secures £2millioncontract with DONG EnergyAtkins has secured a contract withDONG Energy Wind Power worth£2million to extend one of theirexisting wind farms.Walney Offshore Wind FarmThe Walney Offshore Wind Farm consistsof 102 turbines, each with a capacity of3.6MW, making it one of the biggest ofits kind in the world. The extension, whichwas awarded in 2010, will cover an areaof 145 km2 and is fully owned by DONGEnergy.Located approximately 15km off WalneyIsland, Cumbria, in the UK’s Irish Sea,the farm provides clean electricity forapproximately 320,000 UK households.Project responsiblityAtkins’ role in this extension programme,which will run until 2016, will involve theconcept design, detailed design andsupport during fabrication and finalinstallation of two offshore substationsincluding both the jackets and topsides.Atkins’ technical expertise and experiencein offshore engineering factored heavily insecuring this contract.Brian Lauritsen, Engineering Manager,DONG Energy, commented: “As amarket leader DONG Energy has alwaysused high class consultancies for ourwork. Atkins’ deep pedigree in offshoreengineering from their 40 years of oiland gas experience, combined withtheir sector knowledge of our offshorerenewable meant they were our firstchoice for the extension of WalneyOffshore wind farm.”Dave Parkin, Head of Power andRenewable at Atkins, commented:“This contract will further demonstrateour design capability to the offshoresubstation market and cements ourposition as a leading engineering anddesign consultancy in the offshorerenewables sector.”Atkinswww.atkinsglobal.comwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk11

WHAT’S NEWEvents and what’s newWe continue to feature some of the most important events in thecalendar, so that you can, at a glance, consider which events tosupport. A more detailed listing is available online.There continues to be issues with the amount, scale and cost of events laid on for this fast growing industry. We will only feature thoseevents which we believe are organised in the best interests of the industry as a whole.Brazil Windpower 2013When 3 – 5 Sep 2013Where Rio de Janeiro, BrazilCONTACT www.brazilwindpower.orgWindabaWhen 25 – 27 Sep 2013Where Cape Town, South AfricaCONTACT www.windaba.co.zaCanWEA’s 29th Annual Conference and ExhibitionWhen 10 Oct 2013Where Toronto, CanadaCONTACT www.canwea.caChina Windpower 2013When 16 – 18 Oct 2013Where Beijing, ChinaCONTACT www.chinawind.org.cnRenewableUK 2013 (incorporating InternationalSmall and Medium Wind)When 5 – 7 Nov 2013Where BirminghamCONTACT www.renewableuk.comEWEA Offshore 2013When 19 – 21 Nov 2013Where Frankfurt, GermanyCONTACT www.ewea.orgEWEA Technology Workshop Wind PowerForecastingWhen 3 – 4 Dec 2013WhereRotterdam, The Netherlandscontact www.ewea.orgThe Scottish Green Energy AwardsWhen Friday, 6 Dec 2013WhereNational Museum of Scotland, EdinburghCONTACT www.scottishrenewables.comSupply Chain RegisterLooking for a specialist service provider in the windenergy industry?Visit our extensive online Supply Chain Register where circa 1200 companies specific to the wind energy industryare listed:W www.windenergynetwork.co.ukT 01765 644224 E duncan@greenenergypublishing.co.uk12www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

WHAT’S NEWRELEVANT Commercial training COURSESWind Farm Design & Intro to WindFarmerWHEN 10-11th SeptemberWHERE Glasgow, ScotlandOrganiser GL Garrad HassanClick hereto viewmore infoWeather Basics CourseWHEN 3rd OctoberWHERE Bristol, UKOrganiser GL Garrad HassanClick toview moreinfoCurrency Risk Management WebinarWhen 11th SeptemberTime 4:00pm – 4:30pmOrganiser globalreach-partnersGravity Foundations: Offshore WindWhen 1st October 2013Where EdinburghOrganiser www.concretecentre.com/windClick toview moreinfoClick toview moreinfoNATIONAL FLUID POWER CENTRE‘INDUSTRY OPEN DAY’WHEN 19 February 2014WHERE National Fluid Power Centre,Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UKCONTACT www.nfpc.co.ukClick toview moreinfoTo advertise your course in the next edition for only £100 contact carly@greenenergypublishing.co.ukMagazine and websiteinteractive QR codesYou will notice that we have changed our pink and greenflashes indicating more information online. QR codeshave been substituted which means that you can scanthe code with your smart phone and it will direct you tothe featured company/organisation micropage held withinour website so that can learn much more in all sorts offormats.Sample QR codes Please scanForthcoming featuresnext edition• Spotlight on South East Coast of England - sponsored byECITB• Business Development (Best Practice)• Oils and Lubricants – sponsored by Hydac• Offshore Logistics• Research & Development – sponsored by Narec• Risk Management• Commercial Diving• Problem? – Solved!• Legal Eagles – sponsored by Andrew Jackson• Focus on OrbisEnergy Centre• Grid Connections - sponsored by Royal HaskoningDHV• Condition Monitoring - sponsored by FoundOcean• Fire & Blast Protection• Money Matters• Distributed Wind (small to medium) – sponsored by IceRenewablesPlease contact if you would like to be involved in anyof these features.www.windenergynetwork.co.uk13

Jack-Up Vesselsfeature sponsorJack-upVesselsthe giants ofthe industryOne of the most exciting areas of the industry is the enormousprojects which we cover for the magazine.The sheer size of these projects have a number of advantages inmanagement:• No company is large enough to go italone so collaboration is essential• Economies of scale bring down costs• Engineering problems which invariablycrop up are solved in record time –we love the positivety in the industryi.e. “the answer is yes – now what’sthe question?”Massive projects call for massiveequipment and it cannot be argued thatthe largest structures of them all arejack-up vessels.We feature the companies involved andwelcome MPI Offshore as our sponsorsfor the feature who firstly cover some ofthe onshore logistics issues involved inthis opening article.14www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorJack-Up vesselsFromonshore tooffshoreWhilst the evolution of wind poweronshore has been constrained by thelogistics of transporting via the existingroad/rail infrastructure and by the needof mechanical equipment to be presentin remote areas of Europe, the size andscale of the Wind Turbine Generatorsand sub-sea foundations for theoffshore wind industry continues togrow – especially when consideringthe water depths involved in the Roundthree projects.InnovationInstallation contractors have reacted with asteady innovation in vessel design in orderto have the capability to handle these hugecomponents, with monopile foundations thatcan weigh up to 1,200Te, and can measureup to 80m long. However the supply chainneeds to feed these vessels at the quay sidefor efficient loading and vessel utilisation.Mobilisation portThe nature of the contracts applied inoffshore wind farm installation projectsoften leads to the WTG manufacturerhaving to deliver all components to amobilisation port before the Wind TurbineInstallation Vessel (WTIV) is mobilised.Logistics sequencingThe WTG design and chosen WTIV willdictate the exact sequencing of the logisticsrequired to ensure an efficient ‘just in time’delivery of the components to the quaysideand under the WTIV’s crane hook. Theneed for this approach is dictated by: theconstraint in the number of WTG’s thevessel can carry, the fact whether the WTGhas a single or two piece tower, and thecomplexity of blade pre-assembly in a rotorstar configuration vs. single blade elevationassembly at the offshore location.Project management andhandlingBy using SPMT’s modular axles,by applying tried and tested liftplan engineering and by employingexperienced rigging crews thathave been performing the lifting andhandling on board the MPI vessels forthe last decade, MPI Offshore is nowalso able to be involved in projectmanagement and performanceof onshore logistics for Trianel’sBorkum West Project - mobilisingAreva 3.6MW turbines out of the Portof Eemshaven on-board the MPIAdventure.Whilst the WTG’s do require a rotorstar blade installation, the companyis performing the handling of thecomponents and the hub/bladeassembly onshore on temporarystools and handling frames,employing their own experiencedengineers and rigging crews workingof the back of the installation ofSiemens rotor stars on the Teessidewind farm, which was serviced withthe same vessel.Continuity and co-ordinationUsing the same contractor toperform the onshore logistics andoffshore construction processesensures continuity and co-ordinationof work along the critical path, whilstgiving the contractor a single point ofcontact to address all constructionactivities.Andrew DuncanMPI Offshorewww.mpi-offshore.comClick to view more info= Click to view videoObviously the WTIV is to be at the quaysidefor a minimum amount of time to be efficient.This can be tricky keeping in mind therecould be up to 48 separate items to loadout on to the vessel whilst simultaneouslyseveral items need to be transferred fromthe vessel to the Quayside, all within 48hrs.www.windenergynetwork.co.uk15

Jack-Up Vesselsfeature sponsorVessel schedulingInadequate vessel scheduling hasbecome one of the many logisticalcomplications encountered in Europeanoffshore wind. Developers are facingsubstantial penalties for projects thatoverrun their allocated constructionperiod, placing pressure on vesseloperators to ensure that delays indelivery times are kept to a minimum.Significant market expansionThe installation vessel market hasexpanded significantly over the last 5years to include a fleet of highly capable,specialised units. Heightened demandhad previously resulted in back-tobackcontracts being issued years inadvance, in the hope of ensuring thatinstallation schedules and charter periodsrun consistently. The utility of jack-upvessels teamed with the race to hit 2020renewable targets has rendered them apivotal part of the development process.Vessel availabilityContracts awarded to MPI Offshore inApril this year highlighted the importanceof vessel availability. The company willinstall at Swedish project Kårehamn, theUK’s Round 2 Humber Gateway andAmrumbank West, located in Germany.The latter two projects will be installed bythe same vessel, MPI Discovery, which willbe required to periodically transit betweenthe sites installing a total of 153 turbines.The contracts are a result of a six-yearcharter deal with E.ON who will now utilisethe vessel on many of their upcomingprojects, ensuring they have the necessaryequipment at their disposal to optimiseavailable weather windows and to planappropriately for future developments.Securing the project pipelineAn alternative to long term charteringof jack-ups is for the developer to buildand operate their own vessels. RWEInnogy welcomed two new installationunits in 2012 hoping to provide a secure,complete and ambitious project pipeline.However, after stating that it would bemore financially viable to charter vesselsfrom elsewhere, RWE has decided to sellthe vessels towards the end of 2013. Thelack of confidence in the current marketwas again highlighted earlier in the year,with the announcement from A2Sea thatthey are unlikely to invest in further newbuilds until 2016 at the earliest.InvestmentDue to the myriad of complicationsfrequently encountered in offshoredevelopment, vessel ownership and fleetexpansion will continue to be a high-risk,long-term return, investment. Arrangingfinance for such specialist vesselsbecomes increasingly difficult when shortcharters, rather than lengthy partnerships,are being offered. In addition to thefeasibility of repowering and the estimatedrate of large component replacement,firm commitments from developers willbe required in order for European-basedowners to confidently invest furtherresources.4C Offshorewww.4coffshore.com16www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorJack-Up vesselsFabrication, weldingand surface protectionoffshoreA new process to enablefabrication, welding andsurface protection to bedelivered in an offshoreenvironment has received fullUK Patent approval with foreignrights reserved.Thermal enhancement‘Thermal enhancement’ by MarskeSite Services (MSS) is a technique thatinsulates and warms a submergedstructure from the outside so that it can beworked on from the inside.“This is a fantastic solution to anenormous problem that is facing theoffshore wind farm and other offshoreindustries” said MSS Director JohnMcCullagh. “There are many offshorefoundations that require repair by welding.Until now the delivery of high qualitywork in the tidal zone or below the waterline has proven to be very difficult, evenimpossible, in some circumstances.”100% successThe company has developed, testedand have used Thermal Enhancement inconnection with repairs to offshore windturbines so far with 100% success.They can provide the services offabrication, welding and/or surfaceprotection using the ThermalEnhancement Process and also offerlicences to competent contractors on aproject by project basis.Marske Site Serviceswww.marskesiteservices.co.ukwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk17

Jack-Up Vesselsfeature sponsorThe first installation vesselwith pre-loaded know-howIn its 13-year history offshore wind installation specialists A2SEA has been involvedin the installation of over 1,000 turbines and more than 400 foundations. The Danishcompany (part-owned by majority shareholder DONG Energy alongside Siemens WindPower) has built up formidable experience in the sector and recently took its own steptowards realising the needs of an industrialised offshore wind sector with the arrival ofSea Installer, an installation vessel purpose-built for the offshore wind industry.Grøn explains that designing the vesselwas not simply a matter of increasingthe size of an existing vessel, to fulfil itspurpose the craft needed to be tailoredto the requirements of the offshore windindustry. “The vessel was designedwith UK Round Three zones in mind,”he says. “It can take more componentsthat a simple scale increase might slowbecause it has been purpose built to takeparticular offshore wind components.”West of Duddon SandsSea Installer, delivered to Denmark inDecember 2012, is currently working outof Belfast on the West of Duddon Sandsoffshore wind site. A ‘second-generation’vessel was designed to operate in themore challenging conditions found indeeper waters further from shore that willbe witnessed in Round Three zones.CapacityThe vessel is equipped to transport andinstall up to eight 3.6MW turbines (withbuilt-in adaptability to accommodate 6,7, or 8 MW models as larger turbinesbecome standard). She features areinforced deck capable of supporting15 tonnes per square metre and an 800tonne crane that can slew 360 degrees.The crane is described as the vessel’sworkhorse and its lifting capacity has beenoptimised for large-scale offshore windprojects. In addition to the main GustoGLC-800 crane, the vessel also has fivesmaller cranes for other lifting tasks.OperationThe vessel uses a four-leg configurationthat offers better clearance andmanoeuvrability for her cranes than asix-leg configuration and can operate inwater depths in excess of 45 metres andcontinue to carry out installations throughchallenging weather conditions. Her jackingsystem can raise the fully loaded vessel at aspeed of approximately 1 metre per minute– twice as fast as standard jacking systemsused in the sector.The vessel can accommodate up to 60people on board and features excellentcrew facilities including the mess, acinema, gym and ‘The Comfort Zone’where crew shower and change from theirwork clothes into their leisure clothes.She is equipped with a DP2-class typedynamic positioning system and a VoithSchneider propulsion system that allowsher to change direction very swiftly. Thevessel’s propulsion system comprisesthree pivotable vertical blades on arotatable circular plate and is considerablyfaster than conventional systems, evenunder extreme conditions with highcurrents and wind speeds.Second generation“SEA INSTALLER is an example of whatis called a ‘second generation’ vessel,”comments A2SEA Project ManagerSøren Grøn. “This means that it is apurpose-built vessel for the renewablesindustry. Before her arrival we had twoself-propelled vessels and two barges –all were revamped vessels.We are now dealingwith a purpose-builtvessel; that’s the keydifference.”“The main design criteria for thevessel was turbine installation,” Grøncontinues. “When design was started itwas designed for ten Siemens 3.6MWturbines, but now, some six years later,with the development within the turbineindustry we are down to eight turbines,mainly because the weight of all thecomponents has gone up.”“The vessel can also accommodatepiles for foundation installation. Thethought behind the design was to carrycomponents, including blades tower andnacelle, for all eight turbines,” he adds.Twin sister vesselIn 2014 Sea Installer will get a twin sisterwhen A2SEA takes delivery of SeaChallenger. This vessel is to be almostidentical in specification to Sea Installer,but will feature a larger crane capableof lifting up to 900 tonnes (that’s a 100tonne improvement on her sister vessel).The increased lifting capacity will meet thetrend for the installation of larger and largerturbines in offshore wind developments.A2SEAwww.a2sea.comClick to view more info= Click to view video18www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorJack-Up vesselsConstruction contract forthe world’s largest and mostadvanced offshore wind farminstallation vesselSeajacks International has enteredinto a contract with Samsung HeavyIndustries to build the world’s largestand most advanced offshore wind farminstallation vessel.Meeting the needs of Round 3The vessel has been specifically designedto meet the demands associated withSeajacksSeajacks is a leading offshore installationcontractor that services both the offshorewind and oil and gas industries. Based inthe UK, the company recently expandedfrom its core market in the North Seaand North West Europe by establishing‘Seajacks Japan’ as a platform from whichto service the Asian market.“Drawing on our extensive experience,and based on feedback from discussionswith clients across the supply chain,the design of Seajacks Scylla has beendeveloped to meet the installationneeds of jumbo-monopiles, jackets andturbines of future wind farms in deeperwaters and further from shore.“We are delighted to be working with atop tier shipbuilder in Samsung HeavyIndustries. Samsung are recognised asa premier offshore shipyard who havea reputation of delivering a first classproduct. We are therefore confident thatScylla will be of the highest quality andcertain that she will be delivered on timefor the commencement of UK Round 3.working UK Round 3, Scottish territorialwaters and the other North West Europeanmarkets. Seajacks also has options for theconstruction of an additional two units.Named Seajacks Scylla, the new vesselis based on the Gusto MSC NG14000Xdesign and will be the fifth new self-propelledjack-up to join the Seajacks fleet since 2009.SpecificationsThe vessel will be equipped with a 1500tleg-encircling crane, incorporate useabledeck space in excess of 5000m2, andhave over 8000t of available variable load.Sailing at speeds of 12 knots or over, Scyllawill be outfitted with 105 metre long legsthat have the ability to install components inwater depths of up to 65m.The company recently completed thesuccessful installation of all 80 monopilesat the Meerwind Offshore Wind Park onschedule, despite having experiencedsignificantly worse weather thananticipated this winter. As part of its roleas Main Installation Contractor at theGerman site, they are responsible for theinstallation of all turbines and foundations,as well as the scour installation, groutingand noise mitigation for the project.Blair Ainslie, CEO of the Seajacks Group,said; “Seajacks Scylla is a significantmilestone for Seajacks and for theoffshore wind industry. She is a Round 3vessel and is more technically advancedthan any other installation vessel that wesee on the market today.“The arrival of Scylla will make Seajacks’modern fleet of vessels unrivalled in theoffshore wind sector for installation andmaintenance of wind farms.”Samsung Heavy IndustriesHarris Lee, Vice President of the SamsungHeavy Industries, said; “We are alsopleased to be working with Seajacks, aleading offshore installation contractor.Since Scylla will be the most technicallyadvanced unit in the sector, we will putour utmost effort into both the designand construction phases to ensure thebest quality and performance of vessel.Meanwhile, we are viewing the windpower market very positively and aretherefore optimistic about the optionalvessels.”The vessel will be delivered in the secondhalf of 2015.Track recordSince 2009, Seajacks has developed atrack record of over 830MW of turbinesinstalled and is currently constructingan additional 288MW at the MeerwindOffshore Wind Power Project in Germany.Based in Great Yarmouth (UK), Seajackswere acquired by Marubeni Corporationand Innovation Network Corporation ofJapan in May 2012. Marubeni has a trackrecord of over 96,000MW of installedcapacity in Global Power and is also thelargest international IPP in Japan. In 2011,Marubeni aqcuired an equity stake inGunfleet Sands (UK) wind farm.Seajackswww.seajacks.comSamsung Heavy Industrieswww.shi.samsung.co.kr/engwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk19

Jack-Up Vesselsfeature sponsorMade in Abu Dhabi!The latest jack-up barge forworldwide operationsAbu Dhabi-based Gulf MarineServices (GMS), the largest provider ofself-propelled self-elevating jack-upbarges in the world, has announcedit is building its third E-Class jack-upvessel GMS Enterprise. The companyhas a further option to build a fourthE-Class vessel as part of its continuedglobal expansion.December 2013 launchLike the majority of her nine sister vessels,GMS Enterprise will be constructed atthe company’s quayside facility in AbuDhabi and is scheduled to launch thisDecember, ready for new contracts in2014. With the exception of the steelrequirement from China, the modifiedGusto jack-up will be built in Abu Dhabi,with the detailed design, jacking systemand outfitting completed by GMS’ skilledand experienced in-house team and alocal labour force.Why Abu Dhabi?Duncan Anderson, Chief ExecutiveOfficer at GMS, says: “The fact thatwe can build our vessels here in AbuDhabi is absolutely key as this allows usto produce these sophisticated nicheassets at lower than market prices; atleast 30% less than our competitors canachieve. The state-of-the-art designand operational efficiency of jackupbarges like GMS Enterprise means wecan also offer cost-effective solutionsto our clients. This, along with ourexcellent safety record, is what definesGMS.”Fleet expansionDuring the past fiveyears, the companyhas strategicallyexpanded its fleet,offering adaptablemulti-purpose jackupbarges that can providea range of offshoreservices in the oil, gasand renewable energysectors world-wide,from well intervention towind farm installation.Growth facilityGMS, which hasoffices in Abu Dhabi,Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and the UK, recentlyagreed a USD 360 million growth facilitywith Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank that will allowit to capitalise on the growing internationalneed for its vessels. The company’skey areas of operations are in the MiddleEast, South East Asia, West Africa, theMediterranean and the Southern NorthSea, with current commitments wortharound $460 million.Operational capabilitiesMr Anderson adds: “Our E-Class vessels,Endeavour and Endurance (built in2010) are technologically advanced androbust; they can withstand harsh weatherenvironments and operate in deeperwaters. GMS Enterprise will have furtheroperational capabilities built into herdesign and will be an important additionto our fleet.”Left to right: John Petticrew, Technical Director,Gulf Marine Services; Zong Xiaojian, Deputy GeneralManager, Sainty Marine Corporation Ltd.SpecificationsGMS Enterprise has four legs andprovides a stable working platform withaccommodation for up to 150 people;this can be increased depending onthe contract and configuration. Deckmachinery includes a 400 tonne main craneand a 60 tonne auxiliary hoist. The vesselalso has a 22.2m diameter helideck whichcan accommodate an S-92 helicopter andcan operate in a water depth of 85 metresand travel at eight knots.AdvantagesThe vessel has clear advantages overconventional jackup barges (those withthree legs and those which are not selfpropelled).The jacking speed to movefrom one location to the next in-field isfaster and safer with four legs as no ballastis required, and the weather windowrequired for GMS to makethe move is a few hours,compared to the average ofthree days.The dynamic positioning(DP2) allows the vessel tomove independently, withno need for anchor-handlingor tug support, and ensureshigh accuracy positioningalongside platforms andpipelines.Gulf Marine Services W.L.Lwww.gmsuae.com20www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorJack-Up vesselsWorld first as new vesselinstalls eight turbines insingle deploymentThe first vessel in the world to deliverand install eight complete turbines ata windfarm site in a single deploymentis due to finish work on its first projectlater this month.Bold TernFred. Olsen Windcarrier’s Bold Tern, whichwas delivered by the shipyard in Februarythis year, began work on the 30-turbineRiffgat windfarm in the German Bight inApril and is on track to complete its workaccording to schedule, with no significantHSEQ incidents or vessel delays.InstallationPetter Faye Søyland, Project Managerfrom Fred. Olsen Windcarrier, said:“We load and transport the towers inone piece, saving two lifts per turbine,once during loading and again duringinstallation. What’s more, by freeingup deck space, this approach allowsus to carry up to eight turbines pervoyage, reducing the number of transitoperations and sailing time. And after asignificant learning curve, turbines arenow being installed in less than 12 hours.Collaboration“There has been great co-operationbetween the developer EWE, theturbine manufacturer Siemens WindPower and Fred. Olsen Windcarrierto ensure that the site is being builtsafely and efficiently. Bold Tern andher experienced offshore supervisors,supplied by Fred. Olsen related companyGlobal Wind Service, are doing anexcellent job.”SpecificationsBold Tern and her sister ship Brave Tern,were designed and built to install similarand much larger wind farms includingfoundations, and can also work efficientlyin the O&M market. Constructed in theLamprell shipyard in Dubai, they measure132m in length, with a mid-hull breadthof 39m. They operate in waters depth upto 45m and have a crane capacity of 800tonnes at a 24m reach (102m over thedeck). The two vessels are among thelargest self-propelled jack-ups in the world.Fred. Olsen Windcarrier has two Bayardservice vessels also working on the Riffgatproject while Brave Tern and anotherBayard are currently working on the80-turbine BARD windfarm off Germany.Fred. Olsen Windcarrierwww.windcarrier.comClick to view more info= Click to view videoBold Tern with its payload of eight complete Siemens turbines en route to the Riffgat windfarm.www.windenergynetwork.co.uk21

SKILLS GAP updateHumber leading the way...When it comes to developing a hub for wind energy skills,the Humber is leading the wayDemand for offshore wind O&M technicians in the UK could top10,000 by 2020, so it’s no surprise that training has becomesuch a hot topic. How do companies plan to equip theirworkforce with the engineering and sector specific skills they willneed to operate and service the UK’s wind farms efficiently andsafely?Operations & maintenance basesJust 7 miles from Grimsby where RES Offshore, Centrica,Siemens and Eon have chosen to set up O&M bases (with Dongand RWE in the pipeline) the CATCH training facility thinks it mayhave the answer.Natural affinityAs many renewable technologies have found a home on andoffshore in the Humber region, CATCH has noticed the naturalaffinity they have with the area’s existing industry, particularlyfrom a skills perspective. There are differences that have beenappreciated and identified by CATCH and the result has been aconcerted effort over the last 18 months to diversify CATCH’soffering by working with new providers to develop specialisedtraining facilities for the renewables sector.Memorandum of understandingThis includes the signing of a memorandum of understandingbetween HCF (the operators of the CATCH facility) and 3CHumber, a new joint venture training organisation betweenGrimsby based Blackrow Engineering and Norwegian offshoretraining experts AAK. This will see theconversion of CATCH’s existing 22mdistillation column and supportingstructures into a replica wind turbinetower that will be used to deliver saferope access, dropped object, rescue &evacuation, work at heights, ladder workingand confined space training for the rapidlyexpanding offshore wind and existingoffshore oil and gas industries.3C HumberBarry Taylor, Chief Executive of 3CHumber, explained why they are interestedin coming to the CATCH facility: “When wecame to look around CATCH it was obviousthat the tower and surrounding structureswere ideally suited for conversion intothe type of facility we need to deliver ourcomprehensive training programmes.Unique facility“This facility will be unique in this region,and right on the doorstep of the offshoreoperations and maintenance companiesthat are based in Grimsby. If all goes toplan, we hope to be delivering the first3C Humber GWO and Renewable UKapproved training courses at CATCH inJanuary 2014.”A visionCATCH was the vision of a group of Humber based operatingsites, contracting companies and public sector organisationsthat recognised the need for a collaborative approach to skills,and the positive effect this could have on the success andcompetitiveness of the Humber region as an industrial hub.This vision was realised in 2006 when CATCH opened. Sincethen there have been two expansions, and the 10 acre, £12million site now boasts an impressive list of facilities that areused to develop and deliver authentic, industrial training andcompetence assessment for the Humber region and beyond.This includes a 3 storey process plant, confined space entryand access zones, bunded tank farm, process simulator, SkillsEnhancement Centre and engineering workshops.Meet the providers at CATCH…Mines Rescue ServiceMines Rescue Service has drawn on its experience of difficultand potentially dangerous environments to develop a rangeof fully accredited health and safety courses including first aid,firefighting, confined spaces and rescue. In partnership withCATCH, Mines Rescue have built a state-of-the-art confinedspaces training rig that has been approved by City and Guildsfor the full 6150 series. In addition, a new marine enclosedspaces facility has recently opened and by the end of 2013 thereare plans to offer training and certification to Renewable UKstandards to satisfy the demand of wind turbine maintenancecompanies.22www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

SKILLS GAP updateSafety & AccessFalls from height remain the single biggest cause of workplacedeaths and a leading cause of major injury. Safety & Access,work at height specialists, offer expert advice and training inthis high risk area. Their training portfolio includes coursesfor management and operatives, all delivered by experiencedstaff at CATCH, onsite or at one of their other purpose-builttraining centres. Their consultancy services include independentsite audits, monitoring and inspections and health & safetyconsultancy.Humberside Engineering Training Association(HETA)HETA operates from three sites across the Humber, includingCATCH. The company trains around 200 Level 3 AdvancedApprentices a year for over 180 companies including Ecotricity,RES and Centrica Renewables. Apprentices come through asix-step selection process and 46 weeks training (Electrical,Instrumentation, Mechanical, Wind Turbine Technician orWelding & Fabrication) before going into company full time fromYear 2-4.They also offer industry courses including City and Guilds, WindTurbine Technician NVQ’s, Small Bore Tubing, MechanicalCommex, 17th Edition, 2394 & 5 and a suite of Health & Safetycourses.Hull CollegeHull College recognises renewable energy as the Humber’sgreatest economic opportunity, both in terms of capitalinvestment and careers. Utilising the world class facilities atCATCH, Hull College is providing a new generation of youngpeople with the technical and behavioural skills demanded by theenergy and process industries. With a focus on STEM subjectsand the development of transferable skills, companies can haveconfidence to invest in the Humber knowing that there is a readyworkforce.The Grimsby Institute GroupThe Grimsby Institute Group has three divisions at CATCHoffering industry-recognised qualifications to upskill or retrain,including Fast Track to Process Operations, NEBOSH GeneralCertificate & Diploma, NEBOSH Environmental Certificateand a portfolio of First Aid at Work qualifications used by therenewables sector. Courses take advantage of the excellent,industry-standard facilities at CATCH to support employers withtheir staff training needs.Reynolds TrainingReynolds Training recognises that the evolution of the Humberinto a renewable energy hub is generating an increased need forindependent health and safety oversight. Utilising the impressivefacilities at CATCH with their engaging training style, they helprenewable energy and other high hazard sites stay safe andcomply with laws. Reynolds Training offers accredited coursesincluding CIEH, IOSH and NEBOSH or can deliver bespokematerial to meet your specific requirements including Permit toWork and Process Safety.CATCHwww.catch-uk.orgwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk23

SKILLS GAP updateNew £11m energy skillscomplex to go aheadWork could start in spring 2014 on an£11million centre at Great Yarmouthto become the flagship for urgentlyneeded energy skills training acrossthe East of England.Energy Production InnovationSkills Centre (EPISCentre)Business bosses want the EPISCentreproject to move on quickly to provethe region’s long-term commitment toproducing skilled workers for the energyindustry. It could prove vital in influencingmajor international companies thinkingof investing billions of pounds into theoffshore wind, gas and new nuclearindustries.site. “It will co-ordinate skills trainingfor all energy sectors and encourageand inspire individuals, schools andother interested parties to find out moreabout opportunities in the industry,” saidMr Ainslie. “We expect it to become anational centre of excellence for energyindustry skills.”SupportHe stressed that EPISCentre wouldcomplement and support existing trainingproviders and academic and educationcentres - not duplicate them.“It will be a hub at the centre of all thespokes. It is something that industryprovision in the region and the industry’spotential needs for the future.Nucleus for informationEPISCentre will be a nucleus forinformation, advice and guidance, makingit easier for people to find out more aboutthe energy industry’s careers and training.It will also provide specialist courses orallow access to equipment that othertrainers or colleges may not have.Wind energyStephen Rose, Head of Offshore WindGeneration at SSE, said: “The Eastof England has benefited from theconstruction of Greater GabbardOffshore Wind Farm, which has anoperations base in Lowestoft, and therewill be further opportunities for localemployment and suppliers through anextension, known as Galloper.“The announcement of theEPISCentre to help supporttraining and development ofthe next generation of workersfor the offshore energyindustry is a further stepforward for the region.” An impression of how the EPISCentre complex could lookDelightNews that the project is to go aheaddelighted Great Yarmouth MP BrandonLewis who said the town was reaping thebenefits of becoming a renewable energyhub: “The EPISCentre will be a fantasticsymbol of the enthusiasm and dedicationof local businesses to support thedelivery of skills into the energy industry.”Blair Ainslie, Chairman of the Skills forEnergy partnership, part of EEEGR (theEast of England Energy Group), said:“The ultimate goal is for local people tobe trained locally for careers in a localindustry.”Prestigious complexFirst mooted two years ago, EPISCentreis expected to cost £6m to build and willhouse £5m worth of equipment, muchof it already pledged. The prestigiouscomplex is expected to have conference,classroom and workshop facilities onleaders are driving and we must keep upthe momentum and reassure potentialinvestors that we mean business,”said Mr Ainslie, also Chief Executive ofSeajacks UK.Perenco UK Operations Manager KeithTucker agreed that the need for skillswas pressing and substantial and thatEPISCentre offered a primary way toaddress the industry’s concerns.TargetAlthough the centre will be in GreatYarmouth, the exact site has yet to berevealed. The target is to commissionthe complex later this year in time tostart building next spring. Both privateand public funding will be used for itsconstruction.In the meantime Skills for Energy hascommissioned local consultants NautilusAssociates to review existing trainingDeveloping careersDavid Edwards, Chief Executiveof ECITB (EngineeringConstruction Industry TrainingBoard), said: “There is acommon skills base across theenergy industry whether in oil &gas, windpower or new nuclearand EPISCentre will help leadthe way in developing careers,not just jobs.”Employment potentialGeorge Nobbs, Norfolk County Councilleader, said the council endorsed theproject, and what it could do to work withthe local industry to help bring it forward.“We cannot overstate the employmentpotential that the energy sector will deliverto Norfolk and Suffolk, but we must havethe means to deliver the right skills forthe industry. The EPISCentre will do justthat and it will also greatly enhance theattractiveness of our investment offer.”EEEGRwww.eeegr.comClick to view more info24www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

SKILLS GAP updateWomen could help overcome energyindustry’s skills shortagedesign through to HR and logistics as wellas offshore technicians.Energy Skills FoundationProgrammeHe praised the work of the Energy SkillsFoundation Programme, pioneered locallyand being introduced nationwide, and thesupport of Lowestoft and Great YarmouthColleges and also the University of EastAnglia which was on its way towards a fullfaculty for energy engineering. Recruitingskilled ex-military personnel was provinganother great success.Shortage of skills is the biggestchallenge facing the energy industryand a Norwich conference heard thatrecruiting more women could helpresolve the problem.The need to develop more expertise tocope with growing demand for engineersin the East of England was a constanttheme throughout the People: PoweringThe Future conference held by the Skillsfor Energy partnership at the John InnesConference Centre.Specialist workshopsSpecialist workshops for around 175delegates also looked at how the imageof energy engineering careers could beimproved for young people – and forparents and teachers likely to influencethem.Larraine Boorman, Managing Director ofoil & gas workforce development groupOpito, called for the energy world to worktogether to deliver one clear message -for male and females - on the appeal ofmodern jobs in the energy engineeringworld, which many people mistakenlythought of as dirty and unattractive.Of the 440,000 people in the UKemployed in the sector, only 10% actuallyworked offshore and only 3.7% werefemale.“When women do come in, the talentthey bring is hugely valuable,” she said.CollaborationDavid Edwards, Chief Executive of ECITB(Engineering Construction IndustryTraining Board), was one of manyspeakers to emphasise the need forcollaboration across the industry andinnovative thinking about attracting peopleinto engineering.Demand for skilled workersBlair Ainslie, Skills for Energy Chairman,spoke of the unprecedented demandfor skilled workers in the industry even intimes of austerity. It was a great career forlife and featured roles from finance andBiggest influenceWorkshop sessions suggested thatteachers, and particularly parents,remained the biggest influence on youngpeople’s career choices and it was vitalto give them a far better perception of thequality, attractiveness and rewards of workin the energy engineering sector.Culture changeIan Robertson, HR/Crewing Manager forSeajacks UK, suggested it might take aculture change to prevent stereotyping,almost from infancy, which kept femalesaway from engineering. It was seen toooften and by too many as a male careeroption and the sector’s existing imagewas probably its biggest barrier.Simon Gray, Chief Executive of the Eastof England Energy Group (EEEGR), said:“Anywhere you go around the worldyou hear Norfolk and Suffolk accentsbecause of the energy sector andexpertise we have here - and we need tokeep developing that.”EEEGRwww.eeegr.comClick to view more infotrainingwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk25

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTSolutions arenot the answer!Trainer and Motivational Speaker FRANK NEWBERRY outlines a very practical,interactive problem solving process that you can use in your work team or atmeetings and conferences.A very straightforward approachto solving work problemsA while back, a trainee consultant I wascoaching was having difficulty with whatI thought was a very straightforwardapproach to solving work problems.Within moments of his fellow trainee or‘problem owner’ identifying his workproblem, my lad was in his face barkingsolutions at him: “What you need to do isthis” and “When we had a problem likethat we did this.”He, like many of us, found it hard to stophimself offering solutions immediately.You may be familiar with the pejorativedescription of this approach. It is called‘being prescriptive’.At the time I was reminded of a doctor Iwent to years ago in London who, whilstI was walking into his consulting roomwould already be writing my prescription.It made me smile as he would look upand ask me what the problem was - as hecontinued to write.“Would you sign my passport photoplease Doctor?” He replied in theaffirmative but was keen to know thateverything else was OK. As I turned toleave with the signature I could hear theprescription being screwed up and tossedinto the waste bin.If we ‘write prescriptions’ for our friendsand colleagues before investigating theirproblems thoroughly then the waste bin isprobably the best place for them.Everyone in the training room roared with laughter andapplauded enthusiastically26www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTIt was when my trainee became morefamiliar with a very sensible problem solvingprocess that he came up with a responsethat we incorporated into all the trainingprogrammes we offered to consultantswho had a ‘working’ background asopposed to an ‘academic’ one.‘Frank’ (he announced in the middle of apractice session):’I now realise that as far as problems areconcerned - solutions are not the answer!’Everyone in the training room roaredwith laughter and applauded himenthusiastically. What he meant wasthat ‘instant solutions’ and ‘quick fixes’perhaps have less chance of beingsuccessful than an answer that has beencrafted as a result of some investigationand analysis.Letus look nowat a simple seven-stepprocess that can be operated byindividuals but really comes to life whendone in teams, like for example a group ofcolleagues or your own work team.Step One: Identify a problem wemight be able to do something aboutIt may not be wise to spend too muchtime wondering how we can changethe weather, but we might be able totackle some new problems that are beingcaused by bad weather conditions. If weare working as a team we might needsomeone to take ‘ownership’ of theproblem e.g. the team member mostaffected by the problem who has the timeand the motivation to tackle the problem.Step Two: Gather information aboutthe problemIt helps the process if the problem can beexpressed as a ‘How do I’ or ‘How do we’statement such as ‘How do we get thenew recruit to get to work on time everyday? At this point the problem solvingteam has a clear focus and can quicklyget started on bombarding the problemowner(s) with questions in order to get theclarity they need. For example ‘How longhas this been going on?’ What have youtried already?’ ‘What worked with otherpeople?’ and then the real detail on bustimetables, social habits, alarm clocksworking or not, and so on.Step Three: Identify potential causesWhen we have the clarity we need on theproblem itself we can start team membersor even people from other departmentsgenerating a list of potential causes forthe problem, e.g. ‘not used to travellingto this location’, ‘unreliable transport’,‘up too late at night’ etc. On my ProblemSolving Workshops we aim to get a pagefull of potential causes or combinations ofcauses for every problem identified.Step Four: Identify most likely causesWith a long list of potential causes we cannow invite the problem owner(s) to identifythe most like causes of their problem.Perhaps as many as half might be chosenor at least seen as being relevant to thesituation.Step Five:Identify potentialsolutionsWhen the most likely causes havebeen identified, team members can factorthem into their thinking as they generate alist of potential solutions for the problem,e.g. ‘invoke the discipline code, ‘speak topeople from the same area’, ‘offer a lift fora trial period’ etc. Again on my workshopswe aim to supply every participant witha page full of potential solutions orcombinations of solutions to pick from -for every problem identified.Step Six: Identify likely solutionsAt this point the problem owner(s) aregiven time to consider which of the manypotential solutions have real potential.They are then asked to make a selectionand report back to the problem solvingteam indicating which one(s) they haveselected for implementation and why. Thisfeedback helps the team to calibrate theeffectiveness of both the process and theirideas for future similar problems.Step Seven: Implement likelysolutions and monitor progress.Finally, team members go their separateways or get together to implement theirpreferred solutions or combinations ofsolutions. Experience has shown thattrialling or testing solutions can be moreeffective than just going along withsomething you hope is right. As the trialperiod progresses adjustments can bemade as necessary. This approach ismuch more encouraging than holdinginquests into why a particular solution wasnot perfect.Involve other people so that weget more ideas and insightsThe process is simple and practical andit could be argued that we are doingsomething just like it in our heads all thetime. This might be true but it could makesense to involve other people sothat we get more ideas andinsights in a logicalbut quick-fireway.Good luckwith solving yourwork problems and let usall strive to learn a lot more about theproblem before we start writing out theprescriptions!Frank Newberrywww.franknewberry.comwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk27

ECOLOGY: Bird & ANIMAL SurveysEcology and its importance withinthe wind energy industrySince our inception some 4 years agowe have been speaking to companiesand individuals involved in theimportant work they do in the ecologyarea relevant to wind energy.As Editor my own personal interest inthe subject stems from managing Sitesof Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in anearlier career.We are therefore very pleased to introduceour Bird & Mammal feature and open thiswith an article from Baker Consultants oneof the leaders in the field.Regular featureWe plan to make this a regular feature ifwe receive sufficient relevant editorial, soplease get in touch if you would like to getinvolved.Methods of monitoringunderwater noiseHow to address the challenges of the MarineStrategy Framework DirectiveThe extensive offshoredevelopments that are planned tobe installed over the next few yearsaround UK coasts have raisedconcern over the “health” status ofour seas. This has led governmentsat a local and European level to putin place new regulations to ensurethat pollution introduced by thesedevelopments is monitored from thepre-construction stage throughoutthe development’s lifetime.Good environmental statusOne of the descriptors set out inthe Marine Strategy FrameworkDirective (MSFD) as indicators ofGood Environmental Status is the“Introduction of Energy (includingnoise) into the marine environment.”The impact of noise on marine life is afactor of increasing concern becauseit can have significant impacts both inthe short and long terms. Our detailedknowledge of the effects of sound onthese species is limited and scientistsagree that it is difficult to quantify them.So far, a precautionary approach isin place to ensure that no permanentharm is caused to species of concernwhilst academics are looking into waysof assessing the extent of disturbancegenerated by anthropogenic noisesources. Particular focus is put intounderstanding the cumulative impacteffects.MSFD requirementsThe MSFD requirements present challengesfor developers. Germany has respondedby imposing an absolute limit on noiseproduction (160 dB re 1μPa) and it ispossible that other member states will followtheir lead. Such limits raise issues of hownoise should be monitored and over whatperiods and protocols should be employed.MonitoringBoat-based monitoring is the currentstandard for recording underwater noiselevels, but this method introduces noiseinto the environment and is costly. Theemployment of full spectrum autonomousacoustic recorders in monitoring andassessing renewables developments is amuch more effective tool to monitor changesin ambient noise levels and the impact of theintroduction of man-made noise.Acoustic recordersAutonomous acoustic recorders providecomplete temporal coverage throughout allweather conditions, simultaneous recordingsfrom different spatial locations, transparentevidence, and reduced field time.Temporal extension allows times forconstruction to be identified based on insitumeasurements, instead of relying ongeneralisations for an area or time. Staticrecorders generate considerable amountsof high-quality transparent data that areuseful as an objective record of monitoringefforts, which can be re-analysed for otherpurposes at later dates.The use of passive acoustic recordersmakes it possible to collect data right fromthe initial stages of a project, providinginformation about the baseline ambientnoise before a development is initiated.Without such a reference point, futuremeasurements cannot be quantitativelyassessed and the potential for biologicaleffects cannot be determined.The response of some animals toboat based surveys may be to stopvocalising or leave the area, so thismethod of obtaining acoustic data cangive an incomplete understanding of thesoundscape. At the opposite end, someanimals may be attracted to vesselsand therefore, one may overestimatethe presence of certain marine mammalspecies during boat based surveys.Remote acoustic recordersRemote acoustic recorders are nowextensively used in the terrestrialenvironment and are starting to providemore robust monitoring data to justifyecological decisions on developments.The marine environment is obviously morechallenging but now subject to the samerigours from regulators. The issue of scopingthe noise aspect of each development atevery stage is not ever going to get easier,but the equipment and expertise available todo it cost-effectively is advancing.Andrew BakerManaging DirectorBaker Consultantswww.bakerconsultants.co.uk28www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

ECOLOGY: Bird & ANIMAL Surveyswww.windenergynetwork.co.uk29

ECOLOGY: Bird & ANIMAL SurveysDr Beth Mackeyin demandWith the recent increase in the numberof UK Offshore wind farms it’s nosurprise that Dr Beth Mackey, RoyalHaskoningDHV’s, marine mammalexpert is in demand. Having worked onmarine mammals for 14 years Beth iswidely recognised in her field as one ofthe world’s leading experts.High profile projectsSince joining Royal HaskoningDHV in2011 she has worked on some of theUK’s most high profile projects includingthe world’s largest windfarms Triton Knoll,Firth of Forth, Dogger Bank and Dudgeon.Her work is primarily about ensuring theUK and EU marine mammal populationsare not adversely affected by any majordevelopment.Triton KnollOne of her recent assignments, TritonKnoll, was a challenging project to workon as The Wash and North Norfolk Coastis a Special Area of Conservation. Beth,through detailed assessment, determinedthat the noise during pile driving,necessary for an offshore wind farm,would have little effect on the protectedharbour seal population.With a background in academia andconsultancy she has a unique insight intounderstanding the needs of developers,regulators, and conservation requirements.ExperienceAs one of the UK’s leading scientists,and with her experience in wave and tidalenergy, as well as offshore wind, Beth isincreasingly being called upon to share bestpractice. This year she was invited by theUS Department of Energy to participate in aworkshop in Seattle with over 35 scientistsand engineers from around America andEurope. The session centred on increasingknowledge of monitoring needs aroundmarine renewable energy devices.Educational backgroundDr Mackey holds a Master of Science inEcology and a Doctor of Philosophy inZoology from The University of Aberdeenand is regularly asked by the Governmentand Statutory Nature ConservationAgencies to give scientific advice relatingthe management of seal populations.Research strengthBeth’s strength lies in her ability toconfidently and accurately use cuttingedge marine mammal research to aid boththe marine renewables industry and the oiland gas industry.Royal HaskoningDHVwww.royalhaskoningdhv.comClick to view more info30www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

ECOLOGY: Bird & ANIMAL SurveysNever lose focus on bird andbat surveys says RSKAs understanding bat and birdmovements becomes increasinglyimportant to wind farm environmentalimpact assessments (EIA), finely tunedsurveys are producing more meaningfuldata faster, at lower cost and toplanning authorities’ satisfaction.These principles are at the heart of RSK’senvironmental survey strategy, which ituses widely in the UK and Eastern Europe,according to principal consulting ecologist,Simon Boulter.Project relevanceWind farm developers and consentingauthorities no longer want inventories ofevery species within 20 km; they needto know what their project could actuallyaffect. Relevance is very important.“Our aim is to provide the preciseinformation clients need to make keydecisions. That includes identifyingspecific species and accurateassessments of what impacts, if any, adevelopment could have on ecologicalreceptors during construction andoperation.” says Boulter.Understanding client goals“We talk to clients at the outset tounderstand their individual goals anddevelop strategies that will generate vitalinformation. We work with the designersto understand the constraints or driversthat could dictate turbine locations. Thenwe scope the habitats present before,even at this stage, starting to identify thepotential ecological receptors.Survey strategy design“The next stage is to design an appropriateand proportionate survey strategy basedon the relevant guidelines and conservationlegislation to collect information for arobust impact assessment.“Everyone wants data that answersspecific questions about potentialimpacts, enables projects to continueand guides mitigation strategies thatbenefit the species concerned.” heconcludes.Team skillsWith 30 full-time members, RSK managesone of the UK’s largest dedicatedecological teams. “We pride ourselves onbeing pragmatic and experienced, whilekeeping abreast of legislative changesand technical advances.” explains Boulter.Recent RSK projects reflect this expertise.The team has been involved in the LawCommission’s review of UK wildlifelegislation and has reviewed the PolishWind Energy Association’s bat guidelines.The latter highlights RSK’s growinginvolvement with the Eastern Europeanwind sector.International work“International work helps us to interpretUK legislation more effectively and toexplore its origin. We compare eachcountry’s interpretation of EuropeanDirectives. When the EuropeanCommission reviews its legislation,we note from the comments howfuture legislation may change in othercountries. This can potentially avoidcostly resurveys.” Boulter says.Knowledge exchangeWork in Eastern Europe brings otheradvantages. The Black Sea coast is amajor flyway for birds and large areas ofits western limits are designated as sitesof European importance for birds.“These Natura 2000 sites requireseparate site-specific assessments todefine any impacts on site integrity.Identical processes apply to UK sites, sosuch experience helps with similar UKprojects.” Boulter notes.The team is equally experienced with batsurveys and well-versed in Bat ConservationTrust’s ‘Bat Survey’ guidelines. Used inconjunction with Natural England’s advice,planning policy and conservation legislation,these ensure the consideration of batsduring the planning stage.Appropriate survey scaleIn reflecting the spirit of various guidelines,RSK believes that all survey efforts shouldbe appropriate to the scale of the potentialimpacts.Where sites warrantcomprehensive surveys, theseinvolve site-specific surveystrategies and, often,the use of speciesspecificsurveys,for example,for barnowls, marsh harriers and noctule bats.Technological advances such as automatedSM2 bat detectors enable the collectionof more site information to inform impactassessments while reducing collectioncosts.Essential skill“The essential skill” says Boulter “isin understanding both the ecologicalreceptors and the real potential impactsof construction and operation beforeintegrating the two perceptively.“Ecologists, engineers and designersmust co-operate to collect data relevantto the impact assessment. Not all siteswarrant a belt-and-braces approachdepending on numerous factors onlyunderstood by the project team.”Trust and experienceBoulter adds “We want clients to trustus and our experience. When a full suiteof site surveys is appropriate, they mustknow this is truly warranted and notbecause it is our standard approach.”RSKwww.rsk.co.ukwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk31

ECOLOGY: Bird & ANIMAL SurveysAvoidance is the best routeEcological pitfalls of routeselectionGaining planning permission for energydistribution infrastructure can bechallenging, especially where cableroutes cross natural environments withprotected species and habitats. Advicefrom an ecological consultancy at theroute selection stage is likely to save oncostly ecological mitigation by avoidanceof high biodiversity value habitats such aswoodland and heathland.While there are many factors to considerduring route selection for wind energydistribution, reducing the risk of planningconsent difficulties on ecological groundsshould not be underestimated. Europeanand national laws protecting wildlife andhabitats, including protected sites, can becomplex and require specialist knowledgeof the subject area.Early appraisal is recommendedA preliminary ecological appraisal can flagup ecological issues at an early stage.Paul Franklin, Principal Ecologist withleading independent specialist ThomsonEcology, has consulted on some ofBritain’s longest cable routes.“In our experience of some 300 milesof cable route, the initial ecologicalsurvey and desk study has provedcritical in determining the route of leastecological impact. We have found thatsurveying a wider area than might initiallybe proposed, allows for some carefulrouting to avoid protected sites suchas Sites of Special Scientific Interest orSpecial Protection Areas and habitatslikely to support protected species suchas rare reptiles.”Mitigation for European protected speciessuch as dormice, bats and great crestednewts can be complex and may resultin delays to the programme. Licencesare required from Natural England andreceptor areas for species translocationmay need to be created in some cases.Avoidance of ecological issues shouldalways be the first consideration.Engaging the regulatorsThe experienced ecologist can playa critical role at an early stage withregulatory bodies, as Paul Franklinexplains: “We advise engaging withplanners and regulatory bodies duringthe design process, this ensures thatany local sensitivities and ecologicalissues are fully understood andinforms route selection. Engagingwith other stakeholders at this stagecan be advantageous too. By allowingcommunities and interest groupsOffshore wind farms – quantifying theimpact on marine life from man-made noiseElectricity generated at an offshorewind farm is often thought of as greenand sustainable, but is it entirelywithout risk to the environment?Constructing a windfarm offshore cangenerate considerable levels of manmadenoise.The construction and installation processmay involve hammering foundationpiles into the subsea sediments; drillingfoundation sockets into the basement rockas well as increased shipping for supportactivities such as geotechnical studies andcable-laying to name just two.Add to the mix marine protected areasand European Protected Species (at leastin UK and European waters) such asharbour porpoise, bottlenose dolphin andgrey seal – all of which may be sensitiveto disturbance; the potential exists for asignificant acoustic impact.Gaining consentIn general, it is necessary for the wind farmdeveloper to gain consent for the projectfrom various regulatory bodies: in the UKthis duty often falls to the Department ofEnvironment and Climate Change (DECCIn common with planning applicationprocedures throughout Europe, consentis only granted provided that there iscompliance with various local, nationaland European Commission directives onenvironmental regulations. These requirethe authorities to have all the necessaryinformation available so that they are ableto determine whether or not a developmentis likely to have a significant impact on theenvironment.As a result, an Environmental Statementis commissioned by the developer andthis considersenvironmental impactsfrom all phases of thedevelopment fromconstruction andinstallation through tofinal decommissioning.Subsequently this issubmitted for reviewby the regulatorybodies.In the context of anoffshore wind farm,two specific studiesare identified: themeasurement ofbaseline underwaternoise levels in theproject area beforeany development hastaken place and anassessment of thepotential acousticimpact on marine life likely to arise duringvarious stages of the project.Measuring and analysingunderwater noiseThe significance of a man-made noise canonly be determined by noting its loudnessrelative to the prevailing background noiselevels. To help with this, Kongsberg cancall on a range of underwater sensors32www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

ECOLOGY: Bird & ANIMAL Surveysto voice theirconcerns weare often ableto allay fears byshowing how ourwork with wildlifeand habitatshelps to preservebiodiversity andwhere possibleenhance it.This has theadditional benefitof positivelyreinforcing ourclient’s reputationfor sustainability.”The best solution for planningapplicationMaking expert assessments at the earlystages informs the planning of speciessurveys, which are dependent on thehabitats and known incidence of speciesin a particular area.In a recent survey of heathland, acrosswhich a cable route was planned, thespecialist survey team from ThomsonEcology identified rare species includingDartford Warbler, the nocturnal Nightjarand sand lizards. By avoidance andincorporating mitigation, such as horizontaldirectional drilling at the design stage,impacts on the habitat and species wereavoided.Thomson Ecologywww.thomsonecology.comincluding a hydrophone deployed overthe side of a vessel and an autonomousseabed recorder that may be deployedfor up to 6 weeks at a time sampling theprevailing noise levels. In each case atthe end of the deployment period, thedata is downloaded and processed bythe Kongsberg engineers according to theclient’s requirement.Acoustic propagation modellingtechniquesThe environmental directives discussedabove require that a developer must assessthe acoustic impact on the environmentlikely to arise from the proposeddevelopment. Yet in the early stages ofproject planning and development theprecise configuration of the wind farmwith regards to numbers and locations ofturbines may not have been decided upon.This uncertainty renders the task somewhatproblematic especially when it is necessaryto provide an estimate of the underwatersound levels and potential impacts for eachconstructional scenario being considered.A full acoustic analysis for all scenarios maytake many weeks to achieve: this oftendoes not fit in with project timescales andcan lead to considerable nugatory effort.FlexibilityThe regulatory authorities allow for adegree of flexibility in the plans that areeventually submitted to the consentingprocess provided they incorporate theworst possible case from an environmentalimpact perspective. To address this, theproject team, including marine ecologists,underwater noise modellers and membersof the regulatory bodies confer in orderto agree a project design that satisfies allnecessary requirements and constraints.To assist in this process and to help definethe worst case scenario in respect of manmadenoise, Kongsberg has developeda ‘Quick-Look’ tool. This is an acousticpropagation computer programme thatprovides a ‘first-draft’ estimate to the spatialdistribution of sound pressure arising fromeach sound source in the development.The alternative approach to Quick-Lookinvolves a fully comprehensive acousticanalysis which is time-consuming andrequires detailed information about both thenoise source and the marine environmentin which it is operating. Each noise sourcemust be defined in terms of its sourcelevel and its frequency spectrum over agiven bandwidth while the environmentaldata must describe the bathymetry,oceanography and seabed geoacousticsof the site in which the noise sources arelocated.The acoustic propagation programmesthemselves are technically complexand generate mathematical solutions tothe Elastic Wave equations. In order toachieve this, the programmes make useof mature and rigorous mathematic andscientific methodologies that have beenreviewed extensively in the internationalliterature over a number of years. Thispoint is considered to be of fundamentalimportance. If acoustic modelling isbased on ’in-house‘ solutions using nonpeer-reviewed techniques this couldcompromise the developer in the eventthat the environmental impact assessmentdocuments become subject to scrutiny.Growing demand for acousticimpact assessmentOffshore wind development is likely toremain a high profile activity over the nextfew years if the UK is to meet its targetsfor the generation of renewable energy.Equally, environmental compliance mustremain at the forefront if development isto be undertaken in a sustainable manner.This article has shown how a combinationof expert technical services with the bestavailable science may be brought togetherin order to quantify the acoustic impact ofdevelopments on the marine environmentand hence to minimise any potentialdisruption that may ensue.Kongsbergwww.km.kongsberg.comEd’s Note – Please note that this is anabridged version of a morecomprehensive article. This can beaccessed by scanning the pink QR Codebelow or clicking on the online link.Click to view more infowww.windenergynetwork.co.uk33

Lubricantsfeature sponsorOil condition monitoringnetwork for windfarmsWe continue our regular lubricantsfeature with a look at conditionmonitoring on gearboxes and startthe feature with more sound expertadvice from our sponsor Hydac.Whether a wind turbine is newly installed orreaching the end of its warranty period, oilcondition monitoring on the gearboxes canprove to be a beneficial cost-saving toolfor the turbine owners and manufacturers,providing predictions and early warningsprior to possible gearbox failures.Data securityHowever, a concern was raised regardingsecurity of the data being transmitted tothe company’s UK premises; this wasresolved by transmitting solely via a secureVPN (Virtual Private Network) tunnel. AnmGuard security router was installed at thepremises to guarantee a secure connectionto the 3G router at the wind farm.SENSORSThe package of sensors selected for thisapplication was crucial.Working with owners and manufacturers,Hydac can help to design and supply astand-alone condition monitoring networkfor the wind farm. The company hasdeveloped a turnkey solution that includesdata acquisition and data transfer units.ChallengesOne of the challenges faced was thelack of Ethernet infrastructure on themajority of wind farms, which hinders thehandling and collection of data. It requireda solution that allowed remote access toeach individual turbine, to do away withthe expense of having two engineers climbthe turbine to download the data locally.One example where the company hasbeen proactive in addressing this issue isin partnership with Phoenix Contact. Thesolution implemented was based on arouter using mobile technology. Using a3G router,Hydacachieved ahigh speedremotelink to themaster windturbine.ProactiveThis allows data to be pulled from thecondition monitoring unit and to analysethe data remotely at their base in Witney.The premise behind this technology wasto enable them to monitor the integrityof the wind turbine gearbox remotely,and therefore warn the customer of anyearly signs of failure. This whole conceptis designed to be proactive rather thanreactive.Once a VPN secure link to the masterwind turbine had been established, thenext challenge facing the company wasaccessing data from the CMU dataloggers installed in all eighteen windturbines. Having decided to use just one3G router to feed the data back to themaster turbine, to reduce data costs, thebest solution was to use a Wireless LANAccess Point. This was wirelessly linkedto the other wind turbines using WirelessLAN Clients, as a result, both data andcabling costs were significantly reduced.Remote access and remote monitoringof data are handled in a secure way,eliminating downtime and increasingefficiency and productivity. Servicecontracts are now available and can betailored to customer’s requirements.ParticlesThe MCS 1000, certified by GermanischerLloyd, monitors metallic particlecontamination in lubrication fluids. Theparticles are detected by inductivemeasurement in which a coil system isthe core element of the sensor. It detectsmetallic particles (ferromagnetic and nonferromagnetic)> 100 μm in size. The MCS1000 continuously monitors the conditionof the system and provides informationon any early-stage damage. The sensoris therefore a reliable tool for conditionbasedmaintenance.WaterThe Aqua Sensor AS 1000 is designed foronline detection of water saturation in oils. Itmeasures the water content relative to thesaturation concentration (saturation point)and relays this as a 4 ... 20 mA signal.In addition the AS 1000 measures thetemperature of the fluid and also providesthis as a 4 ... 20 mA output signal. TheAS 1000 therefore enables hydraulic andlubrication oils to be monitored accurately,continuously and online.34www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorlubricantsOil AgeingThe HYDACLab® HLB 1300 is amultifunctional sensor for online monitoringof the condition of standard oils and biooils in industrial and mobile applications.The user receives real-time informationon oil characteristic deviations in theirfluid and can take immediate action in thecase of deteriorating operating conditions.Changes in fluid condition might occurdue to ageing or mixing with other fluidsand are indicated by measuring therelative change in dielectric constant, therelative humidity and the temperature.particularly advantageous when settingalarm limits for the maximum particlecount per time period.The data is typically saved in a CSV formatallowing for easy interrogation in Excel andtransposing into easy to view trends.This data can be backed up locally aswell as logged remotely to a PC usingHYDAC’s CM Expert.Integration into SCADA systemsThe company has recently developeda Fieldbus Communicator Module thatconnects the Hydac HSI Smart Sensors(CS1000, MCS1000, AS1000 & HydacLab) directly into all the major SCADAFieldbus interfaces. The FieldbusCommunicator Module interfaces to all themajor SCADA Fieldbus interfaces including: - CAN, CANopen, CC-Link, ControlNet,DeviceNet, EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP, FIPIO,Interbus, Modbus Plus, Modbus RTU,Modbus TCP, Profibus and Profinet.For the proactive operator who may be onthe other side of the world, the “remote”version of CM-Expert provides constantand timely online information about thecondition of the system, also possiblevia satellite, in real-time. In addition, CM-Expert can trigger alarms automatically,log the actual system condition live, helpwith the prediction of early failures andhelp with the planning of maintenance.Costly maintenance carried outunnecessarily early, as well as unplannedinterventions could therefore become athing of the past.CM-Expert monitors, displays and logsthe data transmitted by the sensors anddetects changes emerging in the system.Experience developed over decades andthe reference data accumulated meansthat production-relevant parameters, suchas remaining service life, service intervalsand risks, can be analysed and evaluatedData AcquisitionHYDAC’s CMU 1000 allows networkconnectivity and the display of sensorvalues. It has the potential to connectup to 8 analogue sensors, eitherHYDAC or a third party, and 8 HYDACSmart sensors, such as the MCS 1000MetallicContamination Sensor, AS 1000AquaSensor, HLB 1300 HYDACLab®oil condition sensor, and is capableof displaying up to 32 measurementchannels.Collection of dataThe collection of data is a key aspect inany condition monitoring system. TheMCS 1000 presents the CMU with anincremental count of particles whetherthey are ferrous or non-ferrous. TheCMU’s simple programming environmentallows for the incremental count fromthe MCS to be calculated which resultsin much more practical values, e.g. thenumber of particles per day or particlesper hour for example. The data is thusclearer and more user-friendly which isCM ExpertHYDAC CM-Expert is a powerful monitoringsystem for use with any standard PC device.Its decentralised configuration makes thesystem extremely reliable and flexible for usein fluid power systems. Since the controlleris specific to the particular purpose, thereis no limit to the number or type of sensors,actuators, operating and signal componentswhich can be connected, or to the controltasks and data exchange with other systems.All common physical parameters canbe recorded by the data acquisition unitand processed: temperature, pressure,differential pressure, viscosity, watercontent, particles, flow rate, level etc.– in good time and long before a stoppagethreatens. The CM-Expert software doesnot just work with HYDAC sensors andactuators but also of course with otherbrands without restriction.Dan Sibley, Tobias Daley & Mark HarriesHYDACwww.hydac.co.ukClick to view more infowww.windenergynetwork.co.uk35

Lubricantsfeature sponsorEngineeringhigh performance lubricantsfor the wind sectorFor wind turbine operators, the importance of usingbalanced formulated lubricants cannot be overstatedWind turbines are highly engineeredand sophisticated pieces of machinerythat must operate in some of themost demanding conditions. They arevulnerable to wear, water contamination,rust and corrosion. Given the costsassociated with routine maintenance trips,in-service lubricants must last as long aspossible, with some operators looking forlubricants that deliver oil drain intervals upto and beyond five years.To be sure they choose lubricants thatcan operate for such extended periods,wind turbine operators need to look forlubricants that provide exceptional ‘overall’performance to maximise productivity andextend oil life.Developing next generationlubricantsExxonMobil helped pioneer syntheticlubricant technology, and continues todevote significant resources to productresearch and development. No wonderthat the company develops lubricantsthat deliver exceptional performanceacross a wide range of critical parameters,including oxidative stability, componentwear protection, corrosion control,filterability, shear stability and extremetemperature performance.As part of the research and developmentprogramme for the product, the companyundertook a series of standard teststo assess the ‘overall’ performanceof Mobilgear SHC XMP 320 againstother synthetic gear oils available in themarketplace. While XMP 320 deliveredexceptional performance across allcritical areas, the chart featured showssome competing synthetic gear oils areformulated specifically to deliver exceptionalresults in one area, but often sacrificeperformance in other areas. Only byselecting an oil with a balanced formulationcan operators expect to maximiseproductivity across all parameters.ExxonMobil Research & EngineeringImportance of balancedformulationsTo best protect vital wind turbinecomponents, such as the maingearbox, it is essential to use abalanced formulated lubricant, suchas the high-performance syntheticgear oil, Mobilgear SHCTMXMP 320. To help maximiseproductivity and reduceunscheduled downtime, thisoil has been formulatedto offer high levels ofperformance in windturbine gearboxes.36www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorlubricantsbalanced formulationToday, Mobilgear SHC XMP 320 is usedto protect more than 40,000 wind turbinegearboxes worldwide and is the initial fillgear oil of choice for the majority of theworld’s top wind turbine builders. Evenwhen it is not the initial-fill gear oil, windturbine operators frequently choose it forsecond-fill applications when the initialturbine warranty is up, usually after threeto five years.It’s the expertly balanced formulationof this oil which delivers balancedperformance and offers real value to windturbine operators, supporting their effortsto reduce the total cost of operations andincrease productivity.In addition to Mobilgear SHC XMP320, ExxonMobil offers a wide range oflubricants that are formulated to deliverexceptional protection for all parts of awind turbine, including synthetic greasesto lubricate bearings and hydraulic oils thathelp pitch rotor blades.ExxonMobilwww.mobilindustrial.comClick to view more infowww.windenergynetwork.co.uk37

RISK MANAGEMENTSafety CasesYou either love’emor hate’em!...but implement them effectively and everyone will come to love them‘Safety Cases’ well and truly divide opinion. Some see them as an isolated exerciseof complex analysis and written work that does not reflect the real world. Otherssee them as a large pile of documents produced to get somebody off their backbefore they sit on a shelf gathering dust. Whilst regrettably there is evidence tojustify these views, the more informed recognise that a Safety Case approachis an excellent way of ensuring projects are conceived and executed safely andultimately provide the written demonstration that your plant, facility etc. is safe. Butthey are not just about the ‘now’. They provide a framework and focus for ensuringsafety throughout the project life-cycle. They provide assurance that everything isand will continue to be safe!But is a Safety Case approach relevant and appropriate for the wind industry? For themajority of onshore wind farms in remote, rural locations, the answer is most likely tobe ‘no’. The potential risk to people, assets etc. can be readily discounted throughobservation and judgment without the need for an ultimate Safety Case. For offshorewind farms the situation is quite different. Managing offshore assets, and in particulargetting people on and off safely, presents a number of significant challenges and risks.Also, similarities with offshore oil and gas facilities presents inevitable parallels with anestablished Safety Case culture.Risktec concludes its series of articles on risk management by providing a series of tipson how to develop a Safety Case for an offshore wind farm, building on the principles,tools and techniques and proportionate approach discussed in previous issues.What is a Safety Case?Safety Cases are detailed documents demonstrating that facilities aredesigned, constructed, commissioned, operated and decommissioned insuch a way as to minimise risks to personnel, the public and, for HSE cases,the environment. They;• Demonstrate to management and employees, investors, contractors and,where relevant, the Regulator and/or the Public that adequate controls are inplace to ensure that the major HSE risks arising from a particular operation areboth tolerable and reduced to as low as reasonably practicable [ALARP].1) A Safety Case is not justabout the destination, it’s aboutthe journey too!Whilst a Safety Case is the writtendemonstration of why a plant, facilityetc. is safe, it should not be seen as aretrospective justification and certainly nota piece of creative writing to ‘get awaywith’ an inadequate solution. A truly safeoutcome can only be achieved by fullyintegrating design and safety assuranceactivities. The documentation of thisprocess is arguably the most importantelement of a Safety Case. That is why itis called a Safety Case ‘approach’; youbuild and develop the Safety Case as theproject progresses.2) Don’t re-invent the wheel;look to other IndustriesSafety Cases have been around a longtime in other industries; particularlyNuclear Power and Oil & Gas. A hugeamount of time and effort has gone intodeveloping these approaches. Use thisto your advantage. Cherry-pick the bestbits for your offshore wind farm SafetyCase. This does not need to be limited tothe overall approach and structure. Useand adapt their tools and techniques tobuild your case; the ‘Bow-Tie’ techniquepioneered in the Oil & Gas Industry [seeDec’12/Jan’13 issue] and the ‘Claims,Arguments & Evidence’ approach usedin the Nuclear Industry [see Figure 1] aretwo good examples.• Provide a reference point for everyone involved with facility operations to definethe requirements for effective control of Safety issues.Imagine giving someone a document on their first day working at your facility.It describes the facility, operations and processes very clearly. It identifies thepotential risks and provides appropriate, proportionate arguments and evidence todemonstrate that they have been reduced ALARP, referencing more detailed studiesand defines what needs to be done to maintain this position. They find it easy to readand continuously refer to it as they get up-to-speed in their new role. This representsa good Safety Case!38www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

RISK MANAGEMENTFigure 1; Example use of ‘Claims, Arguments, Evidence’ approach to justify Integrity of Offshore Wind Turbine foundation3) Proportionality is key!The level of detail, analysis etc. youpresent in your Safety Case must alwaysbe proportionate to the associated risk.Too little and your Safety Case will beinadequate. Too much and you’ll wastevaluable time, effort and resources anddegrade the perceived value of theexercise. This is particularly importantwhen cherry-picking tools and techniquesfrom higher hazard industries. As such,Safety Cases can be large and complexfor say a nuclear installation [complex andhighly hazardous] or be very brief andsimple for less complex, less hazardousfacilities such as wind farms.4) Understand the scope of yourSafety CaseYou must be clear on what plant,operations etc. your Safety Case iscovering. Whilst clearly it will coverthe wind turbines, it is unlikely tocover the onshore substation oraccess vessels as these will likely beoperated by others. That said, it mustdove-tail with the safety justification forthese to ensure all interfaces are fullyunderstood and mutually achieved.5) Involve all StakeholdersYou must involve all stakeholders toensure that the above interfaces areadequately managed. Involving peoplewith hands-on experience in all aspectsof the design and operation of a windfarm is critical. They know what goes onin the real world! They will bring valuableexperiences from other projects which willhelp make your Safety Case more robust.A major benefit of a Safety Case approachis the sharing of knowledge, experienceand best practice along the journey.6) Safety Case v OccupationalHealth and Safety ManagementSystem [OHSMS]Your Safety Case doesn’t need togo back to first principles to ensure/demonstrate your wind farm is safe.Your corporate and/or wind farm specificOHSMS should provide a framework forsafe operations. Rely on your OHSMS[see Figure 2] and use it to simplify yourSafety Case and ensure a consistentapproach across all your wind farms.Figure 2; Safety Case and OHSMSInterfaces7) A ‘Life-Cycle’ Safety CaseIt is important that you identify key SafetyCase milestones at the outset of yourproject. How and when are you going todemonstrate your wind farm has beendesigned, constructed, commissioned,operated and decommissioned safely?Can these milestones be combined? Whatstructure is appropriate for each milestone?8) A Safety Case is no guaranteeof future safetyOnce you have written your Safety Casedon’t just stick it on a shelf and rest onyour laurels. Remember, it’s action thatreduces risk, not paperwork! You mustuse it to retain focus on safe operationswhilst making sure it is updated toreflect the evolving nature of the facility.Also, things inevitably get missed. Don’tbecome blinkered to new hazards/risks.Ensure emergent issues are folded intothe Safety Case as they arise to ensurethey are managed effectively. It must bea living document that reflects the actualplant status and mode of operationotherwise it is worthless. This takes effortand commitment and must be factoredinto your resource plans.We can’t tell you what a safety caseprocess should look like for yourorganisation because of the diversityof the industry and the internalmanagement arrangements withinyour organisation. But if you follow theprinciples above you’ll end up with avaluable, proportionate process tailoredto the needs of your organisation thatdoesn’t leave a bitter taste in your mouth!Gareth EllorRisktec Solutions Ltdwww.risktec.co.ukwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk39

all in a days workAll in aday’s workChristos Kolliatsas of MottMacdonaldOccupation:EHabitat:Wind Leader and Board Member ofeuropean Wind Energy Assocation (EWEA)GlasgowAhead of his time...It was a foregone conclusion from a very earlyage that Christos would be a shining light withinthe renewables energy field. His enthusiasmwas borne from a genuine interest and carefor the environment. Matched with the firstflickers of enthusiasm and a strong belief, hebecame the founder member at his high schoolto instigate a recycling programme, bringing onboard his fellow class mates.This was entirely run by the students with noinput from his tutors. Breaking the mould, andadding yet another ‘first’ to his list, he becameone of the first members of Greenpeace inGreece.HIGHER educationUpon leaving school he studied for anengineering degree, undertaking his thesis on‘renewable energy sources’ which in thosedays was a little know field - Christos beganto share this knowledge , within an educationcapacity to various organisations andinstitutions.1998 he moved to the UK and completed a Masters Degreein Energy Systems and the Environment, graduating in 1999and looking for employment. With limited job opportunitieshe set a different course and attended an evening class forentrepreneurial studies whereupon he gained experience instrategic planning.Successfully acquiring a grant, his engineering consultancywas formed. However, as is the way with specialist projectsand unforeseen delays, this ultimately led to the demise of hisbusiness. He looks back and admits there was a touch ofnaivety, but his spirit was not to be quashed. In the wildernessof the job market he undertook various roles to support himselfuntil he happened upon an open day in 2006 for engineeringvacancies. And so the next chapter begins.New ChapterChristos joined MottMacDonald, a globalengineering, managementand developmentconsultancy with over15,000 staff worldwide,exposing him to diverseexperiences. He hassubsequently beeninvolved in significantchallenges andopportunities within thefields of renewable energy.His journey involved arounded approach to allsectors of the renewableenergy market includingwind, hydro and solar. Healso got involved with gas,oil and coal projects, ofwhich he learnt there werea lot of synergies betweenthese sectors, allowing hima broad overview.InAre you looking for a specialistservice supplier with experience inthe wind energy industry?With 1200+ companies listed, it is the websiteto find an expertClick to viewmore infoTheCommunicationHub for theWind EnergyIndustryRenewables in South AfricaWith different projects come different challenges, and it isChristos’ role to bring lenders together with sponsors – whichhe relishes. An ideal candidate due to the nature of the lender’s40www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

all in a days workengineering work, he was asked to co-ordinate the introductionof renewables for the whole of South Africa.As Project Manager, he worked together with a number ofprofessionals from the legal and financial community andsupported the South African government’s stake holders(National Treasury and Department of Energy primarily) to comeup with a renewables programme for the country. TraditionallySouth Africa had been a ‘dirty producer’ as the majority of itselectricity supply comes from coal so this was a major shift in thecountry’s energy mix.Work started in 2010 and within 3 months, Christos and theteam came up with a renewable programme to cover: wind/photovoltaic/solar thermal/small hydro/landfill gas/biomass/biogas for the whole of the country.Following its launch, the programme is arguably one of the mostimportant renewable programmes in the world and has allowedfor a huge window of opportunity for prospective renewabledevelopers. Following the success of the first two rounds, round3 is currently open with evaluation of bids expected at the end ofAugust 2013. Christos feels honoured to have been part of thesuccessful emergence of a renewables market in South Africa.Typical DayNo such thing as a typical day. Working with a team of 25,communication is paramount. He plays a part as the ‘glue’between the regional offices, line management and undertakesweekly meetings. He also attends conferences, and undertakesinterviews for various publications (ours included!). Based inGlasgow, his role takes him all over the word, Taiwan, USA,South Africa and Europe.behalf of the banks. It was imperative that a good rapport withthe project’s management was established. Should problemsbe flagged, it was his responsibility to work together with theproject’s management and agree solutions to ensure the projectwas kept on track. Christos has a similar role for the ThorntonBank project, the first 1 billion euro ‘project in the water’, as wellas another three concluded project financed offshore wind farms.RelaxationIt is an acquired art to achieve the balance between professionaland personal life, however he strives to be home at a reasonablehour to spend time with his wife and two young daughters.Aims & Aspirations“To change and progress; to ultimately achieve my potential -with a caveat - without compromising my personal life”It is evident Christos is passionate about his role withinthe industry. He states the world is buoyant with endlessopportunities – and that sometimes we forget the positive impactrenewables have on the world. He feels it is this generation whohave the ability to right the wrongs that have been previouslydone too our planet. This, he goes on to point out was due tolack of knowledge then. However, we know now how not tocompromise the future for our children.Fliss ChafferWind Energy NetworkMott MacDonaldwww.mottmac.comEWEAAs a board member of EWEA he attends quarterly board meetingsand supports a working group for financing of the association. Hefeels it is important to give something back to the industry and hispassion is clearly evident when speaking with him.InspirationHis inspiration comes from many different things in life, from hisclients, learning what experiences they have had to go through tomake things happen, to the simple joys in life, such as spendingtime with his daughters. Such experiences put things intoperspective.MentorJohn Porter, who has been with Mott MacDonald for many years(now semi-retired), has been almost likened to a father figure.John was a mentor to Christos and helped him get to grips withthe requirements of project financing. Christos states he is one ofthe few people in the world who knows how a lender thinks.Memorable ExperienceHis role dictates much travel and wide range of duties, onesuch experience, almost surreal, was when he ascended oneof the wind turbines on the Prinses Amalia wind park. Uponopening the hatch he was met with a bird’s eye view of the greatexpanse of the North Sea, on a beautiful day a memory not to beforgotten. This was particularly poignant as it was the world firstwind project to be non-recourse financed by the banks.Christos was the lenders’ technical advisor on this project andwas involved in due diligence for a small part. However, his mainresponsibility was to monitor the progress of the construction onwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk41

Legal eaglesfeature sponsorWith the Government unveilingdetails of reforms and howit will unlock up to £110billion energy infrastructureinvestment, renewableenergy law specialist MartinCollingwood looks at theoptions available in thisdynamic sector.Types of renewable energyRenewable energy is energy that isgenerated naturally and continuously inthe environment, as opposed to energygenerated using oil, coal, gas or nuclearpower.As renewable energy can be generatedwith low or zero carbon dioxide emissions,it plays an important role in combatingclimate change. It also plays an importantrole in ensuring security of energy suppliessince it reduces dependence on importedfossil fuels.Renewable energy sourcesinclude…• Wind power• Solar power• Wave and tidal power• Hydroelectric power• Biomass• BiofuelsThe UK has potentially richrenewable resources, inparticular…• A long and windy coastline, as well ashigh tidal ranges• An existing onshore and offshoreenergy industry and a strongtechnological research anddevelopment baseAn understandingWind energyWind energy can be captured using windturbines, often grouped together as windfarms. Wind is used to rotate the turbineblades, which turn a generator to produceelectricity. The capacity of wind turbinesis determined by the length of the rotorblades, with longer blades producingmore output (as there is more contact withthe wind). Commercial turbines range incapacity from a few hundred kilowatts toover 6 megawatts (MW).42www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorlegal eaglesof wind energyTurbine locationWind turbines can be located eitheronshore or offshore. However, windturbines are usually located where…• The average wind speed is at least 10mph• There is a near constant flow of lowturbulence wind• There are infrequent powerful bursts ofwind• There is good access to the NationalGridOnshoreOnshore wind turbines are typicallylocated on ridge lines to take advantage ofthe acceleration of wind as it is forced overa ridge. However, hill top sites are oftencontroversial as the turbines are visiblefrom a large area and may interfere withbird migration and nesting. If located nearhouses, noise, TV reception interferenceor shadow flicker may also be an issue.OffshoreOffshore wind turbines that are locatedclose to the shore line (typically within 2-8miles of the shore line) are referred to as‘nearshore’ farms and those located out tosea are referred to as ‘offshore’ farms.Offshore wind speeds are also higher thanover land (as the sea has less surfaceresistance) so they can provide moregenerating capacity.However, offshore development is muchmore expensive than onshore because…• Foundations are expensive to construct• Undersea transmission cables aremore expensive to lay than onshorecables• Power is transmitted using highvoltage direct current (to reducetransmission losses), which thenrequires expensive transformers toconvert the electricity to the requiredvoltage Corrosion of wind turbines andtowers can increase maintenancecosts• Repairs and maintenance are costly asaccess is difficultMicrogenerationMicrogeneration is the generation ofelectricity and heat on a small-scale usingrenewable or low carbon sources. It is away of providing electricity and heat onsiteor near-site (rather than through thenational grid and central gas network) toindividual residential and non-residentialsites. This is closely related to distributedenergy systems. Microgenerationtechnologies include Micro-wind turbines.Martin CollingwoodAndrew Jackson Solicitorswww.andrewjackson.co.ukClick to view more infowww.windenergynetwork.co.uk43

Legal eaglesfeature sponsorImportantinformationfor foreignsuppliers oflabour to thedutch marketA UK company supplying labour toanother company in the Netherlandswhether working in the Netherlands oroff-shore, may inadvertently find itselfliable to be registered which may haveimportant tax as well as other legalcomplications.Registration obligationSince 1 July 2012 the registrationobligation for ‘Intermediaries ProvidingPersonnel’ Act came into force. Thismeans that UK companies supplyingpersonnel within the Netherlands, evenif there is no local branch or permanentestablishment in the Netherlands or anyother legal presence, may now have toregister with the appropriate Chamber ofCommerce in the Netherlands.Importance to suppliers ofoffshore workersThis is particularly important for Energyand other suppliers of off-shore workers.The regulations capture the supply oflabour where the work is supervised in theNetherlands or on plant or ships governedby Dutch law or temporary placements inthe Netherlands.UK companies potentially face heavyfines if they are not registered with theDutch Chamber of Commerce. The lawalso applies to hirers who will need tocheck that the supplier of labour is alsoappropriately registered.PenaltiesSince 1 January 2012 every employerwho violates by hiring personnel from anon-registered services supplier or is notregistered faces fines of 12,000 Euros peremployee up to a maximum of £76,000Euros per violation. The penalties aredoubled for the second violation within5 years and tripled for the third violationwithin the same period.ComplianceThe background to the new law is toprevent the illegal supply of labour andunfair competition in the labour market inthe Netherlands.It is important to assess both theagreements(s) for the supply of labour as wellas your tax position to ensure that you do notinadvertently find your company paying taxand employee social security contributions inthe Netherlands as well as being required toregister its employment services. This alsoapplies to employers and hirers.In addition to being registered it will alsobe necessary to show that the DutchWages Tax Act and local employment lawis being complied with where appropriate.Government expectorateRegistrations are now being checkedby the Dutch Tax Authorities, LabourInspectorate, Immigration Authorities as wellas organisations of collected employers andcollective pension funds who are interestedin enforcing labour agreements.Who will be affected?• Non-Resident temporary employmentand secondment agencies who supply,e.g. temporary workers off-shore in theNetherlands who arrive from Norwichvia Schiphol may be caught• Companies supplying one or morespecialist workers on an ad-hoc basisto clients in the Netherlands even ifonly one may be caught• Both the supplier and hirer can beaffectedWhat action should be taken?• Check the requirement to register• Check that your employees meet theconditions of residency in the Netherlands• Check that your employees have theprofessional qualifications required inthe Netherlands• Check that the appropriate workpermits have been obtained if any ofyour employees are from outside the EASwitzerland or from Romania or Bulgaria.• Check the commercial agreementsfor the supply of labour and anyindemnity provisions, particularly in thecase of hirersEven where bidding for tenders or prequalificationit is important to register nowto avoid a delay in the tender process.Other factorsCare needs to be taken as to theregistration wording used in registeringwith the Dutch Chamber of Commerceto avoid being obliged to pay local Dutchtax. The wording that will be required forthe registration needs to be checked asthe Dutch Tax Authorities are now proactiveand will seek to tax if there is anysuggestion of a local presence.Important to note also that from day onenot only is there the obligation to registerfor the foreign agency/employer, but inaddition to local tax there may well also berequirements to withhold Dutch wages,tax and social security (compare PAYE).Legal & employment implicationsThere will also be legal and employmentimplications particularly with regard towhat may be considered to be mandatoryprovisions such as pensions, collectivepay organisation and obligations, LabourInspectorate and Immigration who will checkthat the employment in the Netherlandscomplies with local agreements and rules.Check other commercial arrangementsthat these do not fall within the requirementto register. In the case of the provision ofpersonnel or services there should be a fullagreement with indemnities for liability.Before registration with the Chamber ofCommerce check the tax, social securityand employment law implications.UK workers• In the case of UK workers check theNational Insurance position(see www.hmrc.gov.uk).• Check any relevant double taxationprovisions.• Check your UK insurance coversforeign law requirements, such asEmployers’ Liability insurance or healthinsurance and transfer of place.• Check your contract of employmentallow for mobility of work abroad andthe increase of benefits payable abroad.• Retain your records in case ofmitigation of any penalties that may beenforced for failure to register.Useful links for referencewww.hmrc.gov.ukwww.abu.nl/flex-migrantswww.government.nl/issues/workemployment-rights-and-duties/workingconditionswww.vmwtax.comAndrew WoodConsultant Solicitorwww.birketts.co.uk44www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorlegal eaglesOversailing RisksA fundamental objective in anydevelopment is control of thedevelopment site and of any offsiteland necessary for road access toavoid the risk of a ransom situation.That risk is aggravated in wind farmdevelopment where the route fromport of entry tosite can extendover many milesoften in ruralareas.Managing theriskThe starting pointto manage the riskof oversail ransomis to identify theextent of the roadnetwork. There is apublic right of passage over roads, whichmeans that a developer can exercise thatright over the full extent of the road.Road networkThe road network consists of public roads,which are roads maintained by the roadsauthority, and private roads, which are roadsmaintained by someone other than theNeilston CommunityWind Farma renewable energypartnershipWind farms have become synonymouswith controversy across the UK but anincreasing number of community anddeveloper partnerships have emerged.Harnessing local support by boostinglocal regeneration was the cornerstoneto success for one community windfarm project in which Pinsent Masonshas been involved.Innovative approachIn 2009 this innovative approach waspioneered in Neilston, a small town in EastRenfrewshire, Scotland. Local body, theNeilston Development Trust (NDT) teamedup with renewables developer CarbonFree Development to develop a fourturbine wind farm, the income from whichwill be re-invested in community projects.Joint venture arrangementsAdvising the project special purposevehicle, Pinsent Masons put in place thejoint venture arrangements between NDTroads authority. The verges of both publicand private roads form part of the road andtherefore benefit from the public right ofpassage. Identification of all public and privateroads, together with their verges, is crucialwhen assessing the swept path analysis.Defining the road networkThe roads authority should be able to confirmthe extent of the public road although theymay hesitate with the road verge. The extentof a verge can more readily be identified if itis bounded by a barrier such as a fence orhedge. If no such barrier, the roads authoritymay have a policy of maintaining a verge ofspecified width, usually 2 metres.Legal principalsThe identification of private roads, and theirverges, may be more problematic althoughthere are legal principles to be applied tothe facts in each case. The roads authorityhas some jurisdiction over private roads sothey should assist with their identification.Background information may be crucial butthe objective will be to distinguish betweena ‘way’ over which there is a public rightof passage and a ‘way’ which is a privateaccess over private land. Evidence may begained from title deeds, statutory consents,local knowledge or from the roads authority.and Carbon Free which saw the localbody benefit from an up to 49.9% sharein pre-tax profits generated by the windfarm. In total, 28.3% equity was raisedleading to a commensurate profit share. Inaddition, Carbon Free bore allthe risk and costs associatedwith developing the wind farm,up to the point of planningconsent.Collaborative approachThe collaborative approachgave local Neilston residentsequal say in how the projectprogressed, from preapplicationconsultation toraising its own equity and, evenmore unusually, raising fundsthrough debt finance.Whole project life cyclePinsent Masons’ role spanned the entirelife cycle of the project from early stageoption and lease work, through to gridarrangements, contractual arrangementsbetween the NDT and CFD and workingwith the Co-Operative Bank and itsadvisors on the project financing of thedeal which involved the use of a model ofturbine not previously funded by the Bank.Presenting a caseIf in doubt, the developer should presenta case to the roads authority to persuadethem that the relevant ‘way’ is a privateroad and not a private access. If the roadsauthority is persuaded, it places the onus onthe landowner to establish that the ‘way’ is aprivate access.Ultimately any dispute would be a matterfor the court, but the support of the roadsauthority would be very valuable indeed.Such access would only be required if thewind farm consents had been granted. Theroads authority should therefore be willingto give a view on the full extent of the roadnetwork to facilitate the implementation of astatutory consent, where possible.A time to review?Maybe the time has come to review theextent of the public right of passagethrough air-space given that the loadswill always be carried by vehicles legallyregistered to drive on roads. Who wouldthink of charging aircraft for use of air space?Ann FauldsPartnerDundas & Wilsonwww.dundas-wilson.comResultThe result? – Carbon Free and NDT sharethe risk and the reward of the wind farm,with revenue generated by NDT to beused for local community projects.Collaboration was pivotal to the successof the Neilston Wind Farm project. Avaluable blueprint for small scale wind farmprojects, Neilston’s innovative fundingand regeneration project demonstrateshow renewable energy can be atransformational asset to local residents.Jennifer BallantynePinsent Masonswww.pinsentmasons.comClick toview moreinfowww.windenergynetwork.co.uk45

Legal eaglesfeature sponsorAn education in wind energyAs energy costs rise, many organisations with large realestate portfolios have been implementing energy reductionmeasures, seeking alternative suppliers and turning toon-site generation. Energy and education lawyers, SGHMartineau have been monitoring these trends over the pastdecade and have observed a growing interest from HigherEducation clients for on-site renewable projects and inparticular, wind turbine installationsUniversitiesUniversities have faced more challenges than most in recent years,not only absorbing rising energy costs, but also having to adjusttheir financial modelling in the wake of a new tuition fees regime,cuts in research funding and restrictions on overseas students.FundingBut Universities pride themselves on problem solving and in thisgolden age of ‘green’, one viable area of revenue generation iswith renewable energy projects.Supported by grants from the Higher Education FundingCouncil, Universities can apply for Capital Investment funding toundertake projects that improve environmental sustainability andreduce carbon emissions. For campus universities this grantcombined with a large real estate portfolio and the potential tobenefit from the Government’s Feed-in Tariff scheme, has lentitself to the development of wind projects.Case study – LancasterUniversitySGH Martineau recentlyadvised Lancaster University onthe planning, procurement andconstruction of a wind projectthat has been generating 15-20% of the University’s monthlyelectricity requirements.Across a large campus, suchas Lancaster’s this provides asignificant financial saving.Whilst the benefits of generatingyour own energy are bothfinancial and reputational,Lancaster University facedseveral other challengesbefore the project could getoff the ground. Securingplanning permission is alwaysa challenge and in this case,the University also had to assistthe local planning authority inseeing off a potential judicialreview challenge. In addition,our team had to co-ordinateThe winds of change affecting the onshorewind farm industryThe debate around the development of onshore wind farmscontinues to enjoy a high profile in the media. The Governmentcontinues to fuel this debate with policy statements andlegislative changes to try to strike a balance between theneed for continued low carbon technology investment and theprotection of legitimate local community interests. The mostrecent announcements cover a number of areas.Pre-application consultationProposed amendments to secondary legislation will makepre-application consultation with communities compulsory for‘more significant’ wind farm projects, although what constitutes‘more significant’ is undefined. This is currently compulsory forwind farm projects over 50 megawatts (MW). Many wind farmdevelopers already carry out pre-application consultation withcommunities for projects below the 50 MW threshold as bestpractice. These amendments to legislation are intended to makethe best practice more commonplace.Planning guidanceNew planning guidance is also going to be issued to councilsand appeal inspectors to ensure planning decisions areinterpreted in line with the National Planning Policy.Benefit packagesIn its statement DECC and DCLG have recommended thatthe industry revises current benefit packages available to localcommunities by the end of the year. Currently developers canpay incentive payments to local communities of £1,000 permegawatt of installed capacity per year over the lifetime ofthe wind farm project. The revised incentive payments are toincrease to £5,000 per megawatt per year, available to localcommunities who host wind farms.There is a concern among developers that although the increasedrate is only recommended by DECC, and therefore voluntary, notoffering the full £5,000 per year community incentive package willaffect the chances of the project planning being approved andlead to a reduction in renewable projects going forward.Overall, this is a series of measures driven by the very real needto recognise the interests of local communities. The net effect ofthese changes is unlikely to alter significantly the approval processfor projects. However, it is clear that these changes will discouragedevelopers from entering into the planning process without a clearappreciation of, and strategy for dealing with, the local community.Alternative waysTo meet their community benefit obligations developers mayneed to create alternative ways of incentivising local communitiesto support projects, such as supplementing incentive paymentswith discount schemes from local energy providers. One likelyeffect will be that developers focus on a greater return from theirexisting assets, either by sale or re-powering.46www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorlegal eaglesthe Higher Education FundingCouncil grant conditions withthe building contract. Thefinal bump in the road was thephysical challenge of deliveringthe turbine onto the site via atight rural road network.Clive ReadLancaster University’s Directorof Facilities, Mark Swindlehurstsaid of the project, “LancasterUniversity’s siting of a windturbine is a great example ofwhat can be done to deliver significant and transformationalchange for the energy requirements of a major business. Asa University which is heavily involved in researching climatechange it’s great to be able to make a positive difference toour own environment and community.”Unique positionUniversities are certainly not alone in the fight against risingenergy costs, however their unique position of public sectorinstitution (entitled to funding and grants) and private landowner, gives them an opportunity to significantly reduce theirconsumption and consequently spend through the installation ofon-site renewables.By Clive Read - Partner, Real EstateSGH Martineauwww.sghmartineau.comDebate continuesMany will see thesemeasures as unnecessarysupport for the anti-windfarm lobby at a time whenwe are well placed tocapitalise on all aspects ofthis booming sector of theenergy industry.The alternative schoolof thought will see thisas a necessary changeof emphasis, with thegovernment sending amessage to developersthat it is not developmentat all costs. Whateveryour view point, thedebate will continue.James BryceSquare One Lawwww.squareonelaw.comwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk47

COMPANY PROFILEA company who knowswhere they are goingand want to get there fast!Third Queen’s Award for Enterprisefor International TradeEnergetic driveLowestoft-based Pipeshield International’senergetic drive to win business aroundthe world has earned it a remarkablethird Queen’s Award for Enterprise forInternational Trade.PresentationThe latest award - an engraved crystalbowl - was presented to ManagingDirector Steve Howlett by LordTollemache, the Lord Lieutenant ofSuffolk, who praised the company’sambition and success in establishing itselfas a world leader in its field.Pipeshield, founded in 1999,manufactures subsea protection andstablisation systems for oil and gasplatforms and wind turbines.InternationalIt operates around the world in countrieslike Malaysia, Singapore, Albania andCanada. And in the past year Pipeshieldhas won major new contracts in SouthAfrica and Azerbaijan, where it hasestablished production facilities tomanufacture concrete mattresses andother subsea structures to protectplatforms and pipelines. “It has beenanother positive year for us and we aredelighted to have won a third Queen’sAward,” said Mr Howlett. “Very fewcompanies have achieved this andwe are extraordinarily proud to berecognised in this way.”Highest accoladeThe Queen’s Award is the highestaccolade in UK industry and recognisescompanies that have made significantachievements in the fields of innovation,sustainable development and internationaltrade. It championed 152 businessesacross the UK this year.Pipeshield won two Queen’s Awards in2005 - in the Innovation and InternationalTrade categories.Global reachMr Howlett said, “We’ve invested a greatdeal of time and effort to give our businessa global reach and this has resulted in uswinning some really exciting contracts,including one for a twin-release mattressthat practically halves installation time.“Our services now include projectdesign, engineering and manufacturing,elements that can be brought together inany combination to provide an integratedsolution.”Since our inception some 4 years ago wehave been following the work of PipeshieldInternational.Originally, a largely Oil & Gas industrycompany, they have always kept theireyes open in getting involved withinemerging markets and have never beenfearful of taking advantage of opportunitieswhich may exist in other areas.The wind energy industry is one suchmarket and Pipeshield have been quick tomove forward and expand in a very shortspace of time.Moving onwards and upwardsThe next stage of the company’sambitious plans involve the doublingof their business in as short a time aspossible.We travelled to Pipeshield’s LowestoftHeadquarters to speak to Steve Howlett,Managing Director to find out more…NameSteve HowlettPositionManaging Director, Pipeshield InternationalCompany historyPipeshield International incorporated in1999 and like many successful businessesbegan from humble beginnings - Steve’sfront room!After working for various companieswithin the offshore construction industry,he decided to be in control of his owndestiny. A man who has always beendriven with a good work ethic, alwaysgiven 100%, Steve always looks to thefuture.48www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

COMPANY PROFILECompany progressThe one situation which Steve is very proud of is the growthand progress of the company with the obvious employmentopportunities which arise for talented people. Steve’s firstemployee, a Technical Director, was hired following thecompany’s incorporation.Global focusWhat appeals to Steve more than anything else is the globalnature of the work involved, which Pipeshield is very successfulat. The recent third Queen’s award for International Trade istestimony to that fact.Working around the world with people from different culturesand backgrounds is something which Steve and his team lookforward to and enjoy - it can be challenging but very worthwhile.Wind industrySteve has always been interested in offshore renewables rightfrom the start, however it was for the security of business thatprompted him to make the decision to ensure that the companyhad a broader outlook - having all your eggs in one basket hasnever been a good idea in business.There are also a lot of synergies in the offshore wind and oil &gas industries and it just makes sense to have customers andclients in both.The focus in the wind industry came more in the second half ofthe company’s existence as the industry started to mature andthe future looked very bright.The industry also allows the company to develop and introduceinnovative ideas in a fast moving, growing environment.Other businessWhen asked why get involved in such diverse areas of businesswith in construction Steve’s answer is “because we can!”Which very much sums up Steve’s attitude to business and willensure future success for the company and his team.We finish the article very much how we started in that Steveemphasised the key to the company’s future success “It is allabout people, and particularly young people, who we employand give them an opportunity to develop with the company –we have an important succession planning policy which is keyto our future success.”Service and Quality is Never an AccidentIt is Always the Result of Intelligent EffortSUBFLEX Cable Protection SystemsSUBSEA ENERGY SOLUTIONS HAS BEEN FOUNDED ASA DIRECT REQUEST FROM THE RENEWABLE ENERGYINDUSTRY FOR THE NECESSITY FOR INCREASEDCOMPETITION, REDUCED SYSTEM COSTS ANDENHANCED SOLUTIONS, WITHIN A LIMITED CABLEPROTECTION SYSTEM MARKET PLACE.DEMAND FOR COST REDUCTIONSubsea Energy Solutions, an ISOQAR 9001 : 2008registered company, has risen to the urgent industrychallenge for the demand for offshore wind farm longterm sustainability, through means of cost reduction.With industry assistance, Subsea Energy Solutionscan signifi cantly contribute towards the reduction ofoffshore wind farm design, construction, operational,maintenance and de-commissioning costs.EXPERIENCE & INDUSTRY ADVICEWith our industry and project wide experience, theunique patent pending SUBFLEX TM Cable ProtectionSystem offers many unrivalled and unparalleledtechnical and commercial features.Subsea Energy Solutions have sought industryadvice during the development of the SUBFLEXTMCable Protection System and taken intoconsideration many requirements such as purchasecost, rapid offshore assembly, rapid installation,rapid burial, enhanced cable protection, eliminationof maintenance requirements, standardisation ofcomponents to name just a small selection of features.CABLE INSTALLATION IMPORTANCEOffshore windfarm cable installation is a highcost / high insurance claims theatre and it is welldocumented that 70% of insurance claims fromwindfarm operators relate to cable damage, so therehas never been a greater, more important time,for the renewable industry to come together andsupport a rapidly emerging company in developing afully coordinated and fully standardised approach tomonopile J-tube & J-tube-less installations.We will continue to feature Pipeshield International and theirprogress in future magazine articles and features.Pipeshield Internationalwww.pipeshield.comClick to view more infoFOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL:+44 (0) 1748 828580E sales@subenesol.co.ukW www.subenesol.co.ukwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk 49

money mattersfeature sponsorSterling’s valueplummets as hopesof an interest ratehike are blownaway50www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsormoney mattersIt is amazing how quickly sentimentcan change in the foreign exchangemarkets. It was only as recently asJanuary that the US dollar was like adog with fleas while the pound waslooking increasingly valuable. How thetables have turned.What are the key market drivers?Recently the new Bank of EnglandGovernor, Mark Carney, chaired his firstmeeting in charge of the Bank’s MonetaryPolicy Committee. While there was nochange in the base interest rate and noaddition to the money printing program,the meeting led to a shift in expectationsthat has been extremely damaging tosterling.Carney made a statement afterthe meeting – which is unconventionalin itself – in which he made clear that UKinterest rates would stay low for some timeto come.This was a surprise for two reasons.Firstly, many in the market had taken hishistory of hiking rates in Canada as asign that he would do the same here andsecondly, a recent raft of more positive UKdata releases supported the suggestionsthat the UK economy is improving.Carney shot those ideas down, statingthat expectations of a rate rise were “notwarranted”. This is an uncharacteristicallyaggressive move by the Bank of Englandwho tend not to say anything unless theymake a change of some kind. Carneyset his stall out early and the market isnow waiting eagerly for indications thathe will enact further quantitative easingmeasures.Why does all of this matter toyour business, particularly inthe wind energy industry?British importers have had a difficult year.Sterling started the year as the worstperformer, falling by 9% in January. Thismade life very difficult for those importingbusinesses that set their annual budgetlevels in December, as rates fell quickly.Boosting this sterling weakness, thegovernment has made it clear that supportfor exporters is their priority – great newsfor them but not so much for those windenergy businesses who are importingturbines, cables, computers etc fromaround the world. This latest fall in the valueof the pound is another hurdle to jump.The facts are simple, when the pound fallsthe cost of foreign goods goes up. The UKwind energy sector needs to consider thisfact and the risk of further falls as the yeargoes on – particularly if paying for goods inUS dollars.The dollar is strengthening as marketsanticipate an end to money printing in theUS. Protective dollar hedging is certainlyworth considering at the moment as therates are widely expected to fall.Euro importers need not panicright nowHowever, we must remember thatcurrency exchange has two sides to thecross, and those importing goods fromthe Eurozone need not panic quite yet.While the Eurozone market sentiment hasbeen quiet over the last six months or so,the problems in Greece, Portugal, Spain andItaly have not gone away. Even in Germanythere are signs of a further slowdown. All ofthis suggests that the euro may have roomto weaken in time. This could give the poundsome breathing space down the line andprovide euro importers the chance to hedgecurrency at higher levels.Take protection against adeclining poundNevertheless, protection is the name ofthe game and all the sign posts point to afurther declining pound. Those that needUS dollars are right to be concerned.Ultimately the goal of any importer shouldbe the same – protect yourself from risk.If current exchange rates are above yourrequired budget levels then, with thedownside outlook for the pound loominglarge, it is time to look at hedging.Torrie CallanderSenior Commercial DealerGlobal Reach Partnerswww.globalreach-partners.comClick to view more infowww.windenergynetwork.co.uk 51

money mattersfeature sponsorTracking the pathwaysto cost reductionCost reduction in offshore wind hasbeen the big issue facing the industryparticularly over the past 18 months.This has only intensified followingthe strike price announcement inJune, which has left many developersconcerned about the viability of theirprojects.Offshore Cost ReductionPathways StudyThe magic figure is £100/MWh and inMay 2012, BVG Associates deliveredthe technology workstream for TheCrown Estate’s Offshore Cost ReductionPathways Study. This not only identified theprospects for lower cost of energy but alsohighlighted the signs that we should look forin understanding how much progress hasbeen made. We have recently reviewed ouranalysis and the picture of progress towardthe industry goal is mixed.Dr Alun RobertsProgress on trackCentral to cost reduction is the developmentof ‘next generation’ turbines and the goodnews is that progress is on track. Thenumber of turbine manufacturers eying theoffshore market has dwindled but thosethat remain are forging ahead with newproducts. Siemens has recently installedtwo of its 6MW offshore turbines at GunfleetSands III and Alstom and Samsung HeavyIndustries are planning to install their offshoreprototypes this year.Deep water projectsWith the introduction of larger turbines andthe trend towards deeper water projects,there has been considerable interest indevelopments in foundation technology.For many developers, jackets are thenatural choice, but the bespoke productionprocess used for these structures in theoil and gas industry will be too expensivean option for offshore wind. R&D in radicaldesigns continues, but the emphasis isnow on making marginal cost savingson the standard four-legged designs bystandardising tubular and weld angles toenable high volume production and reducematerial costs. Progress is being made,but market uncertainty has delayed theinvestment needed to realise the potential forcost reductions.Increased capacity array cablesThere is better news concerning theintroduction of 66kV array cables, whichoffer increased capacity on each stringand lower electrical losses. With supportfrom The Carbon Trust Offshore WindAccelerator, 66kV products are nowexpected to be available to the market in2015.InstallationFor installation, the focus has been on fit-forpurposevessels that can operate in a widerrange of weather conditions. There has beensignificant investment in third-generationturbine installation vessels which are largerthan their predecessors and with greaterlifting capacity.There is still concern, however, thatspecialist foundation installation vessels arenot progressing from the drawing board.The cable installation market is maturingfast, but the vessel fleet is largely assembledfrom ships designed for the oil and gas andtelecoms market. As cable installation isa high risk activity with low margins whichmeans that investment in bespoke vessels isunlikely unless there is change.Industrial strategyThe forthcoming UK Government industrialstrategy is expected to build on recentdevelopments such as the establishmentof the Offshore Renewables Catapult,Offshore Wind Industry Council and Norstec,to galvanise industry efforts in the UK oninnovation and cost reduction. With thesecollective efforts, there are good reasons forbelieving that the offshore wind industry’sambitions for cost reduction can be realised.Dr Alun RobertsBVG Associateswww.bvgassociates.co.uk52www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsormoney mattersOffshore wind farms offer massive economicbenefits, not just environmental onesNick Heale and Scott Carpenter,company directors of H&AskhamGroup, one of Britain’s leading windfarm supply chain companies, arguethat the government should notunderestimate the much-overlookedeconomic advantages of the wind farmindustry. They want the governmentto firmly pledge its support to windenergy because they believe it couldhelp revive the British economy,re-establishing British engineeringprowess across the globe.A positive exampleNick and Scott cite their own Kentbasedhigh voltage electrical company,H&Askham, as an example of the sector’spromising economic potential.During the economic downturn in2008, their small high voltage electricalinstallation company was struggling alongwith so many other British businesses.H&Askham only managed to buck therecession trend when Nick and Scottchose to expand into offshore windpower, a sector they predicted wouldexpand rapidly due to carbon emissionreduction targets and widespread interestin green energy production.Company growthSince H&Askham’s first offshore windpower project, the then small companyhas grown exponentially, repositioningitself on the market as a large UK-basedwind power supply chain company, withan ever-increasing band of employees andever-increasing demand.London ArrayThe company now boasts a range ofmajor wind power projects includingLondon ArrayLondon Array, the world’s largest offshorewind farm located in the Thames Estuary –175 turbines that produce enough powerto supply over 470,000 UK homes withelectricity.Whereas in Europe, governments havebeen investing heavily in launching offshorewind power as an energy alternative,Nick and Scott strongly believe thatBritain is lagging behind. Delivering mixedmessages, the British government hasexpressed no firm commitment and takenlittle action in comparison to Europe insupporting wind energy and there is muchuncertainty surrounding the likelihood of thefruition of the Round Three projects.Government scrutinyNick Heale says, “Wind farms have recentlybeen under government scrutiny becauseof their cost and alleged inability to deliverthe energy targets required for 2020. Butwe at H&Askham believe that with betterproject management and more supportfrom the government, costs shoulddecrease significantly and large projectsshould be delivered more efficiently, thusenabling the 2020 targets to be met.”Nick added that, “With more activity onthe Continent in offshore wind energyproduction, many European companieshave been calling on H&Askhambecause of their affirmed knowledgeand experience of the UK wind powermarket. This is clear indication that theUK must act soon if it wants to continueto be the big player in the offshore windindustry. The government should expressits commitment and act upon it, so thatoutside investors can have the confidenceto support upcoming UK projects. It is anopportunity not to be missed.”InvestmentWhile the UK has a great Engineeringheritage, the company believe that theBritish government simply hasn’t madeenough of the offshore wind market byinvesting in British wind power resourcesand facilities. With the recent economiccrisis and high unemployment levelsin Britain, wind power is an industrysector ready and waiting to boost thefledgling British economy, providingjobs for hands-on labour, skilledtechnicians, project managers, engineersand technicians for the operation andmaintenance of wind farms.European Wind EnergyAssociation Report, 2011“The offshore industry is forecast to seea steep rise in employment numbersover the course of the next decade. It isestimated that the wind energy sectorwill employ 462,000 people in 2020. Ofthese 169,500, almost 40% will be inoffshore. By 2030, jobs in offshore areexpected to count for 62% of total in thewind energy sector: around 300,000 jobsout of a total of 480,000.”CommitmentIf the British government really wantsto demonstrate its commitment to thegrowth of British industry, then Nickand Scott at H&Askham believe thatthe government should back the windenergy sector, which holds the potentialto create many more engineering andmanufacturing jobs for British industrywhilst reducing carbon dioxide emissions.The H&Askham Groupwww.HandAjointing.co.ukNick Healewww.windenergynetwork.co.uk 53

money mattersfeature sponsorGreen Investment Bank publishesAnnual ReportThe UK GreenInvestmentBank plc (GIB)has publishedits first AnnualReport, for theperiod to 31stMarch 2013.The report was published to coincide withAnnual Review meetings in Edinburghand London recently, where the ExecutiveTeam presented the results to a widerange of stakeholders.In Edinburgh, the guest speakers includedRt Hon Gregory Barker MP, Minister ofState for Climate Change and in London,Rt Hon Vince Cable MP, Secretary ofState for Business, Innovation and Skills.Transparency & accountabilityLord Smith of Kelvin, Chairman of theGreen Investment Bank said: “We arebuilding a new institution and want tobehave with the highest standards oftransparency and accountability, rightfrom the start. Our Annual Report setsout full details of our investments andoperations during our first few months;including details of our green impact. Weare looking forward to the Annual Reviewevents and engaging with all of ourstakeholders to share our thinking andhear their views.”Building an enduring institutionShaun Kingsbury, Chief Executive said:“In our first, short year we’ve madegreat strides in putting in place thefoundations upon which we will build anenduring institution. It remains early daysbut our first results show that we canbe successful in achieving our doublebottom line of being green and behavingcommercially.”Pivotal roleBusiness Secretary Vince Cable who willbe attending the annual review meetingin London said: “The Green InvestmentBank has a pivotal role to play in thefinancing of our transition to a greeneconomy. It has already made a positivestart, with £635 million committedto green projects and with every £1invested leveraging another £3 of privateinvestment. The bank has a number ofstrong deals in the pipeline, which willhelp it to build on the solid foundationsthat have now been laid.”Green Investment Bankwww.greeninvestmentbank.comThe Annual Report can be found here:Click to view more info54www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsormoney mattersGreen Investment Bank completes senior team withappointment of two new Managing DirectorsNew ManagingDirectors for offshorewind and non-domesticenergy efficiency(NDEE) – the MD foroffshore wind willlead the delivery of anexpanded strategy,which sees GIB moveinto constructionfunding for new offshorewind facilities.The Green Investment Bank (GIB) hasannounced that Christine Brockwell andGregor Paterson-Jones will imminentlytake up the roles of Managing Director ofOffshore Wind and Non Domestic EnergyEfficiency (NDEE) respectively.Offshore windOffshore wind is one of GIB’s mandatedpriority investment sectors and is expectedto have the largest share of GIB’s initial £3bncapital. In its first six months of operation,GIB’s focus has been the secondary marketfor operating assets, investing in existingoffshore wind projects to allow capital to berecycled into new projects.The appointment of Christine coincideswith the expansion of GIB’s offshorewind investment strategy, which will see itcontinue to invest in secondary markets aswell as now investing in offshore projectsin the construction stage.Shaun Kingsbury, Chief Executive, GreenInvestment Bank, said: “The developmentin our offshore wind strategy will ensurethat we can mobilise investment at acritical, early stage of a project. I amlooking forward to working with Christineto turn our broadened strategy into reality.”NDEE strategy“Gregor, joining us all the way from SouthAfrica, is another key appointment, whichcompletes our senior leadership team. Iam particularly pleased that Gregor will beleading the execution of our NDEE strategyfrom our Edinburgh headquarters.“This announcement shows that we canattract the very best global talent, andI look forward to working with our newMDs as they lead the delivery of ourinvestment strategy in two of our priorityinvestment sectors.”Christine’s backgroundChristine, who joins GIB’s Londonoffice from Germany, was previouslya Director at Global Capital Finance, aleading financial services advisory firmwhere she was responsible for the firm’sEuropean renewable energy transactionsand global equity syndication. In hercapacity at GCF, she led the companyon several noteworthy asset-based M&Atransactions, including offshore wind.Christine said: “Offshore wind will play asignificant role in helping the UK meetits binding renewable energy obligations.Through its direct funding capabilities andits desire to stimulate co-investment fromother institutions, the Green InvestmentBank is vital to the industry’s success inrealising its planned installed capacity. Iam extremely proud to lead the offshorewind effort for GIB, and together withShaun and the rest of the team, will worktirelessly to ensure that GIB makes avaluable contribution to this sector.”Gregor’s backgroundGregor is relocating to Edinburgh fromCape Town to take up his new role. He willbe joined by a newly appointed DirectorIain Watson, who will also be based inEdinburgh. Gregor was previously CEOof Sterling Waterford Securities (SWS),a South African asset management andadvisory firm, where he was involved ina number of financial innovations in therenewable energy market and carbonemissions trading market. At SWS, heinitiated the listed trading market for carboncredits on the JSE Securities Exchange andplayed a key role in creating new financingstructures in the formative stages of thebiofuels and voluntary offset markets.Gregor said: “I am delighted to be joiningthe UK Green Investment Bank, havingclosely followed the bank’s progressand investments to date. It is good tosee that in a few short months, GIBhas already made two significant NDEEinvestments, driving significant privatesector co-investment. I look forward toworking with Shaun and the team at GIBto build on the £2.3 billion capital thatthe Bank has already mobilised.”Green Investment Bankwww.greeninvestmentbank.comwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk 55

money mattersfeature sponsorFunding renewables projectsequity and debt instrumentsRenewable energy plays an importantrole in combating climate change,however there are barriers includingcost issues, to the development of therenewable energy sector in the UK.Raising money for renewables projectscan take different forms and adoptdifferent structures. This article outlinesalternative funding options for projectssuch as bonds (a debt instrument)or equity, but ignoring mainstreamcommercial bank funding.Attractive investmentsRenewables projects are seen as attractiveinvestments as the cashflow requiredto service investor repayments can bemodelled fairly predictably due to the natureof the underlying renewables project.Variable costsThe cost of renewable energy projectsvaries due to technology and location, forexample an offshore wind farm is morecomplex and expensive than a micro-windturbine servicing a building. Funding cantake the form of equity or bonds and anyfunder or investor will expect a return onthat investment, which differs between theequity or bonds approaches.ConfidenceFunders need to have confidencethat the project has been properly puttogether, and that it is both practically andeconomically viable. This is genericallyreferred to as a project being ‘bankable’,whether a bank is involved or not. Thatcomfort comes from a careful examinationof the financial, legal, commercial andtechnical aspects of the project.Key considerationsThe key considerations before anyfundraising should be…• What do we want to do?• How much money do we need?• Can we write an effective business plan?• Who will give us the money?• On what terms will we accept the money?There are principally two routes available…1 Private equity2 Share or bond issues undertaken bythe project companyPrivate equity providersThere are a number of private equityproviders, some of which specialise inrenewables, and some who are lookingto increase their presence in the sector.Private equity investors expect a priorityreturn, a high degree of control and aclear exit plan. With a share issue, thisis most effectively undertaken throughexperienced brokers, as they have thebest distribution channels.Offering considerationsThe costs of a share or bond issue willdepend largely on what sort of offeringis being made – the costs will be highestwith a UKLA vetted full prospectus.There is a regulatory environment to benavigated and a developer will need toconsider the minimum amount it needs toraise to fulfil its investment plan as well ascover the costs of raising the funds.Moving forward, you will have a numberof new shareholders or bondholders with,potentially for a share issue, a say over therunning of the company and you will needto consider ongoing relations.TrendsTrends in the renewables sector haveemerged over the last few years. Therehave been a number of fundraises in thesector through Enterprise InvestmentScheme (EIS) and Venture CapitalTrust (VCTs). Although EIS and VCTinvestments are subject to variouslimitations, they have been very successfulfor wind projects both FiTs and ROCssupported. The attractive tax reliefsavailable for investors coupled with thereturns available for the underlying projecthave resulted in small scale EIS/VCTfundraisings being widespread.Most recent trendThe most recent trend is a move towardsfully listed equity and bond issues – theamounts being raised under these issuesare much larger than traditionally havebeen seen in the market, looking to attracta new investor base with the addedbenefit of a market being available to tradetheir investment.The main players so far have been in solar,but wind will no doubt be hot on its heels.Where the market will move to next willno doubt depend on the decision of theGovernment as to what supports will beavailable to the industry going forward.Richard TallTLT solicitorswww.TLTsolicitors.com56www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsormoney mattersRealising the potentialfor offshore wind inScotlandLowering the cost of grid connections and greatercollaboration between offshore developers to sharetransmission assets have emerged as two of the mostimportant steps to help Scotland realise its potential foroffshore wind, in a survey conducted by Brodies LLP toidentify the most significant challenges and opportunitiesfor the country’s offshore wind sector.Survey detailWhen asked to identify the most significant change to the gridthat should be made to help Scotland realise its potential foroffshore wind, 29% of respondents said lowering the cost of gridconnections and the same proportion urged greater collaborationbetween offshore developers to share transmission assets, suchas transmission cables and onshore connection facilities.CostsGrid connection charges are a significant challenge for thefunding of new generation assets – and the costs for remoteoffshore and island connections are eye watering, as the recentreport by Baringa Partners illustrates. Remote locations oftenhave good wind resources but the Baringa report shows that thisis unlikely to offset the proposed connection charges and maydeter development.Main challengesMeanwhile, planning and licensing issues, high grid connectioncharges and access to finance were identified as some of the mainchallenges to the future growth of Scotland’s offshore wind sector.When asked to identify the most important factor on which thefuture growth of their business depends, planning and licensingwere cited by 27% of those who responded to the survey.Good news on offshore planningMarine planning is still new, and it is not surprising that it is seen as akey issue for developers. There is good news for developers though,with the proposal from the Scottish Government to designateonshore aspects of offshore wind developments as nationaldevelopment in the new national planning framework, NPF3.Neil Collar & Keith PattersonBrodies LLPwww.brodies.comClick to view more infowww.windenergynetwork.co.uk 57

money mattersfeature sponsorOffshore wind spending set to average almost€15 billion per year over the next ten yearsThe low carbon drive and the needto replace older power plants meanthat the UK and many other Europeanmarkets require new generationcapacity from a variety of sourcesincluding offshore wind. Douglas-Westwood (DW) forecast globaloffshore wind installation levelsaveraging just over 3,000 Megawatts(MW) per year over the next tenyears. This capacity equates toannual spending of around €15 billionper year, an attractive market forincumbents and new entrants alike.ChallengesDespite the undoubted growth potential,there are a number of challenges facingthe sector, the most pressing being thehigh cost levels. At the present time,the cost of energy for offshore wind issignificantly higher than for conventionalthermal plants (gas and coal) and evenonshore wind. This means that offshorewind requires financial support to beeconomically viable. In a time of austerityand rising energy bills, it is important thatthis requirement for financial support fallsover time.Understanding costsTo understand the cost of energy challenge,one must look at its major componentsincluding the initial capital outlay (Capex),and the ongoing cost (Opex) of maintainingthe asset. Capex rates have escalatedsignificantly over the last five years, butappear to be levelling off at a rate of €3.75mper Megawatt. Opex levels are harder tojudge due to limited real-world experience.However, what is clear is that a series ofmajor issues have been experienced suchas poorly manufactured foundations, anddefective wind turbine blades.Cost reduction opportunitiesThere are a number of avenues open forcost reduction in the offshore wind sectorincluding use of larger wind turbines tailoredto the offshore wind environment, increasedlevels of competition in the supply chain, andmore efficient installation methods.With regards to wind turbines, Europeanproject developers are now starting to specifymodels with capacities of 5 MW or greater.At the present time, developers are startingto gain experience with the first 5 MW windturbines with an expectation of moving to 7.5MW turbines in the medium term. While aclear growth trend has been experienced, it isimportant to note that commercial deploymenthas always been slower than expected.CompetitionCompetition is also ramping up withmajor industrial groups including Alstom,Areva, Mitsubishi, Samsung and Siemensall developing very large offshore windturbines. Competitive intensity andtechnology options are also increasing inthe area of foundations supply.Specialised installation vesselsIn order to increase offshore windconstruction efficiencies, a new fleet ofhighly specialised installation vessels havebeen built. The new-build constructioncycle has been so intense that there arecurrently concerns that there is oversupplyin the market. While vessel capacity hasincreased, concerns remain that thereis insufficient standardisation in terms ofinstallation methodology.Douglas Westwoodwww.douglas-westwood.comClick to view more info58www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

COMPANY PROFILENew livery marks 75 years for DawsonMultimodal specialist AV Dawson hastransformed one of its haulage fleetwith a one-off new livery to mark its75th birthday.New truck – experienced driverThe new Scania truck is being drivenby Bob King – one of the longestserving employees at the family run firm,which is based at Riverside Park, inMiddlesbrough, Teesside.The design is a twist on the company’sdistinctive original red and white colours,but with metallic paint and silver/platinumdetail appropriate to a 75th anniversary.Interested pastThe logistics firm was started by Arthur‘Vernie’ Dawson with wife Eleanor in 1938,who invested £50 in a horse called Dina,her shoes, a cart for her to pull and coalto sell.The offshore energy market andcompany growthThe firm, today run by Vernie’s grandsonGary Dawson, now offers a diverse rangeof bespoke haulage, shipping, warehouseand rail solutions and has expanded intonew sectors, such as the buoyant offshoreenergy market.Haulage is still a key part of the businesswith its fleet growing from 8 to 32 vehiclesover the past 10 years and the number ofdrivers increasing from 10 to 40 today.Bob, of Skelton, near Saltburn, has beenwith the firm for 38 years.Russell Spink, Senior Transport andMaintenance Manager at AV Dawson,said: “Our fleet goes out across theworld and we thought rebranding oneof our top of the range vehicles wouldbe really appropriate to celebrate our75th anniversary, given it all began withhaulage.“We couldn’t think of anyone better todrive the vehicle than Bob, whohas been with us since 1975 and isstill going strong. He’s a great rolemodel for all the future drivers andyounger members of staff.”Tees Riverside IntermodalPark (TRIP)AV Dawson’s 75th anniversarycomes at a time when thecompany has invested £10m ina major infrastructure expansion.The first phase, the £2.5mTees Riverside Intermodal Park(TRIP) at its site follows a 250per cent increase in itscontainer handling andfilling business.Companies using the rail terminal canbenefit from loaded lifting and storage anda direct link to the East Coast Main Line,making it ideal for intermodal train servicesto and from North East England.New deepwater quayThe firm is also seeing major growth inthe marine and offshore sectors andis creating a new deepwater £3.2mquay, which is due to be completed thissummer, as part of its investment.When complete, the quay will boastdepths of up to 8.5m and will be 150mlong, allowing larger vessels of up to10,000 tonnes to take advantage ofDawson’s one-stop-shop services, whichinclude in-house ships agency and vesselsupport company, Cockfield Knight andCo Ltd.AV Dawsonwww.av-dawson.comClick to view more infowww.windenergynetwork.co.uk59

Problem? – Solved!Problem? –Solved!In an industry which is extremely fast moving, as well as taking giant engineering and innovation tothe limit, problems will inevitably present themselves. The need to evaluate the problem and findthe solution quickly is paramount in this environment. After receiving many editorials over the lastfew years which would suit such a feature we start with just a taster of things to come here…support services foroffshore wind farmsProblemThe operational challenges of providingsupport services to the new generation ofoffshore wind farms located at increasinglygreater distances out to sea.Recent practiceCurrently operators have to use avariety of vessel types to perform therange of support tasks involved. Theinnovative design engineering firm,Supacat, conducted detailed analysisof the operational requirements of windfarm operators and the wider marineengineering environment to identify a morecost effective solution.Fresh thinkingBringing fresh thinking to the problem,the company developed the concept of amulti-purpose vessel that provides greaterversatility to operators and transforms theway offshore support operations can beconducted.SolutionThe SMV24 provides operators with `oneboat to replace many`, enabling operatorsto conduct a wide range of support tasksassociated with offshore wind farms andother maritime engineering installationsand facilities.SpecificsWith a high speed, high pay load andrange are key discriminators for potentialcustomers. Operated by a crew of 3 or 4,the 24 metre vessel can concurrently carryup to 12 additional passengers and up to 30tonnes of cargo. It can achieve up to 30 knotspeeds and has a range of up to 790nm.Unique deck systemThe vessel has a revolutionary decksystem, which is the key to its multi-roleperformance. Its distinctive feature is athrough-deck from bow to stern with thecrew area positioned overhead.Running along the length of the vesselis an integrated rail system designed toaccommodate ISO containers, a deckcrane or diving rig, or other equipment fordifferent roles.The deck can carry upto 50ft of ISO containersin a variety of 20ft and10ft combinations,other general cargo ora combination of cargotypes. The ISO containerconcept providesoperators with additionalflexibility as they can befitted out for a variety of roles, such asa workshop, a refrigeration unit or a fuelcontainer.Completion dateThe first SMV24 is due for completionin September 2013. It is being built byestablished boat builder, Mustang Marine(Wales) Ltd, at its Pembroke Dock facilityunder a contract awarded by Supacat.Naval architects Incat Crowther werecommissioned to translate Supacat’sSMV 24 concept into a detailed designand DNV were engaged to advise onclassification.The SMV24 will meet DNV 1A1 HSLC R1Windfarm Service Vessel Class 1 and beUK MCA SCV Code (MGN280) Category 1.Mustang Marinewww.mustangmarine.comSupacatwww.supacat.com60www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

Problem? – Solved!Turbine stressThe problemWind Turbines, by the very nature of theiroperation vibrate. This can cause stress tosections of jackets and transition pieces.The solutionBarrier Ltd has developed a solution thatutilises neoprene coatings and rubberclamps to absorb vibrations generated bywind turbine tower operations.The North East-England based companyis applying rubber to external risers andJ-Tubes, which are fitted to collectorplatform jackets and larger deep waterwind turbines.High pressure steam created by itsspecialist vulcanising vessel enables therubber to spread and bond to risers andJ-Tubes. The vulcanised rubber alsoprotects the components from corrosionand additional abrasion protection.ExpertiseThe company’s expertise also extendsto the ability to apply ribbed rubber tothe internal parts of clamps, which arewelded onto jackets or turbines to holdthe J-Tubes and risers in place.Oil & gas sectorThis process is based on Barrier’sextensive experience in the offshore oil &gas sector. Already widely used in theNorwegian oil & gas market, the companyhas diversified the corrosion protectionprocess to help meet the requirements ofthe offshore wind industry.Paul Harriman, Managing Director ofBarrier Ltd, said: “We have considerableexperience at applying technologiesand solutions across multiple sectors.In this case, the principles of deliveringhigh quality engineering solutions arethe same as we have been applying fornearly 40 years. The ability to diversifyour products and services is essential asenergy generation opportunities emergeand grow.“The offshore wind sector has seen a lotof transference in its supply chain fromthe oil & gas sector. This has been dueto the technical expertise and extensiveexperience of companies like Barrier,which have a proven track record ofsuccessfully meeting the requirements ofcontractors and operators.”Barrier Groupwww.thebarriergroup.comClick to view more infoCable transport and storage versus costProblem: Cable storage spaceAssociated with the high risk of installingcable, is the storage and transportation.To date there is a re-occurring industryproblem with lack of storage capacity andthe high cost of transporting.As the industry grows the demand forcable increases however due to unforeseenproject delays, cable manufacturers do nothave the capacity to be able to store on sitewhich in turn delays the production cycle.Problem: TransportationThe same applies to transportation. Thecost of transporting is astronomical andnot always straight forward, especially ifthe project is in international waters.Industry costBoth of the above are costing the industryand severely delaying projects worldwide.With over 10 years’ experience in theoffshore industry Floating Cable TankLtd has realised that this is an issue andtherefore come up with a solution.THE SolutionThe company has designed andengineered a patented solution that will seea reduction in price within the region of 30-50%. The solution is essentially ‘a floatingcable tank’ for the ease of transportationand storage. The circular sealed tank willmoor along the quayside and feed from acleverly designed loading arm that will feedthe cable into the tank from the factory.Once loaded, should the project delay, thecable can be transported internationally andstored significantly cheaper than present.Once the delay has been resolved thetank can be offloaded along the quaysidedirectly to the cable lay vessel resulting in...• No storage capacity issues• No high cost of transporting• No delays to the production cycleWhich the company believes is a costeffective transportation and storage solution.Offshore Marine Managementwww.offshoremm.comFloating Cable Tank Ltdwww.floatingcabletank.comwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk 61

Spotlight on Irelandfeature sponsorSpotlight onIrelandWe welcome Harland and Wolff, the iconic ship builder and heavyindustries company, as our sponsor for the Spotlight on Irelandfeature.Harland and Wolff were prominently featured in a previous Spotlight on NorthernIreland some 2 years ago as a major part of the wind energy industry in the area – giantengineering and state-of-the-art technology being their main forte.You will find articles from a broad range of companies and organisations as well asacademic institutions which provide much needed training specific to the industry.Investing in the futureHarland and Wolff Heavy industries Ltd62One of the world’s most famousand oldest ship builders, BelfastbasedHarland and Wolff HeavyIndustries, has been showingremarkable dexterity in recentyears.Having successfully reinvented itselfin time for the 21st century’s surge indemand for renewable offshore energy,the old ship yard has spruced itselfup, invested millions and diversifiedto become a profitable and uniquecommercial operation.Continued maritime focusThe business still focuses heavily onthe maritime world with an extremelybusy ship and rig repair and conversionsector as well as marine designengineering, but the modernisation andupgrading of its manufacturing andfabrication activities have coincided totake full advantage of the growth ofoffshore wind farms being installed inthe Irish and North Seas.www.windenergynetwork.co.ukDespite widespread delays in thedevelopment of offshore wind farms,H&W continues to have faith in theviability of the industry and is investingheavily in its future. It has alreadycompleted two offshore substations, metmast foundations for the North Sea, thelogistics and assembly work on threelarge Irish Sea offshore wind farms, anda couple of jackets including its currentproject, the Humber Gateway substationjacket, due to be delivered Q1 2014.Confidence in the marketplaceDavid McVeigh, Head of Sales andMarketing at Harland and Wolff says themarket remains volatile, but stability isaround the corner. “Offshore wind farmsare notoriously difficult to finance, butrecent developments such as the HMTreasury report on Strike Prices willadd certainty and confidence to themarketplace.“We have always been confident thatcertainty in the sector coupled with theadvances in technology will ensure themarket’s long-term viability. We havebeen working closely with The CarbonTrust and our fellow Fred. Olsen relatedcompanies to develop new technologieswhich will help reduce the installed costof offshore wind generation.” says MrMcVeigh.Taking the leadH&W manufactured the first threecommercial Bucket Foundations at itsBelfast facilities earlier this year. TheBucket Foundation is an innovativeconcept utilising suction technologywhich has been developed by Fred. Olsenrelated company Universal Foundation.The contract formed part of an overallproject secured by Fred. Olsen UnitedAS with Forewind and SeaGreen for theconstruction, delivery and installation ofmeteorological masts on the Dogger Bankand Firth of Forth offshore wind farm sites.Following manufacture at Harland andWolff, Fred. Olsen Windcarrier’s new buildjack-up vessel Brave Tern successfullyinstalled the first foundation and met maston Dogger Bank. The foundation wasinstalled in record time and well within itsinstallation tolerances. The remaining metmast will be installed later this year.

feature sponsorspotlight on IrelandCost reduction“We believe the cost of an installedturbine at sea can be dramatically reducedcompared to traditional technologies.”says Mr McVeigh. “The Bucket Foundationutilises technology which has been provenfor decades in the oil and gas sector. Ituses less steel, is lighter, requires no pilingand can be installed and fully removedfrom a floating vessel. With no transitionpiece, operations are reduced and there isno requirement for grouting.”Alongside R&D, investment in facilities,equipment and training mean Harland andWolff has reinforced itself at the forefrontin design and manufacturing for offshorerenewables as well as conventionaloffshore gas and oil projects.Sound base“The fact that we had a sound base on anideal deep harbour location was a goodstarting point.” says Mr McVeigh. “Havingnow acquired 2 large Rubb structures toenhance our painting capability, boughta new 520 tonne shipyard transporter tocomplement our existing fleet, and ourwelding management system certifiedto ISO 3834 means we are perfectlypositioned and resourced to undertakeany large scale manufacturing andfabrication project.”Imagination and nerveThe evolution from ship building to offshorerenewables took imagination and nerve;but in the end, the link between the twowas clear.“Ship building requires the sameskills sets which large scale offshoreengineering projects such as wind farmsand platforms demand, so our directionwas clear.” says Mr McVeigh.“The most strident changes in the lastdecade, however, have been to do withhealth and safety. This has always beenHarland and Wolff’s first priority andbefore we even consider a project thehealth and safety component is the firstto be scrutinised.” he says.Quality, schedule adherence andsafety“Our current major projects, E.ON’sHumber Gateway substation jacket andKvaerner Verdal’s oil & gas platformjacket pile clusters, were secured on ourproven quality and schedule adherence.However, our commitment to safetyand environmental protection is of vitalimportance, not only to H&W but alsoour customers.”Diversity at the coreDiversity has been at the core of Harlandand Wolff’s success and it’s no surprise thatthe company has created a broad range ofproducts and projects for offshore tidal andwave power generation projects, includingtwo wave power and one tidal prototypes.The futureIf Harland and Wolff’s past goes back tothe 1860s, the outlook for the future looksset for more innovation and diversification.In the mean time, the firm has carved out avery firm share of the offshore renewablesmarket and intends to stay there.Harland and Wolffwww.harland-wolff.comClick to view more infowww.windenergynetwork.co.uk 63

Spotlight on Irelandfeature sponsorThe development of Belfast Harboura hubfor thewindsectorBelfast Harbour is rapidlybecoming one of the UK’sleading renewable energyhubs and is the prime locationfor companies involved indeveloping offshore wind inthe Irish Sea and beyond.First dedicated port facilityBelfast Harbour Commissioners, theport authority, has recently developedthe UK’s first dedicated port facilityfor the offshore wind sector. Thefacility which cost £53m, is now fullyoperational and leased to DONGEnergy. It is from this state-of-the-artfacility, that DONG Energy, togetherwith its partner, Scottish PowerRenewables, has recently commencedconstruction of its 389MW West ofDuddon Sands project.Pacific Orca at the quayside64www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorspotlight on IrelandFacility capabilityWith a 480m long deepwater quaycapable of handling three project vesselssimultaneously and a supporting 50 acrehinterland area for storage of turbines,blades and foundations, the facility iscapable of supporting the construction ofRound 3 scale windfarms using the largestavailable windfarm installation vessels,such as the Pacific Orca.Long term commitmentDONG Energy holds licences for asignificant project portfolio in the Irish Sea,and having provided a long term leasecommitment to Belfast Harbour for theD1 Offshore Wind Terminal, this has seenother elements of the supply chain havingthe confidence to invest in operations inthe Belfast Harbour area.Further developmentFurthermore, the potential of Belfast Harbourto provide further development opportunitiesin this sector is unrivalled in Irish Sea terms.The port authority has a number of otherstrategic development sites, totalling some100 acres, which are suitable for large scalemanufacturing and logistics activity in theoffshore renewables sector.One water fronting development site ofalmost 50 acres, already has planningconsent in place for a new quay wall,and would be the perfect location for alarge scale manufacturing operation, suchas foundations, towers, blades or cablemanufacturing.Expertise and track recordCrucially, Belfast Harbour has theexpertise and track record of deliveringof major port infrastructure projects inshortened timescales, evidenced no moreso than by the D1 Offshore Wind Terminalproject which was taken from concept tocompletion in 22 months. This agility andspeed of execution makes Belfast Harbourthe perfect port partner for the offshorewind sector.Academic establishmentsIt is equally well complemented by highereducation and R&D establishmentsalso located in Belfast Harbour. BelfastMetropolitan College, Northern Ireland’slargest 3rd level education institution, hasrecently founded the Energy Skills TrainingNetwork focussed on developing the skillspipeline required to support the growinglocal demand for skilled personnel.The Northern Ireland AdvancedComposites and Engineering Centre(NIACE) is also located in Belfast Harbour.A joint collaboration between industry andour local universities, it can provide a basefor renewable energy companies usingcomposites to carry out collaborativeresearch, thereby reducing, amongst otherthings, risk and development timescales.Economic development agencysupportThe local economic development agency,Invest Northern Ireland, is very supportiveof the renewable energy sector in NorthernIreland generally and as a result, BelfastHarbour Commissioners is confident that,together with its partners in the public andprivate sector, a compelling package canbe put together to attract further supplychain and manufacturing activity to theBelfast Harbour area.Belfast Harbourwww.belfast-harbour.co.ukBelfast Harbour basedbusinessesWith several other Belfast Harbour basedbusinesses operating successfully in thissector, such as Harland & Wolff, andRidgeway Renewables (a leading providerof innovative scour protection solutions),the ‘business’ element of the hub isincreasingly well developed.www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 65

Spotlight on Irelandfeature sponsorEnergy companyleads the wayEstablished in 1992, B9 Energy hasbeen at the leading edge of the windindustry, both in the UK and Ireland,for over 20 years.From developing its first wind farmsthrough to delivering wind farm operationsand maintenance services and now onto Anaerobic Digestion, Fossil Fuel FreeShips, Landfill Gas and most recentlydeveloping an Energy Storage solution forboth on and offshore intermittent powergeneration, B9 is involved in virtuallythe whole range of renewable powergeneration options.First Flight WindPerhaps most excitingly for the future, B9is part of the First Flight Wind collaborationwith Dong Energy and RES that has beengranted offshore wind farm developmentrights off the County Down coast.The company’s head office is in Larne– half an hour up the coast from BelfastHarbour, the site of the first purposebuiltoffshore wind installation and preassemblyharbour in the UK or Irelanddeveloped at a cost of £50 million andnow leased to their partner Dong Energy.The company is planning to open its ownsatellite office in Belfast Harbour in thecoming months.Ambitious future plansThese are exciting times for the company,over the past twelve months it hasbeen making significant changes in itsmanagement, designed to invigorate thecompany and to take it forward as itscore onshore market trebles in size overthe next 5 years with the offshore marketdeveloping even more rapidly.A six month programme involving 13 ofthe company’s most senior personnelhas been developing plans to enhance itsproduct offering to deliver a greater depthof service in its current markets and tobroaden its capabilities allowing it to lookfurther afield, particularly offshore.Solid foundations for growthRecently appointed Managing Director, IanHaugh, believes the company is well placedto face the challenges that come withbeing involved in such an attractive sectorand that the company’s two decades inwind energy provide a great foundation onwhich to build successfully: “The outcomeof the work the management group hasbeen doing is that we have liberated ahuge amount of talent existing withinthe company without losing any of theexperience and wisdom of those whobuilt it in the first place.“We have a great heritage and ourcommitment to renewable energy isunrivalled, we are building on that andrefocusing on the way the market isevolving to ensure we offer our clientswhat they want when they want it. Wehave begun to engage with our clientsand other industry related organisationsmuch more profoundly, developing apartnership based business model.”CollaborationOne such partnership is with BelfastMetropolitan College. Recognisingthe increasing demand for skilledlabour B9 and Belfast MetropolitanCollege have combined their industrialand academic expertise, to providea training environment that promotesthe development of wind energy skillsand knowledge. The partnership beganwith an Assured Skills and CustomisedTraining programme which includes thedelivery of a Level 2 and Level 3 vocationalDiplomas in Wind Turbine Operation andMaintenance.This collaboration has created trainingsolutions for the wider wind sector whichcan add value to offshore wind operations inNorthern Ireland in general and has enabledB9 in particular to offer experienced, welltrained technicians to the pre-assembly andcommissioning operations currently takingplace in Belfast Harbour.B9 Energywww.b9energy.co.ukLargest independent wind farmO&M service providerA founding member of the Global WindAlliance, B9 Energy O&M Ltd is theB9 company that provides wind farmoperation, maintenance and managementservices and in the two decades since itwas formed it has become the UK andIreland’s largest independent wind farmO&M service provider, operating over 500turbines for a range of major utility owners,OEMs and large scale private owners,including financial institutions.Growth in wind energyThe company has recently signedcontracts for two new wind farmsin Scotland and Cornwall and areanticipating further growth in each ofEngland, Ireland, Scotland and Walesin the remainder of 2013. These newcontracts will push the B9 Energyoperated and maintained figure beyond600MW by the end of this year.66www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorspotlight on IrelandFirst Flight Windappoints ABPmer toundertake PhysicalProcess AssessmentFirst Flight Wind Ltd, a consortium made up of B9Energy, DONG Energy and RES, has appointed ABPmerto undertake physical process studies to support theEnvironmental Impact Assessment of the first offshorewind farm planned off the coast of County Down inNorthern Ireland. The proposed 600MW wind farm willbe located within the Wind Resource Zone in the IrishSea and will be at least 8km off the County Down coast.Project detailThe company will advise on metocean requirements and providebaseline site characterisation to inform the impact assessment ofthe offshore wind development and the associated export cablethat is necessary for the planning application. The study will beinformed by data collected from two wave measuring buoys andassociated instrumentation to be deployed within the WRZ laterthis year.OpportunityBill Cooper, ABPmer Managing Director said: “We are delightedto be given the opportunity to work with First Flight Wind. Wehave undertaken many similar assessments for the offshorewind industry and recognise that our physical process studiesprovide an important contribution to many other EIA topics,such as the human and biological environments, by offeringthe basis of describing relevant physical impacts on theirassociated receptors.”Dr Carolyn Heeps, Project Development Manager of First FlightWind said: “As part of the Environmental Impact Assessment,First Flight Wind will undertake a suite of surveys within theWind Resource Zone and assess the potential impacts of thisoffshore wind farm. It is therefore crucial that all the surveys arerobust. We are pleased to appoint ABPmer who will carry outthe Physical Process Assessment as they are very experiencedin this field of study having worked on many other UK offshorewind farm projects.”Industry experienceABPmer is a leading UK marine environmental consultancyproviding specialist services to the marine renewable, portand maritime industry sectors. The company has undertakenphysical process studies, metocean analysis and strategicresearch for the offshore wind sector since 1999, deliveringover 180 technical reports to more than 30 separate offshorewind projects around the United Kingdom.ABPmerwww.abpmer.co.ukAre you looking for a specialistservice supplier with experience inthe wind energy industry?With 1200+ companies listed, it is the websiteto find an expertClick to viewmore infoTheCommunicationHub for theWind EnergyIndustrywww.windenergynetwork.co.uk67

Spotlight on Irelandfeature sponsorAt the forefront of education andtraining in Northern IrelandBelfast Metropolitan College is thelargest single provider of vocationaleducation and training in NorthernIreland meeting the educationaland training needs of a diverserange of individuals, companies andcommunities in the greater Belfast area.The college recognises the significanceof further education, vocational trainingand lifelong learning in promoting socialdevelopment through their curriculumand work closely with Invest NI and theDepartment for Employment and Learning.This ensures our engagements with industryare aligned with strategies to embed keyeconomic policy, developing the college’scapability to be a driver for local, sub-regionaland regional development, collaboratingwith key stakeholders to provide a flexibleapproach to skills demands.Wind sector skills requirementIn support of the burgeoning wind sector skillsrequirement, Belfast Metropolitan Collegeand B9 Energy combined their industrialand academic expertise to provide a trainingenvironment that promotes the developmentof wind energy skills and knowledge.Unique collaborationThis unique and dynamic collaborationbegan in 2011 with Belfast Met formulatingthe development of a three phase strategyto meet projected recruitment demandsin the short, medium and long term. B9Energy, the largest independent operatorof wind farms across the UK and Ireland,with 49 sites and 750 turbines undercontract, recognised the added value offormally accrediting technical training andstaff development.The strategic training programmes, alignedto B9 Energy operations deliver a robustquality assurance system, demonstrates thecompetence of their workforce and providesconfidence to existing and potential clients intheir ability to meet contractual obligations.B9 Energy is proactive in working withengineering staff from Belfast MetropolitanCollege to produce training programmesthat integrate and emulate the keyelements of wind turbine technology, whileBelfast Metropolitan College engineeringstaff complete all relevant health andsafety training and spend significantperiods of industrial secondment with B9Energy technicians, to fully understand thechallenges faced by wind operatives.Meeting customer needsShane Mawhinney, Director of B9Energy said “Our aim is to meet thecustomer’s needs at every level, and atB9 we take pride in attracting, developingand retaining highly talented, motivatedindividuals to uphold our reputation forexcellence. B9 operatives are assessedagainst National Occupational Standards,reinforcing our commitment to quality andstaff development.”68www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorspotlight on IrelandGovernment supportThe Department of Employment andLearning support the collaborationproviding funding to develop the capacityto support B9 Energy through thedelivery of Level 2 and Level 3 vocationalDiplomas in Wind Turbine Operation andMaintenance and a level 3 TechnicalCertificate which is now an integral part ofwind apprenticeship frameworks.Innovative solutionsBelfast Met and B9 Energy are at theforefront of innovative solutions inassessing competence in this sectorwith B9 Energy embracing strategies tointegrate their experience, training senioroperatives as work based assessors,becoming an integral part of theassessment process.This pioneering work developed by BelfastMetropolitan College and B9 Energy hasbeen successfully piloted for the last twoyears across the UK and Ireland, currentlypromoted by the National Skills Academy asa model for the sector. Belfast Met and B9Energy will assist DONG Energy to embedthis robust quality assurance mechanisminto their apprenticeship programme, linkingup with Swale Skills Centre to deliver theindustry standard City & Guilds Level 3Electrical Power Engineering Wind TurbineTechnical Certificate and the Level 2 &3 Wind Turbine Vocational Diplomas inInstallation and Commissioning & Operationand Maintenance.Training investmentInvestment in training and continuingprofessional development is a prerequisitefor success in today’s businessenvironment and our mission is to providetraining that promotes the development ofskills and knowledge in the wind sector.Through innovation in the delivery of ourtraining programmes and collaborationwith industry with students from ourrenewable energy courses recently gainingexperience with Offshore Wind Force atthe DONG Energy logistics and assemblyfacility in Belfast Harbour.Economic development projectIn September 2012 the college launched anew £18M economic development projecte3, a state-of-the-art BREEAM excellentstandard training facility, incorporating andshowcasing the latest in renewable energyand energy management technologies.The new e3 renewable workshops aredesigned to emulate current industrypractice and the training portfolio catersfor a range of wind energy technicalsupport including…• Control and Instrumentation• Electrical and Electronic Engineering• Fluid Power – Hydraulic andPneumatic• Mechanical Engineering• Aeronautical Engineering• Civil Engineering• Composites Manufacture and Repair(Blade Repair Techniques)• Metal Fabrication, Welding/Inspection• NDTCommitmentBelfast Met is committed to theadvancement of skills in the wind energysector and understands the value ofproviding access to equipment andtechnical expertise to provide a wide rangeof sector specific training programmesthrough their partners in the Energy SkillsTraining Network.The college works closely with the NationalSkills Academy for Power, Energy and UtilitySkills and the Renewable Training Networkas an integral part of the national forum toprovide technical training for the sector.Working togetherEnergy and Utility Skills, the Sector SkillsCouncil responsible for the developmentof the Wind Turbine qualifications, havebeen working closely with the course teamat the college.Joanne Sykes, NI Engagement Managersaid “The partnership between B9 energyand Belfast Metropolitan College providesan innovative solution to meet the skillsdemand within the energy sector. EU Skillsare encouraged by the progress, followingon from the work carried out to developthe National Occupational Standards.”Belfast Metropolitan Collegewww.belfastmet.ac.ukwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk69

Spotlight on Irelandfeature sponsorAnother new UK office forCEI Collins Engineers LtdArmed with a specialised set ofcapabilities that includes underwaterstructural assessments performedby engineer-divers, and above waterinspections performed using ropeaccess technicians, Collins providesengineering services to a varietyof energy infrastructure agenciesworldwide, serves within numeroustechnical working groups and belongsto industry organisations includingADC(UK), COPRI Marine RenewableEnergy Committee (TechnicalSubcommittees for Structures,Environment Loadings, and Risk/Reliability), and ACI InternationalCommittee on Offshore and MarineConcrete Structures.Additionally, the company has over thirtyengineers trained in drilled shaft designand inspection through the NationalHighway Institute.New officeCollins has opened an office in GreaterManchester adding to its longstandingoffices in Dublin, Belfast, and 18 otherlocations worldwide.Key services include…• Rope access examinations by IRATAqualified inspectors• Underwater engineering with engineerdivers• Underwater acoustic imaging,providing the unique ability to showclients an overall 3-D model of exactlywhat divers saw or felt below water,regardless of water clarity• Asset management databasedevelopment and training/manualdevelopmentStructure Assessments (RopeAccess, Underwater Diving, andImaging)The company has undertaken structuralassessments of renewable energystructures and is looking forward tobroadening its client list with its otherservices as well, such as underwater 3-Dhigh resolution imaging to provide ownerssignificant value in monitoring submergedconditions before, during and afterinstallation for warranty, certification, andscour monitoring purposes.Collins has used a variety of nondestructivetesting methods and hasdeveloped training worldwide on marinestructure design, assessment and repairtopics. This offers flexibility in its inspectionservices, offering both underwater andabove water capabilities that employengineer-divers.Asset ManagementOften, the company’s services includeassembling structure inventory data intopurpose built databases that manageinspection and maintenance records bystoring data and photographs, allowingsorting by user-specified characteristics,and having the capability to print one-pagesummaries of each structure.The service also provides a simplebut powerful algorithm for prioritisingmaintenance and repair operations basedon the condition of the structure and itsrole in the overall system. These databasescan be modified and customised to meetany special requirements of an agencyto co-ordinate the data with other assetmanagement systems.Case studySSE (Airtricity) Wind Turbine FoundationInspection Training DevelopmentCollins was commissioned to developand conduct a comprehensive two-daywind turbine foundation inspection trainingcourse for the owner’s engineering andoperations staff. The training was designedto introduce a formalised inspectionprogram for foundations throughout theworld. The training covered all aspects ofthe design, construction, and inspectionof foundations and mast towers, andincluded, but was not limited to…• Principles of wind turbine foundationdesign• Properties of materials - concrete, steel• Typical modes of failure on towersystems• The inspection process of windsystems/tower systems (duties andresponsibilities of the inspector):• Planning inspection programs• Inventory collection• Principal, routine, and special inspections• Prioritisation/reporting• Repair and rehabilitation• On-site application of inspectionproceduresCEI Collins Engineers Ltdwww.ceicollinsengr.com70www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorspotlight on IrelandOrmonde Offshore Wind FarmThe Ormonde Offshore Wind Farmis located 10km off Barrow-In-Furness, in the Irish Sea. The windfarm comprises 30 RePower 5MWwind turbines producing 150MWof power, and 1 substation. This issufficient to supply the equivalentof approximately 100,000 homes peryear with clean power. The turbinescover an area of 8.7km2 in total.Foundation descriptionThe 31 four-legged steel jackets weresecured to the sea bed by their four mainlegs which were inserted into pre-drivenpiles. To form the connection between theleg and pre-driven piles, cement grout wasinjected into the annulus around the pileand stab-in-leg. Each leg had a primaryand secondary grout line through whichgrout could be pumped.Unlike the grout hose connection system onan oil & gas jacket, the Ormonde jackets’grout connectors were located on the jackettransition deck, which made for speedierhose connections and disconnections whenmoving between the installations.The Ormonde project was the first largescaleproject of its kind in Europe to usejacket-type or space-frame foundations. Thechoice of a particular type of foundation isnormally a decision based on a number offactors surrounding the site conditions andhow the entire installed system interactswith these local conditions; this is one of thereasons why in some instances it is possiblefor one project to have a mix of foundationtypes.AdvantagesOne consequence of adopting a spaceframedesign for the foundation is thatit opens up the possibility of using anOrdinary Portland type cement. Theadvantages of using this type of cement,apart from its lower cost per tonnethan the materials normally associatedwith offshore wind, is in its ability to bedelivered and used offshore in silos. Thisdelivery option will increase the efficiencyof the offshore installation process throughboth faster mixing, and enabling thegrouting vessel to stay on-site longer bystoring more material. This is seen byFoundOcean, and generally accepted bythe industry, as being a major factor incontributing towards the cost target of£100/MWh.The mixing systemThe Ormonde project was the first project,later followed by Thornton Bank and thenBorkum West II, where this opportunitypresented itself. The cement was storedin 50-tonne bulk pressurised silos beforebeing delivered to a surge tank above themixer. Water was delivered to the mixersystem from the vessel’s firemain.Engineer’s PerspectiveJohn Paul O’Sullivan, Senior ProjectEngineer at FoundOcean said, “It wasexciting for FoundOcean to be a part ofthe Ormonde offshore wind farm, it wasthe first project of its kind to use multiplejacket foundations in European waters.“At times the installation process washalted due to poor weather, but thecrucial phase was completed within thetimeframe and before the winter weatherhad a chance to affect the project. Wegrouted 123 of 124 annuli in accordancewith offshore grouting procedures setby FoundOcean. One annulus wascompleted using standard contingencyprocedures.We were pleased with the finaloutcome and the project went on towin the Large Project Award at theinaugural RenewableUK Energy Awards2012. Together with Offshore DesignEngineering Ltd, REpower and Vattenfall,we were recognised for our exceptionalachievement in constructing theOrmonde Offshore Wind Farm.”FoundOceanwww.foundocean.comClick to view more info= Click to view videowww.windenergynetwork.co.uk71

Spotlight on Irelandfeature sponsorPowerteamplugs in £3.6mwind farmOne of Ireland’s fastestgrowing high voltage (HV)electrical design and buildcompanies Powerteam, a whollyowned subsidiary of ESB, is inthe final stages of completingthe £3.6m electrical Substationconstruction and fit out forthe Athea wind farm in CountyLimerick.The wind farm, located to the north ofAbbeyfeale, close to the village of Athea,will add a further 34MW of wind capacityto SSE’s portfolio, bringing its totaloperational wind farm capacity in Irelandto over 500MW.ResponsibilitiesPowerteam was responsible for theelectrical design of the substation whichwill connect the 16 turbine wind farm to theelectricity grid, procurement of equipment,civil engineering work, installation ofelectrical equipment, commissioning andtesting of installed equipment and overallproject management.Alastair Dawson, Managing Director,Powerteam said: “The Athea project is ourseventh wind farm project for SSE andour 42nd wind farm project in the UK andIreland. Those 42 wind farms representenough renewable energy to power morethan 675,000 homes for a whole year.“During construction Powerteamemployed 25 people and helped boostthe economies of nearby towns byworking with various local suppliers.”Ireland’s national targetAthea and other SSE wind farms locatedin West Limerick, will help towardsachieving Ireland’s national target of40% renewables by 2020 and the EU’smandatory 20% reduction in carbonemissions.Alastair concluded: “We are delighted tobe part of the Athea project which buildsupon our relationship with SSE both inthe UK and Ireland. It is also pleasingto be nearing completion of the Atheaproject having completed similar workon the Dromada wind farm in 2010, alsofor SSE Renewables, a few miles fromAthea.”Project progressSeamus Lynch, SSE RenewablesProject Manager for Athea Wind Farm,commented: “Over the coming monthswe’ll be assembling the remainingThe Global Wind Alliance providing O&Mservices– whatever way you want itThe Global Wind Alliance (GWA)operates as a virtual corporation,providing operation and maintenanceservices for wind farms. It isheadquartered in Northern Ireland andhas 12 member companies from acrossIreland, UK and mainland Europe.Well establishedThe GWA is well established in this fieldwith each of the member companiesbeing specialists in their own range ofservices. As the wind industry matures,the dependency on OEMs to provide allthe knowledge and support for wind farmowners is changing but it is good to knowthat the jump from an OEM to an ISP doesnot have to be made in one go. It can bedone progressively, balancing risk andreward. Examples of this can be seen insome of the recent solutions that GWAmembers have provided to owners.UK’s First suspended platformfor blade repairBlade experts, Renewable Advice,were called in when a blade defect wasobserved during a scheduled service,but the OEM was unable to schedulea suitable time to undertake the repair.Renewable Advice, who have the UK’sfirst suspended platform for blade repairs,was on site within 72 hours and a repairon both the inside and outside of theblade was successfully carried out on thecrack which was completely through thesandwich structure of the blade shell.Gearbox inspections justifyinvestmentIndependent service providers are oftenused for end of warranty inspections,Stork Technical Services demonstratedthe value of these inspections when theyperformed gearbox inspections on a sitewith 40 turbines recently.To minimise the costs,the owner chose to havejust 10 of the turbinesinspected. The first 9were in good shape,but the 10th showedmain bearing damage.Undetected, this wouldhave incurred costs ofalmost €500K for theowner. Stork were thencontracted to inspect allthe remaining gearboxesin the wind farm and 2more gearboxes werediscovered with majorgear problems. Thishighlights the importanceof end of warrantyinspections as an activitynot to be overlooked.72www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorspotlight on Irelandturbines and we aim to complete thehandover of Athea to our SSE generationcolleagues by December 2013. Whencompleted, SSE’s Co. Limerick windfarms will have a combined generationcapacity of 68MW, producing enoughenergy to power up to 350000 homes.”Future projectsPowerteam are currently working on anumber of other wind farm projects in the UKand Ireland together with various large scaleelectrical infrastructure projects for customerssuch as Scottish Power, Northern Powergrid,Electricity North West and SSE.Powerteamwww.powerteam.eu.comImage – L to R; John Ferris, Powerteam;Ghislain Demeuldre, ConstructionsManager SSER and Seamus Lynch,Construction Project Manager, SSERP&O Create 20% more time in theworking dayWhen the owners of the Lynn and InnerDowsing offshore wind farm were lookingfor an offshore solution to support theirtechnicians, P&O responded rapidlywith the conversion of the EuropeanSeaway. The vessel provided an offshoreplatform with accommodation for upto 140 technicians, avoiding the usualone-hour shuttle journey each way fromthe harbour. The large decks enabledadditional services, such as divingsupport, to be easily added improving theoverall efficiency of the service.Six of the GWA members are NorthernIreland companies, and three of these - B9Energy O&M, Bartons Industrial and AvexLtd - are highlighted in separate articleswithin this Spotlight on Ireland feature.Future industry growthWith wind installations forecast to grow byan average of 15% per year until at least2016, the future looks bright. Howeverour industry has not been immune to theeconomic recession.SupportUncertainty is coming into the industryas governments in Spain, Greece, Italyand even Germany threaten to introducechanges to thetax or tariffsthat will reducethe revenue ofwind farms. Inthis climate ofuncertainty, theGWA can supportwind farm ownersby offering costeffective services.And asmentionedearlier – the keymessage is thatthe jump froman OEM to anISP does nothave to be made in one go. The risk canbe managed by making the transitionin stages, balancing risk and reward toachieve an improved overall return.Global Wind Alliancewww.globalwindalliance.comwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk73

Spotlight on Irelandfeature sponsorNewinnovativethinking onscour byEDFEDF select “Kyowa Filter Units” formonopile scour protection on TeessideOffshore Wind Farm (TOWF)Ridgeway Renewables have successfullysupplied the first “Kyowa Filter Units”from Japanese manufacturer SumishoKyowa Limited for offshore wind turbinemonopile scour protection in Europe.Using a combination of the 4 & 8 tonnetype units filled with specific aggregate ina circular formation around the monopile,engineers were able to achieve toughTurnkey installationcontractorEDF Energy Renewables awardedspecialist engineering and solutionscompany, Marske Site Services (MSS) thevital role of turnkey installationcontractor for the placement ofthe Filter Units. From this pointRidgeway Renewables weresub-contracted to supply andfill the filter units at the Port ofSunderland.Collaboration andco-operationMSS utilised the 7000tesubsea construction vessel, theMaersk Responder to safelyand accurately place the scourprotection in the Tees Bay. Thisrepresented a tremendousexample of businesscollaboration and co-operationto move a project like this alongat a pace faster than normallyassociated with the largestprojects in this sector.Team effortStephen Kane, MD of RidgewayRenewables, said “It took a significantamount of team effort to make thisproject happen and we are particularlydesign criteria set for sea and waveconditions. Filter Units offer virtuallyno-maintenancescour performanceprotection by having a flexible structure.They are easy, safe and fast to installand are made from 61% recycled waterbottles and offer a natural eco habitat formarine life when installed.Working togetherRidgeway worked closely with thedeveloper EDF Energy and the consultingengineer Ramboll, who were responsiblefor the scour protection design. Followingmany meetings with the design engineersand the TOWF project management teamthe green light was given to utilise theinnovative solution for scour protection on11 of the 27 turbines.LogisticsWith a limited working window, Ridgewayalong with their quarries and fillingcontractor mobilised on site within daysat The Port of Sunderland, commencingthe filling operation on 18th March andcompleting in exactly one month. Duringthis time Ridgeway and MSS maintainedand operated a strict health and safetyprotocol on site working to the arrangeddates to complete the quantity of filterunits required to follow the vesselinstallation schedule.The MSS Engineering team mobilised thevessel, coming up with a unique solutionfor safely transporting an extra-largeload of filter bags, which combined witha 50% improvement in the time taken tocomplete each monopile.pleased that collectively all businessescame together to deliver the projectahead of schedule and to thesatisfaction of our clients.”John McCullagh, MD of MSS, alsocommented “Ridgeway and their friendsfrom Japan have been great to workwith. Together they’ve played a keyrole in establishing the benefits of thisunique scour protection system overtraditional rock dump and concretemethods into the market and havebeen instrumental in persuading theclient and their design team to runwith the system. They have provedtheir capability on the filling site in anefficient, safe and professional manner.We see a great future ahead for thisproduct and the team now established.”On completion of the work EDF EnergyRenewables Project Manager TimBland thanked the team at MSS for the“brilliantly executed job.”Ridgeway Renewableswww.ridgeway-online.com74www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorspotlight on IrelandNorthern Irelandcelebrates World Wind Day 2013with Simple PowerTo mark GlobalWind Day 2013recently,NorthernIreland windenergy company,Simple Power,hosted a seriesof events tocelebrate thepower of natureat its singlewind turbineson farmsthroughout theregion.Worldwide eventGlobal Wind Day is a worldwide eventthat occurs annually on 15 June and tocelebrate the growth of wind energy inNorthern Ireland, Simple Power gaveinteractive tours of its single wind turbinesto schools throughout the region .The children were shown how thecompany uses wind to contribute torenewable energy generation, helpthe environment and support the ruraleconomy by turning farmer’s land into anadditional source of income.Medium scale windSimple Power believes medium scalewind development has a very importantrole to play in creating a new electricitymarket in Northern Ireland. It isrecognised as one of the key opportunityareas for economic growth with windenergy currently delivering a real dividendin terms of jobs and over 4,000 peopleare currently employed in the NorthernIreland wind energy sector.The onshore wind industry has thepotential to contribute almost £1millionannually to the Northern Ireland economy,whilst the overall potential annual value ofthe renewable energy market is estimatedto be almost £2billion per annum by 2020.PartnershipsSimple Power works in partnership withlandowners and farmers and is on targetto develop a minimum of 200 singlewind turbines of 250kW across NorthernIreland over the next four years.Simple Powerwww.simplepower.cowww.windenergynetwork.co.uk75

Spotlight on Irelandfeature sponsorA unique opportunityIreland has potentially the bestoffshore wind resource in Europe,having over 10 times its land mass interritorial waters.ForesightOrganisations and investors haveenvisaged the island as a wind energyhub for many years, this is reflected in theprominent role Ireland will play inthe proposed European Supergrid,a renewable energy project thataims to decarbonise Europe overthe next four decades, with Irelandand the UK leading the way in theinitial phases of construction.SupergridThe Supergrid is likely to build onthe energy bridge between the UKand Ireland which will see Dublinalone try to export up to 5,000mwdaily to the UK by 2020. Thisagreement could pave the way forthe building of extensive clustersof wind farms throughout the Irishmidlands and off the country’scoast to supply power directly toour European neighbours.Not only will this help Ireland reach its2020 target of producing 16% of itsoverall energy usage from renewablesources, but it will also provide crucialstimulus for a crisis hit economy. Irelandcurrently has a much greater renewableenergy resource than it can currentlyutilise or that it can accept into a smallisland system, this prospect could meanproposed annual export revenue of up to2.5 billion euro for 25 years as well as apotential 40,000 manufacturing jobs.Skills shortageHowever with this potential for jobcreation it is important to evaluate thelong term future of the renewable labourmarket and with the proposals mentionedabove at such an advanced stage thewind energy sector current threat is ashortage of relevant skills.Roughly 2,200 people currently work in theIrish wind energy industry, these positionsrange between initial phase workers suchas wind analyst and design engineers,to construction engineers and projectengineers and after completion turbinetechnicians and maintenance engineers.68% of the industry’s staff work inconstruction and this is expected toincrease with the proposals infrastructurerequirements. Furthermore every yearthere are significant numbers of highcalibre professionals retiring from therenewable energy candidate pool andthere is an ever increasing shortage ofexperienced professionals for key roles.Cathy McCorryOver the next 5-10 years around 25 percent of the industries most experiencedengineers are expected to retire andthere is an insufficient amount of talent toreplace the void they will leave in termsof skills and experience. This situationis anticipated to worsen even furtherto a severe shortage, when the extentof energy innovation and infrastructurereplacement that is required is taken intoaccount.Attracting the right peopleThe renewables industry in general hasalways faced stiff competition from moretraditional energy source providers, inparticular the oil and gas industry whocan offer large salaries and attractivebonus packages. For this reason thewind industry does not attract as manycandidates from disciplines such aselectrical, mechanical and designengineering.In addition, the lack of large multinationalwind organisations offering graduateprogrammes in comparison to its moreaffluent & developed energy divisioncompetitors, often resulting in theseskilled people emigrating for careeradvancement.Addressing the situationIt is now paramount that Ireland addressesthis situation and works towards a futurethat sees highly skilled candidates enteringthe wind sector. Initial projects andcourses are now available to try and attractskilled personnel to enter the wind industryin Ireland, with post grad courses nowopen for registration not only in RenewableEnergy, but also Wind Energy Technology.The latter of these courses is aimed atpeople who are out of work with relevantengineering experience and arepursuing a career in the windindustry.ProjectsThere is no doubt that theEnergy Bridge project andSupergrid project will be positiveenhancement for a slow Irisheconomy, but to ensure that theirfull potential is met it is importantthat proper measures are in placeto ensure that the skilled staff areavailable.It is key that the decision makersrecognise a need to replace theprofessionals leaving the industrywith skilled, knowledgeabletalent to ensure these skills andcompetencies are retained withinthe industry, in addition to having thecorrect retention strategies in place toensure long term sustainability and growth.Recruitment specialistsCathy McCorry, Managing Directorof Xellient International RecruitmentSpecialists commented “The skillshortage is indeed a challenge for manycompanies and having the right mix ofskills and experience is critical for theirsuccess. Xellient work closely with ourclients to source skills and expertisefrom all over the world for positionsthey have. We specialise in sourcingthese hard to find and sometimes rareskill sets and with our advanced talentmapping techniques we constantlytrack the skills and capabilities of activeand passive job seekers on a broaderscale to secure relevant talent. We areprivileged to be supporting a numberof local companies involved in theRenewable Energy Sector in utilisingthis data to source particular skillsfor crucial roles that ultimately will beimperative for their continued growthand success.”Xellient Internationalwww.xellient.com76www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorspotlight on IrelandSmartBayIrelandSmartBay is Ireland’s national marineTest & Demonstration facility for OceanEnergy devices, and novel sensors &equipment. SmartBay Ireland providesfacility’s for industry and universityresearchers alike which includes anetwork of sensors, buoys, cablesand shore based platforms providinga range of opportunities to trial andshowcase new concepts, technologiesand solutions in a real worldenvironment.Planning for Irelands SubseaObservatorySmartBay Ireland, Marine Institute,Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre(HMRC) and the Sustainable EnergyAuthority of Ireland (SEAI) have receivedan award from the SEAI to install a powerand data cable from Spiddal pier inGalway Bay, extending to SEAI’s quarterscale ocean energy test site 4.5 kilometreseast of the pier.The cable itself will carry 400volts and highspeed data communications via 10 pairsof optical fibres. The cable will be buriedfrom the school to the pier in Spiddal andwill then be installed by a cable ship fromthe pier to the test site.The facilitySmartBay Ireland has been in discussionswith Mallin Consultants regardingthe specifications and constructionrequirements involved in the purposedsub-sea power and data cable and shorestation. SmartBay Ireland will manage thefacility on behalf of the Marine Institute.Proposed power and data cable route from Spiddalpier to Spiddal test site at Marine InstituteCork Buoy DeploymentSmartBay Ireland worked closely withkey stakeholders in Cork under theIMERC cluster on the deployment of aSmartBay Marine Technology Platform.This SmartBay data buoy is equipped withsensors to support operational monitoringof local weather, wave and environmentalconditions and to facilitate a number ofresearch projects in Cork Harbour.Ocean Energy Prototype at Spiddaltest site at Ocean EnergyJohn Breslin, General Manager said “Thesuccessful deployment of the buoy,integration of sensors and transmission ofdata is the result of co-operation betweenSmartBay Ireland and its collaboratingpartners in the Port of Cork, the IrishNaval Service and the Halpin Centre forResearch and Innovation.“We now look forward to developing andsupporting a number of multi-disciplinaryresearch projects and training initiativeswith Beaufort Research, University CollegeCork and Galway Mayo Institute ofTechnology, which will utilise this buoy tocollect and disseminate data from multiplesensors deployed on this platform.”SmartBay Irelandwww.smartbay.ieCork Buoy Deployment ‘Leaving the Naval baseat Haulbowline’ at SmartBaywww.windenergynetwork.co.uk77

Spotlight on Irelandfeature sponsorCapital Dynamicsinvests in NorthernIreland wind farmCapital Dynamics, a globalprivate asset manager recentlyannounced that it has investedin a 21-megawatt (MW) onshorewind farm project in NorthernIreland.Dunmore wind farmCapital Dynamics holds a 100%ownership stake in the project called theDunmore wind farm and has commencedconstruction of the project securing a 15-year agreement with a major UK powerretailer for the purchase of the energyproduced by the seven turbine scheme.This means investors will begin receivingsteady streams of income immediatelyupon completion of the project andcommencement of power generation,both of which are expected in the firstquarter of 2014.PartnershipCapital Dynamics has partnered withhighly experienced wind developer TCIRenewables, whose specialist onshorewind development activities span GreatBritain, Ireland and North America. Theproject is fully complemented by a 15-yearwarranty, operation and maintenancecontract with Danish turbine supplierVestas Wind Systems.“All Island” electricity marketThe Dunmore wind farm is situated justeight kilometers from the North Seacoast, near Limavady in County Derry,one of the highest wind speed locationsin all of Europe. The project also benefitsfrom exposure to the single “All Island”electricity market between NorthernIreland and the Republic of Ireland.The “All Island” electricity market hascommitted to delivering 40% of its totalelectricity supply from renewable energysources by 2020, the majority of which isexpected to be supplied by wind power.“The Dunmore wind farm is anoutstanding wind power project with verystrong fundamentals in its location, bothin proximity to the grid and a robust windsupply.” said Rory Quinlan, ManagingDirector in the Clean Energy andInfrastructure team at Capital Dynamics.“Using well-proven Vestas V90 turbines,this clean energy investment will offer ourinvestors attractive cash yields year-onyearunder a 15-year sales contract withone of Ireland’s leading energy suppliers.Our team has significant experience inonshore wind power in the UK, addingvalue throughout the construction andlong-term operation phase.”Clean Energy programme“We are delighted to have made aninvestment in such a compelling windpower project and in such a strategiclocation,” said Stefan Ammann, CEOof Capital Dynamics. “With this latestdirect investment in renewable energy,our Clean Energy and Infrastructureprogram continues to gain momentum.We expect to make further investmentsin high-quality clean energy projects overthe coming months, offering strong andstable cash returns.”Capital Dynamicswww.capdyn.com78www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorspotlight on IrelandGlobal WindAlliance membernow deals withup to 275kv linesAvex Cable Jointing Ltd is based in Northern Ireland andprovides cable jointing expertise for the UK and Irelandmarket who are members of the Global Wind AllianceSpecialist serviceThe company provides this specialist service as part of theoverall O&M services offered by the GWA. They have recentlybroadened their service offering to include Extra High Voltage(EHV) jointing and terminating up to 275kV.TRANSFORMINGTHE FUTUREHarland and Wolff are bringing 150 years ofshipbuilding experience to the design of bothHV/AC and HV/DC offshore windfarm substations.FEaTurIng EuropE’s LargEsT dry dock4 ISO 9001 4 ISO 14001 4 OHSAS 18001Growing demandThis development was driven by a growing demand for EHVjointing capability for new build wind farms and associatedsubstation upgrades. This required considerable investment inmanpower and equipment.New EHV teamThe new EHV jointing team joins Avex’s existing HV jointingteams, which provides cable jointing and testing services up to33kV for new build wind farms throughout the UK and Ireland.For existing wind farm operators, Avex can provide emergencycable fault location, repair and testing services.Avex Cable Jointing Ltdwww.globalwindalliance.comHarland and WolffHeavy Industries LtdQueen’s Island, BelfastBT3 9DU, Northern IrelandT: +44 (0) 28 9045 8456M: +44 (0) 7976 897 850E: LawrenceC@harland-wolff.comwww.harland-wolff.comwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk79

Spotlight on Irelandfeature sponsorSpecialist training for the growingwind energy sectorARCH is leading the field in the provision of work at height and rescue training forthe wind energy sector in Northern Ireland. The company is the first and only workat height training provider based in Northern Ireland to have achieved accreditationfrom RenewableUK and Global Wind Organisation, the industry bodies for the windenergy sector, for the delivery of Working at Height and Rescue – Wind Turbinestraining.safety personnel who have undertakenrigorous safety training in rope access,height safety, first aid and rescuetechniques. Their work has includedsupporting blade inspection and repairof blades on onshore and offshore windIndustry specific requirementsThis accredited training course has beendeveloped with the wind energy industryto meet the requirements of thoseundertaking operations and maintenancework in wind turbines, and covers thesafety and competence required forpersonnel working at height and rescuetechniques. The course applies to bothonshore and offshore wind energyactivities.Training facilitiesARCH delivers the training from its trainingfacility in Co. Fermanagh and also deliverstraining throughout the UK and Ireland atonshore and offshore wind turbine sites.To support offshore wind installation workbased in Belfast, the company has anew training facility at Ridgeway centrallylocated at Belfast Harbour.Safety paramountTo ensure the safety of personnel andaddress risks associated with hub, bladeand T-piece access, they deliver advancedaccess and rescue and rope accesstraining.A range of supporting skills training is alsoprovided including manual handling, firesafety, first aid and emergency responseplanning.Contracting servicesIn addition to training delivery, thecompany provides rope accesscontracting services; the team hasundertaken specialised rigging, safetyand rescue cover services at wind turbinesites in Estonia, France, Poland, Sweden,Scotland, Spain and Wales.Remote locationsTheir work is undertaken at heights ofup to 100M in remote locations, and isundertaken by rope access and heightturbines, and installation and dismantlingof 80M high masts used to measureweather conditions on proposed windfarm sites.Leading the wayARCH is recognised as a leader in therope access industry due to the highstandard of safety training and experienceof its team, and also having beensuccessfully audited as a Full CompanyMember by IRATA International – theIndustrial Rope Access Trade Association.As a result of ARCH’s safety expertise,leading international wind energy cansafely address their maintenancerequirements using industrial rope access.ARCHwww.archsafety.com80www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorspotlight on IrelandSafetransferat RobinRiggoffshorewind farmBarton Industrial Services’ designand installation teams working forclient, E.On UK Ltd were contractedto supplying a reliable and innovativesolution regarding the safe transferfrom boat to ladders at Robin Rigg offshorewind farm.Harsh conditionsWorking in harsh conditions at sea, theirteam of highly trained technicians installed64 vessel to pile transfer LatchwaysSealed Self Retractable Lifelines (SRLs) onladders which entailed hoisting tailor-madeposts using a davit crane onto a platform,securing the posts to the ladders withspecial fixing kits, attaching the SRLs tothe posts and testing the systems.Worker protectionThe company’s solution ensured thatthe user is protected from falling whenaccessing the external turbine ladder fromthe transfer vessel.Equipment specificationThe continuous loop tetherline system allows the SRLattachment point to be easilyaccessible from the boat in anytidal conditions. The Sealed SRLemploys patented frictionlessbraking technology known asConstant Force. This brakingmechanism has no moving partsand will not go out of adjustmentor require recalibration for thelifespan of the product. With itsATEX approval and IP69k rating,it is perfectly suited for the harshenvironment experienced onoffshore wind farms.Impressed by the solution andthe quality of our workmanship,E.On UK Ltd has entrustedBarton with the Phase Twoinstallation of SRLs at Robin Rigg offshorewind farm.Barton Industrial Services – thecompanyThe company are involved in both offhoreand onshore wind turbine installation,inspection and maintenance servicesensuring maximum return from client’sassets throughout the installationand O&M phase. They provide acomprehensive range of services andmaintenance packages for all makes andmodels of wind turbine, both during andafter the manufacturer’s warranty period.Although the company is based in Irelandthey also cover Great Britain and Europeand offer a prompt response servicedelivered by their technicians, trainedby equipment manufacturers to thehighest standards, and by their charteredengineering management team.Capabilities and servicesA ‘one-stop-shop’ multi-disciplinedapproach for supply, installation, testing,servicing, maintenance, statutoryinspection and repair of:• Fall protection systems• Service lifts• Lifting equipment• Davits and cranes• Ladders and accessories• Fire suppressant systems• Accumulators• Rescue and climbing devices• Harnesses and associated equipment• First aid kits and emergency perishables• Tower cleaning• Rope access• Fall protection systems onmeteorological mastsCustomer serviceThe Barton RFID tagging solution andtailor made inspection software packageensures that they deliver professional,reliable, prompt and thorough services totheir clients.Through a dedicated portal, theircustomers can monitor and reviewinspections of all components aroundthe clock. They have instant access tophotographs, critical alerts, documentsand reports.Barton Industrial Serviceswww.barton-industrial.comwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk81

INDUSTRY UPDATEOffshore wind rules set newstandard for renewables sectorLloyd’s Register releases all-newRules, Class Notation and GuidanceNotes for ‘Wind Turbine Installationand Maintenance Vessels andLiftboats’ to reflect industry bestpractice and new novel designs.Mobile Offshore Unit RuleThe new rules form part of the widerMobile Offshore Unit Rule set 2013launched by Lloyd’s Register in June, andis for vessels engaged in installation and/ormaintenance activities relating to offshorewind turbines. It covers a significantnumber of unit types as well as liftboats,whose primary function is to providesupport services to offshore wind turbineinstallations or other types of offshoreinstallation.MainWINDVessels which comply with therequirements of the new rules will beeligible for a new classification notation(MainWIND).The release of the new Rules andGuidance Notes coincides with reportsthat operators are suffering from thesubstantial incremental rise in the costof constructing offshore wind assetsand is casting new light on the value ofindependent third-party assurance, andhow certification authorities are informingasset design and construction.An eye to the futureRob Whillock, Offshore Renewables LeadNaval Architect at Lloyd’s Register said: “Itis critical that throughout the process ofindependent assurance, there is an eyeto the future of the industry as well ascurrent guidelines.”Offshore wind projects have tended to runlate and over-budget, but the industry isforecast to grow at pace. The EuropeanEnvironment Agency’s (EEA) estimatesthat Europe’s offshore wind potentialis able to meet the continent’s energydemand seven times over.Whillock states that modern certificationauthorities have to offer technical solutionsthat recognise industry’s future growth.“As the industry matures, we will see agreater number of larger turbines beinginstalled in deeper water and further fromshore, such as the planned 9GW windfarm at Dogger Bank, which lies some125km off the east coast of England,” saidWhillock. “Such developments will requireowners and operators of offshore windfarms to re-think their installation andservice vessels entirely. The new Lloyd’sRegister Rules highlight the importanceof independent technical assessment ofstructures, systems and capabilities. Weare demonstrating to the world that ouroffshore Rules reflect best practice.”Understanding theclassification processThe intention of the new Lloyd’s RegisterRules is to help clients understand theclassification process and clearly set outthe rules to be applied to various vesselsand unit types, from the Lloyd’s Registerclassed ship to the Mobile Offshore Unit.To support the development of these newRules, Lloyd’s Register developed a set ofclient guidance notes (titled Mobile OffshoreUnits - Wind Turbine Installation Vessels)which were also approved at the recentOffshore Technical Committee where morethan 100 industry stakeholders attendedLloyd’s Register’s Singapore based GroupTechnology Centre.Summary informationThese guidance notes provide summaryinformation on classification rules andregulations, national administrationrequirements, documentation required tobe submitted, and the Rules requirementsfor various types of units used in installing/ maintaining offshore wind turbines.Lloyd’s Registerwww.lr.org/offshorerulesEd’s Note – This can be accessed byscanning the pink QR Code below orclicking on the online link.Click to view more info82www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

CIVIC PROJECTSA new breed ofonshore wind farmWind energy has been around forquite a while now. Onshore projectshave been brought forward fordevelopment for many years, butalmost exclusively by commercialdevelopers and operators. A smallniche in the market has been createdby community facilities, but thesetend to be modest in size or linked toa commercial facility anyway.Civic projectsBut now there is a new breed of onshorewind energy facility coming forward:civic projects. These are promoted anddeveloped by local authorities, but differfrom the others in important ways. Whilstthe projects are publicly funded,and therefore owned by thepublic, they are developedand operated on a fullycommercial basis. Theseare a genuine halfwayhouse between commercial andcommunity schemes and offer significantbenefits. Importantly, they will helpsupport the wind industry over comingyears.ReasoningIt is said that the primary reason whyany local authority wants to becomeinvolved in climate change is to improveits carbon footprint. However, there aremore pressing reasons in most areas. Therecession has hit everywhere, includingthe public sector and there is a real needto find new ways to deliver services andcreate growth and jobs.At the current time, the green agenda andthe normal corporate agenda of a localauthority are perfectly aligned. What thismeans is that every local authority wantsto boost its income, wants to help thelocal economy to get going, by creatingjobs and new businesses, wants to leadby example and improve its effectivenessand efficiency. Whilst it is difficult toidentify how they might do this generally,the renewables agenda offers the perfectsolution. By developing renewablesprojects, they can tick all of the boxes thatthey want and still make some money tobe ploughed back into local services.Ideal positionAnd local authorities are in a good positionto do this: they own huge tracts of landacross the country, can borrow moneyvery inexpensively (circa 2-3% currently)and understand how to harmonisedevelopment with planning policies. Assuch they are able to bring forward manynew and different sites for wind farmdevelopment that might otherwise neverget developed.Development examplesThere is a growing number of examplesof this type of development. PrestonCity Council has a proposal for a 9 MWwind facility on land it owns near thedocks; Bristol City Council is currentlyconstructing a 4 MW facility on its land.Also Rochdale is keen to pursue a windstrategy intending to develop a range ofsites across its land holdings.Better understandingThe commercial sector should be pleasedwith these developments. They offer morework and projects, but perhaps moreimportantly a better understanding fromthose authorities about the stresses ofbringing such schemes to fruition. Thiscan only be a good thing for future windenergy development.Stephen Cirellwww.publicsectorenergy.co.ukwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk83

Offshore trainingfeature sponsorPioneering a newdirection in offshoresafety trainingA world leader in safetytraining for the offshoreand maritime sector haschanged its name toreflect their evolving role.Falck Safety Services, which was formerlyknown as Falck Nutec, is focusingincreasingly on safety training as one ofthe four core business divisions of theFalck Group worldwide.Trust worldwideColin Leyden, Managing Director of FalckSafety Services, said: “The Falck nameis trusted worldwide. The name changeunderlines an emerging industry focusfor the supply of services that integratesafety training with other operational andprocess safety needs.”Rapid growth in safety trainingMr. Leyden said the name change waspart of a business strategy to ensureclients from across the company’s globalnetwork have access to its services.“The global market for safety trainingcontinues to grow rapidly, and as theworld leader in this market, we took thedecision to re-focus our business moreclearly in this specialist area of activity.”ExperienceFalck’s name has been synonymous withsafety and rescue training in Denmarkand beyond for over a hundred years.After acquiring the Nutec group in 2004,Falck Safety Services rapidly developed anunrivalled portfolio of professional safetytraining courses delivered from over 28training centres worldwide.New investment programmeThe company, which delivers safetytraining to over 240,000 people every year,is now embarking on a new programmeof investment and acquisition to meetthe safety training needs of internationalclients, working in increasingly hostile anddifficult environments.Mr. Leyden added: “It is an exciting timefor our safety training business, and weare looking forward to building on thedramatic growth and success of thebusiness over the past eight years.“This re-branding opens a new chapterin Falck’s enduring commitment todelivering safety and rescue services thatpeople know they can trust.”Falck Safety Serviceswww.falck.comColin Leyden, MD of FalckSafety ServicesClick to view more info= Click to view video84www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsoroffshore trainingImage courtesy of Falck Safety Serviceswww.windenergynetwork.co.uk85

Offshore trainingfeature sponsorWorking at heightTraining for the windindustryThe UK commercial wind energy generation industry has grown exponentiallysince the first wind farm of 10 Vestas turbines was commissioned in November1991.Global Wind Organisation (GWO)The quest by many of the majormanufactures and operators for a globalstandard for training within the windindustry led to the forming of the GWO in2012 and the subsequent developmentof the Basic Safety Training portfolio ofcourses. Which alongside a 2 day workingat height training module, also includedmodules covering; Fire Awareness, FirstAid, Manual Handling and Sea Survival foroffshore operations.These early wind farms were largelyplanned, erected, commissioned andmaintained by either direct employeesof the wind turbine manufacturer orcontinental based sub-contractors.Early trainingThe content and quality of training thatthese people had received in relation toworking at height was, at first, variable.There was at this time no recognisedstandard of content or delivery within theindustry and accepted practices differedbetween countries and manufactures.To meet the increasing demand for theirturbines and the subsequent requirementfor skilled and trained people, some ofthe larger manufactures set up in-housetraining centres to primarily teach thetechnical skills required by the evergrowing number of technicians, engineersand managers. Some of these trainingcentres introduced safe access andevacuation training into their portfolios.External training providers with experiencein delivering working at height and rescuetraining into the well established telecomsand oil & gas industries recognised thepotential growth in the wind energysection. They quickly diversified to providededicated wind turbine access andevacuation training.TrainingframeworkHere in the UK,the British WindEnergy Association(BWEA), startedwork on developinga framework fora basic workingat height trainingcourse to be widelyadopted as thestandard minimumtraining requirementwithin the UK. The2 day course wasdeveloped withinput from manufactures, operators andtraining companies to meet the basicrequirements of all persons working atheight in the wind industry.The BWEA working at heights, guidelinesand standards document was launchedin draft in 2006. The BWEA formed apartnership with OPITO to audit andapprove training providers to deliverits training program. In 2010, the nowRenewable UK took the developmentof the training in-house, leading toestablishment of a certification partnershipwith SGS in 2012.Compliance requirementsTo meet the compliance requirementsof global operations some companiesdeveloped their own training facilitiesand programs. One example of this isthe Siemens training department whohave developed an extensive portfolioof courses which it delivers through itstraining global facilities and accreditedtraining partners. The working at heighttraining delivered at these facilities and itsoutsource partners is standardised for itsworldwide operations and is tailored to theSiemens wind turbine fleet, their approvedworking practices and the equipmentused by its workforce.Meeting the needs of theindustryIt must be appreciated that the basic 2day working at height and rescue training,developed and accredited by either ofthese organisations, can only deliverthe basic training requirements for windturbine access, rescue and evacuation. Allthe fore mentioned training courses placelimits on areas of access and procedures.This training is usually undertaken atpurpose built training facilities on windturbine simulators.Training and CompetenceIt is important to establish the differencebetween Training and Competence.Training a person does not necessarilymake that person ‘competent’. It ishowever one of the key criteria to attaincompetency along with knowledge, skilland experience.For one of our major clients, we workedwith them to develop a 3 day initial trainingcourse for their people employed in windenergy. The first two days follow thestandard basic working at height syllabusthat is delivered at a purpose build trainingfacility.The third day is delivered at one of theiroperational wind farms, where delegatesare taken through the site inductionprocess and the isolation and controlprocedures before being assessedaccessing the turbine and undertakingrescue practices from the ladder andwithin the nacelle.86www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsoroffshore trainingProving its worthThis training has proven its worth onseveral occasions by identifying individualsthat require additional coaching ormentoring in order to be consideredsuitable to be the second person in atwo person team. This additional trainingobviously has commercial implicationsto an operational wind farm, but thiscustomer considers it a sound investment.Additional trainingAccess and the performance of tasks inareas outside those defined in the objectivesof the basic training are covered by additionaltraining courses. These areas can include;spinners, hubs, blade roots, designated areasof nacelles, access to tower cabling betweenplatforms, tower bases and blades.Outside of some manufactures training,there is presently no national or globalstandard for advanced training. Anyaccess and rescue training beyondthe basic requirements needs to becomprehensive and relevant to the tasksundertaken, working environment andequipment used. For this reason it makessense for the training to be as bespokeand practical as possible. There is littlevalue in practicing rescue techniques froma Nordex N90 turbine hub if your dutiesare restricted to Siemens 2.3 Mw turbines.Regular practiceOnce learnt, knowledge and skill levelscan quickly fade if not regularly practiced.For this reason the certification validityof working at height training in the windenergy industry is 2 years. It is recognisedwithin the industry that especially forirregular climbers e.g. some managementand support staff, skill levels cansignificantly diminish within the two yeartraining certification period.This is mostapparent inrescue andevacuationprocedures as,we hope, thesetechniques arevery infrequentlyutilised outsideof the trainingenvironment.Training providers will always stronglyrecommend that these techniquesare regularly practiced to maintain anacceptable level of competence. Somecompanies formalise these practicesessions and appoint/train in-housedemonstrators to plan, oversee and assessthese sessions. Most approved trainingproviders will also provide this service.Progress and developmentAs the wind energy industry progressesand develops, it is vital that the industryis served by trained, skilled, competent,safe people and that these high levels ofattainment are regularly assessed andmaintained.Working at height is an integral part of thewind energy industry, and a part of theindustry that is not without a potentiallyhigh degree of risk. With properlydeveloped training programs developedwith the input from organisations,manufactures, operators and accreditedtraining providers, we can all play a part inthe ongoing safety of our people.Stephen MorrisTraining ManagerCapital Safetywww.capitalsafety.euClick to view more infowww.windenergynetwork.co.uk87

Offshore trainingfeature sponsorSafetycomes first foroffshore wind22 years on from the installation of the first offshore windfarm in Denmark (Vindeby), and the Offshore Wind sectoris still growing at a rapid rate.LocationBy placing their facilities in the hub of offshore wind activity, thecompany is now equipped to deliver the most industry specificoffshore safety training programmes to surrounding wind farmowners and operators.With giant offshore Round 3 projects such as the London Array(630 MW) and Dogger Bank (9000 MW) well underway, thisexpansion couldn’t have come at a better time with the workforceof the sector now recorded at 4,000 full time employees.Today 4,620 MW of offshore wind power is installed across theglobe, with a massive 3,321 MW here in the UK, making us thecurrent world leader in offshore power generation. But with thistitle comes responsibilities, with safety standards at the forefront.Workforce safety paramountWith Round 3 released in 2010, the biggest so far, constructionis set to begin in 2014 with a huge 31 GW already leased todevelopers. This enormous surge in offshore wind projects willmake the safeguarding of the sector’s workforce more importantthan ever.One company working to meet this challenge is South Walesbased safety training provider Safety Technology. Having recentlyjoined forces with South Tyneside College’s Marine Safety TrainingCentre (MSTC), safety specialist Safety Technology has expandedtheir training capabilities to the North East of England.PartnershipManaging Director of Safety Technology, Bob Dickens said of theirnew offshore training capabilities “We are very pleased to haveformed this partnership with the College to establish such worldclass facilities in the North East. The location and timing is veryimportant to us given the planned future development in theregion and the opportunity to service the huge growth in OffshoreRenewable Energy, the Government Catapult programme, andthe potential for job creation in the supply chain.”+44 (0)3333 441113A new ApproAchto AviAtion impAct Assessments...• pre-planning site assessments• Field surveys (accurate quantification of impact)• Full aviation impact assessments• impartial, expert advice from professionalswith 20+ years’ experience in communicationsengineering & Air traffic managementBecause measurement isbetter than prediction.Aerostat surveys Ltd. +44 (0)3333 441113www.aerostat.co.uk enquiries@aerostat.co.ukRealistic simulation & practiceWith the hostile conditions of working offshore, it is vital that windfarm personnel are given an insight into the environment they willbe working in before they step off the vessel for the first time. Withthis in mind Safety Technology have installed a new training tower,built to meet the RenewableUK standards, on site at the MarineSafety Training Centre (MSTC), along with hub rescue, mocknacelle and fire units. Within these facilities trainees will be able toencounter real life wind turbine rescue and evacuation scenarios,as well as experiencing the harsh and turbulent conditions ofworking offshore in the MSTC’s 4 metre deep environmental pool.Adapting to future demandThe UK’s offshore wind sector is on an upward climb with afurther 18GW to be installed by 2020, by which point it willsupply around 20 per cent of the UK’s electricity each year.With no signs of slowing down it is important that trainingproviders continue to develop and adapt their training to meetthe unique safety needs of working offshore.Katie DawesSafety Technologywww.safetytechnology.co.uk88www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsoroffshore trainingIndustrial rope accessback-up devices - a reviewHeightec, a leading UK manufacturerof specialist technical equipment forwork at height, difficult access andrescue, has written a review paperon Industrial Rope Access Back-upDevices.Debate escalatesWhilst debate on the subject of back-updevices has escalated in recent months,some of the issues regarded as topicalnow were raised by far sighted users twodecades ago.UK perspectiveThe review is written largely from a UnitedKingdom (UK) perspective, this beingthe regulatory framework within whichheightec operates.The paper is “A summary of relevanttechnical and legal information relating tothe historical development of industrialrope access back-up devices”.The selection and use of back-up devicesfor rope access is one of the mostinteresting and controversial topics in thefall protection industry.It seemed that a proper understanding ofthe current state of affairs required all ofthe information to be gathered togetherand the review paper is heightec’s ownreference point for establishing whata product must do to satisfy technicaland legal requirements in a robust andpredictable manner.SpecificsIt is a review paper – it does not identifyany specific issues, propose solutions ordiscuss product characteristics.Whilst much of what is gathered heremay be already known to many, theredoes seem value in presenting all aspectstogether with the hope that there will besomething relevant to everyone.Living document – non UKcontributions soughtheightec sees the review as a ‘living’document; and constructive feedbackand/or contributions from people withinthe industry are actively being sought;in particular from those who are able toprovide a non-UK view on the design,selection and use of back-up devices inindustrial rope access.heightecwww.heightec.comwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk89

Offshore trainingfeature sponsorStaying out of harm’s waywhile living offshoreWhen working offshore or in a remotearea, there are many challengesthe job can bring. One of the mainchallenges is that the home comfortswe usually take for granted are nolonger as available to us, makinga first aid emergency even moredifficult to deal with.It may seem like a small likelihood thata serious medical emergency will arise,but if one did, would you or the peoplearound you know what to do and how todeal with such a situation? Unfortunately,in many cases the answer to this is ‘no’.The reason for this could be that there isno requirement at the moment that statesall staff should be trained in basic first aidwhen working in a remote area or offshore.Current measuresThe current first aid requirements foroffshore workers states that there must be afirst aider on site, but doesn’t make it vital forevery worker to be trained rather the ‘personin control’ is responsible for ensuring thereare sufficient first aiders.Training forworking offshoreWind turbines have a very highdependency upon the use ofhydraulics and vital to the overalloperation is that of oil cleanlinessand contamination management inrespect to both the hydraulic’s andlubricating systems associated withgearbox transmissionsSome wind turbines also employ closedhydrostatic transmission systems wherethe link between the rotating blades andthat of electrical power generation is totallyhydraulic.Offshore environmentThe offshore environment is a challenge forboth hydraulic and lubrication systems, butwe have many years of experience that wecan call upon from supporting the trainingrequirements of offshore oil exploration andextraction sector, both of which have a highdependency upon the use of hydraulics.ExperienceWith such background experience theNFPC has proved itself to be well able toIt is vital that all members of staff are trainedin basic life-saving treatment as medicalattention will not be available for anyoneworking offshore. An injury, accident orcollapse requires immediate treatment; andbeing offshore means you cannot rely on theemergency services. Having the knowledgeof first aid skills could save someone’s lifewhen working in such remote areas.Are you ready?Knowing how to deal with a medicalemergency could prevent a minor accidentbecoming a major injury. From patchingup a slight graze on the knee to deliveringeffective CPR, all bases are covered in acomprehensive First Aid training program.With this training you and your colleaguescan ensure that there will always be someoneable to carry out the required duties.Training will not only safeguard youat work but in any First Aid situation,even if you’re a bystander in a medicalemergency in the public domain, you willknow how to stay calm and what steps totake in the rescue process.provide very effectivetraining for engineers andtechnicians, ensuring thattheir skills and knowledgerelating to hydraulicsystems, contaminationmanagement enablethem to be highlyeffective in maintainingand managing thesesystems. All of whichadds to the reliability and up-timeoperation.Analysing needsIf we analyse the needs of our offshoreTechnicians and Engineers they must…• Be able to read and interpret circuitdiagrams• Know the function, operation andcontrol of the various component parts• Know the importance of contaminationcontrol and that of maintaining effectivetarget cleanliness levels at all times• Know how to apply diagnostictechniques, measure and monitorThe benefitsShould someone suffer from sudden cardiacarrest it’s worth knowing that bystanderCPR can double a victim’s chance ofsurvival if given immediately. Only 32% ofvictims of cardiac arrest actually receivebystander CPR so having this responsibilitywill give you peace of mind for the threeyears that this qualification will last for; youcan’t put a price on that.Defibshopwww.defibshop.co.ukperformance and interpret results• Know the symptoms associatedwith pending failure and the preventivemeasures that must be in place and theactions to be taken• Know the dangers associated withthe use of hydraulic systems and therisk management/procedures that theymust followIf we can educate and train to this base levelwe have a good foundation to work upon.John R SavageDirectorNational Fluid Power Centre UKwww.nfpc.co.uk90www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsoroffshore trainingEngineers from other industries can solveenergy sector skills challengesThe demand for skilled peopleto work offshore will seean increase in technicianstransferring from otherindustries, according to The TTETechnical Training Group.Although an increasingnumber of companiesare investing inapprenticeships, industryfaces an impendingskills gap as its ageingworkforce nearsretirement.Offshore wind sectorgrowthExacerbated by the growth inthe offshore wind sector andthe continuing requirementsof North Sea oil & gas,the energy sector has anincreasing requirement forskilled personnel.TTE Technical TrainingGroupThe Middlesbrough-basedtraining organisation worksclosely with industry to provideskilled technicians through itssuite of apprenticeships andup-skilling programmes.With considerableexperience working withindustry employers, TTEhas developed its trainingprovision to meet the ever-changingrequirements of different sectors.Training programmesIts programmes cover disciplines such asmechanical, electrical, instrumentation,process, laboratory technicians, youngscientists, warehousing, and buildingservices, with many of the skills andqualifications earned transferable acrossdifferent sectors, including the oil & gasand offshore renewables.Recently, the group has worked withorganisations including AMEC and WoodTTE instructor Dave Stevenson (left) oversees AMEC trainee NeilPetrie (crouching second left)Group PSN to re-engineer technicianswith backgrounds in the armed forces andother industry sectors to prepare them forworking offshore.FocusedThese companies have engagedwith TTE to provide focused trainingprogrammes that deliver competenciesand qualifications required for individualsbeing deployed offshore.Steve Grant, Managing Director of TheTTE Technical Training Group, said:“Many of the skills required in theoffshore industries’ supply chain aretransferable from other sectors. Thisenables companies to attract a widerpool of workers, which is proving to bemore and more vital as potential skillsshortages arise.“Of course, there are some specific skillsand competencies required for workingoffshore, whether it’s in the renewablesor hydrocarbon sectors and TTE hasdeveloped a range of programmes thatfocus on these key areas and meetthe exacting standards of companiesoperating in these environments.“TTE is well-placed to support skillsdevelopment for the offshore sectorand has the experience, facilities andexpertise to deliver the levels of technicaltraining and qualifications required by theindustry’s supply chain.”The TTE Technical Training Groupwww.tte.co.ukwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk91

Specialist toolsBuilding-sitecompatible boltingdocumentation forwind energy plantsThe wind industry is undergoing a transformation from the initial custom-builtapproach to manufacture towards industrial production of machinery. Projects,and indeed the turbines themselves, are becoming ever larger, especiallywhen situated offshore. Wind farm operators and owners want to see that theirmoney has been well invested and need to be able to trace all the individualmanufacturing steps.No need for additional sensorsEliminating the need for additional sensorsrequires extra reliability, particularly on wetand dirty building sites. This means noneed for sensors that might fail to operateproperly due to a wet, dirty or oxidisedplug contact or sensors that have beenincorrectly connected or that might fall offin the rugged conditions of building sitework or get damaged during transport.Furthermore, the Plarad BE X32 controlunit operates in fully autonomous fashion.It does need an extra PC at the site,either to call up the pre-defined boltingparameters or to document the actualprocedures. The BE control unit cansimply be attached to the hydraulicunit and is fully operational even in badweather since it conforms to protectionclass IP 54.Accurate documentationExtensive and flawless documentation ofbolt fastenings is playing an increasing rolein this. There are some projects exclusivelyusing documented bolt fastenings as partof their quality control. It is increasinglyimportant for documentation of boltfastenings to be carried out in a simplemanner, especially when bolting work isdone at building sites themselves. Plaraddoes not require the bolting equipment tobe fitted with additional sensors in orderto handle documentation. Torques andangles, if needed, are detected usinginternal sensors inside the hydraulicunit and the exact values measuredduring actual fastening of the bolts aresimply archived in the control unit for thepurposes of documentation.Safety factorsMaking it suitable for building sites alsomeans taking into account various safetyfactors. If specified by the site supervisor,workers must enter their employeenumbers or names into the control unit,meaning that every bolting procedure canbe traced to a specific worker afterwards.The drive unit automatically detectsthe actual bolting device connected toit and associates that device with theprocedure inside the control unit. Thismeans that there is no chance of mixingup equipment. Each procedure can thenbe directly stored on the control unit itselfso that the worker can read it back at anytime.If an error is made in a procedure (e.g.due to operating errors or stripping ofscrews), the worker is informed of thisvia a fault notification. The correspondingdata record is stored on the control unit toensure that even faulty bolting proceduresare documented and thus allowing foreffective remedial work.Secure databaseThe data read-outs are stored in adatabase secured against manipulationand thus protected against tampering. Ifnecessary, they can later be exported toan Excel file, making them available forfurther processing.Plaradwww.plarad.com92www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

Specialist toolsProtector casestotal equipment protection,no matter where you goPeli Protector Cases protecteverything from laptops to lasers.Keep tools, electronics andinstrumentation safe, dry andcushioned from knocks and drops in aspecially designed case.The 0450 tool case has been specificallydesigned for the toughest offshoreconditions. Peli cases have beenchosen by leading Offshore Wind Energycompanies for their renowned qualitiesin protecting sensitive equipment. Thecases are certified to IP67 and offersuperior crushproof, waterproof protectionin extreme conditions.Engineers tool kitThis 0450 model is used for theEngineers Tool Kit; where dual colourcustom foam enables easy identificationof missing items. There are sevenremovable drawers, offering a multitudeof configurations, with the mobility andbenefits of a rugged, watertight PeliProtector Case.Demanding standardsHolding up to 45kgs of tools, the 0450has been tested to meet and exceed96 demanding standards, includinghigh impact, extreme temperaturesand submersion. The top compartmentfeatures a removable utility tray and a lidthat opens 180° to create a mobile workarea, capable of supporting up to 23kg ofweight.Working with industryThe company has worked closely overa number of years with many leadingOffshore Wind Energy companiesto provide ruggedised storageand transport solutions that canwithstand the rigours of the harshmarine environment.By combining Peli ProtectorCases with custom foaminteriors, solutions havebeen designed for:Winch/Hoist Kits,Electrical TestEquipment,Accumulator TopKits, Pendulum BearingKits and CoolantTop Up Kits.Delta modulesA number of UK sites have now chosento use the specifically designed case forDelta Modules; these modules are largeand heavy and have to be transported insafety to and from the offshore turbines forinstallation and maintenance.Peli Products UK, experts in protectivepackaging solutions, designed a largePeli Hardigg case to protect the modulefrom the severe weather conditions andimprove manual handling. This casehas been designed with a custom foaminsert to fit the module exactly; limitingmovement in transit and protecting theunit, ensuring the module reaches thedestination dry and in perfect condition.It has now become the benchmarkpackaging for the Delta modules.The company continues to work closelyalongside the renewable industry, creatingsolutions for storage and transportationin the challenging offshore environment.Their product range is ideally suited forthese conditions, the majority of cases arewatertight and corrosion proof and thereare over 70 sizes in the range.Peli Products UKwww.peliproducts.co.ukwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk93

Specialist toolsUnique abrasive power toolsfrom DynabradeDynabrade has earned a reputation and position of continued leadership in theinnovation design and manufacturing of unique abrasive power tools. Founded inClarence New York in 1969 Dynabrade is always looking for the best solution for itsend users.Their products are supported technicallyat site by their application engineers whoare happy to call on customers whenrequired offering a demonstration of theirproducts with no obligation, which is aproven way to find which tools are bestsuited to a specific application.Working withmanufacturersWorking closely withmanufactures in the windenergy, aerospace and marinesectors, the company has anunderstanding of the range oftools to achieve the finish thatwould be required by theseindustries.The Dynabrade Vacuum Toolrange has been developed withthe users working environmentin mind reducing airborne dust atthe point of application. WhetherThe necessity for plannedmaintenance softwareMainprize Offshore Ltd has appointedMaraSoft as their provider of theMARAD planned maintenancesoftware. They realise that to offer atruly 24/7-365 service their vesselsneed to be well maintained in linewith and often above manufacturesrecommendations.Essential informationThey have at their fingertips so muchinformation as well as the vesselsmaintenance schedules. This is essential totaking full advantage of every opportunitythat arises, be it a maintenance, weather orstandby days.Their head office can view spares andconsumables on-board, schedulemaintenance, historic maintenance, vesselscertificates, loose lifting gear, past and dueinspections.AccessibilityThis enables the company to bring forwardservices when time allows and alsohighlights if the manufactures service guideshave required adjusting, which happens onoccasions. They can fine tune the vesselsservicing to their operations, constantlyreviewing their operations, work load andservice level required.The system used correctly allows the viewingand retrieval of a huge amount of informationand includes sections on safety equipment,certificates, drills and checks.LOLAR and PUWER regulationsThey have also added sections to allowMainprize Offshore to adhere to LOLAR andit being surface preparation, repairingdefects on moulds or trimming flashingfrom leading and trailing edges on turbineblades the tool range covers all phases ofproduction of moulds, turbine blades andtowers.For surface preparation and repair theyhave a complete range of vacuumedsanders from a random orbital sanderwith a 2.5mm orbit for ultra finishing to themore powerful two-handed gear-drivensander for rapid material removal.Tool SpotlightThe two handed gear driven sander hasan epicycloicdal motion for aggressivematerial removal and filler sanding,therefore reducing application time. Thistool has a powerful 900rpm motor and hasan overskirt/shroud for enhanced vacuumcapability and greater work-piece visibility.Dynabradewww.dynabrade.comClick to view more infoPUWER regulations, listing each and everyitem on-board including switches, lights,sockets and of course loose lifting gear andlifting plans.There is also a section to include the indepthinspections and servicing of eachitem as required. The guys at MaraSofthave been extremely helpful since MainprizeOffshore’s original set up some years ago.Since then they have fitted this system to fourvessels and it will be fitted to the soon to belaunched MO1 and next year the MO2.Professional standardsThe company strives to be classed againstthe most professional operators, operatingto ISO9001, ISO14001, OHSAS18001to STCW95 standards with full plannedmaintenance systems in place.Mainprize Offshorewww.mainprizeoffshore.co.ukMaraSoftwww.marasoft.nl94www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

Specialist toolsSimulation test tankThe ability to be able to simulateunderwater situations that requirespecialist tooling required by customersin order to solve problems was thereason for creating the ROV test tankdesigned and manufactured by Tyneand Wear Marine Ltd.Cost effective solutionsThese ROV tools provide cost effectivesolutions for clients in marine, oil, gasand wind energy sectors across a rangeof contexts; some examples includelocating assets, lifting, dealing withcurrent, orientation, measuring chainthickness, retrieval, water sampling,gaining access to submerged vehiclesand shipwrecks by blowing outwindows and port holes – the list is notexhaustive and new uses and tools areadded on an on-going basis as needsfrom clients are identified.The tank enables the development,manufacture and testing of unique tools in aneasy location for demonstration, evaluationand discussion with clients in relation tocompletion of the ever increasing range ofwater tasks that utilise the Micro ROV.Hazardous water conditionsInspections, surveys and practical liftingare examples of the Micro ROV use andit also reduces the need to place diversin potentially hazardous water conditionsto carry out work or where the situationis dependent upon positive waterconditions.The 22000 litre test tank is installed withcameras to provide a variety of viewingaspects to monitor and record the testingactivities and has ease of access andegress for safety from the top of the tank.Unusual enquiry!An unusual recent enquiry was from acompany requesting if they could use thetest tank for female models to display thisseason swimwear. Just goes to show youhow versatile the ROV test tank can be.Tyne and Wear Marine Ltdwww.tyneandwearmarine.comClick to view more infowww.windenergynetwork.co.uk95

Specialist toolsThe Sky’s not the limitBenefits from cost effective, safe andefficient aerial inspection technologyClasslane Media is a creative, RoyalTelevision Society award-winningfilm production company based inYorkshire and central London, with aninternational client base.They provide high quality video andfilm content for globally distributedprogrammes that inspire, educate,entertain, motivate and challenge.Dynamic teamThe company has a passionate, creativeand dynamic team – always ready to takeon new challenges and never satisfied withthe ordinary.Specialist unitThe company is delighted to announcetheir specialist aerial unit for the windenergy industry. Their Unit Director ofaerial productions is a UK Civil AviationAuthority licensed pilot of unmannedaircraft systems (UAS) and holder of theEuropean standard of competence.Condition InspectionsWhatever business you are in, be it powergeneration, power distribution, civilengineering, construction or environmental,maximising the efficiency and safetyof personnel and assets is critical.Assets require routine inspections andmaintenance to ensure that they areoperating safely and at their most efficient.Traditional methodsTraditional methods of approachingthis often mean exposing personnel tohazardous environments and situations.Additionally the negative impact on theeffectiveness of assets due to downtimewhilst they are scrutunised, assessed formaintenance or repair and the consequentialinterventions that arise are often lengthy.Often with complex and difficult to reachstructures, this requires operatives to ascendthem and navigate around them in order toascertain if any intervention is required. Notonly is this a time consuming and costlyexercise it is also a potentially dangerous one.Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)Using UAS carrying high definitioncamera equipment not only speeds upthe process of inspection but also limitsthe exposure of personnel to hazardoussituations and environments.Once video analysis is complete either viathe live feed and/or from the downstreamreview of high quality HD video, interventionefforts can then be focused solely on thoseareas identified as requiring further work.Land SurveysEmploying a UAS to assist with surveyingland offers a cost effective and highquality way for assessing site suitability forconstruction, assessing the environmentalimpact of and to proposed developmentsas well as a source of marketing imagery.The company have worked with clientsin both the capture of oblique panoramicphotos, ideal for site overviews, sitescoping and marketing as well as geotagged vertical images suitable for thecreation of orthophotos.Rather than using out of date and lowresolution imagery to assist with planningor marketing activity, modern highresolution cameras attached to unmannedaircraft systems offer a cost effective andextremely high quality method of up todate image acquisition.Safety, Efficiency & CostEffectivenessFrom HD video that can greatly decreasethe time assets are non operational thusmaximising their productivity as well asminimising the exposure of operativesto danger; to high resolution imagesthat support environmental impactassessments and planning and designdecisions for new windfarms, hydrostations and associated insfrastructure,UAS platforms coupled with the latestcamera technology can offer a costeffective andtime efficient solution.Main Benefits• Safety - reduce the need to havepeople working at heights and inhazardous environments• Reduced Costs - minimize downtime.Installations can be live or brieflysuspended for inspection• High Quality Data - our broadcastquality cameras can help pinpointareas of interest quickly providing areal-time view via camera data link tothe ground• HD video footage for downstreamanalysis• Targeted Maintenance - Data analysiscan direct maintenance effortstowards where they are required,leading to reduced asset downtimeand lessened exposure to hazardousenvironments for operatives.High qualityThe film footage is very high quality andcan be use in TV & video productionsand specialise in multi-platform filmproductions, TV advertisements, Digitalmedia strategy, online video platforms,leveraging social media and onlinefilm, cinematic aerial productions andinspections, film campaign management,analytics platforms, metrics, syndication &distribution.Classlanewww.classlane.co.ukClick to view more info96www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

Specialist toolsfall prevention, climb assistthemselves as they learn how to dealwith the challenges of height safety andrescue inside wind turbines.”Stuart Cameron, Managing Directorat Maersk Training Newcastle added,“Maersk Training offers state-of-the-arttraining facilities for customers from thewind, offshore oil and gas and maritimeindustries. Safe working at height isa key element of our training offering.Giving our delegates the opportunity touse the latest height safety techniquesand products is core to our businessand we’re pleased to be able to bring aLimpet® L5 to the training centre as partof that requirement.”SpecificationCompact and rugged, the Limpet L5can be used as a fixed or semi-portablesolution, capable of solving the mostdifficult and expensive safety and accesschallenges in the harshest operatingconditions.Edinburgh based, safety systemspioneer, Limpet Technologyannounced recently that it hasinstalled a Limpet® L5 fall prevention,climb assist and personnel hoistingsystem at the Maersk Training centrein Newcastle, UK.Centre of ExcellenceLimpet Technology Director, PhilipTaylor said, “As an established centreof excellence for height safety training,the Maersk Training centre in Newcastleis an ideal location in which to put ourLimpet L5 system. With the L5 installedon the 65 feet high wind training tower, itis perfectly positioned for trainees to getmaximum value from its fall prevention,climb assist and rescue capabilities.”He went on, “Partnering with a leadingheight safety training provider likeMaersk will allow their delegates toexperience the benefits of the L5 forThe Limpet L5 is both tough and smart,but high quality does not always meanhigh cost. With a 25-year lifespan andan ability to perform multiple accessfunctions, this yields better returns thanalternatives. Installing the also ensuresthat maintenance and operations teamsare safer, healthier, happier and moreproductive.Limpet Technologywww.limpettechnology.comMaersk Training Newcastlewww.maersktraining.comwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk97

Specialist toolsNovel floating LiDAR systemdeployed for trialsBabcock’s innovative floating LightDetection and Ranging (LiDAR) systemto provide critical meteorological datafor offshore wind farm developersat reduced cost, has been deployedto start a six month trial of the newsystem in the Irish Sea.TrialsThe floating LiDAR system is being trialled atRWE’s Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm, offthe north Wales coast, where it is positionednext to the fixed meteorological mast toenable comparison of information with thatfrom the fixed mast, as part of a detailedindependent assessment of the system.SpecificationThe floating platform LiDAR system is alow motion shallow draft spar buoy, andis one of a new breed of technologicalimprovements for the offshore windsector. It has been designed withlow motion characteristics to enableaccurate, high quality wind measurementdata to be obtained without the highcosts associated with fixed platformconstruction for mast installation (whichtypically costs several million pounds,increasing as developers move furtheroffshore into deeper water).accurate measurement of wind speed,direction and turbulence.The company has also developed anintegrated power (supplied by photovoltaicpanels and micro wind turbines installedon the buoy) and communication systemto facilitate remote, autonomous operationof the system, reducing the need forregular visits to the platform. Additionally,the platform’s stability also makes for saferaccess and working onboard when routinesix-monthly maintenance visits are made.DeploymentDeployment of the system for the trialwas achieved using a combination of acrane barge (carrying the buoy) and awork cat to tow the system to the RWEGwynt y Môr trial location site, where itwas connected to the tri-catenary mooringsystem, comprising three mooring lines andthree 15 tonne steel anchors to providethe required weight to keep it in position.The whole installation process was carriedout without the need for any diving activity,with minimum risk and maximumsafety. Commissioning was thencarried out by Babcock personnelfully trained to work both offshoreand at height.Further developmentBabcock programme manager LiamForbes said: “The deployment of ourfloating LiDAR system for this six monthtrial is key to proving the viability of ourlow motion buoy as an effective stableplatform for the reliable and accuraterecording and analysing of local windconditions. This will then allow usto undertake further development toincorporate additional measurement andmonitoring equipment.”He continued: “The ability for offshorewindfarm developers and operators touse a floating platform for meteorologicalmonitoring and information gathering inpreference to a fixed one, to retain reliableand accurate data, will help to drive downboth construction and through-life costsfor the windfarm, and will also be avaluable contribution to the developmentof the next generation deep water sites.”Babcock Internationalwww.babcockinternational.comOffshore Wind Accelerator (OWA)The current trial of Babcock’s system ispart of the OWA programme focusedon reducing the cost of offshore windpower, promoted and co-ordinated by theCarbon Trust.Wind data including velocity anddirection is critical to windfarm planning,development and operation. LiDARsystems (which measure wind speed anddirection by comparing the light from alaser beam, reflected by microscopic dustparticles in the atmosphere, to a referencelight source) cannot provide accurate dataif subjected to high levels of motion. Thispresents technical challenges that have todate limited the use of such measurementand monitoring sensors offshore.Solving the motion issuesBabcock’s floating LiDAR system (unlikemany other such developments, wheresome form of motion compensation orpost-processing of data occurs) hasbeen designed to address the motionissue simply by designing it to within anacceptable level of pitch and roll motion,which the Zephir LiDAR system canaccommodate, to facilitate reliable andAdditional trialopportunitiesDuring the course of the trial,Babcock will be exploringopportunities to further reducethe cost of deployment andrecovery without compromisingsafety, with the design of abarge-mounted lifting framewhich can be used in shallowdraft ports throughout the UK,so that no specialist vessels (onlywork cats and readily availablebarges) will be required.Following the current trial, futuredevelopments (for which thebuoy has been designed) willinclude the ability to deploy arange of sensors and equipmentto measure further key factors,beyond meteorological dataalone, including wave and tidalactivity, and marine mammal andbird monitoring. The buoy hasbeen designed to provide a stableplatform for such environmental,meteorological and metoceandata measurement.98www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

Specialist toolsOn-site inspection, examination and testingContinual development and benefitingfrom their close working relationshipwith Enerpac (the global leader in highpressure hydraulic tools) and Norbar,Worlifts new service has emergedwhich specifically targets and deliverson-site solutions for ‘Torque andTensioning Equipment’ used within therenewables sector.Complete bolting workflowThe company’s hydraulic and mechanicalbolting solutions serve the completebolting workflow, from a pipe alignment tocomplex joint positioning of large structuralassemblies.of workflow disruption, immediate minorrepairs, traceable certification and on-siteapplication assistance.AssuranceFollowing an on-site visit givesreassurance to equipment owners andusers that the tooling will be safe to useby visual inspection, operational tests,pressure tests and calibration if required,utilising the latest on board tool inspectionand testing equipment.Working togetherWorlifts work very closely with Enerpacwho specialise in professional highpressurebolting solutions and work inglobal markets.Advantages include: correct safeoperation of equipment, reducing risk,reduction of tooling downtime, reductionTotal on-site package includes: testing,calibration & hire of hydraulic boltingtools, examination & certification of liftingequipment, total tool inventory & assetmanagement, training for safe & correctuse of bolting tools, demonstration of toolsfor bolting applications.On-site bolting tool service andsupportWorlifts will now be able to offer the windpower industry the option of an on-sitebolting tool service designed to reduce downtime and improve safety and efficiency.Worliftswww.worlifts.co.ukClick to view more infoEd’s note: This is an abridged version –we recommend that you read the full versiononline through the link/QR Code aboveLarger turbines call for largerand more capable equipmentWhilst the first generation of OffshoreWTG’s were considered to be hugeat 2MW, and the industry predictionin 2003 only spoke of turbine sizesreaching 3MW, combined with theindustry estimate of typical waterdepths reaching ‘up to’ 25m – the scalein Turbines and Monopiles seems tocurrently has no limit.This is forcing the installation contractorstowards constant innovation and designof larger and more capable equipment.IndustryexperienceMPI Offshoreare nostrangers tothis – and thetestamentthat thevessel MPIResolutionwith her initial300Te crane in 2005, was installing 470Temonopiles demonstrates the integration ofsecondary systems for gripping, rotatingand guiding does play as an importantrole in foundation installation as size ofthe cranes on these types of installationvessels.Latest monopile gripping systemThe latest version of the monopile grippingsystem MPI Offshore have commissioned,and which is currently being installed on thevessel MPI Discovery, takes the guidanceof the monopile to the next level. Replacingthe cantilevered hydraulic frameworksystem which was mounted on the sterndeck before, the new system is formed bytwo large gripper arms actually mountedon the transom of the vessel, pinned tomounting brackets allowing its removal forWTG installation phases, or the transfer tothe sister vessel – the MPI Adventure.SpecificsThe pair of arms, each weighing 75Te,will be able to guide a monopile with adiameter up to 6.5m and a weight of600 tonnes. However, the operationconstraints will be maximised to allow Hsof 2.5m (4.6h Max), with a period of 4.9s,and a sea current acting on the monopileof 2 knots in water depths to 40m.Andrew DuncanMPI Equipmentwww.mpi-offshore.comClick toview moreinfoEd’s note - This is an abridged version –we recommend that you read the full versiononline through the link/QR Code abovewww.windenergynetwork.co.uk99

Specialist toolsFinding ‘the sweet spot’ mobileaerial wind prospectingOn the face of it, deciding the positionof a wind turbine should be prettyobvious.Just place it on the top of a well knownwindy hill, a westerly facing cliff, oranywhere in the North Sea. Lots of windblows there. Problem solved.Except that it isn’t. We know thisbecause, it is hard to find any wind farms,anywhere in the world, that producethe expected rated power output andsubsequent financial returns that werepromised to the banks and governmentsthat funded them. Why is this?The difference between successand failureIt turns out that the power curve of amodern wind turbine is very steep, whichmeans that the effective profitable windrange can be very small. A reduction inwind speed of 1.5 metres/second from aforecast mean wind speed of 10 metres/sec reduces the rated output from 54%to just 30%. This can be the differencebetween profit and loss.ConsiderationsSmall differences in turbine positioningcan make differences to output far greaterthan 1.5m/sec. On land, just a fewmetres extra height may greatly increaseoutput. Other factors include: upwindland formation; trees; lakes; escarpmentsand buildings. At sea, factors such asproximity to land, prominent land features,adjacent river valleys, and wave heightalter wind speed. Just ask any racingyachtsman.Increasingly important, is wind shadingfrom other wind turbines. None of thesefactors are accurately enough predictedby existing computer models workingfrom the limited data they get frommeteorologists and the occasional MetMast. Lidar helps a lot, especially on landwhere it can be set up quite quickly, but itis still an expensive business. At sea, Lidaris frighteningly costly and as static as a MetMast.New developmentNow, a new cheap, easy and highlymobile method of wind prospecting hasbeen developed by Allsopp Helikites Ltd.It utilises their patented, small high windcapable tethered Helikite aerostats tocarry accurate meteorological sensors upto turbine height and above. This createsan accurate airborne Met-Helikite system.Wind speed, wind direction, temperature,humidity, altitude and barometric pressurecan be measured with data instantlystreamed to the ground if required.Many meteorologists worldwide have usedHelikites to lift sensors to very high altitudeson land and sea. Recent publishedresearch in Germany proved that Helikitederived data was very consistent withadjacent Met-Mast data.Helikites are not normal fair-weather blimps.For years they have been the preferredaerostat for both scientists and the military.They utilise both wind and helium to keepthem up. Even small models can fly steadilyin winds from 0 to 50mph.Altitude keeping is also very stable,especially at sea. Uniquely for smallaerostats; Met-Helikites can besuccessfully flown from walking personnel,moving vehicles, small boats or ships. Thismakes it easy to trail them over hundredsof miles on land or sea whilst they gatherenormous amounts of data from whateveraltitude the operator desires.AdvantagesThe advantages for wind farm developersare obvious. Wind prospecting can occurover vast areas very rapidly. Met-Helikitescan accurately sense where the ‘sweetspots’occur, with the highest windspeeds and the lowest turbulence.Large areas of consistently high windscan be determined which can be used tocorrectly position large wind farms. Also,small positioning differencescan be exploited to enhancethe production from a singlewind turbine. The amount ofdata that can be gathered isorders of magnitude greaterthan any other existingmethods - and the cost isminimal.CostsFinancing immense sumsof money upon inaccurateestimates can be a thing ofthe past. Using Met-Helikites,wind farm developers caneasily afford to prospectfor wind extensively andaccurately worldwide. Thisensures the most efficientbuild costs and far greaterprofitability.Sandy AllsoppAllsopp Helikites Ltdwww.allsopphelikites.com100www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

EnergisingThe windindustryIncreased complexities require asystem-level approach in designing andevaluating wind turbinesWind energy projects around the globe —from small installations to very large windfarms — have a common goal in reducingunit energy cost while improving reliability.Business perspectiveFrom a business perspective, technologycontributes to viability by influencingefficient wind turbine design, manufacture,deployment and operation. Whether theapplication is an onshore, offshore orfar-shore installation, advancements inscience and engineering will contribute tothe industry’s success, especially throughcapabilities related to aerodynamic design,material science, structural design, electronicmechanical control, site selection and farmlayout.More complex turbinesWind turbines and wind energy projectsare becoming increasingly more complex,so they must operate dependably at levelsunimaginable a few years ago.Installations of very large wind turbinesin offshore and floating configurationsare a major technological achievement.Energy companies hope to design,install, and efficiently and reliably operatesuperstructures whose wind blade spansare over 50 metres and subject to wave andwind loading at different angles of attack.HistoryHistorically, wind energy companies haveused engineering simulation software asa point solution, used only to simulatea specific design aspect or analyse acomponent.Successful application of ANSYS solutionsranges across the wind energy industry,including….• Aerodynamic design – thrust coefficient,blade structural integrity, ultimate loadsand fatigue, noise predication, wind gustfluid–structure interaction, bird strike,icing, boundary layer transition, nearwakeand far-field studies• Structural design – lower and rotorstructural integrity/safety, powerconversion efficiency, installation costand maintenance, offshore transportand installation• Component design – blades, gearboxesand bearings, generators, nacelles,rotors, drivers, motors, electronicscooling• Site selection and farm layout –maximum project potential, poweroutput (both peak and average), windloads, fatigue• Turbine placement – variable terrain,roughness, forestry, multiple wakeeffects, buildings and setbacks• Electromechanical system – electricalmachines, variable-speed controlsystems, transformers, powerelectronics, power distribution, sensorand actuator design• Blade manufacturingSystem - level approachToday’s increased complexities require asystem-level approach in designing windturbines and evaluating performance basedon real-world conditions.Advances in engineering simulation softwareincreasingly make this possible because:• Modern simulation software is designedwith capabilities that enable modellingentire wind turbine systemsSpecialist tools• Its value is further enhanced throughadvanced solver functionality includingturbulence transition models, advancedcontact models, multiphysicscapabilities, composites tools, highperformancecomputing and theflexibility to connect to third-partysoftware for wind turbine blademanufacturing or aero-elasticitycalculations.• Engineers can performelectromechanical system-levelanalysis, electromagnetic analysis onelectric machines and drives, wind poweranalysis, and stress and modal analysis.High-level integration andadvanced capabilitiesBy leveraging high-level integration andadvanced capabilities engineers overtime are extending their once-simplifiedsimulations to include additional details inoverall wind turbine design - enabling smallefficiency gains, important in an industry inwhich a minute efficiency/performance gaincan translate into much larger electricityproduction, reduced downtime and greaterproject profitability.Greater reliability whichenables better wind energyproject operationSuch details can also improve reliability andenable better wind energy project operation.Already, there are many exciting examples ofthe expanding use of engineering simulationthroughout the wind energy supply chain.Additional complexitiesWith increased demand for wind energy,engineers will face additional complexities,such as even-larger turbine blades that willbe installed farther offshore and in harsherenvironments.Wind farm site selection must continue toreduce risk and overcome proximity andenvironmental concerns. New powertrains,lighter towers, multi-access turbines, floatingplatforms and quieter machines will bedeveloped. The industry will innovate tomeet the challenges of increased safetyand reliability, improved remote monitoring,reduced system maintenance and regulatoryconcerns.Keeping paceANSYS is keeping pace by providing highfidelityintegrated, advanced capabilitiesthat meet single-physics needs as wellas system-level and multi-disciplinaryrequirements of the wind energy industry.Ahmad HaidariANSYS Incwww.ansys.comwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk103

DISTRIBUTED WINDfeature sponsorDistributed WindSome of our new readers may not have heard the expression ‘Distributed wind’. Julian Martin CEO, ICE Renewables(continuing sponsors of this feature) explains...“Many of our customers in theagricultural and commercial sectorshave high local energy demand whetherto operate machinery or refrigerationequipment. Distributed wind energyproduction allows for energy to beproduced at the point of consumptionand allows the producer to directly offset local energy requirements and feedthe excess produced back into thenetwork to be consumed locally. Thismodel is more efficient than centralisedenergy production as there is less energyloss across the grid.”ICE Renewables agreement withNorventoOur feature sponsors North YorkshireDistributed Wind specialist company,ICE Renewables, secured a head ofterms contract at All Energy 2013 heldin Aberdeen recently to handle the firstnED 100kW turbine across the UK,with Spanish manufacturer, Norvento.This turbine is already receiving stronginterest and the company has clients withsubmitted planning applications.Moving from strength tostrengthEstablishing itself as one of the leadingdistributed wind specialists in mediumand megawatt sized wind projects, ICERenewables has experienced recordgrowth over the past 18 months, with anincrease in turnover of over 300%.Based on the Crabtree Hall Business Centrein Northallerton, the company adds the100kW nED turbine to its growing portfolioof Distributed Wind solutions.104www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsor DISTRIBUTED WINDSpeaking about the contract with Norvento,ICE Renewables CEO and Chair ofRenewable UK’s Small and MediumWind Strategy Group, Julian Martin said:“Securing this agreement is excellentnews for ICE Renewables. It ensures thatwe are able to offer our clients a leadingthree blade, 100kW turbine. The nED100 is ideal for a variety of locations suchas factories, farms, shopping centres,tourist and leisure centres, schools,colleges and residential areas. This turbinecomplements our existing portfolio andenables us to offer even more solutions toour customers”.Excellent performanceConceived and designed by Spanishmanufacturers, Norvento, the nED 100delivers excellent performance andcomplies with the same requirementsdemanded for large wind turbines.Versatility linked to safetyThe exclusive variable pitch and speedsystem on the nED 100 make it possible toreach aerodynamic efficiency in any windconditions. This maximises the amountof power outputted by the turbine. ThenED 100’s multipole permanent-magnet,synchronous generator and the machineryconstruction allows a mechanical efficiencyclose to 100 per cent.Safety is also paramount with the nED100. The turbine has a triple brake systemand continuous monitoring of vibrationsand temperatures.Reliability and poweravailabilityFor the consumer, reliability and poweravailability are two fundamental aspects inthe decision to purchase a wind turbine.In order to address these, the nED 100has been designed with direct drive andwithout hydraulic systems, in order toavoid the use of a gear box, and minimisethe possibility of breakdowns.Complete solutionICE Renewables is a full service renewablecompany offering complete windsolutions. It is able to offer planning,technical services, operations andmaintenance and construction across arange of turbines.Established in 2006, the companyis growing strongly and is one of thecountry’s main providers of distributedmedium and megawatt wind turbineswith demand for their services comingfrom farmers and the rural community,land agents and landowners as well asdevelopers and the industrial sector.ExpansionICE Renewables is also building presencein the commercial market and retailsectors and are expanding their salesterritory to include wider geographicalareas. The contract discussions withNorvento also demonstrate the business’scommitment to offering a comprehensiveportfolio of distributed wind solutions andhas more than 35 years of experience inthe wind and renewable energy market.ICE Renewableswww.icerenewables.comClick to view more infowww.windenergynetwork.co.uk105

DISTRIBUTED WINDfeature sponsorGearless wind turbines workingin extreme conditionsWith wind turbines operating in extremewind regimes such as the Caribbeanand northern Scotland, NorthernPower Systems today announcedthat its fleet of gearless turbines thatexperience hurricane-speed winds hasachieved 1 million run time hours, allwithout incident. That is equivalent toa cumulative 114 years of continuous,safe, high-performance operation.Design and controlProper design and control are essential fora renewable energy system to withstandchallenging environmental conditions.Reinforced blades, triple braking system,and a gearless design are the keyelements that make Northern Powerturbines the most reliable small windturbines available today.They have safely handled all types ofweather and wind situations from theblustery conditions of Alaska to the windyshores of the Maritime Provinces ofCanada.History and experienceThe company’s entire fleet of gearlessturbines, with over 2.5 million combinedrun hours, has performed with a trackrecord of zero incidents. These turbinesrepresent the most recent generation ofproven technology and the company’sroots date back almost 40 years havingsuccessfully deployed hundreds of otherturbines during its long history, achievingover 10 million run time hours.Hurricane Sandy – USAAs a testament to the design andengineering behind Northern Powerturbines, all 74 units in the path ofHurricane Sandy when it blasted throughin November 2012 were undamaged bythe high winds.Once conditions returned to normal,each turbine started generating electricityagain. “We knew the machine wouldexperience a hurricane eventually, but wenever imagined it would happen the firstyear,” said Ron Masters, Commissioner ofConservation and Waterways for the Townof Hempstead, NY. “We chose the NPS100 for its reliability and ruggedness,knowing it would meet the needs ofthe town’s renewable energy educationand outreach mission. The turbine’sperformance to date has exceeded ourhighest expectations.”Extreme conditions – NorthernScotlandThe last week of January 2013 broughtsevere gales and storm force winds to allparts of the United Kingdom, with gustsreaching 85 mph in northern Scotland, yetnone of the Northern Power turbines in theUK were damaged.Hurricane Irene – BahamasOn August 24, 2011, Hurricane Irene(a category 3 major hurricane) passedthrough the Bahamas, leaving behinda trail of extensive damage resultingin monetary losses in the Caribbeanestimated to be as high as $3.1 billion.The island of Over Yonder Cay took adirect hit, yet despite the strength of thestorm that toppled other wind turbines onthe island, both Northern Power 100 kWwind turbines were undamaged. The NPSturbines did what they were designedto do: they entered into safe mode afterdetecting high winds and returned tonormal operation the following morning.Design essential“We initially purchased Northern Power’sNPS 100 because of the high reliabilityand low sound profile, both a resultof the permanent magnet direct drivegenerator design. After the NPS 100’ssurvived Hurricane Irene we purchased athird turbine because it was clear that theNPS 100 lived up to the high standardsthat were advertised,” said Mike McGuire,Site Manager, Over Yonder Cay.Hundreds of Northern Power windturbines have been installed globally,generating clean renewable energy day byday while offsetting more than 50,000 tonsof CO2. Northern Power is committed to acleaner, greener future.Northern Power Systemswww.northernpower.com106www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorDISTRIBUTED WINDFarm wind not wind farmsnew windturbine canhelprevitaliseruraleconomyNew 225kW turbine designed tosupport British farmersEndurance Wind Power recently confirmedthat the X-Series, a new range of 225kWwind turbines, has started production in aUK based facility, helping British farmersgenerate additional income, insulating therural economy from rising energy prices,and giving rural areas access to electricitythat the grid may not provide.The new turbine is targeted specificallyat farmers who wish to reap a higherfinancial return and power output thanfrom smaller turbines, but don’t want toinstall larger towers synonymous with windfarms. Endurance turbines are smallerthan standard pylons and less than athird of the height of traditional utility scaleturbines.Engineering experts attend CLAGame FairThe company demonstrated its supportfor British farmers by sponsoring theRenewables Zone at the Country Landand Business Association Game Fair atRagley Hall, Warwickshire recently. Thecompany had engineering experts onhand to answer questions on everythingfrom how to install turbines, measure windspeeds and get planning permission. Theywill also be showcased their latest turbinetechnology, including a full-size nacelle(turbine head) of their flagship 50kWE-Series turbine.Generating incomeEndurance UK Managing Director, DaveRankin said: “Endurance turbines cangenerate real income for British farmersat a tough time for crop yields. We lookforward to supporting CLA membersat the Ragley Game Fair later anddemonstrating the healthy returns thatcan be made from installing our kit,especially our new X-Series model.”CLA Game Fair Director, AndrewCrawford said: “We are delightedEndurance Wind Power is sponsoringthe Renewables Zone at this year’s CLAGame Fair. It is an opportunity for CLAmembers and other visitors to benefitfrom owning and operating small andmedium-sized wind turbines.”Research shows increasinginvestment in farm windNottingham Trent University’s, Forum forthe Future and Farmers Weekly held priorto the CLA Game Fair published findingsfrom its “Farm as Power Station” projectwhich shows the rate of farmers installingrenewables has gone up from 5% to 40%in the last three years.In the next five years three in every fourfarmers could be generating renewableenergy, with a significant proportion ofthis being small and medium scale wind,according to the survey.Endurance Wind Powerwww.endurancewindpower.co.ukwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk107

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENTfeature sponsorNarec and the RETAproject brings £2.8 millionboost for the offshorerenewables supply chainRDF supported technologyinnovation programme kicks offThe National Renewable Energy Centre(Narec) has established a £2.8 millionpublic-private initiative to support SMEsin the North East of England to move intothe rapidly developing offshore wind andmarine renewable energy supply chain.The Renewable Energy TechnologyAccelerator (RETA) project will launchwith three new collaborations, involvingcompanies developing innovativetechnologies to reduce the cost ofoffshore renewable energy installations.Building on engineering companystrengthsTony Ikwue, Innovation and CorporateDevelopment Director at Narec, said:“Narec has created this programme tobuild on the strengths of local engineeringcompanies. Initial interest from industryhas been extremely high and the projectsselected will see new products beingdeveloped in the North East.“There will also be knock on benefits byway of supply contracts and knowledgetransfer opportunities for SMEs lookingto enter these promising but stillrelatively immature industries.”Supporting innovationCllr Neil Foster, Deputy Chair of theNorth East England Local ManagementCommittee (LMC), which engages keypartners in the overseeing of the strategicdelivery of the ERDF Programme in theNorth East, said: “ERDF investment willensure businesses receive excellentsupport to develop innovative newproducts; helping SMEs to enter themarket, or enhance their position withinthe industry. Businesses will have accessto Narec’s world class research facilitiesand expertise to develop their ideas andimmerse themselves in the emergingsupply chain. This will have a positiveimpact on the North East economy.”Innovation projectsThe programme will be completed bythe end of March 2015. Two technologyinnovation projects are already underwayand a third is currently in development.1. Inter-array cable trencherIHC Engineering Business will work withNarec on the development of an interarraycable trencher for offshore windfarms. This will be suitable for trenchingboth away from and towards turbineand substation foundations in seabedconditions representative of planned UKoffshore wind sites.Ralph Manchester, Chief TrenchingEngineer at IHC Engineering Business,explains the revolutionary design:“The High Traction (Hi-Traq) vehicleuses patented technology to improvemanoeuvrability, traction and overalltrenching capability. It has been specificallydeveloped to reduce the day to day issuesfacing operators. They have no optionat the moment but to use technologydesigned and build for the oil and gassector - technology that is not appropriatefor the offshore wind farm sector.”Ed’s note – please also see moredetailed article on this projectelsewhere within this feature2. Smart cables for offshore powertransmissionTecnalia will work with PDL Solutions andJDR Cable Systems on the design anddevelopment of smart cable technology.Offshore grid infrastructure reliabilityis a key concern for the industry andthis project will focus on improving theunderstanding of cable performance insitu,so that installation, operational andasset management practices can beevolved to optimise energy production.Development and investmentOver its lifetime, the project is expected toprovide more than 70 regional SMEs withtechnical and market advisory services toassist them with developing products andservices aimed at the offshore renewablesindustry.The European Regional DevelopmentFund Competitiveness Programme2007- 2013, which is managed by theDepartment for Communities and LocalGovernment, is investing £1.39 million inthe project. This funding is being matchedby Narec along with five industry partnersand all work will be undertaken in theNorth East to engage local companies.108www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorRESEARCH & DEVELOPMENTElisa Ruiz, Project Manager at Tecnalia,said: “The smart cables project is anexciting opportunity for the consortiumpartners to work together to deliverinnovation which has the potential tomaterially impact the levelised cost ofoffshore renewable energy”.James Young, Engineering Director atJDR, added: “We are committed toenabling the next generation of offshorepower projects to deliver cost-effectiverenewable energy, using the latestdevelopments in cable technologyand manufacture. The collaborativeapproach being taken by NAREC andthe support provided by the ERDF, willenable us to accelerate developments insmart cable technology that will benefitthe industry and the region.”Paul Charlton, CEO, PDL Solutions,said: “This project is an excellentopportunity to showcase the specialistskills and expertise located here inNorth East England; it highlights thevital contribution the region is playing inthe commercialisation and reliability ofoffshore renewable energy technologies.This is a great opportunity for PDL andthe wider supply chain; we are reallypleased to be part of this collaborativeindustrial research project.”3. Tidal energy converter nacelleintervention systemThis project, currently in development, willenable Atlantis Resources Corporationto work with Narec on the developmentof a highly innovative nacelle interventionsystem for their tidal energy turbine. Thisis intended to significantly reduce theinstallation and operation costs offshore.Tim Cornelius, Chief Executive Officerof Atlantis Resources, said: “The tidalenergy industry is at a crucial stage in itsdevelopment and this partnership couldmake a material difference in acceleratingthe speed of national turbine deployment.By reducing installation and interventioncosts for offshore devices, we plan tobring commercial tidal power arrays to theUK in the near future.”Narecwww.narec.co.ukIHC Engineering Businesswww.engb.comTecnaliawww.tecnalia.comAtlantis Resources Corporationwww.atlantisresourcescorporation.comJDRwww.jdrglobal.comClick to view more info= Click to view video 1= Click to view video 2www.windenergynetwork.co.uk109

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENTfeature sponsorIHC engineering businessresearch & development projectfor the offshore wind sectorThe design of a demonstration vehiclethat meets the challenges of cablelaying for the development of offshorewind farms is being developed by IHCEngineering Business.Hi-TraqThe Hi-Traq vehicle is backed by a historyof innovation. It is the result of investmentin focused research and developmentby the company which is based in NorthEast England and part of the global IHCMerwede group.Ralph Manchester, Chief TrenchingEngineer at IHC Engineering Businessexplains the revolutionary design,“The High Traction (Hi-Traq) vehicleuses patented technology to improvemanoeuvrability, traction and overalltrenching capability.”He adds, “It has been specificallydeveloped to reduce the day to dayissues facing operators. They haveno option at the moment but to usetechnology designed and built for the oiland gas sector - technology that is notappropriate for the offshore wind farmsector.”Development strategyA demonstration vehicle applying andintroducing the next generation technologywill be launched soon and this is part ofthe company’s ongoing multi-generationproduct development strategy.RETA projectThe Hi-Traq project forms part of theRETA project, which is part-financed bythe European Regional Development FundProgramme 2007 to 2013.The Department for Communities andLocal Government is the managingauthority for the European RegionalDevelopment Fund Programme, whichis one of the funds established by theEuropean Commission to help local areasstimulate their economic development byinvesting in projects which will supportlocal businesses and create jobs.Ed’s note – Please also see moredetail on the RETA project within ourlead article at the beginning of thisResearch & Development featureIHC Engineering Businesswww.engb.com110www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

feature sponsorRESEARCH & DEVELOPMENTPower conversion helps to build the futureof wind power efficiencyWind turbine developers will soon haveopen access to a £50 million testingfacility in the UK based on unique andleading-edge technology. The stateof-the-artfacility has been specificallydesigned for full-scale testing of largenacelles. GE’s Power Conversion(NYSE: GE) allows them to developand build the next generation of windturbines that will be increasinglyefficient, reliable and cost-effective.Renewable Energy Centre(NAREC)This wind turbine test platform isbeing built at Narec. It is designed toallow manufacturers to speed up thedevelopment time of their systems. Inorder to achieve this, a tailor-made,35-meter-high, 3,000-sq.-meter facilityto house the test rig was constructedon designs allowing it to be capable ofhandling the performance, enduranceand compressed life testing of completenacelles.Franz Hubl, Global Business Leader - testsystems, GE Power Conversion, said,“Narec customers, regardless of wherethey are from, will soon benefit fromthis facility and the improvements that itwill deliver in sustainable wind energy.We are well on the way to completingthe installation and will train technicalpersonnel very shortly.is being provided by GE’s consortiumpartner - MTS Systems Corporation ofMinneapolis. Its equipment is one ofthe largest in the world of its type andincorporates an unsurpassed hydraulic/mechanical system to apply forces to themechanical assembly of the wind turbine,as seen in the real installation, e.g. by windforces at an offshore installation.Direct-drive permanent magnetmotorThe installation that GE has designed andwill commission is comprised of the directdrive,permanent magnet motor, one ofthe first of its kind, which will run at upto 30 rpm and with a maximum force of14.3 million NM (Newton Meter), resultingin a power of over 20,000 hp, which isequivalent to the driving power of 150passenger cars.GE is responsible for the turnkey packagefor the test facility from the grid supplyto the motor shaft, including a heavyduty,medium-voltage drive systemand comprehensive automation andvisualisation equipment, as well asoverlooking the overall installation with thewind load simulator.Energy Technologies Institute(ETI) investmentThe Energy Technologies Institute (ETI)is investing £25m in the Narec facility,through the design, development andcommissioning of the test rig by GE PowerConversion and MTS Systems Corporation.It is a public-private partnership betweenglobal energy and engineering companiesand the U.K. government to bring togetherengineering projects that accelerate thedevelopment of affordable, secure andsustainable technologies.“GE also is responsible for supplying onsiteand remote service and maintenanceas well as developing new equipmentfor future projects. Similar to the LORC(Lindoe Offshore Renewables Centre)project, we are excited to take a leadingrole in a project that will improvetomorrow’s energy technologies.”Investment fundingNarec has invested more than £125 millionof U.K. government, private sector andEuropean Union funding to create anunique integrated portfolio of testing andresearch facilities for renewable energy,operated on an open-access commercialbasis in Blyth, Northumberland, England.Test facilityThe Narec test facility is the largestindependent open-access facility for thetesting of wind turbine drive trains in theworld. The FAS (Force Application System)GE Power Conversion’s 15-megawattpermanent magnet motorOn-site assemblyThe 15-megawatt permanent magnetmotor, serving as the main driver toemulate the wind speed, with a ratingof 20,000 hp, has been developed andsupplied by GE, Rugby, and featuressuperior dynamics in conjunction with thecontrols, supplied by GE, Berlin. Due to itsmere size with a diameter of 8 meters andan approximate weight of 330 tons, it wasassembled on-site. The pre-fabricatedelements are being shipped to the Narecsite and the remaining assembly workcarried out in situ by GE.GE Power Conversionwww.gepowerconversion.comwww.windenergynetwork.co.uk111

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENTfeature sponsorTimken andStark StateCollege OpenCutting-EdgeTechnology andTest CentreCollaboration between The TimkenCompany and Stark State Collegeled to development of the newTechnology and Test Centre, thefirst testing facility of its kind to beconstructed in the Americas.CapabilityThe $14 million centre on Stark StateCollege’s North Canton, Ohio, campustests ultra-large bearing systems thatcan be up to 13 feet in outside diameteron sophisticated equipment capable ofsimulating harsh operating conditionssimilar to those found in large multimegawattwind turbines.The new test facility is expected to shortendevelopment cycles and improve thereliability and cost-effectiveness of theselarge rotating systems.FlexibiltyTesting capabilities within the 18,000square foot facility have the flexibility tofocus on wind turbine applications aswell as other large, rotating equipmentfor industries including off-shore oil rigs,mine trucks, electric shovels (in mining),steel rolling mills, cement vertical mills andhydraulic roll presses.Training facilityThe test centre also houses a classroom/lab for training students in electricaland mechanical engineering as well asalternative energy programs including solarand wind energy, oil and gas, and fuel cells.Stark State offers associate degrees, oneyearand short-term certificates in thoseenergy programmes.Collaboration and jointcommitment“This world-class testing facilitywill supply knowledge vital for thedevelopment of mechanical powertransmissioncomponent technologiesin multiple industries,” said Douglas H.Smith, Senior Vice President and ChiefTechnology Officer for Timken.“This relationship between Stark StateCollege and The Timken Company marksthe latest collaboration between our twoinstitutions to create advancements intechnology and industry,” said Dr. ParaM. Jones, President of Stark State College.“The test centre is also an example of ourjoint commitment to develop educationand training capabilities that supportindustry-leading clean energy programs.”Recently officials from Timken and StarkState College were joined by a numberof community and government leaders,including Ohio Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor andU.S. Rep. Jim Renacci, to officially markthe opening of the Technology and TestCentre, located on 15 acres near theAkron-Canton Airport.FundingFunding for the project combines more than$6 million invested by Timken; $2.1 millionfrom Ohio’s Third Frontier Commission; anda $1.5 million loan from the Ohio Air QualityDevelopment Authority’s Advanced EnergyJobs Stimulus Programme.Stark State funded the land acquisition,site preparation, building constructionand academic furnishings at total cost of$3 million, supported by a gift from theTimken Foundation, a private charitablefamily foundation.Stark State Collegewww.starkstate.eduThe Timken Companywww.timken.com112www.windenergynetwork.co.uk

The design of a demonstration vehiclethat meets the challenges of cablelaying for the development of offshorewind farms is being developed by IHCEngineering Business.www.engb.comHi-TraqThe Hi-Traq vehicle is backed by a historyof innovation. It is the result of investmentin focused research and developmentby the company which is based in NorthEast England and part of the global IHCMerwede group.Ralph Manchester, Chief TrenchingEngineer at IHC Engineering Businessexplains the revolutionary design,“The High Traction (Hi-Traq) vehicleuses patented technology to improvemanoeuvrability, traction and overalltrenching capability.”He adds, “It has been specificallydeveloped to reduce the day to dayissues facing operators. They haveno option at the moment but to usetechnology designed and built for the oiland gas sector - technology that is notappropriate for the offshore wind farmsector.”Development strategyA demonstration vehicle applying andintroducing the next generation technologywill be launched soon and this is part ofthe company’s ongoing multi-generationproduct development strategy.RETA projectThe Hi-Traq project forms part of theRETA project, which is part-financed bythe European Regional Development FundProgramme 2007 to 2013.The Department for Communities andLocal Government is the managingauthority for the European RegionalDevelopment Fund Programme, whichis one of the funds established by theEuropean Commission to help local areasstimulate their economic development byinvesting in projects which will supportlocal businesses and create jobs.Ed’s note – please also see moredetail on the RETA project within ourlead article at the beginning of thisResearch & Development featureIHC Engineering Businesswww.windenergynetwork.co.uk??

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