A2SEA’s installation work began early in August at Westermost Rough, where 35 Siemens 6 MW turbines are being installed by SEA CHALLENGER. It’s the first commercial installation of these game-changing machines, which are a major step forward in reducing the cost of energy in offshore wind.
In January 2013, two Siemens 6 MW wind turbines were commissioned at DONG Energy’s Gunfleet Sands III demonstration project off the UK coast. Installed by A2SEA’s SEA INSTALLER, the machines began generating electricity in the spring of 2013.
The new turbines are part of an overall aim to reduce the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) for offshore wind as an energy source. And, while the increase in sheer generating capacity to 6 MW may be the easiest part of the cost reduction puzzle to understand, the project represented the tip of a far more fundamental iceberg.
Game changer
“The 6 MW wind turbine is a true game-changer for the offshore wind industry,” said Michael Hannibal, CEO Offshore at Siemens Wind Power, delivering a speech at Esbjerg in connection with second-generation installation vessel SEA CHALLENGER’s recent arrival to join the A2SEA Fleet. And he added further emphasis to the role of these giant-sized turbines in the years to come, stating: “SEA CHALLENGER will write offshore wind history.”
In August, SEA CHALLENGER sailed out into UK waters to deliver on that promise. Her task was to install 35 of the new 6 MW turbines at DONG Energy’s Westermost Rough project, and the first of these was successfully installed on August 14.
Commercial masterpiece
“This is the first time anywhere in the world that these turbines will be used on a large scale,” says Michael Hannibal. “And at Siemens Wind Power, we view the successful execution of the Westermost Rough project as a masterpiece of engineering in the offshore wind sector.”
The 35 turbines at Westermost Rough are just the first wave of many to come. DONG Energy already has a framework deal in place with Siemens Wind Power to deliver 300 units in UK waters. And further 6 MW turbines may also be used at the developer’s UK Round 3 Hornsea site.
Working together
So far, Siemens, DONG Energy and A2SEA have a track record of 14 joint offshore wind projects. Among them are lighthouse projects for the industry, including the London Array project – the world’s largest offshore wind power plant to date. Having worked together so many times makes the installation work easier for all involved.
For example, when SEA INSTALLER installed the pilot 6 MW turbines at Gunfleet Sands, the teams from the two companies managed to install each machine in less than 24 hours, setting a new record. Amazingly, this result was achieved despite it being SEA INSTALLER’s first-ever project.
Knowledge-sharing gains
“We at Siemens believe that offshore wind is a main pillar of tomorrow’s energy mix,” says Michael Hannibal. “It provides CO2-free power generation, a high level of reliability and a high yield.”
“Developing new machines such as the Siemens 6 MW turbine is just one lever to bring down the cost of energy. Each turbine can supply up to 6,000 European homes with clean electricity, which is definitely an innovation milestone, but in offshore wind projects, the turbine only accounts for roughly 30% of the entire up-front investment. Thus, we as turbine suppliers can`t make offshore wind power competitive alone. We need partners along the value chain pursuing the same goal.”
“Working with DONG Energy and A2SEA, we’ve been able to share knowledge among a turbine supplier, turbine operator and an installation specialist. This makes it possible to build optimised vessels for offshore installation such as SEA CHALLENGER. And, as the Gunfleet Sands pilot project has already shown, the optimisation of turbines, vessels and processes results in higher efficiency, shorter installation times and enhanced customer value.”
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