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Quicker and quieter

In January 2014, six companies got together to test the use of vibration piling as a quieter, faster way to sink monopiles into the seabed. The results aren’t finalised yet, but what’s the current status?

RWE Innogy, E.ON, Dong Energy, Vattenfall, EnBW and Bilfinger Marine and Offshore. When a line-up of companies like this gets together to support an innovative project, you would expect them to make quite an impact. In the case of this pilot project, however, the situation is quite the opposite. Continue reading →

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The Every day, Everyone team

By Steen H. Drue, Project Manager, A2SEA A/S

“Where there’s a team, there’s a way.” At least, that’s how the more traditional saying might have sounded if it had originated on the job at Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm in the Irish Sea. Actually, there’s not just one team involved, but several, all working together. Continue reading →

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Report from Gwynt y Môr

By Steen Drue, Project Manager, A2SEA A/S

Turbine installation work at Gwynt y Môr began on April 30 when SEA JACK started work loading components for the very first of 160 turbine locations. Seven weeks later, SEA WORKER departed from Grenaa, Denmark, headed for the port of Mostyn to join the installation teamwork. In June, the two vessels began working ”side-by-side”, although, in reality, they only occasionally pass each other on the water. Continue reading →

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The start-stop challenge

By Kaj Lindvig, Senior Advisor, A2SEA A/S

Stable, long-term policy support and almost super-human planning skills are must-haves for any industry that involves projects as large and as lengthy as today’s offshore wind farms. Perhaps understandably, getting that kind of support in place is no easy task – particularly with the number of stakeholders and considerations involved. The result, particularly where the German market is concerned, is a bumpy, start-stop ride whose costs implications have damaged the industry’s reputation and attractiveness to investors. Continue reading →

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Customers talk about challenges

With offshore wind developments in the UK currently generating more power than the rest of Europe combined, and a strong pipeline of projects planned for the coming decade, offshore wind has become a major element in the UK energy mix.

In the Irish Sea, home to two of the Round 3 zones, locating a harbour with enough storage capacity to stock huge turbines and foundations, and deep enough for large installation vessels to operate, were two major challenges facing both DONG Energy and RWE. Continue reading →