Wärtsilä has signed a contract with Lamprell plc of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to supply a complete ship power system for a new wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV). Wärtsilä’s solution has been selected for its low fuel consumption, environmentally sound technology, and global service support.
The vessel’s owner is Fred. Olsen Windcarrier AS, and it is scheduled to be launched in summer 2012. This is the first in a series of two such vessels with an option for two more at a later date.
The vessel is to be built by Lamprell plc, a UAE-based company specializing in Marine and Offshore newbuild constructions, and the refurbishing of rigs and lift boats for the oil and gas industries. Fred. Olsen Windcarrier AS, the ship’s owner, is a company established two years ago to meet the increasing demand for offshore WTIVs and other related marine service vessels. The owner, the shipyard, the ship’s designer and Wärtsilä have worked in close co-operation to develop the vessel’s capability to efficiently carry out this work in the challenging conditions of the North Sea. As a provider of complete ship power solutions, Wärtsilä is able to optimize both the technical performance of the onboard equipment, and the overall operating costs of the vessel.
Flexible power generation
The engine configuration is based on fuel-efficient Wärtsilä medium speed engines. The scope of supply includes one 6-cylinder, two 9-cylinder and one 12-cylinder generating sets based on the Wärtsilä 32 engine, the bow thrusters, the power drive, and the automation systems.
The operational profile of a WTIV requires appropriate power to meet the various operation modes, and Wärtsilä’s fully diesel electric machinery allows for such flexible power; for instance by engaging only the required number of generating sets. This optimizes engine loading, rationalizes fuel consumption, and ensures the most economical operation under all conditions. At the same time, the level of emissions is automatically controlled.
Huge potential demand
According to estimates by the European Wind Energy Association, the energy production from offshore wind resources will sharply increase. To meet increasing energy demands and the need to reduce CO2 emissions, as many as 20,000 offshore wind turbines are expected to be erected over the coming ten years. From 2020 to 2030, a further 40,000 windmills are likely to be installed making for a cumulative power generating capacity of 150.000 MW. This growth will in turn increase the expected demand for WTIVs.
Up to 10 wind turbines
The WTIV will be 131 metres long with a beam of 39 metres, and capable of speeds of up to 12 knots. It will be capable of carrying heavy loads, will be equipped with dynamic positioning technology, and have good manoeuvrability in port. It will be able to transport on deck up to 10 wind turbines, each with rotors of more than 100-metres diameter. On arrival at location, the ship’s four legs are lowered to the sea floor and the vessel elevates itself using a jack-up system to become a stable working platform. The wind turbines are installed using the vessel’s 800-tonne crane.
