Barge Master has developed a motion-compensated platform, or Feeder, that can be installed on existing vessels to make them suitable for carrying wind turbine components. To further develop this solution, Barge Master will receive a capital injection of EUR 7.5 million from the Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam and existing shareholders.
Barge Master successfully develops motion-compensating solutions for the offshore industry. Due to its recent innovation on their existing technology, the solution now also offers great added value for the construction of offshore wind farms and thus makes an important social contribution to the energy transition. That is why the company receives the extra funding.
Also read: AiP for motion-compensated barges for US offshore wind
Reduced construction time, costs and CO2 emissions
A major challenge in the construction of offshore wind farms is the transport of the wind turbine components from the port to the wind farms located far off the coast. The current method involves expensive installation vessels sailing up and down to pick up the components.
Barge Master has designed a motion-compensating platform, the Feeder, which can be easily installed on existing vessels. These machines keep the large turbine parts in balance so that they can be craned to the installation vessel at sea.
In this way, the installation vessel can remain at sea and continue to install, while being continuously supplied with new wind turbine components. Existing installation vessels can therefore be deployed more efficiently and have a longer lifespan. The result is a shorter construction time, lower investments and a more competitive price for offshore wind energy. Barge Master’s solution is said to achieve an average CO2 saving of 100 kilotonnes per year.
First large-scale offshore wind farm in the US
Barge Master recently signed a multi-year contract with DEME, one of the world’s largest wind farm contractors, for the construction of the first large-scale commercial offshore wind farm in the United States, Vineyard Wind 1 (804 MW). The contract with DEME requires a total of four Feeder platforms. Thanks to the capital injection, Barge Master can finance the construction of these machines, which can also be used for other offshore wind farms in the future.
Also read: DEME and Barge Master working on US offshore wind feeder solution
Chantal Zeegers, alderman of Rotterdam for climate, building and living: ‘Proud that we can contribute to this green entrepreneurship through the Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam. It is these types of entrepreneurs, these types of solutions, that contribute to the major climate challenge we face.’
