Successful trials for wind farm Turbine Access System

OCTOBER 1, 2012 —The offshore wind farm Turbine Access System (TAS) developed by the U.K.’s Houlder Ltd. and BMT Nigel Gee has successfully completed an extensive set of offshore trials. The TAS was fitted to Turbine Transfers’ 24 m wind farm support vessel Cemlyn Bay for a four week trials period at RWE’s Rhyl Flats  wind farm.

The TAS is a lightweight motion compensated gangway that provides substantially improved access to offshore wind turbines for maintenance personnel (see earlier story). It considerably increases the level of safety and operability, both of which are prime goals for offshore wind farm operators and developers. A key feature of the TAS is that it can be fitted to a wide range of existing support vessels. It does not require the host vessel to have DP and the TAS platform does not connect to the turbine structure in any way.

The Cemlyn Bay made multiple trips to the RWE site, 8 km North West of Llandudno,Wales, and completed trials on September 21. Despite experiencing wave heights in excess of 1.8 m, the TAS gangway provided a stable transfer platform with the system performing within its safe operating limits.

Frederic Perdrix, Houlder Chief Technology Officer, commented “It’s one thing seeing an animation but actually seeing it on a wind turbine in heavy seas was most impressive”.

Hazel Phillips, General Manager at Turbine Transfers commented: “We have been very impressed by the performance of the TAS and believe that this provides a step change in transfer safety and operability”.

Further assessment of the TAS is now planned and RWE, supported by the Carbon Trust, has shown interest in undertaking further trials.