High Performance Wind Turbine Installation Vessel

PHOTO: This HPTIV can operate in year around weather conditions with an operational water depth range of 4.5 to 50 m – courtesy Wärtsilä

With the market for offshore wind farms rapidly developing, Wärtsilä and Aker Solutions have agreed to combine forces to develop a new and environmentally sound concept for offshore wind farm installation vessels. Under the agreement, Wärtsilä will provide the ship design, electrical power generation, propulsion machinery and high-end automation, while Aker Solutions will supply the jacking system.

Top tier technologies for this custom designed vessel will enable a highly efficient way of setting up offshore wind power generation. The vessel will rely on three Wärtsilä 6L34DF and two Wärtsilä 9L20DF dual-fuel engines operating on liquefied natural gas (LNG) to provide main and auxiliary power. Similarly, heat from the engine cooling system will be utilized to generate drinking water, and to supply hot water for use by the crew. The accommodation heating on board will also use the same heat source, while absorption chiller units will provide air conditioning during summer months.

Aker will apply a continuous hydraulic jacking system for truss legs, which have been customized for high performance turbine installation vessels. This jack system has great benefits in regard to redundancy, and a robust design for operations in harsh environments.

The new vessel concept will be marketed as a complete package, fulfilling the industry’s requirements for large deck space, sufficient crane capacity, year-round and all-weather operational capability and cost-efficient operating systems. It is designed for operating in the International Maritime Organization’s emission control areas (ECAs).

“This new concept is already generating significant interest among that segment of the industry involved with the installation and maintenance of offshore wind farms. There is a notable demand for a high technology, and fully integrated installation vessel design having significant environmentally sound features. We are delighted to be in co-operation with Aker Solutions to fill this need that is especially significant in the North Sea area. We expect to get the first orders this year,” says Riku-Pekka Hägg, Vice President, Wärtsilä Ship Design.

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