Wärtsilä has signed a contract with Lamprell of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to supply a complete ship power system for a new wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV).
Wärtsilä’s solution was specifically selected for its low fuel consumption, environmentally sound technology and global service support. The company is represented locally by Wärtsilä Australia.
The vessel’s owner is Fred Olsen Windcarrier AS and a launch is scheduled for summer 2012. This is the first in a series of two such vessels with an option for two more at a later date.
Christopher Heidenreich-Andersen, Technical Manager of Fred Olsen Windcarrier AS said, "Wärtsilä will provide us with state-of-the-art diesel electric machinery, which will give us excellent operational flexibility and reliability, as well as lower emissions and reduced fuel consumption".
The vessel is to be built by Lamprell, a UAE-based company specialising in Marine and Offshore new-build constructions, and the refurbishing of rigs and lift boats for the oil and gas industries.
As a provider of complete ship power solutions, Wärtsilä is able to optimise both the technical performance of the onboard equipment, and the overall operating costs of the vessel.
The engine configuration is based on fuel-efficient Wärtsilä medium speed engines. The 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 optimises engine loading, rationalises fuel consumption and ensures the most economical operation under all conditions. At the same time, the level of emissions is automatically controlled.
According to estimates by the European Wind Energy Association, the energy production from offshore wind resources is set to 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 built over the coming decade.
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.
In commenting on the award of this contract, Arthur Boogaard, General Manager, Special Segment Sales, Wärtsilä said, "The mechanical configuration of the ship has to take into consideration the vessel’s operational properties, and all the power requirements of the considerable amount of equipment onboard. We also had to provide the most efficient solution in terms of fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. This together with our Operations and Maintenance services, is a prime reason for Wärtsilä being such a valuable long-term partner to its customers."
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 vessels own 800-tonne crane.