Offshore staff
LEIDEN, the Netherlands—Heerema Marine Contractors and C1 Connections have tested a new connection system offshore for use in wind turbines and foundations.
According to Heerema, the C1 Wedge Connection is a high-capacity system that can be installed quicker and more safely than conventional bolted flange connections.
The installation of the tower on board the crane vessel Thialf was part of the preparations for the Arcadis Ost project in the North Sea, where Heerema will install 27 wind turbines for the Belgian developer Parkwind.
The new system is said to deliver the higher capacity needed for the next-generation wind turbines, which are larger and installed in locations with harsher environmental conditions or on floating platforms.
Conventional bolted L-flange connections, Heerema added, are reaching their capacity limits and can be complex to design, install and maintain.
During the recent offshore test, the company and C1 Connections demonstrated that the new system provides a safe disconnection of the tower from a grillage on a barge, with the alignment and quick connection of the tower performed without any personnel below the suspended load.
The system has pre-installed fasteners, with only lightweight tools required to complete the connection. Development started in early 2017 in collaboration with Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), with support from the Dutch Government Agency RVO and various industry partners.
11.08.2022
