Huisman to continue offshore wind jacking system trials
Nov. 1, 2022
Huisman has completed a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for its first jacking gearbox for a jacking system designed for current and future offshore wind turbine installation jackup vessels.
Courtesy Huisman
Offshore staff
SCHIEDAM, the Netherlands— Huisman has completed a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for its first jacking gearbox for a jacking system designed for current and future offshore wind turbine installation jackup vessels.
A proprietary control system is designed to optimize the load distribution for turbine and foundation installation.
Huisman is working with gearbox supplier O&K Antriebstechnik, part of the Bonfiglioli Group, for the development.
The FAT involved multiple tests under motion at O&K’s test facility in Hattingen, Germany. Once Huisman has received the gearboxes at one of its production facilities, it plans to continue with full-load jacking demonstration trials.
Among the features of the jacking system are
Two gear versions – L and XL – suited to vessel designs produced by various independent design companies, allowing owners to freely choose the vessel’s hardware of preference.
Static pinion loads up to 800 metric tons (L) or 1,000 MT (XL)
Flexible suspension method for smart integration with the vessel design
Potential to achieve leg preload capacities beyond 30,000 MT, depending on leg layout and the system’s number of layers
Control provided by Huisman’s proprietary Variable Frequency Drive control system
Integration of power system with various makes of cranes, and with power grids supplied by different electrical integration companies.
