Development and test of new technology to install Offshore wind turbine foundations

Description

The objective of this contract is to take a further step in a long-stretched development project. This project aims to make the first offshore tests of three new offshore installation technologies - which are currently under development - on 6 monopiles at offshore wind farm sites. This will be the first ever full-scale test of the technologies. The scope of work comprises of further development and scaling up of the equipment. The developed equipment from former onshore trial tests is scaled and customized to enable the equipment to accommodate the offshore full-scale tests on monopiles. The scope of work does also cover relevant testing of the equipment as well as control and monitoring of the installation. Lot 1: The contractor is to develop, procure/fabricate and operate the installation equipment used during the offshore installation test. The new installation technologies and equipment are developed as an alternative installation approach to conventional impact hammers with the aim to reduce damages to the pile during installation while in the same time reduce the noise emission. If the tests are successful, the technologies can be used in future full-scale offshore monopile installation projects located in similar ground conditions. The background for the procurement is that Ørsted is active within development of offshore wind farms. The concept of offshore wind farms is relatively new, and therefore, the requirements to the development of the wind farms are constantly increasing as more experience is gained within the field. Ørsted is constantly taking part in the technology development with the aim to reduce the environmental impact and costs associated with design, procurement, construction and operation of offshore wind farms, including foundation installation technologies. The development track of the specific alternative installation methods were initiated in 2016 with a small scale desktop assessment and a small scale test to prove the concept. The tests were successful, and following onshore pilot tests at medium scale have been conducted to further assess the potential at a larger scale. A total of three different technologies have been developed. Following, successful tests and additional development, Ørsted is now ready to test the technologies offshore at full-scale on a limited number of monopiles. After installation of the monopiles, the monopiles will be used to support real wind turbines, and therefore, part of the tests will also be to assess the foundation performance after installation of the monopiles by the alternative installation methods. Ørsted intends to test one of the three new technologies on one site and the combination of two other technologies on the other site. On each of the two offshore wind sites a limited number of 3 monopiles will be equipped with newly developed equipment. Procurement of final design including mounting of newly designed equipment to the 6 monopiles is performed onshore. Project management related to the installation methods is also covered in the procured scope.