Vestas has received a firm wind turbine order for the OranjeWind offshore wind farm, formerly known as Hollandse Kust West VII, in the Netherlands.

Vestas will be supplying 53 V236-15.0 MW wind turbines and is responsible for the supply, delivery, and commissioning of the turbines. Upon completion, Vestas will service the assets under a comprehensive 5-year service agreement followed by a long-term operational support agreement.

“OranjeWind sets a high bar for technological innovations and sustainability, and we are delighted to deliver our solutions, including our offshore flagship wind turbine, for this project in the Netherlands. Our entire team is looking forward to working together with the OranjeWind project team on this exciting and ambitious wind farm in the North Sea,” said Nils de Baar, Vestas Northern and Central Europe president.

RWE and TotalEnergies are entering a 50/50 partnership to deliver the OranjeWind offshore wind project. The project has an installed capacity of 795 MW; a grid connection capacity of 760 MW and an excess capacity of 35 MW to use the connection capacity as efficiently as possible, even when production is lower.

The project site is located around 53 km off the Dutch coast in the North Sea. Wind turbine installation is expected to start in 2027.

MORE INFO  www.vestas.com

To improve reliability and reduce maintenance costs for wind farm managers, Moog has integrated its next-generation slip ring with a fiber optic rotary joint, or FORJ, as a direct replacement for the carbon-brush slip rings that control the blade pitch on 2.5-MW GE turbines and above.

“Moog’s new offering for 2.5-MW and higher GE turbines leverages our success providing more than 10,000 high-reliability pitch slip rings for GE turbines as well as thousands of FORJs into the wind energy market,” said Larry Bryant, business development manager for wind energy solutions at Moog. “We have a long track record of supplying rotary interfaces, and this new slip ring-FORJ integration represents an enhanced iteration of our proven offering. Moog’s experts designed our FORJ based on years of testing and delivering similar systems for the global wind market.”

Carbon brushes need lubrication to maintain their contacts and signals; without it, they harden and require replacement. Moog has designed its new slip ring as a “set it and forget it” product from the outset due to its fiber brush technology.

Pitch systems, which include slip rings, control motion in wind turbine generator systems, ensure efficient use of wind energy, and protect the wind turbine by adjusting the blades’ angle of inclination.

Moog fiber brushes consist of a proprietary blend of high-end metals to ensure reliable transmission of power and data. According to Bryant, Moog’s maintenance-free technology can easily achieve 100 million revolutions. Customers testing Moog’s integrated slip ring and FORJ in the field have reported consistent, maintenance-free operation with no communication failures. Existing carbon-brush slip rings in many GE wind turbines create dust that disrupts power and communications, leading to downtime and unplanned maintenance.

For over a decade, the industry has recognized Moog’s wind energy slip rings for their high quality and performance. The latest integrated version, model WP7286-5N, incorporates a smaller footprint and weigh less than competing designs. Additionally, the integrated FORJ, model FO286, transfers data at higher rates via fiber optic output versus Ethernet. This addition to the WP7286 product family allows Moog to support a larger number of wind farm sites.

MORE INFO  www.moog.com

BGB, a UK-based global engineering firm, has announced the introduction of a one-stop shop offering following the launch of its aftermarket wind brushes.

The engineering enterprise, which develops, designs and manufactures engineering applications for service companies, distributors and OEMs, including Danish manufacturer Vestas, has extensive experience in the wind market.

“We’ve been in the wind sector for over five decades – experience and customer intimacy has given us unique insight into the requirements and demands shaping our sector. One of those demands is the growing need for repairs and the recycling of consumables. On some platforms which previously used silver graphite brushes we have witnessed an increasing transition towards copper brushes as part of a broader move across the sector to more cost-effective alternatives,” said Tony Morgan, BGB’s applications engineering manager.

The unveiling of its own brand of carbon aftermarket brushes, supplied by European wind partners, aims to fulfill the market need for providing replacement systems within the OE sector and adds to BGB’s complete suite of in-house manufactured solutions which includes slip rings, brush holders and rotary unions.

The expanding range of carbon brush products offered covers many of the main patterns for Turbine OEMs and comprises generator phase brushes, ground brushes, lightning protection brushes, and those used on pitch control, yaw motors, anti-icer, deicer and signal applications.

Tapping into the growing wind power aftermarket, driven by the need for more sustainable solutions, as well as efficient maintenance and operation, BGB aims to use its expanding Spares and Repairs service, coupled with its on-site test facilities, to evaluate, test, replace or repair worn and damaged brushes as well as offer a range of brush products for the aftermarket.

“We’re proud to be playing a role in creating a more sustainable future,” Morgan said.

MORE INFO  www.bgbinnovation.com

The U.S. offshore wind market ramped up construction activities and saw several new vessels launched in the second quarter of 2024. In total, the U.S. reached 310 MW of installed offshore wind capacity, up 28% from last quarter. These and other key industry findings are detailed in Oceantic Network’s U.S. Offshore Wind Quarterly Market Report, which highlights new vessel launches, regulatory advancements for several projects, and state-level developments that drove the U.S. market forward between April and June of 2024.

The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project, Revolution Wind, and Vineyard Wind 1 are undergoing installation activities on the East Coast, with South Fork Wind already complete and delivering power to the grid. Once installation on the three projects is complete, they will provide more than 4 GW of energy to the grid, powering around 1.4 million homes. Also in Q2, Equinor broke ground on its South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, projected to create over 1,000 jobs in the construction of staging, pre-assembly, and operations & maintenance facilities for offshore wind. The New Jersey Wind Port, an offshore wind marshalling port, is also nearing completion.

“The U.S. offshore wind industry entered its second summer construction season, even bigger than last year, drawing on dozens of vessels across ports from Virginia to Massachusetts,” said Sam Salustro, vice president of strategic communications at Oceantic Network. “These projects will multiply installed capacity more than thirteen-fold. The next wave of supply chain and infrastructure development is well underway with new ports breaking ground and shipyards churning out vessels. Americans are at work out on the water, inside U.S. ports, and in factories and shipyards far from project areas.”

Further market strength was showcased in the second quarter with the launch of the first U.S.-built service operations vessel (SOV) for offshore wind, along with the launch of two new crew transfer vessels that mark the fifth and sixth to be delivered in 2024.

“We’re heading for a summer filled with monumental achievement brought by new vessels purpose-built to serve our industry,” said Salustro.

The report identified several further industry advancements, including:

• The Department of Interior announced a 5-year plan for offshore wind leasing, which includes up to 12 potential lease area sales through 2028.
• The domestic supply chain notched advancements with $300 million in new investments in shipbuilding and manufacturing across Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Ohio, and Texas.
• Over 4 GW of projects are now undergoing installation activities.
• New federal approvals increased ready to install capacity to over 13 GW.

MORE INFO  oceantic.org/2024-q2-u-s-offshore-wind-quarterly-market-report

Clearway Energy Group recently announced it signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Puget Sound Energy for the Haymaker wind farm, a 315-MW facility under development in Wheatland and Meagher counties in Montana.

Once operational, Haymaker will generate enough electricity to power about 116,000 homes each year.

“We are proud to partner with Puget Sound Energy in delivering low-cost clean energy to their customers and supporting their ambitious renewable energy goals,” said Valerie Wooley, senior vice president of origination at Clearway. “Reinforced by the Inflation Reduction Act, Haymaker represents a major investment in central Montana’s economy, and we’re eager to work with the community through development, construction, and our long-term stewardship of the project.”

“This agreement with Clearway helps us meet some of the most ambitious laws in the nation while delivering on our customers’ expectations for energy that is clean as well as safe, reliable, and affordable,” said Ron Roberts, PSE’s senior vice president of Energy Resources. “We are proud to be a partner in developing Montana’s wind resources, and this is yet another milestone in our continued investment in the state’s energy economy.

Haymaker is expected to provide millions in landowner payments and more than $100 million in property tax revenue over the life of the project. Hundreds of well-paying union labor jobs will be created during construction, and a permanent local workforce will operate and maintain the site.

Construction of the Haymaker Wind is scheduled to begin in 2026, with commercial operations expected by 2028.

MORE INFO  clearwayenergygroup.com

Amsoil Inc., a leader in synthetic lubricant technology, has acquired Columbus, Ohio-based Aerospace Lubricants. Founded in 1973, Aerospace designs and manufactures a specialized array of greases for industrial manufacturing operations and private-label customers in automotive, industrial, military, aerospace and consumer markets. Aerospace Lubricants will operate as an independent subsidiary of Amsoil.  

“By acquiring Aerospace Lubricants, we are acquiring a strong new partner for grease formulation and production,” said Amsoil Chairman & CEO Alan Amatuzio. “We are going to invest in Aerospace to enhance the capabilities and capacity of the operation. Our operational excellence combined with their grease expertise will result in significant value added for Aerospace and AMSOIL customers.” 

Aerospace will continue serving existing and new customers in its target markets and will now be led by Dave Meyer, former Amsoil Sr. VP, Industrial, who will assume the role of Aerospace Lubricants President. “Aerospace Lubricants will continue operating as Aerospace Lubricants, an independent subsidiary of Amsoil,” said Meyer. “It will not be rebranded as Amsoil, but it will have the backing of the Amsoil team and resources to drive operational improvements that will deliver significant benefits for Aerospace customers. I am looking forward to working with the Aerospace team to grow the business together.” 

Amsoil and Aerospace are both family-owned companies with long histories engineering innovative lubricant solutions. Both are known for advanced formulations and a focus on developing quality, specialized products that deliver the performance customers have been promised and the satisfaction they deserve.  

“This was a strategic choice on my part,” said outgoing Aerospace Lubricants owner Steve Gates. “Aerospace is a family-owned company with a great team and strong values. It was important to me to find new ownership that would uphold our core values and amplify the opportunities for the Aerospace team and our customers. Amsoil is the perfect choice. This is an exciting change for everyone involved.” 

More info: www.amsoilindustrial.com

North Star, specialist vessel operator for offshore infrastructure support services, has been announced as the first mover on the Midi-SOV – a new offshore wind ship design developed by Chartwell Marine, a pioneer of next-generation vessel design, and VARD, a leading designer and shipbuilder of specialized vessels.

The Midi-SOV is a 55-meter offshore wind craft ready for build in the European, Asian, and US markets. North Star has entered an agreement with Chartwell and VARD becoming the first to adopt and use the Midi-SOV on offshore wind projects, investing in upfront design fees to facilitate vessel construction for European operations.

“We designed the Midi-SOV with a clear vision of its integration into future offshore wind fleets, filling the gap that had emerged between CTVs and SOVs and addressing key operational challenges as the wind industry evolves,” said Andy Page, Chartwell Marine managing director.

“Together with VARD, we have been very encouraged by the positive response we’ve received from offshore wind operators, underscoring the industry’s readiness for new solutions that enhance efficiency, safety, and overall project costs. And, of course, we are delighted to continue our collaborative relationship with North Star as they take a leading role in bringing this vessel from design to reality,” said Page.

Chartwell and VARD’s Midi-SOV solution addresses challenges in the offshore wind sector by bridging the gap between Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) and Service Operation Vessels (SOVs), providing comfort and workability while offering a cost-effective alternative to full scale SOVs. With a design based on operational data to meet the niche requirements of offshore wind developers and operators, the Midi-SOV is intended to complement existing fleets.

The operational efficiency of the Midi-SOV was identified as one of its key advantages, evidenced by lower technician attrition rates due to the comfortable and spacious working environments provided. Furthermore, discussion included the Midi-SOV’s robust safety performance, particularly in reducing risks during technician transfers and crane operations.

“We’re excited about the operational versatility the design can give us, as well as the high standards of safety, availability and cost efficiency it promises – and proud to play our part in bringing the first Midi-SOVs to market,” said Andrew Duncan, North Star’s renewables and innovations director.

More info: www.northstarshipping.co.uk/

Vestas has secured an 81MW order from Invenergy for the wind energy project Pencloe in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland. Vestas will deliver 18 V136-4.5 MW wind turbines, and the order includes supply, delivery, installation, and commissioning of the turbines.

Upon completion, Vestas will service the turbines under a multi-year Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement designed to ensure assets’ performance.

“We are delighted to achieve this key milestone in our collaboration with Invenergy,” said James Ian Robinson, Country Manager and Director Sales UK for Vestas Northern and Central Europe. “Vestas’ technology delivers a robust business case for the competitive UK electricity market. We look forward to the execution phase where we will continue our strong construction track record. We thank Invenergy for trusting Vestas with their largest wind park to date in the UK.”

“We are excited to be utilizing state-of-the-art Vestas turbines at the Pencloe Wind Energy Centre, which will be the largest Invenergy-developed project in the United Kingdom,” said Stuart Winter, Vice President and Country Manager at Invenergy. “This project not only represents our mission to accelerate cleaner, more reliable and affordable energy, but also underscores our dedication to fostering positive community relationships and ensuring local economies benefit from our projects.”

Turbine delivery is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2025 with the project expected to be fully operational in early 2026.

More info: www.vestas.com

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced its approval of the New England Wind Construction and Operations Plan (COP), which authorizes construction and operation of two wind energy projects. This is the final approval of these two projects from BOEM, following the agency’s April 2024 Record of Decision.

“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to advancing offshore wind energy projects like New England Wind to create jobs, drive economic growth, and cut harmful climate pollution,” said BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein. “We are proud to announce BOEM’s final approval of the New England Wind projects. They represent a major milestone in our efforts to expand clean energy production and combat climate change.”  

The approval will permit the construction and operation of two offshore wind energy facilities, known as New England Wind 1 and New England Wind 2, which together will have a total capacity of up to 2,600 megawatts of renewable energy that could power more than 900,000 homes each year.  

The two projects are situated about 20 nautical miles south of Martha’s Vineyard,
Massachusetts, and about 24 nm southwest of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The COP for the two projects includes up to 129 wind turbine generators, up to five electric service platforms, and up to five offshore export cables transmitting electricity to onshore transmission systems in the Town of Barnstable and Bristol County, Massachusetts.  

BOEM considered feedback from Tribes, other government agencies, ocean users, and others prior to the decision. The feedback resulted in required measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any potential impacts from the project on marine life and other important ocean uses, such as fishing.  

Since the start of the Biden administration, the Department of the Interior has approved eight commercial-scale offshore wind energy projects in federal waters, and BOEM has held four offshore wind lease sales, including offshore New York, New Jersey, the Carolinas, and the first-ever sales offshore the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts.

More info: www.boem.gov

Modulift, a lifting equipment manufacturer, is facilitating the construction of a complex offshore energy project in the North Sea. Deemed to be the world’s first artificial energy island, “Princess Elisabeth” marks a milestone in renewable energy infrastructure development.

Situated 30 miles off the coast of Belgium, in the 3.5-GW Princess Elisabeth offshore wind zone, the island will act as an international energy hub to centralize all electricity produced by wind farms in the zone.

TM Edison, a joint venture between marine companies Jan De Nul and DEME Group NV, isresponsible for the construction and installation of the energy island, which will contribute to the EU’s goal of 300GW offshore wind capacity by 2050.  

Assembling the infrastructure of the energy island requires lifting and maneuvering of large structural elements and equipment. The outer perimeter of the island will be made up of a series of concrete structures known as caissons. These are built onshore before being transported to their offshore location.  Construction of the Princess Elisabeth Island is expected to last until the end of 2026.

“Modulift’s spreader beams have been integral to the construction of the concrete sections, with one formwork section weighing around 17 tons and 10m in length. We are using a 1-over-1 configuration, utilizing a MOD 34 spreader beam at the top and a MOD 24 on the bottom. Modulift spreader beams have been instrumental in safely hoisting the formwork into position,” said Ruben Verschueren, TM Edison’s site superintendent, civil works.

 “Modulift is known for its iconic yellow spreader beams across the renewable and offshore energy sectors, and has set the precedent for safety, efficiency, and fast delivery in the global lifting industry,” said Sarah Spivey, managing director.

More info: www.modulift.com

Nearthlab, a leading provider of autonomous drone solutions, now offers inspection services for lightning protection systems (LPS).

This breakthrough was made by integrating Enertrag’s patented LPS measurement system into Nearthlab’s cutting-edge payload technology.

Traditional LPS inspections often involve repetitive drilling to check cables beneath turbine blades, relying on rough estimates of where damage might be. Nearthlab’s non-contact inspections, however, use advanced sensors to detect changes in electromagnetic fields and pinpoint the precise location of damage. Doing so eliminates unnecessary drilling, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.

“Our roots are in wind operations and maintenance, and this expansion underscores our commitment to enhancing turbine maintenance with cutting-edge drone technology,” said Jay Choi, co-founder and CEO. “We’re thrilled to offer equipment manufacturers and asset owners a smarter, more efficient maintenance solution.”

LPS inspections have been successfully conducted at offshore sites across Europe and Japan and are set to expand farther.

Nearthlab has been redefining drone solutions since 2015, pushing practical boundaries beyond industry norms. It seamlessly blends top-notch software and hardware to address diverse needs, from reconnaissance and surveillance to public safety and infrastructure inspection.

Nearthlab’s solutions prioritize simplicity. No learning curve — just adaptable, user-friendly designs tailored to the unique needs of various industries. Its solutions find the sweet spot in balancing hardware, software, size, and cost without having to make compromises.

Precision in data collection and a commitment to safety define Nearthlab. In high-risk scenarios such as post-disaster search and rescue missions, the company’s solutions step up to enhance operational efficiency.

MORE INFO  www.nearthlab.com

ArcVera Renewables, a leading global renewable energy technical consultancy, is expanding its consulting services reach by establishing European offices. Wind industry veteran Dr. Joerg Winterfeldt has joined the ArcVera Renewables team as European Continent Manager and Senior Atmospheric Scientist.

Winterfeldt will commercially develop ArcVera Renewables’ expertise in wind and solar energy, adjacent energy storage, and green power-to-X services.

“ArcVera continues to expand globally. In addition to the United States, we now have offices in Brazil, India, South Africa, and Europe,” said Greg Poulos, CEO and Principal Atmospheric Scientist, “With renewables growth in solar, wind, battery storage, green hydrogen, and green Power-to-X in Europe itself, and many European renewable energy companies actively ramping up expert support in the United States and other markets we already serve globally, the timing was right to move forward.”

“I am excited to join the ArcVera expert team at this midpoint time in my career, and I am looking forward to leveraging my experience to expand ArcVera’s European footprint,” said Winterfeldt.

“Working for years with a developer, in atmospheric science, and with two top-tier wind turbine manufacturers, has given me a depth of knowledge where I can see not only how accurate energy estimation impacts project energy performance, but also how the machines are optimized to maximize the resource potential. ArcVera is a leading global technical expert in energy resources and the machines that translate the wind resource into energy. ArcVera is a great opportunity to lend my knowledge, helping clients succeed and playing a role in the global energy transition,” said Winterfeldt.

Based in the Kiel area of Germany, Dr. Winterfeldt has engaged his expertise in renewable energy since beginning in 2000 with German-based developer Projekt GmbH and wind energy consultant Overspeed as Micrositing expert and researched wind and cyclones in the North Atlantic in the GKSS research center. In 2009 he teamed with General Electric as the Technical Lead – Micrositing Optimization/Wind Resource Assessment. At GE, his most recent role was Senior Product Manager – Wind Farm Energy Guarantees.  In 2022, Winterfeldt worked for Nordex as a Senior Expert – Project Optimization.

MORE INFO  www.arcvera.com

Vestas has united the Technology organization (CTO) and Manufacturing & Global Procurement organization (COO) into one Technology and Operations organization (CTOO). The united CTOO organization will become the foundation for one enterprise-wide industrial system within Vestas and will be headed by Anders Nielsen, Vestas’ chief technology officer.

“Vestas has built a strong backlog across onshore, offshore, and service towards the end of this decade, and we are today announcing the next step in our organizational evolution to deliver on our customer commitments. The united CTOO-organization will help accelerate ramp-up and industrialization across Vestas and the industry by simplifying interfaces, collaboration and strengthening our end-to-end approach,” said Henrik Andersen, Vestas group president and CEO.

The united CTOO-organization is a natural next step in Vestas’ evolution of technology and product introductions, as well as manufacturing ramp-up by simplifying interfaces within Vestas and across the value chain.

The united CTOO uses building blocks from Vestas’ global and regional operating model to minimize impact on operations and safeguard deliveries and project execution in 2024. The CTOO organization is expected to be fully implemented during the third quarter of 2024. With Nielsen becoming CTOO, current COO Tommy Rahbek Nielsen has decided to pursue opportunities outside of Vestas after more than 25 years.

“I’m very pleased Anders Nielsen has accepted to continue leading Vestas’ industrialization forward, and I want to thank Tommy Rahbek Nielsen for his incredible contribution to Vestas for more than 25 years. In the role as COO, Tommy was pivotal in keeping Vestas running during the pandemic, and he has done an excellent job in maturing our COO-organization to a level that enables us to take the next step for the benefit of Vestas,” said Andersen.

Creating the CTOO organization is only expected to impact senior management roles and not entail any restructuring at an operational level.

MORE INFO  www.vestas.com

Independent energy expert and assurance provider DNV has led an initiative that has resulted in the revision of the DNV-ST-0376 rotor blade standard, in response to the dynamic landscape of wind turbine development. This update, a product of joint industry collaboration, marks a milestone in enhancing reliability and safety in the wind energy sector.

Heightened reliability standards are crucial to keep pace with advancements in wind turbine technology. The project, tailored to meet the evolving needs of wind turbine developers, owners, and operators, aims to ensure reliability and performance.

Focusing on addressing the unique requirements of large, flexible blades for multi-megawatt turbines, the revised standard introduces comprehensive measures that previously were not addressed in industry norms.

“The pace of modern wind turbine development demands that industry standards keep pace with changing trends and technologies. Through the development of industry service documents such as service specifications, standards, and recommended practices, DNV is actively engaged in driving the renewable energy sector forward. This update underscores our commitment to driving innovation and quality within the wind energy sector,” said Kim Sandgaard-Mørk, Executive Vice President for Renewables Certification at DNV. “By prioritizing reliability and safety, we aim to bolster industry confidence and propel the global transition towards sustainable energy solutions.”

“Not all wind turbine blades are created equal,” said Christopher Harrison, Principal Engineer and Service Line Leader for Component Certification, Energy Systems at DNV. “Different design assumptions and methods, along with varying performance during validation tests, can result in differing blade performance over their lifespan. As stakeholders in the wind energy sector, it’s crucial to understand and mitigate these risks.”

During the project, 26 companies across the wind turbine sector, including manufacturers, operators, and certifiers, contributed to refining and reviewing the standard.

“Our goal was to provide wind turbine stakeholders with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of blade development,” said Harrison.

MORE INFO  www.dnv.com

Wood Mackenzie, a portfolio company of Veritas Capital, has appointed Xizhou Zhou EVP and Head of Power and Renewables.

“Xizhou is a recognized leader in our industry and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Wood Mackenzie. His leadership acumen, combined with his strategic foresight and ability to navigate complex energy landscapes, will undoubtedly propel our power and renewables team to new heights,” said Jason Liu, Wood Mackenzie CEO.

“We will build on his outstanding record of managing global teams, and our clients will benefit from his considerable success in creating cutting-edge data and analytics solutions related to the energy transition and renewable technologies.”

Zhou joins Wood Mackenzie from S&P Global, where he led the Global Power and Renewables division of its Commodity Insights business since the merger of IHS Markit and S&P Global. Prior to that, he spent 15 years with IHS Markit, IHS Energy, and Cambridge Energy Research Associates in Boston, Beijing, and Washington, DC, most recently leading the firm’s Global Power & Renewables practice and Asia Pacific gas, power and renewables business. Based in Washington D.C., Zhou holds Bachelor of Art and Master of Environmental Management degrees, both from Yale University.

“I am thrilled to take on this leadership role at Wood Mackenzie at such a critical time in our industry. The world of power and renewables is changing rapidly with the energy transition accelerating, and Wood Mackenzie has the leading data, analytical tools and thought leaders to help shape the future of our industry and address increasingly complex questions. I look forward to this challenge and collaborating with my colleagues at Wood Mackenzie to ensure Lens Power and the rest of our product portfolio inspire confident business decisions in a clean and sustainable energy future,” said Zhou.

MORE INFO  www.woodmac.com

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the availability of its Final Environmental Assessment (Final EA) of an offshore wind research lease in the Gulf of Maine.

“Floating wind technology can make offshore wind a reality in the Gulf of Maine,” said Elizabeth Klein, BOEM director. “BOEM will continue to work in partnership with the state of Maine as we move forward to facilitate the responsible development of offshore wind in this region, as well as the deployment of floating offshore wind technology nationwide.”

In October 2021, the state of Maine requested a research lease for the purpose of researching floating offshore wind energy technology and its deployment. The research site lies 28 nautical miles off the coast of Maine, roughly southeast of Portland, and if developed would comprise up to 12 floating offshore wind turbines capable of generating up to 144 megawatts of renewable energy.

After considering alternatives described and analyzed in the Final EA, as well as comments from the public and cooperating and consulting agencies on the Draft EA, BOEM finds that the issuance of a wind energy research lease within the proposed lease area offshore Maine, and related site characterization and site assessment activities, would have no significant impact on the environment. As a result, under the National Environmental Policy Act, BOEM is not required to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in order to issue a wind energy research lease offshore Maine.

Upon completion of the Final EA and finding of no significant impacts, BOEM offered the research lease to the State of Maine on May 24.

BOEM is exploring additional opportunities for offshore wind energy development in the U.S., including in the Gulf of Maine and the U.S. Central Atlantic coast. The Department also continues to take steps to evolve its approach to offshore wind to drive towards union-built projects and a domestic-based supply chain.

MORE INFO  www.boem.gov

Vestas will pilot sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the Baltic Eagle Wind Farm in the Baltic Sea during 2024. The pilot project entails Vestas technicians and jack-up vessel crew using helicopters partly powered by SAF to transport themselves to and from the Baltic Eagle wind farm during the construction phase of 50 offshore wind turbines.

SAF is a fuel produced from bio-waste materials such as used cooking oil or tallow. Because SAF can help reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with air travel, it is generally considered a more sustainable alternative to conventional jet fuel.

The pilot project is scheduled to take place until September 2024. Helicopter service provider HeliService, will use helicopters from Leonardo S.p.a. flying on about 40 percent SAF provided by DCC & Shell Aviation Denmark A/S. A blend rate of 40 percent SAF is close to the highest possible blend rate permitted today, and it is the first time that SAF-fueled helicopters with such a high-blend rate are used for an entire part during the construction phase of an offshore wind farm operation.

CO2 savings of about 32 percent per flight are expected compared to using a standard helicopter powered by conventional jet fuel. Vestas will assess the impact of the SAF following the end of the pilot project.

The initiative is in line with Vestas’ sustainability strategy, which includes becoming carbon neutral in its own operations by 2030 and reducing emissions in its supply chain by 45 percent per MWh generated. In relative terms, offshore wind projects experience higher CO2-emissions from construction and service operations than onshore wind projects due to the need of vessels and helicopters, and new solutions for offshore wind to become carbon neutral need to be developed.

“This is yet another initiative through which Vestas continues to implement its sustainability strategy,” said Kieran Walsh, senior vice president and head of construction at Vestas Northern & Central Europe. “There is a significant need for more sustainable solutions during these wind farms’ construction and operation phases. The potential for using SAF in offshore operations is high and we are pleased to further exploit this potential.”

“The delivery of SAF to Roskilde Airport, which will serve as a helicopter base during Vestas’ pilot project, marks another milestone in our efforts to support the growing demand for alternatives to conventional jet fuel,” said Sune Petersen, head of strategy and sustainability at DCC & Shell Aviation Denmark. “It also marks an initial step towards introducing SAF into the fuel mix for helicopter services — not only in Denmark but also on a European scale.”

“Vestas’ decision to use SAF for the crew change flights demonstrates our joint commitment to operate more sustainably in terms of CO2 reduction,” said Oliver Freiland, CEO HeliService. “HeliService’s Leonardo helicopters powered by engines from aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney are designed to operate with SAF already today.”

MORE INFO  www.vestas.com

Youwind Renewables, a provider of web-based solutions for early-stage offshore wind development, has announced that Acciona Energía, a global leader in renewable energy, is using its technology to accelerate offshore wind site selection and evaluate its current pipeline of projects.

“We are thrilled to work with Acciona Energía. We know Youwind can enhance and help them accelerate their offshore wind development initiatives,” said Anna Rivera, CEO and co-founder of Youwind Renewables. “Together we have fostered a collaborative way of working, providing a great demonstration of how industry leaders like Acciona can boost their processing power to optimize project development and drive sustainable energy innovation forward.”

With nearly 30 years of experience in the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of wind farms, Acciona Energía has established itself as a frontrunner in the renewable energy sector. The company’s portfolio comprises more than 6,500 wind turbines and a total installed capacity of 13,500 MW, of which 9,387MW correspond to onshore wind. The business seeks to expand its presence in offshore wind, exploring development opportunities across several territories.

Since 2023, Acciona Energía has been using Youwind’s web-based tools for the evaluation of offshore wind development opportunities, including its Pixel area screening tool and Pixel Park layout optimization tool.

Pixel helps to identify the optimum locations for wind farm development based on technical and financial factors, producing a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE) heat map to support the rapid selection of promising sites.

Pixel Park is a web-based application designed to generate detailed wind farm layouts rapidly for any site worldwide, taking into account site-specific bathymetry and geography. This tool allows users to model the technical and financial performance of layouts, including all major wind farm components such as turbines, foundations, substations, and cable routes, for floating and fixed-bottom installations.Pixel Park can simulate and evaluate layouts that incorporate crucial redundancy and resiliency measures, such as multiple offshore substations connected by an interlink.

MORE INFO  www.youwindrenewables.com

Energy service company Chet Morrison Contractors, LLC announced a contract award by Aikido Technologies, Inc. (Aikido), a floating wind technology provider, for its Aikido One project, which will demonstrate how the Aikido Platform can enable offshore wind project developers to increase the speed of deployment and reduce costs. Morrison will be responsible for the fabrication of a 1:4 scale 100kW floating wind platform.

“The Aikido One Demonstrator will be a transformational project for the U.S. offshore wind industry for two reasons: first, it represents the largest floating wind platform constructed in the U.S. to date; second, it is the world’s first upending semi-submersible platform,” said Sam Kanner, Aikido CEO.

“Proving this concept in realistic conditions will show how the Aikido Platform can solve challenges facing the floating wind industry in the US and around the world, relating to serial production and limited port space. We are thrilled to be working with such an experienced and well-respected firm as Morrison,” Kanner said.

“Aikido is an innovative company that is bringing something unique to the market. We are excited to work with Sam and the entire Aikido team on their concept,” said Chet Morrison, Morrison CEO.

Morrison Fabrication in Harvey, Louisiana, will be used for fabrication of the unit, which is planned to occur over Q2 and Q3 of this year, culminating with a test program upon completion. or

MORE INFO  www.morrisonenergy.com
www.aikidotechnologies.com

James Fisher has been awarded a contract for the provision of high voltage (HV) specialist personnel and HV safety management services

Developed in collaboration with the China Steel Corporation and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, the Zhong Neng offshore wind farm will comprise of 31 turbines that are set to generate 300MW of renewable electricity, enough to power around 300,000 households.

James Fisher’s renewables team will securely manage the high voltage network and electrical safety throughout the construction and commissioning phases of the onshore substation and wind turbine generators, spanning about 10 months.

“Taiwan has ambitious plans to achieve 20 percent renewable energy generation by 2025, and the growth in its offshore wind industry will play a significant role in this. As with any ambitious growth plan, the journey won’t be without its challenges – but with collaboration across the entire supply chain and experienced industry players, Taiwan will soon enjoy a thriving renewables sector,” said Maida Zahirovic, head of renewables at James Fisher.

“We’re delighted to be working with Zhong Neng as we continue to champion the expansion of renewables across Taiwan and Asia Pacific more broadly,” Zahirovic said.

“This project is another string to our bow within Asia Pacific, and a further signal of our commitment to the growth of renewables in the region. We are dedicated to helping build the foundations to advance Taiwan’s renewable energy landscape, both by bringing our own expertise, and crucially, developing the local workforce and supply chain,” said Emma Su, APAC operations specialist at James Fisher.

James Fisher Renewables has supported twenty-eight projects in the Asia Pacific region to date, including works at The Changfang and Xidao Offshore Wind Project (CFXD), phase II of the Taiwan Power Company (TPCII), Greater Changhua, Formosa 1 and 2 and the Yunlin project.

MORE INFO  www.james-fisher.com