Kristian Bonde Jensen, the test specialist from MHI Vestas explains “The reason for our developing such a product was because, in this case, some MVOW electrical equipment is installed in the foundation. We are not actually in possession of the products until the turbine is installed offshore. Therefore, it is important to us to have a solution that enables us to test each component onshore prior to WTG installation and have the assurance that the entire foundation infrastructure would match up with the wind turbine once installed offshore.”
It was the first time that MHI Vestas Offshore Wind was taking on the design of such comprehensive testing equipment. This interface, therefore, required close collaboration between the parties as well as a supplier that could bring solid know-how to the project. Kristian Bonde continues, “We decided to choose ENABL as a supplier, mainly because ENABL was one of the few suppliers able to deliver the entire scope of supply and put the complete solution together. Moreover, we have a good track record of collaboration with ENABL, so we knew what they were capable of delivering.”
Any offshore operation is approximately 10 times more expensive than operation onshore. Therefore, every test conducted on sea constitutes extra costs of the vessel and additional hours of transporting the components back and forth. Being able to test equipment onshore allows for quick adjustments of the interface and significant reduction of time spent on the testing. The tester from ENABL, which was designed in close collaboration with MHI Vestas Offshore Wind, allows testing of all interfaces between the components on the harbor and makes sure that the equipment is mounted correctly before being installed on the site.
“We are in the process of conducting several other projects with ENABL that will take place this year. The solutions are testers for a long and short tower that follow the same philosophy of conducting simulations onshore. The testers will initially be used on a site in Denmark (Esbjerg) and the Netherlands, and potentially in the US and Asian markets.”
MHI Vestas Offshore Wind was founded in April 2014, but the company stands on the shoulders of giants. Its parent companies are two of the global leaders in wind power and offshore ventures – Vestas Wind Systems A/S and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. MHI Vestas Offshore mission is to co-develop offshore wind as an economically viable and sustainable energy resource to benefit future generations.
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