Brian Marcimak
Sales Director, Lifting & Transport Equipment
ENABL Load Stabilizer
New solution for lifting offshore WTG components from floating barge to jack-up vessel.
Offshore wind in the US will soon face a challenge with the logistics of the WTG components, as the installation method from the EU and the rest of the world cannot be used in the US due to the Jones Act.
ENABL and FORCE Technology have developed the solution, ENABL Load Stabilizer, for lifting offshore wind turbine generator (WTG) components from floating barge to jack-up vessel.
This project will optimize the utilization of the costly jack-up vessels by reducing the time in port and in transit between port and installation site.
With this solution, it is also possible to comply with the Jones Act in the US. The project is supported by EUPD.
Based on Passive Systems
The ENABL Load Stabilizer system is capable of operating in sea states with significant wave heights of 2.5 meters. This is possible due to a combination of a quick release clamp system and a variable-load passive heave compensator. The solution is unique because it is based on passive systems that use a minimum of energy.
The WTG component is lifted away from the barge without the risk of contact between the barge and WTG component. Furthermore, the crane and the WTG component are loaded in a safe and controlled manner, without large dynamic impacts loads on the crane.
The new solution is developed by using well-known solutions in the offshore oil industry combined with new developments from ENABL to meet requirements. An increased operation window for barge feeder systems and reduced operation time for the reloading process provide substantial benefits.
Other Solutions
The innovative and safe blade racks from ENABL are used to transport blades from the port to the installation site.
Our newly developed blade rack can accommodate blades for five wind turbines simultaneously, instead of the normal three.