Commercialization and verification of Foundation Installation Vessel

NorWind has designed a new vessel concept for installation of jacket foundations for the offshore wind industry. NorWind focuses primarily on jacket structures, including piles, for deep water (25-80m) wind farm installations far offshore. The vessel con cept is based upon the following: * Experience gained from the Alpha Ventus project - Germanys first offshore wind farm (40MW). NorWind was the main contractor for engineering, procurement, construction and installation of six pre-piled jackets, a method used for the first time for offshore wind farms * Experience from the oil & gas and the maritime industry * Expertise from well-renowned companies involved in the development of NorWinds vessel project The NorWind vessel concept is designed to include bot h transport and installation on the same vessel hull as todays operations are typical utilising several vessels in a combined effort. The vessel is a floating concept with a length of app 192 m, width of 42 m and a deck area of 3400 m2 designed to includ e logistics related to the jacket and pile installation. The load capacity will be 48 piles along with hammer and template, or 4 typical jackets for 30-40m water depth. The service speed is set to 14 knots, making the ship fit for efficient logistical op erations along with installation. The vessel is based on Dynamic Positioning (DP2) with handling/installation equipment designed for Hs 2.5 m. This enables the ship to increase its weather window to operate throughout the year in harsh offshore wind farm areas. The concept is also designed to avoid risky heavy lift operations offshore, instead using a skidding system and minor secure lifts based on new innovative installation method (patent pending). This proposed project will verify the vessel design th rough a targeted market analysis, revision of the design and proofing the design in a model test program at Marintek making it ready for client projects.