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Innovative Exchange of Offshore Wind Turbine Components


blade exchange tool, TWD, offshore wind turbine componentThe demand for expected and unexpected maintenance work increases with every newly installed offshore wind turbine. With a potential of 5,000 5MW blades that need to be exchanged in the coming years, a cost-effective solution is required.

By replacing the jack-up vessel with a floating solution with similar workability, significant costs and time can be saved. With the design of a dedicated turbine maintenance system, TWD together with Royal Wagenborg have come up with an innovative floating removal and installation method.

The vessel independent tool is equipped with a motion compensation system to mitigate relative motions during turbine approach and allows for a safe connection. Once connected, a smart blade handling cart can collect, transport and place blades and other heavy components of the nacelle.

At the moment TWD has successfully performed a technical feasibility study of the concept.