TELWIND TRANSPORT AND INSTALLATION TANK TESTS KICK-OFF
TELWIND TRANSPORT AND INSTALLATION TANK TESTS KICK-OFF
ESTEYCO is carrying out tank testing of its 5MW TELWIND evolved spar. The tests are being performed at CEDEX facilities in Madrid. This campaign is an important milestone within the H2020 project funded by the European commission. The tests are intended to demonstrate the feasibility of the installation process engineered by ESTEYCO and CEDEX.
The main objective is to address the seakeeping performance and further real time simulations techniques, using a Ship Manoeuvring Simulator at CEDEX
MULTI-TOW CONFIGURATION AND OFFSHORE INSTALLATION
Minimizing offshore operations is key to bring the cost down of floating wind solutions. The two bodies of the 1:30 scaled model are towed together in order to reduce offshore operational time. Once in-place the lower tank is ballasted down, the suspension tendons are properly adjusted and the Esteyco´s proprietary Telescopic Tower is doing its work, jacking up the wind turbine until its final position.
“The multi-tow configuration is a new challenge and performing tests at 2-4 knots in waves up to 2,5m in irregular seastates is giving the opportunity to determine suitable weather windows and to detect non-linear responses difficult to address by means of computer simulations. On the other hand, the installation process is profited by the telescopic tower and the purpose built ballast system designed by ESTEYCO to guarantee safe and reliable installation process” explains Jose Luis Fernandez, ESTEYCO Naval Architect Work Package Leader.
The data gathered is going to be contrasted with the Bladed simulations performed by the project partner MECAL.
“These tests are also intended to determine the loads not only on the substructure but also onto the wind turbine components. The structural integrity needs to be checked in all relevant conditions from the construction site to the offshore location” explains Sergio Hernandez, ESTEYCO Naval Architect responsible of hydrodynamic simulations.
REAL TIME SIMULATOR
As part of WP7, the objective of this task is going a step further than typical tank tests. The results are used to calibrate the Ship Manoeuvring Simulator where real time simulations are to be performed providing the unique opportunity to foresee how is going to perform in the real world.
CEDEX experience on this field is contributing to bring to the next level ESTEYCO´s solution and supporting its road to the industrial development.
“We are glad to incorporate our knowledge and background to this amazing and innovative project. This is a blooming sector where CEDEX is really well positioned to participate as a researching center where we can add value to our client´s solutions“, Cesar Gutierrez, CEDEX Project Manager for the TELWIND project said.
