Vitruvian concept sets to shake up traditional monopiles installation methods

A new concept vessel, called Vitruvian, for the transport and installation of monopiles offshore wind farms has been brought forward by TSC Offshore Corporation, a CMIC unit, and Offshoretronic. The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to join their respective capabilities into one concept. 

The pair aims to jointly develop and commercialise a key solution which will change the traditional methods of installing monopiles of offshore wind farms by significantly improve economic viability with high efficiency and reduced costs, while increase operational safety.

The next generation offshore wind turbine units between 15-20 MW capacities are expected to enter into the market in 2024-2030 and will be installed in water depths of 40-70 metres. This will require a new generation of monopiles with 100-130 metres in length, 12-15 metres in outer diameter and weight up to 5,000 mt.

Transportation and installation of monopiles typically make up between one and four days of the installation cycle time and contribute on average 20 percent of the cost of the WTG installation, mainly due to the necessity to deploy high cost vessels with heavy lift crane to install monopiles safely and effectively. By having to depend on large heavy lift cranes which are limited in supply, high costs and require long lead delivery time, progress in executing large scale wind farm project offshore to meet the accelerating decarbonisation deadlines has been challenged.

Designed by Offshoretronic, the unique tilting and lifting beam in combination with a roll-on concept are tailor-made to safely perform transportation and installation of the next generation monopiles on which wind turbines are installed. The pair believes the solution will largely reduce costs and time required, and result in significant reduction of operational risks during loading in port, up-ending, lifting and installation offshore.

This solution is designed to be installed on a mobile elevated platform (Jack-up platform) and has been showcased in a concept vessel, Vitruvian, which is able to transport and seamlessly install monopiles up to 5,000 mt.