Seaplace receives LR approval for floating offshore wind platform

By: Tom Russell

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18/05/2021 Lloyd's Register

Lloyd's Register (LR) has granted Seaplace Approval in Principle for its active ballast control system, designed specifically for the company’s floating offshore wind platforms concept, CROWN, a novel technology that includes both buoy and reduced-draft spar operational concepts.

Seaplace’s active ballast control system is used to ballast/de-ballast the unit, changing the floater from its transport draft to its operational draft and vice versa. The system can also be used to partially or fully compensate the mean tilt produced by the wind loads with an aim of improving the stability of floating offshore wind platforms.

The system is designed to stabilise the platform if a compartment is damaged, improving the safety level of the floating platform. Additionally, the system’s level of redundancy is designed to allow it to function even if one component, such as a valve or pump, fails for any reason.  

The system was reviewed against applicable Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Offshore Units, including the acceptance of preliminary Failure Modes Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) of the system. In addition, its software allows for remote manual operation, semi-automatic control and automatic operation.

Seaplace’s system, which has been designed to be used with different types of floating wind platforms, was first tested with software-in-the-loop tests and then with scale model tests performed at the IH Cantabria Offshore basin, as part of the CROWN project.  

Approval in Principle forms part of the final phase of the CROWN technology development which enables Seaplace to move forward with the full-size demonstration concept.  
Mark Darley, LR Marine & Offshore Director, commented: “Lloyd’s Register is proud to have supported Seaplace in the final phase of the CROWN technology development, enabling the company to move onto the full-size demonstration concept stage. This novel technology could help operators and their floating wind assets reach their market potential, with estimates of up to 10GW of capacity projected to be installed globally by 2030 and more than 100 GW by 2050.”
 

For more information on floating offshore wind farms worldwide, click here.

About the Author

4C Offshore | Tom Russell
Tom Russell

01502 307037 Tom.Russell@4coffshore.net
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