A platform designed to facilitate turbine blade repairs has been demonstrated on an offshore wind turbine for the first time by the companies behind its development, Windea Offshore and WP Systems
Earlier this month (March 2020), the companies successfully demonstrated operation of the SYSTEM terra working platform on a Siemens SWT-3.6 offshore test turbine in the Nordfriesland, Germany.
The platform, used for maintaining and repairing rotor blades, was demonstrated to manufacturers of some of the largest operators of offshore windfarms.
The SYSTEM terra working platform was originally developed for blade repair of onshore turbines and has been in use onshore with Buss Energy Group for some time.
The platform, which is protected from the weather, enables technicians to carry out repairs year-around. Work on blades can be undertaken in wind speeds of up to 12.5 m/s in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment.
The SYSTEM terra platform is being modified to meet the requirements of the offshore wind sector, where it will be marketed under the brand name SYSTEM aqua.
WP Systems chief executive Ole Renner said, “Our exchanges with manufacturers and operators has shown that we are absolutely on the right track. Feedback on the functionality of the system is extremely positive.”
“The advantages of the new concept are obvious,” said the company. “A tailor-made, cost-efficient vessel solution instead of using an expensive jack-up vessel and a protected working platform instead of weather-limited rope access work.”