PES Wind 1 2021

Lanthan Safe Sky Associated British Ports TÜV SÜD Conference call Discussing aircraft The latest on the UK’s drive Lifetime extension: PES looks back on a detection lighting toward net zero making full use of real and virtual show: systems (ADLS) installed capacity a true hybrid WIND We are delighted to bring you the very latest product innovation & developments from across the global wind industry, along with looking into some of the major policy developments across the sector. We are excited to bring you some of the thoughts & views from several of the industry’s key players & leading names. PLUS, enjoy our latest helping of incisive insight, opinion & analysis POWER AND ENERGY SOLUTIONS • ISSUE 1, 2021 ROBOTICS: THE FUTURE? © Messe München

ENABLING THE FUTURE OF OFFSHORE WIND Six out of ten offshore wind turbines in Europe are shipped from the port of Esbjerg in Denmark. As such, the port of Esbjerg plays a crucial role in realising the EU’s ambition of installing offshore wind turbines with a capacity totalling 60 GW by 2030 and 300 GW by 2050. Achieving these ambitious targets will require close and smart collaboration across the supply chain. From production and storage to shipping. This is exactly where Port Esbjerg can contribute, because all this already takes place at the port today. Port Esbjerg is a reliable partner and the facilities at the port are scalable and sustainable. Together we can make the future greener. PORTESBJERG.COM

EDITOR’S NOTE Lanthan Safe Sky Associated British Ports TÜV SÜD Conference call Discussing aircraft The latest on the UK’s drive Lifetime extension: PES looks back on a detection lighting toward net zero making full use of real and virtual show: systems (ADLS) installed capacity a true hybrid WIND We are delighted to bring you the very latest product innovation & developments from across the global wind industry, along with looking into some of the major policy developments across the sector. We are excited to bring you some of the thoughts & views from several of the industry’s key players & leading names. PLUS, enjoy our latest helping of incisive insight, opinion & analysis POWER AND ENERGY SOLUTIONS • ISSUE 1, 2021 Editor’s note ROBOTICS: THE FUTURE? So here we are, with our first 2021 issue of PES Wind. I don’t imagine that many would take issue with me describing the last 12-16 months as ‘unprecedented’. A period of © Messe München time as unpredictable and challenging as any period in recent times, certainly in my life time. However, as we have seen before throughout history, with any period of POWER & ENERGY challenge or turbulence, comes the opportunity for evolution and indeed innovation. SOLUTIONS Most regions globally appear to be at differing stages of managing this pandemic, and Directors many are dealing with hugely varying circumstances from country to country. This Stuart Gillies much is clear. What is also clear however, is that across the globe and throughout the Mark Smith wind industry as a whole we have seen tremendous growth and enormous progress all Stefann Perrigot the way from policy to product. Client Liaison Manager Vikki Birch The market is changing, the demands are evolving, and those involved in the wind Editor energy business have shown impressive versatility and adaptability to keep up. Never Elaine Perrigot has there been a more difficult environment in which to operate, with rarely seen [email protected] before restrictions on travel and movement internationally, but what we are learning in Associate Editors this issue is that this fact has not dampened the mood in our industry to go forward, or Stephen Pearson the appetite for business to be done. Zachary George Design This edition is jam packed with stories of innovation, optimisation and cost-savings. Andrew Jenkins Some of the current hot topics include AI, robotics and digitization, where many of the [email protected] latest developments are quite remarkable. As always, maximising efficiency and Production minimizing down time, continue to remain at the forefront of people’s minds. The use Paul Lawson of and continued development of drone technologies and solutions will play a crucial [email protected] role here. Levelized Cost Of Electricity (LCOE) is a preoccupation, which interests Sales Enquiries everyone and keeps R&D as always, at the head of the priorities queue. [email protected] General Enquiries As ever, we have some intriguing exclusive interviews, with some of the top players [email protected] who are really driving the evolution of the wind market, as well as some unique Media Partnership Enquiries technical insight from a number of companies who continue to plough forwards and [email protected] to strive for better! Advertising Opportunities [email protected] Sit back, relax and enjoy the read. PES is published by P&G Media Ltd Elaine Perrigot P&G Media Ltd Editor PO Box 310, Bristol, BS10 5WT, United Kingdom This publication is copyright © 2017 P&G Media Ltd and may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the prior permission of P&G Media Ltd. While every care has been taken during the preparation of this publication, P&G Media cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information published herein or any consequence arising from it. From sustainably managed forests. For more information visit: www.pefc.org www.peswind.com WWW.PESWIND.COM 3

CONTENTS 58 One of the most pressing issues when it comes to making wind 80 As the UK accelerates its journey towards net zero, the energy fit for the future is the aspect of acceptance: acceptance offshore wind industry has emerged as a key driver of the among the broader public, but especially among those directly green industrial revolution. Associated British Ports (ABP) affected by it, the residents and the environment. Transponder- is investing to meet the industry’s requirements by based aircraft detection lighting systems (ADLS) offer a sustainable providing state-of-the-art port infrastructure and creating solution putting non-stop blinking obstruction lights to an end and favourable conditions for energy clusters, which will benefit bringing back dark night skies. We hear from Lanthan Safe Sky the wider economy Lanthan Safe Sky Associated British Ports TÜV SÜD Conference call 98 Decision-makers in the wind-energy industry are faced with a choice of three options when their wind energy converters (WECs) Discussing aircraft The latest on the UK’s drive Lifetime extension: PES looks back on a detection lighting toward net zero making full use of real and virtual show: approach the end of their design life: they can either dismantle, systems (ADLS) installed capacity a true hybrid WIND We are delighted to bring you the very latest product repower or continue the operation of their WECs. In many cases, innovation & developments from across the global wind industry, along with looking into some of the available lifetime reserves allow cost-effective continued operation. major policy developments across the sector. We are excited to bring you some of the thoughts & views from TÜV SÜD explains how to prepare the expert report needed for several of the industry’s key players & leading names. lifetime extension quickly and easily PLUS, enjoy our latest helping of incisive insight, opinion & analysis POWER AND ENERGY SOLUTIONS • ISSUE 1, 2021 6 Wind Energy Asia took place in real and virtual format: a true hybrid unfolded in only months! Another great event in a difficult environment. Robert Campbell, Executive Vice President at Wind Energy Asia, reviews the show for PES 10 Fears that automation will lead to mass unemployment are a recurring social and economic issue. In recent decades, these fears have been fed by the rapid spread of industrial robots, the use of which has become prevalent in the wind industry. While robotization ROBOTICS: within the industry has many positive aspects, such as carrying out THE FUTURE? the notoriously dangerous ‘blade walks’ on offshore wind turbines, the threat of technology replacing jobs is ever present. We hear from Karim Bekhtiar, Benjamin Bittschi and Richard Sellner, EconPol © Messe München Europe, Institute for Advanced Studies [IHS], Vienna Ask the experts 66 Innovation, green energy, zero 102 PES spoke with Hans Gatzemeier, CEO 20 In this changing world of the pandemic, emissions, quality are just some of the of ELA Container Offshore Gmbh, things Tom Nevin, CEO at HST Marine, about how to increase flexibility by PES was pleased to catch up, albeit enthused about to PES. This relatively renting their offshore mobile room remotely, with Geoffrey Vancassel, CEO newcomer to offshore wind is a family- solutions. This solution is proving more and founder of Sterblue. This seemed owned business, focussed on going and more popular, as it means that very apt for a company that doesn’t the extra mile for clients, whilst at the once finished with, the containers can need a physical presence to serve its same time, looking after the needs of its be collected. The pandemic has meant clients. Their state-of-the-art software personnel. It’s great to see a company working in different ways, and Hans can save their clients huge amounts of thinking and acting on the needs of their admits he has missed the personal money and be used independently workers contact at trade shows and looks forward to business resuming as usual 54 Wijnand van Aalst, CEO of Van Aalst 84 C alum Urquhart, Global Business as soon as possible Group, talked to PES about the place Manager, Energy at Atlas Copco spoke of Safeway Gangway in the group. enthusiastically to PES about smart There are various gangways all bolting. For sure everyone has been hit providing safe walk to work solutions, by the pandemic but this innovative with differing options depending on company, with a strong emphasis on where they are being used. Training R&D, supporting the customer and and safety are key and thus taken sustainability have found new ways of very seriously, as can be seen in the working, which will carry on after the introduction of the Safeway Academy pandemic 4 PES WIND

CONTENTS Corporate focus 32 Thirty years ago, there was not a 110 Cable innovation is critical for the future 90 F or over 30 years MAATS Tech have single megawatt of offshore wind of wind energy Thibaut Zumsteeg, capacity on the planet; now, there are Global Market Director for Renewable been recognised for providing quality, more than 29GW installed globally, Energy, Nexans and Italia Hurgon Global considerately designed equipment and offshore wind is seen as a vital Product Manager for the wind turbine arrays for a plethora of vessels clean energy source with which to market, Nexans, give us their take across a variety of capabilities. tackle climate change and reduce our Core competencies are centred on carbon footprint. The next 30 years 114 R ichard Weiss, European Regional dynamically positioned special purpose will see an even more spectacular rate vessels for diverse operations in subsea of expansion with 1,400GW credibly Manager, IQGeo, looks at how utilities construction, diving, cable laying and achievable by 2050. Read the thoughts can combat diverse threats to flexible pipe laying, for both new build of Charlotte Strang-Moran, Lead decentralised grids and conversion projects. MAATS have Engineer on the ELECTRODE project been lucky enough to have a wealth of at the Offshore Renewable Energy Think tank engineering experience at their disposal (ORE) Catapult and continue to nurture this with a 36 ‘Measure twice, cut once’ as the old focus on employee development and 40 A client-centric approach to meet the mentoring across all departments proverb goes. And it is true. A thorough offshore access needs of the global geological site investigation campaign PES essential renewables market. PES is delighted is one of the most important sources to hear from Caspar Blum, Senior of data when it comes to designing 94 Next level wave intelligence for floating Business Development Manager foundations. Especially in the case of Offshore Wind, Ampelmann high-risk offshore constructions such wind farms (FOWF). PES wanted to as wind turbines. However, what should delve deeper and were very happy that 46 R apid increase of onshore wind we do if the style changes even before Rolf van der Vlugt, Managing Director we start to cut? Or, even worse, climate and Tuna Sener, Business Development energy requires more and more land. change forces us to sew a summer dress Manager agreed to answer some Sometimes the new wind farms are instead of making a winter coat? Should questions located in bird sensitive areas. This is we measure once again? Learn more, also true for some projects prepared for courtesy of Fraunhofer IWES Talking point repowering. On the other hand, many wind farms face restrictions in operation 50 T he relentless focus on maximizing 14 Sereema is celebrating its 6th due to bird mortality e.g. extended turbine shutdowns in migratory periods. efficiency in renewable energy is a anniversary this year. PES thought it Bioseco discuss saving birds and key driver in the development of both would be a good time to ask the CEO, protecting investors onshore and offshore wind energy Jérôme Imbert, to tell us about digital equipment. From increasing blade sizes and asset management strategies 62 Ports are the arrival, transit and exit to minimizing friction in the gearbox, from the beginning, how it is now and every aspect of wind generation has moving forward point for a large part of the world’s been optimized to provide maximum trade and can as such be portrayed efficiency when the turbine is built. 25 With the Geislinger Compowind® as economic growth engines. Port Attention is now shifting from efficiency activities come with a cost to the at the point of manufacture, to coupling the Austrian-based company environment and the surrounding cities, efficiency over the lifetime of the wind sets new standards for the wind where our race towards zero carbon turbine. One critical issue impacting drivetrain technology. Lightweight, emission also affects the way in which this is erosion of the leading edge of fatigue-resistant, and maintenance- ports will be operated in the future. The the wind turbine blades by precipitation free composite membranes virtually track record of ports is often centuries and spray. Dr. Adam Nevin of Trelleborg absorb all bending moments and allow long, and their development has been tells us more…. the gearbox to be rigidly attached to underpinned by the activities in the the main frame. Therefore, not only is hinterland as well as the activities of the the gearbox relieved from unnecessary players in the port. Read our exclusive loads, but the dynamic system insight from Port of Esbjerg behaviour of the wind turbine is also enhanced beyond comparison 72 DHSS has become a well-known, high- 28 Lidar wind measurement campaigns level player in the services it provides for the offshore wind industry over the last can offer a number of key benefits five years. The company was founded over a traditional met mast approach in 1997, as a ships agency for clients to wind resource assessment in the mainly working in the seismic industry, development of wind farms. As always, searching for oil & gas. Nowadays it is to get the best data solution it’s a full service provider to the offshore important to take a few simple steps. energy industries, with offshore wind as Ian Ravey, Managing Director, its core business ZX Measurement Services tells us more 76 PES is excited to hear from Angela Krcmar, Global Sales Manager, Wind, Firetrace, as she tells us to expect the unexpected when it comes to wind turbine fires WWW.PESWIND.COM 5

CONFERENCE CALL VIP expo tour after opening ceremony A real and virtual show: a true hybrid Wind Energy Asia took place in real and virtual format: a true hybrid unfolded in only months! Another great event in a difficult environment. Robert Campbell, Executive Vice President at Wind Energy Asia, reviews the show for PES. ©Hamburg Messe und Congress Michael Zapf 6 PES WIND

CONFERENCE CALL Our strategy was twofold: for exhibitors and will increase further, and because they and visitors. are cost-effective. Travel budgets will not increase to where they were pre-pandemic • For exhibitors that could not come, our and given that the cost of virtual visiting and O2O (online 2 offline) solution was a real even exhibiting, depending on where you are booth in the hall complete with flying in from, can be a fraction of the cost of decoration, counter, laptop, bar stools, real exhibit space and decoration, travel, etc. plus activation to the virtual platform, hotel, then add in time away, jetlag, etc. will providing unlimited video, calling and make for hard consideration and scrutiny. messaging with all participants. To attend to the booth, booth staff sat at their Paolo De Berardinis, Asia Pacific Director, laptops in the office or from home, from FACCIN GROUP, who has been an connected to the platform and could exhibitor at all 3 of the exhibition’s editions actually see who walked or stopped by said it like it is: ‘Thanks to the team for all their booth. the support during last WEA 2021. As you know I was a bit skeptical about being a • Foreign visitors were the other part which virtual exhibitor this year, not being able to were not going to be able to come. be in Kaohsiung, but once I got used to it, Whether buyers, business developers, from my office in Singapore, I could see the technicians, directors, students, all people walk by my booth, wave at them, typical trade show visitors, for sure the have a business conversation and even show foreigners were not going to attend. For them some presentations. Very useful and these we offered a competitive price to different indeed. I appreciate speaking in allow them to access the platform for over the Forum too as it gave us visibility a month, from the opening of the show till otherwise impossible due to Covid mid-April. limitations. Was great, but unless I have to, next year I will be really in the hall again to From the platform they could see the hall interact with all our customers. in a street view vision that was captured the evening before the opening. With the Some of the highlights of the event: floorplan they could move from booth to booth, see highlights that exhibitors had • 2 ,674 visitors on-site plus over 6,000 uploaded before, ask for a call with a online visits. The online platform brought company representative, or make an a whole new audience. Registered visitors appointment on their calendar for a were from 52 countries, as opposed to 17 meeting. And they could network with all in 2020 other visitors, watch the forum sessions, ask questions to the speakers, etc. • E xhibition space was 164 booths with 114 exhibitors from 10 countries with 5 Initially, our idea was purely defensive countries having pavilions, namely because we realized that many foreigners Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, were not going to be able to attend as they Germany and Taiwan had before. But now we see that despite everybody preferring to meet face-to-face, • A strong forum, technical seminars, job some of these virtual and hybrid alternatives fair. A total of 49 stage events with 1,960 will survive the pandemic. Why? Because participants acceptance to virtual has already improved Again, exhibitors were extremely happy with After a great show in March 2020, with the Sweden had the largest pavilion at the show pandemic taking off worldwide, but well under control in Taiwan, we expected that by March 2021 the world would be back to normal. Sometime around September it was clear that this would not be the case. Taiwan’s 14-day quarantine for all incoming visitors, did not seem like budging and to get foreign companies to exhibit and visitors to plan on coming, was not working. We needed a virtual complement to the real show. After an intense search of alternatives, we decided on a partner who could provide a solution. It turned out to be a true hybrid. It gave participants who were not able to be in Kaohsiung in person, the feeling of being in the hall and the ability to communicate in a typical exhibition format: meet people by chance to talk and share presentations and ideas/solutions. WWW.PESWIND.COM 7

CONFERENCE CALL Model of floating wind on display in the expo hall the quality of visitors with Dennis exhibition at KEC. Kaohsiung is a great Wind Energy Asia is a useful platform for Schouwenaar, Sales Manager Offshore at location, as it is home to some of the leading suppliers and clients to come together to Cargostore summing it up: ‘It has been a very local champions in Offshore Wind in Taiwan network as well as learning about new good exhibition for us! The quality of the and home to two GWO certified training trends in the APAC region. We are looking meetings was fantastic!’ centers. KEC offers a state-of-the-art forward to next year and hope that Wind ‘NIRAS Taiwan was honored to be a sponsor exhibition ground, including berthing slots Energy Asia can further grow its importance and we are looking back on a successful as well as beautiful surroundings for as a fix point in the Offshore Wind calendar networking events. not only for Taiwan but also the region.’ Robert Campbell, opening the WEA Forum stated Raoul Kubitschek, Managing Director, NIRAS Taiwan. Some other valuable testimonials from key players: ‘It is a great idea to hold this exhibition close to Smart Energy Week in Japan so that foreign exhibitors can treat it as part of an Asian tour.’ remarked Sung-Yueh (Don) Yang, Senior Commercial Officer, Trade Council of Denmark in Taipei. ‘Your online platform helps a lot, but businesspeople still prefer face-to-face exhibitions, and in Taiwan fortunately it can still happen. Keep pushing to make it each year bigger and better. Thank you.’ Tom Manning, Deputy General Manager, CWind Taiwan ‘Happy to be exhibitors and sponsors for a third consecutive year. Despite the pandemic, WEA is important in our annual calendar due to its supply chain focus. Intercon again organized a very professional event and the Forum was very welcome. 8 PES WIND

CONFERENCE CALL Its strong, topical focus on the growing Site tour to MIRDC’s new facility sessions are the norm in these times and the importance of O&M was a great fit for CWind ability to recruit higher talent without having as was floating wind as an integral part of A site visit to the Metal Industries Research to rely on travel, is certainly and advantage Round 3. We look forward to supporting in and Development Center’s (MIRDC) due to its efficiency. 2022 and plan to bring elements of our brand-new training facility was organized for training right into the hall, since skill shortage the morning of the 3rd day. The state-of-the- The wind industry in Taiwan is backed by a and training are key challenges the industry art facility will be crucial breaching the talent very strong investment by the Taiwan central faces in Taiwan.’ gap that current starves Taiwan. All technical government which has committed about US$ Another repeat exhibitor justified their universities have upped their game with 90 billion towards the goal of obtaining 20% participation: ‘This event is different from courses targeted at the wind energy of its power from renewables by 2025 first, others we participate in at home and abroad. industry, and the center is a great and then add 1GW each year thereafter, for a Here exhibitors are linked with each other complement to this. total of 15.5GM by 2035. But the sites with and the customer base is much more water not deeper than 50-meters can only targeted. In the process of their industrial The forum held on the 2nd day (March 11) produce slightly over 2 thirds of this, for restructuring, companies leverage each consisted of 26 sessions by key industry which if offshore is to make up for the rest as other’s strengths to find solutions and professionals from both Taiwan and abroad. well, floating wind must be a subject. business opportunities. Thank you for Roughly half were streamed in from speakers hosting it! It’s great to see the support it that were not able to travel, but virtual In the forum a good part of the afternoon already has!’ stated Dr. Kuo-Hong Wu, Vice was dedicated to this with a series of great President, Smart Frequency Technology presentations. After his formal presentation The job fair and technical seminars in this segment, Yu-Foong Chong, Head of dominated the stage in the exhibition hall on Business Development, RWE Renewables the 3rd day of the show. The job fair looks for Taiwan remarked about the softer side of answers to an urgent need by the industry to WEA. ‘The networking events in the recruit new talent which is lacking in every evenings are great and from these level in Taiwan. We cooperate with 6 main conversations many opportunities arise. No technical universities, mainly from South doubt that WEA is one of the main events in Taiwan, arranging to bus students and Asia. We will be back.’ engineers to the show, thereby exposing them to the industry and giving them the For WEA 2022, we expect onshore wind also opportunity to sit in on presentations by to become more of a topic. The justification leading companies searching for talent. that because Taiwan is densely populated WEA again had a vessel in the harbor next to that there is no room for wind energy on land the venue. This allowed visitors to get a true is most certainly not correct. There are many feel for the industry, with a first-hand view of industrial parks or farmland that could very the large salvage working vessel from Asian well house onshore windmills. And with the Marine Salvage based in Kaohsiung. push by the government for all large energy users to buy 10% of their power from Vessel display renewables by 2025, for sure that onshore will gain in importance. www.windenergy-asia.com www.intercon.com.tw WWW.PESWIND.COM 9

PES ESSENTIAL © Messe München Robotization and manufacturing: 10 PES WIND who benefits? Words: Karim Bekhtiar, Benjamin Bittschi and Richard Sellner, EconPol Europe, Institute for Advanced Studies [IHS], Vienna

PES ESSENTIAL Fears that automation will lead to mass unemployment are a recurring social and economic issue. In recent decades, these fears have been fed by the rapid spread of industrial robots, the use of which has become prevalent in the wind industry. While robotization within the industry has many positive aspects, such as carrying out the notoriously dangerous ‘blade walks’ on offshore wind turbines, the threat of technology replacing jobs is ever present. The International Federation of Robotics ‘From production to assembly of resources, technology-driven change,’ says IFR’s (IFR) confirms the steep rise in the use of robots with user-friendly software and president Milton Guerry. ‘Productivity robots and automation. Sales of sophisticated control have got the potential increases and competitive advantages of professional service robots increased by to reduce cost without compromising automation don´t replace jobs – they will 32% to USD11.2 billion worldwide in quality in the global market,’ say the authors automate tasks, augment jobs and create 2018-2019. And, says the IFR, the Covid-19 of the research. new ones.’ pandemic is set to further boost the market, with high demand for robotics logistics Around 80% of operation and maintenance These claims are supported by a 2018 paper solutions in factories and warehouses. costs on offshore wind farms currently relate published in leading economics journal, the to deploying personnel,2 so the potential for Review of Economics and Statistics, entitled The use of robotics has been praised for a industry savings created by an increased in ‘Robots at Work’. The paper was the seminal multitude of savings: revolutionizing automation and robotics is huge. But while contribution to investigate the economic manufacturing production lines with the use the benefit for industry profits it clear, what consequences of modern industrial robots, of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), is the impact on jobs and wages? and its authors Georg Graetz and Guy helping to reduce carbon footprints by Michaels analyzed for the first time the reducing the energy consumption of There’s no denying that the number of jobs impact of automation on productivity, production with better energy efficiency and in the wind industry has plateaued. An prices, wages, and the skill composition of higher precision rates, and strengthening analysis of the number of jobs in the wind the workforce. global supply chains by leveling productivity energy industry worldwide3 showed through automation. employment levels rise steeply over seven The paper quickly became an influential piece years, from 500,000 in 2009 to 1,155,000 in of work of the impact of robotics on both the The wind industry has embraced the use of 2016. But this flattened off in 2016, with economy as a whole and within the robotics and their potential benefits. little to no growth since. manufacturing industry. Its results were Research from 20191 into the potential of overwhelmingly encouraging: the authors automation in the sector concluded that However, according to the IFR, robots create found that increased robot use raised robots could meet the requirements of a jobs and increase productivity. ‘The impact productivity, lowered output prices and, significant proportion of processes, of automation on employment is not in any crucially, did not significantly reduce total including manufacturing of turbines, quality respect different from previous waves of employment. Rather than being something control, remote inspection and maintenance, to fear, they suggested, robotization had a and even self-driving machines to transport 2 D .Mitchell et al: Symbiotic System Design for Safe positive impact on industry. wind turbines from factories. and Resilient Autonomous Robotics in Offshore Wind Farms But the data collected by the IFR and used 1 J . Iqbal et al.: Robotics Inspired Renewable Energy for Graetz and Michaels analysis includes Developments: Prospective Opportunities and 3 h ttps://www.statista.com/statistics/268400/ the use of robotics across all sectors Challenges jobs-in-the-wind-energy-industry-worldwide- between 1993 and 2007 – including sectors since-2005/ Benjamin Bittschi Karim Bekhtiar Richard Sellner WWW.PESWIND.COM 11

PES ESSENTIAL that have been barely impacted by Figure 1 automation, or not affected at all. For a clearer picture of the impact of robotization on the sectors which are heavily impacted by its use, it’s necessary to exclude from the data those sectors which have seen little or no change. When we did this for our own research, ‘Robots at Work? Pitfalls of Industry Level Data’4’ published by EconPol Europe in February 2021, we found a very different picture. Rather than clearly improving conditions for the sectors which have seen a rise in robotization, we found rather mixed results: significantly lower productivity effects than assumed, falling wages and hints for job polarization – or the loss of the type of ‘middle-class jobs’ which require a moderate level of skills. Previous findings suggest that the contribution of robots to productivity growth is five percent for the period 4 K arim Bekhtiar, Benjamin Bittschi, Richard Sellner: ‘Robots at Work? Pitfalls of Industry Level Data’ EconPol Working Paper 58, February 2021 https:// www.econpol.eu/publications/working_paper_58 1993-2007, placing it on a similar level as the steam engine in the nineteenth century, highways in the middle of the twentieth century, and, more recently, ICT. But our analysis found that productivity in the economy when counted as a whole would have been only two percent higher in 2007 – not even half the amount claimed by previous research. Additionally, when we repeated the investigation using data for 2008-2015, we were unable to detect any significant effects of robotization on productivity, prices, or wages. This suggests that the aggregate economic effects of robotization have come to a halt in recent years. Positive effects on productivity can, however, be recovered if the demographic structure of the workforce is taken into account. As the share of middle-aged workers decreases through population ageing, firms face a relative shortage of labor supply from these workers. The price for hiring these workers then increases, which in turn makes investment in automation technologies, like industrial robots, more profitable. A 2018 investigation into the impact of automation on different worker demographics5 found that an ageing workforce leads to greater industrial automation, particularly to a more intensive use and development of robots. Using data from the United States, researchers found robots were increasingly substituting workers between the ages of 36 and 55. The 5 Acemoglu, Daron and Pascual Restrepo. 2018. ‘Demographics and Automation.’ Tech. rep., National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA. 12 PES WIND

PES ESSENTIAL ‘Using data from the United States, researchers found robots were increasingly substituting workers between the ages of 36 and 55.’ model used by researchers also predicted of skills, compared to those requiring less or technologies, but is rather an iteration of that automation technology would be more high levels of skills. the same. pronounced in industries that rely more on middle-aged workers, with a decline in To interpret our results, it is important to Nevertheless, empirical microeconomic labour share in industries that are most keep in mind that robots have a very low studies, such as ‘Robots and Firms’ by amenable to automation. prevalence across all industries, and thus it is Michael Koch, Ilya Manuylov, and Marcel not astonishing, in contrast to what one Smolka in 2019, or more recently ‘Robot Our research supports the idea that the might expect, that there are not necessarily Imports and Firm-level Outcomes’ by ageing process is closely connected to any substantial positive or negative effects Alessandra Bonfiglioli, Crinó Rosario, Harald automation. However, according to our for the economy as a whole. Fadinger and Gino Gancia in 2020, provide results robotization is not, as previously evidence that the relatively small share of reported, detrimental for workers with lower Further literature shows that the disruptive firms that made use of industrial robots skill levels. Instead, increased use of robot potential of current robot technology may clearly benefited in terms of productivity. technology tends to create job polarization have been overstated as it possibly does not – with fewer roles requiring a moderate level represent a break with known automation www.econpol.eu WWW.PESWIND.COM 13

TALKING POINT Overcoming challenges in scaling up technical asset management Sereema is celebrating its 6th anniversary this year. PES thought it would be a good time to ask the CEO, Jérôme Imbert, to tell us about digital and asset management strategies from the beginning, how it is now and moving forward. Six years ago, the wind industry was moving. The asset management profession is was at the expected level, was the standard Data was frustrating for everybody. SCADA changing to reach the yield provided by the business data were available, and it seemed that the plan. There’s a new deal on the table. more data you had the better the control. But then again, until recently the focus was mainly on financial optimisation, First, prices of wind energy have plummeted Yet, it took so much energy to make it speak operational expenditure control and risk and the contractual margins have shrunk. that in the end the results were, and are still, management. Controlling those The new types of contracts, such as PPAs, often disappointing. parameters, provided that wind potential are also more demanding in terms of 14 PES WIND

TALKING POINT guarantees to provide predetermined together engineers, developers, field It’s like with the music industry. Take your volumes of green energy... and experts and laboratories to build a unique average wind turbine. It generates 3MB of compensations if you can’t reach them. It innovative IoT solution for the wind industry. data/day, equivalent to one track a day calls for a deeper and prompt technical (128kbps in MP3 format). Some asset mastery at the asset manager level. To keep The Cloud managers will listen to 5, others up to 57. The a high portfolio ROI, they need to be fully main point is increasing their music playing aware of the strengths and weaknesses of Eventually, everyone agreed that time while reducing their music management their asset as a whole: digitalization empowers strategists and time. And the answer is: Streaming platforms drives operational performance of assets. like Deezer or Spotify. - hardware: wind turbines The industry massively turned towards In other words, the true scalable value in the digital solutions for this reason: to Cloud lies in its flexible capacity to process, - power: wind resource assessment cloud-based solutions, to be more precise. extract, analyze, store the data, allowing asset managers to focus on performance - service providers: field operation The Cloud is the wall-to-wall concept about optimization, in a much simpler way. teams, etc. the way to connect, process and store data As such, cloud-based solutions provide a and services over the Internet. Cloud-based system adapted to speed assets takeover in Second, a thriving wind industry shows the solutions provide services based on that merger and acquisition transactions, quickly tussle for new energy market winners. worldwide infrastructure. expanding, to facilitate technical data However, growing fleet sizes, fast and hard, integration in existing workflow processes at also comes with the responsibility of My Marketing Director would call it ‘a lower cost. scaling up your technical asset fortunate stroke of serendipity for the wind Ubiquity management efficiently. Except that there industry, boasting scalability and ubiquity, Your average-sized European IPP operates is no rulebook by which management can to answer the challenges of both flexibility various capacities, assets ranging from a standardize wind farms. and growth’. couple of turbines on the freezing coast of North America to wind farms operating The sheer complexities of adapting to Let’s have a closer look at the whole story. under extreme heat and strong winds in various geographies, turbine models, O&M southern Europe. The complexity of wind contracts, sizes and data loads are already Scalability regimes, even more so when assets are challenging. The consensus is there: ‘the size spread out across the globe, make it very of your team cannot expand at the same rate Growth trajectories aren’t uniform in the demanding for the asset managers to as the size of your fleet’. industry. In our experience, accompanying oversee simultaneously. various actors, from IPPs to Utilities, from Plus, you’re hardly going to climb up each Data was already frustrating then, especially green-to-be oil & gas to investors, turbine to check them, so you rely on data to so for asset managers. I witnessed first-hand benchmarking shows a x13 factor discrepancy guide your choices. And then again, the large volumes of information they between companies where one asset manager diversification of turbine models leads to treated on a daily basis, and at the same time, can supervise from 15MW up to 170 MW. One multiplication of knowledge regarding each how blind they were about the real behavior has to wonder, is it simply efficient manpower specific one. Today, asset managers have to of their wind farm. Sereema was born out of or the use of technology that allows different be flexible and continuously ‘re-educate’ the desire to rise to this challenge. So, I put asset management strategies? themselves to work efficiently. All this explains why we see more and more Owners making the choice to invest in a cloud-based data storage, what one commonly called a data lake. Building up those big data lakes is not a problem anymore, only a question of budget. Jérôme Imbert WWW.PESWIND.COM 15

TALKING POINT Active Asset Management: closing the loop between asset managers and their assets In reality, choosing from a stack of solutions for: Instant access from anywhere, simultaneous managers’ needs and help owners adapt their work, sharing knowledge and experience, strategy to the fluctuating market. • High level asset management: reporting, improving for the whole community no through in-house developed tools fit to matter the location. For all that, it feels the machinery is still each customer’s needs. Standard yearning for an instrumental ingredient to business intelligence-tools are sufficient, Managing complexity in data lakes turn data lakes into undeniable assets. software already exist and don’t need to be customized, no large investment Anyhow, this is only the tip of the iceberg. One The urge is to empower asset managers with necessary here. big issue remains: How to extract valuable, actionable data, turning facts into acts. actionable Information. You don’t want to turn Today, only a mix of cloud-based solutions • S CADA level data management: the asset managers into Cloud experts. The existing on the market (internal/SCADA- operation and maintenance focus-based. added value of digital solutions dwells in their based/independent) can fulfill the goal. It would be preferable to have customized ability to transform the data to fit the asset tools because of the specificities of each site and each maintenance strategy. Here again you can find acceptable software that can be adapted to design your ideal 2nd level SCADA data monitoring platform, but an effort needs to be made to analyse the technical results. • F inesse level: precise and thorough info to provide actionable insights for decision making. In order to get the most from the wind farm you need to invest in specifically customized solutions which give you a substantial return on your investment. The goal is to turn complexity into actionable results through the transformation of data into information. Windfit by Sereema, for example, makes the most out of cloud technologies to run on all types of wind turbines on 3 different continents, automatedly monitoring and processing about 80 MB/WTG/day to deliver its indications in no time. 16 PES WIND

WINDFIT® INNOVATIVE DECISION MAKING SOLUTION We combine digital expertise with IoT technology to boost your windfarm’s performance. WindFit detects issues with your turbine and recommends optimization actions that help you make money while saving time. Plug & Play Sensor Box • Windfit® smart sensors for independent real-time monitoring • 10 parameters checked up to 100 times/sec on each turbine • Third party data sources. Diagnoses Dashboard • Secured online data access via Windfit® portal • Data history and trends • From individual turbine data to multi-farm overview. Increase AEP Monitor Performance YAW MISALIGNMENT DAILY PERFORMANCE SOON Quickly detect and correct turbine Independently monitor wind alignment to boost AEP. turbines daily performance. MONTHLY PERFORMANCE ROTOR AERODYNAMIC IMBALANCE Easily identify turbine-related Remotely detect blade underperformance. pitch offset to increase AEP. Preserve Lifetime YAW DYNAMICS Optimize your yaw strategy ROTOR MASS IMBALANCE to local conditions. Remotely detect blade mass anomalies to protect the turbine. Ask for a demo: Read our White Papers [email protected] @SereemaContact FOUNDATION www.sereema.com Sereema Permanently track the structure +33 411 932 937 integrity. YAW OVERSPEEDS Receive immediate alerts of harmful yaw activity.

TALKING POINT ‘For all that, it feels the machinery is still yearning for an instrumental ingredient to turn data lakes into undeniable assets.’ The next step One thing’s for sure, every single MWh added will have more and more value in the future. It will be about short time reaction, downtime optimisation, fine tuning. Asset managers will benefit from a new generation of decision- making support tools, fully integrated into the wind farm information system. Learning from local conditions, they will determine the patterns of behavior for each wind turbine and farm. Up to a point where the wind farm itself will adjust automatically within predefined limits for a first level of analysis without human action. It will be closing the loop between the asset manager and its wind farm: a powerful combination of Edge (on-site) computing, internet network and cloud processing. It will give each wind turbine a layer of on-board intelligence. Asset managers will choose the settings and let the turbine learn from its history then adjust to the best overall configuration for optimal operation, risk mitigation, output and productivity. We call it ‘Active Asset Management’ and we at Sereema are preparing it through the Windfit evolution. About Sereema Sereema is a Green Tech company aiming towards wind turbine operation and maintenance excellence. Windfit®, is its autonomous, all-inclusive digital solution to correct under-performing wind turbines and preserve lifetime while offering independent real-time monitoring on a user-friendly web portal. Thanks to its Windfit-connected technology, Sereema provides peak services to optimize energy production and maintenance of wind farms. Sereema now supports over 1.8 GW of wind farms in 15 countries across the world. For more information: www.sereema.com 18 PES WIND



ASK THE EXPERTS Top of the class software for inspections In this changing world of the pandemic, PES was pleased to catch up, albeit remotely, with Geoffrey Vancassel, CEO and founder of Sterblue. This seemed very apt for a company that doesn’t need a physical presence to serve its clients. Their state-of-the-art software can save their clients huge amounts of money and be used independently. 20 PES WIND

ASK THE EXPERTS Geoffrey Vancassel PES: Hi Geoffrey, welcome back to PES cloud platform. PES: It’s been more than a year since the Wind. Could you introduce our new readers last time we talked. How has your business to Sterblue? This data is then processed and analysed evolved? with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and Geoffrey Vancassel: At Sterblue we make workflow automation. In the end, we output GV: By working closely with major utilities energy infrastructure inspections easy with actionable information for the maintenance such as ESB, AEP, Enedis and EDP, we’ve the support of our centralized software team, who can access a digital twin of their learned the importance of understanding our solutions. We help energy companies assets and flexible inspection reports in one customers’ processes and helping them capture clean data using off-the-shelf drones single platform. There is a video available on bring automation and digitization to their and Sterblue mobile app, or upload satellite, our website. daily operations, making their jobs easier. smartphone and helicopter data into our This allowed us to build an even more modular and flexible product, which can be tailored to unique use cases and connected with a large software ecosystem, including major players such as ESRI, SAP, Zapier, DJI, Parrot, Skydio, SpacePT, etc. PES: We know your platform allows for managing multiple types of assets. Can you tell us some of the advantages for the wind industry? GV: With automatic flight trajectories, using the Sterblue app, one drone pilot can safely inspect up to 12 wind turbines per day with an inspection downtime between 20 and 35 min. This results in high resolution pictures, with defects visible up to a millimetre precision on our platform. Our AI capabilities then allow for a fast image analysis which is then validated by a team of industry experts. Decision makers only need to access our reports and analytics to monitor asset health and generate clean energy more efficiently. You can learn more in our webinar here. PES: You mentioned Sterblue had identified an important shift on the blade inspection market. Can you elaborate? GV: Absolutely. Ten years ago, blade inspections used to be a big pain for wind energy operators, both for safety and economic reasons. So, when drones appeared on the market, the potential was huge. We call this the ‘Age of Education’, where hardware was still very embryonic and WWW.PESWIND.COM 21

ASK THE EXPERTS not scalable and organizations were not Today, large wind park operators want to making this shift by themselves. We are the familiar with it. become strategically autonomous and build only purely software player on the market, their own internal drone and data programs. capable of integrating with off-the-shelf When Sterblue was founded, back in 2016, Having a growing number of inspections to drones. This allows us to fill the gap between drones were already reaching interesting perform and huge amounts of data to deal inspection hardware and software. maturity levels and we started watching with afterwards, there is a need for software multiple external service providers creating solutions that allow these organizations to Sure, there are other good solutions out solutions for the wind industry. This was very be competitive and in control of O&M costs. there, but some make it harder for large important, since it allowed utilities to test utilities to scale in the future. Skyspecs for this technology and understand the PES: So how is Sterblue positioned to example, uses in-house hardware, which importance of having a structured data address this shift? doesn’t allow building internal programs. management workflow. GV: Sterblue is built to help organizations Scopito on the other hand, despite being a more versatile solution, presents some bottlenecks when it comes to large volume inspections. For example, you have to manually organize data in folders before being able to upload it on their platform. Even if this takes only a few minutes per turbine, imagine if you have thousands of them. PES: Economically speaking, how beneficial is the transition from external to internal inspection programs? GV: We are currently onboarding a large energy operator in Italy, so that they can inspect 300 wind turbines every year, using our software solutions with full autonomy. This represents a saving of $40,000 every single year when compared to subcontracting external inspection services, meaning a 41% cost reduction. Plus, the Italian utility can now rely on Sterblue to become strategically independent managing their teams and data, which is free and always accessible on our platform. PES: Is that the case for every customer you have? 22 PES WIND

Blade inspections made easy with Sterblue software Contact us at www.sterblue.com ~30min downtime 98% accuracy 1 integrated solution Automatic flight for Defect detection with Automate the whole off-the-shelf drones artificial intelligence inspection process

ASK THE EXPERTS GV: We have different offers for organizations detect defects on blades thanks to AI. How GV: Literally everywhere. More seriously, we at different stages of the learning curve. You important is this for your customers? now have customers in twenty-one can either be fully independent and use our countries. This is only possible thanks to our software with a ‘pay-per-use’ pricing model or GV: The truth is that AI is just a tool in a easy-to-deploy software solutions. take advantage of our worldwide network of complex inspection process. It certainly drone pilots and experts while you make helps to accelerate and improve image PES: That’s an impressive international the transition. analysis and defect annotation, but the real presence. How did COVID-19 and travel value lies in what you can do with the restrictions affect your business? A common first step is to build a business thousands of detections you end up with. In case to demonstrate the benefits of other words, the capability to aggregate this GV: COVID-19 has definitely been an performing drone inspections using Sterblue information and display it in an intuitive and unexpected challenge for every business, solutions. This allows organizations to actionable way. and Sterblue was no exception. We took this understand the profitability of the opportunity to reinforce our online training investment before putting together teams For example, the Sterblue platform is able to academy, which allows us to launch and changing processes. One great example automatically assign images and defects to the operations remotely anywhere in the world. is ESB, with whom we have been awarded a exact location on the blade. Thus, the long-term contract to complete inspections maintenance team knows exactly where and Actually, our first fully remote project of turbine blades with the support of our how serious the problem is and can take action. happened last year in Japan, where we network in Ireland and the UK. trained 5 drone pilots to provide detailed PES: What is your current geographical wind turbine inspection reports to a large PES: Your platform is able to automatically reach? Japanese wind energy operator. More recently, we also trained a customer in Norway without having to travel there. PES: Finally, how can a wind park operator start using Sterblue solutions? GV: Reach out to us and we can inspect wind turbines all over the world in less than 2 days. We have an ad-hoc program in place for our customers to make their inspections easy. www.sterblue.com 24 PES WIND

TALKING POINT In medium- and high-speed wind turbines, a torsional damper, the Geislinger Vdamp® is integrated directly to the gearbox and effectively reduces noise emission from wind turbines Powertrain technology for enhanced wind drivetrains With the Geislinger Compowind® coupling the Austrian-based company sets new standards for the wind drivetrain technology. Lightweight, fatigue-resistant, and maintenance-free composite membranes virtually absorb all bending moments and allow the gearbox to be rigidly attached to the main frame. Therefore, not only is the gearbox relieved from unnecessary loads, but the dynamic system behaviour of the wind turbine is also enhanced beyond comparison. Gearbox loads become predictable and Gearbox load loads, the gearbox is always rigidly attached fatigue loads are virtually eliminated. This to the hull, whereas an elastic coupling results in the highest reliability and The use of flexible low-speed shaft (LSS) absorbs offsets, stemming from flexible availability of the wind turbine and increases couplings in wind turbines is still an mounted engines. their profitability. Since 2016, several innovation, normally, the gearbox is mounted European offshore wind farms have been in such a way as to compensate for structural The restoring force, the magnitude of equipped with a Compowind® coupling and deflections, in marine propulsion it is force, which a coupling applies to the wind power has become an important state-of-the art: to safeguard the drivetrain gearbox shaft during every misalignment, business segment for Geislinger. and prevent the gearbox from unnecessary is key to low gearbox loads in order to avoid WWW.PESWIND.COM 25

TALKING POINT parasitic non-torque loads. In order to generation, Cornelius and Matthias Geislinger on the global markets, to pave the obtain the lowest possible restoring forces, Geislinger, together with Torsten Philipp. way for increasing commercial demands, and Geislinger developed elastic couplings over Adrian Geislinger, the fourth generation also to serve new customers with new 25 years ago. These are based on durable joined the company in April last year. applications. Part of this investment into membranes and made of advanced fibre Geislinger’s future was also to double the composites and called the Gesilco® Proven technology composite production area. product line. Compowind® was developed based on this vast experience in Compowind® has been developed from over Sustainability is a real aim at Geislinger: the development, engineering and calculation 25 years of experience in engineering and company has its own solar energy supply to of the length of life of torque-transmitting manufacturing composite marine the modern and energy efficient facilities and composite elements. propulsion couplings and shaft lines, offices. Thus reducing its CO2 emissions. By including a reliable lifetime prediction of using 100% electricity from renewable Founded in 1958 by L. R. Geislinger, the torque transmitting elements made of energy sources in Austria, the company young engineering consultancy firm advanced compounds. Specific work on the supports all available ways to protect our developed a torsional, elastic coupling, LSS coupling began in 2012. This included valuable environment. along with calculation methods for the verification of calculated results, against reproduction of torsional vibrations in comprehensive measurements on a scaled Reusable transport packaging is used, or it is internal combustion engines. Back then, the prototype and the development of product made from renewable materials for world- tuneable, all-steel torsional elastic coupling specific process technologies. wide shipments. Modern and efficient LED was a game changer in the marine lights have been installed in all office and propulsion industry. Striving for deep vertical production production areas to further reduce the integration and having full control over key energy footprint. Wastewater is treated and Ten years later, in 1969, the Geislinger technologies and processes has always been re-used, which significantly reduces the torsional damper was introduced to the a major aim for Geislinger: the huge factory amount of fresh water required. market. Both products have been continuously in Bad Sankt Leonhard in the South of Austria developed and still represent the backbone of provides a production area for its steel parts, The production area was increased and the the Austrian technology company. Geislinger couplings and torsional dampers, company also followed the latest standards as well as dedicated halls and areas for for bright working areas with large windows. In the early 1990’s Geislinger developed a composite production. Likewise, the office buildings at the factory in lightweight, fatigue-resistant and Bad Sankt Leonhard were renewed. The new, maintenance-free elastic coupling based on All components are manufactured in house, innovative office building was opened with a advanced composites. The first product was only blanks, standard parts and commodities big celebration in 2016. introduced to the market in 1995, followed by are from other suppliers. All key components the first composite shaft to propel fast are manufactured, produced and shipped to The concept of the headquarters in Salzburg light-weight vessels. Today, the composite the headquarters in Salzburg for final is open space, and aims to be vibrant and product line is known to the marine assembly. Composite production, special dynamic, it was integrated into the spatial propulsion industry as Geislinger Gesilco® mould, for cost effective resin-to-mould, experience of the new office building. ‘The couplings and shaft lines. processes were developed and bold and daring architecture of our new manufactured in-house. office building is in keeping with our mission Innovation and engineering expertise were statement ´Leaders in Engineering´ and the foundation of Geislinger and still today, €50m investment gives the location a distinctive look,’ explains research and development play a vital role for Cornelius Geislinger. It is important for the philosophy of the company: On its 60th anniversary Geislinger announced management to create working areas that Approximately 10 percent of the turnover is a €50 million investment within three fiscal meet the most up to date standards and reinvested in this key segment year after years in the two facilities in Austria and into provide employees with a space where they year. The company, headquartered in the operations in South Korea. Thus, feel comfortable. Salzburg, Austria, is being run by the third strengthening the competitiveness of Geislinger Compowind® is a fatigue-resistant, maintenance-free LSS coupling for next-generation integrated medium-speed drivetrains 26 PES WIND

TALKING POINT The courtyard roofed by a glass dome reaching across all floors is part of the ecologically sustainable climate concept of the new building Noise and tonality aerodynamics, create new requirements turbines, at wind sites with strict on reduced noise transfer originating from noise regulations. Another innovation underlining their the drivetrain. pioneering spirit are products for the sound Using a carefully selected and tuned attenuation of drivetrains. In marine This gives rise to new opportunities with gear-integrated powertrain component, a propulsion, structure-borne sounds operators, gearbox and wind turbine OEMs, tonality-free drivetrain will make sure that originate from the engine and the gearbox as well as project developers and wind park every turbine platform fulfils all kinds of and is transferred through the powertrain owners to develop gearbox-integrated site-specific noise codes. Geislinger, with into the structure of the ship. One part of solutions to reduce drivetrain noise at its these contributions to the latest Geislinger’s acoustic toolbox is an elastic origin. More often than not, turbines for requirements, once again demonstrates its coupling based on the Gesilco® product line, future wind parks are selected before the leading position in the development of highly optimized to minimize the transfer of the first prototype has been built. This means innovative and tailored solutions for high structure-borne sound. considerable uncertainty for the project performance powertrains. developer, especially for the large onshore Another part is formed by traditional steel www.geislinger.com products, the torsional elastic Geislinger coupling and the torsional damper. The linear Impressive structural expansion of Geislinger’s location in Bad St. Leonhard, Carinthia – two new production dynamic stiffness of the coupling together, halls, as well as an improved infrastructure for delivery, enhance the efficiency of the production site with specific tuning, reduces vibratory torque, resulting in reduced excitation of the structure. Both, couplings and dampers in the gear drives help to attenuate structure- borne engine noise. Geislinger has been developing and supplying solutions for the highest acoustic requirements to such applications for many years. Transferring this vast experience from internal combustion engines to wind drivetrains, unlocks uncharted opportunities for them to be tonality-free. The first evaluations were carried out with turbine and gearbox OEMs, to assess the potential of different products to be applied to the wind drivetrain, mainly integrated into the gearbox. Stricter regulations for noise emittance from European onshore wind parks force OEMs to investigate new technologies to reduce noise radiation. Growing wind turbine structures and the need for energy production at low wind speeds, including during night hours, increases the demands on tonality measures. The reduction of the masking energy, thanks to enormous advances in blade WWW.PESWIND.COM 27

TALKING POINT Top tips for successful Lidar deployment Words: Ian Ravey, Managing Director, ZX Measurement Services Remote ZX 300 deployment Lidar wind measurement campaigns can offer a number of key benefits over a traditional met mast approach to wind resource assessment in the development of wind farms. As always, to get the best data solution it’s important to take a few simple steps. Here are our top tips. In many respects Lidar can represent an and can meet the requirements that the wind data from ground level to an elevation of improvement on traditional met masts industry demands. more than 200 metres, Lidars can provide an within wind energy applications such as unprecedented degree of flexibility. This pre-construction energy yield assessments. Lidars also present an opportunity to define gives a better understanding of the wind Logistically, they can be rapidly deployed, wind characteristics well above the height of resource throughout the site, with a don’t require any major ground works or a conventional met mast, providing wind data corresponding reduction in the vertical shear foundations and offer a significant across the full wind turbine rotor diameter of uncertainty and the horizontal spatial reduction in health and safety challenges. today’s and indeed tomorrow’s wind variation uncertainty. With the technology now mature, data turbines. With the opportunity to easily and produced by Lidar measurements are as quickly relocate and micro-site Lidars A few simple steps can get the absolute accurate and bankable as a conventional throughout the proposed wind development best from this new standard in meteorological wind measurements mast site and the ability to accurately measure measurement technology. 28 PES WIND

TALKING POINT Plan communications play a big part in making a forgotten screwdriver or cable at a remote sure things run smoothly from day one. site can ultimately leave an installation in Communicate your wind measurement limbo. Inevitably such discoveries are made campaign goals! It may seem obvious, but Prepare when the weather has picked up, it’s pouring making sure that clear measurement with rain and night is closing in… campaign objectives are established early on Pre-installation, the Lidar can be configured in the process is key to successful wind ready for the campaign, minimising time on Placement measurements. Data forms the cornerstone site. Correct remote measurement of a wind farm development process that can elevations (from 10 to over 200 metres) for Siting of your fixed reference Lidar should be take a number of years to collect. Without the specific site can be added, the full system optimised for the best representative the data there is no development and if the tested and all logistical requirements measurement for your project – a good data is poor or has a high degree of necessary for a successful physical consultancy helps in planning your wider uncertainty then the resultant financial deployment considered and documented. All Wind Resource Assessment. Consider using uncertainty could make the project marginal. deployment and installation constraints and a secondary Lidar on site. Mobilising a risks can be captured in the planning process roaming Lidar can significantly reduce Getting the right data for a particular project through risk assessments and method uncertainty. Additional Lidar measurements to reduce any uncertainties and progress it statements. also build confidence in turbine type to the next stage of development is often the selection across the whole site and may allow ultimate goal. By fundamentally As an example, weather conditions at a site for micro-siting – the individual placement of understanding how to establish a good could present site access constraints. If so, a turbines to make the optimal use of the wind measurement campaign and where any mitigation strategy should be in place, like resource available at that specific location. uncertainties might sit, clear having an all-terrain vehicle available. Similarly, something as simple as discovering If existing met masts exist, or if there is a particular need in the project to include this technology, then the Lidar placement next to the mast can be used to validate not only the mast itself but the wind shear above the mast. With uncertainty penalties of 0.5-1% for every 10 m gap between the mast height and eventual turbine hub height, the Lidar removes this data gap for even the biggest turbines and reduces any uncertainties. Peripherals To maximise data availability during the measurement campaign, Lidars need a constant and reliable power source. Don’t compromise on the power. Data that isn’t recorded can never be recovered. If a mains supply is available then what about back up? If it is a remote site then make sure the power supply is continuous and adequate for the system requirements. In typically remote, and exposed, off-grid locations, we would for example, use a PV-based Power Supply Unit (PSU) combined with an appropriately-sized methanol fuel cell. A forested site in the northern latitudes may get hardly any sunlight during winter months, resulting in extended use of the fuel cell generator, so plan for more frequent refuelling. Confirm a good location for the PV element or ensure the PSU is suitable for the deployment location. Communications are also vital to ensure high data availability from a Lidar unit. A developer may believe that a site offers an adequate mobile phone signal, but this might not prove to be the case when looking at the transmission of data. This could lead to problems monitoring system performance – unlike power loss, fortunately the Lidar does store all data locally and this data can be recovered. There is no substitute for a better understanding of the site and exploring how factors such as exposure, the design of the power supply and communications may affect performance. WWW.PESWIND.COM 29

TALKING POINT ZX 300 winter deployment with All Terrain Vehicle Performance Procurement: turbines Remember, you will never get this opportunity again on this particular site. Data is routinely delivered automatically by Think ahead, make the data being collected the Lidar through a variety of part of the turbine procurement process. A Partners communications protocols ensuring it can be significant amount of data from the site incorporated within client or third-party could benefit a turbine OEM and, as the You don’t have to do this alone. Finding a tools and processes. Frequent analysis of this customer, you the developer too. Consider trusted, local partner can be beneficial to data is recommended to ensure system how the data being collected today may delivering much of the above. And the word availability remains optimally high. It is impact the operation and performance of ‘partner’ is key. The right measurement critically important to be able to see what’s the wind farm for the next 30 years and services provider is a true partner with an happening with the system on a day-to-day begin the breadcrumb trail of lifetime investment in securing the best basis so project decisions can be made in a asset monitoring. measurement outcome possible. timely fashion as to whether to progress with the campaign, or move on. In an increasingly digital world, any data Experienced Lidar service providers can, collected today could begin forming future through site visits, identify any potential issues Routine monitoring should include a daily operational elements such as a Digital Twin. with the proposed measurement system alarm check and review of any potential Could the ground-based Lidar you install during the planning stage, for instance. The systems issues such as the power supply unit today help improve turbine supply right partner also provides access to a skills or communications. A high-level check at agreements by more accurately assessing base and expertise that covers a wide least twice a week should look at the data for the conditions of the eventual power curve? spectrum of different measurement tools and verification that it is credible. If an issue is If the use of IEC 61400-50-3 and a nacelle services. This technical expertise comes with a identified it is possible to react very quickly Lidar to undertake Power Performance deep understanding of the measurement and have someone on site, typically within 24 Measurements are being considered, then equipment and what can and cannot be to 48 hours, to resolve any issues and return siting of the ground-based Lidar now may achieved with that data. the system to full operations. Monitoring and help link these eventual data sets on site. understanding the performance data of the There is also the provision of equipment to Lidar provides the necessary clarity to While the focus now may be on the next consider. Partnering up with the right deliver in excess of 99% system availability 12-18 months of wind data collection, there company means access to a whole range of that ZX Measurement Services achieve is real value in taking a long-term view of ‘the equipment that wouldn’t normally be across its wind measurement campaigns. data journey’ over the next 30 years. available in-house. 30 PES WIND

TALKING POINT ZX 300 validating shear profile of met mast and above up to 200m+ Ownership and responsibility are central to campaign for themselves. The best partners measurement campaign by months. For the best partnerships though. Teaming up give developers confidence and eliminate instance, in order to complete the industry with ZX Measurement Services, for example, much of the worry and risk from a wind standard measure, correlate and predict means we take ownership of that system. We measurement campaign. (MCP) process, at least 12 months-worth of do everything we can to maximise that data data is recommended to reduce systematic for the client to ensure that the next stage is Promotion… and pride errors. If this data isn’t available then as successful as possible. additional measurements may be required Getting the best from Lidar is simple, if you the following year to reduce uncertainty. The Integration of a particular skills base within know how. With the richness of wind data outcome could be a significant delay before the project team means the right partner will available from Lidar, it is easy to rapidly the development can move forward. apply the same level of care and due diligence establish a wind shear profile up to and above as if they were doing the measurement 200 metres on site. Conversely, losing data There are some fantastic case studies and during a crucial period can extend the whole examples of what works, and what doesn’t. We encourage all clients to promote what good looks like so that, as an industry, we can progress. Jason McCall, Technical Manager at Banks Group, is a good example of this: ‘ZX Measurement Services have a pro-active approach to managing the measurement campaigns, ensuring that we were constantly informed of the campaign progress, data quality and availability. Their fundamental understanding of the overall measurement process, coupled with their attention to detail during the planning, deployment and operational management of each system ensured we had a robust measurement campaign available for each site’. www.zxlidars.com Low visual impact Island deployment of ZX 300 Biography Ian Ravey is Managing Director of ZX Measurement Services. With over 30 years’ experience in the renewable energy industry, Ian studied electrical and electronic engineering before developing his career working on remote monitoring systems, procedures and standards. WWW.PESWIND.COM 31

TALKING POINT Electrode: sparking action on subsea cable failures Words: C harlotte Strang-Moran, Lead Engineer on the ELECTRODE project at the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult Thirty years ago, there was not a single megawatt of offshore wind capacity on the planet; now, there are more than 29GW installed globally, and offshore wind is seen as a vital clean energy source with which to tackle climate change and reduce our carbon footprint. The next 30 years will see an even more spectacular rate of expansion with 1,400GW credibly achievable by 2050. There is an ‘if’ and a ‘but’ coming, though: such a switchover to high-voltage direct current 75-80% of insurance claims. It is not rapid growth in capacity will only be possible if cables (HVDC) across the offshore wind uncommon for a single outage to result in the industry is sitting upon a much more industry, offshore hydrogen charging stations costs exceeding £10 million in lost energy reliable subsea cable network than today. coming online, and the meshing all of these output and repairs. Tomorrow’s cables will need to cope with more into the ‘Supergrid’ of the future. wind power and achieve reliability over longer Technology innovation can and is tackling distances, too, as operations push further and That is why stabilising and reducing cable these cable failures. As part of our mission to deeper offshore. Looking ahead to the future, failure rates is one of the crucial innovation support UK companies’ creation and growth we will also see the commercialisation of challenges for the wind industry in the here in the offshore wind supply chain, we have floating wind platforms using dynamic cables, and now. Cables have proven to be somewhat worked with exciting new technologies on of an Achilles heel to date, accounting for the cable arena, including Synaptec’s 32 PES WIND

TALKING POINT Charlotte Strang-Moran light-speed cable failure prediction and cable failure database set up, the biggest topics of most interest include the annual detection solution that utilises a cable’s hurdle has been concerns about the high failure rate per kilometre of cable and failure existing optical fibres. commercial sensitivity of the data we rates per component, mean time between require. That is why our experience of failures, the effectiveness of monitoring and While companies like Synaptec stand out, running the UK wind industry’s SPARTA repair approaches, and the use of new innovation overall is being held back by the benchmarking service has been crucial: it is a technologies in addressing failures. lack of good data and insight into how cable good example of how we have been able to failures occur in the first place and where process sensitive data anonymously and The crucial point is that we will capture improvements should be targeted. That is why securely over many years. SPARTA collates inter-array faults across the whole cable this spring, we are launching the ELECTRODE offshore wind performance data and has system, including the terminations and project with support from the Offshore Wind become a trusted source for operators when joints, classifying the data as granularly as Innovation Hub (OWIH). ELECTRODE is an formulating future strategy. Today, SPARTA’s possible to cable type. Broader industry industry world-first database that will collect trend analysis covers 98% of the UK’s insight into fault location will provide valuable cable failure data anonymously while allowing installed offshore wind capacity, with and important data that could support trend analysis to develop. overseas players poised to join the fold too. condition monitoring tools and aid O&M decision-making on which monitoring We believe that this industry-backed Now we come to the type of data that we equipment is best suited. system will quickly enable us to start need. Over the past few months, we have identifying significant and recurring held a series of workshops with While our initial focus will be upon inter-array problems, which will bring considerable representatives drawn from across the cable reliability, we plan to extend our scope to benefits to the whole industry. industry to design how ELECTRODE will include export cables in the future. We are also work. Results of the consultations are only tracking data for fixed-bottom offshore How we are spearheading change available in our first project report. The wind sites, but dynamic cable failures will become an increasing focus as more floating While the industry has been eager to see a offshore wind farms come online in the next few years. These moving cables carry unique challenges of their own, being subject to high mechanical loadings, swell and current, as well as the risk of wear due to friction or scraping. Understanding failure modes and mechanisms Through industry engagement, we found that the word ‘failure’ was being used to apply to quite different cable events and sometimes being misused entirely. We worked with stakeholders to agree on common definitions that will govern all the work that we do under ELECTRODE and hopefully become the standard definitions for the offshore wind industry in the future. Tracking failure modes and mechanisms will be crucial for informing future innovation, investment strategies and operational approaches in the offshore wind industry. For example, a recurring failure mode may be an imperfection in cable insulation. In this case, our trend analysis would trigger WWW.PESWIND.COM 33

TALKING POINT ‘ELECTRODE is an industry world-first database that will collect cable failure data anonymously while allowing trend analysis to develop.’ Subsea cable failures in numbers improvements at the design stage, sourcing better training for hauliers and vessel crews • 75-80% of wind industry insurance alternative insulation materials or improving when handling cables to prevent nicks and claims stem from subsea cable failure the outer armour, or could fuel new damage or even prompt automation of • ORE Catapult is aware of costs concepts and procedures for identifying some handling processes. exceeding £12 million for a single impurities at the manufacturing stage. The cable failure chain of innovation could even extend to How you can get involved • Average downtime is 38 days for inter-array cables and 62 days for About Charlotte Strang-Moran There will be two tiers of membership for the export cables ELECTRODE programme. In Tier 1, owner/ • The cost ratio between an onshore Charlotte joined ORE Catapult in January operators will contribute data, which is and offshore cable failure is 1:10 2018 as a Graduate Electrical Engineer anonymised and have access to data • Cables failure causes are: after completing her BEng Hons in provided by other unidentified owner/ - 46% - installation Electronic and Electrical Engineering at operators. The supply chain, OEMs, the - 31% - manufacturing the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. In insurance industry and academic researchers - 15% - design flaws her current role as Electrical Engineer, will be in Tier 2 and will be able to access - 8% - external damage Charlotte is actively involved in the trended analysis for their own market and delivery of a number of projects in underwriting insights. 34 PES WIND different disciplines within the electrical infrastructure team, specialising in If you would like to join up, or if your company subsea cable failure and improving is looking for technology innovation support technology reliability. She is now is the in the subsea cables sphere, you can contact primary lead on the ELECTRODE project. the ELECTRODE team [email protected] www.ore.catapult.org.uk

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THINK TANK Old layout, new layout - the same geotechnical campaign? Words: T aisiya Pein, Dr. Stefan Wenau Fraunhofer IWES develops a technology to quantify geotechnical information on unexplored locations. © Fraunhofer IWES ‘Measure twice, cut once’ as the old proverb goes. And it is true. A thorough geological site investigation campaign is one of the most important sources of data when it comes to designing foundations. Especially in the case of high-risk offshore constructions such as wind turbines. However, what should we do if the style changes even before we start to cut? Or, even worse, climate change forces us to sew a summer dress instead of making a winter coat? Should we measure once again? Moreover, what if the client is far away and does not want to be bothered? Can we deduce the missing values for the new dress pattern from existing measurements? All of these questions arise if the layout of a each other. One of them is the continuing costs due to their geological settings: e.g., wind farm changes after the geotechnical development of wind turbine technology glacial channels filled with soft sediments. campaign has been completed. It may take itself and the availability of ever larger and several years to develop an offshore wind ever more efficient turbine generations However, changes to the turbine layout farm project from the initial desk studies during the planning phase. Another reason usually have to be approved by the through to the construction phase. During results from the geophysical and corresponding authority. The requirements this time, a number of reasons may lead to geotechnical campaign itself. Some of the different national regulatory changes to the original wind farm layout, the locations, although theoretically leading to a authorities can vary greatly. For example, position of the wind turbines in relation to high wind yield, may incur high foundation German authorities normally require a 36 PES WIND

THINK TANK borehole or a cone penetration test at every wind farm development. To construct such a The specific technique is selected based on planned wind turbine location to prove and model, the available seismic and the availability and quality of the confirm the proposed foundation design. geotechnical in situ measurements, measurements, the project timeline, and Consequently, if changes are made to the sometimes also laboratory data, are passed the financial constraints. Currently, layout during the project planning phase, a through a sieve of interpolation techniques. interpolation methods such as linear new geotechnical campaign is generally regression, inverse weighted distance, needed. In certain cases, however, regulatory radial basis functions, and kriging-based authorities will accept an estimation of the techniques are applied to fill the gaps soil properties at unexplored locations based between the actual data points obtained by on available data. Nevertheless, the project, measurements. Here the main challenge lies including the layout changes and the in the nature of the data. They are foundation design, still has to be certified multivariate, uncertain and unique, sparse, and officially approved. and incomplete, as postulated by modern geostatistics. As the geological conditions How are the soil conditions at a may change abruptly between investigated geotechnically unexplored site estimated? locations, predictions based solely on the The key words here are ‘synthetic cone proximity of the data points may easily fail penetration test’ and ‘intelligent ground and lead to undesirable and sometimes even model’. Intelligent ground models allow the fatal results in terms of costs. extraction of geotechnical data at any point of the wind farm site based on the To supplement sparse geotechnical data, interpolation of geotechnical data supported other data sources should be used to guide by geophysical data. Thus, the building of interpolation. Such additional data need to be intelligent ground models containing related to the geotechnical parameters. geotechnical parameters of interest is Seismic measurements can be well suited for currently one of the most important this purpose. Seismic surveying is usually interdisciplinary topics in the endeavor to carried out prior to the geotechnical optimize site characterization efforts for campaign, providing 2D or even 3D coverage of the whole wind farm area. On the one hand, the seismics can provide the stratigraphic constraints to guide the interpolation along the layer boundaries. On the other hand, recorded seismic signals can also be related to the geotechnical parameters of interest and therefore provide additional control of the interpolated values. Furthermore, seismic measurements are far more cost-effective per location in comparison to the direct measurements and borehole data, as the whole area is covered at once. Seismic data can guide and justify the interpolation results of the geotechnical information. However, seismic data are acquired in travel-time units below the source and receiver geometry and the geotechnical data are acquired in meters below the seafloor, rendering dependable depth 1 Interpolation of geotechnical information between explored locations taking seismic measurements into account. © Fraunhofer IWES WWW.PESWIND.COM 37

THINK TANK 2 Application of the synthetic seismogram for quantification of interpolation quality on unexplored locations. © Fraunhofer IWES conversion of seismic data necessary. The In the next step, synthetic seismograms at Using the wide range of Fraunhofer IWES resolution of the cone penetration tests can the unexplored locations are created using activities, we plan to extend this technology be as high as 50 measurements per meter. inferred geotechnical information and to minimize the occurrence of layout changes The seismic wave is up to several meters long compared with the seismic traces actually in later project phases by taking into account and cannot provide the same fine details. measured (see figure 2 above). A specified both the meteorological and geological Careful integration of the two datasets is thus measure, for example the coefficient of information right from the early phases of essential for successful site characterization. correlation between the synthetic and the real wind farm planning. The model not only seismic trace, provides a quantitative considers the wind direction, wakes, and Since 2015, the Fraunhofer IWES has been assessment of the interpolation quality. In this water depths so as to find the optimum advising wind farm developers on layout example, the interpolated geotechnical data is layout, but also includes additional variables changes and helping them to gain regulatory assigned a quantitative parameter describing such as the costs for foundations and cables. approval in case of changing layouts during the quality of the interpolated data, which can The integration of these inputs into the cost ongoing planning phases. To acquire the then be used for design purposes. function for the wind farm will provide the necessary seismic data to support CPT most cost-efficient layout. interpolation, the IWES relies on 2D and 3D This unique approach has allowed seismic acquisition systems developed justification of the quality of the interpolated Conclusion in-house at the institute. The interpolation CPTs at unexplored locations, approval of the results of geotechnical data guided by foundation design, and successful Synthetic CPTs are the solution for filling the seismic reflection data are validated using certification of the wind farm project by the gap between explored geotechnical blind tests. For a blind test, one TÜV Süd. locations. With additional application of measurement is omitted and compared with synthetic seismograms, we are not only the prognosis for this location, resulting in a Current research and outlook providing a mean of filling this gap, but also measure of the interpolation quality. The quantifying the interpolation quality in a quantitative assessment of the achieved The interpolation quality itself depends on cost-effective way. Of course, care is interpolation quality can be obtained using the quality of the input parameters – both the required in the interpretation of the results synthetic seismograms. primary (geotechnical) and the secondary so as to avoid possible pitfalls, but guidance (seismic) information. The quantification of offered by experienced interdisciplinary Synthetic seismograms are artificial seismic interpolation uncertainty is key to ensuring teams of scientists and engineers can help to traces derived from a given geological section the optimal usability of the generated data find the most suitable solution for the given and an idealized seismic wavelet. In this case, for foundation design. Depending on the data, time, and financial constraints. they are created using primarily geotechnical sensitivity of the design method, the information at the location of interest before acceptable uncertainty range of the The journey to successful project being compared to the seismic traces interpolated data may be broader or certification will lead through comprehensive measured in the vicinity of the measurement narrower. In a current research project, the data analysis, interpretation, and integration. locations. The comparison of explored Fraunhofer IWES and its partners are linking To return to the sewing analogy: we may locations with the corresponding seismic data the uncertainties in model building to the change the style and adapt the sewing provides an overview of the expected design purposes in order to provide wind machine, but we do not have to bother the correlation quality between geotechnical and farm developers with additional quantitative ‘client’ again. Stop measuring – start sewing! seismic measurements (see figure 2 above). tools for the assessment of project risks and associated costs. www.iwes.fraunhofer.de 38 PES WIND

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TALKING POINT A client-centric approach to meet the offshore access needs of the global renewables market Words: Caspar Blum, Senior Business Development Manager Offshore Wind, Ampelmann There is a lot going on in the offshore wind market and not only in specific regions; companies around the world are increasingly moving towards generating and harvesting renewable energy. From 2023 onwards, the majority of new offshore wind turbines will be installed outside of Europe. After Europe, Taiwan has become the new hotspot for offshore wind. Going forward, there will be an increased Ampelmann pioneered the Walk to Work need for specialised vessels and equipment market more than 10 years ago with the in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and the US as launch of its first motion compensated well as for technology where the focus lies on gangway system, inspired by technology safety and efficiency. With a global network traditionally used in flight simulators. The of storage and maintenance hubs and system compensates all six degrees of regional offices, Dutch offshore access freedom of a vessel which makes the transfer provider Ampelmann offers its innovative of workers offshore safer and more efficient technology at the very heart of the upcoming than alternative methods. offshore wind hotspots globally. The E1000 lifting cargo to an offshore wind turbine in the North Sea Caspar Blum Purpose-built systems for purpose-built vessels With a maturing market and the introduction of purpose-built vessels for the offshore wind market, the customer need has widened. Next to being able to compensate high waves and strong winds throughout the construction phase of the wind farm securing the timely completion WWW.PESWIND.COM 41

TALKING POINT and production of power, the industry has A render of the Ampelmann W-type work scope clients can deliver and improve matured in the use of Service Operation the efficiency of W2W operations. Vessels (SOVs). SOVs are used throughout range allowing it to operate in even rougher the operation and maintenance lifecycle of waters, while ensuring the safe and efficient This plug-and-play system turns any vessel an offshore wind farm, offering high access of both personnel and cargo. into an all-round offshore tool and as a comfort to offshore service technicians Originally launched in 2016, the E1000 is an result, clients benefit from shorter and work throughout the year, staying adaptable access system which can campaign durations, increased logistical offshore for up to two weeks before transform from a gangway into a crane efficiency and a broader scope of work. heading back to port. boom to provide full logistical requirements. Examples include lifting fully fuelled In the past, the system would use pins to generators to wind turbines or supporting The vessels are being designed and built manually switch from personnel to cargo blade repair projects. against high efficiency and safety mode, which would take at least ten minutes requirements: logistical flows of personnel to perform. While the W-type is designed to be and cargo on and from the vessel to the integrated into the host vessel from day one offshore turbines are planned to the last Ampelmann has since enhanced the system of the design and building schedule, the second, showcasing the high need for extra with improved time savings. It is now fully hexapod-based fleet of systems A- and efficiency for the whole operation. automated and employs remote-controlled E-types, are mainly used on various vessels. hydraulic pin pushers to fixate the gangway These systems are able to be moved To comply with these needs, Ampelmann booms in less than one minute with a single between vessels in short periods of time as developed the W-type, which meets the push of a button. To switch from cargo to mobilisations and demobilisation only take current requirements and provides a personnel transfer mode, the crane hoisting a few days. future-proof solution. The W-type combines cable is placed in a freewheel mode to allow a height adjustable gangway connected to an the booms to telescope, significantly Looking towards the future of Offshore Wind elevator in order to enable personnel to increasing the available working time and reach the gangway from the same level as the removing all risk to handlers. Looking at future markets, on the one hand, cargo and accommodation decks. Ampelmann sees the need to elevate its The system can safely transfer people and up systems higher than before. With more It also meets the need for more to 1,000kg of cargo in rough waters. remote locations and further offshore, the sustainability, being an electric system and wind farms of the future will increase in reusing power when compensating for the To date, Ampelmann has enabled the safe landing heights up to 30 meters or more. vessel’s motions. Connected to the transfer of more than 6 million people and vessel’s power system, the gangway does close to 17 million kilogrammes of cargo to The Dutch company covers for these not require extra diesel-driven hydraulic and from offshore platforms. To further additional height requirements with a fleet of power units. strengthen this track record, it recently modular pedestals that can be installed delivered the E5000 system. Based on the underneath the system. This will enable even Data that has been collected over the past technology of the E1000 and with the ability bottom fixed wind farms, for example in 483 projects around the globe is now being to lift up to 5 tonnes, it helps increase the used to drive efficiency even further. The company can put time and location stamps on each personnel and cargo transfer throughout each operation of the global fleet. Additionally, Ampelmann has launched a tool to forecast workability for the coming days. This does not only help SOVs become more efficient, but also the more time- critical construction market. An offshore access system for any client need Understanding the needs of a diverse offshore construction market, Ampelmann’s fleet offers the right solution for the right task and budget. From the flagship A-type to the most frequently requested system in the fleet, the E1000, which can lift up to 1000kg, to its latest development, the E5000, the company serves the needs of its clients throughout any scope in the offshore wind farm lifecycle. The A-type gangway system was the first product to be commercially deployed in 2008. It can transfer personnel to and from an offshore platform in high sea states and operates according to the highest safety standards in the industry. After successful testing in 2020, Ampelmann is launching the new A-hoist add-on which can enable clients to lift up to 300kg with the existing A-type fleet. The E1000 is a heavier system with a wider 42 PES WIND

TALKING POINT ‘Our systems enable fully motion compensated lifting of a wide range of cargo, from 240kg to 5,000kg.’ With the A-hoist add-on, Ampelmann enables clients to lift up to 300kg with the existing A-type fleet Taiwan and France, to be served by its fleet of ranging between 10 and 30 meters will be that enables high workability for floating offshore access systems. difficult. Installing Ampelmann’s hexapod- wind farms as well. Having worked in based fleet directly on deck will enable the Portugal and Scotland on floating wind On the other hand, with an evolving client to access their floaters on the low farms, Ampelmann is set and equipped for floating offshore wind market, another, in end of landing heights. the whole future of providing offshore fact the opposite, trend can be observed: access solutions to the global offshore low landing heights of 10 or 11 meters In addition, using its knowledge from renewables market. above sea level. Covering the levels of ship-to-ship transfers in the oil and gas future wind farms with landing heights market, the company can offer a solution www.ampelmann.nl WWW.PESWIND.COM 43

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TALKING POINT Saving birds and protecting investors The death of even one endangered bird can be a great environmental loss Rapid increase of onshore wind energy requires more and more land. Sometimes the new wind farms are located in bird sensitive areas. This is also true for some projects prepared for repowering. On the other hand, many wind farms face restrictions in operation due to bird mortality e.g. extended turbine shutdowns in migratory periods. Wind energy is one of the most ecological most important ones. Research based on serious, especially for endangered species. energy sources. It is clean, renewable, has field studies, video monitoring, or more low operating costs, is space-efficient. But recently tracking large birds using This casts a shadow on the image of wind there are also cons. Fatal collisions between transmitters, contributes to social farms as a source of 100% green energy. birds and wind turbine blades is one of the awareness and shows that the problem is The mortality of birds, especially threatened species, has an impact on the 46 PES WIND

TALKING POINT ‘The Bioseco system is based on the most modern achievements of human technology.’ conduct of this business. Regulatory offices The times when birds pass nearby can usually but its operation is simple: it observes the are introducing new restrictions on the be counted in minutes, sometimes in quarters space around the turbine and detects operation of turbines during the bird of an hour per day, even minutes per day. This flocking birds. After detecting them, it breeding season, during spring or the is how long the turbine should actually be monitors their flight trajectory, and then autumn migration. Therefore, turbines are stopped, the rest of the downtime is a pure when the bird approaches the turbine, it stopped for a few, sometimes several weeks waste of energy and money. activates a warning light and sound signals. per year. Most birds change their flight direction, but if So how can we make sure the turbines only they keep flying, a signal is sent to the turbine During those long stops birds can appear at stop when absolutely necessary? How can to stop it. wind farm, can fly towards the blades and we find out when the birds just fly by a given ultimately may collide with them. Such turbine? What’s the answer? The solution is very precise and effective. It stoppages are certainly ecological, saving uses latest technology, stereoscopy, AI, the birds, but on the other hand, a stopped Those questions were at the root of the advanced algorithms and computing units. turbine does not produce electricity, which Bioseco solution. A solution so convenient Installing the devices on the turbine takes must be supplied to the grid from other that it is already used on wind farms in less than one day and will work alternative sources. Often this replacement Germany, France, Poland and Spain. continuously for years giving access to data energy comes from burning fossil fuels… and via an online platform as well as for remote therefore is no longer green. The Bioseco system is based on the most monitoring purposes. modern achievements of human technology, The system was evaluated in Germany within the NatForWINSENT research project funded by the German government and in Poland during a pilot run with the largest wind energy operator, PGE EO. This test proved that it is very efficient in detecting birds, and also has a very low false positive rate, non-bird detections, and thus is recommended to limit stoppages on wind farms. Taking into account the increasing social expectations and regulations of environmental offices, Bioseco devices is a good choice to solve problem of bird mortality on wind farms, already proven on-site by some global wind energy players. WWW.PESWIND.COM 47

TALKING POINT Chris Paszek turbines are able to produce energy Apart from that the system was tested in a continuously. program financed from EU funds on farms PES wanted to know more. We caught up with belonging to PGE EO, one of the largest Chris Paszek, Cofounder of Bioseco to The solution gives benefits to several parties: energy companies in Central Europe and the discover more about bird protection on first, our subject: birds. Thanks to our system, largest in Poland. wind farm. they are protected. There have been no reported collisions of birds with a turbine Added to this, some of our clients started with PES: Hi Chris, a warm welcome to PES Wind, blade where this system installed. a pilot to carry out their tests. As a result of all it’s good to talk with you. Would you like to these studies, we can conclude that the begin by giving us an overview of the The second part is, of course, our customers. detection rate of birds, of the well-known Bioseco bird protection system? They receive a system thanks to which species in the observation area, is above 80%, turbine shutdowns are minimized and thus which is considered a sufficient level for Chris Paszek: Thank you for having me! My the energy production and their profits efficient bird protection. main idea behind establishing Bioseco was the increase. It also brings is the bigger desire to run a business that would fit in with possibility of further investments in wind At the same time the false-positive error rate the sustainability and protection of nature. energy. It is worth mentioning that our is well below 5%. Our system is resistant and system breaks even, on average, after two or reliable, services are performed mainly In short, we developed an innovative solution three years, depending on bird activity and remotely. During in the pilot project in Poland based on most modern technologies to the imposed shutdowns. the system worked continuously for 99.8% of protect birds on windfarms. Thanks to this, the assumed operating time per year, the The third beneficiary of the use of Bioseco missing 0.2% was due to software upgrade devices is society. We all benefit from the work. In general, the availability of our fact that more green energy is produced devices exceeds 99%. and the birds are no longer endangered and our kids and grandkids will get a chance to PES: Does Bioseco system offer any other admire them. solutions? PES: Are your systems really as effective as CP: Our system is a technologically advanced you say? solution. Customers get more from our system than just bird rescue. The key issue is CP: Well, so as not to boast let’s let the facts to restart the turbine after it has stopped speak for themselves. First of all, the most whilst the birds flock through. Our system important point is: where we installed the restarts the turbine automatically afterwards. system, the birds stopped dying. And that alone could be enough. But there is still a lot The system monitors the operation and if for of added value. some reason the turbine doesn’t restart, within a few minutes the system can send information The system was tested during the German to the operator. We know that this certainty state-funded NatForWINSENT program, about the operation of turbines is crucial for with the participation of the independent our customers. Swiss Ornithological institute, Vogelwarte. 48 PES WIND

TALKING POINT Bioseco systems installed in Spain during 2020 Additionally, the application provides access and more artificial intelligence in our protect birds. This is our mission. However, in to statistical data to analyse bird flights: their algorithms, adapting the equipment to the the near future we will continue to focus on directions or altitudes. Customers latest technology developments. Europe and put more effort into South Africa sometimes use the camera view to identify and perhaps have a pilot in the USA. not only birds, but also other events around Besides it’s in our interest as there are systems the turbine. For example, the operation of needed to protect the environment in other In order to be able to develop in other neighbouring turbines or icing on blades. fields such as airports. markets, such as the Asia, South America we need to expand first, but if there are any local PES: Is the system suitable for installation PES: Do you have any interesting projects companies interested in working with us, we on any turbines and locations? that you can share with us? could accelerate this expansion. CP: Our client numbers are growing, and there CP: We have just signed a contract with DISA We are considering going public, probably on are more and more countries where we Group, a large energy company from the the Warsaw Stock Exchange, to raise capital protect birds. At the moment we are ready to Canary Island where our systems will be sent to speed up growth, continue R&D and at the install the system on almost all onshore wind to a famous tourist destination, Tenerife. It same time allow people who share the same farms in the world. Of course, we must will be summer, hopefully the quick idea of sustainable development to join us prepare ourselves logistically for locations installation and will give us time to explore a and become Bioseco shareholders. My outside of Europe. part of this beautiful island. personal dream is that one day Bioseco will become a hub for gathering and developing As for the type of turbines, at the moment If we look at the financial results, 2020 was a all technological ideas to protect animals and our system is installed on turbines produced very good year for Bioseco. We achieved more broadly: nature. by: Vestas, SiemensGamesa, Enercon, revenue growth several times higher than in Acciona Windpower and Alstom, while this 2019. Perhaps it could have been slightly PES: What impact has the pandemic had on year we will install the system on GE. better if not for the pandemic. So far, 2021 your business, and do you see it changing as Nevertheless, we are also able to install looks even more promising for Bioseco than you progress in 2021? systems on turbines from other 2020, the customer interest is huge, and the manufacturers. value of contracts signed in the first quarter CP: Covid has had a moderate impact on our exceeds the results of whole previous year. business. Traveling to the installation sites PES: Is research and development an was the most problematic issue. However, we integral part of your company? PES: We were wondering what is your are a software and modern technology geographic scope and do you have any plans company, we can do a lot of work remotely. We CP: Absolutely! Sometimes I hear questions to expand to other areas? What are your have taken all the necessary measures to keep such as: is your system ready? Well, it’s ready, plans for the coming years? our team safe and we stay resistant to the up and running. But we’re constantly working virus so far. on improvements. We are developing and CP: We have requests from Europe, Africa extending the detection range to exceed 500 and Asia. We are open to providing our www.bioseco.com. meters from the turbine, implementing more solution to any customer who wants to WWW.PESWIND.COM 49

THINK TANK Preventing efficiency loss with enhanced leading edge protection Words: D r Adam Nevin The relentless focus on maximizing efficiency in renewable energy is a key driver in the development of both onshore and offshore wind energy equipment. From increasing blade sizes to minimizing friction in the gearbox, every aspect of wind generation has been optimized to provide maximum efficiency when the turbine is built. Attention is now shifting from efficiency at the point of manufacture, to efficiency over the lifetime of the wind turbine. One critical issue impacting this is erosion of the leading edge of the wind turbine blades by precipitation and spray. When rotating at maximum speed, offshore operating in areas of high precipitation of sheets or ‘skins’, which can be applied to the wind turbine blades can reach a speed of over require regular replacement to prevent the blade post-manufacture, mean that this 90 meters per second at the tip, turning turbine suffering a significant decrease in trade-off can be delayed by many years and usually harmless rain droplets into high- power output and efficiency. could even be avoided completely by finding a speed impactors generating shockwaves solution that can prevent rain erosion. that can seriously erode the leading edge of Replacing blades showing signs of erosion is a Therefore, it is important to develop the wind turbine blade. With standard resin credible option to maintain efficiency but is high-performance erosion protection to and gel coating applied during extremely costly, and a trade-off between ensure consistent efficiency and power output manufacturing, wind turbine blades cost and efficiency is usually considered. throughout a windfarm’s operational lifetime. Advances in rain erosion protection in the form 50 PES WIND