Ulstein and SeaOwls launch next-generation wind installation design

The lighter and more powerful design, known as Soul, was launched at the Offshore Wind Journal Conference early in February and the two companies claim that it will enable operators to install larger turbines as quickly as smaller ones in the 6-8MW range, providing significant efficiency gains.  
Scaling-up conventional heavy-lift jack-up designs for the installation of larger turbines is complex and Erik Snijders, founder and managing director of SeaOwls, explained that this created uncertainty amongst turbine manufacturers, wind farm operators and installation contractors because floating vessels are not a viable alternative.
“So we went back to the optimal jack-up design, a square platform with the legs spaced out as much as possible,” he said. “Rotating the platform by 45° provided a natural bow shape with two legs and the crane on the vessel centreline."
Bram Lambregts, deputy managing director of Ulstein Design & Solutions BV, explained that the main crane is located around the stern leg, thus providing optimal main deck reach and over-the-side lifting capabilities. The hull now houses much larger leg footings which reduce bearing pressure on the seabed, and the wake of the spud cans does not interfere with water inflow to the propulsion thrusters.
The patent-pending Soul design, which is 10% lighter than conventional jack-up designs, will be available in various sizes, enabling the transport of between three and six of the largest 10-12 MW turbines. A further benefit of the new jack-up is that loading and turbine installation can be undertaken without ballasting.
Commenting on the new design, Ulstein Group deputy CEO Tore Ulstein said: “The development of this novel jack-up vessel is the logical next step in our strategy to widen our portfolio and become a leading company in supporting the offshore wind industry with more efficient assets. Combining the vast track record in heavy-lift vessel designs from our Dutch Ulstein branch with SeaOwls’ experience in jack-up technology resulted in an innovative jack-up vessel concept based on proven technologies.”