Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Anders Thomsen, M.Sc. Civ. Eng. & Anders Hjerling, Mech. Eng.
ISC Consulting Engineers A/S,
ster All 31, DK 2100 Kbenhavn ,
Tlf.: + 45 35 27 88 00 - Fax: + 45 35 27 88 44
Web Site: http://www.isc.dk
1.
Introduction
The present paper describes Transformer platforms provided for offshore wind power parks on
various environmental conditions and water depths.
In offshore wind power parks the transfer of energy from the windmills to shore is managed by
introduction of a transformer offshore platform installation. Electrical cables from the wind turbines are connected to a transformer and a single cable transmits the electrical power to shore
installments.
ISC has been involved in the development and design of a number of installations of this kind,
in Denmark as well as in Holland, Germany and in the United Kingdom.
The paper will describe a number of features around the development of these platforms related
both to the topside structure, which includes transformer and foundation concept applied depending on the water depth of the location of the platform.
The first of the transformer platform was installed at the Nysted wind power farm in Southern
Denmark in 2002.
The second and third project was Lillgrund in resund located just south of the resund bridge
and Q 7 off the Dutch coast, both installed successfully in 2007.
The most recent transformer facility in Denmark is installed at the Horns Rev 2 wind power park
just off the Danish West coast. The platform will be located 1km from the geometric pattern of
windmill configuration. The platform and windmill park was installed in summer and autumn
2008.
The most recent transformer platform projects undertaken by ISC are Gunfleet Sands which is
situated North East of the mouth of the river Thames and Walney 1 and 2 in the Irish Sea, both
UK wind power farms.
At present, September 2009, Walney Island I and II substations are under fabrication and will be
installed during 2010 in the Irish Sea, both substations are supported on jacket substructures
also designed by ISC on approximately 21 and 24 m water depth.
The design concept for the substations provides a safe environment for execution of operational
maintenance work on the substations and insures equipment and service personnel against the
harsh offshore environmental conditions. The concept is therefore to locate most of the equipment in an indoor environment and in most cases it will only be the main transformer cooling
banks which are located outdoors thereby ensuring sufficient cooling for the transformer.
ISC concept is based on a single ship build topside module with rooms dedicated and designed, for the specific equipment it shall host and as far as possible, possibilities for reaching
the different rooms without needing external transport. The controlled environment will ensure
optimal protection of the equipment from the environment in the lifetime of the modules and
thereby minimize faults and maintenance time.
Figure 3: Horns Rev 2 Substation and accommodation platform, North Sea, Denmark.