Barge Master recently completed the first feeder operation for the Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind project located off the Massachusetts coast.
Foss Maritime, Seaqualize, General Electric, and DEME Offshore U.S., collaborated with Netherlands-based Barge Master on the feeder project.
Barge Master's motion compensation platforms played a role in ensuring the stability and safety of the tower sections for the GE Haliade-X turbines, the company said.
The platforms compensate for vessel motions, keeping the tower sections steady during lifting. Combined with Seaqualize's heave compensation tool, which addresses vertical movements, Barge Master said that these technologies helped facilitate a smooth and safe lifting operation while significantly expanding the weather window.
For Vineyard 1 project, Barge Master developed the “heavy feeder” system to accommodate the weight and height of the Haliade-X tower sections, capable of compensating weights up to 1,500 tons in sea states with wave heights surpassing eight feet. The hydraulic cylinders and drive and control of the system were supplied by Van Halteren Technologies, while TWD was responsible for the detailed engineering of the platforms and foundations.
The Vineyard Wind 1 project is the first commercial-sized wind farm in the U.S. It is considered a crucial step towards reducing carbon emissions and achieving clean energy goals. The wind farm will feature 62 Haliade-X turbines and is expected to provide clean energy to approximately 400,000 homes.
