Worlds First Ship Planting Whole Wind Power Generator is Developed

Guests present at the launching ceremony of the offshore wind turbines batch installing ship are conducting tape cutting. [Photo provided = KEPCO]

KEPCO (CEO Cheong Seung-il) announced that it developed the worlds first offshore wind turbine batch installation technology that can install offshore wind power generators in the sea in 10 days and implemented the launching ceremony of the offshore wind power installation ship (MMB1) used in this method at Gunsan Port on July 7 (Wed). Attending the launching ceremony were Cheong Seung-il CEO of Korea Electric Power Corp. Woo Beom-ki Deputy Governor of Political Affairs of Jeollabuk-do Province Mayor Kang Im-joon of Gunsan City and research and development officials.

The offshore wind turbine batch installation technology developed by KEPCO is a new concept technique that can be completely installed in only 10 days by assembling both the lower foundation of the generator and the upper turbine at a safe port and then lifting the entire structure of the generator and transporting it to the sea. The specially manufactured vessel for the technique is called Multi-purpose Mobile Base System (hereinafter referred to as MMB). In particular since wind power generators are installed in the sea using KEPCOs existing Suction Pile installation technology as well as the installation period is shortened there is no noise vibration and suspended load which makes it has a great eco-friendly effect.

The Suction Pile installation technology is a new concept offshore wind lower foundation rapid installation technology that penetrates a foundation into the ground by using the water pressure difference between the inside and outside generated when expelling the water inside the pile by using a suction pump after mounting a large steel pipe on the seabed.

On the other hand the existing method of installing offshore wind power is fixing the lower foundation (jacket) to the ground by staking it therefore the rock excavation and cement injection process could not be avoided so there was a risk of marine pollution caused by striking noise suspended load and injection of cement. In addition since the complex process it takes up to 90 days for offshore construction to install turbines and the possibility of business delays was very high when the maritime weather is bad.

MMB has optimized the transportation installation system by developing ship motion interpretation technology and transportation flip prevention technology to stably lift and transport high-weight and ultra long-range wind turbine structures with maximum 1500 tons in weight and 140m in height. It is expected to reduce the cost of installing wind turbines based on 5MW turbines by about 3.7 billion won reducing the marine installation period from 90 days to 10 days. (Development effect) Installation cost reduction (3.7 billion won/year) installation period reduction (80 days) and minimal environmental impact were achieved.

[Existing] Jacket Foundation + SEP※ Barge

• Installation cost: 8.6 billion won • Installation method: Split transportation and installation (90 days)

[Developed] Suction Pile + MMB

• Installation cost: 4.9 billion won • Installation method: Batch transportation and installation (10 days)

The developed MMB can be applied to the lower foundation transportation and installation of KEPCOs southwestern and Sinan offshore wind power projects and the various applications are anticipated as it is expected that there will be demand for small-scale offshore wind farms and multi-purpose marine operations (installation and dismantling of weather towers rescuing marine ships transportation of medium and large marine structures etc.) which are centered on the private sector.

MMB development is a achievement is Koreas first success that even Europe an advanced country in offshore wind power has yet to complete and if we utilize MMB it will greatly contribute to the expansion of offshore wind power generation which is the core of 2050 carbon neutrality. said Cheong Seung-il CEO of KEPCO who attended the launching ceremony.

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