Norway-based submerged cargo pumps manufacturer Frank Mohn (Framo) has used its pump technology to anchor 20 wind turbines at Ørsted’s new wind farm BorkumRiffgrund 2.
The suction bucket technology is designed to safely anchor platforms and offshore installations around the world.
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Located 54km off the coast of Lower Saxony in the German North Sea, Ørsted’s BorkumRiffgrund 2 will see the installation of 56 wind turbines of which 20 will use the suction bucket technology as the foundation, while 36 will be supported using monopiles.
Framo noted that a total of 60 suction buckets were put in place as the foundation for anchoring 20 wind turbines.
The three-legged foundations measure more than 50m in height and weigh 950t each.
Framo area sales manager Jørgen Brandt Theodorsen said: “It’s a milestone for Framo. This is the first time our technology has been used to pump so many wind turbines in the same wind farm and is quite unique that so many wind turbines are anchored with suction anchors in one field.”
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By GlobalDataIn June this year, a specialist’s team from Framo, as well as from the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) and GeoSea, were engaged in the installation of the first of the 20 suction bucket jackets at the offshore wind farm.
The foundations of 20 wind turbines were safely pumped into the seabed and the final jacket foundation installed by the specialist team last month.
The full commissioning of the wind farm is planned for early next year.
Framo served as the sub-contractor to NGI in the installation of the 20 offshore wind turbines.
Since 1990, NGI and Framo have been collaborating with each other on the installation of offshore anchoring and foundation elements using suction/vacuum.
NGI Offshore Energy director Thomas Langford said: “The suction bucket jacket technology for offshore wind farms has gone from concept to reality during the last five years.
“Besides lowering costs due to the increased installation speeds compared to traditionally piled jackets, the concept provides for easier decommissioning and practically noise free installation.”
