New common guideline launched in the wind industry: “Without standardization we will not reach the next level”

New common guideline is a big step forward for the offshore wind industry, where a common standard now makes it possible for OEMs, shipping companies and developers to reuse seafastening across projects.

Why Wind Industry Standardization (WIS)?

Standardization of tools and equipment across wind industry projects and OEMs (original equipment manufactures) can accelerate the green transition, and help both Denmark and the EU’s ambitions for the expansion of offshore wind. At the same time, it can lower energy costs for consumers.

Solution

Energy Cluster Denmark has therefore created a partnership to standardize equipment and tools in the wind industry (WIS – Wind Industry Standardization). The partnership consists of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S, Vestas Wind Systems A/S, Cadeler, Fred. Olsen Windcarrier A/S Denmark, Havfram and is facilitated by Energy Cluster Denmark.

By developing common designs and interfaces as well as a common interpretation of industry standards, suppliers can use standardized solutions. This will make wind energy more cost-effective, accelerate the green transition and ultimately lower energy costs for consumers. The project will initially focus on standardizing tools and equipment so that they can be used across projects and OEMs.

Subprojects:

• Seafastening Design Guideline(done)
• Seafastening Blade Rack Root End Design (done)
• Tower Transport Equipment (in progress)
• Nacelle Transport Equipment (in progress)
• Tower Stand for Pre-assembly (in progress)
• Port Requirement Guideline (pre-project)

Project types

Generally, three types of projects are expected:

Type 1: A common guideline. For example, the common guideline for planning and executing lifting operations in offshore wind, which was developed earlier.

Type 2: The parties involved create a common design guideline, including product requirements specification and clearly defined interfaces. This document is published for free use by everyone, so that everyone has the opportunity to design their equipment based on the guideline regardless of whether they have been part of the collaboration or not.

Type 3: The work is taken a step further than type 2, and a common design is developed based on the common requirements. The common design (and usually also the design guideline) is published.

Initially, most projects are expected to be type 3, making it easier for third parties to produce and own the equipment.

Shared equipment will also make it easier to create common instructions for the work (lifting, installation, etc…).