GustoMSC launches jack-up vessel for 10MW wind farms

The manufacturer said wind turbines currently under design and testing will require a new generation of installation jack-ups to deal with the increasing weight and installation height of wind turbine components and the ever heavier foundations. “However, a different strategic approach is required for the future turbines with capacities beyond 10 MW,” GustoMSC added.

The NG-20000X design features the VSD jacking system and a large unobstructed deck area. The variable load capacity of 16,500t, enables the contractor to make a roundtrip carrying six complete sets of wind turbine components with a turbine weight of 1,000t, or carrying seven pieces of 900t jacket foundations, optimizing the cost per installed turbine or foundation.

Additionally, by further balancing out the jack-up design with an optimized leg design, the overall performance of the unit is improved.

A key feature is the innovative combination of high hoisting height for wind turbine installation and heavy load capability for foundation installation. To combine these two requirements, GustoMSC has developed the telescopic leg crane.

By introducing a telescopic boom that features a very high hook height when extended—1,250t at 160m—and offers an increased hoisting capacity when retracted—2,500t at 120m—it is possible to break the cycle of extremely long protruding booms and increasing crane weights, resulting in a more economic crane design and increased variable load available for operations.

The telescopic leg crane has been designed on the basis of its predecessors: the GustoMSC leg encircling crane designs.