The future of offshore wind is not limited to flat coasts. Floating offshore turbines generate electricity at almost any water depth and have excellent CO2 reduction potential. For the first time in more than a decade, Weidmuller, a global pioneer and partner in the field of industrial digitalization and automation, has equipped the prototype of this floating innovation with two newly developed customized solutions: The integrated LED system is designed to provide light for all repairable components of offshore wind turbines, while the TwinCap remote maintenance system detects nut damage in blade bearings early.

Two nautical miles off the coast of Bilbao, Spanish company SaitecOffshore Technologies has launched the DemoSATH floating offshore wind turbine platform, which will be located on the seabed at a depth of 85 meters offshore. The demonstration project uses a barge-like floating structure, with the help of SATH catamaran technology, as well as a single point mooring technology that can be mowed at only one end, allowing for free rotation to take full advantage of offshore wind energy. The 2MW turbine on the tower will provide green electricity for 2,000 households.

Integrated LED system lighting

Weidmuller offers an interior lighting system specifically designed for DemoSATH: the maintainable parts of the tower, cabin and float are equipped with an integrated lighting system consisting of LED lights to ensure regular interior lighting. The system has a battery buffer function to ensure emergency lighting even if there is a power failure, ensuring adequate lighting for safe work.

Photo caption: Weidmuller offers an interior lighting system specifically designed for DemoSATH

Image credit: Saitec Offshore Technologies

“Through lighting simulation and import design, the Weidmuller Wind team assembled a complete lighting package. Depending on the customer’s specification requirements, the solution for individual lamp sets contains different DC leds or AC variants, “explains Jonas Fuhrmann, Product Manager at Weidmuller. In addition, he added, “All installed lamps, including connections and plugs, are shock-proof and shock-proof, as well as IP67 waterproof.”

Aitor Sanz, Offshore wind MEP Manager at Saitec Offshore Technologies, said of Weidmuller’s newly developed customer solution: “We are very satisfied that the redundant design of Weidmuller’s integrated LED system guarantees extremely high stability and excellent performance.”

Photo caption: Weidmuller LED systems are designed for harsh environmental conditions in different industries (e.g., wind power, construction, internal logistics, shipbuilding, transportation)

TwinCap Remote maintenance system detects nut damage

The TwinCap remote maintenance system developed by Weidmuller continuously monitors the nuts that hold the turbine blades to the nacle, greatly reducing the need for technicians to venture aboard the floating fan. Even when the fan is firmly fixed to the ground, the nut will bear a heavy load. When floating at sea, the offshore fan itself is also rotating, and the natural forces borne by its blade bearing screws are much greater.

“For early detection and assessment of nut damage, we developed the TwinCap remote maintenance system. The system is able to determine, both visually and numerically, whether a blade needs to be serviced on site, “says Steffen Niggemann, head of Business Development at Weidmuller. Automated damage detection reduces the need for routine on-site maintenance, significantly reducing transportation and labor costs, especially for offshore parts that are difficult to repair.

“Based on the TwinCap sensing system, Weidmuller has developed a damage prevention system that allows us to detect and repair blade bearing damage as early as possible. Prevent high-cost indirect losses, “concludes Aitor Sanz.

Photo caption: TwinCap remote maintenance systems provide reliable detection of wear signs, thereby preventing costly indirect losses

Working with innovative leaders such as Saitec Offshore Technologies to support the overall development of emerging floating wind technologies as innovative power sources, Weidmuller sees great potential in this.