KNUD E. HANSEN introduces new jack-up for 20+ MW offshore wind turbines

KNUD E. HANSEN has presented ATLAS C-Class, a new jack-up platform for the offshore wind sector, with a jacking deadweight of 18,000 tonnes, 6,800 square metres of cargo deck area, which features a 3,000-tonne, 37-metre crane.

According to the company, this is currently the only wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) capable of carrying six 14-16 MW wind turbines, and at least five of the next generation 20+ MW turbines.

KNUD E. HANSEN added that the vessel is also able to carry at least four of the extra-large monopile/transition piece foundations, which are required for the 14–16 MW offshore wind turbines.

“The ATLAS C-Class is intended as a platform which will form the basis for further customization according to our clients’ objectives. Cranes, thrusters, generators and jacking systems can all be modified and selected based on manufacturer availability such that the vessel can be tailored to suit the individual needs of each client”, the company said.

The platform has four 3-chorded trusswork legs which can support it in water depths of up to 80 metres.

The vessel is powered by eight 3,340-kilowatt generators, arranged in two  independent engine rooms, with a DC grid system allowing the engines to run at variable speed. The DC grid system is coupled to a four-megawatt battery pack for load leveling and peak shaving.

The batteries are allowing for the recovery of approximately 60 per cent of the energy that is used to jack the vessel to the operational height.

To WTIV is equipped with four azimuthing stern thrusters, driven by permanent-magnet motors. At the forward end, there are two tunnel thrusters and two retractable bow thrusters configured to maximize thrust. 

Negotiations are currently ongoing with companies in the offshore wind sector to further develop the ATLAS C-Class platform based on their individual requirements, KNUD E. HANSEN said in a press release.

“The ATLAS C-Class is the first in a series of  planned WTIV platforms of varying sizes. One of those already under development is a smaller A-Class platform that can carry four 14 megawatt turbines and is equipped with a 1,600 tonne crane for clients who  require a smaller variant to install wind turbines on pre-installed foundations”, the company stated.