Zentech Inc. and Renewables Resources International (RRI) announced to the United States Offshore Wind Industry their plans to build the first Jones Act compliant, four-legged, self-propelled Dynamically-Positioned Level 2 (DP2) Jack-up Vessel based on a US-built barge.
Zentech has experience building jack-up vessels. The one above is an example for the offshore oil & gas industry.
Zentech plans to install four truss legs with spud cans, a proven oil & gas design, integrated in a newly built hull. This vessel will provide the now evolving US Offshore Wind Industry with a much needed and cost competitive marine logistic solution, converting a Jones Act compliant asset aligned with the conclusions from the European offshore wind learning curve. The vessel will also act as an Oil & Gas Crane Jack-Up for Decommissioning in 300-ft water depths when not in service for installing and/or maintaining wind turbines.
The Jones Act vessel is designed to navigate the New Bedford Hurricane Barrier and will carry and install in this configuration components for at least three complete 6 to 9-MW range wind turbines. The vessel’s jacking system will be rated at a capacity of 16,000 tons, extending the unit’s service life.
With evolving innovation, up to four 8-MW range, fully assembled wind turbines can be installed using a patented cantilever package. The installation mechanism will be able to align the fully assembled wind turbines to the smallest degree of required accuracy; whether that is a translational or a rotational requirement. Using its innovative concept, the vessel will have the mechanism to enhance its stability to carry fully assembled wind turbines for anticipated 10MW or higher capacity wind turbines.
“This is another defining moment in the evolution of Zentech as one of the world’s leading designers and turnkey providers of advanced offshore solutions. Renewable Resources International’s extensive renewable energy industry knowledge and firsthand experience with the nation’s first offshore wind farm, coupled with the innovative designs and problem-solving mindset of Zentech Inc, will be a powerful combination providing optimal solutions for the marine installation of Offshore Wind Farms in the US,” said Ramesh Maini, President and CEO of
Zentech, Inc.
“With larger scale offshore wind projects following Block Island, the US market requires forward looking marine logistics, such as Zentech’s competitive, Jones Act compliant jack-up installation vessel,” commented Andy Geissbuehler, Managing Partner of Renewable Resources International. “The US made, domestically accessible and designed in concert with the advanced European offshore wind industry, this vessel conversion is another example of the important role the US Oil & Gas Industry will play in accelerating the US offshore wind industry.”
The deployment of a U.S. flagged vessel is a positive sign and a step in the right direction for the offshore wind industry in the U.S.,” said Thomas Brostrøm, President of DONG Energy North America. ”This will help in the creation of a sustainable supply chain that includes several suppliers and we welcome initiatives such as this from serious market players in the industry.”
Discussions with US Shipyards in the Gulf and along the East Coast predict delivery no later than 4th Quarter, 2018. The unit will be constructed utilizing US-built components such as barge, legs, spud cans and propulsion. In addition to enabling a competitive solution addressing the offshore wind industry’s Jones Act challenge, this US built vessel will contribute to the revival of the nation’s shipbuilding industry and port infrastructure.
Filed Under: News, Offshore wind
Jones Act compliant yes, but what about intellectual property (IP) infringement compliant? Many European and Asian vessel fabricators and OW EPC contractors have US patents on jack up barges and using installation vessels to construct wind parks. To what extent has this been investigated by Zentech Inc. and Renewables Resources International (RRI) before announcing this design? As we saw in the UK when Enercon sued Siemens, A2SEA, and DONG over patent infringement liabilities on turbine control (Storm Control ramp down past cut out), the project developers and EPC contractors share in the liability because there isn’t full contractual indemnification on IP in the TSA or other agreements. The Enercon lawsuit threatened $5.3B in projects including operations at London Array and delayed start of construction on Westermost Rough and Gunfleet Sands. Research has shown there is approximately $2.2B in direct damages for patent infringement liabilities and over $74B in indirect losses (lost production, construction delays, alternative construction solutions, licenses in the IP rights) resulting from this matter, but still without any institutional process for dealing with it.