Intertek has signed a deal to evaluate and assess the offshore turbine design for a major European manufacturer to ensure compliance with U.S. and Canadian electrical safety requirements. The project comes at a critical time for Cape Wind, as it moves towards installation.
The work therefore forms a key part of the manufacture, preparation, and assessment of the proposed turbines and will help to minimize any potential delays that are common during the construction phase of offshore wind farms.
As part of the initiative, Intertek will work closely with the European manufacturer in order to ensure that it meets and overcomes the regulatory challenges of the North American market.
Currently there are a host of new electrical standards and electrical codes due to be implemented within the U.S. and Canada. These changes and enhancements are intended to mitigate hazards and risks and provide greater levels of safety to personnel working on site.
As part of the certification and evaluation service, Intertek will work alongside the manufacturer to help assess, develop, and refine all key elements of electrical safety compliance. The turbine project forms a part of an ongoing business relationship with the European manufacturer, as it builds its footprint in the North American market.
Separately, Intertek’s Energy & Water consultancy (formerly Intertek METOC) is also working to provide specialist marine consultancy services to North American power generation and transmission clients. Specialized technical advice has already been provided to over forty offshore wind developments in northern Europe, particularly relating to marine surveys and sub-marine power cable inter-arrays and exports cables.
In the U.S., the team has recently supervised a power cable installation across the Hudson River into Manhattan, conducted risk assessments for major subsea power cable projects on the East coast, and managed an ongoing Operations & Maintenance program for a marine power cable on the West coast.
Intertek will be exhibiting at the AWEA Offshore Wind conference in Virginia Beach through Thursday, October 11, 2012 at booth number 304.
Intertek
www.intertek.com
Filed Under: News, Offshore wind, Turbines, Uncategorized
