Wärtsilä launches SceneScan, the first targetless laser sensor for offshore wind farms
Wärtsilä Corporation, Trade press release, 14 November 2018 at 10 am EET
SceneScan Monopole is the first laser sensor developed for offshore wind farm applications where the need for installing fixed reflective targets is eliminated. This ground-breaking technology is designed to increase safety onboard service operation vessels (SOVs), since vessel positioning sensors that rely on targets fixed to the structure, are often unreliable because of poor placement, poor quality, and obscurement by workers on the platform. The SceneScan has been designed and developed by Guidance Marine, which was acquired by Wärtsilä in 2017.
The SceneScan Monopole’s advanced software allows the measurement of range and bearing to the offshore wind turbine, independent of the use of targets and GPS. The technology is highly applicable for China’s developing offshore wind market, as well as for North Sea wind farms. The first SceneScan Monopole was delivered in summer 2018 for a Chinese SOV newbuild project carried out by GE Power Conversion, a subsidiary of General Electric.
“This first of its kind SceneScan is compatible with all Dynamic Positioning systems on the market, and it is designed for one of the most demanding applications. It embodies our Smart Marine vision, where the latest and most advanced technologies support greater efficiency and enhanced operational safety,” says Dr Sasha Heriot, Business Development Manager, Navigation, Communication and Sensors at Wärtsilä.
“We very much appreciate the efficient way in which Wärtsilä has responded to the need for upgraded sensor technology, which will be used with our own SeaStream DP system. This certainly advances the safety of SOV operations around wind farm structures,” says Chris Bannigan, Global Market Leader for Offshore Support Vessels, GE Power Conversion.
The system successfully underwent sea trials earlier this year onboard the ‘Windea La Cour’, a purpose-built SOV owned by Bernhard Schulte Offshore. The vessel is fitted with other Wärtsilä sensor solutions, including the RangeGuard Monopole, the first targetless local position reference sensor based on radar technology.
Image caption 1: The SceneScan represents a significant advance in SOV safety around wind farm installations.
Image caption 2: Sea trials for the SceneScan were successfully carried out onboard the ‘Windea La Cour’. Copyright: Bernhard Schulte.
Media contacts:
Mr Ravi Bhalsod
Marketing Officer, Navigation Communications and Sensors
Wärtsilä Guidance Marine
Tel: +44 116 229 2600
ravi.bhalsod@guidance.eu.com
Ms Marit Holmlund-Sund
General Manager, Positioning, Marine Solutions Marketing
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel: +358 10 709 1439
marit.holmlund-sund@wartsila.com
Wärtsilä in brief:
Wärtsilä is a global leader in smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising sustainable innovation, total efficiency and data analytics, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2017, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 4.9 billion with approximately 18,000 employees. The company has operations in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com
