FALCON HELPS JAPAN HARNESS OFFSHORE WIND

After Japan's 50 nuclear reactors closed following the Fukushima disaster, wind is now seen as an important alternative energy source.

 

But in a crowded and mountainous country the search for sites must go offshore, with floating turbines the main option in the deep waters off the rugged coastline.

 

It is at the southernmost tip of Japan that the Ministry of the Environment is trialling a turbine to determine the viability of floating wind turbines, in a bid to help replace the 30% of energy lost since the nuclear shut-down.

 

Sure-footed anchorage to the seabed is vital in such a vulnerable environment and a Saab Seaeye Falcon ROV is being used to check the integrity of the 400 metres of chain to mooring points 100 metres down.

 

Workboat deploying the Falcon ROV

 

Workboat deploying the Falcon ROV to check the integrity of floating turbine moorings off the coast of Japan.

 

With many turbines to be installed at a depth of 100 metres or more, setting the anchor securely is vital for the safe location of these turbines offshore.

 

Avoiding twists and entanglements of the 400 metre lengths of chain over a long period of time is also of vital importance, say the research experiment group of the project.

 

click image to enlarge
Falcon - small enough to be manhandled
Falcon – small enough to be
manhandled, yet can be fitted
with a heavy pay-load of cameras
and sensing equipment.

The Falcon, operated by Shibuya Diving, helped monitor the anchor holding test, and the analysis of anchor drag, as well as twist and entanglement.

 

Shibuya Diving chose the Falcon because it could be deployed from a small workboat at a low operating cost and has a proven reputation amongst many different operators across the world for undertaking a wide variety of tasks.

 

It is small and easily manhandled, yet has the power to cope with strong currents around the anchorage whilst loaded with the hefty high-definition camera needed for the task.

 

Although compact, the Falcon is renowned for performing precise work whilst carrying a heavy payload of cameras, sensors, sonar systems and manipulators. It is also packed with advanced intelligent technology usually found in much larger underwater vehicles.

 

With more offshore turbine installations planned, Shibuya Diving intend developing a special work vessel from which to operate the Falcon.

 

The system was sold by Oceanvision of Singapore with further training support from Japanese-speaking, California-based Symphotic.

 

Saab Seaeye underwater systems are used at many offshore wind turbine sites around the world, where their range of powerful, low-profile vehicles are specially suited for working with precise manoeuvrability in confined spaces and strong currents.

 

Saab Seaeye is the world's largest manufacturer of electric ROVs, and now includes Saab's underwater vehicle range of tethered, autonomous and hybrid underwater vehicle systems for the defence industry.

 

For more information contact:

 

Hazuki Yasuhara
Shibuya Diving Industry Co Ltd
+81 463 50 3350
[email protected]
Matt Bates
Saab Seaeye Limited
+44 (0)1489 898 000
[email protected]
www.seaeye.com
   
Ian Johnson
Oceanvision Ple Ltd
+65.6542 1800
[email protected]
www.oceanvision.com.sg
Jack Roberts
Symphotic Tii Corporation
+805 485 6639
[email protected]
www.symphotic.com