Aarhus, April 18, 2018

MHI Vestas reveals more on the collaboration with Ramboll that has produced the industry’s first encapsulated foundation load software tool.

For the first time in offshore wind, developers and foundation designers can now perform preliminary, integrated load/foundation designs to optimise foundations prior to bid submission.

The software tool, developed in collaboration with Ramboll, allows foundation designers to independently perform integrated load analyses in an encapsulated, or closed-system, version of the full turbine model used for detailed foundation load simulations.

As part of the MVOW SMART Turbine® product portfolio announced last week in Hamburg, the SMART Foundation Loads tool produces substantive improvements in preliminary foundation designs, further optimising an offshore wind developer’s business case.

MHI Vestas Head of Technical Engineering, Kenji Sato, said, “The Smart Foundation Loads software tool is a great example of our commitment to create optimal value for customers through a collaborative approach. Our partnership with Ramboll has produced a new industry standard – one that promises to save our customers time and money".

Designed with engineering consultancy Frazer-Nash, the software optimises Front End Engineering & Design studies with more accurate early stage modeling and a reduced risk profile for future MHI Vestas projects. The concept was verified on a full-site calculation basis, with the loads producing a near-perfect match to the fully integrated model.

Tim Fischer, Vice Director of Ramboll’s Wind Division: “This joint development project has certainly strengthened the collaboration between MHI Vestas and Ramboll. We already have one of the most effective interfaces within the market and with this development we set a new standard in the industry. We look forward to building on this development and continuing the great collaboration with MHI Vestas.”

The SMART Foundation Loads software package is a part of the MVOW SMART Turbine® product portfolio released last week by MHI Vestas, the company’s most ambitious suite of smart turbine products offered to date.

For further information: 

Tim Fischer 
Ramboll Offshore Wind 
T: +49 40 30 20 20 132 
M: +49 151 58015-132 
tim.fischer@ramboll.com

About MHI Vestas Offshore Wind 

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind is a joint venture between Vestas Wind Systems A/S 50% and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) 50%. The company’s focus is to design, manufacture, install and service wind turbines for the offshore wind industry. The company aims to create sustainable value through offshore wind power by driving capital and operating savings and increasing the power output of wind turbines. An innovative force in offshore wind since its inception in 2014, the company is guided by its founding principles of collaboration, trust, technology and commitment.

About the MVOW SMART Turbine® product portfolio

The newly released, next-generation suite of products is designed to optimise the business case for offshore wind developers. Available to MHI Vestas customers immediately, the portfolio consists of: 

• SMART Foundation Loads – optimises foundation design upfront. The software package will allow MHI Vestas customers to perform integrated load design simulations prior to undertaking detailed load assessments.

• SMART Dampers – designed to actively reduce fatigue loads. Active SMART Dampers reduce fatigue and design loads by reducing the side-to-side and fore-aft movements of the tower.

• SMART Fast Data – dramatically increases the data flow from the turbine. Receiving data frequency 600 times faster than traditional SCADA methods, the tool unlocks hidden insights, enhances diagnostic capability and optimises scheduled service.

• SMART Performance Monitor – brings wind power plant monitoring to a hand-held device. Feeding real-time information on turbine performance, site production, and operational metrics to any mobile device, the Performance Monitor puts the wind park into the customer’s pocket.

• About Ramboll

Ramboll is a leading engineering, design and consultancy company founded in Denmark in 1945. The company employs 13,000 globally and has especially strong representation in the Nordics, UK, North America, Continental Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific.

With more than 300 offices in 35 countries, Ramboll combines local experience with a global knowledgebase constantly striving to achieve inspiring and exacting solutions that make a genuine difference to our clients, the end-users, and society at large. Ramboll works across the markets: Buildings, Transport, Planning & Urban Design, Water, Environment & Health, Energy and Management Consulting. www.ramboll.com

About Frazer-Nash Consultancy

Frazer-Nash is a leading systems and engineering technology company. We’re renowned for our work in the power and energy, aerospace, transport, nuclear, marine and defence sectors, and our security, resilience, cyber and information technology expertise. www.fnc.co.uk