Sensor Platform Project Marine Trials Bidders Conference Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy fundyforce.ca 1
Project Team FORCE OceanWorks International Preliminary Design, Operational Procedures Murray Scotney, OceanMoor Technical Svcs Operational Procedures Mike Wilson, PICC Cable Engineering 2
Agenda The Project (15 min) Scope, progress, preliminary design, cable The Site (15 min) CLA, seabed topography, currents, data The Trials (15 min) RFP requirements, recovery, redeployment Q and A - (1hr) 3
Objectives: 1. To enhance confidence that we understand the site and the effects of turbines on the environment. 2. Develop Canadian expertise in tidal site characterization 3. Develop the infrastructure, equipment and techniques to reliably: A. Characterize and monitor high flow sites B. Assess the interaction of turbines on its surroundings 4
Infrastructure: A recoverable platform - A cabled node - Removable instrument bay - Serviced by moored surface vessel 2 to 3 times a year 5
Project Plan: Today Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Phase 1: Definition Phase 2: Preliminary Design and Trials Phase 3: Design/Build Marine Trials Phase 4: Integration Data Cable Install Phase 5: Install 2012 2013 2014 6
Status: Preliminary Design Phase 2 Risk Studies: Operations Assessed highest risk Stability Data Cable Float Release Mechanism 7
Next Steps: Operational Trials Marine Trials: Retire risks associated with operations to the greatest extent possible Demonstrate: Mooring Recovery ROV demonstration? 8
Next Steps: Cable Deployment Install Data Cable: also serve as deployment test cable for medium voltage cables 9
FORCE Crown Lease Area One of the most powerful in the world 7000 MW in Minas Passage 2500 MW estimated safely extractable straight flowing currents, speeds over 5 m/s pushing 14 billion tonnes of water on avg. 10
FORCE Test Area 11
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Berth Site ADCP Data Collection 14
Site D ADCP Data September 2011 Current Direction Spring Tide Ebb Ebb Neap Tide Operations Window 15
Slack Water at FORCE Courtesy of Dr. Richard Karsten and Dr. Joel Culina Acadia Tidal Energy Institute 16
Site D ADCP Data September 2011 Current Direction Spring Neap Spring Neap 17
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Relevant Information Environmental Assessment Report including all appendices and 2010 addendum ADCP Data Sets and Summary Reports 400kHz and 600kHz high F sampling Sonar Surveys 2m and.4m multibeam.025m side scan Meteorological Report Seabed photos and video 19
Marine Services RFP: Conduct sea trials to verify deployment concepts. Components: Part 1: Engineering Study Part 2: Sheltered Harbour Trial Part 3: Minas Passage Trial
Part 1: Engineering Study A detailed mooring plan backed up with an engineering analysis Identify deck equipment and mooring arrangement Describe the process to control the mooring lines and position the vessel ( geometry described in App 3) The engineering study will validate assumptions in anchor size Installation and recovery plan for the moorings FORCE will validate the analysis conducted via 3 rd party engineering consultant 21
Part 2: Sheltered Harbour Trials Test Float Recovery Device Refine recovery/deployment procedures Evaluate deck layout Validate positioning of the vessel on mooring Training Conduct near home port (mutually agreed location) Assets should test actual equipment to be used (mooring may be scaled back) Data cable to be simulated with 1.25 wire rope and DMA 22
Part 3: Minas Passage Trials Trial will be conducted at neap tides.for safety mooring should be able to hold through 10 knts. Recovery will be done around slack water. Assess performance of float release in high flow. Float submergence is critical factor. Validate mooring plan and test positioning control in high flow Evaluate marine asset performance Validate recovery/deployment procedures in high flow Training Data cable to be simulated with 1-1.25 wire rope and DMA 23
RFP Schedule 10 Apr: Bidders Conference 26 April: RFP submission deadline 06 May: Begin shortlisted candidates presentations 10 May: Notification of successful contractor 31 May: Contract Award Summer: Sheltered Harbour + Minas Passage Trials Contract to be awarded in phases based on performance and results on each phase. 24
Safety and Risk Management Contractors Safety System will be provided to FORCE for review 15 days after initial contract award Inspection of certifications and vessel surveys will be conducted prior to Part 2 and Part 3 FORCE will develop node recovery procedures Contractor will develop transit plan and mooring procedure Joint risk review process Part 2 and Part 3 Risk management plan developed for each phase 25
The Sensor Platform -The FORCE Science Node will be replaced by a Sea Trial Node Base for the marine trials. -The two nodes are physically the same 4.1 m Physical Specifications Summary 4.5 m x 4.1 m x 1.0 m Weight in air 10 tonnes Weight in water 8.7 tonnes 4.5 m 26 1 m
Tension Control - Recovery must be accomplished with this cable attached. - Tension force on this cable is not to exceed 4500 Kg. - For the trials a wire rope will be used to simulate the data cable. 27
Node Recovery Procedure - When ready for recovery, the Node will release a float that pulls a 60m messenger line to the surface. - The messenger line is attached to the main lift line that is attached to the main lift point of the Node. - It is left to the contractor decide how best to safely retrieve the buoy and lift line and to recover the node to the ship deck for servicing. 28
Float Release Mechanism - The lift line for the Node is contained within the Node itself in the Float Release Assembly. Main lift points 29
Float Release Mechanism - The Float Release Assembly contains the lift line, float, and release mechanisms. Acoustic Release Lift Line and drum Float Main Lift Points Solenoid Release 30
Stage 1: Initial Positioning and Lift Line Recovery - When ready for recovery, the float can be released from a shore station signal or if that fails, by an acoustic release activated from the vessel. - The Watch Area diagram is overlaid here for reference. 31
Stage 2: Recovering the Node - The vessel must be able to be repositioned in order to not exceed the maximum allowable tension force on the cable. Lift line lead angle will be key indicator. - Cable tensions max : 4500kg ideally b/t 500-1000 kgs. 32
Stage 3: Node on Deck - Once on board, proper cable tension must be maintained. Ideally redeployed in same tidal cycle. However, trials will validate ability to maintain tension over multiple tidal cycles. Tension monitor will be applied. - Node will also be secured. 33
Servicing the Sensor Platform - NOT REQUIRED FOR SEA TRIALS - The Instrument Node is replaced with abandonment pod and will require a crane in order to lift them in and out. A crane will be required to swap out the instrument pods. 34
Redeployment - The recovered lift line can be used to launch the serviced Node once it is ready and an acoustic release is attached. - Deployment requires the proper SDC tension to be maintained. - The vessel will have to be repositioned as the Node is deployed in order to maintain the proper tension. 35
Redeployment - Any deck tie downs removed prior to luffing overboard. - Vessel to reposition as node deployed to seabed - All procedures and personnel to adhere to marine and safety best practices. 36