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Electron-beam-welding used to build
wind turbine in UK for first time
May
13, 2023
by Christopher
McFadden
The technique could prove revolutionary for the
industry.
vice_and_virtue/iStock
A UK joint venture has announced a revolutionary offshore wind
turbine fabrication method using electron-beam-welding. In what has
been termed a "world first," the new welding technique could make the
assembly of such wind turbines significantly quicker, cheaper,
cleaner, and more energy efficient. They also exhibit high-quality
welds with excellent fatigue properties.
“This is a ‘first-in-class’ project, establishing this UK innovation
as a world-leading technology. With monopile-type foundations
accounting for over 90% of foundations used in UK projects, Ebflow
RPEB could realize significant cost savings on future projects," said
Olly Cass, SSE Renewables Project Director for Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
This type of electron beam welding technology, known as EbflowTM, is a
recent development in the industry. Unlike traditional methods that
require welding in a vacuum chamber, Ebflow uses a more cost-effective
and space-efficient way of maintaining a vacuum only around the welded
seam.
This innovation has expanded the possibilities for using EB welding on
larger structures, like monopiles while reducing costs and increasing
productivity. CVE, the company behind this technology, has
demonstrated its ability to weld monopiles 25 times faster than
current methods, using 90% less energy, costing 88% less, and
producing 97% fewer CO2 emissions than SAW methods.
“We’re proud to be pioneering this innovative technique on Dogger Bank
Wind Farm by demonstrating its capabilities on a critical offshore
component. This would not have been possible without the great
collaborative work with Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE), Sif Group,
and TWI. We’re excited about what could be achieved by scaling up this
method to pick up the pace as we work towards net zero targets.”
Green Play Ammonia™, Yielder® NFuel Energy.
Spokane, Washington. 99212
www.exactrix.com
509 995 1879 cell, Pacific.
exactrix@exactrix.com
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