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- Sensor innovation for offshore use
A groundbreaking innovation has been installed on the DolWin alpha converter platform. 42 fish SensorBolts are used on the platform’s helicopter deck in pilot operation. The aim is to test the products for the long term under marine conditions in a highly corrosive environment. In the future, the solution is intended to increase efficiency in the maintenance of the converter platform.
A sensor innovation on the DolWin alpha converter platform is currently being tested in front of the Dollart Bay in the North Sea. 42 stainless steel M16 Fischer SensorBolts were installed on the gusset plates of the platform helicopter deck. They are also equipped with the likewise new SensorNode product, which securely transfers the data from the SensorBolt to the associated gateway. From there, the measured values are in turn sent end-to-end encrypted to a cloud storage and made available via a customer-specific dashboard. Flange plates were fastened to aluminium beams of the steel-aluminium composite structure, which is bolted from steel and aluminium roller beams.
The converter platform is part of the 165 km long and up to 800 MW high-voltage DC connection DolWin1. The corresponding helicopter deck is located on the top platform level. The offshore converter platform is used to convert the offshore wind power generated by the Trianel wind farms Borkum, Borkum II and Borkum Riffgrund 1 from three-phase to direct current. The electricity is then transported by sea cable to the mainland and by underground cable to the onshore converter station. Here, it is converted back into three-phase current and fed into the TenneT high-voltage network.
The SensorBolts with integrated force measurement and transmission technology are to be tested in pilot operation. The platform is operated by the German transmission system operator TenneT. The executing company was Hemmerschütz Solution GmbH (Toppenstedt).
The SensorBolt is the new addition to the fischer Construction Monitoring portfolio with sensor-integrated fischer products, which also include the SensorAnchor anchor rod and the SensorDisc washer. The innovative range makes it possible to monitor the condition of the fixing points remotely at any time. This is particularly beneficial in the case of difficult-to-reach attachment points, as is the case with offshore wind farms.
“The aim of the pilot installation of our SensorBolts on the helicopter deck of the DolWin alpha converter platform is long-term testing of the products under marine conditions,” says Dr. Daniel Rill, Product Manager Construction Monitoring at the fischer Group. “With the project, we intend to prove the suitability of our SensorBolts and SensorNodes for long-term remote monitoring of stainless steel bolts and to collect the necessary data base.” The helicopter deck on the top level of the DolWin alpha converter platform at 57 m height is subject to a strict and cost-intensive maintenance cycle. Normally, the prescribed inspection requires personnel transfer to the remote location of the platform and manual work during the periodic inspection of the fasteners. With the use of sensor-integrated fasteners from fischer, TenneT aims for more efficient maintenance without compromising safety. “If our Construction Monitoring System can be established as a supplement or even a replacement for conventional maintenance procedures, the maintenance effort will be dramatically reduced in the future,” emphasises Matthias Schneider, Managing Director of Digital Services and IT at the fischer Group. "Direct monitoring of bolt preload by sensor technology allows for significant time and cost savings. In general, this can greatly increase the efficiency of maintaining and operating the plant, increasing its safety, reducing its downtime and extending its useful life."
Direct monitoring of bolt preload by sensor technology allows significant time and cost savings. In general, this can greatly increase the efficiency of maintaining and operating the equipment, increasing its safety, reducing its downtime and extending its useful life.
