12 November 2013

James Fisher Renewables launches innovative Ship-to-Turbine™ oil change system.

The UK’s leading provider of marine services launches Ship-to-Turbine, an oil change system set to significantly improve efficiency and reduce down time in offshore wind turbine gearbox oil changes.

James Fisher Renewables, in partnership with Chemical Corporation, today announces the launch of an innovative oil transfer system for the direct extraction and refill of offshore wind gearbox oils directly from a conventional access vessel. The STT system employs proven vacuum, preheating and filtration technology to transfer the oil from a self contained deck mounted unit, through umbilical hoses directly eliminating the need to fill and hoist containers via the nacelle crane.

In trials performed during late September on a operational wind farm off the Norfolk coast James Fisher Renewables successfully demonstrated the STT system by completing the entire evacuation, flushing and re-fill of the gear oil system in under 4 hours total pumping time.

The launch STT system builds on Chemical Corporation’s success with Sage Oil Vac gear oil exchange pumping technology in onshore applications through the creation of a range of product variants specifically designed for offshore use in terms of oil volumes, oil types, umbilical lengths, ease of mobilisation and protection from the marine environment.

Commenting on the launch of the STT system, Alan Heslop at James Fisher added: “The current industry practices are not only extremely time consuming and labour intensive but also carry an inherent level of operational and pollution risk. Not only does the STT have the potential to significantly improve technician utilisation and reduce turbine down-time but also mitigates these risks in the methodologies we have developed.”

Steve Stewart, operations director at Chemical Corporation, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with James Fisher Renewables in the development and application of this technology in the offshore wind sector. STT combines the best of Chemical Corporation’s experience and knowledge of filtration, gear oils and Sage Oil Vac technology with the expertise of the UK’s largest marine services provider."

James Fisher will be showcasing the offshore gearbox oil change services at RenewableUK 2013’s Annual Conference & Exhibition at NEC, Birmingham between the 5th - 7th November located externally in Atrium 3, Stand 26 and 27.

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